Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Many people think including the time they spent studying abroad or doing work placement is the best way to propel their academic career forward; however, there also some who disagree with this statement. this essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.
To begin, studying abroad can be a very positive experience for any individual because of the opportunity to be surrounded by and learn new things, for instance: studying among different cultures and languages can greatly increase your confidence and even language skills, this can be some impactful to add in a university course because it will show various skills attained while studying. Moreover, people who study abroad have the advantage of gaining valuable life changing experiences which is part of the great skills which will add value. to add to this, doing a work placement in new cultures will open doors to meeting new friends and gaining new perspectives, as a result, the entire experience can transform someone's life and most importantly, his or her future.
On the other hand, the downside of studying abroad and including a period of time spent studying is the expense; it is extremely out of reach for those who do not have the finances. studying in another country has many costs , both predictable and unpredictable.
in concnlusion, studying abroad can be life changing.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you address the prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages, the arguments are underdeveloped and lack specific examples. The conclusion is extremely brief and does not adequately summarise the main points or provide a final verdict on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. To improve, you must expand on your points with more depth and ensure you provide a clear, well-supported position throughout the essay.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is limited due to the brevity of the text. You use some cohesive devices such as 'To begin', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand', but these are sometimes used mechanically. There are issues with punctuation, such as the use of commas instead of full stops, which disrupts the flow of your sentences. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence followed by supporting details that logically connect to the main argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'valuable life changing experiences' and 'great skills' are somewhat generic. There is little evidence of less common or more sophisticated lexical items that would demonstrate a higher level of proficiency. Additionally, there are minor errors in word choice and phrasing, such as 'some impactful to add'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and collocations related to education and professional development.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay relies heavily on simple sentence structures. While there are some attempts at complex sentences, they are often marred by punctuation errors, such as comma splices (e.g., '...language skills, this can be some impactful...'). There are also frequent errors in basic grammar, including capitalization issues at the start of sentences and inconsistent subject-verb agreement. To improve, focus on mastering the use of full stops to separate independent clauses and practice using a wider range of complex grammatical structures, such as relative clauses or conditional sentences, with greater accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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