Going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Sample Response
There is no doubt that going to study in a foreign country, with its different language and culture, can be a frustrating and sometimes painful experience. But while overseas study has its drawbacks, the difficulties are far outweighed by the advantages. Indeed, people who go abroad for study open themselves up to experiences that those who stay at home will never have. The most obvious advantage to overseas university study is real-life use of a different language. While a person can study a foreign language in his or her own country, it cannot compare with constant use of the language in academic and everyday life. There is no better opportunity to improve second-language skills than living in the country in which it is spoken. Moreover, having used the language during one's studies offers a distinct advantage when one is applying for jobs back home that require the language. On a university campus, the foreign student is not alone in having come from far away. He or she will likely encounter many others from overseas and it is possible to make friends from all around the world. This is not only exciting on a social level, but could lead to important overseas contacts in later professional life. Finally, living and studying abroad offers one a new and different perspective of the world and, perhaps most important, of one's own country. Once beyond the initial shock of being in a new culture, the student slowly begins to get a meaningful understanding of the host society. On returning home, one inevitably sees one's own country in a new, often more appreciative, light. In conclusion, while any anxiety about going overseas for university study is certainly understandable, it is important to remember that the benefits offered by the experience make it well worthwhile.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural collocation Original: people who go abroad for study Suggested revision: people who study abroad Why it matters: 'Study abroad' is the more natural and concise expression.
- 2. Correct preposition Original: advantage to overseas university study Suggested revision: advantage of studying at university overseas Why it matters: 'Advantage of' correctly introduces the activity that provides the benefit.
- 3. Clarify the benefit Original: real-life use of a different language Suggested revision: the opportunity to use another language in real life Why it matters: This wording expresses the practical language benefit more naturally.
- 4. Clarify the reference Original: it cannot compare with constant use Suggested revision: classroom study cannot compare with constant use Why it matters: Naming 'classroom study' removes the ambiguous pronoun reference.
- 5. Improve comparison form Original: than living in the country Suggested revision: than by living in the country Why it matters: 'By living' clearly expresses the means of improving the skills.
- 6. Use current terminology Original: the foreign student Suggested revision: an international student Why it matters: 'International student' is the more conventional term in an educational context.
- 7. Use precise wording Original: in having come from far away Suggested revision: in having come from abroad Why it matters: 'From abroad' states the relevant shared circumstance more precisely.
- 8. Correct collocation Original: of Suggested revision: on Why it matters: The standard collocation is 'a perspective on' a subject.
- 9. Use stronger collocation Original: get Suggested revision: gain Why it matters: 'Gain an understanding' is more natural in formal writing.
- 10. Sentence rewrite Original: Moreover, having used the language during one's studies offers a distinct advantage when one is applying for jobs back home that require the language. Suggested revision: Moreover, using the language during one's studies offers a distinct advantage when applying for jobs back home that require it. Why it matters: The revision removes an unnecessary perfect form and avoids repeating 'the language'.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: This is not only exciting on a social level, but could lead to important overseas contacts in later professional life. Suggested revision: This can be socially exciting and may also lead to important overseas contacts in later professional life. Why it matters: The original 'not only' construction lacks a parallel verb phrase before 'but'.
Suggested Rewrites
- people who go abroad for study people who study abroad
- advantage to overseas university study advantage of studying at university overseas
- real-life use of a different language the opportunity to use another language in real life
- it cannot compare with constant use classroom study cannot compare with constant use
- than living in the country than by living in the country
- the foreign student an international student
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response presents a clear, consistent disagreement and develops several persuasive benefits of overseas study with fluent, precise language. Its main weakness is presentation: the entire argument appears as one paragraph, so distinct ideas about language, networking, and perspective are less clearly signposted than they could be. Prioritise dividing the essay into purposeful paragraphs and adding one specific illustration to deepen the strongest point.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The position directly answers the extent question, and three relevant advantages are developed with clear reasoning.
Test the central claim against one concrete difficulty and explain more specifically why the chosen benefit outweighs it.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through language, social, professional, and personal benefits, but the single continuous paragraph blurs the structure.
Separate the introduction, themed body points, and conclusion into purposeful paragraphs with clear internal focus.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of natural vocabulary conveys the argument precisely, with only a few general or slightly awkward expressions.
Refine broad phrases into more exact collocations and reduce repetition of words connected with studying overseas.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Varied complex structures are handled accurately and fluently, with only occasional awkward coordination or reference.
Tighten parallel structures and pronoun references so every complex sentence is fully controlled.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.