PTE Academic: Write Essay Sample Template for High Score (2026)
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Prompt
Write an essay of 200-300 words on the following topic:
Some people believe that unpaid internships are beneficial for both students and companies, while others argue that they exploit young people. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample Responses and Scoring Breakdowns
Band 6.0 (59-66)
Response:
Unpaid internships are common in many industries. Some people think they are good for students and companies. Others say they are unfair. I agree with the second view.
First, unpaid internships can help students. They gain work experience and make contacts. Also, they can learn new skills. However, not all students can afford to work for free. Many need money for living costs.
Second, companies benefit from unpaid interns. They get free labor and can find good employees. But some people say this is unfair. Interns do real work but get no pay. This is like modern slavery.
In conclusion, unpaid internships have pros and cons. Students can gain experience, but companies exploit them. I think internships should be paid. Students need money to live, and companies can afford to pay them.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Content: 59 - Presents a position but lacks development and supporting details.
- Communicative Effectiveness: 60 - Ideas are somewhat organized but lack coherence and cohesion.
- Form: 60 - Sentence structures are simple and repetitive.
- General Linguistic Range: 60 - Vocabulary is limited and repetitive.
- Vocabulary: 60 - Limited range of vocabulary with some errors.
- Grammar: 60 - Frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing.
Band 7.0 (70-76)
Response:
The debate surrounding unpaid internships has intensified in recent years. While some argue that they offer valuable opportunities, others contend that they represent exploitation. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting a personal stance.
On one hand, unpaid internships can provide students with invaluable experience. They offer a chance to apply academic knowledge in a real-world context, develop professional skills, and build a network of contacts. Moreover, internships can enhance a student's resume, making them more competitive in the job market. However, critics point out that not all students can afford to work for free, as many rely on income to support their studies and living expenses.
On the other hand, companies benefit significantly from unpaid interns. They receive free labor, gain access to a pool of talented individuals, and can identify potential employees. Nevertheless, some argue that this practice is exploitative, as interns perform real work without compensation. This can be seen as taking advantage of young people who are eager to gain experience but are in a vulnerable position.
In conclusion, while unpaid internships offer certain advantages, the exploitation of young people cannot be ignored. Therefore, I believe that internships should be paid, as this would ensure fairness and provide students with the financial support they need.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Content: 70 - Presents a clear position with some development and supporting details.
- Communicative Effectiveness: 70 - Ideas are logically organized with some use of cohesive devices.
- Form: 70 - Sentence structures are varied but may still be somewhat repetitive.
- General Linguistic Range: 70 - Vocabulary is adequate but may lack precision in some areas.
- Vocabulary: 70 - Adequate range of vocabulary with some errors.
- Grammar: 70 - Some grammatical errors but generally understandable.
Band 8.0 (80-86)
Response:
The contentious issue of unpaid internships has sparked considerable debate in recent years. Proponents argue that they offer invaluable opportunities for students, while detractors contend that they represent a form of exploitation. This essay will critically examine both perspectives before presenting a nuanced stance.
Proponents of unpaid internships posit that they provide students with a plethora of benefits. Primarily, they offer a platform for students to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, thereby enhancing their understanding of the subject matter. Furthermore, internships facilitate the development of transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are highly valued in the job market. Additionally, internships enable students to build a professional network, which can be instrumental in securing future employment. However, critics argue that not all students can afford to work for free, as many rely on income to support their studies and living expenses.
Conversely, companies stand to gain significantly from unpaid interns. They benefit from a steady stream of free labor, which can be particularly advantageous in sectors with tight budgets. Moreover, internships serve as a cost-effective recruitment strategy, as they allow companies to identify and groom potential employees. Nevertheless, the practice of exploiting young people eager to gain experience but in a vulnerable position cannot be overlooked. This raises ethical concerns and has led to calls for regulation and reform.
In conclusion, while unpaid internships offer certain advantages, the exploitation of young people cannot be ignored. Therefore, I believe that internships should be paid, as this would ensure fairness and provide students with the financial support they need. Moreover, governments and educational institutions should collaborate to create more paid internship opportunities, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice while promoting social equity.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Content: 80 - Presents a clear and well-developed position with relevant supporting details.
- Communicative Effectiveness: 80 - Ideas are logically organized with effective use of cohesive devices.
- Form: 80 - Sentence structures are varied and sophisticated.
- General Linguistic Range: 80 - Vocabulary is varied and precise.
- Vocabulary: 80 - Wide range of vocabulary with minimal errors.
- Grammar: 80 - Generally accurate grammar with few errors.
Band 9.0 (87-90)
Response:
The vexed question of unpaid internships has garnered considerable attention in recent years, with proponents extolling their virtues and detractors decrying their exploitative nature. This discourse will elucidate both perspectives before proffering a well-considered stance.
Advocates of unpaid internships contend that they proffer students a cornucopia of benefits. Primarily, they afford students the opportunity to contextualize theoretical knowledge within a practical framework, thereby augmenting their comprehension of the subject matter. Furthermore, internships catalyze the acquisition of transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are highly coveted in the contemporary job market. Additionally, internships facilitate the cultivation of a professional network, which can be instrumental in securing future employment. However, it is incumbent upon us to acknowledge that not all students can afford to work for free, as many are compelled to generate income to support their studies and living expenses.
Conversely, corporations stand to accrue substantial benefits from unpaid interns. They avail themselves of a steady influx of free labor, which can be particularly propitious in sectors with constrained budgets. Moreover, internships serve as a cost-effective recruitment strategy, as they enable companies to identify and nurture potential employees. Nevertheless, the practice of exploiting young people eager to gain experience but in a precarious position cannot be overlooked. This raises ethical quandaries and has precipitated calls for regulation and reform.
In conclusion, while unpaid internships offer certain advantages, the exploitation of young people cannot be ignored. Therefore, I believe that internships should be remunerated, as this would ensure equity and provide students with the financial support they need. Moreover, governments and educational institutions should collaborate to create more paid internship opportunities, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice while promoting social equity. Furthermore, it is incumbent upon us to foster a culture that values and compensates the contributions of young people, thereby nurturing a more just and equitable society.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Content: 90 - Presents a clear, well-developed, and nuanced position with extensive supporting details.
- Communicative Effectiveness: 90 - Ideas are logically organized with sophisticated use of cohesive devices.
- Form: 90 - Sentence structures are varied, sophisticated, and engaging.
- General Linguistic Range: 90 - Vocabulary is varied, precise, and sophisticated.
- Vocabulary: 90 - Wide range of vocabulary with minimal errors.
- Grammar: 90 - Generally accurate grammar with few errors.
Vocabulary Highlights
| Word/phrase | Definition | Example Collocation | |-------------|-------------|-------------------| | Contentious | Controversial, causing disagreement | Contentious issue | Proponents | Supporters or advocates | Proponents of unpaid internships | Detractors | Critics or opponents | Detractors of unpaid internships | Plethora | A large amount or number | Plethora of benefits | Transferable | Skills that can be applied in different contexts | Transferable skills | Coveted | Greatly desired | Coveted job market | Precarious | Uncertain or unstable | Precarious position | Propitious | Favorable or advantageous | Propitious sectors | Quandaries | Difficult situations or dilemmas | Ethical quandaries | Remunerated | Paid for work or services | Remunerated internships | Nurture | To care for and encourage growth | Nurture potential employees
Common Mistakes
- Lack of Structure: Many students fail to organize their essays into clear paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details.
- Inadequate Vocabulary: Students often use limited vocabulary, repeating the same words and phrases throughout the essay.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can detract from the overall quality of the essay.
- Lack of Coherence and Cohesion: Students may struggle to connect their ideas logically, making the essay difficult to follow.
- Irrelevant Information: Including information that is not directly related to the topic can weaken the essay's focus and coherence.
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