Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-14

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)

The world is changing, and so the practices in universities, to make their childrens ready for the future. A believe that universities must include a period of time for studying abroad or doing a work placement in a undergrade course is definitelly have more advantages then dis advantages according to my openion.

On one hand, going abroad or work placements can be personaliy problemetic for students. Managing studies and work may ultimately prevent them from securing any of them. For example, I heard about one of my friend who got placed to a local tech startup in 3rd year of his gradution. he was struggling in managing both his job and studies and end up failing in his 6th semester exams. Thereafter, also loosed his job due to his failure.

On other hand, going abrod or work placement brings various positives in one's life. These opportunities not just about materialistic goals but it also make us more stonger and matured from inside.For example, The same friend of mine is now owning his own business and learned to manage various things togeather with the time.

In my openion these opportunities are very important for students and definitelly outweights the disadvantages. one should learn to manamge there study and the job over time. These thing builds the confident in the the student and the experience durinf these period will surelly help him in his/her growth over time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear answer that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and you include both a drawback and a benefit. The example of your friend struggling to balance work and study is relevant, while his later business success supports your positive view. However, the discussion is only partially developed: the benefits are described generally as making students “stronger and matured,” without explaining in detail how overseas study or placements build skills or improve career prospects. The conclusion repeats your position rather than adding a developed summary. The response also contains 235 words, which is 15 words below the required minimum; this limits the space available to explain and support your ideas fully. Develop each main point with a clearer explanation and a specific link to the question.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

Your response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph about a disadvantage, a paragraph about advantages, and a conclusion. Phrases such as “On one hand” and “On other hand” help signal the contrast between the two sides. However, progression within paragraphs is limited, and the same friend is used in both examples without a clear explanation of how the later success relates to the earlier difficulty. Some linking is mechanical, and references such as “These thing” and “these period” are unclear. Build a more logical sequence by explaining each example’s relevance, using accurate referencing, and adding transitions that show cause and contrast rather than relying mainly on fixed opening phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “work placement,” “managing studies and work,” “startup,” and “business.” These choices make your main ideas understandable. However, the range is limited, and frequent spelling and word-choice errors sometimes make the reader pause: examples include “undergrade,” “definitelly,” “openion,” “abrod,” and “toageather.” Some expressions are also unnatural, such as “materialistic goals” and “more stonger and matured.” Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully. You could describe the benefits more precisely with terms such as “professional experience,” “independence,” or “career prospects,” rather than relying on broad claims about personal growth.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including “Managing studies and work may ultimately prevent them from securing any of them” and the sentence beginning “For example.” However, the range is limited, and frequent errors in sentence structure, verb forms, agreement, and articles can make parts difficult to follow. For instance, “A believe that universities must include…” lacks a correct subject and verb, while “he was struggling … and end up failing” shifts verb form within the sentence. Other examples include “it also make us” and “one of my friend.” Work on forming complete clauses, keeping verb tenses consistent, and checking subject–verb agreement and singular/plural forms. More accurate control of these basics will make your ideas clearer.

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