Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-15

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 recent years, many students choosing higher qualification after leaving school. The range of courses available in both academic and professional level available in both universities and colleges. While some may argue that this trend leads to over qualification or delayed entry into the workforce, I believe this is an overwhelming positive development for both individual and society.

On the other hand critics regarding financial costs and time commitments. Pursuing higher education can be expensive , often plunging students into student debt before even they begin their careers.Furthermore, spending more years in studying means enter job market later, delaying practical work experience. However, these drawbacks are heavily outweighed by the profound long term advantages.

On the other hand, the expansion of higher education and course variety is a tremendously positive step. First, modern economics demand specilized and advanced skill sets.With the wider range of courses students can taylor their education to the contemporary job markets needs. Additionally, Personal growth and societal progression are sigificantly enhanced.

In conclusion, although extended education requires investments of time and money, but the trend of pursing higher education and diverse course offerings available represent positive development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear overall view that the increase is positive, and you acknowledge a relevant counterargument about cost and delayed employment. However, the response addresses the task only partially: the benefits are asserted rather than explained, and the point about “personal growth and societal progression” has no supporting example or detail. The discussion of course variety is also brief, so it is not clear how different courses benefit students or society in practice. The response contains 191 words, so it does not meet the required minimum of 250; this limits the space available to develop and support your ideas. Extend each main point with explanation and a specific example, while maintaining your position throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and the reader can follow the broad contrast between drawbacks and benefits. However, progression is limited because the second body paragraph begins “On the other hand” even though it presents another positive point, making the relationship between ideas unclear. The conclusion also uses “although … but,” which creates an awkward link. Within paragraphs, ideas are listed rather than developed through clear explanation and examples. Use topic sentences that signal each paragraph’s purpose, then connect each claim to its explanation. More precise transitions and clearer reference between sentences would make the argument easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt some topic-appropriate vocabulary, including “higher education,” “student debt,” “practical work experience,” and “specialized … skill sets.” These choices show an effort to discuss education and employment beyond very basic terms. However, several spelling and word-choice errors reduce accuracy, such as “specilized,” “taylor,” “sigificantly,” and “pursing.” Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise, including “higher qualification” and “modern economics demand.” The range is sufficient to communicate the main position, but control is uneven and some wording may slow the reader. Check spelling carefully and learn common collocations for education, skills and employment; using precise phrases will make your argument sound more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including the concession beginning “While some may argue…” and the concluding “although” clause. The main message remains understandable, but errors in sentence construction and verb forms occur across the response. For example, “many students choosing higher qualification” lacks a finite verb, while “means enter job market later” needs a grammatical subject pattern such as “means that they enter the job market later.” The final sentence combines “although” with “but,” and the opening of the second paragraph is a fragment. Review complete sentence structure, articles and verb patterns, then proofread punctuation and spacing. More consistently accurate sentences would make your ideas clearer.

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