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)

International internships or exchange programs for undergraduate students are becoming very common these days. As a result, people are being found in discussion about its effectiveness and challenges that can come with it to reach a conclusion if this addition is a good idea or not. In my opinion, going abroad for education or a work placement for a certain period of time is highly advantageous. This is because it gives you broader career options and a chance to adapt in a multi-diverse society.

Going for an overseas study or an internship can give profound career and social benefits. When students go to an entirely different country, they learn about the new evolving trends and by actually spending time at work places prepare them to enter into the job market before they even started their career. Moreover, the interaction with people from diverse backgrounds is helpful in creating community ties and learning to adapt in this cosmopolitan world. For example, many universities in Europe offer one semester exchange programs or internships for students from underdeveloping countries. In this way, many learners get more opportunities for their career development and learn about how to fit in a global village.

Some people argue that generating internships and other study opportunities for international students is quite challenging. While their concerns about affordability and some other factors are genuine, they cannot outweigh the advantages that come with them. While such projects require massive funding and support from the government in order to accommodate a large number of students, it is beneficial for economic and social development. For example, every year top universities like Harvard and MIT give scholarships to students around the world which can cover all of their expenses. As a result, these students join their companies as employees, playing a huge role in building a strong economy.

In conclusion, international work placements and study programs are being included as a part of degree more frequently these days. It's highly advantageous both for social and economical growth. Meanwhile, there can be challenges but they are controllable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing whether the advantages of studying abroad or doing a work placement outweigh the disadvantages. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay, arguing that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as mentioning exchange programs and university scholarships like Harvard and MIT. However, there is a slight tendency to over-generalise in places, and some arguments could be explored with even greater depth. Overall, the task is thoroughly and effectively addressed, fitting comfortably into the Band 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction that states the writer's position, followed by body paragraphs discussing career benefits and financial/structural challenges, and concluding with a summary. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well to connect ideas, such as 'Moreover', 'For example', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct themes. While cohesion is generally clear, there are minor instances where referencing could be smoother, preventing it from reaching the highest bands. Overall, the logical flow is well-maintained and easy for the reader to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The writer displays a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, successfully utilising less common items such as 'cosmopolitan world', 'career development', and 'economic and social development'. There is a clear attempt to use academic and topic-specific terminology, although occasional inaccuracies in word choice or collocation appear, such as 'people are being found in discussion about its effectiveness' and 'underdeveloping countries' instead of 'developing countries'. Despite these minor slips, the vocabulary is more than adequate for the task, and meaning is communicated clearly throughout, aligning well with the Band 6.5 or 7 descriptors. A score of 6.5 accurately captures this performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating a willingness to use subordinate clauses and varied structures. There are several error-free sentences, alongside a few grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'people are being found in discussion' and 'As a result, these students join their companies as employees'. Punctuation is generally handled well, and the errors present do not impede communication or cause strain for the reader. This performance aligns closely with the Band 6 descriptors, as the mix of structures and manageable error frequency reflect solid, competent control.

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