Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-06

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people feel that the government should pay the costs of running universities so that a university education will be free for anyone who wants it.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Education is importance for everyone, the time we are living in needs proper education system so that we would not left behind. Education opens one’s mind. Most people feel that the government should pay the costs of running universities so that a university education will be free for anyone. But the questions is why people want this? There are so many answers for this.

Firstly, everyone has the right to get proper education so that unfortunately the society we are living in made education so costly that only rich can afford it. Secondly, the process to get the admission in a good reputable university in the name of “Entry Test” is also very difficult and pricey that only few can afford it. Those who somehow managed to afford ‘Entry Test’ are unfortunately could not passed the test and end up with mediocre institutes.

I strongly agree with this point that it is government’s responsibility to pay cost of university not only for universities but I feel education should be free for all irrespective of person’s religion or status.

Furthermore with the increased in opening of private institutions which only elite can afford. Elite class children do not need to prepare for any test, they never went through the stress which a normal student has experienced. However, they get the admission whichever university or whatsoever department they want to study.

Government should seriously think about this to make the education free of everyone so that everyone has equal right to pursue his/her dream and give a good and comfortable life to his/her family. I have seen so many talented minds wasted. Everybody must get equal chance to prosper.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position in favor of government-funded university education. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention the high cost of entry tests and the disparity between elite and normal students, these points are not fully supported with specific examples or logical depth. The argument remains somewhat generalized, and the connection between the 'Entry Test' issue and the broader call for free education could be more explicitly linked. To reach a higher band, ensure that each paragraph provides a clear, well-reasoned argument supported by concrete evidence or a more detailed explanation of the consequences.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the flow of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For example, the transition 'so that unfortunately' in the second paragraph is awkward and does not effectively link the ideas. Additionally, some sentences are fragmented or lack clear logical progression, such as the transition between the discussion of entry tests and the conclusion. Improving the variety and precision of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in contrast') would help create a smoother, more professional flow between your arguments.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors like 'good', 'proper', and 'pricey'. There are also some word-choice errors, such as 'increased in opening' instead of 'increase in the number of' and 'could not passed' instead of 'could not pass'. To improve, focus on using more academic collocations and precise terminology related to education policy. Expanding your range to include less common lexical items will help you convey your ideas with greater sophistication and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'education is importance'), tense inconsistencies (e.g., 'they never went through the stress which a normal student has experienced'), and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'the process to get the admission... is also very difficult'). While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence construction and proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy will significantly improve your score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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