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User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 2 Band 5.0 Example

Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.

280 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 5.0

There is a substantial rise in the number of married couples deciding to remain childless. Benefits to this emerging trend could be maybe the added responsibility that children bring into peoples lives ,and the freedom that comes along with being child free. Drawbacks could be that the couple might not have any support in their old age, especially if they have no close relatives or friends to help them. However, adult children do not always live near their parents or provide practical care, so couples should not assume that having children guarantees support.

On the positive side, couples without children may have more time and money for their own interests. For example, they could travel, pursue further education, or focus on their careers without the daily costs and responsibilities of raising a child. This freedom may also allow them to spend more time together and make decisions based on their shared goals. At the same time, the responsibility of raising children can give some people a strong sense of purpose, so it may be seen as a benefit by couples who value family life.

There can also be emotional disadvantages to remaining childless. Some people may feel lonely later in life or regret not experiencing parenthood, particularly if their decision changes over time. In addition, couples may face pressure or criticism from relatives and society. These effects will vary from person to person, however, and not everyone wants children or experiences regret.

Overall, choosing not to have children can bring couples greater freedom and financial flexibility, while also creating possible concerns about support and loneliness. The best decision depends on the couple’s priorities and circumstances, rather than on social expectations.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Revise the opening benefit so the role of responsibility is explained—for example, connect parenting responsibilities with a sense of purpose.
2
Develop each main point with one specific explanation or example, such as how having fewer child-related costs could give a couple more financial flexibility.
3
Proofread the first paragraph specifically for possessive apostrophes, compound-word hyphens and spaces before punctuation.

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