This Band 5 IELTS essay discusses the freedom of choice in subject selection for university students. While both views are presented, the essay struggles with cohesion and clarity, hindering overall effectiveness. Understand the key issues to enhance your writing and tackle similar tasks effectively.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Discuss both views Β· University Students Β· 40 min
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether 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 views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Score Breakdown
IELTS Writing Band Scores (1β9)
Summary: The essay attempts to discuss both views and gives a clear opinion, but the development is unbalanced, with the first view (free choice) receiving only superficial treatment. The word count (258) meets the minimum requirement. However, significant language errors and weak cohesion limit the overall effectiveness. The essay demonstrates a limited range of vocabulary and grammar, which negatively impacts clarity and precision.
Now write your own β and see how your verdict holds up.
Submit your University Students essay and receive AI scores across Task Response, Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Grammar β plus a Band 9 model answer for your exact question.
It often argued that students have to freedom to select their own preference of subjects, others claim that students should only allowd to study about advance technology and science like physics, biology, chemestry etc that will be helpful for their future. Although both views have valid arguments, I firmly believe that technology and science offers great long term benefits.
In this developing culture of modern arts and science having knowledge about modern equipment plays a vital role for the enhancement of skills. We can see lots of competion in this feild so proper skills and experience is needed. For example, in IT sector technology can be a important topic to debate. If you have practical and theoretical practice in science you do not gave to worry about the secure future.
At the same time students who choose their own subjects can be seen having less knownledge about modern society. Students who can choose their own subjects are seem choosing easy subjects to get passes easily. For example, Students who have taken subjects like arts and commerce they cannot compete with the students having knowledge about technology and science. Having back foot in competion does not means they are able to get job. They will have own benefits in their sectors.
In conclusion, Both views have there own respective values but in my opinion students that are allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology is more benificial then students should be free to choose their own subjets.
AI Feedback Report Details
Spelling Β· Grammar Β· Vocabulary Β· Criteria Analysis
Spelling Mistakes
9 errors| Misspelled Word | Corrected Word |
|---|---|
| chemestry | chemistry |
| competion | competition |
| feild | field |
| knownledge | knowledge |
| benificial | beneficial |
| subjets | subjects |
| allowd | allowed |
| there | their |
| then | than |
Grammatical Mistakes
12 errors| Mistake | Correction | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| It often argued | It is often argued | Missing auxiliary verb 'is' to form passive voice |
| have to freedom | have the freedom | Missing definite article 'the' before 'freedom' |
| should only allowd | should only be allowed | Missing auxiliary verb 'be' for passive construction |
| technology and science offers | technology and science offer | Subject-verb agreement: compound subject 'technology and science' requires plural verb 'offer' |
| a important topic | an important topic | Use 'an' before vowel sound 'important' |
| do not gave to worry | do not have to worry | Incorrect verb form: 'gave' is past tense; base form 'have' is needed after 'do not' |
| are seem choosing | are seen choosing | Incorrect verb form: 'seem' should be past participle 'seen' after 'are' |
| they cannot compete (redundant subject) | cannot compete | Remove redundant pronoun 'they' after the subject 'students' |
| does not means | does not mean | Verb form: after 'does not', use base form 'mean' instead of third person singular 'means' |
| get job | get a job | Missing indefinite article 'a' before singular countable noun 'job' |
| have own benefits | have their own benefits | Missing possessive pronoun 'their' before 'own' |
| students that are allowed ... is more beneficial then students should be free | students that are allowed ... are more beneficial than students who are free | Subject-verb agreement: 'students' plural requires 'are'; 'then' should be 'than' for comparison |
Vocabulary Improvements
6 suggestions| Original Word/Phrase | Improved Word/Phrase | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| advance technology | advanced technology | Incorrect adjective form; 'advanced' is the standard adjective for modern technology |
| lots of | a great deal of | Informal phrasing; use more formal academic expression |
| practical and theoretical practice | practical and theoretical knowledge | Redundant with 'practice'; 'knowledge' is more precise and avoids repetition |
| back foot in competion | a disadvantage in competition | Incorrect idiom usage; 'back foot' is not standard in this context; use 'disadvantage' |
| like arts and commerce | such as arts and commerce | Informal use of 'like' for examples; 'such as' is more appropriate in academic writing |
| secure future | stable future | Better collocation; 'secure future' is acceptable but 'stable future' fits the context of career stability |
Ready to practise? Get instant AI feedback on your verdict.
Submit your University Students essay and receive AI scores across all four IELTS criteria β with specific feedback on whether your solutions are specific, realistic, and matched to your problems.
Detailed Criteria Feedback
AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion
Task Response5
Evaluation
The essay addresses the prompt by discussing both views and stating an opinion. However, the first view (students should be free to choose subjects) is not well developed; it is mostly dismissed with generalisations rather than explored. The second view (focus on science/technology) is more elaborated, but the examples lack specificity. The opinion is stated but not fully justified. Overall, the response is partially relevant but lacks depth and balance.
Examples
The first body paragraph begins with 'In this developing culture of modern arts and science' which is unclear and does not directly address the freedom-to-choose view. The example about IT is vague. The second body paragraph dismisses arts/commerce students as 'less knownledge' without acknowledging potential benefits of those fields.
How to Improve
To improve, ensure that both views are discussed with equal depth. Provide clear, specific examples for each side. Develop your own opinion with reasoned arguments, and avoid sweeping claims that are not supported. Address the positive aspects of studying non-science subjects as well.
Coherence & Cohesion5
Evaluation
The essay has a basic structure (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion), but ideas are not logically sequenced. Transitions between sentences and paragraphs are weak. Use of cohesive devices is limited and often inaccurate (e.g., 'At the same time' is used to introduce a contrasting point, but the connection is unclear). The essay lacks clear topic sentences and paragraph unity.
Examples
The first body paragraph jumps from 'modern arts and science' to 'IT sector' without a clear link. The second body paragraph uses 'At the same time' but then switches to a general criticism of free-choice students. The conclusion repeats the opinion but does not effectively summarise the discussion.
How to Improve
Use clear topic sentences at the start of each body paragraph to signal the main idea. Use a range of linking words appropriately (e.g., 'on the one hand⦠on the other hand', 'in contrast', 'furthermore'). Ensure each paragraph focuses on one main point. Improve flow by connecting sentences logically.
Lexical Resource4.5
Evaluation
The vocabulary is limited and contains multiple errors and awkward phrases. There are misspellings ('chemestry', 'feild', 'competion', 'benificial', 'subjets') and incorrect word choices ('gaved' instead of 'given' or 'have', 'back foot in competion'). The range of words is narrow, with repetition of 'students', 'subjects', 'science', 'technology'. There is little use of less common or academic vocabulary.
Examples
'students have to freedom to select their own preference of subjects' (should be 'students have the freedom to choose their own subjects'). 'advance technology and science' (should be 'advanced technology'). 'practical and theoretical practice' (redundant).
How to Improve
Build academic vocabulary by reading more IELTS model essays. Learn correct spellings of common words related to the topic. Use synonyms to avoid repetition (e.g., 'discipline', 'field', 'area of study'). Practice forming precise and natural collocations (e.g., 'gain skills', 'pursue a degree', 'future career prospects').
Grammatical Range & Accuracy4.5
Evaluation
The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that hinder understanding. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('students have to freedom'), missing articles, incorrect verb forms ('do not gave', 'seem choosing'), and sentence fragments. Complex sentences are attempted but often incorrect. Punctuation is mostly missing, and the overall accuracy is low.
Examples
'It often argued that students have to freedom' (missing 'is' and 'the'). 'If you have practical and theoretical practice in science you do not gave to worry' (should be 'do not have to worry'). 'Having back foot in competion does not means they are able to get job' (should be 'Having a disadvantage in competition does not mean they are able to get a job').
How to Improve
Review basic grammar rules, especially verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and articles. Practice writing simple, correct sentences before attempting complex structures. Use a variety of sentence types (simple, compound, complex) but ensure accuracy. Proofread your work to catch obvious errors. Consider using grammar checking tools or seeking feedback from a teacher.
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.
RELATED ESSAYS
01
Some people believe that city governments should allocate public funds only to essential urban services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Others argue that investment in arts, culture, and entertainment is equally important for enhancing the quality of urban life. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
The health of a city and it's citizens must be given utmost priority as compared to arts, culture and entertainment. With provision of proper health...
02
Some people believe that the purpose of museums is to educate people, while others think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people. What is your view on this issue? Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
When travelling to another country, museums are often serves as a spot or a destination for that certain area. Museums offers education and entertainment. It do...
03
Some people in different countries earn very high incomes. While some people think that this is beneficial for the nation, others believe that the government should limit how much money people can make. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
An individual's educational background fortells a lot on how people can earn more or earn less. Some may finished only as a highschool graduate but has skills t...
04
Some people argue that leisure time is best spent on activities that stimulate the mind, such as reading and doing word puzzles. Other people contend that leisure time is best spent on activities that relax the mind. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
Human beings love to relax and chill its in our nature. But it differ from a human being to another how we like to spend our leisure time some argue that free ...
05
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether 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 views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
There are two contrary opinions about whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should be allowed to study subject...