Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-08

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 7.5)

It is often argued that all undergraduate students should be required to spend a period of their degree either studying abroad or undertaking a work placement. Although such a policy could create financial and logistical difficulties for some students, I believe that the advantages of gaining practical and international experience would outweigh these disadvantages.

One major advantage of studying abroad or completing a work placement is that students can develop skills that cannot be acquired effectively through academic study alone. A work placement, for instance, allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in a professional environment while developing communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. These abilities are highly valued by employers and can give graduates a significant advantage when entering the job market. For example, an engineering student who spends several months working for a technology company may gain practical experience with industry-standard tools and procedures that would otherwise take years to learn independently.

Studying abroad can also broaden students' perspectives and improve their ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations. Living in another country exposes young people to different cultures, languages and ways of thinking, which can make them more open-minded and independent. Nevertheless, compulsory overseas study or work placements could place a considerable financial burden on students from less affluent backgrounds. In addition, some students may have family responsibilities or personal circumstances that make living abroad impractical. Universities would therefore need to provide financial assistance and alternative arrangements to ensure that such a requirement did not disadvantage particular groups.

Overall, I believe that the benefits of gaining practical experience and developing cultural awareness outweigh the potential drawbacks. However, universities should make such programmes accessible by providing financial support and allowing reasonable alternatives for students who cannot participate in them.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the discussion on skill acquisition and the counter-argument regarding financial barriers. You provide relevant examples, such as the engineering student scenario, which effectively supports your argument. The conclusion synthesises the main points well. To reach a band 9, you could further elaborate on the 'work placement' aspect with a specific example similar to the depth provided for the 'study abroad' section, ensuring a perfectly balanced development of both components of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and the counter-argument is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'Nevertheless' and 'In addition'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used effectively to structure the argument. The flow is natural, and the reader is guided through your reasoning without any confusion. The cohesion is managed well throughout, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'theoretical knowledge', 'professional environment', 'less affluent backgrounds', and 'practical experience' show a solid command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used accurately and with a good degree of precision. While the range is sufficient, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. Overall, the lexical control is strong and supports the clarity of your arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although such a policy could create...', '...which can make them more open-minded...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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