Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Despite introducing various advanced methods of learning in universities, people still suggest that the majority of 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 with the helpful exposure in his field and boost the individual's confidence to accomplish work tasks in the future, in his professional life. In addition, by interacting with experienced workers in a professional setting can assist people to become more knowledgeable and motivated in their particular field of interest. A clear illustration of this is provided by developed countries, which have implemented this strategy and now their generations are considered among geniuses. Therefore, introducing a time period for studies in foreign nations or undertaking a work placement can be a cause of the emergence of encouragement and dedication towards their work and studies.

Conversely, there are few disadvantages associated with this idea. One of the major drawbacks of this is that it can place an additional burden on the financial resources of education sectors as well as families of students. Furthermore, people who belong to an impoverished background might not be able to pay the expenses of foreign study scheme. In addition, working during studies can be a cause of distraction for students. For instance, some developing countries are facing worse conditions than prior, by applying these 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 cause 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 a job during studies can distract individuals from studies and add extra pressure on students' families to pay expenses of overseas education. However, from my perspective, its benefits, in terms of producing workers with greater dedication and motivation, can outweigh these disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of including study abroad or work placements in undergraduate courses, and presents a clear position throughout. The main ideas are generally relevant and extended, such as the discussion on professional exposure, confidence, and financial burden. However, some ideas are slightly under-developed or rely on broad generalizations, such as claiming developed countries' generations are considered among geniuses or that developing countries face worse conditions. The conclusion clearly restates the writer's stance. Overall, the performance aligns well with Band 6.5 or 7.0 descriptors, and given positive marking for covering all parts of the task, a Band 6.5 is well justified.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs addressing pros and cons, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used to signal relationships between ideas, such as 'One of the major advantages', 'In addition', 'Conversely', and 'To conclude'. However, there are some mechanical or repetitive cohesive patterns, and referencing is occasionally slightly loose. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, maintaining a clear overall logical arrangement throughout the essay. This fits the Band 6.0 to 6.5 profile, and a score of 6.0 captures the occasional mechanical feel of the transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully attempting less common items and phrasings such as 'socio-economic growth', 'impoverished background', and 'professional setting'. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'helpful exposure', 'a cause of the emergence of encouragement', and 'worse conditions than prior'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and these lexical errors do not impede communication, placing the response solidly in the Band 6.0 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and subordinate clauses like 'Despite introducing various advanced methods...' and 'Although adding a time period...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as the sentence fragment in the conclusion ('Although adding a time period... can exert... However, it can provide...') and preposition errors ('in his field' where plural might be better). Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear and they rarely impede communication. This balance of complex structures and persistent minor errors corresponds well to a Band 6.0.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.