Plan this advantages and disadvantages essay about education with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
More adults are returning to education later in life to study new subjects.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
More and more adults are returning to education later in life to study new subjects. I believe the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages.
The advantages are significant for individuals. Learning new skills can lead to better jobs, promotion or a complete change of career, which is increasingly important in a labour market where technology is changing quickly and many people will work for more than forty years. Adults often have greater motivation than school leavers, because they study by choice and know what they want to achieve, and the experience they bring enriches classroom discussion. Education also keeps the mind active, builds confidence and widens social networks, and for retired people it provides purpose and may help to maintain mental health. Society benefits as well, since a skilled, adaptable workforce raises productivity.
There are, however, difficulties. Adults usually have to combine study with work and family responsibilities, which leaves them tired and short of time, and the cost of fees and lost income can be a heavy burden. Some feel anxious about returning to a classroom after many years, or about competing with younger students, and they may find it hard to adapt to new technology or study methods. There is also no guarantee that a qualification will lead to a better job, particularly for older candidates who may face age discrimination.
These obstacles can be reduced. Universities and colleges can offer evening, part-time and online courses, while governments and employers can provide grants, paid study leave and career advice. Support groups and pre-course preparation would also help adults regain confidence.
In conclusion, returning to education later in life benefits individuals and the economy, and since most difficulties can be overcome with flexible provision and financial help, I think the advantages are greater.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| mature student | older person studying |
| lifelong learning | learning throughout life |
| career change | moving to a new profession |
| evening classes | lessons held in the evening |
| tuition fees | course payments |
| upskilling | gaining new skills |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
Average your four skill bands, rounded the way IELTS rounds them.
Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for.