Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

It is stated that every university undergraduate courses should allot a specific period of time when the students will study abroad or spend time in workplace. Although this strategy can cost universities financially, I think it has far more benefits as students can come across international study cultures and get exposure to real life workplaces.

On one hand, by studying abroad, students can widen their window of knowledge and enlighten them with various study techniques. Curriculam of universities vary from country to country and therefore, undergraduate students can learn new topics and master new skills by studying in a new country. In addition, students can acquire new learning methdologies which they can further imply to their studies back in home country. One the other hand, students can gain practical knowledge of workplace from programs like internship or industrial training. Although university students master themselves in academic knowledge in undergraduate, they often find themselves out of place in the job right after the graduation as academic and industrial sectors are totally different. To smoothen this transition from academic to industrial world, work placement in undergraduate can be an effective technique as students can learn about how things work in job sector. For example, BUET and IUT, two leading engineering universities in Bangladesh arrange three months industrial trainings for their undergraduate students. Graduates from those instituitions stated that those training programs were very helpful to them.

However, abroad study program and internship arrangements can cost universities a lumpsum amount of money. Arranging abroad study program includes tuition fee, travel cost, living cost and dining cost of students which can take a heavy toll in the university budget. Universities might need to cut cost from other essential sectors which may affect students. For example, authorities might lower budget on hostels to balance the budget. As a result, facilities of dorm houses might reduce which will not bring any good to students. In addition, managing work placement also comes with financial burden like travel fees and accomodation cost.

In conclusion, inspite of having a financial burden, I strongly think the advantages of abroad study and internship program outweigh the demerit of these by miles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

Your position is clear from the introduction: you believe the benefits outweigh the financial costs, and the conclusion maintains that view. You address both study abroad and work placements, explaining how they can broaden students’ learning and ease the move into employment. The Bangladesh engineering-training example gives relevant support to the placement argument. This fits the descriptor because the main ideas are extended and supported, although some claims remain broad: for instance, the benefits of studying abroad are described generally, without a specific example of a skill or outcome. The financial disadvantage is also explained mainly through university costs and possible cuts to facilities. To strengthen the response further, develop the consequences and examples for each side with more precise detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph on educational and workplace benefits, a paragraph on costs, and a conclusion. Ideas generally progress logically, and signposting such as “On one hand,” “In addition,” “However,” and “In conclusion” helps the reader follow the argument. The example of industrial training is placed appropriately after the explanation of workplace preparation. Cohesion is flexible enough to support the discussion, though some transitions feel formulaic, and “One the other hand” is an inaccurate form that briefly disrupts the flow. The first body paragraph also moves from study abroad to placements quite abruptly. A clearer transition between these two benefits, and more varied referencing rather than repeated “students” and “universities,” would make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “curriculum,” “methodologies,” “industrial sectors,” “transition,” and “financial burden.” These choices allow you to discuss both academic and practical benefits, and the meaning is generally clear. You also attempt less common expressions, but some are inaccurate or unnatural: “widen their window of knowledge,” “enlighten them,” “imply to their studies,” and “a lumpsum amount” do not fit their intended meanings or collocations. There are also spelling errors such as “Curriculam,” “methdologies,” and “instituitions.” These do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and control. Prefer natural academic collocations and check spelling carefully, especially for key topic vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses with “Although” and “as,” and longer sentences that explain causes and consequences. Most ideas remain understandable despite some grammatical errors. For example, “every university undergraduate courses” has a number-agreement problem, while “students can widen their window … and enlighten them” has unclear pronoun reference. Other patterns, such as “in undergraduate” and “right after the graduation,” show some difficulty with articles and prepositions. The sentence beginning “Although university students master themselves in academic knowledge” is also structurally awkward. To improve, check agreement and article use, and make sure pronouns clearly refer to the intended noun. More consistently accurate complex sentences would strengthen the response.

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.