Some people believe that it is fairer to assess a student’s ability based on their performance during the whole course rather than giving a formal examination at the end of the course. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
In these advanced days, pupil's ability assessment is a tougher nut to crack. Examiners need to go the extra mile to select the right mode of assessment. Though some people prefer periodical assessment method for evaluation, my two cent is that a formal examination is an excellent tool for better assessment. One of the obvious reasons, it is a clear and objective method of assessment. In other words, formal examination method has widely accepted for it judicial and nonbiased nature. Moreover, it facilitates a proper assessment of students with accurate evidence. Over and above, it breaches the barriers of technical criteria of assessments such as grading. Hence, this method brings about less parental complaints about student assessments. The recent parental survey in Japan proves that the most accepted methods of parents is nothing other than formal examinations, is the best epitome. Another reason, the exam pressure helps the students to get on with their future hectic career. It is a gospel truth that the formal examination normally creates a good deal of internal pressure among students. This pressure equips the students to put in a stressful situation in their future career. If the students practice this kind of situations in their early life, it will pay the dividend in future. On top of that, this practice brings about a sea change in students personal life as well. They take an effective decision as easy as pie in stressful situations in their personal life. Many business executives reveal that their success formula of personal and professional life is nothing other than the ability to work under pressure situations, that achieved by their school life is the best example. Ironically, an army of people argues that an extra workload comes about on students at the exam time. Perhaps it may be true to some degree but, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. The pupil will be beneficial in future by these slightly vigorous practices in their school period. Put it in a nutshell, the formal examination is prejudice free and not a rocket science for students and their parents. In addition to that, if they go by formal exam process in their school hood, the students become an extra talented in future. If we separate these kinds of valuable techniques in other fields of life, we can see the magic touch of individual in many areas of life.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural phrasing Original: In these advanced days Suggested revision: Nowadays Why it matters: This is the natural expression for referring to the present time.
- 2. Fix possession and number Original: pupil's ability assessment Suggested revision: the assessment of pupils' abilities Why it matters: The plural possessive construction is needed when discussing students generally.
- 3. Use formal wording Original: a tougher nut to crack Suggested revision: a difficult issue Why it matters: The idiom is overly conversational for an academic essay.
- 4. Fix adjective and number Original: periodical assessment method Suggested revision: periodic assessment methods Why it matters: Periodic is the appropriate adjective, and the general reference requires a plural noun.
- 5. Use academic wording Original: my two cent Suggested revision: my view Why it matters: The original expression is both grammatically incorrect and too informal for this context.
- 6. Add article and passive Original: formal examination method has widely accepted Suggested revision: the formal examination method has been widely accepted Why it matters: The noun needs an article and the passive verb needs been.
- 7. Correct word choice Original: for it judicial and nonbiased nature Suggested revision: for its fair and unbiased nature Why it matters: Its is the required possessive, and fair and unbiased convey the intended qualities accurately.
- 8. Use a clear linker Original: Over and above Suggested revision: Furthermore Why it matters: Furthermore is a clearer academic connector for adding a related point.
- 9. Clarify the claim Original: breaches the barriers of technical criteria of assessments such as grading Suggested revision: overcomes technical challenges in assessment, such as grading Why it matters: The original collocations obscure the intended claim about assessment procedures.
- 10. Use fewer Original: less Suggested revision: fewer Why it matters: Complaints is countable, so fewer is required.
- 11. Use natural word order Original: their future hectic career Suggested revision: their hectic future careers Why it matters: The adjective order is more natural and the plural agrees with students.
- 12. Avoid exaggerated idiom Original: It is a gospel truth Suggested revision: It is true Why it matters: The simpler wording is more suitable for a measured academic claim.
Suggested Rewrites
- In these advanced days Nowadays
- pupil's ability assessment the assessment of pupils' abilities
- a tougher nut to crack a difficult issue
- periodical assessment method periodic assessment methods
- my two cent my view
- formal examination method has widely accepted the formal examination method has been widely accepted
Why this response received Band 5.5
The response maintains a clear preference for formal examinations and supports it with two identifiable reasons, including objectivity and preparation for pressure. However, several claims are weakly substantiated, the argument is presented as one unbroken paragraph, and frequent inaccurate idioms and grammar errors sometimes strain clarity. The highest-priority improvement is to develop fewer, more credible points in clear paragraphs using direct, controlled academic language.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear position is maintained and relevant reasons are offered, but support is sometimes implausible, repetitive, or only loosely explained.
Build the case around two credible reasons and explain exactly why each makes final examinations fairer than continuous assessment.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument has a recognizable sequence, but excessive signposting and the absence of paragraph breaks make progression mechanical and difficult to follow.
Separate the introduction, each main reason, the counterargument, and the conclusion into purposeful paragraphs with restrained linking.
Lexical Resource
The response attempts a wide vocabulary and many idioms, but frequent unnatural collocations and misused expressions often reduce precision.
Replace memorized idioms with direct academic wording and check that each noun, verb, and adjective combination conveys the intended meaning.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex structures are attempted throughout, but frequent errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles, and word forms sometimes impede clarity.
Prioritize accurate clause structure and agreement in shorter sentences before combining ideas into more complex forms.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people believe that it is fairer to assess a student’s ability based on their performance during the whole course rather than giving a formal examination at the end of the course. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.