Band 9 Writing Sample
Two questions in one - WT2

Sample Response
Smartphones have become an inseparable part of many of our lives. They provide access to games, videos, music, books, and apps. According to Pew Research, children enjoy these activities and find them engaging, fun, and rewarding.
Smartphones allow children to communicate and connect with their friends, family, and peers through social media, messaging, and video calls. Children greatly value these interactions and hence frequently seek them out.
More importantly, smartphones offer a sense of autonomy and control for children. In other words, these devices allow kids to choose what they want to do, when they want to do it, and how they want to do it. Children who feel restricted or bored in other aspects of their lives may quickly get addicted to the sense of freedom provided by smartphones.
Similarly, phones also serve as a coping mechanism for children experiencing stress, anxiety, loneliness, and other negative emotions. Children view smartphones as an escape from these problems.
On the plus side, smartphone use can enhance children’s learning, creativity, and curiosity by exposing them to a wealth of information and resources. It can also foster children’s social and emotional skills, such as communication, collaboration, empathy, and self-expression, by enabling them to interact with a diverse set of people.
However, excessive smartphone use can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to obesity, fatigue, and other health problems. Besides, research has shown that unbridled smartphone use can affect attention, memory, and cognitive abilities, resulting in lower academic performance and reduced productivity.
The final call as to whether smartphone use is a positive or a negative development depends on several factors, such as the amount, and quality of smartphone us, as well as the individual needs of each child.

Examiner Response
- All the requirements of the task are fully and appropriately satisfied.
- The message can be followed effortlessly and Paragraphing is skilfully managed.
- A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
- A variety of structures have been used with full flexibility and control.
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