Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-13

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)

"Knowledge is power" - is a saying elders have always taught us. Thus, gaining knowledge through experience of working abroad or studying abroad is also gaining power to enhance one's ability. At some point of life every students aspires to study abroad or get a placement abroad. It would definitely outweigh the disadvantages if all university undergraduate course included a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement. In this economy, job market is dreadful and every job seeker is at a terrible position in the society. Most companies expect two-three years of job experience for a job seeker to be hired.

Amongst thousands of graduates seeking for job, one has higher chance of catching the attention of employers if he or she has experience of studying abroad or doing a work placement. A student learns a lot more when he or she is exposed to different cultures, customs, study and work environment. For example, a company would expect a graduate who has studied abroad or worked abroad to present better ideas as she or he was exposed to a different environment. When all students discover and learn more abroad , they bring in more development to their on country.

However, there are some disadvantages like many students not being able to study abroad due to financial issues or concerns regarding family matters excetra. Although these disadvantages exist, I believe it's advantage would outweigh the disadvantages because on the brighter side a students not only gains knowledge and experience but also understands the value , freedom and importance of living alone in a entirely different place away from home . It is one of the best ways to step out of one's comfort zone and explore the harsh reality of the world.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your position is clear: you believe the benefits of overseas study or work placements outweigh the drawbacks. You address both sides, explaining how international experience may improve graduates’ appeal to employers and broaden their understanding, then acknowledging financial and family concerns. The example about employers valuing graduates’ ideas gives relevant support. This meets the task well, and the clear stance and relevant reasons show some qualities of a stronger response. However, the disadvantages are only briefly identified, and several benefits—such as bringing development back to one’s country—are asserted rather than explained. Develop these points with a specific example or a clearer explanation of how the experience produces the claimed outcome.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has an overall logical shape: an introduction states your view, the main body develops benefits, and a final paragraph recognises disadvantages before reaffirming your position. Linking expressions such as “For example,” “However,” and “Although” help readers follow the argument. At times, though, connections are mechanical or unclear. The opening moves from a saying about knowledge to job-market competition without fully explaining the link, while “When all students discover and learn more abroad, they bring in more development to their own country” introduces a new claim abruptly. The final paragraph also combines several ideas in a long sentence. Use clearer topic sentences and develop one point at a time, with references that make it obvious which idea “these disadvantages” and “it” refer to.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary, including “job market,” “exposed to different cultures,” “comfort zone,” and “harsh reality,” which helps communicate your ideas. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “outweigh the disadvantages.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “catching the attention of employers,” “at a terrible position,” and “bring in more development” do not sound natural in context. Spelling and word-form errors such as “excetra” and “every students” also reduce precision. Aim for accurate, natural combinations rather than adding ambitious phrases; for example, say that experience can “make a candidate more attractive to employers” and “contribute to national development.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including conditional and concessive structures: “if all university undergraduate course included…” and “Although these disadvantages exist…”. Meaning is generally understandable, but some errors in agreement, articles, plurals, and sentence construction remain. Examples include “every students aspires,” “all university undergraduate course,” and “a students not only gains.” The final sentence also has a faulty article and structure in “in a entirely different place,” and punctuation spacing is inconsistent. These errors do not usually prevent the reader from following your argument, but they make the writing less controlled. Check subject–verb agreement and singular/plural forms, and proofread articles and sentence boundaries, especially in longer sentences.

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