Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-09
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 5.5)
There is a on going debate about students should learn about other additional subject besides their main subjects or only academic subjects which was significant for their qualification. certain university students want to teach about other subjects besides their basic subjects. Nevertheless, Others argue that it is crucial to invest their time and focus to learn for a certificates. Although spending all their time and attention to studying for qualification and better job are crucial, my opinion acquire knowledge about other subjects in addition to their main subjects is more important because they enhance our knowledge, improve our productivity and relax our mind.
On the one hand, There are numerous reason behind spending all their time and attention to studying only main subjects. people mostly want lead a better and comfortable life. For this reason they try to find out better job opportunities with a good salary range. That's why a lot of people suggested the university pupils to gain their knowledge according to academic subjects.
On the other hand, acquire knowledge about other subjects like art, painting, dance or debate in addition to their primary subjects is more important
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, as it is only 190 words long. This significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you have identified both sides of the argument and stated a clear position in the introduction, the second body paragraph is incomplete and lacks the necessary depth and supporting examples required for a higher band. The task is only partially addressed because the argument is cut short, preventing a full discussion of the topic. To improve, you must ensure you provide fully developed paragraphs with specific examples for each viewpoint.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' to signal the structure. However, the progression of ideas is interrupted by the incomplete nature of the final paragraph. Paragraphing is present, but the lack of a concluding paragraph makes the overall structure feel unfinished. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the opening sentence where the subject of the debate is slightly muddled. To improve, ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding thought, and always include a final summary paragraph.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on repetitive phrasing, such as 'subjects' and 'time and attention'. There are also errors in word form and collocation, such as 'on going debate' (ongoing), 'teach about' (learn about), and 'relax our mind' (relax our minds). While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of sophisticated or varied vocabulary limits the score. Focus on learning collocations related to academic study and professional development to enhance your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'students should learn' (missing 'whether'), 'which was significant' (should be 'are significant'), and 'people suggested the university pupils to gain' (incorrect verb pattern). Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent throughout the text. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to distract the reader. You should focus on mastering basic sentence patterns and proofreading for common errors like verb tenses and pluralization.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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