Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-20

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 7.5)

Almost every undergraduate student should have the opportunity to complete a work placement or study abroad as part of their university education. Although this approach has both advantages and disadvantages, I believe that the benefits can be significant for students' personal and professional development.

Studying or working abroad can help undergraduate students gain practical knowledge and develop independence. It can also increase their cultural awareness by exposing them to different communities and ways of life. On the other hand, travelling abroad can be expensive, and some students may experience homesickness, which could affect their overall well-being and academic performance.

To begin with the advantages, completing a work placement abroad can provide students with valuable practical experience in the professional world. They can learn new techniques, develop workplace skills and gain a better understanding of how organisations operate. This experience can strengthen their resumes and improve their chances of finding employment after graduation. Furthermore, living in another country can encourage students to become more independent because they have to manage their daily responsibilities without relying heavily on their families. Being exposed to people from different cultural backgrounds can also improve their communication skills and increase their understanding of cultural differences.

On the other hand, going abroad can be financially challenging for many students. Those from low-income families may not be able to afford international travel, accommodation and living expenses. This could create additional financial pressure and potentially affect their studies. Moreover, students who move away from their families for the first time may struggle with homesickness and managing everything independently. If they are unable to adapt to their new environment, this could negatively affect their mental well-being and academic performance.

Although compulsory overseas study or work placements could create financial and logistical difficulties for some students, I believe that the benefits of gaining practical experience, developing independence and improving employment prospects would outweigh these drawbacks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are well-developed, with specific points regarding professional development, independence, and cultural awareness balanced against financial and emotional challenges. The argument is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the main points. To reach a higher band, you could provide a more specific example, such as mentioning a particular type of internship or a specific region, to further illustrate the benefits beyond general statements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'On the other hand', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is natural, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'professional development', 'cultural awareness', 'financial and logistical difficulties', and 'employment prospects' are used accurately. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the formal tone of the essay. While the range is sufficient and flexible, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations would elevate the writing further. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If they are unable to adapt...') and concessive clauses ('Although compulsory overseas study...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no major grammatical slips that cause confusion. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with more diverse sentence beginnings and perhaps more advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or participle clauses, to demonstrate even greater flexibility.

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

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