Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18

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)

University is a place where you grow not only physically but also emotionally . Universities have some time period of study and later you would graduate . During the undergraduate time period , there are alot of courses available and you learn different practical skills to develop .

Undergraduate is an important time period of studying . From my prespective , all university undergraduate courses should include a period of time where students spent time studying abroad along with job or internship to develop practical skills .

For instance , many universities in europe allow students to work during the undergraduate time period . It helps them to gain practical skills so they can do any jobs of their preference .

In my opinions , advantages of this would outweigh the disadvantages . For example : Europe universities allow international students to study abroad and allow them to carry their own expenses doing job along with studies . It also provide students free stipend during the undergraduate . It allows student to gain theoretical knowledge along with practical skills.

Country like germany , the universities provide undergraduate courses and it has included a time period . while applying for visa to study abroad , the embassy asked students if they come back to their country . So students has some time period spent studying abroad . International students has time period of 2 years according to undergraduate courses .

Some drewbacks of this , Students have deadline to complete their undergraduate courses while meeting the criteria and 2 years time is not enough for them to find employment .

In conclusion , universities should provide a more time period for students who come along the long way to study abroad . So they can find the jobs in time while completing the deadline .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by expressing a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. However, the development of ideas is limited. While you mention practical skills and employment, the arguments are somewhat repetitive and lack depth. For instance, the discussion regarding Germany and visa requirements is not clearly linked to the core argument about the benefits of study abroad or work placements. To improve, ensure each paragraph focuses on a distinct, well-supported point that directly answers the 'why' behind your position. The conclusion is a bit abrupt and focuses more on a specific logistical issue rather than summarizing the main arguments effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is basic and occasionally repetitive (e.g., 'For instance', 'For example'). Some transitions between sentences are mechanical, and the logical flow within paragraphs is hindered by short, choppy sentences. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the paragraph about Germany, where the connection between visa rules and the benefits of the program is not explicitly stated. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each sentence builds logically on the previous one would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on simple, repetitive phrasing such as 'time period' and 'practical skills'. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'drewbacks' (spelling) and 'provide students free stipend', which sounds unnatural. While the meaning is generally clear, there is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repetition and demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'International students has', 'students has some time period') and article usage (e.g., 'Country like germany'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas and periods. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and refining your control over complex sentence structures will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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