Some people believe that exams are an inappropriate way of measuring students’ performance and should be replaced by continuous assessment. Do you agree or disagree with this view?
Sample Response
Exams have always been used as a way to measure students’ ability and level of learning. However, I contend that it is not an appropriate way to determine one’s performance and it should be substituted by a continuous assessment approach. The reasons for my contention are as follows. Nowadays, cheating on exams is a commonplace. Therefore it is not uncommon for students who do not do well in the class to score high on the exams. Thus, when something like this occurs, there is no way for authorities to confirm whether or not the answers on the exams are really from the student and not the results of an unfair play. Teachers might forestall cheating from taking place, be it by strict invigilating or by the threat to fail the students who do not abide by the rules, there’s still no way to ascertain that every student will comply with the rules. Hence the ineffectiveness of utilising exams as a way of measuring the ability of each student is quite clean. Furthermore, students have the tendency to memorise for exams without putting any effort in trying to thoroughly understand the materials taught. They will strive to obtain the highest score possible by this means. Memorising is surely a quick way to obtain a good score in a short time, however, it is not an effective way to study if one wants to deeply understand the materials. Consequently, exams are not appropriate when used to measure the ability of the students who memorise. In conclusion, I believe that the best way to determine a student’s ability is to continuously assess their performance in the classroom. By doing that, fair judgment of each student’s ability will be ensured and students will also be fairly scored based on how well they do in the class.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Clarify plural subject Original: it is not an appropriate way to determine one’s performance Suggested revision: exams are not an appropriate way to determine students’ performance Why it matters: The revision gives the clause a clear plural subject and matches the general reference to students.
- 2. Use natural replacement phrase Original: substituted by Suggested revision: replaced with Why it matters: 'Replaced with' is the natural phrase for introducing an alternative assessment method.
- 3. Remove incorrect article Original: is a commonplace Suggested revision: is commonplace Why it matters: 'Commonplace' functions as an adjective here and does not take an article.
- 4. Use natural class phrase Original: do not do well in the class Suggested revision: do not perform well in class Why it matters: The revised phrase is the standard expression for academic performance in lessons.
- 5. Use adverb and preposition Original: score high on the exams Suggested revision: score highly in exams Why it matters: The verb 'score' takes the adverb 'highly', and 'in exams' is natural in this context.
- 6. Correct wrong word Original: clean Suggested revision: clear Why it matters: 'Clear' means evident, while 'clean' does not convey that meaning here.
- 7. Use uncountable noun Original: materials Suggested revision: material Why it matters: 'Material' is uncountable when it refers collectively to course content.
- 8. Correct verb pattern Original: putting any effort in trying to thoroughly understand Suggested revision: making any effort to understand thoroughly Why it matters: 'Make an effort to' is the correct verb pattern in this context.
- 9. Clarify memorisation reference Original: ability of the students who memorise Suggested revision: ability of students who rely on memorisation Why it matters: The revision specifies that these students depend on memorising rather than merely possessing memory.
- 10. Use concise reference Original: that Suggested revision: so Why it matters: 'Doing so' is the conventional cohesive reference to the preceding action.
- 11. Use concise academic phrasing Original: used as a way to measure Suggested revision: used as a method of measuring Why it matters: 'A method of measuring' is a more concise academic expression for the same idea.
- 12. Punctuate linking adverb Original: Therefore it is not uncommon Suggested revision: Therefore, it is not uncommon Why it matters: A comma should follow the introductory linking adverb 'Therefore'.
Suggested Rewrites
- it is not an appropriate way to determine one’s performance exams are not an appropriate way to determine students’ performance
- substituted by replaced with
- is a commonplace is commonplace
- do not do well in the class do not perform well in class
- score high on the exams score highly in exams
- clean clear
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response’s strongest feature is its consistent position, supported by two relevant explanations of how cheating and short-term memorisation can distort exam results. The main limitation is presentation: the entire argument appears as one paragraph, and continuous assessment is asserted rather than explained in comparable depth. Prioritise organising the ideas into purposeful paragraphs and developing how ongoing assessment would remedy the identified problems.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear position is maintained and supported by two relevant, reasonably extended criticisms of examinations.
Explain in detail how continuous assessment would reduce cheating and reward genuine understanding instead of merely asserting its superiority.
Coherence and Cohesion
The reasoning has a clear overall sequence, but the lack of paragraph divisions obscures the structure of the argument.
Give the introduction, each main reason, and the conclusion separate paragraphs, each centred on one distinct purpose.
Lexical Resource
The response demonstrates a broad formal vocabulary, although several inaccurate collocations and word choices weaken precision.
Review ambitious expressions for natural usage, particularly phrases concerning cheating, invigilation, evidence, and clarity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex forms is generally controlled, with only occasional errors in articles, punctuation, and clause joining.
Separate independent clauses correctly and proofread article use so longer sentences remain consistently accurate.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people believe that exams are an inappropriate way of measuring students’ performance and should be replaced by continuous assessment. Do you agree or disagree with this view?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.