Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-18
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)
### Essay
Nowadays, university students have access to a wide range of subjects beyond their main field of study. While some students believe that learning additional subjects can provide valuable knowledge and skills, others argue that they should focus entirely on obtaining their qualifications. This essay will discuss both views, and I believe that students should maintain a balance between their main studies and other areas of interest.
On the one hand, concentrating fully on a main subject can help students achieve better academic results. University courses often require considerable time for attending lectures, completing assignments and preparing for examinations. If students spend too much time studying unrelated subjects, they may find it difficult to keep up with their main course. For example, an engineering student who spends several hours every week studying unrelated subjects may have less time to practise technical skills or complete important projects. Therefore, focusing on a qualification can be particularly important for students who want to enter competitive professions.
On the other hand, learning subjects outside one's main field can provide several advantages. Firstly, it can help students develop a broader understanding of the world and improve skills that may be useful in their future careers. For instance, an engineering student who learns basic business management or communication skills may find it easier to work in a company or eventually manage a team. Secondly, studying different subjects can encourage creativity because students are exposed to different ideas and ways of thinking. In today's job market, employers often value candidates who possess both specialist knowledge and transferable skills.
In my opinion, university students should primarily focus on their main qualification, but they should also spend a reasonable amount of time exploring other subjects. Completely ignoring other areas of knowledge may limit their personal and professional development, while spending too much time on them could negatively affect their academic performance. For example, a computer science student could focus mainly on programming while spending a few hours each week learning communication, business or psychology.
In conclusion, although giving full attention to a qualification can lead to stronger academic performance, studying additional subjects can broaden students' knowledge and improve their future career prospects. Therefore, I believe that a balanced approach is the most beneficial for university students.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—focusing entirely on a qualification versus learning additional subjects—and presents a clear, well-developed position throughout the essay. The introduction clearly outlines the two perspectives and states the writer's opinion. The body paragraphs are well-constructed, offering logical reasons and relevant examples, such as the engineering and computer science students. The ideas are extended and supported effectively, satisfying the requirements for a high band score under Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
Ideas are logically sequenced, with a clear progression from the introduction through the body paragraphs to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt. Cohesive devices are managed well without being overly mechanical or intrusive, utilizing markers like 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In my opinion' effectively to guide the reader through the essay's structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Less common items such as 'competitive professions,' 'transferable skills,' and 'professional development' are used naturally and with a good awareness of collocation. Word choice is precise, and there are virtually no inaccuracies throughout the 378-word response, indicating a strong command of lexical resources.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
A wide variety of complex sentence structures is used effectively and accurately throughout the response. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, demonstrating excellent control over grammar, punctuation, and clause subordination. Examples of complex phrasing, such as 'If students spend too much time studying unrelated subjects, they may find it difficult to keep up with their main course,' illustrate high-level grammatical flexibility with only very rare, minor imperfections.
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