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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.

282 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your 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

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 6.0

It is widely said that there is burden of being successful for youngsters, giving rise to the notion that students should not spend their school time attending non-academic subjects such as physical education and cookery due to the need for concentration on academic. In my opinion, although I acknowledge a benefit of taking on the extra time for academic study, I disagree with removing these subjects from the school syllabus. They help children develop in ways that academic lessons alone may not provide.

Firstly, physical education is important for both physical and mental health. Many young people spend long hours sitting in classrooms or studying at home, so regular exercise at school gives them an opportunity to be active. It can also reduce stress and help students return to their academic work with better concentration. Therefore, removing PE could make it harder, rather than easier, for some pupils to learn effectively.

Secondly, cookery teaches practical skills that students can use throughout their lives. Children who learn to prepare simple meals may become more independent and understand the value of healthy food. These lessons can also develop planning and responsibility. Such abilities are useful even if they do not directly improve examination results.

Of course, schools have limited time, and academic subjects are essential for future study and employment. However, this does not mean that non-academic classes must be removed. Schools could organise the timetable carefully, for example by offering these subjects for fewer hours while ensuring that students still receive regular lessons in them. In conclusion, academic success is important, but I believe that physical education and cookery should remain part of the syllabus because they support students' health and everyday development.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Replace the broad opening with a direct paraphrase of the issue and your position; check articles in phrases such as “a burden.”
2
In each body paragraph, explain one benefit, give a brief school-life example, and connect it explicitly to students' learning or development.
3
Proofread noun phrases such as “concentration on academic subjects” to make sure adjectives are followed by the intended noun.

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