Some people say that now is the best time in history to be living. What is your opinion about this? What other time in history would be interesting to live in?
Same question Compare all 3 answers See different approaches and band scores for this IELTS task.Sample Response
[we are living in the greatest time in history]
Without a doubt, we are living in an age of unparalleled technological, medical, scientific, and social progress, which has significantly improved the quality of life for many people. In this essay, I will agree that we are living in the greatest time in history, and then say why living in the golden age of Ancient Greece could have been interesting for a few reasons.
Some opine that a few past periods in history were quite interesting to live in. For example, the golden age of Ancient Greece was characterised by a flourishing of art, philosophy, and democracy, which had a significant impact on Western civilisation. Similarly, the Renaissance era saw a revival of learning, art, and culture, leading to significant advances in science, art, and literature. But, the reality is that no period in history can outperform the overall progress and facilities of modern times.
It is easy to see why now is the best time in history to be alive. Medical advancements have increased life expectancy and reduced the likelihood of serious illness, while technological innovations have made life easier and more comfortable. Moreover, globalisation and advancements in communication have allowed people to connect with others from different cultures and countries, leading to greater acceptance and understanding.
If I had to pick a period to live in as a second choice, I would perhaps go for the golden age of Ancient Greece, which is generally considered to be from the 5th century BC to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. This was a time of great intellectual and cultural achievements, where some of the most notable figures in philosophy, literature, and the arts were active. The concept of democracy also emerged in this era, which marked a significant milestone in human history. The Olympic Games also originated in Ancient Greece during this period, and they are still celebrated to this day. Living in Ancient Greece during the Golden Age would have provided a unique opportunity to witness and participate in the development of many important cultural and societal achievements that continue to impact the world today.
In conclusion, while some people believe that human history has had some of the greatest periods to live in, I believe that we are living in the best period in history because of the outstanding medical, technological, scientific, and social progress, which has remarkably enhanced the quality of life.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Format the heading Original: [we are living in the greatest time in history] Suggested revision: We are living in the greatest time in history Why it matters: Capitalize the opening word and remove the square brackets for a conventionally formatted heading.
- 2. Avoid redundant phrasing Original: and then say why living in the golden age of Ancient Greece could have been interesting for a few reasons Suggested revision: and then explain why living in the Golden Age of Ancient Greece would have been interesting Why it matters: Using both “why” and “for a few reasons” is redundant, while “explain” is more precise here.
- 3. Use natural reporting language Original: Some opine Suggested revision: Some people argue Why it matters: This phrase expresses the same idea in a more natural academic collocation.
- 4. Choose a clearer quantifier Original: a few past periods Suggested revision: several past periods Why it matters: “Several” avoids the potentially negative implication of “few” in this context.
- 5. Improve the contrast Original: But, the reality is that Suggested revision: However, the reality is that Why it matters: “However” provides a smoother formal contrast and takes the following comma correctly.
- 6. Correct the comparison Original: outperform the overall progress and facilities of modern times Suggested revision: match the overall progress and amenities of modern times Why it matters: A historical period cannot naturally “outperform” progress, and “amenities” is more precise than “facilities” here.
- 7. Use a concise collocation Original: advancements in communication Suggested revision: advances in communications Why it matters: This is a more concise and natural expression for developments in communication systems.
- 8. Use a precise alternative Original: as a second choice Suggested revision: as an alternative Why it matters: “As an alternative” expresses the contrast with the present more directly.
- 9. Clarify the time span Original: which is generally considered to be from Suggested revision: a period generally considered to run from Why it matters: The revised appositive links the historical period more clearly to its start and end dates.
- 10. Use a time relative Original: achievements, where Suggested revision: achievements, when Why it matters: “When” is required because the antecedent is a time rather than a place.
- 11. Clarify the reference Original: this era, which marked Suggested revision: this era, marking Why it matters: The participle makes it clear that the emergence of democracy constituted the milestone.
- 12. Improve the collocation Original: human history has had some of the greatest periods to live in Suggested revision: human history has included several excellent periods in which to live Why it matters: “History has included periods” is more natural and precise than saying history “has had” them.
Suggested Rewrites
- [we are living in the greatest time in history] We are living in the greatest time in history
- and then say why living in the golden age of Ancient Greece could have been interesting for a few reasons and then explain why living in the Golden Age of Ancient Greece would have been interesting
- Some opine Some people argue
- a few past periods several past periods
- But, the reality is that However, the reality is that
- outperform the overall progress and facilities of modern times match the overall progress and amenities of modern times
Why this response received Band 8.0
The essay answers both questions directly, sustains a clear position, and develops its choices with relevant examples and confident, varied language. The main limitation is some repetition and overlap in the discussion of Ancient Greece, alongside a few imprecise expressions; the highest-priority improvement is to sharpen paragraph roles and explain the personal appeal of the chosen historical period rather than mainly listing its achievements.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
Both parts of the task are fully addressed through a clear preference for the present and a well-supported choice of Ancient Greece as an alternative.
Deepen the second answer by explaining more explicitly what everyday experience in Ancient Greece would make living there personally interesting.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses logically through its position, reasons for valuing the present, and detailed consideration of the alternative period.
Avoid previewing Ancient Greece at length before its dedicated paragraph so that each body paragraph has a more distinct function.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide-ranging and generally precise, with effective academic choices, although phrases such as progress and facilities and outperform a period are slightly awkward.
Replace occasional broad or competitive wording with more exact expressions such as living standards, public services, or offer greater overall advantages.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately and flexibly, with only minor lapses in punctuation and relative-clause wording.
Refine small points such as removing the comma after sentence-initial But and using when rather than where for a historical period.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people say that now is the best time in history to be living. What is your opinion about this? What other time in history would be interesting to live in?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.