IELTS Writing Task 2: Following Rules - Band 9.0 Sample with Full Breakdown
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Prompt
> Some people believe that following rules is essential for a smooth and orderly society, while others argue that rules should be broken if they are outdated or unfair. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 9.0 Sample Answer
Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position throughout and extends and supports ideas. Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention. Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with great flexibility and precision. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and precision.
The necessity of adhering to rules has long been a contentious issue. While some advocate for strict obedience to regulations, others contend that rules should be challenged when they become obsolete or unjust. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my stance.
On one hand, adherents of rule-following argue that regulations are the backbone of societal order. Without rules, chaos would prevail, as seen in lawless societies where crime rates soar and basic services collapse. For instance, traffic regulations prevent accidents and ensure smooth transportation. Moreover, rules in workplaces enhance productivity and safety. A study by Cambridge Assessment English found that 85% of professionals believe rules improve workplace efficiency. Thus, rules provide structure and prevent anarchy.
Conversely, proponents of rule-breaking assert that rigid adherence to outdated or unfair rules can be detrimental. For example, segregation laws in the past were unjust and needed to be challenged. Similarly, in creative fields, breaking conventional rules can lead to innovation. The invention of the airplane, for instance, defied the 'rules' of gravity. Therefore, rules should be reevaluated and revised when they no longer serve their purpose.
In my view, a balanced approach is necessary. Rules should be followed when they promote order and fairness, but they should be challenged when they become obsolete or unjust. Societies should establish mechanisms for regular review and amendment of rules to ensure they remain relevant and fair. For example, many countries have constitutional review bodies that assess the fairness and relevance of laws.
In conclusion, while rules are essential for societal order, they should not be followed blindly. A balanced approach that values both order and justice is crucial for a harmonious society.
Band 8.0 Sample Answer
Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position but may not extend and support ideas as fully as a Band 9.0 response. Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesion effectively but may have some less sophisticated markers. Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms to convey ideas with some flexibility and precision.
Rules are a fundamental aspect of any society, but opinions differ on their importance. While some believe that following rules is crucial for maintaining order, others argue that rules should be broken if they are outdated or unfair. This essay will discuss both views and present my opinion.
Those who support following rules argue that they are necessary for a functioning society. Rules provide a framework that ensures safety and order. For example, traffic rules prevent accidents and ensure smooth transportation. Additionally, rules in workplaces enhance productivity and safety. Without rules, chaos would prevail, as seen in societies where lawlessness leads to crime and disorder. Therefore, rules are essential for maintaining order and safety.
On the other hand, some people believe that rules should be broken if they are outdated or unfair. They argue that rigid adherence to rules can be detrimental. For instance, segregation laws in the past were unjust and needed to be challenged. Similarly, in creative fields, breaking conventional rules can lead to innovation. The invention of the airplane, for example, defied the 'rules' of gravity. Therefore, rules should be reevaluated and revised when they no longer serve their purpose.
In my opinion, a balanced approach is necessary. Rules should be followed when they promote order and fairness, but they should be challenged when they become obsolete or unjust. Societies should establish mechanisms for regular review and amendment of rules to ensure they remain relevant and fair. For example, many countries have constitutional review bodies that assess the fairness and relevance of laws.
In conclusion, while rules are important for maintaining order, they should not be followed blindly. A balanced approach that values both order and justice is crucial for a harmonious society.
Band 7.0 Sample Answer
Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position but may not extend and support ideas as fully as a Band 8.0 response. Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesion effectively but may have some less sophisticated markers. Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a mix of appropriate and less accurate vocabulary. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but may have some errors.
Rules are important in society, but people have different opinions about them. Some think that following rules is very important, while others believe that rules should be broken if they are old or unfair. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
People who support following rules say that they are necessary for a good society. Rules help to keep things in order and prevent problems. For example, traffic rules help to prevent accidents and make driving safer. Rules in the workplace also help to make things run smoothly. Without rules, there would be chaos, and bad things could happen. Therefore, rules are important for keeping order and safety.
However, some people think that rules should be broken if they are old or unfair. They say that following rules all the time can cause problems. For example, in the past, there were laws that separated people based on race, and these laws were unfair and needed to be changed. In creative fields, breaking rules can lead to new ideas. For example, the invention of the airplane broke the 'rules' of gravity. Therefore, rules should be checked and changed when they are no longer useful.
In my opinion, a balanced approach is needed. Rules should be followed when they are good and fair, but they should be challenged when they are old or unfair. Societies should have ways to check and change rules regularly to make sure they are still useful and fair. For example, many countries have groups that check laws to see if they are fair and useful.
In conclusion, rules are important for order, but they should not be followed without thinking. A balanced approach that considers both order and fairness is important for a good society.
Band 6.0 Sample Answer
Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position but may not extend and support ideas as fully as a Band 7.0 response. Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses some cohesive devices but may not always use them appropriately. Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a limited range of vocabulary. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses simple sentence forms and may have frequent grammatical errors.
Rules are important, but people have different opinions. Some think that following rules is good, while others think that rules should be broken if they are old or unfair. This essay will talk about both views and give my opinion.
People who like rules say that they are necessary. Rules help to keep things in order. For example, traffic rules help to prevent accidents. Rules in the workplace also help to make things run smoothly. Without rules, there would be chaos. Therefore, rules are important.
However, some people think that rules should be broken if they are old or unfair. They say that following rules all the time can cause problems. For example, in the past, there were laws that separated people based on race, and these laws were unfair. In creative fields, breaking rules can lead to new ideas. For example, the airplane broke the 'rules' of gravity. Therefore, rules should be changed when they are no longer useful.
In my opinion, a balanced approach is needed. Rules should be followed when they are good, but they should be challenged when they are old or unfair. Societies should have ways to check and change rules regularly. For example, many countries have groups that check laws.
In conclusion, rules are important, but they should not be followed without thinking. A balanced approach is important.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Adhering (verb): Following or observing rules or principles. Example: Adhering to traffic rules ensures safety on the roads.
- Contentious (adjective): Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial. Example: The issue of following rules is contentious.
- Backbone (noun): The principal support or foundation. Example: Rules are the backbone of societal order.
- Prevail (verb): To prove more powerful or superior; to triumph. Example: Without rules, chaos would prevail.
- Segregation (noun): The action or state of setting someone or something apart from other people or things. Example: Segregation laws were unjust and needed to be challenged.
- Innovation (noun): The introduction of new ideas, methods, or devices. Example: Breaking conventional rules can lead to innovation.
- Obsolete (adjective): No longer in use; out of date. Example: Rules should be challenged when they become obsolete.
- Reevaluate (verb): To assess or consider something again, especially in a careful or detailed way. Example: Rules should be reevaluated and revised when they no longer serve their purpose.
- Amendment (noun): A minor change or addition designed to improve a text, piece of legislation, etc. Example: Societies should establish mechanisms for regular review and amendment of rules.
- Harmonious (adjective): Free from disagreement or dissent; peaceful and orderly. Example: A balanced approach is crucial for a harmonious society.
- Framework (noun): A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text. Example: Rules provide a framework that ensures safety and order.
- Detrimental (adjective): Tending to cause harm. Example: Rigid adherence to rules can be detrimental.
- Constitutional (adjective): Relating to a constitution, especially that of a state. Example: Many countries have constitutional review bodies.
- Assess (verb): To evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something. Example: Constitutional review bodies assess the fairness and relevance of laws.
- Relevance (noun): The state of being closely connected or appropriate to the matter at hand. Example: Rules should be checked and changed when they are no longer relevant.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Lack of Clear Position: Students often fail to present a clear position on the topic, making their essays seem unfocused.
- Insufficient Support: Many students present ideas but do not support them with examples or explanations.
- Poor Cohesion: Students may use cohesive devices incorrectly or not use them at all, making their essays difficult to follow.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using a limited range of vocabulary can make essays seem repetitive and less sophisticated.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can distract the reader and lower the overall score.
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