IELTS Writing Task 2: The Role of Education in Society – Sample Essays Band 6-9 with Analysis

Introduction

Education stands as one of the most frequently discussed topics in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing consistently across test centers worldwide. Understanding how to approach questions about education’s societal role is crucial for test-takers aiming to achieve their target band scores. This comprehensive guide will equip you with three complete sample essays spanning bands 6 to 9, detailed scoring analyses, essential vocabulary, and proven sentence structures that demonstrate exactly what examiners look for.

Throughout this article, you’ll discover why certain essays score higher than others, learn from common mistakes that hold students back, and gain practical strategies for elevating your own writing. Whether you’re currently scoring Band 6 and aiming for Band 7, or pushing from Band 7 to Band 8+, the side-by-side comparisons and explicit analyses here will illuminate your path forward.

Verified Past IELTS Questions on Education:

• “Some people believe that the purpose of education is to prepare individuals to be useful to society. Others say that the purpose of education is to achieve personal ambitions. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.” (Academic, 2022)
• “In some countries, the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing. What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?” (Academic, 2021)
• “Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.” (Academic, 2023)

This guide focuses on the first question, which represents a classic “discuss both views” essay type that requires balanced argumentation and clear personal positioning.

Question & Analysis

Some people believe that the purpose of education is to prepare individuals to be useful to society. Others say that the purpose of education is to achieve personal ambitions. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Question Type: This is a “discuss both views and give your opinion” essay, requiring you to:

• Present arguments for education serving society
• Present arguments for education serving personal goals
• Clearly state and justify your own position

Key Terms Explained:

• Purpose of education: The fundamental reason or goal for educational systems
• Useful to society: Contributing to collective welfare, economic productivity, social stability
• Personal ambitions: Individual goals, aspirations, career success, self-fulfillment

Common Pitfalls:

1. Only discussing one view thoroughly while neglecting the other
2. Failing to state a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion
3. Providing generic examples without specific development
4. Confusing “discuss both views” with “advantages and disadvantages”

Strategic Approach:
Begin with a clear thesis statement indicating you’ll examine both perspectives before presenting your position. Dedicate one body paragraph to each view with specific examples and reasoning. In your conclusion, reinforce your opinion with a forward-looking statement. Aim for balanced paragraph lengths (approximately 80-100 words each for body paragraphs).

Band 8-9 Sample Essay

What Makes This Band 8-9:
A Band 8-9 essay demonstrates sophisticated vocabulary use, complex grammatical structures with minimal errors, fully developed arguments with relevant examples, and seamless coherence through skillful paragraphing and cohesion devices. The writer’s position is clear, nuanced, and well-supported throughout.

The fundamental purpose of education has long been debated, with some advocating that it should primarily equip individuals to contribute meaningfully to society, while others contend that personal fulfillment and individual ambitions should take precedence. While both perspectives hold merit, I believe that effective education systems must balance societal needs with personal aspirations, as these objectives are ultimately complementary rather than contradictory.

Those who emphasize education’s social function argue that schools and universities have a responsibility to develop citizens who can address collective challenges. This perspective maintains that curricula should prioritize subjects like civics, environmental science, and collaborative problem-solving, ensuring graduates possess the skills necessary for social cohesion and economic development. For instance, Singapore’s education system explicitly focuses on producing globally competitive citizens who contribute to national prosperity. Proponents of this view contend that without socially-oriented education, communities risk fragmentation and declining civic engagement, ultimately undermining the very structures that enable individual opportunity.

Conversely, advocates for personal ambition-centered education maintain that empowering individuals to pursue their unique talents and interests generates both personal satisfaction and innovation. When students follow their passions—whether in arts, sciences, or entrepreneurship—they are more likely to excel and make groundbreaking contributions. Steve Jobs famously credited his calligraphy class with inspiring the typography that revolutionized personal computing, demonstrating how personal intellectual curiosity can yield societal benefits. This approach recognizes that motivated, fulfilled individuals often become society’s most valuable contributors precisely because their work stems from genuine interest rather than obligation.

In my view, these perspectives need not be mutually exclusive. An education system that nurtures individual talents while instilling social responsibility creates citizens who are both fulfilled and committed to collective welfare. Finland’s education model exemplifies this balance, offering extensive subject choice and student autonomy while maintaining strong civic education components. When individuals develop their unique capabilities within a framework that emphasizes social consciousness, they become equipped to address societal challenges through their specialized skills and knowledge.

In conclusion, while education clearly serves both individual and societal purposes, the most effective systems recognize that personal ambitions and social contributions are deeply interconnected. By fostering environments where students can pursue their passions while developing awareness of their social responsibilities, educational institutions prepare individuals who are simultaneously fulfilled and valuable community members.

Word count: 398

IELTS Writing Task 2 education essay balancing personal ambitions with societal contributions concept

Band Score Analysis

Why This Essay Excels:

1. Sophisticated thesis statement: The introduction immediately establishes a nuanced position (“complementary rather than contradictory”) that goes beyond simple agreement or disagreement.

2. Specific, relevant examples: Rather than generic statements, the essay references Singapore’s education system, Steve Jobs’ calligraphy class, and Finland’s model—all directly supporting the arguments presented.

3. Complex sentence structures: Notice the variety: relative clauses (“who can address collective challenges”), participle phrases (“demonstrating how personal intellectual curiosity”), and subordination (“When students follow their passions”).

4. Natural cohesion: Transitions flow organically (“Conversely,” “In my view”) while maintaining clear paragraph topics without repetitive topic sentences.

5. Precise vocabulary: Words like “precedence,” “fragmentation,” “groundbreaking,” and “mutually exclusive” demonstrate sophisticated lexical control appropriate for the academic context.

6. Integrated opinion: The writer’s position isn’t simply stated—it’s woven throughout with phrases like “I believe,” “In my view,” and reinforced in the conclusion.

7. Depth of development: Each body paragraph contains approximately 100 words with layered reasoning (claim → explanation → example → implication).

Band 6.5-7 Sample Essay

What Makes This Band 6.5-7:
A Band 6.5-7 essay presents clear, relevant ideas with adequate development and organization. Vocabulary is sufficient with some less common items, though flexibility may be limited. Grammar includes a mix of simple and complex structures with good control, though errors may occur. The position is clear but may lack the sophistication of higher band scores.

These days, there is an ongoing debate about what the main purpose of education should be. Some people think that education should prepare people to be useful members of society, while others believe it should help individuals achieve their personal goals. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.

On the one hand, education that focuses on serving society has several important benefits. When schools teach students about their responsibilities as citizens and how to work together, it creates a stronger community. For example, in many Asian countries, schools teach students to respect others and work in teams, which helps society function better. Additionally, if education prepares people for jobs that society needs, like doctors, engineers, and teachers, this can improve the economy and solve important problems. Therefore, this approach to education can create a more stable and successful society.

On the other hand, focusing on personal ambitions in education also has advantages. When students study subjects they are interested in and pursue their dreams, they are usually more motivated and work harder. This often leads to better results and more innovation. For instance, many successful entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg followed their personal interests in technology, and their innovations have benefited millions of people. Furthermore, people who achieve their personal goals tend to be happier and more satisfied with their lives, which is also important for a healthy society.

In my opinion, education should try to balance both purposes. While it is important to teach students how to contribute to society, it is equally important to help them develop their individual talents and pursue their interests. Modern education systems should provide opportunities for both social learning and personal development. This way, students can become both successful individuals and valuable members of their communities.

In conclusion, although some people believe education should serve society while others think it should focus on personal ambitions, I believe that the best approach combines both objectives. By balancing these two purposes, education can create individuals who are both fulfilled and able to make positive contributions to society.

Word count: 388

Band Score Analysis

Direct Comparison with Band 8-9:

The key distinction is that while both essays answer the question competently, the Band 8-9 essay demonstrates greater sophistication in vocabulary, grammar complexity, and development depth. The Band 6.5-7 essay is clear and coherent but relies more on straightforward language and conventional structures.

Band 5-6 Sample Essay

What Makes This Band 5-6:
A Band 5-6 essay addresses the task with relevant ideas but may show limited development. Organization is apparent but may lack clear progression. Vocabulary is adequate for basic communication but may show repetition or errors. Grammar includes simple and some complex structures with noticeable errors that occasionally reduce clarity.

Nowadays, education is very important for everyone. Some people think that the main purpose of education is to make people useful for society. Other people think that education should help people to achieve their personal goals and dreams. In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give my opinion about this topic.

First of all, education for society is important because it can help to make the country better. When people learn in school, they learn many things that society needs. For example, they learn how to respect other people and how to follow the rules. This is very important for society because if everyone knows these things, there will be less problems. Also, education can teach people to do jobs that are needed in society like being a doctor or teacher. If we have more educated people in these jobs, the society will develop more.

However, personal ambitions are also important in education. When students study what they like, they will be more happy and successful. If a student likes art but they have to study science because society needs scientists, they will not be happy and maybe they will not do well. Many famous people became successful because they followed their dreams. For example, many famous artists and musicians studied what they loved and now they are very successful. So personal goals in education is very important too.

In my opinion, I think that both purposes of education are important and we need both. Education should help people to be good members of society, but it should also help them to achieve what they want in their life. If education only focuses on one thing, it will not be good. Schools should teach students about society but also give them choices to study what they like.

In conclusion, some people think education is for society and some people think it is for personal goals. I believe that education should have both purposes because both are important. This will make both individuals and society better in the future.

Word count: 364

IELTS band score comparison chart showing differences between writing levels for education essays

Band Score Analysis

Learning from Mistakes

How to Improve from Band 6 to Band 7:

1. Eliminate repetition: Before writing, create synonym lists for key terms. Here, “important” appeared 8 times—replace with “crucial,” “vital,” “significant,” “essential.”

2. Develop examples specifically: Replace “many famous people” with actual names and concrete details: “Steve Jobs,” “Mark Zuckerberg,” with specific achievements.

3. Master grammatical accuracy: Review subject-verb agreement, countable/uncountable nouns, and article usage. These errors are systematic and correctable with focused practice.

4. Extend idea development: Each body paragraph should be 80-100 words. Practice adding explanation layers: claim → explanation → example → implication.

5. Vary sentence structure: This essay relies heavily on simple sentences. Practice combining ideas with relative clauses, participle phrases, and subordinating conjunctions.

6. Use sophisticated vocabulary: Replace everyday words with academic alternatives: “achieve” → “attain,” “happy” → “fulfilled,” “better” → “enhanced.”

7. Improve cohesion: Move beyond “First of all” and “However.” Use: “Furthermore,” “Conversely,” “Nevertheless,” “Consequently” appropriately.

Similar to how the role of celebrities as role models requires careful examination of societal influence, education’s role demands equally nuanced consideration of both individual and collective benefits.

Essential Vocabulary

Understanding the role of tradition in modern society helps illuminate how educational systems balance preservation of cultural values with progressive innovation, much like the balance between individual and societal educational purposes.

High-Scoring Sentence Structures

1. Complex Relative Clauses with Embedded Information

Formula: Main clause + relative pronoun + embedded clause with additional detail

Example from Band 8-9 essay:
“Singapore’s education system explicitly focuses on producing globally competitive citizens who contribute to national prosperity.”

Why it scores well: This structure demonstrates ability to pack multiple layers of information into a single coherent sentence, showing sophisticated control of syntax. The relative clause “who contribute to national prosperity” adds essential detail without creating a run-on sentence.

Additional examples:

• “Students who pursue disciplines aligned with their natural talents often achieve breakthroughs that benefit entire industries.”
• “Educational institutions that prioritize both individual development and social responsibility produce graduates who are simultaneously fulfilled and socially conscious.”
• “Countries where education systems balance vocational training with liberal arts education tend to have more adaptable workforces.”

Common mistakes to avoid:

• ❌ “Students which study hard achieve success” (use “who/that” for people, “which/that” for things)
• ❌ “Education systems, that focus only on testing, fail students” (restrictive clauses don’t use commas)

2. Participial Phrases for Concision

Formula: Present/past participle phrase + comma + main clause OR Main clause + comma + participial phrase

Example from Band 8-9 essay:
“When students follow their passions—whether in arts, sciences, or entrepreneurship—they are more likely to excel and make groundbreaking contributions, demonstrating how personal intellectual curiosity can yield societal benefits.”

Why it scores well: Participial phrases eliminate unnecessary words while maintaining clarity, showing lexical sophistication. They create flow between ideas and avoid choppy, repetitive sentence structures common in lower band essays.

Additional examples:

• “Recognizing the interconnection between individual and collective success, modern education systems integrate personal choice with civic education.”
• “Motivated by genuine interest rather than external pressure, students often produce more innovative work.”
• “Having examined both perspectives, I conclude that education serves both purposes simultaneously.”

Common mistakes to avoid:

• ❌ “Walking to school, the education system was discussed” (dangling modifier—who was walking?)
• ❌ “Studied hard, students passed the exam” (missing subject in main clause)

3. Cleft Sentences for Emphasis

Formula: It is/was + emphasized element + that/who + rest of sentence OR What + clause + is/was + emphasized element

Example from Band 8-9 essay:
“It is precisely because their work stems from genuine interest rather than obligation that motivated, fulfilled individuals often become society’s most valuable contributors.”

Why it scores well: Cleft sentences demonstrate advanced grammatical control and strategic emphasis, signaling to examiners that the writer can manipulate syntax for rhetorical effect—a key Band 8-9 indicator.

Additional examples:

• “What distinguishes exceptional education systems from mediocre ones is their ability to nurture individual potential while instilling social responsibility.”
• “It was the emphasis on personal choice within a structured framework that enabled Finland’s education system to achieve remarkable outcomes.”
• “What students need most is guidance that helps them connect personal interests with societal needs.”

Common mistakes to avoid:

• ❌ “It is students who they need support” (unnecessary pronoun duplication)
• ❌ “What education should do it is prepare people” (don’t use “it” after “what” clause)

Advanced grammatical structures for IELTS Writing Task 2 showing complex sentence patterns for higher band scores

4. Conditional Structures with Inversion

Formula: Had/Were/Should + subject + verb… (inverted conditional)

Example application:
“Were education systems to focus exclusively on societal needs, individual creativity and innovation would inevitably suffer.”

Why it scores well: Inverted conditionals are sophisticated structures rarely used correctly by non-native speakers, immediately signaling Band 8+ grammatical range. They add formality and variety to essay tone.

Additional examples:

• “Should governments prioritize vocational training over liberal arts education, society would lose the critical thinking skills necessary for democratic participation.”
• “Had Steve Jobs not followed his personal interest in calligraphy, modern computing typography might never have developed.”
• “Were students given greater freedom to choose their educational paths, motivation and engagement levels would likely increase.”

Common mistakes to avoid:

• ❌ “If education would focus…” (don’t use “would” in if-clause)
• ❌ “Should students studies harder…” (incorrect verb form after inversion)

5. Concessive Clauses with “While/Whilst/Although”

Formula: While/Although + contrasting point + main clause emphasizing primary argument

Example from Band 8-9 essay:
“While both perspectives hold merit, I believe that effective education systems must balance societal needs with personal aspirations, as these objectives are ultimately complementary rather than contradictory.”

Why it scores well: Concessive structures demonstrate nuanced thinking—acknowledging counterarguments while maintaining a clear position. This sophistication in argumentation is essential for Band 8-9 Task Response.

Additional examples:

• “Although personal ambitions drive individual success, these achievements rarely occur in isolation from social structures and support systems.”
• “Whilst education certainly serves economic purposes, reducing it purely to workforce preparation ignores its role in developing well-rounded citizens.”
• “While critics argue that emphasis on personal choice fragments educational standards, evidence suggests students achieve more when intrinsically motivated.”

Common mistakes to avoid:

• ❌ “Although education is important, but society needs it” (don’t use “but” after “although”)
• ❌ “While students study hard, so they succeed” (don’t use “so” after concessive clause)

6. Passive Voice for Academic Tone

Formula: Subject + be + past participle + (by agent if necessary)

Example from Band 8-9 essay:
“When individuals develop their unique capabilities within a framework that emphasizes social consciousness, they become equipped to address societal challenges through their specialized skills and knowledge.”

Why it scores well: Strategic use of passive voice (not overuse) creates appropriate academic register and shifts focus to actions/results rather than agents, demonstrating stylistic sophistication.

Additional examples:

• “Educational curricula should be designed to accommodate both collective needs and individual aspirations.”
• “The value of education cannot be measured solely through economic metrics or employment outcomes.”
• “Students are empowered to make meaningful contributions when their education balances skill development with critical thinking.”

Common mistakes to avoid:

• ❌ “Education is very important for prepare students” (incorrect passive form—should be “to prepare” or “for preparing”)
• ❌ “Students are study hard at school” (mixing passive structure with active verb)

Just as the role of government in reducing crime requires balancing enforcement with prevention, educational policy must balance societal structure with individual freedom—both demanding careful consideration of competing priorities.

Self-Assessment Checklist

Before Writing (5 minutes)

Task Analysis:

• [ ] Have I identified the specific question type (discuss both views, agree/disagree, advantages/disadvantages)?
• [ ] Have I underlined key words in the question (purpose, education, society, personal ambitions)?
• [ ] Can I clearly state both perspectives in my own words?
• [ ] Do I have a clear personal position that I can defend?

Planning:

• [ ] Have I outlined 4-5 paragraphs with specific topic focus?
• [ ] Do I have at least one specific example for each body paragraph?
• [ ] Have I identified 3-4 sophisticated vocabulary items I want to include?
• [ ] Have I planned at least 2 complex grammatical structures to demonstrate range?

Mindset:

• [ ] Am I writing to communicate ideas clearly, not to impress with obscure words?
• [ ] Do I understand that clarity and relevance trump complexity for its own sake?

While Writing (30 minutes)

Introduction (5 minutes):

• [ ] Have I paraphrased the question without copying it word-for-word?
• [ ] Is my thesis statement clear with my position evident?
• [ ] Is my introduction 50-70 words (3-4 sentences)?

Body Paragraphs (15 minutes):

• [ ] Does each body paragraph start with a clear topic sentence?
• [ ] Have I developed each main idea with explanation + example + implication?
• [ ] Are my paragraphs roughly equal length (80-100 words each)?
• [ ] Have I used cohesive devices naturally, not mechanically?
• [ ] Am I varying my sentence structures and lengths?

Language:

• [ ] Am I using synonyms to avoid repetition of key terms?
• [ ] Have I attempted at least 2 complex sentence structures?
• [ ] Am I checking subject-verb agreement as I write?
• [ ] Are my verb tenses consistent and appropriate?

Conclusion (5 minutes):

• [ ] Have I summarized both perspectives briefly?
• [ ] Have I restated my position clearly without simply repeating the introduction?
• [ ] Have I added a forward-looking statement or implication?
• [ ] Is my conclusion 50-60 words (2-3 sentences)?

Time management:

• [ ] Am I at paragraph 3 by minute 15?
• [ ] Am I starting my conclusion by minute 25?

After Writing (5 minutes)

Content Check:

• [ ] Have I addressed all parts of the task completely?
• [ ] Is my position clear throughout, not just in introduction and conclusion?
• [ ] Are my examples specific and relevant (not generic)?
• [ ] Have I avoided going off-topic or introducing irrelevant information?

Language Check:

• [ ] Have I checked every sentence for subject-verb agreement?
• [ ] Have I reviewed countable/uncountable noun usage (fewer vs. less)?
• [ ] Have I verified that relative pronouns are correct (who for people, which/that for things)?
• [ ] Have I checked article usage (a/an/the) particularly before general vs. specific nouns?
• [ ] Have I corrected obvious spelling errors?

Coherence Check:

• [ ] Does each paragraph connect logically to the next?
• [ ] Have I used pronouns and synonyms to avoid repetition?
• [ ] Do my cohesive devices accurately reflect the relationship between ideas?
• [ ] Can someone skim my topic sentences and understand my entire argument?

Word Count:

• [ ] Have I written at least 250 words? (If not, where can I add development?)
• [ ] Have I stayed under 320 words? (Longer essays risk more errors and time pressure)

Final Polish:

• [ ] Have I read the entire essay aloud (mentally) to catch awkward phrasing?
• [ ] Would this essay make sense to someone unfamiliar with the topic?
• [ ] Am I satisfied that this represents my best work under timed conditions?

Time Management Tips

40-Minute Strategy:

• Minutes 1-5: Read question carefully, plan essay structure, note examples
• Minutes 6-11: Write introduction and first body paragraph
• Minutes 12-20: Write second body paragraph and third if applicable
• Minutes 21-26: Write conclusion
• Minutes 27-40: Review, edit, check grammar and spelling

Warning Signs You’re Off Track:

• If you’re still planning at minute 7, start writing immediately with basic structure
• If you’re only finishing paragraph 1 at minute 15, speed up or simplify remaining points
• If you have less than 5 minutes for conclusion, write 2 sentences: summary + position

Pacing Technique:

• Write your introduction and conclusion as complete drafts
• For body paragraphs, write topic sentence → example → explanation quickly
• Focus on communicating clearly first, sophistication second
• Save fancy vocabulary and structures for places where they naturally fit

Understanding concepts similar to the role of taxation in society—where individual contribution supports collective infrastructure—helps illustrate how education creates both personal and societal value through shared investment and mutual benefit.

Conclusion

Mastering IELTS Writing Task 2 essays on education’s societal role requires understanding the nuanced differences between band levels, from the clear but simple Band 6 responses to the sophisticated, well-developed Band 8-9 essays. As demonstrated through our three sample essays, progression isn’t about using impossibly complex vocabulary or convoluted grammar—it’s about precise word choice, varied sentence structures, specific examples, and cohesive development of ideas.

The path from Band 6 to Band 7+ involves systematic improvement in several key areas: eliminating repetition through synonym use, developing examples with specific details rather than generic statements, mastering grammatical accuracy particularly in subject-verb agreement and article usage, and extending paragraphs with layered reasoning. Each of these improvements is achievable through focused practice and awareness.

Remember that authentic Band 8-9 writing sounds natural and confident, not artificially complex. The sophisticated vocabulary and grammar serve clear communication, never obscuring it. Your goal should be to express complex ideas clearly, support them with relevant examples, and maintain a consistent, well-reasoned position throughout your essay.

Your Action Plan:

1. This week: Write one practice essay using the question in this guide, then compare your work against the appropriate band level sample
2. Next two weeks: Focus on one specific improvement area (vocabulary range, grammatical accuracy, or paragraph development)
3. Following month: Write one timed essay weekly, gradually reducing planning time as structure becomes automatic
4. Ongoing: Build a personal database of examples and vocabulary items related to common IELTS topics

For students currently scoring Band 6, reaching Band 7 typically requires 2-3 months of consistent practice with focused error correction. Moving from Band 7 to Band 8 demands another 2-4 months of refinement, particularly in lexical sophistication and grammatical range. These timelines assume regular practice (3-4 essays weekly) with careful review of mistakes and conscious application of higher-band features.

Share your practice essays and specific questions in the comments below—identifying precisely where you struggle is the first step toward improvement. What aspects of education essay writing do you find most challenging? Which sample essay level most closely matches your current writing? Engaging with these questions will help solidify your understanding and guide your practice effectively.

Just as the impact of income inequality on society demonstrates how individual circumstances affect collective wellbeing, your individual IELTS preparation directly impacts your future opportunities—making dedicated practice an investment in both personal growth and broader contributions you’ll make with enhanced English proficiency.

The essays, analyses, and strategies presented here provide a roadmap, but only your consistent practice will translate these insights into improved scores. Approach each practice essay as an opportunity to implement one new structure or vocabulary set, gradually building the comprehensive skill set that characterizes Band 8-9 writing. Your improvement journey begins with the next essay you write—make it count.