Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Some people believe that all university undergraduate students should spend time studying abroad or doing a work placement. Although doing this has certain disadvantages, I believe that its advantages outweigh its disadvantages.

On the one hand, studying in foreign countries or doing a work placement can be beneficial in several ways. When studying abroad or getting an industrial training, students would have huge exposure to the practical world. For example, students could experiment with emerging technologies, such as artifical intelligence models, in foreign countires, which they can not do in developing countries due to lack of equipments. In addition, they could make professional connections in foreign countries or industries, so they can get a chance to work with them in future which is clearly beneficial for them.

On the other hand, studying abroad as a course can also have certain disadvantages. If the students can't cope with the changed environment of abroad, they would feel disconnected. Similarly, students who does not work to industries can have negative impact on them if they are forced to so in the name of courses. In my own experience, one of my friends, who wanted to be a faculty, was uninterested to do our mandatory industry attachment course because she has no intention of working in industries. As a result, she got a very poor grade in this course which impacted her overall CGPA.

In my opinion, although studying abroad or doing a work placement for undergraduate students have some disadvantages, its advantages are more significant overall. People should first ensure proper training in universities about studying abroad or industrial work, and then should send them to study abroad or to work in industries.

In conclusion, some students can't cope with studying abroad or working in industries, but they are properly trained it would be clearly beneficial for them. As a result, they would get more exposure regarding emerging technologies and make professional connections which would help them in their career.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your position is clear from the introduction to the conclusion: you believe the benefits of overseas study or placements outweigh the drawbacks. You address both sides and give relevant support, including the example of your friend’s mandatory industry attachment. The benefits of practical exposure and professional connections are also pertinent. This meets the task well, while showing some of the stronger development expected at the next level. However, some points remain general or are not fully explained: for instance, the claim that students in developing countries cannot access emerging technologies is broad, and the link between international connections and future career benefits could be illustrated more specifically. The conclusion largely repeats earlier points rather than adding a developed final insight.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, a stated opinion, and a conclusion. The progression is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers navigate the argument. This is a strong, logical arrangement. To make the flow more polished, reduce the reliance on formulaic transitions and connect ideas more precisely within paragraphs. For example, the move from the friend’s poor grade to the broader disadvantage of compulsory placements could be explained more explicitly. The final paragraph also repeats the benefits already given, so a more synthesising conclusion would strengthen progression and avoid some repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “practical world,” “emerging technologies,” “professional connections,” and “mandatory industry attachment.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and attempts at more specific language are evident. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “huge exposure,” “work to industries,” and “negative impact on them.” There are also spelling errors in “artifical” and “countires,” and “equipments” is not the appropriate form in this context. These issues do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and naturalness. Aim to learn common academic collocations and check spelling and countable/uncountable noun forms during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional structures (“If the students can’t cope…”) and relative clauses (“one of my friends, who wanted to be a faculty…”). Most ideas remain understandable, and the sentence variety supports the argument. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with subject–verb agreement and sentence construction. For example, “students who does not work” should use a plural verb, while “studying abroad or doing a work placement … have” has a compound subject that needs careful agreement. The sentence “but they are properly trained it would be clearly beneficial” is missing a linking word or conditional structure. Review agreement, clause formation, and articles, while retaining your attempts at complex sentences.

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