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 my position. However, I believe that the advantages of additional courses from abroad outweigh the 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, so that 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 the 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 to the under-developed countries. 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 in 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 6.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of including study abroad or work placements in undergraduate courses, fulfilling the core requirements of an argumentative essay. A clear position is maintained throughout, concluding that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. However, some ideas lack deep extension and tend to over-generalise. For instance, the discussion on advantages mentions that it brings 'lucrative options' and helps find a career, but this point is developed rather repetitively without concrete elaboration beyond general statements. The counter-argument regarding financial burdens is articulated clearly, focusing on currency differences and tuition costs. To reach a higher band, the student should expand more deeply on specific outcomes of these experiences rather than reiterating broad assertions, matching a solid Band 6.5 to 7.0 profile.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay displays a clear overall progression with a recognizable introduction, distinct body paragraphs handling advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Cohesive devices are employed to link sentences and paragraphs, using phrases such as 'To begin with the advantages', 'Moreover', and 'However'. However, some referencing is slightly mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent reliance on 'mandatory' and formulaic transition phrases in the conclusion ('In conclusion, it is mandatory for universities...'). Additionally, logical sequencing within the second body paragraph could be tighter, as sentences tend to list features rather than build a cohesive argument. These characteristics align well with a Band 6.0 descriptor.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The candidate demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting less common lexical items such as 'contemporary world', 'lucrative options', 'under-developed countries', and 'collaboration'. However, there are noticeable word-choice inaccuracies and awkward collocations that prevent a higher score. For example, using 'lucrative options' to describe future career pathways is unnatural, and phrases like 'do not have a high financial background' or 'fee of abroad universities' exhibit slight lexical strain. Spelling is generally accurate, but the lack of precise lexical control restricts the writing to a Band 6.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and relative clauses, such as 'students who are financially not stable or do not have a high financial background are unable to avail those programs.' There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing choices present throughout the text, including 'doing work as an intern' instead of 'completing internships', and 'in collaboration of diverse universities' instead of 'in collaboration with diverse universities'. While punctuation and sentence boundaries are generally well managed and communication is rarely impeded by errors, the frequency of minor structural inaccuracies keeps the grammar score at Band 6.0.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.