Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

The universities should give opportunities for all students of undergraduate courses to study in foreign countries or a work placement. There are different pros and cons for this, which I will discuss in this essay. To my viewpoint, the advantages of this will outraced the disadvantages.

One of the positives of the studying abroad is that the students will have the chance to meet students of different cultures. For instance, students will work in teams or groups to make assignments and group projects. In addition, they will explore a lifestyle of foreign students and individuals.

Secondly, the opportunity to work in a company or organization during their undergraduate course is a crucial step for their long-term careers. The experience of working in an organization will play a beneficial role in their future. For example, they will work with real-life problems and try to solve them.

On the other hand, spending time for study abroad or work placement can effect their regular study routine. For instance, they will have less time for their studies when they are working in a company or studing abrod.

To conclude, the advantages of studying abroad or work placement will overcome its disadvantages as they will explore different cultures and lifestyles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear overall view that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and you address both study abroad and work placement. The points about meeting people from different cultures and gaining experience with real-life problems are relevant. However, these ideas are only briefly explained: the essay does not show in detail how cultural contact or workplace experience benefits students, and the disadvantage is limited to having less time for regular studies. The response also falls 45 words short of the required minimum, which restricts the opportunity to develop and support your position. To strengthen the response, explain each point with a specific consequence or example and consider whether the effects differ between studying abroad and working.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two paragraphs presenting advantages, a paragraph on a disadvantage, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “One of the positives,” “Secondly,” and “On the other hand” help readers follow the main points. However, progression within paragraphs is limited: examples are introduced but not developed, and the conclusion largely repeats the introduction rather than drawing the discussion together. Some linking is mechanical, with each paragraph relying on a simple signpost. Build clearer links between a claim, its explanation, and its example, and use references such as “this experience” to connect ideas without repeating the same topic wording.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “different cultures,” “group projects,” “long-term careers,” and “real-life problems.” There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “crucial step” and “beneficial role.” However, the range is limited and some word choices or collocations are noticeably inaccurate, including “To my viewpoint,” “will outraced,” and “effect their regular study routine.” Spelling errors such as “studing abrod” also reduce accuracy. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding the overall argument, but more precise and natural phrasing would improve clarity. Practise common academic collocations and check spelling carefully before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use mostly straightforward sentence patterns and attempt some longer structures, for example, “The experience of working in an organization will play a beneficial role in their future.” The main ideas remain understandable, but grammatical control is uneven. In “the advantages … will outraced the disadvantages,” the verb form is incorrect; “students … will have less time” is also followed by an unclear time relationship in the example. There are errors in articles and prepositions, as in “the studying abroad” and “spending time for study abroad.” Sentence structures are generally simple, so the response shows limited variety. Review verb forms after modal verbs, article use, and preposition patterns, then practise combining related ideas accurately.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.