Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-23

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)

Some university students prefer to study subjects outside their main field, while others believe that they should devote all of their time to obtaining a qualification. Both approaches have their own advantages, but I believe that students should maintain a balance between their major subject and other areas of study.

On the one hand, focusing entirely on a degree can help students achieve better academic results. University courses often contain a large amount of information, and students need sufficient time to attend lectures, complete assignments and prepare for examinations. Giving full attention to their main subject can also help them develop specialised knowledge, which may be essential for their future careers. For example, a medical student needs to spend considerable time studying subjects such as anatomy and pharmacology because a strong understanding of these areas is necessary to become a qualified doctor.

On the other hand, studying additional subjects can provide students with a broader range of knowledge and skills. Modern workplaces often require people to have skills that go beyond their main academic qualification. For instance, an engineering student who learns basic programming and communication skills may have more opportunities in the technology industry. Furthermore, learning about different subjects can help students discover new interests and develop a more flexible way of thinking. These skills can be particularly useful when graduates enter a competitive job market.

In my opinion, students should primarily focus on their main qualification but should also spend a reasonable amount of time learning other subjects. Completely ignoring additional areas of knowledge may limit a student's skills, whereas spending too much time on unrelated subjects could negatively affect their academic performance. Therefore, a balanced approach is the most practical solution.

In conclusion, concentrating on a main subject can help students gain specialised knowledge and achieve their qualifications, while studying other subjects can broaden their skills and improve their career opportunities. I believe that students should prioritise their main degree while making some time for additional learning.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—focusing solely on a qualification versus learning additional subjects—and clearly presents a well-developed personal opinion. The writer skillfully extends ideas with relevant examples, such as the medical student focusing on anatomy and the engineering student acquiring programming skills. The position is maintained logically and consistently throughout the entire essay, culminating in a coherent conclusion that aligns directly with the initial stance. The arguments are sound, well-reasoned, and meet all the requirements of an academic task effectively. There are no missing components, and the development of ideas is thorough, justifying a strong band score for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced, and there is a clear progression throughout the essay. The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, separate body paragraphs addressing each perspective, a dedicated paragraph for the writer's opinion, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Therefore' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Reference words are handled well, avoiding ambiguity. While the formatting and paragraphing are clean and straightforward, the level of organizational control easily fulfills the criteria for a high band without exhibiting any mechanical faults.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic context. Expressions like 'specialised knowledge', 'competitive job market', 'practical solution', and 'academic performance' show a good command of collocation and style. Less common items are integrated naturally without awkwardness. Although the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated or rare throughout, it is precise, accurate, and fully adequate for conveying complex ideas. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate, with only very minor limits in range preventing it from reaching the highest tier.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional and participial constructions (e.g., 'Giving full attention to their main subject can also help them develop specialised knowledge, which may be essential for their future careers'). The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high level of control over grammar and punctuation. Errors are extremely rare and do not impede communication in any way. The grammatical range is varied and flexible, allowing the writer to express nuanced arguments fluently and accurately.

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