Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-03

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)

Nowadays, every student have different point of view to achieve their academic goals. Many undergraduate students prefer to focus on their main subject in order to achive their desired goals, while others believe that taking extra subjects can facilitate them during their work life. I believe a balance between both will help them to shape a better future.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why students want to focus on their majors because university qualifications require alot of considerable time, efforts and concentration. For instance, medical students need to devote their substantial attention to anatomy, medicine, and clinical practice. A lack of sufficient preperation in these areas could negatively affect in their academic as well as professional life.

On the other hand, there are students who consider additional subjects outside of their main field that will be benefitial for them in the long run. It broadens their knowledge and might facilitate them with their primary subject. For instance, fashion students takes courses like psychology to learn human behaviour in order to understand their cutomers. Understanding consumers buying patterns and behaviour will students to understand what is trending, and how they can convince buyers to consume their products.

In conclusion, I believe having a balance between both is essential, as it is benefitial for them. While focusing on main subject they can give full attection to their field, and with additional subjects they can enhance their skills and broaden their knowledge as per indus

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state a clear opinion that students should balance their main subject with additional learning. The examples of medical students and fashion students make the discussion relevant, and the explanation of how psychology can help fashion students understand consumers is a useful supporting point. However, the first view is developed more fully than the benefits of studying extra subjects, and the conclusion is cut off at “as per indus,” leaving your final point incomplete. The response is also five words below the required minimum. To strengthen the response, complete the conclusion and explain more fully how students can balance competing demands, perhaps with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. The signposts “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the discussion. However, some links between ideas are mechanical, and referencing is occasionally unclear. For example, “It broadens their knowledge” does not clearly identify whether “it” means taking additional subjects or a particular subject. The final sentence also stops abruptly, disrupting the progression and leaving the conclusion unfinished. Use clearer references and connect each example explicitly to the point it supports; ensure the final paragraph completes the argument rather than ending mid-phrase.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of topic-related vocabulary, including “academic goals,” “clinical practice,” “broaden their knowledge,” and “buying patterns.” Some attempts at less common or formal expressions are effective, but several word-choice and spelling problems reduce precision: “facilitate them during their work life” is awkward, while “benefitial,” “preperation,” “cutomers,” and “attection” are misspelled. “Alot of considerable time” is also an unnatural combination. These errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the main ideas, but they make the writing less controlled. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and proofread spelling, especially when using ambitious vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a subordinate clause in “in order to understand their customers” and a conditional structure in “A lack of sufficient preparation … could negatively affect…”. Meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “every student have” needs subject–verb agreement, “fashion students takes” needs a plural verb, and “will students to understand” is missing a verb form such as “help.” The phrase “affect in their academic … life” also has an incorrect grammatical pattern. The final sentence is incomplete. Review agreement, verb patterns, and sentence completion, then check that each clause has a clear subject and finite verb.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.