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. You clearly discuss both views and provide a personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant, such as the mention of 'cognitive condition' and the 'competitive edge' in the job market. The personal example regarding learning Chinese is a strong addition that supports your argument well. To reach a higher band, ensure that the discussion of the opposing view is as equally developed as your own position. Currently, the arguments are well-supported, but some points, such as 'cognitive condition', could be explained in more detail to fully demonstrate the benefits of interdisciplinary study.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices like 'However', 'Moreover', and 'Hence' to link your thoughts effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary the way you introduce your points and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'that', 'this') is always precise to avoid any ambiguity in the reader's mind regarding what is being referred to.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'competitive edge', 'fundamentally shape', and 'mandatory courses' are used effectively. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'university scholars' (usually 'students') and 'it's history' (should be 'its'). Additionally, 'cognitive condition' is a slightly awkward collocation in this context. To move into the higher bands, focus on using less common lexical items more naturally and ensure that word choice is consistently accurate for the specific academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'studying for a qualifications' (should be 'a qualification' or 'qualifications'), 'foundation which are required' (should be 'is required'), and 'students' memorize' (should be 'students to memorize'). Punctuation is generally fine, though there are some minor issues with comma usage. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and pluralization to improve your accuracy.

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

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