Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-15
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 7.5)
Some university students believe that they should study additional subjects alongside their main degree in order to broaden their knowledge and skills. Others argue that students should focus entirely on their core subjects so that they can achieve a strong qualification. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe that studying a combination of subjects is more beneficial for students’ overall development.
On the one hand, studying only the main subject allows students to concentrate fully on their qualification. This is because university courses are often demanding, and focusing on one area helps students gain deeper understanding and achieve higher academic results. As a result, students may perform better in exams and become more competitive in their chosen careers. For example, a medical student who spends all their time studying medicine is more likely to develop strong clinical knowledge and practical skills compared to someone who divides their attention between multiple subjects. Therefore, focusing entirely on one subject can lead to greater expertise and better career preparation.
On the other hand, learning additional subjects alongside the main course can be highly beneficial for students. This is because it allows them to develop a wider range of skills and knowledge that may be useful in the future. For instance, a business student who also studies communication or information technology can improve their teamwork and digital skills, which are highly valued in the modern workplace. Moreover, studying different subjects can help students think more creatively and adapt more easily to different professional environments. Therefore, taking extra subjects can enhance both personal and professional development.
In conclusion, although focusing only on the main subject can help students achieve strong academic results and specialised knowledge, I believe that studying additional subjects is more beneficial overall. This is because it helps students develop a broader skill set and better prepares them for the diverse demands of the modern job market.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples such as the medical student and the business student to support the arguments. The position is consistent throughout the essay, from the introduction to the conclusion. To reach a higher band, the student could further extend the analysis by exploring the potential drawbacks of the 'additional subjects' approach or the long-term societal benefits of a broader education, which would demonstrate a deeper level of critical thinking.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'For instance', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different arguments. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms like 'core subjects', 'specialised knowledge', 'professional environments', and 'modern job market'. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys meaning clearly, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a band 8 or 9. The word choices are safe and functional, which is effective but could be elevated by incorporating more precise collocations or nuanced academic terminology.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional-like structures ('if... can...') and relative clauses ('which are highly valued...'). The writing is largely error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. The sentences are well-constructed, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. To achieve a higher score, the student could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence patterns, such as inversion or more sophisticated passive constructions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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