Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19
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 4.5)
University students which are pursuing undergradutes courses must include a period of time to study in abroad for their own development and enhancing their skills by doing work there and gaining overseas knowledge but there are some disadvantages for this also for example the rise in the fees of the courses for individuals which they cannot afford and can affect there studies means that he advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages..
To commence with, the students who wants to work in abroad can get a experience and make up there mind by already working or studying in their prefferable nation. Individuals can grab the opportunity of overseas living standards they can learn different cultures or traditions, and can try a lot of different and unique food.They can get a international job work experience.
On the other hand, making international study or work mandat
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response attempts to address the prompt regarding whether studying abroad or doing a work placement should be included in undergraduate courses, and whether advantages outweigh disadvantages. However, the text is severely incomplete, cutting off mid-sentence at the end. At only 142 words, it fails to meet the minimum 250-word requirement, which heavily penalises the task achievement score. While a position is stated ('the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages'), the ideas are heavily restricted in development due to the truncated length and lack of supporting examples. Consequently, the response can only be awarded a band score of 4.0 for Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The text suffers from a major structural flaw as it cuts off abruptly in the second body paragraph, leaving the essay unfinished. The first sentence is an extremely long, run-on sentence containing multiple clauses strung together without adequate punctuation or full stops. Although paragraphing is attempted with a brief introductory sentence and body paragraph markers like 'To commence with' and 'On the other hand', the lack of logical progression and the premature ending disrupt the overall flow. Cohesive devices are minimal and mechanical. Therefore, a band score of 4.0 is appropriate for Coherence and Cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, featuring phrases such as 'enhancing their skills', 'overseas knowledge', and 'different cultures or traditions'. There are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'study in abroad' instead of 'study abroad', 'work in abroad', and 'international job work experience'. Spelling and morphological errors are also present, such as 'undergradutes' and 'prefferable'. Because the lexical range is narrow and contains errors that occasionally strain comprehension, the response fits the Band 5 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
Grammatically, the text demonstrates a very limited range of structures. The opening sentence is a massive, highly convoluted run-on structure laden with grammatical errors, such as 'University students which are pursuing' and the misuse of pronouns ('which they cannot afford and can affect there studies means that he advantages'). Other errors include pronoun confusion ('make up there mind') and missing articles. Because complex structures are frequently faulty and basic sentences contain recurring errors that impede the reader, this warrants a band score of 4.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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