Practice Resources
Task 1
Task 1 Writing
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Task 2 Prompts
Agree / Disagree
- Is a country's success better measured by cultural achievements or economic growth?
- Should parents limit children's use of technology to improve their social skills?
- Do public celebrations and national holidays strengthen community bonds?
- The best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Do you agree?
- Universities should only offer subjects that lead directly to employment. To what extent do you agree?
- Governments should invest more in public transport than in building new roads. Do you agree?
- It is more important for children to develop good social skills than to focus on academic study. Do you agree?
- The only way to improve road safety is to make the minimum driving age higher. To what extent do you agree?
Advantages & Disadvantages
- The global increase in renewable energy use. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
- The rise of online education in recent years. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
- The impact of automation and robotics in the workplace. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
- More and more people are choosing to live alone. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.
- Many countries now allow people to shop online 24 hours a day. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
- People can now work from home instead of going to an office. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
- Some countries are encouraging tourists to visit remote or natural areas. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
- International travel has become much cheaper and easier. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Discussion (Opinion)
- Some believe governments should fund space exploration; others say the money should solve Earth's problems. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some people think modern technology makes life easier; others say it makes life more stressful. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some people think fast food is a harmful trend; others see it as a convenient solution to modern life. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some people think children should be taught to be competitive at school; others say it is better to teach cooperation. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some believe zoos serve an important conservation purpose; others argue they are cruel to animals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some think celebrities earn too much money; others argue they deserve their high salaries. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some people think the arts should be funded by the government; others believe arts organisations should raise their own funds. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some believe social media has brought people closer together; others feel it has made people lonelier. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Problem & Solution
- Traffic congestion in many cities is getting worse. What are the causes? What solutions can you suggest?
- Many parts of the world are experiencing shortages of fresh water. What problems does this cause and what solutions are there?
- Cybercrime is increasing rapidly worldwide. What are the causes and what measures can be taken to address them?
- Obesity rates are rising in many countries. What are the causes of this problem and how can it be addressed?
- Many young people are unable to find employment after leaving university. What are the causes? What solutions can governments and individuals take?
- Plastic pollution is causing serious damage to oceans and marine life. What are the causes and how can this problem be reduced?
- Many people today feel isolated and lonely despite living in large cities. Why is this? What can be done to tackle this problem?
- Air pollution in many cities has reached dangerous levels. What causes this problem and what steps can be taken to reduce it?
Two-Part Question
- Urbanisation is increasing worldwide. What are the main benefits of people moving to cities? Do the advantages outweigh the drawbacks?
- Many people now use social media to stay in touch with friends and family. Why do you think this is? Is this a positive or negative development?
- In many countries, the gap between rich and poor is widening. Why is this happening? What can be done to reduce inequality?
- More people are choosing to learn a new language in their adult lives. Why do you think this is? What are the benefits of being able to speak more than one language?
- Many parents today let their children spend a great deal of time using electronic devices. Why is this? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
- Some people believe that studying history at school is a waste of time. Why might people feel this way? Do you agree or disagree?
- Levels of stress among workers appear to be increasing in many countries. Why might this be happening? What can employers do to help?
- Many people today choose to buy goods produced in other countries rather than locally made products. Why do they do this? Is this a positive or negative development for local communities?
💡 Hero Pro Tip: The 50/50 Rule ›
In a Two-Part Question, the examiner is looking for a balanced answer. A common mistake is writing 80% of the essay on the first question and only 20% on the second.
To achieve Band 7+, aim for the 50/50 Rule: dedicate one full body paragraph to the first question, and a second full body paragraph to the second. This keeps your Task Response score high by covering all parts of the prompt equally.
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Writing Band Expectations
Writing Band Expectations
| Band | What the examiner expects |
|---|---|
| 5.5 | Attempts the task but ideas may be unclear or undeveloped. Frequent grammar and vocabulary errors. Limited cohesion and coherence. |
| 6.0 | Addresses the task but may lose focus. Paragraphing may be mechanical. Grammar and vocabulary are adequate, but errors are noticeable. |
| 6.5 | Presents a clear position with logical organisation. Some awkward phrasing or grammar slips, but ideas are developed and linked. |
| 7.0 | Cohesive, well-structured writing with clear arguments. Good control of grammar and vocabulary. Occasional slips don't reduce clarity. |
| 7.5 | Well-developed response with varied sentence structures and vocabulary. Errors are rare and do not affect overall quality. |
| 8.0 | Fully addresses the task with well-developed ideas, clear progression, and minimal errors. Demonstrates flexibility and precision in language use. |