IELTS Band 9 Essay About Many university students live with their families while others need to live away from home
Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “Many university students live with their families while others need to live away from home because their universities are in different cities.”. This sample then will be further analyzed for its vocabulary, grammar and format, so we see how it has qualified for such band score. We also suggest over 200 band 9 IELTS samples released in 2025.
Sample Essay (Band 9)
Many university students live with their families while others need to live away from home because their universities are in different cities.
What are the advantages and disadvantages in both situations?
Choosing whether to reside with one’s family or to live independently while attending university is a crucial decision that significantly impacts a student’s academic and personal development. Each option presents both merits and drawbacks, influencing factors such as financial stability, emotional well-being, and independence.
On the one hand, students who stay with their families benefit from a supportive environment, which can be conducive to academic success. Having immediate access to parental guidance can help in managing stress and maintaining discipline, thereby fostering a stable routine. Furthermore, living at home is undeniably more cost-effective, eliminating expenses related to accommodation, food, and other necessities. This financial relief allows students to focus solely on their studies without the burden of part-time work. However, residing at home may hinder the development of essential life skills such as financial management, cooking, and self-reliance. Moreover, it might limit opportunities for social engagement and extracurricular activities, which are integral to personal growth.
On the other hand, living away from home offers students a greater sense of autonomy, preparing them for real-world challenges. They learn to manage finances, maintain a household, and make independent decisions, all of which are valuable skills in adulthood. Additionally, being in close proximity to university allows for increased academic involvement, including access to libraries, study groups, and university events, which may enhance learning experiences. However, financial constraints can be a significant drawback. Renting accommodation, purchasing groceries, and covering utility bills place an added burden on students, often necessitating part-time employment. This additional responsibility can sometimes distract from academic priorities. Furthermore, students living away from home may experience loneliness and homesickness, which can affect their mental health and overall well-being.
In conclusion, both living with family and residing independently have distinct advantages and disadvantages. While staying at home provides financial stability and emotional support, it may hinder personal development. Conversely, living away from home fosters independence but presents financial and emotional challenges. The ideal choice depends on the individual’s circumstances and long-term aspirations.
5 Academic Words in the sample for Many university students live with their families
Reside (/rɪˈzaɪd/)
- Students who reside on campus often experience a greater sense of independence.
Merits (/ˈmɛrɪts/)
- The merits of studying abroad include exposure to diverse cultures and enhanced career prospects.
Supportive (/səˈpɔːrtɪv/)
- A supportive academic environment encourages students to excel in their studies.
Autonomy (/ɔːˈtɒnəmi/)
- Encouraging autonomy in young adults helps them develop confidence in decision-making.
Cost-effective (/ˌkɒst ɪˈfɛktɪv/)
- Online education is often considered a cost-effective alternative to traditional classroom learning.
5 Advanced Grammar Structures and How They Enhance the Essay
Complex Sentences with Subordinate Clauses
- Example: Having immediate access to parental guidance can help in managing stress and maintaining discipline, thereby fostering a stable routine.
- Why It Helps: Adds fluency and depth to arguments, demonstrating a high level of grammatical control.
Parallel Structure
- Example: They learn to manage finances, maintain a household, and make independent decisions, all of which are valuable skills in adulthood.
- Why It Helps: Creates rhythm and clarity, making the sentence more persuasive and easy to follow.
Nominalization
- Example: The ideal choice depends on the individual’s circumstances and long-term aspirations.
- Why It Helps: Makes writing more formal and academic by turning verbs or adjectives into nouns.
Passive Voice
- Example: Both living with family and residing independently have distinct advantages and disadvantages.
- Why It Helps: Enhances objectivity by focusing on ideas rather than personal opinions.
Cohesive Devices for Contrast
- Example: Conversely, living away from home fosters independence but presents financial and emotional challenges.
- Why It Helps: Improves coherence by effectively linking contrasting ideas, a key criterion for a high IELTS score.
Quintessential /ˌkwɪn.tɪˈsen.ʃəl/
- Definition: Representing the most typical or perfect example of something.
- Example: Leonardo da Vinci is often regarded as the quintessential Renaissance artist.
Discernible /dɪˈsɜː.nə.bəl/
- Definition: Noticeable or distinguishable.
- Example: A discernible shift in consumer preferences has led to the decline of print media.
Predilection /ˌpriː.dɪˈlek.ʃən/
- Definition: A preference or special liking for something.
- Example: Many students develop a predilection for STEM subjects due to better career opportunities.
Precarious /prɪˈkeə.ri.əs/
- Definition: Not securely held or in a dangerous position.
- Example: Freelance artists often face a precarious financial situation due to the irregular nature of their work.
Ubiquity /juːˈbɪk.wɪ.ti/
- Definition: The state of being everywhere or very common.
- Example: The ubiquity of smartphones has drastically changed how people interact with information.
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