Working After School vs Going to University
A complete IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 question with a model answer of 290 words, plus a breakdown of the sentence structures, cohesive devices and vocabulary that answer uses. Write your own version first, then compare.
Written by Manish Sharma · CELTA and DELTA qualified · 8 years teaching IELTS
Score my answer to this questionThe question
You have 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.
Some people say that it is better to start working immediately after secondary school, rather than going to university. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
How to approach it
- 01Discuss BOTH views thoroughly before giving your own opinion
- 02Use specific examples — types of jobs, fields, situations — to make arguments concrete
- 03Acknowledge that the right choice depends on context; nuance demonstrates Band 7+ thinking
- 04Use cohesive devices: 'On the other hand', 'On balance', 'Ultimately'
- 05Avoid memorised phrases — examiners detect them and they harm your score
- 06Make sure your opinion is clearly stated and consistent across the essay
Model answer
290 words in 5 paragraphs. Read it after you have written your own, not before: the point of a model answer is to show you what you missed, and you cannot miss anything you have not attempted.
As young people leave secondary school, they face a major life decision: enter the workforce directly or pursue several more years of study at university. Both paths have genuine merit, and the right choice depends heavily on the individual. On balance, however, I believe university remains the wiser option for most students.
Supporters of going straight into work make some strong arguments. Early employment provides immediate income, financial independence and practical workplace skills that no classroom can fully replicate. School leavers who start as apprentices, trainees or junior staff often gain three or four years of experience and savings while their peers are still studying — and accumulating debt. In some fields, such as trades, hospitality or technology start-ups, hands-on experience and a track record matter far more than a degree certificate. The success of well-known entrepreneurs who skipped university is frequently cited as evidence.
On the other hand, university offers benefits that are difficult to obtain elsewhere. A degree opens doors to professions such as medicine, law, engineering and teaching, where higher qualifications are mandatory. Beyond technical knowledge, students develop critical thinking, research skills and a professional network that often shapes their careers for decades. University also provides a valuable transitional space in which young adults can mature, encounter diverse ideas and refine their interests before committing to a long-term path.
In my opinion, while immediate employment suits some practically minded individuals, the majority will benefit more from a university education. Even where graduate jobs are competitive, holding a degree typically increases earning potential and resilience in a changing labour market.
Ultimately, the decision should rest on the student's goals, finances and intended field — but for most, the long-term advantages of university outweigh the short-term gains of working straight away.
What this answer actually does
Measured from the text above, and compared against the other 69 answers of the same type in this library. These are counts, not band scores: they describe what the writing does, which is the part you can copy.
1 fewer than the median answer for this task type
10 words at the shortest, 29 at the longest
2 more than the median answer for this task type
carry a subordinate or relative clause
Sentence rhythm
Sentences average 19.3 words and vary by 5.9 words either side of that, running from 10 words to 29. Variation is the point. Grammatical Range and Accuracy rewards a mix of simple and complex sentences, and an answer where every sentence is the same length reads as flat no matter how correct it is. 7 of the 15 sentences here carry a subordinate or relative clause.
The cohesive devices it uses
8 in total, spread across 3 different functions. Range matters more than count: an answer that opens every paragraph with a sequencer signals its structure but never signals a relationship between ideas, and Coherence and Cohesion is marked on both.
on the other hand, however, while
such as
on balance, ultimately
Vocabulary and repetition
Ignoring grammar words, 88 per cent of the content words in this answer are distinct, and 79 per cent appear exactly once. Lexical Resource is where repetition costs the most marks, and the usual cause is not a small vocabulary but reaching for the same noun every time the topic is named.
The longest run of words copied straight from the question is 2 words. Examiners discount wording lifted from the question, so a short run here is the right outcome: the answer restates the topic in its own words rather than borrowing the question's.
What you are marked on
All four criteria carry equal weight, and your Writing band is their average rounded to the nearest half band.
Task Response
Address both views and give a clear personal opinion
Coherence & Cohesion
Clear paragraph structure with logical linking
Lexical Resource
Topic vocabulary on education, employment and decision-making
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Range of structures with accurate complex sentences
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