Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-15

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)

While there is no doubt that exposure of unversity students to advance knowlege offered by foreign coutries or doing a work placement other than their course work boost their skills, inclusion of these activities to their curriculum as a mandatory part may burgeon the pressure on most of the student, making it hard for them to accomplish a degree. I strongly believe that such activities should be included as an option rather than being made compulsory.

World is now regarded as a global village, connecting people all around the world. The advent and advancement in technology have enhanced the quality of research in almost every field of study so much that the developed coutries that have innovative means are progressing drastically, leaving the developing and underdeveloped countries behind. So, studying abroad not only can introduce them with latest approach towards their subjects but can also allow them to acquire expertise in their discipines, ultimately enabling them to bring that knowlege to their own countries.

However, the students who, along with their education, have other responsibilities such as taking care of their parents, cannot find enough time to stay abroad for months. Consequently, the pupils who could have been great candidates, end up losing the opportunity of being graduates. Neverthless, the addition of work placenment as compulsory is feasibleand essential.

In conclusion, while studying abroad does not overshadows the the disadvantages, inclusion of activity could be an option.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You present a clear overall view: studying abroad should be optional, while work placements can be valuable. The discussion of students with family responsibilities is relevant and explains one disadvantage of making overseas study compulsory. However, the response only partly answers whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages: the conclusion says studying abroad does not outweigh the disadvantages, but the comparison is not fully explained, and the benefits of work placements are asserted rather than supported. The point about bringing expertise back to students’ home countries could be developed with a specific example. The response also falls 13 words short of the required minimum, which limits the space available to develop and support your ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an opening position, a paragraph on the benefits of studying abroad, a paragraph on disadvantages and work placements, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “However,” “Consequently,” and “In conclusion” help signal the direction of the argument. Nevertheless, progression between ideas is sometimes abrupt: the discussion moves from family responsibilities to the claim that work placements are “feasible and essential” without explaining the connection. The final sentence also repeats the position rather than clearly summarising the comparison. Develop each paragraph around one main point and use clearer links between the benefits, drawbacks, and final judgement.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “global village,” “advancement in technology,” “innovative means,” and “acquire expertise.” These choices show an effort to discuss education and international experience beyond basic terms. However, several spelling errors and inaccurate or unnatural word combinations reduce precision, such as “unversity,” “knowlege,” “coutries,” “discipines,” and “work placenment.” Phrases such as “introduce them with latest approach” and “burgeon the pressure” are also not natural in this context. Aim for accurate, conventional collocations and check spelling carefully; this will make your meaning easier to follow while preserving your attempts at a broader vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and complex sentence forms, including a concession in “While there is no doubt…” and a relative clause in “students who…have other responsibilities.” This gives the response some structural variety. However, errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction remain noticeable. For example, “activities…boost their skills” does not agree with the singular subject “exposure,” and “the students…cannot find enough time to stay abroad” is followed by the unclear result that they “end up losing the opportunity of being graduates.” The conclusion contains “does not overshadows” and the repeated “the.” Review subject–verb agreement, article use, and sentence boundaries, then proofread complex sentences to ensure their relationships are clear.

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