It is often believed that decisions taken quickly are wrong decisions. Are quick decisions always wrong? What is your opinion on this?
Sample Response
It is universally agreed that haste leads to repentance. Some people are so inclined to take quick decisions. Others do not like such hasty decisions. However, I am with the latter ones. For several reasons, I strongly believe that quick decisions must be avoided for they lead, to some extent, to devastating consequences.
There is no doubt that quick decisions affect the person too much. For example, my brother was a teacher. In fact, he was asked by a company to leave his job and to join them. Moreover, they told him that they would give him double his salary that he used to gain from the school. Then, he quickly decided to leave his job and to join the company. Unfortunately, he was not satisfied with such job since it was tiring and boring. As a result, he began to strongly blame himself for such reckless and quick decision.
It is admittedly known that it is a fallacy that quick decisions are deemed to be like seizing an opportunity. In fact, there is a huge difference between the two. The first means hasty and recklessness while the second is a good thing that we should implement. Additionally, we should not justify our quick decisions by saying it is a good chance that we have to make use of it. Consequently, it must be noticed that quick decisions have nothing to do with good opportunities or chances since quick decisions are a result of wrong estimate or thinking.
In conclusion, it cannot be overlooked that quick decisions are harmful and non-effective. Hence, before one decides to take a decision, he has to think it over many times or he can seek consultation or advice from those who tasted the experience of life.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Natural proverb use Original: haste leads to repentance Suggested revision: haste can lead to regret Why it matters: This sounds more natural in modern academic writing.
- 2. Verb pattern Original: inclined to take quick decisions Suggested revision: inclined to make quick decisions Why it matters: Make a decision is the more common collocation.
- 3. Clear reference Original: the latter ones Suggested revision: those who avoid hasty decisions Why it matters: This avoids making the reader look back for the reference.
- 4. Simpler punctuation Original: they lead, to some extent, to devastating consequences Suggested revision: they can lead to devastating consequences Why it matters: The interruption weakens the sentence.
- 5. Vague phrase Original: affect the person too much Suggested revision: seriously affect a person's life Why it matters: The original phrase is too informal and vague.
- 6. Salary phrase Original: double his salary that he used to gain Suggested revision: double the salary he used to earn Why it matters: Earn is the natural verb for salary.
- 7. Article needed Original: such job Suggested revision: such a job Why it matters: A singular countable noun needs an article.
- 8. Article needed Original: such reckless and quick decision Suggested revision: such a reckless and quick decision Why it matters: Decision is singular and countable.
- 9. Awkward phrase Original: It is admittedly known Suggested revision: It is often argued Why it matters: The original phrase is unnatural.
- 10. Parallel form Original: hasty and recklessness Suggested revision: haste and recklessness Why it matters: Both items should be nouns.
- 11. Natural collocation Original: wrong estimate or thinking Suggested revision: poor judgement or insufficient thought Why it matters: This better expresses the intended idea.
- 12. Common adjective Original: non-effective Suggested revision: ineffective Why it matters: Ineffective is the standard word.
Suggested Rewrites
- haste leads to repentance haste can lead to regret
- inclined to take quick decisions inclined to make quick decisions
- the latter ones those who avoid hasty decisions
- they lead, to some extent, to devastating consequences they can lead to devastating consequences
- affect the person too much seriously affect a person's life
- double his salary that he used to gain double the salary he used to earn
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
The essay gives a clear opinion that quick decisions should be avoided and develops reasons with an example. However, the prompt asks whether quick decisions are always wrong, and the answer would be stronger if it acknowledged cases where quick decisions can be necessary or successful.
Add a short concession explaining that quick decisions are not always wrong when based on experience or urgent circumstances.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay is clearly organised into introduction, example, clarification, and conclusion. Some linking phrases are over-formal and there is repetition of quick decisions, but progression is easy to follow.
Use topic sentences that name the point directly and reduce repeated phrases by using careful pronoun reference.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is adequate and sometimes effective, with terms such as devastating consequences, reckless, seizing an opportunity, and consultation. Some collocations are unnatural or overused.
Replace memorised expressions with precise wording and avoid repeating such before every negative noun.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar control is generally sufficient, and several complex structures are attempted. Errors with articles, prepositions, punctuation, and word choice still appear, but they do not usually block meaning.
Check verb patterns after decide, article use before singular countable nouns, and comma placement around clauses.