Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-22
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 5.0)
Nowadays, undergraduate has been topic of discussion among people. As told many university undergraduate courses should include period of time spent on studing or working. This essay will explore then will give its advantage and disadvantage.
On the one hand studying abroad or gaining work experience can enchance students personal and professional development. exposure to new culture and adapting according to the culture. meeting new people cultures will be exchange and explored by different aspects of people. Another one is communication skill will improve because some might not know how to speak or don't know a certain language which will make them learn faster. Many people will get to know the rules about the country it will be famous and beneficial for both students and the country.
On the other hand there are some drawbacks to making such programs . compulsory.one major concern is the financial borden.Not all students can afford to travel aborad or support themselves during unpaid internships. As some stufents many face problems in their academias years and will be depressing for them.And languages barrier can also be the problem as many donot know. This can stress them out completely.
I thick universities can offer scholarship to the students which will make it easier for the students and staff t will be good for them as they will learn how to manage financially in the future.
In conclusion, although students many face problems studying abroad or doing work placement can be difficult. But it will be beneficial for thier future resources.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to address the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of making study abroad or work placements compulsory, eventually taking a somewhat balanced stance. However, the development of ideas is limited and at times superficial. For instance, the discussion on advantages touches upon personal development and communication skills, but these points are under-developed and lack specific supporting examples. Similarly, the disadvantages mention financial burdens and language barriers, but the explanations are fragmented. The position is discernible yet lacks clarity in places due to abrupt phrasing. Consequently, the performance aligns best with Band 5, as the task is addressed only partially with limited idea expansion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into traditional paragraph structures with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, showing some overall organisation. However, there is a lack of clear progression, and the transitions between sentences can be abrupt and confusing. Cohesive devices are either missing, inadequate, or used inappropriately, such as the awkward phrasing 'Another one is' and the repetitive use of simple conjunctions. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal logical links frequently break down, notably in the conclusion where the final thoughts are disjointed. Referencing is sometimes unclear, which strains the reader's ability to follow the argument smoothly. Overall, these features reflect the characteristics of a Band 5 performance.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, frequently impeded by noticeable errors in word choice and spelling. Examples include 'enchance' instead of enhance, 'borden' instead of burden, 'aborad' instead of abroad, and 'stufents' instead of students. The range is limited and minimally adequate for conveying simple ideas, but attempts at less common vocabulary often result in unnatural phrasing or incorrect collocations. While the reader can generally decipher the intended meaning, the persistent spelling and lexical errors cause regular difficulty. These limitations place the lexical resource squarely within the Band 5 descriptor level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences and awkward attempts at complex forms that are frequently faulty. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, such as missing subjects, incorrect verb forms ('studing'), and punctuation issues. For example, sentences like 'As told many university undergraduate courses should include period of time spent on studing or working' and 'And languages barrier can also be the problem as many donot know' demonstrate poor control over basic syntax. Although some simple clauses are accurate, the density of errors causes noticeable difficulty for the reader, matching the standard for a Band 5 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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