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User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 2 Band 7.0 Example

Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.

282 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

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Ideas to explore

  • Paid work can build responsibility and practical skills while helping young people save for university costs.
  • Travel can broaden perspectives and strengthen confidence through exposure to unfamiliar places and ways of life.
  • A gap year may disrupt study habits or become costly, especially when the young person has no clear plan or budget.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the gap-year choice and state clearly whether its advantages outweigh its disadvantages.
  2. Explain the main benefits, supporting each with a result for the young person.
  3. Present drawbacks such as interrupted study and expense, explaining when these risks are most likely.
  4. Conclude with a balanced judgement and a practical condition, such as planning goals and costs.
Useful vocabulary & examples
practical skills
Abilities that can be applied in real situations, such as communication or time management.

A part-time job can help school-leavers develop practical skills before university.

academic momentum
The habit and motivation to continue studying regularly.

Returning to university may be harder if a student loses academic momentum during a gap year.

broaden their perspective
Help someone understand a wider range of experiences, ideas or ways of life.

Travel can broaden young people’s perspective by introducing them to different cultures.

a realistic budget
A spending plan based on the money a person is likely to have and their expected costs.

A realistic budget can prevent travel costs from becoming a major problem.

Task Prompt

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 7.0

Nowadays, the majority of young adults who complete their high school studies are inclined to pursue an academic career and enroll in a bachelor’s degree. A vast amount of these students prefers to take a gap year in order to experience the real world and travel or work to gain more consciousness on their future plans. This arrangement can offer several benefits, although it also has some drawbacks. One important advantage is that young people can gain practical experience before beginning university. A job may teach them how to manage money, cooperate with colleagues and take responsibility for completing tasks. These skills can help them become more independent and may also make it easier to choose a suitable course of study. Travel can broaden their understanding of other cultures and help them become more adaptable. A year away from school may also give students time to rest after years of examinations, so that they return to education with clearer goals and greater motivation. However, taking time away from formal education can make the transition back to studying difficult. Some young people may lose their study habits or find it challenging to adjust to university routines. There is also the risk that a gap year becomes unfocused if students make no plans for how to use their time. In addition, travel and living costs can be considerable, while taking a year off may delay graduation and entry into a chosen career. Overall, a gap year can be valuable when it includes purposeful work or travel and is financially realistic. Young people should consider their goals and make a clear plan before deciding, since the benefits depend largely on how they use the year.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Revise the opening for natural quantifiers and agreement: use “many students prefer” rather than “a vast amount of these students prefers.”
2
Develop one drawback with a concrete explanation—for example, describe how a long break could make returning to regular study more difficult.
3
Use a final proofreading pass to check collocations, especially combinations with “gain,” “clarity” and “plans.”

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