Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-28

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 6.5)

Many people believe that completing an internship or studying in another country should be a compulsory part of every undergraduate degree program. I completely agree with this view because its advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Both have pros and cons. The chief benefit among all of these is that by completing a work placement in any field, especially in computer science, people can learn a lot of skills, which can be beneficial for them when they apply for a professional job in the future. The reason is that large companies not only look at degree transcripts, they look for candidates who have both skills and a degree. Furthermore, studying abroad for a short period of time enables people to learn different languages and cultures, which can be useful if they move abroad in the future to earn a handsome living.

It has many negative outcomes. The primary disadvantage among all of these is that doing unpaid internships and travelling abroad can raise financial issues for students from a poor background. In addition, adding a mandatory time period for studying abroad or doing a work placement can lengthen the course. As a result, students have to pay additional fees during this extra period, which is again a financial issue.

In conclusion, despite the negative outcomes of doing a work placement or studying in other countries, I still believe that its positive outcomes outweigh the negative ones. The reason is that by doing an internship people are able to make social connections which can be very useful in the future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention benefits like skill acquisition and cultural exposure, the arguments remain quite general. For instance, the point about 'computer science' is a good start, but it could be expanded with more specific examples of how such placements bridge the gap between theory and practice. The counter-arguments regarding financial constraints are relevant, but the conclusion introduces a new point about 'social connections' that was not previously discussed in the body paragraphs. To reach a higher band, ensure that all main points are introduced and fully supported within the body paragraphs rather than adding new information in the conclusion.

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 advantages and disadvantages. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion', which help the flow. However, the transition between ideas is sometimes a bit mechanical. The connection between the financial burden and the length of the course is clear, but the overall progression could be smoother. Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single central theme to avoid jumping between ideas, such as the shift from financial issues to course duration within the same paragraph.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'compulsory', 'undergraduate degree program', and 'professional job'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though some phrasing is slightly repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'outcomes' and 'issues'. Collocations are generally accurate, though 'handsome living' is a slightly informal or unusual choice in this academic context. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and vary your word choices to avoid repetition. Overall, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly without significant errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow, and your grammar is generally accurate. There are some minor issues, such as 'The chief benefit among all of these is that...', which is slightly wordy. You demonstrate control over basic punctuation and sentence construction. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, and ensure that your sentence variety is more pronounced. The current level of accuracy is good, with very few errors that impede communication.

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

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