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User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 2 Band 5.0 Example

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

285 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

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Ideas to explore

  • Specialising can provide the depth of knowledge and practical competence required by demanding professional qualifications.
  • Additional subjects can develop transferable abilities, such as communication and collaboration across professional fields.
  • A balanced position is to prioritise core degree requirements while choosing a limited number of useful electives.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce both views and state a clear, qualified opinion.
  2. Explain why students may need to prioritise their main qualification.
  3. Present the benefits of studying beyond the major, supported by a relevant example.
  4. Conclude by defining a practical balance between specialist depth and broader learning.
Useful vocabulary & examples
develop deep expertise
build detailed knowledge and skill in a particular subject or profession

Focusing on core courses can help students develop deep expertise in their chosen field.

transferable skills
abilities that are useful in different jobs or areas of study

Electives can help students develop transferable skills such as communication and analysis.

complement a degree
add useful knowledge or skills to a main course of study

Courses in business can complement a science degree.

at the expense of
in a way that reduces or harms something else

Broader study is valuable, but it should not come at the expense of essential specialist learning.

Task Prompt

Many university students want to learn about different subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others feel it is important to give all their time and attention to studying for their qualification. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 5.0

There is no denying the fact that education plays a crucial role in our lives. While it is a commonly held belief that undergraduate students should study other courses beside their majors, there is also an argument that students should focus only on their core courses. This essay will analyse this topic from both points of view and give my opinion.

On the one hand, taking classes outside a major can give students useful knowledge and skills. For example, a science student may benefit from learning how to communicate clearly or manage money. These skills can be used in many jobs, not only in a job related to their degree. Studying different subjects can also make university more interesting, and students may discover a new area that they want to study further. In addition, discussing different topics with classmates can help students to understand other ways of thinking.

On the other hand, a university qualification usually requires a lot of time and hard work. Students have to attend lectures, complete assignments and prepare for exams. If they spend too much time on unrelated courses, they may have less time for their main subject and get lower marks. This can be a serious problem for students who need strong results to enter a particular profession. They might also feel more stress because of having too many subjects to study at the same time.

In my opinion, students should give priority to their main courses, but they should not ignore other subjects completely. Universities could allow students to choose one or two additional courses that are useful or interesting to them. In this way, students can develop broader knowledge while still giving enough attention to their qualification.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Develop one benefit of studying beyond a major with a specific example, then explain how that example supports your view.
2
Replace “beside their majors” with “besides their majors” or “outside their major,” and check similar word-form choices during proofreading.
3
Make the final opinion more decisive by briefly stating how students can balance extra courses with their core qualification.

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