Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-25

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)

In today's world, career opportunities are growing rapidly, and some universities offer students various work placements and study abroad opportunities during their undergraduate studies. I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages in this case.

To begin with, one of the main reasons most universities include study abroad courses is exposure to different cultures. If undergraduates receive an opportunity to grow and develop themselves in a foreign country, it might open global career opportunities for them. For instance, X University in India offers a sandwich course, where undergraduates can study two years in India and the final year in the UK. This way, a student can develop multiple skills from program enrollment to reaching to the destination. These include communication, problem-solving, language skills and cultural awareness. Not only do they grow personally, but they also become socially capable of managing things on their own.

Likewise, universities must also include a compulsory work placement. A tenure of 1 to 3 months can make a significant difference in undergraduates' lives before they enter the corporate world or go to pursue a master's degree. The work placement or an internship plays a vital shaping the rest of their lives. Universities should highly recommend that their students opt for either a work placement or an internship during their vacation. For example, Nirma University in India offers students opportunities to gain practical work experience after completing a three-year bachelor's programme. This allows undergraduates to develop their skills and apply their theoretical knowledge in practice before entering the professional world.

In conclusion, modern-day skills are very important in shaping students' career lives, so universities must take special notice of study abroad programmes or doing a work placements. I, therefore, believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both studying abroad and work placements, while taking a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of sandwich courses at X University and practical work experiences at Nirma University in India. While the prompt asks about undergraduate courses generally, the response focuses heavily on specific institutional models rather than a broader systemic evaluation. However, the position is maintained throughout, and the main arguments regarding cultural exposure, personal development, and practical skills are well-developed, aligning comfortably with the Band 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response exhibits a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherent and well-sequenced. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, moving from the introduction to cultural exposure via study abroad, then to work placements, and finally concluding. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Likewise', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the text, although referencing is occasionally straightforward. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, contributing to an overall logical structure that meets the requirements for a Band 7 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, using terms like 'undergraduates', 'cultural awareness', 'sandwich course', and 'theoretical knowledge'. There are occasional lapses in word choice and collocation, such as 'vital shaping the rest of their lives' (missing a noun like 'role') and 'doing a work placements' (grammatical slip). However, less common items are attempted with decent awareness of style, and spelling remains accurate throughout. The lexical range is adequate to convey precise meaning without impeding communication, fitting the Band 6.5 to 7.0 profile well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional structures like 'If undergraduates receive an opportunity...' and relative clauses. There is good control of overall grammar and punctuation, though a few noticeable errors persist, such as 'plays a vital shaping the rest of their lives' and 'doing a work placements' in the conclusion. Despite these occasional inaccuracies, the majority of complex sentences are constructed correctly, and the errors do not impede communication. This balance of complex structures and minor slip-ups places the performance firmly at Band 6.5, rounded to 6.5.

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