Task 2 · · 18 samples

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?

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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.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

279 words · Illustrative target band

There is an immense amount of pressure on students today to succeed academically. There are opinions on how non-academic topics, such as physical exercise and gastronomy, should be excluded from the school syllabus to help young people focus on academic matters. This essay disagrees that children should only focus on academic subjects. Firstly I will argue that physical education and cookery make important contributi…

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AI-completed learning example

287 words · Illustrative target band

The prevalent notion in education is that young individuals must achieve academic success. This conventional belief places considerable pressure on students, leading to stress, depression, and other mental health issues. In today’s highly competitive environment, non-academic subjects such as physical education and cookery serve as essential outlets for young minds to alleviate this pressure. To remove these subjects…

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AI-completed learning example

322 words · Illustrative target band

In today’s fast-paced society, the pursuit of academic excellence among young individuals has intensified, leading to a prevalent belief that non-academic subjects like physical education and cookery should be excluded from school curriculums. I strongly disagree with this viewpoint as I believe that a well-rounded education, encompassing both academic and non-academic subjects, is crucial for preparing pupils for in…

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