Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-15

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 an era characterized by rapid social and technological change, education system is becoming a matter of increasing concern in contemporary world, giving rise to both considerable benefits and legitimate concerns. While this development of offering additional courses undoubtfully offers a range of advantages, it is equally obligatory to acknowledge the potential drawbacks that accompany it. This essay will examine both sides, before arguing. However, I believe that the advantages of additional courses from abroad have more weight from disadvantages.

To begin with the advantages, it is stated that all university's undergraduate courses should include a period of time spend studying abroad and doing a work as an internee. This approach brings lucrative options for students in their future, and helps them to find potential career for them. Universities should include several courses and internships for undergraduates, therefore they can gain work experience and enhance their skills and abilities. Selecting the courses from abroad will help learners to build their communication skills and create relationships with the diverse cultures. For instance, in summers internship and selective courses can be provided from universities in which students can go to different countries to gain experience, because that time mostly students are free from their academic studies. Moreover, for the final year students of undergraduate should have that opportunity of internships, so they can gain work experience which will help them in practical life.

However, there are some disadvantages which can cause problems for students. One of the main disadvantages is cost of the course, students who are financially not stable or do not have a high financial background are unable to avail those programs. Due to currency difference the fee of abroad universities is high for students who belongs from the under-developed country. Moreover, the cost can be a burden for parents who are bearing all the expenses of child's education.

In conclusion, it is mandatory for universities to provide different courses which can give potential benefits to the students. However, it is also mandatory to include free courses for deserving students in form of scholarships, so it would be easy for students and parents as well. In addition, universities should provide abroad internships with collaboration of diverse universities so the students can gain work experience. I believe that, advantages have more weight than disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of including study abroad or work placements in undergraduate degrees, and a clear position is presented. The main ideas are supported with reasons, such as future career opportunities and financial burdens. However, some arguments lack full extension; for instance, the discussion on internships remains somewhat repetitive and general without deep exploration. The conclusion appropriately summarises the writer's view. This aligns well with the requirements for Band 6.0, as all parts are addressed with relevant ideas, though some parts are slightly under-developed or rely on generalisations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is coherent and presents a logical overall progression from introduction to body paragraphs and conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate advantages and disadvantages. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'However', though they are sometimes formulaic or mechanical (e.g., 'To begin with the advantages'). Referencing is generally clear, but there are instances of clunky transitional phrases like 'before arguing' in the introduction, which disrupts the natural flow. Overall, the organisation is clear enough to merit a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'characterised by', 'contemporary world', and 'under-developed country'. However, there are notable lexical and collocational inaccuracies throughout the text, such as 'education system is becoming' (missing article), 'undoubtfully' (misspelling of undoubtedly), 'spend studying' (instead of spending), and 'belongs from' (incorrect preposition). These errors do not impede overall communication, but they restrict the lexical score to Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and relative clauses (e.g., 'students who are financially not stable...'). However, grammatical errors are frequent throughout the response. Examples include missing pluralisation ('education system' instead of education systems), incorrect verb forms ('for final year students of undergraduate should have'), and awkward phrasing ('advantages have more weight from disadvantages'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent minor grammatical slips place this response firmly in the Band 5.5 to 6.0 range. Because the majority of sentences contain minor structural or accuracy issues, a Band 5.5 is appropriate.

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