Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-05
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 5.5)
Unanimously ,the phenomenon of undergraduate courses including a period of time spent studying abroad is ubiquitous across the globe due to plethora of merits . However it is agreed that the demerits connected to it cannot be ignored . Majority of the students support this and others oppose . In my subsequent paragraphs the advantages and disadvantages of including a period of time spent studying abroad shall be elucidated .
On one hand initiating with the pros of the same, the first and the foremost key benefit is students gain a good amount of knowledge and it helps students boost their confidence . Another benefit which can be highlighted is the growth of economic of that specific country . To cite an instance once students get good job in a good country which matches their requirements students tend to stay in that country itself .
On the other hand ,the darker side of the work placement includes that some students may not be mentally prepared to work there or in some cases students might not be comfortable living there permanent and because of this students might not choose that country . Additionally another drawback which makes it problematic is that some parents agree that students can study abroad but wont agree when they work there specially those parents who can't visit frequently or sometimes it might be students choice to stay in their hometown and work there itself . To Exemplify, parents who have their own business will not agree for students to work there.
To Encapsulate ,neither the pros of the given statement can be neglected nor its cons, I strongly opine that both have its own benefits and the given statement should not be underestimated and should be reinforced in our modern society by the joint efforts of students and the authorities .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt, but the development of ideas is limited. While you mention both advantages and disadvantages, the arguments lack depth and specific examples. For instance, the point about 'growth of economic of that specific country' is vague and not fully explained. Furthermore, your position is somewhat ambiguous; you state that both sides have benefits but do not clearly argue whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, which is a requirement of the prompt. To improve, ensure each paragraph provides a clear, well-supported argument that directly answers the 'outweigh' aspect of the question.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'another benefit' or 'on the other hand'. Some transitions feel forced, and the logical progression within paragraphs could be smoother. For example, the jump between discussing student mental preparation and parental concerns in the second body paragraph is abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that sentences flow logically from one to the next would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using words like 'ubiquitous', 'elucidated', and 'encapsulate'. However, there are several instances of awkward collocations and word choice errors, such as 'growth of economic' instead of 'economic growth' and 'living there permanent' instead of 'permanently'. Additionally, some phrases are used incorrectly, such as 'initiating with the pros of the same'. To reach a higher band, focus on using vocabulary more precisely and ensuring that collocations are natural. Expanding your range of topic-specific vocabulary related to education and international work would also be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Issues include missing articles ('the growth of economic'), incorrect verb forms ('parents who have their own business will not agree for students to work'), and punctuation errors, such as unnecessary spaces before commas. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. You should focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and consistent punctuation to improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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