TASK 2:
ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: IELTS I-Ready, 10/6/2025
Marked by: Ex-BC Examiner
(IELTS Academic – 9/6/2025)
Question: Some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others believe it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
ANSWER:
While many undergraduates prefer a balanced focus on all main disciplines, others contend that they should only allocate their time and effort on one major. I contend that it is imperative for students to learn about a wide array of subjects.
Proponents of equal concentration on a variety of study areas during college time support their belief with two major justifications. The foremost one is that this can broaden learners’ perspectives. This exposure can enhance students’ critical thinking, foster creativity and improve their tolerance towards different mindsets, which are conducive to their advancements in many careers in today’s rapidly evolving world. Moreover, as individuals venture into new domains, they may have more opportunities to discover their hidden talents. For example, attending a cooking course could reveal newfound passion and strengths for cooking in an accounting graduate, thus instilling a sense of self-assurance and self-reliance when living an independent life.
An alternative line of thinking argues that sole attention on one certification is more crucial. One legitimate argument is that this can improve students’ academic results. They cannot excel in all areas so they should only prioritise passing their core subjects to acquire their bachelor’s degree to avoid the risk of repeating their academic year. Furthermore, many specialised fields require in-depth knowledge and technical expertise. For instance, to become a cardiologist, a medical student in Vietnam must first undertake a five-year general practitioner training program, followed by an additional three years of rigorous study specifically focused on cardiology, leaving them no time to divert to other areas.
In conclusion, I concede that concentrating on fundamental domains when pursuing higher education is important if students want to achieve outstanding scholastic performance and certain careers necessitate a formal certificate of training. However, in my opinion, the most ideal approach is to explore beyond their core areas to acquire holistic skill development and facilitate self-discovery. (311 words)
