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IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In the modern world, there is a movement away from written exams to more practical assessment. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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🤩 Sample answers

Model Essay #1:

In the modern world, there is a movement away from written exams to more practical assessment.

In the modern era, there is a noticeable shift from written exams to more practical assessments. This trend has both advantages and disadvantages, which should be carefully considered. In my opinion, while practical assessments have their benefits, written exams also hold their own significance.

One advantage of practical assessments is that they can better reflect real-life skills. For example, in fields like nursing or engineering, practical assessments allow students to demonstrate their ability to perform tasks rather than just regurgitate information. This can better prepare them for their future careers. Furthermore, practical assessments can be more engaging for students, as they provide hands-on experience which can enhance learning and retention.

However, there are also drawbacks to this trend. Practical assessments can be more time-consuming and costly to administer, especially if they involve specialized equipment or materials. Additionally, it may be challenging to standardize practical assessments across different educational institutions, leading to inconsistencies in evaluation.

In conclusion, while practical assessments have the advantage of reflecting real-life skills and engaging students, they also come with the drawbacks of being resource-intensive and potentially lacking standardization. Therefore, a balanced approach that incorporates both written exams and practical assessments may be the most effective way to evaluate students' knowledge and skills.

Model Essay #2:

In the modern world, there is a movement away from written exams to more practical assessment.

In today's world, there is a noticeable shift from traditional written exams to more practical assessments. This trend has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that need to be carefully considered. In my view, the move towards practical assessments is beneficial as it better evaluates a student's real-world abilities.

One clear advantage of practical assessments is that they can accurately measure a student's practical skills and abilities. For instance, in subjects like art or design, practical assessments allow students to showcase their creativity and artistic talents, which may not be effectively evaluated through written exams. Additionally, practical assessments can foster a more hands-on approach to learning, which can enhance a student's understanding of the subject matter.

However, it is important to acknowledge the potential drawbacks of this trend. Practical assessments may be more subjective in nature, as they rely on the judgment of assessors. This could lead to inconsistencies in grading and evaluation, potentially impacting a student's overall performance. Furthermore, practical assessments may require more resources and time to administer, making them less feasible in certain educational settings.

In conclusion, while there are potential drawbacks to practical assessments, such as subjectivity and resource requirements, the advantages of better evaluating real-world skills and fostering hands-on learning experiences outweigh these concerns. Therefore, the shift towards practical assessments is a positive development in the education system, providing students with a more comprehensive evaluation of their abilities.

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