Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-13

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 said by university students that it is better to learn additional subjects to the main subjects is needed, while some argue that it is better to focus on better grade of main subjects. While both sides sound compelling, the first side can be better since they can learn more about relevant subjects to be a well-rounded person.

Firstly, learning multiple subjects at once can be exhausting, and eventually burn out over time. It is true but knowing some facts from relevant subjects to the main ones is beneficial. For example, an Education Undergraduate student who learns Technology alongside his main studies will have a competitive advantage in workplaces. The same goes to an Accounting Undergradute who learns Global Citizenship will have a strong analytical skill as well as self-training to be an unbiased, logical perosn.

In addition, taking additional subjects is not just about learning. It can give a great opportunity to make a strong networking from different individuals which can help do the works together, or get additional resources from them. For example, if a person is an Accounting Undergratute, and have friends from Chinese class, he has a chance to practice Chinese with them.

On the other hand, some argue that getting a better score on main subjects is better. This is only true to some extend. A great GPA can help to get scholarships; but not networking, or unique experiences. It is also true that studying a lot at once can burn out becuase of work-loaded; yet credits from those additional subjects can even make easier for further studies.

In conclusion, while learning additional subjects in university can be challenging and work-loaded, benefits still outweights drawbacks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and state a clear preference for learning additional subjects, especially in the opening and conclusion. The examples about an education student studying technology and an accounting student learning Chinese make the benefits relevant. You also acknowledge the opposing concerns of workload and grades. However, the discussion is uneven: the case for focusing on a qualification is mainly reduced to GPA and scholarships, while the claim that extra credits may help with further study is introduced without explanation. Some benefits, such as networking, are asserted more than developed. Explain how these outcomes affect students’ academic or career prospects, and give the opposing view comparable support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, paragraphs presenting benefits, a paragraph on the alternative view, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “Firstly,” “In addition,” and “On the other hand” help readers follow the main direction. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes loose. The first body paragraph moves from exhaustion to subject knowledge and then to two examples without clearly connecting each point. The final body paragraph combines grades, networking, burnout, and further study, so its central focus becomes difficult to track. Some links, including “It is true but,” are abrupt. Give each paragraph one main purpose and use clearer transitions to show how each example supports that purpose.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary, including “competitive advantage,” “analytical skill,” “scholarships,” and “well-rounded person,” which helps express the topic. There are also attempts at more specific terms such as “Global Citizenship.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “make a strong networking,” “work-loaded,” and “burn out because of work-loaded.” Spelling errors such as “Undergratute,” “perosn,” and “becuase” also reduce accuracy. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding the main ideas, but they make the writing less natural. Check spelling carefully and learn common word partnerships, such as “build a network” and “heavy workload.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex forms, including a contrast clause beginning “While both sides sound compelling” and conditional examples with “if.” Most ideas remain understandable, but some sentence structures and agreement patterns are inaccurate. For example, “an Accounting Undergratute … and have friends” does not maintain subject–verb agreement, and “the first side can be better since they can learn” has an unclear pronoun reference. The sentence beginning “It is true but knowing…” also needs clearer clause structure and punctuation. Aim to make the subject of each sentence explicit, check singular and plural agreement, and separate contrasting ideas with appropriate punctuation. More consistently controlled complex sentences would improve clarity.

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

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