Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06

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)

Here is the fully compiled and polished essay based on your ideas and the grammatical corrections we discussed.

IELTS Task 2: Advantages vs. Disadvantages Essay

It is often suggested that studying in a foreign country or doing an internship should be included by all universities in their undergraduate courses. I believe that the advantages significantly outweigh the disadvantages because practical experience is essential for a student's future career.

One major advantage of studying abroad or interning in a company during a degree program is that students gain invaluable exposure to the corporate world, where they can learn about the struggles of living independently and understand the true value of money. For instance, in a highly competitive job market, a fresh graduate with practical work experience will easily stand out from those armed with only academic credentials. Therefore, it is imperative for students to acquire hands-on knowledge and experience of the outside world before graduating.

However, there are also some disadvantages to spending time abroad or working, as this can lead to a severe financial burden on a student's family. Living in a foreign country is not cheap, as it requires paying for flights, international tuition fees, and daily accommodation. Furthermore, even domestic internships are often unpaid, meaning students lose valuable time they could have spent working a paid part-time job to support their basic needs. Consequently, making these practical placements mandatory could unfairly disadvantage students from lower-income backgrounds.

In conclusion, while there are valid financial concerns regarding mandatory placements, I believe the long-term benefits are vastly superior. To ensure students gain the required exposure to the real world and overcome early career anxieties, all universities should mandate studying abroad or completing a professional work placement. Currently, too many courses focus strictly on theoretical knowledge rather than adding the practical skills necessary for true professional success.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have clearly addressed all parts of the prompt, providing a balanced view by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages before concluding that the benefits are superior. Your position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the point regarding the financial burden on lower-income students, which adds depth to your argument. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples of how a university might structure these placements to mitigate the financial disadvantages you mentioned, which would further strengthen the depth of your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'For instance,' 'However,' and 'Consequently' effectively to guide the reader through your arguments. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The transition between the advantages and the financial drawbacks is handled well, ensuring the reader understands the shift in perspective. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure supports the development of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'invaluable exposure,' 'academic credentials,' and 'career anxieties' show a strong command of topic-specific language. Your word choice is generally precise and natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the response further. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors, and the language used is consistently formal and suitable for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as in the sentence, 'While there are valid financial concerns regarding mandatory placements, I believe the long-term benefits are vastly superior.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate throughout. You maintain a high level of control over tense and subject-verb agreement. The writing is clear and flows well, with no grammatical errors that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

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

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