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)

In the present age, it is undeniable that gaining practical knowledge and having international exposure have become a crucial part of life. In that vein, many people argue that undergraduate courses should include a period of studying overseas or completing a work placement. This essay will not only describe the benefits of this trend but also highlight the possible drawbacks.

Undoubtedly, there are many pros to studying abroad or gaining work experience during university. The most prominent one is that students can gain practical knowledge through work experience, as they can apply theoretical skills in the workplace and also understand everything more effectively. To illustrate, a student studying computer science can gain valuable experience by working in a technology company. Apart from this, students also develop some of the important soft skills such as teamwork, better communication, and various problem-solving methods.

Hence, such experiences can shape the future of numerous students.

On the contrary, this trend will have a few cons too. To begin with, the financial burden is not only on students but also on parents. To elaborate, travelling, accommodation, and living expenses abroad can be expensive, and not every student can afford them. To exemplify, many students do not cope with the financial burden on themselves, such as paying flight fees and accommodation facilities. In addition to this, many students can face academic disruption, and it can be stressful for them as well. So, this crisis can be minimised through financial and academic support.

To recapitulate, although compulsory study abroad or work placements may cause financial and academic challenges, I believe that the benefits are greater. Practical experience, improved communication skills, greater independence and better career opportunities can provide students with valuable advantages in their future professional lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant, such as the mention of soft skills and financial burdens. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, while you mention 'academic disruption', this point is not fully explained or supported with a specific example. To reach a higher band, ensure that every main point is supported by a concrete, well-developed example rather than just a brief mention. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance, maintaining a consistent position throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the benefits and drawbacks. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'To illustrate', 'Apart from this', and 'To recapitulate' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive in their structure. The progression of ideas is generally smooth, though the link between the final sentence of the second paragraph and the rest of the text is a bit abrupt. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'international exposure', 'theoretical skills', and 'financial burden' are used correctly. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though some word choices are slightly generic or repetitive, such as 'pros' and 'cons'. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task and communication is never impeded, incorporating more sophisticated collocations or topic-specific academic terminology would elevate the lexical profile of the essay. Spelling is accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses 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 issues with phrasing, such as 'not only on students but also on parents' which is grammatically sound but could be more fluid. You use complex structures like 'Although... I believe that...' effectively. While there are no major errors that impede communication, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. Increasing the variety of subordinate clauses and passive constructions would help demonstrate greater grammatical flexibility.

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