Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-24

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 7.0)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people are pursuing higher education after completing school, while university and colleges are offering a wider variety of courses. I believe this is a positive development because it gives people greater opportunities to develop useful skill and choose courses that match their interest and career goals.

One major benefit of the growing number of people pursuing higher education is that it can improve their career opportunities. University education allows students to gain specialized knowledge and develop skills that are required in many professional fields. For example, a student who studies computer science can develop programming and problem-solving skills that may help them qualify for jobs in software development or artificial intelligence. As a result, higher education can help individuals obtain better employment opportunities and contribute more effectively to the economy.

Another positive aspect is the increasing variety of courses offered by universities and colleges. In the past, students may have had to choose from a limited number of traditional subjects, whereas today's institutions provide programmed in areas such as technology, business, healthcare and creative industries. For instance, students who are interested in artificial intelligence can study specialized programmed related to computer science and data analysis instead of choosing a general degree that may not match their interests. This greater choice allows students to select programmed that suit their abilities and career ambitions, which can increase their motivation to study.

Admittedly, the growing number of university students can increase competition for places and graduate jobs. However, the long-term benefits of having a more educated workforce outweigh these difficulties.

In conclusion, I believe that the increasing number of people pursuing higher education and the wider range of courses available are positive developments. They provide individuals with greater opportunities to gain specialized skills, pursue suitable careers and contribute to society.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.0
Overall7.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas regarding career opportunities and the variety of courses are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of computer science and artificial intelligence. The argument is logical and balanced, as you acknowledge potential drawbacks before reinforcing your main position. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question of whether this is a positive or negative development.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'One major benefit,' 'Another positive aspect,' and 'Admittedly.' The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is easy to follow. There is a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion that summarizes your main points effectively. The use of referencing is accurate, ensuring that the reader can easily track the development of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'specialized knowledge,' 'professional fields,' and 'career ambitions' are used appropriately. However, there is a recurring error where you use the word 'programmed' instead of 'programs' or 'programmes.' While this does not impede communication, it is a noticeable lexical error. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more sophisticated collocations and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context. Overall, the vocabulary is adequate and fits the academic tone of the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively to explain your ideas, such as 'For instance, students who are interested in artificial intelligence can study specialized programmed related to computer science and data analysis instead of choosing a general degree that may not match their interests.' There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The control of grammar is strong, and the occasional minor slips do not interfere with the clarity of your message. The sentence variety contributes to a fluent reading experience.

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.