Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-07
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)
It is often argued that university students should broaden their education by studying subject out of their field, while others believe that students should give their time on studying their primary qualification. Although studying several subjects can provide some benefits, I believe that students should give their greater priority to their main area of study.
On the one hand, studying beyond one's field is highly beneficial. It can help broaden their knowledge in different field and get various idea and creativity. They can get an additional skill to deal with their studies and research more for the knowledge. For instance, medical students can understand their patients emotions and behaviour more if they study psychology.
On the other hand, there are also strong reasons why students should concentrate more on studying on their main subject. Students have a limited time except their university time so, they may not get a time to revise it. In addition, to get a better academic peformance and strong professional knowledge, concentration is most important which may not be possible if students focus on the out field. For example, students pursuing professional degrees such as medicines or engineering need to spend considerable time developing specialised knowledge and practical skills.
Concluding, although learning additional subjects can broaden their skills and knowledge, i believe that their main qualification should remai their primar
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of development. The conclusion is incomplete, cutting off mid-sentence, which prevents a full summary of the position. While the ideas are relevant, they are somewhat underdeveloped due to the brevity of the response. To reach a higher band, you must ensure you meet the word count requirement and provide a fully realised conclusion that reinforces your main arguments.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with clear transitions like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. However, the abrupt ending disrupts the overall flow and coherence of the piece. Cohesive devices are used, but they are sometimes repetitive or slightly mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the lack of a finished conclusion means the essay lacks a sense of finality. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring all sections are complete will improve your score in this area.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You use some relevant terms like 'specialised knowledge' and 'professional degrees', but there are also instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'get various idea' (should be 'gain various ideas') and 'out field' (should be 'outside their field'). The range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic vocabulary. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and ensure your word forms are accurate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'studying subject out of their field' (missing article/pluralisation) and 'give their time on studying' (incorrect preposition). Punctuation is generally functional, but the incomplete final sentence is a significant error. There is a reasonable attempt at complex structures, but the frequency of minor errors prevents a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage to enhance your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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