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)

Whilst many believe that tertiary students should dedicate all their time and focus on studying for a qualification, i firmly think that they should be able to study auxiliary subjects alongside their their core disciplines for better knowledge and career success.

On the one hand, the fundamental necessity of prioritizing core subjects at the university level is enormous. It creates foundation of their basic understanding which are mandatory regardless of their occupations. Moreover, the academic pressure is too high as students compete to get good grades in all semesters. If they are distracted with other unrelated subjects, it might affect their academic results putting their future at a great risk. For example, some students struggle to balance between elective and mandatory courses. Hence, many scholars prefer focusing on their core subjects to attain a good grade and subsequently a degree.

On the other hand, business and job sectors want fresh graduates who have vast knowledge beyond text books which come from additional learning aspects. Engaging in learning extra subjects enhances one's perspective and though process making them differentiate themselves in the labor market, providing a competitive edge. Furthermore, teaching them about digital marketing, money management, public speaking or simply a new language significantly improve their cognitive growth and future career opportunities. For instance, i learnt basic Chinese in three consecutive semesters as a non-credit course arranged by my department, which helped me land my first internship in a Chinese company. Thus, it opens up new doors for students' future while still learning fundamental courses.

In conclusion, although a dedicated time and attention to study for a degree is a fundamental requirement, i wholeheartedly believe that university students should include additional subjects and courses to better prepare them for future job market opportunities accordingly which typical textbooks cannot teach alone.

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 relevant and well-supported with 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 first viewpoint could be slightly more nuanced; while you mention academic pressure, expanding on how core subjects provide the necessary depth for professional expertise would strengthen the argument. Overall, the task is fully addressed with a logical flow of ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is appropriate, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is generally clear. To improve, ensure that the transition between sentences within paragraphs is even more seamless, as some connections feel slightly mechanical. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'core disciplines', 'labor market', and 'competitive edge' are used appropriately. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'though process' (thought process) and 'learning extra subjects' (which could be more academic, e.g., 'pursuing interdisciplinary studies'). While you attempt less common vocabulary, there is room for more sophisticated, academic collocations to elevate the tone. The vocabulary is adequate for the task and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'their their' (repetition), 'i' (should be capitalized), 'creates foundation' (missing article), and 'which are mandatory' (subject-verb agreement with 'foundation'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. To achieve a higher band, you should aim for more error-free sentences and ensure consistent control over articles and capitalization. The variety of structures is good, but increased accuracy in complex sentences is needed to reach the next level.

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

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