Some people say that a teacher’s main role in school is to motivate and inspire students. However, others believe that a teacher’s primary role is to pass on knowledge. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
Some believe that a teacher in school should primarily serve as a beacon of motivation and inspiration to pupils, while others feel that their fundamental role lies in the dissemination of knowledge. This essay will discuss both perspectives. Personally, I think that although motivation and inspiration stimulate interest in learning, the primary role of a teacher is to deliver essential information and knowledge.
Proponents of the teacher's primary role as a motivator argue that it ignites the passion for learning among students, which ultimately contributes to students’ academic performance. The rationale for this is that when students feel motivated and inspired, they turn into active participants in their study, leading to better academic outcomes. For example, several studies reveal the correlation between a teacher's ability to motivate and student's exam grades.
However, the opponents of this idea believe that a teacher’s primary role is to transmit knowledge to students. They argue that teachers are primarily responsible for effectively disseminating information about subject-related concepts so that students can acquire a deeper understanding of the subject, leading to academic and career success. In simple words, the primary function of a teacher is to build a solid foundation of knowledge, which is of profound importance for educational development. For instance, a science teacher who presents concepts, facts and theories in a lucid and comprehensible manner helps students comprehend basic scientific principles. I therefore believe that a teacher’s primary role should be to deliver essential knowledge about the subject matter because it deepens students’ understanding of academic subjects and prepares them for their future.
In conclusion, while motivation and inspiration spark a passion for learning, I think that the primary responsibility of a teacher is to transmit necessary knowledge about academic subjects, which is essential for enhancing students’ comprehension of the subject matter.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural imagery Original: beacon Suggested revision: source Why it matters: A source of motivation is a more natural and precise expression than beacon here.
- 2. Use direct wording Original: their fundamental role lies in the dissemination of knowledge Suggested revision: their primary role is to impart knowledge Why it matters: This revision expresses the same idea more directly and avoids nominalisation.
- 3. Remove semantic overlap Original: essential information and knowledge Suggested revision: essential knowledge Why it matters: Information and knowledge overlap in meaning, so one precise noun is sufficient.
- 4. Clarify the noun phrase Original: Proponents of the teacher's primary role as a motivator Suggested revision: Proponents of teachers' role as motivators Why it matters: The plural possessive and complement correctly express the general role of teachers.
- 5. Use the indefinite article Original: the Suggested revision: a Why it matters: The sentence introduces a general passion rather than a previously specified one.
- 6. Use natural wording Original: turn into active participants Suggested revision: become active participants Why it matters: Become is the natural verb for this change in engagement.
- 7. Use the plural noun Original: study Suggested revision: studies Why it matters: Studies is the conventional plural noun for a student's academic work.
- 8. Use the plural possessive Original: student's exam grades Suggested revision: students' exam grades Why it matters: The claim refers to students generally, so the possessive noun should be plural.
- 9. Remove the article Original: the opponents of this idea Suggested revision: opponents of this idea Why it matters: The plural noun refers generally to people holding the opposing view.
- 10. Use the standard phrase Original: words Suggested revision: terms Why it matters: In simple terms is the conventional expression for a plain explanation.
- 11. Use concise wording Original: of profound importance for educational development Suggested revision: profoundly important for educational development Why it matters: The adjective construction states the same idea more economically.
Suggested Rewrites
- beacon source
- their fundamental role lies in the dissemination of knowledge their primary role is to impart knowledge
- essential information and knowledge essential knowledge
- Proponents of the teacher's primary role as a motivator Proponents of teachers' role as motivators
- the a
- turn into active participants become active participants
Why this response received Band 8.0
The essay fully addresses both views and maintains a clear, well-supported opinion, with particularly strong control of structure and academic vocabulary. The main limitation is some repetition of the ideas of transmitting knowledge and improving understanding, which slightly reduces the sharpness of development. The best improvement would be to deepen the contrast by explaining how motivation and knowledge transmission interact in practice rather than restating their benefits.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
Both views are directly discussed, the opinion is consistent throughout, and each position is supported with relevant explanation and examples.
Add a more nuanced comparison of when motivation might be necessary for effective knowledge transfer to deepen the evaluation.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay is logically sequenced, well paragraphed, and easy to follow, with cohesive devices used effectively throughout.
Reduce repetition within the third paragraph so each sentence advances the argument rather than restating the value of knowledge.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, precise, and appropriately academic, with only occasional slightly awkward or repetitive phrasing.
Vary repeated terms such as primary role, knowledge, and understanding while preserving the essay's precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, and the few minor agreement or possessive lapses do not impede communication.
Polish minor noun and possessive agreement details, particularly in phrases referring to students and their grades.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people say that a teacher’s main role in school is to motivate and inspire students. However, others believe that a teacher’s primary role is to pass on knowledge. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.