Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-17

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 7.5)

University students have different opinions about whether they should explore subjects outside their main field of study or devote all of their time to obtaining their qualification. While focusing exclusively on a degree can help students achieve strong academic results, I believe that studying additional subjects can provide valuable skills and a broader perspective.

On the one hand, concentrating entirely on one's major can have several advantages. University qualifications often require students to acquire extensive knowledge and complete demanding assignments, examinations and projects. Therefore, spending most of their time on their main subject may enable students to understand complex concepts more thoroughly and achieve higher grades. This can be particularly important in fields such as medicine, engineering and computer science, where students need specialised knowledge to pursue professional careers. For example, a medical student who spends additional hours studying anatomy and pharmacology may develop a stronger understanding of these subjects and perform better in examinations.

On the other hand, learning subjects beyond one's major can help students develop a wider range of knowledge and transferable skills. Subjects such as communication, psychology, economics or computer science can complement a student's main area of study and make them more adaptable in the workplace. In addition, university is not only a place to obtain a qualification but also an opportunity to explore different interests. For instance, a business student who takes a course in data analysis may later be able to use analytical tools to make better business decisions, giving them skills that are useful across different careers.

In my opinion, although students should give sufficient attention to their main qualification, they should not completely ignore other areas of education. A balanced approach is more beneficial because it allows students to develop expertise in their chosen field while also gaining additional knowledge and practical skills. Universities should therefore encourage students to take a limited number of relevant courses outside their major without allowing these subjects to interfere with their core studies.

In conclusion, focusing solely on a qualification can help students develop specialised knowledge and achieve strong academic results, whereas studying additional subjects can broaden their knowledge and improve their versatility. I believe that maintaining a reasonable balance between the two approaches is the most beneficial option for university students.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—focusing entirely on a main qualification versus learning about other subjects—and clearly stating a personal opinion throughout the response. The position is well-developed, with logical reasons and relevant examples provided for each perspective, such as referencing specialized fields like medicine and the practical application of data analysis in business. The ideas are fully extended and supported, meeting the criteria for a high band. There are no omissions or under-developed arguments, showing an excellent command of task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression from introduction to conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt (advantages of focusing on the major, benefits of studying other subjects, and the student's balanced opinion). Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'In addition', and 'In my opinion' are used naturally and flexibly to guide the reader through the argument. Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring that ideas flow smoothly without noticeable mechanical faults.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and wide range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion, including less common items and collocations such as 'transferable skills', 'specialised knowledge', 'complex concepts', and 'adaptable in the workplace'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate and natural, allowing for precise expression of ideas. Although there are no major lexical errors, the vocabulary occasionally remains at a standard academic level rather than exhibiting the absolute flexibility or sophisticated control typical of a Band 8 or 9. Nevertheless, the range easily satisfies the Band 7 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide variety of complex structures used accurately, such as conditional clauses, relative clauses, and participial phrases (e.g., 'giving them skills that are useful across different careers' and 'without allowing these subjects to interfere with their core studies'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation throughout. There are only very occasional, minor slips that do not impede communication in any way. The grammatical range and accuracy strongly support the higher band achievement.

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