Some people therefore think that governments should pay university fees for students who study subjects that are needed by society. Those who choose to study less relevant subjects should not receive government funding. Would the advantages of such an educational policy outweigh the disadvantages? IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Question

Bhargavee Sisodia

31 Jul 2024

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS examination, consists of four main components: the Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking exams. Every test has a different format, so it's important to know how each one should be tackled.  

The reading and writing portions of the IELTS are different for the Academic and General Training editions. The subjects included in the academic exam are suitable for learners who intend to enroll in a university or professional program. The General Training test will include subjects that are of common interest. 

Differentiating IELTS Writing Task General And IELTS Writing Task Academic 

Tasks 1 and 2 comprise the two portions of the IELTS writing portion for both the General and Academic Tests. Only the essay subjects and writing styles differ in Task 2 of the General and Academic sections, but Task 1 is completely different for both.

Task 1 Academic: Your task for the first IELTS Academic Writing Task is to independently describe the visual data displayed in a particular graph, table, chart, or diagram. You have 20 minutes to respond, and your response must contain at least 150 words.

Task 1 General: In 20 minutes, you will need to write a letter asking for clarification on the provided circumstance or requesting more details for the IELTS General Writing Task 1. Again, the response must consist of at least 150 words.

In both the Academic and General Writing tests, task 2 requires you to provide a response regarding a particular argument, viewpoint, or problem. You have forty minutes to put together a minimum of 250-words essay. Let's now examine the differences in the subjects and formats of the responses found in Task 2 of the IELTS Academic and General Writing Test.

IELTS Writing Academic Section Task 2: The subjects covered in the IELTS Writing Academic section are science, education, and society. A formal writing style and a high vocabulary level are required.

IELTS Writing General Section Task 2: Real-life events, situations, activities, or interests are the subjects of this section of the test. The vocabulary might be colloquial and the writing style can be informal.

Criteria of IELTS Scoring System: Writing Task 2

Four distinct elements, each with a 25% weighting in the final IELTS writing band score, will be used to rate the IELTS Writing Task 2. You need to fully understand these criteria in order to plan your responses strategically and receive a 9-band score.

• Task Achievement: The goal of this section is to answer the question in an efficient manner. You should be able to clearly state the situation and provide an answer that stays on topic. You must write a minimum of 250 words and meet all the requirements for structuring the answer in accordance with the type of the essay.
• Coherence and Cohesion: This is the benchmark by which your content articulation skills will be assessed. Your mark will be based on how well you utilize the appropriate words, connect the paragraphs, steer clear of repetition in your answer, and make it easy to understand.
• Lexical Resource: Having a broad and advanced vocabulary can help you perform well in this area. Furthermore, you will perform better in this evaluation area if you use straightforward language and minimize spelling and word structure mistakes.
• Grammatical Accuracy and Range: You must meet this requirement by using a variety of acceptable tenses and grammatical structures. Additionally, you must utilize appropriate punctuation and phrase construction. 

Evaluation of band score in IELTS Writing Task 2 according to the scoring Criteria

Types of essays in IELTS Writing Task 2

There are six different types of essays, and you will only receive one. The kind of essay topic you are assigned will influence the essay's approach and organization. So let's begin with a summary of the numerous kinds of essays. It is important to learn the structure of each kind of essay so that you are evaluated well on the Task Achievement Criteria.

• Opinion-based: Opinion-based essays allow you to communicate your opinions or arguments about a given topic whether you agree or disagree with the assertion. You must pick whether to agree or disagree with it.
• Problem/solution or Cause/Effect: In a cause/effect or issue/solution essay, you must identify the causes of a problem while also writing potential solutions.
• Advantages and Disadvantages: In this type of essay, you will need to describe the advantages as well as the disadvantages of a specific topic.
• Balanced opinion: Balanced opinion essays require you to present an argument in which you show your partial concurrence with one side while not dismissing the opposing viewpoint. 
• Discussion: You will need to present and briefly discuss both sides of a statement or argument. However, you may be asked to voice your opinion on a specific side that you support or oppose. Please keep in mind that if you are not requested to provide an opinion, you should not express one.
• Two Questions or Direct Question: You will be given a direct question and must prepare an essay with appropriate examples in response. 

Tips to Increase your Vocabulary for the IELTS writing test

1. Reading English books is the best way to learn new vocabulary. Whenever you come across a new word, search for its meaning and write it down in your notebook.
2. Look for synonyms of commonly used words. For example, if you use recurrent instead of the word repeated will enhance your sentence. The meaning of both the words are the same but the use of the word recurrent will improve the writing.
3. Auditory medium is also a great way to learn. Listen to English podcasts, and watch English shows and movies to learn new words.
4. Go through the sample IELTS writing task to topics with answers to get a comprehension of the words that can be used in certain topics. Do not expect the same topic for your IELTS exam, however, the more you practice with the IELTS essay topics, you will find similar topics in your IELTS writing test.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Question With Answer:

IELTS writing task 2 topics: Some people therefore think that governments should pay university fees for students who study subjects that are needed by society. Those who choose to study less relevant subjects should not receive government funding. Would the advantages of such an educational policy outweigh the disadvantages?

This is an advantage/disadvantage essay format. However, in this particular topic, you are asked to give your opinion. Let’s go through the structure of these types of essays.

• Introduction: Begin by paraphrasing the question.
• Body Paragraph 1: In the opening sentence, you will state whether you are discussing advantages or downsides and rewrite the question. In the following sentences, list the advantages or the downsides.
• Body Paragraph 2: If you wrote the positives in the previous paragraph, write the disadvantages here, and vice versa. 
• Body Paragraph 3: This is an optional paragraph. If you need to break up the previous paragraphs, utilize a third body paragraph.
• Conclusion: Rephrase the question again ensuring no similar phrases like in the introduction.

IELTS writing task 2 topics with answers:

Band 6

Some people believes that governments should pay university costs for students who study courses that society requires. Those who prefer to study less relevant topics should not receiving funding from the government. There are quite a few advantages to this viewpoint.

Receiving funding from the government for subjects needed in society and not receiving it for other subjects have its own advantages. This will encourage students to take up otherwise unconventional subjects that they generally wouldn't have pursued but which are needed in today's society. For example, subjects like public health and political science helps in the progress of the country especially if youth are invested in it, if funded by the government, there are chances that more students will be inclined to pursue it.

On the other hand, students who pursues subjects needed by society receiving funds from the government and others not receive funds will come with severe disadvantages. This will create discrimination in society and also students might compromize on their potential and dreams because of financial aid. For example, if someone want to study literature because that is what they like, they might still don't want to pursue it and instead opt for a government-aided study program because of this system.

Some people thinks that governments should cover university expenses for students studying courses that society requires and those who prefer to study less relevant subjects should not receive government asistance. In the long run, I feel that the disadvantages will outweigh the advantages.

Clarification on the band:

We've highlighted the grammatical errors and Accuracy mistake in task evaluation. 

We've highlighted the spelling errors, which fall under Lexical Resources. 

The sentences are complex and longer and although are grammatically structured correctly, it is not making clear sense unless read twice or thrice. This falls under the coherence and cohesion part of the evaluation.

Band 7

There are those people who reasons that governments should provide free university education to students taking courses that are deemed relevant to the necessities of society. While on the other side the government should not support those who are studying what can be termed as less relevant courses. There are advantages and disadvantages to this argument.

The possibility of have more government funding for subjects that are significant in society and less for other subjects has certain merits. This policy could encourage the students to take subjects that are unconventional but very essential in life and which the students may not even consider otherwise. For instance fields such as public health and political science are essential to the growth of any nation. If these subjects are subsidized by the government, there will be many students who will enroll in these subjects hence benefiting the society.

On the other hand, limiting the funding to only the students who are pursue important subjects for society and not funding for other subjects has other negative repercussions. The practical application of such ideas might create bigotery and force students to abandon their dreams and talents in an attempt to get financially secure. For example, a student who wants to study literature may decide to drop this dream to embrace the government-funded program, therefore a compromise is made.

Some people claim that governments should pay for university education for students who are in areas vital to societal growth while those undertake seemingly irrelevant subjects should not be subsidized. I feel that the disadvantages of this approach would definitely prevail in the long term in one way or another.

Clarification on the band:

Here, we've highlighted two words that should have ended with a comma. There are several grammar faults, This falls under the Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

We've highlighted the spelling error, which falls under Lexical Resources. 

Band 9

Some assert that governments should provide grants to university students in programs that are deemed vital for society while denying them in other programs they consider irrelevant. This argument has a spectrum of advantages and disadvantages.

Selective increases in governmental funding of societally relevant disciplines while reducing funding in non-critical fields have its advantages. This kind of policy could work as a trigger, propelling students to choose rather unobvious but important fields they would not pay attention to otherwise. For example, fields like public health and political science hold very significant profiles of the national economy and administration. Thus, if these areas get governmental grants, then an increase in the number of students might be witnessed, which in turn will be of great benefit to society in general.

On the other hand, restricting the provision of financial aid to university students in imperative disciplinary areas will foster deleterious consequences. The introduction of such a policy potentially leads to prejudice and forces the student to surrender their dreams for finance. For instance, a student aspiring to be a writer of literature will drop this dream and embrace a government-funded program, thus limiting his or her potential.

In conclusion, some advocate that governments should fund university education for students in fields relevant to society’s development and deny funding to those taking apparently insignificant courses. However, I would like to state that the effect of this strategy would be definitely overshadowed by its long-term negative outcomes, which would entail a myriad of repercussions.

Clarification on the band:

There are no grammatical faults or word repetition, and the sentences are brief and crisp, highlighting a wide range of vocabulary.

Conclusion

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