Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-11

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 6.0)

Many argue that undergraduate courses should have options to study in foreign countries or jobs related to the course. Even though there are certain disadvantages regarding this ; I believe the advantages will be superior as studying in other countries or having jobs during studies grants students to be experienced in their fields and exposes them to different education systems.

Firstly, having a job as an undergraduate student can have a significant impact on a student's learning process as it allows them to become more skilled at their relevant studies. In this modern era most companies usually search for candidates with more experience; as a result, the candidate with the most experience gets hired and eventually secures a better job opportunity. A classic example is China, where many freshers looking for work opportunities usually need to show related work experience of a certain period of time. Even though it can be argued that having a job while studying can hamper the studies of a student, the advantage of this is immense.

Secondly, the opportunity to study overseas as a part of undergraduate study is effective in a student's life as it makes them explore various education systems. Each institution's faculty has a distinct way of teaching and mindset, so staying in the same environment cannot give the scope to the learners to explore different education systems. There are certain restrictions on foreign education as well like the visa processing might be overwhelming for students or the requirement of proper funding might be hindering as well. For instance, the Bangladesh government has now granted students the opportunity to study in a few English speaking countries resulting in solving the complications of visa or funding.

In conclusion, there are numerous disadvantages of undergraduate study having certain employment options or courses in foreign countries, but I think the advantages like being skilled and exploring different learning systems can certainly be more noteworthy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant, such as the importance of work experience for employability and the benefits of exposure to different educational systems. However, the development is somewhat uneven. While the point about work experience is supported by an example from China, the discussion on study abroad could be more deeply explored. The conclusion is a bit repetitive, merely restating the introduction rather than synthesizing the arguments. To reach a higher band, ensure that each body paragraph provides a more thorough analysis of the 'why' and 'how' behind the stated advantages.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main arguments. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with punctuation, such as the space before the semicolon in the first paragraph ('disadvantages regarding this ; I believe'). Improving the flow between sentences and ensuring more sophisticated use of linking words would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate and allows the writer to express their ideas clearly. There is some attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'undergraduate', 'employability', and 'visa processing'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is occasional repetition of words like 'study' and 'education systems'. To improve, the student should aim to use more precise collocations and a wider variety of synonyms to avoid repetitive phrasing. For example, instead of 'having a job', using 'securing professional internships' would demonstrate a more academic tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some accurate complex sentences, such as 'Even though it can be argued that having a job while studying can hamper the studies of a student, the advantage of this is immense.' However, there are persistent minor errors in grammar and punctuation, such as the incorrect use of the semicolon and some awkward phrasing like 'grants students to be experienced'. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. Increasing the variety of error-free complex structures would be beneficial.

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