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, the education system is becoming a matter of increasing concern in the contemporary world, giving rise to both considerable benefits and legitimate concerns. While this development of offering additional courses undoubtedly 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 outweigh disadvantages.

To begin with the advantages, it is stated that all university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad and doing work as an intern. This approach brings lucrative options for students in their future, and helps them to find a 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 diverse cultures. For instance, in the summers internship and selective courses can be provided from universities in which students can go to different countries to gain experience. Moreover, final-year undergraduate students 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 the 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 differences the fee of abroad universities is high for students who belong from under-developed country. Moreover, the cost can be a burden for parents who are bearing all the expenses of a 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 the 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 response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of including study abroad or work placements in undergraduate courses, and presents a clear position. The introduction includes an unfinished sentence fragment ('This essay will examine both sides, before arguing.'), which slightly detracts from clarity, but the writer's stance is ultimately clear. Ideas in the body paragraphs are relevant, mentioning career enhancement, skill building, and financial costs. However, some ideas are repetitive or under-developed, relying on general statements rather than deep extension. For instance, the discussion of cost touches on currency differences and under-developed countries, which relates well to the prompt, but the conclusion introduces new ideas about free courses and scholarships rather than synthesizing the main arguments. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, placing this response at Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with clear paragraph divisions separating the introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'To begin with the advantages', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion', though some are used mechanically or awkwardly, such as the semicolon misuse in 'undergraduates, therefore; they can gain work experience'. Paragraphing is generally appropriate, and the progression of ideas is fairly logical, moving from benefits to drawbacks to a final verdict. However, referencing and transitions occasionally feel abrupt or clumsy, keeping the cohesion at a Band 6.0 level.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common lexical items such as 'lucrative options', 'financially not stable', and 'currency differences'. However, there are notable inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'belong from under-developed country' instead of 'come from an underdeveloped country' and 'selection of courses from abroad' where 'taking courses abroad' would be more natural. There are also slight repetitions of phrases like 'gain work experience'. Because the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main points despite these slips and inaccuracies, it meets the criteria for Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and conditional structures. However, grammatical errors are frequent throughout the text. Examples include 'the education system is becoming a matter of increasing concern in the contemporary world' (which sounds slightly formulaic and out of context), 'students who belong from', and punctuation errors like the semicolon usage mentioned in cohesion. While these errors do not severely impede communication, they persist across multiple sentences and prevent the grammar score from reaching a higher band. The control of grammar is consistent with Band 6.0.

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

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