Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27

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)

It is believed that all students who are in the process of continuation of graduiation must visit abroad for professional development, or they go for work experience to strengthen their skills related to their studies. I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

On the one hand, it is considered time-consuming and financially burdenize the students to move abroad during their studies. Furthermore, the transition phase during this journey could divert their attention from studies to work, and they may not be able to focus on non-core subjects. For instance, students who are doing part-time jobs are affecting their grades badly due to poor time management; consequently, their health is affected alongside the stress and lack of sleep.

On the other hand, the undergraduate courses that align with practicals from abroad strengthen the skills of students. Additionally, foreign exposure enables them to experience the ongoing professional market and the needs of their subjects. For example, students who are doing internships abroad have a good impact on their CVs. Additionally, doing work with studies enables learners to cope with responsibilities,, and they can earn better and enjoy the pace of their studies.

In conclusion, I would strongly advocate that the advantages outweigh the drawbacks in terms of good earnings, professional development, social interaction, and ease of life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the main points are relevant, the development is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument regarding 'good earnings' in the conclusion is not adequately supported or explained in the body paragraphs. To reach a higher band, you must expand on your ideas with more detailed examples and ensure you meet the minimum word count requirement to allow for full development of your position.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Furthermore' to signal transitions between ideas. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing, such as the double comma in 'responsibilities,, and'. Additionally, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that your punctuation is precise to maintain a smooth, professional flow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'professional development,' 'transition phase,' and 'foreign exposure.' However, there are instances of incorrect word formation and collocation, such as 'financially burdenize' (should be 'financially burdensome') and 'practicals' (which is not standard in this context). Some vocabulary choices are slightly repetitive or imprecise. To achieve a higher score, focus on using more natural collocations and ensure that your word forms are accurate. Expanding your range of academic vocabulary will also help convey your ideas with greater precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'continuation of graduiation' (awkward phrasing) and 'students who are doing part-time jobs are affecting their grades' (tense/structure issues). There are also minor punctuation errors, such as the double comma mentioned previously. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and refining your use of complex sentence structures to ensure they are error-free.

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

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