Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-20

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)

The idea that all universities should make it mandatory for students to attend a study abroad or work placement period has been a topic of debate for quite a while. While the approach is beneficial in theory I think there are some repercussions to it as well. However, the pros of the of this policy would outweigh the cons in the long run.

Study abroad is a great way to get international exposure and opportunities which the student can not avail in their home countries otherwise. Moreover it makes students exceptionally self reliant; a quality that is admirable in all areas of life.

The recent data shows that students who have had a study abroad experience in their student lives are 20% more successful in terms of their careers then those who haven't had this opportunity.

Similarly, a mandatory work placement period would greatly help students in equipping themselves with the necessary skills to get by in their field. For example research shows that theoretical knowledge of a subject, no matter how extensive, can never be equivalent to the hands-on experience that a placement in the relevant industry provides. Other than that, a relevant placement is a great tool of networking and showcasing your talent with the right individuals in the industry.

In conclusion, while the advantages of the policy are great in number compared to the disadvantages, it is also important to consider individual temperaments of the students. Not everybody is built to survive on their own. Language barrier, unfamiliarity , and being an introvert are points to consider while deciding on such policies being final. Alternatives should be given to such individuals. That being said, I would not deny the numerous benefits that bringing such policy into existence would bring to education system as a whole.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The candidate addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of making study abroad and work placements mandatory, and clearly takes a position that the advantages outweigh the cons. The position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are generally extended and supported, such as when the student mentions career success statistics and the benefits of hands-on experience over theoretical knowledge. However, some arguments tend to over-generalize, and the conclusion introduces new nuanced points like language barriers and student temperaments that would have strengthened the body paragraphs if integrated earlier. Nevertheless, the task is addressed well, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the introduction to the study abroad benefits, work placement advantages, and a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used appropriately, such as 'Moreover', 'Similarly', and 'In conclusion', although some referencing is slightly clunky, as seen in the double preposition 'of the of this policy' in the opening paragraph. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, guiding the reader through the writer's line of argument without confusion. Overall, the structure meets the standard for a solid Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, employing terms such as 'mandatory', 'repercussions', 'self-reliant', and 'theoretical knowledge'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation. However, there are minor lexical inaccuracies, such as the repetition and typo 'of the of this policy' in the introduction, and a slight awkwardness in phrasing like 'bringing such policy into existence'. Despite these occasional errors, the vocabulary is adequate to convey precise meaning, supporting a Band 6.5 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, demonstrating an ability to form conditional and multi-clause sentences effectively, as seen in 'While the approach is beneficial in theory I think there are some repercussions to it as well.' There are some minor grammatical errors and punctuation lapses, such as missing commas after introductory phrases ('Moreover it makes', 'unfamiliarity , and being an introvert') and a minor typo in 'then' instead of 'than'. However, the frequency of errors is low, and the majority of sentences are grammatically sound and do not impede communication, comfortably placing this in the Band 6.5 range.

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

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