Many people feel that giving homework daily to school children works well for them, while others feel that it is an unnecessary burden on them. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample Response
The issue of assigning homework to children has sparked a debate, with contrasting opinions. While some advocate for its educational significance, others argue against it. This essay will delve into both perspectives. Nonetheless, I contend that children should not be given homework by their teachers at school as it might not always yield the intended benefits and could impede a child's personal time.
Proponents of homework assert that it reinforces learning and instils discipline in children. They argue that tasks assigned at home offer opportunities for additional practice and independent study. For example, math problems or language exercises assigned as homework can deepen understanding and enhance academic performance.
Conversely, opponents of homework for children highlight its potential drawbacks. They argue that excessive homework can lead to stress, anxiety, and a loss of leisure time. For instance, extensive assignments piled on students can trigger stress, and fatigue, and disrupt their opportunities for recreational activities or family time. Moreover, it may not always guarantee improved academic outcomes, as some children might find it burdensome and unproductive.
I advocate against homework for children primarily because it could encroach on their personal time, hindering extracurricular activities and relaxation essential for their holistic development. Children should have the freedom to explore hobbies, socialize, and unwind after school without the added pressure of completing assignments.
In conclusion, while homework might serve a purpose in enhancing academic learning, its potential negative impacts on a child's well-being and personal time should not be overlooked. It is expected that children should learn at school and have no homework at home so that they can utilise their personal time at home for more productive work and skill development.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Reduce redundancy Original: sparked a debate, with contrasting opinions Suggested revision: sparked debate because opinions differ Why it matters: The revision avoids repeating the idea of debate through 'contrasting opinions'.
- 2. Use natural phrasing Original: advocate for its educational significance Suggested revision: argue that it has educational value Why it matters: This wording expresses the supporters' view more naturally and precisely.
- 3. Use formal precision Original: delve into both perspectives Suggested revision: examine both perspectives Why it matters: 'Examine' is a more direct academic verb for outlining the essay's scope.
- 4. Streamline passive phrase Original: given homework by their teachers at school Suggested revision: assigned homework by their teachers Why it matters: The revision removes the redundant location phrase while preserving the passive structure.
- 5. Correct collocation Original: impede a child's personal time Suggested revision: encroach on a child's personal time Why it matters: Time is normally 'encroached on' rather than 'impeded'.
- 6. Clarify assignment meaning Original: tasks assigned at home Suggested revision: tasks assigned for completion at home Why it matters: The revision clarifies that the work is completed at home rather than assigned there.
- 7. Clarify pronoun reference Original: it Suggested revision: homework Why it matters: Naming 'homework' removes the potentially vague pronoun reference.
- 8. Correct verb pattern Original: I advocate against homework for children Suggested revision: I oppose assigning homework to children Why it matters: 'Oppose' fits this meaning more naturally than 'advocate against'.
- 9. Remove faulty construction Original: It is expected that children should learn at school Suggested revision: Children should learn at school Why it matters: The impersonal construction is unnecessary and awkward with 'should'.
- 10. Avoid repetition Original: have no homework at home Suggested revision: have no homework to complete at home Why it matters: The revision clarifies the action and avoids the blunt repetition of 'homework' and 'home'.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: For instance, extensive assignments piled on students can trigger stress, and fatigue, and disrupt their opportunities for recreational activities or family time. Suggested revision: For instance, heavy workloads imposed on students can cause stress and fatigue and reduce their opportunities for recreational activities or family time. Why it matters: The rewrite corrects faulty coordination and replaces two awkward collocations.
Suggested Rewrites
- sparked a debate, with contrasting opinions sparked debate because opinions differ
- advocate for its educational significance argue that it has educational value
- delve into both perspectives examine both perspectives
- given homework by their teachers at school assigned homework by their teachers
- impede a child's personal time encroach on a child's personal time
- tasks assigned at home tasks assigned for completion at home
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its clear, consistently maintained position and its fluent, logically sequenced discussion of both perspectives. Its main limitation is that the case for daily homework is briefer and less developed than the opposing case, while the conclusion shifts toward an absolute rejection of homework. The highest-priority improvement is to examine the daily-frequency issue more precisely and develop the supporting view with comparable depth.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views and a clear opinion are addressed with relevant support, though the supporting view and the specific issue of daily homework receive less depth.
Develop the educational case further and distinguish reasonable daily practice from excessive homework before defending the final position.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through well-focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices guide the reader smoothly without obscuring the argument.
Make the transition from the balanced discussion to the categorical conclusion more explicit so the final stance follows even more naturally.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, precise, and appropriately academic, with effective phrases such as 'reinforces learning' and 'holistic development'.
Refine a few less natural combinations, especially 'productive work and skill development', to make the closing claims more exact.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, with only isolated awkwardness and punctuation lapses that do not impede meaning.
Proofread coordination and punctuation in sentences such as the list of stress, fatigue, and disrupted leisure opportunities.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Many people feel that giving homework daily to school children works well for them, while others feel that it is an unnecessary burden on them. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.