Some people say that in our modern age, it is unnecessary to teach children about the skills of handwriting. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample Response

In this age of technology, some individuals argue that teaching children the skills of handwriting is no longer necessary. While handwriting is a useful skill that has been taught for centuries, I believe that the importance of teaching handwriting skills to children is decreasing quickly.

Firstly, with the rise of technology, individuals can now communicate using various digital devices, which has significantly reduced the need for handwriting skills. Typing skills have become more critical in today's digital age, and in the future, we will be able to write using our voice commands. So, it is important for children to learn how to use technology to communicate effectively and the skills of manual writing will become less and less prevalent in the future.

Secondly, children can now learn alternative forms of communication that are more efficient than handwriting. For example, text messages and emails can be used to communicate with individuals across the world in a matter of seconds. In contrast, sending a letter through the mail may take several days, making it less efficient than digital communication methods.

Moreover, the time spent teaching children handwriting skills in school can be utilized for teaching other subjects or skills that are more relevant to today's world. For instance, children can be taught digital literacy skills such as coding, which will prepare them for the digital world.

In conclusion, while handwriting is a valuable skill, it is no longer as crucial in today's digital age. As technology advances, individuals can communicate more efficiently using digital devices, and it is essential for children to learn digital literacy skills.

1. When young children learn to write clearly and concisely, they also learn how to express themselves.

2. Handwriting stimulates young students' brains more than typing on a keyboard because handwriting involves more complex motor and cognitive skills. 3. Being able to write effortlessly enables youngsters to focus more fully on a topic rather than being distracted. 4. Children who struggle with the mechanics of handwriting may have trouble taking notes, completing their schoolwork and taking tests. 5. Good handwriting has a positive impact on grades. 6. Illegible handwriting can cause poor self-esteem. Poor self-esteem can trigger a lack of confidence among students. 7. Studies show that the same paper is graded much higher if the handwriting is neat and legible. 8. Good handwriting skill is appreciated by classmates, parents and teachers alike. 9. Students retain learning better when working with new ideas through handwriting instead of typing on a computer. 10. Handwriting can help them slow down and fully engage with their thoughts while typing on a computer may not.

IELTS Writing Correction

  • 1. Use concise collocation Original: the skills of handwriting Suggested revision: handwriting skills Why it matters: “Handwriting skills” is the more concise and natural collocation.
  • 2. Use precise trend phrase Original: decreasing quickly Suggested revision: declining rapidly Why it matters: “Declining rapidly” expresses the reduction in importance more precisely.
  • 3. Remove unnecessary determiner Original: using our voice commands Suggested revision: using voice commands Why it matters: “Voice commands” is used generically here, so “our” is unnecessary.
  • 4. Use formal result linker Original: So Suggested revision: Therefore Why it matters: “Therefore” marks the logical consequence more formally and precisely.
  • 5. Use consistent terminology Original: the skills of manual writing Suggested revision: handwriting skills Why it matters: Using “handwriting skills” maintains clear and consistent terminology.
  • 6. Clarify intended comparison Original: prevalent Suggested revision: important Why it matters: “Important” matches the essay’s claim about the declining value of the skill more directly.
  • 7. Use concise verb pattern Original: utilized for teaching Suggested revision: used to teach Why it matters: “Used to teach” is a more direct and natural verb construction.
  • 8. Use plural agreement Original: skill is appreciated Suggested revision: skills are appreciated Why it matters: The general reference requires the plural noun and matching plural verb.
  • 9. Use natural collocation Original: learning Suggested revision: information Why it matters: People retain information or knowledge, not “learning,” in this context.
  • 10. Sharpen the contrast Original: while Suggested revision: whereas Why it matters: “Whereas” signals the direct contrast between handwriting and typing more clearly.

Suggested Rewrites

  • the skills of handwriting handwriting skills
  • decreasing quickly declining rapidly
  • using our voice commands using voice commands
  • So Therefore
  • the skills of manual writing handwriting skills
  • prevalent important
Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 6.5

The main essay is clearly organized, fluent, and supported with relevant examples about digital communication and curriculum priorities. However, the appended numbered list introduces numerous unintegrated arguments in favor of handwriting, contradicting the established position and disrupting the response's unity. The highest-priority improvement is to remove planning notes or incorporate and rebut selected counterarguments within the essay so that the position remains coherent throughout.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

5.5
Scoring rule

The structured essay gives a clear, relevant position, but the appended opposing points are neither explained nor reconciled and substantially undermine that position.

Next step

Keep only material that supports the thesis, or develop selected opposing claims as a counterargument followed by a clear rebuttal.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

5.5
Scoring rule

The essay paragraphs progress logically, but the abrupt numbered list breaks the organizational sequence and creates a disconnected ending.

Next step

End after the conclusion or integrate any additional material into cohesive prose paragraphs before the conclusion.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.0
Scoring rule

The response uses a good range of generally precise vocabulary for technology, education, and communication, with some repetition and minor collocational awkwardness.

Next step

Reduce repeated wording such as digital age, digital devices, and skills by using precise context-appropriate alternatives.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.0
Scoring rule

A variety of complex sentences is handled with generally strong control, and errors rarely impede meaning.

Next step

Refine coordination and punctuation in longer sentences so that linked claims remain grammatically balanced and easy to follow.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

Some people say that in our modern age, it is unnecessary to teach children about the skills of handwriting. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Your response

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40:00

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