Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

Some university students prefer concentrating their efforts on their major subjects while others are more open to studying different minor courses. The former group argues for the importance of specialization in a world where knowledge is expanding at an unprecedented pace. However, I agree with the latter group since interdisciplinary knowledge is crucial in a world facing increasingly complex challenges.

Students who opt for focusing only on courses related to their degree view other subject materials as a distraction and a waste of time and effort. They believe that as the boundaries of knowledge in one field are expanding at an accelerating speed, it is becoming more difficult to get exposed to other areas, and doing so at university might jeopardize their academic performance in compulsory courses. Besides, they think that delving into one specific area may help them become specialists who can compete for positions in the job market requiring more articulate expertise. Overall, their opinion is that the borders between fields ought to remain intact.

On the other hand, other students find it important to invest their time at university to get to know about other fields, so they can make wiser decisions regarding career options and be prepared for modern challenges whose resolutions require interdisciplinary discourse. In my opinion, taking minor courses in other disciplines at university can foster understanding between professionals of different backgrounds in the workforce. The number of research collaborations between natural and social scientists is increasing, where they explore challenging avenues such as the epigenetic changes observed in survivors of war trauma.

To conclude, while the preference of some university students to refrain from studying subjects other than their majors has valid reasons, current global challenges require less strict borders between specialists in order to be solved. Multi-disciplinary training at university, to my mind, will help young people tap into emerging issues that not only pose ethical questions but more often ethical ones.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the discussion on interdisciplinary discourse and the example of research collaborations between natural and social scientists. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the conclusion could be more robust; the final sentence contains a slight confusion regarding 'ethical questions' which slightly weakens the clarity of the final argument. However, the overall task response is strong and fully addresses the requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'The former group', 'However', and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different perspectives. The flow of information is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The use of cohesive devices is generally flexible and accurate, contributing to a coherent and easy-to-follow argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is varied and appropriate for an academic context. You demonstrate the ability to use less common lexical items such as 'unprecedented pace', 'interdisciplinary', 'jeopardize', and 'articulate expertise'. The collocations are generally natural, and the tone is consistently formal. There is a minor slip in the conclusion where you repeat 'ethical' twice in a slightly confusing manner, but this does not impede communication. Overall, the range is sufficient to convey precise meanings and demonstrates a good level of sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of relative clauses and conditional-like structures. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is solid. There are occasional minor slips, such as the phrasing 'more often ethical ones' in the final sentence, which is slightly awkward. However, these errors are infrequent and do not interfere with the reader's understanding. The grammatical control is consistent, and the range of structures used is appropriate for this level.

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