People who have original ideas are of much greater value to society than those who are simply able to copy the ideas of others well. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Sample Response
It is believed that people who have genuine ideas bring more benefits to the communities rather than those who duplicate the thought of other people. To a certain extent, I would agree that having pure and original ideas have a higher value than to copy the works of other people. But from the copying activities, other people have developed the work to become more effective and useful. On the one hand, it is true that the public should respect those who have genuine and original ideas. These people have sacrificed and spent a lot of their time for thinking, studying and doing some research, in order to get new ideas or inventions. And many of the results bring a lot of benefits for the human kind. One of the examples would be Thomas Alva Edison, who had spent most of his time in experimenting so many things. He had tried for almost 1000 times before he invented the bulb light. Therefore, it is believed that people should appreciate their hard work, the eagerness and the sacrifice these people had been through, in order to get the innovative ideas. On the other hand, there are groups of people who copy ideas from other people. Although some people might disrespect this kind of act, but certain people have developed the ideas into something greater than the original ones. For example, it is undeniable that during the 1950's, Japanese car producers were copying the designs of the American and Europeans car manufacturers. But instead of copying the ideas, the Japanese conducted some extensive development programs. As a result, the Japanese could make a more efficient car than the European and American, such as the Toyota Prius which used the hybrid technology. In conclusion, I would agree that some innovative and creative thinkers and inverters should be fully appreciated for their original concepts, as they bring so many positive aspects to the society. But, sometimes the copying activities could not be judged as a negative thing since there are other people who could copy the ideas and then developed it well.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Fix subject-verb agreement Original: having pure and original ideas have Suggested revision: having original ideas has Why it matters: The gerund phrase is singular, so it takes has, and pure is redundant here.
- 2. Use parallel comparison Original: a higher value than to copy Suggested revision: greater value than copying Why it matters: The comparison requires parallel noun or gerund forms.
- 3. Use uncountable noun Original: works Suggested revision: work Why it matters: Work is uncountable when referring generally to what other people produce.
- 4. Fix faulty coordination Original: have sacrificed and spent a lot of their time Suggested revision: have made sacrifices and spent a lot of their time Why it matters: Sacrifice needs an object here, so the noun phrase makes the coordinated structure complete.
- 5. Correct verb pattern Original: for thinking, studying and doing some research Suggested revision: thinking, studying and conducting research Why it matters: Spend time is followed directly by gerunds, and conduct research is the natural collocation.
- 6. Clarify vague reference Original: And many of the results Suggested revision: Many of the resulting ideas and inventions Why it matters: This phrase clearly refers back to the ideas and inventions produced by the work described.
- 7. Correct collocation and form Original: benefits for the human kind Suggested revision: benefits to humankind Why it matters: Benefits take to in this construction, and humankind is written as one word.
- 8. Use simple past Original: who had spent most of his time Suggested revision: who spent most of his time Why it matters: The simple past is appropriate because no later past reference point requires the past perfect.
- 9. Correct verb pattern Original: in experimenting Suggested revision: experimenting with Why it matters: Spend time takes a gerund directly, and experiment takes with before its object.
- 10. Remove wrong preposition Original: for almost 1000 times Suggested revision: almost 1,000 times Why it matters: No preposition is used before an expression counting repeated attempts.
- 11. Correct collocation Original: the eagerness and the sacrifice these people had been through Suggested revision: their eagerness and the sacrifices they made Why it matters: People make sacrifices rather than go through a sacrifice in this context.
- 12. Use natural collocation Original: get the innovative ideas Suggested revision: develop innovative ideas Why it matters: Develop ideas is more precise and natural than get ideas in this academic context.
Suggested Rewrites
- having pure and original ideas have having original ideas has
- a higher value than to copy greater value than copying
- works work
- have sacrificed and spent a lot of their time have made sacrifices and spent a lot of their time
- for thinking, studying and doing some research thinking, studying and conducting research
- And many of the results Many of the resulting ideas and inventions
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response presents a clear, nuanced position and supports both original invention and constructive adaptation with relevant examples. Its main weakness is the single-block organisation, compounded by recurring grammatical and collocational errors that make several sentences awkward. The highest priority is to divide the argument into purposeful paragraphs and then revise agreement, verb forms, articles, and inaccurate word choices so the reasoning reads more fluently.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The essay maintains a clear qualified agreement and develops both sides with relevant examples, despite some imprecision in the copying argument.
Explain more directly why improving an existing idea can rival original creation in social value, and ensure the car example supports that distinction precisely.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument has a recognizable introduction, contrast, and conclusion, but presenting the entire essay as one paragraph weakens overall organisation.
Divide the response into an introduction, one paragraph for original thinkers, one for adapted ideas, and a separate conclusion.
Lexical Resource
There is sufficient range to discuss innovation and social value, but frequent awkward combinations and inaccurate choices reduce precision.
Replace expressions such as pure ideas, bulb light, and inverters with natural, exact vocabulary and check singular-plural word forms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response attempts varied complex sentences, but recurring agreement, article, preposition, and verb-form errors limit grammatical control.
Prioritize subject-verb agreement and verb patterns, then remove double-linking structures such as although followed by but.
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
People who have original ideas are of much greater value to society than those who are simply able to copy the ideas of others well. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.