Some People Think that Universities Should Provide Graduates With the Knowledge- IELTS Writing Task 2

Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer. What, in your opinion should be the main function of a university?

Outline

Essay Type

Opinion Essay

Introduction

Sentences 1&2 – Summarise the topic using synonyms to create a basic understanding.

Sentence 3 – Mention that this topic has both aspects to discuss.

Body paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Talk about the various advantages of how higher education will be a better investment for students.

Paragraph 2 – Mention the benefits of getting a better career opportunity.

Paragraph 3 – Acknowledge the flip side of the argument.

Conclusion

Restate your views.

Sample Essay

Universities are a place for acquiring higher education. Some people opine that the knowledge they impart should be adjusted according to the necessities of the workplace. Others debate that universities should only offer education regardless of whether it is valuable for employers.

To begin with, higher education will be a better investment for students if it focuses on preparing them for work. If people want to learn something for its own sake, they can read some books or buy online courses, which wouldn’t cost them much. They take on massive student loans to go to university, hoping that the knowledge and skillsets they acquire there can get them a high-paying job that allows them to live a good life.

Secondly, people are pursuing higher education to get better career opportunities. Some people might think of them as ruthless pragmatism who only cares about money and personal advantage. It is not necessarily true since having a good job and fulfilling professional responsibilities are part of being a good community member.

On the other side, the job market requires specific skills that can only be acquired from domain experts. Universities might be the right places to acquire knowledge, but it has no real value until the person gets some practical experience that can be achieved only on the field. Moreover, a large section of the population does not get the chance to attend university due to various reasons. So, if universities begin to train for jobs, they will be left out. However, it is crucial to have a glimpse of what is required in different employment to prepare or choose according to preferences. This can be done during university education; therefore, the main objective of university programs should be equipping students with the skills required to find a good job.

In conclusion, the university should give students essential value and ability that they will need in their dream job. Moreover, students attend university to use the knowledge for their future careers.

Vocabulary

• Opine

Meaning – hold and state as one’s opinion.
Example – “This is a significant reason for the heavy tourist inflow into the State”, opines the travel agents.

• Impart

Meaning – make (information) known.
Example – We believe that artists have the ability to tap into a greater knowledge of the human condition and impart this to us.

• Investment

Meaning – an act of devoting time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.
Example – The need for water investment keeps inexorably increasing and tends to accelerate as the deterioration of these systems advances.

• Massive

Meaning – large and heavy or solid.
Example – In hindsight, it was a massive challenge for which he was not prepared as a journalist.

• Ruthless

Meaning – having or showing no pity or compassion for others.
Example – The tale of one ruthless military man getting away with murder is probably the story that has sickened me most.

• Pragmatism

Meaning – an approach that evaluates theories or beliefs in terms of the success of their practical application.
Example – His presumed pragmatism upholds the status quo by ridiculing the relative few who dare to challenge it.

• Domain

Meaning – an area of territory owned or controlled by a particular ruler or government.
Example – The decision is entirely independent of the copyright laws and their extension into the domain of art.

• Secure

Meaning – fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost.
Example – Secure attachment gave children the courage to explore, and exploration allowed for new experiences.

• Essential

Meaning – absolutely necessary; extremely important.
Example – It is essential for the reader to appreciate how important this argument is.

• Luxury

Meaning – a state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense.
Example – Once back into the show cave section we moved swiftly along the walkways, exiting the cave in relative luxury.