Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-31
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 5.0)
All high schools students courses needs to add a duration of time used to learn in advanced counties or doing a job. In my own view, this has more benefit to individuals because it can help them to explore and learn more things while some make money from working.
Generally, there are a lot of gain in students travelling abroad to learn and one of them is more knowledge and clarity. In abroad, they have a lot of learning facilities and also materials for practical especially for science students because they require more practicals which they might not be able to get here. For instance, a friend of mine who is a nursing student in the United Kingdom, learn way better than me that is studying the same course in Nigeria as a result of more amenities over there.
Further more, another benefit of traveling abroad particularly to work is that you will be able get a lot of money in other to take care of your self when you come back to school in addition, there are more high paing jobs for students abroad than in African.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 188 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you state a position, the arguments are underdeveloped and lack sufficient depth or supporting evidence. The prompt asks for a discussion on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, but you focus almost exclusively on the benefits, neglecting the potential drawbacks or challenges of such a requirement. To improve, you must expand your points with more detailed explanations and examples, and ensure you address all parts of the prompt, including the counter-arguments.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat limited due to the brevity of the text. You use some cohesive devices like 'Generally' and 'Further more', but the transitions between sentences are occasionally mechanical or abrupt. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the second paragraph where the comparison between the UK and Nigeria lacks a smooth logical flow. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that connects back to your main argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for basic communication but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice errors, such as 'high paing jobs' (high-paying) and 'in other to' (in order to). You rely on simple, repetitive vocabulary throughout the text. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate more academic collocations and precise terminology related to education and employment, while paying closer attention to spelling and word formation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues like 'students courses needs' and 'a friend... learn way better'. There are also errors in preposition usage and sentence structure, such as 'In abroad' and 'than in African'. While the meaning is usually understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents a higher score. Focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and refining your use of articles and prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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