Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-22

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)

It has been suggested that a considerable number of students choose to study English independently on a self-study basis instead of attend a formal course. Nonetheless, without the assistance of a teacher, students often find it difficult to manage their education. I agree with this statement to a great extent, however, few disagree points cannot be overlooked

The most indispensable aspect is that, pupils can easily create flexible study hours. Apart from this, self-study is highly benefical and flexible in students daily routine. To exemplify, when students take classes online then scholars usually have abundant learning materials such as learners can use apps and videos for their excellent academic performance which enhance their critical thinking skills. In other words, undergraduates feels independence and more importantly, they become self-discipline in their social life.

Probing further, learners can give their 100 percent to their study. To justified, when pupils do self-study then they create a flexible study hours. Notwithstanding, there are few paradox points regarding self-study of trainee. Initially, teacher can identify and correct mistake , mainly their grammar and prounciation error which is significant for their academic excellence.

In conclusion, although, self-study can help in improving their self-practice moreover, boost their confidence. However, it can not be denied that tutors can provide personalist feedback .Besides that, give appropriate guidance for their further career opportunities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses the prompt but fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly limits the depth of the argument. While you present a clear position, the ideas are under-developed. For instance, you mention that self-study fosters 'critical thinking skills' and 'self-discipline,' but these points are not sufficiently explained or supported with concrete examples. The conclusion is also quite brief. To improve, you should expand on your main points with more detailed explanations and ensure you meet the minimum length to allow for a full exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is sometimes hindered by awkward transitions and repetitive phrasing. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Apart from this' and 'Notwithstanding,' they are occasionally used incorrectly or feel mechanical. The progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed, particularly in the transition between the benefits of self-study and the counter-argument regarding teacher feedback. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would help create a more cohesive and professional structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but there is a lack of precision and some noticeable errors in word choice. For example, you use 'paradox points' instead of 'drawbacks' or 'limitations,' and 'personalist' instead of 'personalized.' There are also issues with word forms, such as 'self-discipline' used as an adjective where a noun or different structure was needed. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and ensure that collocations are natural and accurate.

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 clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'undergraduates feels'), incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'To justified'), and missing articles. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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