The topic of practical skills education in high schools is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on analysis of past exams and current educational trends, it’s likely to appear frequently in future tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people think that schools should teach students how to be good members of society. Others believe that schools should only focus on teaching academic subjects. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question touches on the debate between teaching practical life skills versus focusing solely on academic subjects. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
The question presents two contrasting views:
- Schools should teach students how to be good members of society (practical skills)
- Schools should only focus on teaching academic subjects
Key tasks:
- Discuss both views
- Provide your own opinion
To achieve a high score, you need to:
- Address both parts of the question
- Provide specific examples and explanations
- Present a clear and well-supported opinion
- Use appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
In the ongoing debate about education, some argue that schools should prioritize teaching students to be good citizens, while others contend that the focus should remain solely on academic subjects. In my opinion, while academic education is crucial, schools should also incorporate lessons on social responsibility and practical life skills to produce well-rounded individuals.
Those who advocate for a purely academic focus argue that schools’ primary purpose is to impart knowledge and develop critical thinking skills. They believe that subjects like mathematics, sciences, and literature form the foundation of a solid education and prepare students for higher learning and future careers. Moreover, they contend that social skills and civic responsibility should be taught at home or through extracurricular activities, allowing schools to concentrate on their core academic mission.
On the other hand, proponents of teaching good citizenship in schools argue that education should go beyond textbooks and exams. They believe that schools play a vital role in shaping future members of society and should therefore teach values such as empathy, civic responsibility, and ethical behavior. This approach, they argue, helps create more socially conscious and engaged citizens who can contribute positively to their communities.
In my view, a balanced approach that combines both academic and practical life skills education is ideal. While academic subjects are undoubtedly important, schools are uniquely positioned to teach students how to navigate the complexities of modern society. By incorporating lessons on financial literacy, communication skills, and social responsibility into the curriculum, schools can better prepare students for the challenges they will face in adulthood. Furthermore, teaching these skills in a structured educational environment ensures that all students have equal access to this vital knowledge, regardless of their background.
In conclusion, while academic subjects should remain a priority, schools must also embrace their role in shaping good citizens. By striking a balance between academic rigor and practical life skills, educational institutions can produce well-rounded individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also socially conscious and prepared for the challenges of the real world.
Essay Analysis
This essay would likely score in the Band 8-9 range due to its:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly presenting the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices.
Lexical Resource: It demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary used accurately and appropriately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a variety of complex structures with flexibility and accuracy.
Key strengths:
- Clear introduction that outlines the topic and the writer’s position
- Balanced discussion of both viewpoints with specific examples
- Logical development of ideas
- Effective use of topic sentences and paragraph structure
- Sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures
- Clear conclusion that reinforces the writer’s opinion
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
Nowadays, there is a debate about what schools should teach students. Some people think schools should teach how to be good members of society, while others believe schools should only focus on academic subjects. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
On one hand, those who support teaching how to be good members of society say that schools have a responsibility to prepare students for real life. They think that subjects like social skills, ethics, and civic responsibility are important for students to learn. For example, schools could teach students how to communicate effectively, work in teams, and understand their rights and duties as citizens. This could help students become better members of society when they grow up.
On the other hand, people who believe schools should only focus on academic subjects argue that this is the main purpose of education. They say that subjects like math, science, and literature are essential for students to succeed in their future studies and careers. They also think that teaching social skills is the responsibility of parents and families, not schools. For instance, they might say that schools don’t have enough time to teach everything, so they should concentrate on academic subjects.
In my opinion, I think schools should try to do both. While academic subjects are very important, I believe that schools also have a role in teaching students how to be good members of society. Schools can find ways to include lessons about social responsibility and life skills in their regular classes. For example, a history class could include discussions about civic duty, or a science class could talk about environmental responsibility.
Students working together on a group project in classroom
In conclusion, both academic subjects and lessons about being good members of society are important for students. Schools should try to find a balance between these two aspects of education to help students become successful and responsible adults.
Essay Analysis
This essay would likely score in the Band 6-7 range due to its:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and presenting the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear paragraphing, though cohesive devices could be more sophisticated.
Lexical Resource: It uses a sufficient range of vocabulary, though some expressions may be repetitive or imprecise.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control.
Key strengths:
- Addresses all parts of the task
- Clear paragraph structure
- Provides examples to support ideas
- Presents a clear opinion
Areas for improvement:
- More sophisticated vocabulary and expressions
- Greater variety in sentence structures
- More nuanced discussion of the topic
- More effective use of cohesive devices
Band 5-6 Sample Essay
Some people think schools should teach students to be good members of society. Others think schools should only teach academic subjects. I will discuss both ideas and give my opinion.
People who think schools should teach how to be good members of society say it’s important for the future. They think students need to learn things like how to be kind, how to work with others, and how to be good citizens. This can help students when they grow up and live in society.
But other people think schools should only teach academic subjects like math, science, and literature. They say this is the main job of schools. They think parents should teach their children how to be good people, not schools. They say schools don’t have enough time to teach everything.
In my opinion, I think both are important. Schools should teach academic subjects because they are necessary for future jobs and education. But schools should also teach some things about being good members of society. Maybe they can include these lessons in their regular classes.
For example, in a history class, they can talk about being good citizens. Or in a science class, they can talk about taking care of the environment. This way, students can learn both academic subjects and how to be good members of society.
In conclusion, I think schools should try to teach both academic subjects and how to be good members of society. This will help students be successful and good people in the future.
Essay Analysis
This essay would likely score in the Band 5-6 range due to its:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task, discussing both views and presenting an opinion, but the ideas are not fully developed.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a basic structure, but the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive.
Lexical Resource: It uses a limited range of vocabulary, with some repetition and lack of precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay mainly uses simple sentence structures with some attempts at more complex sentences.
Key strengths:
- Addresses all parts of the task
- Has a clear paragraph structure
- Presents an opinion
Areas for improvement:
- More detailed explanations and examples
- Greater variety in vocabulary and expressions
- More complex sentence structures
- Better use of cohesive devices
- More nuanced discussion of the topic
Key Vocabulary
Practical skills (noun) – /ˈpræktɪkəl skɪlz/ – Abilities that are useful in real-life situations
Curriculum (noun) – /kəˈrɪkjələm/ – The subjects comprising a course of study in a school
Civic responsibility (noun phrase) – /ˈsɪvɪk rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ – The duties and obligations of citizens to their society
Well-rounded (adjective) – /ˌwel ˈraʊndɪd/ – Having a personality that is fully developed in all aspects
Academic subjects (noun phrase) – /ˌækəˈdemɪk ˈsʌbdʒɪkts/ – Areas of study that are part of a school’s educational program
Social consciousness (noun phrase) – /ˈsəʊʃəl ˈkɒnʃəsnəs/ – Awareness of and concern for social issues
Critical thinking (noun phrase) – /ˈkrɪtɪkəl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ – The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a judgment
Extracurricular activities (noun phrase) – /ˌekstrəkəˈrɪkjələr ækˈtɪvətiz/ – Activities pursued in addition to the normal course of study
Financial literacy (noun phrase) – /faɪˈnænʃəl ˈlɪtərəsi/ – The ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills
Ethical behavior (noun phrase) – /ˈeθɪkəl bɪˈheɪvjə/ – Actions that align with moral principles and values
In conclusion, the topic of teaching practical skills in high schools is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as the balance between academic and practical education, the role of schools in shaping society, and the importance of life skills in the curriculum. Remember to analyze the question carefully, address all parts of the task, and support your arguments with specific examples and explanations. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion.