Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-17

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 6.5)

essay, I will discuss both sides.

To begin with, there are several advantages to providing internship opportunities during undergraduate studies. First, students can gain exposure to different cultures when they work or study in a foreign country. Moreover, countries such as the US, Canada and the UK have distinctive education systems. They use advanced laboratory equipment and provide industrial training alongside academic studies. In addition, their education systems often focus more on practical learning than purely theoretical knowledge, which can help students improve their professional skills.

Furthermore, if undergraduate students undertake internships in local organisations, they can gain a better understanding of the local market and develop practical skills through real-world experience. After graduation, if they obtain employment in multinational companies such as Amazon, Jio or Google, they may face fewer difficulties at the beginning of their careers because they already have some practical experience.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to this approach. First, studying or undertaking an internship abroad can be quite expensive, which may create financial pressure on parents. For example, some parents may have to use their life savings to support their children's education in foreign countries such as the US and the UK. Moreover, accommodation and other living expenses can also be very high. Furthermore, if students undertake internships during their undergraduate studies, they may not have enough time to focus on their academic work, which could adversely affect their academic performance.

In conclusion, although studying or undertaking an internship abroad can be expensive and may reduce the time available for academic studies, the benefits are greater. Such experiences can provide students with practical knowledge, international exposure and a better understanding of the job market, which can be highly valuable for their future careers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of mandatory study abroad or work placements. The position is clear throughout, and the arguments are logically extended. For example, the benefits are supported by references to practical skill acquisition and career preparation, while the drawbacks are balanced by mentioning financial and academic pressures. The ideas are well-developed, though the introduction is slightly abrupt and lacks a formal thesis statement. To reach a higher band, ensure the introduction provides a more comprehensive overview of the essay's scope.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is handled effectively using cohesive devices like 'Furthermore' and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. However, some cohesive links are slightly mechanical, and the opening sentence is incomplete, which slightly affects the overall flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the coherence of the writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision. The student uses relevant terminology such as 'industrial training', 'theoretical knowledge', and 'multinational companies'. There is an attempt to use less common items, though some collocations could be more natural. For instance, 'create financial pressure' is accurate, but could be elevated. The range is adequate for the task, but to achieve a higher band, the student should incorporate more sophisticated, academic vocabulary and demonstrate a more nuanced control over word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate, which ensures that the meaning is always clear. There are occasional minor slips, such as the incomplete opening sentence ('essay, I will discuss...'). The use of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('if they obtain employment... they may face...'), shows a good level of control. To improve, the student should focus on eliminating minor punctuation errors and ensuring that all sentences are complete and grammatically sound.

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

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