Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The total time period, which is being spent on studying in another country or having any placement, should be included in all undergraduate courses in the university.I think this would have a big advantage in their career ahead either for job or education purposes.

Mentioning the time period of doing any rotation in a bachelor's degree is a great way to show your abilities and roles and responsibilities at that particular level. For instance, a medical student goes to a hospital and presents her work placements to show what she actually knew and performed during her undergrad degree. An employer does not need to ask anything from the candidate. Therefore, it reduces the time and effort of both parties.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You give a relevant position, stating that overseas study or a placement would bring “a big advantage” for students’ future careers, and the medical-student example helps illustrate how practical experience can demonstrate ability. However, the response only addresses the advantages: it does not discuss any disadvantages or explain why the benefits outweigh them. The main idea about employers saving time is also asserted rather than developed, and the example does not establish that placements should be compulsory in every undergraduate course. The response is substantially below the required minimum length, which leaves the argument incomplete. To improve, address both sides, explain your comparison, and develop each point with specific reasoning or examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic progression: it introduces a position, then gives a supporting example and a consequence. The example beginning “For instance” is appropriately connected to the point about demonstrating practical ability, and “Therefore” signals a result. However, the overall development is very limited, with only two short paragraphs and no clear progression through the full argument. The relationship between the opening claim about career and education and the later point about employers is not fully explained. There is also no paragraph or transition for disadvantages or for weighing the two sides. Build a clearer structure with an introduction, separate paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion that directly answers the question.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “undergraduate courses,” “work placements,” “employer,” and “candidate,” so the reader can understand the general subject. There are also attempts at more specific expressions such as “roles and responsibilities.” However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, including “the total time period,” “having any placement,” and “presents her work placements.” “A big advantage” is understandable but informal and vague for an academic argument. These choices limit precision and make parts of the response less fluent. Aim for accurate collocations and a wider range of terms for academic and professional benefits, such as “gain practical experience,” “demonstrate relevant skills,” and “enhance employability.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both a complex opening clause (“which is being spent…”) and longer sentences that explain an example and its result. The main meaning is generally understandable, and the sentence about the employer and candidate is straightforward. However, control is uneven: “in the university” is not well integrated into the sentence, and “a medical student goes to a hospital and presents her work placements” has unclear grammatical relationships between the actions and the placement. The opening sentence also combines several ideas without a clear, accurate structure. Use a wider mix of controlled simple and complex sentences, checking articles, prepositions, and clause structure. For example, state directly that students “spend time studying abroad or completing a work placement.”

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