Introduction
The 2024 IB ACIO Tier II (Descriptive English) paper gives us vital clues about what examiners expect in structure, depth, and style. By analyzing the actual questions, candidate responses and patterns, aspirants can fine-tune their preparation. In this post, we break down the 2024 paper’s questions, propose answer outlines, and share model answers/approaches you can adapt.
1. Quick Recap of the 2024 Descriptive English Paper (From Snapshot)
From your snapshots:
- Q1: Essay — “Write an essay … in not more than 400 words” on one of 5 topics. (30 marks)
- Q2: A reading passage (~250-300 words) + sub-questions (5 sub-parts, 2 marks each, total 10 marks)
- The passage dealt with obesity & malnutrition paradox in India, trends, causes, policy suggestions.
- The sub-questions included:
i) “The solution … is essentially same: Explain.”
ii) “Prime reasons for obesity?”
iii) “How is economy benefited from health of citizens?”
iv) “Why children suffer disproportionately more … compared to adults?”
v) “Key finding of HCES 2022-23 w.r.t rural / urban consumption and why important?” - Q3: A passage about Ancient Greeks and the concept of eris (discord), with instruction: “Read passage and write the précis in your own words (not more than 100 words).” (10 marks)
So the 2024 paper followed the older 30 + 10 + 10 format (essay heavier, comprehension + précis) rather than the new confirmed 2025 pattern.
2. What This Paper Tells Us: Insights for Aspirants
A. Topic Areas & Relevance
- The essay options are thematic (social progress, technology, growth, media, tourism) — wide but within standard issue areas.
- The comprehension passage is on health / nutrition paradox, which is a hybrid domain (public health + socio-economic) — themes that intersect multiple topics.
- The précis passage deals with classical philosophy / conceptual vocabulary (eris, balance, mythology) — showing examiners are comfortable with somewhat elevated text.
B. Question Design & Depth
- The comprehension sub-questions test understanding, inference, summarization, linking policy to outcomes, and recognizing trends / datasets.
- The précis demands condensation and capturing essence in ≤100 words.
- The essay gives freedom but expects depth, argument balance, examples, suggestions.
C. Time & Weight Management
Given 30 + 10 + 10 = 50 marks, a candidate had to allocate time wisely: perhaps 25–30 min for essay, ~10 min for comprehension + sub-answers, ~8–10 min for précis, and a bit for revision.
D. Trend Implication
Even though 2024’s paper had a certain pattern, 2025’s official structure (20 + 10 + 20) is now confirmed (from your screenshot), so aspirants must be flexible: master both essay + analytical + comprehension + précis styles.
3. Answer Outlines & Model Responses
Below are sample outlines and partial model answers you (or your readers) can use as templates.
Q1: Sample Essay Topic
Let’s take one: “Increasing dependence on technology — bane or boon?”
Outline Suggestion
- Introduction
- Define “technology dependence”
- State thesis: both boon & bane, depending on usage and regulation - Arguments for Boon
- Efficiency, automation, connectivity, access to information
- E-governance, telemedicine, education in remote areas - Arguments for Bane / Risks
- Overreliance, privacy / cybersecurity, digital divide
- Mental health issues, job displacement - Balancing & Mitigation
- Regulation, ethical AI, digital literacy
- Hybrid models, checks & balances - Conclusion
- Summarize balanced view
- Call to responsible adoption
Partial Model Answer (Introduction + First Argument)
In the 21st century, our lives are deeply interwoven with technology. From smartphones guiding our daily routines to artificial intelligence shaping industries, dependence on technology has become nearly inescapable. Whether this dependence is a boon or a bane depends on how we harness, regulate, and adapt to it.
On the positive side, technology offers remarkable efficiency and convenience. In education, digital platforms break geographical barriers, bringing quality learning to remote regions. In healthcare, telemedicine connects patients with specialists even in distant towns. Smart systems improve governance through e-governance, reducing corruption and delays. These advances uplift productivity and human welfare when deployed judiciously.
If you continue with balanced discussion and real examples, this would make a strong essay in ~350–400 words.
Q2: Comprehension + Sub-answers
Passage theme (obesity + malnutrition) gives you rich material to link health with economy, consumption trends, etc. Here’s how you should approach:
Answer Approach / Tips
- Read passage carefully, underline trends, data, key arguments.
- For each sub-question: give concise answer, then support with reference or logic from passage + outside insight if allowed.
- Use transitions (However, conversely, moreover) to maintain flow.
Sample Answers (draft)
i) “The solution for tackling obesity and malnutrition is essentially same” — Explain.
Answer: Because both involve caloric / nutritional imbalance, the remedy lies in promoting balanced diet and physical activity. The passage argues that regulating food marketing, promoting pulses & fruits, shaping fiscal policy, and raising awareness benefit both ends of the spectrum (undernutrition and obesity).
ii) What are the prime reasons for obesity?
Answer: Increased consumption of processed foods high in fats, salts, sugar; sedentary lifestyles; lack of consumption of fruits and vegetables; aggressive marketing of unhealthy food, especially to children.
iii) How is the economy of a country benefited from the health of its citizens?
Answer: Healthier citizens mean a more productive workforce, lower healthcare burden / costs, fewer sick days, better economic output. Better health also attracts investment, enhances human capital, and reduces social welfare spending.
iv) Why do children today suffer disproportionately more from obesity compared to adults?
Answer: Children’s metabolism, growing bodies, and lifestyle shifts (less physical play, more screen time, junk food) make them more vulnerable. Also, marketing is often targeted at children, and nutritional transitions affect younger age groups first.
v) Key finding of Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022–23 w.r.t urban/rural consumption and why important?
Answer: The survey shows that rural households’ consumption on processed foods / equivalent beverages has nearly matched their urban counterparts in relative terms. This is important because it signals the rise of unhealthy dietary patterns in rural settings, indicating that the health transition is not limited to cities, and policy must address rural health risks too.
Q3: Précis (≈100 words) — Model Approach
You must extract the core idea of the eris / ancient Greeks passage: how Greeks saw balance of forces, belief in “good eris” and “bad eris,” and how unchecked “bad eris” (discord) leads to trouble, etc.
Sample Précis (≈90–100 words)
The Ancient Greeks conceived the universe through eris, a principle of opposing forces—good eris produced harmony, bad eris brought discord. They believed life required a balance: goodness, peace, war, and sorrow were part of a continuum. While harmony prevailed when forces were balanced, bad eris, when ignored, grew unchecked and destabilized human and natural order. In myths, eris is personified as the goddess of discord, influencing fate and events. Ultimately, Greek thought warns that discord, if left uncontrolled, can escalate, disrupt families, societies, or nature itself.
(This is a succinct capture of the passage’s essence. Adjust slightly based on full original text.)
4. Comparative Note: 2024 vs Official 2025 Pattern
As we saw, 2024 used the descriptive structure 30 + 10 + 10. But for 2025 the official notification confirms a different format: Essay (20 marks), English comprehension (10 marks), and two long answer questions (2 × 10 = 20 marks) in 1 hour (total 50).
So while model answers above suit the 2024 structure, aspirants must now also gear up for heavier analytical long answers (which in 2024 were wrapped inside comprehension) rather than purely précis style. Your practice should hence include:
- Essays (~20-25 minute versions)
- Analytical responses to current affairs / socio-economic issues (two questions)
- Comprehension + short sub-answers (10 marks)
This shift in structure requires you to diversify your practice beyond the old model.
5. Tips for Aspirants from this Analysis
- For comprehension + long answers: focus on linking facts → analysis → suggestions.
- For essays: maintain balance, structure, examples, and precise conclusion.
- For précis: work on condensing complex concepts into crisp language.
- Time your sections realistically: In 2025 format, perhaps 25 min for essay, 10 min for comprehension, 20 min for two long answers, 5 min for revision.