This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the newest IELTS Cambridg 18 book of past tests on the topic of university students and main subjects.

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IELTS Cambridge 18: University Students and Main Subjects

Many university students want to learn about different subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others feel it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for their qualification.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Many university students are now inclined to divide their time between studying for their major and pursuing interests in unrelated subjects. In my opinion, it is crucial for undergraduates to learn about a wide range of disciplines in order to best prepare themselves for the future.

Those who support prioritizing one’s major argue the importance of specialization. At university, there are a range of potential distractions related to social life and living on one’s own. If a graduate wants to be successful in a future career, the most logical pathway is to prepare diligently in a one specialization. For instance, an undergraduate learning about chemical engineering will be a better potential candidate for well-paid positions if they have acquired a solid theoretical foundation and accumulated whatever practical experience is available in their courses. Any diversions that detract from this focus could hinder their early career progression.

However, it is in fact more valuable long-term to view learning as an interdisciplinary experience. Many graduates will change or at least alter their professions as they begin working. Even those who remain in the same industry will benefit greatly from studying a variety of subjects. The above-mentioned engineer might be able to study about figure drawing outside their main courses and come up with more creative ideas that combine multiple subjects in their main work. Even if the other subjects are not directly applicable to work, at the minimum they are likely to feel they have become a more diverse and well-rounded individual on a personal level.

In conclusion, though time spent on one’s university major can lead to an improved discrete skillset, there is far greater value in possessing a breadth of knowledge. This range of information will serve as the foundation for a potentially more creative and fulfilling career and personal life.

Analysis

1. Many university students are now inclined to divide their time between studying for their major and pursuing interests in unrelated subjects. 2. In my opinion, it is crucial for undergraduates to learn about a wide range of disciplines in order to best prepare themselves for the future.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Those who support prioritizing one’s major argue the importance of specialization. 2. At university, there are a range of potential distractions related to social life and living on one’s own. 3. If a graduate wants to be successful in a future career, the most logical pathway is to prepare diligently in a one specialization. 4. For instance, an undergraduate learning about chemical engineering will be a better potential candidate for well-paid positions if they have acquired a solid theoretical foundation and accumulated whatever practical experience is available in their courses. 5. Any diversions that detract from this focus could hinder their early career progression.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Vary long and short sentences.

1. However, it is in fact more valuable long-term to view learning as an interdisciplinary experience. 2. Many graduates will change or at least alter their professions as they begin working. 3. Even those who remain in the same industry will benefit greatly from studying a variety of subjects. 4. The above-mentioned engineer might be able to study about figure drawing outside their main courses and come up with more creative ideas that combine multiple subjects in their main work. 5. Even if the other subjects are not directly applicable to work, at the minimum they are likely to feel they have become a more diverse and well-rounded individual on a personal level.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Finish the paragraph strong.

1. In conclusion, though time spent on one’s university major can lead to an improved discrete skillset, there is far greater value in possessing a breadth of knowledge. 2. This range of information will serve as the foundation for a potentially more creative and fulfilling career and personal life.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Many university students are now inclined to divide their time between studying for their major and pursuing interests in unrelated subjects. In my opinion, it is crucial for undergraduates to learn about a wide range of disciplines in order to best prepare themselves for the future.

Those who support prioritizing one’s major argue the importance of specialization. At university, there are a range of potential distractions related to social life and living on one’s own. If a graduate wants to be successful in a future career, the most logical pathway is to prepare diligently in a one specialization. For instance, an undergraduate learning about chemical engineering will be a better potential candidate for well-paid positions if they have acquired a solid theoretical foundation and accumulated whatever practical experience is available in their courses. Any diversions that detract from this focus could hinder their early career progression.

However, it is in fact more valuable long-term to view learning as an interdisciplinary experience. Many graduates will change or at least alter their professions as they begin working. Even those who remain in the same industry will benefit greatly from studying a variety of subjects. The above-mentioned engineer might be able to study about figure drawing outside their main courses and come up with more creative ideas that combine multiple subjects in their main work. Even if the other subjects are not directly applicable to work, at the minimum they are likely to feel they have become a more diverse and well-rounded individual on a personal level.

In conclusion, though time spent on one’s university major can lead to an improved discrete skillset, there is far greater value in possessing a breadth of knowledge. This range of information will serve as the foundation for a potentially more creative and fulfilling career and personal life.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

now inclined to divide their time between studying for their major and these days like to split time on their main subject and other subjects

pursuing interests in unrelated subjects looking into different subject areas

it is crucial for undergraduates important for students at university

wide range of disciplines lots of different subjects

in order to so that

best prepare better get ready for

Those who support prioritizing one’s major argue the people in favor of focusing on just their main subject

importance value

specialization focusing on one area

range of potential distractions related to social life lots of possible ways to not focus concerning personal life

living on one’s own not living with parents

successful doing well

most logical pathway clearest way

prepare diligently get ready carefully

chemical engineering working with chemicals to make things

better potential candidate good applicants

well-paid positions good jobs

acquired get

solid theoretical foundation good understanding of the basics of a subject

accumulated whatever practical experience is available in their courses get real-life experience from their classes

diversions distractions

detract distract

focus concentration

hinder their early career progression hurt how well they do in their first job

long-term in the future

view learning see studying

interdisciplinary experience studying lots of different subjects

graduates people who finish school

at least alter at minimum change a it

professions jobs

remain in the same industry stay in the same area

benefit greatly get a lot from

studying a variety of subjects learning lots of areas

above-mentioned engineer worker I talked about before

figure drawing learning to draw people

come up with think of

creative ideas imaginative concepts

multiple many

directly applicable to work can be use at work

at the minimum at least

diverse different

well-rounded overall strong, balanced

on a personal level personally, related to private life

improved discrete skillset better at certain skills

far greater value in more importance from

breadth of knowledge lots of information, knowing about many different subjects

serve as the foundation as the basis for

potentially more creative and fulfilling career and personal life possible a better job and private life

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

naʊ ɪnˈklaɪnd tuː dɪˈvaɪd ðeə taɪm bɪˈtwiːn ˈstʌdiɪŋ fɔː ðeə ˈmeɪʤər ænd 
pəˈsjuːɪŋ ˈɪntrɛsts ɪn ˌʌnrɪˈleɪtɪd ˈsʌbʤɪkts
ɪt ɪz ˈkruːʃəl fɔːr ˌʌndəˈɡræʤuəts 
waɪd reɪnʤ ɒv ˈdɪsɪplɪnz 
ɪn ˈɔːdə tuː 
bɛst prɪˈpeə 
ðəʊz huː səˈpɔːt praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzɪŋ wʌnz ˈmeɪʤər ˈɑːɡjuː 
ɪmˈpɔːtəns 
ˌspɛʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃᵊn 
reɪnʤ ɒv pəʊˈtɛnʃəl dɪsˈtrækʃᵊnz rɪˈleɪtɪd tuː ˈsəʊʃəl laɪf 
ˈlɪvɪŋ ɒn wʌnz əʊn 
səkˈsɛsfʊl 
məʊst ˈlɒʤɪkəl ˈpɑːθweɪ 
prɪˈpeə ˈdɪlɪʤəntli 
ˌspɛʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃᵊn 
ˈkɛmɪkəl ˌɛnʤɪˈnɪərɪŋ 
ˈbɛtə pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˈkændɪˌdeɪt 
wɛl-peɪd pəˈzɪʃᵊnz 
əˈkwaɪəd 
ˈsɒlɪd θɪəˈrɛtɪkəl faʊnˈdeɪʃᵊn 
əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪd wɒtˈɛvə ˈpræktɪkəl ɪksˈpɪərɪəns ɪz əˈveɪləbᵊl ɪn ðeə ˈkɔːsɪz 
daɪˈvɜːʃᵊnz 
dɪˈtrækt 
ˈfəʊkəs 
ˈhaɪndə ðeər ˈɜːli kəˈrɪə prəʊˈɡrɛʃᵊn 
ˈlɒŋtɜːm 
vjuː ˈlɜːnɪŋ 
ˌɪntəˈdɪsɪˌplɪnəri ɪksˈpɪərɪəns 
ˈɡræʤuəts 
æt liːst ˈɔːltə 
prəˈfɛʃᵊnz 
rɪˈmeɪn ɪn ðə seɪm ˈɪndəstri 
ˈbɛnɪfɪt ˈɡreɪtli 
ˈstʌdiɪŋ ə vəˈraɪəti ɒv ˈsʌbʤɪkts 
əˈbʌvˈmɛnʃᵊnd ˌɛnʤɪˈnɪə 
ˈfɪɡə ˈdrɔːɪŋ 
kʌm ʌp wɪð 
kriˈeɪtɪv aɪˈdɪəz 
ˈmʌltɪpl 
dɪˈrɛktli ˈæplɪkəbᵊl tuː wɜːk 
æt ðə ˈmɪnɪməm 
daɪˈvɜːs 
wɛl-ˈraʊndɪd 
ɒn ə ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ˈlɛvl 
ɪmˈpruːvd dɪsˈkriːt skɪl sɛt 
fɑː ˈɡreɪtə ˈvæljuː ɪn 
brɛdθ ɒv ˈnɒlɪʤ 
sɜːv æz ðə faʊnˈdeɪʃᵊn 
pəʊˈtɛnʃəli mɔː kriˈeɪtɪv ænd fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ kəˈrɪər ænd ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl laɪf 

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Many university students are n____________________________________________________________d p_____________________n u________________s. In my opinion, i____________________________s to learn about a w____________________s i____________o b_____________e themselves for the future.

T_________________________________________________e the i____________e of s_____________n. At university, there are a r________________________________s r____________o s____________e and l___________________n. If a graduate wants to be s___________l in a future career, the m____________________y is to p________________y in a one s______________n. For instance, an undergraduate learning about c_________________________g will be a b_________________________e for w_________________s if they have a___________d a s___________________________n and a_____________________________________________________________s. Any d____________s that d_______t from this f______s could h_______________________________________n.

However, it is in fact more valuable l__________m to v____________g as an i____________________________e. Many g____________s will change or a____________r their p___________s as they begin working. Even those who r________________________________y will b_____________y from s_______________________________s. The a________________________________r might be able to study about f__________________g outside their main courses and c________________h more c___________________s that combine m_________e subjects in their main work. Even if the other subjects are not d________________________k, a________________m they are likely to feel they have become a more d________e and w______________d individual o____________________l.

In conclusion, though time spent on one’s university major can lead to an i__________________________t, there is f________________n possessing a b__________________e. This range of information will s________________________n for a p_____________________________________________________________________e.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/blogs/scariest-courses-you-can-study-university

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

School

1. Did you like your school when you were a child?
2. What did you learn about?
3. Did you have a favorite teacher?
4. Are there many rules in schools in your country?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Some educational systems make students study specialised subjects from the age of fifteen while others require students to study a wide range.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Focus on Single Subjects (Real Past IELTS Exam)