Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

In the era of globalization where moving to a different country for various purposes has become easier, it is believed that short term study exchange program or internship would be of help to students pursuing a bachelors degree. I believe going to a foreign country helps broaden our understanding of the subject and helps us learn about different culture.

Moving to a different nation for the purpose of studying or internship may help people better understand their course. As different universities have different curriculum learning the differences may positively help people with their studies back home. One university may focus more on theory while the other abroad maybe focused more on the practical aspects of the same subject. Also, sharing of knowledge fosters a sense of community in people.

Furthermore, moving abroad means getting to know about different culture and lifestyle of the people living there. It helps broaden our horizon and understanding of that place. Geting to know people from different cultural and ethnic background either during your studies or work might help us integrate better into that society. Also, getting to know people belonging to various community and sharing our knowledge helps us to grow as a person. Furthermore, people may develop self confidence and leadership skills by getting to work on various projects that may not have been possible in their own country.

In conclusion, I believe moving abroad for either higher studies or for work has several benefits that outweigh the disadvantages, as people learn independence, get to know others from various cultural backgrounds, and increase their knowledge on the topic of their interest.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant, focusing on academic benefits and cultural growth. However, the development is somewhat superficial. For instance, while you mention that universities have different curricula, you do not provide a concrete example of how this specifically benefits a student. To reach a higher band, you should extend your arguments with more specific illustrations or evidence. The conclusion is clear, but the overall development lacks the depth required for a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use transition words such as 'Furthermore' and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes repetitive or mechanical. For example, the word 'Furthermore' is used to start two consecutive paragraphs. Additionally, some sentences within paragraphs feel slightly disconnected, such as the transition between discussing cultural integration and developing leadership skills. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'globalization', 'curriculum', and 'integrate'. However, the range is somewhat limited and relies on fairly common expressions. There are also minor errors in word choice and form, such as 'Geting' (spelling) and 'different culture' (should be plural 'different cultures'). To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and ensure consistent accuracy in word forms. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the sophistication and flexibility required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'different culture' instead of 'different cultures' and 'people belonging to various community' instead of 'various communities'. There are also minor punctuation issues and some awkward phrasing, such as 'positively help people'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing the variety of complex structures and proofreading for subject-verb agreement and pluralization would significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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