Some people think that parents and teachers should supervise children very closely, while others believe that children should be given more freedom.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people think that parents and teachers should supervise children very closely, while others believe that children should be given more freedom.

Supervising children closely versus giving children more freedom - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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 8 ยท 286 words.

Some people believe that parents should supervise their children closely, while others argue that children should be given more freedom to make their own decisions. Although close supervision can protect children from danger, I believe that giving them an appropriate degree of independence is more beneficial in the long term.

On the one hand, closely supervising children has several advantages. Parents can ensure that their children are safe and prevent them from becoming involved in harmful activities. Young children, in particular, may not have enough experience to recognise dangerous situations, so parental guidance is necessary. Furthermore, careful supervision can help parents monitor their children's academic progress and behaviour. For example, parents can make sure that their children complete their homework and avoid spending excessive time on social media or computer games.

On the other hand, children also need freedom to develop important life skills. When young people are allowed to make age-appropriate choices, they learn how to solve problems, manage their time and take responsibility for the consequences of their decisions. Excessive parental control, by contrast, may make children overly dependent on others and less confident when they face challenges independently. For instance, allowing a teenager to organise their own study schedule can teach them valuable skills that will be useful at university and in the workplace.

In my opinion, the best approach is to find a balance between supervision and freedom. Parents should provide clear rules and guidance while gradually increasing the level of independence as their children become older and more responsible.

In conclusion, close supervision is important for children's safety and development, but giving them reasonable freedom is equally essential. A balanced approach can help children grow into confident, responsible and independent adults.

Examiner feedback

This is a well-written, coherent, and sophisticated essay that thoroughly addresses the prompt. It demonstrates strong lexical resource and grammatical control, resulting in a clear and persuasive argument.

Task Response - 8

- Sufficiently addresses all parts of the task by discussing both close supervision and freedom. - Presents a well-developed response with clear supporting ideas and examples. - Maintains a clear position throughout the essay favoring a balanced approach.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Sequences information and ideas logically with clear progression. - Manages cohesive devices effectively and appropriately. - Uses paragraphing skillfully with distinct introduction, body, and conclusion sections.

Lexical Resource - 8

- Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings. - Employs less common lexical items with good awareness of style and collocation. - Produces virtually no errors in spelling or word formation.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- Uses a wide range of structures with the majority of sentences error-free. - Demonstrates strong control of complex sentence forms and punctuation. - Very occasional minor slips do not impede communication.

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