IELTS Writing Task 2: Studying Abroad - Band 6.5 Sample with Full Breakdown
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The Prompt
Some people believe that studying abroad offers more advantages than studying in their home country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
You should write at least 250 words.
Band 6.5 Sample Answer
Studying abroad has become increasingly popular in recent years. While it offers many benefits, I believe that studying in one's home country can also be advantageous.
On the one hand, studying abroad provides students with the opportunity to experience different cultures and improve their language skills. For example, a student from China studying in the United States can learn about American customs and traditions while also improving their English proficiency. Additionally, studying abroad can help students develop independence and adaptability, as they must navigate a new environment on their own. According to a survey by Cambridge Assessment English, 72% of students who studied abroad reported improved career prospects.
However, studying in one's home country also has its advantages. Firstly, it is often more affordable, as students do not have to worry about visa fees, travel costs, or the high tuition fees of some foreign universities. Secondly, students can maintain close ties with their family and friends, which can provide emotional support during their studies. Lastly, studying in one's home country allows students to gain a deeper understanding of their own culture and history, which can be beneficial for their personal and professional development.
In conclusion, while studying abroad offers many benefits, such as cultural exposure and language improvement, studying in one's home country can also be advantageous due to its affordability and the opportunity to maintain close ties with family and friends. Ultimately, the decision to study abroad or in one's home country depends on individual circumstances and priorities.
Scoring Breakdown
Task Response (TR): Band 6
- Presents a clear position throughout the response.
- Provides some relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
- Develops arguments but with some limitations in depth and detail.
Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 6
- Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some mechanical or inappropriate use.
- Arranges information and ideas logically but with some unclear progression.
- Uses paragraphing, but some paragraphs may be too long or too short.
Lexical Resource (LR): Band 6
- Uses a mix of appropriate and varied vocabulary.
- Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some errors in word choice and collocation.
- Uses some less common vocabulary appropriately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 6
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms.
- Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but does not impede communication.
- Uses a mix of correct and incorrect sentence forms.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Advantageous (adj): Beneficial or favorable.
- Example: Studying in one's home country can be advantageous due to its affordability.
- Affordability (n): The quality of being affordable or within one's financial means.
- Example: One of the main advantages of studying in one's home country is its affordability.
- Adaptability (n): The ability to adjust to new conditions or environments.
- Example: Studying abroad can help students develop adaptability and independence.
- Proficiency (n): A high level of skill or expertise in a particular area.
- Example: Studying abroad can help students improve their English proficiency.
- Emotional support (n): Assistance or comfort provided to someone to help them cope with their feelings.
- Example: Studying in one's home country allows students to receive emotional support from family and friends.
- Cultural exposure (n): The experience of learning about or being exposed to different cultures.
- Example: One of the main benefits of studying abroad is the cultural exposure it provides.
- Independence (n): The ability to do things on one's own without relying on others.
- Example: Studying abroad can help students develop independence and self-reliance.
- Personal development (n): The process of improving or growing as a person.
- Example: Studying in one's home country can contribute to personal development and growth.
- Professional development (n): The process of improving or advancing in one's career or profession.
- Example: Studying abroad can contribute to professional development and career advancement.
- Visa fees (n): The costs associated with obtaining a visa to study or live in a foreign country.
- Example: One of the disadvantages of studying abroad is the high visa fees and travel costs.
- Tuition fees (n): The costs associated with attending a university or educational institution.
- Example: Some foreign universities have high tuition fees, which can be a barrier for some students.
- Customs and traditions (n): The practices and beliefs that are unique to a particular culture or society.
- Example: Studying abroad allows students to learn about different customs and traditions.
- Career prospects (n): The opportunities or possibilities for advancement in one's career.
- Example: According to a survey, 72% of students who studied abroad reported improved career prospects.
- Individual circumstances (n): The unique or personal factors that may influence someone's decisions or actions.
- Example: The decision to study abroad or in one's home country depends on individual circumstances and priorities.
- Priorities (n): The things that someone considers to be most important or worthy of attention.
- Example: The decision to study abroad or in one's home country depends on individual circumstances and priorities.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Failing to present a clear position: Some students may present a balanced argument without clearly stating their opinion. This can result in a lower score for task response.
- Using vague or unsupported ideas: Students may use generalizations or unsupported claims without providing specific examples or evidence. This can result in a lower score for task response and coherence and cohesion.
- Inappropriate use of cohesive devices: Students may use cohesive devices incorrectly or mechanically, which can make their writing difficult to follow. This can result in a lower score for coherence and cohesion.
- Limited vocabulary: Students may use a limited range of vocabulary, which can make their writing repetitive and boring. This can result in a lower score for lexical resource.
- Grammatical errors: Students may make frequent grammatical errors, which can make their writing difficult to understand. This can result in a lower score for grammatical range and accuracy.
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