Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-08
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 5.0)
Nowadays, learning institutes are focusing more on theoretical sources rather than give more focus to practical skills. This trend is seen commonly in various countries. The subsequent paragraphs will explore the reasons of relaying on books than practical with particular emphasis on its broader implications, before giving my perspective on this matter.
To begin with, schools are providing the base of fundamental development to students. They teach them from beginning, which is the information in books. It is very crucial to learn the book information with dedication so they can get fruitful knowledge which is going to facilitate them in various situations. Moreover, the information is in the books is tested before authorised to publish and teach to students, so they can learn the exact version before going experiment it. For example, scientists do experiment those things that they already learn in books to invent multiple various inventions.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which severely impacts the ability to develop ideas. The essay only covers the first part of the prompt regarding the importance of theoretical knowledge and fails to address the second part concerning practical skills or provide a clear position on the debate. Because the response is incomplete and lacks the necessary length to explore the topic, it cannot be awarded a score higher than 4.0. To improve, you must ensure you address all parts of the prompt and expand your arguments with specific examples and logical reasoning to meet the word count.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay uses basic paragraphing and some cohesive devices like 'To begin with' and 'Moreover'. However, the progression of ideas is limited due to the brevity of the text. The connection between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the lack of a conclusion or a balanced discussion makes the overall structure feel incomplete. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider range of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that contributes to a well-developed argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is functional but limited. You use repetitive phrasing such as 'information in the books' and 'learning institutes'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'relaying on books' (relying) and 'going experiment it' (going to experiment with it). The range is insufficient to demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands. Try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and synonyms to avoid repetition and improve the sophistication of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The text contains several grammatical errors that hinder clarity, such as 'rather than give more focus' (rather than giving) and 'before authorised to publish' (before being authorised). Sentence structures are mostly simple or contain errors when attempting complexity. There are issues with verb forms and prepositions throughout. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like subject-verb agreement and missing auxiliary verbs.
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.