Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

In today's competitive world, university education should equip students with both academic knowledge and practical skills. Some people argue that all undergraduate programmes should include a period of studying aborad or undertaking a work placement. I strongly believe that this approach outweigh the disadvantages.

One of the most significant benefits of this proposal is that it bridges the gap between theoritical knowledge and practical experience. Although university students acquire sustantial subject knowledge, they may struggle to apply it effectively in real-life solutions. A work placement enables them to gain first-hand experience, develop problem-solving activites and understand workplace expectations. It msy help them to become more confident and improve their employment prospects. Furthermore, students often became more responsible whn they have to manage their finances , accomodation and daily routes independently.

Admittely, making these experiences compulsory could create certain difficulties. Studying overseas can be expensive, while work placements may be difficult to arrange for every students. In addtion, some students may have family responsibilities and financial hardships that may prevent them from participating . However, universities could address these concerns by offering paid internships, and placements with local organisations. This would ensure that students from different backgrounds have equal opportunities of benefit.

In conclusion, although complusory overseas studies or work placements may involve financial and organistaional challenges, i believe that their benefits are greatly far more. with appropriate support from universities, these experiences can produce more skilled , independent and carrer-ready graduates.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

Your position is clear from the introduction—“I strongly believe that this approach outweigh the disadvantages”—and remains consistent in the conclusion. You address both benefits and drawbacks, supporting the benefits with relevant points about practical experience, confidence and employment prospects, and acknowledging cost, placement availability and family responsibilities. The proposed responses, such as paid internships and local placements, also help answer the concern about access. However, some points are asserted rather than fully explained: for example, the link between managing finances and becoming more responsible could be developed with a brief example. The response is 241 words, so it does not meet the 250-word minimum; add a little relevant explanation or an example to complete the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear four-paragraph structure, with an introduction, a benefits paragraph, a paragraph acknowledging disadvantages and possible solutions, and a conclusion. Ideas progress logically, and signposting such as “One of the most significant benefits,” “Admittedly,” and “In conclusion” makes the argument easy to follow. The contrast between the concerns and the proposed university support is particularly clear. To strengthen cohesion further, connect some supporting sentences more explicitly: the move from workplace experience to students’ confidence and employment prospects could show how one outcome leads to the next. Also check punctuation spacing and avoid a slightly abrupt transition into the final sentence. Overall, organisation is clear, though some links could be smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “bridges the gap,” “first-hand experience,” “workplace expectations,” “financial hardships” and “employment prospects.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and the meaning remains clear despite some spelling and word-choice errors. However, inaccurate forms such as “aborad,” “theoritical,” “sustantial” and “organistaional” reduce precision. Some phrasing is also unnatural, including “daily routes” and “equal opportunities of benefit”; more conventional collocations would make the argument sound more fluent and controlled. Aim to check spelling carefully and choose precise expressions for the intended meaning. This would build on the useful topic vocabulary already present.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including the concessive clause “Although university students acquire substantial subject knowledge…” and the conditional suggestion “If universities could address these concerns…” Most sentences communicate their meaning clearly, and the paragraph structure supports readability. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In the opening, “this approach outweigh the disadvantages” needs subject–verb agreement; “every students” should be singular after “every”; and “students often became more responsible” should use a consistent present-tense form. The final sentence also has inconsistent capitalisation and punctuation. Your complex sentences show a useful range, but careful proofreading of agreement, tense and sentence boundaries would improve accuracy.

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