Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

In the modern era, the requirements for undergraduate university students to spend time studying abroad or undertaking a work placement has become increasingly common. while this development offers numerous benefits, it also presents certain drawbacks. This essay will examine both sides of the issue.

One of the primary reason is that students acquire essential real-world skills because traditional classroom learning alone cannot fully prepare them for the modern job-market. For Example, completing an internship allows undergraduates to apply a theoretical knowledge to professional environments and understand the company standards. Furthermore, studying abroad broadens their cultural horizons and fosters adaptability. Hence, this experience significantly enhances their career prospects upon graduation and give them an exposure to get familiar with modern trends because technology has changed significantly. students should adopt these changes as well.

Despite these benefits, there are notable disadvantages. one major drawback is that participating in these programs creates a heavy financial burden. For instance, moving to another country or managing expenses during an unpaid work placement can incur substantial costs that many students cannot easily afford. This occurs due to high relocation and living expenses. Therefore, it can cause mental stress and minor delays in standard academic progress. Moreover, navigation to unfamiliar environments without adequate a support can overwhelm students.

In conclusion, although incorporating study abroad periods and work placements has several advantages, such as enhanced professional readiness and personal growth. its disadvantages such as the financial and logistical challenges must be carefully considered before forming a final opinion.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response discusses relevant advantages and disadvantages, including practical skills, cultural adaptability, costs, and stress. However, the task asks you to decide whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and your position is not made clear: the introduction says you will examine both sides, while the conclusion says the drawbacks “must be carefully considered before forming a final opinion.” This leaves the central question unanswered. Some points are also under-developed; for example, the claim that experience improves career prospects is not supported with a specific example, and the reference to technology and “modern trends” is unclear. State your view directly and support it with a developed comparison of the two sides.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for benefits and drawbacks, and a conclusion. Ideas generally progress logically, and linking expressions such as “Furthermore,” “Despite these benefits,” and “Therefore” help guide the reader. This organisation is a strength. To make the progression more effective, ensure that each paragraph develops a central point rather than adding loosely connected claims: the discussion of career prospects shifts to technology and modern trends without explaining the link. The conclusion also does not resolve the argument established in the body. More precise referencing and clearer connections between claims would make the cohesion feel less formulaic and more purposeful.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “real-world skills,” “cultural horizons,” “adaptability,” “financial burden,” and “relocation and living expenses.” These choices communicate the main ideas and show some willingness to use less common expressions. At times, however, word choice or collocation is imprecise: “get an exposure” is unnatural, “company standards” is vague in this context, and “navigation to unfamiliar environments” does not express the intended idea naturally. There are also inconsistent capitalisation choices, such as “For Example” and “students” after a full stop. Aim for more precise, natural phrasing and check spelling and capitalisation carefully to strengthen control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex forms, including subordinate clauses such as “because traditional classroom learning alone cannot fully prepare them” and a contrast structure beginning “although.” Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors persist. For example, “the requirements … has become” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and “One of the primary reason” needs a plural noun. Articles are also inaccurate in “apply a theoretical knowledge,” while “without adequate a support” has an incorrect article pattern. The conclusion contains a sentence fragment after “although,” and punctuation and capitalisation are inconsistent. Review agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries while retaining the complex structures you attempt.

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