In this IELTS Writing Task 2 lesson, you will plan an essay on the “University Subjects” topic, listen to an IELTS teacher’s ideas for a plan, and read an IELTS teacher’s band 9 sample essay.
IELTS Task 2 Writing Planning Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgLlY4U8raU&index=1&list=PLQKm5R-SeKdN49U0YaLU8C98u2u_ipA1h&t=66s
More IELTS Writing Task 2 Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQKm5R-SeKdN49U0YaLU8C98u2u_ipA1h
IELTS Writing Question
Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Sample Essay:
People have different views on the subjects that university students should be allowed to study. While some people think that students should only be able to study subjects that these people think will be valuable in the future like science and technology, I believe that students should be able to choose their area of study.
For many people, restricting university students to subjects like science and technology is an easy argument to make. The main reason is that these kinds of subjects contribute visibly to society. For example, improvements in medicine rely on advances in medical research, engineering, and computer science and technology. Only allowing students to study these kinds of subjects will mean that there will be more people available for work in these areas.
While the benefits of more graduates in these kinds of useful subjects are clear, I believe that it would be a mistake to only allow students to study these subjects. This is because society is not able to accurately predict the future and what kinds of skills that people will need for jobs. For example, there may be entirely new fields created that need a strong artistic ability and solid writing skills. If students are only trained to be good scientists or engineers, they may not be able to succeed in these new fields. On the other hand, if we allow students to choose their major, society will be able to better adapt to the future.
In conclusion, while it may seem reasonable to force students to study subjects that are currently viewed as useful, I believe that allowing students to choose what they study will help society be better prepared for whatever changes the future will bring.
(288 Words, Band 9)
Hi
Actually, I read your essay but I do not think it may receieve 9 from an examiner because of the lower lexical resources. The words you used in your essay are not highly academic and you may have redundency.
Hi Hilda,
Thanks for the comment. While I agree that there’s a chance this wouldn’t get a 9, I think that having “highly academic” vocabulary is not a requirement. The Band Descriptor for Band 9 says “uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors occur
only as ‘slips’”.
The topical collocations and phrases used in the writing (e.g. “contribute visibly”, “rely on advances in”, “will be able to better adapt to”, etc. ) show this sophisticated control of lexical features. While they may not be academic, they are definitely “uncommon items” and are used correctly.
– Lee
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/IELTS_task_2_Writing_band_descriptors.pdf
I am learning here. very help full indeed. With this assistance I am sure my band will increase for 6
Its good ☺
This is a very good sample essay and my question about examples should we mentions exmple from our society or generly
Dz
Your essay has the same idea as Simon’s.
Simon’s essay is here: http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2015/10/ielts-writing-task-2-university-subjects-essay.html
yes totally agree with that. I’ve learned a lot from Simon’s essay and now I’m looking for another essay to collect some more ideas. but somehow the essay above is quite similar to Simon’s.
Nice response Lee 😉 [No need to post]
Thank you Lee Sir for this sample essay ,it is very useful to practice and do you have any sample essay about gender roles for practice….I would be appreciated..Again thank you sir..
Regards Sunsari
Hi! Lee
Thanks to send us this sample essay to improve our writing this is very useful for us and I really appreciate your efforts towards the improvement of our writing task.
With kind regars,
Nazia
excellent materials for many beginners who are strugglig with Ielts exam !
The essay is good though I was expecting something much higher than this for a band 9 score.
Well, this is not a good Essay to obtained score 9 i think you may broad your complex sentence,if you want to get a heathy score you should write more vocabulary synonims.
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This is a very good sample essay and my question about examples should we mentions exmple from our society or generly