IELTS Writing Task 2 essay sample 3124 – Band 6.5

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Essay

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people think it’s better to choose friends who always have the same opinions as them. Other people believe it’s good to have friends who sometimes disagree with them.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Disclaimer

The writing sample displayed here is the work of IELTS candidates and has been assessed by our team for guidance and practice purposes. These scores are not official IELTS scores.

Candidate’s Response:

Friends play a crucial role in our life, as we spend a great deal of time with them. Some people claim that it is better to have friendship with those who share the same mindset, while others believe that making friend with those who can sometimes argue with them is more beneficial.

On the one hand, there are many factors why it is valuable to have friends with same opinions. The primary reason is that like-minded friend always understand you better. He imagine himself in the situation as you and can help you to find a solution faster. In addition to this, having equal opinions with your friend can avoid conflict, so your friendship may last for long.

On the other hand, since having disagreement on some topics would lead to discussion between friends, it can develop intellectual level. If your friends disagrees with you, you can discuss both views, reach a compromise and come up with a suitable solution. Moreover, a friend with different view on particular topic or decision, in fact informs you of negative consequences of a step you are about to take. However, strong disagreement can often lead to heated argument or ruin friendship.

In conclusion, I would like to say that there are advantages to both kinds of friendship. While friends who share the same interests and opinions as yours offer great company , those who differe from yours offer better perspective. Nevertheless, when I look at my own friendship I appreciate my like-minded friends more, as they have gave me precious advices and we have had a lot of happy memories together.

267 words
Presented By: Shahab Hosseinzadeh

Presented By: Shahab Hosseinzadeh

February 2, 2024

This is an IELTS writing band 6.5 sample

Disclaimer

The writing sample displayed here is the work of IELTS candidates and has been assessed by our team for guidance and practice purposes. These scores are not official IELTS scores.

IELTS Writing Band Descriptors:

Task Response
7.0 addresses all parts of the task
7.0 presents a clear position throughout the response
7.0 presents, extends, and supports main ideas, but there may be a tendency to over-generalize and/or supporting ideas may lack focus
7.0
Coherence and Cohesion
7.0 logically organizes information and ideas
7.0 there is clear progression throughout
7.0 uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some under-/over-use
6.0 may not always use referencing clearly or appropriately
7.0 presents a clear central topic within each paragraph
6.0
Lexical Resource
7.0 uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision
7.0 uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation
6.0 makes some errors in spelling and/or word formation
6.0 they do not impede communication
6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
7.0 uses a variety of complex structures
7.0 produces frequent error-free sentences
7.0 has good control of grammar and punctuation but may make a few errors
7.0 they do not impede communication
7.0
6.5

Feedback:

Thank you indeed for writing this essay. Task Response (TR):
- The essay discusses both viewpoints effectively, providing clear reasons for why some people might prefer like-minded friends and why others value friends who disagree.
- The writer's personal opinion is presented in the conclusion, offering a balanced perspective on the issue.
- While the essay covers both views, further depth and detailed examples in each paragraph could strengthen the arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion (CC):
- The essay is logically structured, with clear paragraphs for each view and a concluding paragraph summarizing the writer's opinion.
- Transitions like "On the one hand," "On the other hand," and "In conclusion" are used effectively to guide the reader.
- Some ideas could be expanded for better flow and coherence between points.

Lexical Resource (LR):
- The vocabulary is varied and appropriate for the topic, demonstrating a good range of language.
- Word choice is generally accurate, though there are minor issues with expression, such as "making friend with those who can sometimes argue" could be more naturally phrased as "befriending those who sometimes argue."

Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA):
- The essay shows a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are some grammatical errors and awkward constructions.
- For instance, "He imagine himself in the situation as you" should be "He imagines himself in your situation" for better grammatical accuracy.
- Attention to subject-verb agreement and tense consistency is needed.

Overall:
The essay effectively addresses the prompt, presenting both views and a personal opinion. To achieve a higher band, the writer should focus on expanding the development of each viewpoint, refining sentence structures for clarity, and correcting grammatical errors. The essay demonstrates a good understanding of the topic and the ability to articulate a reasoned opinion effectively.

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The 6.5 sample upgraded to 7.0+

The debate regarding the choice of friends, whether to opt for those who consistently share similar opinions or to embrace friendships with occasional disagreements, hinges on differing perspectives about the nature of social connections.
Advocates of surrounding oneself with like-minded friends argue that such relationships create a harmonious and reassuring environment. Aligning opinions can solidify bonds, minimize conflicts, and nurture a sense of belonging and validation. The comfort derived from shared viewpoints often contributes to a supportive network, fostering a sense of unity and cohesion within the friendship circle. However, this environment may inadvertently lead to an echo chamber effect, limiting exposure to diverse ideas and hindering personal growth.
Conversely, proponents of friendships characterized by diverse viewpoints emphasize the value of dissenting opinions. Engaging with friends who hold different perspectives fosters critical thinking, broadens horizons, and stimulates healthy debates. Exposure to contrasting viewpoints challenges one's beliefs, promoting tolerance, understanding, and intellectual development. Disagreements, when approached constructively, offer opportunities for introspection, allowing individuals to reconsider their stances and potentially refine their perspectives.
In my view, friendships enriched with a mix of shared values and occasional disagreements offer the most significant advantages. While it is comforting to connect with like-minded individuals, friendships that incorporate diverse perspectives are invaluable. Engaging with contrasting viewpoints nurtures personal growth, encouraging openness to new ideas, and deepening the understanding of differing perspectives.
Ultimately, friendships should transcend the limitations of agreement or disagreement, nurturing an environment where individuals can learn from each other's differences, grow collectively, and foster meaningful connections based on mutual respect and understanding.
258 words

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