Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-30
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)
Studying other subjects in addition to main subjects is increasingly becoming popular by some university students. Some people believe it is essential to give all their time and attention to their main studies. I believe with proper time management studying other subjects gives flexibilty in their future career.
Completing extra courses in addition to main subjects can boost their profile when looking for a job. Some profession can require additonal criterias than the main qualification and this can force students to take extra subjects. For instance, a computer science student who took additional business subject can have better job opportunites in financial companies. So studying additional courses can give them flexibility in finding new job.
In contrast, it is important important to spend all their time and energy for their main qualification. Some hard programmes suchas engineering classes require maximum efforts from students and this makes students to only focus on their main programme. For this reason students need to sacrifice their time and attention on their main subjects. In my opinion with proper time management taking additional subject can create better job opportunity in the future.
In conclusion, Although learning other subjects is difficult, with proper time management its is worthwhile for future job opportu
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response addresses both views required by the prompt—exploring the benefits of studying other subjects alongside a main discipline and the counter-argument that total focus on the main qualification is necessary. A clear personal opinion is stated in the introduction and reinforced in the body. However, the length requirement has not been met, as the response contains only 206 words, falling significantly short of the 250-word minimum. This under-length impacts the depth of development, leaving the ideas somewhat concise and lacking fully elaborated examples. Additionally, the essay trails off unfinished at the very end ('opportu...'). Therefore, Task Achievement is limited by the word count deficiency and incomplete ending, placing it at a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The essay displays a logical overall arrangement with clear introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs, although the conclusion is abruptly cut off. Paragraphing is attempted appropriately to separate contrasting views, such as using 'In contrast' to transition to the opposing argument. Cohesive devices are used, including phrases like 'For instance' and 'For this reason', though referencing and transitions can occasionally feel a bit mechanical. There is a clear progression of ideas from the benefits of flexibility to the demands of rigorous programmes. However, because the text is incomplete and cohesive ties break down at the end, the organizational flow is disrupted. Based on these features, Coherence and Cohesion warrants a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying the student's core arguments using words such as 'flexibility', 'opportunities', 'programme', and 'qualification'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary and collocations, such as 'proper time management' and 'maximum efforts'. However, the vocabulary range is limited, and there are noticeable word choice and spelling errors throughout the text, including 'flexibilty', 'additonal criterias', 'opportunites', and 'important important'. Some terms are repetitive. Despite these lexical inaccuracies and the limited range, communication is not seriously impeded. This performance aligns well with the descriptors for a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures like conditional and participial clauses (e.g., 'Studying other subjects in addition to main subjects is increasingly becoming popular...'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors and punctuation issues, such as missing articles ('takes extra subjects', 'takes additional subject'), awkward phrasing ('is increasingly becoming popular by'), and run-on structures lacking commas ('In conclusion, Although learning other subjects is difficult, with proper time management its is worthwhile...'). There are also agreement and spelling errors within grammatical units, such as 'its is'. These frequent errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, leading to a band score of 5.0.
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