Locally generated practice paper · Set B
IELTS Academic Writing — Task 2
Modelled on the official test format, with an original essay question.
Time allowed
40 minutes
Length
250 words minimum
Question type
Discussion + opinion
Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that the main purpose of a university education is to prepare students for employment. Others argue that universities exist to advance knowledge, whether or not that knowledge leads to a job.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Your answer
0 words
Your response is marked against all four Writing criteria — Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy — each scored separately. Marking needs a free account; log in or join to get your band score and feedback.
Self-check before you finish
- Did you address both views, not just the one you agree with? The question asks for both before it asks for yours.
- Is your own position stated clearly, and is it the same position at the end as at the beginning?
- Does each body paragraph have one central idea, extended and supported rather than listed?
- Are your examples specific, rather than a general claim reworded as an example?
- Did you avoid copying phrases from the question into your introduction — copied wording is not counted as your own.
- Is your response at least 250 words, in paragraphs, with no bullet points or note form?
This essay question is original and written for practice; it is not a past IELTS question. Task phrasing and
marking criteria follow the format described in IELTS's official Writing Key Assessment Criteria and
Writing Band Descriptors (ielts.org). This is an English Me practice paper, styled after the official test
format — it is not an IELTS product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by IELTS, the British Council, IDP,
or Cambridge Assessment English.
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