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.

273 words AcademicTask 2

Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

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Ideas to explore

Skills-based assistance, such as teacher training or vocational education, can build local capacity beyond the duration of a grant.
Health, water and agricultural partnerships can target essential services and practical needs, especially when local communities help set priorities.
Financial support can remain valuable during emergencies and infrastructure projects when it is transparent, accountable and coordinated with other forms of assistance.

Suggested structure

Introduce the issue and state a qualified position on whether non-financial assistance should be prioritised.
Explain how practical or technical support can address underlying causes of poverty, using specific examples.
Acknowledge why financial aid is still needed, such as emergencies or infrastructure.
Conclude by presenting a balanced approach and linking it to sustainable poverty reduction.

Useful vocabulary & examples

locally led support: assistance planned or guided by the people and institutions it is intended to help
Locally led support is more likely to reflect a community's priorities.
technical expertise: specialised knowledge or practical skills in a particular area
Sharing technical expertise can help strengthen public health services.
transparent and accountable funding: financial assistance whose use is open to scrutiny and for which responsible parties can be held answerable
Transparent and accountable funding can reduce the risk of aid being poorly targeted.
underlying causes of poverty: deeper conditions that contribute to poverty, rather than its immediate symptoms
Vocational education may address some underlying causes of poverty by expanding access to skills.

Task Prompt

Rich countries often give money to poorer countries, but it does not solve poverty. Therefore, developed countries should give other types of help to the poor countries rather than financial aid. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

User Essay Analysis

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Band 5.0

I agree with the statement that developed countries should give other types of help to the poor countries rather than financial aid. I am personally of the opinion that help, specifically in the form of money, can be beneficial to the country for a short period of time, but will likely lead to more dept.

One important reason is that long-term support can help people become independent. If poorer countries receive better schools and vocational training, young people may gain useful skills and find stable work. This can increase family income over many years, whereas a cash payment may only cover immediate needs.

Developed countries can also support hospitals, clean water systems and roads. These services improve health and make it easier for local businesses to transport goods and employ workers. For instance, training local nurses and helping maintain clinics may be more sustainable than sending money without a clear plan. Such projects should be planned with local people, so that the support fits the country's needs and can continue after foreign assistance ends.

However, financial aid should not be completely stopped. Poor countries can face emergencies such as floods or food shortages, when money is needed quickly to provide food, medicine and shelter. The problem is not money itself, but giving it without checking how it is used. Donor countries should work with local governments and communities to make sure assistance reaches people who need it.

In conclusion, I agree that developed countries should focus more on practical help than simply giving money. Education, healthcare and job training can address some causes of poverty, while financial aid remains useful in urgent situations.

Targeted Improvement Tips

Develop one example in detail: explain how vocational training could lead to a job, a reliable income and less dependence on aid.

Clarify the distinction between long-term development support and emergency cash assistance, then connect each type to the situation where it is most useful.

Proofread the opening for spelling and concision; in particular, check “dept” and consider replacing the long opinion phrase with a direct statement.

AI Feedback

Overall Band

5.0

Modest

Words

273

Type

Task 2

Criteria Breakdown

Task Response

5.5 Band

The position is clear in “I agree with the statement,” and the completed essay supports it by contrasting short-term cash with education, healthcare and skills training, while allowing a role for emergency funding. This addresses both sides of the prompt. The discussion remains broad, however, and gives few developed examples; next, explain one practical case showing how training or infrastructure can create lasting income.

Coherence & Cohesion

6.0 Band

The response follows a clear progression: it presents the position, gives reasons for practical assistance, acknowledges emergencies, and concludes. The transition “However, financial aid should not be completely stopped” signals the counterpoint effectively, and paragraphing helps separate ideas. Some points are listed rather than fully linked, so develop one cause-and-effect chain—for example, how vocational training can lead to employment and reduce poverty.

Lexical Resource

5.0 Band

The answer uses relevant topic vocabulary, including “vocational training,” “food shortages” and “local governments,” and the meaning is generally clear. There is some repetition of “help” and “financial aid,” and “dept” is a spelling error for “debt.” Build precision by varying repeated terms where appropriate, such as “assistance” or “support,” and check the spelling of key words before submitting.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

5.5 Band

Most sentences are understandable, and the completed response includes both longer conditional sentences and shorter statements. The opening phrase “I am personally of the opinion that” is grammatically possible but wordy, while the sentence beginning “If poorer countries receive better schools” shows a useful conditional structure. Practise combining supporting details with accurate clause links, and proofread the original opening carefully for word-level errors.

Topic Band Distribution

Band 9.03 examples

Band 8.03 examples

Band 7.03 examples

Band 6.03 examples

Band 5.03 examples

Band 4.03 examples

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