Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-02

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 6.0)

Some argue that undergraduate courses in universities should have a study abroad period or attending a work placement, while others believe that staying in is a suitable option as one know the system, without having to face difficulties. I agree that studying abroad offers the experience to learn about other cultures, different methods for studying, while giving you a chance to seek opportunities for better-paid jobs. Firstly, supporters against the study abroad experience argue that the living expenses in a different country might be more than one can afford since they have to rent a place and buy the essential furniture for it. Secondly, many students cannot tolerate extreme weathers because they suffer from immune diseases in which their bodies experience flare ups when they are exposed to severe cold or hot weathers. Thirdly, students might face a language barrier which makes it harder to communicate with residents. For example, many people cancel the idea of studying in Egypt because the language is hard to understand and learn. On the other hand, Studying abroad offers you a plethora of experience from other cultures within the same curriculum throughout unique styles of learning and better paid jobs. For instance, many people that study abroad decide to stay after finishing their course because they were offered high-paying jobs. In conclusion, while studying abroad is highly expensive, risky and one would have to learn a language to be able to communicate, I still believe that there are many benefits, such as gaining experience throughout their different systems in learning through undergrad courses or work placements after graduation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the issue and make your position clear: you acknowledge costs, health concerns and language barriers, but support overseas study because of cultural and educational experience and employment prospects. These points are relevant to the question. However, the advantages are less fully explained than the disadvantages: the claim that students may obtain “better-paid jobs” is asserted, but the response does not show clearly how a placement or study period leads to this outcome. The discussion also shifts between studying abroad and work placements without explaining the benefits of the latter. Develop one or two advantages with a specific example and explain why they outweigh the costs and practical difficulties.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an overall structure, moving from concerns about studying abroad to its benefits and then a conclusion. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “On the other hand” help readers follow the main stages. However, the first paragraph combines the opposing view with your own position, and the body paragraphs are not clearly separated into distinct arguments. Some links are mechanical, while the final sentence repeats several earlier points rather than drawing them together. References such as “this” and “their different systems” are not always precise. Use a separate introduction, one paragraph for disadvantages, one for advantages, and a conclusion; connect each paragraph’s ideas with clearer cause-and-effect links.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “living expenses,” “language barrier,” “curriculum,” and “high-paying jobs,” and the meaning is generally clear. There are also attempts at less common phrasing, such as “a plethora of experience,” though this collocation is unnatural; “a wealth of experience” would be more idiomatic. Other choices, including “staying in” and “extreme weathers,” are imprecise or incorrectly formed, and “better paid” would read more naturally as “better-paid.” These choices do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision. Aim for natural academic collocations and distinguish clearly between studying abroad, work placements, and employment after graduation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including a relative clause in “because they suffer from immune diseases” and a concession structure in the conclusion. Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors reduce accuracy. For example, “one know the system” has a subject–verb agreement error, and “should have a study abroad period or attending a work placement” mixes verb forms. The long opening sentence also has an unclear structure, while “many people that study abroad” would be more accurately formed with “who.” Check agreement, parallel structures, and sentence boundaries, and break up long sentences where several ideas are joined. This would improve control without sacrificing complexity.

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