Value of Extracurricular Activities: PTE Essay Question with Sample Answers - Page 3

Your task

Read the essay question below, then write 200 to 300 words in response.

“‘Extracurricular activities are just a distraction from academic activities and bring students very few actual benefits.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Support your point of view with reasons and/or examples from your own experience.”

30 community answers with AI feedback

SCORE 23/26

Extracurricular activities in the present world have become an integral part of students' lives. While some people argue that these activities are merely distractions from academic studies and offer minimal benefits, others strongly disagree. In my opinion, extracurricular activities have both advantages and disadvantages, which will be discussed in the essay. To commence with, extracurricular activities offer numerous benefits to students. Activities such as sports, spelling bees, and athletics help in developing physical fitness, teamwork, and confidence. Moreover, a continuous focus on academic studies can become monotonous, causing students to lose interest in school. For instance, a research study conducted by the World Health Organization (W.H.O) revealed that students who actively participate in extracurricular activities tends to achieve better academic outcomes. On the other hand, these activities can sometimes have negative effects. In certain cases, students may become more interested in non-academic pursuits and neglect their studies, which is undesirable. It is often observed that students who excel in extracurricular activities do not always perform equally well in academics. For instance, a research study conducted by the University of Sydney revealed that students who are better in extracurricular activities are not better than students who are better in academic studies. To conclude, although extracurricular activities have some disadvantages, their advantages outweigh the drawbacks. Therefore, in my opinion, extracurricular activities are beneficial for children.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt, presenting a persuasive argument with relevant ideas and examples, though the argument could be expanded further.

Grammar:

The essay shows consistent grammatical control with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout according to standard conventions.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire, effectively dealing with the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately throughout the response, with clear communication of ideas.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional and appropriate structure with clear argument development, a coherent introduction and conclusion, and logical paragraphs.

SCORE 23/26

In today's society, some people believe that extracurricular activities are just a distraction from academic activities and do not bring students any actual benefits. However, I strongly disagree with this statement. In this essay, I will explain why I believe that extracurricular activities are not just a distraction and support my opinion with reasons and examples of my own. Firstly, I disagree with this statement because extracurricular activities help students develop many important life skills. Activities such as sports, music, or drama teach teamwork, communication, discipline, and time management. For example, when I participated in a school sports event, I learned how to work with others and improved my teamwork skills. These skills are not only important in school but also in your workplace. Additionally, extracurricular activities help reduce stress, improve mental health. Academic pressure can be really high for some students, so taking part in these activities can help the students to take a break and relax. For example, students taking part in drama, which takes place after the exams, that helps the student to be motivated during the exam season. Some people argue that these activities take time away from the students. While this can be true if not managed well by the students, the teachers should make sure this does not happen. In conclusion, some people think extracurricular activities are a distraction, the benefits clearly outweigh the drawbacks. Therefore, I strongly agree that extracurricular activities play a crucial role in student's overall development.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant examples, though some points could be expanded further.

Grammar:

The essay shows consistent grammatical control with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout according to standard conventions.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire relevant to the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately, with clear communication and minor errors.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a clear structure with a logical flow, including a well-developed introduction and conclusion. Some transitions could be smoother.

SCORE 23/26

People believe that students are getting distracted from their studies because of physical activities, and there are no actual benefits. While people hold different opinions, it is clear that extracurricular activities have a significant impact on various aspects of society. This essay will discuss major ideas related to the impact of physical activities on mental health and overall development, and present a logical conclusion. To begin with, one significant aspect of physical activities is the overall brain development. This is important because physical activities help in socialization, which leads to brain development and improves physical health. In many situations, children play various kinds of outdoor games, which help them to stay fit, demonstrating how physical activity impacts individuals and societies. Therefore, understanding this viewpoint helps in analyzing the overall impact of extracurricular activities. Another perspective that deserves attention is that academic activities are most important in today's world, but not at the cost of physical and mental health. This idea is supported by the fact that outdoor games and physical activities are an important part of life. For instance, research conducted by the American Society states that outdoor activities help overall physical and brain development, which increases their focus on study. In conclusion, both viewpoint illustrates the impact of physical activity on their academic activity. Therefore, In my opinion, extracurricular activities are as important as academic activity.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant ideas, though it could expand further on examples.

Grammar:

The essay shows consistent grammatical control with no errors that lead to misunderstandings.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout the essay.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire, effectively dealing with the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately throughout, with clear ideas and minor errors.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional structure with clear introduction and conclusion, using connective devices to link ideas, though some transitions could be smoother.

SCORE 23/26

Some people argue that extracurricular activities distract students from academic study and provide few real benefits. I strongly disagree. In my view, these activities complement academics by improving students' health, skills and personal development. To begin with, extracurricular activities, especially sports, support both physical and mental well being. Regular exercise such as running, swimming or team games improve stamina, coordination, and stress management. As a result, students often concentrate better in class and are more resilient during exams. In my own experience, I performed was able to concentrate better after an hour of swimming, it also improved my cardio vascular health. In addition, clubs and hobbies help students discover interests and build transferable skills. Activities like learning a musical instrument or participating in art and craft develop creativity, patience, and attention to detail. In some cases, students may even turn these interests into future careers or scholarships. Admittedly, academic study remains essential because it provides foundational knowledge and formal qualifications for many professions. However, this does not mean extracurricular activities are a waste of time. When balanced properly, they enhance a student's over all profile rather than reducing academic performance. In conclusion, extracurricular activities offer substantial benefits and should be included in school curricula. They contribute to student's overall development and can even improve academic outcomes when managed responsibly.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay fully addresses the prompt, reformulates the issue in own words, and provides relevant examples and arguments.

Grammar:

Shows relatively high grammatical control but contains a minor error ('performed was able').

Spelling:

Contains exactly one spelling error ('cardio vascular').

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire is evident.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately throughout the response.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has an effective logical structure, flows smoothly, and uses connective devices effectively.

SCORE 23/26

In recent years, extra-curricular activities have gained considerable attention in the field of education. While many educators argue that they are vital for a child’s growth, I firmly believe that academic study should remain the primary focus, and too much emphasis on activities outside the classroom can be counterproductive. Firstly, the purpose of schooling is to impart academic knowledge, which is imperative for success in higher education and career development. Extra-curricular activities, although enjoyable, can overindulge students and reduce the time they devote to essential subjects like mathematics, science, and languages. For example, I have discerned cases where students active in multiple clubs often performed poorly in examinations due to a lack of preparation. This can leave them bewildered when competing with peers who concentrated solely on academics. Moreover, participation in numerous activities may make learners lethargic rather than energized. Instead of achieving balance, students may become exhausted from juggling between academics and sports or arts, leading to reduced productivity. Owing to the increasing competition in today’s world, students who fail to prioritize academics risk missing out on opportunities that require high test scores. In conclusion, while extra-curricular activities may have limited recreational value, they should not overshadow the academic mission of schools. Academic excellence is crucial, and students must not be distracted from their main purpose of education.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant examples, but lacks depth in exploring the benefits of extracurricular activities.

Grammar:

Displays consistent grammatical control with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout the essay.

Vocabulary Range:

Demonstrates a good command of a broad lexical repertoire.

General Linguistic Range:

Uses a variety of expressions and vocabulary appropriately, with occasional errors that do not impede meaning.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a clear structure with a logical flow, effective introduction and conclusion, and uses connective devices to link ideas.

SCORE 23/26

There has been an ongoing debate, about extracurricular activities being a distraction from academic activities, which brings very few actual benefits to students. I strongly believe a balanced approach works wonders in students, as it not only makes them academically strong but also enables them with practical real-life skills, hence I do not consider extracurricular activities to be a distraction. Firstly, academic activities such as class-room presentations, group projects with peers, participating in quizzes can help students become proficient in research, develop their interpersonal skills, remember the topic of study better. A recent research undertaken by the professors of the University of Arizona shows that students who have involved themselves in academic activities tend to become more successful in their career-life. However, extracurricular activities such as chess, tennis, football, classical dance, etc, can equip students with sharp memory, good fitness, creative thinking and to develop better control over their body and mind. It can also bring a good balance in the life of young adults. Therefore, it is important for students to participate in both extracurricular and academic activities to help them attain a holistic growth in life and this can be achieved only by their own perseverance and with the support of their parents and peers. It is also significant to ensure that focus on one activity must not dominate the other to avoid any adverse effects in their performance or growth.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant ideas, but lacks depth in some areas.

Grammar:

Consistent grammatical control of complex language with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout the essay.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire relevant to the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately, with occasional errors.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional structure with clear argumentation, but some transitions between ideas could be smoother.

SCORE 23/26

In this essay, I would like to extend my view on this topic: that extracurricular activities will never be a distraction from academic activities for the students or bring only a few actual benefits to them. However, there could be a few distractions for the students when they are conducting or participating in extracurricular activities during their exam preparation or assignment. In spite of that, the extracurricular activities could bring broader aspects to the students to visualise their future from a very young age. These extracurricular activities, along with academic activities, could bring students to decide and understand the path which needs to be chosen and start developing the skills to achieve that. With this, the students who show interest in activities such as art or dance can become artists or choreographers. On the other hand, the students who show interest in sporting activities like swimming, football, cricket, etc. could shape their careers accordingly. Ultimately, there are certain countries in the world that also promote the students to take up any of these activities as their passion by giving quota reservations to get jobs and admission into top-ranked colleges in their respective countries. This way, we could also make the students competitive. passionate and healthy. In the conclusion, I would want the schools to create a balance between academic and extracurricular activities to make the younger generation of the respective country sharp and energetic.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt and presents a persuasive argument with relevant ideas, though some points could be expanded further.

Grammar:

Consistent grammatical control of complex language is demonstrated with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout according to standard conventions.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire, suitable for the topic.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately throughout the response with occasional minor errors.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional and appropriate structure with a clear argument, though some transitions could be smoother.

SCORE 23/26

Extracurricular activities means the activities students perform beyond their academics. People often see extracurricular activities as a distraction from academic activities and bring students very few actual benefits. I do not agree with this statement as these activities have various benefits which will be discussed in this essay. Extracurricular activities often include sports, music, arts and community service. These activities reduce the stress on students and results in their physical well-being. Extracurricular activities help in building teamwork and developing leadership skills. For example, Cricket is a team game which requires efforts from all the players in the team. These activities often help in enhancing cognitive skills and analytical skills. It enhances our academic performance through balanced learning which results in good grades. Social responsibility and community engagement can be developed in students through these activities. For example, Children use different strategies and tactics in sports to win games and these strategies can be used in examinations and academic activities, as it can boost the academic performance. Overall, these activities have many benefits and result in good physical and mental health of students. Colleges need to encourage students who are talented and passionate in these activities to pursue them as a career. It is evident that extracurricular activities are not just a distraction from academic activities.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt, presenting a persuasive argument with relevant ideas and examples. Main points are highlighted effectively.

Grammar:

Shows consistent grammatical control of complex language with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout according to standard conventions.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire, suitable for academic topics.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately throughout the response. Ideas are expressed clearly.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional and appropriate structure with a clear argument. Introduction, conclusion, and logical paragraphs are present.

SCORE 23/26

Nowadays, many educational institutions focus on extracurricular activities. Although some critics argue that extracurricular activities are just a distraction from academic activities and bring students very few actual benefits, I believe that extracurricular activities will add value to students' performance. Firstly, not all students perform well academically. Some students are very good at other activities. For example, a student who performs poorly academically will perform best in sports, music, dance or other activities. For those students, institutions also have the best guidance and allow them to spend time on what they are best at. When the institutions encourage those students, they will help to shape their future. However, some students perform well in both academic and extracurricular activities. For instance, a top student also wins in sports and has very good music skills. To encourage these students, extracurricular activities should be added to their academic schedule. It adds value to their performance and helps in creating a multi-talented student. When students spend time on extracurricular activities, it does not always affect their regular academic classes. It will be a well-planned structure to spend enough time on both academic and extracurricular activities, so it balances student life. In conclusion, extracurricular activities are much needed to build a strong, multi-talented generation, yet focusing on academic activities.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt, presenting a persuasive argument with relevant ideas and examples, though some points could be expanded further.

Grammar:

Shows consistent grammatical control of complex language with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout according to standard conventions.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire, suitable for academic topics.

General Linguistic Range:

A variety of expressions and vocabulary are used appropriately throughout the response, with clear communication of ideas.

Development Structure Coherence:

The essay has a conventional and appropriate structure with a clear argument, logical paragraphs, and effective use of connective devices, though some transitions could be smoother.

SCORE 23/26

Extracurricular activities are just a distraction from academic activities and bring students very few actual benefits. I do not agree with the statement, as extracurricular activities actually boost the confidence of students, provide additional space for them to grow, try out new things, explore their interests and build skills outside of studying. Studies show that extracurricular activities actually increase the concentration levels of students, and in turn, they can study and grasp ideas better than those who spend their time studying. Students also build their teamwork capacities and communication skills by making more friends in the activities. Extracurricular activities, in some cases, turn into life-saving skills or provide a career pathway for the students. For instance, swimming and karate are essential life skills, and students who indulge in sports activities can actually make a career out of it and excel in their passion. This applies to every activity. On the other hand, students who spend their early years on just academics tend to be boring, less focused, in their own world, and scared to do new things. It is difficult for them to come out of their bubble. It is suggested that every student take part in at least one extra activity. In conclusion, students who are actively involved in extracurricular activities tend to stand out and become overall achievers in both academics and their interests.

AI Feedback

Form:

Form score is 2

Content:

The essay adequately addresses the prompt with a persuasive argument and relevant ideas, although it could expand more on certain points.

Grammar:

The essay shows consistent grammatical control of complex language with rare errors.

Spelling:

Spelling is correct throughout the essay.

Vocabulary Range:

Good command of a broad lexical repertoire and appropriate use of vocabulary.

General Linguistic Range: