Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-02

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 in university is the first step to learn or prepare for the real life.It is important to understand and develop yourself within university which helps in the future. Most people believe to give all of their time and attention to studies is important for a qualification. They focus on one chosen field of study, even if specialized subject has enhance their job prospects. Learning different subject give you exposure and knowledge which uplift the financial support in future.

In my view, students who give more attention to other subjects are more confident and develop multiple skills including, active, sharp, explore diversify job opportunities, learn and unlearn and chose what fits for them as career and interest.

Conversely, some argue to focusing on one subject at a time which enable students to build their expertise in the same field and grow the learning curve beyond the expectations. Most of the students workhard in education and find same field job opportunity where they grow themselves to get higher ranking position. Human resource of multiple companies are also influence with the experience and focus on those resume who reflect the same and also get higher chance get better opportunity in company.

While speclization has its own merit, but I firmly believe that diversify subject expertise helps to become financial independent easily. Studying alternative subjects provides alternative career options. For example, data analyst people don't get expertise directly, they chose the secondary field and find their interest to persue it as a career.

In conclusion, both views has advantages. However, studying more subjects give you broaders prespective and financial freedom and stability.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—focusing solely on a main qualification versus learning about other subjects—and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is uneven. For instance, the discussion on why students should focus exclusively on one subject mentions building expertise and employer preferences, but the points remain somewhat general and under-developed, such as 'grow the learning curve beyond the expectations.' Similarly, the arguments for studying diverse subjects are introduced through broad assertions rather than fully extended examples, with the mention of a data analyst remaining vague. Nonetheless, the main positions are sufficiently covered to meet the requirements for this level, showing relevant ideas even if some lack depth and specific support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a recognizable introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, establishing a clear stance. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by mechanical or faulty cohesion. For example, transition markers and logical links between sentences are occasionally awkward, such as 'While speclization has its own merit, but I firmly believe...' which improperly combines a concessive clause with a coordinating conjunction. Referencing can also be unclear, and pronouns or cohesive devices are at times repetitive or imprecise, such as 'these resume who reflect the same'. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal logical transitions require smoother management to ensure a clearer flow of arguments throughout the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student displays an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common terms such as 'financial independent,' 'speclization,' and 'broanders prespective.' However, there are noticeable spelling and word-choice errors that reflect limitations in lexical control. Examples include 'speclization' (specialization), 'workhard,' 'persue' (pursue), and unidiomatic phrasing such as 'diversify subject expertise' instead of 'diverse subject expertise' or 'diversifying subject expertise.' Word-form errors also appear, such as 'financial independent' instead of 'financially independent.' While these errors do not severely impede overall communication, they prevent the vocabulary from achieving greater precision and flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures like conditional and concessive clauses. However, there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. Issues include subject-verb agreement and article use, such as 'Learning different subject give you exposure' (subjects give) and 'data analyst people don't get expertise directly.' There are also errors in prepositional use and verb patterns, such as 'higher chance get better opportunity' instead of 'a higher chance of getting better opportunities.' Punctuation and sentence boundaries occasionally falter, leading to run-on structures or fused clauses, which reflects limited control over more complex grammatical patterns.

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