IELTS Writing Task 2: Exercise — Band 6/7/8/9 Samples

Prompt

> Some people believe that regular exercise is a necessity, while others argue that it is just a waste of time. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Band 6.0 Sample

Sample Answer

Regular exercise is important for health, but some people think it is a waste of time. I agree that exercise is necessary.

On the one hand, exercise can be bad. It takes time, and some people are too busy. Also, some exercises can hurt people if they do not do them correctly.

On the other hand, exercise is very good. It helps people stay healthy and strong. Exercise can also make people feel happy. For example, running can reduce stress. Moreover, exercise can help people live longer.

In conclusion, I think exercise is necessary. People should find time to exercise every day.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 6.0 - Presents a position but with some irrelevant points.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Uses some cohesive devices but often inappropriately.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses some less common vocabulary but with some errors.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Makes frequent grammatical errors.

Band 7.0 Sample

Sample Answer

The necessity of regular exercise has been a topic of debate. While some argue that it is essential for a healthy lifestyle, others believe it to be a waste of time. I firmly believe that regular exercise is crucial for both physical and mental well-being.

On the one hand, those who view exercise as a waste of time often cite the time constraints of modern life. They argue that in today's fast-paced world, individuals barely have time for their families, let alone for physical activities. Additionally, some people might suffer injuries if they engage in strenuous exercises without proper guidance.

Conversely, the benefits of regular exercise are manifold. Firstly, it plays a pivotal role in maintaining physical health by preventing a myriad of illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Secondly, exercise is known to boost mental health by reducing stress and anxiety levels. For instance, a study by the University of Michigan found that regular physical activity can enhance mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Lastly, exercise can improve longevity and overall quality of life.

In conclusion, despite the arguments against it, the advantages of regular exercise far outweigh the disadvantages. Therefore, it is imperative that individuals prioritize physical activity in their daily routines.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant supporting points.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some inconsistencies.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of common and less common vocabulary appropriately.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but with some errors.

Band 8.0 Sample

Sample Answer

The debate surrounding the necessity of regular exercise has been longstanding. Proponents argue that it is indispensable for a healthy lifestyle, while detractors view it as a futile endeavor. I contend that regular exercise is vital for both physical and mental well-being.

Those who oppose regular exercise often highlight the time constraints of modern life. They argue that in today's fast-paced world, individuals barely have time for their families, let alone for physical activities. Furthermore, they contend that exercise can lead to injuries if not performed correctly. For example, improper lifting techniques can result in severe back injuries.

Conversely, the benefits of regular exercise are well-documented. Firstly, it plays a crucial role in preventing a plethora of illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Secondly, exercise is known to enhance mental health by reducing stress and anxiety levels. For instance, a study conducted by Harvard University found that regular physical activity can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, exercise can improve longevity and overall quality of life.

In conclusion, despite the arguments against it, the advantages of regular exercise are manifold. Therefore, it is imperative that individuals prioritize physical activity in their daily routines.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported points.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively with some flexibility and variety.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some flexibility and accuracy.

Band 9.0 Sample

Sample Answer

The necessity of regular exercise has been a contentious issue, with proponents advocating for its indispensable role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and detractors dismissing it as a futile endeavor. I firmly believe that regular exercise is pivotal for both physical and mental well-being.

Opponents of regular exercise often cite the time constraints of modern life. They argue that in today's fast-paced world, individuals barely have time for their families, let alone for physical activities. Moreover, they contend that exercise can lead to injuries if not performed correctly. For instance, improper lifting techniques can result in severe back injuries.

Conversely, the benefits of regular exercise are manifold. Firstly, it plays a pivotal role in preventing a multitude of illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Secondly, exercise is known to enhance mental health by reducing stress and anxiety levels. For example, a study conducted by the University of Oxford found that regular physical activity can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, exercise can improve longevity and overall quality of life.

In conclusion, despite the arguments against it, the advantages of regular exercise are multifaceted. Therefore, it is imperative that individuals prioritize physical activity in their daily routines.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported points.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively with a high degree of flexibility and variety.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with full flexibility and precision.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with full flexibility and accuracy.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Necessity (noun): something that is essential or required.

• Example: Regular exercise is a necessity for maintaining good health.

1. Indispensable (adjective): something that is absolutely necessary.

• Example: Regular exercise is indispensable for a healthy lifestyle.

1. Futile (adjective): something that is pointless or ineffective.

• Example: Some people view exercise as a futile endeavor.

1. Pivotal (adjective): something that is crucial or central.

• Example: Exercise plays a pivotal role in maintaining physical health.

1. Manifold (adjective): having many different parts, elements, or features.

• Example: The benefits of regular exercise are manifold.

1. Myriad (noun): a very large number of things.

• Example: Exercise can prevent a myriad of illnesses.

1. Cognitive (adjective): relating to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning.

• Example: Regular physical activity can improve cognitive function.

1. Detractors (noun): people who disparage or criticize someone or something.

• Example: Detractors view exercise as a waste of time.

1. Proponents (noun): people who advocate for or support something.

• Example: Proponents argue that exercise is indispensable for a healthy lifestyle.

1. Contentious (adjective): causing or likely to cause an argument.

• Example: The necessity of regular exercise has been a contentious issue.

1. Longevity (noun): the length of time that something or someone exists or functions.

• Example: Exercise can improve longevity and overall quality of life.

1. Strenuous (adjective): requiring or involving a lot of physical or mental effort.

• Example: Strenuous exercises can lead to injuries if not performed correctly.

1. Enhance (verb): to increase or improve something in value, quality, or extent.

• Example: Exercise can enhance mental health by reducing stress and anxiety levels.

1. Imperative (adjective): something that is of vital importance.

• Example: It is imperative that individuals prioritize physical activity in their daily routines.

1. Multifaceted (adjective): having many different aspects or features.

• Example: The advantages of regular exercise are multifaceted.

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Not Addressing Both Views: Students often forget to discuss both sides of the argument and only focus on their opinion.
2. Lack of Cohesion: Poor use of cohesive devices can make the essay difficult to follow.
3. Inadequate Vocabulary: Using only basic vocabulary can limit the range and accuracy of the essay.
4. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical mistakes can detract from the overall quality of the essay.
5. Irrelevant Points: Including points that are not relevant to the topic can weaken the argument.

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