Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-19
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)
The topic of university subject has become a widely discussed issue in recent years. Some people believe that Some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects, whereas others argue that it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. This essay will examine both views before reaching a conclusion.
On the one hand, many people believe that some undergraduates prefer to learn other subjects instead of their main subjects. One key reason behind this viewpoint is that learners wants to gathered different knowledges, Which can have a significant effect on upgrade their academic ability. Additionally, supporters of this view is that some student do better in other subjects rather than their major. Evidence from many private universities shows that they give opportunities to students learning extra subjects besides their main subjects, demonstrating the benefits of this approach.
On the other hand, it is often argued that students should give more time and attention to studying for qualification. One main reason for this opinion is that they will become more skillful. This is mainly because they learn with high concentration and try to give their best performance, which can ultimately lead to increasing the opportunities of success in career. Furthermore, supporters contend that learners can easily achieve higher score, directly influencing the ability of pupils to enhance their reputation in academic life.
In conclusion, after examining both perspective, I am convinced that it is most important to give their best in studying for a qualification is the most rational stance. While various dimension surround this issue, the analysis above makes it clear that this view holds true, primarily because learners have high-possibility to get promotion in their career and also academic platform. Therefore, this remains most practical path forward.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on whether university students should learn extra subjects or focus solely on their qualifications, and the writer provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. For example, when discussing the first view, the writer states that learners want to 'gathered different knowledges' to upgrade academic ability, but this point remains under-developed without strong specific examples. The conclusion clearly restates the writer's stance. Overall, the response meets the criteria for Band 6 as it addresses all parts of the task with relevant, though slightly under-developed, ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear four-paragraph structure. Standard cohesive devices are used to signal transitions, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical. For instance, the sentence structure in the second paragraph features awkward linking, such as 'Additionally, supporters of this view is that some student do better...', where referencing breaks down. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the two opposing views, and the conclusion, justifying a Band 6 score for logical progression and paragraphing control.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common phrases like 'academic ability' and 'high concentration'. However, there are noticeable lexical and word-form errors that detract from precision. Examples include 'gathered different knowledges' (knowledge is uncountable) and 'high-possibility' instead of 'a high probability'. Furthermore, repetition of words like 'subjects', 'students', and 'view' restricts the lexical range. Despite these inaccuracies, the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main arguments, making a Band 5.5 or 6.0 appropriate. Given the successful communication, a score of 6.0 is awarded.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and conditional-style logic. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors that occasionally impede fluency. Examples of errors include subject-verb agreement issues ('learners wants', 'supporters of this view is', 'some student do'), incorrect verb forms ('students learning' instead of 'students to learn' or 'students learn'), and punctuation/fragment issues such as 'Which can have a significant effect'. While complex structures are attempted, they are frequently faulty. These persistent errors place the grammar firmly in the Band 5 category.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.