People who have original ideas are of much greater value to society than those who are simply able to copy the ideas of others well. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Sample Response
The world is shaped by the ideas of few people who played the role of pioneer in the society. Their ideas contributed greatly to the enhancement of social, economic and political conditions across the globe. It is agreed that such people who contribute to the world with their thoughts are valuable legends of the society. This apparent when we see how such ideas help in social reforms and technological innovations. The society is continuously improving and aligning to the needs of new generations. Sometimes, this requires a social reformation idea of some great people who have an extraordinary vision for the future of the society and nations. Leaders like Margret Thatcher, Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln had such an extraordinary vision to change the society. For example, the idea of non-violence agitation of a single person helped India to achieve independence in 1947. Even though the real power of such ideas are manifested when the mass follow it, it is the original thoughts that bring in the change in society. Technological innovations often changed the way we live in this world by bringing in more efficiency and comfort. Such innovations are great ideas of fewer people and later copied by the rest of the world. For instance, Wright brothers, who invented the first airplane; Thomas Edison, who invented the electricity, have moved the world to the next level. The whole humanity is benefited from such people's idea and their contributions to the society are exponential compared to those who use these ideas. In conclusion, it is a known fact that an idea can change the world, and the people who innovate such an idea are invaluable to the society. Nevertheless, the people who copy their ideas and concepts indeed help the society to realise their benefits and thus contribute to the society as well.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Add missing article Original: ideas of few people Suggested revision: ideas of a few people Why it matters: The countable phrase requires the article 'a'.
- 2. Correct number and article Original: role of pioneer in the society Suggested revision: role of pioneers in society Why it matters: The plural subject requires 'pioneers', and general 'society' takes no article here.
- 3. Use precise description Original: valuable legends of the society Suggested revision: valuable contributors to society Why it matters: 'Contributors' directly describes people whose ideas benefit society.
- 4. Add linking verb Original: This apparent Suggested revision: This is apparent Why it matters: The clause requires the linking verb 'is'.
- 5. Use natural collocation Original: aligning Suggested revision: adapting Why it matters: 'Adapting to' is the natural expression for responding to changing needs.
- 6. Use natural noun phrase Original: a social reformation idea Suggested revision: an idea for social reform Why it matters: 'Social reform' is the standard noun phrase for the intended concept.
- 7. Fix subject agreement Original: are Suggested revision: is Why it matters: The singular head noun 'power' requires 'is'.
- 8. Fix number agreement Original: the mass follow it Suggested revision: the masses follow them Why it matters: Both the collective noun and the pronoun must agree with the plural 'ideas'.
- 9. Use correct phrasal verb Original: bring in the change Suggested revision: bring about change Why it matters: 'Bring about' is the correct expression for causing change.
- 10. Use present perfect Original: Technological innovations often changed Suggested revision: Technological innovations have often changed Why it matters: The present perfect connects repeated past innovations with their continuing effect.
- 11. Correct quantity phrase Original: ideas of fewer people Suggested revision: ideas of a few people Why it matters: 'A few' means a small number, whereas 'fewer' requires an explicit comparison.
- 12. Use consistent plurals Original: future of the society and nations Suggested revision: future of societies and nations Why it matters: The coordinated general nouns should use consistent plural forms.
Suggested Rewrites
- ideas of few people ideas of a few people
- role of pioneer in the society role of pioneers in society
- valuable legends of the society valuable contributors to society
- This apparent This is apparent
- aligning adapting
- a social reformation idea an idea for social reform
Why this response received Band 6.5
The response presents a clear position and develops it through relevant examples of social reform and technological innovation, while also acknowledging the supporting role of people who adopt others' ideas. Its main weakness is that the value comparison is sometimes asserted rather than closely analysed, and the unbroken presentation weakens organisation. The highest priority is to compare innovators and skilled adopters more explicitly in distinct, well-focused paragraphs.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear agreement position is maintained and supported with developed, relevant examples, though the comparative value of people who copy ideas receives limited analysis.
Explain more directly why innovators create greater value than skilled adopters while acknowledging the latter group's contribution.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument follows a logical sequence from social reform to technology and conclusion, but the lack of visible paragraphing limits structural clarity.
Present the introduction, each main reason, and the conclusion as separate paragraphs with explicit topic sentences.
Lexical Resource
A sufficiently varied vocabulary communicates abstract ideas effectively, although several collocations and word forms are awkward or imprecise.
Refine phrases such as social reform, pioneering thinkers, and disproportionate contribution to express comparisons more naturally and precisely.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses varied complex structures, but recurring errors with articles, agreement, missing verbs, and noun forms reduce control.
Proofread complex sentences for complete clauses and check article use and subject-verb agreement, especially with plural subjects.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
People who have original ideas are of much greater value to society than those who are simply able to copy the ideas of others well. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.