Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-14

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 5.5)

Nowadays, many people think that all university courses include a period of time spent studying abroad and most of masses doing a work placement. However their are some disadvantages but it has major advantages which will be disscused in enusing paragraphs.

To commance with, doing a job is more beneficial for students. However, it help them to improve their confidence , communication skills. Furthermore, in all universities teachers gave students more theory knowledge instead of practical knowledge but by doing a job learners can gain practical knowledge which help them in their daily life. In addition, they became financialy independent and reduce burden from their parents. Moreover, having a job teach them to manage their time productively. Also having a job make a teenager more responsible towards their studies and work . They learn how to work in a group.

Moving further a head, it has also some disadvantages like, studying abroad is expensive because students have to pay for travel, house and food . However most families can not afford all these expensive. Futhermore, if learners start earning by thenseleve the know the value of money. And start savings , for their future and do not waste money for waste. Moreover, these experiences are more useful to find a better job in their future and it also help them in their daily life work.

in conclusion, studying abroad has some disadvantages but it has more advantages like it help learners to earn their own money in teenage . And improve their their skills like communication and boost their confidence.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of mandatory work placements and study abroad programs. However, the development is uneven. While the benefits of work placements are explored, the discussion on studying abroad is somewhat confused, as the student conflates it with the financial benefits of working. The position is clear, but the arguments lack depth and specific examples. The introduction is slightly disjointed, and the conclusion does not fully synthesize the two distinct topics (study abroad vs. work placement) effectively. To improve, ensure each part of the prompt is given balanced attention and that arguments are supported with more specific, logical reasoning rather than repetitive points about financial independence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is often hindered by weak transitions and repetitive phrasing. While cohesive devices like 'To commance with', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition' are used, they are sometimes applied mechanically or incorrectly (e.g., 'Moving further a head'). The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when the text shifts between discussing work placements and studying abroad. The paragraphing is present but the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks a clear focus, leading to a somewhat disjointed reading experience. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear, singular topic sentence would significantly enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. There are frequent spelling errors (e.g., 'disscused', 'enusing', 'commance', 'financialy', 'thenseleve') and some awkward collocations (e.g., 'most of masses', 'reduce burden from their parents'). The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic terms like 'good', 'better', and 'useful'. To reach a higher band, you should focus on using more academic, topic-specific vocabulary and pay closer attention to spelling and word formation. Expanding your range to include more sophisticated synonyms and idiomatic expressions would also be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'teachers gave', 'having a job teach'), incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'it help them'), and missing articles or prepositions. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas and periods. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors interfere with the overall fluency of the writing. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically subject-verb agreement and consistent verb tense usage, before attempting more complex structures.

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

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