Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-02

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 6.0)

Some university students believe that they should learn other subjects in addition to their main subjects, while others think that it is more important to concentrate only on the main subjects. This essay will discuss both views. In my opinion, although concentration on your main subjects is necessary, studying other subjects is also important for learning something new apart from the main subject, which can be beneficial in the job market.

On the one hand, some people believe that students should study only their main subjects. The main reason is that managing classes, assignment, quizzes and exam is very difficult and it requires a lot of effort. studying unrelated subjects can distract them from their main courses. For example, an engineering student studying and completing their projects before the deadlines is quite hard. Therefore, students should concentrate only on their main subjects rather than unrelated courses which can give them a tough time later.

On the other hand, other argue that students should study other subjects in addition to their main subjects. One of the most important reason is that studying other subjects increases your knowledge and skills. An engineering students who studied business or communication may become better in handling projects and can work in tough situations. In addition, studying other subjects improve the profile of a student and it increases the chances of getting jobs. For example, many universities preferred those students who actually study other subjects with their main subjects and have some extracurricular activities.

In conclusion, although focusing only on their main subjects and achieving their qualification have benefits, studying other subjects with their main subjects increases their knowledge and skill more. I believe that students should maintain a strong focus on their main field while also spending some time studying other relevant subjects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The essay addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the pressure of academic workload versus the benefits of a broader skill set for employability. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the example regarding engineering students is a good start but could be expanded to explain exactly how business knowledge aids in 'tough situations'. The position is consistent throughout, though the supporting arguments could benefit from more depth to reach a higher band. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two opposing views. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In addition' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, some transitions are a bit mechanical, and there is occasional repetition of phrases like 'studying other subjects' and 'main subjects'. The progression of ideas is clear, but the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and better referencing to avoid repetitive phrasing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. You use some topic-specific terms like 'job market', 'extracurricular activities', and 'qualification'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a tendency to repeat basic vocabulary such as 'subjects' and 'studying'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms or collocations. For example, instead of 'studying other subjects', you could use 'pursuing multidisciplinary studies' or 'broadening one's academic horizons'. There are no significant spelling errors, and the meaning is always clear, which supports a solid band 6.0 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate and communication is never impeded, there are some recurring errors. For example, 'other argue' should be 'others argue', and 'an engineering students' should be 'an engineering student'. Additionally, there are minor issues with subject-verb agreement and pluralization. While you attempt complex sentences, they are not always perfectly controlled. To reach a higher band, focus on eliminating these small slips and increasing the variety of complex structures, such as using more conditional or passive constructions.

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

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