Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

It is often argued that all university students should spend a period studying abroad or completing a work placement. Although this could create some difficulties, I believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages because students can gain practical skills, independence and cultural awareness.

One major advantage is that work placements allow students to gain practical experience outside the classroom. Although academic knowledge is important, students may struggle to apply theories in real situations without workplace experience. For example, an engineering student could work alongside professionals and learn how technical knowledge is applied in industry. This could improve their employability and help them make better career decisions after graduation.

Studying abroad can also provide valuable personal and cultural benefits. Students living in another country must communicate with people from different backgrounds and adapt to unfamiliar environments. As a result, they can develop confidence, independence and communication skills. For instance, students may have to manage accommodation, transportation and daily expenses without relying heavily on their families. These responsibilities can help them become more mature and self-reliant.

However, compulsory overseas study or work placements may create financial difficulties. Travel, accommodation and living expenses can be unaffordable for students from low-income families. Some students may also have family responsibilities that make travelling abroad difficult. Nevertheless, universities could reduce these problems by providing financial assistance and offering suitable local work placements.

In conclusion, although compulsory study abroad and work placements may create financial and practical challenges, I believe their benefits are greater. Practical experience, independence and cultural awareness can significantly improve students' personal development and future career opportunities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. Each body paragraph provides relevant, well-developed ideas: the first focuses on practical experience, the second on personal growth, and the third acknowledges and counters the potential financial drawbacks. The arguments are logical and supported by clear examples, such as the mention of engineering students and the specific responsibilities of living abroad. Your conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points, confirming that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The response is well-balanced and directly answers the question posed.

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 variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although', 'For example', 'As a result', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, distinct body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'practical experience', 'cultural awareness', 'employability', and 'self-reliant' are used accurately and appropriately in context. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common academic terms to reach the highest band. However, there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and your control over the language is consistent and reliable throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You show good control over a variety of complex sentence structures. You effectively use subordinating conjunctions and conditional-like structures, such as 'Although academic knowledge is important, students may struggle...' and 'If...'. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. There are no significant grammatical slips, and your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The range of structures used is sufficient to express complex ideas clearly and accurately.

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