Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

It is often believed that all students should spend some time studying abroad or doing a work placement during their degree.

Although there are some disadvantages to the idea, I believe the advantages outweigh them.

On the one hand, students gain practical experience and exposure by doing a work placement. At university, students mostly consume theoretical knowledge, but a work placement gives them a chance to apply it in a real workplace. They can also learn useful skills like teamwork, leadership, communication, and time management. Furthermore, these skills can help them land a job right after graduation. For instance, a student studying computer science might land a high-paying job and learn how professional projects are managed.

Another benefit of studying abroad is that students can experience a different culture and meet people from different backgrounds. They may also learn new language skills by communicating with local people. In addition to that, living in another country might help students to understand different ways of thinking, which can be useful in their future careers.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages. The biggest problem is the cost. Studying abroad in some countries can be really expensive because of high tuition fees, travel, accommodation, and food expenses. This may be difficult for students who come from low-income families. Work placements can also be stressful because students have to manage their university studies and work at the same time. Moreover, it may not be easy for every student to find a suitable placement.

However, these problems can be decreased if universities provide financial support and arrange work placements for students. For example, scholarships could make these opportunities more affordable and accessible.

In conclusion, although studying abroad or completing a work placement can be expensive and sometimes stressful, I believe the benefits are more significant. The practical experience, confidence, independence and new skills gained from these opportunities can help students in both their personal and professional lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as the mention of computer science students gaining professional project management experience. The arguments for both the advantages and disadvantages are balanced, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could further extend the development of the disadvantages, perhaps by discussing the long-term impact of financial barriers or the specific nature of the stress involved in balancing work and study, rather than just listing them.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is handled smoothly using phrases like 'On the other hand' and 'However'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition to that', and 'For instance'. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate and appropriate for the task. The student demonstrates a good range of topic-specific vocabulary, such as 'theoretical knowledge', 'professional projects', 'financial support', and 'accessible'. While the language is clear and accurate, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or the use of less common idiomatic expressions that would characterize a band 8 or 9. The word choices are generally precise, and there are no significant errors in spelling or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. The student uses complex sentences effectively, for example, 'Although there are some disadvantages to the idea, I believe the advantages outweigh them.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout. While the control is strong, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited; incorporating more varied subordinate clauses or advanced conditional structures would further enhance the grammatical range.

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

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