Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-15

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 6.5)

Nowadays, university students have different opinions about whether they should have additional subjects or focus entirely on their main qualification. While some people believe that learning other subjects is beneficial, others argue that students should give their main time in study. In my opinion, students should focus primarily on their main subjects while gaining knowledge in other areas.

On the one hand, studying additional subjects can help students develop a wider range of skills and knowledge. It can also improve career opportunities because employers often look for candidates who have different abilities. For example, a biotechnology student who learns computer programming may be able to analyse scientific data more effectively. Furthermore, learning subjects such as communication or business can help students to become more confident and prepare them for future challenges. Therefore, studying different subjects can be useful for both personal and professional development.

On the other hand, some people believe that students should concentrate on their main subjects to achieve better academic results. University qualifications often require students to understand concepts and practical knowledge. If they spend too much time studying unrelated subjects, they may struggle to manage their workload.For example, medical and engineering students need to dedicate sufficient time in theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge for skills. Focusing on their main subjects can help to gain the expertise required for their career.

In my opinion, although specialisation is important , students not completely ignore other subjects. They should give priority to main qualification and spend their remaining time learning useful additional skills.

In conclusion, both approaches have their advantages. However, i believe that balancing study with additional learning is the best way for university students to prepare for their future careers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and give a clear opinion: the introduction and conclusion support prioritising the main qualification while still learning useful additional skills. The examples are relevant, particularly the biotechnology student using programming to analyse data and the demands on medical and engineering students. This covers the task well, but the two sides are not developed equally in depth. The benefits of broader study are explained through several outcomes, whereas the case for concentrating on a qualification is mainly about workload and academic results. The final opinion is clear but could be supported with a more specific explanation of how students can balance these demands. More even development and fuller support would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. The progression from the benefits of additional study to the case for specialisation is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help orient the reader. Some linking is a little mechanical, however, with repeated use of “Furthermore,” “Therefore,” and “For example.” The final opinion paragraph also repeats the position already stated in the introduction and conclusion rather than extending the argument. There are a few presentation interruptions, such as missing spaces after full stops, which make the flow less polished. More varied links and clearer connections between claims and examples would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “career opportunities,” “academic results,” “workload,” “expertise,” and “personal and professional development.” These choices make the discussion clear, and the examples show an ability to express relevant ideas. Some phrasing is imprecise or does not collocate naturally, such as “give their main time in study,” “dedicate sufficient time in theoretical knowledge,” and “students not completely ignore other subjects.” Repetition of “subjects,” “students,” and “main” also limits flexibility. Aim for more precise academic collocations and vary repeated terms—for example, refer to a “primary field of study” or “broader learning.” The meaning remains understandable, but more accurate and flexible word choice would make the argument more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a concession in “although specialisation is important” and conditional reasoning in “If they spend too much time… they may struggle.” Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, but some grammatical errors remain. For instance, “students not completely ignore” needs a finite verb (“students should not completely ignore”), and “help to gain the expertise” lacks a clear subject for “gain.” The phrase “time in theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge” also shows difficulty with grammatical patterns and prepositions. Punctuation and spacing are inconsistent, including spaces before commas and missing spaces after full stops. Review sentence completeness, verb forms, and punctuation while retaining your use of complex structures.

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