Many people believe that university students should study a full range of subjects, instead of some specific subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint?
Sample Response
Whether universities should provide students with a full range of subjects rather than limiting them to specific areas of study is a topic of intense debate. I fully agree with this viewpoint that universities should include a wide range of subjects in their syllabus because it enables students to gain a broader perspective and a diverse range of skills that can be applied in various areas of life.
To begin with, studying a wide range of subjects can help students develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. This is because exposure to different fields of study encourages students to think outside the box and make connections between seemingly unrelated topics. For instance, studying both biology and philosophy can help students understand the ethical implications of scientific advancements.
Moreover, a diverse range of subjects can prepare students for the ever-changing job market by providing them with a broad range of skills. For example, a computer science major who also takes classes in marketing and psychology will have a unique skill set that can be applied in a variety of industries. This can increase their employability and flexibility in the job market. The modern job market is so competitive that one can hope to land only a mediocre job if she knows about just some specific subjects. On the contrary, learners with a diverse set of knowledge stay ahead in the professional competition.
In conclusion, studying a whole range of subjects at the university level is highly beneficial. It not only enables students to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities but also provides them with a broad range of skills that can be applied in various fields of work. This is why it is expected that universities would teach leaners a spectrum of subjects rather than just a few.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Fix the clause pattern Original: fully agree with this viewpoint that Suggested revision: fully agree that Why it matters: The verb "agree" can introduce the following content directly with a that-clause.
- 2. Match the plural subject Original: syllabus Suggested revision: curricula Why it matters: The plural subject "universities" requires a plural possessive complement.
- 3. Use formal wording Original: think outside the box Suggested revision: approach problems from different perspectives Why it matters: The revision replaces an informal cliché with precise academic wording.
- 4. Make the claim concise Original: one can hope to land only a mediocre job Suggested revision: one may secure only a mediocre job Why it matters: The revision removes the awkward combination of "hope" with an undesirable outcome.
- 5. Use consistent pronouns Original: if she knows about just some specific subjects Suggested revision: if they know only a few specific subjects Why it matters: Singular "they" avoids an unexplained shift from generic "one" to "she" and makes the phrase more concise.
- 6. Choose the right contrast Original: On the contrary Suggested revision: By contrast Why it matters: The sentence contrasts two groups rather than directly contradicting the previous claim.
- 7. Fix the knowledge collocation Original: a diverse set of knowledge Suggested revision: a broad knowledge base Why it matters: "Knowledge" is uncountable, and "a broad knowledge base" is the natural expression.
- 8. Improve the collocation Original: stay ahead in the professional competition Suggested revision: remain competitive professionally Why it matters: The revision expresses professional competitiveness more naturally.
- 9. Correct the spelling Original: leaners Suggested revision: learners Why it matters: The word is misspelled and should be "learners".
- 10. Use the intended modal Original: it is expected that universities would teach Suggested revision: universities should teach Why it matters: "Should" directly expresses the recommendation and avoids the mismatched passive expectation and conditional modal.
- 11. Clarify the reference Original: it enables students Suggested revision: this approach enables students Why it matters: The explicit noun phrase makes clear that the broad curriculum produces the stated benefits.
- 12. Improve the collocation Original: applied Suggested revision: useful Why it matters: Skills are more naturally described as useful in areas of life than applied in them.
Suggested Rewrites
- fully agree with this viewpoint that fully agree that
- syllabus curricula
- think outside the box approach problems from different perspectives
- one can hope to land only a mediocre job one may secure only a mediocre job
- if she knows about just some specific subjects if they know only a few specific subjects
- On the contrary By contrast
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response presents a clear, consistent position and supports it with two logically organised, relevant arguments, including useful examples. Its main limitation is that some claims are broad and a few expressions are awkward or imprecise, which slightly reduces sophistication. The highest-priority improvement is to deepen the explanation of how interdisciplinary study creates transferable benefits while choosing more natural, precise collocations.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
A clear position is maintained throughout, and both main reasons are relevant and supported, though parts of the job-market argument rely on broad assertions.
Develop the causal link between subject breadth and employability more critically instead of relying on general claims about competition.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through well-focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices guide the reader clearly with only slight formulaic use.
Create smoother links between supporting sentences so progression depends less on standard signposting phrases.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a sufficiently broad range of topic-appropriate vocabulary, with occasional awkward collocations and a minor spelling error.
Refine expressions such as diverse set of knowledge and professional competition into more natural, precise academic phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good variety of complex structures is used with frequent accuracy, while a few awkward constructions and agreement choices remain.
Polish subordinate clauses and modal constructions, especially phrases such as agree with this viewpoint that and it is expected that universities would teach.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Many people believe that university students should study a full range of subjects, instead of some specific subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.