Many people believe that university students should study a full range of subjects, instead of some specific subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint?
Sample Response
It is often suggested that disciples of tertiary institutions should have a wide range of subjects in their curriculum rather than a few particular subjects. I, however, disagree with this viewpoint primarily for two major reasons.
First, universities aim to provide specialized knowledge to their pupils, not enhance their general knowledge. Students are offered admission to universities after they complete many years of academic studies in various subjects. They are in a tertiary institution primarily to gain specific knowledge related to their field of interest. Giving redundant pressure by imposing subjects unrelated to their field can become a hurdle in achieving the required goals in their life. For instance, there is little relationship between sociology and mathematics. Mathematics majors will get confused while learning various aspects of sociology and similarly, sociology students will be reluctant to solve complex mathematics.
In addition to this, many universities are already trying hard to maintain their recognized status and some are providing only specializations in a few subjects. The addition of more subjects to each faculty will add unnecessary weight, and as a result, there will be discordant opinions and actions among them. For example, the 'Indian Institute of Technology Delhi' is among the top universities in India and provides specialization in scientific research and technology. If they are forced to add Arts related subjects to their science majors, they will soon find themselves struggling for their excellence.
In conclusion, universities are meant for specialization and students should study subjects related to their major or which they feel interested in. The urge to add a spectrum of irrelevant subjects will detriment the true purpose of university education.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use the correct noun Original: disciples of tertiary institutions Suggested revision: university students Why it matters: “Disciples” refers to followers of a teacher or belief, not students generally.
- 2. State the action directly Original: have a wide range of subjects in their curriculum Suggested revision: study a wide range of subjects Why it matters: Students study subjects, while institutions place subjects in a curriculum.
- 3. Use the appropriate term Original: pupils Suggested revision: students Why it matters: “Students” is the standard term for people studying at a university.
- 4. Keep the infinitives parallel Original: not enhance their general knowledge Suggested revision: not to enhance their general knowledge Why it matters: The paired purposes require parallel “to provide” and “not to enhance” forms.
- 5. Use concise wording Original: They are in a tertiary institution Suggested revision: They attend university Why it matters: The shorter phrase expresses enrolment naturally and directly.
- 6. Correct the collocation Original: Giving redundant pressure Suggested revision: Creating undue pressure Why it matters: English uses “create pressure,” and “undue” means excessive or unnecessary.
- 7. Complete the requirement structure Original: by imposing subjects Suggested revision: by requiring students to study subjects Why it matters: A subject is imposed on someone, so the original construction lacks the affected person.
- 8. Use a direct verb Original: can become a hurdle in achieving Suggested revision: can hinder them from achieving Why it matters: The verb “hinder” takes an object and “from” before the gerund.
- 9. Use a measured modal Original: will get confused while learning Suggested revision: may struggle while learning Why it matters: “May struggle” expresses the predicted difficulty without treating it as certain.
- 10. Name the task accurately Original: reluctant to solve complex mathematics Suggested revision: reluctant to solve complex mathematics problems Why it matters: People solve mathematical problems rather than “solve mathematics.”
- 11. Use a concise transition Original: In addition to this Suggested revision: In addition Why it matters: The shorter transition links the second reason without a vague pronoun.
- 12. Use formal wording Original: trying hard to maintain Suggested revision: striving to maintain Why it matters: “Striving” is a more concise and formal expression of sustained effort.
Suggested Rewrites
- disciples of tertiary institutions university students
- have a wide range of subjects in their curriculum study a wide range of subjects
- pupils students
- not enhance their general knowledge not to enhance their general knowledge
- They are in a tertiary institution They attend university
- Giving redundant pressure Creating undue pressure
Why this response received Band 7.0
The essay states a clear disagreement and supports it with two relevant lines of argument: students need specialised knowledge, and universities may lack the capacity to broaden every programme. Its strongest feature is the clear structure and use of subject and institutional examples. The main limitation is that some claims are overstated and several lexical choices are unnatural; prioritise nuanced evidence showing how excessive compulsory breadth could displace essential specialist study.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear position is maintained and both main reasons are relevant and developed, though some examples and causal claims are insufficiently convincing.
Explain how limited course credits, workload, or staffing make compulsory unrelated subjects harmful, while acknowledging that carefully chosen electives can still add value.
Coherence and Cohesion
The introduction, two reasoned body paragraphs, and conclusion form a clear progression with effective overall paragraphing.
Use a more explicit link between the two arguments and ensure each example directly demonstrates the stated academic or institutional cost.
Lexical Resource
There is a good attempt at varied academic vocabulary, but frequent inaccurate choices such as 'disciples', 'redundant pressure', and 'detriment' reduce precision.
Use 'university students', 'unnecessary pressure', 'obstacle', 'institutional burden', and 'undermine the purpose'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A range of complex sentences is generally controlled, with occasional errors in reference, articles, agreement, and relative structures.
Revise forms such as 'goals in their lives', 'subjects in which they are interested', and 'If the institute were forced to add arts-related subjects'.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Many people believe that university students should study a full range of subjects, instead of some specific subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.