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

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The Prompt

Some people believe that governments should spend money on preserving local languages and dialects. Others argue that this is a waste of money. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

While some argue that governments should spend money on preserving local languages, others believe this is a waste of resources. In my opinion, preserving local languages is important but not at the expense of other priorities.

There are several reasons why preserving local languages is beneficial. Firstly, languages are a part of a culture's identity. For example, in Wales, the Welsh language is a key part of their national identity. Secondly, preserving languages can help maintain cultural diversity. If languages disappear, unique cultural practices may also be lost. However, there are also arguments against spending money on this. Some people believe that money should be spent on more pressing issues like education or healthcare. Additionally, in a globalized world, it may be more practical to focus on widely spoken languages like English or Mandarin.

In conclusion, while preserving local languages has clear benefits, governments should prioritize spending on essential services. A balanced approach is needed to ensure cultural preservation without neglecting other important areas.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but lacks depth and development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically organized but with some repetition.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some appropriate vocabulary but with limited range.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Makes frequent errors but meaning is generally clear.

Band 7.0 Answer

The preservation of local languages is a contentious issue, with valid arguments on both sides. I firmly believe that governments should allocate funds to preserve these languages, as they are integral to cultural heritage.

Proponents of language preservation argue that languages are more than just a means of communication; they are repositories of history, traditions, and values. For instance, the Maori language in New Zealand has been revitalized through government initiatives, leading to a stronger cultural identity among the indigenous population. Moreover, linguistic diversity fosters creativity and innovation, as different languages offer unique perspectives on the world. On the other hand, critics contend that preserving local languages is an expensive endeavor. They argue that resources could be better spent on infrastructure or technology, which have more immediate benefits for society. However, this view overlooks the long-term cultural and economic benefits of linguistic diversity.

In my opinion, governments should invest in preserving local languages, but they must also ensure that these efforts are sustainable and do not divert funds from other critical areas. By doing so, they can strike a balance between cultural preservation and economic development.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended arguments.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors.

Band 8.0 Answer

The debate over whether governments should invest in preserving local languages and dialects is multifaceted, with compelling arguments on both sides. I strongly advocate for the preservation of these languages, as they are indispensable to cultural heritage and global diversity.

Those in favor of language preservation argue that languages are not merely tools for communication but are deeply intertwined with cultural identity. For example, the revitalization of Hebrew in Israel has not only preserved a ancient language but also strengthened the nation's cultural and religious identity. Furthermore, linguistic diversity is a valuable asset in an increasingly globalized world. Each language offers a unique lens through which to view the world, fostering creativity and innovation. Conversely, opponents of language preservation contend that the costs outweigh the benefits. They argue that resources could be more effectively allocated to areas such as education, healthcare, or infrastructure, which have more immediate and tangible impacts on society. However, this perspective fails to recognize the long-term cultural and economic benefits of linguistic diversity.

In my view, governments should prioritize the preservation of local languages, but they must also ensure that these efforts are sustainable and do not divert funds from other critical areas. By doing so, they can strike a balance between cultural preservation and economic development, ultimately enriching society as a whole.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported arguments.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items used appropriately.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors but generally accurate.

Band 9.0 Answer

The preservation of local languages and dialects is a critical issue that governments must address, as these languages are not merely tools for communication but are deeply intertwined with cultural identity and heritage. I firmly believe that governments should allocate resources to preserve these languages, as they are indispensable to cultural diversity and global understanding.

Proponents of language preservation argue that languages are repositories of history, traditions, and values. For instance, the revitalization of the Hawaiian language has not only preserved a unique cultural heritage but has also empowered the indigenous population, fostering a sense of pride and identity. Moreover, linguistic diversity is a valuable asset in an increasingly interconnected world. Each language offers a unique perspective, enriching global discourse and fostering creativity and innovation. Conversely, critics contend that preserving local languages is an expensive endeavor that diverts resources from more pressing issues such as education, healthcare, or infrastructure. However, this perspective overlooks the long-term cultural and economic benefits of linguistic diversity, which can contribute to sustainable development and social cohesion.

In my opinion, governments should prioritize the preservation of local languages, but they must also ensure that these efforts are sustainable and do not divert funds from other critical areas. By doing so, they can strike a balance between cultural preservation and economic development, ultimately enriching society as a whole. Furthermore, international cooperation and technological advancements can play a significant role in preserving linguistic diversity without imposing a significant financial burden on individual governments.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported arguments, demonstrating a thorough treatment of the task.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices, creating a cohesive and fluent response.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with less common lexical items used appropriately and precisely.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating a high degree of grammatical accuracy.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Preservation (noun) - The act of keeping something in its original state. Example: The preservation of local languages is crucial for cultural heritage.
2. Linguistic (adjective) - Relating to language or languages. Example: Linguistic diversity is a valuable asset in an increasingly globalized world.
3. Revitalization (noun) - The process of restoring something to a former state of vitality. Example: The revitalization of the Hawaiian language has empowered the indigenous population.
4. Intertwined (adjective) - Interconnected or interwoven. Example: Languages are deeply intertwined with cultural identity.
5. Repository (noun) - A place where things are stored or preserved. Example: Languages are repositories of history, traditions, and values.
6. Indispensable (adjective) - Absolutely necessary. Example: Local languages are indispensable to cultural diversity.
7. Sustainable (adjective) - Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources. Example: Governments must ensure that language preservation efforts are sustainable.
8. Allocate (verb) - To distribute something as a resource. Example: Governments should allocate resources to preserve local languages.
9. Globalization (noun) - The process of increasing interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide. Example: In an increasingly globalized world, linguistic diversity is a valuable asset.
10. Empower (verb) - To give someone the authority or power to do something. Example: The revitalization of the Hawaiian language has empowered the indigenous population.
11. Cohesion (noun) - The quality of being connected or sticking together. Example: The response demonstrates a high degree of cohesion and fluency.
12. Interconnected (adjective) - Connected or related in a way that one thing affects the other. Example: In an interconnected world, linguistic diversity is a valuable asset.
13. Diversity (noun) - The state of being diverse; variety. Example: Linguistic diversity is a valuable asset in an increasingly globalized world.
14. Innovation (noun) - The introduction of new ideas, methods, or devices. Example: Linguistic diversity fosters creativity and innovation.
15. Immediate (adjective) - Happening or done without delay. Example: Critics argue that resources should be spent on more immediate issues like healthcare.
16. Tangible (adjective) - Clear and definite; real. Example: Infrastructure has more immediate and tangible impacts on society.
17. Interconnected (adjective) - Connected or related in a way that one thing affects the other. Example: In an interconnected world, linguistic diversity is a valuable asset.
18. Empowerment (noun) - The process of giving someone the authority or power to do something. Example: The revitalization of the Hawaiian language has led to the empowerment of the indigenous population.
19. Sustainable development (noun) - Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Example: Linguistic diversity can contribute to sustainable development.
20. Social cohesion (noun) - The degree to which individuals in a society feel connected and committed to each other and to the society as a whole. Example: Linguistic diversity can contribute to social cohesion.

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Lack of Clear Position - Many students fail to present a clear position on the issue, resulting in a vague and unfocused response.
2. Insufficient Examples - Students often provide general statements without supporting them with specific examples, which weakens their arguments.
3. Poor Vocabulary Choice - Using repetitive or inappropriate vocabulary can detract from the overall quality of the response.
4. Grammatical Errors - Frequent grammatical errors can make the response difficult to understand and lower the overall score.
5. Lack of Cohesion - A response that lacks logical progression and cohesive devices can be confusing and difficult to follow.
6. Overgeneralization - Making sweeping statements without considering the nuances of the issue can weaken the argument.
7. Ignoring the Counterargument - Failing to address the opposing view can make the response one-sided and less convincing.
8. Poor Time Management - Spending too much time on one part of the response can result in an unbalanced answer.
9. Plagiarism - Copying directly from source materials without proper citation can result in a score of zero.
10. Inadequate Proofreading - Failing to proofread the response can result in easily avoidable errors that lower the score.

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