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IELTS Academic Task
IELTS Academic Task
It's very difficult to visualize and understand all the things that I have said above. You need to practice with good quality questions from IELTS practice tests. Here I will try and provide you with an example question and then go through the stages of thought to show you how to approach an IELTS Task 2 essay. Here is a possible question that would be typical for a Task 2 essay question. "Do you believe that societies ought to enforce capital punishment or Are there alternative forms of punishment that would be better used?" First of all you need to consider the question. What does it ask? Straight away, you can see that it asks 2 things. It wants to know if you believe that society should use capital punishment (cp) and it also wants to know if you can offer any alternatives to capital punishment. Your answer should give a balanced view of both parts of this question. What is important to realize is that there is no correct answer here. You can present any point of view as long as you can support it. So, in your planning stage you should have a roadmap for the introduction, each paragraph and the conclusion. Here is my brief plan for the essay.
Intro Body
1. 2. 3. 4. Inhumane - we shouldn't sink to the level of criminals. We can get convictions wrong; prisoners can be released if there's an error. Mentally ill. Examples. Alternative punishments: life means life; hospitals for criminally insane. Costs more but society has a duty to care. Many countries favour it and they say it works. Prisons too full. Killers deserve nothing less. Some crimes deserve it. Not my morals though. What cp is. Where it's used. (not my country). Differing opinions. I don't believe in cp. There are alternative punishments.
Conclusion
I don't agree. We can do other things. Avoid mistakes and make modern society a humane one. The above is a basic plan of how I want to write my essay. It's not rigid. I can change my ideas and format as I write if I feel I can do better. I can also add things that I've forgotten as the essay goes on. It's normal of course for you to have new, good ideas as you write and the skill is to get them into your essay without upsetting the balance of the essay. How do you do this? It's practice again. You won't get good at writing essays and adapting your writing well without practice with relevant questions from quality IELTS practice tests.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: The number of overweight children in developed countries is increasing. Some people think this is due to problems such as the growing number of fast food outlets. Others believe that parents are to blame for not looking after their children's health. To what extent do you agree with these views? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
model answer: There is plenty of evidence to suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse, according to the medical experts. I feel there are a number of reasons for this. Some people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods such as chips and fried chicken, at low prices. This has created a whole generation of adults who have never cooked a meal for themselves. If there were fewer of these restaurants, then children would not be tempted to buy take-away food. There is another argument that blames the parents for allowing their children to become overweight. I tend to agree with this view, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast food outlets. If children are given chips and chocolate rather than nourishing food, or are always allowed to choose what they eat, they will go for the sweet and salty foods every time, and this will carry on throughout their lives. There is a third factor, however, which contributes to the situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home, they sit in front of the television or their computers and play video games. Not only is this an unhealthy pastime, it also gives them time to eat more junk food. What they need is to go outside and play active games or sport. The two views discussed play an equal role in contributing to the problem, but I think we have to encourage young people to be more active, as well as steering them away from fast food outlets and bad eating habits. We need to have a balanced approach.
Position: Writer refers to a number of reasons in the introduction, and to the need for a balanced view in the conclusion. Main ideas: First sentence of the second paragraph; first and second sentences of the third paragraph; second sentence of the fourth paragraph. Linkers: and, according to, some people, such as, if, then, there is another argument, because, or, there is a third factor, however, not only, also, the two views discussed, but, as well as Reference words: the, this, who, themselves, these, this view, they, their, them Topic vocabulary: medical experts, shops, unhealthy, fatty foods, chips, cooked, take-away food, chocolate, sweet and salty, exercise, walk, television, computers, video games, unhealthy pastime, junk food, active games, sport, fast food outlets Sentence types: A wide range of complex structures and sentences is used.
General Training Writing Task 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
In most parts of the world people are living longer. What are the possible causes of this situation? Is this a negative or positive development? You should write at least 250 words. Model Answer Longevity in the world over has been increasing for a variety of reasons. Babies born today enjoy much longer life spans than those of their parents. It is argued that this increase is a positive phenomenon and that the main causes of it are both the deepening of medical understanding and the sharing of such information between people via tools like the Internet. These causes will be examined in detail to prove their value in the lengthening of worldwide life spans. Firstly, medical advancements over the last century have allowed people to postpone death. Among the more significant discoveries that made this possible is the development of antibiotics. Antibiotics, now available to most people the world over, dramatically lower incidences of infection and have thus greatly curbed the number of people the world over who die due to diseases once thought incurable. Thus, advancements in science can be seen as one of the more major contributors to the extending of worldwide life spans. Secondly, the Internet and the information shared across it has made the debunking of ineffective medical practices much easier. For example, medical folklore in countries like Ghana and rural China dictate new mothers avoid washing themselves for a month after giving birth. Before tools like the Internet, ridiculous and unsanitary practices such as this were widely believed to be in the best interests of the mothers health. Today, few people in either country would argue in favour of this postnatal tradition. Thus, the Internet has allowed people to share life-promoting information the world over. In conclusion, human life is precious and the global extending of life spans should be seen as positive. It is hoped medical discoveries continue to increase in number and that access to the Internet continues to grow, allowing longevity to be a pleasure enjoyed everywhere. This model answer was written for IELTS-Blog.com visitors by Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, blogger and author. For more of his free IELTS resources, visit his blog. In the past lecturers could teach a certain number of students in one lecture hall. With the development of new technology its hard to justify the reason to participate in the lecture physically and not via the Internet. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? What is your personal opinion? You should write at least 250 words. Model Answer Traditionally, lectures were given in large rooms to accommodate equally large audiences. With the advent of modern technology, this arrangement is being challenged by the option for students to attend class online. However, it is felt traditional lecture hall talks are beneficial to students and will never completely be replaced by the Internet. This will be shown by looking at how both the theatrical nature and possibility for face-to-face debate during an in-person lesson cater to the learning experience of an individual in a way that technology simply cannot. Firstly, lectures provide students with an element of theatre, which can be positive for their education. For example, while studying at university in Canada, I was once involved in a course that was televised in my city. During the first semester, I engaged in the classes solely by watching this broadcast from home and found myself to become quite lethargic and unenthusiastic regarding the content. However, during the second semester I was informed that as a registered student I could attend the classroom sessions of the same course and discovered this change revitalized my interest in the topics being discussed. As my experience shows, being present for a lecture physically can have positive effects on students. In addition to this, classroom lectures allow students to strengthen their wit and abilities as orators and this is not possible on the Internet. For example, although university classes usually have an online forum to provide a context for debate, this medium does not completely replicate the challenge faced when presenting and defending ideas in front of a live audience. Thus, the idea that traditional lecture-styled learning is less effective for students than more modern methods can be debunked. After analyzing how traditional in-class lessons benefit the academic process, it is felt that this style of learning will never be replaced entirely by technology. This model answer was written for IELTS-Blog.com visitors by Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, blogger and author. For more of his free IELTS resources, visit his blog.
Is it fair to students to have different abilities in one classroom? In some schools, students are divided into classes with different levels of ability. In other school systems, students are taught together, regardless of ability. In this essay, I will discuss if students benefit from being educated together. In many countries, students are educated together regardless of ability for a variety of reasons. Political correctness is one: some policymakers believe that equality and fairness are more important than meeting the needs of individual students. Another reason is ease of administration. Schools just randomly assign teachers and students to classes. The results, however, are that bright students are bored because they are not challenged. Weaker students stay weak and demotivated, and the country is deprived of the opportunity to create an elite group of students in arts, engineering or other disciplines who will go on to excel in university. There are some arguments for educating students of different ability together. One claim is that students will learn to cooperate with other students of different abilities. Its also suggested that few students are good at everything: they can learn from being in classes with students with different skills. These situations are similar to work and real life. However, the main reason against having separate classes is often political: some people fear that it leads to the development of an elite or favored group, with weaker students or schools being left with inferior teachers and fewer resources. In conclusion, instead of being an educational debate about how to serve students well, it is often a political one. We need to find out which system works best for our students and give them the best chance to succeed.
The rapid pace of development is damaging our environment. Some people say the answer is for all of us to lead a simpler life, but others say that technology can help solve our environmental problems. What do you think? Our planet is definitely suffering from the effects of seven billion people. Is the answer to go back to living in villages and farms, or is it to find new technological solutions for our problems? In this essay, I will say whywe need to consider both these options. Technology by itself cannot solve our environmental problems. First of all, it is neutral, neither good nor bad: Only the user can decide how it is to be used. Secondly, it is difficult to imagine in advance how new technology can be used, or misused. For example, if we learned how to produce endless cheap energy , would the results be necessarily all good? A third point is that technology generally belongs, at least at the beginning, to the rich and powerful, who use it for their own ends. However, we cannot just shun technology and go back to living simple lives in villages. For one thing, there would not be enough space in our rural areas. Imagine if all Bangkoks or Mumbais millions left the city and went back to farming or weaving. But we can make a difference by consuming much less, and reusing what we have. A switch from meat to vegetables or beans for one or two days a week would keep us healthier and reduce pressure on the Amazon rainforest. Walking instead of driving, demanding that products be recycled, and thinking about our consumption would make a huge difference.
In conclusion, we should look at ways of using technology to tackle environmental issues, rather than using it for mindless consumerism. When future generations see our mountains of abandoned cars and iPods, what will they think of us? Or will they get the chance?
Television news shows many scenes of disasters and violence. What effect can this have on individuals and society? Its almost impossible to avoid seeing images of famine, war, natural disasters, and violence on our screens. These graphic images can encourage us to act, or leave us cold. In this essay I will discuss the effects of these constant powerful pictures. Its natural to respond to other peoples suffering. When we see hungry children or frightened refugees on our televisions, we want to send money or support. Huge relief efforts such as Live Aid or Action for Haiti have resulted from ordinary peoples reactions. Another natural response is anger. We ask our leaders to act to change the political or economic situation that causes the pain. Some people also take action themselves. They volunteer time in their home communities to raise funds, or even work or fight in the affected region. Have a look at a longer (400-word) version of this essay However, the frequency of these painful and violent scenes can also have opposite effects. First of all, it doesnt seem right to watch tsunamis or other disasters while we are eating breakfast. Some people become obsessed with bad news on the television or internet. Second, its also natural to protect yourself and those around you. To reduce the impact on ourselves or our families, we change the television channel or make a joke about the conflict or continent affected. Finally, because the images seem never-ending, we get fed up sending money which does not seem to have any effect. Many people feel powerless and therefore do nothing, until an even more powerful image is forced on them. In conclusion, these scenes can motivate us to act and help others, or they can discourage and depress us. Its probably better to think carefully about what we watch and our reasons for watching.
In many countries, foreign labor is an important part of the economy. Using migrant labor can contribute to the development of a country, but it can also cause economic problems. What are some of the advantages and drawbacks of expatriate labor for a countrys economy? The development of countries such as Singapore, Brunei, the Gulf countries, and even the US has been helped greatly by millions of foreign workers. While foreign workers are cheap and quick, they can also cause problems for the economy of the country. In this essay I will look at some of the problems caused by an expatriate workforce and suggest that we need a balanced approach to employing foreign workers. There are many obvious advantages to using foreign labor. First of all, they are usually cheap. Workers from Bangladesh, India or the Philippines are happy to work for salaries which are high in comparison to their home countries but low in the host country. Foreign workers are also ready to work in remote places or at times when local workers would not. A second point is that foreign workers are usually job-ready. They do not need expensive college education or training. They may have skills not available in the new country. A third point is that many migrant workers are ready to work in jobs that are too dirty or dangerous for nationals such as construction or cleaning. All these advantages mean that the economy is boosted by cheap labor and low production costs.
However, there are hidden costs to the economy of the country. One major drawback is that the workers are sending a lot of money home, instead of spending it. This results in a loss of foreign exchange for the country. Another point is that they may take jobs from locals. More importantly, they reduce the salaries for some jobs. For example, employers will pay very low salaries for some jobs which some locals might like to do but could not survive on. Security is another issue. Foreign workers can leave at any time if there is a political or other problem, and this can mean a sudden loss of skills and experience. An additional point is that the influx of foreign workers can put pressure on services such as hospitals or housing, and these costs have to be paid by the state, not the employers who are getting rich. All these factors can result in economic problems for the government. In conclusion its important to have some control over the use of foreign workers, and to make sure that using them does not disrupt the labor market for local workers. One way is to pay them higher salaries and give them full protection. Countries should seek to employ their own citizens first before turning outside and depending on foreign labor.
up the whole question very clearly. Just answer this question. 3. Use examples as the basis of your argument e.g. free university education ensures equality of opportunity, and therefore allows individuals to achieve more. If you try writing an essay for this question, you can compare your essay with my answer next Wednesday. I'm afraid I can't check essays or give scores. Note: 'egalitarian' refers to the principle that people are equal, and deserve equal rights and opportunities.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (16) Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Here's my full introduction and conclusion, as well as some ideas for the main body paragraphs: Introduction When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university. Paragraph 1: benefits of getting a job The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. (IDEAS: start earning money, become independent, gain experience, learn skills, get promotions, settle down earlier, afford a house, have a family) Paragraph 2: benefits of higher education (my opinion) On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies. (IDEAS: some jobs require academic qualifications, better job opportunities, higher salaries, the job market is very competitive, gain knowledge, become a useful member of society) Conclusion For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their lives if they continue their studies beyond school level.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (37) Wednesday, October 12, 2011
3. Example 4. Second reason 5. Third reason Another example: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Topic sentence (e.g. Many people believe that...) Explain why Explain in more detail Example Explain why they disagree with the opposite view
Before you start writing it's a good idea to make some notes. Try to organise your notes according to this 5-sentence paragraph structure.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2, Questions/Advice | Permalink | Comments (13) Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Tip: Only two of the above questions don't ask for your opinion. If the question doesn't ask for your opinion, don't give it. For the other four questions, you should make your opinion clear in the introduction and conclusion. Answers: - Numbers 2 and 6 are discussion questions. Discuss both sides of the issue, but don't give your opinion about which side you agree with. - Numbers 1 and 5 are opinion questions. Give your opinion and support it. You don't need to mention the other side of the argument. - Numbers 3 and 4 can be called discussion + opinion questions. Discuss both sides and make your opinion clear too.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (24) Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Childhood obesity is becoming a serious problem in many countries. Explain the main causes and effects of this problem, and suggest some possible solutions. Here are some more ideas for this topic:
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (31) Wednesday, September 21, 2011
1. Introduce the topic by paraphrasing the statement, then give a clear opinion about whether there are more advantages or disadvantages. 2. Advantages - e.g. costs are lower in regional areas; there is more space; provide jobs to boost deprived areas; avoid further overcrowding in cities. 3. Disadvantages - e.g. greater availability of skilled workers in big cities; better transport and infrastructure; companies based in regional areas are further from their clients, providers and other contacts. 4. Conclude by summarising your opinion in a different way.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (57) Wednesday, September 14, 2011
people's lives. We have not benefited in terms of our standard of living, health etc. In fact, governments have wasted a lot of money that could have been spent on public services. 3. Other side: On the other hand, putting a man on the moon was a huge achievement that still inspires and interests people today. It showed us that we can achieve anything we put our minds to. 4. Conclusion: The fact that man has walked on the moon might not have had a direct effect on our daily lives, but it was an inspiring achievement.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (30) Wednesday, September 07, 2011
I don't think there is a "middle answer" to this question: either you think that the parents should not pay tax (agree), or you think they should pay tax (disagree). When you have a strong opinion, you don't need to mention the opposite view. Here's my plan for a 4-paragraph essay: 1. Introduction: 1 sentence to introduce the topic, 1 sentence to make your opinion clear (e.g. I completely disagree...) 2. Main paragraph: support your opinion with a reason 3. Main paragraph: support your opinion with another reason 4. Conclusion: repeat/summarise your opinion
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (25) Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Possible solutions: 1. 2. 3. 4. schools / clear rules teachers / punish disruptive students parents / support / school rules parents / take responsibility / childrens behaviour
A good way to practise your writing is to try making full sentences with these ideas e.g. One reason for bad behaviour is the lack of discipline in many schools. PS. If you have my ebook, you'll find this topic in the 'education' chapter.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (15) Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The answer is: it's your decision. If you completely agree, you don't need to mention the opposite view - just support your side of the argument. If you partly agree, you should write something about both sides. Look at last week's lesson. After the first two introductions, I would not give the other point of view, but after the last introduction I would mention both sides.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (12) Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Advertising should be ______. Advertising ______ children should be controlled or even banned. Unhealthy foods should not be marketed ______ attracts children. Products that can be a risk to health should ______ warnings. However, advertising is necessary in free ______ economies. It creates ______ products. Governments should only ______ false information or products that are harmful.
Fill the gaps with these words/phrases: market, in a way that, regulated, display, censor, demand for, aimed at Note: 'Advertising' is uncountable (you can't say "an advertising" or "advertisings"). 'Advertising' is the name of the industry, activity or profession (like 'marketing'). 'An advertisement' (or 'advertisements') is what you see on TV, in the street, in newspapers etc.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (50) Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Conclusion In conclusion, it seems to me that the drawbacks of globalisation, in terms of cultural habits such as the clothes we wear or the foods we eat, do outweigh the benefits.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (43) Wednesday, July 20, 2011
an example from your experience e.g. a hobby that makes you happy but that your friend hates. 3. Paragraph - give your opinions about how to achieve happiness Some ideas: Try to organise your ideas logically - you could begin with humans' basic needs (in order to be happy we need to be healthy and have somewhere to live, food to eat etc.) then talk about the importance of family and friends. You could then write about career, money, success, status etc. - maybe you could explain that these things mean nothing if we do not have family and friends to share our experiences with. Give an example from your own life - what will make you happier than you are now? 4. Conclusion - repeat/summarise the main ideas
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (35) Wednesday, July 06, 2011
have had an equally significant impact on our lives. 2. Paragraph about how early technologies helped people. 3. Paragraph about how recent technologies help people. 4. Conclusion: repeat the significance of both. Here's a picture of what we wrote for paragraph 2:
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (43) Wednesday, June 29, 2011
10. If I need more words (to reach 250), I expand one of my examples in the main body paragraphs. If necessary, I draw an arrow to show where I want to add the extra words.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (7) Wednesday, June 22, 2011
You don't need to explain both sides of the argument. Just give your opinion in the introduction, then support it in the main body paragraphs. 2. Paragraph 2: One reason why we decided to disagree is that it would not be practical or realistic to have exactly the same number of males and females on every course. Some courses have mainly male applicants, while others are more popular with females. 3. Paragraph 3: Another reason we disagreed is that it would not be fair to base admission to courses on gender. Universities should select candidates based on their qualifications, skills, experience etc. 4. Conclusion: Repeat the idea that selecting according to gender is not the best way to ensure equal opportunities for men and women at university. I'll put a full example essay on the site next week. You are welcome to share your own ideas, but I'm afraid I can't give feedback, scores or corrections.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (33) Wednesday, June 08, 2011
As I've said before, you can't get a high score for IELTS writing task 2 if you don't have good ideas about the question topic. Here are some ideas from my ebookabout the following question: Some people believe that the salaries paid to professional sportspeople are too high, while others argue that sports salaries are fair. Discuss both views and give your opinion. View 1: sports salaries are too high
Sports professionals earn too much money. They do not provide a vital service. Football players earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball. We could all live happily without professional football. We should value professionals such as nurses and teachers more highly.
It is fair that the best sportspeople earn a lot of money. Sport is a multi-million-pound industry. There is a large audience of sports fans who are willing to pay. Televised games or events attract many viewers. Being a top sportsperson requires hours of practice.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (32) Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I've underlined the band 9 vocabulary. Zoos have several benefits. The main benefit is that zoos play an important role in wildlife conservation. They help to protect endangered species, such as pandas or rhinos, and allow scientists to study animal behaviour. Another advantage of zoos is that they employ large numbers of people, therefore providing job opportunities and income for the local area. Also, the money that zoos make can be used for conservation projects. From a personal point of view, zoos areinteresting, educational and fun. They are entertaining for families, and teach children to appreciate wildlife and nature.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (21) Wednesday, May 18, 2011
exhibition, exhibit (verb, like 'show'), an exhibit (noun, 'item'), artifact, object, collection, history, science, art, culture, visitors, members of the public, public viewing...
Entertain:
entertainment, entertaining, enjoy, enjoyment, enjoyable, have fun, interesting, fascinating, spectacular, impressive, leisure time, free time, a day out, tourist attraction...
Educate:
education, educational, teach, learn, explain, understand, know, gain/expand/pass on/transmit knowledge, skills, experience, open your mind, broaden your horizons...
Making lists of related words is a good way to generate ideas. You might not have time to do this in the exam, but it's a useful study technique.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (14) Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Here's my paragraph using the ideas above. I've divided the paragraph into separate sentences so that you can see what I have done more clearly. 1. In many countries, gun ownership is strictly controlled. 2. Supporters of this policy point out the risk of accidents with guns, especially when children can gain access to them. 3. They also argue that the number of violent crimes increases when guns are available, and that police are forced to use guns to combat armed criminals. 4. Furthermore, suicide rates have been shown to rise in places where guns are legal. 5. All in all, gun control advocates believe that guns create violent societies with high murder rates. Of course, in the IELTS exam you would probably have to explain the opposite view: the arguments in favour of gun ownership.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (12) Wednesday, April 20, 2011
For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school level. (271 words, band 9)
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (30) Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Make the introduction short and do it quickly. The main body paragraphs are more important. Two sentences are enough: 1) introduce the topic. 2) give a basic answer to the question.
Example question: All high school students should be encouraged to take part in community service programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? My introduction: Some people believe that high school students would benefit from doing unpaid work in their local communities. I completely agree that community service programmes for teenagers are a good idea.