Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

All undergraduate curricula at the university must accommodate an additional lecture on the time which was spent while studying in abroad, also during a temporary work employment there.

Overall, this could have a number of advantages in contrast to any disadvantages. Although, this course offer many benefits including, giving the right exposure to students, about how it feels to study in a different environment. Moreover, it also provides a sense of surviving in a multicultural surrounding. Another significant factor worth considering is the probationary or temporary work opportunities, one can find there during the stay. It can surely surpass the disadvantages regarding this matter. As far as, the problems linked to this idea are concerned, they are almost negligible. There is no harm in including a special period concerning the time spent out of the country for studying and working.

I believe that, in comparison to any drawback, it is indeed beneficial for a huge number of pupils to get information linked to their career through an extra lecture. For instance, students who want to study somewhere else around the world, they can be prepared for different situations they might face there. It would provide them with information they required before moving abroad either for obtaining higher studies or for getting job opportunities. They can be well aware of the fact that no place is perfect and must have the awareness about any shortcomings or limitations of living there as well. Most importantly, they can have better opportunities and facilities in developed countries in contrast to developing countries if they are from the ones. For example, students can progress more in their academic and research career with more advanced technology and facilities.

In conclusion, if all universities try to arrange an extra period for guiding youngsters and adults of different fields regarding their time spent while studying abroad and doing a work placement, it would be literally helpful for them.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear overall view that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and you offer relevant points about adapting to a different environment, gaining work experience, and accessing better academic facilities. However, the task is only partly addressed because the response repeatedly reframes the proposal as an “additional lecture” or “extra period for guiding” students, rather than a required period actually spent abroad or in a work placement. The disadvantages are dismissed as “almost negligible” without explaining what they might be or why the benefits outweigh them. Several ideas, such as the advantages of developed countries, are asserted rather than fully supported. Focus on the actual requirement and develop both sides with specific examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, a main discussion and a conclusion, and signposting such as “Overall,” “For instance” and “In conclusion” helps show the intended structure. However, progression is limited: the first body paragraph lists several benefits and then briefly dismisses disadvantages, while the next returns to similar points about preparation and opportunities. The central distinction between studying abroad, work placement and receiving guidance is not consistently clear, which makes the argument harder to follow. Some linking phrases are awkward or overused, including “Although” at the start of a sentence and “As far as … are concerned.” Organise the essay around distinct points, use clear topic sentences, and connect each example directly to the claim it supports.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “multicultural,” “probationary,” “limitations,” and “advanced technology,” and the general meaning is usually recoverable. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which limits precision: “studying in abroad,” “temporary work employment,” and “a sense of surviving in a multicultural surrounding” do not express the ideas naturally. “Probationary” also does not clearly describe ordinary work-placement opportunities. Repetition of “extra lecture,” “period,” and “opportunities” further narrows the effective range. Choose vocabulary that matches the task precisely and check common word partnerships; for example, refer to a “work placement” and “adapting to a multicultural environment.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex structures, such as “Although this course offer many benefits…” and “students who want to study somewhere else around the world, they can be prepared…,” but these constructions are often faulty. Errors in agreement and sentence structure occur in “this course offer” and the clause beginning “students who want…,” while “the time which was spent” uses an unnecessarily awkward relative construction. Punctuation also disrupts sentences, as in “I believe that, in comparison…” and “As far as, the problems…”. These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to interpret. Practise building accurate simple sentences first, then add subordinate clauses, checking subject–verb agreement and punctuation.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.