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.
Sample Response
It is quite common these days for young people in many countries to takehave a break from studying after graduating from high school. This trend is not restricted to wealthierrich students who have the money to travel but is also evident among poorer students who choose to work and become economically independent temporarilyfor a period of time. The reasons for this trend may involve the recognition that a young adult who movespasses directly from school to university is relatively limited in general knowledge and worldly experiencerather restricted in terms of general knowledge and experience of the world. By contrast, those who have spent some time earning a living or travellingtravelling to other places have a broader view of life and better personal resources to draw on. They tend to be more independent, which is a very important factor in academic study and research, as well as giving them an advantage in terms of coping with the challenges of student life. However, there are certainly dangers in taking time off at that formativeimportant age. Young adults may end up either never returning to their studies or finding it difficultend up never returning to their studies or finding it difficult to re-adapt to an academic environment. They may think that it is better to continue in a particular job or to do something completely different from a university course. But overall, I think this outcome is less likely todaythis is less likely today when academic qualifications are essential for establishing a stable careergetting a reasonable career. My view is that young people should be encouraged to broaden their horizons. That is the best way for them to get a clear perspective of what they are hoping to do with their lives and why. Students with such a perspective are usually the most effective and motivated ones and taking a year off may be the best way to gain this.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response offers a thoughtful, fluent evaluation of a gap year, with particularly strong explanation of how work or travel can build independence and perspective. Its principal weakness is presentation as one unbroken paragraph, while the disadvantages receive less depth than the advantages; prioritise clear paragraphing and extend the discussion of risks with fuller explanation or an example.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response addresses both advantages and disadvantages and develops a clear overall evaluation with relevant explanation.
Give the disadvantages comparable depth by explaining their consequences or illustrating them with a specific example.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument progresses logically and cohesive links are well controlled, but the entire essay is presented as one paragraph.
Divide the response into clear introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion paragraphs to strengthen organisation.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary is used naturally across academic and everyday ideas, with only minor imprecision.
Refine occasional broad expressions such as "better personal resources" by naming the specific skills or qualities intended.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A broad range of complex structures is handled accurately, and errors are rare and non-impeding.
Polish the longest sentences by checking coordination and pronoun reference so each relationship remains immediately clear.
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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
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.