Some people think young people should be required to have full

IELTS Band 9 Essay About Some people think young people should be required to have full time education

Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “Some people think young people should be required to have full time education”. 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 March 2025.

Some people think young people should be required to have full time education until they are at least 18 years old.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample Answer (Band 9):

The debate over whether young people should be compelled to pursue full-time education until the age of 18 has intensified in recent years. While extending mandatory schooling could alleviate youth unemployment and equip individuals with essential skills, I partially agree with this proposition, provided that education systems incorporate flexible pathways to accommodate diverse talents and career aspirations.

Advocates of compulsory education argue that it mitigates socioeconomic inequalities by ensuring all students attain foundational literacy, numeracy, and digital competencies. For example, countries like Germany, which enforce vocational training alongside academic curricula, report lower youth unemployment rates. Such systems foster employability by aligning education with labor market demands, thereby diminishing the risk of unskilled adolescents entering unstable, low-wage jobs.

However, mandating uniform education until 18 overlooks the heterogeneous needs of learners. Not all youths thrive in traditional classrooms; some may excel in apprenticeships, creative arts, or technical trades. Forcing them into rigid academic frameworks could exacerbate disengagement and mental health issues. Instead, policymakers should prioritize a holistic model that integrates vocational training, internships, and online learning. Finland’s education system, for instance, emphasizes individualized learning plans, which culminate in higher student satisfaction and innovation.

Ultimately, the goal should be to empower young people with adaptable skills, not merely retain them in formal schooling. Governments must allocate resources to tailored programs that recognize varied intelligences and ambitions. By balancing compulsory education with flexibility, societies can cultivate a workforce capable of navigating rapidly evolving global challenges.

Academic Vocabulary in the sample for Some people think young people should be required to have full time education

Compelled (/kəmˈpeld/) – Forced or obligated to do something.
- Sentence: Employees are compelled to attend safety training annually.
Mitigates (/ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪts/) – Reduces the severity or impact of something.
- Sentence: Renewable energy mitigates the effects of climate change.
Heterogeneous (/ˌhet̬.ər.əˈdʒiː.ni.əs/) – Diverse in character or content.
- Sentence: The conference attracted a heterogeneous audience of scientists and artists.
Exacerbate (/ɪɡˈzæs.ɚ.beɪt/) – Make a problem worse.
- Sentence: Poor communication can exacerbate workplace conflicts.
Holistic (/hoʊˈlɪs.tɪk/) – Considering the whole system rather than individual parts.
- Sentence: A holistic approach to healthcare addresses physical and mental well-being.

5 Advanced Grammar Structures:

Conditional Clauses with Inversion (Were governments to…):
- Example: “Were governments to adopt flexible curricula, student engagement might improve.”
- Impact: Adds sophistication by using inversion for hypothetical scenarios, enhancing formal tone.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses (…Finland’s education system, which emphasizes…):
- Example: “Vocational training, which bridges education and employment, is vital.”
- Impact: Provides additional information without disrupting sentence flow, improving coherence.
Passive Voice for Emphasis (…resources must be allocated…):
- Example: “Tailored programs should be prioritized to address diverse needs.”
- Impact: Shifts focus to actions rather than actors, aligning with academic objectivity.
Gerund Phrases as Subjects (Balancing compulsory education…):
- Example: “Extending schooling without flexibility risks alienating students.”
- Impact: Enhances conciseness and introduces complex ideas smoothly.
Cleft Sentences (It is adaptability that…):
- Example: “It is practical skills, not mere academic knowledge, that employers value.”
- Impact: Emphasizes key points strategically, demonstrating advanced syntactic control.

These grammatical structures elevate the essay’s clarity, coherence, and formal register—critical for achieving a Band 9. The varied syntax and precise vocabulary reflect a high level of linguistic competence, satisfying IELTS scoring criteria.

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