Some people think that schools should select students according to their academic abilities, while others believe that it is better to have students with different abilities studying together. Discuss both views and state your own opinion.
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Sample Response
Some people contend that mixed ability classes are more beneficial for children’s development than streaming them according to judgments of their academic abilitieson the basis of judgement about their academic abilities. However, from my perspective, I disagree with this contention.
Admittedly, mixed ability classes provide a better environment for children’s all-round development. In such classes, children with different abilities study together and in turn they can learn from one another. From example, a studentwho is good at, who is good at academic subjectsstudy but weak in dancing or painting, can learn how to dance or paint fromform his peers. In this sense, mixed ability classes allow students to develop their abilities in different subjects rather than focusing only on academic abilitiesinstead of only academic abilities.
Despite the argument above, I believe streaming students offersbrings more benefits to teachers and students. As for teachers, separating children with better academic abilities from others facilitates effective teaching. This practice helps teachers to control their students more easilymore conveniently and easily. Compared with mixed-ability classes, in whichmixed ability in which teachersteacher should consider students’ differences when usingwhen they are using teaching methodsmethodologies, streaming makes this situation simpler. To be more specific, students are at the same level of academic ability in a class, and in turn teachers can use the same methodologies for them all. In this way, the narrower the spread of ability in the class, the easier it is to teachthe more convenient the teaching can be.
On top of this, streamingsteaming enables students to learn effectivelylearn in an effective way. According to students’ different abilities, they are taught in different ways that are more suitable for them. In the top streams, students use more difficult materials, therefore, they can learn more. In sharp contrast, teachers can explain the material more slowly to those in the bottom streamsthose in bottom streams. In these circumstancesUnder this circumstance, students with different academic abilities can study effectively and efficiently.
In the final analysis, mixed ability classes are beneficial for students’ versatile development, but in my opinion, segregating students based on differences in academic abilitydifferent academic ability is better for both teachers and students.
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response presents a clear preference for ability-based streaming and supports it with logically sequenced arguments about teaching and differentiated instruction. Its main limitation is that the case for mixed-ability classes is comparatively brief and some supporting claims remain general, while several awkward word choices and grammatical slips reduce precision. The highest-priority improvement is to develop both views with equally specific, convincing examples and then proofread collocations, articles, and agreement.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views are addressed and a clear position is maintained, although the mixed-ability case is less fully developed.
Develop the first view with a more directly relevant academic example and compare its value more explicitly with streaming.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument progresses logically through clear paragraphs, though some linking phrases are repetitive or slightly mechanical.
Use fewer formulaic transitions and strengthen the logical connection between each claim and its supporting explanation.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and topic-appropriate, but slips such as “steaming” and several awkward collocations reduce precision.
Proofread key terms and replace imprecise combinations with natural phrases such as “make teaching easier” and “students of differing abilities.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good range of complex structures is used, with recurring but non-impeding errors in articles, agreement, and clause construction.
Check singular-plural agreement and article use, especially in sentences that compare teachers, students, and classes.