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 focuses only on their main subjects. The main reason is that university studies are difficult and students needs 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 affects their studies. Another reason is that focusing on one subject can help students becomes 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 helps 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 discovers 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 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the focus on professional expertise versus the broadening of knowledge. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the example of the medical student is relevant but could be extended further to explain the long-term consequences of a lack of focus. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments presented. To reach a higher band, ensure that each supporting point is fully explored with more depth and nuance.

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. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Firstly', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader. However, the use of these devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to create a more natural, sophisticated connection between ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. There is an attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'qualification', 'profession', and 'expertise'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on common, simple words. There are no significant errors in word choice, but the essay lacks the 'less common' lexical items that would demonstrate a higher level of precision and stylistic awareness. To improve, try to incorporate more academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repeating basic terms like 'subjects' or 'important'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'students focuses', 'students needs', 'can affects', 'students becomes', 'students may discovers'). These errors are persistent throughout the text. While the punctuation is generally correct, the frequency of these basic grammatical slips prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and ensuring that modal verbs are followed by the correct verb form.

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