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User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 2 Band 7.0 Example

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

343 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your answer

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Ideas to explore

  • Explain how engaging content, autoplay and mobile games can make children lose track of time.
  • Discuss how family device habits and the convenience of phones may normalise frequent use.
  • Weigh potential benefits such as learning and communication against effects on sleep, physical activity and concentration.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the issue and give a clear view on whether the trend is positive or negative.
  2. Use the first body paragraph to explain key causes, supported by specific examples.
  3. Use the second body paragraph to evaluate consequences and acknowledge any genuine benefits.
  4. Conclude by restating the judgement and giving a practical response, such as setting reasonable limits.
Useful vocabulary & examples
immediate entertainment
Enjoyment that is available quickly and with little effort.

Games and short videos provide immediate entertainment for children.

stay connected with friends
Maintain communication and contact with other people.

Messaging apps help children stay connected with friends outside school.

face-to-face interaction
Communication between people who are physically together.

Heavy phone use may leave less time for face-to-face interaction.

set clear screen-time boundaries
Establish understandable limits on how long devices can be used.

Parents can set clear screen-time boundaries, especially before bedtime.

Task Prompt

Some children spend hours every day on their smartphones. Why is this the case? Is it a positive or negative trend?

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 7.0

With the advancement of technology, electronic devices are getting immersed in our lives at a fast pace. As generations pass, their significance in our lives continues to grow, but so does the threat they pose to us. Back in the day, people used to get their first smartphone only after turning twenty-one or twenty-two years old. Now many children have access much earlier. That makes it important to consider why they spend so long on these devices and whether this is beneficial.

The main explanation is that phones offer entertainment and social contact in a form that is always available. A child can move from a short video to a game and then to messages without leaving the same device. Recommendations and notifications provide repeated reasons to return. Another factor is adult behaviour: when parents are busy or regularly use phones themselves, children may regard long periods on a screen as normal. School applications can also increase access, although educational use should not be confused with entertainment.

There are benefits to having a smartphone. Children can contact relatives, obtain information and complete suitable learning activities. However, these advantages do not justify spending hours on the device every day. When phone use displaces sleep, physical activity or conversations at home, it can restrict a child's opportunities to develop other habits and relationships. The issue is therefore the amount and purpose of use, rather than the mere presence of technology.

In my view, the trend is mainly negative when daily use becomes excessive. Families should agree on reasonable boundaries, such as keeping phones away during meals and before sleep, while allowing specific educational and communication purposes. Adults also need to model those boundaries themselves. A rule that children alone are expected to follow is unlikely to be convincing.

To conclude, constant access to attractive content, social pressure and household routines help explain lengthy smartphone use. Phones can be useful tools, but excessive use is harmful when it replaces important activities. Balanced routines offer a more sensible approach than either unrestricted access or a complete ban.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Check that the introduction and conclusion give the same clear response to every part of the question.
2
Explain the mechanism behind each main claim using one relevant example, without inventing statistics.
3
Revise the exact introductory phrases listed above and check that synonyms preserve the task’s meaning.

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