EducationTwo-part
IELTS Essay: Practical Skills vs Academic Study (Band 9 vs 6.5)
In short
Below is a full Band 9 model answer to this IELTS Writing Task 2 question, the same question written at Band 6.5, and a criterion-by-criterion breakdown of exactly what separates them — so you can see what to change in your own writing. Then check your essay with the free tool.
The question
In some societies, an increasing number of people believe that practical skills should be valued more highly than academic study. Why might people hold this opinion? Do you agree that practical skills are more useful than academic knowledge?
How to approach a Two-part question
A two-part question contains two direct questions; you must answer both, and roughly equally. Plan one body paragraph per question so neither is neglected — writing 200 words on the first part and 50 on the second is a common way to lose Task Response marks even when the English is strong.
The plan
- 01Introduction: introduce the call to prioritise practical skills and preview both questions.
- 02Body 1 (why people hold the view): employability and acute vocational shortages make practical skills attractive.
- 03Body 2 (my view): academic study builds critical thinking, so the two should be integrated rather than ranked.
- 04Conclusion: explain the popularity of practical skills but argue that both are indispensable.
Band 9 model answer
It is increasingly argued that hands-on, practical abilities deserve greater emphasis in schools than traditional academic learning, long the backbone of the classroom. This essay will first consider why this belief has gained traction and then explain why, in my view, the two forms of learning are better regarded as complementary than as rivals.
The appeal of this position is easy to understand. Many parents and employers observe graduates who can quote theory at length yet struggle with the concrete demands of the workplace, from managing a budget to repairing a machine. In an economy where vocational shortages are acute, skills such as coding, plumbing and healthcare assistance translate directly into employment and a steady wage. Academic study, by contrast, can seem abstract and slow to pay off, which persuades many that a curriculum weighted towards practical competence would serve young people more honestly.
While I sympathise with this reasoning, I do not accept that practical skills are inherently more valuable. Academic study cultivates the critical thinking, literacy and analytical habits that underpin almost every skilled occupation; a nurse must reason as well as inject, and a technician must interpret data, not merely follow instructions. The wiser course, therefore, is not to elevate one above the other but to integrate them, allowing pupils to test theory through practice and to underpin their practice with genuine understanding.
In conclusion, people understandably champion practical skills largely because they promise swift employability in a demanding job market. Nevertheless, I remain convinced that academic knowledge is equally indispensable, and that education serves students best when it marries the two.
The same question at Band 6.5
Nowadays some people believe that schools should teach more practical skills instead of academic subjects. There are some reasons why people think like this. However, I do not think that practical skills are more important than academic knowledge, and I will explain my opinion below.
There are several reasons for this opinion. Firstly, many people think that practical skills are more useful for getting a job. For example, if a student learn how to fix cars or how to use computer, he can find work easily after school. Academic subjects like history or philosophy do not give a job directly, so some people feel they are waste of time. Also, practical skills are more interesting for many students because they can do something with their hands and not only read books. So they prefer to learn skills that give money in the future.
However, in my opinion academic knowledge is also very important. Academic study teach students how to think and how to solve problems, and these things are useful in every job. For example, a good engineer need mathematics and science, not only practical training. Also, if we stop teaching academic subjects, students will not learn about the world and the society. So I believe schools should teach both practical and academic skills together.
In conclusion, people support practical skills because they help students to get a job quickly and they are more enjoyable. But I think academic knowledge is equally important, so the best solution is that schools give importance to both of them.
What separates them, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Band 9 | Band 6.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | Answers both parts fully: explains why the view is popular (vocational shortages, employability) and argues a clear personal position that the two are complementary. | Addresses both questions but the reasons stay general, e.g. 'practical skills are more useful for getting a job', with little development. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Cohesion emerges from the argument itself ('While I sympathise with this reasoning', 'The wiser course, therefore'). | Uses mechanical markers 'Firstly', 'Also' and 'However' and repeats them across both body paragraphs. |
| Lexical Resource | Precise phrasing such as 'vocational shortages are acute' and 'swift employability', plus the collocation 'gained traction'. | Relies on high-frequency words, repeating 'important', 'job' and 'practical skills'. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Controlled complex structures, e.g. 'a nurse must reason as well as inject, and a technician must interpret data'. | Simple sentences with subject-verb errors: 'if a student learn', 'academic study teach', 'a good engineer need'. |
Examiner's note
The Band 9 answer resolves both questions decisively, supporting each with concrete reasoning and expressing it in precise, flexible language and accurate complex grammar. The Band 6.5 response covers the same ground and is clear, but its general ideas, repetitive vocabulary, mechanical linkers and repeated subject-verb errors keep it around the middle of the scale.
Vocabulary from the Band 9 answer
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| gained traction | become more accepted or popular |
| the concrete demands of the workplace | the practical, real tasks that a job requires |
| vocational shortages are acute | there is a severe lack of trained workers in skilled trades |
| translate directly into employment | lead straight to getting a job |
| slow to pay off | takes a long time to produce a benefit |
| cultivates critical thinking | develops the ability to analyse and judge ideas |
| underpin almost every skilled occupation | form the foundation of nearly every expert job |
| regarded as complementary | seen as things that work well together rather than in competition |
Frequently asked questions
How do I answer a two-part question?
Answer both questions directly, usually with one body paragraph for each. Do not blend them into a single opinion essay; examiners check that each part receives a clear, developed response.
Do two-part questions ask for my opinion?
Often one of the two questions does (for example, 'Do you agree?'), so read carefully. Where an opinion is requested, state it plainly and keep it consistent; where the question only asks 'why', give reasons rather than a personal stance.
Can I give a balanced answer instead of choosing a side?
Yes. Concluding that two things are complementary or equally important is perfectly acceptable, provided you justify that position rather than simply avoiding a decision.