Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-10
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 5.5)
According to some people the educational institutes focuses mainly on teaching the teaching the universal facts rather than giving importance to practical skills. In my opinion, I totally agree with this statement.
On the one hand, since the basic foundation of the schooling system started in the industrial revolution the main importance was given to teaching the younger generation the facts regarding the system and the universe rather than teaching them the practical knowledge of the subject. For instance, students are taught about the theorems, the rule of the universe and the light but the practical in which the actual movement of the light is seen has hardly been shown to kids.
On the other hand, as the actual number of the class used to so big in numbers so doing the practical would be really difficult. Moreover, very little efforts has been made to make any change in this system as if it does it ought to be really beneficial not only for the students but also for the society too. As, it would ultimately means better understanding of the concepts and lesser complications. Additionally, it would also help the child in understanding where his passion lies.
In conclusion, because of the need of the society and the little efforts made by the people in power , all the educational institutes still follows the same system and spend more time on teaching the kids about facts rather then giving them more experience of practical knowledge.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention the industrial revolution and class sizes, the arguments lack depth and specific, well-explained examples. The response is also slightly under the 250-word minimum, which impacts the overall development of the task. To improve, ensure that each paragraph provides a more thorough explanation of your points and consider adding a concrete personal example or a more detailed hypothetical scenario to support your claims. The conclusion is a bit repetitive and does not fully synthesize the arguments presented.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'In conclusion' to link your thoughts. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the transition between the historical context in the second paragraph and the practical challenges in the third paragraph is abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence logically follows the previous one will help you achieve a higher score in this area.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic phrasing, such as 'teaching the universal facts' and 'actual number of the class.' There are also some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'the actual number of the class used to so big in numbers.' To improve, try to incorporate more academic collocations and precise terminology related to education and pedagogy. Avoid repeating words like 'teaching' and 'system' too frequently by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder the flow. Examples include 'educational institutes focuses' (subject-verb agreement), 'very little efforts has been made' (plural/singular mismatch), and 'all the educational institutes still follows' (subject-verb agreement). Additionally, there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'as if it does it ought to be.' To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Proofreading your work for these common errors will significantly enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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