IELTS Writing Task 2: Success (Problem Solution) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Paraphrased Prompt:

Many people believe that success in life comes from hard work and determination. However, others argue that luck plays a more significant role. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Model Answer:

Success is something that many people want to achieve in their lives. Some people think that hard work and determination are the keys to success. On the other hand, others believe that luck is more important. I agree with the first view.

Firstly, hard work and determination are crucial for success. For example, many successful entrepreneurs have worked very hard to achieve their goals. They have faced many challenges and difficulties, but they never gave up. This shows that determination is essential for success. Secondly, hard work helps people to develop their skills and knowledge, which are necessary for success.

However, some people believe that luck is more important than hard work. They think that lucky people achieve success without much effort. For instance, some people win the lottery and become rich overnight. But this is not true success because it is not based on hard work or determination.

In conclusion, I believe that hard work and determination are more important than luck for achieving success. People who work hard and are determined can overcome any obstacle and achieve their goals.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response: Band 6 (Presents a clear position but with some irrelevant points)
• Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6 (Uses some cohesive devices but with some lapses in coherence)
• Lexical Resource: Band 6 (Uses a mix of appropriate and inaccurate vocabulary)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6 (Makes frequent grammatical errors but with some complex sentence forms)

Band 7.0 Answer

Model Answer:

The notion of success has been a topic of debate for many years. While some individuals attribute success to hard work and perseverance, others argue that luck plays a pivotal role. I firmly believe that both factors are essential for achieving success.

On one hand, hard work and determination are vital for success. For example, renowned scientists like Albert Einstein spent countless hours conducting experiments and researching to make groundbreaking discoveries. Their dedication and perseverance led to their success. Additionally, hard work helps individuals to develop essential skills and knowledge, which are crucial for achieving their goals.

On the other hand, luck also plays a significant role in success. For instance, some people may have the necessary skills and knowledge but lack the opportunity to showcase their talents. Luck can provide them with the right opportunity at the right time, leading to success. Moreover, luck can help individuals overcome unexpected obstacles and challenges, which can hinder their progress.

In conclusion, both hard work and luck are essential for achieving success. While hard work and determination help individuals to develop the necessary skills and knowledge, luck can provide them with the right opportunities and help them overcome challenges.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response: Band 7 (Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas)
• Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7 (Uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively but with some lapses in coherence)
• Lexical Resource: Band 7 (Uses a mix of appropriate and less precise vocabulary)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7 (Makes occasional grammatical errors but with a mix of simple and complex sentence forms)

Band 8.0 Answer

Model Answer:

The concept of success has been a subject of contemplation for centuries. While some people believe that success is a result of hard work and determination, others argue that luck is the primary factor. I contend that both elements are indispensable for achieving success.

Proponents of hard work and determination argue that these qualities are essential for success. For instance, renowned athletes like Michael Jordan have attributed their success to their relentless work ethic and determination. They have spent countless hours training and perfecting their skills, which has enabled them to achieve their goals. Furthermore, hard work helps individuals to develop resilience and perseverance, which are crucial for overcoming obstacles and challenges.

Conversely, luck also plays a significant role in success. For example, some people may have the necessary skills and knowledge but lack the opportunity to showcase their talents. Luck can provide them with the right opportunity at the right time, leading to success. Additionally, luck can help individuals to overcome unexpected setbacks and challenges, which can hinder their progress.

In conclusion, both hard work and luck are essential for achieving success. While hard work and determination help individuals to develop the necessary skills and knowledge, luck can provide them with the right opportunities and help them overcome challenges. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to strive for their goals while remaining open to the possibilities that luck can bring.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response: Band 8 (Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas)
• Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8 (Uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively with some flexibility and sophistication)
• Lexical Resource: Band 8 (Uses a mix of appropriate and less precise vocabulary with some less common lexical items)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8 (Makes occasional grammatical errors but with a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some flexibility and sophistication)

Band 9.0 Answer

Model Answer:

The notion of success has been a perennial topic of debate, with some individuals attributing it to hard work and determination, while others contend that luck is the primary determinant. I posit that both factors are integral to achieving success, albeit to varying degrees.

Advocates of hard work and determination argue that these qualities are indispensable for success. For instance, renowned entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs have attributed their success to their unwavering work ethic and determination. They have spent countless hours innovating and refining their products, which has enabled them to achieve their goals. Moreover, hard work helps individuals to cultivate resilience and perseverance, which are vital for navigating the vicissitudes of life and overcoming obstacles and challenges.

Conversely, luck also plays a pivotal role in success. For example, some people may possess the necessary skills and knowledge but lack the opportunity to showcase their talents. Luck can provide them with the right opportunity at the right time, leading to success. Furthermore, luck can help individuals to overcome unforeseen setbacks and challenges, which can impede their progress.

In conclusion, both hard work and luck are essential for achieving success. While hard work and determination help individuals to develop the necessary skills and knowledge, luck can provide them with the right opportunities and help them overcome challenges. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to strive for their goals while remaining open to the possibilities that luck can bring. However, it is important to note that hard work and determination are more consistent and reliable factors for achieving success, as they are within an individual's control.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response: Band 9 (Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas)
• Coherence and Cohesion: Band 9 (Uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively with a high degree of flexibility and sophistication)
• Lexical Resource: Band 9 (Uses a mix of appropriate and less precise vocabulary with a high degree of sophistication and precision)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 9 (Makes occasional grammatical errors but with a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with a high degree of flexibility and sophistication)

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Perennial: lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring.

• Example: The debate on the causes of success is a perennial topic.

1. Indispensable: absolutely necessary.

• Example: Hard work and determination are indispensable for achieving success.

1. Vicissitudes: changes or fluctuations that occur in the course of something, often in an unpredictable way.

• Example: Resilience and perseverance are vital for navigating the vicissitudes of life.

1. Pivotal: of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.

• Example: Luck plays a pivotal role in success.

1. Impede: delay or prevent (someone or something) from doing something or from happening.

• Example: Unforeseen setbacks can impede progress.

1. Relentless: showing or involving harsh, cruel, or violent behavior with no sign of slowing down.

• Example: Michael Jordan attributed his success to his relentless work ethic.

1. Cultivate: try to acquire or develop (a quality, skill, or habit).

• Example: Hard work helps individuals to cultivate resilience and perseverance.

1. Unforeseen: not expected or anticipated.

• Example: Unforeseen setbacks can hinder progress.

1. Navigating: plan and direct the course of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transportation, especially by using instruments or maps.

• Example: Resilience and perseverance are vital for navigating the vicissitudes of life.

1. Unwavering: not wavering; steady or resolute.

• Example: Steve Jobs attributed his success to his unwavering work ethic.

1. Refining: improve something, especially by making small changes.

• Example: Entrepreneurs spend countless hours innovating and refining their products.

1. Contend: maintain or assert (a position or viewpoint) in spite of opposition or argument.

• Example: Some people contend that luck is the primary determinant of success.

1. Integral: necessary to make a whole complete; essential or fundamental.

• Example: Both hard work and luck are integral to achieving success.

1. Albeit: although.

• Example: Both factors are integral to achieving success, albeit to varying degrees.

1. Proponents: a person who advocates for a particular cause or proposal.

• Example: Proponents of hard work and determination argue that these qualities are indispensable for success.

1. Unwavering: not wavering; steady or resolute.

• Example: Steve Jobs attributed his success to his unwavering work ethic.

1. Relentless: showing or involving harsh, cruel, or violent behavior with no sign of slowing down.

• Example: Michael Jordan attributed his success to his relentless work ethic.

1. Cultivate: try to acquire or develop (a quality, skill, or habit).

• Example: Hard work helps individuals to cultivate resilience and perseverance.

1. Unforeseen: not expected or anticipated.

• Example: Unforeseen setbacks can hinder progress.

1. Navigating: plan and direct the course of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transportation, especially by using instruments or maps.

• Example: Resilience and perseverance are vital for navigating the vicissitudes of life.

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Clear Position: Some candidates fail to present a clear position on the issue, making their arguments weak and unfocused.

1. Irrelevant Points: Including irrelevant points can detract from the main argument and confuse the reader.

1. Poor Organization: A poorly organized essay can make it difficult for the reader to follow the candidate's arguments.

1. Inadequate Examples: Using inadequate or irrelevant examples can weaken the candidate's arguments and reduce the overall quality of the essay.

1. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can make the essay difficult to understand and reduce the candidate's score.

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