Task 2 · · 18 samples

It is important for people to take risks, both in their professional lives and their personal lives. Do you think the advantages of taking risks outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

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Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • A calculated professional risk, such as proposing a new workplace system, can lead to career advancement; even rejection can offer useful experience.
  • Taking an educational opportunity in a new city may involve loneliness at first but can foster independence and broaden a person's perspective.
  • Balance potential rewards against possible financial, emotional and family costs; distinguish careful decisions from impulsive risk-taking.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the topic and state clearly whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
  2. Acknowledge meaningful risks and explain why they are more manageable when decisions are carefully assessed.
  3. Develop a professional-life example, including both its possible downside and potential benefit.
  4. Develop a personal-life example and explain its longer-term effects.
  5. Conclude with a direct judgement that restates the importance of calculated risk.
Useful vocabulary & examples
a calculated risk
A risk taken after considering its possible consequences.

Proposing a new system at work can be a calculated risk if the employee has assessed its likely costs and benefits.

career development
Progress in a person's work skills, responsibilities or professional opportunities.

Taking on an unfamiliar project may support career development.

financial or emotional costs
The monetary or psychological difficulties that may result from a decision.

A move to another city can bring financial or emotional costs during the initial adjustment.

weigh the possible costs
Consider the likely disadvantages before making a choice.

People should weigh the possible costs before committing to a major change.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

288 words · Illustrative target band

Risk-taking is a fundamental aspect of human life, influencing both professional careers and personal experiences. While some argue that risks can lead to negative consequences, others believe that the potential benefits outweigh the drawbacks. This essay will argue that the advantages of taking risks generally surpass the disadvantages, as risks often lead to personal growth, greater opportunities and a stronger sen…

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AI-completed learning example

360 words · Illustrative target band

It is important for individuals to take risks, both in their professional and personal lives, as it often leads to growth and valuable opportunities. While risks may involve uncertainty and potential setbacks, the rewards they bring can outweigh the disadvantages in most situations. This essay will discuss why taking risks is essential and how the benefits can be realised without accepting an unlimited downside. In …

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AI-completed learning example

355 words · Illustrative target band

The Importance of Taking Risks in Life Taking risks is an essential part of life, both professionally and personally. While some people avoid uncertainty, others embrace it, believing that risks lead to growth and new opportunities. Although taking risks can have downsides, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages because life is short, and people should pursue meaningful opportunities with preparation. In profession…

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AI-completed learning example

359 words · Illustrative target band

Whether taking risks in both professional and personal lives is a boon to the public or not is a topic of intense debate. By paving the way for becoming a more successful and happier individual, taking risks seems to have myriad benefits, which overshadow the potential drawback of facing financial hardship. On the one hand, the possible disadvantages must be considered before acting. In professional life, uncertaint…

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AI-completed learning example

366 words · Illustrative target band

It is important to make some risky moves in career as well as in personal life. Although this may harm a person in the short term, it allows them to create new opportunities and I believe this advantage far outweighs any potential disadvantages. Making a risky move may hurt a person short term. Take, for example, someone who leaves a familiar role for a new opportunity may initially feel uncertain. In professional l…

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AI-completed learning example

359 words · Illustrative target band

Taking risks in both professional and personal lives is crucial for people. If you don’t take risks, you run the risk of not progressing swiftly in life. Taking risks can help you achieve your goals, especially when you are well-prepared for future opportunities. Therefore, I argue that the advantages of taking risks outweigh the disadvantages. Preparation determines whether the potential loss is manageable. In prof…

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AI-completed learning example

362 words · Illustrative target band

Taking risks in both professional and personal lives is crucial for people. If you don’t take risks, you are taking the risk of not progressing faster in life. Taking risks will get what you want especially when your preparation is adequate for future opportunities. So I would argue that its advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The main distinction is between a proportionate challenge and an unacceptable gamble. I…

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AI-completed learning example

363 words · Illustrative target band

From entrepreneurs starting their businesses to investing time in a unique topic, risk-taking has perennially been considered advisable by many, both in professional and personal lives, but whether risk-taking is worthwhile or not remains unclear. This essay will explore the benefits and disadvantages of risk-taking and ultimately discuss whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Many people to avoid unfamil…

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AI-completed learning example

361 words · Illustrative target band

From entrepreneurs starting their businesses to investing time in a unique topic, risk-taking has perennially been considered advisable by many, both in professional and personal lives, but whether risk-taking is worthwhile or not remains unclear. This essay will explore the benefits and disadvantages of risk-taking, and ultimately discuss whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Many people to prefer certa…

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AI-completed learning example

355 words · Illustrative target band

From entrepreneurs starting their businesses to investing time in a unique topic, risk-taking has perennially been considered advised by many, both in professional and personal lives, but is it worth it? This essay will explore the benefits and disadvantages of risk-taking, and ultimately discuss whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Many people are raised being cautious about unfamiliar situations. In …

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AI-completed learning example

361 words · Illustrative target band

Mostly individuals felt anxiety before making a hard decision in their lifestyle and work life and taking a risk is a prominent step in life , which helps people for thinking out of the box. However, risk failure builds a rough character. The most primary advantage of making hard choices in professional life is about the opportunity to learn skills that routine work does not require. In professional life, uncertaint…

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AI-completed learning example

358 words · Illustrative target band

Nowadays, the world have developed so much making people have to work harder than before to fulfill their needs and for some people who wants to have a better life will have to take risks. The main advantage of this is that you may have a lot more opportunities to make your life better. Therefore, the benefits deserve consideration alongside possible losses. In professional life, uncertainty can accompany a useful o…

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