Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-20

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 6.5)

It is often argued that many university scholars wish to learn about other lessons alongside their original subjects, whereas others think a dedicated time and priority should be given to studying for a qualifications. I believe, students should be able to learn other subjects as it would increase their knowledge outside of the classroom.

Learning other subjects in addition to text books increases students' knowledge and thought process. They get additional ideas about topic that are not covered in traditional classroom syllabus. For example, they can learn a new language, about music and it's history or money management, which would develop their interest in vast areas. This works similar to extracurricular activities improving students' cognitive condition while still completing mandatory courses.

However, there are many students who think its more important to study for a degree which would fundamentally shape their future and so the entire time and focus should be given to that. There is no doubt that traditional classroom lessons create the foundation which are required to understand and learn basic things to prepare us for future labor market. Nevertheless, prioritizing only that would make students' memorize and put less emphasis on creative mindset. Moreover, when everyone is learning the same lesson, it becomes hard to differentiate themselves in the job market as everyone has the similar level of knowledge and qualification. Hence, additional lessons with regular subjects enhances one's creativity and knowledge about topics that differentiate them from others giving them more competitive edge. For example, i learnt basic Chinese as a non-credit course during my bachelors arranged by my department, which helped me land my first internship in a Chinese company who needed people understanding their language.

In conclusion, i firmly believe that, students should learn about other subjects while still completing mandatory courses as it gives the competitive advantage in the future labor market and enhances their knowledge capability.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the personal anecdote about learning Chinese. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development of the counter-argument could be slightly more nuanced; while the benefits of specialization are mentioned, the argument could delve deeper into the academic necessity of deep focus versus the breadth of general knowledge. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

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 theme. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Moreover', and 'Hence' are used to guide the reader through the argument. While the progression is generally smooth, some transitions between sentences feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. The referencing is generally clear, though some minor improvements in the flow between the second and third paragraphs would enhance the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient to convey ideas clearly and with some precision. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'mandatory courses', 'competitive edge', and 'labor market'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'cognitive condition' (which is slightly unnatural) and 'text books' (should be one word). The range is adequate for the task, though the use of less common idiomatic or academic collocations is somewhat limited. The errors present do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'a qualifications' (article error), 'it's history' (incorrect possessive), and 'students' memorize' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is generally functional, though there are some issues with capitalization (e.g., 'i' instead of 'I'). While complex structures are attempted, the frequency of minor errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. However, these errors rarely impede the reader's understanding of the intended meaning.

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

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