Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
It is considered that the every undergradute pupil nedd to spent some time studying out of country or gaining work experience during their studies. Although it may have some drawbacks, but i belive the benefits are greater than the disadvantages.
On the one hand, there are several advantanges. firstly, students can learn different types of culture and meet other individuals from all over the world. they manage their daily environment and gain their communication skills, for example, a businnes students learn how to communicate with clients and close the deal. Secondly, students may become independent they live without family and friends and handle their basic nessities such as travel cost, house rent and medical bills. Additionally, a work placement can give pupils practical experience.
On the other hand, studying abroad can be expensive they need to pay for accomdation, travel cost, and other household expenses. This can create financial pressure particulary for students from low income salary. some students may find it difficult to living away from their families and adopt a new culture, for example, some house owner talk bad language with students when they do not pay for the rent. In addition, a work placment may also reduce the amount of time availabe for academic studie
In conclusion, some students my find it diiicult to stu
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad or doing a work placement, taking a clear position that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. However, the task is incomplete as the essay cuts off prematurely in the conclusion ('some students my find it diiicult to stu') and falls significantly short of the 250-word minimum, containing only 218 words. Ideas such as cultural awareness and financial costs are introduced, but the lack of completion and under-length penalty restrict the score. To improve, the student must ensure all parts of the prompt are fully developed and meet the word count requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay attempts a standard structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs addressing both sides, and a truncated conclusion. The writer uses basic transition markers such as 'On the one hand', 'firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Additionally', though some cohesive devices are mechanical or repetitive. Paragraphing is attempted, but the final paragraph is incomplete. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as the pronoun 'they' referring ambiguously to students in the third-person sentences. Overall organisation shows some logical arrangement, but the lack of an integrated conclusion and abrupt ending limits cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.5
The lexical resource is limited and basic. The student uses simple vocabulary such as 'student', 'money', 'time', and 'experience', alongside frequent spelling errors including 'undergradute', 'nedd', 'advantanges', 'businnes', 'nessities', 'accomdation', and 'diiicult'. There are some attempts at less common phrasing like 'practical experience' and 'financial pressure', but these are undermined by widespread inaccuracies in word choice, form, and spelling. To reach a higher band, the student must expand their vocabulary range and improve spelling and word formation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but it is heavily impacted by frequent grammatical and punctuation errors. There are numerous capitalization and punctuation issues, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters ('they manage...'). Basic grammatical errors include subject-verb agreement issues ('the every undergradute pupil nedd') and run-on sentences ('studying abroad can be expensive they need to pay...'). The abrupt cut-off in the final sentence further reflects poor control over sentence completion. While meaning is occasionally conveyed, the high density of errors impedes fluent reading.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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