Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-16

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)

All graduate students should spend more time in studying in abroad or gain more practical experience, i belive that advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages.

Ther are several significant advantages of doing practical work in abroad or doing studying.one of them is students gain work experience for their carrier, so after their graduation they can obtain a suitable jobs with the help of their experience. Secondly, students know about the cultre of other countries and meet with different people that can assist to make them more introvert and students broad their friend circle. Studying in abroad make students more independent with which they can depend more upon ownself for their expenditure and make them more responsible for their life.

Studying in abroad helps to improve students communication skills beacuse in university different countries students studying, so they can talk with them and gain confidence subsequently they learn new language and knowing about different people culture and traditions. While working these experiences make more attractive to employers so, its very useful for students to find good job.

However, while studying or working is abroad is more expensive, especially for low income families, Its hard for them to manage their children to study in aboard .moreover, studenst lose their time for academic studies. Furthermore, in abroad some courses such as medicine and specilized subject, which are not suitable for overseas students.

In conclusion, study expenses in abroad and students lose their time for academic are the disadvantages for students but still workplacment in aborad and are outweigh thu

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. However, the development of ideas is inconsistent. While you mention benefits like work experience and cultural awareness, the explanation is often repetitive and lacks depth. For instance, the point about becoming 'more introvert' is likely a misuse of vocabulary, as studying abroad typically aims to make students more extroverted or confident. The conclusion is incomplete, ending abruptly with 'thu', which fails to provide a final summary of your argument. To improve, ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and fully developed supporting evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'subsequently they learn' and 'with which they can depend' are used awkwardly, disrupting the flow of ideas. There is also a lack of logical progression between sentences; for example, the transition from discussing communication skills to job attractiveness feels abrupt. The final paragraph is unfinished, which significantly impacts the overall coherence of the piece. Using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in contrast') would improve the logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary range is limited and often imprecise. There are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'studying in abroad' (should be 'studying abroad'), 'carrier' (should be 'career'), and 'make them more introvert' (which contradicts your intended meaning of increased confidence). You also struggle with basic prepositions and article usage. While you attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'work placement' and 'expenditure', the overall control is weak. To reach a higher band, focus on learning common collocations and ensuring that the words you choose accurately reflect your intended meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains a high frequency of grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are persistent issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'students know' vs 'students knows', and incorrect sentence structures, such as 'in university different countries students studying'. Punctuation is also problematic, with inconsistent capitalisation and missing commas. While you attempt some complex sentences, they are often grammatically incorrect, leading to confusion. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring subject-verb agreement, and proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect verb forms.

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

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