Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-19

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 5.0)

In todays era , many people wants to take good graduate degree.If the undergraduate courses include a period of time spent studying abroad Now we should talk about the advantages and disadvantages of this.

many students have oppurtunities to get to know about the different cultures. if we spend time in abroad we know different types of new things and we knows their cultures and tradition. and another is we met different peoples and makes friend globally. this means we get more oppourtunities in future. we get a chance for different experience which helps to improve our skills and knowledge.

however it have also disadvantages like it cost a lot. Many students cannot afford money for going abroad . And some students want to spend a quality time with their families and friends inn the free time . In the first some students also feel home sickness when they are in the abroad which also harm their mental health which also harm their future .

In my opinion, it have a more advantages than disadvantages. In the abroad we learn about the new culture which makes our knowledge broad. We get a chance about the explore world. make worldwide friends help to adapt new enviroment in new places.

In conclusion it have in university include course for the students which make the students knowledge broad and focus on the students skills and personal development which help students in the future . Although it has some disadvantages but we focus on the good things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is limited. For example, the points regarding 'mental health' and 'financial costs' are mentioned but not fully explored or supported with specific examples. The introduction is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear thesis statement. To reach a higher band, you should aim to expand on your arguments with more detailed explanations and concrete examples, ensuring that each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed point that directly supports your overall position.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression of ideas is often interrupted by awkward phrasing and a lack of effective cohesive devices. While you use some transition words like 'however' and 'in conclusion', the connections between sentences are often mechanical or unclear. For instance, the transition between the introduction and the first body paragraph is abrupt. Additionally, the use of referencing is sometimes confusing, such as in the phrase 'in the first some students', which makes it difficult for the reader to follow your train of thought. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring clear topic sentences would significantly enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely on simple terms like 'good', 'things', and 'know', which limits the precision of your argument. There are also several spelling errors, such as 'oppurtunities' and 'enviroment', and issues with word choice, such as 'afford money' instead of 'afford the cost'. To improve, you should focus on using more academic vocabulary and ensuring correct spelling. Incorporating synonyms and more precise collocations would help you convey your ideas with greater clarity and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'many people wants' and 'we knows'. Punctuation is also problematic, with unnecessary spaces before commas and inconsistent sentence structures. While you attempt some complex sentences, they are often marred by errors, such as 'it have a more advantages'. To improve, you need to focus on basic grammatical accuracy, particularly verb forms, articles, and sentence construction. Practising proofreading your work for these common errors will help you achieve a more professional and accurate standard of writing.

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

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