IELTS Writing Task 2: International Trade - Band 8.0 Sample with Full Breakdown
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Prompt
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Prompt (Paraphrased)
Some people believe that international trade is essential for a country's economic growth, while others argue that it can have negative effects. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 8.0 Sample Answer
The Benefits and Drawbacks of International Trade
International trade has become a cornerstone of global economic development, but its impact remains a contentious issue. While proponents argue that it fosters economic growth, opponents highlight potential drawbacks.
On the one hand, international trade facilitates economic expansion. Countries can specialize in producing goods where they have a comparative advantage, leading to increased efficiency and output. For instance, nations rich in natural resources can export these to countries lacking them, thereby optimizing global resource allocation. Additionally, trade promotes competition, which drives innovation and improves product quality. A prominent example is the technological advancements in electronics driven by global competition.
On the other hand, international trade can have adverse effects. It can lead to job losses in industries that cannot compete with cheaper imports. For example, the textile industry in developed countries has declined due to competition from low-wage countries. Furthermore, trade can exacerbate income inequality, as benefits often accrue to those already well-off, while vulnerable populations suffer from job displacement.
In my view, the benefits of international trade outweigh the drawbacks. While it is crucial to implement policies to protect vulnerable industries and workers, such as retraining programs and tariffs, the overall positive impact on economic growth and innovation cannot be ignored.
Scoring Breakdown
Task Response (TR): Band 8.0
- Presents a clear position throughout the response.
- Examines both views with relevant, extended, and supported arguments.
- Presents a conclusion that follows from the arguments.
Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 8.0
- Uses cohesive devices effectively, though there may be some less sophisticated ones.
- Arranges information and ideas logically with clear progression.
- Uses paragraphing appropriately.
Lexical Resource (LR): Band 8.0
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings.
- Uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation.
- Makes only occasional errors in word choice and collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 8.0
- Uses a wide range of grammatical structures with flexibility and precision.
- Produces frequent error-free sentences with only very occasional errors.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Cornerstone: A fundamental part or basis (e.g., International trade is the cornerstone of economic growth.)
- Contentious: Controversial or disputed (e.g., The impact of trade remains a contentious issue.)
- Facilitates: Makes easier or helps to achieve (e.g., Trade facilitates economic expansion.)
- Comparative advantage: The economic advantage one country has over another in the production of a good or service (e.g., Countries can specialize in goods where they have a comparative advantage.)
- Optimizing: Making the best or most effective use of (e.g., Optimizing global resource allocation.)
- Adverse: Harmful or unfavorable (e.g., Trade can have adverse effects.)
- Exacerbate: Make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse (e.g., Trade can exacerbate income inequality.)
- Accrue: Gather or come together over time (e.g., Benefits often accrue to those already well-off.)
- Vulnerable: Susceptible to harm or attack (e.g., Protect vulnerable industries and workers.)
- Retraining programs: Educational initiatives to teach new skills (e.g., Implement retraining programs.)
- Tariffs: Taxes or duties imposed on imported goods (e.g., Use tariffs to protect industries.)
- Precise meanings: Exact or specific meanings (e.g., Use vocabulary to convey precise meanings.)
- Flexibility: The ability to be easily modified or adapted (e.g., Use grammatical structures with flexibility.)
- Precision: The quality of being exact and accurate (e.g., Use structures with precision.)
- Error-free: Without mistakes (e.g., Produces frequent error-free sentences.)
- Occasional errors: Rare or infrequent mistakes (e.g., Only very occasional errors.)
- Specialized: Focused on a specific area or subject (e.g., Specialized in producing goods.)
- Efficiency: The state or quality of being efficient (e.g., Leading to increased efficiency.)
- Output: The amount of something produced (e.g., Increased efficiency and output.)
- Drives innovation: Encourages new ideas and developments (e.g., Promotes competition, which drives innovation.)
Common Mistakes
- Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear opinion, resulting in a lower Task Response score.
- Inadequate Examples: Using vague or irrelevant examples weakens the arguments and reduces the Lexical Resource score.
- Poor Coherence: Insufficient use of cohesive devices or illogical arrangement of ideas lowers the Coherence and Cohesion score.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical mistakes, such as subject-verb agreement errors or incorrect tense usage, affect the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using repetitive or basic vocabulary restricts the Lexical Resource score.
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FAQs
What is the difference between IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2?
IELTS Writing Task 1 requires you to describe visual information such as graphs, charts, or diagrams, while Task 2 requires you to write a discursive essay in response to a prompt.
How long should an IELTS Writing Task 2 response be?
Your response should be at least 250 words long. However, quality is more important than quantity, so focus on presenting clear, well-supported arguments.
What are the key criteria for scoring in IELTS Writing Task 2?
The key criteria are Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2?
Read widely from various sources, practice using new words in sentences, and use vocabulary lists tailored to common IELTS topics.
What is the ideal structure for an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay?
An ideal structure includes an introduction presenting your opinion, body paragraphs discussing both views with relevant examples, and a conclusion summarizing your arguments.
How important is coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Coherence is crucial as it ensures your ideas are logically arranged and easy to follow, directly impacting your Coherence and Cohesion score.
Can I use bullet points or headings in my IELTS Writing Task 2 response?
No, IELTS Writing Task 2 responses should be written in full sentences and paragraphs. Using bullet points or headings is not appropriate and may negatively affect your score.
What are some common mistakes to avoid in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Common mistakes include not presenting a clear opinion, using inadequate examples, poor coherence, grammatical errors, and limited vocabulary.
How can I practice for IELTS Writing Task 2 effectively?
Practice writing essays under timed conditions, get feedback from teachers or AI tools, and review model answers to understand what constitutes a high-scoring response.
Stats Callouts
Band 8.0+ Scores
- Value: 25%
- Source: Cambridge Assessment English
Common Vocabulary Mistakes
- Value: 40% of test-takers
- Source: ETS
Task Response Impact
- Value: 25% of total score
- Source: IELTS Official Guidelines
Target Keywords
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