Computers today can quickly and accurately translate languages, therefore, it is a waste of time to learn a foreign language. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
With the advancement of technology, many people postulate that since computers are so good at translating languages, people should not learn foreign languages anymore. However, I strongly disagree with this statement due to various reasons.
The first reason is that computers cannot help people entirely, especially when they are communicating verbally. In a fast-paced conversation involving multiple technical jargon, computers can have difficulties translating that in time for speakers. That is why in international conferences, such as the United Nations summit, there are interpreters for every single representative. These interpreters are there instead of computers because they have background knowledge of the topics discussed and generally have a higher accuracy when the conversation is fast-paced and delivered in a heavy accent.
The second reason is that, even with future advances in technology, computers will never be able to deliver emotions and humor to users. For example, puns are unique to the language that they are spoken and cannot be translated without having to explain extensively. Another point to consider is words with connotations. For example, the slight difference between “thrifty” and “stingy” can sometimes be ignored by machines as they often go for the nearest synonyms.
In conclusion, although technology has aided in translation by much, it can never replace multilingual speakers. I strongly disagree that learning foreign languages is a waste of time because certain things cannot be translated.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Choose a natural verb Original: postulate Suggested revision: argue Why it matters: “Argue” expresses the reporting meaning more naturally in this context.
- 2. Use a concise phrase Original: due to various reasons Suggested revision: for several reasons Why it matters: This replacement states the idea more directly and idiomatically.
- 3. Clarify the extent Original: help people entirely Suggested revision: fully assist people Why it matters: The adverb is more naturally placed before the verb it modifies.
- 4. Use uncountable jargon Original: multiple technical jargon Suggested revision: a great deal of technical jargon Why it matters: “Jargon” is uncountable, so it cannot be modified by “multiple.”
- 5. Use the singular form Original: can have difficulties Suggested revision: may have difficulty Why it matters: The singular expression “have difficulty” is the more natural construction here.
- 6. Clarify the reference Original: translating that Suggested revision: translating such speech Why it matters: The noun phrase gives the pronoun a clearer and more precise referent.
- 7. Use precise timing Original: in time for speakers Suggested revision: in real time Why it matters: “In real time” more precisely describes translation during a live conversation.
- 8. Correct the preposition Original: in Suggested revision: at Why it matters: Events such as conferences normally take the preposition “at.”
- 9. Remove unnecessary emphasis Original: every single representative Suggested revision: each representative Why it matters: “Each representative” conveys the same meaning more concisely.
- 10. Use an adjective Original: generally have a higher accuracy Suggested revision: are generally more accurate Why it matters: Accuracy is expressed more naturally here with the adjective “accurate.”
- 11. Use the right collocation Original: delivered in a heavy accent Suggested revision: spoken with a heavy accent Why it matters: Speech is “spoken with” an accent rather than “delivered in” one.
- 12. Fix the relative clause Original: language that they are spoken Suggested revision: language in which they are used Why it matters: The revised relative clause correctly links puns to the language in which they occur.
Suggested Rewrites
- postulate argue
- due to various reasons for several reasons
- help people entirely fully assist people
- multiple technical jargon a great deal of technical jargon
- can have difficulties may have difficulty
- translating that translating such speech
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response presents a clear and consistent position, with two relevant reasons supported by apt examples about live interpreting and linguistic nuance. Its main limitation is that it falls modestly below the expected length and some claims could be developed with greater precision. The highest-priority improvement is to extend the reasoning behind each example while removing awkward wording and collocations.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear position is maintained and both main reasons are relevant, extended, and supported despite the modest length shortfall.
Develop the implications of each example more fully so the argument comfortably meets the required length without repetition.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through a clear introduction, two focused body paragraphs, and a consistent conclusion.
Strengthen links within the body paragraphs by making the relationship between each example and its central claim more explicit.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and topic-specific, although several collocations and expressions are awkward or imprecise.
Refine combinations such as technical jargon and aided translation to achieve more natural and exact phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good range of complex structures is used with generally strong control and only occasional non-impeding errors.
Check agreement, reference, and clause phrasing carefully, especially in sentences describing languages, words, and machines.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Computers today can quickly and accurately translate languages, therefore, it is a waste of time to learn a foreign language. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.