How do I Write an IELTS Essay?

In order to answer this, lets first look at a sample question:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Present a written argument to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic.

In the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the field of information technology (IT), for example the World Wide Web and communication by email. However, future developments in IT are likely to have more negative effects than positive.

To what extent do you agree with this view?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

You should write at least 250 words.

An IELTS essay is structured like any other essay; you just need to make it shorter. There are three key elements:

1. Introduction

2. Body Paragraphs

3. Conclusion

We will look at each of these in turn, using the essay question above as an example.

1) Introduction

You should keep your introduction for the IELTS essay short. Remember you only have 40 minutes to write the essay, and some of this time needs to be spent planning. Therefore, you need to be able to write your introduction fairly quickly so you can start writing your body paragraphs.

You should do just two things:

State the topic of the essay, using some basic facts (that you may be able to take from the question)

Say what you are going to write about

Here is an example introduction for the above essay question about IT:

The last two decades have seen enormous changes in the way people's lives are affected by IT, with many advances in this field. However, while these technological advances have brought many benefits to the world, it can be argued thatfuture IT developments will produce more negative effects than positive ones.

As you can see, the first sentence makes sure it refers to the topic (IT) and uses facts about IT taken from the question. Note that these are paraphrased - you must not copy from the rubric!

The second part then clearly sets out the what the essay will be about and confirms the writers opinion (some questions may not ask for your opinion, but this one does).

View this lesson for more advice on writing IELTS essay introductions.

2) Body Paragraphs

For an IELTS essay, you should have 2 or 3 body paragraphs - no more, and no less.

For your body paragraph, each paragraph should contain one controlling idea, and have sentences to support this.

Lets look at the first paragraph for the essay about IT. The essay is about the benefits and drawbacks of IT, so these will need to be discussed in separate paragraphs.

Here is the first body paragraph:

To begin, email has made communication, especially abroad, much simpler and faster, resulting in numerous benefits for commerce and business. Furthermore, the World Wide Webmeans that  information on every conceivable subject is now available to us . For example, people can access news, medical advice, online education courses and much more via the internet.  It is evident that these improvements have made life far easier and more convenient for large numbers of people and will continue to do so for decades to come.

The controlling idea in this first paragraph is the 'benefits of IT', and there are two supporting ideas, which are underlined. No drawbacks are discussed as the paragraph would then lose coherence.

Most of the essay will focus on the negative aspects of IT, as the writer says there are more negative effects in the introduction. So the next two paragraphs are about these.

The topic sentence in the next paragraph therefore tells us we are changing the focus to the negative points:

Nevertheless, the effects of this new technology have not all been beneficial. For example, many people feel that the widespread use of email is destroying traditional forms of communication such as letter writing, telephone and face-to-face conversation. This could result

in a decline in people's basic ability to socialize and interact with each other on a day-to-day basis.

The final body paragraph gives the last negative effect:

In addition, the large size of the Web has meant that it is nearly impossible to regulate and control. This has led to many concerns regarding children accessing unsuitable websites and viruses. Unfortunately, this kind of problem might even get worse in the future at least until more regulated systems are set up.

3) Conclusion

The conclusion only needs to be one or two sentences, and you can do the following:

Re-state what the essay is about (re-write the last sentence of your introduction in different words)

Give some thoughts about the future

Here is an example:

In conclusion, developments in IT have brought many benefits, yet I believe developments relating to new technology in the future are likely to produce many negative effects that must be addressed if we are to avoid damaging impacts to individuals and society.

The full IELTS Essay:

The last two decades have seen enormous changes in the way people's lives are affected by IT, with many advances in this field. However, while these technological advances have brought many benefits to the world, it can be argued that future IT developments will produce more negative effects than positive ones.

To begin, email has made communication, especially abroad, much simpler and faster, resulting in numerous benefits for commerce and business. Furthermore, the World Wide Web means that information on every conceivable subject is now available to us. For example, people can access news, medical advice, online education courses and much more via the internet. It is evident that these improvements have made life far easier and more convenient for large numbers of people and will continue to do so for decades to come.

Nevertheless, the effects of this new technology have not all been beneficial. For example, many people feel that the widespread use of email is destroying traditional forms of communication

such as letter writing, telephone and face-to-face conversation. This could result in a decline in people's basic ability to socialize and interact with each other on a day-to-day basis.

In addition, the large size of the Web has meant that it is nearly impossible to regulate and control. This has led to many concerns regarding children accessing unsuitable websites and viruses. Unfortunately, this kind of problem might even get worse in the future at least until more regulated systems are set up.

In conclusion, developments in IT have brought many benefits, yet I believe developments relating to new technology in the future are likely to produce many negative effects that must be addressed if we are to avoid damaging impacts to individuals and society.

IELTS ESSAY EXAMPLES (see the following website for more examples http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/ielts-essays.html)

Nowadays, more and more young unmarried adults are choosing to study and live outside their parents’ homes.  Do you think this trend is positive?

As the world’s economies have grown, alternative living arrangements among young people have become possible.  This has led to the trend of young single people living apart from their parents.  It is argued that this development is a positive phenomenon.  This will be shown by analyzing how independence teaches youths maturity and allows for self-discovery.

Firstly, youths who live apart from their parents face certain challenges that teach them how to be mature individuals.  For example, if these young people do not wash their clothes, keep their living space clean or eat healthy food, they will likely experience social exclusion and maybe even poor health.  These negative ramifications clearly demonstrate to young people the necessity of learning to be self-sufficient.  Thus, the benefits that come about when young individuals do not live with their parents can be seen.

In addition to the above, youths who live alone have the freedom to discover what they are capable of.  Take the experience of dormitory life in America, for example.  While living in student housing, young people have the opportunity to experiment with different lifestyles.  As this experimentation results in both good and bad experiences, it allows young people to confidently conclude what they can and cannot do and thus better understand themselves.  Because this understanding will allow them to make more fitting lifestyle choices, it can be concluded that children living away from home have an advantage over children living with their parents.

As the above illustrates, a young person’s growth into a mature and self-confident individual is accelerated when they live outside their parents’ home.  It has thus been proven that this living arrangement is positive and should be encouraged.  It is hoped young unmarried adults continue to make efforts to live on their own.

Some people prefer shopping in shopping centres, while others prefer local markets.  What are

the advantages of each?  Share your opinion and any personal experiences in your answer.

Shopping preferences vary widely between one consumer and another.  Many are of the opinion

that shopping centres provide the optimal consumer experience.  However, others prefer local

markets.  The advantages of both will be shared before a conclusion is reached.

On the one hand, many people argue shopping malls offer more convenient than markets.  For

example, while living in Dubai, I often went to the City Centre mall because I could buy a wide

range of products there, from electronics to food to clothing.  As such an eclectic offering of

goods is typically not available in local markets, the benefits behind shopping centres can be

seen.  It is thus understandable why many people support the idea that shopping centres are the

better way to buy goods.

But the above is a view not supported by everyone.  Many argue local markets provide the buyer

with fresher produce and more authentic items.  Thus, although Dubai’s City Centre provides

convenience, the freshness of its perishable goods is no match for the Deira Spice Souk.  At the

souk, items are harvested and sold the same day.  Thus, it is clear from this example why many

deem the merits of local markets superior to those of shopping malls.

After looking at the benefits of both sides, it appears difficult to decide which shopping

arrangement offers the best shopping experience.  It must therefore be concluded that both

options are satisfying in different ways.  Despite the tremendous growth in the popularity of

shopping malls, it is expected that local markets will always have dedicated patrons.

 

People nowadays live longer than they used to.  What caused this situation?  Is it a negative or positive development?

People today enjoy longer life spans than at any other point in human history.  The most notable causes of this are generally accepted to be the medical and technological advancements of the twentieth century and the heightened ability of nations to share information with each other.  It is argued these advancements and the ultimate postponement of death yield positive results the world over.  This will be proven by looking at how longer life spans give people more time to

contribute creatively to the world as well as a chance to develop a heightened level of wisdom that only comes with age.

Firstly, the longer people live, the more time they have to create things and the richer human culture becomes.  A tragic example of the caliber of talent humanity can lose when great creators die young is Mozart.  Mozart died in his thirties, which was young, even for his time.  Had he the privilege of living longer, he could have contributed so much more to the world.  Thus, it is clear why the extending of the mortal deadline should be seen as a positive thing.

Another constructive quality that comes as a result of living a long time is wisdom.  As most people would agree, persons of age tend to have a deeper understanding of the world than their younger counterparts.  Thus, it is argued the collective wisdom of humanity could be increased simply by providing more people with the opportunity to live longer.  It is for this reason that the idea of extending lifespan is considered a good thing.

After looking at how age allows people to create more in addition to awarding them wisdom, it is felt that the delaying of the point at which a person passes can only be seen as a positive thing.  It is hoped human evolution will continue to postpone the inevitable arrival of death.

There are many things that motivate a person to work, but money is the most compelling.  In your opinion, how influential is the power of money?

People the world over come from different circumstances and work for different reasons.  Although many may have alternative sources of motivation for the work that they do, money is thought to be among the most stimulating forces in the world.  This will be proven by looking at how financial gain can force a person to engage in professions that are both unpleasant and, in some instances, fundamentally irrational.

For one, many people around the world engage in jobs they do not enjoy simply because they want money.  For example, hundreds of millions of people do manufacturing work across the developing world.  As this kind of labour is often tiring, dangerous and even degrading in some circumstances, it is easy to see that the only thing motivating these people to engage in this work is monetary compensation.  As this shows, the power and influence of money is difficult to underestimate.

In addition to this, monetary reward can even compel people to do jobs that are irrational and self-defeating.  For example, the decisions made by individuals working in the American financial district prior to the crisis of 2008 were damaging to the world’s economic stability.  Were personal financial gain to be taken away from the overall equation, it is doubtful any of these same devastating financial decisions would have been made.  Thus, the extreme motivational power of money can be seen.

As the above shows, money holds an authority over the decisions and career directions of most people.  It therefore must be concluded that money acts as one of the world’s most influential forces, and this is a phenomenon that is not expected to change anytime soon.

 Many countries want to move factories and big industrial firms out of towns and into rural areas.  Do you think the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Recently, movements have been made the world over/around the earth to relocate factories and industrial companies out of small towns and into more rural areas.  It is felt that on the whole this strategy hinders/brings with it more advantages than disadvantages.  The subjects of public health and child labour will be analyzed to prove this thesis true.

For one, the health hazards that derive from industrial and residential proximity are unfortunate phenomena that have been exhibited many times along/throughout history.  The nuclear meltdown in the Ukrainian city of Chernobyl acts as an extreme example of this.  In 1990s Chernobyl, townspeople lived in close proximity to a nuclear plant that provided energy to the region.  Because/As a result the plant was located so closely to the townspeople, its meltdown was particularly harmful to the health of many, causing birth defects, growth abnormalities and various forms of cancer.  As this example makes clear, the benefits that come from moving industrial production facilities out of towns can be seen/are witnessed clearly.

In addition to health promotion/promoting, moving factories away from residentially sparse/dense areas may help to curb disturbing trends in child labour among developing countries.  In many small towns in Anhui, China, for example, high school aged children who grow up near factories are oftenenticed/dissuaded to leave school and start careers.  These same trends are not/commonly seen among Shanghai high school students, however, where residentially dense areas are typically not proximate to industrial plants.  Thus, this makes it clear that townspeople living in the vicinity of factories may experience a reduction in their overall level of education.  Therefore, the advantages of relocating factories obviously outweigh the disadvantages.

Following this look at how a strategy for industrial displacement would lead to both health benefits and a reduction in child labour, it is felt that this course of action/course of work should be supported.  It is hoped worldwide measures are taken to realize this vision.

Nowadays, young people admire sports stars though they often do not set a good example.  Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

The admiration young people hold for celebrities is not a new phenomenon.  Throughout/Duringhistory, youths have been inspired by people with outstanding athletic ability.  It is argued that this admiration brings with it more positive than negative issues/ramifications.  This will be proven by looking at how sports figures both instill inspiration and teach life lessons to young people.

Firstly, celebrities often display extremely developed skills, which can help to spur young people towards being/a life full of physically active.  For instance, school children are often driven to exercise in an attempt to become/emulate superstars, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Li Na and Kobe Bryant.  As this additional exercise is good for their health, it is difficult to argue that the inspiration celebrities bestow/leave upon young people is entirely a bad thing.  Thus, this shows that the admiration people hold for sports stars has positive implications/reasons.

Although the negative character figures/traits of many sports celebrities are often called into question, it is felt the public mistakes professional athletes make can act as good morality lessons for young people.  A good exhibition/image of this occurred when Canadian runner Ben Johnson dishonourably lost an Olympic gold medal due to steroid use.  This incident showed young people around the world that drug use is a shameful practice.  As this example illustrates/is shown, often the public errors athletes commit can act as good lessons for adolescents.

After looking at the above, it is felt to hold athletes in esteem does not bring with it entirely negative consequences.  It is assumed the historical admiration people will retain/retain for sports stars is not going to change into the foreseeable future.

Do you feel artists like writers, musicians and painters still have value in modern society? Discuss.

The role artists play in modern society is an often debated topic.  On the one hand, many people see art and culture as critical components to a society’s image and sense of identity.  Others, however, feel that the significance of a society’s arts is overrated in the modern world.  This essay will analyze both sides of this argument.

From one perspective, many people believe strongly in the value that artists bring to a society.  For example, Bob Marley was a musician whose work helped to shape the modern cultural image of Jamaica and bring attention to global problems.  Performers like Marley help their countries establish recognizable cultures upon which valuable industries and worldwide recognition can grow.  It is thus clear why many argue that artists still bring value to modern society.

However, many counter that performers in the modern age contribute little of value to society.  Many pop music artists in Canada play a good example here.  Today, popular music production in Canada follows a very prescribed path.  An artist’s lyrics, image, sound and name are often decided by producers in an effort to maximize sales.  The unfortunate result of this is that it causes a lot of Canadian music to sound the same.  This repetitious quality to Canadian music and other modern arts of the world make it understandable why many feel artists contribute little of value to society.

Following this look, it is felt that most performers still produce work that benefits society.  It is hoped, however, that artistic freedom be given to all performers, regardless of how society gauges their value.

Should young children be encouraged to follow a strict set of rules based on cultural tradition or should they be allowed to behave freely?  Discuss both and share your opinion.

The level of freedom children are allotted varies from one culture to another.  Among some, regimenting the behaviour of young children through strict traditional practice is thought to help them develop into skilled members of society.  Others argue the removal of strict household regulations allows young people to develop a free, inquisitive and creative mind.  Both points of view will be analyzed in this essay.

In one camp, raising children using a strict set of rules based on tradition is felt best.  For instance, in Japanese society often young children are taught how to properly conduct themselves in all social situations, including the manner in which they address elders, give and receive gifts and ask for favours.  As a result, Japanese society and the Japanese people are world renowned for their protocol, courtesy, attention to detail and charm.  As these are very positive qualities, it is clear that many benefits arise from the employment of a rigid parenting style.

On the other hand, however, many feel providing young people with freedom fuels their appetite for creativity.  American society, for example, is often mocked for its somewhat lax parenting structure.  Yet despite this, the United States was and continues to be home to the creation of some of the world’s most revolutionary products.  Thus, it is clear that freer parenting models pose numerous benefits.

After looking at both sides of this debate, it is felt that a balance between protocol and free parenting structures should be sought after by guardians in the twenty-first century.  This recipe is expected to become more prevalent in the years to come.

 

Employers now tend to prefer employees with good social skills in addition to good

qualifications. Social skills are getting more and more important compared to qualifications.

Do you agree or disagree?

Wouldn’t it be nice if all IELTS essay questions were so straightforward!  Whenever I see ‘do

you agree or disagree’ my mind relaxes.  I know immediately what my writing process is going

to look like and how I am going to structure it.

However, the reality is that IELTS essay questions come in an infinite number of styles and there

is a very good chance you will NOT receive a ‘do you agree or disagree’ type question on your

exam.  In this article, I would like to discuss exactly how to interpret the modest variations in

IELTS essay question wording and how they dictate the manner in which you need to respond. 

(I am assuming that you have already watched my video series on how to

structure argument and discussion essays.)

Some people believe advertising causes more harm than good to society.  Others refute this.  Discuss both views and share your opinion.

One of the main stimulants of consumerism within a country is advertising.  As such, advertising can be seen as a necessary practice within any healthy economy.  But often people counter this by saying that too much exposure to commercial promotions can cause societal problems.  Both sides of this argument will be analyzed before a conclusion is reached.

On the one hand, advertising stimulates healthy spending, which can grow economies and create jobs.  Take Coca-Cola, for example.  Coca-Cola is a company that spends massive amounts on marketing every year.  Because of this, it has become a brand that is recognized in the most remote corners of the earth.  This level of recognition allows even the smallest of vendors anywhere in the world to create wealth through providing an attractive product with a powerful brand to potential customers.  Thus, it is understandable why many people believe the benefits of advertising outweigh the drawbacks.

On the other hand, it is purported by many that advertising has negative ramifications on societies.  For example, at Christmas time, American children are often the target of very elaborate marketing schemes hatched by large companies looking for holiday sales.  As these sorts of campaigns can induce children to become overly concerned with commercial matters, many people worry this may interrupt their development as moral people.  When seen in this light, it is clear why many people feel there are more drawbacks than benefits to advertising.

Following this look at both sides of the above debate, it is felt that advertising is much more positive than negative in nature.  It is thus expected that the role of marketing within modern economies will not change much into the foreseeable future.

Someday paper money and coins will be replaced by credit cards and online methods of monetary exchange.

Do you agree or disagree?

Essay 1

People nowadays are presented with numerous ways of paying for purchases. Both the

traditional paper money and coins and the much newer ways of payment, such as credit cards,

are available in most establishments. However, it is argued that eventually the modern way of

monetary exchange will replace the use of paper money and coins. This will be proven by

looking at the advantages of modern money exchange over the traditional forms of payment.

Firstly, it is now increasingly common for people to shop online. To illustrate, an American

study once showed that more and more Americans are now doing their Christmas shopping

online instead of trooping to the stores to buy gifts for their loved ones. Since paper money and

coins cannot be used to pay for online purchases, this example makes it clear that there are

instances where traditional money cannot be used for payment. Thus, it is clear that eventually

people will embrace the modern ways of monetary exchange for them to be able to participate in

online commerce.

Additionally, the security features of credit cards and online method of monetary exchange give

authorities the capability of tracing the use of the cards. On the other hand, if person carrying

money is robbed, it is difficult to find out where the stolen money is used. It is therefore argued

that the safety features of modern monetary exchange will be invaluable for people who want to

keep their hard earned money safe. As this benefit is sought by many, it is clear that credit cards

will be chosen by people more often as their payment method.

After looking at the above, it can be seen that modern monetary exchange has advantages over

paper money and coins. It is thus expected that the use of credit cards and online monetary

exchange will eventually replace the traditional forms of payment.

A country’s future depends on its young people. Therefore, a country should invest heavily in its youth. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The youth of a nation play a critical role in a country’s future.  Thus, the manner in which young people are raised is intrinsically tied to the capabilities of new generations of workers.  It is agreed that a country should invest considerably in its youth.  This will be shown by analyzing how such a practice can lead a nation to international competitiveness and how it can lead people to more charitable lives.

Firstly, a state’s ability to compete in the modern world is only as strong as its citizens’ minds.  Take the Japanese education system as an example.  Despite the crippling effects of the Second World War, Japan’s focus on education and the nurturing of academia played a part in leading the country to become the second largest economy in the world.  This would never have been possible had the country not invested in and embraced the education of its young people.  Thus, it is clear that a country’s commitment to its young people has direct ramifications on its future.

Secondly, people who grow up with the gift of a proper education can do more to help the needy in their country.  For instance, Germany is a state that produces large numbers of highly capable medical practitioners, and this allows all German citizens to receive quality medical attention.  Were Germany as a nation to cease investment in young people seeking a medical education, this service to the public could not be provided as effectively.  Because of this, its clear that positive results come to nations that invest in their youth.

After analyzing how a country’s focus on its young people can lead to economical strength and domestic social benefits, the link between investment in youth and a nation’s future can clearly be seen.  It is hoped the committing of national resources to youths is a practice employed around the world.

Some people think that schools are merely turning children into good citizens and workers, rather than benefitting them as individuals.  To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Education and the schooling experience have evolved in the wake of new technologies such as the Internet.  This in turn has had a profound effect on the training students receive and the ultimate people they become upon graduating.  It is disagreed that schools today are producing mechanically-thinking workers and refraining from developing students as individuals.  This will be shown by looking at the current changes underway in both modern and traditional school systems.

Firstly, many modern school curriculums are becoming computerized and this is doing a lot to encourage student development as individuals.  Take South Korea, for example.  Traditionally, Korean classrooms were packed with forty students and this provided very little face time between instructor and pupil.  However, under a new government policy, all students are to receive tablet computers to allow them greater opportunity for interaction with their teachers and each other.  In addition to this, these tablet computers also provide access to other learning

resources that may cater to the particular needs of gifted or challenged young people.  As this shows, the argument that today’s schools do not benefit pupils as individuals holds little merit.

In addition to this, trends within the developing world are also gravitating towards providing students with individualized school curriculums.  In China, for example, middle and high school youths today are free to select a number of elective courses that allow them to demonstrate their skills in areas they are particularly strong in as well as develop their unique identities.  As schooling continues to become more tailored to the needs of young people, it is difficult to see how the argument that schools do not produce dynamically thinking individuals holds much water.

After looking at how the world’s schools are increasingly making efforts to meet the needs of individual students, it is hard to see the plausibility of any counter argument.  Thus, it is hoped the educational experience of young people will continue to evolve in a manner that meets their needs.

The popularity of news media often has significant influence on people’s lives.  Some people believe this to be a negative development.  Do you agree or disagree?

Since the invention of modern media, news feeds have become an increasingly invasive force in the lives of all human beings.  However, it is disagreed that the development of news media is negative.  This will be shown by looking at how news media encourages both awareness and transparency within the world.

Firstly, modern media sources have made great inroads in the spreading of knowledge.  For example, the Internet allowed (and continues to allow) the world to witness the uprisings of the Arab Spring.  Had these images not been made available to a scrutinizing global audience, it is possible the entire phenomenon could have cost many more lives than it did.  As this example shows, modern news media allows the human family to keep watch of each other and provide aid if it is needed.

In addition to this, news media sources have developed transparency and accountability the world over, which has done a lot to tackle corruption.  Take the tragic high-speed train crash in China as an example.  Despite trying to quickly bury the carriages involved, the Chinese government was forced to admit that serious corruption problems had plagued the project from the beginning.  The healthy dialogues that the media coverage of this unfortunate event sparked will hopefully continue to encourage integrity within the Chinese government.  It is for reasons such as this that news media should be thought of as a positive entity in the world.

After looking at how news media helps to develop awareness and transparency, its benefits can clearly be seen.  It is hoped free press will continue to grow with the help of technology and modern tools. In many countries, crime is increasing.  What are the main reasons for this?  What can be done to improve the situation?  Support your position with relevant examples and include your own experience.

Although it is arguably impossible to pinpoint a single cause for the recent rise in global crime, the main culprits are thought to be poverty and political oppression.  A commonality between the two appears to be the dissatisfaction of a people.  Thus, it is argued that global crime can be reduced through measures that promote public feelings of well-being and security.  To prove this, strategies that reduce poverty and oppression will be analyzed.

Firstly, encouraging prosperity among poverty-stricken areas can be a very powerful tool when combating crime.  For example, a once dangerous area of my hometown in Ottawa has undergone major infrastructural development over the past twenty years.  The addition of schools, libraries and quality health facilities led to the establishment of a new economical status for the people who lived there.  With the rise of this new affluence came a major fall in crime rates.  This clearly shows how tackling the issue of poverty creates inroads against violations of the law.

In addition to this, providing people more political freedom can also reduce crime.  For instance, over the past ten years China has increasingly allowed critical comment of its ruling party to appear in local newspapers.  Despite the fact that this level of freedom pales in comparison with many other countries, it is felt this thawing of political control has done a lot to reduce crime rates across the country.  Thus, providing increasing levels of political freedom can be seen as a measure to combat crime.

After analyzing the reduction of poverty and political oppression, it is felt that crime is best tackled by reducing the causes of unrest among people.  By following this course of action, major reductions in global crime rates are expected.

Full time university students spend most of the time studying. They should be doing other activities too. To what extent do you agree or disagree.

In today’s world, majority of the prospective full-time university students are spending most of their time studying. As such, I completely agree that they need to spend time doing other activities too. This will be shown by looking at how physical wellbeing and family life is important along with education.

For one, pupils need to spend time on physical activities. Take Shanghai, for example. Students in Shanghai are well known for their high education. This is demonstrated by the economic contribution they make to their country’s benefit. The drawback here is that, these pupils are becoming obese by spending most of their time on studying, and not doing any sport. Thus, as can be clearly seen from my example there is a need of physical exercise as well.

In addition to this, Students need to concentrate on family relations. To illustrate, in America, pupils often traverse longer distances and live at student residences in order to commit to full-time studies. This leads to a strain in their family relations. Living with family allows them to have a sense of empathy and makes them a responsible person. This makes it clear why pupils need to indulge in other activities as well as in education.

In conclusion, after looking at how important physical health and relations are in students’ lives; it has now been proven that pupils need to spend time on other activities as well. It is predicted that this continues to be followed into the foreseeable future.

ESSAY QUESTIONS WITH EXAMPLES

Example 1

This is what I wrote for task 2. Hope this helps someone.

Full time university students spend most of the time studying. They should be doing other activities too. To what extent do you agree or disagree.

In today’s world, majority of the prospective full-time university students are spending most of their time studying. As such, I completely agree that they need to spend time doing other activities too. This will be shown by looking at how physical wellbeing and family life is important along with education.

For one, pupils need to spend time on physical activities. Take Shanghai, for example. Students in Shanghai are well known for their high education. This is demonstrated by the economic contribution they make to their country’s benefit. The drawback here is that, these pupils are becoming obese by spending most of their time on studying, and not doing any sport. Thus, as can be clearly seen from my example there is a need of physical exercise as well.

In addition to this, Students need to concentrate on family relations. To illustrate, in America, pupils often traverse longer distances and live at student residences in order to commit to full-time studies. This leads to a strain in their family relations. Living with family allows them to have a sense of empathy and makes them a responsible person. This makes it clear why pupils need to indulge in other activities as well as in education.

In conclusion, after looking at how important physical health and relations are in students’ lives; it has now been proven that pupils need to spend time on other activities as well. It is predicted that this continues to be followed into the foreseeable future.

Example 2

Television has had a significant influence on the culture of many societies. To what extent would you say that television has positively or negatively affected the cultural development of your society?

You should write at least 250 words

Use your own knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Sample answer

It has been around forty years since television was first introduced into Australian households and people today still have mixed views on whether it has a positive or a negative influence on the society.

Many people believe that television damages culture. It promotes the stronger cultures of countries such as Britain and North America and weakens the cultures of less wealthy countries. This is because the stronger, wealthier countries are able to assert their own culture by producing more programs that are shown widely around the world. These programs then influence people, particularly young people, in the countries where they are shown.

Also, because television networks need to attract large audiences to secure their financial survival, they must produce programs which are interesting to a broad range of people. In Australia this range is very broad because we are a multicultural society and people of all ages like to watch television. To interest all these different people, most television programs are short in length, full of action and excitement, do not require much intelligence or knowledge to understand, and follow universal themes common to all cultures, such as love and crime. Television programs which concentrate on or develop themes pertinent to one particular culture are not so successful because they interest a smaller audience.

Nevertheless we much acknowledge that television does have some positive effects on the cultures within a society as well. People who do not live within their own culture can, in a limited way, access it through the multicultural station on the television. For example, Aboriginal children who have grown up in white families, or migrants and international students living in Australia, can watch programs from their own culture on the television.

In conclusion, I hold the view that television promotes and strengthens those cultures that are wealthy and influential while it weakens the cultures that are already in a weakened position.

Connecting sentences

A. Use connectives such as the following with verb phrases. For movements in the same direction use 'then' and 'and' and 'then continued its upward / downward trend more … '.

Disconnected sentencesAfter that it rose gradually to 5,000 by 1952. And then it went up to 15,000 by 1954.

Connected sentenceAfter that it rose gradually to 5,000 by 1952, then more steeply to 15,000 by 1954

Connected sentenceAfter that it rose gradually to 5,000 then continued its upward trend more steeply to 15,000.

ExerciseConnect these sentences using 'then', 'and' and 'then continued its upward/downward trend more … '.

It dropped swiftly to 1,000 in 1998. Then it went down slowly to 900 in '99

It slowly decreased to 100. Then it quickly dropped to 15.

It increased substantially at the beginning of the year. It increased gradually at the end of the year.

For contrasting movements use ‘ but’

Disconnected sentencesIt rose to 35,000 by 1960. After that it fell to 12,000 by 1962.

Connected sentenceIt rose to 35,000 by 1960 but later fell to 12,000 by 1962

ExerciseConnect these sentences using 'but'.

It fluctuated around 100 in 1999. Then it leveled out in the year 2,000.

It went down to 15,000 in 1960. Then it climbed back to 2,000 in 1961.

B. Use connectives such as the following with noun phrases. Use 'which was followed by' , 'which led to', 'which preceded'

Disconnected sentences

There was a fall to 6,000 by 1968. Then an increase to 8,000 by 1970.

Connected sentence

There was a fall to 6,000 by 1968 which was followed by an increase to 8,000 by 1970.

Connected sentence

There was a fall to 6,000 by 1968 which led to an increase to 8,000 by 1970.

Connected sentence

There was a fall to 6,000 by 1968 which preceded an increase to 8,000 by 1970.

ExerciseConnect these sentences using‘ which was followed by’, ‘which led to’, ‘which preceded’.

There was a sharp rise to 900 in 1991. Then there was a gradual decline to 800 in 1992.

There was a slight drop to 90. Then there was a more marked decline to 50.

It reached a peak at Christmas. Then it dropped back to the November levels of 500.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'unpaid work' essay

Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.Do you agree or disagree?

Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for both the individual and society as a whole. However, I do not agree that we should therefore force all teenagers to do unpaid work.

Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without being given the added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is just as demanding as a full-time job, and teachers expect their students to do homework and exam revision on top of attending lessons every day. When young people do have some free time, we should encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or to spend it doing sports and other leisure activities. They have many years of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.

At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obliging young people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that it goes against the values of a free and fair society to force a group of people to do something against their will. Doing this can only lead to resentment amongst young people, who would feel that they were being used, and parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their children. Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.

In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in my opinion we should not make this compulsory.

Example 10

IELTS Writing Task 2: completely disagree

When you completely agree or completely disagree with the question statement, you don't need to write about the other side of the argument. Just state your opinion and give reasons. Today I'll show you how to write a 'disagree' essay for this question:

Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.Do you agree or disagree?

Here's my 4-paragraph plan:

1. Introduction : introduce the topic of unpaid work for teenagers, and make it clear that you completely disagree with the idea of requiring (forcing) young people to do this.

2. First reason : explain why this idea would not benefit teenagers e.g. they are already busy with school work, they should be allowed to enjoy being young, they have many years of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.

3. Second reason : explain why this idea would not benefit society e.g. forcing young people to work goes against the values of a free society, the current system of volunteering is better, this idea would be impossible to enforce.

4. Conclusion : repeat your opinion that requiring teenagers to work benefits neither the teenagers nor society as a whole.

Example 11

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'food technology' topic

Here are some ideas for last week's topic. The ideas are adapted from the 'genetic engineering' chapter in my ebook.

The range and quality of food that we can buy has changed because of technological and scientific advances. Some people regard this change as an improvement, while others believe that it is harmful.Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Positives of advances in food technology:

Farmers can produce crops that grow bigger and faster. Genetically modified crops may be more resistant to disease or insects. This could be important for food production in developing countries. Faster growing cereals, fruit and vegetables will mean more profit. Foods can be modified to look perfect and last longer. They may be more attractive to customers.

Negatives of advances in food technology:

Many people distrust foods that have been modified or processed. They prefer organic foods which are produced without chemicals. Farming without fertilizers or pesticides is more environmentally friendly. There may be risks involved in the genetic engineering of foods. Genetically modified crops might change whole ecosystems. Food chains could be broken if crops are resistant to predators.

Example 12

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'university' topic

The book I mentioned in Monday's lesson (What are Universities for?) reminded me of this question from Cambridge IELTS 7:

Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.What, in your opinion, should be the function of a university?

Here are some ideas:

It would probably be easiest to argue that universities should fulfill both roles (providing vocational skills and knowledge for its own sake).

We could use examples to help us generate ideas: try to make a list of some vocational degree courses (that provide training for a specific job), and a list of courses that do not lead to a particular job.

Write one main paragraph explaining the benefits (to the student and to society in general) of the two types of course.

Task 2 Question

The internet has transformed the way information is shared and consumed, but it has also created problems that did not exist before.

What are the most serious problems associated with the internet and what solutions can you suggest?

Model Answer

There is no doubt that the internet has revolutionized communication and information-sharing in the same way that the telegraph and the television did before it. However, societies have had to cope with unanticipated new problems, including crimes which traditional laws are powerless to prevent. This essay will address some of the illegal acts enabled by the internet and propose solutions.

To begin with, the global scale of the internet means that national laws are no longer adequate to control what happens online. Take restrictions on legal reporting, for example. In some countries, the media is prohibited from revealing details of a defendant’s past in case this prejudices a fair trial. However, such restrictions are no longer enforceable now that information may be freely published in other countries and accessed by all. The only solution here, it seems, is to adopt global standards. Since the internet traverses national borders, the flow of information can only be controlled if all nations agree on what can and cannot be shared.

Another problem concerns anonymity, as internet users can easily conceal their identity and even impersonate others. Many crimes such as identity theft and child abuse result from the ease with which criminals can operate anonymously online. Some have proposed a system of online identification, similar to a passport, which would allow all internet users to be verified and traced. I believe this idea should be explored further, though there are clearly concerns about the security of those who use the internet to protest against oppressive regimes.

In conclusion, the only long-term solution to the problem of internet crime is greater international cooperation. Since the problem is global is scale, the solution must also be global. A new agency of the United Nations should be created to tackle the problems described here.

(298 words, IELTS 8.5)