Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-09

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)

It is argued that all undergraduate degree programmes should incorporate a period of international study or practical work experience. Although this requirement may impose a financial burden on some students, I believe that its advantages outweigh its disadvantages, as it enables undergraduates to develop practical skills, broaden their horizon and improve their future employment prospects. So, in the forthcoming paragraphs,I have supported my stance with reasonable justification.

The first and foremost advantage is that students can apply theoritical knowledge to real-life solution. they learn how to solve workplace problem by co-operating with fellow peers and employers. Due to their co-operative nature they can build a strong communication skills and become more independent. They can bridge the gap between theory and practice. they can improve their chances of securing a job after graduation. To examplify it, a nursing student who completes a hospital placement can learn how to communicate with patients and observe healthcare professionals in practice. They can use academic knowledge in real situations. Consequently, they can gain a much practical experience efoortlessly and they can gain a competitive edge. Apart from that, a vulnerable and transferable skills and employability.

Now, the foremost disadvantage of this approach of an overseas study can be expensive, particularly for student from low-income families. Many may have to to take loans or work part-time to cover essential expenses. Student have to pay for flights, accommodation and food. In some countries, exorbitant rental costs can place considerable financial pressure on internationalstudents, potentially distracting them from their studies and resulting in poor academic performance and dissapointment amongst their families. To examplify it, a student from a financially diadvantaged family background might be unable to afford a semester abroad, even if they have strong academic abilities. Consequently, placing an additional fianancial burden on families those monetary investment do not gaurantee the success of individuals. Nevertheless, these challenges can be mitigated through scholar ships, affordable placement opportunuties and local work experience, which would allow students to gain practical skills withou incurring excessive expenses.

In conclusion, although requiring undergraduates to study abroad or undertake work placements may create financial difficulties for some students, I believe that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, as such opportunities equip them with practical skills, foster personal development and enhance their long-term career prospects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

Your position is clear from the introduction to the conclusion: you believe the benefits outweigh the financial drawbacks. You address both sides and support the benefits with a relevant nursing-placement example, explaining how students can practise communication and apply academic knowledge. The discussion of costs is also specific, including travel, accommodation and the risk of financial pressure. These developed, relevant points meet the task well. To strengthen the response further, develop a few claims more precisely: for example, “broaden their horizon” and “foster personal development” are asserted but not explained, and the advantages of studying abroad are less distinct from those of a local work placement. A clearer comparison of how each option contributes to the overall judgement would make the argument more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for benefits and drawbacks, and a conclusion that returns to your position. The progression from practical skills to financial concerns is generally easy to follow, and examples help connect claims to the topic. You also use linking expressions such as “Although,” “Consequently,” and “Nevertheless.” However, some connections feel mechanical or unclear: “So, in the forthcoming paragraphs” is an unnecessary signpost, while “Apart from that, a vulnerable and transferable skills and employability” does not form a clear continuation. Repeated transitions such as “To exemplify it” also make cohesion less flexible. Improve paragraph flow by linking each example directly to the claim it supports and removing incomplete or redundant sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “practical skills,” “competitive edge,” “financial pressure,” and “long-term career prospects.” These choices show an effort to discuss education and employment beyond basic terms. However, inaccurate word choice, collocation and spelling are noticeable and sometimes make the meaning difficult to interpret. Examples include “a much practical experience efoortlessly,” “a vulnerable and transferable skills,” and “internationalstudents.” There are also misspellings such as “theoritical,” “dissapointment,” and “gaurantee.” Aim for accurate, natural combinations rather than adding ambitious vocabulary where the phrase is not controlled. Proofreading and learning common collocations for work placements and student finances would make your vocabulary more precise and easier to read.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple statements and attempts at complex sentences, including the opening concession with “Although” and the sentence beginning “Nevertheless.” This gives the response some structural variety. However, errors in sentence formation and agreement recur, and several sentences are incomplete or difficult to parse. For instance, “they can build a strong communication skills” has an agreement and article problem, while “Apart from that, a vulnerable and transferable skills and employability” is not a complete sentence. Capitalisation is also inconsistent after full stops, as in “they learn” and “they can improve.” Work on complete sentence boundaries, singular and plural agreement, and articles; then check each sentence aloud to ensure its subject and main verb are clear. These corrections would improve accuracy while preserving your attempts at complex structures.

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