Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-24

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)

It is often argued that higher education should include a compulsatory study period abroad or adding a work placement into their undergraduate degrees. Although this might add financial and a social pressure on some students, the benefits they bring will outweigh the drawbacks.

On the one hand, adding an obligatory period to the graduation requirements can be overwhelming for some students, because travelling abroad requires additional skills that need to be developed before taking this step. For instance, students will have to learn how to live independently, and also how to manage their time during the day without receiving any help from their parents, which can be overwhelming especially while completing their degree. Moreover, homesickness and cultural shocks are common problems that these students might experience, which can be detrimental to their final academic grades. Furthermore, adding a mandatory practical work placement period will require additional fees, which will negatively impact them financially.

On the other hand, solo-living and travel experiences is crucial to build the students' personalities and self confidence, because they will learn how to be independent

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You give a clear position in the introduction: despite financial and social pressures, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The discussion is relevant, with disadvantages such as homesickness, cultural adjustment and extra fees, and a benefit related to independence. However, the response addresses the question only partially because the advantages are not developed: the final paragraph stops after “they will learn how to be independent,” without explaining further benefits or giving an example. The work-placement option is also mentioned mainly as a cost, rather than assessed for its advantages. The response is 179 words, below the required 250, which leaves important parts of the argument incomplete. Develop both sides and support your position with specific examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph presenting disadvantages and a paragraph beginning the advantages. Linking phrases such as “On the one hand,” “Moreover,” and “On the other hand” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, progression is limited because the final paragraph ends mid-idea, so the argument does not reach a conclusion or fully connect back to the stated position. Some linking is also mechanical, with several points introduced in sequence by “Moreover” and “Furthermore.” Build each paragraph around a developed main point, use clear references between ideas, and add a concluding sentence that restates your judgement. This would make the overall progression more complete and easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “undergraduate degrees,” “homesickness,” “cultural shocks,” “detrimental,” and “self confidence.” These choices allow you to discuss both practical and personal effects. There are, however, some inaccurate or unnatural expressions, such as “compulsatory study period,” “adding a work placement into,” and “solo-living.” “Financial and a social pressure” is also an awkward phrase, and “cultural shocks” is less natural than the usual expression “culture shock.” These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding your main ideas, but more precise collocations would improve fluency. Aim to learn vocabulary in common word partnerships and check spelling, as in “compulsory” and “self-confidence.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a concession in “Although this might add…” and a reason clause beginning “because travelling abroad requires…”. Most of the meaning remains clear. Some grammatical errors are present, however. In “higher education should include a … period abroad or adding a work placement,” the structures after “or” are not parallel; use “a period abroad or a work placement.” The sentence “solo-living and travel experiences is crucial” has a plural subject with a singular verb, and the final sentence is incomplete after “independent.” There are also awkward article and number patterns, such as “a social pressure.” Review agreement, parallel structures and sentence completion, while continuing to use complex clauses.

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