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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.

314 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your 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 4.0

Knowledge is not an easy thing to be aquired. If you need to become an expert, you should learn as possible as you can. Consequently, Some learners in different universities want to study more topics than they are already learning. However, others think that it is more crucial to give all their time and attention to their qualification. I think students can learn some other subjects but their main subject must be the first thing they do well.

Students who focus on the main subject can get more understanding about it. University work is not always simple and some lessons need a long time to learn. For example, a person learning to be a doctor needs to understand the body and illnesses. Other subjects cannot give him all this information. If he studies too many things he may forget to do his main assignments. So it is useful to give enough time to the qualification.

But learning additional subjects also have some good sides. Students can find new skills which they can use in future. A business student can learn another language and speak to people in another country. Computer lessons can help a student to do office work. These things can give more choices for work and make a student more interested in studying. They can also meet people from another course and hear different ideas.

The problem is that a student does not have unlimited time. He needs to think about his lessons and how much work he can finish. Taking one extra useful subject is better than taking many subjects and doing none of them well.

In conclusion, both ways can be useful for students. I believe the main qualification should get most time but students can learn extra subjects when they have enough time. This way they can improve knowledge in their own field and also get some new skills.

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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