Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-06
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
In many countries these days, the number of people continuing their education after school has increased, and the range of courses available at universities and colleges has also increased.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant experience.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
In these days, the educational system has enhanced a lot in a lot of ways. The situation got convenient even for those youth , who did not had a strong economical support from their families. The government gives many opportunities to those students who are willing to work hard to make their lives the way they imagine.
To start with, nowadays there are a lot courses which help minors to develop their skills, which then will assist them in their future carriers. These days, when choosing an employee, they always look at an individuals experience, their hard working skills and etc. So to aim your goal and impress the employer, it is essential to participate in every challenge to improve yourself.
In addition, in my country, I know people, who did not continued studying in the university, which in the future had an negative impact on their life. It is sad that they consume their time and resources on things that are not necessary. From my experience, I regret not participating in events, since I want to study abroad, because that is one of the most necessary aspect. My mom always told me to do the extracurriculars , but I never gave her an ear to listen.
In conclusion, studying will give you an positive impact on your life. Even the government gives you the opportunities. So it is your thing to take every chance you will ever have to create a kind of life you always wanted to have.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by discussing the increase in higher education, but the development of ideas is limited. While you state that this is a positive development, the arguments are somewhat superficial. For instance, you mention that education helps minors develop skills, but you do not fully explain why the increased range of courses is specifically beneficial. The personal anecdotes in the third paragraph are relevant but lack a clear connection to the broader societal implications of the trend. To improve, ensure that each paragraph focuses on a clear, well-supported argument that directly answers the 'positive or negative' aspect of the question.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'To start with' and 'In addition'. There are instances where the logical flow between sentences is weak, particularly in the second paragraph where the transition from 'minors' to 'choosing an employee' feels abrupt. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as the use of 'they' in 'they always look at an individuals experience', which lacks a specific antecedent. Improving the variety and precision of linking words would enhance the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'enhanced a lot' instead of 'improved significantly', and 'minors' to refer to university students, which is inaccurate. You also use 'carriers' when you mean 'careers' and 'economical support' instead of 'financial support'. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of sophisticated or less common vocabulary limits the score. Focus on learning collocations and using more precise academic terminology.
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 the reader. Examples include 'did not had' (should be 'did not have'), 'a lot courses' (should be 'a lot of courses'), and 'an positive impact' (should be 'a positive impact'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas before 'who' and 'which'. While the meaning is usually understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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