Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

It is widely believed by some individuals that it should be encouraged to study abroad after school and spent time in abroad for study and work placement. From my perspective, it is a positive development and advantages outweigh the disadvantages because it enhance their abilities, their communication skills will improve, they become financially stronger, it push them to know more about culture, and more career opportunities.

On the one hand, it is argued by some individuals that, it should not encouraged to study abroad for different courses because of unequal opportunities.It is not accessible to study abroad because some students belongs to disadvantaged/slum areas, and they are vulnureable to afford study expenses in foreign countries. Another disadvantage is, students may face language barrier in other countries. It is necessary to know the language for communication otherwise it will create a problem for student to understand their lesson because of language barrier and different education system.

On the other hand, it is believed by some individuals that, students should go to abroad for further studies after high schools, as it develops confidence in them and they know more about how to manage their time. It also develops professional skills before graduation. They can communicate with others and have opportunities to know more about their culture thus, this expand their knowledge. Also international exposure and work experience can improve employment prospects as many companies promote experienced individuals more then fresh employees.

To conclude this, I firmly agree that it should be encouraged to study abroad because, it helps to understand about different culture and expand more knowledge or workplace boost their abilities, so they can communicate with confidence.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and you address both sides of the question. Relevant benefits include developing confidence and professional skills, gaining cultural knowledge, and improving employment prospects; you also recognise unequal access and language barriers as drawbacks. This covers the task, but some points are asserted rather than fully explained. For example, “they become financially stronger” appears in the introduction but is not developed in the essay, and the link between international experience and companies preferring experienced applicants could use a specific example or clearer explanation. To strengthen the response, develop each main point and keep the discussion focused on the required study-abroad or work-placement period during undergraduate courses.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph presenting disadvantages, a paragraph explaining benefits, and a conclusion. The contrast between “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” helps readers follow the argument, and the conclusion restates your position. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. The opening lists several advantages in one long sentence, while the final sentence combines cultural understanding, workplace abilities, and communication without showing how these ideas relate. Punctuation around linking words is also inconsistent. Use clearer topic sentences and develop one central idea at a time; for instance, separate cultural learning from employment benefits and explain each with a supporting detail.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary, including “disadvantaged,” “language barrier,” “professional skills,” “international exposure,” and “employment prospects.” These expressions help communicate the main ideas, and the meaning is generally understandable. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive, such as “go to abroad,” “know more about their culture,” and “promote experienced individuals more then fresh employees.” There are also spelling errors, including “vulnureable,” and repeated use of “some individuals” and “develops.” Aim for more precise, natural phrasing and check spelling. For example, you could describe students as gaining “cross-cultural awareness” and say that employers “value relevant work experience.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a reason clause with “because” and a contrast between the two sides of the argument. Most of the meaning can be followed, but errors in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence construction recur. For example, “it enhance their abilities” should use a verb agreeing with “it,” and “it should not encouraged” is missing a passive verb form. In “students belongs,” the verb does not agree with the plural subject. Some sentences also run several ideas together, making punctuation and relationships harder to follow. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and passive constructions, and divide long sentences into shorter, complete units.

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