Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-26

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)

Undergraduate studies is undoubtedly a very important aspect of one's education. Whether or not there should be a temporary window where a student goes to study abroad or work before the completion of undergraduate education remains debatable. However, I am of the opinion that the benefits that come with giving undergraduates this work/study period outnumbers the drawbacks

The opportunity to get exposed to different cultures and real life situations is one major good side of undergraduates gaining work experience or studying abroad before completion of their studies. Instead of continuous theoretical learning, this window provides them real life situations where they can practically apply all they have been learning. This would enable them ascertain their level of preparedness in undertaking professional challenges as well as familiarising themselves with people from different cultures. They return to subsequent academic years armed with practical knowledge gained from these interactions and this improves their overall performance.

Another benefit is that it provides room for increased finances. During this work period, students get to offer services in some organisations or work as interns and get paid. These stipends when saved up can help such students foot their academic bills in the coming year especially for those who were initially struggling to pay their way through school. For example, a student in a penultimate class is faced with so much financial responsibilities that come with the succeeding final academic year and graduation. When this students is given an opportunity to work and earn probably in one year and return to school, he or she can save enough to offset future academic bills.

In conclusion, while many argue that a window to study abroad or work serves as distraction for undergraduates, I am of the firm belief that the exposure and financial freedom it offers outweighs the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you believe the benefits of a work or study period outweigh the drawbacks, and you support this with relevant points about practical experience, cultural exposure and finances. The discussion of applying theory in real situations is explained, and the example of a student saving for final-year costs helps illustrate the financial argument. However, the response develops the advantages much more fully than the disadvantages. The opposing view appears only briefly in the conclusion as a possible “distraction,” without explaining how a placement might disrupt study, delay graduation or create costs. The cultural and practical benefits are also grouped together rather than explored separately. Addressing at least one disadvantage and weighing it directly against the benefits would make the response more complete and balanced.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear overall progression: an introduction states your view, two body paragraphs present separate benefits, and the conclusion restates your position. Topic sentences such as “The opportunity to get exposed to different cultures” and “Another benefit” make the paragraph purposes easy to follow. You also use linking expressions, including “Instead of,” “For example” and “In conclusion,” to show relationships between ideas. To strengthen the flow further, make the connection between the example and the broader financial claim more concise; the penultimate-year example repeats some of the preceding explanation. The contrast introduced in the conclusion would also work better in a developed paragraph before the conclusion, so the essay’s progression includes both sides of the question rather than introducing a counterpoint at the end.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “theoretical learning,” “practical knowledge,” “professional challenges,” “stipends” and “academic bills.” These choices communicate the main ideas clearly, and some phrases show an attempt to use more specific language. However, several expressions are imprecise or not fully natural in context, such as “one major good side,” “increased finances” and “financial freedom.” “Real life situations” is repeated, and “window” is used several times where a more precise term would improve clarity. Aim for more natural collocations and vary repeated wording—for example, describe a placement as a period of practical experience and explain that it can ease students’ financial pressure. This would add precision while retaining your clear meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a conditional structure in “When this students is given an opportunity to work and earn … he or she can save enough.” Most sentences are understandable, and the longer sentences generally communicate relationships between ideas. Some grammatical errors remain, however. “Undergraduate studies is” should be “Undergraduate study is” or “Undergraduate studies are”; “benefits … outnumbers” needs subject–verb agreement (“outnumber”); and “this students is” should be “this student is.” There is also a missing full stop after the opening paragraph, and the comma after “In conclusion” is needed. Review agreement and sentence boundaries, then proofread longer sentences for accuracy. More consistent control of these forms would make the range you attempt more effective.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.