Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-21

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Taking a year away from formal education before entering university has become an increasingly popular option for young people. I largely agree that students should be encouraged to consider a gap year because meaningful work, travel or volunteering can help them develop practical skills and make more informed decisions about their future education and careers.

One major benefit of a gap year is the opportunity to develop skills that are difficult to acquire in a classroom. Young people can gain work experience, volunteer in their communities or travel independently, allowing them to become more responsible and adaptable. For example, a student who spends several months working in a different city may develop communication, financial-management and problem-solving skills while gaining a clearer understanding of the demands of adult life. Such experiences can therefore make the transition to university smoother.

Another advantage is that a gap year can help students make academic and career choices. Some school leavers begin university without having a clear idea of what they want to study and may eventually change courses or abandon their degrees. Time away from education can give them an opportunity to explore different careers and identify their interests before committing to a particular field. However, a gap year is beneficial only when it is purposeful. Spending the entire year without a clear plan could lead to lost academic momentum rather than meaningful personal development.

In conclusion, I believe young people should be encouraged to take a gap year when they have a clear plan for using it productively. Work experience, volunteering and independent travel can develop valuable skills and help students make more informed decisions about their education and future careers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 2.0

The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks about the role of music in bringing people of different cultures and ages together, but the essay discusses the merits of a gap year. While the writing is coherent and well-structured, it fails to address the task requirements entirely. According to the IELTS criteria, a response that is off-topic must be penalised heavily in Task Achievement, as it does not address the prompt provided. Consequently, the score reflects the failure to engage with the specific question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

Despite being off-topic, the essay is well-organised. It uses clear paragraphing, with a logical introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One major benefit', 'Another advantage', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth and logical, demonstrating a good grasp of how to structure an academic essay. If the content had matched the prompt, this would be a high-scoring response for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is appropriate for an academic essay. The student uses a range of relevant terms such as 'formal education', 'meaningful', 'adaptable', 'academic momentum', and 'productively'. The word choice is precise and natural, showing a good level of control. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is not highly sophisticated or 'uncommon', it is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The grammar is strong throughout the text. The student demonstrates a variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('a gap year is beneficial only when it is purposeful') and participial phrases ('allowing them to become more responsible'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. The control over grammatical forms is consistent, and there are no errors that impede communication. The level of accuracy is high, reflecting a solid command of English syntax.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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