Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-10

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)

It is suggested that all undergraduate univeristy programmes should require students to complete a period of study in another country or undertake a wprk placement. While, this proposal has some drawbacks, I bbelieve the bbenefits far outweigh them.

The main advantage of this this approach is are related to to employability and personal development. Firstly, a work experience provides invaluable practical experience that academic study alone cannot offer. Students can apply theortical knowledge based on the real world environment and developed professional networks, and significantly, improve their chances of securing a job after graduation. For instance, engineering student who completed a six-month internship in a factory are often offered a permanent position by the same comapny.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You state a clear position: “the benefits far outweigh” the drawbacks, and you give a relevant reason by linking work experience with practical skills, professional networks and employment prospects. The engineering internship example also helps illustrate this point. However, the response addresses the task only minimally: it does not explain any disadvantages, discuss studying abroad, or develop the comparison needed to show why the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The response is also 134 words below the required minimum, leaving too little space to develop the argument. To strengthen it, cover both options in the prompt, explain at least one drawback, and support your overall judgement with developed examples and reasoning.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic, understandable structure: an opening paragraph gives your position, followed by a paragraph presenting an advantage and an example. “Firstly” signals the start of a supporting point, and “For instance” introduces relevant evidence. These features help the reader follow the limited argument. However, there is no concluding paragraph, and the response ends abruptly after the example, so the overall progression is incomplete. The opening’s “While” clause also promises discussion of drawbacks that never follows. Develop a clear sequence of paragraphs—for example, advantages, disadvantages, and a conclusion—and use linking phrases to show how each point supports your judgement.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some appropriate topic vocabulary, including “practical experience,” “theoretical knowledge,” “professional networks,” and “securing a job after graduation.” These phrases communicate the central employment-related idea and show some range beyond basic vocabulary. However, spelling errors such as “univeristy,” “wprk,” “bbelieve,” and “comapny” are noticeable, and inaccurate or awkward expressions such as “based on the real world environment” reduce precision. The vocabulary is also concentrated on one advantage, limiting its range across the task. Proofread spelling carefully and choose more natural collocations, such as “apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting.” Add vocabulary for discussing costs, cultural adjustment, and academic benefits.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both a complex opening sentence with “While” and longer sentences that explain cause and effect, such as the sentence linking practical experience to improved job prospects. The main ideas remain understandable. However, several grammatical problems are visible: “The main advantage of this this approach is are related to” contains repetition and faulty agreement, while “engineering student” needs an article and “a factory are” has a subject–verb agreement problem. In “Students can apply … and developed …,” the verb forms are not parallel. These errors make control inconsistent, even though meaning is generally recoverable. Use shorter, carefully checked sentences where needed, and review agreement, articles, and consistent verb forms.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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