Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, many higher education institutions are considering whether practical experience—either through an overseas study period or an industry internship—should be a compulsory requirement for all undergraduate degree programs. While an obligatory policy poses undeniable financial and logistical challenges, I believe the long-term benefits to graduate employability and personal growth far outweigh these drawbacks.

On the one hand, making study abroad or work placements mandatory introduces significant practical difficulties. The primary concern is financial inequality. Traveling to a foreign country or accepting a low-paid internship can impose a heavy financial burden on students from lower-income backgrounds, potentially deepening socio-economic disparities unless substantial financial support is provided. Furthermore, implementing such a policy across every single academic discipline presents a severe administrative challenge. For highly structured and regulated degrees, such as medicine or law, fitting an external semester into an already dense curriculum without extending the total length of the degree can be exceptionally difficult.

On the other hand, the professional and personal advantages of gaining practical or international experience are immense. Professionally, work placements bridge the critical gap between academic theory and workplace reality. Graduates who possess direct industry experience enter the job market with demonstrable skills, professional networks, and a clear understanding of workplace dynamics, giving them a distinct competitive edge over peers with purely theoretical backgrounds. Similarly, studying abroad fosters cultural intelligence, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication skills—qualities that are highly sought after by modern multinational employers. On a personal level, navigating unfamiliar environments builds independence, problem-solving abilities, and resilience, which are essential attributes for navigating life beyond university.

In conclusion, although compulsory placements and study abroad programs present real financial and logistical hurdles for both students and institutions, their transformative impact on graduate readiness is undeniable. Provided that universities implement robust financial aid packages and flexible options, the overall advantages to students' career prospects and personal development far outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of making study abroad or work placements compulsory, and clearly states a position that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The introduction sets up a clear thesis, and the body paragraphs are well-developed. The first body paragraph effectively outlines the financial and logistical hurdles, such as socio-economic disparities and administrative difficulties in structured degrees like medicine or law. The second body paragraph thoroughly explores the professional and personal advantages, including bridging the gap between theory and practice, fostering cultural intelligence, and building resilience. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations throughout, satisfying the Band 8 descriptor for fully covering all parts of the task with well-developed ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the drawbacks, then the benefits, and finally a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used naturally and flexibly, with clear transitional phrases such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'On the other hand' guiding the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used logically and appropriately to separate distinct themes. Referencing throughout the text is precise, ensuring that relationships between ideas are clear and easy to follow. This aligns strongly with the Band 8 criteria for logical sequencing and well-managed cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student displays a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic context. Less common and sophisticated lexical items are used skilfully, including 'interconnected global economy', 'compulsory requirement', 'socio-economic disparities', 'cultural intelligence', and 'transformative impact'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise and natural, such as 'bridge the critical gap' and 'competitive edge'. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies or less idiomatic pairings, but these do not impede communication. The lexical range easily satisfies the Band 8 requirement for flexibility and skillful use of uncommon lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response employs a wide range of complex structures with a high degree of control. Sentences such as 'While an obligatory policy poses undeniable financial and logistical challenges, I believe the long-term benefits... far outweigh these drawbacks' showcase excellent subordination and structural variety. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. Grammar and syntax are polished, with only occasional minor slips that do not disrupt the flow of reading. This level of syntactic flexibility and high accuracy corresponds closely to the Band 8 descriptor.

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