Some people think that older school children should learn a wide range of subjects to acquire more knowledge while others believe they should learn a small number of subjects in detail.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people think that older school children should learn a wide range of subjects to acquire more knowledge while others believe they should learn a small number of subjects in detail.

Curriculum range versus detailed study for older school children - 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 7 ยท 276 words.

There is a debate about whether high school students should be taught a broad range of subjects to gain a broad spectrum of knowledge, or specialize in a narrow set of courses to gain an in-depth understanding. There are compelling arguments in favour of building a wide knowledge base, but I strongly believe that focusing on a limited number of courses is more beneficial.

It's widely argued that a well-rounded education broadens students' horizons and equips them with valuable skills for their future careers. When pupils study various subjects such as math, physics, literature, art, and chemistry, it provides them with different perspectives, making them more balanced and informed. Different subjects train the brain in different ways, improving their critical-thinking skills as well, which can prove valuable in higher education and their future careers. For example, if a student is majoring in IT, knowing English will help them gain experience on an international scale.

From my perspective, however, older school children should develop proficiency in a limited number of disciplines, as it enhances the mastery of their major field. Acquiring specialized knowledge prepares them for the workforce and gives them an advantage in meeting labour market demands. For example, medical students require detailed knowledge of biology and chemistry rather than basic knowledge of ten unrelated subjects. Moreover, employers often value specialists over generalists. For instance, a cybersecurity company is more likely to hire someone with advanced computing knowledge than someone with superficial knowledge across many disciplines.

In conclusion, while studying numerous subjects can be effective for creating well-rounded individuals, in my opinion, a small number of subjects gives students an advantage in their future career paths.

Examiner feedback

This is a well-structured and coherent essay that clearly addresses both sides of the prompt while maintaining a strong, consistent position. The language is precise, with a good range of vocabulary and grammatical structures that support clear communication.

Task Response - 7

Addresses all parts of the task with a clear, well-supported position throughout. Presents and extends main ideas effectively with relevant examples. Maintains a balanced approach by acknowledging the opposing view.

Coherence & Cohesion - 7

Logically organizes information and ideas with a clear overall progression. Utilizes a range of appropriate cohesive devices such as however, moreover, and for instance. Establishes a clear central topic within each paragraph.

Lexical Resource - 7

Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision. Incorporates less common lexical items like well-rounded education and superficial knowledge appropriately. Demonstrates good control of spelling.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

Uses a variety of complex structures effectively alongside simple forms. Produces frequent error-free sentences with strong grammatical control. Demonstrates good punctuation and sentence boundary awareness.

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