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)

Nowadays, there is an ongoing debate about whether university courses should include a period of studying abroad or completing a work placement. In my view, I believe that the advantages of this approach outweigh the disadvantages.

Firstly,one major reasons is that All university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement. this is because, I think that when students get to experience different culture,language,new places and many more , he would be more interested in his acadamics and use differnt ideas and creativity for the work or assigment that is given to him, for example if a student only studies in one country for many years he would learn thing which is only famous or used in his country but, when he explores other country he can learn various diffenent things.

Moreover, another important point is that

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You state a clear overall view in the introduction: the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and your point about exposure to other cultures and ideas is relevant. However, the response addresses the task only partially: it gives one brief advantage, does not explain any disadvantages, and ends with “another important point is that” without completing the idea. The example comparing study in one country with exploring another is relevant but needs fuller explanation of how this benefits students. The response contains 127 words, below the required 250; 18 copied words from the task prompt were not counted. To strengthen your response, develop both sides of the comparison and support your position with specific examples before reaching a conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some organisation: an introductory paragraph states your position, followed by a body paragraph beginning “Firstly” and a further transition, “Moreover.” These signals help the reader recognise the intended structure. However, the response does not progress to a complete argument: the final sentence is unfinished, and there is no conclusion. The first body paragraph also contains a long, loosely connected sentence, so the relationship between experiencing other cultures, becoming more interested in studies, and producing creative work is not always easy to follow. Use separate paragraphs for distinct reasons, connect each explanation clearly to its main point, and complete the second point rather than leaving it as a fragment.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “studying abroad,” “work placement,” “different culture,” and “creativity.” These choices make your general meaning understandable. However, the range is limited, and several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce clarity, such as “acadamics,” “differnt,” “assigment,” and “diffenent.” Some expressions are also imprecise or repetitive, including “many more” and “various different things.” Aim for accurate topic-specific language and check spelling carefully. For example, you could describe gaining “international experience,” developing “cross-cultural awareness,” or applying “new perspectives” to academic work, rather than relying on broad phrases such as “different things.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a complex explanation using “when” clauses and a conditional example, showing some willingness to go beyond simple sentences. However, the range is limited, and errors are frequent enough to make parts of the paragraph difficult to read. For instance, “one major reasons is” has a subject–verb and number mismatch, while “when students get to experience different culture… he would” shifts from plural to singular. The sentence beginning “this is because” is also joined awkwardly to the preceding text, and punctuation and capitalisation are inconsistent. Practise building shorter, complete sentences first, then combine ideas with accurate clauses. Check agreement, articles, plural forms, and sentence boundaries during proofreading.

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.