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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.

291 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 5.0

In today’s world, some children spend a lot of time on their smartphones as a routine activity. Although usage of smart phone by children and teenagers has caused many positive developments, but it has some negative impacts as well. This essay is going to discuss the main triggers for the usage of smartphones by children. One important reason is that smartphones are easy to access. Parents may give a phone to a child so they can contact them after school or keep the child busy when they are working. Also, many children see their friends using these devices and they want to do the same. Games, short videos and social media are designed to keep users watching, so children may not notice how much time has passed. In addition, phones provide entertainment whenever a child feels bored, and this can become a daily habit.

Smartphones also have useful sides. Children can use them to search for information, watch educational videos and talk with relatives who live far away. Parents can contact their children when they are outside, which can make families feel safer. Therefore, the device itself is not always harmful, and limited use can support learning and communication.

However, I believe spending hours on a phone every day is mostly a negative trend. Too much screen time can reduce time for outdoor play, exercise and face-to-face conversations. Children may also find it harder to concentrate on homework if they keep checking games or videos. Parents should set reasonable limits and encourage other activities, rather than completely banning smartphones. In conclusion, children use phones because they are convenient, entertaining and popular with their friends. Although these devices have benefits, their use should be balanced with other parts of a child’s life.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Develop each reason with a cause-and-effect link: explain how convenience, peer influence or engaging apps can lead to longer daily use.
2
Make the overall judgement explicit in the introduction and return to the same position in the conclusion.
3
Edit the opening for natural collocations: use “smartphone use” and avoid pairing “Although” with “but.”

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