Being critical
An essential skill for IELTS Writing Task 2 (and Speaking Part 3) is CRITICAL THINKING.
But what exactly is critical thinking?
'To criticise' has 2 meanings:
1. to indicate the faults of (someone or something) in a disapproving way.
2. to form and express a judgment of something.
Critical thinking focuses on meaning 2: judging something, and evaluating the pros and cons.
This is exactly what you have to do in Writing Task 2, so you need to develop critical thinking skills alongside your language skills.
Critical thinking is the ability to examine information rationally and make a reasoned judgment based on your analysis.
So when I saw this article 'Why squid game is a critique of meritocracy' (written by a Matt Bennett, a senior lecturer at Essex University and appearing in The Conversation, which is an excellent reading source for IELTS students), I knew it would be difficult, because the writer is looking beneath the surface and digging deeper into the issues that Squid game represents.
I had to read it a few times before I fully understood the writer's point and purpose. But it was worth it. It has given me a lot to think about. It has given me ideas to discuss. This is the whole point of reading - it helps you see things from another point of view so that you can make a reasoned judgment and show that you are aware of deeper issues.
