Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-22

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)

Sometime it is proposed that all university courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement but it effects those students who are have background of low income.

On the other hand, it is good to get the real world experience from theoretical academic and have more focus on thesis and research rather than practical. The internships are bridge to get professional and hands on experience to exposure of professional environment that make them to perform in practical life.

For some students it is difficult to manage expense of international travels and staying to do practicals and students prefer more academic theory and research thesis to complete their graduation. It also reduce the degree completion time also.

In conclusion, while compulsory placements and overseas study may pose temporary financial and logistical strain, the career advantages and personal growth they offer are invaluable. Therefore, provided universities offer adequate scholarships and flexible placement options, the benefits of this policy clearly outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses the task by presenting both advantages and disadvantages of requiring students to study abroad or do a work placement. However, the response lacks clear development of ideas; for example, the mention of high costs does not fully explore the disadvantages or the benefits in a balanced way. The conclusion could be stronger and better linked to the points made earlier. Overall, the response somewhat meets task requirements but lacks depth and clarity in supporting arguments, leading to a lower score. Overall Task Achievement Score: 5.5

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

Coherence and cohesion are observed to some extent, though the writing lacks a clear structure. Transitioning between ideas can be awkward; for example, the shift from discussing students' financial constraints to the benefits of internships could be smoother. The paragraphs need clearer topic sentences to guide the reader through the argument. More cohesive devices could enhance the flow of ideas. Conclusions and connections between sentences need strengthening. Overall, while there is some logical progression, it falls short of effectively communicating clear arguments. Coherence and Cohesion Score: 5.0

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The lexical resource demonstrates a basic range with several appropriate terms related to the topic, such as "experience" and "internships." However, there are instances of awkward phrasing and incorrect word forms, such as "effects those students who are have background of low income" and "reduce the degree completion time also," which detract from clarity. There are opportunities for a more sophisticated vocabulary that would enhance the essay. Thus, while there is an attempt at vocabulary variety, frequent misuses limit the overall effectiveness. Lexical Resource Score: 5.0

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

Grammatical accuracy is inconsistent throughout the essay. There are several errors that hinder communication, such as in the sentence structure "who are have background of low income" and awkward constructions like "it effects those students". While simple tenses are used accurately, more complex sentences often lack grammatical correctness, which impacts clarity. Improvement in maintaining subject-verb agreement and overall sentence structure will enhance readability. Overall, the grammatical range is limited, with frequent errors observable. Grammatical Range and Accuracy Score: 5.0

Overall feedback

Your response demonstrates an understanding of the topic and includes relevant arguments, but there are areas that need improvement. Focus on developing your ideas more fully and ensuring that they connect logically throughout the essay. Strengthening your introduction and conclusion can also give your piece a more professional structure. Additionally, practice using more sophisticated vocabulary and ensure grammatical accuracy to enhance clarity. Ensuring smoother transitions between paragraphs will improve coherence significantly. Overall, more depth in your arguments will articulate a stronger position.

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

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