Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-25
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that in today’s world subjects like Science and technology are more important than History.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example form your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Few individuals argue that history is one of the most essential school subjects, while others believe that in today's world, subjects like science and technology are more important than History. Both subjects are important, and we will discuss both points. Choosing the right subject in which you have an interest is very important.
On the one hand, history is one of the most important subjects according to some people. In History, you can get information about the past, how things came to be, and how ideas came about in people's minds. By reading history, people can understand how the world became what it is now and can notice the differences. For instance, if a person has an interest in developing computers, he will look at the history and see how the idea came to mind and how it can be upgraded. If a student learns history and gains knowledge about the past, he can do many things.
Subjects like science and technology are more important. The world is progressing very fast right now, and if we do not believe in science and technology, then we will remain behind the world. Technology and science play an important role in people's lives right now. For instance, AI is one of the most modern technologies. We can solve problems easily with AI. Modern science and technology produce various things that help a lot in human life. If a student takes an interest in science and technology, then he can meet the world standard.
In my opinion, both have reasonable arguments, but I believe science and technology are more important subjects right now. If students do not take an interest in science, then they will not be able to achieve anything more. For instance, if a student does not learn about science and technology, then he will waste a lot of time. We can solve our problems with AI in a very short time.
To conclude, both arguments have some merits, but I believe science and technology are the most important subjects in school due to modern technology.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both history and science/technology as important school subjects and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is maintained throughout the essay. However, the ideas are somewhat repetitive and under-developed, relying on generic statements rather than deep elaboration. For instance, the discussion on history mentions that it helps us 'understand how the world became what it is now,' but the examples provided lack specificity. Similarly, the arguments for science and technology frequently circle back to AI without exploring broader scientific disciplines. Despite these limitations in depth, all core requirements of the task are met, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, body paragraphs addressing each view, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. However, cohesion at the sentence level is occasionally mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent reliance on 'For instance' and 'if a student.' Referencing is sometimes loose, particularly in sentences starting with 'he' where the antecedent noun phrase could be clearer. While logical progression is maintained, the transitions between ideas lack flexibility, placing this response firmly in Band 6.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to communicate their ideas clearly. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary items and subject-related terms, such as 'progressing very fast,' 'upgraded,' and 'artificial intelligence (AI).' However, word choice and collocation are sometimes basic or repetitive—for example, using 'important subjects' multiple times. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and errors do not impede communication, which satisfies the requirements for a Band 6.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional structures like 'if we do not believe in science and technology, then we will remain behind.' There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'Few individuals argue' (where 'Some' would be more natural) and repetitive structures involving conditional clauses ('if a student...'). However, punctuation and grammar control are generally sufficient for the meaning to be communicated without difficulty, making Band 6 an appropriate score.
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