Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

It is often argued by some university students that in addition to their main subjects, they also want to learn about other subjects, while others are convinced that it's crucial for students to give all their time and attention to studying to qualification.

On the one hand, in the stage of university education, students are struggling between learning new skills and studying for exams and the university degree. At this age, a student begins to think that he's in a race against time or getting older. Some students want to start a family, others want to work and some don't think that their main subjects will benefit them much. The stress of this stage of life and the long journey of academic education which we all went through. This generation of individuals is required to learn different skills to work, unlike any generation which went before, therefore main subjects and university degrees aren't enough these days.

On the other hand, some call and believe that it is important for students to give all their time, energy and attention for studying, claiming that such interest in other subjects may distract them from qualification for the university degree, an opinion which I completly disagree with. As I explained that a university degree these days isn't much required in the most jobs. Analysts conducted a research project in Germany which is the third largest economy globally and found out that 70% of university graduates struggle to find jobs these days without the required skills.

In conclusion, learning other subjects and developing skills are much needed today, while a university certificate only won't help the youth, because the level of requirement of jobs need a highly qualified individual.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You discuss both positions and make your own view clear: you support learning additional skills and explicitly disagree with giving all attention to the qualification. The point that employers may value skills beyond a degree is relevant, and the German graduate example attempts to support it. However, the two views are not developed equally. The case for focusing on a qualification is mainly presented as a possible distraction, rather than being explained on its own merits, such as gaining specialist knowledge or meeting professional requirements. Some claims, including that a degree is not much required for most jobs, are broad and need qualification or clearer support. To strengthen the response, explain each side more fully and connect examples directly to the argument.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” helps readers follow the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes uneven: the first body paragraph moves from time pressure to family and work plans, then to changing employment demands without clearly showing how each point supports the view. The sentence fragment beginning “The stress of this stage of life…” also interrupts the flow. Some references, such as “such interest,” are not fully precise. Use clearer topic sentences and link each supporting point explicitly to the paragraph’s main idea.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary, including “qualification,” “academic education,” “required skills,” and “university graduates,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “the third largest economy globally.” However, several word choices and collocations are unnatural or imprecise, including “studying to qualification,” “give…attention for studying,” and “the level of requirement of jobs.” “Completly” is also misspelled, and “main subjects” is repeated without much variation. These issues make the expression less precise, although they do not prevent the reader from understanding the main argument. Focus on accurate academic collocations and check spelling during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex structures, including contrast clauses and a relative clause in “an opinion which I completly disagree with.” The overall meaning is usually clear, but some grammatical errors remain. “The stress of this stage of life and the long journey…” is a sentence fragment, while “studying to qualification” and “attention for studying” show problems with grammatical patterns and prepositions. In the final sentence, “the level of requirement of jobs need” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and the clause structure is difficult to follow. There is also inconsistent use of “he” for a general student. Aim for complete sentences, check agreement, and simplify clauses when needed.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.