Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-24

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that in all levels of education, from primary schools to universities, too much time is spent on learning facts and not enough on learning practical skills.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The topic of teaching curriculum followed in schools and universities has become a matter of considerable debate in recent years. Some people believe that there is more emphasis on theoretical knowledge rather than learning practical skills , I strongly agree with this viewpoint because practical learning facilitates personal and professional development. This essay will discuss my perspective with relevant examples.

To begin with, I believe that educational institutions should focus on teaching hands-on skills because it will guide students to navigate the real-life challenges. This can be attributed to the fact that essential life skills such as communication, cooking, financial management and decision making allow individuals to be more confident and independent in their lives. However, this aspect is often overlooked in the traditional education system. A clear illustration of this can be seen in the experiences of fresh graduates who often struggle with essential financial tasks, such as managing bank accounts and creating budgets, due to limited exposure to practical life skills during their education.

Furthermore, another significant reason why I support this view is that applied learning better equips students for the professional world. In other words, companies value experience and soft skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving and leadership more than memorized facts. As a result, graduates are able to adapt quickly to their workplace environment and thrive in their careers. For instance, educational research suggests that prioritizing holistic development improves students' employability and enables them to secure better career opportunities.

In conclusion, although some people argue that academic qualifications take precedence over vocational skills, I firmly believe that experiential learning provides a strong foundation for future career endeavours and overcoming real-life setbacks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. Each body paragraph provides relevant, well-developed arguments. The first paragraph focuses on personal independence and life skills, while the second addresses professional employability. The ideas are extended with specific examples, such as financial management and soft skills like critical thinking. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and reinforces the writer's stance. The response is well-balanced and covers all parts of the task thoroughly, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. The use of linking words is effective and not mechanical, which helps the reader follow the argument without difficulty. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and the conclusion, contributing to the overall coherence of the piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The vocabulary is varied and appropriate for an academic essay. The writer uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'theoretical knowledge', 'vocational skills', 'experiential learning', and 'holistic development'. The control of word choice and collocation is generally strong, with only minor instances where phrasing could be more precise. The language is natural and demonstrates a good level of sophistication, which allows the writer to convey their ideas clearly and effectively. There are no significant errors in spelling or word formation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good range of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('although some people argue that...', 'because practical learning facilitates...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. There is a minor punctuation error in the introduction where a comma splice occurs ('...practical skills , I strongly agree...'), but this does not impede meaning. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text. The writing demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence suitable for this level.

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