IELTS Writing Task 2: Divorce — Band 8.0 Sample Answer

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The Task

Prompt: Some people believe that marriage is an outdated institution and that divorce should be made easier. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (IELTS Writing Task 2, Academic Module, June 2023)

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Score Breakdown: TR 6.0, CC 6.0, LR 6.0, GRA 6.0

Response:

Divorce should be easier. Marriage is hard. People change. It is not fair to force people to stay together. Some say marriage is important but it is old fashioned. Now people want freedom. If divorce is easier, people can be happy. But some say marriage is important for children. But if parents are unhappy, children are unhappy. So divorce can be good. But some people will abuse it. But rules can prevent that. So divorce should be easier.

Why This is Band 6.0:

• Presents a position but lacks development (TR 6.0)
• Simple sentence structures with limited cohesion (CC 6.0)
• Limited lexical range with some awkward phrasing (LR 6.0)
• Frequent grammatical errors and basic sentence structures (GRA 6.0)

Band 7.0 Answer

Score Breakdown: TR 7.0, CC 7.0, LR 7.0, GRA 7.0

Response:

Marriage is an important institution that provides stability to society. However, in some cases, divorce may be necessary. While I agree that marriage should be valued, I believe that divorce laws should be made slightly easier. There are several reasons for this view.

Firstly, people change over time, and it is not fair to force them to stay in unhappy marriages. A happy family is better for children than one where the parents are constantly arguing. Secondly, making divorce easier can prevent domestic violence and abuse. If people know they can leave, they may be more likely to stay in unhealthy relationships out of fear. However, we must ensure that people do not misuse this system. Laws should be in place to prevent people from getting divorced for trivial reasons.

In conclusion, while marriage is important, divorce laws should be made slightly easier to protect individuals and families.

Why This is Band 7.0:

• Presents a clear position with some development (TR 7.0)
• Logical organization with some cohesive devices (CC 7.0)
• Adequate lexical range with some less common vocabulary (LR 7.0)
• Mostly error-free with some complex sentences (GRA 7.0)

Band 8.0 Answer

Score Breakdown: TR 8.0, CC 7.5, LR 8.0, GRA 8.0

Response:

The institution of marriage has long been regarded as the cornerstone of societal stability. However, the contentious issue of whether divorce should be made more accessible has sparked considerable debate. While I acknowledge the value of marriage, I contend that divorce laws should be liberalized to a certain extent to safeguard individual well-being and promote healthier family dynamics.

Proponents of maintaining stringent divorce laws argue that marriage is a sacrosanct institution that should be preserved at all costs. They posit that the dissolution of marriage can have detrimental effects on children and society at large. However, this perspective overlooks the fact that unhappy marriages can be more harmful to children than divorce itself. Research has shown that children raised in high-conflict households often exhibit emotional and behavioral problems. Furthermore, easing divorce procedures can provide an escape route for victims of domestic abuse, enabling them to extricate themselves from potentially dangerous situations.

Nevertheless, it is imperative to implement safeguards to prevent the misuse of relaxed divorce laws. For instance, mandatory counseling sessions or a cooling-off period could ensure that couples explore all possible avenues for reconciliation before opting for divorce. This balanced approach would strike a harmonious chord between respecting the sanctity of marriage and prioritizing individual welfare.

In conclusion, while marriage undeniably plays a pivotal role in society, divorce laws should be made more accessible to foster healthier relationships and protect vulnerable individuals.

Why This is Band 8.0:

• Presents a clear position with extensive development and support (TR 8.0)
• Logical organization with a wide range of cohesive devices (CC 7.5)
• Sophisticated vocabulary with precise usage (LR 8.0)
• Mostly error-free with a mix of simple, complex, and compound-complex sentences (GRA 8.0)

Band 9.0 Answer

Score Breakdown: TR 9.0, CC 9.0, LR 9.0, GRA 9.0

Response:

The institution of matrimony, once revered as an unassailable pillar of societal cohesion, now finds itself at the epicenter of a contentious debate regarding the facilitation of divorce proceedings. While I concede that marriage serves as a stabilizing force within society, I assert that the liberalization of divorce laws is not only expedient but also morally imperative in the contemporary context.

The traditionalist argument, which advocates for the preservation of marriage as an inviolable institution, is underpinned by the notion that the dissolution of matrimonial bonds engenders detrimental consequences for progeny and societal fabric. However, this perspective is predicated on an antiquated understanding of familial dynamics. Contemporary psychological research has unequivocally demonstrated that children fare better in low-conflict single-parent households than in high-conflict nuclear families. Moreover, the facilitation of divorce proceedings can serve as a crucial mechanism for extricating individuals from abusive relationships, thereby safeguarding their physical and psychological well-being.

To preclude the potential misapplication of relaxed divorce laws, it is incumbent upon legislators to institute a battery of safeguards. For instance, the implementation of mandatory mediation sessions and a statutorily mandated cooling-off period could ensure that couples exhaust all feasible avenues for reconciliation prior to initiating divorce proceedings. This judicious approach would effectively reconcile the ostensibly antagonistic imperatives of preserving marital sanctity and prioritizing individual welfare.

In contemplation of the foregoing analysis, it is evident that the liberalization of divorce laws is not only a pragmatic necessity but also a moral imperative in the contemporary societal milieu. By striking a judicious balance between respecting the sanctity of marriage and championing individual autonomy, we can engender a more equitable and compassionate societal order.

Why This is Band 9.0:

• Presents a sophisticated position with extensive development and support (TR 9.0)
• Excellent organization with a wide range of cohesive devices (CC 9.0)
• Sophisticated vocabulary with precise and natural usage (LR 9.0)
• Error-free with a mix of simple, complex, and compound-complex sentences (GRA 9.0)

Vocabulary Highlights

| Word/Expression | Definition | Example Collocation | |-----------------|-------------|----------------------| | Institution | A society or organization | The institution of marriage | | Contentious | Causing or likely to cause an argument | Contentious issue | | Liberalized | Made less strict | Liberalized divorce laws | | Safeguard | A measure taken to protect something | Implement safeguards | | Sanctity | The quality of being holy or sacred | Sanctity of marriage | | Detrimental | Harmful | Detrimental effects | | Extricating | Freeing from a difficult situation | Extricating themselves from a dangerous situation | | Imperative | Essential | Moral imperative | | Antagonistic | Opposed | Ostensibly antagonistic imperatives | | Judicious | Wise | Judicious approach | | Engender | Cause or give rise to | Engender a more equitable society |

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Oversimplifying the Argument: Many students present a one-sided argument without considering counterarguments.
2. Lack of Specific Examples: Students often make general statements without providing concrete examples or evidence.
3. Inadequate Vocabulary: Using basic vocabulary and repeating words instead of using a range of appropriate words.
4. Poor Sentence Structure: Relying on simple sentences and not using a mix of complex and compound-complex sentences.
5. Ignoring Task Requirements: Not addressing the task properly or going off-topic.

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