Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

According to the education systems around the world, study schemes differ from one country to another. However, the main concern is that universities should ensure that students studying at their institutions have opportunities to obtain jobs or internships before graduation.

There are several advantages to this approach. First, if students obtain jobs or internships before graduating from university, they will be able to gain knowledge in their respective fields and acquire practical work experience. Until now, education has largely been limited to classrooms and university buildings. Therefore, it is important to incorporate practical work experience into the academic curriculum, as it can also reduce pressure on students. This is because their parents spend a considerable amount of money on their education. If students are confident that they will have better employment opportunities, they will be able to focus more on their studies rather than worrying about their future. Another advantage is that this approach can contribute to the economic development of a country or region, as well-educated and skilled professionals can contribute to its workforce.

However, there are some disadvantages to this scheme. It may negatively affect people with lower levels of education, such as those who have completed their intermediate education. This could be a drawback because such individuals may face greater difficulties in securing employment. On the other hand, introducing this scheme could encourage them to pursue higher education, as they would realise that obtaining a degree could improve their employment prospects. Another significant concern is that some people may secure jobs through personal references rather than through their qualifications and abilities.

In my opinion, I would support this approach because it could reduce unemployment and improve the literacy rate of a country. Furthermore, it would benefit students who leave their home countries to work abroad, allowing them to reap the rewards of their hard work and educational achievements.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You present a clear preference for the proposed approach, especially in the final paragraph, and discuss benefits such as practical experience, employment prospects and economic contribution. However, the response does not consistently address the specific proposal: the task asks about a period spent studying abroad or doing a work placement, while much of your discussion shifts to obtaining jobs or internships before graduation. The disadvantages are also only partly relevant or explained. For example, the point about people with less education facing employment difficulties is not clearly linked to requiring undergraduates to study or work abroad. Develop the comparison more directly, explaining why the benefits outweigh the costs and considering issues such as expense, disruption to study or unequal access.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a benefits paragraph, a disadvantages paragraph and a concluding opinion. Linking expressions such as “First,” “However,” and “Furthermore” help readers follow the broad direction. However, progression is not always clear because some points do not connect closely to the central proposal. The shift from placements to “people with lower levels of education” and then to jobs gained through personal references makes the disadvantages paragraph feel like a list rather than a developed argument. The conclusion introduces working abroad, but this idea has not been established clearly earlier. Use topic sentences tied to the exact question and explain how each example supports your position; also make references such as “this approach” more precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use an adequate range of topic-related vocabulary, including “practical work experience,” “academic curriculum,” “employment opportunities” and “economic development.” These phrases communicate the main ideas, and the meaning is generally clear. However, some wording is repetitive or imprecise: “jobs or internships” recurs, and “obtain jobs or internships before graduating” does not accurately capture the task’s focus on a period of study abroad or a work placement. Some collocations are also awkward, such as “reduce pressure on students” and “reap the rewards” in this context. Aim for more precise terms and vary repeated expressions, while checking that each phrase describes the proposal rather than a related but different idea.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You show a sound mix of simple and complex sentence forms, and many sentences are controlled accurately. For example, the conditional structure “If students are confident that they will have better employment opportunities, they will be able to focus more on their studies” is clear, as are the clauses explaining economic benefits. This level of control supports easy understanding throughout. To demonstrate more of the flexibility expected at the next level, vary how you build and connect complex ideas rather than relying mainly on “if,” “as” and “because.” There are also a few awkward constructions, including “In my opinion, I would support this approach,” where the introductory phrase and subject are redundant. Review sentence economy and ensure that longer sentences express one clear relationship.

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

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