Nowadays, there is more and more competition for getting into university. Is this a positive or negative development?
Sample Response
As the number of university applicants continues to rise, a debate has emerged regarding whether this growing competition hasyields positive or negative consequences. In my opinion, this competition is a positive developmentcompetition is positive in this case despite the increased emotional burden it engenders.
One of the major drawbacks of increased competition for university placesincreased university competition is the mounting pressure it places on students. Intense competition often leads to heightened stress levels, anxiety, and mental health issues. ManyCountless students face sleepless nights, burnout, and compromised well-being due to the overwhelming pressure to outshine their peers. For instance, research conducted by the American Psychological Association revealed that high-stakes academic competitioncompetitions and examinations can contribute to elevated levels of stress and anxiety disorders. Consequently, this negative impact on mental health can hinder students’ overall developmentoverall development and well-rounded growth.
On the other hand, intense competition can also act as a driving force that motivates students to strive for excellence and realizeunleash their full potential. When faced with a highly competitive environment, students are incentivized to become more focused, disciplined, and goal-oriented. They are then more likely to develop a strong work ethic, perseverance, and resilience, which are essential qualities for success in various aspects of life. There is therefore an increased likelihood that students who have overcome intense competition during their university admissions process will display higher levels of determination and tenacity in their future endeavors, leading to potentially greater achievements in their careers.
In conclusion, escalating competition for university admission increases stress levels among students, yet, more importantly, fostersyet more importantly fosters personal growth. Individuals must learn methods to manage their anxiety because doing so will prepare themas it will prepare them for greater achievementsachievement later in life as well.
Why this response received Band 8.0
Clear positioning and well-developed contrast between emotional costs and motivational benefits make the argument persuasive and easy to follow. The main limitation is that some support, especially the cited research and the claimed link to later career success, is stated broadly rather than examined with precise qualification. Strengthen the response by grounding each causal claim in a more specific explanation and using the conclusion to synthesise why the benefits decisively outweigh the costs.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response addresses the question directly, sustains a clear positive judgment, and develops both the drawback and the greater benefit convincingly.
Make the final evaluation even sharper by explaining more explicitly why personal growth outweighs the identified mental-health cost.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through focused paragraphs, with cohesive devices and referencing used clearly and effectively.
Refine the transition into the conclusion so it synthesises the comparison instead of mainly restating the two sides.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary conveys nuanced ideas naturally, with only occasional phrasing that feels broad or emphatic.
Prefer more measured wording for claims such as “unleash their full potential” and specify the exact kind of achievement intended.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is handled accurately, and the few minor lapses do not affect clarity.
Polish punctuation and coordination in long concluding sentences to maintain consistently effortless control.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Nowadays, there is more and more competition for getting into university. Is this a positive or negative development?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.