Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-29

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 choosing to continue their education after finishing school. At the same time, universities and colleges are offering a wider range of courses than in the past. I believe that this is a positive development because it provides people with better career opportunities and allows them to study subjects according to their interests.

One major advantage of continuing education is that it can improve people’s career prospects. In today’s competitive job market, many employers require applicants to have a university degree or specialised qualifications. Therefore, students who continue their education can develop useful knowledge and skills, which may help them find better jobs and earn higher salaries. For example, a student who studies computer science can learn programming and other technical skills that are highly useful in many modern industries.

Another positive aspect is the wider variety of courses available at educational institutions. In the past, students may have had fewer choices, whereas nowadays they can study subjects such as business, information technology, psychology, media and environmental science. This allows students to choose a course that matches their interests and abilities. As a result, they are more likely to remain motivated and develop expertise in a particular field.

However, higher education can also create some difficulties. University fees and living expenses can be expensive, and students may need to spend several years studying before entering the workforce. Moreover, having a degree does not always guarantee a good job. Nevertheless, these disadvantages can be reduced through scholarships, affordable courses and practical training.

In conclusion, although continuing education can be costly and time-consuming, I believe the increase in higher education and the wider choice of courses are positive developments. They can help people gain valuable skills, improve their career opportunities and choose education that suits their interests.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a position in the introduction that higher education expansion is a positive development. The body paragraphs successfully develop well-supported arguments. For instance, the second paragraph outlines career prospects and provides a relevant example regarding computer science. The third paragraph explores the variety of courses and student motivation. Counterarguments are also acknowledged and addressed in the fourth paragraph. Ideas are extended logically and supported with relevant examples and explanations. The conclusion neatly reinforces the main stance, matching the Band 7 and Band 8 descriptors for task coverage and development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a clear thesis statement in the introduction, followed by well-sequenced body paragraphs, and a concise summary conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments, such as 'One major advantage', 'Another positive aspect', 'However', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is managed logically and appropriately. The referencing and logical flow are clear, which comfortably places the response within the Band 7 range, moving towards Band 8.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision appropriate for an academic response. Phrases such as 'competitive job market', 'specialised qualifications', 'educational institutions', and 'financial constraints' or related concepts demonstrate a solid control of lexical resource. Less common items like 'motivation' and 'expertise' are used naturally. Although there are occasional standard collocations rather than highly sophisticated or rare academic idioms, the vocabulary is more than adequate for the task. Minor spelling or word-choice errors are absent, allowing for smooth communication and earning a solid Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentence forms. The majority of sentences are error-free, showing good control of grammar and punctuation. Examples of complex structures include relative clauses and conditional-like or concessive relationships, such as 'students who continue their education can develop useful knowledge and skills, which may help them find better jobs' and 'although continuing education can be costly and time-consuming, I believe...'. Punctuation is accurate, and grammatical errors are virtually non-existent throughout the text. This level of accuracy and range warrants a Band 8.

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