Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-14
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)
Fewer education department learners believe that they should learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. While others thought that it is most significant to provide all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. In this essay , I will discuss both the views and give my personal opinion.
On the one hand, student should want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. it is important because it enhance their knowledge. For example, a pupil is interested in music which is their additional subject so when this student gain information about this subject then they achieve their goal about the additional subject. It also reduce the stress and student should enjoy the additional subject because this subject is their favourite. Moreover, they don't feel stress and relax their mind.
On the other hand, it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. Firstly, the student can not distract by additional subject and only focus on their main subjects. In this way they perform the best result and success in their life. For instance, it is also help them in time saving because when they have only main subject then they have no any burden. Furthermore, they feel best and low stress about the study of another subject.
In conclusion, although I discuss both the views and both have the benefits . According to my point of view the learners should need to learn about additional subject because it increase their knowledge and they don't feel bore.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion in the conclusion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. For instance, the argument for additional subjects focuses almost exclusively on 'reducing stress' and 'gaining knowledge' without exploring broader academic or career benefits. Similarly, the counter-argument regarding focus is somewhat simplistic. To reach a higher band, you should provide more specific, well-developed examples and ensure that your arguments are fully extended rather than restated in different words. The introduction is also slightly weak in its opening statement, which does not accurately reflect the common debate.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Firstly', and 'Furthermore'. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical, and the flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed. For example, the transition between the introduction and the first body paragraph is abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is unclear, such as the use of 'they' in the second paragraph, which does not always clearly link back to the intended noun. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on basic terms like 'good', 'best', and 'important' repeatedly. There are also some issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'perform the best result' (should be 'achieve the best results') and 'no any burden' (should be 'no burden'). While the meaning is clear throughout, the lack of less common lexical items and the presence of minor errors in word formation limit the score. To improve, try to incorporate more academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repetition.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('student should want', 'it enhance their knowledge'), article usage ('the additional subject'), and sentence fragments or awkward phrasing ('While others thought that it is most significant...'). While these errors do not prevent communication, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall fluency. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed accurately without missing auxiliary verbs or prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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