Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-29

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)

In contemporary society, it is stated that all academic undergraduate courses must have a smester that spent in studying abroad and student focus on training program. In my opinion, it is a positive achievemnt and outstanding students should get this opportunity. In this way they are able to gain some knowledge out of the box. Moreover, due to this their creativity increases.

On one hand, traveling across the world during their university education helps them to learn more from different university as well as others have different teaching methods. Although when individuals from different culture meet with each other they share different knowledge, in this way they are able to connect with each other. Moreover, some was give the chance of getting employment according to their field which is quiet benefical for pupils in the future. For instance, some students are give the chance of student exchange program, in that the different pupils from various coutries go to abroad then they have a chance of learning new language and get more practical information about their specific subject.

On the other hand, when learner travel back from the foreign countries the significant changes have been saw in them. Furthermore, they have become more practical, creative and easily understand the concepts. Which is a positive aspect for students and also for the countries future.In contrast, studing in a same environment sometimes cause stress, anxiety and boredom; on the otherhand when someone goes to other countries or university where they learn the practical skills and practice them in their practical life.

In conclusion, it is a good gesture to travel foreign states for the sake of studies and experience; nervertheless, sometimes it become difficult for a student to manage expenses for traveling to abroad. It needs a strong financial support which is not possible for everyone.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear general preference for study abroad or placements, and relevant benefits include learning from different teaching methods, meeting people from other cultures, gaining practical knowledge and improving employment prospects. However, the response does not fully answer the comparison in the question: the disadvantages are only briefly mentioned in the conclusion, where you note that travel expenses may be difficult to manage. The claim that “it is a positive achievement” also shifts the focus to outstanding students, although the task asks whether this should be included in all undergraduate courses. Develop the financial and access concerns, then explain why the benefits do or do not outweigh them. More specific examples and clearer support for your position would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and the “On one hand” and “On the other hand” structure signals a contrast. Ideas such as cultural exchange and practical learning are grouped together, so the reader can follow the broad direction. However, progression is uneven: the second body paragraph mainly lists positive outcomes, despite beginning with a contrast marker, and the disadvantage of cost appears only at the end. Some links are mechanical or unclear, as in “Although when individuals…” and “Which is a positive aspect…”. Organise the body around distinct advantages and disadvantages, use clear topic sentences, and make each pronoun or linking phrase refer unambiguously to the idea it connects.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “teaching methods,” “employment,” “practical information,” “creativity,” and “financial support.” These choices communicate the main subject, but the range is limited and several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, which sometimes makes the intended meaning less clear. For example, “gain some knowledge out of the box” does not naturally express learning beyond the classroom, while “travel foreign states” and “a good gesture” are not suitable collocations here. Spelling errors such as “smester,” “achievemnt,” “benefical,” and “coutries” are also noticeable. Build a more precise set of phrases for placements, exchange programmes, costs and educational outcomes, and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “Although” and “when,” and you use some future-oriented and comparative ideas. However, control is inconsistent, and complex sentences are often faulty. Examples include “a smester that spent in studying abroad,” “some was give the chance,” and “the significant changes have been saw in them,” where verb forms and sentence construction obscure the meaning. There are also agreement and sentence-boundary problems, such as “studing in a same environment sometimes cause” and the fragment “Which is a positive aspect…”. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and correctly inflected verb, and check agreement, articles and punctuation when combining clauses.

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