Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

All university undergraduate programmes should include a specific period of international study or work experience. Although this method has certain drawbacks, I strongly believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

One major advantage is exposure to international education. Students can experience different teaching methods and interact with people from different backgrounds. For example, studying with international students can help them build professional networks, which may lead to job opportunities internationally. Another benefit is that students can gain knowledge of different cultures while studying abroad. For instance, students can learn how people in other countries celebrate occasions such as Christmas. Moreover, students can gain practical experience that they cannot obtain only from textbooks. For example, an IT student can work in a software company and learn how projects are actually managed.

However, there are some disadvantages to consider. The biggest drawback could be the high cost. For example, the total cost of studying abroad can be much higher than studying in one's own country. Additionally, students may experience problems such as homesickness and stress while living abroad. Students may also focus less on their studies because they want to explore new places. For instance, students may spend a significant amount of time visiting attractive and popular cities in the country where they are studying.

Nevertheless, studying abroad can make students more independent and confident. For example, a student living abroad may need to manage accommodation, transportation and finances without the support of their family.

In conclusion, studying abroad has several advantages, such as international exposure, networking opportunities and cultural experiences. Although there are some disadvantages, including high costs, homesickness and a possible lack of focus on studies, I strongly believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task clearly, taking a well-defined position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The student presents relevant ideas for both sides, such as international exposure, professional networking, and practical skills as advantages, contrasted with high costs, homesickness, and potential distraction as disadvantages. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant, albeit somewhat simple, examples like learning how IT projects are managed or celebrating Christmas. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay, meeting the requirements for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the introduction to advantages, disadvantages, personal development, and a summarizing conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One major advantage', 'Another benefit', 'However', and 'Nevertheless' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively, ensuring that different aspects of the topic are separated logically. Referencing and substitution are clear, contributing to an overall coherent structure that aligns with Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms like 'professional networks', 'practical experience', 'homesickness', and 'independent'. There are some attempts to use less common vocabulary, but the phrasing tends to rely on repeated patterns, such as starting multiple sentences with 'For example' or 'Students can'. Word choice is generally appropriate and communication is not impeded, although the range lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, reflecting a solid Band 6 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over subordinate clauses and conditional elements. For instance, sentences like 'Although this method has certain drawbacks, I strongly believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages' show a good grasp of complex structures. There are occasional errors, such as repetitive sentence structures and minor phrasing issues, but they do not impede communication. Punctuation is accurate, and the grammatical control is generally sound across the essay, placing it comfortably in the Band 7 range.

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

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