Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-14

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 6.5)

In recent year education has become a vital part of every individual. Some people believe that, their no enough time spend on practical skills. However, more time are given to facts since from elementary education to colleges. I agree with the fact, as theoretical knowledge is important, but practical skills as also crucial for students to succeed in their personal and professional lives.

Firstly, students need theoretical knowledge to learn the basics of everything in all level of education. For instance, children need to learn basics of mathematics, languages, and science before applying this knowledge. Similarly, in colleges to improve the practical skills, the foundation of every subjects should be strong. However, simply memorising information will not helpful in real-life situation.

Secondly, practical skills are important for students for employment and everyday responsibilities. Schools and universities should focus on improving communication, teamwork, and time management skills, which will further help them in their careers.For instance, instead of only studying business theories, university students could participate in projects where they manage a small budget, work in teams and solve realistic business problems. Such activities would make education more useful and engaging while also helping students become more confident.

Moreover, employers increasingly look for candidates who can apply their knowledge rather than simply demonstrate good academic results. A student may achieve excellent grades but struggle to communicate with colleagues or handle unexpected problems at work. Providing internships, presentations, practical projects and work-based training could help bridge this gap between education and employment.

In conclusion, I agree that too much emphasis is sometimes placed on memorising facts at the expense of practical skills. Although theoretical knowledge remains necessary, educational institutions should create a better balance by giving students more opportunities to apply what they learn in realistic situations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating an agreement with the view that practical skills are often neglected in favor of theoretical facts. The position is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as the suggestion for university students to manage budgets or work on team projects. The development is logical and consistent, providing a balanced view that acknowledges the necessity of theoretical foundations while advocating for a shift toward practical application. The response effectively meets the requirements of the task by providing a clear argument and supporting evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, such as the role of theoretical knowledge versus the need for practical skills. Cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. While some transitions are standard, they function well to maintain the flow of ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, ensuring that the progression of the argument remains clear and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task and allows for clear communication. There is a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic, including terms like 'theoretical knowledge', 'educational institutions', and 'work-based training'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a higher band score. There are occasional minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'In recent year' (should be 'In recent years') and 'every subjects' (should be 'every subject'), but these do not impede the overall meaning of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a good attempt at using complex sentences to express ideas, such as 'Although theoretical knowledge remains necessary, educational institutions should create a better balance...'. However, there are several grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('more time are given', 'every subjects') and minor phrasing errors ('their no enough time spend'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not cause difficulty for the reader or impede communication. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain interest.

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

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