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User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 2 Band 6.0 Example

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

300 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

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Ideas to explore

  • Physical education can support students’ health and give them a way to manage the stress of academic demands.
  • Cookery teaches practical independence and helps students make informed choices about food.
  • Limited school time supports careful curriculum planning, but does not necessarily justify removing non-academic subjects altogether.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the pressure to succeed academically and state clearly whether you agree with removing non-academic subjects.
  2. Explain one benefit of physical education and connect it to students’ wellbeing or development.
  3. Explain one practical benefit of cookery and why it matters beyond the classroom.
  4. Acknowledge limited teaching time and propose balancing subjects instead of eliminating them.
  5. Restate your position and briefly summarise why a broad curriculum is valuable.
Useful vocabulary & examples
a balanced curriculum
A programme of study that includes different kinds of subjects rather than focusing on only one area.

A balanced curriculum can give students time to develop academic knowledge and practical skills.

manage academic stress
Deal with pressure arising from schoolwork or academic expectations.

Physical activity may help young people manage academic stress.

practical skills
Useful abilities that can be applied to everyday tasks and responsibilities.

Cookery lessons help pupils develop practical skills they can use at home.

allocate teaching time
Decide how available classroom time is divided among subjects or activities.

Schools can allocate teaching time carefully without removing non-academic subjects.

Task Prompt

There is a lot of pressure on young people today to succeed academically. As a result, some people believe that non-academic subjects, such as physical education and cookery, should be removed from the school syllabus so that children can concentrate on academic work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

User Essay Analysis

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Band 6.0

Nowadays, society is sharply pushing young people to succeed academically. Consequently, many individuals think that some non-academic subjects should be removed from school programs in order to direct young people toward academic work. In my view, this perspective is not supported by compelling arguments, and I firmly believe that school’s function should cover as many aspects of children's development as possible, rather than focusing only on academic results. Although academic subjects are essential, removing practical lessons would make education less balanced.

Firstly, physical education is important because it encourages children to be active and helps them understand the value of a healthy lifestyle. School may be the main place where some pupils have regular opportunities to exercise. If these lessons disappeared, students could spend nearly all of their time sitting in classrooms, which may affect their health and concentration. Sport can also teach cooperation, discipline and how to deal with both success and failure.

Cookery is also useful in everyday life. Students who learn basic cooking skills can prepare simple meals for themselves and make more informed choices about food. These abilities may be especially valuable when they become more independent as adults. In addition, practical lessons can engage children who do not always find traditional academic subjects interesting, and this may help them feel more positive about school.

Of course, schools have limited time, and children need strong foundations in subjects such as mathematics and language. However, this does not mean that non-academic lessons must be removed. Schools could instead organise the timetable carefully so that pupils receive sufficient teaching in all areas.

In conclusion, academic achievement should remain a priority, but education should not be restricted to it. Physical education and cookery develop useful knowledge and skills, so I believe they should remain part of the school syllabus.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Replace the opening collocation “sharply pushing” with a natural phrase such as “putting pressure on” or “encouraging,” depending on the meaning you intend.
2
In each body paragraph, develop one benefit with a short cause-and-effect explanation; for example, connect physical activity to pupils’ wellbeing or concentration.
3
Make the solution to the timetable concern more concrete by briefly explaining how academic and practical lessons could both receive sufficient time.

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