Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01

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 7.5)

In recent years, there has been a growing debate about whether all university undergraduate programs should require students to spend time studying abroad or completing a work placement. While this policy presents certain challenges, I believe the benefits significantly outweigh the drawbacks.

One of the main advantages of studying abroad is cultural exposure. Living in a foreign country allows students to develop language skills, adapt to new environments, and gain a global perspective that cannot be taught in a classroom. For example, a Pakistani student studying business in the UK would not only learn about international markets but also improve their English and build a global network. Similarly, work placements provide practical experience and make graduates more employable. Companies often prefer candidates who already have real-world experience, so a student who completes an internship in engineering or IT will have a clear advantage in the job market.

However, there are some disadvantages to consider. Firstly, studying abroad can be extremely expensive, and not all students can afford tuition fees, travel, and living costs in another country. Secondly, a work placement may delay graduation and disrupt academic progress, especially for courses with heavy workloads such as medicine or engineering.

Despite these issues, the long-term benefits are greater. The skills gained from international exposure and work experience, such as independence, adaptability, and professional contacts, are invaluable in today’s competitive job market. Governments and universities could also address financial barriers by offering scholarships and paid internships.

In conclusion, although cost and time are valid concerns, I am convinced that the advantages of mandatory study abroad or work placements outweigh the disadvantages because they better prepare students for global careers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments for both sides are well-developed, with relevant examples such as the Pakistani business student and the mention of specific fields like engineering and medicine. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. To reach a higher band, you could further elaborate on the 'how' of the implementation, perhaps by briefly discussing how universities might balance these requirements with academic rigour, but overall, the task is addressed thoroughly and professionally.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'However' and 'Despite these issues'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the reader is guided clearly through your argument. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which demonstrates a high level of control over the structure of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'global perspective', 'real-world experience', and 'financial barriers' are used accurately and naturally. You show an ability to use less common lexical items, such as 'invaluable' and 'disrupt academic progress', which adds precision to your writing. The word choice is consistently accurate, and there are no noticeable errors in collocation. To push toward a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated, topic-specific collocations or idiomatic academic expressions, but the current range is sufficient and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'While this policy presents...', '...if a student who completes...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The grammar is consistently accurate, demonstrating a high level of flexibility. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with even more diverse sentence patterns, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, but the current level of accuracy is very strong.

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