Cambridge IELTS 15 Test 4 Writing Task 2: Achieve Anything
Cambridge IELTS 15 · Test 4 · Academic Writing Task 2Advantages and disadvantagesCulture & lifestyle
The question says that in some cultures children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. Candidates must discuss the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message.
The question
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message. Write at least 250 words.
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How to read the question
- This is an advantages and disadvantages essay: both sides must be covered in reasonable depth. A personal opinion is not required, but a brief, clear view in the conclusion can strengthen the answer.
- The focus is the message itself, telling children that effort alone can achieve anything, not hard work or ambition in general.
- Key words are anything and if they try hard enough. The message links success entirely to effort, so a strong disadvantage is what it implies when children fail despite trying.
- Consider effects on the children, such as motivation, confidence, resilience, stress and self-esteem, rather than only on society or the economy.
- In some cultures sets the context, so you can mention that the message reflects particular cultural values, but you do not need to compare specific countries.
- Avoid drifting into a discussion of how parents should raise children in general, or whether talent or effort matters more, unless it is linked to the message.
Suggested position
Telling children they can achieve anything through effort can motivate them and build resilience, but it also risks creating unrealistic expectations and self-blame, so I believe it is most helpful when combined with an honest recognition of limits.
Paragraph plan
- 1
Introduction
Paraphrase the idea that children in some cultures are encouraged to believe effort can make anything possible, and say the essay will consider its benefits and drawbacks.
- 2
Body paragraph 1: advantages
Explain that the message encourages persistence and a belief that ability can grow, so children keep trying after difficulties; it also gives children from poor or disadvantaged backgrounds the confidence to aim high instead of accepting limits. Use an example such as a pupil who practises until they master mathematics or a musical instrument.
- 3
Body paragraph 2: disadvantages
Explain that the message is not literally true: talent, health, money and luck also matter. Children who fail despite great effort may conclude they did not try hard enough and blame themselves, which can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem; it can also create pressure, overwork and unrealistic career goals.
- 4
Conclusion
Summarise both sides and give a brief view: the message is valuable for motivation, but adults should pair it with honesty that effort improves one's chances rather than guaranteeing success.
Ideas and arguments
- The message encourages persistence: children learn that failure is a step towards improvement rather than a sign of low ability.
- It supports a growth mindset, the belief that skills develop with practice, which can improve results at school.
- Children from disadvantaged backgrounds may be inspired to aim for careers they might otherwise consider out of reach.
- Belief in effort builds self-discipline and work habits that are useful throughout life.
- The message ignores factors beyond a child's control, such as natural ability, health, family income and luck.
- When children fail despite trying hard, they may blame themselves, leading to anxiety, guilt and low self-esteem.
- Constant pressure to keep trying can result in exhaustion and in children giving up hobbies and rest to study.
- It may also encourage unrealistic goals, for example every child expecting to become a professional athlete or a famous performer.
Band 8+ model answer
292 words · An original model answer written for ieltswrites, not an official answer. It stays in English, as in the exam.
In some societies, children grow up hearing that there is no limit to what they can accomplish as long as they work hard enough. This message has clear benefits for young people's motivation, but it also carries risks that parents and teachers should not overlook.
The main advantage of this message is that it encourages perseverance. Children who believe that effort leads to success are more likely to keep practising when they struggle with a difficult subject or a musical instrument, treating setbacks as part of learning rather than as proof that they lack talent. This attitude builds resilience and self-discipline that will serve them well in adult life. In addition, the message can be particularly empowering for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. If they are told that hard work can open any door, they may aim high and pursue careers, such as medicine or law, that their families never imagined possible.
However, the message is not literally true, and this creates problems. Success also depends on factors beyond a child's control, including innate ability, health, family income and simple luck. A child who studies diligently but still fails an important exam may conclude that they did not try hard enough and blame themselves, which can damage their self-esteem and cause anxiety. Furthermore, the belief that more effort always brings results can push young people to work excessively, sacrificing sleep and leisure, and in some cases leading to burnout.
In conclusion, telling children they can achieve anything is a double-edged message. It can inspire effort and ambition, but it can also set unrealistic expectations and encourage self-blame. In my view, it is most valuable when adults combine it with honesty, explaining that hard work greatly improves one's chances but does not guarantee success.
Why this answer scores highly
- Task Response
- Both advantages and disadvantages are developed with explanation and examples linked to children's lives, and the conclusion offers a brief, clear view that follows logically from the discussion.
- Coherence and Cohesion
- One body paragraph is devoted to each side, each opening with a clear topic sentence, and ideas are linked with devices such as in addition, however and furthermore without mechanical overuse.
- Lexical Resource
- Topic-specific vocabulary such as perseverance, setbacks, disadvantaged backgrounds, innate ability and burnout is used naturally and precisely, avoiding repetition of the question wording.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- The essay uses conditional structures, relative clauses, gerund subjects and concessive clauses accurately, giving a wide range of complex sentences.
Useful vocabulary
- perseverance
- continuing to try despite difficulties
- resilience
- the ability to recover quickly from setbacks
- growth mindset
- the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and learning
- self-esteem
- a person's sense of their own worth
- set unrealistic expectations
- lead someone to expect more than is possible
- setback
- a problem that delays progress
- innate ability
- a natural talent that a person is born with
- disadvantaged background
- a family situation with less money or fewer opportunities
- aim high
- have ambitious goals
- blame oneself
- believe that one is responsible for a failure
- burnout
- physical and mental exhaustion caused by too much work or stress
- factors beyond their control
- things a person cannot change, such as luck or health
- a double-edged message
- a message that has both good and bad effects
Common mistakes
- Writing a general essay on whether hard work leads to success instead of discussing the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message.
- Covering only advantages or only disadvantages, or giving one side a single sentence, which limits Task Response.
- Writing an opinion essay that argues the message is good or bad without clearly organising the points as advantages and disadvantages.
- Ignoring the key words if they try hard enough, and so missing the strongest disadvantage: children blaming themselves when effort does not lead to success.
- Using memorised, general examples about famous billionaires instead of examples linked to children's school and personal lives.
- Repeating children and try hard throughout instead of using young people, effort, perseverance and determination.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Cambridge book is this question from?
- This question about the advantages and disadvantages of telling children they can achieve anything if they try hard enough is Writing Task 2 of Test 4 in Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic, published in 2020.
- Do I need to give my opinion in this essay?
- The question does not ask for an opinion, so it is not required. However, a short, clear view in the conclusion, for example that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, is acceptable and can make the essay more convincing.
- How should I organise this advantages and disadvantages essay?
- The simplest structure is an introduction, one body paragraph on advantages, one on disadvantages and a short conclusion. Develop two main points in each body paragraph rather than listing many.
- How many words should I write for this Task 2?
- Write at least 250 words; about 270-310 words is usually enough to cover both sides fully in 40 minutes.
Free and timed, with a live word count, just like the computer-delivered test. Then get an instant AI band score.
The exam simulator runs on a computer. Open this page on a laptop or desktop to practise.