Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Nowdays, many students learns the subjects for their qualification and also requires extra knowledge by the learning of extra or co-curricular subjects through it.

Some students opine that they wish to study additional subjects apart from their main subjects whereas, other students postulate that studying about the main subjects only which are required for qualification is necessary. So, in the forthcoming paragraphs I have discussed both the views and also included my opinion at the end.

Firstly, commencing with the first view the students who wish to study the additional subjects are beneficial in every aspects to each individuals in different ways. By the addition of other subjects other than the main subject will help the students to cover a wide knowledge and gain expertise over that subject through proper learning of it. The additional subjects will help the students to gain knowledge and also help in their main subject learning by various ways and all this will give an edge to their studies and knowledge. Like the study of physical education by the students can help gain not only knowledge but also some helpful tips for their day to day activities from this education.

Secondly, the students who view the other subjects are not necessary for their qualification are beneficial to many students. The merits by studying or learning only the main subjects which are required for their qualification will enhance the student's focus and expertise into the core subjects. By studying the core or required subjects will have proper knowledge and gain only the required skills which are useful for the specific qualification. Like wise, a student who is learning main subjects will have proper edge and skills will be developed according the qualifications gained through it.

As per my opinion, learning about the additional subjects will help the students to gain extra knowledge and will get helpful to them in any way rather be in studies or any other activities. Also the learning of other subjects will help them create a different mindset all together in studies and co-curricular activities. For example, students learning about the General knowledge apart from the main subjects will help them gain extra knowledge and learn about the general view of the country, their news and so creating a wide knowledge into the students mind.

To conclude, the learning of additional subjects will impart the students extra knowledge and skills in the way, also focusing on the core subjects will gain expertise in the specified qualification and learn the core skills through that.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt: it discusses both views and provides a clear opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat repetitive and lacks depth. For instance, the argument for additional subjects relies on vague phrases like 'gain expertise' without explaining how or why this occurs. The second body paragraph similarly repeats the idea of 'focus' and 'expertise' without providing concrete examples or logical progression. While the position is clear, the supporting points are somewhat generic and lack the analytical depth required for a higher band score. The conclusion is also quite brief and does not effectively synthesize the arguments presented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'To conclude', but they are sometimes used mechanically or incorrectly. For example, the transition 'Like wise' is used to introduce a point that is actually a restatement of the previous paragraph's argument rather than a comparison. Additionally, some sentences lack logical flow, such as the opening sentence which is grammatically fragmented and confusing. While there is an overall progression, the relationship between ideas is sometimes strained due to awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There is a reliance on basic, repetitive terms such as 'subjects', 'knowledge', and 'qualification'. Some word choices are unnatural or incorrect, such as 'postulate that studying about the main subjects' and 'the students who wish to study the additional subjects are beneficial'. The phrase 'in any way rather be in studies' is also awkward. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise collocations and a wider range of academic vocabulary to express your ideas more fluently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('many students learns'), incorrect preposition usage ('by the learning of'), and awkward sentence construction ('the students who view the other subjects are not necessary for their qualification are beneficial'). While there is an attempt to use complex sentences, these are often marred by errors, such as 'By the addition of other subjects other than the main subject will help...'. The punctuation is generally functional, but the overall control of grammar is inconsistent, preventing the essay from reaching a higher band.

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

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