Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-02

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 observed that, due to invention of technology , students are trying to learn english independently rather than attend a paid course. Although some people believe that learners can face difficulties in learning english without assistance of tutor and it can also effect their studies . I am agree with this statement to some extent . My inclination is elaborated in ensuring paragraphs and relevant examples.

The foremost argument to justify my stand is that , it is possible for everyone to learn english independently on self study basis . Due to innovation in technology , there are a various channels from where we can take lectures to improve our english skills . In addition , it require some time management and dedication because watching videos on social media apps take more time to understand and it can seem difficult to manage formal studies without these skills .

Furthermore , the other reason to prove my point is that some institutes charge large fee for english learning programs that can not be manageable for everyone . I strongly inclined to believed , we can get better sources to learn english by using various social media apps . Because , mostly institutes those are offering english courses just provide basic knowledge regarding second language . Because they have to pay to professors who assist students in improving their acquiring english abilities . To some extent , it can be beneficial the help of teachers to students who can not learn by themself due to loss of concentration and confidence.

On contrary , there are some drawbacks to study english independently , it can effect the routine of those students who also want to focus on their studies . It is only challenging for those has not confidence on themself and get confuse readily on mistakes .

To conclude my discussion , i partly agree with the statement but it depend on abilities of students ,either they can manage their studies and english learning both at same time without assistance of any tutor. It is better to gain knowledge to improve english through youtube and google where everyone can prepare,practice and evaluate level their level pf english.

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 and maintains a clear position throughout, although the development of ideas is somewhat inconsistent. You acknowledge both sides of the argument, which is good, but some points are under-developed. For example, the claim that institutes only provide 'basic knowledge' is a broad generalization that lacks specific evidence or logical depth. To improve, ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single, well-supported idea. While your position is clear, the transition between the benefits of self-study and the drawbacks could be more fluid to ensure a more cohesive argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow your argument. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly inaccurate. For instance, 'On contrary' should be 'On the contrary', and the use of 'Because' at the start of sentences is grammatically incorrect and disrupts the flow. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the final paragraph where the connection between 'abilities of students' and the conclusion is slightly muddled. Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words will help your ideas flow more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have an adequate range of vocabulary to discuss the topic, but there are frequent errors in word choice and collocation. Phrases like 'invention of technology' (should be 'advancements in technology') and 'effect their studies' (should be 'affect') indicate a need for more precise usage. You attempt to use some less common vocabulary, but it is often used incorrectly or in a way that sounds unnatural. To reach a higher band, focus on learning collocations—words that naturally go together—and ensure you are using the correct form of words (e.g., 'affect' vs 'effect').

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include missing articles (e.g., 'without assistance of tutor'), subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'it require'), and incorrect preposition usage. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas before conjunctions. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and article usage to improve your accuracy.

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

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