Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29

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)

It is often argued that all universities should arrange a time period for their undergrad programs to study or even a work placement in foreign countries. Although, it has many advantages it has certain disadvantages too. This essay will discuss both.

There are several advantages for students to spend some time abroad while studying. It can build leadership skills in them. Students can interact with other students from different countries, which can improve their communication skills as well. Students get introduced to other cultures.They can learn alot from their fellow workers while working with them under same roof. I remember when my brother's friends went to usa for a semester exchange program. They shared classrooms with students from all around the world and gained valuable knowledge from them. For example, all of them had a good experience in research and they were thinking about applying for fully funded scholarships all around the world which we weren't aware of.

However, studying spending a period of time abroad while studying can have some disadvantages too. Studying abroad even for a small period can become costly, which can become burden for underprivileged students and their families, as they already struggle with paying their fees. For example, I had a classfellow whose mother died during her studies, due to which she was struggling financially as her mother was supporting her. So, its impossible for these kind of students to spend some time abroad during their undergrad until they are supported by university or governmet.

In conclusion, although studying abroad for a short period of time can prove to be costly, it can also build leadership qualities and improve communication skills of the students.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad or doing a work placement during an undergraduate degree. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are extended with some supporting examples, such as the personal anecdote about the brother's friend. However, the reasoning tends to rely on personal experiences rather than broader societal or economic analysis, which keeps the development at a Band 6 level. Additionally, the prompt asks whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and while both sides are discussed, a definitive concluding stance on whether they outweigh each other is somewhat implicit rather than explicitly stated.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical four-paragraph structure comprising an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Cohesive devices are employed, but some transitions are a bit mechanical or lack seamless integration, such as starting sentences abruptly with 'However, studying spending a period of time abroad...'. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional minor awkwardness in referencing occurs. Overall, the logical progression is maintained well enough to meet the Band 6 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'undergrad programs', 'fully funded scholarships', and 'financially'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, but these are occasionally marred by word choice errors, infelicitous collocations, or repetitive phrasing, such as 'studying spending a period of time abroad'. Spelling is generally good, and communication is never impeded by lexical inaccuracies, aligning the response comfortably with Band 6 standards.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over structure. Examples of complex sentences include 'Students can interact with other students from different countries, which can improve their communication skills as well.' However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'Although, it has many advantages it has certain disadvantages too' (incorrect punctuation and comma splice) and 'studying spending a period of time abroad' (grammatical clash). Errors in punctuation and article usage occur, but they rarely impede communication, reflecting a Band 6 performance.

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