Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-05

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)

There is dicussion on that some higher studies students want to learn about additional subjects in addition to their academic subjects, whereas others believe that it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification, while both views have merit, I believe that students should learn additional subjects rather than studying only for a qualification.

Firstly, Those who argue for a giving attention to studying for a qualification is crucial for students in terms of better academic performance and greater career opportunities. For example, students who study more sincerely in their academics will have better results and have better opportunities for college placements. Moreover, studying for a qualification is essential to pursue a degree, because it helps students to pass their examination. Passing exam is vital as dropout rate is increasing nowadays. For instance, students who fail in their exams are likely to dropout from the college and give importance to other things.

On the other hand, some university students want to learn about other subjects alongside their main subject is because of gaining extra skills are as important as study. Extra skills such as sports help students to focus on their health and for personal well-being. For example, students who play sports with his academics will tend to have less stress and good physical health as well as mental health. Additionally, not only sports but other subjects such as communication and improving soft skills help students to develop their overall growth. This is why I believe that studying extra curricular subjects are as important as studying core subjects.

In conclusion, although studying core subjects is important for a qualification, I believe that studying extra curricular subject gives students more knowledge and bridge the skills gap.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views regarding whether university students should focus solely on their main subjects for a qualification or explore additional subjects, and includes the writer's own opinion. However, some ideas are under-developed or lack full elaboration. For instance, the first body paragraph touches upon academic performance and career opportunities, but the reasoning remains quite general without deep exploration. Similarly, the second body paragraph introduces valid points about sports and soft skills improving well-being and overall growth, yet these arguments are presented with limited supporting examples. To move to a higher level, the writer needs to extend these ideas with more detailed explanations, concrete examples, and a more fully sustained argument throughout all body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical paragraph structure, moving from an introduction to two distinct body paragraphs and a conclusion. However, cohesion at times feels mechanical or is executed with some awkward phrasing and referencing issues, such as the sudden transition in the second paragraph starting with 'some university students want to learn about other subjects alongside their main subject is because of...'. Cohesive devices are employed, but they are sometimes repetitive or slightly inaccurate, which occasionally disrupts the smooth progression of ideas. To achieve a higher band, the writer must ensure that logical links between sentences are smoother, referencing is consistently clear, and transitional phrases are used more flexibly and naturally throughout the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is minimally adequate for the task, providing enough range to discuss the topic of university studies and extracurricular learning. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'academic performance', 'career opportunities', and 'extra curricular subjects', but encounters noticeable errors in word choice, collocation, and word form, such as 'dicussion' and 'extra curricular subject' used as a singular noun phrase incorrectly. Spelling and word choice errors are present, for example, 'dropout' used as a verb phrase where 'drop out' is required, and awkward phrasings like 'a giving attention'. While these inaccuracies do not completely impede communication, they restrict the lexical score. To progress, the student should expand their range of vocabulary, improve precision in word choice and collocation, and refine word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting complex structures like relative clauses and conditional-like arguments, although these attempts are frequently accompanied by grammatical errors. There are frequent issues with sentence boundaries and punctuation, notably in the introduction and first sentence where a run-on structure occurs: '...studying for a qualification, while both views have merit, I believe...'. Additionally, errors are visible in subject-verb agreement, prepositions within grammatical patterns (such as 'argue for a giving attention'), and article usage. These errors require some effort from the reader to parse meaning, though they rarely obscure communication entirely. To reach the next band, the student must increase the frequency of error-free sentences, maintain tighter control over complex sentence construction, and improve punctuation and article consistency.

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