Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-01

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 7.5)

In recent years, higher education institutions have increasingly focused on global engagement and practical industry training. It is argued that every undergraduate degree program should incorporate a mandatory period of overseas study or professional work experience. In my opinion, despite the undeniable financial and logistical challenges this policy might introduce, the long-term career benefits and personal development opportunities it offers undoubtedly carry greater weight.

The first and foremost reason of this tendency is that, making international study or internships compulsory can create significant problems. The primary disadvantage is the financial burden. Traveling, securing accommodation, and covering daily living costs in a foreign country or a new city can be prohibitively expensive for low-income families. Furthermore, mandating these programs can disrupt a student’s academic timeline. For instance, if a student struggles to secure a relevant placement or faces visa delays for overseas study, it could postpone their graduation. Therefore, a rigid requirement could inadvertently disadvantage vulnerable student groups.

On the other hand, the practical and professional advantages of these placements are immense. In today’s competitive global job market, theoretical knowledge alone is rarely enough to secure employment. A student who has completed a work placement gains hands-on experience, learns workplace etiquette, and builds a professional network before even graduating. Similarly, studying abroad fosters cultural awareness and adaptability—traits that are highly valued by multinational corporations. For example, a business student who spends a semester in a different country learns firsthand how international markets operate, making them far more employable than a peer who only studied textbooks.

In conclusion, although compulsory work placements and study abroad programs can cause financial strain and scheduling difficulties, the advantages are far more impactful. These experiences bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped for their future careers. To mitigate the downsides, universities should offer robust financial grants and placement support rather than discarding the requirement altogether.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the task thoroughly, presenting a clear position throughout the essay. The writer successfully explores both sides of the argument—acknowledging financial and logistical hurdles while firmly defending the long-term career and personal benefits of studying abroad or undertaking work placements. Ideas are well-extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of business students learning firsthand how international markets operate. To reach the highest band level, the ideas could be developed with even greater depth and nuance, perhaps by exploring the broader societal or institutional impacts rather than focusing primarily on individual career outcomes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

There is a clear logical organisation and progression throughout the essay. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, beginning with a strong introduction, followed by a well-balanced exploration of disadvantages and advantages, and concluding with a concise summary and constructive recommendation. The writer uses cohesive devices flexibly and appropriately, such as 'Furthermore,' 'Therefore,' and 'On the other hand,' although some transitions like 'The first and foremost reason of this tendency' feel slightly formulaic. Paragraphing is managed effectively, ensuring that the argument flows smoothly from one point to the next, maintaining the reader's interest and understanding.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The vocabulary used demonstrates a sufficient range to allow for flexibility and precision, successfully using less common items with an awareness of style and collocation, such as 'prohibitively expensive,' 'academic timeline,' and 'cultural awareness and adaptability.' The writer generally maintains good control over word choice, though minor slips occur, such as the slightly unnatural prepositional phrasing in 'The first and foremost reason of this tendency' where 'for' would be more appropriate. Spelling and word forms are accurate throughout, and vocabulary choices effectively communicate the intended meaning without impeding the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide variety of complex sentence structures, featuring frequent error-free sentences alongside sophisticated subordination and relative clauses, such as 'if a student struggles to secure a relevant placement or faces visa delays for overseas study, it could postpone their graduation.' There is good control of grammar and punctuation overall. While a minor stylistic glitch appears in the subject-verb agreement or phrasing of 'making international study or internships compulsory can create significant problems' (where a gerund phrase acts as a singular subject correctly, but the preceding prepositional phrase is slightly clunky), overall grammatical control remains solid and supports the clarity of the argument.

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