Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

Nowadays, some university students prefer to study additional subject rather than their main subjects. While other think that it is more important to focuse on main subject for their qualification. Both views have their own advantages and I believe that students should maintain balance between the two.

On the one hand, learning different subjects provide students with broader knowledge and give them good career opurtunites. In today's competitive world having skills beyond the main subjects is extremely beneficial for students. For example, a medical students who learns communication skill and computer programming can provide a better career in future. Furthermore, dlscovering different subjects may help students to find their intrest in various fields and develop creative thinking. This knowledge may help them in their professional lives and also for their for their problems which they can solve.

On the other hand, some people argue that stu

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response begins to address both views and gives a clear personal position: “students should maintain balance between the two.” It also offers relevant reasons for studying additional subjects, including broader knowledge, career opportunities, and creative thinking, with a medical-student example. However, the second view is not developed: the response stops at “some people argue that stu,” so it gives no explanation or example of why students might prioritise their qualification. The first view is also only briefly supported, and the conclusion is absent. The response is 104 words below the required minimum, which leaves the discussion substantially incomplete. To improve, complete both sides, explain your opinion with specific support, and add a concluding paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph beginning “On the one hand,” and an attempt to introduce the opposing view with “On the other hand.” These signposts help the reader identify the intended direction of the discussion. However, the essay does not progress to a complete argument because the second body paragraph ends mid-sentence, and there is no conclusion. Within the first body paragraph, the ideas about career benefits, interests, and problem-solving are placed together but their connections are not always clear; the final sentence is especially difficult to follow. Develop each main point in a complete paragraph, use clear links between explanation and example, and finish with a summary of your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “broader knowledge,” “competitive world,” “career opportunities,” and “creative thinking.” These choices communicate the general ideas and show an attempt to use language beyond very basic terms. However, spelling and word-choice errors are noticeable, as in “opurtunites,” “dlscovering,” and “intrest,” and some phrases are imprecise or repetitive, such as “for their for their problems.” “Good career” is also an unnatural collocation in this context. Aim for accurate spelling and more precise academic phrasing, and check that each expression conveys the intended meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast clause beginning “While” and a relative clause in “a medical students who learns…”. The opening also presents a clear opinion in a complete sentence. However, there are several errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction: “other think” should use a plural verb, “learning different subjects provide” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and “a medical students” combines a singular article with a plural noun. The opening “While other think…” is a dependent clause presented as a sentence, and the final sentence is incomplete. Review agreement and article use, and ensure every sentence has a complete main clause.

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.