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IELTS Free Online Writing Practice - Should schools have a longer school day or year?

IELTS.WORK Free Online Writing Practice # 1712523527

Title: "Should schools have a longer school day or year?"

This topic is suitable for an IELTS Writing Task 2 question as it presents a clear debate that requires detailed analysis and the expression of personal opinions. The question is well-structured, with two distinct sides to argue, which aligns with typical IELTS question formats.

For this question, there would be four paragraphs in the response:

Paragraph 1: Introduction - Introduce the topic, explain what a longer school day or year entails and mention both viewpoints. For example, "Educational institutions around the world have been debating whether schools should have a longer school day or year. Advocates of a longer day argue that it provides more time for teaching and learning, while proponents of a longer year believe it allows for a more comprehensive curriculum. Both arguments have their merits and challenges."

Paragraph 2: Longer School Day - Discuss the reasons why some people believe schools should have a longer school day, such as increased classroom instruction, opportunities to explore different subjects, and an extended period to complete assignments. However, this also comes with potential drawbacks like reduced free time for extracurricular activities or increased stress on students due to longer hours in school.

Paragraph 3: Longer School Year - Present the other side of the argument, which is that schools should extend the academic year. The reasons mentioned could include providing more time for in-depth study of each subject, allowing for a broader curriculum, and potentially reducing the burden on students by breaking up their workload over a longer period. However, this also brings up issues such as reduced summer vacations, increased pressure on teachers to cover more material, and potential fatigue among both students and teachers.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion - Sum up the main points from each side of the argument and give your personal viewpoint or suggestion, if any. For instance, "In conclusion, both extending the school day and year have their own set of advantages and challenges. It's crucial to consider factors such as student well-being, teacher workload, and overall effectiveness when deciding on a suitable approach."

Scoring Criteria:

Task Response (40%): The candidate must respond fully to all parts of the question, presenting a clear position on the topic and demonstrating understanding of the relevant arguments. This is evidenced in the given model answer through the introduction, development of both viewpoints, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points.

Coherence and Cohesion (30%): The candidate must present a coherent and well-structured response with logical progression of ideas. In this case, the paragraph structure is clear and concise, each paragraph addressing a specific aspect of the question. There are also appropriate transitions between ideas, ensuring smooth flow throughout the essay.

Lexical Resource (20%): The candidate must display a wide range of vocabulary, demonstrating accurate grammar and precise word choice. In the given model answer, a variety of vocabulary is used to describe different aspects of the topic, such as "increased classroom instruction," "more comprehensive curriculum," and "broader curriculum."

Phraseology and Organisation (10%): The candidate must demonstrate effective use of complex sentence structures. In this response, a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences are used to create a well-organized and easy-to-understand response. For example: "Advocates of a longer day argue that it provides more time for teaching and learning," and "It's crucial to consider factors such as student well-being, teacher workload, and overall effectiveness when deciding on a suitable approach."

Overall, this model answer would likely receive an IELTS Writing Task 2 score of around Band 7 or higher, depending on the accuracy of grammar, precision of vocabulary, and clarity of ideas.

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