Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-31
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 to study subjects other than their main field, whereas others believe that they should concentrate entirely on their qualification. This essay will discuss both views. In my opinion, students should mainly focus on their major subject, although studying additional subjects can provide useful skills and knowledge.
On the one hand, studying additional subjects can be beneficial for university students. Learning different areas can help students develop a wider range of knowledge and skills. For example, a pharmacy student may study business management or computer science in addition to pharmacy. These skills could help the student manage a pharmacy or use technology effectively in the workplace. Furthermore, studying different subjects can make students more flexible and improve their ability to understand different perspectives.
On the other hand, some people believe that students should concentrate entirely on their main subject. University qualifications often require students to learn a large amount of specialised information, so dividing their attention between several subjects may reduce the time available for their major. For instance, medical or pharmacy students need to study many complex topics before they can qualify for their profession. By concentrating on their main course, they may achieve better academic results and develop stronger professional knowledge.
In conclusion, studying additional subjects can provide students with broader knowledge and useful skills, while focusing on a main qualification can help them develop specialised expertise. In my view, students should give priority to their main subject but can also spend a limited amount of time learning other subjects that are relevant to their future careers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the example of a pharmacy student needing business skills versus the need for deep technical knowledge in medical fields. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development could be slightly more nuanced, perhaps by exploring the long-term career implications of these choices in greater depth, but the current level of support is sufficient for a strong score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the benefits of breadth to the necessity of depth, and finally to a balanced synthesis. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The flow is smooth and the structure is easy to follow throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'specialised information', 'professional knowledge', and 'develop a wider range of knowledge' demonstrate a good command of language. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate it to the highest bands. However, the word choice is consistently precise, and there are no errors that impede communication or cause confusion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Grammatical control is strong, with very few errors noted. The use of conditional and modal structures (e.g., 'could help', 'may reduce') is accurate and adds nuance to the arguments. Punctuation is handled correctly, and the sentence construction is generally error-free. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical accuracy is high, supporting clear communication of the writer's ideas throughout the response.
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