Some people like to try new things, for example, places to visit and types of food. Other people prefer to keep doing things they are familiar with. Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
In life, individuals adopt different approaches when it comes to experiences and choices. Some people actively seek out new adventures, such as visiting unfamiliar destinations or experimenting with diverse cuisines, while others find comfort in sticking to familiar routines. This essay will explore both perspectives before arguing that while new experiences can be rewarding, familiarity often provides a greater sense of stability and peace of mind.
Those who embrace novelty do so for several compelling reasons. Firstly, trying new things fosters personal growth and broadens one’s perspective. Exposure to different cultures, foods, and environments enhances adaptability and understanding. For instance, individuals who travel to foreign countries gain insights into different ways of life, which helps them become more open-minded. Secondly, new experiences add excitement and variety to life, preventing boredom. Engaging in different activities, such as learning a new language or pursuing an unfamiliar hobby, stimulates the brain and improves cognitive abilities.
However, many individuals prefer the security of familiar experiences, as they offer predictability and comfort. One key reason is that familiarity reduces anxiety and stress. People often find reassurance in routine activities, as they know what to expect. For example, someone who visits the same holiday destination every year may do so because they feel at ease in a known environment. Additionally, avoiding unfamiliar experiences minimizes risks. Trying new foods, for instance, may lead to allergic reactions or digestive discomfort while travelling to unknown places carries the potential for logistical challenges and safety concerns. A person who avoids these uncertainties can maintain a more stable and worry-free lifestyle.
To conclude, while trying new things has undeniable benefits, I believe that the sense of security provided by familiar experiences is often a preferred choice. The risks associated with new experiences, whether financial, emotional, or physical, can be stressful. Familiarity, on the other hand, fosters a sense of belonging and emotional stability, which are crucial for overall well-being.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use concise approach phrase Original: when it comes to experiences and choices Suggested revision: toward experiences and choices Why it matters: The concise preposition links the differing approaches directly to their objects.
- 2. Match the broader topic Original: seek out new adventures Suggested revision: seek new experiences Why it matters: “Experiences” covers both travel and food choices more accurately than “adventures.”
- 3. Emphasise unfamiliar food Original: diverse Suggested revision: unfamiliar Why it matters: The revision aligns the food example with the topic of trying something new.
- 4. Use concise sequence marker Original: Firstly Suggested revision: First Why it matters: The shorter transition introduces the first reason directly.
- 5. Avoid redundant travel phrase Original: foreign Suggested revision: other Why it matters: “Other countries” is neutral and avoids the slightly redundant pairing of travel with “foreign.”
- 6. Vary repeated adjective Original: different Suggested revision: varied Why it matters: The revision avoids repeating “different” while preserving the meaning.
- 7. Vary repeated wording Original: different Suggested revision: varied Why it matters: The alternative adjective reduces nearby repetition without changing the claim.
- 8. Use precise cognitive phrase Original: stimulates the brain Suggested revision: provides mental stimulation Why it matters: The revision states the cognitive benefit in a more measured academic form.
- 9. Separate contrasted clauses Original: digestive discomfort while travelling Suggested revision: digestive discomfort, while travelling Why it matters: The comma marks the boundary between the two contrasted risks.
- 10. Use natural place adjective Original: unknown Suggested revision: unfamiliar Why it matters: “Unfamiliar” describes places outside a person's experience more naturally than “unknown.”
- 11. Remove redundant preference Original: is often a preferred choice Suggested revision: is often preferable Why it matters: “Preferred choice” repeats the idea of preference unnecessarily.
- 12. Clarify causal relationship Original: can be stressful Suggested revision: can cause stress Why it matters: Risks cause stress rather than themselves being stressful experiences in this sentence.
Suggested Rewrites
- when it comes to experiences and choices toward experiences and choices
- seek out new adventures seek new experiences
- diverse unfamiliar
- Firstly First
- foreign other
- different varied
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response fully covers both attitudes, sustains a clear preference for familiarity, and develops each side with relevant explanations and examples in a polished, easy-to-follow structure. Its main limitation is that the final preference rests on fairly general risk claims and introduces belonging without prior development; the best refinement would be to compare the relative value of stability and novelty more critically and keep the conclusion tightly anchored to points established in the body.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both attitudes are directly and evenly discussed, and a clear personal preference is maintained with relevant, well-developed support.
Refine the evaluation by weighing when the benefits of novelty might outweigh the security of familiar choices.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is logically sequenced, well paragraphed, and cohesively managed, with ideas progressing naturally within and between paragraphs.
Make the conclusion even tighter by synthesising only the reasons developed in the body rather than introducing belonging.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, precise, and well suited to the topic, with flexible phrasing and only isolated slight awkwardness.
Replace mildly generic evaluative wording with more exact language when comparing the strength of the two attitudes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentence forms is handled accurately and fluently, with only rare minor punctuation or phrasing lapses.
Polish coordination in longer sentences, especially by punctuating independent contrasts clearly.
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
Some people like to try new things, for example, places to visit and types of food. Other people prefer to keep doing things they are familiar with. Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.