Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-22

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)

Nowadays, many universities are talking about making study abroad program or work experience compulsory for all undergraduate students. There a lot of work experience in undergraduate students because they go to the abroad for studying higher education and also generate good job or earn good money. I believe that the advantage are more significant because it help some job or future ideas.

In the one hand, there are some clear disadvantages of studying aboad. The main problem is the cost. Travelling to another country for purpose of studying or living to another country or another city living style or management also change to other countries. This procedure is very difficult for new students, for example; the new study to go to the abroad for higher education they face many difficulties first they do not have any job some student belong poor family and do not effort the living expense and the second problem is all things are different that's things the student very distrub in other countries.

On the other hand, doing internship or studying another country are major benefits. For example; the students complete the study then they work in companies and generate confidence or good in financial condition. Secondly, the students studying abroad help improve their communication skills and achieve different skills. Therefore, the students make much more facilities in the job market.

In conclusion, the students go to the abroad they face many difficulties but they achieve our goals and stable in financial condition. The students stay in other country to face all type of problem or difficulties. But you stay and work hard at the end you stable or achieve good career.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource4.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear overall view that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and you address both sides by discussing costs and adjustment difficulties alongside career and communication benefits. These points are relevant, but they are only partly developed. For instance, the financial burden on students from poorer families is identified, yet the response does not explain how this might affect access or whether placements could be funded. Likewise, claims that students gain confidence and improve their job prospects need a specific example or clearer explanation. The conclusion repeats the general position but does not weigh the two sides in detail. Develop fewer points more fully and connect each one directly to compulsory overseas study or work placements.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for disadvantages and advantages, and a conclusion. The contrast between “In the one hand” and “On the other hand” helps signal the two sides, and “In conclusion” marks the ending. However, progression within paragraphs is often difficult to follow. The disadvantage paragraph moves from cost to travel, living arrangements, and student difficulties without clear links, while the advantage paragraph combines employment, finances, communication, and job-market benefits. Some linking phrases are inaccurate or repetitive, and references such as “all things” and “that's things” are unclear. Use topic sentences, arrange each paragraph around one main idea, and explain the relationship between supporting details.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “compulsory,” “living expense,” “communication skills,” and “job market,” so the reader can identify the main subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make meaning unclear, as in “generate good job,” “make much more facilities in the job market,” and “stable in financial condition.” Repetition of “students,” “difficulties,” and “other country” also restricts precision. Spelling errors such as “aboad” and “distrub” further affect clarity. Build a bank of accurate phrases for education, employment, and costs, and check whether each verb naturally combines with its noun. Prefer precise expressions such as “improve employment prospects” over vague claims.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a reason-and-example structure beginning “for example,” and a contrastive conclusion. However, control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make the reader work to understand the intended meaning. Examples include “There a lot of work experience,” “the advantage are,” and “it help,” where sentence structure and subject–verb agreement are faulty. Articles, plurals, and prepositions are also often inaccurate, as in “go to the abroad” and “the living expense.” Several long sentences run ideas together, particularly in the disadvantage paragraph, and punctuation around examples is unreliable. Practise building accurate short sentences first, then combine them with controlled clauses using “because,” “although,” and “which.”

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