Despite better access to education, many adults today still cannot read or write.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Despite better access to education, many adults today still cannot read or write.

Disadvantages and government support for illiterate adults - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In what ways are they disadvantaged? What can governments do to help them?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 ยท 303 words.

Despite significant improvements in access to education over recent decades, a considerable number of adults around the world remain unable to read or write. This lack of literacy places them at a serious disadvantage in many aspects of life. Governments, therefore, have a crucial role to play in providing effective opportunities for these individuals to acquire basic literacy skills.

Illiteracy creates numerous obstacles in both personal and professional life. In the workplace, adults who cannot read or write are often restricted to low-skilled, low-paying jobs because they lack the qualifications and communication skills required for better employment. As a result, they are more vulnerable to unemployment and financial insecurity. Beyond economic consequences, illiterate adults frequently struggle with everyday tasks such as reading medical prescriptions, completing official documents, understanding legal agreements, or even using digital technologies. In an increasingly information-driven society, these limitations can reduce independence, confidence, and overall quality of life.

To address this issue, governments should implement accessible and practical adult literacy programmes. One effective approach is to offer free evening or weekend classes, allowing working adults to study without sacrificing their income. These courses should focus not only on reading and writing but also on functional skills such as financial literacy and digital competence, enabling learners to participate more fully in modern society. In addition, governments can collaborate with employers by providing incentives for workplace literacy training, ensuring that education is directly linked to employment opportunities. Public awareness campaigns may also help reduce the stigma associated with adult illiteracy, encouraging more people to seek support without embarrassment.

In conclusion, adults who lack basic literacy skills face substantial disadvantages in employment, daily life, and social participation. By investing in flexible education programmes, workplace partnerships, and awareness initiatives, governments can empower these individuals to become more independent, productive, and engaged members of society.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional piece of writing that meets the criteria for Band 9. It displays a sophisticated command of English with a natural, academic tone, precise vocabulary, and a perfectly structured argument that addresses all nuances of the prompt.

Task Response - 9

- Fully addresses all parts of the task by identifying why illiteracy is a disadvantage and providing comprehensive government-led solutions. - Presents a fully developed position with relevant, extended, and well-supported ideas. - The response is highly relevant to the modern context (e.g., mentioning digital technologies).

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Paragraphing is expertly managed with a clear, logical flow from the definition of the problem to the proposed solutions. - Cohesion is used so naturally that it attracts no attention; transitions like 'Beyond economic consequences' and 'In addition' bridge ideas seamlessly. - Each paragraph maintains a clear central focus with perfect internal progression.

Lexical Resource - 9

- Uses a sophisticated range of vocabulary including 'financial insecurity', 'digital competence', and 'public awareness campaigns'. - Collocations are exceptionally natural (e.g., 'address this issue', 'reduce the stigma', 'social participation'). - Lexical choices are precise and convey nuanced meanings throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- Demonstrates a wide range of structures with full flexibility and precision. - The vast majority of sentences are error-free; punctuation is used accurately to enhance clarity. - Complex structures, such as 'allowing working adults to study without sacrificing their income', are integrated effortlessly.

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