Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-01

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)

It is often argued that university students should learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. While some people contend that it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a single qualification, I am firmly convinced that learning diverse subjects alongside a main degree is more beneficial due to enhanced employability and broader personal development and better adaptability in the modern world.

The principal reason why learning other subjects is beneficial is valid is that it significantly improves career prospects and interdisciplinary knowledge. To elaborate, in today's competitive job market, employers increasingly seek graduates who possess not only deep expertise in one field but also complementary skills from other domains, which makes them more versatile and innovative. A compelling example of this is a computer science student who also studies psychology, enabling him to design more user-friendly software by understanding human behavior. Consequently, such students have a distinct advantage in securing high-quality jobs and driving innovation, which clearly demonstrates that a multidisciplinary approach is superior to narrow specialization.

Another significant reason is that exposure to different disciplines fosters critical thinking and prevents academic burnout. This is largely because studying varied subjects breaks the monotony of a single discipline and allows students to make unexpected connections between different fields of knowledge. For instance, a study by Stanford University found that students who took elective courses outside their major reported higher levels of creativity and overall satisfaction. Admittedly, focusing solely on one qualification may lead to deeper expertise and higher grades in that specific area, however, this narrow focus often comes at the cost of limited perspective and reduced flexibility in a rapidly changing economy where skills quickly become obsolete. Therefore, a balanced education produces more well-rounded and resilient graduates.

In conclusion, although dedicating all time to a single qualification can provide in-depth mastery, I remain convinced that students should explore other subjects alongside their main degree. This is because it enhances employability and promotes holistic personal and intellectual growth. Hence, universities should actively encourage and facilitate cross-disciplinary learning for all students.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the view that students should focus exclusively on their primary qualification and the view that they should explore diverse subjects, while clearly maintaining a well-developed personal position throughout. The arguments are extended and supported effectively with relevant explanations and examples, such as the computer science student who studies psychology to enhance software design. However, the reasoning tends toward some minor over-generalisation in its broad claims about modern employability and academic satisfaction, which keeps the response at its current level. To reach an even higher standard, the ideas could be pushed further with more nuanced, less sweeping premises regarding how interdisciplinary knowledge applies across varying industries.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

There is a clear logical organisation and progression throughout the essay. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting from a strong introductory stance through well-delineated body paragraphs to a concise concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately to connect ideas, such as 'To elaborate', 'Consequently', and 'Admittedly', though there is occasionally a slightly formulaic feel to the transitional phrases. Paragraphing is managed effectively, ensuring that the discourse flows smoothly from one concept to the next. To move closer to the highest tier, the flow of cohesion could be made slightly more subtle and integrated, reducing reliance on standard signposting language.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary, skilfully incorporating less common lexical items such as 'interdisciplinary', 'monotony', 'obsolete', and 'holistic'. Word choice and collocation are generally very natural and precise, as seen in expressions like 'drive innovation', 'academic burnout', and 'narrow specialization'. There are only occasional minor awkwardnesses or slips in lexical control, which do not impede communication. To push into the highest band, the writer could incorporate even more sophisticated idiomatic expressions or nuanced academic phrasing with absolute precision and zero minor stylistic lapses.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

A wide variety of complex sentence structures is employed successfully throughout the essay, demonstrating a strong command of subordination, relative clauses, and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer displays good control of punctuation and grammatical markers. Minor errors do persist, such as the slightly clumsy phrasing in 'The principal reason why learning other subjects is beneficial is valid is that', which features a slight tautology and a minor structural bump. Nevertheless, overall control remains solid, featuring frequent error-free complex constructions that ensure meaning is communicated smoothly and precisely.

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