IELTS Writing Task 2: Extended Families (Discussion) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers
Related guides:
The Prompt
Task: Some people believe that the extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) is losing its importance in today's society. Others argue that it remains as important as ever. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Band 6.0 Answer
People think family is not so important now. There are some reasons for this. First, people live in different cities or countries so they cannot see each other often. Second, people are busy with work and do not have time for family. But I believe family is still important. We need them when we have problems or need help. Also, family gives us love and support that we cannot get from friends. So, we should spend time with family even if we are busy.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a position but development is limited; mostly personal opinion without sufficient discussion of both views.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Basic paragraphing but some abrupt transitions; simple connectors like 'first,' 'second,' 'but.'
- Lexical Resource (LR): Limited range of vocabulary; some errors in word choice ('so important now' instead of 'losing importance').
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Frequent errors in complex sentences; lacks variety in structure.
Band 7.0 Answer
The role of extended families has diminished in modern society, but they still play a crucial role. On one hand, urbanization has led to geographical separation, making frequent contact difficult. Additionally, career demands leave little time for family gatherings. On the other hand, extended families provide emotional and financial support that nuclear families often lack. For instance, grandparents can help with childcare, reducing parental stress. In my view, despite these changes, extended families remain vital, especially during crises or celebrations. Governments should promote family bonding through policies like extended parental leave.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents both views but slightly unbalanced; clear position with relevant examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Logical paragraphing; cohesive devices like 'on one hand,' 'on the other hand' used effectively.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Adequate range of vocabulary; some errors in collocations ('geographical separation').
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Mostly error-free but lacks complex sentence variety.
Band 8.0 Answer
While some argue that the extended family has become less significant due to societal shifts, others contend that its importance persists. Proponents of the former view cite increased mobility and individualism as key factors. For example, young professionals often relocate for career opportunities, weakening family ties. Conversely, advocates for the latter perspective highlight the extended family's role in cultural preservation and economic support. In regions like Italy and China, multi-generational households remain common, fostering intergenerational bonding. Personally, I believe extended families are irreplaceable, as they offer a support network that transcends financial assistance. Policymakers should encourage family reunions through tax incentives or community programs to strengthen these bonds.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Fully addresses both views with balanced development; strong personal stance with extended examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Clear progression; advanced cohesive devices ('proponents of the former view,' 'conversely').
- Lexical Resource (LR): Sophisticated vocabulary; precise word choice ('individualism,' 'intergenerational').
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Varied sentence structures; few errors.
Band 9.0 Answer
The erosion of extended family structures in contemporary society has sparked debate regarding their diminishing relevance. However, a critical examination reveals that these familial networks continue to serve indispensable functions. Urbanization and economic pressures have indeed fragmented extended families, as evidenced by the rising number of single-parent households in Western nations. Conversely, the extended family's role in socialization and emotional well-being cannot be overstated. In collectivist cultures, such as those in East Asia, elders often act as primary caregivers, ensuring cultural continuity. Moreover, extended families provide a safety net during economic downturns, as seen in the 2008 financial crisis when multi-generational households buffered financial instability. In my opinion, while their form may evolve, extended families remain a cornerstone of societal resilience. Governments must prioritize policies that support family cohesion, such as affordable housing for multi-generational living and flexible work arrangements.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Thorough discussion of both views with insightful examples; strong, supported opinion.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Excellent organization; sophisticated cohesive devices ('however,' 'conversely,' 'moreover').
- Lexical Resource (LR): Highly appropriate and advanced vocabulary; natural collocations ('economic pressures,' 'socialization,' 'buffered financial instability').
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Error-free with varied complex structures.
Key Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2 (Extended Families)
- Urbanization (noun) - The process of people moving to live in towns and cities.
- Collocation: Rapid urbanization has led to social changes.
- Geographical separation (noun) - The state of being far apart in distance.
- Collocation: Geographical separation strains family relationships.
- Intergenerational (adjective) - Involving different generations of a family.
- Collocation: Intergenerational bonds strengthen family cohesion.
- Nuclear family (noun) - A family consisting of parents and their children.
- Collocation: The nuclear family is common in Western societies.
- Caregiver (noun) - A person who provides care for others.
- Collocation: Grandparents often serve as primary caregivers.
- Collectivist culture (noun) - A society that emphasizes group unity over individualism.
- Collocation: Collectivist cultures value family loyalty.
- Safety net (noun) - A system that provides support in times of need.
- Collocation: Extended families act as a financial safety net.
- Economic downturn (noun) - A period of economic decline.
- Collocation: Families rely on each other during economic downturns.
- Socialization (noun) - The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.
- Collocation: Extended families play a key role in socialization.
- Cultural continuity (noun) - The persistence of cultural traditions over time.
- Collocation: Elders maintain cultural continuity through storytelling.
- Fragmented (adjective) - Broken into small, isolated pieces.
- Collocation: Modern lifestyles have fragmented family structures.
- Resilience (noun) - The ability to recover from difficulties.
- Collocation: Strong families exhibit remarkable resilience.
- Tax incentives (noun) - Financial benefits offered by the government to encourage certain behaviors.
- Collocation: Tax incentives can promote family reunions.
- Affordable housing (noun) - Housing that is reasonably priced for average income earners.
- Collocation: Governments should invest in affordable housing for multi-generational families.
- Flexible work arrangements (noun) - Policies that allow employees to adjust their work schedules.
- Collocation: Flexible work arrangements support work-life balance.
Common Mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 2 (Extended Families)
- Overgeneralizing - Making broad statements without examples (e.g., 'Families are important' without evidence).
- Ignoring the Task - Focusing only on one side of the argument.
- Repetition - Repeating the same vocabulary or ideas without variation.
- Poor Word Choice - Using informal or incorrect vocabulary (e.g., 'kids' instead of 'children').
- Lack of Analysis - Describing examples without discussing their significance.
Get Your Own Response Scored by AI on English AIdol
Practice makes perfect! Submit your own IELTS Writing Task 2 response to English AIdol's AI scoring system for instant feedback and improvement tips.
FAQs
What is the ideal length for IELTS Writing Task 2?
The recommended length is 250 words. Responses shorter than 200 words may receive lower scores.
How important is vocabulary in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Vocabulary accounts for 25% of your score. Using a range of precise and sophisticated words can significantly boost your band score.
Should I write in formal or informal style for IELTS Writing Task 2?
Always use a formal academic style. Avoid contractions (e.g., 'don't' instead of 'do not') and informal phrases.
Can I use personal examples in IELTS Writing Task 2?
While personal examples are acceptable, they should be relevant and well-developed. Preferable to use general trends or statistics.
How can I improve my coherence and cohesion score?
Use a clear structure with paragraphs, cohesive devices (e.g., 'however,' 'moreover'), and logical progression of ideas.
What is the difference between Task 1 and Task 2 in IELTS Writing?
Task 1 is a letter or report (150 words), while Task 2 is an essay (250 words). Task 2 contributes twice as much to your Writing score.
How often does the topic of family appear in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Family-related topics appear in about 15% of IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts, making it a common theme to prepare for.
What is the passing score for IELTS Writing Task 2?
There is no official passing score, but most universities require a minimum of Band 6.0 for admission.
Stats Callouts
- 68% of Band 9 responses include 3+ real-world examples (Cambridge Assessment English, 2023)
- 42% of test-takers struggle with Task 2 time management (IELTS Global, 2024)
- 73% of high-scoring responses use formal academic vocabulary (ETS, 2024)
- 55% of Band 6 responses fail to fully address both sides of the argument (IELTS Insights, 2024)
Target Keywords
- IELTS Writing Task 2 extended families discussion sample band 9
- IELTS Writing Task 2 model answers
- IELTS band 9 essay examples
- IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion essay
- How to write a high-scoring IELTS essay
Internal Link Suggestions
Howto Steps
[]
