IELTS Writing Task 2: Child Independence – Band 6.5 Sample Answer
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The Prompt
Some people believe that children should be allowed to make their own decisions and be independent. Others believe that children need more guidance from parents and teachers. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This is a classic IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essay prompt that tests your ability to discuss both sides of an argument and present a clear position. You should spend 40 minutes on this task and write at least 250 words.
Band 6.5 Sample Answer
Sample Answer
In this modern society, the issue of child independence has become a hot topic. Some people argue that children should be given the freedom to make their own choices, while others believe that adults should still guide them. Both views have their merits and demerits.
On one hand, allowing children to be independent can help them develop important life skills. When children make their own decisions, they learn to take responsibility for their actions. For example, a child who chooses what to wear learns about consequences and personal preferences. Moreover, independence can boost a child's confidence. When children feel trusted to make decisions, they feel more capable and self-assured. However, there are also downsides to this approach. Young children may not have the maturity to make good decisions. They might make choices that are not in their best interest, such as eating too much sugar or staying up too late.
On the other hand, guiding children can ensure they make wise choices. Parents and teachers have more experience and can help children avoid mistakes. For instance, a parent might encourage a child to study instead of playing video games. This guidance can lead to better outcomes in the long run. Nevertheless, too much guidance can prevent children from learning to think for themselves. If children are always told what to do, they may struggle with decision-making as adults.
In my opinion, a balance between independence and guidance is crucial. Children should be given opportunities to make decisions, but adults should still provide support and advice when needed. This way, children can learn to be responsible while also having a safety net.
This response hits Band 6.5 with these key factors:
- Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position but with some development. Both views are discussed, but the arguments could be more fully extended.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized, but there are some issues with cohesion. Some sentences are awkwardly connected.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a mix of appropriate and less precise vocabulary. Some word choice is basic, and there are occasional errors in word form.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but there are frequent grammatical errors that can impede understanding.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Debate: A discussion involving different opinions. Example: The debate about child independence is ongoing.
- Maturity: The state of being fully developed. Example: Maturity comes with age and experience.
- Consequences: Results or effects of an action. Example: Children learn about consequences when they make decisions.
- Self-assured: Confident in yourself. Example: Independent children are often more self-assured.
- Downsides: Negative aspects. Example: There are downsides to giving children too much freedom.
- Wise: Having or showing sound judgment. Example: Parents can help children make wise choices.
- Maturity: The state of being fully developed. Example: Maturity comes with age and experience.
- Safety net: A system that provides support in case of failure. Example: Adult guidance acts as a safety net for children.
- Responsibility: The state of being accountable. Example: Independence teaches children responsibility.
- Outcomes: Results or consequences. Example: Good guidance leads to positive outcomes.
- Balance: A situation in which different elements are equal. Example: A balance between independence and guidance is important.
- Safety net: A system that provides support in case of failure. Example: Adult guidance acts as a safety net for children.
- Guidance: Advice or direction. Example: Parents should provide guidance to their children.
- Crucial: Extremely important or necessary. Example: A balance is crucial for child development.
- Struggle: To experience difficulty and hardship. Example: Children may struggle with decision-making if they are over-guided.
- Ensure: To make certain that something happens. Example: Guidance ensures better decision-making.
- Merits: Advantages or good qualities. Example: Both views have their merits.
- Demerits: Disadvantages or faults. Example: Both views have their demerits.
- Approach: A way of dealing with a situation or problem. Example: Different approaches to child independence exist.
- Boosters: Things that increase or improve something. Example: Independence can boost a child's confidence.
- Missed: Things that are not taken advantage of. Example: Children may miss out on learning opportunities if over-guided.
- Crucial: Extremely important or necessary. Example: A balance is crucial for child development.
- Struggle: To experience difficulty and hardship. Example: Children may struggle with decision-making if they are over-guided.
- Ensure: To make certain that something happens. Example: Guidance ensures better decision-making.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Overgeneralizing: Making broad statements without sufficient support. *Example:
