Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

All university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement.

Do you think the advantages of this would outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.0)

It is suggested that all undergraduate students should spent some time either, studying in another country or working in a company. In my opinion, although there are various disadvantages, the advantages are much greater.

initially, an opportunity to work in company during the study allows students to gain experience, and become financially strong. In this way, the students easily implement their ideas practically that are very helpful for them in their practical life. Working in a real company can help them to work in team, deal with customers, and gain confidence. Studying in another country, also very beneficial for individuals for boosting their confident, communication skills and experiences different cultures. For instance, Pakistani students those study in abroad are more confident and speak English frequently, and because of these properties they get good jobs .

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks. Study in abroad demands high financial support that may be expensive for many families. In addition, some pupils suffer homesickness, as they have to live far away from their families in term of, work and study they might be miss their friends and families. These issues are big but these are exceptions, not the rules. Students can get scholarships from the educational institutions and catch up with their families through technology.

In conclusion, although study in abroad and work placement can be expensive, it give individuals practical experience, job opportunities , confidence and more stable future. So, it is clear that advantages are outweigh the disadvantages in these terms.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your position is clear from the introduction: you believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, and the conclusion restates this view. You address both options in the prompt, giving reasons such as workplace experience, confidence, cultural exposure, cost and homesickness. The example about Pakistani students also helps illustrate a potential benefit. This meets the task well, but some points are asserted rather than fully explained. For instance, “become financially strong” is not developed, and the claim that students can overcome costs through scholarships could be supported with more detail. To strengthen the response further, explain how placements or overseas study improve later employment, and make the example more specific while keeping the comparison between advantages and disadvantages clear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph on benefits, a paragraph on drawbacks and a conclusion. The contrast signalled by “On the other hand” is useful, and the ideas generally follow a sensible order. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. The sentence beginning “In addition, some pupils suffer homesickness” becomes difficult to follow when it continues with “as they have to live far away … in term of, work and study.” The reference in “These issues are big but these are exceptions” is also imprecise. Use shorter, more clearly linked sentences and ensure pronouns refer to specific ideas. More deliberate transitions between the two benefits—work placement and study abroad—would also improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “work placement,” “practical experience,” “homesickness,” “scholarships” and “communication skills.” These choices allow you to discuss both benefits and drawbacks, and you attempt some less common expressions. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “financially strong,” “boosting their confident,” “catch up with their families” and “stable future.” Repetition of “students,” “work” and “study” also limits flexibility. Aim to learn common academic collocations and check word forms: for example, use the noun “confidence” rather than “confident” in this context. More precise vocabulary would make your ideas sound clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a concession in “although there are various disadvantages” and a reason clause beginning “as they have to live far away.” The main ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Examples include “students should spent” instead of “should spend,” “it give individuals” instead of “it gives,” and “advantages are outweigh” instead of “advantages outweigh.” There are also problems with articles and sentence construction, as in “work in company” and the long, unclear homesickness sentence. Review verb forms after modal verbs, subject–verb agreement, and article use. Breaking the most complicated sentences into two would help you retain variety while improving accuracy and punctuation.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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