Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-30

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)

Studying many subjects in addition to their main subjects is a famous choice among some university students on the other hand studying solely a particular subject or qualification is a famous decision among the rest others. Learning about other subjects in addition to their main subjects has some advantages like increasing knowledge, and some disadvantages like making pressure. In contrast, studying for a qualification has some benefits like decreasing extra pressure and has some drawbacks like lacking in other subjects knowledge. I strongly agree with learning about the other subjects with the main subjects.

Studying many subjects in addition to their main subjects has many advantages like increasing knowledge, helping to understand others situation. Firstly, it helps to increasing knowledge about others subjects outside the main subject. When a person study every subject based on his interest he can learn about history, world, others cultures, language, religion etc. these knowledge help him to live a knowledgeable life. Secondly, it helps people to understand others situation when a person study others subjects then he can understand other situation though studying his subject. On the other hand, it has some disadvantages like making extra pressure, when a person study many subjects then he feels pressure and sometimes it creates problem in academic profile.

Learning solely for a qualification has many benefits like decreases pressure, when a person study only one subject then it does not creates much pressure. When a person only learn a particular topic or subject then he can give much time on it and because of a subject it would be much more easier than others subjects. On the other hand it has some drawbacks like lacking knowledge about others subjects being a good person a person need to know about every subject a little bit. when a person does not know about others subject he never understands other situation.

In conclusion, both has some advantages and disadvantages however overviewing the whole essay i agree with studying about other subjects in addition to their main subjects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state a clear preference for studying additional subjects, so the response is relevant to the question. You identify plausible benefits and drawbacks, including broader knowledge and extra pressure, and explain why focusing on one qualification may reduce pressure. However, the discussion remains general and several points are asserted rather than developed. For example, the claim that studying other subjects helps people “understand others situation” is repeated but not illustrated with a specific example or explanation. The opposing view is also treated briefly, and the essay does not fully explore why students may prioritise a qualification. Develop each main point with a concrete example and a clearer explanation of its significance to make the response more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “On the other hand” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is often repetitive, particularly the repeated pattern of stating a benefit and then beginning another sentence with “when a person.” Some links are also unclear: the connection between studying other subjects and understanding another person’s situation is not fully explained. The conclusion restates your opinion but adds little synthesis. Organise each body paragraph around one central claim, then explain and exemplify it; use referencing and transitions more precisely so the argument develops rather than repeating similar points.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “qualification,” “advantages,” “drawbacks,” “knowledge,” and “pressure.” However, the range is limited and several words or phrases are repeated, especially “subject,” “person,” and “many subjects.” Some choices are unnatural or imprecise, such as “a famous choice” for a common or popular option, “making pressure,” and “academic profile.” These expressions make parts of the argument less clear, even though the general meaning can usually be understood. Aim for more precise collocations and vary repeated wording—for example, refer to “additional disciplines” or “a student’s field of study” where appropriate. Check that each phrase expresses the intended meaning naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses introduced by “when” and “on the other hand,” but the range is limited and complex sentences are often inaccurate. Errors occur frequently in verb forms and agreement: “it helps to increasing” should be “it helps to increase,” “a person study” should be “a person studies,” and “it does not creates” should be “it does not create.” There are also problems with articles, plurals, and sentence boundaries, as in “these knowledge” and the run-on transition after “religion etc.” These errors sometimes make the reader pause to interpret the point. Practise subject–verb agreement and verb patterns, and proofread each sentence for complete clauses and accurate punctuation.

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