Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-11

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)

It is argued that all undergraduate university courses should include a period of studying abroad or doing a work placement. I believe that this can provide more advantages than disadvantages because students can gain practical experience and improve their future career opportunities.

There are several benefits of studying abroad or doing a work placement. First, students can gain practical knowledge related to their subjects. Instead of only learning from books, they can use their academic knowledge in real situations. This can help them understand their subjects better and learn from their mistakes. Moreover, work placements can improve important skills such as communication, teamwork and time management. These skills can be very useful when students enter the job market after graduation.

Another advantage is that students can improve their employment opportunities. Employers often prefer people who have some practical experience because they may need less training at the beginning of a job. For example, a student studying computer science can work in a software company and gain experience in developing websites or applications. This experience can help the student find a suitable job after completing university.

However, there are also some disadvantages. Work placements may reduce the time students have available for their academic studies. Some students may also receive low salaries or even have unpaid placements. In addition, studying abroad can be expensive because students may have to pay for accommodation, food and travel.

In conclusion, although studying abroad and work placements can create some financial and academic difficulties, I believe their advantages outweigh their disadvantages. They give students practical experience, useful skills and better opportunities for employment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The arguments regarding practical experience, skill development, and employment opportunities are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as the computer science student scenario. The counter-arguments regarding financial and academic constraints are also acknowledged, providing a balanced view. To reach a higher band, the development of the counter-arguments could be slightly more nuanced, perhaps by suggesting how universities might mitigate these costs or time pressures, which would demonstrate a more sophisticated level of critical thinking.

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 benefits and the drawbacks is handled effectively using the cohesive device 'However'. The use of linking words such as 'First', 'Moreover', 'Another advantage', and 'In conclusion' helps guide the reader through the argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. To improve further, the writer could vary the cohesive devices used, as some are quite standard, and ensure that referencing within paragraphs is consistently tight.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is sufficient for the task and allows for clear communication. The writer uses topic-specific terms like 'practical experience', 'job market', 'academic studies', and 'employment opportunities' accurately. While the range is adequate, it is somewhat functional rather than sophisticated. There is little use of less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions that would demonstrate a higher level of control. To achieve a higher score, the student should aim to incorporate more precise academic collocations and a wider variety of synonyms to avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. The writer successfully employs complex structures, such as 'Instead of only learning from books, they can use their academic knowledge...', which shows a good grasp of sentence variety. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, the writer should aim for even greater complexity and ensure that the flow between clauses is consistently smooth and natural.

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