Band 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 University Subject Choice and Development Feedback
Sample Answer with Feedback

πŸ“… Published Apr 2026⏱️ 40 minutes recommendedπŸ“ 264 words Β· Band 5
Read this Band 5 IELTS essay discussing university subject choice, which presents a superficial argument and has grammatical errors. Discover how to enhance your writing by addressing development and cohesion issues.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Discuss both views Β· University Students Β· 40 min


There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.



5Band

Overall Band Score

264 words Β· Discuss both views Β· AI Evaluated

5.5
Task Response
5
Grammar
5
Vocabulary
5
Coherence

Score Breakdown

IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)

Overall Band Score
5
Task Response
5.5
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
5
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
5
Coherence & Cohesion
5

Summary: The essay meets the minimum word count of 264 words and addresses the task by discussing both views and presenting an opinion. However, the development of ideas is limited, with some irrelevant points (e.g., middle school guidance), and there are noticeable errors in cohesion, vocabulary, and grammar, leading to an overall band score of 5.0.

Now write your own β€” and see how your verdict holds up.

Submit your University Students essay and receive AI scores across Task Response, Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Grammar β€” plus a Band 9 model answer for your exact question.

Student Answer
Real submission β€’ 264 words β€’ Annotated
264 wordsβ€’Band 5β€’WritingPart2
● Spelling● Grammar● Vocabulary

University students should be allowed to select their subject in which they are interested and also should focus on which subject would be beneficial for their future. This essay will discuss the both views. According to my point of view students should give their preferences to the science and technology related subjects.
on the first hand, now a days our generation is fully aware about everything. they are taking their own decisions. Choosing the subject on their own wish can increase their interest in the study because students know about their skills. For example, if one of the child is interested in the art subject, they can actively participate in all the activities and do wonderful painting by their love and care
on the other hand, if students choose their subjects by proper searching about which subjects would be beneficial for their future. For instance, science and technology-related subjects are fruitful for their upcoming days because now a days technology and science related researches are growing faster and these students have more career opportunities and earn more as compared to other related subjects.
lastly, but not the least. My point of view is that, at the Time of middle school the teachers should guide their students about their career perspective. Additionally, arrange their career counseling seminars and discuss each subject briefly and decribe their advantanges and disadvantages of each subject.
In conclusion, university-going students should have the opportunity to choose their subjects by their own wish but according to my point of view, students should choose those subjects that are good for their future

AI Feedback Report Details

Spelling Β· Grammar Β· Vocabulary Β· Criteria Analysis

Spelling Mistakes

4 errors
Misspelled WordCorrected Word
now a daysnowadays
researchesresearch
decribedescribe
advantangesadvantages

Grammatical Mistakes

11 errors
MistakeCorrectionExplanation
the both viewsboth viewsArticle misuse; 'both' does not require 'the' when used alone
on the first handOn the one handIncorrect phrase; the standard expression is 'on the one hand'
aware aboutaware ofPreposition error; 'aware' is followed by 'of'
they are taking their own decisionsThey are making their own decisionsVerb collocation; 'make decisions' is more appropriate than 'take decisions'
if one of the childif a childArticle and number agreement; 'child' is singular, so use 'a child' or 'one of the children'
they can actively participatehe or she can actively participatePronoun agreement; 'a child' is singular, so use singular pronouns
by proper searchingthrough proper researchIncorrect phrasing; 'research' is more appropriate than 'searching' in this context
science related researchesscience-related researchUncountable noun and hyphenation; 'research' is uncountable, and 'science-related' should be hyphenated
lastly, but not the least.Last but not least,Idiomatic expression; the correct phrase is 'last but not least'
at the Time of middle schoolat the time of middle schoolCapitalization error; 'time' should not be capitalized unless starting a sentence
arrange their career counseling seminarsarrange career counseling seminarsMissing subject; the phrase lacks a clear subject for 'arrange', so removing 'their' improves clarity

Vocabulary Improvements

7 suggestions
Original Word/PhraseImproved Word/PhraseExplanation
give their preferences topreferAwkward phrasing; 'prefer' is more concise and academic
fruitfulbeneficialSlightly informal; 'beneficial' is more commonly used in academic writing
upcoming daysfutureVague expression; 'future' is more precise and standard
growing fastergrowing rapidlyInformal; 'rapidly' is more formal than 'faster' in this context
earn morehave higher earning potentialInformal; 'have higher earning potential' is more academic
by their own wishaccording to their own interestsAwkward collocation; 'according to their own interests' is more appropriate
career perspectivecareer prospectsIncorrect collocation; 'career prospects' is the standard term for future career opportunities

Ready to practise? Get instant AI feedback on your verdict.

Submit your University Students essay and receive AI scores across all four IELTS criteria β€” with specific feedback on whether your solutions are specific, realistic, and matched to your problems.

Detailed Criteria Feedback

AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion

Task Response5.5
Evaluation
The essay covers both views and gives a clear opinion, but the discussion is superficial and underdeveloped. The example about art is brief, and the introduction of career counseling in middle school is not directly relevant to university subject choice.
Examples
For example, the point 'Choosing the subject on their own wish can increase their interest in the study because students know about their skills' is not elaborated. The suggestion that 'teachers should guide their students about their career perspective' in middle school detracts from the university context.
How to Improve
Develop each view with more detailed explanations and relevant examples. Focus strictly on the university level. Elaborate on why science and technology are beneficial for the future, and compare with other subjects to strengthen the argument.
Coherence & Cohesion5
Evaluation
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, but cohesion is weakened by awkward transitions, informal phrases, and punctuation errors.
Examples
Incorrect transitions like 'on the first hand' (should be 'on the one hand') and 'lastly, but not the least' (informal and misused). Lack of capitalization after periods, e.g., 'they are taking their own decisions.' affects flow.
How to Improve
Use standard linking words and phrases (e.g., 'on the one hand', 'on the other hand', 'in conclusion'). Ensure each paragraph starts with a topic sentence and progresses logically. Proofread for punctuation and capitalization to improve readability.
Lexical Resource5
Evaluation
Vocabulary is repetitive and contains spelling errors, with a limited range of words. Some terms are used inaccurately or informally.
Examples
'now a days' should be 'nowadays'; 'fruitful' is less appropriate than 'beneficial'; 'decribe' is misspelled for 'describe'; 'advantanges' for 'advantages'.
How to Improve
Expand vocabulary by learning synonyms and more precise academic terms. Avoid informal expressions. Practice correct spelling and word formation through reading and writing exercises.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy5
Evaluation
There are frequent grammatical errors in subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and sentence structure, which hinder clarity.
Examples
Subject-verb agreement: 'our generation is fully aware... they are taking' should be 'it is taking'; 'if one of the child is' should be 'if a child is'. Sentence fragment: 'on the first hand,' without proper capitalization.
How to Improve
Focus on grammar rules, especially subject-verb agreement and tense consistency. Practice constructing complex sentences correctly. Proofread thoroughly to identify and correct errors in articles, prepositions, and sentence boundaries.
πŸ’‘
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.

RELATED ESSAYS

01
MuseumsπŸ“ 272 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model βœ“
Some people believe that the purpose of museums is to educate people, while others think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people. What is your view on this issue? Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
When travelling to another country, museums are often serves as a spot or a destination for that certain area. Museums offers education and entertainment. It do...
02
FamilyπŸ“ 308 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model βœ“
Some people believe that children benefit more from growing up in large families with many siblings, while others think that being an only child offers greater advantages.Discuss both views and give your own opinion.Write not less than 250 words.
It is a common belief of some individuals that children raised in large families with multiple siblings are more likely to benefit more from their upbringing wh...
03
High IncomesπŸ“ 330 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model βœ“
Some people in different countries earn very high incomes. While some people think that this is beneficial for the nation, others believe that the government should limit how much money people can make. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.  Write at least 250 words.
In different countries, many people make too much money. Some people gave their opinions in thier favour and some suggest that The Government should keeps an ey...
04
University StudentsπŸ“ 282 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model βœ“
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
The two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subject or whether allowing an individual to study courses that will on...
05
University StudentsπŸ“ 379 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model βœ“
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
The question of what university students should study sits at the heart of what we think university is for. One side argues for total freedom of choice, the oth...