Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-21

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 8.5)

The proposal to mandate international study or work placements for all undergraduates is increasingly advocated as a means to enhance graduate employability and global awareness. While such requirements entail significant logistical and financial challenges, I believe the long-term educational and professional benefits substantially outweigh these drawbacks, provided institutions implement equitable support mechanisms.

Admittedly, compulsory mobility programmes present notable disadvantages. Financially, they risk exacerbating inequality; students from low-income backgrounds may struggle with travel, accommodation, or lost part-time income, potentially forcing them into debt or discouraging enrolment altogether. Academically, integrating external placements into rigid curricula can disrupt course coherence, particularly in specialised fields like medicine or engineering where sequential learning is critical. Additionally, administrative burdens on universities - such as securing quality host organisations and ensuring academic credit transfer - can strain resources and compromise programme standards if scaled universally without adequate funding.

Nevertheless, the advantages are profound and multifaceted. Professionally, immersive experiences cultivate adaptability, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving skills that classroom learning rarely replicates. Employers consistently value graduates with real-world exposure, as evidenced by higher employment rates and starting salaries among mobile students. Educationally, studying or working abroad fosters intellectual independence and exposes learners to diverse pedagogical or industry practices, enriching their disciplinary understanding. On a societal level, widespread mobility promotes intercultural empathy and global citizenship - qualities essential in an interconnected world facing transnational challenges like climate change and public health crises. Crucially, these benefits align with the core mission of higher education: to develop well-rounded individuals capable of contributing beyond national borders.

In conclusion, while mandatory placements pose implementation hurdles, their transformative impact on student development and societal progress justifies their inclusion. The key lies not in abandoning the idea due to its challenges, but in designing inclusive frameworks - through scholarships, flexible scheduling, and virtual alternatives - that ensure equity without sacrificing quality. Thus, the advantages decisively outweigh the disadvantages when approached thoughtfully.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with a balanced discussion of both the logistical challenges (financial inequality, curriculum rigidity) and the significant benefits (professional development, global citizenship). Each paragraph is supported by relevant reasoning and examples, such as mentioning specific fields like medicine or engineering to illustrate the difficulty of integration. The conclusion effectively synthesises your argument and offers practical solutions, demonstrating a sophisticated approach to the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is exceptionally well-organised. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the progression of ideas is logical, moving from the potential drawbacks to the more significant advantages. You use a wide range of cohesive devices, such as 'Admittedly', 'Nevertheless', 'Crucially', and 'In conclusion', which guide the reader smoothly through your argument. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct ideas, and referencing is precise throughout. The flow of the text is natural and professional, with no instances of mechanical or repetitive transitions.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, using precise collocations and academic terminology with ease. Phrases such as 'equitable support mechanisms', 'exacerbating inequality', 'immersive experiences', and 'transnational challenges' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also contributes to the formal, persuasive tone required for an academic essay. There are no errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is both fluent and flexible, fitting the criteria for the highest band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammatical control is excellent. You employ a variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses ('provided institutions implement...'), participial phrases, and well-constructed compound-complex sentences. Punctuation is used accurately to manage the flow of information. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few structures used are consistently accurate. There is a high degree of flexibility in your writing, and the complexity of the grammar enhances the clarity of your arguments rather than obscuring them.

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