Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-13
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 5.5)
There is no doubt some university students want to learn about other addition subject rater than in thier main subjects, other argue that it is very important to give all their important to studying for a qualification. However, I believe that in modren era due to advancement addition to their main subjqect play vital role.
On the one hand, studying additional subjects can provide students with wide range of knowledge and skill. It helps them develop thier confidence, creativity and problem solving abilities. For example, learning a other language, computer and other technology helps to student good job and explore to go abroad and do better job.
On other hand, focusing only on the main degree also has some benefits students can give all intentation thier subjects and gain deeper knowledge. For instance, medical students need to spend more time to leraning about healthcare and practise thier professional skill. As a result they become experts in their patricular subject.
In conclusion, therefore focusing on one sebject helps students gain specialised knowledge, I believe that studying additional subject and learn new skills is more benefits because it create better opportunities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You address both views and give a clear preference in the introduction and conclusion: you recognise the value of focusing on a degree, but favour learning additional subjects. The examples about medical students and learning languages or technology are relevant. However, the discussion is brief and the benefits are mostly asserted rather than explained; for example, the link between learning technology and getting a good job needs clearer development. The response contains 181 words, so it is 69 words below the required minimum; the eight words copied from the prompt were not counted. This limits the space available to develop both sides and support your opinion. Add specific explanations or examples for each view and make your position consistently clear.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. The signposts “On the one hand,” “On other hand,” and “In conclusion” help the reader follow the overall organisation. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes abrupt. For instance, the first body paragraph moves from general skills to languages, technology, employment, and going abroad without explaining the connections. The second body paragraph also runs its main claim and example together. Use clearer links between each claim and its supporting explanation, and ensure each paragraph develops one central point. The conclusion repeats the two positions but could connect them more smoothly to your stated preference.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “qualification,” “creativity,” “problem solving abilities,” “deeper knowledge,” and “professional skill.” These choices show an attempt to discuss education beyond very basic terms. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or spellings make parts difficult to understand, such as “give all their important to studying,” “explore to go abroad,” and “all intentation.” There are also repeated references to “subject” and “job,” which restrict precision. Build a wider set of accurate phrases for discussing academic focus and transferable skills, and check spelling carefully. More natural collocations would make your ideas clearer and more convincing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including a contrast in the opening and a result clause beginning “As a result.” However, the range is limited, and errors in sentence construction and grammatical forms occur often enough to affect clarity. For example, “On other hand, focusing only on the main degree also has some benefits students can give…” joins two ideas without appropriate punctuation or a linking structure. In “learning a other language… helps to student,” the article and sentence pattern are not controlled. Subject–verb agreement and plural forms also need attention, as in “additional subject… is more benefits” and “it create.” Practise building accurate sentences with subordinate clauses and check articles, agreement, and punctuation.
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.