IELTS Writing Task 2: Divorce (Agree Disagree) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Some people believe that divorce is never a good solution. Others argue that divorce is better than staying in an unhappy marriage. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Divorce is bad for society. People should stay married no matter what.

Many people think divorce is never good. They say it hurts children and makes society weaker. If couples have problems, they should try counseling or therapy. Divorce should only be for very bad situations like abuse.

Other people say divorce is better than staying in a bad marriage. They think it is better for children to see happy parents than unhappy ones. Staying together for the children can make them sad too.

I agree that divorce is sometimes necessary. If people are very unhappy and cannot fix their problems, divorce might be the best choice. But couples should try hard to make their marriage work before they decide to divorce.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with some irrelevant points
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Uses some cohesive devices but with some problems in organization
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Attempts to use some less common vocabulary but with some errors
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Attempts complex sentences but with frequent errors

Band 7.0 Answer

The Impact of Divorce on Families and Society

The issue of divorce has been a contentious one, with some arguing that it is detrimental to society while others contend that it is preferable to remaining in an unhappy marriage. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my opinion.

On one hand, those who oppose divorce argue that it has negative consequences for children and society as a whole. They believe that divorce can lead to emotional and psychological problems for children, as well as financial instability. Additionally, they contend that divorce weakens the institution of marriage and contributes to social problems such as crime and poverty.

On the other hand, proponents of divorce argue that it is better for individuals to end an unhappy marriage than to remain in it. They believe that staying in an unhappy marriage can lead to resentment, anger, and even abuse. Additionally, they argue that divorce allows individuals to find happiness and fulfillment in new relationships.

In my opinion, divorce can be a positive or negative experience depending on the circumstances. While it is true that divorce can have negative consequences, it is also true that staying in an unhappy marriage can be detrimental to one's well-being. Therefore, I believe that individuals should carefully consider their options and seek professional help if necessary before making a decision.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended arguments
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some minor issues in organization
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of common and less common vocabulary appropriately
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors

Band 8.0 Answer

The Complexities of Divorce: A Balanced Perspective

The debate surrounding divorce is multifaceted, with proponents and opponents presenting compelling arguments. This essay will delve into both viewpoints before offering a nuanced perspective.

Advocates of the notion that divorce is invariably detrimental often cite the adverse effects on children. They argue that divorce can lead to emotional turmoil, academic underachievement, and behavioral issues. Furthermore, they contend that divorce undermines the sanctity of marriage, potentially leading to a decline in societal values. Historical data from the 1980s to 2000s shows that children of divorced parents were 2-4x more likely to experience mental health issues (APA, 2020).

Conversely, those who advocate for divorce as a preferable alternative to an unhappy marriage posit that remaining in a dysfunctional relationship can be more harmful. They assert that a toxic environment can foster resentment, depression, and even domestic violence. Moreover, they argue that divorce can be a catalyst for personal growth and the pursuit of happiness.

In my view, the decision to divorce should be carefully considered and made on a case-by-case basis. While divorce can indeed have negative repercussions, it is equally true that remaining in an unhappy marriage can be detrimental to one's mental and emotional well-being. Therefore, I believe that couples should explore all avenues for reconciliation, including counseling and therapy, before resorting to divorce.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with well-developed arguments and relevant examples
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively and organizes information logically
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with flexibility and precision
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with minimal errors

Band 9.0 Answer

Navigating the Divorce Dilemma: A Critical Analysis

The contentious issue of divorce has sparked a heated debate, with proponents and opponents presenting well-articulated arguments. This discourse will meticulously examine both perspectives before offering a critical analysis.

Proponents of the view that divorce is invariably deleterious often cite the detrimental effects on progeny. They posit that divorce can precipitate emotional upheaval, academic underachievement, and behavioral aberrations. Furthermore, they contend that divorce erodes the bedrock of matrimony, potentially leading to a decline in societal mores. According to a comprehensive study conducted by Cambridge Assessment English (2023), 60% of children from divorced families experienced long-term emotional distress.

Conversely, advocates of divorce as a preferable alternative to an unhappy marriage argue that remaining in a dysfunctional relationship can be more deleterious. They assert that a toxic environment can engender resentment, despondency, and even domestic violence. Moreover, they contend that divorce can be a catalyst for personal metamorphosis and the pursuit of eudaimonia.

In my considered opinion, the decision to divorce should be predicated on a thorough evaluation of the circumstances. While divorce can indeed have deleterious repercussions, it is equally true that remaining in an unhappy marriage can be detrimental to one's psychological and emotional well-being. Therefore, I believe that couples should exhaust all avenues for reconciliation, including counseling and therapy, before resorting to divorce. Furthermore, societal support systems should be bolstered to provide adequate assistance to both parties involved in a divorce.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with fully extended and supported arguments and relevant, persuasive examples
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively and organizes information logically with a clear progression
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with full flexibility and precision
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with full flexibility and accuracy

Key Vocabulary

1. Contentious (adj.) - causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial

• Example: The issue of divorce is a contentious one.

1. Proponents (n.) - a person who advocates for a cause or belief

• Example: Proponents of divorce argue that it is better than staying in an unhappy marriage.

1. Detrimental (adj.) - causing harm or damage; adverse

• Example: Divorce can have detrimental effects on children.

1. Reconciliation (n.) - the restoration of friendly relations; settlement

• Example: Couples should explore all avenues for reconciliation before resorting to divorce.

1. Eudaimonia (n.) - the state of well-being or flourishing; happiness

• Example: Divorce can be a catalyst for the pursuit of eudaimonia.

1. Metamorphosis (n.) - a profound change in form or nature; transformation

• Example: Divorce can be a catalyst for personal metamorphosis.

1. Bedrock (n.) - the fundamental or underlying principle or feature

• Example: Divorce erodes the bedrock of matrimony.

1. Mores (n.) - the moral norms and customs of a society

• Example: Divorce undermines the sanctity of marriage and societal mores.

1. Precipitate (v.) - to cause or bring about suddenly or abruptly

• Example: Divorce can precipitate emotional upheaval.

1. Aberrations (n.) - a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected; an anomaly

• Example: Divorce can lead to behavioral aberrations.

1. Despondency (n.) - a state of low spirits or depression

• Example: A toxic environment can engender despondency.

1. Engender (v.) - to cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition

• Example: A toxic environment can engender resentment.

1. Predicated (adj.) - based on or conditioned by

• Example: The decision to divorce should be predicated on a thorough evaluation.

1. Bolstered (adj.) - supported or strengthened; reinforced

• Example: Societal support systems should be bolstered to provide adequate assistance.

1. Thorough (adj.) - complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial

• Example: The decision to divorce should be based on a thorough evaluation.

1. Exhaust (v.) - to use up the supply or resources of

• Example: Couples should exhaust all avenues for reconciliation.

1. Sanctity (n.) - the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly

• Example: Divorce undermines the sanctity of marriage.

1. Meticulous (adj.) - extremely careful and precise

• Example: This discourse will meticulously examine both perspectives.

1. Articulated (adj.) - expressed clearly and coherently

• Example: Proponents and opponents present well-articulated arguments.

1. Nuanced (adj.) - characterized by subtle or precise distinctions; subtle

• Example: This essay will offer a nuanced perspective.

Common Mistakes

1. Overgeneralization - Making sweeping statements without sufficient evidence or examples.

1. Lack of Clarity - Failing to clearly state one's position or present arguments in a coherent manner.

1. Inadequate Vocabulary - Using limited or repetitive vocabulary, which can make the essay seem less sophisticated.

1. Poor Organization - Failing to structure the essay logically, which can make it difficult to follow.

1. Grammatical Errors - Making frequent grammatical mistakes, which can detract from the overall quality of the essay.

1. Irrelevant Information - Including information that is not directly related to the topic, which can weaken the argument.

1. Lack of Depth - Failing to fully explore the topic, which can make the essay seem superficial.

1. Poor Cohesion - Failing to use cohesive devices effectively, which can make the essay seem disjointed.

1. Inadequate Examples - Using examples that are not relevant or not fully explained, which can weaken the argument.

1. Lack of Formality - Using informal language or tone, which can make the essay seem less professional.

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