Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Many higher education student think it is important to learn other subject as well which is not linking to their field of interest. whilst other believe focus on main subject. In my opinion, study out of box is more crucial in the future and advancement on technology.

On the one hand, subject which is related to you field and depending on these subject is not a good trade. Getting command on specific topic will relay on one domain and never try different areas out of the topic. For example, many people are expert in their desire field and they are working more than 10 to 12 years on same area however, they do not know about any other subject because they never learn new subject that is the main reason they cannot shift their field.

On the other hand, people who give extra efforts to getting knowledge far more helpful in the future. Technology has significant enhancement in today`s world. People who are extra genius get more jobs due to they learn extra field and they know how to work it. For instance, many developers are not computer science background but still they are working as a software developer just because they learn out of the context and more stills more high pay.

I totally agree with this idea that student should learn more subject in their academic rather than learning main subject.

In the conclusion, graduate student focus more and more subject to get extra benefit and get decent jobs. Furthermore, stuck in the limited subject get lower change in job market.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention the benefits of learning extra subjects, the arguments are repetitive and lack depth. For instance, the example regarding software developers is relevant but could be explained more clearly to show how learning 'out of context' specifically aids career progression. To improve, ensure that each paragraph provides a distinct, well-supported argument rather than restating the same point in different ways. The conclusion is also quite brief and does not fully synthesize the points made in the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' to signal shifts in perspective. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the logical progression is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing. For example, the transition between the introduction and the first body paragraph is abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is unclear, such as the phrase 'depending on these subject is not a good trade,' which makes it difficult to follow the intended meaning. Improved use of linking words and clearer sentence connections would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. You rely on simple, repetitive language, such as 'extra,' 'subject,' and 'good.' There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'study out of box' (should be 'thinking outside the box') and 'stills more high pay' (likely meant 'skills lead to higher pay'). To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more academic collocations and precise terminology related to education and the job market, while ensuring that your word choices are accurate and natural in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'student think'), article usage (e.g., 'in the future and advancement on technology'), and awkward sentence construction (e.g., 'stuck in the limited subject get lower change'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed correctly will significantly improve your score.

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

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