Dissecting a Distinction: Line-by-Line Analysis of iTEP

The reality most students face in iTEP writing is brutally simple: time runs out before ideas become language. You may know what you want to say, but under exam pressure, sentences collapse into safe, short forms. Vocabulary repeats. Structure drifts. For students using iTEP scores for university admission or placement tests, this gap between thinking and writing is what holds scores back. This guide strips the process down to what markers actually reward. No motivational fluff. No guessing. Just a clear demonstration of how a high-scoring iTEP essay is built, why it works, and how to replicate it under exam conditions.

The “Visualized” Model Answer

Essay Prompt (Typical iTEP Task):Some people believe that technology has improved communication between people. Others feel it has made relationships weaker. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In the past, communication was limited by distance and time, often requiring letters or expensive phone calls to stay in touch. Today, digital platforms allow messages to travel instantly, connecting people across continents within seconds. Supporters of technology argue that this speed has strengthened relationships, especially for families and friends who live far apart. A parent working overseas can now speak to their child daily, sharing moments that would otherwise be lost.

Video calls, social media updates, and instant messaging create a constant stream of shared experiences. This accessibility reduces emotional distance and provides reassurance, particularly during emergencies or important life events. For many users, technology does not replace human connection but extends it, allowing relationships to survive despite physical separation.

However, critics argue that this convenience comes at a cost. When communication becomes effortless, it can also become superficial. Short messages and emojis often replace meaningful conversations, reducing emotional depth. Friends may interact frequently online yet avoid face-to-face discussions that require patience and empathy.

In social settings, it is common to see groups of people sitting together while focusing on their screens rather than each other. This behaviour weakens real-world social skills and limits the ability to interpret tone, facial expressions, and body language. Over time, reliance on digital communication may erode the foundations of strong personal relationships.

In my view, technology itself is neither harmful nor beneficial; its impact depends on how it is used. When people use digital tools to support existing relationships, technology acts as a bridge rather than a barrier. However, when it replaces genuine interaction, it risks creating isolation instead of connection. A balanced approach, where online communication complements rather than substitutes real conversations, allows technology to enhance relationships without weakening them.

Ultimately, iTEP writing rewards clarity, development, and control. By presenting both perspectives clearly and supporting them with realistic examples, a writer demonstrates the critical thinking and language precision expected at higher score bands.

The Mark Scheme Decoder

The “Singapore Trap”

Step-by-Step Rewrite Drill

Band 3 Paragraph (Before):Technology is very important nowadays and many people use it every day. It helps people communicate better and faster. But sometimes people use phone too much and don’t talk to each other. This can cause problems in relationships.

Band 1 Paragraph (After):Technology plays a central role in modern communication, enabling people to exchange information quickly and efficiently. While this speed improves convenience, excessive reliance on mobile devices can reduce meaningful face-to-face interaction, weakening personal relationships over time.

Why This Works:The Band 1 version removes repetition (“very”, “every day”) and replaces it with precise verbs such as “enabling” and “reducing”. Two short, simple sentences are combined into a controlled complex structure, showing grammatical range. The idea remains the same, but clarity and development increase. Teachers with MOE experience often note that iTEP markers reward this kind of tightening: fewer ideas, expressed more clearly, score higher than many weak points listed together. Centers that employ Ex-MOE markers, such as iWorld Learning, often emphasise this rewrite process because it directly mirrors how scripts are judged.

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