Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

Most of all major instituites -providing a bachalors degree- should cast a time period either for performing a job placement or gaining knowledge abroad. A myriad of people would agree on the benefits of taking upon such a crucial decision as it creates a space for them to focus on their careers or help them financially. Others are more likely to focus on the downsides as this reduces job opportunities and creates overpopulation.

International students particularly choose a foreign country to complete a degree in order to experience the diversity of culture and by providing a significant moment, they are able to comprehend their next move in the career. The immense pressure in their academics as well as for their careers causes students to suffer both mentally and physically. For instance, often students are homesick or are mentally disturbed due to drastic change for which they fail the first semester; moreover, by including this period of time, students are able to use this moment to complete their course and graduate. Furthermore, economically disadvantaged students are benefitted financially by choosing to work after graduation. This also helps in the rising the state's economical condition as employment rate surpasses after graduation.

On the other hand, individuals- living in the country- fear the lack of job opportunities if all taken up by the students. They also believe those who can afford studying abroad do not require jobs. This creates a tension between the domestic indiviuals and the students. As a result, students face racial and physical discrimination and injustice in the society.

In conclusion, students find advantages in the given time period due to having space for career exploration and finacial stability while others are terrorised by the lack of job opportunities so advantages definately outweighs the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both sides of the question and state a clear overall view in the conclusion: “advantages definitely outweighs the disadvantages.” The discussion of career exploration and financial stability is relevant, and you give an example of homesickness affecting students’ studies. However, the response only partly explains the specific benefits and drawbacks of making overseas study or work placement compulsory for all undergraduates. For example, the claim that this would improve the state’s economic condition is not clearly linked to the proposal, while the concern about domestic job opportunities is asserted rather than supported. Develop each main point with a clearer explanation or example, and make the comparison between the advantages and disadvantages more explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for benefits and drawbacks, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “For instance,” “Furthermore,” and “On the other hand” help signal relationships between ideas. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow: the discussion moves from international students’ cultural experience to academic pressure, then to graduation and employment without clearly showing how these points connect to the proposed requirement. Some references, such as “this moment” and “this,” are also unclear. Organise each body paragraph around one main claim, then explain and illustrate it in sequence; use linking phrases to show precise relationships rather than simply adding another point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “diversity of culture,” “career exploration,” “financial stability,” and “racial and physical discrimination.” These choices show an effort to discuss education, employment, and social effects. However, several inaccurate or unnatural expressions make parts of the argument harder to understand, such as “cast a time period,” “taking upon such a crucial decision,” and “the rising the state's economical condition.” Spelling errors, including “instituites,” “bachelors,” “indiviuals,” and “finacial,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for natural collocations and check spelling carefully. Choosing simpler, precise phrases is more effective than using ambitious wording that does not fit the intended meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “as,” “for instance,” and “while.” This gives you some variety, and the overall meaning is generally recoverable. However, errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles, and punctuation occur often enough to make several sentences awkward. For example, “Most of all major institutes … should cast a time period” has an unclear grammatical structure, and “advantages definitely outweighs the disadvantages” has a subject–verb agreement error. The sentence beginning “International students particularly choose…” also joins ideas in a confusing way. Practise building clear subject–verb sentences first, then add subordinate clauses; check agreement and use punctuation to separate complete ideas.

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