Parents teaching children at home: IELTS Task 2 essay #4, band 8.0
A student’s answer to this repeated IELTS question, shared without their name and marked by Axiom on the four criteria. Select a highlighted passage to see how it could be revised, and why.
265 words. Marked by Axiom on 6 October 2026. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.
Task 2265 words
In some countries, parents prefer to teach their children by themselves instead of going to schools Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages
In several countries, a growing number of parents choose to educate their children at home rather than send them to school.
Grammar & accuracy
RevisedAlthough this approach has genuine merits, in my opinion, its drawbacks outweigh its benefits.
The revision provides a more formal and academic tone to the sentence.
The main advantage of homeschooling is that it allows learning to be tailored to the individual child. A parent can adjust the pace and content of lessons to match a child's strengths, spending longer on difficult topics and moving quickly through familiar ones, which is rarely possible in a class of thirty. These factors can lead to strong academic results, particularly in the early years.
Lexical resource
RevisedHomeschooled children are free from the distractions of a busy classroom and save time that would otherwise be spent commuting.
The revision provides a more concise and natural sounding phrase.
Firstly, few parents have the knowledge to teach every subject competently, especially at secondary level, where physics, foreign languages or advanced mathematics demand specialist expertise. Teachers, by contrast, are trained both in their subject and in how to teach it, and they follow a structured curriculum that prepares students for recognised qualifications. Secondly, school is where children learn to cooperate, resolve conflicts and build friendships with peers from different backgrounds. A child taught mostly by a parent has far fewer opportunities to develop these skills, and the resulting isolation can make the transition to university or the workplace more difficult.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedHowever, these benefits are outweighed by significant limitations.
The use of 'however' is more appropriate in this context to show a contrast between two different ideas.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedIn conclusion, the personalised attention and flexibility of homeschooling are outweighed by the qualified teaching, broad curriculum, and essential social development provided by schools. Therefore, I believe the disadvantages of educating children at home outweigh the advantages.
The conclusion can be rephrased to clearly state the writer's position and to improve the overall coherence and cohesion of the essay.
Select a highlighted passage to see its suggested revision.
What Axiom wrote for each criterion: why the answer earned its band, and what to work on next.
Coherence & cohesion
Band 8.0/ 9
The essay is logically organized and ideas are connected well. The introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion are clearly structured. The use of cohesive devices is mostly accurate.
Suggestions
- Consider using a wider range of linking words or phrases to show more sophisticated cohesion.
Sentence revisions 2
RevisedHowever, these benefits are outweighed by significant limitations.
The use of 'however' is more appropriate in this context to show a contrast between two different ideas.
RevisedIn conclusion, the personalised attention and flexibility of homeschooling are outweighed by the qualified teaching, broad curriculum, and essential social development provided by schools. Therefore, I believe the disadvantages of educating children at home outweigh the advantages.
The conclusion can be rephrased to clearly state the writer's position and to improve the overall coherence and cohesion of the essay.
Grammar & accuracy
Band 9.0/ 9
The essay uses a wide range of complex structures. The majority of sentences are error-free.
Sentence revisions 1
RevisedAlthough this approach has genuine merits, in my opinion, its drawbacks outweigh its benefits.
The revision provides a more formal and academic tone to the sentence.
Lexical resource
Band 8.0/ 9
The essay demonstrates a good command of a broad lexical repertoire. A variety of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions are used appropriately. There are a few instances of less common lexical items.
Sentence revisions 2
RevisedParents can tailor the pace and content of lessons to match their child's individual strengths.
The revision provides a more precise and idiomatic use of language.
RevisedHomeschooled children are free from the distractions of a busy classroom and save time that would otherwise be spent commuting.
The revision provides a more concise and natural sounding phrase.
Task response
Band 8.0/ 9
The essay addresses the task effectively and provides a clear position throughout the response. Both sides of the argument are discussed in a balanced way. The conclusion clearly restates the position.
Suggestions
- Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single main idea and that all sentences in the paragraph are clearly related to that idea.
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