Achieving a band 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2 shows a good understanding of subject choice discussion. This essay effectively conveys both views but could benefit from increased clarity and deeper examples to substantiate the arguments presented.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Discuss both views · University Students · 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 (1–9)
Summary: The essay adequately addresses the task by discussing both views on whether university students should have freedom in subject selection or be confined to future-useful fields such as science and technology. It offers a clear opinion and provides relevant examples. However, the development of ideas could be more detailed. Coherence and cohesion are generally well-managed, with smooth transitions between ideas, though they could be more varied for a higher score. Lexical resource is competent, with appropriate academic vocabulary, but lacks in sophistication and variety. The grammatical range and accuracy are effective, with no major errors, but greater complexity of sentence structures would improve the score.
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Nowadays, some people argue that university should allow students to choose their own subjects, while some people take the view that students should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. In my opinion, I strongly believe that university students should be allowed to study whatever subjects they like. This essay will explore both points of view and present my own opinion.
On the one hand, if the universities limit the subjects and only allow choosing important subjects that are essential for the future, such as science and technology, the students cannot study well in their uninterested subjects. They can be absent from the classes and go somewhere during the class. As a result, the students are by far from graduating, and they will prefer to work instead of learning. In addition, some students have an interest in literature and want to be writers or poets. However, they cannot learn their favourite literature subjects and follow their dreams. For instance, 30% of the Americans graduated with literature majors in 2009 at Texas University. This means that some minor majors are also popular for some students.
On the other hand, many people assume that students should have rights to choose their own subjects. This assumption brings a large number of benefits for the university students. Firstly, students will be more eager to learn every day since they are interested in the subjects, which boosts intrinsic motivation, reduces academic burnout, and helps learners align their studies with their personal passions and future career goals. They will spend most of their quality time in studying every night and try to achieve their dreams. Secondly, students who study their favourite subjects have better academic performances. To illustrate, studies in educational psychology show that interest-driven learning helps students to invest more effort in studies when they care about the material.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly believe that university students should be free to choose their own subjects.
AI Feedback Report Details
Spelling · Grammar · Vocabulary · Criteria Analysis
Vocabulary Improvements
2 suggestions| Original Word/Phrase | Improved Word/Phrase | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| their uninterested subjects | subjects they are not interested in | The phrase is unclear; rephrasing improves clarity. |
| some minor majors | some less common majors | 'Minor majors' is contradictory; 'less common majors' is more accurate. |
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Detailed Criteria Feedback
AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion
Task Response7
Evaluation
The essay addresses the task and provides a clear position, discussing both sides of the argument and giving an opinion.
Examples
The introduction presents the task discussion and states the writer's opinion. The body paragraphs explore both arguments with relevant examples.
How to Improve
Enhance the depth of argumentation by providing more detailed explanations and examples for each point of view.
Coherence & Cohesion7
Evaluation
The essay is logical and ideas are organized well. There is an overall good use of linking words and cohesive devices.
Examples
Transitional phrases like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' are used effectively to separate the two views.
How to Improve
Introduce a wider range of cohesive devices to connect ideas more fluidly for improved cohesion.
Lexical Resource7
Evaluation
The vocabulary is appropriate and relevant to the task, with some attempts at higher-level words.
Examples
Words such as 'intrinsic motivation', 'academic burnout', and 'interest-driven learning' demonstrate moderate lexical resource.
How to Improve
Incorporate more varied and sophisticated vocabulary to enhance lexical richness.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy7
Evaluation
The grammar used is accurate with a varied range of sentence structures but could include more complex structures.
Examples
The sentence structures are mostly simple and compound, with no major grammatical errors.
How to Improve
Utilize more complex and varied sentence structures to demonstrate a higher proficiency in grammar.
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.
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