Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-21
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)
Students have different opinions about university subjects . Some say that apart from the main course, additional subjects which intrigue the students should also be made a part of the university curriculum whilst others believe that only the main subjects which are essential for the degree should be focused on. In this essay I will discuss both views and at the end also give my take.
Firstly, students who stress on additional subjects in university may be due to the possible benefits which they believe can be achieved by undertaking such steps. It could help improve a pupils performance. This is because as each student chooses additional subjects based on their interest it would help keep them motivated throughout the day. Especially if a student is not fond of a particular subject or module of the main course leading to better overall performance as they are most likely to study devoutly because they align with their interests. This would result in an improved GPA given the extra subjects contribute to the final grades.
However, many believe that complete focus should be given on studying for the qualification and its relevant subject. They believe that by focusing on what is required it helps one to understand the concepts of the different subjects helping them to master their weaknesses and excel in the actual field which they want to pursue.
Overall, in my view I completely agree that additional subjects should be added as the main aim of university is to acquire knowledge and that extensive knowledge can benefit the students in the future. As it helps to keep them on track and even develop multiple skills which may benefit them especially as they become a part of the workforce in the future.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument for focusing only on main subjects is quite brief and lacks specific examples or deeper analysis. While the position is clear throughout, the essay would benefit from more detailed exploration of the implications of each view to reach a higher band. The conclusion is present but could be more robust in summarizing the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'However', and 'Overall' are used to guide the reader. However, the use of these devices is sometimes a bit mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to create a more natural, sophisticated connection between ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to convey their meaning clearly. There are attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'curriculum', 'qualification', and 'workforce'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a lack of more sophisticated or precise collocations. Some phrasing is repetitive, and the essay would benefit from a broader range of academic vocabulary to express ideas with more nuance and precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('students who stress on additional subjects... may be due to') and punctuation errors (missing commas). The control over complex structures is inconsistent. To improve, the student should focus on reducing these minor errors and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed with greater accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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