The government has announced that it plans to build a new university. Some people think that your community would be a good place to locate the university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a new university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion.
Sample Response
I think it is a great idea to build a new university in my community. However, I think it is a controversial question whether the building of a new university will bring only benefits to our community. In this essay I will analyze advantages and disadvantages of this issue and present my view in favor of establishing a new university in my community. From the one side, establishing a new university in my community brings many benefits. First of all, a new construction means more job opportunities. I think it would be good for my community because many people have to spend much time driving to their work day in and day out because they could not find a job in our neighborhood. Second of all, a new university is a good chance to meet new people and I like this opportunity. Many students will live in our community. Finally, if a new university is built in my community there is a big chance that I will be willing to enroll in it. I think it is great because it is not far from my place and I do not have to move to another part of the city. Another important aspect of this is that people from my community will have a chance to use new libraries and facilities of a new university. For example some people can take courses and classes there. From the other side, building a new university can bring some disadvantages. A new construction means noise, traffic jams and different kinds of pollution. In addition to these disadvantages, many young people in our community can cause more noise especially in the evenings. To sum up, I think that I would support the decision of the government of establishing a new university in my community despite a few disadvantages that could follow this construction. I believe that a new university will increase a chance of many young people to get a higher education, gain more knowledge and experience, which will help them to succeed in today’s world.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use concise wording Original: the building of a new university Suggested revision: building a new university Why it matters: The gerund form expresses the activity more naturally and concisely.
- 2. Add definite articles Original: analyze advantages and disadvantages Suggested revision: analyze the advantages and disadvantages Why it matters: The specific advantages and disadvantages discussed here require the definite article.
- 3. Name the proposal Original: issue Suggested revision: proposal Why it matters: “Proposal” refers more precisely to the planned university development.
- 4. Use standard linker Original: From the one side Suggested revision: On the one hand Why it matters: This is the standard expression for introducing one side of a comparison.
- 5. Clarify the project Original: First of all, a new construction Suggested revision: First of all, the construction project Why it matters: “Construction project” refers naturally to the building work and avoids an awkward countable use of “construction.”
- 6. Use natural collocation Original: spend much time driving to their work Suggested revision: spend a great deal of time commuting to work Why it matters: “Commute to work” is the natural expression for regular travel between home and a workplace.
- 7. Keep present tense Original: because they could not find a job Suggested revision: because they cannot find jobs Why it matters: The surrounding claim describes a current situation, so present tense and a plural generic noun are appropriate.
- 8. Use formal sequencing Original: Second of all Suggested revision: Secondly Why it matters: “Secondly” is a more suitable sequencing expression in an academic essay.
- 9. Match conditional meaning Original: I like this opportunity Suggested revision: I would welcome this opportunity Why it matters: The conditional form matches the hypothetical prospect of a future university.
- 10. Use conditional form Original: will Suggested revision: would Why it matters: “Would” is consistent with discussing the possible effects of the proposed university.
- 11. Use precise evaluation Original: it is great Suggested revision: this would be beneficial Why it matters: The replacement states the positive effect more precisely and in a more academic register.
- 12. Use natural phrasing Original: it is not far from my place Suggested revision: it would be close to my home Why it matters: “Close to my home” is a more natural and precise way to express proximity.
Suggested Rewrites
- the building of a new university building a new university
- analyze advantages and disadvantages analyze the advantages and disadvantages
- issue proposal
- From the one side On the one hand
- First of all, a new construction First of all, the construction project
- spend much time driving to their work spend a great deal of time commuting to work
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response’s strongest feature is its clear position and relevant range of community benefits, supported by concrete points about jobs, study access, and facilities. Its main limitation is the brief, repetitive treatment of disadvantages, while cohesion and accuracy are weakened by formulaic linking and recurring article and collocation errors. Prioritise developing each disadvantage with a specific consequence and revising awkward phrases for more natural control.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response addresses both sides and states a consistent preference, with several relevant benefits but only briefly developed drawbacks.
Develop each disadvantage with a specific explanation or example so the comparison is more balanced and complete.
Coherence and Cohesion
The ideas follow a recognisable advantages-to-disadvantages sequence, but the single-block presentation and repetitive signposting make progression mechanical.
Use clear paragraph divisions and replace formulaic transitions with links that express the precise relationship between ideas.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary covers education, employment, facilities, and local impacts adequately, though several collocations and fixed phrases sound unnatural.
Revise combinations such as community development, employment access, and local disruption for more idiomatic and precise wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex sentences conveys meaning clearly, despite recurring errors with articles, prepositions, and clause construction.
Proofread noun phrases and complex clauses systematically, focusing on article choice, prepositions, and sentence boundaries.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
The government has announced that it plans to build a new university. Some people think that your community would be a good place to locate the university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a new university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.