Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

Some people believe that university students should study subjects other than their main field, while others think that they should focus all their time on getting a qualification. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe that students should mainly focus on their degree but can also benefit from studying other subjects.

On the one hand, learning additional subjects can provide students with a wider range of knowledge and skills. University education is not only about getting a qualification, but also about preparing students for their future lives and careers. For example, an engineering student who studies business or communication may develop useful skills that can help them find better employment in the future. In addition, studying different subjects can make students more creative because they are exposed to different ideas and ways of thinking.

On the other hand, some people argue that students should give all their attention to their main subject. University courses can be difficult and require a considerable amount of time for lectures, assignments, research and examinations. If students spend too much time studying unrelated subjects, they may have less time to improve their knowledge in their chosen field. For instance, a medical student needs to study a large amount of scientific information and data, and spending too much time on other subjects could negatively affect their academic performance. Therefore, focusing on the main qualification can be important for achieving good results.

In my opinion, students should give priority to their main subject because obtaining a strong qualification is the main purpose of university education. However, I do not think that they should completely ignore other subjects. Studying an additional subject for a limited amount of time can improve their skills and make their education more useful.

In conclusion, although learning other subjects can provide students with broader knowledge and useful skills, focusing on the main qualification is more important. I believe that students should balance both, while giving most of their time and attention to their main field of study.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, such as the example of an engineering student gaining business skills versus the intense demands of a medical degree. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced exploration of how these two approaches might be integrated in practice, rather than just stating they should be balanced. Overall, the task is fully addressed with relevant and supported arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. The use of linking words is consistent and does not feel mechanical, contributing to a coherent and easy-to-follow argument throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses relevant academic terminology such as 'qualification', 'academic performance', and 'field of study'. While the range is adequate, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would characterize a higher band. For instance, phrases like 'give all their attention' or 'make their education more useful' are clear but somewhat basic. Incorporating more precise academic vocabulary would enhance the lexical sophistication of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'If students spend too much time..., they may have less time...'. The punctuation is accurate, and there are very few grammatical errors. The writing is clear and error-free for the most part, which allows the reader to focus entirely on the content. To achieve a higher score, the student could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as inversion or more advanced relative clauses.

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

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