Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-03

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)

In recent years, many developed countries introduce various undergraduated courses. According to the population concern all educational institute must include a period of time in which students move to abroad for further studies or doing some kind of work that beneficial for them. Although it has both advantages and disadvantages that given below.

Firstly, if universities allowing their undergraduate students a semester break to move abroad and explore something creative and new that helps to create a better understanding about the topic and future goal. At the same time if they allow their students to do some part time job that promote or contribute a good nation. For example, in most bechelor programs students have enough time to do something extraordinary along with studies that helpful not individually but economically as well.

In contrast there are many disadvantages like most of the pupils spent more time on other activities like finding out jobs or other countries approval related to further continoution rather than focus on their studies.

I conclude that it has both merits and demerits of this but if we focus on the good points that somehow outweigh the disadvantages. If the universities organization will help to promote the benifits of spending time on abroad study and also providing a helping hand towards student related jobs then automatically its overcome the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You give a clear, if brief, answer that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and you mention both overseas study and work experience. However, the task is only partially addressed: the benefits are described generally as improving understanding, helping students pursue future goals, and contributing to the nation, without explaining how these outcomes arise or giving a specific relevant example. The disadvantage about spending time seeking jobs or approval is also unclear and not fully connected to the question. The response contains 223 words, so it does not meet the required minimum of 250. To strengthen the response, explain each main point with a concrete example and develop the comparison that supports your conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph on benefits, a contrast paragraph, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “Firstly,” “In contrast,” and “I conclude” help signal these stages. However, progression within paragraphs is limited, and some connections between ideas are difficult to follow. For example, the link between students doing part-time work and “a good nation” is not explained, while the disadvantage about “other countries approval” is hard to interpret. The conclusion repeats the position but adds a long, unclear conditional sentence. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each supporting explanation directly to the point it illustrates; this would make the overall organisation more coherent and cohesion less mechanical.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some vocabulary relevant to education and the topic, including “undergraduate students,” “semester,” “part time job,” and “disadvantages.” This gives the response enough basic language to communicate its general subject. However, the range is limited, and several inaccurate word choices, word forms, and spellings make meaning less clear. Examples include “undergraduated courses,” “bechelor programs,” “continoution,” and “benifits.” Phrases such as “move to abroad” and “a good nation” are also unnatural or imprecise. Build a more accurate set of topic-specific expressions, such as “international study,” “work placement,” and “gain practical experience,” and check spelling and collocations carefully. More precise vocabulary would help you explain the advantages and disadvantages rather than relying on broad claims.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a conditional structure in the conclusion and a subordinate clause beginning “Although.” However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to understand. For example, “many developed countries introduce” has an unsuitable verb form, and “if universities allowing” lacks a correctly formed verb. The opening fragment, “Although it has both advantages and disadvantages that given below,” is also incomplete. There are further problems with articles, agreement, and sentence construction, as in “its overcome the disadvantages.” Practise forming complete sentences with accurate subject–verb patterns, and use shorter sentences when expressing a complex idea. This will make your meaning clearer while allowing you to develop more varied structures.

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.