Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-12

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)

Most tertiary students aspire to gain knowledge on core curriculum electives regardless of their main courses. Some of them argue that learners should prioritise their time on current ongoing qualification attentively.

Mostly learners prioritise to gain professional development while continuing there studies, so they seek more opportunities to gain expertise in interdisciplinary skills. Moreover, they took part in activities or task that will help them stand out in the professional sector. Broader skills, creativity and adaptability for jobs. Although, it could be of many aspects of their thinking pattern, everyone has different goals to attain, so from their perspectives they can build their profile over a period on their career prospects. For instance, A computer science student taking businesses and communication courses can later become a tech manager.

Some students find it more significant to keep their focus mainly on their current higher education, despite of being distracted and get themselves involved in extracurricular activities. As a result, they could maintain their grades and gain expertise in their prospective field. For instance, Medical/ Engineering students needs to master core subjects to pass and get licensed splitting time could lower GPA.

From my perspective, the balance is necessary for both view points. The main subject should be the priority, so those who prefer to focus on their professional development while learning can be electives in soft skills, finance or languages, Therefore, it makes graduates more competitive.

In conclusion, while focusing on qualifications is essential, learning additional subjects helps students become more well-rounded. Universities should encourage both.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—learning multiple subjects versus focusing strictly on core qualifications—and provides a clear personal opinion. The student attempts to develop ideas, such as the example of a computer science student taking business courses, and highlights medical or engineering students needing strict focus. However, some arguments lack full development and clarity, particularly sentences like 'Broader skills, creativity and adaptability for jobs,' which are left as fragments or poorly integrated clauses. Additionally, the phrasing 'the balance is necessary for both view points' is slightly vague regarding how balance is achieved. Overall, the task is adequately addressed, aligning with the criteria for Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay displays a generally coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, body paragraphs addressing each viewpoint, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. However, cohesion is at times faulty and mechanical. For instance, the transition 'Moreover, they took part in activities or task' lacks smooth linkage, and referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the dangling phrase 'Although, it could be of many aspects of their thinking pattern.' Furthermore, cohesive devices like 'Therefore' are used abruptly in the final paragraph. Despite these mechanical flaws, the progression of ideas is discernible, supporting a Band 6.0 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting some less common words and phrases such as 'interdisciplinary skills', 'professional development', and 'well-rounded'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice, form, and collocation. Examples include 'priority to gain professional development while continuing there studies' (their), 'they took part' (take), and 'can be electives' (can take electives). While these errors do not impede overall communication, they prevent the lexical score from reaching a higher band, placing the response firmly at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and relative clauses. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and punctuation slips throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('Medical/ Engineering students needs'), incorrect prepositions ('focus mainly on their current higher education, despite of being distracted'), and tense inconsistencies ('they took part'). Complex structures are often somewhat faulty or strained. Because errors occur frequently but rarely impede overall communication, the response meets the descriptors for Band 5.5.

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

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