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Writing Samples
Band 5

All university undergraduate courses should include a period of time spent studying abroad or doing a work placement. Do you think the advantages of this would outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and

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Introduction
Students during university are able to face different experiences that can help
grow
Correct pronoun usage
them grow
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 in academic matters and in life as well. Some of these experiences offered by universities are
exchange
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programs
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 and internships
which
Punctuation problem
, which
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 are very significant as they are great ways to gain knowledge and skills.
Body paragraph 1
Exchange
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programs
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 and
work
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 placement
offers
Correct subject-verb agreement
offer
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 an opportunity to grow and learn. Studying abroad allows them to learn in other places around the world, and have the chance to take other courses to learn new things as well.
Additionally
Linking Words
, as part of
this
Linking Words
 experience, getting to know new people and other students enables them to
exchange
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 ideas and learn new things as well.
Besides
Linking Words
,
Internship
Correct article usage
an internship
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 helps to create and improve skills to
work
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 by gaining early experience
which
Punctuation problem
, which
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 presents an advantage in the future when the next step will be
work
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 research.
Body paragraph 2
On the other hand
Linking Words
, these experiences
Linking Words
also can
Correct word order
can also
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 be very challenging if they are not well managed. Studying in other countries
impose
Correct subject-verb agreement
imposes
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 a high cost, including flights, housing, food, health and any other activities.
In addition
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, language barriers must be considered
as
Punctuation problem
, as
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 many universities do not use English to explain the class.
Likewise
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,
work
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 placements have other challenges, one of them would be the adverse
work
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 environment that could pose a threat
for
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to
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 the students,
for
Linking Words
example
Punctuation problem
example,
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 colleagues
that
Correct pronoun usage
who
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 give excessive amounts of
work
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 or fail to provide appropriate feedback.
Moreover
Linking Words
, it can be hard to manage both study and
work
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, leading to bad performance in one or both aspects.
Conclusion
In conclusion,
although
Linking Words
internship
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internships
show examples
 and
exchange
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programs
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 can be very hard to overcome, they are not only great ways to gain experience for life and
work
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, but
also
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they
Correct pronoun usage
apply
show examples
help to enhance practical skills and knowledge. For these reasons, I believe that the advantages of these
programs
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 outweigh the disadvantages.

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task response
Give a clearer main view in the first paragraph. Say at once that the good points are greater than the bad points, and briefly name the main reasons.
task response
Develop each main point more fully. For example, explain how work experience can help a student get a job, or how study in another country can build skills for life.
task response
Use more real and specific examples. You could describe a student who learns a new way of working in a company, or who makes friends and learns to live on their own abroad.
task response
Make the comparison stronger. The essay lists both sides, but it should explain why the costs and problems can be managed and why the long-term gains are more important.
coherence and cohesion
Your essay has a clear four-part shape: opening, good points, bad points, and ending. Keep this shape, but make the opening more direct and focused on the question.
coherence and cohesion
Start each body paragraph with one clear main idea. The first body paragraph can focus on learning and job skills; the second can focus on cost, language, and time problems.
coherence and cohesion
Some ideas repeat, such as “learn new things.” Use a clearer link between each point and add one short explanation before moving to the next idea.
coherence and cohesion
Use linking words with care. Words such as “however”, “for example”, “as a result”, and “therefore” can show the relation between ideas more clearly.
task response
You answer the question and give a clear final view that the good points are greater than the bad points.
task response
You include both study abroad and work placement, so the response covers all key parts of the topic.
coherence and cohesion
The order of ideas is easy to follow: benefits first, problems next, then a final opinion.
coherence and cohesion
The ending brings your main view back to the reader and links it to skills, work, and life experience.
Your opinion

Don’t put your opinion unless you are asked to give it.

If the question asks what you think, you MUST give your opinion to get a good score.

Don’t leave your opinion until the conclusion.

Here are examples of instructions that require you to give your opinion:

...do you agree or disagree?...do you think...?...your opinion...?

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »- a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

Topic Vocabulary:
  • study abroad
  • work placement
  • real-world experience
  • practical skills
  • academic knowledge
  • open-minded
  • independent
  • self-confidence
  • adapt to change
  • career chances
  • cultural understanding
  • language skills
  • financial cost
  • family responsibilities
  • compulsory
  • flexible choice
  • personal growth
  • hands-on learning
  • future employer
  • equal opportunity
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