Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-16

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)

Certain individuals believe that universities should have a period of time particularly for bachelor's degree programs so that the students can study abroad or do some internships. I think that both positive and negative aspects go hand in hand, it can enrich the students experience wheras it may delay their academis status as well.

To commence with, there are numerious advantages of of breaks. Pupils may go to the foriegn countries where they can make research on their field of studies. They can also develop new skills there as it helps them to bocome confident and independent. Students can get experience and have an opportunity to understand the culture, attitude and traditions of different communities. For instance, a studdent persuing bechlors in compuer science can join warehouses in United Kingdom and perform practicle work according to their degree. In this way, it become easy for them to grap actual concept. Their communication skills can also be improved because they may have to deal with various temperament of people.

Moving to the drawbacks that this period of time may have. The first one that comes my mind is the wastage of time. Some individuals are waiting for the completion of their degree because they have a plan to do job after accomplishing studies. For them, brakes are meant for rest. In addtion to this, many students could not afford an international research trips. The thing that everyone neglect that not evey students can find a suitable work placement. For instance, a student in Germany could not get a chance to do

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both benefits and drawbacks and give a general view that the experience can enrich students but may delay their studies. Relevant benefits include gaining practical experience, independence and cultural understanding. However, the response does not clearly answer whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages: “both positive and negative aspects go hand in hand” leaves your position uncertain, and the discussion ends during an example about a student in Germany. Several points are asserted rather than explained, such as the claim that the period is a “wastage of time” for students planning to work after graduation. To strengthen the response, state your judgement directly in the introduction and conclusion, then develop each main point with a clear explanation and a complete, relevant example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph on advantages and one on disadvantages. Signposts such as “To commence with” and “Moving to the drawbacks” help readers identify the topic of each section. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven, and the final example stops before its point is explained, leaving the discussion incomplete. Some links are mechanical or unclear; for example, “In this way” does not precisely show how the warehouse placement leads to understanding the concept. The ideas about affordability and access to placements are introduced together but not connected or developed. Use clearer links between claim, explanation and example, and finish with a conclusion that summarises your comparison and position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “internships,” “independent,” “culture” and “work placement,” and you attempt more specific expressions such as “communication skills.” However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or collocations make parts difficult to understand, including “wastage of time,” “actual concept” and “various temperament of people.” Spelling errors are also frequent, for example “numerious,” “foriegn,” “persuing” and “practicle,” which can distract the reader. Aim for precise, natural academic phrasing and check spelling carefully. Reusing accurate topic vocabulary is more effective than attempting expressions whose meaning or collocation is uncertain.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a clause beginning “because” and a contrast with “whereas.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. For example, “I think that both positive and negative aspects go hand in hand, it can enrich…” joins two independent clauses incorrectly. There are also problems with agreement and sentence construction in “it become easy for them” and “The thing that everyone neglect.” Articles and plural forms are inconsistent, as in “a student” followed by “various temperament.” Practise building complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and check agreement, articles and punctuation when editing.

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