Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The ongoing debate of undergraduation Students spend studying one of their courses in a foreign country or doing a work placement has sparked intensely with a new aspects. I firmly believe that, Benefits will strike a balance between the disadvantages of these concerned two tasks.

starting with the exchange programme, the European Union has set down a bright example of exchanging programmes among their countries.Though most of these opportunities are tends to lure the Master’s students but very few are also available for the undergraduate level. When you start studying one of the courses in a different country you may tends to learn everything in a more expanded, practical and diverse way. Having chances of learn different language, culture, diverse heritage and norms actually enhance the mind as well knowledge. On the other hand you may not accept everything with an open mind.This will create the adaption problem with psychological problem. Being unable to hold immense foreign course's pressure may lead to deteriorate mental and physical health problem.

Subsequently If you are starting to have work placement during the undergraduation this will enhance your practical knowledge. If you are studying in Electrical Engineering this is one of the unexpected opportunity for you to learn your lessons in the practical field.If you are studying in law it is something unexpectedly a large opportunity to have and gather knowledges about court proceedings. conversely when you focus too much on outside and practical knowledge you may not have the proper chances to make a good Foundation for your course.You will loose concentration and focus of Your current study. This may have a bad impact in overall result.Make sure the the Foundation is strong enough to hold the whole infrastructure.

In conclusion, we may stop arguing and initiate technical plans as well as implement them for the better future of our students.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both study abroad and work placements, and your position is that their benefits are worthwhile despite possible drawbacks. Relevant points include learning about other cultures and gaining practical experience in engineering or law, balanced against adjustment difficulties and distraction from academic study. However, the comparison implied by “strike a balance” does not clearly answer whether advantages outweigh disadvantages, and the conclusion shifts to recommending implementation without explicitly weighing them. Several ideas are introduced but not explained: for example, you mention pressure affecting health, but do not show how likely or serious this is compared with the benefits. State your judgement directly and develop each main reason with a clear explanation or example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs on exchange programmes and placements, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “On the other hand” and “Subsequently” signal changes in focus, so the reader can generally follow the two topics. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven, and some links feel mechanical or unclear. The first paragraph moves from the EU example to language and culture, then to mental health without fully connecting these points. “Conversely” introduces a drawback, but the relationship to the preceding example could be clearer. The final sentence about “technical plans” does not follow naturally from the discussion. Use topic sentences and clearer cause-and-effect links to guide the reader through each argument.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “exchange programme,” “practical knowledge,” “court proceedings,” and “psychological problem.” These choices show an effort to discuss education, culture, and employment rather than relying only on basic terms. However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or unnatural, sometimes making the intended meaning difficult to interpret. Examples include “the debate … has sparked intensely,” “lure the Master’s students,” and “gather knowledges.” There are also spelling and word-form problems, such as “loose” for “lose” and “undergraduation.” Aim for precise, natural combinations and check spelling and countability. Replacing awkward phrases with familiar academic collocations will make your ideas clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including conditional forms such as “If you are studying in Electrical Engineering…” and a contrast between benefits and drawbacks. However, control is inconsistent, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to process. Examples include “opportunities are tends to,” “you may tends to learn,” and “Having chances of learn,” where verb forms and sentence patterns are faulty. Agreement and articles also need attention, as in “these opportunities … is” and “the Foundation.” Punctuation and capitalisation are inconsistent, particularly where sentences run together after full stops. Practise accurate clause construction and verb patterns before adding more complex structures.

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