Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-09

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 6.0)

As far as this topic is concerned, I would like to say students have different preferences. Some students believe that studying only course subjects are necessary whereas some say that studying additional subjects with their coursework is also beneficial. In this essay, I will discuss both sides of the arguments and draw a conclusion.

First of all, getting enrolled in additional subjects is a good thing, only when you have grip on your main courses. Studying extra subjects may give you extra information but at the same time it consumes a lot of time. It is better to focus on main subjects, if you have nailed them, then you can consider to go through the additional ones. No doubt, additional courses provide you extra resources and materials which can also somehow help you in your main courses.

On the other hand, reading only the core subjects makes you stay on the target. Staying on course work saves a lot of time which you would have spent on extra subjects. Moreover, main target is to get the qualification or degree. Extra knowledge can be beneficial but getting the qualification with a maximum score is necessary. Furthermore, the courses taught in the coursework or curriculum fills the gap for any additional solution if studied and understood in a proper way.

To encapsulate, I would like to say that studying extra courses depends on the preference of the student. If he/she has the potential to manage that extra study load, than definitely it is a good thing to go for. However, some students find it difficult to manage or to study the main subjects then they should focus on the main courses rather than additional ones. I believe additional subjects are beneficial and should be studied only when there is no extra load and have completed and understood the main ones.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and give a clear preference: you consider extra subjects beneficial, but only after a student has managed the core courses. The discussion is relevant, and the point that extra study can provide resources that support the main subject helps explain one advantage. However, the two sides are not developed equally. The case for concentrating on a qualification is mostly asserted through points about saving time and achieving a high score, without a specific example or fuller explanation of why this matters. The claim that the curriculum “fills the gap for any additional solution” is also unclear. Develop each view with a concrete example and make your final position more decisive and consistent.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “First of all,” “On the other hand,” and “To encapsulate” make the progression easy to follow, and the conclusion returns to the central issue. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent arrangement and shows some of the clearer progression associated with a stronger performance. However, links between ideas can feel mechanical, and some references are difficult to follow—for example, “the courses taught in the coursework or curriculum fills the gap” does not clearly connect to the preceding point. Use more precise transitions and ensure each sentence develops the paragraph’s main idea rather than repeating it.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary, including “qualification,” “coursework,” “curriculum,” “potential,” and “study load,” so the topic is generally communicated clearly. There are also attempts at less common or idiomatic expressions, such as “have nailed them,” but this informal phrase is not well suited to an academic essay. Several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or vague, including “extra resources and materials,” “maximum score,” and “additional solution,” which makes some ideas less precise. Aim for more natural academic combinations and avoid repeating “extra” and “main” so often. More accurate phrasing would help you express the same ideas with greater clarity and flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including conditional structures such as “If he/she has the potential to manage that extra study load” and a concessive clause beginning “although” is not needed to understand your argument. Most sentences remain understandable, and errors rarely block the message. Some grammatical problems are present, however: “studying only course subjects are necessary” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “the courses … fills” also mismatches subject and verb. In “if you have nailed them, then you can consider to go through,” the verb pattern after “consider” is incorrect. Review agreement and verb patterns, and check sentence boundaries and punctuation when editing.

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