KLISH EDUCATION | IELTS BUD WRITING HOMEWORK

WRITING TASK 2:
EDUCATION

Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career,
while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give
your opinion.

The following assignments are based on Simon’s sample answer.

Choose the best answers for the following questions.

1. […] teenagers face the _________ of whether to get a job or continue their education.
A. intuition B. matter C. dilemma D. compromise
2. While there are some benefits _________ getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it
is better to go to college or university.
A. to B. with C. about D. over
3. […] they will be able to _________ their own house or start a family.
A. take B. keep C. afford D. consume
4. This may lead to promotions and a successful _________.
A. career B. job C. work D. profession
5. […] I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their _________.
A. study B. learn C. studies D. university
6. Firstly, academic _________ are required in many professions.
A. certificates B. degrees C. qualifications D. papers
7. […] sometimes there are _________ of applicants for one position in a company.
A. hundreds B. a hundred C. a few hundreds D. a few hundred
8. […] students are more likely to be successful […] if they continue their education _________
school level.
A. above B. farther C. after D. beyond

Use the following expressions to write full sentences.

1. The option / start work / straight / after school / attractive / several reasons.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. Many / young people / want / start / earn / money / soon / possible.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. In / terms / career / young people / decide / find / work / rather / continue / studies / progress /
more quickly.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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 KLISH EDUCATION | IELTS BUD WRITING HOMEWORK

4. They / have / chance / real experience / learn / practical skills / relate / choose / profession.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
5. For example / impossible / become / doctor / teacher / lawyer / without / have / relevant / degree.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. As a result / university / graduate / access / more / better / job opportunities / they / tend / earn /
higher salaries / those / fewer qualifications.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

Fill in each blank with a suitable linking device.

When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their
education. (1) _________ there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would
argue that it is better to go to college or university.

The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young people
want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, (2)
_________ they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career,
young people who decide to find work, (3) _________ _________ continue their studies, may
progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills
related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.

(4) _________ _________ _________ _________, I believe that it is more beneficial for students
to continue their studies. (5) _________, academic qualifications are required in many
professions. (6) _________ _________, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer
without having the relevant degree. (7) _________ _________ _________, university graduates
have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than
those with fewer qualifications. (8) _________, the job market is becoming increasingly
competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company.
Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college will not be able to
compete.

For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful
in their careers (9) _________ they continue their studies beyond school level.

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 KLISH EDUCATION | IELTS BUD WRITING HOMEWORK

Source: http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/04/ielts-writing-task-2-sample-discussion-essay.html

ANSWER KEYS.
1. While 2. and 3. rather than
4. On the other hand 5. Firstly 6. For example
7. As a result 8. Secondly 9. if

Analyze the arguments used in the essay.

BODY 1
Main idea
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Supporting ideas
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

BODY 2
Main idea
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Supporting ideas
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

The following are some good phrases from the sample answer. WITHOUT looking back at the essay,
complete these expressions.
- teenagers __________ the dilemma of
- there are some benefits __________ getting a job straight after school
- The option to __________ work after school
- they will be able to __________ their own house or __________ a family

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 KLISH EDUCATION | IELTS BUD WRITING HOMEWORK

- In __________ of their career

- have the chance to __________ real experience and learn __________ skills
- more beneficial for students to continue their __________
- academic __________ are required in many professions
- without having a __________ degree
- university graduates have __________ to more and better job opportunities
- the job market is becoming increasingly __________

Apply the ideas and expressions you have learned from the above sample answer, write an essay on the
following topic.

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WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people think that school children need to learn practical skills such as car
maintenance or bank account management along with the academic subjects at school.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

Write at least 250 words.

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