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)

Practical exposure or international studies should be compulsory courses for all bachelor's students. This approach has many benefits and drawbacks, and I believe the benefits are far greater than the drawbacks.

On the one hand, options like a semester abroad or an internship in the relevant field are great ways to learn. This method can build students' confidence. A hands-on experience facilitates independent learning and practical involvement, which can boost confidence. For instance, a medical student who has already rotated in a hospital will be more confident while talking to patients after graduating due to the prior training. The same goes for international exposure; an unfamiliar environment will push students to be more independent and remain confident in their own standing. Moreover, these mandatory trainings will ensure a better understanding of how the theory that is taught in the classroom applies in real life. This will result in higher grades and a firm grip on the academic material.

On the other hand, courses that require professional placements or time abroad can be difficult to navigate for many students and universities. Studying in a different country can be extremely expensive for students and require significant funding, which they may not be able to afford. The travel, accommodation, and living costs might be off the roof for many students, and making these courses mandatory will serve them only as a disadvantage. In addition, figuring out the logistics of placements for thousands of students can be quite challenging for the university. However, I believe these obstacles can be overcome with stipends for students and by dividing pupils into groups for placements.

In conclusion, there are various drawbacks and benefits of mandatory courses like international academics and professional placements for university students. Ultimately, the benefits clearly outweigh the disadvantages, as this method can build greater confidence and better learning, which is vital for students' growth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed. For example, the medical student example effectively illustrates the benefit of practical exposure. The counter-arguments regarding financial and logistical challenges are also clearly articulated. To reach a higher band, the development could be slightly more nuanced; for instance, instead of just mentioning 'stipends' as a solution, a brief explanation of how these could be funded or managed would strengthen the argument. Overall, the response is focused and maintains a clear position throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, such as the benefits of practical experience or the challenges of implementation. Cohesive devices like 'On the one hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate. There is a slight tendency for some sentences to feel a bit repetitive in structure, but the overall flow is coherent and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally appropriate for the task. You use some good collocations such as 'practical exposure,' 'hands-on experience,' and 'firm grip.' However, there are some informal or slightly imprecise choices, such as 'off the roof' (which should be 'through the roof') and 'international academics' (which is slightly awkward in this context). While the range is adequate to convey your meaning clearly, incorporating more sophisticated or academic vocabulary would elevate the score. The errors present do not impede communication, but they do limit the precision of your expression.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over basic grammar, and most sentences are error-free. There are some minor slips, such as 'the theory that is taught' (which is correct but could be more concise) and the aforementioned idiom error. The use of punctuation is generally accurate. To achieve a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or more varied subordinate clauses, while ensuring that the accuracy remains high. The current level of control is solid and supports clear communication.

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

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