User-written IELTS example
Writing Academic Task 2 Band 6.0 Example
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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
- Introduce the pressure to succeed academically and state clearly whether you agree with removing non-academic subjects.
- Explain one benefit of physical education and connect it to students’ wellbeing or development.
- Explain one practical benefit of cookery and why it matters beyond the classroom.
- Acknowledge limited teaching time and propose balancing subjects instead of eliminating them.
- 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
User Essay Analysis
Review the public answer with report-style highlights.
Nowadays, pupils have to deal with anxiety and stress due to the significant importance of degrees. Indeed, parents and families press their children to earn competitive marks, to get the most prestigious universities. Consequently, this situation creates debate concerning educational programs due to the fact that pupils should be taught only about fundamental knowledge such as mathematics and languages. I disagree that this requires removing all practical subjects.
There is a clear argument for protecting study time. Academic examinations can influence access to university and particular careers, so pupils need enough practice in core subjects. A crowded timetable may make it difficult to prepare properly, and schools should review whether each activity contributes to their educational aims. However, this does not mean that every non-academic subject should be removed.
Physical education gives pupils structured opportunities to exercise and cooperate with others. These experiences have value even when they do not directly raise an examination mark. Children who spend much of the day sitting in lessons also need an active part of their routine. Removing organised exercise could make the school day narrower without solving the reasons for academic pressure.
Cookery offers a different set of practical benefits. Pupils can learn to prepare simple meals, handle food safely and make sensible choices about ingredients. These are useful skills for independent life. A practical lesson can also involve planning, measurement and teamwork, so the division between academic and non-academic learning is not absolute.
I disagree with removing these subjects from the syllabus. Schools should give sufficient time to core learning, but they can organise a balanced programme and adjust unnecessary assessment demands instead of eliminating useful practical activities. Families and schools should also question whether every child needs the same competitive targets.
In conclusion, academic preparation matters, but it is not the only purpose of education. Physical education and cookery contribute to health, cooperation and independence. A balanced timetable is a better response to pressure than a curriculum devoted entirely to examinations.
Targeted Improvement Tips
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