Band 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay on University Subjects: Clarity & Development Issues
Sample Answer with Feedback

πŸ“… Published Apr 2026⏱️ 40 minutes recommendedπŸ“ 309 words Β· Band 5
This Band 5 IELTS essay addresses the topic of university subjects, discussing both views but lacking clarity and depth. While it meets the minimum word count, the arguments are underdeveloped and the opinion is weakly stated. Learn how to improve your essay with focused feedback on clarity and development.

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

309 words Β· Discuss both views Β· AI Evaluated

5
Task Response
4.5
Grammar
5
Vocabulary
5
Coherence

Score Breakdown

IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)

Overall Band Score
5
Task Response
5
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
4.5
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
5
Coherence & Cohesion
5

Summary: The essay meets the minimum word count (309 words) and attempts to discuss both views and give an opinion, fulfilling the basic task requirements. However, the argument is underdeveloped, the opinion is weakly stated, and there are frequent language errors that affect clarity. The essay would benefit from more specific examples, better organisation, and improved accuracy.

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Student Answer
Real submission β€’ 309 words β€’ Annotated
309 wordsβ€’Band 5β€’WritingPart2
● Spelling● Grammar● Vocabulary

In recent years,there are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they ought only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future,such as those related to science and technology.now i will discuss both views as well i will give my own opinion.this two statement have their own perspective.

To commence with,there are also some benefits while university students should be free to choose their own subjects.when individuals will choose their favourite subject.they leads to perform better without frustration which is highly beneficial for those people really enjoy" title="Correction: who really enjoy">who are really enjoy this subject.another prominent point is that learning their favourite subject they can build their cognitive skill as well problem solving skill.in addition,when student learn this subject they feel deep sense of pleasure.it reduce ther procrastinaion.therefore,when their study will be finished student can become more happy as well it boost their emotional resilience.overall,it is the great way to learn their own subject as a result it would be better lifestyle.

one the other hand,there are some individuals thought that students should only be allowed to study those subjects which is more useful in the future,in this trend will become more popular.beacuse people think that when students study with science and technology related subject it would be more useful in future for their society as well community.In addition,this type of career provides higher salaries which is crucial for people.another important point is that when students will learn science and technology related subject in future they will get high chance of this sector beacuse this is most demanding sector in every job sector.

Although,the two trend has their own opinion which is great for every sector.but in my personal opinion i would say second statement is most popular as well beneficial in every sector like science and technology related.

AI Feedback Report Details

Spelling Β· Grammar Β· Vocabulary Β· Criteria Analysis

Spelling Mistakes

4 errors
Misspelled WordCorrected Word
beacusebecause
procrastinaionprocrastination
thertheir
oneon

Grammatical Mistakes

13 errors
MistakeCorrectionExplanation
ought only be allowedought only to be allowedMissing infinitive marker 'to' after 'ought'
as well i will giveas well as I will giveMissing 'as' in the correlative conjunction 'as well as'
this two statement havethese two statements haveDemonstrative 'this' should be plural 'these'; noun 'statement' should be plural 'statements'
they leads to perform betterthey lead to better performanceSubject-verb agreement: plural 'they' requires 'lead' (not 'leads'); 'to perform better' should be 'to better performance'
who are really enjoywho really enjoyIncorrect use of present continuous: remove 'are' because 'enjoy' is a stative verb used in simple present
it reduce ther procrastinaionit reduces their procrastinationSubject-verb agreement: 'it' is singular, so verb should be 'reduces'; also spelling corrections
subjects which is more usefulsubjects which are more usefulSubject-verb agreement: plural 'subjects' requires 'are' instead of 'is'
in futurein the futureMissing definite article 'the' before 'future'
this is most demanding sectorthis is the most demanding sectorMissing definite article 'the' before superlative 'most demanding sector'
the two trend hasthe two trends havePlural 'trends' required to match 'two'; verb 'has' should be 'have'
now i will discussNow I will discussLowercase 'i' should be capitalized 'I'; new sentence should start with capital letter
in recent years,therein recent years, thereMissing space after comma
subject.they leadssubject. They leadMissing space after period; new sentence should start with capital; 'leads' should be 'lead' for subject-verb agreement

Vocabulary Improvements

5 suggestions
Original Word/PhraseImproved Word/PhraseExplanation
really enjoygenuinely enjoyInformal 'really' replaced with more formal 'genuinely'
great wayeffective approachVague 'great way' replaced with more precise 'effective approach'
better lifestyleimproved quality of lifeVague 'better lifestyle' replaced with clearer 'improved quality of life'
high chancestrong prospectsInformal 'high chance' replaced with more academic 'strong prospects'
their own opiniontheir own perspectivesSingular 'opinion' is less appropriate for multiple viewpoints; 'perspectives' is more suitable

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Detailed Criteria Feedback

AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion

Task Response5
Evaluation
The essay addresses both views and presents a personal opinion, but the discussion is superficial. The first view (free choice) is described with some reasoning, but the second view (useful subjects) is less developed. The opinion is stated only in the final sentence and lacks supporting justification. There is no clear conclusion or summary of the arguments.
Examples
The paragraph on free choice mentions 'perform better without frustration' and 'cognitive skill', but these points are vague. The paragraph on useful subjects says 'higher salaries' and 'high chance of this sector', but no concrete examples or data are provided.
How to Improve
Develop each view with specific examples (e.g., how studying history can improve critical thinking, or how technology subjects lead to jobs in AI). State your own opinion more clearly in a separate paragraph and support it with reasons. Ensure you conclude by summarising both views and restating your stance.
Coherence & Cohesion5
Evaluation
The essay has a basic structure (introduction, two body paragraphs, conclusion), but logical flow is weak. Transitions are simplistic (e.g., 'To commence with', 'one the other hand', 'Although'). Ideas within paragraphs are not well linked, and there is unnecessary repetition (e.g., 'this two statement have their own perspective'). The introduction includes 'now i will discuss' which is informal.
Examples
The first body paragraph jumps from 'perform better' to 'cognitive skill' to 'deep sense of pleasure' without clear connectors. The second body paragraph mixes 'future for society' and 'higher salaries' without a clear sequence. The conclusion is abrupt and only restates the opinion without summarising.
How to Improve
Use a clear paragraph structure: each body paragraph should focus on one view, with a topic sentence and supporting details. Use more varied cohesive devices (e.g., 'In contrast', 'Furthermore', 'As a result'). Write a proper conclusion that briefly summarises both sides and then states your opinion.
Lexical Resource5
Evaluation
Vocabulary is limited and often inaccurate. There are frequent spelling errors (e.g., 'procrastinaion', 'beacuse', 'ther', 'individuals thought'). Word choice is basic (e.g., 'great way', 'better lifestyle', 'high chance'). Attempts at complex phrases (e.g., 'emotional resilience') are not used correctly. There is some repetition of 'subjects' and 'useful'.
Examples
Spelling errors: 'procrastinaion' (procrastination), 'beacuse' (because), 'ther' (their). Incorrect word forms: 'reduce ther procrastinaion' (reduces their procrastination). Simple phrases: 'it would be better lifestyle' (a better lifestyle).
How to Improve
Expand vocabulary by reading academic essays and noting topic-specific terms (e.g., 'curriculum flexibility', 'economic utility', 'intrinsic motivation'). Practice spelling common words. Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for 'useful' (beneficial, practical, lucrative) and 'choose' (select, opt for, pursue).
Grammatical Range & Accuracy4.5
Evaluation
There are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'this two statement have'), incorrect article usage (e.g., 'a great way'), missing prepositions, and run-on sentences. Sentence structures are mostly simple or incorrectly combined. Punctuation is inconsistent (e.g., missing spaces after commas). The essay would be difficult to understand in places.
Examples
Subject-verb agreement: 'this two statement have' (these two statements have). Run-on: 'when individuals will choose their favourite subject.they leads to perform better' (should be 'When individuals choose their favourite subject, they tend to perform better'). Article: 'it reduce ther procrastinaion' (it reduces their procrastination). Missing comma after 'In recent years'.
How to Improve
Review basic grammar rules, especially subject-verb agreement, articles (a/an/the), and sentence boundaries. Practice writing complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although some argue for freedom of choice, I believe that...'). Proofread for common errors before submitting. Use grammar-checking tools as a learning aid.
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Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.

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