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)

It is often argued that university students should prioritise the core curriculum while others believe that having extra set of skills can lead to an upper hand compared to the rest of the class. In my opinion, learning additional subject can result in more opportunities in the professional aspect of life.

The first party presents a valid point that focusing on additional subjects can provide an advantage, as having more knowledge and experience in other areas can result in gaining competitive lead compared to the rest of the batchmates. For instance, a recent study of graduates starting their professional careers showed that students having extra skills such as communication, management, etc. were being offered higher pay compared to the rest. This results in financial and professional benefits which can't be ignored

On the other hand, people argue that giving importance towards a qualification is a preferrable choice becuase the curriculum is specifically designed to provide valuable knowledge and understanding required to work in an industry. The qualification also serves as a certificate of excellence and expertise and a symbol of having gone through rigorous tests and assignments. For example, students having a degree were able to solve more real life problems and challenges as compared to the ones with no qualification. As a consequence, it leads to deeper understanding of the subject and a pathway to learn more.

Comparing both the views, I believe that gaining extra skills while not ignoring the integrity of the course can present a deeper understanding of the subjects and also provide a competitve edge that is required to stand out in the job market. It can become a source of excellence and achievements in the professional as well as normal day to day life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and give a clear opinion: the introduction favours learning additional subjects, while the conclusion supports gaining extra skills without neglecting the degree. The examples about graduates’ communication and management skills and the value of qualifications are relevant to the discussion. However, the two sides are not developed equally: the benefits of extra learning are linked to pay and career advantage, while the qualification argument relies mainly on general claims about expertise and solving real-life problems. The examples are asserted rather than explained, so their relevance is not fully demonstrated. To strengthen the response, explain how studying another subject could complement a specific degree, and develop the qualification side with a concrete example. This would make the support more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a concluding opinion. Signposting such as “On the other hand” and “Comparing both the views” helps readers follow the argument, and the ideas generally progress logically. Some connections are less smooth or precise, however. For example, “This results in financial and professional benefits” follows the study example but does not explain the link in detail, while “As a consequence, it leads to deeper understanding” has an unclear reference to what “it” means. The conclusion also repeats the central point rather than drawing together the two arguments. Use clearer references and add linking explanations between claims and examples to make cohesion more natural and less dependent on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “core curriculum,” “competitive lead,” “qualification,” “rigorous tests,” and “professional benefits.” These choices show an attempt to express ideas beyond basic language, and the meaning is generally clear. Some less common expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “extra set of skills,” “competitive lead,” and “integrity of the course.” There are also spelling errors in “preferrable,” “becuase,” and “competitve,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for more natural academic collocations and check spelling carefully. For instance, “a competitive advantage” is more idiomatic than “a competitive lead,” and “maintaining the quality of one’s studies” would express the intended idea more clearly than “not ignoring the integrity of the course.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a subordinate clause in “because the curriculum is specifically designed…” and a relative clause in “which can’t be ignored.” Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, and errors rarely prevent understanding. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain. In the opening, “having extra set of skills” needs an article (“an extra set”), and “learning additional subject” needs a plural or article. The phrase “students having extra skills … were being offered higher pay” is awkwardly constructed; “students who had extra skills were offered higher pay” is clearer. There are also punctuation issues, including the missing full stop after “ignored.” Continue practising article use, clause construction, and sentence punctuation while retaining your attempts at complex structures.

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