Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-24

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)

There is considerable debate over weather university learners should learn more about other subjects in the addition to their main major. While some believe students should contribute their time and attention for the qualification. i firmly believe learners should focus on their qualification.

On the one hand, studying additional subjects can broaden students knowledge and help them with wider range of skills. Interest in other subjects provide wide variety of choices a student can decide their future goals sometimes a student picks the wrong qualification and after reading other subject they decideto change their major, For example in india,s medical field there are certain type of subject each being different from other. Thus sometime they pick up area which was not suitable at that time knowledge of other subjects can help in decisionmaking and student can change the qualification. This can result in better future pathway.

On the other hand, I believe sole focus on qualification should be priortizied because the learner can focus on main subjects because focus on other subjects take up time and motivation, Focus on different can be tiring and difficult as a result the focus on main area might decline as that can result in poor performance in academics, For instance plenty of time students try to grasp knowledge in other subjects but often they get diverted and in long term it can cost their academic performance and money spent on qualification. Therefore students should give their time and attention for the qualification.

In conclusion, Knowledge of other subjects can help students with skills and decisionmaking, But it can also result in poor focus in key fields. Therefore students should focus on their qualification and academic perofrmance rather chasing other subjects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and state a clear opinion: the introduction and conclusion support prioritising the qualification, while the body paragraphs discuss the benefits and drawbacks of studying other subjects. The point that exploring another subject may help a student reconsider an unsuitable major is relevant, and the example of medical fields gives it some context. However, this example is difficult to follow and does not clearly show how the student benefits. The opposing view is also less fully developed: you mention broader skills and future choices, but do not explain these benefits with a specific, clear example. Develop each main idea with a direct explanation and a more precise illustration to make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a recognisable overall structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” helps readers follow the discussion. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and several sentences contain too many ideas joined together. For example, the first body paragraph moves from broader skills to career choices and then to medical subjects without clear transitions. The second paragraph repeats “focus” and “subjects,” which makes the progression less smooth. Use clearer sentence boundaries, refer back to ideas with precise wording, and organise each paragraph around one main point followed by its explanation and example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant academic vocabulary, including “qualification,” “broaden students’ knowledge,” “academic performance,” and “future pathway.” This gives you enough range to discuss the topic, but word choice and collocation are not consistently natural. Phrases such as “contribute their time and attention for the qualification,” “focus on different,” and “cost their academic performance” are unclear or awkward. There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “weather,” “priortizied,” and “decisionmaking.” These do not prevent the reader from understanding the main argument, but they reduce precision and fluency. Check spelling carefully and learn common combinations such as “devote time to,” “prioritise,” and “affect academic performance.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a conditional idea about choosing the wrong qualification and clauses introduced by “because” and “as a result.” The overall meaning is usually understandable, but some errors in sentence structure, agreement, articles, and punctuation make parts difficult to read. For example, “Interest in other subjects provide” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “a student picks the wrong qualification and after reading other subject they…” becomes an overloaded, incomplete sequence. Capitalisation after full stops is also inconsistent. Aim for shorter, complete sentences and check agreement and articles; then retain a few well-controlled complex structures rather than joining several claims with commas.

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