Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-09

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others believe it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. Discuss both these views and give your opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 6.0)

It is argued that students in universities should only take courses relevant to their main subjects, while others believe that they should study other subjects besides their main courses. I agree that focusing on one major allows students to learn more in details and be keen on that subject.

Students supporting the idea of adding minor subjects to their major courses believe that it grants them the opportunity to experience different environments. Sometimes students misinterpret what major they want to specialize in. Therefore, they prefer to have multiple options ahead of them, in case they change their minds. For instance, students that study more than one subject say that it provides them with more knowledge, information and to take a break from being bored of studying only one subject.

On the other hand, critics of this idea believe that it is a waste of time. They believe that dividing their attention across multiple courses indicates that a person is less likely to go in depth with that subject. They regard these as frivolous plans that do not have any benefits to them. As they believe that concentrating on one subject or major can benefit a person more in the long-term, than focusing on too many subjects with no in-depth learning. For instance, students found that they received higher scores on their exams when they reduced the overall subjects they studied for because they were able to study faster

In conclusion, I believe that while enrolling into a minor course has many benefits, such as, gaining experience and deciding on the final route. However, it wastes time and hinders progress because learning too many things at the same time crams the brain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You discuss both views and state your position in the introduction: you favour concentrating on a major because it allows students to learn in greater depth. The examples about exploring options and achieving higher exam scores are relevant. However, the support for each view is uneven: the benefits of studying additional subjects are listed, but not explained in much detail, while the claim that extra courses “cram the brain” is asserted rather than supported. Your conclusion also introduces a qualification—that minor courses have benefits—without clearly resolving how this fits with your preference for focusing on one subject. Develop the reasons with a specific example and make your final position consistent and explicit throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the discussion, and the ideas generally progress in a sensible order. Some connections are less clear, however. The sentence beginning “As they believe” is a fragment, and the final paragraph’s “However” makes the relationship between the benefits and drawbacks difficult to follow. Within the first body paragraph, the example combines gaining knowledge with taking a break from boredom without explaining how these points connect. Use complete sentences, make links between claims explicit, and ensure the conclusion follows directly from the position established earlier.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “specialize,” “multiple options,” “in-depth learning,” and “long-term.” These choices help communicate the main arguments, and the meaning is generally clear. Some expressions are imprecise or do not collocate naturally, such as “learn more in details,” “experience different environments,” and “frivolous plans.” “Cram the brain” is also an informal and unclear way to describe the effect of taking too many courses. Aim for more precise academic phrasing and check common word partnerships. For example, you could describe students as gaining “broader knowledge” or say that a heavy course load “limits the time available for in-depth study.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt both simple and complex structures, including clauses introduced by “while,” “because,” and “when,” and most of your meaning remains understandable. Some grammatical errors occur, particularly in sentence construction and clause control. “I agree that focusing on one major allows students to learn more in details” has an incorrect phrase structure, while “As they believe that concentrating on one subject…” is an incomplete sentence. The conclusion also begins with “I believe that while…” but does not complete the expected contrast cleanly. Review sentence boundaries and make sure dependent clauses are attached to a complete main clause. More consistently accurate complex sentences would make your reasoning easier to follow.

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