Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Some people believe that all university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement. I agree with this because these experiences can help students develop practical skills, confidence, and better career opportunities, although there are also some disadvantages.
One major advantage of studying abroad is that students gain international skills. They can learn about different cultures, and it also helps them to meet different people and gives them a chance to learn more things. Studying in another country also helps them to improve their communication skills. In addition living in another country makes students more independent because they have to do their own work. For example a student who studies in another country may more confident in English speaking and communication from different cultures.
Another benefit is work experience. University education provides practical knowledge; students can use their knowledge in the workplace from what they learn in their studies. This can help them understand their capabilities. In other words, this can help them examine themselves. Also, this can help them find a job in future if they have work experience.
However, studying abroad also has some disadvantages. For example, studying abroad can be expensive because students need more money for travel, accommodation and other living costs.
Some students experience homesickness; they do not like to live without family.
In conclusion, although studying abroad or doing a work placement can be expensive and sometimes difficult, I believe that advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
These experiences can make more independent and also prepare for better career
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant, covering both international experience and work placements. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the point about 'international skills' is repetitive, and the discussion on work experience lacks specific examples or depth. The conclusion is also slightly abrupt and lacks a final summary of the main points. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your arguments with more detailed explanations or concrete examples rather than listing benefits in a general way.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. There is a basic attempt at using cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Another benefit', and 'In conclusion'. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the use of referencing is occasionally weak. For example, the transition between the benefits of studying abroad and the disadvantages is quite abrupt. The final sentence of the essay is a fragment and lacks a proper connection to the preceding text, which disrupts the overall coherence. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'learn more things', 'do their own work', and 'need more money' are functional but lack the precision and sophistication expected at higher bands. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. While the meaning is always clear, the range is limited to everyday vocabulary. To improve, focus on incorporating more academic collocations and topic-specific vocabulary related to higher education and professional development, such as 'cultural immersion', 'professional networking', or 'financial burden'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('from different cultures'), incorrect word forms ('may more confident'), and punctuation issues (e.g., missing commas after introductory phrases). The final sentence is grammatically incomplete ('make more independent and also prepare for better career'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. You should focus on subject-verb agreement, article usage, and ensuring that all sentences have a clear subject and predicate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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