Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14

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)

Nowadays, many undergraduate curricula include gaining internship experiences or studying at an international university. For many universities, gaining work experience has become part of their syllabus. However, there are both pros and cons to this approach. In my perspective, advantages like gaining better work opportunities outweigh the drawbacks. In this essay, I will discuss some of the reasons why internships are important and some of the challenges to be overcome.

One of the positives of gaining practical knowledge alongside traditional course outlines is that it helps in enhancing and shaping the practical skills of individuals. For example, many students related to the field of computer science require hands-on experience, as it helps them learn technology more deeply. This can make students more proficient in their field.

Secondly, it helps in gaining confidence and self-awareness, and prepares students according to market standards, as everything is evolving on a daily basis due to technology. Taking team meetings as an example, participation improves confidence as well as enhances the creativity of individuals in ways that cannot be achieved just by sitting in traditional classrooms.

Turning to the other side of the argument, balancing work and study may sometimes cause excessive pressure, and many students may feel burdened and unable to manage their coursework and internships effectively. This often leads to mental and physical issues, such as depression and fatigue.

All things considered, work experiences are essential for undergraduate students because they foster practical skills and self-confidence, which eventually lead to better job opportunities after graduation. Personally, I believe that the benefits ultimately outweigh any negatives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student addresses all parts of the prompt directly by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of including studying abroad or work placements in undergraduate courses. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay, stating that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Ideas are generally well-supported; for instance, the student provides the example of computer science students requiring hands-on experience to deepen their technical understanding. However, some arguments could be extended further to achieve a higher band. For example, the point about pressure and mental fatigue in the fourth paragraph is introduced well but could benefit from a specific example or deeper elaboration on how universities might mitigate this issue. Overall, the task is successfully and appropriately fulfilled.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression from the introduction through the body paragraphs to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect, such as practical skills, confidence, and the counter-argument of pressure. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well to guide the reader, using transition signals like 'One of the positives', 'Secondly', and 'Turning to the other side of the argument'. However, referencing and transitional links occasionally feel slightly mechanical, and the introduction could be more fluidly structured. Progression overall remains clear and coherent from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items and academic phrases such as 'traditional course outlines', 'market standards', and 'foster practical skills'. Word choice is generally appropriate, though there are minor instances of repetition or slightly less precise phrasing, such as 'many students related to the field'. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the response. The lexical resource is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision, easily meeting the requirements for a Band 6.5 or solid Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over grammatical structures. The writer uses subordinate clauses and participial phrases effectively, such as in sentences like 'Taking team meetings as an example, participation improves confidence...' and '...everything is evolving on a daily basis due to technology.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and sentence structures flow without major confusion. While there are a few minor limitations in the range of complex syntax, the majority of sentences are error-free, and any occasional lapses do not impede communication at all.

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

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