Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-28

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 7.5)

There is long debate between individuals from so long that from childhood to adulthood there is huge material to learn as compare to real practical work.

I agree that educational institutions spend too much time teaching theoretical knowledge and facts, while practical skills receive less attention. Although learning academic subjects is important, students also need practical abilities to prepare themselves for their future careers and everyday lives.

Firstly, practical skills are essential when students enter the workplace. In many schools and universities, students spend years studying theories, memorising information and preparing for examinations. However, they may have little experience in applying this knowledge in real-life situations. For example, a business student may learn about management and marketing from textbooks, but without practical experience, such as managing a project or dealing with customers, it can be difficult to perform effectively in a real job. Therefore, educational institutions should provide more internships, workshops and practical projects.

Secondly, practical education can help students become more independent in their daily lives. Skills such as managing money, preparing a budget, communicating effectively, solving problems and using technology are useful for almost everyone. For instance, young adults may know a great deal about mathematics but still struggle to manage their monthly finances because they were never taught how to create a realistic budget. Teaching these skills at school could make students better prepared for adult life.

However, I do not believe that factual knowledge should be removed from education. A strong understanding of basic academic subjects provides the foundation for developing practical abilities. The most effective approach would therefore be to create a better balance between theoretical learning and hands-on experience.

In conclusion, I agree that too much emphasis is currently placed on memorising facts. Schools and universities should maintain academic education while giving students more opportunities to develop practical skills that they can use in their careers and everyday lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt clearly. You establish a firm position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between workplace readiness and daily life skills. You provide relevant examples, such as business students needing project management experience and the necessity of financial literacy. The argument is balanced by acknowledging the continued importance of factual knowledge, which adds depth to your response. To reach a higher band, ensure that your opening sentence is more grammatically precise, as the current phrasing is slightly awkward and impacts the initial clarity of your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two main body paragraphs is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'Therefore', which guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two supporting body paragraphs, a concession paragraph, and a conclusion. The referencing is generally clear, and the flow of ideas is natural, making the essay easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'theoretical knowledge', 'practical abilities', 'effective approach', and 'hands-on experience' are used appropriately. There is some awareness of collocation, and the language is generally natural. While the vocabulary is adequate and functional, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or the use of less common idiomatic expressions that would characterize a higher band. However, there are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the academic nature of the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures throughout the essay. There is good control over grammar, and most sentences are error-free. For example, your use of conditional structures and complex noun phrases is generally accurate. However, there are minor slips in the opening sentence, such as 'There is long debate between individuals from so long', which is grammatically awkward. Despite this, the majority of your writing is accurate, and the errors present do not interfere with the reader's understanding. The punctuation is also handled well, contributing to the overall clarity of the text.

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.