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)

It is increasingly argued that all university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement.This can have both advantages and disadvantages.I firmly believe that there are more advantages than disadvantages.

In this essay,I will attempt to present some important positive and a few negative aspects for the courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement.

To begin with, there are serveral merits of including a period of time spent or work placement while studying abroad one of them is that shudents will gain foreign exposure,practical work,some hands on experience on modern technology will help them to work more efficiently. It can be greatly beneficial to the individual and the society.

For instance, if the individual has an foreign experience company's are more interested to hire them instead of individuals from their own country. It is also noted that they have a hands on experience with modern technology or tools this can be a another plus point for them. Therefore,they should focus more on them because this can have a positive effect in the long run.

In contrast, despite serveral positive outcomes that drawbacks cannot be overlooked.In this regard, I would argue that the one major disadvantages is that it cannot be cost effective for most of the students as not are from same backgrounds. Whereas this approach will effect individuals from learning these types of courses not.

For example, if some of the students cannot afford huge abroad fees or living costs then what's left for them.So it seems to me these aspects should also be taken into consideration while judging pros and cons.

In conclusion, with the evidence demonstrated so far, I would say the fact by stating that undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing work placement has both merits and demerits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You state a clear overall view in the introduction: “there are more advantages than disadvantages,” and you discuss both benefits and a drawback, so the response is relevant to the question. However, the position is not sustained clearly: the conclusion says only that the proposal “has both merits and demerits,” without confirming that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The benefits—foreign exposure, practical experience and improved employment prospects—are relevant, but their explanation is brief and sometimes unclear. The cost concern is also identified, yet the sentence about students being affected “from learning these types of courses” does not explain the consequence clearly. Develop each main point with a fuller explanation and make the final judgement explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a paragraph on benefits, a contrasting paragraph on costs and a conclusion. Signposts such as “To begin with,” “In contrast” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the broad direction. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven, and some links are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Whereas this approach will effect individuals from learning these types of courses not” is difficult to connect to the preceding point about affordability. The opening also repeats the task wording rather than moving directly into the argument. Improve cohesion by arranging each paragraph around one clear claim, then explaining and illustrating it, and use pronouns and linking phrases only when their references are unmistakable.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “foreign exposure,” “practical work,” “hands on experience,” “living costs” and “positive effect in the long run.” However, the range is limited and several expressions are inaccurate or repetitive, which sometimes makes the meaning harder to follow. Examples include “serveral” and “shudents,” as well as “an foreign experience” and “a another plus point.” The phrase “company's are more interested to hire them” also shows problems with word choice and collocation. Aim for precise, natural combinations such as “international experience,” “gain practical skills” and “employers are more likely to recruit them.” Proofread spelling and avoid repeating “positive” and “experience” when a more specific term is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including conditional forms such as “if the individual has…” and a contrastive opening with “despite.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles and punctuation can make ideas difficult to understand. For example, “Whereas this approach will effect individuals from learning these types of courses not” is not a complete, clear construction, while “if some of the students cannot afford huge abroad fees or living costs then what's left for them” needs more controlled clause structure and punctuation. There are also errors such as “companies are” being written as “company's are” and “an foreign experience.” Practise building accurate sentences around one main clause, then add subordinate clauses only when their relationship is clear.

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