Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-12

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)

It is often argued that university students should learn other subjects along with their main subjects. However, some people believe that students should give all their time and attention to their main qualification. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.

On the one hand, some people believe that students should focus only on their main subjects. The main reason is that university studies are difficult and students need a lot of time to understand their subjects. If they study many other subjects, they may not have enough time for their main studies. As a result, their grades can become lower. For example, a medical student has to learn many important things about medicine, so spending too much time on other subjects can affect their studies. Another reason is that focusing on one subject can help students become more skilled in their future profession.

On the other hand, other people think that learning different subjects is also important. Firstly, students can get more knowledge by studying other subjects. This can help them understand different areas of life and improve their thinking skills. For example, an engineering student can learn business or communication skills, which may help him in his future job. Secondly, students may discover a new interest by studying another subject. They can also develop useful skills which may be helpful in their career.

In my opinion, I believe that students should focus more on their main subjects, but they should also learn some other subjects. They do not need to give all their time to additional subjects. A balance between both can help students get a good qualification as well as develop other useful skills.

In conclusion, focusing on the main qualification is important because it helps students achieve good results and become experts in their field. However, learning other subjects can also provide useful knowledge and skills. Therefore, I believe students should give priority to their main subjects while also spending some time on other areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly discuss both perspectives—the focus on a single qualification versus the benefits of a broader curriculum—and provide a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the medical student and the engineering student. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your arguments by exploring the long-term implications of these choices, such as the impact on employability or personal development, rather than keeping the explanations relatively brief. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points.

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 topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Firstly,' and 'Secondly' to link your points. However, the transitions are somewhat mechanical and repetitive. To improve, try to vary the way you connect ideas by using more sophisticated referencing or discourse markers that flow more naturally within the sentences rather than just at the beginning of paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use topic-specific terms like 'qualification,' 'profession,' and 'expertise.' However, the vocabulary is somewhat basic and lacks the precision or 'less common' items required for higher bands. For instance, phrases like 'learn many important things' or 'get more knowledge' are quite generic. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and academic synonyms to convey your meaning with greater sophistication and nuance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over basic grammar, and your sentences are generally error-free, which ensures that your meaning is always clear. However, the range of complex structures is limited. Most of your sentences follow a similar pattern. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences, passive voice, or relative clauses, 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.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.