IELTS Writing Task 2: Racism (Discussion) — Band 6/7/8/9 Answers

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The Prompt

Some people believe that racism is no longer a serious problem in the modern world. Others feel that racism still exists and is a challenge for many communities. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6 Answer

Some people think that racism is not a big problem today while others believe it still exists and is a challenge. In my opinion, racism is still a problem in many places.

Firstly, some people think that racism is not a big problem today. They believe that society has changed and people are more accepting of other cultures. Also, many countries have laws against racism so people can be punished. For example, in many places it is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their race.

However, I disagree because I think racism still exists. In some countries, there are still problems with people being treated unfairly because of their race. For instance, some people might not get a job or a good education because of their background. Additionally, there are still hate crimes happening in many places. These are crimes where people are attacked because of their race, religion, or where they come from.

In conclusion, I think racism is still a problem in many places. We need to do more to stop racism and make sure everyone is treated fairly.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a position but discussion is limited and unfocused (Band 6)
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are organized but connections between them are simplistic (Band 6)
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses some less common vocabulary but makes frequent errors (Band 6)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Makes frequent grammatical mistakes (Band 6)

Band 7 Answer

While some argue that racism has decreased significantly, others maintain that it remains a pervasive issue. I believe racism still poses significant challenges for many communities.

On one hand, proponents of the view that racism is no longer a serious problem point to several factors. Firstly, many societies have become more multicultural, with people from diverse backgrounds living and working together. This exposure to different cultures can foster tolerance and understanding. Additionally, most countries have implemented anti-discrimination laws, which serve as deterrents against racist behavior. For example, workplace discrimination based on race is prohibited in many nations, and violators can face legal consequences.

Despite these advancements, I contend that racism persists. Statistics reveal that hate crimes targeting racial minorities remain alarmingly high in many countries. Furthermore, systemic racism can be observed in institutions such as education and employment, where individuals from certain racial backgrounds may face subtle but persistent barriers. For instance, studies have shown that job applicants with ethnic-sounding names are less likely to be called for interviews compared to those with traditionally privileged names, even when their qualifications are identical.

In conclusion, while progress has been made, racism continues to be a challenge in many societies. Addressing this issue requires not only stronger legislation but also a collective effort to promote equality and challenge prejudiced attitudes.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position throughout and extends and supports ideas, though some points are not fully developed (Band 7)
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesion well but may make some organizational or referencing errors (Band 7)
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision (Band 7)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Makes occasional errors but they don't impede communication (Band 7)

Band 8 Answer

The extent to which racism persists as a societal issue is a contentious topic. While some optimists contend that racism has waned, I assert that it remains a deeply entrenched problem.

Advocates for the notion that racism is no longer a grave concern often cite the progress made in recent decades. They highlight the increasing acceptance of multiculturalism, as evidenced by the growing diversity in neighborhoods, workplaces, and educational institutions. Moreover, robust legal frameworks have been established to combat discrimination, with many countries enacting laws that protect individuals from racial prejudice. For example, the Equality Act in the United Kingdom prohibits discrimination based on race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin in various sectors, including employment and education.

However, I firmly believe that racism continues to permeate societies. Beyond overt acts of discrimination, racism often manifests in subtle, systemic ways. Institutional racism, for instance, can be seen in the disproportionate representation of certain racial groups in prisons or the disparities in educational outcomes. Furthermore, the rise of social media has provided a platform for hate speech and extremist ideologies to spread, exacerbating racial tensions. A study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that social media platforms fail to act on 84% of anti-Semitic content, illustrating the persisting challenge of combating racism in the digital age.

In conclusion, while significant strides have been made, racism remains a pervasive and complex issue. Eradicating it requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both individual attitudes and systemic inequities.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position throughout and presents, extends, and supports ideas (Band 8)
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesion effectively and skillfully manages paragraphing (Band 8)
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with great flexibility and precision (Band 8)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences (Band 8)

Band 9 Answer

The persistence of racism in contemporary society is a topic of heated debate. While some optimists argue that racism has diminished, I am convinced that it remains a deeply ingrained and pervasive issue.

Proponents of the view that racism is no longer a pressing concern often point to the visible progress made in recent decades. They argue that societies have become more inclusive, with diverse communities coexisting and collaborating. Additionally, comprehensive anti-discrimination laws have been enacted to safeguard individuals from racial bias. For instance, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the United States prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, reflecting a concerted effort to promote equality. Furthermore, global initiatives such as the United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination demonstrate a collective commitment to eradicating racism.

Nevertheless, I contend that racism persists, albeit in more insidious forms. While overt acts of racism may have decreased, systemic and institutional racism continue to marginalize certain racial groups. For example, the disproportionate representation of African Americans in the U.S. prison population and the persistent wage gap between different racial groups underscore the enduring nature of racial inequality. Additionally, the rise of far-right movements and the proliferation of hate speech on digital platforms have contributed to a resurgence of overt racism. A report by the Southern Poverty Law Center identified a significant increase in the number of hate groups in the United States, highlighting the ongoing challenge of combating racism.

In conclusion, while it is undeniable that progress has been made, racism remains a deeply entrenched and multifaceted issue. Addressing it effectively requires a holistic approach that encompasses legal reforms, educational initiatives, and societal dialogue to foster genuine equality and understanding.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position throughout and presents, extends, and supports ideas with relevant, relevant, and convincing arguments (Band 9)
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesion effectively and skillfully manages paragraphing (Band 9)
• Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with great flexibility and precision (Band 9)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences (Band 9)

Key Vocabulary

Here are 15+ terms from the model answers with definitions and example collocations:

1. Discrimination - Unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice (e.g., racial discrimination, workplace discrimination)
2. Multiculturalism - The presence of, or support for the presence of, several cultural or ethnic groups within a society (e.g., promote multiculturalism, celebrate multiculturalism)
3. Systemic racism - A form of racism that is embedded in the nation's systems, institutions, and laws (e.g., address systemic racism, combat systemic racism)
4. Institutional racism - A form of racism enacted by social and political institutions that results in and supports racial inequality (e.g., challenge institutional racism, reveal institutional racism)
5. Prejudiced attitudes - Preconceived opinions that are not based on reason or actual experience (e.g., challenge prejudiced attitudes, hold prejudiced attitudes)
6. Legal frameworks - The system of laws, rules, and principles that govern a society (e.g., robust legal frameworks, enforce legal frameworks)
7. robust - Strong and healthy; vigorous (e.g., robust legal frameworks, robust economy)
8. multifaceted - Having many different aspects or features (e.g., multifaceted approach, multifaceted problem)
9. insidious - Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with very harmful effects (e.g., insidious forms, insidious racism)
10. marginalize - Treat a person, group, or concept as insignificant or peripheral (e.g., marginalize certain groups, feel marginalized)
11. proliferation - Rapid increase in the number or amount of something, especially something unwanted or harmful (e.g., proliferation of hate speech, proliferation of weapons)
12. far-right movements - Political ideologies, groups, or parties that advocate extreme nationalist, conservative, or reactionary views (e.g., rise of far-right movements, support far-right movements)
13. hate speech - Speech that attacks, threatens, or insults a person or group based on attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or gender (e.g., spread hate speech, combat hate speech)
14. disproportionate representation - A situation where the number or percentage of a particular group in a given context is significantly higher or lower than their proportion in the general population (e.g., disproportionate representation in prisons, disproportionate representation in leadership roles)
15. wage gap - The difference between average earnings of different groups in the labor market (e.g., persistent wage gap, close the wage gap)
16. collective commitment - A shared dedication or obligation to a common cause or goal (e.g., demonstrate collective commitment, foster collective commitment)
17. concerted effort - A coordinated or combined effort made to achieve a particular aim (e.g., concerted effort to promote equality, concerted effort to combat racism)

Common Mistakes

1. Overgeneralizing: Making sweeping statements about racism without providing specific examples or data to support the claims.
2. Lack of nuance: Failing to acknowledge the complexity of racism and its various forms, such as systemic and institutional racism.
3. Inadequate task response: Not fully addressing both sides of the discussion prompt or not presenting a clear opinion.
4. Weak vocabulary: Using limited or inappropriate vocabulary, which can hinder the ability to express ideas effectively.
5. Grammatical errors: Making frequent grammatical mistakes that can obscure the meaning or weaken the argument.

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