Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

In the current phase, it is often argued that all university students should be required to spend some time studying abroad or undertaking a work placement as part of their university education. However, it has some drawbacks. I believe that the advantages of this approach outweigh the disadvantages.

On one hand, it is believed that universities should offer certain benefits to students because studying abroad gives students opportunities to experience different settings and education systems. Additionally, work placement enables students to become more independent and more capable of handling real-world responsibilities. For instance, my cousin, who graduated, undertook a work placement in Dubai. During his placement he had to manage his accommodation, finances and other responsibilities. With this, he became more confident and capable of managing his real world challenges. Therefore, such opportunities are beneficial for students.

On the other hand, it has been observed that such opportunities may be advantageous for only certain groups of students while plenty others may face certain financial difficulties which stop them from fulfilling their dreams. Furthermore, when students work in different locations far away from their hometown, they often face challenges such as homesickness, depression, anxiety, and dietary issues. This leads them to suicide and doing ordinary jobs.Thus, these financial and personal challenges may create significant difficulties to students who have to live and work away from their hometown.

In conclusion, although financial and personal challenges create certain problems, I believe that universities should provide more opportunities for students to study abroad or undertake work placements as these experiences enable students to become more independent and adaptable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad or doing a work placement, and clearly presents a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and supported with an example about a cousin working in Dubai. However, some arguments lack deeper extension; for instance, the discussion of disadvantages mentions extreme consequences like suicide and ordinary jobs rather than balancing mainstream academic or financial drawbacks more evenly. Despite this slight imbalance and a tendency toward sweeping statements, the task is adequately fulfilled and the position is maintained consistently throughout the text. Therefore, this performance meets the requirements for a Band 6.5 or solid Band 7.0 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are grouped into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting opposing views, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to signal transitions between ideas. Referencing is generally clear, though the transition between personal challenges and extreme outcomes in the third paragraph feels slightly abrupt. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively, making the overall structure easy to follow. This performance aligns well with the Band 7.0 descriptors for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'undertaking a work placement', 'financial difficulties', and 'adaptable'. However, there are instances of unnatural phrasing and word choice, such as 'In the current phase' instead of 'Nowadays' or 'At present', and 'doing ordinary jobs' instead of 'accepting lower-paying employment'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary does not impede communication. The lexical range is sufficient for flexibility and precision, but occasional inaccuracies and slightly repetitive phrasing prevent it from reaching a higher band. Thus, a score of 6.0 is appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or relative clauses such as 'students who have to live and work away from their hometown'. There are several error-free sentences, showing good control over basic grammatical structures. However, a few minor mechanical and punctuation errors occur, such as the missing space after the period in 'jobs.Thus, these financial...'. Additionally, some clause linkages feel slightly mechanical. Grammar and punctuation errors are infrequent and do not impede communication, allowing the student to secure a solid Band 6.5 for grammatical range and accuracy.

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