Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-19

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)

A program in university is design in a way that different courses are group down into the list of 4 to 5 courses that we study in a particular semester. Some of these courses are directly linked to the curriculum of the program and some of the courses does not hold much technical value in terms of the program. For example in Computer Science program, courses like programming, DSA, OOP are directly linked to the technical aspect of program whereas the courses like report writing or physics does not hold much technical importance.

So,in terms of the courses that holds technical importance, a mandatory work placement or a period of time spent studying abroad led to many advantages like enchancement of the technical skills, a wholesome practical experience beyond classroom. In addition to it, this would also align student interest in that particular course.

Beside this, if the placement or studying abroad would get mandantory for the courses that doesnot hold much technical importance could led to the expereince where the student could not feel himself connected to the program in which he or she is enrolled. Despite this fact, the student can have a great level of exposure and experience in this way too but this could not benefit him ot her in long term.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You discuss both potential benefits and drawbacks, and the examples about technical courses such as programming and DSA make the topic relevant. However, the response does not clearly answer the central question: whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The view is only implied, and the final paragraph does not reach a firm conclusion. Several ideas are also under-developed—for example, you mention improved technical skills and practical experience but do not explain how these would benefit students after graduation. The response is 216 words, below the required 250, so there is limited space to develop and support your position. State your judgement directly, explain the main reasons, and add a concise conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable progression: it introduces course types, presents advantages, and then considers a possible disadvantage. Paragraphing helps distinguish these stages, and linking expressions such as “In addition to it” and “Despite this fact” show an attempt to connect ideas. However, the overall argument does not progress towards a clear answer, partly because there is no concluding paragraph. Some links are awkward or unclear, such as “Beside this,” and the contrast in the final paragraph is difficult to follow. Improve cohesion by using precise transitions, making the relationship between each point explicit, and ending with a conclusion that refers back to your position on whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “curriculum,” “technical skills,” “practical experience,” and “exposure,” which helps communicate your ideas. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “directly linked” and “technical importance.” However, inaccurate word forms, spelling, and collocations are noticeable and sometimes make the meaning less natural: “enchancement,” “mandantory,” “doesnot,” and “a wholesome practical experience.” Some expressions are also imprecise, including “courses are group down into the list” and “align student interest.” Aim for accurate, natural combinations of words and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would help you explain the educational and career-related benefits without relying on broad phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including a contrastive structure beginning “Despite this fact,” and clauses introduced by “whereas.” This gives the response some structural variety, and the main ideas are generally understandable. However, errors in agreement and verb forms recur: “courses … does not hold” should use a plural verb, while “could led” needs the correct verb form. Articles and sentence construction are also inconsistent, as in “in Computer Science program” and “a program in university.” Punctuation and spacing around commas need attention, particularly “So,in terms.” Practise checking subject–verb agreement, articles, and verb forms, then proofread each sentence for punctuation and clarity.

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