Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30
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 5.0)
All university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement.
In my opinion, advantages of this would definitely outweigh the disadvantages. I will try to explan my opinion in the given below paragraphs.
On the one hand, it would help people to induldge in the culture and diversity of the country. It would also help them to socialise more and make new friends while it will also improve their social life and knowledge about the country. This policy has some more advantages like people get to discover and travel in the country.
On the other hand, implementing this policy could also have some disadvantages. Staying in a whole new country and trying to adapt its culture can be very difficult for students. Moreover, it is very costly and creates peer pressure on the families which have no option, but to send the students abroad. Also, if the student is unable to speak the language fluently, he/she will not be able to make friends and communicate with other people, resulting in mental health problems like anxiety, over-thinking and even depression. This would create many difficulties for the family as well as the students who are students who are studying abroad.
In conclusion, implementing this policy would definitely result in the disadvantages outweighing the advantages. It would be better if this policy is not implemented because disadvantages caused are clearly more than the advantages. It would be better if this policy is not implemented
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response addresses all parts of the task and presents a position, although there is a notable contradiction between the introduction and conclusion. In the introduction, the writer states 'advantages of this would definitely outweigh the disadvantages,' but in the conclusion, they state 'resulting in the disadvantages outweighing the advantages.' This affects the consistency of the clear position. Ideas are presented such as cultural immersion, costs, and mental health, but they tend to be listed rather than fully extended and supported with relevant examples from the writer's own knowledge or experience. Because of these underdeveloped arguments and the contradictory stance between the introduction and conclusion, the response fits best at Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, featuring a brief introduction, two body paragraphs representing opposing views, and a conclusion. However, the logical progression is hindered by the abrupt transition in the conclusion where the stance reverses. Cohesive devices are used, but they can be repetitive or simplistic, such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand.' Additionally, referencing is sometimes unclear, for instance in the phrase 'trying to adapt its culture' where the antecedent is slightly loose. Paragraphing is attempted, but the repetitive and confused final sentences weaken the overall structure. This level of organisation aligns with a Band 5.5 score.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with attempts at less common lexical items such as 'induldge' (misspelled as induldge instead of indulge), 'peer pressure,' and 'mental health problems.' However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors, such as 'explan' instead of explain, and the misuse of 'induldge' where 'immerse' would be more appropriate. There is also unnecessary repetition of phrases like 'implementing this policy' and 'studying abroad' in the concluding section. These limitations in precision and occasional errors put the lexical resource at a Band 5.0 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over grammar with structures such as 'if the student is unable to speak the language fluently, he/she will not be able to make friends.' However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasings throughout the text, including 'advantages of this' (missing an article), 'in the given below paragraphs,' and the repetitive redundancy at the end of the essay: 'students who are students who are studying abroad.' Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the frequency of grammatical slips and awkward syntax keeps the score at a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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