Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-08

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 5.5)

All university bachelor degree courses should include a period of time spent studying overseas or doing a internship. Although studying abroad students might feel lonely, I beleive there are numerous positive aspects such as they have real life experience what subject they choose to study and helps to build strong CV for their postgraduates.

One of the drawbacks, if learners choose to study in foreighn countries, they provabely feel solitude as their are no family members with them. They need time to adapted there because the surroundings and enviroment will be new to them. As a result, they might not focuse on there works properly. They have to do all sort of works such as cleaning the room, cooking, and buying grocery foods. It can hampared their internship. For instance, in bangladesh, who move towards abroad, they feel lonely and started missing their homes. However, I believe that it can managable if they stay mentally calm.

There are several Favourable aspect such as it can help you to build strong CV. For instance, They can make a spot to prestigious university as Masters degree focus on extra curriculum activities more than grades. In future, It can help you to get job in a substantial companies. For example, People who get chance top ranking university such as Oxford, MIt, and standford, they have strong research background. It helps student to achieve there goals.

In conclusion, Despite of students can feel lonely there, but i firmly believe that strong CV can help them to boost their career and secure there future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both the disadvantages and advantages and state a clear overall view: loneliness is manageable, while overseas study or placement can support career prospects. The examples about homesickness and prestigious universities are relevant, but the benefits are not fully explained. For instance, you mention a stronger CV and future employment without showing specifically how studying abroad or a placement develops skills employers value. The discussion also shifts between studying overseas and doing an internship, so it is not always clear which option each point applies to. To strengthen the response, explain the practical learning gained from each option and compare its value with the personal and practical difficulties before reaching your conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a paragraph on drawbacks, a paragraph on benefits, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “As a result,” “For instance,” and “However” help signal relationships between ideas. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the drawbacks paragraph moves from loneliness to household chores and then to internships without explaining the connections. References such as “there” and “it” can also leave the reader unsure what is meant. The conclusion repeats the main points rather than drawing together the comparison. Organise each paragraph around one central claim, connect examples explicitly to that claim, and use clearer references to improve the flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “internship,” “prestigious university,” “research background,” and “career,” and the main ideas are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or collocations make parts difficult to interpret. For example, “make a spot to prestigious university” does not clearly express gaining admission, while “substantial companies” is not a natural way to describe desirable employers. Spelling errors such as “beleive,” “foreighn,” and “provabely” are also noticeable. Build a more precise set of phrases for academic study, work experience, and employment, and check spelling and collocations during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex sentence forms, including the opening concession with “Although” and the result clause beginning “As a result.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence structure, verb forms, agreement, and articles occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. For example, “Although studying abroad students might feel lonely” lacks a clear grammatical connection between the opening clause and the main clause, and “they need time to adapted” uses the wrong verb form. In “it can managable,” the sentence is missing a verb. Practise building complete clauses and checking subject–verb agreement, verb patterns, and articles; then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and main verb.

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