IELTS Writing Task 2: Leadership Qualities (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Some people believe that the most important leadership qualities are honesty and integrity. Others argue that decisiveness and vision are more crucial. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

The most important leadership qualities are honesty and integrity. Some people think that decisiveness and vision are more important. I agree with the first view.

Honesty and integrity are very important for leaders. If a leader is not honest, people will not trust them. For example, if a company CEO lies about the company's finances, the stock price will fall. Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. A leader with integrity will make good decisions, even if they are not popular.

However, some people think decisiveness and vision are more important. Decisiveness means making decisions quickly. A leader who is too slow to decide will not be successful. Vision means having a clear idea of the future. A leader with vision can inspire people to work towards a common goal. For example, Steve Jobs was a leader with a clear vision. He inspired people to create innovative products.

In conclusion, I think honesty and integrity are more important than decisiveness and vision. A leader who is not honest or has no integrity will not be trusted. A leader who is not trusted will not be successful.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a clear position but develops it unsystematically with relevant, but underused supporting ideas or examples.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Uses cohesive devices but sometimes inappropriately. There may be some unclear referencing.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses a mix of appropriate and less precise vocabulary with some errors in word choice and collocation.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent grammatical errors.

Band 7.0 Answer

The debate surrounding the most important leadership qualities often centers around honesty and integrity versus decisiveness and vision. I believe that while both sets of qualities are important, honesty and integrity form the foundation of effective leadership.

On one hand, honesty and integrity are essential for building trust. A leader who is honest and has integrity will gain the respect of their team. For instance, Nelson Mandela was known for his honesty and integrity. He inspired people to fight for freedom and justice. Moreover, a leader with integrity will make decisions that are fair and just. This will create a positive work environment and increase productivity.

On the other hand, decisiveness and vision are also crucial. A leader who can make quick decisions will be able to respond to challenges effectively. For example, during a crisis, a decisive leader can make decisions that will save lives. Additionally, a leader with a clear vision can inspire people to work towards a common goal. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. had a clear vision of a society where people were not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

In conclusion, while both sets of qualities are important, I believe that honesty and integrity are more important. A leader who is not honest or has no integrity will not be trusted. A leader who is not trusted will not be successful, regardless of their decisiveness or vision.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position throughout the response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but may occasionally use them inappropriately or mechanically.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic but may make some errors in word choice and collocation.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with occasional grammatical errors.

Band 8.0 Answer

The efficacy of leadership is often contingent upon the qualities that a leader possesses. While some argue that honesty and integrity are the most important leadership qualities, others contend that decisiveness and vision are more crucial. I contend that both sets of qualities are indispensable, but honesty and integrity serve as the bedrock of effective leadership.

Proponents of honesty and integrity argue that these qualities are essential for building trust. A leader who is honest and has integrity will gain the respect of their team. For example, Mahatma Gandhi was known for his honesty and integrity. He inspired people to fight for independence through non-violent means. Moreover, a leader with integrity will make decisions that are fair and just. This will create a positive work environment and increase productivity. Furthermore, honesty and integrity are essential for maintaining a leader's credibility. A leader who is caught lying or acting dishonestly will lose the trust of their team and the public.

Conversely, decisiveness and vision are also crucial for effective leadership. A leader who can make quick decisions will be able to respond to challenges effectively. For example, during a crisis, a decisive leader can make decisions that will save lives. Additionally, a leader with a clear vision can inspire people to work towards a common goal. For example, Steve Jobs had a clear vision of a world where technology was intuitive and user-friendly. He inspired people to create innovative products that have changed the way we live and work.

In conclusion, while both sets of qualities are important, I believe that honesty and integrity are more important. A leader who is not honest or has no integrity will not be trusted. A leader who is not trusted will not be successful, regardless of their decisiveness or vision. However, a leader who possesses both sets of qualities will be highly effective and successful.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position throughout the response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively to connect ideas and create a clear progression throughout the response.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some less common lexical items used appropriately.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of sentence forms with frequent grammatical errors but still conveys meaning clearly.

Band 9.0 Answer

The efficacy of leadership is often contingent upon the qualities that a leader possesses. While some argue that honesty and integrity are the most important leadership qualities, others contend that decisiveness and vision are more crucial. I contend that both sets of qualities are indispensable, but honesty and integrity serve as the bedrock of effective leadership.

Proponents of honesty and integrity argue that these qualities are essential for building trust. A leader who is honest and has integrity will gain the respect of their team. For example, Nelson Mandela was known for his honesty and integrity. He inspired people to fight for freedom and justice. Moreover, a leader with integrity will make decisions that are fair and just. This will create a positive work environment and increase productivity. Furthermore, honesty and integrity are essential for maintaining a leader's credibility. A leader who is caught lying or acting dishonestly will lose the trust of their team and the public.

Conversely, decisiveness and vision are also crucial for effective leadership. A leader who can make quick decisions will be able to respond to challenges effectively. For example, during a crisis, a decisive leader can make decisions that will save lives. Additionally, a leader with a clear vision can inspire people to work towards a common goal. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. had a clear vision of a society where people were not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. He inspired people to fight for civil rights and equality.

In conclusion, while both sets of qualities are important, I believe that honesty and integrity are more important. A leader who is not honest or has no integrity will not be trusted. A leader who is not trusted will not be successful, regardless of their decisiveness or vision. However, a leader who possesses both sets of qualities will be highly effective and successful. They will be able to inspire their team, make quick decisions, and create a positive work environment.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position throughout the response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively to connect ideas and create a clear progression throughout the response.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with less common lexical items used appropriately and naturally.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of sentence forms with frequent grammatical errors but still conveys meaning clearly.

Vocabulary Highlights

| Word/phrase | Definition | Example Collocation | | --- | --- | --- | | Efficacy | The ability to produce a desired result | The efficacy of the new policy was evident in the increased productivity. | | Contingent | Dependent on | The success of the project was contingent upon the team's effort. | | Indispensable | Essential | Honesty and integrity are indispensable qualities for a leader. | | Bedrock | The foundation or basis | Honesty and integrity serve as the bedrock of effective leadership. | | Proponent | A person who supports or advocates a particular cause or idea | Proponents of honesty and integrity argue that these qualities are essential for building trust. | | Credibility | The quality of being trusted and believed in | Honesty and integrity are essential for maintaining a leader's credibility. | | Non-violent | Not involving violence | Mahatma Gandhi was known for his non-violent methods of protest. | | Intuitive | Using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning | Steve Jobs had a clear vision of a world where technology was intuitive and user-friendly. | | Progressive | Happening or developing gradually | The company has made progressive changes to its policies. | | Inspirational | Providing or arousing strong feelings of inspiration | Martin Luther King Jr. was an inspirational leader who fought for civil rights and equality. |

Common Mistakes

1. Not addressing both parts of the question: Some students focus solely on one set of qualities and ignore the other. It is important to discuss both views and then give your opinion.
2. Using vague language: Students often use vague language such as 'some people think' or 'it is believed that'. Be specific and use clear examples to support your arguments.
3. Not using formal language: IELTS Writing Task 2 requires a formal tone. Avoid using informal language such as contractions, colloquialisms, and slang.
4. Not using cohesive devices: Cohesive devices are essential for creating a clear progression throughout the response. Use a variety of cohesive devices to connect your ideas.
5. Making grammatical errors: Grammatical errors can detract from the overall quality of your response. Make sure to proofread your work and correct any errors.

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