Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-18

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 7.5)

Universities are increasingly expected to equip students with practical skills and international awareness alongside academic knowledge. Some people therefore argue that every undergraduate programme should incorporate either a period of study abroad or a work placement. Although such a requirement could create financial and logistical difficulties for some students, I believe that its overall benefits would outweigh its drawbacks because it would substantially enhance employability, personal development and the practical application of academic knowledge.

One significant advantage of compulsory overseas study or work experience is that it can considerably improve students' employability. Academic qualifications alone do not always demonstrate that graduates can communicate effectively, solve practical problems or adapt to unfamiliar professional environments. A work placement gives students an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts in real-world situations while developing transferable skills such as teamwork, time management, communication and decision-making. For instance, an engineering student who spends several months working for a manufacturing company may gain first-hand experience of project management and workplace safety that cannot be acquired solely through lectures and textbooks. Consequently, graduates who have experienced professional environments may enter the labour market with greater practical competence and a clearer understanding of their career goals.

Studying abroad can provide equally valuable, albeit different, benefits. Living and studying in another country exposes young people to unfamiliar cultures, educational practices and social perspectives. This experience can encourage independence, adaptability and intercultural communication, all of which are increasingly important in an interconnected global economy. For example, a British student studying in Germany might have to adapt to different classroom conventions, communicate with international peers and manage everyday responsibilities without relying on family members. Such experiences can broaden intellectual horizons and challenge assumptions that students may previously have taken for granted. In this sense, international mobility can contribute not only to academic development but also to maturity and personal growth.

Nevertheless, making such experiences compulsory could create genuine disadvantages. The most obvious concern is financial inequality. Travel, accommodation and living expenses can make overseas study prohibitively expensive for students from low-income families. Even domestic work placements may involve substantial travel or relocation costs. Furthermore, some students have caring responsibilities, disabilities or other circumstances that make extended periods away from home particularly difficult. A compulsory policy could therefore unintentionally disadvantage precisely those students who already face barriers to higher education. Universities would need to provide adequate financial assistance, accessible placements and alternative arrangements to prevent this from happening.

Despite these concerns, I believe the disadvantages can be mitigated through careful implementation. Universities could provide fully funded or subsidised opportunities, prioritise paid placements, and allow students with legitimate constraints to complete equivalent professional or community-based experiences locally. The crucial point is that the experience should be compulsory, but a particular geographical location or format need not be. Such flexibility would preserve the educational benefits while ensuring that the policy does not deepen existing inequalities.

In conclusion, incorporating either international study or work experience into undergraduate education would entail financial, practical and personal challenges. However, if universities provide appropriate support and flexible alternatives, these disadvantages can be substantially reduced. The considerable gains in employability, independence, practical competence and global awareness would therefore outweigh the potential drawbacks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both study abroad and work placements, considering both advantages and disadvantages, and presenting a clear, well-developed position throughout. The introduction establishes a clear stance that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, which is consistently maintained and supported. Body paragraphs 2 and 3 thoroughly explore the advantages of work placements and studying abroad respectively, using relevant and specific examples such as the engineering student and the British student in Germany. Body paragraph 4 effectively acknowledges the genuine disadvantages, such as financial inequality and caring responsibilities, while the final body paragraph offers realistic mitigations. Ideas are fully extended and well-supported, meeting all requirements for a Band 8 level in Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response features clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a well-formulated introduction, moving systematically through advantages, disadvantages, and potential solutions, and concluding with a concise summary. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and naturally, such as 'Consequently', 'For instance', 'Furthermore', and 'Despite these concerns', without becoming mechanical. Paragraphing is managed logically and appropriately, guiding the reader smoothly from one point to the next. Referencing is clear and precise, ensuring that the relationships between ideas are always transparent. This demonstrates all the characteristics of Band 8 for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible vocabulary range suitable for an academic response. Less common items and collocations are used skillfully, such as 'equip students with practical skills', 'interconnected global economy', 'prohibitively expensive', and 'mitigated through careful implementation'. Word choice is generally precise and appropriate for an academic register, with only occasional minor inaccuracies. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the text. The lexical range easily satisfies the criteria for Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response showcases a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer handles intricate subordinate clauses and conditional constructions smoothly (e.g., 'Although such a requirement could create financial and logistical difficulties...', 'if universities provide appropriate support...'). Punctuation is used accurately to control pacing and clarity. Only very occasional minor slips occur, placing the response firmly at the Band 8 level for Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

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