IELTS Writing Task 2 prompt
Some people think schools should focus more on academic subjects, while others believe students should also learn practical life skills like time management and communication. Do you agree or disagree?
Source practice test: IELTS Writing Test 6
Band 9 model answer
Expert-level response
Schools clearly have a duty to teach academic subjects, but limiting education to examinations leaves many students poorly prepared for adult life. I agree that practical life skills, particularly time management and communication, should be taught alongside traditional subjects in school.
Academic knowledge remains essential because it gives students access to higher education and skilled employment. Mathematics, science, languages and history build reasoning, literacy and cultural understanding. If schools replaced these subjects with purely practical lessons, students would lose the intellectual foundation needed for university and many professions. For this reason, life-skills education should not become a substitute for academic rigour, but a practical extension of it in school.
However, academic success alone does not guarantee that a young person can function effectively outside school. Many students who can pass exams struggle to plan a project, speak confidently in a group or manage deadlines without constant reminders. These weaknesses matter in almost every workplace. A short course on communication, budgeting or time management can also make academic study more effective because students learn how to organise revision, ask for help and collaborate responsibly.
The most sensible approach is integration. Schools can teach life skills through existing subjects rather than adding a separate heavy timetable. For example, group presentations in science can develop communication, while long-term history assignments can teach planning and deadline management. This preserves academic depth while making learning more practical. Therefore, I strongly agree that schools should include life skills, provided they support rather than replace core subjects.
Why this meets Band 9
- The response gives a clear agree position while acknowledging the importance of academic subjects.
- Ideas are fully developed and directly tied to the examples named in the prompt.
- Cohesion is subtle, with paragraph-level progression rather than heavy linking phrases.
- Vocabulary is accurate and suitably academic without sounding memorised.
Band 6 sample answer
Competent but limited response
Many people believe schools should teach mostly academic subjects. Other people think students need practical skills such as time management and communication. I agree that schools should teach these skills, but academic subjects are also important.
Academic subjects are necessary because they help students pass exams and go to university. For example, English and maths are needed in almost every job. Science and history also help students understand the world. If schools spend too much time on life skills, students may not have enough knowledge for their future studies. Parents also expect schools to prepare children for important national exams.
However, practical skills are also very useful. Some students get good marks but they cannot speak well in public or plan their work. When they start working, this can create problems. Schools can teach students how to make a timetable, work in a team and communicate politely. These things are not difficult to teach, and they can help students become more confident. For example, a group project can teach students how to share duties and finish work before a deadline.
In my opinion, schools should teach both. Academic subjects should still be the main part of education, but life skills can be included in projects and group work. This way students will be ready for exams and for real life. It is not necessary to remove maths or science; teachers only need to connect lessons with useful skills. This balance is better than choosing only one side in modern education.
Why this sits around Band 6
- The essay is relevant and balanced, but arguments are mostly general.
- Paragraphing is easy to follow, although the development is thinner than a high-band answer.
- Vocabulary is clear but common, with limited range around 'useful', 'important' and 'help'.
- Grammar is mostly accurate, but sentence forms are not varied enough for a higher score.
Is this prompt asking for both views or my opinion?
It asks 'Do you agree or disagree?', so your main job is to present your position. You can discuss both sides, but every paragraph should support your final view.