User-written IELTS example
Writing Academic Task 2 Band 4.0 Example
Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.
Illustrative target band for this original model answer.
Plan your answer
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Ideas to explore
- A considered career risk, such as applying for a more demanding role, can build skills even if it does not produce immediate success.
- Personal risks such as moving to a new place or addressing a difficult issue can encourage independence and improve relationships.
- Unplanned risks can threaten savings or affect family members, so preparation and a backup plan help reduce potential harm.
Suggested structure
- Introduce the topic and state your view on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
- Explain professional benefits with a specific example and its possible outcome.
- Discuss personal benefits using a separate example.
- Acknowledge significant disadvantages, including financial or family consequences.
- Reach a clear conclusion that weighs the risks and suggests how to manage them.
Useful vocabulary & examples
- a calculated risk
- A risk taken after considering its possible benefits and consequences.
Applying for a more demanding position can be a calculated risk.
- financial security
- The condition of having enough money and stability to meet financial needs.
People should consider whether a business decision could affect their financial security.
- a backup plan
- An alternative course of action prepared in case the first plan does not work.
Having a backup plan can reduce the harm if a new business fails.
- weigh the possible outcomes
- To consider the likely positive and negative results before deciding.
Before changing jobs, people should weigh the possible outcomes.
Task Prompt
User Essay Analysis
Review the public answer with report-style highlights.
It’s crucial for individuals to take risky decisions either in their private lives or in their career. Most importantly that Some, some people are agree with that and other not. In this essay I will illustrate the positives and drawbacks for such an approach and I will show my point of view based on a comparison of useful opportunities and possible losses. I think limited, prepared risks have more benefits than disadvantages.
A professional risk can create an opportunity that would otherwise remain unavailable. Applying for a more demanding position, for example, involves the possibility of rejection, but preparing for the interview can help someone understand their strengths and the skills they still need. Even an unsuccessful application may provide useful information. The important distinction is that the possible loss is limited, whereas the knowledge gained can be used again.
Personal risks can have similar benefits. Joining an unfamiliar activity or moving away from a familiar routine may initially feel uncomfortable. However, it can introduce someone to new people and reveal interests they would not discover by repeating the same habits. This does not mean that every uncomfortable choice is worthwhile; it means that uncertainty alone is not a sufficient reason to avoid a reasonable opportunity.
The disadvantages deserve serious attention. Leaving secure employment without savings or committing money that a household needs for essential expenses can create consequences that affect other people. Failure may also damage confidence. Before acting, a person should consider the likely loss, available support and whether the decision can be reversed. Beginning on a small scale can make learning possible without exposing the whole household to an unacceptable outcome.
On balance, I believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages when risks are informed and proportionate. New opportunities and practical learning have lasting value, but those benefits depend on preparation rather than blind confidence.
In conclusion, risk-taking can support both career development and personal growth. It is most valuable when the individual understands the downside, protects essential responsibilities and has a realistic plan for responding to failure.
Targeted Improvement Tips
Related examples for this topic
Compare different bands on the same IELTS prompt.
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