Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12
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 5.5)
In the contemporary era universities play a pivotal role to educate youth. Undergraduates also need practical exposures to enhance various skills. I am more inclined to the fact that the advantages of this is definitely going to outweigh the disadvantages.
On one hand it helps students to understand ground realities and scope of a work and degree they have perceived. The experience plays a vital role to use interpersonal skills and understand the theories in real life experiences. Furthermore, it gives students a chance to interact with like minded individuals. This not only boasts their confidence but, also plays a key role to learn more.
On the other hand, studying abroad or doing work placement gives an insight to work under pressure in numerous circumstances. For instance, working with individuals with completely diverse environment and mind sets allow students to challenge themselves and learn more. In addition, students also cope up with new and advance technologies at work place or studying abroad.
Beside these, It allows undergraduates to survive in a pluralistic society where one can learn how to accept diversity and live peacefully. The most compelling argument is that young scholars may get a chance to express themselves openly. The implications of theories in real life may help them to understand the world in more convenient way.
In light of the above arguments I believe that it is crucial for the young scholars to have a period of time to spend abroad or do work placement.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by discussing the advantages of including a period of study abroad or work placement in university undergraduate courses, though it leans heavily on the advantages and only briefly touches upon challenges such as working under pressure. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay. However, the length requirement has not been met, as the response contains 247 words, falling short of the 250-word minimum. This results in a slight limitation in the overall development and extension of ideas, particularly regarding the counter-arguments or disadvantages. While the core task is addressed, the under-length nature prevents it from reaching a higher band level.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction and conclusion. Paragraphing is utilised, although the body paragraphs are somewhat brief and could be better linked to demonstrate logical progression. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition', and 'Beside these', but some transitions feel slightly mechanical or awkward, like 'Beside these' instead of 'Besides this' or 'In addition'. Referencing is generally clear, but the logical flow between the paragraphs discussing advantages and those touching upon challenges lacks seamless connectivity, impacting the overall progression.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'pivotal role', 'contemporary era', 'interpersonal skills', and 'pluralistic society'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'degree they have perceived' instead of 'pursued', and 'boasts their confidence' instead of 'boosts'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but lexical inaccuracies restrict the precision of the argument, placing the response firmly in the Band 6 category.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over sentence structure with clauses introduced by 'where' and 'that'. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'the advantages of this is definitely going to outweigh' (subject-verb agreement error with 'advantages... are'), 'degree they have perceived', and 'cope up with' (redundant preposition). Punctuation is also faulty in places, such as the unnecessary comma in 'This not only boasts their confidence but, also plays a key role'. These errors occasionally distract the reader.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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