Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-05

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)

In recent years, there is a growing debate about whether students should devote all their time and concentration to their main course subjects. Some believe that learners should also focus on other fields subjects in addition to their main subjects, while others argue that they should focus and spend all their time and attention to studying for a degree. Although, studying other courses books may have some benefits, I believe that relying on those subjects which have direct impact on qualification should be given more importance.

There are several reasons for learning other subjects. One of the main reasons, is that it increases the knowledge and basic understanding of other fields which may have a connection with relevant subjects. For example, law students have appeal in accounting may help to understand the corporate work. Furthermore, basic understanding of those subjects which could not have effects on qualification may be helpful in critical thinking and looking things with different angles.

On the other side, have a habit of studying other subjects may effects the main study. In result, educators may face low grades in exams and quizes. This is because, in universities, there are a lot of pressure of assignments, presentations and vivas which hardly allows to participate in other activities. Moreover, the primary objective of students is to complete their studies with good grades to target better jobs and to secure their future. Therefore providing a time and full concentration to course related subjects is much necessary.

In conclusion, I believe that learning other subjects in free time or in a semester break developed the understanding and increases the skill of critical thinking but its more important to devote all their time in preparing main subjects to get good grades in exams.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention that learning other subjects helps with critical thinking, the explanation remains superficial. For instance, the example of 'law students have appeal in accounting' is unclear and lacks sufficient detail to fully support your point. To reach a higher band, ensure that your supporting arguments are more thoroughly explained and that your examples are more relevant and clearly articulated. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, which is a positive aspect of your writing.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'On the other side', and 'In conclusion' to link your ideas. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions. For example, 'In result' is an incorrect collocation; 'As a result' would be more appropriate. Additionally, some sentences feel disjointed due to grammatical errors. Improving the variety and accuracy of your linking words will help create a smoother progression of ideas throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. You rely on basic terms like 'good grades' and 'other subjects' repeatedly. There are also some issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'have appeal in accounting' and 'providing a time'. To improve, you should aim to use more academic collocations and precise terminology related to education and professional development. Expanding your vocabulary to include more sophisticated synonyms will help you express your ideas with greater clarity and impact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede readability. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'there is a growing debate', 'other fields subjects'), incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'may effects the main study'), and missing articles. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. While your meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy and ensuring correct verb-tense usage will significantly improve your score.

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