To succeed in a business, one needs to be good at maths. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
Some people argue that maths is an essential skill in order to do well in business. I partly disagree with this notion because although basic maths is required to properly run a business, more complex maths can be outsourced.
Basic maths is an integral part of running a business. Success in business requires a broad range of knowledge including finance and accounting which both use maths. Business owners should have a solid understanding of basic arithmetic as well as algebra in order to run their business effectively. In addition, maths is required when performing business operations like accounting, inventory management, and forecasting sales.
However, strong maths skills are not required to do well in the business field. While maths is undeniably an important part of running a business, it is possible to outsource this skill. This includes hiring an individual skilled in the financial side of business as well as using spreadsheets and computer programs that will do financial models for business owners. Though using spreadsheets does require a basic understanding of the principles of finance and maths, it does not require a high level of math skills in areas such as calculus. Moreover, maths is a broad field that encompasses a number of subtopics such as geometry, calculus, algebra, and statistics. Not all of these areas are required when running a business.
In conclusion, I partly disagree with the notion that business success requires strong maths skills. While many aspects of business do require basic maths skills such as finance and accounting, being good in all types of maths is not a requirement. Furthermore, many higher level maths skills can be outsourced.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use concise wording Original: in order to do well in business Suggested revision: to succeed in business Why it matters: The replacement expresses the same idea more directly.
- 2. Improve adverb placement Original: properly run a business Suggested revision: run a business effectively Why it matters: This is a more natural academic collocation.
- 3. Clarify the relative clause Original: a broad range of knowledge including finance and accounting which both use maths Suggested revision: broad knowledge, including finance and accounting, both of which involve maths Why it matters: The revised structure clearly links the relative clause to both subjects.
- 4. Use parallel list forms Original: like accounting, inventory management, and forecasting sales Suggested revision: such as accounting, inventory management, and sales forecasting Why it matters: Parallel noun forms make the list grammatically consistent.
- 5. Remove vague wording Original: the business field Suggested revision: business Why it matters: The shorter form is clearer and more natural in this context.
- 6. Correct the collocation Original: outsource this skill Suggested revision: outsource work requiring this skill Why it matters: Work can be outsourced, whereas a personal skill itself cannot.
- 7. Use precise terminology Original: skilled in the financial side of business Suggested revision: with expertise in business finance Why it matters: This phrasing identifies the relevant expertise more concisely.
- 8. Correct the verb choice Original: will do financial models Suggested revision: can create financial models Why it matters: English uses “create” or “build” rather than “do” with financial models.
- 9. Keep usage consistent Original: a high level of math skills Suggested revision: advanced maths skills Why it matters: The revision is concise and retains the essay’s British English form “maths.”
- 10. Use the right category Original: a number of subtopics Suggested revision: several branches Why it matters: Geometry, calculus, algebra, and statistics are more naturally described as branches of mathematics.
- 11. Improve the collocation Original: good in all types of maths Suggested revision: proficient in every area of maths Why it matters: “Proficient in” is the natural preposition and is suitably formal.
- 12. Name outsourced work Original: higher level maths skills Suggested revision: higher-level mathematical work Why it matters: The revision correctly identifies work, rather than personal skills, as what can be outsourced.
Suggested Rewrites
- in order to do well in business to succeed in business
- properly run a business run a business effectively
- a broad range of knowledge including finance and accounting which both use maths broad knowledge, including finance and accounting, both of which involve maths
- like accounting, inventory management, and forecasting sales such as accounting, inventory management, and sales forecasting
- the business field business
- outsource this skill outsource work requiring this skill
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response presents a clear, consistent qualified disagreement and organises the distinction between basic and advanced mathematics effectively. Its main limitation is that support remains fairly general and the claim that complex mathematics can be outsourced is not examined in much depth; the highest-priority improvement is to develop one concrete business example showing how mathematical competence, delegation, and other managerial skills interact to produce success.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response answers the question with a clear qualified position and develops both the need for basic maths and the possibility of outsourcing advanced work.
Develop a specific real-world business example to demonstrate more convincingly how outsourcing advanced mathematics supports success.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument follows a clear four-paragraph progression, with cohesive links generally used naturally and effectively.
Reduce repeated restatement of the same distinction in the conclusion and use that space for a sharper synthesis.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is sufficiently varied and generally precise, although repeated use of maths and business and a few awkward phrases limit flexibility.
Use more exact alternatives such as quantitative expertise, financial analysis, and specialist support while avoiding unnatural phrases such as do financial models.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good range of simple and complex sentences is produced accurately, with only minor lapses that do not impede meaning.
Polish modifier and noun-phrase control, including forms such as higher-level mathematical skills, to improve precision further.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
To succeed in a business, one needs to be good at maths. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.