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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.

296 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

Whether the learning another subject that different from yours is needed or not has long been debated. While there are those who believe it is not necessary to give your time to additional fields, some students keen to learn new perspectives, which is the view that this essay aims to support. Some individuals argue that the main qualification needs all of a student's attention. This is because the subjects in a degree can be difficult and students have examinations to prepare for. They also pay money to receive this qualification, so they want to complete it successfully. For example, a law student has to read many cases and understand important rules. Taking several extra subjects may leave less time for this work and cause stress.

However, I think some additional learning can be beneficial. A person studying science may also study communication, which helps when explaining an experiment to other people. Another student can learn a language and communicate with customers from a different country. Learning outside the main field can therefore provide useful skills and make students consider different opinions. It also allows them to discover an interest which they did not have before university.

The important point is that students must choose extra subjects carefully. They should not take a subject only because their friends are taking it. Instead, they can select a course that connects with their degree and fits their available time. If there is too much work, concentrating on the main course should come first.

To conclude, studying only for a qualification can be sensible when the course is very demanding. Nevertheless, I support studying some additional fields because this gives students wider understanding and practical abilities. This should be done with a manageable timetable and without ignoring the main subject.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Develop one example for each view by explaining how the course choice affects the student’s study or work.
2
State the workload condition in the introduction as well as the conclusion so the position remains consistent.
3
Proofread the exact introductory phrases listed in the corrections before adding more complex vocabulary.

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