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Writing Academic Task 2 Band 9.0 Example

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

288 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

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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.

Task Prompt

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.

User Essay Analysis

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Band 9.0

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 sense of independence. Nevertheless, not every risk is worth taking: decisions made impulsively or without enough information can bring financial or emotional costs. Failure may also affect family members and create lasting stress, so risks should be considered carefully rather than celebrated indiscriminately.

In professional life, taking a calculated risk can open a route to progress that would otherwise remain unavailable. For example, an employee who proposes a new system may face criticism if it does not work, but a successful idea could improve productivity and lead to greater responsibility. Even if the proposal is rejected, the employee can learn how to present ideas and respond to feedback. By contrast, avoiding every uncertain opportunity may protect a person from short-term disappointment but can also limit career development.

Personal decisions can bring similar benefits. Someone who moves to another city to pursue further education may experience loneliness and uncertainty at first. However, that decision can build independence, broaden their outlook and create opportunities to meet people with different experiences. Such benefits can shape a person's life well beyond the initial period of adjustment.

Overall, the disadvantages of risk-taking are real, particularly when people act without weighing the consequences. Yet thoughtful risks can produce lasting gains in skills, confidence and opportunity. Therefore, I believe their advantages outweigh their disadvantages, provided that people assess the possible costs before making important decisions.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
After each example, add one short sentence explaining exactly how its outcome supports your view that the benefits outweigh the risks.
2
Keep distinguishing calculated risks from impulsive decisions, as this qualification helps make your argument balanced rather than absolute.
3
When revising the introduction and conclusion, replace one broad reference to “opportunities” with a precise benefit already developed in the body, such as career progression or independence.

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