Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16

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 recent years, many universities have encouraged students to study abroad or complete work placements as part of their degree. I believe the advantages of this approach clearly outweigh the disadvantages. This essay will discuss the benefits of practical experience and cultural exposure, before addressing the main drawback.

One major advantage of work placements is that they give students real-world experience. Classroom learning teaches theory, but employers often look for candidates who can already apply their knowledge in practice. As a result, students who complete an internship tend to feel more confident and find it easier to secure a job after graduation. For example, a business student who works at a company for a few months learns how to manage projects and communicate with clients, skills that are difficult to develop from a textbook alone.

Studying abroad also offers unique benefits. When students live in another country, they must manage daily challenges such as accommodation, culture, and language, often without family support. Although this can be difficult, it helps students become more independent and open-minded, and often improves their language skills.

However, making these programmes compulsory could create financial difficulties for some students, since not every family can afford travel and accommodation costs abroad. Despite this, universities can offer scholarships to keep the opportunity fair for everyone.

In conclusion, although cost may be a concern, the practical skills and independence gained from studying abroad or work placements are far more valuable in the long run. For this reason, universities should include these opportunities in undergraduate courses.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task clearly, presenting a well-developed position on whether the advantages of studying abroad or doing work placements outweigh the disadvantages. In your introduction, you state your clear stance and outline the structure. Body paragraphs are dedicated to exploring practical experience through internships and the personal growth associated with studying abroad, followed by a balanced acknowledgment of financial drawbacks and a practical counter-argument regarding scholarships. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the business student managing projects. This fulfills the requirements for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

Your essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a roadmap in the introduction, followed by work placements, studying abroad, potential drawbacks, and a succinct conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'One major advantage', 'As a result', and 'Despite this'. Referencing is clear and paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The logical flow is smooth and easy for the reader to follow, placing this comfortably in the Band 7 range.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for some flexibility and precision. Phrases such as 'real-world experience', 'cultural exposure', 'independent and open-minded', and 'financial difficulties' show an appropriate command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is mostly standard and functional rather than exceptionally sophisticated, you attempt some less common items with general success. Word choice and spelling are accurate throughout, meaning communication is never impeded. This aligns well with the descriptors for a Band 6.5 or 7.0, and a solid 7.0 is awarded for the consistent natural phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures used accurately. Examples include conditional and concessive clauses such as 'When students live in another country, they must manage daily challenges...' and 'Although this can be difficult, it helps students become more independent...'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you maintain good control of punctuation and tense consistency throughout the essay. The few minor slip-ups or basic patterns do not detract from the overall clarity, demonstrating the strong control typical of a Band 7 performance.

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

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