Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-07

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

A huge number of students choose to study English independently on a self- study basis rather than attend a formal course. However, without the assistance of a teacher, students often find it difficult to manage their studies.

To what extent do you agree or disagree ?

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

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Nowadays, due to advancements in technology, any skill can be learnt efficiently. A majority of students choose to learn English language by self-studying rather than enrolling in a course. I totally agree with the statement that the teacher eases the job of learning for students.

To begin with, self-learning a new language is not everyone's cup of tea. Though some students might find it easy while for some it is quite challenging. This is due to difference in thinking and learning abilities of children. Moreover, having a good tutor is beneficial to the children as he can solve the majority of students' doubts regarding the language's pronunciation, grammar, tenses and many other rules. This leads to built a strong foundation within the children which can come handy in their future endeavors. For example, Many renowned English authors often give credit to their school teacher for clearing their basic language fundamentals, due to which they are successful.

On the other hand, the teacher can provide extra practice materials to students. Due to this the pupils can find time to effectively manage and track the progress of their studies. In contrast, self-learning also hold importance in one's life. Because in class a student learns the concept but he should be knowing the application of the course that he learnt. For instance, many students after attending classes goes to library and refer the literature of many famous authors tp

In conclusion, a teacher can ease the basic learning for students. But in the end student is himself responsible to obey the teacher and

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position in favor of teacher-led instruction. However, the development of ideas is inconsistent. While the first body paragraph provides a relevant point about foundational knowledge, the second body paragraph is underdeveloped and ends abruptly. The conclusion is incomplete, failing to summarize the main points or restate the position effectively. To reach a higher band, you must ensure that every paragraph is fully developed with clear supporting evidence and that the essay reaches a logical, complete conclusion. The final sentence is cut off, which significantly impacts the overall task completion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand' to organize ideas. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by the incomplete final paragraph and the abrupt ending of the second body paragraph. Paragraphing is present, but the lack of a finished conclusion makes the overall structure feel disjointed. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences occasionally feels mechanical. To improve, focus on ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding thought that links back to the main argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the reader to follow your argument. You use some topic-specific terms like 'foundational knowledge' and 'endeavors'. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'eases the job of learning' and 'obey the teacher'. The range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler vocabulary. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing. Additionally, ensure that you proofread for minor errors in word form and usage.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'leads to built' (should be 'leads to building'), 'many students... goes' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'self-learning also hold importance' (should be 'holds'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the incomplete final sentence is a significant issue. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent verb tense usage. Increasing the variety of error-free complex structures will also help elevate your score in this criterion.

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

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