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)
It is argued by many that the university undergraduates syllabus should include a time where students can spent their time learning the essential skills needed for their work. I think that if we can manage both then it would be more better. So, this essay is going to discuss the both sides.
On the one hand, Learning work skills can provide the better opportunity while looking for work in this generation. If we gain knowledge needed for our work already in university then it would be much easier to find work in the upcoming days. For instance, if I spent my times learning vocational skills instead of theoretical skills then I can easily find work suitable for me. Therefore, I can gain knowledge about my work way before then I Start working.
On the other hand, if we spend our times in doing some work replacement then all our financial expenses would be wasted. Many parents think studying means doing some theoretical studies and in their minds if we spend our times doing some unwanted works then all their financial investments would be wasted. For example, if I were to do some work instead of studying then my parents would think that I an wasting my times in some unnecessary things. Consequently, I wont be able to explain things clearly to them.
In conclusion, I think this have both advantages and disadvantages. So if we can manage both continuously then it would be much better and also helps in both our work and studies.
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 addresses the prompt by discussing both sides of the argument regarding studying abroad or work placements. However, the development of ideas is limited. The arguments are somewhat repetitive and lack depth, particularly in the second paragraph where the focus shifts to parental perception rather than the objective disadvantages of the policy itself. The position is clear, but the supporting examples are personal and lack the broader academic context expected for this task. To improve, you should provide more detailed explanations and explore the implications of these policies on a societal or educational level rather than relying on personal anecdotes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Consequently' are used to link ideas. However, the progression of ideas within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear. For instance, the transition between the idea of financial waste and the personal example about parents is somewhat abrupt. Improving the flow between sentences and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would help achieve a higher score in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. There is some repetition of basic terms like 'work', 'time', and 'skills'. While the meaning is clear, the word choice is often simplistic, such as 'more better' (which is also grammatically incorrect) and 'unwanted works'. To improve, you should aim to use more academic collocations and synonyms to express your ideas more precisely. For example, instead of 'find work', you could use 'secure employment' or 'enhance career prospects'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'the university undergraduates syllabus' (incorrect possessive), 'spent their time learning' (tense error), 'more better' (double comparative), and 'I an wasting' (typo). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some capitalization errors mid-sentence. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors suggests a need for more careful proofreading and a stronger grasp of basic sentence construction and subject-verb agreement.
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.