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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.

262 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your answer

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Ideas to explore

  • Discuss how not having childcare responsibilities may allow partners to focus on careers, study or travel.
  • Explain that couples may have more time and resources for their relationship and personal interests.
  • Consider possible social exclusion or concerns about later-life support, while noting that these outcomes are not inevitable.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the trend and indicate that both advantages and disadvantages will be discussed.
  2. Use one body paragraph to explain benefits, supported by concrete examples such as further education or travel.
  3. Use a second body paragraph for social and later-life concerns, qualifying claims rather than treating them as certain.
  4. Conclude by summarising the trade-off and noting that the choice depends on individual priorities.
Useful vocabulary & examples
daily responsibilities
The regular duties that need to be done each day.

Without the daily responsibilities of raising children, couples may have more time for work and personal interests.

career ambitions
A person’s goals and plans for professional progress.

Some couples may choose a child-free life to give more time to their career ambitions.

social inclusion
Feeling accepted and involved in a social group or community.

Couples may seek shared activities to maintain social inclusion when many friends are parents.

family support network
Relatives who may offer practical help or companionship.

Some people worry that they may have a smaller family support network in later life.

Task Prompt

There is an increasing trend around the world of married couples deciding not to have children. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for couples who decide to do this.

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 6.0

An increasing number of married couples around the world choosing to remain childless. The main benefits of not having a child for couples are that they can focus on their careers and have more time for themselves. The main drawbacks are that they could not fit into their peers’ group and have no one to support them when they grow older.

For couples who make this choice, having more time and money available can offer considerable freedom. Without the daily responsibilities and expenses involved in raising children, partners may be able to pursue further education, accept demanding jobs or travel more often. They can also devote more attention to their relationship and personal interests. These advantages may be especially important to people who value independence or have strong career ambitions.

However, deciding not to have children may also create social and emotional challenges. Couples might feel left out if their friends mostly discuss parenting or organise activities around their children. This does not mean they cannot maintain close friendships, but they may need to make an effort to find shared interests with others. In later life, they may also have a smaller immediate family network to rely on. Although having children does not guarantee support in old age, some couples may worry about facing illness or loneliness without adult children nearby.

Overall, remaining childless can give couples greater freedom to pursue work, travel and personal goals, but it may also affect their sense of social inclusion and family support. The decision depends on each couple’s priorities, relationships and plans for the future.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Replace the opening fragment with a complete introduction that paraphrases the trend and previews both advantages and disadvantages.
2
Qualify claims about social exclusion and support in old age; explain that these are possible outcomes, not inevitable ones.
3
Before submitting, check each sentence for a finite verb and check whether modal verbs such as “may” or “could” express possibility rather than inability.

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