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)

In contemporary society, whether undergraduate courses should include a period of studying abroad or work experience has become an increasingly significant topic. While some people argue that this should be compulsory, others believe that students should have the freedom to choose. I believe that its advantages would outweigh the disadvantages because it can provide valuable practical experience and develop students’ personal skills.

The primary reason why this requirement would be beneficial is that it gives students the opportunity to gain practical experience. By that I mean, students can better understand how their knowledge is applied in real-world situations when they experience a professional environment. For instance, a student studying business could complete a work placement in a company and learn about communication, teamwork and workplace responsibilities. As a result, graduates may be better prepared for employment after completing their degrees. Therefore, practical experience is a major advantage of this approach.

Another significant factor is the opportunity to develop independence and a broader understanding of the world. This can be attributed to the fact that studying or working in a different environment requires students to interact with unfamiliar people and adapt to new situations. Moreover, living abroad can expose students to different cultures, languages and ways of thinking. For example, students who spend several months in another country may become more confident and adaptable as they manage their studies and daily life independently.

However, it is also important to consider the disadvantages of making these experiences compulsory. Although studying abroad or completing a placement may be expensive and difficult for some students, this argument is less convincing because universities can provide financial assistance or offer suitable local work placements.

In conclusion , I believe that the advantages are greater because students can gain practical experience and develop independence and adaptability. Ultimately, this requirement could help produce graduates who are better prepared for both employment and the wider challenges of adult life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the prompt. A clear position is established in the introduction ('I believe that its advantages would outweigh the disadvantages') and maintained consistently throughout the essay. The main body paragraphs present well-developed ideas regarding practical experience, independence, and personal growth, supported by relevant and clear examples, such as a business student completing a work placement. The counter-argument regarding financial and logistical difficulties is also acknowledged and effectively refuted. The response meets all the requirements of Band 7 for Task Achievement by extending and supporting ideas well, ensuring that the main thrust of the prompt is fully explored without straying into irrelevance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, introduced with appropriate signposting language such as 'The primary reason why...' and 'Another significant factor is...'. Cohesive devices like 'By that I mean', 'Moreover', and 'As a result' are used effectively to connect ideas, demonstrating a flexible approach to cohesion, although occasional linking phrases feel somewhat standard. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the introduction, two supporting body paragraphs, a concession paragraph, and a concise conclusion. Overall, the flow of the essay is smooth and reader-friendly, satisfying the criteria for a Band 7 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic essay. Less common items such as 'contemporary society', 'compulsory', 'professional environment', and 'adaptable' are utilised appropriately with a good awareness of collocation. While the vocabulary is generally precise and effective, it stops short of the more sophisticated and fluent range found in higher bands. There are very few lexical errors, and the occasional repetition of basic words like 'students' and 'experience' does not impede communication. This performance aligns comfortably with the descriptor standards for a Band 7 in Lexical Resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside simpler sentence forms. The student successfully employs conditional and relative clauses, such as 'when they experience a professional environment' and 'students who spend several months in another country'. There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled well throughout. Minor slips are virtually non-existent, and grammatical control remains strong from start to finish. Although the range of syntactic structures is somewhat standard rather than exceptionally diverse, the overall accuracy and command of grammar warrant a solid Band 7 score.

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