Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-19

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 argued by some university students they wish to study other subjects in addition to their main subject while others argue that it is important to study their main subject rather than studying other subjects. While i believe that in addition to professional qualification, some useful skills should be taught to students so that they can easily enter the workplace and can earn money.

On the one hand, some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subject which is beneficial for their professional life. Because when they will learn additional subjects they will gain some knowledge of other fields too. Moreover, it can help in their lives to perform different tasks. For example, my friend Ali were taught additional subject business in addition to his main health subject. By learning from this additional subject now he is running a successful business. So it is good to study some additional subjects.

On the other hand, some argue that they should taugh only their main qualification subjects which is vital to them because by studying only their main subjects they could focus on their field and can excel in their profession. So it is also neccessary to study only their field related subjects so that they can focus very much in their professional studies.

While i believe that students should be taught some practical and usefull skills in addition to main studies because it will help them to do different tasks in their lives as well as they can earn money by using these skills. For example, i learned youtube automation and now i am earning well from this additional skill.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and give a clear opinion: you support learning practical skills alongside a main qualification. The examples about Ali’s business studies and your YouTube automation experience make the benefits concrete and relevant. However, the discussion is not equally developed. The case for focusing solely on a qualification is stated mainly as a way to concentrate and excel, without explaining possible costs of taking extra subjects or giving a supporting example. Your opinion also shifts from “useful skills” to “some practical” skills without clarifying which kinds should be included in university courses. Develop the opposing view and explain more precisely how your proposal would work to make the response more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph for each view, and a concluding paragraph that restates your position. Signposting such as “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” helps readers follow the contrast. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, with repeated claims that additional subjects are beneficial or that students should focus on their field. The opening paragraph also combines the two views and your opinion in a long sentence, making the main direction less clear at first. Some links between ideas are awkward, such as “Because when they will learn,” and the final paragraph repeats much of the first body paragraph rather than drawing the discussion together. Use clearer sentence boundaries and develop each paragraph around a distinct point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “professional qualification,” “additional subjects,” “workplace,” and “practical skills.” The examples also show an attempt to use specific terms such as “business” and “YouTube automation.” However, the range is limited and several words or phrases are repeated, especially “main subject,” “additional subject,” and “professional.” Some choices are imprecise or unnatural, including “main health subject,” “perform different tasks,” and “earn money by using these skills.” Spelling errors such as “neccessary” and “usefull” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise academic phrasing and check spelling; for example, distinguish between a degree subject, an elective, and a transferable skill.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “while,” “because,” and “so that,” and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction sometimes make the reader pause. Examples include “my friend Ali were taught,” “they should taugh,” and “when they will learn.” The opening sentence is also awkwardly constructed, while “Because when…” creates an incomplete or poorly connected sentence. Capitalisation of “I” is inconsistent. Practise forming accurate subordinate clauses and checking subject–verb agreement and tense; shorter, controlled sentences would help you express the same ideas more clearly before you attempt longer structures.

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