Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-25

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)

Many people think that all university students should spend a period of time studying abroad or doing a work placement. I think this idea has more advantages than disadvantages because students need to gain real-life experience before they start their career.

One important advantage of studying abroad is that students can experience different cultures and meet new people. University students usually learn many things from books, however real life can be different. If they study in another country, they could improve their language skills and become more confident. They can also learn how to live without their family and make their own decisions. This experiences may help them in their future life.

Work placements also have many benefits for students. When students finish university, they may not have enough work experience. Therefore, finding a job can be difficult for them. A work placement could help students understand their future job and improve their soft skills. Furthermore, they can communicate with other workers and learn how to work in a team.

On the other hand, studying abroad can be expensive. Some families may not have enough money to support their children in another country. Also, students could feel lonely because they are far away from their family and friends.

Nevertheless, I believe that the advantages are more important than these disadvantages. Students can gain real-life experience, improve themselves and become more independent. As a result, universities should provide these opportunities for their students.

These experiences can also prepare students for their future.

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 cultural exposure and language skills for study abroad, and professional development for work placements. However, the development is somewhat superficial. For example, the point about 'soft skills' is mentioned but not elaborated upon with specific examples. To reach a higher band, you should provide more detailed explanations or concrete examples to support your arguments, rather than listing benefits. The conclusion is clear and restates your position effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'One important advantage', 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'Nevertheless' are used to link ideas. However, the flow is sometimes a bit mechanical, and the transition between the final paragraph and the concluding sentence is slightly disjointed. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'work placement', 'soft skills', and 'real-life experience'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. For instance, you use the word 'students' and 'experience' frequently. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated synonyms and collocations (e.g., 'professional exposure' instead of 'work experience', or 'cultural immersion' instead of 'experience different cultures'). There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choice is accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good control of basic grammar and use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your meaning is always clear. There are a few minor slips, such as 'This experiences' (should be 'These experiences'). While you use some complex structures, the range is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, with more consistency. Punctuation is generally accurate throughout the essay.

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

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