Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

In recent years, it has been observed that many university students prefer to study other subjects apart from their main field. Some people argue that college students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects, while others believe that it is more important to give all their time and attention to the main subjects for a qualification. In my opinion, university students should give equal attention to the main subjects along with other subjects outside their main field for a better future.

On the one hand, the knowledge of other subjects outside their main field contributes to the overall development of the students. This allows the students to gain knowledge about various fields and may increase the opportunities in the future. For example, if a student with a computer science background studies about finance, they may get an opportunity to work as a financial analyst in a fintech company. Additionally, learning about other subjects allows students to develop innovative technologies. If an artificial intelligence student gains knowledge about cybersecurity, they may develop more advanced software to protect against various cyberattacks.

On the other hand, critics argue that dedicating all their time and attention to the core subjects is beneficial to those who want to make a better career in the main field. If a student dedicates most of their time to the main subjects, they can build core knowledge and deeper understanding about their field. They may also compete with others to get a better job in the future. Furthermore, courses such as accounting, engineering, and biology require strong analytical skills, deeper understanding and knowledge. A student can develop greater knowledge and problem solving skills by spending the most of their time studying the core subjects. This can also help a student to get better grades in academics.

In conclusion, studying other subjects outside the main field helps to develop innovative technologies and may provide a wide range of opportunities. However, dedicating all their time to the main field can help students to gain deeper knowledge and get better grades. A balanced approach works best where students should give an equal amount of time and attention to the main subjects along with other subjects of their interest for their better future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

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 specific examples, such as the computer science student learning finance or the AI student studying cybersecurity. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments. To reach a higher band, the development of the 'main subjects' argument could be slightly more nuanced, perhaps by exploring the concept of 'specialization' versus 'breadth' in a more academic tone, but the current level of development is solid and meets the requirements for a Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Additionally,' and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to link ideas. While the flow is logical, the transition between the two body paragraphs could be slightly more sophisticated to improve the overall cohesion. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the clarity of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses relevant terminology like 'fintech,' 'cybersecurity,' and 'analytical skills.' There is an attempt to use a range of vocabulary, though some phrasing is slightly repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'time and attention' and 'main subjects.' To achieve a higher band, the student should aim for more varied synonyms and collocations to demonstrate a wider range of lexical flexibility. However, the meaning is always clear, and there are no significant errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and the punctuation is generally correct. There are occasional minor errors, such as 'studies about finance' (should be 'studies finance') and 'make a better career' (should be 'build a better career'). Despite these minor slips, the grammar does not impede communication. The student shows a good command of complex structures, such as the conditional sentences used in the second paragraph, which helps to convey the intended meaning clearly.

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