Some people are of the opinion that we should focus more on the present rather than making plans for the future. From my perspective, while this argument can be explained for some reasons, I would argue that planning is of paramount importance in the success of any person, and therefore I completely disagree with this statement. People who advocate this idea cite the living-for-the-moment way of life as their ideology. Preparations and arrangements are deemed too complicated for them, and some even think that having a plan is tantamount to giving ourselves unnecessary concerns. However, I find this argument somewhat flawed, since planning ahead is far from synonymous with excessive worrying. Good planners see planning as a their future goals, rather than a complication that stands personal development. Furthermore, I believe that future planning is what makes a person successful in life. Good preparations give a person an edge over impulsive, disoriented ones, and indeed, no big corporations would run well without well thought-out, elaborate schemes. Also, good planning helps people minimize uncertainties. Success stories of famous entrepreneurs and politicians all pinpoint the need for a careful, detailed plan. In times of crisis, a person or an organization with great predictions of as many potential problems as possible always triumphs over those without good planning. In conclusion, my firm conviction is that careful planning for the future is never an unnecessary burden. It is one of the most important attributes constituting success. It is not an overstatement to say that if one fails to plan, they plan to fail.
Planning for the Future vs Living in the Present
Some people believe that planning for the future is a waste of time because they think that focusing on the present is more important. To what do you extent agree or disagree?
Annotated response
2 correction notes
Overall assessment
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response presents a clear, consistent disagreement with the statement and develops the counterargument and supporting reasons logically, using a wide range of precise vocabulary. The main limitation is that some supporting claims rely on assertion and generic examples rather than fully developed reasoning, and paragraph-level linkage is at times formulaic.
IELTS criteria
How each score was decided
Task Response
7.0The position is clear throughout, the opposing view is acknowledged and rebutted, and main ideas are supported with relevant explanation and examples, though some points are asserted rather than fully extended.
Coherence and Cohesion
7.0The essay progresses logically through acknowledgement, rebuttal, and supporting arguments with clear paragraphing, but some cohesive devices such as furthermore and also are used mechanically and idea links are occasionally implicit.
Lexical Resource
8.0Vocabulary is flexible and precise, with natural and sophisticated collocations such as paramount importance, tantamount to, and gives an edge over, showing rare inappropriate usage.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
7.5A wide range of complex structures is used with generally good control and frequent error-free sentences, with only minor slips in phrasing such as this argument can be explained for some reasons.