In some cultures, children are often told they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message? IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Question

Bhargavee Sisodia

31 Jul 2024

The four primary components of the globally recognized IELTS test are Writing, Reading, Speaking, and Listening. Passing this test is necessary to get admission into specific universities and jobs abroad. 

For University admission the IELTS Academic test is required whereas for employment opportunities, you will need to take the IELTS General test. For both Academic and General Tests, the writing component has 2 sections: Task 1 and Task 2.

IELTS Academic Test

• Task 1: You must write a distinct explanation of the visual information presented in a particular graph, table, chart, or diagram. You will have 20 minutes to complete the answer and must write at least 150 words.
• Task 2: You will have to write an answer to a certain argument, point of view, or topic. You have 40 minutes to write an essay of at least 250 words. The themes will be education, society, or science, and you must answer with an excellent grasp of vocabulary and a professional writing style. 

IELTS General Test

• Task 1: You will have 20 minutes to draft a letter in 150 words asking for details or explaining the scenario that has been presented to you.
• Task 2: This part is the same as Task 2 of the IELTS Academic test with the only difference being in the style of your answer. Here, you need to keep your essay informal and vocabulary to an intermediary level.

IELTS Scoring System

For each of the 4 components of the IELTS test, you will be scored anything between band 1 to 9. Your overall band score will be the average of the 4 bands. 

Overall Band Score: (Band in Writing + Band in Speaking + Band in Listening + Band in Reading) / 4

If your Overall Band Score is in decimals, it will either be rounded off to the nearest whole number or halves(0.5). Let's understand this with examples.

• If your average IELTS band score is 6.21, it is closer to 6.0 rather than 6.5. So your score will be 6.0.
• If your average IELTS band score is 6.78, it is closer to 7.0 rather than 6.5, so it will be rounded off to 7.0.
• If your average IELTS band score is 6.57 or 6.38, they are closer to band 6.5, so your score will be 6.5.
• If your average IELTS band score is 6.75 which is equally close to bands 6.5 and 7.0, it will be rounded off to the higher band which is 7.0.

Criteria of IELTS Scoring System: Writing Task 2

The IELTS Writing Task 2 will be graded based on four different factors which will each have a weightage of 25% in the overall IELTS writing band score. To get a 9 band score, you must properly comprehend these concepts since this will allow you to strategically prepare answers.

• Task Achievement: This section is concerned with effectively addressing the question. You should be able to accurately convey the facts and answer what is asked without deviating from the topic. You will have to achieve all the requirements of framing the answer according to the type of questions and write a minimum of 250 words.
• Coherence and Cohesion: It is the standard by which you will be evaluated for your ability to structure material. You will be graded according to how well you use the correct words, link the paragraphs with each other, avoid repeated information and words, and how easy your answer is to understand.
• Lexical Resource: You can score well in this area if you have the ability to use a  high-level, and diverse vocabulary. Furthermore, using simple language and avoiding spelling and word structure errors will help you score better in this section of the evaluation.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This criterion calls for you to use a diverse set of correct grammatical structures and tenses. You should also use proper punctuation and sentence structure including the subject-verb agreement.

Types of essays in IELTS Writing Task 2

There are six sorts of essays, and you will only be given 1 type out of the 6. The strategy and structure of the essay are determined by the type of the essay topic you are given. So, let's start with an overview of the various essay forms.

• Opinion-based: An opinion-based essay allows you to express your thoughts or arguments on a specific issue, whether you agree with or disagree with the assertion. You have to choose either to agree to it or to disagree with it.
• Problem/ solution or Cause effect: In a cause/effect or issue/solution essay, you will have to identify or explore the sources of a problem while also coming up with viable solutions.
• Discussion: You will need to put forward and briefly explore all sides of a statement or argument. However, you may be asked to express your views on a particular side that you support or oppose. Please note that, if you are not asked to give your opinion, do not mention your opinion.
• Advantages/ Disadvantages: In this style of essay, you will be required to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of a certain topic.
• Balanced opinion: For balanced opinion essays, you are assigned an argument in which you express your partial agreement with one side while not disapproving of the other. You cannot be neutral and choose one side to which you agree more but not completely disagree with the other side.
• Two Questions or Direct Question: Here you will have a direct question to which you have to write an essay with suitable examples.

Some Grammar Tips for you to have a higher IELTS writing band score

• Be careful with the usage and context of similar-sounding nouns and verbs like "affect" and "effect."
• Go through the usage of the correct prepositions.
• Learn the differences and the usage of verbs and gerunds in active and passive voice.
• Go through the correct usage of modals like can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, etc.

Let's now take an example of an essay topic and see what type of essay is it and how to frame the answers. 

IELTS writing task 2 Sample Question with Answer: 

In some cultures, children are often told they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message? 

This is an advantage/disadvantage essay type. Let's go through the structure of an advantage/disadvantage essay.

• Introduction: Paraphrase the question.
• Body Paragraph 1: The first sentence will state whether you are talking about the advantages or disadvantages and rephrase the question. Next sentences, write the advantages/disadvantages.
• Body Paragraph 2: If you have written advantages in the previous paragraph, you will write the disadvantages here and vice versa. 
• Body Paragraph 3: This is an optional paragraph. If you need to break the previous paragraphs into smaller sections, you can use a third body paragraph.
• Conclusion: Rephrase the question and reinstate it.

IELTS writing task 2 topics with answers:

Now that you have understood the structure of the essay, let's understand how the answer will determine your score. We have framed answers for bands 6, 7, and 9, along with the clarification on why the answer belongs to that particular band.

Band 6

There are certain advantages and disadvantages of asking children to work hard towards their achievement.

The advantage of reiterating to children that with hard work they can achieve anything is to do with boosting their moral. For example, if a child is good at playing a sports, he or she should be encouraged to work hard for it and should be given examples of sportspersons who have made a mark in their field. This way the child will be motivated to pursue the dreams without giving up. A constant motivation and working towards achieving the goal will make their skill polished. This will be ultimately lead them to achieving the goal.

There is also disadvantages of telling children that working hard will result in them achieving anything they want. This might have a negative impact on their confidence in case they fail to achieve it. For instance, if a child is told that he or she could score 90% in mathematics if they work hard enough, and they end up scoring in the 80s, the child can think that he or she has not given 100%. This will seriously make them underconfident and also give them unneccasry pressure to put in more hard work despite the fact that they scored well but just couldn't achieve the pre-set target. This might also bring a sense of guilt in them.

Thus, while there are advantages to asking children that working hard can make them achieve anything, there are disadvantages to it as well.

Clarification on the band: 

• In the introduction, the question is not rephrased, which falls under the task achievement part of the evaluation.
• We have highlighted the grammatical errors which fall under the Grammatical Range and Accuracy part of the evaluation.
• We have highlighted the spelling errors which falls under the Lexical Resources part of the evaluation.
• The word achieving the goal is repeated without requirement in back to back 2 sentences which falls under the coherence and cohesion part of the evaluation.

Band 7

Children in certain cultures are often told that they can achieve anything if they work hard enough. This has certain advantages and disadvantages.

There are advantages of telling children in some cultures that by work hard they can achieve anything. It motivates them to be told that through the exertion of energy, their dreams may come true. It will enable them to refine their talents and eventually reach their objectives with unwavering commitment and pepetual support. For instance, a child who is good at games should be encouraged to take it seriously and then shown role models of exceptional athletes who have made successful careers in their particular sports.

However, there exists disadvantages when it comes to the opinion that a child can reach any goal depending on his/her efforts. There might a letdown if this idea do not materialize as anticipated which can damage their confidence. They feel less worthy because of this thought even though they could have work well enough. Furthermore, because they believes they have not done everything possible, these youngsters may feel guilty. Similarly, if a student told that he or she can receive a 90% in mathematics by extensive effort but only gets an 80, it might lead to an idea that their performance is poor when it is actually satisfactory.

Therefore, there are advantages and disadvantages to telling children that they can do anything if they work hard enough, which is common in certain cultures. 

Clarification on the band:

• We have highlighted the grammatical errors which fall under the Grammatical Range and Accuracy part of the evaluation.
• We have highlighted the spelling errors which falls under the Lexical Resources part of the evaluation.

Band 9

In some cultures, children are often imbued with the ethos that hard work can make any achievement come true. This approach comes with several advantages and disadvantages. 

One of the main advantages of instilling this belief in children that hard work can make them achieve anything is that it creates motivational pressure. The belief that persistent effort can turn dreams into reality acts as a powerful catalyst, driving them towards their goals with energy and determination. This belief allows them to nurture their natural talents, and encourage a strong commitment to their pursuits. For instance, a child with a proclivity for sports must be modeled by sporting excellence who have built an illustrious career through dedication and hard work. This will reinforce the support and encouragement for the kids to work towards their dreams with steadfast commitment.

In contrast, the idea that only unwavering effort can lead to success is not without its pitfalls. Failure to achieve the expected results can lead to a very rapid blow to a child’s confidence. This doubt can arise despite the child’s commendable efforts, leading to an unreasonable sense of inadequacy. Furthermore, the internalization of this belief can lead to guilt and self-condemnation, as children mistakenly conclude that failure to meet high expectations indicates insufficient effort. For example, if a student is made to believe that 90% in mathematics can be obtained through intensive study, but scores only 80%, while this is a laudable performance, still the child will perceive this to be a failure and lack of effort.

Therefore, even while the belief that working hard may result in endless success is a widely held and inspiring belief in many cultures, it is crucial to be aware of any potential negative effects.  

Clarification on the band:

• There are no grammatical mistakes or word repetitions, the sentences are brief and to the point, and a wide variety of language is used. 

Conclusion

You need direction while you prepare for the IELTS test so that you can identify the common IELTS essay topics and assess your writing skills appropriately. D-VIVID is available to serve as your mentor and assist you with a wide range of IELTS writing task 2 topics and solutions. To assist you in getting ready for your dream IELTS writing band score, we offer a vast collection of IELTS writing task 2 topics with answers sorted by IELTS writing and score. Your comprehension of the work and its necessary results will undoubtedly enhance after perusing our collection of IELTS essay topics in various categories. Therefore, what is the wait? Get in touch with us and we are here to help you with every step of your IELTS exam.