Some people say that people remember special gifts or presents that they receive. Why do you think that is?
Sample Response
A person in his lifetime receives many gifts and presents and with the span of time he might forget about them. But special gifts are kind of gifts that he would remember for a long time or even in some cases forever. There are various reasons why we remember those short of special gifts and the most influential reasons are physiological, economic, memory and effort related to the gifts. First of all, a gift, no matter what it is, is always special when it is given by a very dear person. Gift received from parents or children on special occasions are cherished by most of us. In this case, the cordiality and attachment it more important that the gift itself. For instance, many people treasure the gift they receive from a lover, friend, father, mother or a special person for a long time. The gift I got from my father on my 12th birthday was merely a diary and that I still consider a very special gift for me. This special gift reminds me my childhood and the love of my father and that’s why I will always remember it. Second, people often wish for certain things which are they usually can’t buy and if such a present is given someone, it is likely that he will remember it for a long. For instance, when my uncle purchased me a laptop when I was around 18 years old, I was very excited and I will never forget the gift. Sometimes the surprise gifts are memorable and become special to some persons. For instance, the gift I gave to my college on his birthday became one of the special gifts for him as he later expressed. Thus these sorts of special gifts remind us the goodwill and love we actually receive from that person. Third, expensive gifts often surprise people and can become their special gift. If a car is bought to someone which he would not be able to afford is ought to become a special gift as well. It is common human phycology that they would remember such gifts for a long. Finally, the memory related to a gift is the most important factor for a special gift. The small gift given by a father who is no more with the children would definitely become a valuable gift to that son/daughter. With time the gift might get lost or broken or even useless but the memory remains and thus the memory involved with a gift is an important factor and that’s why people would remember the gift.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural time phrase Original: with the span of time Suggested revision: over time Why it matters: "Over time" is the standard expression for gradual change.
- 2. Correct word choice Original: short Suggested revision: sorts Why it matters: "Sorts" means types, whereas "short" does not fit the intended meaning.
- 3. Correct intended category Original: physiological Suggested revision: psychological Why it matters: The context concerns mental and emotional reasons rather than bodily processes.
- 4. Fix modifier structure Original: effort related to the gifts Suggested revision: factors related to effort Why it matters: The revision makes "effort" one parallel reason in the list.
- 5. Use plural subject Original: Gift Suggested revision: Gifts Why it matters: The plural verb "are" requires a plural subject.
- 6. Repair comparison clause Original: the cordiality and attachment it more important that Suggested revision: the affection and attachment are more important than Why it matters: The revision supplies the correct verb and comparative conjunction.
- 7. Fix clause connection Original: was merely a diary and that I still consider Suggested revision: was merely a diary, yet I still consider it Why it matters: The coordinating conjunction and object pronoun correctly connect the contrast.
- 8. Remove redundant ending Original: a very special gift for me Suggested revision: a very special gift Why it matters: The preceding "I consider" already identifies whose evaluation this is.
- 9. Add remind preposition Original: reminds me my childhood Suggested revision: reminds me of my childhood Why it matters: The construction is "remind someone of something."
- 10. Fix purchase structure Original: purchased Suggested revision: bought Why it matters: "Buy someone something" is natural, whereas "purchase" does not take this double-object structure.
- 11. Remove general article Original: the surprise gifts Suggested revision: surprise gifts Why it matters: No article is needed when referring to surprise gifts in general.
- 12. Use natural plural Original: persons Suggested revision: people Why it matters: "People" is the natural plural when referring generally to individuals.
Suggested Rewrites
- with the span of time over time
- short sorts
- physiological psychological
- effort related to the gifts factors related to effort
- Gift Gifts
- the cordiality and attachment it more important that the affection and attachment are more important than
Why this response received Band 6.0
The response gives several relevant reasons why gifts remain memorable, especially emotional attachment, fulfilled wishes, surprise, expense, and association with someone who has died. Its strongest feature is the use of personal examples, but the essay is repetitive, mechanically sequenced, and frequently inaccurate in grammar and word choice. Prioritise grouping overlapping reasons into two or three focused paragraphs and revising each example into clear, grammatically complete sentences.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
The question is answered through several relevant explanations and personal examples, although emotional significance, memory, and expense overlap and are sometimes repetitive.
Combine related emotional reasons, distinguish them clearly from practical value, and explain why each factor strengthens long-term recall.
Coherence and Cohesion
The sequence from emotional attachment to desired, surprising, expensive, and memory-linked gifts is recognisable, but the single paragraph and mechanical enumeration weaken flow.
Group the material into focused paragraphs on emotional meaning, practical or financial value, and memories associated with the giver.
Lexical Resource
There is enough vocabulary to express the main ideas, but frequent inaccuracies such as 'those short of gifts', 'physiological', 'purchased me a laptop', and 'human phycology' impair precision.
Use accurate forms such as 'those sorts of gifts', 'psychological', 'bought me a laptop', and 'human psychology', and proofread easily confused words.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response attempts varied clauses, but frequent agreement, pronoun, article, preposition, and sentence-structure errors sometimes make relationships difficult to follow.
Rewrite complex examples as shorter complete sentences, checking forms such as 'Gifts received ... are cherished' and 'if someone is given such a present'.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people say that people remember special gifts or presents that they receive. Why do you think that is?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.