Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-14

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)

Nowadays, students from different universities who are studying undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studing aborad or doing a work placement. This essay will prove that why I believe that the benefits of studying abroad or doing any internships will make the future career of the students more realistic rather than just studying or enjoying university life in that country.

Universities should make a policy regarding the studying or giving any specific job related to their studies in a foreign country for some period of time. It will be very helpful for those undergraduate students who are hardworking and not wasting their important time in other irrevelant things. Furthermore, the students will experience the professional environment in a foreign country and their way of living. Also, they will saw the difference between their own country's education sector and the foreign education system.

While, there are some drawbacks which will come at the beginning of the studies if the students move to another state. If they want to go outside for some shopping, they will experience the language barrier which will restrict them to not communicate and the people will treat them in rude way. This will make the student little bit stress and become lonely. They will isolated from other people and they will restrict themselves in their own friends circle but this problem can be solved with the passage of time.

In conclusion, looking at the advantages of studying abroad in terms of the student's professional career, the problems can be fixed while studying or working as a student.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You take a position that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, and you address both advantages and disadvantages. The points about gaining professional experience and encountering language and social difficulties are relevant. However, the benefits are asserted more than explained: for example, the claim that placements make students’ careers “more realistic” is not clarified with a specific outcome or example. The discussion of drawbacks focuses mainly on moving abroad, although the task also includes work placements, and the conclusion does not clearly compare the two sides. Develop each main point with a concrete example and explain why the advantages are greater. The required length is met; nine words copied from the task prompt were not counted.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for benefits and drawbacks, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “Furthermore,” “Also,” and “In conclusion” help signal the stages of the essay. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the first body paragraph moves from students’ use of time to professional experience and then to education systems without showing how these points connect. “While” at the start of the drawbacks paragraph is also used awkwardly, and several ideas are joined in long sentences, making relationships between them harder to follow. Group related points, use clearer transitions, and make references such as “this problem” precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “professional environment,” “language barrier,” and “education system,” so the main ideas are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “make the future career … more realistic,” “restrict them to not communicate,” and “treated them in rude way.” Spelling errors, including “studing,” “aborad,” and “irrevelant,” are noticeable and reduce accuracy. Aim to use more precise phrases for academic and workplace benefits, and check spelling carefully. Replacing repeated general terms such as “students” and “problem” with suitable alternatives can also make the discussion more specific.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “who,” “if,” and “which.” However, the range is limited, and complex structures are often faulty. For example, “This essay will prove that why I believe” combines incompatible constructions, while “they will saw the difference” uses an incorrect verb form. There are also errors in sentence structure and agreement in “This will make the student little bit stress” and “They will isolated.” These problems sometimes make the intended meaning less clear. Practise forming accurate subordinate clauses and checking verb forms, articles, and agreement; then use a wider variety of sentence patterns while keeping each sentence controlled.

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

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