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

259 words · Illustrative target band

Academic achievement has increasingly become a priority for success in contemporary society. Consequently, young individuals face substantial pressure to excel in their studies, leading some to advocate for the removal of non-academic subjects, such as physical education and culinary arts, from school curricula. I firmly contend that such a stance is misguided and that a balanced curriculum is more beneficial than on…

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AI-completed learning example

273 words · Illustrative target band

The inclusion of non-academic subjects in the school curriculum has always been a heated topic. Some people believe these subjects should be part of the educational system, while others disagree. From my point of view, I completely oppose the idea of removing these subjects from the curriculum. The educational structure places immense pressure on students, and this can make academic achievement appear to be the only …

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AI-completed learning example

313 words · Illustrative target band

In today’s world, young people face increasing pressure to excel academically. Many argue that non-academic subjects, such as physical education and cooking, should be removed from the school curriculum to allow children to concentrate solely on academic subjects. However, I disagree with this notion. These courses can provide significant benefits for some students and serve as an important part of a balanced educati…

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