Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03

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)

The undergraduate programs offered by all universities should ensure that their students spend a period of time either studying overseas or undertaking a work placement. This essay will argue that the benefits of this policy outweigh the drawbacks.

One of the major advantages of this statement is that students can get a boost in their confidence, improve their communication skills and become multilingual. This is because there are many countries in this world with different languages and various kinds of people. Adapting to every circumstance and overcoming difficult situations helps in a person's growth. For instance, a student born in India but studying in France for a year will face difficulties with communication and adaptation. Eventually, though, she will be able to speak fluently, realising that she can accustom herself to any kind of situation. Another benefit is that studying in a foreign country will give students the opportunity to learn about many different traditions and cultures.

On the other hand, this policy can also have a few disadvantages. Students will be less concentrated and may lose their flow of study routine due to becoming accustomed to a new lifestyle. For example, a student returning home from France may feel like a stranger in their hometown. They would have to catch up on everything that they have missed during their time abroad and also prepare a proper schedule to learn all the required material. However, these disadvantages are relatively less significant because undertaking a work placement will provide students with work experience, helping them build a strong portfolio for their future job applications.

In conclusion, although our lifestyle can be disturbed while studying abroad or completing a work placement, gaining work experience, improving communication skills, boosting confidence and acquiring knowledge about different countries outweigh the drawbacks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The essay addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The ideas are relevant, particularly the discussion on personal growth and professional development. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument regarding the disadvantages is a bit thin; while you mention the difficulty of 'catching up' on studies, this could have been expanded with more depth regarding the academic pressure or financial burden. To reach a higher band, ensure that each supporting point is fully explored with more specific detail or nuanced reasoning rather than listing several benefits in the conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

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 handled well using the phrase 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices such as 'For instance', 'Eventually', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the referencing could be slightly more sophisticated; some sentences feel a bit disconnected. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that the relationship between sentences is always explicit would help elevate the flow of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'multilingual', 'accustom', and 'portfolio' appropriately. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is good. However, some word choices are slightly repetitive or imprecise, such as 'major advantages of this statement' (a statement cannot have advantages; the policy or proposal can). To improve, focus on more precise collocations and avoid using generic phrases. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. For example, 'Students will be less concentrated' is a bit awkward; 'Students may struggle to maintain focus' would be more natural. You show good control over punctuation and sentence boundaries. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional clauses or passive voice, to demonstrate greater flexibility and control over your writing.

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

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