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)

Some people argue that company managers should have the sole authority to make decisions, whereas others believe that employees should also participate in the decision-making process. Although managers have greater responsibility and experience, I believe that involving employees can lead to better decisions and a more productive workplace.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why managers should be responsible for making important decisions. First, managers are generally appointed because they have the necessary experience and knowledge to understand a company’s objectives. They are also responsible for the overall performance of the organisation, so they can make decisions based on long-term business goals rather than personal preferences. Furthermore, allowing only managers to make decisions can make the process faster, particularly when an urgent decision needs to be made. For example, a company facing a sudden financial problem may need its senior management to respond quickly without consulting every employee.

On the other hand, involving employees can also be highly beneficial. Employees work directly with customers, products and daily operations, so they often have practical knowledge that senior managers may not have. By listening to their suggestions, companies can identify problems more effectively and develop realistic solutions. Moreover, employee participation can make workers feel valued and respected. As a result, they may become more motivated and committed to achieving the company’s objectives. For instance, employees may suggest changes to a company’s working system that could improve efficiency because they experience these processes on a daily basis.

In my opinion, managers should have the final authority, but employees should be given opportunities to contribute their ideas. A combination of managerial leadership and employee involvement can result in more balanced decisions, greater employee motivation and better long-term performance.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 2.0

The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for a discussion on whether university students should focus solely on their main subjects or broaden their studies to include other subjects. However, the essay discusses whether company managers should have sole authority or involve employees in decision-making. Because the response fails to address the actual task question, it cannot be assessed for task achievement in the context of the prompt provided. According to the IELTS criteria, a response that is off-topic must be penalised heavily as it does not address the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

Despite being off-topic, the essay itself is well-structured. It follows a logical progression with clear paragraphing. The introduction presents a clear position, and each body paragraph focuses on a specific viewpoint using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Moreover'. The transition between ideas is smooth, and the conclusion effectively summarises the argument presented. The internal logic of the essay is sound, even though the content does not relate to the assigned prompt.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is varied and appropriate for an academic essay. The student demonstrates a good command of topic-specific language related to business management, such as 'sole authority', 'decision-making process', 'long-term business goals', and 'efficiency'. The word choices are precise and natural, showing a level of sophistication that allows for clear communication of the writer's ideas. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede the reader's understanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good range of grammatical structures. The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although managers have greater responsibility...'). Punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is generally error-free. The control over grammar is consistent throughout the text, with no major errors that distract the reader or cause confusion. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a solid grasp of English syntax.

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