Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-10-07

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)

As, english is considered as the universal language and many countries have included the english in their academic curriculum, students start to learn english from early age. Therefore, most of them choose to study english independently rather than attending surplus formal course. However, students find it very difficult to properly handle their studies without the mentorship from the teacher. In this eassy, I am exerting my opinion regarding this matter.

As I mentioned above, english being considered as the universal language for the communication, many countries have included it in their academics and taught to children from their early schooling days. Nevertheless, students can't cope with the difficulties regarding the advance english. I believe it is due to lack of practice. For instance, in schooling days, students get enough practise regarding the other aspects like listening to the simple words or learing how grammar is formed. Additionally, learners also get the practice on academic writing and formal essay writing. Then again it's nothing like practicing advance english which is consist of complex vocabulary and the words which are very difficult to even pronounce, let alone remember how to spell. And many student can formulate the complete sentence in their head but can't convey right words while communicating verbally, Consequently, I somewhat agree that such students require the guidance by the experienced individuals like teachers which subject matter is specifically related to it.

Despite agreeing to the need of proper guidance, there are some students which are neither native to the language nor required a proper assistance from a teacher but their english tends to be very fluent almost as they are native to it. I believe it's beacause of the environment they grew up in, for instance, watching english movies and started to communicate in english from the early age.

To conclude, I have mixed opinion regarding the requirement of mentorship for learning english.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the question and give a qualified position: you agree that teacher guidance is useful, while noting that some learners become fluent through their environment. The examples about difficulty with advanced English and learning through films are relevant. However, the response focuses more on why English is difficult than on how teachers help students manage independent study. The environmental example is also asserted rather than explained, and the conclusion merely repeats that your view is mixed. To strengthen the response, state your degree of agreement clearly and consistently, then develop each main reason with a specific explanation of how teacher support helps learners plan, practise, or correct their work.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and the ideas generally remain connected to the topic. Linking expressions such as “Nevertheless,” “Additionally” and “To conclude” help signal movement between points. However, progression is not always clear: the first body paragraph moves from school-level practice to advanced vocabulary and then speaking difficulties without showing how these points build one argument. “Then again” does not clearly express the relationship between the ideas, and the final paragraph introduces a contrasting case without fully connecting it to your overall position. Use clearer topic sentences and organise each paragraph around one main reason, followed by explanation and an example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “academic curriculum,” “mentorship,” “complex vocabulary” and “academic writing,” and your meaning is generally understandable. There are also attempts at less common expressions, such as “subject matter” and “convey.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “surplus formal course,” “advance English,” “practice on academic writing” and “guidance by the experienced individuals.” Spelling errors such as “eassy,” “beacause” and “learing” are noticeable, while repeated use of “English,” “students” and “practice” limits variety. Build accuracy by learning common collocations and checking spelling, and choose precise alternatives rather than using formal-sounding phrases that do not fit the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “although”-type contrasts such as “Despite agreeing to the need of proper guidance…” and longer sentences explaining your reasons. However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. For example, “As, english is considered as…” has incorrect punctuation and article use, while “many countries have included it in their academics and taught to children” has an unclear subject and incomplete parallel structure. Agreement and sentence construction are also problematic in “many student can formulate” and “which subject matter is specifically related to it.” Practise building accurate clauses first, then check articles, plurals, verb forms and punctuation in longer sentences.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.