In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

Same questionCompare 8 different answers (Band 4.5–8)

Sample Response

1

PeoplePeoples are divided on the issue that countries should encourage the young peoplepeoples to workdo jobs or to travel before attending university. Some people think that it is better for students to attend university, while others believe that travelling and working before entering universityjoining the university for formal education better helps students understandis better for the students to understand the world. In my opinion, it is very important for students to develop communication, attain maturity and develop professional attitudes and the latterlater approach is the better way to achieve these goalsway of achieving it.

2

First of all, this will prepare the students for higher education. In the school student are no fully matured. Even some remain childish in thinking and behaviour. At universityIn the university, a student will meet with different types of peoplepeoples so this requiresthere require a good understanding and mental maturity stage for that. The university campus provides special and deep knowledge of particular field which require hard working and learning capability. Because university education and teachers prepare the students to survive in the real world on his own basis any place, some prior travel and work experience would even accelerate it more.

3

Moreover, it will help one understandmake one to understand the professional life. This will provide important experience to a student to manage their studiesmange theirs studies with work, because in higher studies students have to finance their studies or to work in research laboratories. Working in a shop or small officeWorking at shop or small office will teach the students to cope with workplace pressureunderstand the working pressure, cooperatecooperation with coworkers and complete tasks on schedulecomplete the task in schedule. In my school days I worked in a drug selling shop from where I learned how to convince and cool down the angry customer during selling. This, later on, proved to be valuable experience in my university level.

4

Finally, it gives the chance to improve communication skillsskill. Communication skill is an important part not only at working area but also in learning centre. With excellent communication skills and respectful attitudesspeaking and respecting attitudes, one can win the favour of opposing persons. Travelling encourages people to share viewsmakes the person to share views and learn various cultures, languages from other peoples. Exchanging opinion enriches one’s speaking ability.

5

In summation, it is clear that pre-university jobs and travelling are vital experiences. These not only prepare one for civil life and toward maturity but also make one to improve communication skill.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 5.5

The response presents several relevant advantages of pre-university work or travel and supports them with a useful personal example, while its paragraph sequence is easy to follow. However, it omits the required disadvantages entirely, so the task is only partially fulfilled, and frequent grammatical and collocational errors reduce precision. Add a developed disadvantages section and then revise recurring agreement, article, plural, and verb-pattern errors.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

5.0
Scoring rule

The advantages are relevant and reasonably developed, but the response does not discuss any disadvantages despite the explicit two-part instruction.

Next step

Add at least one fully explained disadvantage, such as financial cost, delayed study habits, or unequal access, and weigh it against the benefits.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

6.0
Scoring rule

Clear topic-based paragraphs and straightforward signposting create an understandable progression, though linking is sometimes mechanical and ideas within sentences can be loosely connected.

Next step

Use more precise logical links between claims and support, and make each paragraph develop one argument from cause to consequence or example.

LR

Lexical Resource

6.0
Scoring rule

There is adequate vocabulary for education, work, maturity, and communication, but frequent inaccurate collocations and word forms limit precision.

Next step

Learn natural combinations such as gain work experience, manage studies, meet deadlines, and communication skills, while avoiding incorrect plural forms such as peoples.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

5.5
Scoring rule

The response attempts varied sentence structures, but frequent errors in agreement, articles, plurals, pronouns, and verb patterns are evident throughout.

Next step

Prioritise subject-verb agreement and infinitive patterns, then proofread noun phrases for correct articles, number, and possessive forms.

Put the feedback to work

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

In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

Your response

Words0
40:00

Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.