Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-14

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 an ongoing debate regarding university students who want to learn additional subjects with their main subjects. While others believe that they should give proper time to their subjects for a qualification. I believe that the students learn side subjects it helps students to gain new skills that are helpful in practical life.

Firstly, some students prefer to learn additional subjects such as humanities and arts which help them understand society and its rules. Moreover, these subjects broaden their thinking and improve their communication skills. For instance a physics student who learns programming can analyse data much faster and has better job opportunities. Furthermore, learning a new subject keeps student motivated and helps them discover interests they did not know they had.

On the other hand, some people argue that students should focus fully on their degree. University courses are demanding and extra subjects can cause stress and lower grades. Therefore, students may fail to master their core. For instance if a student is doing MBBS, he should focus on its main subjects rather than other subjects. However, if he do his studies keenly then it helps in making their future better. Medical students have a heavy workload and very little free time, so extra subjects may distract them from their clinical training.

In conclusion, although concentrating on a qualification is important, I believe that learning extra subjects is more beneficial if students manage their time wisely.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both views and state a clear preference: extra subjects are more beneficial when students manage their time wisely. The examples about a physics student learning programming and medical students’ workload are relevant and help explain the contrast. However, the support is uneven: the benefits of broader learning are explained through several points, while the case for focusing on a qualification is less fully developed. The sentence about studying keenly improving a medical student’s future is unclear and does not directly strengthen that side of the discussion. The response is also 12 words below the required minimum. Develop the opposing view with a specific consequence or example, clarify your reasoning, and add enough relevant detail to meet the task’s length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion that restates your position. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “Moreover,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” make the progression easy to follow. Some linking is mechanical, however, and connections between ideas are not always clear. In the second body paragraph, “However” introduces a sentence about studying keenly, but the relationship between that point and the argument about distraction is difficult to understand. There is also repetition of “subjects” and “students.” Make links between claims more precise, and use pronouns or varied references where the meaning remains clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary for the topic, including “broaden their thinking,” “job opportunities,” “demanding,” “master their core,” and “clinical training.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and the meaning is generally clear. However, some phrasing is imprecise or unnatural, such as “learn side subjects,” “give proper time to their subjects,” and “focus fully on their degree.” “Practical life” is also less natural in this context than a phrase such as “everyday life” or “the workplace.” Repetition of “subjects” and “students” limits variety. Aim for more precise academic collocations and check that each phrase expresses the intended relationship between a course, a qualification, and a skill.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “while,” “which,” and “if,” and most of the argument remains understandable. Some errors in sentence structure and agreement are noticeable. The opening fragment, “While others believe that they should give proper time to their subjects for a qualification,” is not joined grammatically to the preceding sentence. In “if he do his studies keenly,” the verb form does not agree with the subject, and “it helps in making their future better” shifts inconsistently between singular and plural reference. Missing commas after introductory phrases, as in “For instance if,” also affect punctuation. Practise joining contrast clauses into complete sentences and checking subject–verb agreement and pronoun consistency.

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