[WR TASK2] #160 Many newspapers and magazines feature stories about the private lives of famous people.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many newspapers and magazines feature stories about the private lives of famous people. We know what they eat, where they buy their clothes and who they love. We also often see pictures of them in private situations.

Is it appropriate for a magazine or newspaper to give this kind of private information about people?

Give reasons for your answer.

Write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip

Structuring an essay is an important part of writing for IELTS. For a Task 2 essay, use a standard essay structure consisting of separate paragraphs: an introduction (one paragraph), followed by the main body of the essay (two or three paragraphs), then a conclusion (one paragraph).

There are various connectors that are typically used for conclusions. The first one on the list is the most unimaginative, and it is better to think of a more interesting one if you can.

In conclusion, finally, therefore, consequently, clearly, it is clear, on the whole, in other words, generally speaking

You cannot score above Band 5 if you do not use any paragraph. You cannot score above Band 6 if your paragraphs do not have a clear central topic.

Model answer

Generally, people read newspapers to find out about world current affairs and they read magazines to be entertained. Therefore, one would expect to find articles that feature the private lives of famous people in magazines rather than newspapers. However, nowadays, more and more newspapers include stories like these which are neither informative nor useful.

In my opinion, this type of gossip about people's private lives should not be in newspapers for several reasons. Firstly, for example, the fact that Princess Diana is going out with a sportsman is not important news. Secondly, if newspapers want to publish articles about famous people they should focus on their public events and achievements. In other words, if there is an article about Princess Diana it should be about her works of charity, which will increase public awareness of important problems. In addition, journalists should make sure that they write about the facts only, not rumours. One should be able to rely on newspapers for the actual truth.

Magazines, on the other hand, focus on social news. But I feel it is more acceptable for them to contain some features about famous personalities. In addition to being popular reading, these stories often benefit the stars by giving free publicity to them, thereby helping their careers. However, I also believe that magazine stories should not mention things that are too embarrassing or untrue just to attract people to buy the magazine. Sensational stories, such as these, cause great unhappiness to the people concerned.

In conclusion, I think newspapers should concentrate on real news but magazines can feature some articles on people's private lives.

(268 words)

[WR TASK2] #159 Some people feel that certain workers like nurses, doctors and teachers are undervalued and should be paid more, especially when other people like film actors or company bosses are paid huge sums of money that are out of proportion to the importance of the work that they do.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people feel that certain workers like nurses, doctors and teachers are undervalued and should be paid more, especially when other people like film actors or company bosses are paid huge sums of money that are out of proportion to the importance of the work that they do.

-How far do you agree?
-What criteria should be used to decide how much people are paid?

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Tips

1) It is essential that you plan your essay before actually beginning to write your answer. Some students may want to begin writing immediately as they are afraid that they will run out of time. This will not allow them to produce a well-organised essay.

2) There is more weight to Task 2 when calculating your overall writing score, so time management is important.

3) You should introduce the issue in your introduction, but avoid copying directly from the prompt. Rather, you should paraphrase the question using your own words.

4) If you write less than 250 words for Task 2, you will be penalized in the Task Response criteria.

Model answer

Nobody can deny that there are certain professionals like nurses, doctors and teachers who are essential to the fabric of society, and who should therefore be rewarded accordingly. However, this is seldom the case. When we look at the salaries and fees commanded by certain film stars and actresses and people who run large companies, this does not seem fair.

First of all, not all film stars earn huge sums of money. In fact, at any one time in the UK, for example, roughly 80 per cent of actors are out of work and on top of that the number who are paid so-called ‘telephone number fees’ is even smaller. One must also remember that the career of many actors is very short and that therefore the money they earn has to be spread over many years. The same applies to company bosses.

Stating a set of criteria as to how much people should be paid is not easy. The idea of performance-related pay is very much in vogue at the moment. Rewarding people according to qualifications has long been used as a yardstick for paying people, but it is not a consistently good measure. Another is years of relevant experience, but there are many cases where a younger person can perform a task better than someone with lots of experience.

Whatever criteria are used to assess salaries, an on-going cycle will develop. This will create pressure in other areas. This considered, generally I feel that certain key professionals should have their salaries assessed by independent review bodies on an on-going basis so that they do not fall behind.

(269 words)

[WR TASK2] #158 Some people consider computers to be more of a hindrance than a help. Others believe that they have greatly increased human potential.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people consider computers to be more of a hindrance than a help. Others believe that they have greatly increased human potential.

How could computers be considered a hindrance?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

Look at the words or phrases in capitals. Correct your version where necessary.

It is easy to understand why some people believe that computers are more of a hindrance than a help. Operations such as obtaining a refund or changing a ticket tend to be fairly straightforward without the aid of a computer, yet once one is involved, the process can become time-consuming, complex and prone to errors. In an office environment, it can sometimes seem that for every hour saved by computers, at least set of problems caused by a system malfunction.

Another consideration is that, over-enthusiastic use of computers in the home has the potential to divert large amounts of free time away from activities such as socialising, tasking exercise or having dinner with your family. Spending a lot of leisure time looking at a computer monitor screen could perhaps achieving other goals in life, such as being healthy and socially integrated.

However, it would be simplistic to assert that computers have a generally negative impact. There have been enormous advences in communications, medicine, design, education and numerous fields of human endeavour. Nowadays, virtually the entire sum of human knowledge is as far away as the nearest internet point. Computers have brought about a profound change in the way most people in the developed world live. (Although it should not be forgotten that the majority of the inhabitants of this planet have never so much as touched a computer keyboard.)

The benefits of computers undoubtedly outweigh the disadventages. The question is not whether computers help or hinder, but whether people always use their huge potential in a sensible and responsible way?

[WR TASK2] #157 Modern lifestyles mean that many parents have little time for their children.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Modern lifestyles mean that many parents have little time for their children. Many children suffer because they do not get as much attention from their parents as children did in the past.

Do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you might be asked to read a statement and state whether you agree or disagree with the opinion. Of course, you may only partly agree with it. You must explain your point of view and give reasons for it.

Model answer

Look at the words or phrases in capitals. Choose the word or phrase which sounds more formal. Rewrite the final paragraph in a more formal style.

People who ARGUE that nowadays parents give less attention to their children than in the past are FREQUENTLY looking back to a BRIEF period of time in the twentieth century when MOTHERS in middle-class families REMAINED at home to look after their children. What these people are SUGGESTING is that women nowadays should not go out to work.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT in THE MAJORITY OF families in the past both parents worked MUCH LONGER HOURS than they do nowadays. What has changed is that now in most countries their children ATTEND school rather than also working themselves. In that sense they may HAVE LESS CONTACT WITH their parents.

Nowadays, as a result of ACQUIRING AN EDUCATION, children come into contact with teachers who NATURALLY have to explain why some of their students are failing. What teachers come up with are FREQUENT stories of parents who are SIMPLY too busy for their CHILDREN. And IF CHILDREN ARE NOT SUPERVISED BY THEIR PARENTS, they will often UNDERPERFORM at school. However, ACADEMIC FAILURE is nothing new even when one or both parents are at home. If children ARE NEGLECTED by their parents, they will suffer.

I guess children probably had more problems in the past when they and their parents had to work non-stop just to get by. These days, the law looks after children and they can go to school, so children have lots more chances than they ever had before.

In my opinion, children probably suffered more in the past when the whole family was obliged to work long hours just to survive. Nowadays children are protected by the law. Moreover access to education means that they have greater opportunities than ever before.

[WR TASK2] #156 In most countries multinational companies and their products are becoming more and more important.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In most countries multinational companies and their products are becoming more and more important.
This trend is seriously damaging our quality of life.

Do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you might want to talk about a common opinion or fact. For example, you might say, Many people say that multinational companies and globalisation are making societies more open. However, if you want to be more formal, it is good to use the structure It + passive + clause: It is said that multinational companies and globalisation are making societies more open.

Verbs which are often used in this way are: say, agree, suppose, know, think, believe, expect, feel, report, estimate

Model answer

The writer has tried to avoid repeating the same words too often in the answer.
Read the sample again and find synonyms or phrases later in the answer with similar meanings to the underlined words.

Multinational companies nowadays find it convenient both to market their goods all over the world and set up production facilities wherever they find it convenient. In my opinion this has had an adverse effect on our quality of life in three main areas.

The first area is their products. Supporters of globalization would argue that multinational companies make high-quality goods available to more people. While this may be true to some extent, it also means that we have less choice of products to consume. When powerful multinational companies invade local markets with their goods, they often are obliged local companies with fewer resources to go out of business. In consequence, we are obliged to buy multinational products whether we like them or not.

This brings me to my second point. It is sometimes said that multinational companies and globalisation are making societies more open. This may be true. However, I would point out that as a result the human race is losing its cultural diversity. If we consumed varied products, societies wherever we live would be more varied. This can be seen by the fact that we all shop in identical multinational supermarkets and buy identical products wherever we live.

Thirdly, defenders of multinational companies often point out that they provide jobs. Although this is undoubtedly true, it also means that we have become more valnurable on them, which in turn makes us more vulnerable to their decisions. When, for example, a multinational decides to move its production facilities to another country, this has an adverse effect on its workers who lose their jobs.

All in all, I believe that if we as voters pressured our governments to make multinational companies more responsible and to protect local producers from outside competition, we could have the benefits of globalisation without its disadvantages.

[WR TASK2] #155 More and more qualified people are moving from poor to rich countries to fill vacancies in specialist areas like engineering, computing and medicine.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

More and more qualified people are moving from poor to rich countries to fill vacancies in specialist areas like engineering, computing and medicine.
Some people believe that by encouraging the movement of such people, rich countries are stealing from poor countries. Others feel that this is only part of the natural movement of workers around the world.

Do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Exam Tip

Writing Task 2 is a discursive essay. You will be given a topic to write about. You should write a plan so that your ideas are organised logically and coherently. Try to use a wide variety of vocabulary and don’t copy words from the question paper. Try not to repeat the same words or ideas. When you have finished, check your spelling and make sure you have written at least 250 words.

Model answer

The so-called ‘brain drain’ from poor to rich countries is now robbing poorer countries of essential personnel like doctors, nurses, engineers, and the trend is set to continue, if not to get worse.

Some people say this movement of people around the world is not a new phenomenon. Migrant workers have always been attracted by the wider choice of employment and greater opportunity in major cities in their own countries and abroad. Recently, as the technological age has advanced and as richer countries find themselves with not enough workers to feed their development, they have had to run to other parts of the world to find the necessary manpower. Many richer European countries, for example, are now trying to attract skilled IT workers from my home country India by offering higher salaries than they could hope to earn at home. With the globalisation of the world economy, many people feel that the process cannot be stopped.

Others, myself included, are of the opinion that measures should be taken to address the problem, by compensating poorer countries financially for the loss of investment in the people they have trained, like doctors and nurses. Admittedly, this may be cumbersome to administer, but an attempt could be made to get it off the ground. Another step, which in part has already begun to happen, is to use the forces of globalization itself. Western countries could encourage people to stay in their own countries by direct investment in projects like computer factories or by sending patients abroad for treatment, as is already happening.

It is obviously difficult to restrict the movement of people around the world and it is probably foolish to try to stop it, but attempts should be made to redress the imbalance.

(291 words)

[WR TASK2] #154 Computers and modems have made it possible for office workers to do much of their work from home instead of working in offices every day.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Computers and modems have made it possible for office workers to do much of their work from home instead of working in offices every day. Working from home should be encouraged as it is good for workers and employers.

Do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

Read the following sample answer. Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the box below.

Also	because	The first is that	For Example
Secondly	Finally	In conclusion	since
such as	while	On the other hand
A further point is that

In recent years the vast expansion of information and communications technology has made teleworking much more practical. Although in many cases office workers could be made geographically independent by using modems, faxes and cell phones, few companies or employees take full advantage of this possibility.

There are a number of strong arguments in favor of allowing workers to work from home. Firstly costs for employers would be reduced because businesses would require less office space, which is often situated in the center of large cities. Secondly, worker's lives would be improved in a variety of ways. For example, they would not need to travel to get to work, which would give them more free time.

Also, they could combine their work with their family life, which is a major advantage if they are parents of young children or they have old people to look after. On the other hand, traveling to a centralized workplace also has a number of points in its favor. The first is that many employees would miss the social aspect of work such as seeing colleagues and meeting customers. A further point is that employers would need to be able to trust their workers to work at a high standard and finish their work on time, since supervising teleworkers is even more complicated than supervising workers in the same office.

Finally, working from home might inhibit teamwork and creative work and so perhaps so only really suitable for people doing routine office work.

In conclusion, I believe that while many workers welcome the opportunity to go out to work, others would find the chance to work from home very convenient. Where possible, I think workers should be offered the choice, but not forced to work from home unless they wish to.

Show Answers - Hide Answers

Writing Tip

Be careful with punctuation. You must use a comma after the following words and phrases when they are used at the start of a sentence: Also, Secondly, For example, On the other hand, Finally, However, In my opinion, Similarly, Furthermore, Unfortunately, To summarise, Therefore, To sum up, In conclusion, e.g. In conclusion, I believe that while many workers welcome the opportunity to go out to work, others would find the chance to work from home very convenient. NOT
In conclusion I believe that...

[WR TASK2] #153 Nowadays many students have the opportunity to study for part or all of their courses in foreign countries.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Nowadays many students have the opportunity to study for part or all of their courses in foreign countries.
While studying abroad brings many benefits to individual students, it also has a number of disadvantages.

Do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Which of these things should you include in your answer to this question?
Write YES, NO OR MAYBE next to each question.

1  What problems students may have studying abroad and what is good about it. ....................
2  What countries gain and lose from people going abroad to study. ....................
3  Whether governments should subsidise students’ studies abroad. ....................
4  Your personal experience of studying abroad, or the experience of people you know. ....................
5  What is wrong with your country’s education system. ....................

Show Answers - Hide Answers

Read the following sample answer. Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or phrase from the box below.

although	because	finally	firstly
in my opinion	such as	for example	moreover
secondly	furthermore	what is more	therefore
in contrast	due to	on the other hand

In recent years there has been a vast increase in the number of students choosing to study abroad. This is partly because people are more affluent and partly due to the variety of grants and scholarships which are available for overseas students nowadays. Although foreign study is not something which every student would choose, it is an attractive option for many people.

Studying overseas has a number of advantages. Firstly/For example, it may give students access to knowledge and facilities such as laboratories and libraries which are not available in their home country. Furthermore/Moreover/What is more/Secondly, by looking abroad students may find a wider range of courses than those offered in their country’s universities, and therefore one which fits more closely to their particular requirements.

on the other hand, studying abroad has a number of drawbacks. These may be divided into personal and professional. Firstly students have to leave their family and friends for a long period. Furthermore/Moreover/What is more/Secondly studying abroad is almost always more expensive that studying in one’s local university. Finally/Furthermore/Moreover/What is more, students often have to study in a foreign language, which may limit their performance and mean they do not attain their true level.

In my opinion/On the other hand, however, the disadvantages of studying abroad are usually temporary in nature. Students who study abroad generally become proficient in the language quite soon and they are only away from their family and friends for a year or two. Furthermore/What is more, many of the benefits last students all their lives and make them highly desirable to prospective employers.

[WR TASK2] #152 As mass communication and transport continue to grow, societies are becoming more and more alike leading to a phenomenon known as globalization.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

As mass communication and transport continue to grow, societies are becoming more and more alike leading to a phenomenon known as globalization. Some people fear that globalization will inevitably lead to the total loss of cultural identity.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip

Don't forget to include examples relevant to your experience. Remember you are not expected to be an expert on the topic. Personal experience counts!

Model answer

Globalization means that in some ways people around the world are becoming more and more similar. We often eat the same food, watch the same TV programmes, listen to the same music and we wear the same clothes. Some of this at least can be blamed on the spread of multinational brands available all over the world.

On the surface, it may appear as if the global diversity of cultural identities is being lost. If, the argument goes, people in Tokyo and London look and dress the same, then that must mean that cultural differences are disappearing. However, I would argue that this is a very narrow definition of culture and that in fact cultural differences are as present as ever.

Cultural Identity is built on far more than just the films we watch or the jeans we wear. The foundation of cultural identity is shared values. When you look in detail at different cultures, you realize that the things that are important to one culture can be very different from the things valued by another culture.

Take my own culture, India, as an example and compare it to a very different culture, Japan. Although I have never visited Japan personally, I believe that it is a culture which places a lot of value on hard work and that people often work very long hours. The Indian people, in contrast, greatly value their leisure time and strive to spend as much time with their family as they possibly can. Even if we consume the same products, I would argue that there are still some very deep-rooted differences.

To summarize, I do not accept that total loss of cultural identity is inevitable, despite the influence of large companies and their products around the globe.

(294 words)

[WR TASK2] #151 In some countries young people have little leisure time and are under a lot of pressure to work hard in their studies.

IELTS Tip: Articles

One of the most common errors is that of article use. Often it is difficult to correct because the rules of article use in English are complex. Most mistakes can be avoided by following a few basic guidelines:

• No article is used to make generalizations with plural count nouns: Bananas are yellow.
• Single countable nouns generally require an article.
  • Use a if you mean one or any: Can we go to a restaurant?
  • Use the if you mean a specific one: I think of you whenever I go to the restaurant where we used to eat.
• Use the with:
  • Ordinals: The first Australian I ever met …
  • Superlatives: The tallest boy in the class …
  • Words such as sole, same, or only: The only animal living on the farm …
  • Adjectives like wealthy, poor, elderly to talk about groups of people: I think the wealthy should pay more taxes.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In some countries young people have little leisure time and are under a lot of pressure to work hard in their studies.
What do you think are the causes of this?
What solutions can you suggest?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

Some young people find themselves with very little leisure time. I believe there are two main causes of this situation. The first is parental pressure and the second is competition for university places.

Every parent wants to see his or her child do well in school and go on to have a successful career. This means that they exert pressure on their children to spend hours each day studying at home. Some even arrange extra tuition for their children. In my own country, it is not uncommon for young people to spend another three hours at small private schools after their usual day at stale school is over. As a consequence, their leisure time is extremely limited and the pressure on them is considerable.

The second cause is related to the higher education system. Each year, there are many times more applicants to university than there are university places. The result of this is that only those students with very high grades manage to obtain a place. This contributes to the pressure on teenagers since they must work long hours to have any chance of success.

One solution to the problem is for parents to be made aware of the effects of the pressure they put on their children. Schools should inform parents that too much pressure can lead to anxiety, stress and depression. They should be shown ways in which they can help their children lead more balanced lives with a reasonable amount of leisure time.

Another effective measure would be for the government to invest in the creation of more university places. This could be done by expanding existing universities or by building new ones. This would have the effect of easing competition for places giving teenagers some of their precious free lime back.

(296 words)

[WR TASK2] #150 Scientists and the news media are presenting ever more evidence of climate change.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Scientists and the news media are presenting ever more evidence of climate change. Governments cannot be expected to solve this problem. It is the responsibility of individuals to change their lifestyle to prevent further damage.

What are your views?

You should write at least 250 words.

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

IELTS Tip

Always allow time to edit your work, especially in the Writing exam. Noticing and correcting details like punctuation and word order (as well as spelling and grammatical structure) can improve your score dramatically.

Model answer

Recently scientists worried about climate change have urged governments to introduce measures to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are seen as its main cause. Simultaneously, politicians and environmentalists have urged individuals to make changes to their lifestyle. I shall argue that governments and individuals should take join responsibility for this problem.

Firstly, industry accounts for a large proportion of the greenhouse gas emissions, and this can only be controlled by government action. Measures could be taken to discourage pollution, such as limiting or taxing the use of fossil fuels. Alternatively, subsidies could be offered to industries to clean up their production processes. If these ideas were adopted, I believe that businesses would regard pollution as a financial issue.

Secondly, only discussion between governments can ensure that solutions are successful. The Kyoto agreement, for example, tried to reach global agreement on how to address the problem. Without such co-operating, it seems to me that efforts to reduce fuel consumption are unlikely to be effective.

However, national and international policies will only succeed if individuals also change their lifestyle. For example, people could think more carefully about how they use energy in their homes. By using less electricity, installing energy-efficient light bulbs and electrical appliances, or investing in solar panels, individuals can make a real difference.

In addition, I think individual attitudes to transport need to change. Instead of making short tips by car, people could choose to walk, cycle, or take a bus. Since cars are a major source of the problem, changing our behaviour in this area would have a major impact.

In conclusion, I would maintain that only a combination of international agreement, national policies, and changes in individual behaviour will succeed in preventing further damage to the environment.
(291 words)

[WR TASK2] #149 In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

You should write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip

When you have described the advantages and disadvantages of a situation/argument, you can say which side has the strongest case in your opinion.

Model answer

It is quite common these days for young people in many countries to have a break from studying after graduating from high school. This trend is not restricted to rich students who have the money to travel, but is also evident among poorer students who choose to work and become economically independent for a period of time.

The reasons for this trend may involve the recognition that a young adult who passes directly from school to university is rather restricted in terms of general knowledge and experience of the world. By contrast, those who have spent some time earning a living or traveling to other places have a broader view of life and better personal resources to draw on. They tend to be more independent, which is a very important factor in academic study and research, as well as giving them an advantage in terms of coping with the challenges of student life.

However, there are certainly dangers in taking time off at that important age. Young adults may end up never returning to their studies or finding it difficult to readapt to an academic environment. They may think that it is better to continue in a particular job, or to do something completely different from a university course. But overall, I think this is less likely today, when academic qualifications are essential for getting a reasonable career.

My view is that young people should be encouraged to broaden their horizons. That is the best way for them to get a clear perspective of what they are hoping to do with their lives and why. Students with such a perspective are usually the most effective and motivated ones and taking a year off may be the best way to gain this.

(291 words)

[WR TASK2] #148 Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we really do not need.

Vocabulary Tip

Advertising describes the business of persuading people to buy things. Advertisement, and the abbreviations advert and ad, are used to refer to printed, audio of film products that are used to sell something, e.g. I saw a funny advertisement on TV. NOT I saw a funny advertising on TV. Commercial is only used for ads on radio or TV.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives.

Which viewpoint do you agree with?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

The purpose of advertising is to tell the consumer about any new product or service or any new promotion on the existing product and service. We need it so we can make good decisions when we go shopping. Advertising tells us when new and improved products become available and lets us know which ones have the best price.

Through advertising we learn about new products. For example, many grocery stores now sell pre-packaged lunches. These are very convenient for busy parents. They can give these lunches to their children to take to school. Busy parents don’t have time to look at every item on the store shelf, so without advertising they might not know about such a convenient new product.

Even products we are familiar with may be improved, and advertising lets us know about this. Most people use cell phones, but new types of cell phone service become available all the time. There are different plans that give you more hours to talk on the phone, you can send text messages and photos, and next week probably some even newer type of service will be available. By watching advertisements on TV it is easy to find out about new improvements to all kinds of products.

Advertisements keep us informed about prices. Prices change all the time, but everyone can look at the ads in the newspaper and see what the latest prices are. Advertisements also inform us about sales. In fact, some people buy the newspaper only in order to check the prices and plan their weekly shopping.

Advertisements improve our lives by keeping us informed about the latest products developments and the best prices. Advertisements serve a useful purpose.

(281 words)

[WR TASK2] #147 Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions.

IELTS Tip

In task 2, can I give both positive and negative views or should I stick to only one view?

This depends on the type of question being asked, so you must read it carefully. For example, if the question asks you to ‘Discuss both sides…’ then of course you must give both points of view. It’s also important that your own views are clear. You can express your own point of view in the introduction or the conclusion, or refer to it throughout the answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions.
Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

As a result of constant media attention, sports professionals in my country have become stars and celebrities, and those at the top are paid huge salaries. Just like movie stars, they live extravagant lifestyles with huge houses and cars.

Many people find their rewards unfair, especially when comparing these super salaries with those of top surgeons or research scientists, or even leading politicians who have the responsibility of governing the country. However, sports salaries are not determined by considering the contribution to society a person makes, or the level of responsibility he or she holds. Instead, they reflect the public popularity of sport in general and the level of public support that successful stars can generate. So the notion of ‘fairness’ is not the issue.

Those who feel that sports stars’ salaries are justified might argue that the number of professionals with real talent are very few, and the money is a recognition of the skills and dedication a person needs to be successful. Competition is constant and a player is tested every time they perform in their relatively short career. The pressure from the media is intense and there is little privacy out of the spotlight. So all of these factors may justify the huge earnings.

Personally, I think that the amount of money such sports stars make is more justified than the huge earnings of movie stars, but at the same time, it indicates that our society places more value on sport than on more essential professions and achievements.

(251 words)

[WR TASK2] #146 School children are becoming far too dependent on computers. This is having an alarming effect on reading and writing skills.

Write about the following topic:

School children are becoming far too dependent on computers. This is having an alarming effect on reading and writing skills. Teachers need to avoid using computers in the classroom at all costs and go back to teaching basic study skills.

Do you agree or disagree?

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

Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Tip

For Task 2 you might need to write about the causes and effects of a problem or issue. Use conditional sentences and linking words such as because, so, therefore, as a result (of) to describe causes and effects clearly.

Model answer

Nowadays modern technology has totally changed our approach to study. In many countries students no longer have to copy notes by hand from the blackboard; instead the teacher gives them a photocopy. Rather than messy ink and pen, students present a typed-up copy of their assignments. Their computer even checks their spelling as they go. In fact, some people believe that modern technology does a lot of our thinking for us and, as a result, we are going to lose our ability to think for ourselves.

In my opinion, spelling skills have definitely deteriorated in recent years. So many young people use mobile phones to send text messages where speed and conciseness are more important than spelling or grammar. Some teachers complain that these students take the same attitude toward their assignments.

On the other hand, typed assignments are much easier to read and are much neater. Frankly, I find some notes or texts which are handwritten almost impossible to read. Doctors, for example, have a reputation for illegible handwriting, which could lead to disastrous medical mistakes. Perhaps it is time we focused not on handwriting but on presenting information as accurately as possible.

One advantage of computers is that access to the Internet has opened up a new world of learning for us. We no longer have to wait for a book that has already been borrowed from the library before we do our research. In fact, the Internet can clearly be used to research information in the same way as a library but more conveniently.

On the whole, rather than holding students back, I believe modern technology has actually improved standards of education considerably.

(276 words)

[WR TASK2] #145 Governments should make more effort to promote alternative sources of energy.

Write about the following topic:

Governments should make more effort to promote alternative sources of energy.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

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

Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Writing Tip

You must avoid repeating the exact words of the topic. If you repeat the words, you can gain no marks, since they are not your words. The examiner will simply ignore them. If you paraphrase, you are displaying your language skills.

Model answer

It has been known for some time now that a move towards sources of energy which are not carbon-based is urgently required to stop the effects of global warming. In my view, there are too few governments who seem to be promoting the use of other types of energy such as wind, wave, solar and nuclear sources of energy.

Governments at present are too reliant on coil, oil and gas. Although some governments are doing research into the use of alternative energy sources, many are not. Energy from the wind, the sea and the sun does not pollute the environment and is an everlasting source of power. Nuclear power is clean, and although it is not totally unproblematic, it would provide a large amount of energy and dramatically improve the environment. Countries such as France have made good use of nuclear power.

My feeling is that more use could be made of wind power. In some countries, there has been a reluctance to use wind turbines, even in areas which are not densely populated, as some people believe they are eyesores. Personally, I believe they are not only useful, but beautiful as well. Governments should spend more time and effort promoting the benefits of this source of energy and trying to make the public understand the reason for change.

In conclusion, I believe that, if governments forced everyone to have a wind turbine and solar panels on the building they live in, made more use of wave power and built more nuclear power stations, then they would manage to avert the dangers that are seriously threatening the Earth.

(268 words)

[WR TASK2] #144 Counties such as China, India and Japan have unsustainable population growths.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Counties such as China, India and Japan have unsustainable population growths. In fact many experts are of the opinion that the population ‘explosion’ which is now a very worrying concern, is the most serious threat to life on this planet.

Give some suggestions to address this problem.

Write at least 250 words.

Essay Tip

Manage your time effectively in the Writing exam. For the essay you will have 40 minutes to write, so give yourself time to plan before you begin writing, and try to allow five minutes at the end to read through your work and check for errors.

Model answer

It is true that the population ‘explosion’ which has taken place over the last century, is a very serious problem. One of the main reasons for this unacceptable population growth is a lack of understanding about the environment. Over-population is the major reason for water, soil and air pollution. It is also often the cause of starvation and even wars. Experts have put forward many suggestions to address this problem. The following are just a few of these.

The most important weapon we have to fight population growth is education. This should start at a very early age i.e. before children even go to school. TV cartoons and children’s programs can be used to educate the very young. At high school level, students can be taught about the problem more directly. At university level, scholarships should be made available to students who wish to study further in this field. International exchange groups may also help to increase awareness.

Another important means of controlling population growth is to disadvantage people who have more than one or two children. This can be done, as it is in China, by means of a higher tax. Although it is controversial, persons who come forward to be sterilized could be given a sum of money. It may also be possible to make it advantageous for people to have only one child by giving such couples a special tax deduction.

It should also be possible to make contraception devices free to the public and easily obtainable.

This problem is a very difficult one to address but we should make every effort to do so. There are many other problems which are related to over-population such as increasing crime, illiteracy and pollution. So by addressing one problem we would be addressing the others as well.

(298 words)

[WR TASK2] #143 In a recent survey conducted in this country, it was found that up to 20% of twelve year-olds in some schools were showing early signs of nicotine addiction.

Assessing your essay

When you have finished the essay read it again and ask yourself these questions.

1) Have I answered the question or have I gone away from the topic?
2) Is the essay well structured and clear?
3) Can the reader understand my main points?
4) Are there any spelling, punctuation, vocabulary or grammar mistakes?

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In a recent survey conducted in this country, it was found that up to 20% of twelve year-olds in some schools were showing early signs of nicotine addiction.
In the eighteen to twenty year age bracket the percentage was as high as 70%. A large contributing factor to this high level of addiction is attributed to the uncensored TV advertising of cigarettes.
For this reason all cigarette advertising should be banned.

Discuss.

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

The issue of cigarette advertising is an important one, especially in this country where so many young adolescents smoke. One of the main causes of this problem is peer pressure. Another cause is advertising, especially TV advertising. Smoking, as we all know, leads to a number of health problems such as cancer and heart disease. Many people think that cigarette advertising should not be banned since this would limit our free choice in this matter. However there is growing evidence that this serious problem is getting out of control. Let us examine the facts more closely.

The most important reason why cigarette advertising should be banned is that cigarette is bad for our health. Smoking causes lung cancer and heart disease. Many people also suffer from slow and painful death from a disease called emphysema.

Another important reason why cigarette advertising should be banned is that it costs the tax payer money. People who become sick from smoking have to be cared for in expensive hospitals. In addition their deaths often results in financial problem for their families.

Finally cigarette smoking may lead to another problem namely drug addiction. Although there is not conclusive evidence that this often happens, many experts in this area feel that there is a connection between the two.

Perhaps a solution to this problem is the education of young children concerning the dangers of taking up this habit. Also a heavy tax could be placed on cigarettes so that youngsters would not be able to afford them. In any case, it seems beyond any reasonable doubt that cigarette advertising should be banned.

(267 words)

[WR TASK2] #142 Illiteracy has traditionally been viewed as largely a third world problem.

Write about the following topic:

Illiteracy has traditionally been viewed as largely a third world problem.
However it is becoming apparent that in countries such as the USA and Australia, illiteracy is on the increase.

Discuss possible causes for this and its effect on society.

Write at least 250 words.

model answer:

It is true that illiteracy is becoming a serious problem in industrialised nations. This is surprising as most people think that this is a problem only in under-developed nations such as in parts of Africa and India. Illiteracy is related to many other problems such as poverty, over-population and governmental corruption. Let us take a more detailed look at the causes of this growing problem in many Western nations.

One of the most obvious reasons for the increase in illiteracy is the advent of television. Children no longer have to read to obtain information. Neither do they have to read to relax. Today children get home from school and go straight to “the box” to watch their favorite program. Watching television is much easier and more exciting than reading.

Another reason for the increase in illiteracy is the fact that so many women work. This means that children are often alone at home and so they are unsupervised. When parents get home they are often too tired to spend quality time whit their children.

It is also true that many people blame schools for the decline in illiteracy. In many countries there has been a move away from teaching basic skills such as reading and writing.

There are many effects of this growing illiteracy rate. The most obvious is unemployment. This may in turn lead to alcohol and drug abuse. Ultimately the economy of the country begins to suffer and there is a drop in living standards.

To address this problem, parents need to become more aware of their responsibilities and schools need to consider a change in their teaching methods. If this worsening trend is not reversed, the problem of illiteracy will become very serious.

(286 words)

[WR TASK2] #141 Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on your children.

Write about the following topic:

Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on your children.

Do you agree or disagree?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Essay Tip

It is best to avoid starting a sentence with But, since it is rather informal to do so. However is the most common and the most useful word. It can be used for almost every situation. Note, however, that it is often better to use it in the second position in the sentence.

 

Model answer

I tend to agree that young children can be negatively affected by too much time spent on the computer every day. This is partly because sitting in front of a screen for too long can be damaging to both the eyes and the physical posture of a young child, regardless of what they are using the computer for.

However, the main concern is about the type of computer activities that attract children. These are often electronic games that tend to be very intense and rather violent. The player is usually the ‘hero’ of the game and too much exposure can encourage children to be self-centred and insensitive to others.

Even when children use a computer for other purposes, such as getting information or emailing friends, it is no substitute for human interaction. Spending time with other children and sharing nonvirtual experiences is an important part of a child's development that cannot be provided by a computer.

In spite of this, the obvious benefits of computer skills for young children cannot be denied. Their adult world will be changing constantly in terms of technology and the Internet is the key to all the knowledge and information available in the world today. Therefore it is important that children learn at an early age to use the equipment enthusiastically and with confidence as they will need these skills throughout their studies and working lives.

I think the main point is to make sure that young children do not overuse computers. Parents must ensure that their children learn to enjoy other kinds of activity and not simply sit at home, learning to live in a virtual world.

(273 words)