Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

Many students want to learn different subjects apart from their main subjects in university. On the contrary, some students argue that they should only focus on the main subjects to get a credential. I believe that students should study a variety of subjects, not just their main subjects.

Students should study subjects like psychology, gender studies, and finance apart from their main subjects. Each subject has its own advantage. Psychology teaches you to pick up patterns and learn about human behavior. Gender studies would help students to discriminate against the wrongful behavior against other people based on gender. It helps people to come out of gender-based roles. In addition, learning finance is very important, so you know where to invest it and how to save your money. People often study their particular subject well and get a high-paying job, but they do not know how to manage their finances.

On the other hand, many students might fail to focus on their subjects if they have to study subjects other than their own degree. They believe that they should spend all the time on the subjects related to their degree to get a distinction. For example, in Pakistan, many students put all their efforts into MDCAT to get admission to a medical college. They believe studying subjects that are not related to MDCAT is not worth their time. There is no denying that it depends upon the preference of students, whether they want to study other subjects or not. Many students put their soul and time into studying their own subjects to get the highest grade and skills to get a good job.

It is concluded that students who want to study more subjects with their contemporary subjects should learn them, as they would help them in other aspects of life. I believe that different kinds of knowledge will be helpful in life. On the other hand, some students believe that it is important to dedicate your time to being good enough in your field.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response discusses both positions and gives a clear preference for studying additional subjects, so the main parts of the task are addressed. The examples of psychology, gender studies and finance make the case for broader learning relevant, while the MDCAT example illustrates why some students prioritise their qualification. However, the two sides are not developed equally: the benefits of extra subjects receive several explanations, whereas the opposing view is mainly linked to grades, admission and employment. The claim that gender studies helps students “discriminate against” wrongful behaviour is also unclear and appears to express the opposite of the intended meaning. Explain the counterargument more fully and clarify this point to make the discussion more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a coherent overall structure: an introduction states the position, separate body paragraphs present the two views, and a conclusion returns to the writer’s opinion. Signposting such as “On the other hand” helps readers follow the shift in argument, and examples are generally placed alongside the relevant claims. Some connections are less smooth or precise, however. “There is no denying that it depends upon the preference of students” interrupts the explanation of the opposing view, and the conclusion repeats the contrast without bringing the discussion together. Use clearer links between claims and examples, and make references such as “it” more explicit, so cohesion feels less formulaic and the progression is more consistently clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “human behavior,” “gender-based roles,” “manage their finances,” “distinction” and “dedicate your time.” These choices allow the writer to discuss both academic and practical benefits. The response also attempts more specific expressions, but some are inaccurate or unnatural: “discriminate against the wrongful behavior” does not convey the likely intended meaning, “contemporary subjects” is not the right phrase for subjects studied alongside a major, and “put their soul and time” is an awkward collocation. “Credential” is understandable but less natural here than “qualification.” Aim for precise collocations and check that each word expresses the intended idea; this would make the vocabulary more controlled and flexible.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses such as “if they have to study subjects other than their own degree” and “whether they want to study other subjects or not.” Most sentences communicate their meaning clearly, and punctuation generally supports the argument. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain. In “so you know where to invest it,” the pronoun shifts from the general subject “students” to “you”; maintain a consistent point of view. “Students who want to study more subjects with their contemporary subjects should learn them” also has an unclear reference, making the sentence difficult to parse. Review pronoun reference and sentence construction, especially in longer clauses, while continuing to use varied structures.

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