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 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 opine that the advantages outweighs the disadvantages 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 by discussing both advantages and disadvantages, and a clear position is stated in the conclusion. However, the development of ideas is limited. For example, the argument regarding the 'growth of economic of that specific country' is vague and lacks a logical explanation of how student placements specifically drive this. Similarly, the points about parental disagreement are somewhat anecdotal and lack depth. To reach a higher band, you need to provide more substantial supporting evidence and ensure that your arguments are fully explored rather than just mentioned. The response is somewhat repetitive in its structure and lacks a nuanced exploration of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'initiating with the pros of the same' or 'the darker side of the work placement'. While there is a logical progression, the transitions between ideas feel forced. Referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when using 'the same' or 'it'. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and phrases that flow more naturally within the context of your sentences, and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary range is adequate for the task but lacks precision and sophistication. You use some academic-style phrases like 'ubiquitous' and 'elucidated', but these are occasionally used incorrectly or in contexts where they do not fit naturally. There are also errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'growth of economic' (should be 'economic growth') and 'living there permanent' (should be 'permanently'). To improve, focus on learning collocations and using words in their correct grammatical form. Avoid over-using complex words if you are not entirely sure of their precise meaning or usage.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally hinder the flow. For instance, there are issues with article usage ('the growth of economic'), subject-verb agreement, and missing prepositions. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with spaces placed before commas in several instances. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, particularly with articles, pluralisation, and sentence-level punctuation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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