Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-22

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 6.5)

Here is a clear **Band 7-level sample answer** with a straightforward structure and ideas you can reuse in the IELTS exam.

Some university students believe that they should study subjects outside their main field, while others argue that they should devote all their time to obtaining a qualification. Although focusing entirely on one subject can help students develop specialised knowledge, I believe that studying additional subjects can provide broader knowledge and useful skills.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why students may choose to concentrate solely on their main subject. University qualifications often require considerable time and effort, particularly in fields such as medicine, engineering and law. By focusing on their main subject, students can gain a deeper understanding of their field and achieve better academic results. In addition, spending time on unrelated subjects may reduce the amount of time available for assignments, examinations and practical training. For example, a medical student who spends a large amount of time studying unrelated subjects may have less time to develop the specialist knowledge required for their future profession.

On the other hand, studying additional subjects can also be highly beneficial. Firstly, it allows students to develop a wider range of knowledge and skills. For example, a business student who studies psychology may gain a better understanding of consumer behaviour and communication. Secondly, learning subjects outside one's main field can help students discover new interests and develop skills that may be useful in their future careers. In today's job market, employers often value skills such as communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, which can be developed through studying different subjects.

In my opinion, university students should focus primarily on their main qualification but should also have some time to study other subjects. This approach allows them to develop specialised knowledge without missing the opportunity to gain broader skills and knowledge.

In conclusion, while concentrating exclusively on a main subject can help students achieve academic success and expertise, studying additional subjects can provide valuable knowledge and transferable skills. Therefore, a balance between the two approaches is the most beneficial option.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that students should study subjects outside their main field and that they should focus entirely on obtaining a qualification—while also clearly stating the writer's opinion. The position is maintained consistently throughout the text. Ideas are well-extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the medical student focusing on specialist knowledge and the business student studying psychology to understand consumer behaviour. The arguments are logical, persuasive, and directly responsive to the prompt, aligning comfortably with the Band 7 descriptors for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

There is a clear logical organisation and progression throughout the essay. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the body paragraphs, a nuanced personal opinion paragraph, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'In addition', and 'Firstly' are used flexibly and appropriately to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is managed skilfully, ensuring the response is exceptionally easy to follow and meets all criteria for a Band 7 performance in Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items are used effectively with good awareness of style and collocation, such as 'specialised knowledge', 'practical training', 'consumer behaviour', and 'transferable skills'. Word choice is generally natural and accurate, although it stops just short of the wide, highly flexible range required for Band 8. Errors in spelling and word choice are virtually non-existent, ensuring communication is completely unimpeded, matching a solid Band 7 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The text showcases a wide variety of complex structures used with a high degree of control. The writer successfully employs conditional and concessive clauses, such as 'Although focusing entirely on one subject can help students develop specialised knowledge, I believe that...' and relative clauses like '...skills that may be useful in their future careers.' There are frequent error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. While the sentence structures are sophisticated and varied, a few more instances of highly idiomatic or structurally daring complex forms would be needed for a Band 8, placing this firmly at Band 7.

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

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