Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-04

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 4.5)

Nowadays, there are a lot of key factors about this issue and so on there is no daubt that it is not only immpostent but also play a vital role on the future of the students, since it helps managing time and making daily life that has a goal on the future, these are all from my experience with that case. To begin with the advantages of the main issue, we can see, it starts from the main points like the high salary to big achivements in the future carier due to it helps by the period of trainning and the courses that can help by self improvements and other but on the way of that we all can see a lot of stundents struggling with the time managements and thats why it helps to improve the tine nabagenebts as I said. On the other hand there are a lot of vital points on disadvantages that might reduce the advantages to balance thje situation, for instance the main points are the lack of time and the stress while learning new subjects and even more it can effect the productivity at life and so on there are enough disadvantages with that case. In at the end of the day we can see both sides had teir clear point so on it is balanced situation due to the lock of time for self devolpment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You refer to both advantages and disadvantages, including career prospects and training on one side, and lack of time and stress on the other. However, the response only minimally addresses the central question: it does not clearly decide whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The final claim that the situation is “balanced” is brief and is not supported with a reasoned comparison. Ideas such as improved time management and higher salaries are mentioned but not explained with a specific example or clear link to studying abroad or work placements. The response is also 18 words below the required minimum. To strengthen it, state your position directly and develop each main point with an explanation and a relevant example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response by introducing the topic, discussing advantages, presenting disadvantages, and ending with a conclusion. Transitions such as “To begin with” and “On the other hand” help signal these sections. However, ideas are not arranged coherently within the long sentences, and the progression is difficult to follow. The opening combines several claims without a clear focus, while phrases such as “and so on” and “as I said” do not clarify how points relate. The conclusion repeats that both sides have points but does not draw together the discussion. Use separate, focused paragraphs and connect each claim to its explanation; clearer referencing and fewer vague transitions would make the argument easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You attempt vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “high salary,” “achievements,” “career,” “stress,” and “productivity.” These choices show some awareness of the subject, but the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make the message harder to understand, for example “immpostent,” “achivements,” and “stundents.” Some phrases are also imprecise or unnatural, such as “the main issue” and “the lack of time for self development,” which do not clearly express the intended point. Aim to use accurate topic-specific terms and check spelling carefully. More precise phrases such as “gain practical experience” or “develop professional skills” would help explain the benefits of placements and overseas study.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect ideas in longer sentences using clauses and linking words, as in “since it helps managing time” and “while learning new subjects.” This shows some effort to move beyond simple sentence patterns. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and frequent errors can make relationships between ideas unclear. For example, “it is not only … but also play” has faulty agreement and parallel structure, while “it helps managing” uses an incorrect verb pattern. Sentence boundaries and punctuation are also weak, particularly in the opening, which runs several ideas together. Practise building shorter, complete sentences first, then add subordinate clauses with accurate verb forms and punctuation.

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