Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-27

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 the university needs improvement in their undergraduate courses by including, to spent some time in learning from another country or doing the practical in field.

I believed that the advantage of this practice should balance the disadvantages in order to gain hands on practice.

The university course work mostly include theory and give less attention to practical and field training because they do not have much time and resources to teach their students and perform practically. Usually, their main goal is to clear the academic study and scheme instead of hands on training and exposure. In order to tackle this major issue where new graduates face uneployment due to the lack of practical exposure, this strategy of sending student abroad or in field work would make the fresh students productive. The students would get a chance to work alongside the international people and gain a global experience to serve in the country.

For example, in the europe they offer the exchange program on the name of erasmus which is funded and run by eurpeon union. The main goal behind this funding is to let the youngster of university explore the other countries and firms by studying or practicing a short period of time in a uniques environment which help them alot. This erasmus programs is not only recruiting their own student but also give a chance to international bright minds to enhance their practical global experience.

To conclude that, the addition of studying abroad or doing work placement in curriculum of university would be a great initiative to train the young students, for which we should need to make a model like erasmus.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address the central proposal and give a clear overall view that placements can help students gain practical experience. Your explanation that courses focus on theory and that graduates may struggle to find work is relevant, and the Erasmus example gives the argument a concrete illustration. However, the question asks whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and the response does not explain any disadvantages or directly compare the two sides. The claim that the advantages should “balance” the disadvantages also leaves your position unclear: it does not say whether benefits are greater. Develop both sides briefly, then state explicitly why one outweighs the other and support that judgement with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two paragraphs developing the benefits, and a conclusion. Ideas generally progress from limited practical training to placements as a solution, with “For example” introducing relevant support. However, the two main paragraphs largely repeat the benefits rather than developing distinct points, and there is no paragraph addressing disadvantages or comparing them with the benefits. Some linking is mechanical, such as “To conclude that,” while references such as “this strategy” could be made more precise. Organise the body around contrasting advantages and disadvantages, and use the conclusion to resolve that comparison. This would make the progression clearer and cohesion less dependent on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt vocabulary suited to the topic, including “practical exposure,” “global experience,” “work placement,” and “exchange program.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and some less common expressions are attempted. However, inaccurate word choice, collocation, and spelling are noticeable: “doing the practical in field,” “clear the academic study and scheme,” “uneployment,” and “uniques environment” are unclear or unnatural. Repetition of “hands on” and “practical” also limits flexibility. Aim for precise academic collocations and check spelling and word forms. For example, “gain practical experience” is more natural than “doing the practical,” and “complete the academic curriculum” is clearer than “clear the academic study and scheme.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and longer sentences, including a complex explanation beginning “In order to tackle this major issue.” This shows an attempt to vary sentence structure, and the main message is usually understandable. However, control is inconsistent, particularly with agreement, articles, plurals, and verb forms. Examples include “Most of the university needs,” “The university course work mostly include,” and “This erasmus programs is.” The opening sentence also has an incomplete or faulty construction: “by including, to spent some time.” Work on matching subjects and verbs, forming infinitives correctly, and building complete clauses. For instance, “Universities should include time for students to study abroad or complete a placement” would express the opening idea more accurately.

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