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Writing Samples
Band 6.5

Some people feel that the primary function of a university should be to prepare students for the working world. Others argue that the purpose of a university education is to provide knowledge for knowledge’s sake. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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Introduction
In today’s world, university
education
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 has become an important topic of discussion. Some
people
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 argue that the main function of university
education
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 is to prepare
students
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 to become job-ready,
while
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 others believe that higher
education
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 should focus mainly on providing
knowledge
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 for its own sake.
This
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 essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe that
universities
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 should provide an
education
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 that prepares
students
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 for the real working world.
Body paragraph 1
On the one hand, there are several reasons why some
people
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 believe that
universities
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 should prepare
students
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 for employment.
Firstly
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, many
students
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 enter university with a particular career ambition and want to graduate with a degree that will help them fulfil their dreams.
This
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 is because certain professions require specific qualifications and professional registration before
people
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 can work in that field.
For example
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, doctors must complete a medical degree and undertake hospital placements before they can practise independently.
As a result
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, obtaining a degree
as well as
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 practical
knowledge
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 is extremely important for
students
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 who want to work in the real world.
Body paragraph 2
On the other hand
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, others argue that
universities
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 should not only focus on employment because
education
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 has value beyond finding a job. Studying subjects
such
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 as history, philosophy, literature, and science can help
students
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 develop critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of society.
This
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knowledge
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 may not always lead directly to a particular career, but it can help individuals become more informed and responsible citizens.
In addition
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,
people
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 may choose to study a subject simply because they are passionate about it, rather than because it offers immediate job opportunities.
Conclusion
In my opinion,
universities
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 should balance both purposes. They should provide
students
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 with broad academic
knowledge
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while
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also
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 offering practical skills, work placements, and career guidance.
This
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 would allow graduates to find employment
while
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 continuing to learn and contribute positively to society.

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task response
You discuss both sides and give your own view clearly. To make your ideas stronger, explain more why a balance is best. For example, say how a history student can use writing and thinking skills at work.
task response
Your example of doctors is clear and fits the point well. Add one more clear example for learning for its own value, such as a student who studies art or history and then helps others understand the past.
task response
Make the last part a little fuller. State that work skills matter because most students need jobs, but wide learning also matters because it helps people think, choose, and take part in society.
coherence and cohesion
Your essay has a clear order: start, first side, other side, and your view. Keep this clear plan in future essays.
coherence and cohesion
Use a short link at the start of the last paragraph to show your view even more clearly, such as “For these reasons, I believe ...”
coherence and cohesion
Some ideas could flow more smoothly with clearer links. For example, after the doctor example, explain directly how this shows that university study should include real work practice.
task response
You answer every part of the question: you explain the work view, the knowledge view, and your own view.
task response
The doctor example is relevant and easy to understand. It supports your point about job skills and training.
coherence and cohesion
Each paragraph has one main idea, and the paragraph order is easy to follow.
coherence and cohesion
Words such as “Firstly”, “For example”, “On the other hand”, and “In addition” help the reader follow your ideas.
Include an introduction and conclusion

A conclusion is essential for IELTS writing task 2. It is more important than most people realise. You will be penalised for missing a conclusion in your IELTS essay.

The easiest paragraph to write in an essay is the conclusion paragraph. This is because the paragraph mostly contains information that has already been presented in the essay – it is just the repetition of some information written in the introduction paragraph and supporting paragraphs.

The conclusion paragraph only has 3 sentences:

  • Summary
  • Restatement of thesis
  • Prediction or recommendation

Example:

To summarize, a robotic teacher does not have the necessary disciple to properly give instructions to students and actually works to retard the ability of a student to comprehend new lessons. Therefore, it is clear that the idea of running a classroom completely by a machine cannot be supported. After thorough analysis on this subject, it is predicted that the adverse effects of the debate over technology-driven teaching will always be greater than the positive effects, and because of this, classroom teachers will never be substituted for technology.

Start your conclusion with a linking phrase. Here are some examples:

  • In conclusion
  • To conclude
  • To summarize
  • Finally
  • In a nutshell
  • In general

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Topic Vocabulary:
  • vocational training
  • internships
  • practical experience
  • employability
  • intellectual exploration
  • critical thinking
  • job preparation
  • well-rounded education
  • partnerships with industries
  • academic curriculum
  • real-world experiences
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