Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07

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 7.0)

It has been suggested that all university undergraduate courses should require students to spend time studying abroad or completing a work placement. While this idea offers certain advantages, it also brings some drawbacks. In this essay, I will discuss both sides before concluding that the benefits of this requirement outweigh its disadvantages.

There are several benefits to including study abroad or work placements in undergraduate courses. Firstly, students gain practical experience that classroom learning alone cannot provide. This means that graduates enter the job market with valuable skills, such as adaptability and problem-solving, which employers highly value. Secondly, living or working in a different environment exposes students to new cultures and ways of thinking, which can help students develop independence and confidence that benefit them throughout their careers.

However, this approach also has some drawbacks. One issue is that not all students can afford the additional costs of traveling or relocating for a placement. This could lead to financial stress for students from lower-income backgrounds, creating inequality in opportunities. Additionally, arranging placements or exchange programs for every student requires significant coordination from universities, which may cause problems for institutions with limited resources or industry connections.

In my opinion, the advantages of including study abroad or work placements outweigh the disadvantages. This is mainly because the practical skills and personal growth students gain are essential for succeeding in today's competitive job market. Although financial and logistical challenges exist, universities could offer scholarships or partnerships to reduce these barriers. The benefits of real-world experience are more significant in the long run than the temporary difficulties involved in arranging them.

In conclusion, while requiring study abroad or work placements presents certain challenges, its benefits in terms of practical experience and personal development make it a worthwhile requirement. Overall, I believe universities should find ways to make such opportunities accessible to all students.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The arguments for both sides are relevant and well-developed, particularly the points regarding practical experience and the potential for financial inequality. You provide a balanced view by acknowledging the logistical challenges while offering potential solutions like scholarships. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. To reach a Band 9, you could further extend the discussion by providing a specific, concrete example of how a particular industry or country has successfully implemented such a program, which would add more depth to your analysis.

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 paragraphs is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of an argumentative essay. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the arguments and the conclusion is well-established. The use of cohesive devices is not mechanical, contributing to a coherent and easy-to-follow response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'competitive job market', 'logistical challenges', and 'lower-income backgrounds' are used accurately and appropriately. You avoid repetition and show a good command of collocations. While the vocabulary is effective and natural, it remains within the standard range. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items, such as 'socio-economic disparities' instead of 'inequality in opportunities' or 'mitigate' instead of 'reduce'. Overall, your word choice is precise and contributes to a clear, professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'While this idea offers...', 'Although financial and logistical challenges exist...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy. To move toward a Band 8 or 9, ensure that you continue to vary your sentence length and structure to maintain a high level of sophistication throughout the entire piece.

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