Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-30
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)
Every university undergraduate courses must include a opportunity to spend their studying period in abroad or doing some work placement jobs. While by studying abroad or hired at good jobs may have some disadvantages, I believe that its benefits are considerably greater than its drawbacks.
One major advantage is that the courses which includes the chance to study abroad make the students more effective and competitive and they will able to learn new cultures and will able to exlpore their courses. This is because by grabbing that oopportunity makes them able to learn different skills like leadership skills or team collaboration. For example, by giving opportunity to those students who are interested in their studies like in computer science will able to exlpore the field of computer in abroad and that would be beneficial for them to choose their subjects for the further studies. Another benefit is that by hiring for a work placement would be significant for those who want to get practical skills also with their studies, which means that .
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to consider. The main drawback is Studying abroad can be expensive because students have to pay for travel, accommodation, food, and other living expenses. This can lead to financial burden. However, I believe this disadvantage is less significant than the benefits mentioned above.
In conclusion, although all university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement may have certain disadvantages, I believe that its advantages are more significant and therefore outweigh the drawbacks, because it is the opportunity for the students who really interested and deserve to exlpore the studies.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. While the benefits of studying abroad are touched upon, the explanation regarding work placements is incomplete, ending abruptly with 'which means that .'. The arguments are relevant but lack sufficient depth and specific examples to fully support the position. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that every point raised is fully explained and supported with concrete reasoning or examples, avoiding incomplete sentences that leave the reader hanging.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear introduction and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One major advantage', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader. However, the flow within paragraphs is occasionally disrupted by awkward phrasing and grammatical errors. For instance, the sentence structure in the second paragraph is repetitive, and the final sentence of that paragraph is unfinished, which negatively impacts the overall coherence. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring all sentences are complete would enhance the logical flow.
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 'financial burden', 'competitive', and 'practical skills'. However, there are several spelling errors, such as 'exlpore' and 'oopportunity', and some word choice issues, such as 'hired at good jobs' instead of 'undertaking internships'. The range is somewhat limited, and there is a tendency to repeat basic vocabulary. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure accurate spelling of key terms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Every university undergraduate courses must include') and incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'they will able to learn'). There are also issues with sentence fragments and missing words, particularly in the second paragraph. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring all sentences have a clear subject and predicate will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.