IELTS Writing Task 2: Vaccination - Band 7.0 Sample with Full Breakdown
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The Prompt
Some people believe that vaccination is unnecessary and potentially dangerous. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
You should write at least 250 words. Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Band 7.0 Sample Answer
Vaccination has been a controversial topic, with some people arguing that it is unnecessary and potentially dangerous. While I acknowledge concerns about side effects, I firmly believe that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
On one hand, it is understandable why some individuals may be skeptical about vaccines. There have been rare cases where vaccinations have caused adverse reactions, and this has led to a great deal of fear and mistrust. For instance, the MMR vaccine was wrongly linked to autism in a now-discredited study, which caused a significant drop in vaccination rates and a resurgence of measles in some countries.
However, the overwhelming consensus among medical experts is that vaccines are safe and effective. They have been responsible for the eradication of deadly diseases such as smallpox and the dramatic reduction of others like polio and measles. For example, in the pre-vaccine era, polio paralyzed or killed thousands of people each year, but thanks to vaccination, it has been nearly eliminated in most parts of the world.
Moreover, vaccines not only protect individuals but also contribute to herd immunity, which safeguards those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. This collective protection is crucial for maintaining public health. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, countries with higher vaccination rates experienced lower death rates and fewer hospitalizations.
In conclusion, while it is important to address valid concerns about vaccine safety, the evidence clearly shows that vaccination is a vital tool in preventing disease and protecting public health. Therefore, I strongly disagree with the notion that vaccination is unnecessary and potentially dangerous.
Scoring Breakdown
Task Response (TR): Band 7
- Presents a clear position throughout the response.
- Provides relevant, extended, and supported arguments.
- Presents a conclusion that follows from the arguments.
Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 7
- Uses cohesive devices effectively, but there may be some under-use or over-use.
- Arranges information and ideas logically.
- Uses paragraphs effectively.
Lexical Resource (LR): Band 7
- Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey precise meanings.
- Attempts to use less common vocabulary but may make some errors in word choice or collocation.
- Uses some less common vocabulary appropriately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 7
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms.
- Makes occasional errors in grammar and punctuation but they do not impede communication.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Controversial (adj.) - giving rise to or involving much discussion and argument.
- Example: The topic of vaccination is highly controversial.
- Skeptical (adj.) - not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
- Example: Some people remain skeptical about the safety of vaccines.
- Adverse (adj.) - harmful or unfavorable.
- Example: The vaccine may have adverse side effects.
- Eradication (n.) - the complete destruction or removal of something.
- Example: The eradication of smallpox was a significant achievement in public health.
- Consensus (n.) - a general agreement or collective opinion.
- Example: There is a consensus among medical experts that vaccines are safe.
- Immunity (n.) - the ability of an organism to resist disease.
- Example: Vaccines help build immunity against infectious diseases.
- Resurgence (n.) - an increase or revival after a period of little activity, popularity, or occurrence.
- Example: There was a resurgence of measles due to a drop in vaccination rates.
- Collective (adj.) - done by people acting as a group.
- Example: Collective efforts are necessary to maintain public health.
- Safeguard (v.) - to protect something from harm or damage.
- Example: Vaccination safeguards individuals and communities from deadly diseases.
- Vital (adj.) - absolutely necessary; essential.
- Example: Vaccination is a vital tool in preventing disease.
- Drastically (adv.) - in a severe or extreme manner.
- Example: The disease drastically reduced the population.
- Hospitalizations (n.) - the act of admitting a patient to a hospital.
- Example: Vaccination reduces the number of hospitalizations.
- Mistrust (n.) - a feeling of not being able to trust someone or something.
- Example: There is a growing mistrust of vaccines among some people.
- Dramatic (adj.) - striking in effect or appearance.
- Example: The reduction in polio cases was dramatic.
- Eradicated (v.) - to remove or destroy something completely.
- Example: Smallpox was eradicated through vaccination.
- Paralyzed (v.) - to make someone unable to move or act.
- Example: Polio can paralyze or kill thousands of people.
- Resurgence (n.) - an increase or revival after a period of little activity, popularity, or occurrence.
- Example: There was a resurgence of measles due to a drop in vaccination rates.
- Collective (adj.) - done by people acting as a group.
- Example: Collective efforts are necessary to maintain public health.
- Safeguard (v.) - to protect something from harm or damage.
- Example: Vaccination safeguards individuals and communities from deadly diseases.
- Vital (adj.) - absolutely necessary; essential.
- Example: Vaccination is a vital tool in preventing disease.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Lack of Clear Position: Failing to present a clear stance on the issue, leading to a lower score in Task Response.
- Weak Examples: Using vague or irrelevant examples that do not support the arguments effectively.
- Poor Cohesion: Not using cohesive devices effectively, making the response difficult to follow.
- Limited Vocabulary: Using a narrow range of vocabulary, which can limit the ability to convey precise meanings.
- Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical errors that impede communication and reduce the score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
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