Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-10

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)

Some university students want to learn about other subjects alongside their primary subject. I believe that this would be a great initiative because it enhances their knowledge and definitely helps in their careers. Today, many companies prefer candidates who have a vast variety of knowledge and skills beyond just one specific field. Learning additional subjects helps students solve problems from different perspectives and makes them stand out in the job market when applying for new positions.

On the other hand, other students think they should fully focus on their main subjects and maintain a high GPA to secure a job in their target companies. They aim to maintain their GPA and give 100 percent focus to just one course at a time, planning to work on their soft skills later. For these students, getting strong academic results is the top priority, as many top employers look at grades first when hiring fresh graduates. They believe that taking extra subjects can distract them from achieving good grades in their main degree.

In my point of view, both opinions are right in their own place. Everyone knows themselves better than anyone else. If someone can manage extra subjects along with their primary subjects, they can certainly take the opportunity to learn other subjects too and gain extra knowledge. However, if someone cannot manage their time properly and feels under pressure, they should strictly focus on their primary subjects. This will help them avoid unnecessary stress and maintain a solid foundation for their future academic goals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically presented. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, while you mention that companies prefer candidates with 'a vast variety of knowledge,' providing a concrete example of how a specific interdisciplinary skill (e.g., a business student learning coding) benefits a career would have strengthened the argument. The conclusion is balanced, but the overall depth of the essay is slightly thin, preventing it from reaching the higher band descriptors which require more fully extended and supported arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand,' 'In my point of view,' and 'However' effectively to transition between ideas. To improve, you could incorporate a wider range of cohesive devices and ensure that the referencing within paragraphs is more sophisticated. Currently, the structure is functional and clear, which meets the requirements for a solid band 7, but it lacks the more fluid, varied, and subtle cohesion found in higher bands.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. Phrases like 'great initiative,' 'target companies,' and 'solid foundation' are used appropriately. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive and lacks the 'less common' or 'precise' lexical items that would elevate the essay to a higher band. For example, instead of repeating 'subjects' and 'knowledge' multiple times, you could use synonyms like 'disciplines,' 'curriculum,' 'expertise,' or 'academic breadth.' The current range is sufficient for communication but does not show the flexibility or precision required for a band 7 or above.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors are rare and do not impede communication. You use conditional structures ('If someone can manage...') and modal verbs effectively. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited; there is a reliance on straightforward sentence patterns. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate a greater variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice, relative clauses, or more advanced subordinating conjunctions, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already demonstrated.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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