Academic Discussion — scored sample answer
Happiness vs Achievement
3.0/5 on the ETS 0-5 rater rubric
The response clearly states a position and references classmates, but it lacks specific examples and deeper engagement with their ideas. The language is mostly accurate but not varied or sophisticated. Focus on providing more detailed examples and enhancing syntactic variety to improve the score.
Reach120 practice band estimate — not an official ETS score How we estimate
18 / 30
legacy comparison · pre-2026 scale
Content
3/5Breakdown
Working well
- Personal Experience — “In my experience, I tend to achieve greater success at work when I am enjoying my personal life”
To improve
- Generic Support Try: Provide specific examples or data to illustrate how personal happiness leads to better outcomes, such as improved mental health or productivity.
- Lack of Specific Examples Try: Include more detailed examples, such as how a specific trip or hobby improved your work performance or mental health.
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