Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-11

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 5.0)

A significant number of university students believe that they want to learn non-curricular subjects with additon to their academic subjects. While others argue that they should focus more on studying to get high qualification jobs. I believe that both approaches are mandatory, if they managed in a proper way.

One of the main reasons that this idea is going popular in many universities and they should encourage the students to focused on other co-curricular subjects with their main subjects. This is because, many students find that they are interested in other areas of studies such as Chess, Football, and Drama. They believe that these activities would help them to be physically and mentally strong and also helps them to refresh their mind. For example, universites have to organize competition for students, so that they get to know about in which area of subjects they are more fascinated.

Another important reason is that, if students focused more on non-curricular subjects and think that they can easily make their career in these field. But, it is not true, in these field there is so many competiton

Having considered both perspectives, I believe that they should have a proper balance on both the things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You introduce both views and state a position—“both approaches are mandatory” if managed properly—so the response is relevant to the question. However, the discussion is only partial and the position is not consistently developed. The first body paragraph gives examples of extracurricular interests and possible benefits, but the second begins “if students focused more on non-curricular subjects” and ends before explaining the competing case for concentrating on a qualification. Your opinion about balance is repeated in the conclusion but not supported with a clear explanation or example. The response also does not meet the required minimum length, which limits how fully you can discuss both views. Develop each side with reasons and relevant examples, then explain how your preferred balance would work.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic essay shape: an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a concluding statement. The opening contrast (“While others argue…”) signals the two positions, and “Having considered both perspectives” marks the conclusion. However, progression is difficult to follow because the second body paragraph is incomplete and does not clearly develop the qualification-focused view. Some links are mechanical or unclear, such as “One of the main reasons that this idea is going popular,” while repeated references to “non-curricular subjects” do not establish a clear relationship between claims. The conclusion also arrives abruptly after the unfinished point. Build one complete paragraph for each view, use clear topic sentences, and connect each reason to its explanation or example before concluding.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of topic-related vocabulary, including “qualification,” “co-curricular subjects,” “physically and mentally strong,” and “competition.” These choices show an attempt to discuss education and student interests beyond very basic language. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “high qualification jobs,” “going popular,” and “fascinated” where you mean that students are interested in an area. There are also spelling errors such as “additon,” “universites,” and “competiton,” which reduce accuracy. Some terms, especially “non-curricular” and “co-curricular,” are used inconsistently. Aim for precise, natural phrases such as “career prospects” and “extracurricular activities,” and check spelling and collocations during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex structures, including a conditional clause (“if they managed in a proper way”) and a sentence beginning “While others argue…”. However, control is uneven, and several sentences contain errors that make relationships between ideas unclear. For example, “While others argue…” is a dependent clause presented as a sentence, and “One of the main reasons that this idea is going popular…” lacks a clear grammatical structure. Verb forms and agreement also need attention in “they should encourage the students to focused” and “these activities… also helps.” The final body paragraph contains an unfinished sentence, which further disrupts meaning. Practise complete sentence structures, subject–verb agreement, and consistent verb forms, then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and main verb.

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