Schools are spending more time teaching traditional subjects such as history. Some people think they should rather spend more time teaching skills that can help students find a job. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Same questionCompare 4 different answers (Band 7–8)

Sample Response

1

Some people argueopine that in today's competitive job market, schools must equipprovide their students with skills that will help them find employment. While traditional subjects such as history and literature have their value, there is a growing need for students to be taught practical skills that will make them more employable. I firmly believe that schools should focus on teaching job-related skills in addition tojob-related skills, in addition to traditional subjects.

2

One advantage of teaching job-related skills in schools is that it prepares students for the workforce. For instance, in many countries, the demand for workersjobs in technology-related fields is increasing rapidly. By teaching students coding and other computer-related skills, schools can better prepare themhelp them be better prepared for a technology-driven job market. Similarly, teaching students entrepreneurial skills such as financial planning, marketing, and business management can enable them to start their own businesses, which can be a viable form of self-employmentan excellent source of employment.

3

Moreover, teaching job-related skills can help reduce unemployment rates in many countries. By equipping students with practical skills, they become more employable and can find jobs more easily. This can reduce the number of unemployed individuals in society, which has many social and economic benefits. For instance, lower unemployment rates can lead to lower levels of poverty and crimeless poverty and crime, which is beneficial to society as a wholebeneficial for the whole society. Lastly, teaching job-related skills can help students realize their potential and make a meaningful contribution to society. By providing students with the tools they need to succeed in the workforce, they can be confident in their abilities and feel more engaged in society.

4

In conclusion, while traditional subjects such as history and literature remain importanthave their importance, teaching job-related skills is even more important in modern times. By equipping students with practical skills, they become more employable and can find jobs more easily, leading to a more productive and prosperous community. Therefore, schools should devote more time to teaching job-related skills.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 8.0

The response gives a clear, consistent position and develops relevant benefits of practical education with specific examples, while its progression and sentence control are strong. The main limitation is some repetition of employability claims and a few broad assertions about social outcomes. The highest priority is to deepen the analysis by qualifying these claims and making each body paragraph contribute a more distinct line of reasoning.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

8.0
Scoring rule

The response directly answers the extent question, sustains a clear position, and develops its main ideas with relevant examples and consequences.

Next step

Qualify the broader claims about unemployment, poverty, and crime so that the causal analysis is more convincing.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

8.0
Scoring rule

The essay is logically sequenced, clearly paragraphled, and cohesive, with ideas progressing smoothly from preparation for work to wider benefits.

Next step

Give the final part of the third paragraph a more distinct focus to avoid repeating the earlier employability point.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.5
Scoring rule

Vocabulary is varied, precise, and appropriately academic overall, although key phrases about skills and employability are repeated.

Next step

Use more selective paraphrasing and vary repeated references to job-related skills without sacrificing precision.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

8.0
Scoring rule

A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, and the few minor lapses do not interfere with communication.

Next step

Refine occasional awkward constructions and modifier placement to make already strong sentences fully natural.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

Schools are spending more time teaching traditional subjects such as history. Some people think they should rather spend more time teaching skills that can help students find a job. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Your response

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