Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-17
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 5.0)
It is often argued by some people that there should be a period of time spent studying abroad for undergraduate students in all universities. Although some might consider it negative, but I believe that it to be extremely beneficial. Not because of helps to develop students future and awareness about study abroad, but also because of student becomes independent.
There are multiplt advantages accociated with the period about study abroad. Firstly, this period will gives the idea to the student about study in foreign countries. As student will know that how advance the foreign study is. Take an example of Nepal, a survey conducted by the education minister of Nepal, which proves that after entering a lecture of study abroad the ratio of students to go abroad is increased about 16%. Thus, this is the mega adventage proves this development will be impact better on students mind.
Secondly, students becomes independant after going in foreign country for their studies. As the student stay alone without their family, he will develop their skills. For instance, The Education Minister of Italy says, the students came for higher education will earn by part-time job and pay fee without parents support. Hence, this benefit I believe has the potential to make this development a positive development.
To sum up, even though lecture about study abroad have some drawbacks too, but I believe that the benefits in term of helps to develop future, students awareness and independentness can labelled this development an overall positive one.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses the prompt by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of including a study abroad or work placement period in undergraduate courses, taking a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. In the body paragraphs, the arguments regarding foreign study awareness and independence are supported with simplistic examples and generalized references rather than fully elaborated analysis. The conclusion briefly mentions drawbacks without genuinely discussing them in the body paragraphs. Overall, the task is addressed, but the depth of support places this performance in the Band 5.5 to 6.0 range, leaning toward Band 5.0 due to under-developed supporting examples and brief treatment of disadvantages.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion, showing a clear overall attempt at paragraphing. Cohesive devices are used to signal transitions, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'To sum up'. However, cohesion is often mechanical and sometimes awkward, as seen in phrases like 'Hence, this benefit I believe has the potential to make this development a positive development.' Referencing is occasionally unclear, and grammatical errors in linking elements disrupt the natural flow. While there is a recognizable organizational structure, the progression of ideas is hindered by repetitive phrasing and awkward transitions. These features align closely with the Band 5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for communicating basic ideas, but it is repetitive and contains noticeable errors. Throughout the text, there are frequent word choice and collocation issues, such as 'multiplt advantages accociated', 'mega adventage', and 'independentness'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary items like 'undergraduate', 'beneficial', and 'minister', but these are often undermined by spelling mistakes and awkward usage. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the writer's general stance, errors in word formation and spelling are frequent and occasionally cause strain for the reader, fitting the Band 5 criteria well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. While there are attempts at complex sentences, such as 'Although some might consider it negative, but I believe that it to be extremely beneficial', these constructions contain major grammatical errors like double marking ('Although... but') and incorrect infinitive forms. Other frequent errors include subject-verb agreement issues ('students becomes', 'student stay'), missing articles, and awkward prepositional phrases ('entered a lecture of study abroad'). The frequency of basic and complex errors causes significant difficulty for the reader at times, placing this response firmly in the Band 5 category for grammar.
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.