Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-22

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 6.0)

Nowadays, the university students prefer to study other subjects beyond their main field, whereas others believe that they should concentrate entirely on their qualification. Although, studying additional subjects can provide several benefits, I believe that students should primarily focus on their main subject while gaining some knowledge outside their field.

On the one hand, the major reason for learning other subjects can be beneficial for university students. This is because the knowledge of additional subjects helps students to develop their different skills and broaden their knowledge. For example, a computer science student who studies business or communication may develop better teamwork and communication skills. Therefore, studying additional subjects can prepare students for a wider range of opportunities.

On the other hand, some individuals believe that students should devote all their time and attention on learning their main academic subjects.Those helps students to gain in-depth knowledge, improve their academic performance, and become specialists in their chosen field.Moreover, this helps them to built up strong career opportunities for their future.However, the university courses can be demanding, and concentrating on one field allows students to gain deeper knowledge and

expertise. For instance, medical students need to spend considerable time on studying their core subjects to develop their skills for their required profession.

To conclude, while studying additional subjects can broadens students knowledge and skills, focusing on their main qualification is essential for developing expertise. Therefore, I believe students should prioritise their major time on their main academic course while spending some time on relevant additional subjects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the mention of computer science students developing soft skills versus the need for medical students to focus on core expertise. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat brief. While the position is clear, the arguments could be extended further to reach a higher band. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the two views, but the overall depth of analysis remains at a functional level rather than a fully developed one.

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', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'Therefore' are used to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally repetitive. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a solid band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempts at topic-specific language like 'in-depth knowledge', 'expertise', and 'academic performance'. There are minor errors in word form and collocation, such as 'broadens students knowledge' (should be 'broaden students' knowledge') and 'built up strong career opportunities' (should be 'build'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. The student uses common academic vocabulary effectively but does not demonstrate a wide range of less common lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'Those helps students' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'prioritise their major time' (awkward collocation). Punctuation is generally functional, though there are minor issues with spacing after periods. While the errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. The student demonstrates control over basic structures, but the accuracy of more complex attempts is inconsistent.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.