Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

In the modern digital era, all university courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement. Some people have different views on this issue, but I agree with this idea. I think the advantages of this would outweigh the disadvantages.

One main reason is that practical work is very important for all students because it can provide them with experience through internships and jobs. However, many jobs require previous experience, which is compulsory for students who want to start their professional careers. This experience can be gained through internships, where students can gain experience and improve their skills. That is why I agree with this idea. For instance, undergraduate courses mostly focus on theory, while only around 30% to 40% may involve practical work. If universities include a period of work placement, young people can work through online platforms or in workplaces. In this way, they can improve their skills and build their confidence.

Another main reason is that some students have many skills and abilities to build their careers easily, but they may not get enough opportunities due to a lack of time. Therefore, I agree that universities should provide students with a period of time to study abroad. Universities and educational institutions can also build international relationships with other universities. For example, an undergraduate student will start their professional life after completing their degree. If students study abroad or do a work placement, they can build confidence. Furthermore, they can learn how to communicate in offices, factories and other professional places. They can also explore the world and discover their abilities, which may encourage them to work harder and achieve their goals.

In conclusion, although university undergraduate courses require students to spend a period of time studying abroad or doing work placements, the advantages, such as improved skills and gained experience, cannot be ignored. Therefore, I believe that the benefits of this approach outweigh its disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both studying abroad and work placements, and clearly states a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the mention that undergraduate courses mostly focus on theory while only around 30% to 40% may involve practical work. However, the development tends to be somewhat repetitive, particularly regarding the concepts of gaining experience and building confidence. Despite this minor redundancy, the response successfully covers the requirements of Task 2 and presents a well-supported argument throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs focusing on work placements and studying abroad respectively, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct main ideas. Cohesive devices are employed to connect sentences and ideas, such as "One main reason is," "For instance," and "Furthermore." However, referencing and transitions are occasionally mechanical or repetitive, particularly with phrases like "I agree with this idea" and "Another main reason is," which slightly hinders the overall flow and progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully using terms such as "professional careers," "practical work," "educational institutions," and "undergraduate courses." There are some attempts to use less common vocabulary, though word choices and collocations are sometimes basic or repetitive, as seen with the frequent reuse of "experience," "skills," and "build confidence." Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, placing the response comfortably at Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional structures like "If universities include a period of work placement, young people can work..." and relative clauses. There is a good variety of sentence structures across the essay. While there are some minor mechanical errors and occasional awkward phrasing, such as repetitive sentence openings, the grammatical control is solid and the majority of sentences are clear and error-free. Errors do not impede communication at any point.

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