Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-26

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 7.5)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people are choosing to continue their education after completing school, while universities and colleges are offering a wider variety of courses. In my opinion, this is a highly positive development because it provides people with better career opportunities, develops useful skills and allows them to choose education according to their interests.

Firstly, continuing education can significantly improve people's employment prospects. In today's competitive job market, many employers require applicants to have specialised qualifications rather than only a school education. University courses allow students to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in areas such as medicine, engineering, information technology and business. For example, a student who completes a degree in computer science can develop programming skills that may help them obtain a well-paid job in the technology industry.

Secondly, the increasing range of courses gives students greater freedom to choose subjects that suit their interests and abilities. In the past, students had relatively limited options, whereas today they can study traditional subjects as well as newer fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital marketing and environmental science. This variety can also help people change careers later in life. For instance, someone working in business may take a course in data analysis and move into a technology-related career.

There are some disadvantages, however. Higher education can be expensive, and students may spend several years studying instead of earning a full-time income. Nevertheless, these disadvantages can be outweighed by the long-term benefits of gaining better qualifications and improving career prospects.

In conclusion, I believe that the growing number of people pursuing education after school and the increasing variety of university courses are positive developments. They provide greater educational choice and help individuals build the knowledge and skills needed for their future careers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of computer science and data analysis to illustrate career progression. The arguments are logical and directly support your stance that this is a positive development. You also acknowledge the counter-argument regarding costs, which demonstrates a balanced approach and adds depth to your analysis. The ideas are extended well, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, introduced by effective transition signals like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Nevertheless'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately, ensuring the text flows smoothly from one point to the next. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two supporting body paragraphs, a concession paragraph, and a conclusion. The relationship between ideas is easy to follow, and the structure is coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'competitive job market', 'specialised qualifications', and 'long-term benefits' show a solid command of topic-specific language. You use a variety of terms related to education and career development effectively. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and clarity, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('In today's competitive job market, many employers require...') and conditional-like structures ('...if they complete a degree...'). Punctuation is used correctly to manage sentence flow. The grammar is highly accurate, with almost no errors throughout the text. The control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is clear and error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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