IELTS Writing Task 2: Teacher Salaries (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

**They say that good teachers should earn salaries comparable to those of professionals like doctors and engineers. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Which other professions do you think should receive high salaries?

Band 6.0 Answer

``` Many people believe teachers deserve high salaries like doctors and engineers. I agree with this because teachers shape future generations. However, other professions like firefighters also deserve good pay for their dangerous work.

Teachers are important because they educate children. Without good education, society cannot progress. In many countries, teacher salaries are low, which is unfair. If we pay teachers well, we can attract better people to the job.

But other jobs are also important. Firefighters risk their lives to save people. Police officers keep society safe. These jobs are dangerous and need good pay too. Nurses work hard in hospitals and deserve higher salaries. Society should value all these important jobs.

In conclusion, teachers should earn good salaries, but other important professions should also get good pay because they contribute to society. ```

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a relevant position but develops it unevenly. Some ideas are irrelevant.
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Uses paragraphs but some are disjointed. Connecting words are simple.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary but makes some mistakes.
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Mostly simple sentences with some complex attempts that contain errors.

Band 7.0 Answer

``` The notion that teachers should earn salaries equivalent to professionals such as doctors and engineers is a contentious one. I partially agree with this view, but also believe some other professions merit high compensation.

On one hand, teachers play a pivotal role in shaping society. They are responsible for educating the next generation, and their impact is profound. However, in many countries, teacher salaries are disproportionately low compared to their importance. Higher salaries could attract more qualified individuals to the profession, ultimately benefiting society. For instance, countries like Finland pay teachers well and have excellent education systems.

On the other hand, professions like nursing also deserve high salaries. Nurses work long hours in demanding conditions, often dealing with life-and-death situations. Similarly, social workers provide essential services to vulnerable populations and should be adequately compensated. Society should value all professions that contribute significantly to the well-being of its members.

In conclusion, while I agree that teachers should earn higher salaries, I believe other professions also deserve fair compensation for their vital contributions. ```

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 6.5 - Presents a clear position with some extension and support. Both parts of the question are addressed.
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses paragraphs effectively. Uses a mix of connecting words appropriately.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary but with some less precise usage.
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but some errors persist.

Band 8.0 Answer

``` The debate surrounding teacher salaries being on par with those of doctors and engineers is a complex one. I firmly believe that teachers deserve higher remuneration, but I also contend that certain other professions warrant similar consideration.

Educators are the backbone of any society, as they mould the minds of future generations. Their influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the cultural, economic, and political landscapes of nations. Despite this, many countries compensate teachers poorly, which is a significant oversight. For example, in the United States, the average teacher salary is considerably lower than that of other professionals with similar education levels. Increasing teacher salaries could lead to better educational outcomes and a more qualified teaching workforce.

However, other professions also merit high salaries. For instance, software engineers drive technological advancements that propel societies forward. Their work creates jobs, improves efficiency, and enhances our daily lives. Similarly, environmental scientists play a crucial role in addressing climate change, a pressing global issue. Their expertise is invaluable in developing sustainable solutions for the future. Society must recognize and reward these contributions appropriately.

In conclusion, while I strongly advocate for higher teacher salaries, I also believe that other vital professions should receive commensurate compensation for their invaluable contributions to society. ```

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.5 - Presents a clear position with extensive and supported development. Both parts of the question are addressed fully.
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses paragraphs effectively with clear progression. Uses a wide range of connecting words appropriately.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items. Some subtle collocations are used effectively.
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.

Band 9.0 Answer

``` The proposition that teachers should command salaries comparable to those of doctors and engineers is not only justified but also essential for societal progress. Moreover, I assert that certain other professions, often overlooked, deserve similar remuneration for their indispensable contributions.

Teachers are the architects of civilization, as their influence permeates every facet of society. They instill knowledge, foster critical thinking, and nurture the values that bind communities together. Despite their profound impact, teachers are often remunerated inadequately. For instance, in many developing nations, teacher salaries are meager, leading to a brain drain in the education sector. By offering competitive salaries, societies can attract and retain the most talented individuals, thereby elevating the quality of education and, consequently, the overall well-being of their citizens.

However, other professions also warrant high salaries. For example, mental health counselors play a pivotal role in addressing the silent epidemic of psychological distress. Their work is instrumental in fostering resilient communities and enhancing productivity. Similarly, urban planners shape the physical and social environments in which we live, directly impacting our quality of life. Their expertise is crucial in creating sustainable, livable cities that cater to the needs of diverse populations. Society must acknowledge and reward these contributions appropriately.

In conclusion, while I firmly believe that teachers deserve higher salaries, I also contend that other vital professions should receive commensurate compensation for their invaluable contributions to society. ```

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with extensive development and support using vivid examples.
• Coherence & Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses paragraphs effectively with clear progression. Uses a wide range of connecting words appropriately.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with sophisticated and less common lexical items. Collocations are used effectively and naturally.
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences. Sentence structures are varied and sophisticated.

Vocabulary Highlights

| Word/phrase | Definition | Example Collocation | |---------------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Remuneration | Payment for work or services | Adequate remuneration, competitive remuneration | | Mould the minds | Shape or influence the thinking of | Teachers mould the minds of future generations | | Disproportionately | Out of proportion to what is fair | Disproportionately low salaries | | Propel | Drive or push forward | Technological advancements propel societies forward | | Commensurate | Corresponding in amount or degree | Commensurate compensation | | Indispensable | Essential or crucial | Indispensable contributions | | Permeates | Spreads throughout | Influence permeates every facet of society | | Resilient | Able to withstand or recover | Foster resilient communities | | Sustainable | Capable of being maintained | Sustainable solutions | | Adequately | Sufficiently or appropriately | Remunerated adequately | | Nurture | Care for and encourage growth | Nurture the values that bind communities together | | Meager | Lacking in quantity or quality | Meager salaries | | Brain drain | Departure of educated or skilled individuals | Brain drain in the education sector | | Psychological distress | Mental or emotional suffering | Addressing psychological distress | | Livable | Suitable for living | Create livable cities |

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Focusing on only one part of the question: Many students address only whether teachers should earn high salaries and forget to discuss other professions.
2. Lack of specific examples: Students often make general statements without providing concrete examples to support their arguments.
3. Weak vocabulary: Using basic vocabulary instead of more sophisticated and precise words and phrases.
4. Poor organization: Not using paragraphs effectively or failing to use connecting words to link ideas.
5. Grammatical errors: Making frequent grammatical mistakes that distract from the overall quality of the response.

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