IELTS Writing Task

Sample Answer

Band 7+ 

22. Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.


Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 1 

The debate over whether college students should be allowed to major in whatever they want or forced to focus on practical fields of study has emerged. This essay will examine both perspectives and offer my own judgement on the subject.
According to proponents of unrestricted choice, allowing students to study subjects of their choosing fosters individuality, creativity, and enthusiasm for education. According to them, students perform best when they are authentically interested in the subject matter. In addition, unrestricted choice permits students to explore diverse disciplines, acquire a well-rounded education, and discover their true talents and passions.

On the other hand, proponents of a focus on practical and future-oriented subjects argue that scarce resources should be allocated to fields that have a direct impact on society and the job market. They contend that encouraging students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields can address skill gaps, improve employability, and contribute to national development. They stress the significance of aligning education with labour market requirements.

A balanced approach is essential, in my opinion. In addition to allowing students to choose their courses based on their interests and aspirations, universities should provide guidance and resources to ensure a well-rounded education. Students can make informed decisions about their academic pursuits if they are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary learning and provided with career guidance.

In addition, universities can implement flexible curricula that enable students to select a combination of courses that correspond to their interests and future objectives. This approach would establish a balance between individual choice and the acquisition of necessary skills and knowledge.

In conclusion, despite the fact that the freedom to choose university subjects fosters individuality and a passion for learning, practical considerations should not be neglected. Students can receive a well-rounded education and improve their future prospects through a balanced approach that combines personal interests with the development of marketable skills.

Important Vocabulary and Phrase

Unrestricted choice - allowing students to choose their majors freely.

Fosters individuality, creativity, and enthusiasm - unrestricted choice encourages students to pursue their interests and passions.

Practical and future-oriented subjects - focusing on fields of study that have a direct impact on society and the job market.

Skill gaps - areas where there is a shortage of qualified individuals.

Marketable skills - skills that are in demand in the job market.

Well-rounded education - acquiring knowledge in diverse disciplines.

Flexible curricula - allowing students to choose a combination of courses based on their interests and future goals.

Personal interests with marketable skills - finding a balance between pursuing personal interests and acquiring skills that are valuable in the job market.

22. Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.


Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 2 

BAND 6.5

                             There is little room for doubt that in one’s life, the need for learning, in the form of formal and informal education, to stay up-to-date in a civilised society is paramount. The issue of choosing subjects either individual’s own interests or only being allowed to study subjects like science and technology is controversial, as there are solid arguments for and against it.

                           Indeed, there are numerous upsides to studying subjects that are totally based on students’ choices at graduation level. The first one is that such study is mainly based on an individual’s TQ level and interest, giving better results. For example, sometimes learners do not perform academically well at the secondary level because of their lack of interest in particular subjects such as mathematics, science, history and many more. If they choose and learn subjects according to their own interest, either it is academic or non-academic, they may perform very well. Second, this type of study provides a significant amount of information about an individual subject, which helps learners grow both physically and mentally. Otherwise, they may suffer from several health disorders and can have adverse effects on their interpersonal skills.

                            On the other hand, others believe that only science and technology should be allowed to study in the university curriculum, since they are more useful in the future due to a great many advancements in technology. Science is a subject that is based on a practical and realistic approach. For instance, crop-growing skyscrapers, the concept of indoor farming in many developed countries, is used in multi-storey buildings. Food crops are grown in environmentally controlled conditions in ‘Vertical farms’. It is one of the finest cutting-edge technologies.

                             In conclusion, both types of subjects are important in ones’ growth, but the priority of choosing these subjects is entirely based on students’ interests.

302 Words

22. Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.


Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 3 

BAND 6.5

                                        Without a doubt, the last 15 years have witnessed more changes in the curriculum of universities than in the preceding 30 years. A significant number of people opine that all graduates and post-graduates should study relevant subjects according to their interests. However, others believe that universities should only allow those subjects which are useful for their careers, such as science and technology. The essay will discuss the solid arguments in the upcoming paragraphs, along with my opinion.

                              Indeed, providing a curriculum for students which they have an interest in has numerous upsides. One of the most significant positives is that they learn and understand the concepts of their interesting subjects easily. To put it another way, most students have their own desires and passions in their lives, which help them achieve their respective goals. According to a survey conducted by the Times of India, 70% of university or college students prefer to attend lectures on their favourite subjects and they often skip boring lectures which are not related to their business. Thus, universities should analyse students' preferences before assigning a regular curriculum to them.

                            On the other hand, in recent times, science and technology are the most demanding streams in universities or colleges. However, the number of admission seats in the popular subjects has remained the same. Therefore, universities should increase their admission capacity so that pupils can take admission in science and technology. Moreover, they should also provide personality development sessions and industrial training programs for students, which develop the skills and knowledge most top-leading organisations require.

                                To conclude, it seems to me that useful subjects, such as science and technology, are important for university students in order to earn handsome salaries and get high-profile jobs.

287 Words

22. Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.


Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 4

BAND 6.5

                                      There is no denying the fact that the need for formal education in people's lives to live in a civilized society is paramount. The issue of whether students should study subjects in which they are interested, such as arts, animation, fashion design, or be allowed to study subjects, such as science and technology, that help them get better jobs in the future is controversial.

                                  On the one hand, many people argue that students should choose subjects that interest them. If they choose their favourite subjects, they may achieve their goals. Moreover, they do not get bored and may stick to their targets. According to a recent survey, more and more people are becoming successful in their lives because they choose what they intend to study. In addition to this, other fields also provide good job opportunities and salaries. For example, singers with their singing skills and actors with their acting skills can obtain more name and fame, which an IT student can not do. Thus, students should study subjects and acquire skills and knowledge that will be useful in their future.

                                       On the other hand, most people opine that students should study subjects, such as Mathematics, Physics, and IT, that have more career options. Undoubtedly, the present era is the world of Science. To cope with this, students must be educated about the demand. Furthermore, many students want to be recruited by international companies, and these require a good grip on computers and science. Therefore, students are more focused on these subjects nowadays.

                                    In conclusion, it seems to me that students should choose subjects that they like because they may be more focused and enjoy these subjects, which makes them mentally healthy.

 282 Words

22. Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.


Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 5 

BAND 7+

                                        Formal and informal education are both necessary for individuals to remain current in a civilised society. There is no space for doubt there. There are significant reasons for and against students studying topics they are interested in vs. courses like science and technology that will help them in their future professions.

                              Studying topics that are solely focused on students' preferences has a lot of advantages. The most notable advantage is that students may easily accomplish their objectives if they pick their favourite topics. Since they like them so much, it is easier for them to acquire and comprehend new concepts in their favourite topics. Second, they do well in school since they are not bored when learning about their favourite topics. Furthermore, this kind of research offers a large quantity of knowledge on a certain topic, which aids students' physical and mental development.

                                       While some think that kids should avoid studying science and technology in the contemporary age, others argue that doing so will help them obtain a better career in the future because of the skills they learn. Nearly every industry, from ticketing to banking to business, relies on technology in some way. Adding to this is the fact that science shapes students to be able to enhance the economic position of their nations. They may also be able to come up with some fresh innovations that benefit the whole planet.

                                I think students should choose topics they love since they will be more motivated and focused on them. This will lead to better mental health.

257 Words