IELTS Writing Task 2: Racism - Band 7.5 Sample with Full Breakdown

Related guides:

• IELTS Writing Task 2: Road Safety – Band 8.0 Sample with…
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Rehabilitation: Band 9.0 Sample Answer
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Social Media Influencers - Band 7.0…
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Traffic Congestion - Band 6.5 Sample…
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Juvenile Justice – Band 8.0 Sample…

Full Prompt

Prompt: Some people believe that racism is a thing of the past, while others argue that it is still a significant issue in many societies. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Sample Answer:

Racism is a problem that many people think is not as big as it used to be. Some say that because laws have changed, racism is not a problem anymore. They believe that everyone is treated equally now. However, others think that racism is still a big issue. They say that even if laws have changed, people's attitudes have not. There are still many cases of discrimination against different races.

In my opinion, racism is still a problem. Even though there are laws against it, people still discriminate. For example, in some countries, people from certain races are not given the same opportunities as others. This is not fair and needs to be addressed.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with limited development and some irrelevant points.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 5.5 - Ideas are logically organized but with some unclear connections.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 5.5 - Uses some appropriate vocabulary but with frequent errors and limited range.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 5.5 - Makes frequent grammatical errors but can convey basic meaning.

Band 7.0 Answer

Sample Answer:

The issue of racism has been a contentious one, with some arguing that it is a relic of the past, while others contend that it remains a pervasive problem. Those who believe racism is no longer an issue often point to the implementation of anti-discrimination laws and the increasing diversity in many societies. They argue that these changes have led to a more equitable environment where racism is no longer a significant concern.

However, others maintain that racism is still a pressing issue. They cite instances of racial profiling, hate crimes, and systemic discrimination as evidence that racism persists. For example, in many countries, people from minority racial groups face higher levels of unemployment and lower access to quality education compared to their counterparts from majority racial groups.

In my view, racism is still a problem that needs to be addressed. While it is true that laws have been put in place to combat racism, these laws are not always enforced effectively. Additionally, attitudes and beliefs about race are deeply ingrained and take time to change. Therefore, more needs to be done to educate people about the harmful effects of racism and to promote equality and inclusivity.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 6.5 - Presents a clear position with relevant examples and some development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.5 - Ideas are logically organized with clear connections between them.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.5 - Uses a mix of appropriate and less precise vocabulary with some errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.5 - Makes some grammatical errors but can convey meaning effectively.

Band 7.5 Answer

Sample Answer:

The debate surrounding racism's prevalence in contemporary society is multifaceted, with proponents on both sides presenting compelling arguments. Advocates of the notion that racism is a relic of the past often cite the enactment of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and the burgeoning cultural diversity observed in many nations. They posit that these developments have fostered an environment where racial equality is increasingly the norm, rendering racism a vestige of a bygone era.

Conversely, those who contend that racism remains a salient issue point to the persistent occurrence of racial profiling, hate crimes, and institutionalized discrimination. For instance, statistical data from the United States reveals that African Americans are disproportionately affected by police brutality and incarceration rates, underscoring the enduring nature of racial inequities. Furthermore, the rise of far-right movements and the proliferation of hate speech on social media platforms serve as stark reminders of the ongoing struggle against racism.

In my opinion, racism is still a pervasive problem that necessitates concerted efforts to eradicate. While it is undeniable that significant strides have been made in combating racism, these achievements should not lull us into a false sense of complacency. It is imperative that we continue to challenge racist attitudes and behaviors, promote diversity and inclusion, and advocate for policies that address systemic racial inequalities. Only through sustained and collective action can we hope to create a society where racism is truly a thing of the past.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant examples and logical development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.5 - Ideas are logically organized with clear connections and some sophisticated transitions.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.5 - Uses a range of appropriate vocabulary with some sophisticated choices and occasional errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.5 - Makes some grammatical errors but can convey meaning effectively with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures.

Band 8.0 Answer

Sample Answer:

The contentious issue of racism's contemporary relevance has sparked a dichotomy of perspectives, with some asserting its obsolescence and others underscoring its persisting pervasiveness. Proponents of the former viewpoint often invoke the implementation of robust anti-discrimination laws and the increasing multiculturalism observed in many societies. They argue that these factors have engendered a societal milieu where racial equality is progressively becoming the norm, thereby relegating racism to the annals of history.

However, those who contend that racism remains a salient issue present a compelling counterargument, citing the persistent occurrence of racial profiling, hate crimes, and systemic discrimination. For example, data from the United Kingdom's Equality and Human Rights Commission reveals that individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds are significantly more likely to experience unemployment and lower educational attainment compared to their white British counterparts. Moreover, the resurgence of far-right ideologies and the proliferation of hate speech on digital platforms serve as stark reminders of the ongoing struggle against racism.

In my view, racism is still a pervasive problem that necessitates concerted efforts to eradicate. While it is undeniable that significant strides have been made in combating racism, these achievements should not lull us into a false sense of complacency. It is imperative that we continue to challenge racist attitudes and behaviors, promote diversity and inclusion, and advocate for policies that address systemic racial inequalities. Only through sustained and collective action can we hope to create a society where racism is truly a thing of the past.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant examples and logical development, addressing the task comprehensively.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear connections and sophisticated transitions.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of appropriate vocabulary with sophisticated choices and minimal errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Makes some grammatical errors but can convey meaning effectively with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, demonstrating a good command of grammar.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Contentious: causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument. Example: The issue of racism is highly contentious.
2. Pervasive: (especially of an unwelcome influence or substance) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people. Example: Racism is a pervasive problem in many societies.
3. Enactment: the process of passing a law or making something official. Example: The enactment of anti-discrimination laws has helped combat racism.
4. Burgeoning: beginning to grow or increase rapidly; flourishing. Example: The burgeoning cultural diversity in many nations is a positive development.
5. Posit: to put forward as the case to be argued or proved; assert. Example: They posit that these developments have fostered a more equitable environment.
6. Vestige: a trace or remnant of something that is disappearing or no longer exists. Example: Racism is a vestige of a bygone era.
7. Profiling: the action of assessing and classifying someone or something in a particular way. Example: Racial profiling is a persistent issue in many societies.
8. Institutionalized: established as a norm or custom in an organization or society. Example: Institutionalized discrimination is a significant problem.
9. Disproportionately: in a way that is not proportional; excessively. Example: African Americans are disproportionately affected by police brutality.
10. Incarceration: the state of being confined in prison. Example: Incarceration rates for African Americans are alarmingly high.
11. Far-right: relating to or supporting extreme right-wing political views. Example: The rise of far-right movements is a concerning trend.
12. Proliferation: rapid increase in the number or amount of something. Example: The proliferation of hate speech on social media is a growing problem.
13. Complacency: a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger or defect. Example: We should not be complacent about the progress made in combating racism.
14. Dichotomy: a division or contrast between two things that are or are believed to be opposing or entirely different. Example: There is a dichotomy of perspectives on the issue of racism.
15. Milieu: a person's social environment. Example: These factors have engendered a societal milieu where racial equality is progressively becoming the norm.
16. Relegating: to assign to a lower or inferior position. Example: Racism has been relegated to the annals of history.
17. Counterargument: an argument opposed to a previous argument. Example: They present a compelling counterargument to the notion that racism is a thing of the past.
18. Underscoring: to emphasize or highlight something. Example: The data underscores the persistent nature of racial inequities.
19. Resurgence: an increase or revival after a period of little activity, popularity, or occurrence. Example: The resurgence of far-right ideologies is a concerning trend.
20. Collective action: action taken by a group of people whose aim is to achieve a common goal. Example: Only through collective action can we hope to eradicate racism.

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear position on the issue, resulting in a vague and unfocused response.
2. Insufficient Examples: Providing too few or irrelevant examples can weaken the argument and lower the score.
3. Poor Organization: A poorly organized response can make it difficult for the examiner to follow the argument, leading to a lower score for coherence and cohesion.
4. Limited Vocabulary: Using a limited range of vocabulary can result in a lower score for lexical resource. Students should aim to use a variety of appropriate and sophisticated vocabulary.
5. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can detract from the overall quality of the response and lower the score for grammatical range and accuracy.

Get Your Own Response Scored by AI on English AIdol

Practice makes perfect. Get your own IELTS Writing Task 2 response scored by AI on English AIdol and receive detailed feedback to help you improve your score.