Some people consider thinking about and planning for the future to be a waste of time. They argue that people should simply live in the moment. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Sample Response
Musing on and planning about the future are some of the most common activities among people, and many argue that this is a waste of time and we should concentrate on our present. I, however, disagree and believe that thinking and planning about the future is one of the cardinal rules for success because it enables the optimal performance of our subconscious mind and helps us work towards future goals.
One compelling reason to support the idea that we should plan for the future is that it plays a paramount importance in achieving success. To illustrate, most self-help authors avow that the subconscious mind works like a guided missile - once a target for the future is set, it follows the path that would lead to the achievement of those objectives. A person’s mind without a thorough plan would be derailed from the track that would lead to the realisation of their dreams. This example debunks the idea that planning for and pondering on the future is a waste of time.
Another important reason is that individuals who plan ahead of time are better equipped to deal with the curve balls that life throws at them than their counterparts who choose to live in the moment. For instance, before deciding upon the mentor to be hired for one of my research projects, I spent a painstaking amount of time, gathering information about authorities, and whom to contact, in case the selected mentor did not have a credential that he or she boasts about having. Since I took the time to do this, when my selected mentor did turn out to be a fraudster, I knew immediately who to report him to. Thus, as my personal experience taught me, planning in advance can save us from the worst scenarios that could play out.
As a result, due to the higher probability of achieving one’s goals and improved ability to deal with unexpected outcomes, it is clear that planning for and thinking about the future is not a waste of time. I feel that people should devote enough time to practice this.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use correct preposition Original: about Suggested revision: for Why it matters: The standard collocation is ‘plan for the future’.
- 2. Use natural phrasing Original: our Suggested revision: the Why it matters: ‘The present’ is the natural expression for the current time.
- 3. Simplify the wording Original: enables the optimal performance of our subconscious mind Suggested revision: enables our subconscious mind to perform optimally Why it matters: The revised verb phrase expresses the same idea more directly.
- 4. Correct the collocation Original: plays a paramount importance Suggested revision: is of paramount importance Why it matters: Something is ‘of paramount importance’; it does not ‘play an importance’.
- 5. Choose a natural verb Original: avow Suggested revision: argue Why it matters: ‘Argue’ fits the reporting context more naturally than the unusually formal ‘avow’.
- 6. Match the singular noun Original: those objectives Suggested revision: that objective Why it matters: This reference should agree with the singular ‘target’.
- 7. Avoid overstatement Original: debunks Suggested revision: challenges Why it matters: The example challenges the opposing view but does not conclusively disprove it.
- 8. Use formal vocabulary Original: curve balls Suggested revision: unexpected difficulties Why it matters: This alternative is more appropriate for a formal academic essay.
- 9. Use a gerund Original: practice Suggested revision: practising Why it matters: After ‘devote time to’, the verb should take the gerund form.
- 10. Sentence rewrite Original: A person’s mind without a thorough plan would be derailed from the track that would lead to the realisation of their dreams. Suggested revision: Without a thorough plan, a person’s mind may be diverted from the path towards the realisation of their dreams. Why it matters: This revision removes the repeated relative clause and makes the causal relationship easier to follow.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: For instance, before deciding upon the mentor to be hired for one of my research projects, I spent a painstaking amount of time, gathering information about authorities, and whom to contact, in case the selected mentor did not have a credential that he or she boasts about having. Suggested revision: For instance, before hiring a mentor for one of my research projects, I spent a considerable amount of time gathering information about the relevant authorities and whom to contact in case the selected mentor lacked the credentials that he or she claimed to have. Why it matters: The rewrite fixes misplaced commas, awkward collocations, and inconsistent tense while preserving the example.
Suggested Rewrites
- about for
- our the
- enables the optimal performance of our subconscious mind enables our subconscious mind to perform optimally
- plays a paramount importance is of paramount importance
- avow argue
- those objectives that objective
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response presents a clear position and develops two distinct, relevant reasons with specific support, while maintaining an assured and coherent argument throughout. Its main limitation is that some ambitious wording is imprecise or unnatural, and the second example becomes unnecessarily elaborate. The highest-priority improvement is to choose more natural collocations and express supporting details more concisely so that the argument remains precise and persuasive.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The position is clear throughout, and both reasons are relevant, well explained, and supported with specific examples.
Make the supporting examples more concise and explicitly connect each detail to why future planning is valuable.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument progresses logically through a clear introduction, two focused body paragraphs, and a consistent conclusion.
Streamline the longer sentences in the second body paragraph so that the sequence of ideas is easier to follow.
Lexical Resource
A broad vocabulary conveys precise distinctions, although several ambitious collocations sound unnatural or are used inaccurately.
Replace awkward phrases such as “plays a paramount importance” with natural collocations and favour precision over ornate wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex sentence forms is handled with strong control, with only occasional punctuation and construction problems.
Review comma placement and coordination in long sentences to remove minor disruptions and sharpen grammatical control.
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
Some people consider thinking about and planning for the future to be a waste of time. They argue that people should simply live in the moment. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.