Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-17
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)
Ungraduate courses are not only here to give the opportunity to master the academic aspects of your course, on the same it also strenghthens your interpersonal and professional skills. In my opinion, if any University is giving an opportunity to it's students of studying or doing job abroad then it is one of the greater chance for them to get polish.
By studying or working will develop the skills more intensely, as it will create a positive learning attitude in the students.
By going abroad they'll have a chance to explore more about the people and culture. On the same side they will get an opportunity to brain strom with some different and innovative mindsets. When people from different backgrounds gather on a same table for a common cause then chances of leaning new things and innovations will increase 5 times.
That development will not only benefit the students but also their residing country. They will create a strong impact on industries and organizations by bringing out of the box content to the table anf can implement more concepts, that will eventually be helpful for a nation to grow.
At the end, i conclude that if any university is taking this step then this will serve as a succesful policy becuase by doing that they are strengthining their people, their country, and their nation. At this era, it is really necessary for people to be a part of this competitive world, and for that this step platform will serve as a pioneer to them.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You give a clear overall view that overseas study or work experience is beneficial, and you offer relevant reasons: students can develop interpersonal and professional skills, encounter different cultures, and bring ideas back to their country. However, the response does not fully address the comparison in the question. It focuses almost entirely on advantages and does not identify or weigh any disadvantages, such as cost, disruption to study, or unequal access. Several claims also need explanation: for example, the statement that innovation will increase “5 times” is unsupported, and the benefit to the country is asserted rather than illustrated. Develop both sides and explain why the advantages outweigh the drawbacks to make the argument more complete.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable sequence: an introduction, points about student development and cultural exchange, a wider benefit to the country, and a conclusion. This gives the reader a basic sense of direction. However, the progression is not consistently clear because ideas are often placed in short, separate paragraphs without a developed central argument. Linking phrases such as “On the same side” and “At the end” are repetitive or imprecise, and the relationship between the claims about cultural exchange, innovation, and national growth is not fully explained. Use paragraphs to group and develop each main point, and connect them with clearer references and transitions. A paragraph addressing disadvantages would also help organise the comparison required by the task.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You attempt vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “interpersonal and professional skills,” “different backgrounds,” and “competitive world.” These choices show some awareness of the language needed to discuss education and employment. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate or unnatural expressions make parts of the argument difficult to follow, such as “get polish,” “brain strom,” “out of the box content,” and “this step platform.” Spelling errors, including “strenghthens,” “becuase,” and “succesful,” are also noticeable. Aim for precise, natural collocations rather than ambitious phrases whose meaning is unclear. For example, describe students as gaining practical experience or bringing fresh perspectives to their home country.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt some complex sentence forms, including conditional and subordinate clauses, as in “if any University is giving an opportunity…” and “When people from different backgrounds gather…”. However, the range is limited, and attempts at longer structures often contain errors that make the meaning less clear. For example, “Ungraduate courses are not only here to give the opportunity…, on the same it also…” has faulty parallel structure, while “By studying or working will develop…” lacks a clear subject. There are also recurring problems with articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries, as in “a same table” and the long sentence beginning “They will create a strong impact…”. Practise building accurate sentences with an explicit subject and verb, then combine ideas using controlled subordinate clauses.
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.