Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

People think all university should undergraduate course include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing some work in a placement. While, their are a few drawbacks of spent time in studying abroad or doing a work placement when students in their undergraduate courses. I believe its advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

On the one hand, university has their specific course for all of the subjects, when students admit university for their undergraduate course they had lots of study pressure. such as, submitting assignment attending class, take their exam and so on, so that they do not have enough time for studying abroad or doing a work placement. However, when student go abroad for spent studying time which is affected for their study and concentration and its a big drawbacks for their study life.

On the other hand, it is true that studying abroad is beneficial for students but it is work when students want graduates in abroad not the same time when they already enrollment in a university course. While, doing a workplace when they studying undergraduate courses it is help them to know about practical things in their adult age also they can earn money from their work.

In my opinion, i believe doing a work placement is crucial for undergraduate courses students it is help them to learn about all type of work by hand. Although, at the same time undergraduate courses students when they have extra time period for spent studying abroad which is extra pressure for students they had extra study with their undergraduate course and it is not good for their mental and physical health.

To sum up, there are some good affect and some drawbacks available, so that it is depend on students what they want to be in their future life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear overall view in the introduction—“I believe its advantages outweigh the disadvantages”—and discuss both possible drawbacks and benefits, including work experience and earning money. However, the response only partially answers the comparison in the question: the advantages are not clearly weighed against the disadvantages, and the conclusion says the choice “depend on students” rather than reaffirming whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Several points are also under-developed. For example, you mention that placements teach practical skills, but do not explain how this helps students after graduation or provide a specific example. Develop a few relevant reasons with explanation and examples, then maintain a consistent position throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion, and the “On the one hand” / “On the other hand” structure signals a contrast. However, the overall progression is not always clear: the second body paragraph shifts from studying abroad to work placements without clearly connecting the two, and the final paragraph repeats concerns about pressure rather than bringing the comparison together. Some linking expressions are inaccurate or mechanical, such as “While” at the start of the first paragraph and “so that” in the explanation of study pressure. Improve the logical sequence by giving each paragraph one main point, linking each supporting sentence directly to it, and using references such as “this experience” clearly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “study pressure,” “work placement,” “practical things,” and “mental and physical health.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are noticeably inaccurate, which sometimes makes the meaning difficult to follow. For instance, “when students admit university” and “when they already enrollment” do not express the intended ideas naturally, while “good affect” is an unsuitable form and choice of word. Repetition of “students,” “study,” and “work” also limits flexibility. Build a topic vocabulary set for education and employment, and check whether words combine naturally in context. The suggestions below offer more precise alternatives for some of your phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses introduced by “when,” “although,” and “so that.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and frequent errors in sentence structure, verb forms, agreement, articles, and punctuation can make the reader work to understand your meaning. For example, “university has their specific course” has an agreement problem, and “it is help them” uses an incorrect verb form. Several sentences also run together or lack clear clause structure, particularly the sentence beginning “In my opinion, i believe…”. Practise building accurate sentences around one main clause, then add a subordinate clause only when its relationship is clear. Check capitalisation and sentence boundaries during proofreading.

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

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