Too much emphasis is given for the education of students. More government money should be spent on free time activities for young people.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Too much emphasis is given for the education of students. More government money should be spent on free time activities for young people.

Spending more government money on free time activities for young people instead of education - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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 7.5 ยท 267 words.

Young people need both a good education and opportunities to enjoy their free time. Some people believe that governments should spend more money on leisure activities for young people instead of education. However, I disagree with this opinion because education should remain the government's main priority.

On the one hand, investing in free-time activities can bring several benefits. Sports centres, parks and youth clubs encourage young people to spend their free time in a healthy and productive way. these activities can improve both physical and mental health while helping teenagers develop teamwork and communication skills. In addition, providing attractive leisure facilities may reduce the amount of time young people spend on harmful activities such as drug use or crime.

however, I believe that education deserves greater financial support. A high-quality education system provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to find good jobs and contribute to society. Better schools, qualified teachers and modern learning facilities can improve students' academic performance and create a more skilled workforce. Furthermore, education has long-term benefits because it supports economic growth and helps reduce poverty.

In my opinion, although governments should continue to invest in free-time activities, education must receive a larger share of public funding. Leisure facilities are important for young people's well-being, but they cannot replace the value of a strong education system. a balanced approach is desirable, with education remaining the top priority.

In conclusion, while spending money on leisure activities has positive effects on young people, I believe governments should invest more heavily in education because it brings greater long-term benefits for both individuals and society.

Examiner feedback

This is a strong response that clearly addresses the prompt with a well-reasoned argument and logical structure. The score is primarily limited by minor mechanical errors in capitalization and a slightly safe approach to vocabulary. By refining punctuation and enhancing lexical precision, this could easily reach a higher band.

Task Response - 8

- The essay fully addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position throughout. - Main ideas are well-extended; the benefits of both leisure and education are explored before the writer reaffirms their priority. - The response demonstrates a mature understanding of the long-term societal impacts of education vs. recreation.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Information and ideas are sequenced very logically with a clear progression throughout the essay. - Cohesive devices (On the one hand, In addition, However, Furthermore) are used accurately to signal shifts in the argument. - Each paragraph has a clear central topic, though the second-to-last paragraph overlaps slightly with the conclusion.

Lexical Resource - 7

- A sufficient range of vocabulary is used to convey precise meanings (e.g., 'financial support', 'skilled workforce', 'economic growth'). - Lexical choices are appropriate for an academic context and collocations are generally natural. - While accurate, the vocabulary lacks the 'sophisticated' or 'uncommon' lexical items required for the highest bands.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- The writer uses a good variety of complex structures (e.g., 'although governments should... education must...'). - The majority of sentences are grammatically sound and clear. - Punctuation control is weakened by repeated failure to capitalize the first letter of sentences ('these activities', 'however', 'a balanced approach'), which prevents a higher band.

Related prompts

Start Practice