New parents should attend parenting classes to learn how to bring up their children well. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Sample Response
There is no doubt that raising a child is one of the most challenging yet rewarding responsibilities for any person. The idea that new parents should attend parenting classes to ensure their child’s proper upbringing has always generated mixed reactions. I agree for the most part with this notion, as such education will provide parents with much needed foundational knowledge to navigate parenthood.
Parenting classes can equip young families with essential tools and information that they might not possess, and this is especially helpful for the parents who might not have a strong support network. In addition, first time parents can gain a greater sense of confidence when making important decisions about their baby. This is mainly because being equipped with knowledge and insight into the different aspects of parenting can help to ease a person’s anxiety and doubts about the best way to move forward. When it comes to things like choosing the best forms of nutrition for your baby or trying to manage their sleep schedules, this is especially useful. Inexperienced parents need information about what to look out for when your child is ill and how to manage emergency situations. In my opinion, these are things that every parent should know, but, unfortunately, not every parent does.
However, it is also worth noting that while basic information offered in parenting classes might apply in most situations, not every child responds in the same way. What works for one family might not work for another. Therefore, relying solely on class information without taking into consideration a child’s unique needs and personality might not always yield positive results.
In conclusion, I see parenting classes as a valuable tool that offers crucial knowledge at the very beginning. However, as every parent has their own journey with their unique bundle of joy, he or she should develop and trust their instincts about their child’s needs.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural collocation Original: generated Suggested revision: elicited Why it matters: Elicited is a more precise verb for causing differing responses.
- 2. Clarify reference Original: such education Suggested revision: these classes Why it matters: The revision refers directly to the parenting classes mentioned in the preceding sentence.
- 3. Use accurate group Original: young families Suggested revision: new parents Why it matters: The discussion concerns parental experience rather than the age of the family.
- 4. Remove unnecessary article Original: the parents who might not Suggested revision: parents who might not Why it matters: The general reference to parents does not require the definite article.
- 5. Tighten expression Original: greater sense of confidence Suggested revision: greater confidence Why it matters: The shorter phrase expresses the same meaning more concisely.
- 6. Use formal phrasing Original: things like Suggested revision: matters such as Why it matters: Matters such as is more precise in a formal essay.
- 7. Keep pronouns consistent Original: your Suggested revision: their Why it matters: Third-person reference is needed to remain consistent with parents as the subject.
- 8. Keep pronouns consistent Original: your Suggested revision: their Why it matters: The pronoun should remain in the third person rather than shifting to the reader.
- 9. Use concise wording Original: taking into consideration Suggested revision: considering Why it matters: Considering conveys the same meaning without unnecessary wording.
- 10. Sentence rewrite Original: However, as every parent has their own journey with their unique bundle of joy, he or she should develop and trust their instincts about their child’s needs. Suggested revision: However, because each parent has a unique journey, they should develop and trust their instincts about their child’s needs. Why it matters: The rewrite keeps the pronouns consistent and removes an overly informal expression.
Suggested Rewrites
- generated elicited
- such education these classes
- young families new parents
- the parents who might not parents who might not
- greater sense of confidence greater confidence
- things like matters such as
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its nuanced, consistently maintained position and its fluent development of how parenting classes can build knowledge and confidence. Its main limitation is that the central supporting paragraph becomes somewhat diffuse and shifts between general parents and direct address. The highest-priority improvement is to organise the benefits into more distinct lines of reasoning and support each with a sharply focused example.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The essay directly answers the question with a clear qualified agreement, well-developed benefits, and a relevant limitation.
Strengthen the case further with a specific real-world example showing how formal instruction improves parenting decisions.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument progresses smoothly from position to benefits, qualification, and conclusion, with cohesive links used naturally.
Divide or tighten the long benefits paragraph so each supporting point has a more distinct focus.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, fluent, and precise, including effective language for support networks, confidence, and individual needs.
Maintain a consistently formal register by replacing conversational expressions such as things like and bundle of joy.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, with most sentences error-free and punctuation well controlled.
Keep pronoun perspective consistent instead of shifting between parents, a person, your baby, and your child.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
New parents should attend parenting classes to learn how to bring up their children well. 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.