Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

Undergraduate studies play an important role in the career of any student. The time spent wisely during these years decides the future life of a student. Although there might be some disadvantages to spending time abroad or doing a work placement during undergraduate, I would argue that its advantages are more significant.

Undergraduate studies for most courses are very extensive and require complete attention of students. These courses involve multiple assignments and examinations for evaluation. A semester usually runs for 16 to 18 weeks and the deadlines are strict in most cases, with minimal margin for relaxation. Students are expected to perform well in all subjects to secure a good overall grade. This grade will help them land interviews or scholarships. While managing all of this, taking time out for studying abroad or for a work placement will put immense pressure on students.

However, there would be significant benefits for students who can manage their studies while having a work placement. This would provide them with exposure to the practical work and a chance to apply their theoretical knowledge in the field. The knowledge gained from this experience will further solidify their concepts. Spending some time abroad during a semester will expose students to different cultures. This will enable them to look at things from a completely different perspective. This will not only help them learn about different cultures but also enable them to explore many opportunities. Moreover, addition of work placement or a semester abroad will have a positive impact on their professional profile.

To conclude, while such activities could make it difficult for students to manage their studies and maintain a good grade, pursuing them would create many opportunities for them along with improving their overall profile.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant, covering both the academic pressure and the professional/cultural benefits. However, the development is somewhat limited. While the benefits are mentioned, they could be supported with more specific examples or deeper analysis to reach a higher band. The argument remains a bit general, and the conclusion is brief. To improve, ensure that each body paragraph provides a more robust explanation of the 'why' and 'how' behind the points raised, rather than just listing them.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the counter-argument from the main argument. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Moreover', and 'To conclude' are used to guide the reader through the text. While the progression is clear, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is generally accurate, though the flow between sentences could be improved by varying the sentence structure more effectively to create a more natural, sophisticated connection between ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. There is an attempt to use topic-specific language like 'theoretical knowledge', 'professional profile', and 'exposure'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate more precise collocations and less common lexical items. For example, instead of 'perform well', you could use 'excel academically', and instead of 'look at things', you could use 'broaden one's perspective'. The current range is sufficient but lacks the flexibility required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and error-free, which ensures that communication is never impeded. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'addition of work placement' (missing an article) and 'future life of a student' (slightly unnatural phrasing). While you show control over basic grammar, the range of complex structures is somewhat restricted. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of subordinate clauses and more sophisticated punctuation to enhance the flow and complexity of your writing.

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