Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-25

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 7.5)

Some university students believe that studying subjects beyond their main field can provide them with broader knowledge and useful skills. Others argue that students should devote all their time and attention to obtaining their main qualification. This essay will discuss both views, although I believe that studying additional subjects is more beneficial overall.

On the one hand, learning subjects outside a student's main field can provide a broader range of knowledge and skills. University education is not only about gaining a qualification; it can also help students become more adaptable and well-rounded individuals. For example, an engineering student who learns business or communication skills may be better prepared to manage projects or work with clients in the future. Moreover, studying different subjects can encourage students to think from different perspectives, which can be valuable in both their professional and personal lives.

On the other hand, there is a strong argument that students should concentrate primarily on their main subject. University qualifications often require a considerable amount of time, effort and specialised knowledge. If students divide their attention between too many subjects, they may struggle to achieve a high level of expertise in their chosen field. For instance, a medical student needs to devote substantial time to anatomy, biology and clinical studies, as these are directly related to their future profession. Therefore, focusing on their main qualification can help students develop deeper expertise and achieve better academic results.

In my opinion, however, students should maintain a balance between their main subject and other areas of study. While their qualification should remain their primary priority, learning an additional subject can broaden their knowledge, improve their skills and open up new opportunities. Therefore, I believe that a combination of specialised education and wider learning is the most effective approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You have clearly discussed both viewpoints—the benefits of broadening one's education versus the necessity of focusing on a main qualification—and provided a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, such as the example of the engineering student gaining business skills and the medical student needing deep focus. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the examples by explaining the long-term consequences of these choices, such as how a broader skill set might impact career longevity or adaptability in a changing job market.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the two opposing views is smooth. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'In my opinion' effectively to guide the reader. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the argument from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'adaptable and well-rounded individuals,' 'specialised knowledge,' and 'maintain a balance' are used accurately. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision. To improve, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. For instance, instead of 'useful skills,' you might use 'transferable competencies,' and instead of 'achieve better academic results,' you could use 'attain superior academic outcomes.' Overall, the word choice is natural and error-free.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If students divide their attention...') and concessive clauses ('While their qualification should remain...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with almost no errors in punctuation or syntax. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a hallmark of a high-scoring response. You maintain control over tense and subject-verb agreement throughout. The writing is clear and professional, and the grammatical structures used are appropriate for the task, contributing to the overall readability of the essay.

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