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IELTS Writing Task 2:
Reality TV – Band 6.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

A full breakdown of a Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer about reality TV, including scoring analysis, vocabulary highlights, and common mistakes.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Reality TV – Band 6.0 Sample with Full Breakdown | English AIdol Blog

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A full breakdown of a Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer about reality TV, including scoring analysis, vocabulary highlights, and common mistakes.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Reality TV – Band 6.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

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Prompt

Reality TV shows are very popular around the world. However, some people argue that these shows have a negative impact on society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Band 6.0 Sample Answer

Reality TV is very popular in many countries. In my opinion, this type of program is bad for society. There are two main reasons for my opinion.

First of all, reality TV shows often make bad behavior look normal. For example, in shows about people fighting to be famous, contestants often say bad things about each other. This behavior should not be encouraged, but many people watch these shows and think this kind of behavior is acceptable. Young people especially can be influenced by these shows and learn to act in bad ways.

Secondly, reality TV can make people think life is easy. In these shows, people often become famous quickly without working very hard. This is not true in real life. People need to work hard to be successful, but reality TV shows make it seem like success can come easily. This can make people, especially young people, have unrealistic expectations about life.

In conclusion, I believe reality TV has a negative effect on society. These shows encourage bad behavior and give people wrong ideas about life. For these reasons, I think reality TV should be watched with care.

Scoring Breakdown (Band 6.0)

| Criteria | Score | Explanation | |----------|-------|-------------| | Task Response | 6.0 | Presents a clear position throughout the response. Supports the position with relevant, but generally undeveloped, arguments. Provides some examples but they are not always well explained. | | Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 | Arranges information and ideas in logical order. Uses basic cohesive devices but sometimes uses them inaccurately. Some sentences are too long and affect readability. | | Lexical Resource | 6.0 | Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic. Some less common vocabulary is attempted but sometimes used inappropriately. Some repetitive word choices. | | Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 | Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Makes frequent grammatical errors that sometimes hinder understanding. Some tense and article errors. |

Vocabulary Highlights

| Word/phrase | Definition | Example | |------------|-----------|---------| | Encourage | To make something more likely or more probable | The show encourages bad behavior by rewarding contestants for arguing. | Influenced | To affect or change someone's thoughts or actions | Young people are easily influenced by what they see on reality TV. | Contestants | People who compete in a contest or competition | The contestants on reality shows often act badly to get attention. | Unrealistic | Not based on what is possible or likely | Reality TV gives people unrealistic ideas about becoming famous. | Allotted | Given a specific amount of time or resources | The IELTS Writing Task 2 is allotted 40 minutes for completion. | Relevant | Directly connected with the subject being discussed | The answer should include relevant examples to support the argument. | Undeveloped | Not fully explained or expanded upon | The arguments in a Band 6.0 response are often supported with undeveloped examples. | Cohesive devices | Words or phrases that connect ideas and show relationships | Words like 'first of all', 'secondly', and 'in conclusion' are cohesive devices. | Repetitive | Using the same word or phrase too many times | Avoiding repetitive vocabulary is important for higher band scores. | Hinder | To make it difficult for something to happen or be done | Grammatical errors can hinder understanding of the writer's meaning. | Inappropriately | In a way that is not suitable or proper | Some vocabulary is used inappropriately in lower band responses.

Common Mistakes on This Topic

  1. Overgeneralizing: Making sweeping statements without sufficient support (e.g., 'All reality TV shows are bad').
  2. Lack of specific examples: Failing to provide detailed examples to support arguments.
  3. Repetitive vocabulary: Using the same words and phrases too frequently (e.g., 'bad' used multiple times in the sample answer).
  4. Inaccurate cohesive devices: Using linking words incorrectly (e.g., 'however' used when 'therefore' would be more appropriate).
  5. Grammatical errors: Making frequent mistakes with tenses, articles, and sentence structure.

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