Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28

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 6.0)

Despite introducing various advance methods of learning in universities, people still suggest that the majority of the universities should add a specific duration of time for studying overseas or doing work placement. However, there are many pros and cons associated with this concept. From my perspective, benefits of this idea can outweigh the harmful effects.

One of the major advantages of this concept is that it can provide a person the helpful exposure regarding his field and boost the individual's confidence to accomplish his work tasks in the future, in his professional life. In addition, by interacting with experienced workers and working in a professional setting can assist people to become more knowledgeable and motivated regarding his particular field of interest. A clear illustration of this is provided by developed countries, which have implemented this strategy and now there generations are considered among the genius. Therefore, introducing a time period for studies in foreign nations or doing a work placement can be a cause of the emergence of encouragement and dedication towards his work and studies.

Conversely, there are few disadvantages associated with this idea. One of the driving cons of this is that it can exert additional burden on the financial resources of education sectors as well as families of students. Furthermore, people who belong to the impoverished background might not be able to pay the expense of foreign study scheme, in addition, working during studies can be a cause of distraction for students. For instance, some developing countries are facing more worse conditions than prior, by applying this concepts.

Although adding a time period for foreign studies or doing a work placement can exert additional pressure on the families of students and can be a source of losing focus. However, it can provide more energetic and dedicated workers to the relevant field, which can contribute to the rapid increase of the country's socio-economic growth.

To conclude, studying abroad or doing job during studies can distract individual's from studies and add an extra pressure on students' families to pay expenses of overseas education. However, from my perspective, its benefits, in terms of emerging workers with greater dedication and motivation, can outweigh these disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of including studying abroad or work placements in undergraduate courses, and clearly states a personal position in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are extended, such as discussing professional confidence and financial burdens, although some arguments tend to over-generalize, such as claiming that countries implementing this strategy see generations considered 'among the genius'. The position is maintained clearly throughout, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.5 or 7.0. Because the response addresses all parts with clear development and support, it comfortably meets the criteria for Band 6.5, leaning towards Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay presents a clear overall progression with logical organization, utilizing distinct paragraphs for the introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One of the major advantages', 'Conversely', and 'To conclude' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. However, some referencing is slightly clumsy (e.g., shifting between 'a person', 'his', and 'people'), and certain cohesive links feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, demonstrating clear logical organization throughout the response, which places it securely in the Band 6.5 to 7 range.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'socio-economic growth', 'impoverished background', and 'professional setting'. However, there are noticeable word-choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'advance methods' instead of 'advanced methods', 'helpful exposure', and 'more worse conditions'. Despite these slips, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning without impeding communication, aligning well with the descriptors for Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses and conditional structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, particularly regarding pronoun agreement (e.g., 'an individual... his work tasks... his particular field') and preposition usage. Punctuation issues also arise, such as a comma splice in the final paragraph ('To conclude, studying abroad... and add an extra pressure...'). While these errors do not severely impede communication, they persist across the text, preventing the essay from reaching a higher band score.

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