Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

Nowadays, studying abroad or doing a work placment has become increasingly common in modern society, Although this trend has both advantages and disadvantages, I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

On the one hand, there are some disadvantages to this trend, One major drawback is that miss own familly, this is because studying on a different country and they can't be close for them, For example study at Rome and own country is algeria, As a result, their is kinda of hurting, Therefore, this can have a negative impact on people's lives.

On the other hand, I believe that the advantages are more significant, One major benifit it that new people and new language, this is because would studying on different country, in this case require to learning the new language for commenication, For example would to be learn Italy language, As a result that's is lead to learn new skills, furthermore, become more awerreness

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You state a clear view in the introduction: “the advantages outweigh the disadvantages,” and you include one disadvantage and one advantage relevant to studying abroad. However, the response addresses the task only partially: both points are very briefly explained, and the work-placement option is not discussed. The example of studying in Rome is mentioned but not developed into evidence showing how the experience affects students. The response also contains 156 words, below the required 250, so there is not enough explanation or support for your position. To strengthen this, explain how international study or placements build academic, professional, or language skills, then compare these benefits with costs such as separation from family and support your view with specific examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph presenting a disadvantage, and a paragraph supporting your position. “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” help signal the contrast, while “For example” and “As a result” show attempts to connect ideas. However, progression within the paragraphs is difficult to follow because several points are compressed into incomplete or unclear sequences, such as “One major benefit it that new people and new language.” Some linking phrases are also used mechanically, and punctuation does not consistently separate sentences. Use one main idea per paragraph, explain it in a logical sequence, and make references such as “this” or “they” clearly identify the people or situation being discussed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “studying abroad,” “work placement,” “drawback,” “benefit,” and “negative impact.” These choices show an attempt to discuss both sides of the issue. However, the range is limited, and spelling and word-choice errors sometimes make the meaning difficult to understand: examples include “placment,” “familly,” “benifit,” and “awerreness.” Several phrases are also unnatural, such as “new people and new language” and “kinda of hurting.” Build a more precise set of expressions for educational and career benefits, and check spelling carefully. For example, you could describe gaining “intercultural awareness,” “professional experience,” or “language proficiency,” rather than relying on general phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentence forms, including a reason clause with “this is because” and a result clause with “As a result.” However, the range remains limited, and attempts to combine ideas often produce faulty sentences, such as “One major drawback is that miss own family” and “this is because studying on a different country and they can't be close for them.” Verb forms and sentence construction are frequently inaccurate, as in “would studying” and “require to learning.” There are also problems with articles, prepositions, agreement, and punctuation, which sometimes obscure the intended meaning. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, then check patterns such as “study in another country” and “requires learning.”

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