Task 2 - Band Score 8 Sample

As computers are being used more and more in education, there will be soon no role for teachers in the classroom.

There have been immense advances in technology in most aspects of people?s lives, especially in the field of education. Nowadays, an increasing number of students rely on computers for research and to produce a perfect paper for school purposes. Others have decided to leave the original way of learning and to get knowledge through online schools. These changes in the learning process have brought a special concern regarding the possible decrease of importance of teachers in the classroom.

Some people believe the role of teachers started to fade because computers have been helping some students to progress in their studies quicker than when compared with an original classroom. For example, in the same classroom, students have different intellectual capacities, thus some would be tied to a slow advance in their studies because of others? incapacity of understanding. In this way, pupils could progress in their acquisition of knowledge at their own pace using computers instead of learning from teachers.

However, the presence of a teacher is essential for students because the human contact influences them in positive ways. Firstly, students realize that they are not dealing with a machine but with a human being who deserves attention and respect. They also learn the importance of studying in group and respect other students, which helps them to improve their social skills.

Moreover, teachers are required in the learning process because they acknowledge some student?s deficiencies and help them to solve their problems by repeating the same explanation, giving extra exercises or even suggesting a private tutor. Hence, students can have a bigger chance not to fail in a subject.

In conclusion, the role for teachers in the learning process is still very important and it will continue to be in the future because no machine can replace the human interaction and its consequences.

This is a great essay. Looks like Band 8 to me. No improvements are necessary, Keep up the good job!

Writing Task 2 - Sample of Band 8

Financial education should be mandatory component of the school program. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is an obvious fact that financial aspects are a major part of daily life, as an adult and even as a young individual. Each and every one of us has to make financial decisions concerning recreation, health, education and more. The question is whether to start with financial education as part of school program or postpone it for a later stage in life.

To being with, being able to understand the value of money, the way the economic system works and interpret financial news and its implications is a virtue. Without this virtue, an individual, and even a young one, might suffer, to some extent. For an example, a child who doesn’t understand the concept of money might find it more difficult to except choosing only one present out of more possible ones.

In addition, many adults are lacking financial analysis capabilities. Quite often, the reason can be a shaky basis or insecurity when it comes to financial terms and concepts. Starting from an early age, building a strong background, can very likely prevent such a situation.

However, financial education necessarily involves quantifying and setting prices and value for services and goods. It can be easily turn young people into cynical and cold-hearted human beings. Furthermore, a tendency to self-concentration and egoism might rise when one start measuring everything from a profit making perspective.

In conclusion, financial education has both pros and cons. In my opinion, the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages, making financial education an advisable component of school program. The disadvantages should be thought of as a certain price that young people have to pay due to the characteristics of the world that we live in.

This is a wonderful essay. It covers the task, is correctly structured, the paragraphs are logically connected, the structure of sentences shows excellent command of English. The vocabulary is fine and both spelling and grammar are very good. See comments underlined in blue for some minor corrections. Overall, looks like a Band 7.5 � 8 essay.

IELTS Report, topic: Table of home schooled students percentages

You are advised to spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this task.

The table below describes percentages of home schooled students in SomeCountry in 1999-2004. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown.

You should write at least 150 words.

The main trend is that all grades including kindergarten is growing for every year. Kindergarten started highest at 2.4 and ended highest at 2.9 percent with a constant increase. But grades 1-2 and grades 5-6 shows a little different trend, both starts at 1,5 percent in 1999 and declines a little bit in 2000. Both of them increased slowly in 2002 and both it holds that course to 2004 where grades 1-2 ends at 2,1 percent and grades 5-6 ends at 2.6 percent.

Grades 3-4 has a slow but steady growth througt all six years. It starts at 1.6 percent in 1999 and increases 0.1 every year except in 2003 when it peaks up 0.2 percent. Grades 7-8 starts at 1.6 percent and stays there for three years until it rapidly rises up to 2.2 and peaks at 2.5 in 2004.

Overall, all grades including kindergarten has had a rise at rougly minimum 1 percent and more in 6 years.

This is a good report; here is how you can make it better: the coherence needs improvement, meaning the logical connection between sentences inside a paragraph and between paragraphs. Use more connective words (Furthermore, However, etc).

The groupings you?ve done are fine, but try to use more variations describing those statistics: use words such as numbers, figures, percentages, etc. The grammar and the spelling need some extra attention.

Academic IELTS Writing tips from Phuong on how to get Band 7

 

Writing tips

This isn’t, in fact, my weakness. But this skill is difficult to self-study. You need to go to English center where there are teachers who are willing to check your writing. Here are some suggestions I can think of, it maybe can’t help you out. But do your best, you will be fine.

1. Before writing an essay, you must know its basic structure.

2. Do task 2 first, because it is worth more mark and easier

3. Don’t waste too much time on Task 1. Learn all specific writing structure for each type of task 1. In the real test, you just have to apply that structure with new data and suitable verb tenses. Read sample essays and take note good structure to have a wide range of academic structures for task 1. Some structure might be used in task 2 as well.

4. You must complete both tasks. I don’t care how difficult the test is, I don’t care how little time you got. You MUST complete your test at any cost. If you don’t, you will be penalized very heavily.

5. Again, practice writing. Do both 2 tasks in one hour. You can focus only on task 1 or task 2, but before the test, you should practice writing both tasks to familiar with time limit.

6. Practice makes perfect. In writing, this statement is completely true. But it is better if there is someone to check writing for you and you can learn from your mistakes.

7. Writing requires wide academic vocabulary. You also have to buy a vocabulary book to work on and enrich your vocabulary.

8. Avoid all informal ways of writing. There are some rules of writing you should follow. For example: no abbreviations, no 1st and 2nd pronoun or possessive (I, you, me, my, your), except in conclusion where you have to state your opinion.

9. Each body paragraph has to include: topic sentence, supporting sentences (2-3 sentences), development sentences (evidence: example, experience, data). In many languages (English included), there are many ways to develop a body paragraph, which results that topic sentence is not the first sentence. But you are advised to put topic sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph. Don�t be creative in this case.

That is all I can think of. I hope you will be lucky in your exam and what I wrote will help you in one way or another. But REMEMBER, to reach success, you MUST make an effort. You should have a clear motivation and a strong will to overcome difficulties. When I did practice tests, I was exhausted. But no success comes easily. Practice is the only way to gain success. Don’t just wait for lucky break, it will never come if you don’t know how to grab it.

And the final point I want to mention is:

Relax before the test!

Attempting to do one or two practice test before the real test won’t help you increase your score. In return, it will make you feel stressed and unconfident.

I took IELTS 2 times:

First time: no relaxing, I tried to do more practice tests right before the test day. As a result, I couldn’t concentrate on the test. and the result is: L:5.5 ; R:7.0 (don’t mention about W and S here because it depends mostly on examiners)

Second time: 2 weeks after the first time, that means when I received the first result, I had to take the test the day after. But this time I felt relaxed since I knew I got 6.5 overall in the first test. And here is the second result: L:6.5 ; R:7.5

I believe in a short period of time (two weeks), I couldn�t improve that much. Moreover, the second test was considered to be more difficult. So what makes the difference is the relaxation. There are more examples I could mention to prove this point, but it would be wasting your time.

In brief, you must relax before any tests. Forget about them to relax, and believe in yourself.

IELTS Writing - half-band scores

About two years ago there was a change in IELTS grading system, when half-band scores were introduced for the Writing and Speaking modules. At first there was so much confusion, until they came up with an explanation of those half-bands, but even now many people write to me asking to explain what can make a difference between a full band and half-band.

According to IELTS examiners, it is the quality of your writing that makes that half band of difference. Let me explain. I have written a post explaining how your writing task gets graded, what things are important and what you can get marks for. So let’s take for example one of categories there, “Selecting what information to present”. If the examiner sees that you attempted to do that, but didn’t do it quite right (for example threw too much information away) - that could mean that you get half of band for attempting but not the full band because you didn’t do a very good job selecting information. Usually messing up in just one category is not enough to cost you half band; it would take two or three mess-ups of that kind.

Another example - weak grammar and poor choice of words can make the difference between band 5.5 and 6. The work can be written in beautiful English but if it doesn’t follow the IELTS format, you’ll never get beyond Band 7.

So I think the bottom line is - they introduced the half bands to make difference between students that know what IELTS writing rules are, try hard but do a poor job following the rules and students that do a good job in fulfilling all the requirements.

IELTS Writing - how your band score is calculated

This is the key question of many students: please explain how the band score is calculated. Finally, I decided to try and summarize what I know about the scoring process so this is it - the scoring process in my understanding.

When your Writing 1 task gets graded (I am talking about IELTS Academic module here), you can get (or loose) points for:

Filling the requirement of the task
That means writing a report that shows - this student understands what he needs to do and does as we ask.

Selecting what information to present
A bit tricky, you need to be careful to not throw away useful information and to not include every little detail.

Presenting an overview
Describing what the graph shows without repeating the task, in your own words. If you don’t have an overview or copy the task it will cost you marks.

Presenting key features
Almost any graph has the most noticeable features, write about them.

Organization of information
This is mostly about paragraphs that should come in logical order.

Progression
As the examiner reads your report he needs to see how you “slide” on the graph from one thing to another.

Cohesion, reference and substitution
That is to do with the way you present statistics. If you repeat the same structure to mention all the numbers, or choose awkward expressions to do it - that will cost you marks.

Range of vocabulary
Your choice of words can point at limited, normal or wide vocabulary. It also matters if your vocabulary is adequate for the task or not (if it is not wide but enough to write a clear report, that’s fine)

Control over grammar, spelling and appropriate choice of words
No need to explain

IELTS Letter, topic: a complaint about a laptop

IELTS Letter, topic: a complaint about a laptop

You have bought a new laptop computer and in a few days of purchase discovered a major flaw. Write a letter to the company. In your letter
- introduce yourself
- explain the situation
- say what action you would like to company to take.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing you to express my dissatisfaction with a laptop computer I bought in your store four days ago.

As soon as I turned on the computer, I realized that Windows operating system was not installed in it, although the offer said it was included. In addition, I chose a gray laptop and the one I received is black. Moreover, the default language of the laptop is Japanesse and I haven´t been able to change it to my native language, which is English. To make matters worse, the memory specifications of this laptop are not the same as the ones that I read in your catalog.

I definitely need this situation to be solved as soon as possible. I made the decision to buy the laptop at your store, because of previous good recommendations some friends of mine gave me about your store. However, after this experience, I feel deceived.

I would like you can send me the laptop I first chose at your store, including all the specifications were shown in the offer. If I don’t get a quick response to my request, I hope a full refund of the payment I already made.

Thanks in advance for your response.

Yours faithfully,

R.

This is a good letter, all it need is a little more attention as there are certain language inaccuracies (see comments underlined in blue). Overall, looks like a Band 7 letter.

IELTS Essay, topic: mother’s and father’s role in a family

The boys are most influenced by their fathers and girls are most influenced by their mothers. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and details to support your opinion.

It is true that nowadays parent (parents) have a great influence over the (on their) children. Some people hold the opinion that the same sex is the major determinations of influencing parent, but others have a negative attitude (disagree) . As far as I am concerned, I agree that boys are most influenced by their fathers and girls are most influenced by their mothers (DO NOT COPY THE TASK EXACTLY, REPHRASE IT). My arguments for this point are listed below.

First of all, father is the person who passed that (those) ways which are (in life which) his son is passing now, in the other words, sons are stepping in a trace which fathers had driven them. So (thus) , based on experience it is easy for father to notice sons’ drawbacks and influence them.

Secondly, it is true that a boy is countedas a strong characteristics human ( considered a strong person) , but (whereas) a girl is subtle and fragile one. It is hard for mothers to influence their sons, because it is unbelievable that vulnerable something ( a vurnerable person)  can affect a strong one.

In conclusion, it seems to me unfair that boys are most influenced by their mothers. Based on at least two points which are above I strongly agree that children are influenced by a parent of the same gender.

This essay is too short, 190 words instead of the minimum requirement of 250. It doesn’t say anything about girls being influenced by their mothers, which is also a part of the task - therefore the task is only partially covered. The sentences are not complex enough, there are grammatical mistakes and language inaccuracies (see comments underlined in blue). Overall, looks like a Band 5.5 essay

 

IELTS Writing - how your band score is calculated

This is the key question of many students: please explain how the band score is calculated. Finally, I decided to try and summarize what I know about the scoring process so this is it - the scoring process in my understanding.

When your Writing 1 task gets graded (I am talking about IELTS Academic module here), you can get (or loose) points for:

Filling the requirement of the task
That means writing a report that shows - this student understands what he needs to do and does as we ask.

Selecting what information to present
A bit tricky, you need to be careful to not throw away useful information and to not include every little detail.

Presenting an overview
Describing what the graph shows without repeating the task, in your own words. If you don’t have an overview or copy the task it will cost you marks.

Presenting key features
Almost any graph has the most noticeable features, write about them.

Organization of information
This is mostly about paragraphs that should come in logical order.

Progression
As the examiner reads your report he needs to see how you “slide” on the graph from one thing to another.

Cohesion, reference and substitution
That is to do with the way you present statistics. If you repeat the same structure to mention all the numbers, or choose awkward expressions to do it - that will cost you marks.

Range of vocabulary
Your choice of words can point at limited, normal or wide vocabulary. It also matters if your vocabulary is adequate for the task or not (if it is not wide but enough to write a clear report, that’s fine)

Control over grammar, spelling and appropriate choice of words
No need to explain

IELTS Essay, topic: the positive and the negative sides of globalization

Even though globalization affects the world’s economies in a positive way, its negative side should not be forgotten. Discuss.

In the present age, globalization is playing increasingly important role in our lives. But in the meantime whether it is a blessing or a curse has sparked much debate. Some people argue the globalization has fundamentally beneficial influence on our lives while many others contend that it has detrimental effect as well.

Convincing argument can be made that globalization not only plays a pivotal role in the development of technology and economy, but also promotes the exchange of cultures between different countries. To start with, it is the globalization that impelled many corporate to become an international group, thereby making contribution to local technology and employment. Specifically, when a multinational group establish a factory in a developing country, the new equipment, the new management skill and the job vacancies are all in the best interest of local society. Moreover, people worldwide can know each other better through globalization. It is easy to see that more and more Hollywood blockbusters shows the cultures different from American, some recent examples are Kungfu Panda and Mummy.

Admittedly, profit driven globalization severely affected the young people. Today, in the metropolises in different countries, it is very common sight that teenagers are wearing NIKE T-shirt and Adidas footwear, playing Hi-pop music with Apple ipod and having KFC. The culture that took thousand years to form is just seems similar in these cities; it is looks like you can only distinguish them by their language. Meanwhile, in some developing countries, sweat workshop is always the issue that concerned by WHO. For instance, some report shows that some teenagers who employed by NIKE’s contractor always stay in the factory that is fulfilled by smell over 14 hours a day, but they only work for fifty cents per hour.

In summary, I would concede that globalization do come with some adverse effects. Despite that the benefits created by it far outweigh the disadvantages. Overall, I convinced that we should further promote globalization and meanwhile the local government should take some measures to combat culture assimilation and sweat workshop.

This essay is extremely long (338 words instead of the advised 250-265). It has a sound structure, your position is clearly expressed, the information is well-organized, and structure-wise the sentences are fine. The vocabulary is impressive and there only were a few grammatical errors (see comments underlined in blue). Overall, looks like a band 7.5 + essay.

IELTS Essay, topic: children and rules

IELTS Essay, topic: children and rules

In some countries children have very strict rules of behavior, in other countries they are allowed to do almost anything they want. To what extent should children have to follow rules?

The extent to which children have to follow rules is in itself a very complex issue, since children across the world grow up in very different cultures. In India for example, the level of morality is very high and children are to be very submissive to their parents as well as other adults around them. This, however, is not the case for the Western countries of the world where children follow the motto “Thou shalt do what thou wilt” as promoted by celebrities and rock stars. I believe that following strict rules has both advantages as well as serious drawbacks as discussed below.

Firstly, strict rules of behavior create responsible and respectful children who in turn mature into respectful adults. This forms a stable society which is virtually free from vices such as prostitution and drug abuse. Secondly, if children do not follow strict rules of behavior, they will get out of hand and become work- shy and indolent. This will then create a burden on society since the government has to find ways to cater for these social ills.

However, forcing children to follow strict rules of behavior doesn’t always yield positive results as discussed above, most of the time it backfires and works against society. For example, teenagers are more likely to do the opposite of what they’re told to do simply because they want to be independent. Children should also have rights to exercise their free will and develop their own pattern of behaviors. Strict rules simply destroy the individuality of children if they’re imposed on them.

At the end of the day, it is clear that children should be guided by rules, but these rules should not be imposed on them because as human beings, they need to have room to develop their own traits of character and adopt a behavioral pattern of their own.

This essay is too long (309 words instead of advised 250-265). Otherwise this work is a very good one; it covers the task, your position is clear, the ideas are well-organized, expressed, explained and supported. The sentences show a wide range of language structures, cohesive devices and the grammar is fine. Overall, looks like a band 7.5 or higher essay.

EXTRA EXERCISE: Thirteen Writing Topics for Task 2 of Both AC & GT Modulues

Topic 1

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Financial education should be mandatory component of the school program. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 2

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Ecological balance is impossible to archive when technological progress constantly ruins our environment. Do you agree?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 3

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Soon people who cannot work with computers will be disadvantaged. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this idea?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 4

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Nowadays, radio is being replaced by television and the internet. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this idea?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 5

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

These days, schools introduce behavior of what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. This responsibility is not only parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

You should write at least 250 words.

Topic 6

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Education is a lifelong task. Do you agree or disagree?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 7

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Nowadays, people care about their appearance more than before. Do you agree or disagree?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 8

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Government should spend more money on education than recreation and sports. Do you agree or disagree?

You should write at least 250 words.

Topic 9

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Technology has facilitated our lives so much and given a lot of freedom. Some people, however, believe that it has caused more problems for us. What is your opinion?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 10

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Shopping has become a favourite pastime among young people. Why do you think it is like that and do you think they must be encouraged to do other things rather than shopping?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 11

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Nowadays, some people still prefer to ride bicycles. To what extent do you think this will help us in today’s life?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 12

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Governments have to place the same number of men and women in different fields of study in universities. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

You should write at least 250 words.

 Topic 13

You are advised to spend the maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

People’s character is influenced by environment rather than genetics. Do you agree or disagree?

You should write at least 250 words.