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IELTS Free Online Writing Practice - Should schools eliminate grades and standardized testing?

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Should schools eliminate grades and standardized testing?

Model Answer:

In recent years, there has been an increasing debate surrounding the necessity of grades and standardized testing in schools. Some argue that these systems are essential for measuring a student's academic progress, while others believe that they can be detrimental to a child's overall development. In this essay, I will explore both sides of the argument and present my own perspective on whether or not schools should eliminate grades and standardized testing.

On one hand, proponents of grading systems argue that these are crucial for evaluating students' academic performance and ensuring that they meet specific learning objectives. Grades can provide a clear benchmark for students to track their progress over time, and standardized tests offer an objective measure of their achievements. Furthermore, these tools are believed to motivate students to strive for excellence by setting goals and expectations. In addition, grading systems enable teachers, parents, and administrators to identify areas where a student may need extra support or assistance.

On the other hand, opponents of grading systems and standardized testing argue that these methods can have detrimental effects on students' overall development. The focus on academic achievement can lead to an overemphasis on test-taking skills rather than fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, standardized tests often do not accurately reflect a student's intelligence or potential, as they may perform poorly due to factors such as test anxiety, language barriers, or lack of resources. As a result, these critics assert that eliminating grades and standardized testing would allow students to engage more meaningfully with the material, without the pressure of achieving high scores.

In conclusion, while grades and standardized tests have their benefits in terms of measuring academic progress, it is essential to consider the potential negative impacts on a student's overall development. A more comprehensive approach to evaluating students that takes into account their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills may be a better alternative to relying solely on grades and standardized testing. Therefore, it is crucial for educators, policymakers, and parents to explore innovative assessment methods and find ways to balance the need for accountability with fostering a more holistic learning environment.

Score (IELTS Scoring Standards):
- Task Response: 9 - The candidate has responded fully and appropriately to all parts of the task, demonstrating an excellent understanding of the question.
- Coherence and Cohesion: 9 - The essay is exceptionally well organized, with a clear progression of ideas, and is logically coherent. It is very easy for the reader to follow the train of thought.
- Lexical Resource: 8.5 - The candidate demonstrates an extensive lexical range throughout the text. Vocabulary choices are generally appropriate, accurate, and varied, with only a few inaccuracies or inconsistencies.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 8.5 - The candidate demonstrates a highly advanced level of grammatical accuracy and range. There may be some minor errors, but they are infrequent enough to not hinder understanding.

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