SAMPLE

IELTS TASK 2
ESSAYS

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1. As computers are being used more and more in education, there will be soon no role for teachers in the classroom.
2. In some countries children have very strict rules of behavior, in other countries they are allowed to do almost anything they like. To
what extent should children have to follow rules?
3. Even though globalization affects the world’s economies in a positive way, its negative side should not be forgotten. Discuss.
4. Popular events like the Football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tension
and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.
5. Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the governments of richer
nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas.
6. Financial education should be a mandatory component of the school program. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
7. Some people think that spending a lot on holding wedding parties, birthday parties and other celebrations is just a waste of money.
Others, however, think that these are necessary for individuals and the society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
8. In many countries children are engaged in different kinds of paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong, while others
consider it a valuable work experience, important for learning and taking responsibility. What is your opinion?
9. Public libraries should only provide books and should not waste their limited resources on expensive high-tech media such as software,
videos or DVDs. Do you agree or disagree?
10. Modern children are suffering from the diseases that were once considered to be meant for adults only. Obesity is a major disease
prevalent among children. What are its causes and what solutions can be offered?
11. Some people think that schools should select students according to their academic abilities, while others believe that it is better to have
students with different abilities studying together. Discuss both views and state your own opinion.
12. Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment. Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to
tackle this problem?
13. When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
14. Some people think that giving their children a certain amount of money every week will help them have fewer financial problems in
the future. Do you agree or disagree?
15. Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on children. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your
answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
16. What factors are related to academic success in high school students?
17. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing
number of private cars in use. In order to reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to encourage people
to use their cars less and public transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport. To what extent do you
agree with this statement?
18. 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.
19. Universities should accept equal numbers of men and women in every subject. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
20. Many people believe that women make better parents than men and that this is why they have a greater role in raising children in
most societies. Others claim that men are just as good as women at parenting. Write an essay expressing your point of view. Give
reasons for your answer. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
21. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing
number of private cars in use. In order to reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to encourage people
to use their cars less and public transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
22. 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 opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include
any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

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1. As computers are being used more and more in education, there will be soon no role for
teachers in the classroom.

There is no doubt that education and the learning process has changed since the introduction of
computers: The search for information has become easier and amusing, and connectivity has
expedited the data availability. Though expert systems have made computers more intelligent, they
have not yet become a substitute for the human interaction in the learning process. In my opinion
what can be expected is a change of the teachers’ role, but not their disappearance from the
classroom.

Nobody can argue that the acquisition of knowledge is more fun and easier with computers. The
mere activity of touching and exploring this device constitutes an enjoyable task for a child. This,
accompanied by the relaxing attitude and software interactivity, usually contributes to a better
grasping of new knowledge. At a higher educational level the availability of digital books, simulators
and other academic materials provide the student with an ever accessible source of information, that
otherwise would not be at hand.

But, besides the increasing complexity and behavior of intelligent software, which is usually
embedded in the academic digital material, the need for human interaction in the learning process
will always be present, at least in the foreseeable future. There is the necessity for a human being to
be able to determine what the specifics needs of each individual are. The expertise of a teacher in
how to explain and adapt complex concepts to different individuals can hardly be mimicked by a
computer, no matter how sophisticated its software is.

As computers are becoming a common tool for teaching, teachers should be more aware of their role
as guides in the acquisition of knowledge rather than transmitters of facts. They have to be open
minded to the changes that are taking places, keep updated and serve as problem solvers in the
learning process, thus allowing students to discover the fact for themselves.

To summarize, in my personal view, teachers play and will continue to play an important role in the
classroom, especially at the primary level. No matter how complex computers become, there will be
no replacement for the human interaction, but in the way how this interaction takes place.

This is an excellent essay! Well done. The only problem is that this essay is too long, 365 words
instead of 250-265 maximum.

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2. In some countries children have very strict rules of behavior, in other countries they are allowed
to do almost anything they like. To what extent should children have to follow rules?

The extent to which children have to follow rules is in itself a very complex issue, since children
across the world grow up in very different cultures. In Bangladesh for example, children are expected
to be very submissive to their parents as well as to other adults around them. This, however, is not
the case with the Western countries of the world where children follow the motto ‘Thou shalt do
what thou wilt’ as promoted by celebrities and rock stars. I believe that following strict rules has
both advantages as well as serious drawbacks as discussed below.

Firstly, strict rules of behavior create responsible and respectful children who in turn mature into
respectful adults. This forms a stable society which is virtually free from negative trends such as drug
abuse and other illegal activities. Secondly, if children do not follow strict rules of behavior, they may
get out of hand and become work-shy and indolent. This may then create a burden on the society
since the government has to find ways to cater for these social ills.

However, forcing children to follow strict rules of behavior doesn’t always yield positive results as
discussed above rather ,most of the time, it backfires and works against society. For example,
teenagers are more likely to do the opposite of what they’re told to do simply because they want to
be independent. Children should also have rights to exercise their free will and develop their own
pattern of behaviors. Imposing strict rules may simply destroy the individuality of children.

At the end of the day, it is clear that children should be guided by rules, but these rules should not be
imposed on them because as human beings they need to have room to develop their own traits of
character and adopt a behavioral pattern of their own.

This essay is too long (309 words instead of advised 250-265). Otherwise this work is a very
good one; it covers the task, its position is clear, the ideas are well-organized, expressed,
explained and supported. The sentences show a wide range of language structures, cohesive
devices and the grammar is fine. Overall, this seems to be a band 7.5 or higher essay.

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3. Even though globalization affects the world’s economies in a positive way, its negative side
should not be forgotten. Discuss.

In the present age, globalization is playing an increasingly important role in our lives. But in the
meantime the question that whether it is a blessing or a curse has sparked a heated debate. Some
people argue that globalization has had a fundamentally beneficial influence on our lives, while many
others contend that it has had a detrimental effect as well.

A convincing argument can be made about globalization is that it is not only playing a pivotal role in
the development of technology and economy, but also in the promotion of the cultural exchange
between different countries. To start with, it is the globalization that impelled many corporate to
become international groups, thereby making a contribution to the local technology and employment
sectors. Specifically, when a multinational group establishes a factory in a developing country, the
new equipment, the new management skills and the job vacancies are all in the best interest of the
local society. Moreover, people worldwide can get to know each other better through globalization. It
is easy to see that more and more Hollywood blockbusters show cultures different from American,
for example ‘Kungfu Panda’ and ‘The Mummy’.

Admittedly, the profit driven side of globalization has severely affected young people. Today, in the
metropolises in different countries, it is very common to see teenagers wearing NIKE T-shirts and
Adidas footwear, playing Hip-Hop music on Apple iPods and eating at KFC. The culture that took a
thousand years to form just seems similar in these cities; it seems as though you can only distinguish
them by their language. Meanwhile, in some developing countries, sweat workshops are always a
concerning issue. For instance, reports show that some teenagers employed by NIKE’s contractors
work in smelly factories for over 14 hours a day, but are paid only fifty cents per hour.

To sum up, I would concede that globalization does come with some adverse effects. Despite that
fact, benefits created by it far outweigh the disadvantages. Overall, I am convinced that we should
further promote globalization and meanwhile the local government should take measures in
combating culture assimilation and sweat workshops.

This essay is extremely long (338 words instead of the advised 250-265). It has a sound
structure, its position is clearly expressed, the information is well-organized, and structure-wise
the sentences are fine. The vocabulary is impressive and there are only a few grammatical
errors. Overall, this seems to be a band 7.5 + essay.

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4. Popular events like the Football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are
essential in easing international tension and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

Every four years, the whole world stops to watch international sporting events such as the Olympics
and the Football World Cup in which athletes show their best performance to make their country
proud. These sporting occasions have proved to be helpful in easing international tension in difficult
times when powerful leaders were trying to control the world’s economy and other governments
were fighting over the land.

The Olympic Games is one of the best examples which prove how sporting events can bring nations
together, at least temporarily: From the ancient History, when Greeks and Romans would interrupt
battles to participate in the games, to the more recent international disputes, when athletes from
Palestine and Israel would forget their differences, compete peacefully and even embrace each other
after an event. Moreover, these popular events have called the world’s attention to the terrible
consequences of wars; thus some leaders have tried to reach agreements to end their disputes and
live peacefully.

Similarly, international sporting events show benefits in some developing countries which live in a
daily internal civil war. For example, Brazil has a high rate of unemployment, lack of education,
hunger, crime, poverty and corruption which leads to an immense embarrassment of being a
Brazilian with a low self-esteem. However, when the Football World Cup starts, the Brazilian squad,
which is considered the best team in the world, provokes an amazing feeling of pride in their
country. Most people seem to forget all their problems and even the criminal activity decreases. They
paint roads with the national colors, wear the Brazilian team shirts and buy national flags. Moreover,
the competition brings families and neighbors together and even rival gangs watch the games and
celebrate peacefully.

In conclusion, popular sporting events play an important role in decreasing international tensions
and liberating patriotic feelings as history has shown.

This is a great essay. The ideas, language, structure of paragraphs and sentences, and grammar
show a good command of the English language. In my opinion it is Band 8. Keep up the good
work.

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5. Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer
nations. However, the governments of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping
the poorer nations in such areas.

Today’s world has been divided into developing and industrialized countries. The main difference
between them lies in the amount of money that governments spend in important sectors such as
education, health and commerce. Most of the poorer nations are buried in debts as a result of their
unbalanced finances which are reflect in a failed health care, an unstructured education system and a
weak international trade. This vicious cycle will continue indefinitely unless wealthier nations show
interest in minimizing the worldwide economic differences, as well as taking more responsibility for
assisting less fortunate countries.

Most of the African countries live in sub-human conditions because of the extreme poverty, upheaval,
hunger, disease, unemployment, lack of education and both inexperienced and corrupt
administrations. The devastating consequences of the AIDS epidemic in those countries could
improve if the infected population were to receive free drugs to control the disease, have access to
health professionals and get information on how to prevent the spread of AIDS and other similar
fatal diseases, but this can only be achieved through international help programs in which leaders of
the world’s richest countries donate medicine and also send doctors and nurses to treat and educate
those in need.

Moreover, most of the poor countries rely on selling agricultural products and raw materials to rich
nations and buying industrialized products from them, thus resulting in huge financial deficits.
Consequently, they borrow a significant amount of money from the World Bank in trying to improve
their broken economies, but sometimes the money disappears with no significant changes and they
cannot even pay the interest to the bank. Regarding this issue, the G8, which is comprised of leaders
of the eight richest nations, recently decided to forgive billions of dollars worth of debt owed by the
world’s poorest nations. In addition, they developed adequate loan programs to financially assist
those countries.

In conclusion, leaders of the industrialized countries should play more proactive roles in assisting
developing nations to deal with areas such as health, education and trade. Moreover, their aid is the
key to breaking the vicious cycle, which results in poverty and death.

This is a great essay, seems to be on a Band 8 level, there’s nothing to improve here.

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6. Financial education should be a mandatory component of the school program. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is an obvious fact that financial aspects are a major part of the daily life, as an adult or even as a
young individual. Each and every one of us has to make financial decisions concerning recreation,
health, education and more. The question is whether to start with financial education as part of
school program or to postpone it for a later stage in life.

To begin with, being able to understand the value of money and the way in which the economic
system works and to interpret financial news and its implications are virtues. Without these virtues,
an individual, even a young one, might suffer to some extent. For an example, a child who doesn’t
understand the concept of money might find it more difficult to choose only one present out of many
possible ones.

In addition, many adults are also found lacking financial analysis capability. Quite often, the reason
can be the lack of sound foundations when it comes to financial terms and concepts. Starting from an
early age, building a strong background on financial aspects of life can very likely prevent such
unwarranted situations.

However, financial education necessarily involves quantifying and setting prices and value for
services and goods. It can easily turn young people into cynical human beings who lack emotion.
Furthermore, a tendency to self-concentration and egoism might rise when one start measuring
everything from a profit-making perspective.

In conclusion, financial education has both pros and cons. In my opinion, the advantages are more
significant than the disadvantages, making financial education an advisable component of the school
program. The disadvantages should be thought of as a certain price that young people have to pay
due to the characteristics of the world that we live in.

This is a wonderful essay. It covers the task, is correctly structured, the paragraphs are logically
connected, the structure of sentences shows excellent command of the English language. The
vocabulary is fine and both spelling and grammar are very good. Overall, looks like a Band 7.5 –
Band 8 essay.

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7. Some people think that spending a lot on holding wedding parties, birthday parties and other
celebrations is just a waste of money. Others, however, think that these are necessary for
individuals and the society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Throwing parties can be expensive. While some people do not find these fancy parties worth what
they cost, others believe parties are important to both individuals and the society.

People choose to throw parties for a number of reasons. For starters, parties can make better teams.
Project kick-off parties are good opportunities to break the ice and help team members to know each
other better. Victory parties create a sense of success and belonging. Companies do not see parties as
waste of money and allocate budget to support such events. Moreover, parties often leave good
memories. From our own experiences, we all have happy memories of our birthday parties when we
were little. Every family has great photos taken on family parties in their album. In addition, contrary
to what some people believe is a waste of social resources, parties actually create value, either by
employing people in the party planning business or by offering people better party experiences.

The popularity of parties, however, causes some tension in the society. Parties are hard on
introverted people who find themselves uncomfortable in parties. This is a clinic symptom which
psychologists call it “social anxiety disorder”. There are other ways to celebrate important events
that may have greater value for their cost. For instance, companies could send out gifts after
successful projects and parents could take their children on family trips to celebrate birthdays.

In my opinion, while a party is a form of social event that brings many benefits to individuals and the
society, other choices should also be considered, either to cut spending or to relieve the stress of
those who are not fond of parties.

This is a very good essay. Other than minor inaccuracies there are no problems. Seems to be
worth IELTS Band 8.

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8. In many countries children are engaged in different kinds of paid work. Some people regard
this as completely wrong, while others consider it a valuable work experience, important for
learning and taking responsibility. What is your opinion?

The issue of whether or not children should be engaged in some paid work has sparked a heated
debate. While some argue that having some employment experience is conducive to a child’s learning
and development, I contend that it would bring harm to the child’s health and learning.

First of all, a workplace designed for adults is naturally short of child-friendly facilities. Desks and
chairs are too high for a child; the light switches are installed on the walls unreachable by children;
also emergency training and facilities such as phones are only provided to adults. Furthermore,
various hazards such as polluted air and chemical fumes are still produced in factories and farms.
Undoubtedly young people would suffer in such workplaces.

Also, children would find it frustrating when they are not properly inducted before starting a job. A
child working in a cement factory would feel a setback when he cannot get immediate support while
struggling with the procedures of recording different raw materials that is required by the job.
Further, without sufficient support, a child’s misunderstanding or inappropriate communication
with adults would only disappoint him and prevent him/her from active learning and interaction
with other people.

To conclude, a child’s paid employment experience would lead to a negative impact on his/her health
and active learning. However, it can be advisable to encourage them to be involved in some
volunteering opportunities through which they can meaningfully learn and interact with other
people with sufficient care and support in place for such jobs.

This is a good essay. There are only a few errors, but otherwise this work seems worthy of Band
7.5 or 8. Remember to always proofread your essay before submitting it. Keep up the good work!

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9. Public libraries should only provide books and should not waste their limited resources on
expensive high-tech media such as software, videos or DVDs. Do you agree or disagree?

With the proliferation of high-tech media, some people hold that the public libraries would be
rendered obsolete if they do not offer software, videos or DVDs to their users while other assert that
it is only a waste of limited resources and that the libraries should offer books only.

High-tech media is, in many ways, indeed superior to the books in terms of entertainment, attraction,
and functionality. For instance, videos and DVDs function as a visual means to assist people to have a
first-hand experience even though those people have not physically visited or seen the objects which
are introduced in the books. Although the initial cost of installing audio-visual equipment in the
libraries is high, it can be lowered if a library can attract a sizable number of users for multi-media
contents.

More importantly, software could assist the library goers to access the Internet to update their
knowledge on a daily basis; in contrast, books typically take multiple months to be published, which
in turn render their contents outdated to some extent. In addition, public libraries can also take on
the responsibility to educate its users on how to operate a computer through these high-tech media.

Furthermore, it is a common practice for most public libraries to share their resources via the
Internet. In this way, even if one book of interest cannot be found in one library, the borrower still
can locate the book from other libraries and then request the transfer of the book to that particular
library.

In conclusion, public libraries would benefit in multiple ways if they are equipped with the high-tech
media.

This is a good essay. There are only a few errors indicating that the writer needs to take care
with verbs, prepositions and sentence formation. Overall, this work seems worthy of IELTS Band
8. Remember to always proofread your essay before submitting it. Keep up the good work!

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10. Modern children are suffering from the diseases that were once considered to be meant for
adults only. Obesity is a major disease prevalent among children. What are its causes and what
solutions can be offered?

Nowadays, the increasing rate of overweight children and adults is a worldwide health issue. Obesity
is a major problem which is increasing day by day in school going children. There are various
reasons behind it. This essay will discuss the causes of obesity and offer some solutions.

The first cause of obesity is junk food. It is often seen that mostly the children are fond of burgers,
pizzas, noodles and coke. These types of foods are easily available to them through school canteens.
Children love to purchase chips, chocolates, or ice-cream for lunch. Moreover, in this modern era,
parents are working and they do not have time to cook at home. Parents often buy dinner for their
children instead of preparing food at home. This calorie-rich diet is making children obese. This
problem can be solved by teaching children to cook healthy foods for themselves and banning junk
foods and fizzy drinks in schools. This diet can be replaced by milk, juice and fruits for lunch.

The second cause of obesity is sedentary life style. It is true that the use of computers and television
is increasing among children. They spend most of their time watching television or playing video
games on a computer. This technological advancement has reduced the level of physical activity in
this specific age group. This issue can be resolved by encouraging children to do physical exercises.
Parents can take their children to park to encourage playing with friends. Furthermore, schools can
add sports in their curriculum to maintain physical fitness of their students.

To sum up, it is clear that main causes of obesity are eating of unhealthy food and not doing physical
activities. This ailment can be prevented and treated by healthy eating habits and physical exercises.

This is a good essay. There are only a few minor errors that could have been easily prevented by
proofreading this essay one last time before submission. Overall, this work seems worthy of
IELTS Band 8. Keep up the good work!

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11. Some people think that schools should select students according to their academic
abilities, while others believe that it is better to have students with different abilities studying
together. Discuss both views and state your own opinion.

Some people contend that mixed ability classes are more beneficial for children’s development than
streaming them on the basis of judgment about their academic abilities. However, from my
perspective, I disagree with this contention.

Admittedly, mixed ability classes provide a better environment for children’s all-round development.
In such classes, children with different abilities study together and in turn they can learn from one
another. From example, a student, who is good at academic study but weak in dancing or painting,
can learn how to dance or paint form his peers. In this sense, mixed ability classes allow students to
develop their abilities in different subjects instead of only academic abilities.

Despite the argument above, I believe streaming students brings more benefits to teachers and
students. As for teachers, separating children with better academic abilities from others facilitates
effective teaching. This practice helps teachers to control their students more conveniently and
easily. Compared with mixed ability in which teacher should consider students’ differences when
they are using teaching methodologies, streaming makes this situation simpler. To be more specific,
students are at the same level of academic ability in a class, and in turn teachers can use the same
methodologies for them all. In this way, the narrower the spread of ability in the class, the more
convenient the teaching can be.

On top of this, steaming enables students to learn in an effective way. According to students’ different
abilities, they are taught in different ways that are more suitable for them. In the top streams,
students use more difficult materials, therefore, they can learn more. In sharp contrast, teachers can
explain the material more slowly to those in bottom streams. Under this circumstance, students with
different academic abilities can study effectively and efficiently.

In the final analysis, mixed ability classes are beneficial for students’ versatile development, but in
my opinion, segregating students based on different academic ability is better for both teachers and
students.

The writer presented a balanced discussion of the topic, effortlessly delivered in a form of a
fluent, well-written IELTS essay. The arguments and reasoning are laid out in a coherent, logical
way. A wide range of vocabulary is used in this work. There are very few spelling errors that
could have been caught in an additional round of proofreading (mouse over the words
underlined in blue shows corrections). Keep up the good work! Overall, this essay seems worthy
of IELTS Band 8.

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12. Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment. Why is this
happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

It is true that some criminals commit crimes again after they have been punished. While there are
several reasons for this alarming trend, some effective measures can be taken by governments to
tackle this problem.

There are two main reasons for re-offenders. Firstly, the prison system can make the situation worse.
Criminals put together in prison and they make friends with other offenders. While they are locked
up in prison, they do not have much to do there, and they would exchange information about what
they have done before they came to the prison or they may plan crimes with other inmates. Secondly,
offenders often do not have any other means of earning money. They are poor, uneducated and
lacking skills needed to maintain a job. Also, a criminal record makes finding a job difficult as people
usually avoid hiring ex-convict.

To solve this problem, governments should focus on rehabilitation of criminals rather than
punishment. Above all, prisons need vocational training which makes inmates to prepare for life
outside the prison. They can learn practical skills such as computer programming, car maintenance
and graphic design. In this way, they can be hired for a position that requires this certain knowledge
and skills. Community service is another way to reform offenders. Rather than being locked up in
prison with other inmates, offenders can help society and become useful to their local community,
and these activities would eliminate the negative influence that prisons can have.

In conclusion, it is true the re-offenders are one of the problems in our community; it can be solved
by focusing rehabilitation rather than punishment itself.

This is a good essay. The requirements of the task statement are covered, the reasoning is
logical and presented in a coherent, easy to follow way, the range of vocabulary is wide enough
and the writer shows fluency and flexibility. Some minor errors in this essay include word choice
and preposition errors (mouse over the words underlined in blue shows suggested corrections).
Overall this looks like an IELTS Band 8 essay.

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13. When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It
is pointless to try and keep them alive. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
opinion?

Nowadays, technological advances and their rapid and wide applications are having a significant
impact on a nation’s traditional skills and ways of life. Some argue that such impact is so
extraordinary that it would make conventional skills and life styles obsolete. However, I believe they
would continue to thrive by providing alternatives to modern ways of life, and innovative ideas for
modern technologies.

First of all, traditional skills and ways of life are becoming an alternative solution to the problems
caused by “mainstreamed” ways of life which are greatly influenced by modern technologies. For
instance, a cozy restaurant where traditional, home-brewed beer is served, offers another experience
to people who are bored with branded beers that have the same flavor and come out of mass
production with new technologies. It is in such a venue where traditional skills are preserved, people
become relaxed and educated. Providing diversity and thus enriching modern ways of life, such
traditional skills and ways of life would continue to have their place.

Furthermore, conventional skills provide innovative ideas to the development of modern

technologies. For example, sparkled by how the word “Love” is traditionally knitted into a sweater by
some ethnic minority women in some parts of Asia, some business managers from textile industry
have developed some production lines by applying the traditional skills to Computer-Aided Designs
(CAD). The products have boosted the companies’ sales which in turn have increased their
investment in preserving traditional skills for further developing their technologies.

To conclude, traditional skills and life styles are increasingly becoming a useful alternative to the
homogeneity brought by global applications of modern technologies. However, the evolution of
technologies is a selection process, whereby some would become obsolete, but there is no doubt that
some would thrive when their roles are appreciated.

This is a good essay. The requirements of the task statement are covered, the arguments make
sense and are presented in a coherent, easy to follow way, the range of vocabulary is wide
enough and the writer shows fluency and flexibility. There are only a few errors (mouse over the
words underlined in blue shows suggested corrections). Overall this looks like an IELTS Band 8
essay.

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14. Some people think that giving their children a certain amount of money every week
will help them have fewer financial problems in the future. Do you agree or disagree?

Nowadays it is common that parents giving money to their children. Even some parents think that
such routines are helpful for children to minimize financial troubles in their future. I disagree to that
concept. This view will be supported with the following reasons.

Firstly, children who receive money from their parents are more prone to become extravagant. For
instance, one of my cousins, who is nearly bankrupt, received pocket money from his parents at his
schooldays. Unfortunately, that source of money lead him to spend more than what he earned and
ended up in debts. From this example it is clear that giving money to children is not helpful for them
secure their financial status in future.

Secondly, having money in hands during childhood is not the finest way to eliminate financial trouble
in adolescence, but teaching them to work hard has more effect. For example, Ravi Pillai, a successful
businessman from Kerala told that advises from his parents to work hard helped him to succeed in
business despite the financial troubles he had in it. Thus, instead of giving money, parents can
influence their children to be a competitor in life to stabilize their financial status in future. Now it is
clear that pocket money itself won’t help children to secure their future financial background.

To conclude, giving some money to children is not unacceptable. However, that custom is not
intended to reduce financial problems in adulthood. After analyzing this subject it is advisable that
every parent should teach their children to use the money they received wisely. Then only children
can meet the financial difficulties in their future.

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 15. Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on children. Do you
agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.

In today's modern world, computers are an essential part of everyday life. Around the globe, children
often use computers from a very young age. Although it is important for children to participate in
various well-balanced activities, in my opinion, children who use the computer daily are actually
developing a critical skill for future success. The bases for my views are personal, academic, and
professional.

From a personal point of view, computers are an invaluable resource to help young people explore
the world around them. For example, children who use Internet to satisfy their curiosity about
diverse topics are already becoming independent learners. No child with a computer is ever bored!
By starting early in their lives, children feel totally at ease around computers; they are also able to
take advantage of the wide range of services computers provide.

From an academic viewpoint, children have no choice but to master this technological invention. For
instance, when I was in university, students brought their laptops to class to take notes, do research
and exchange information. They wrote assignments, created presentations and developed databases.
Children who build early confidence and experience in these abilities are at a distinct advantage over
those who have not.

From a professional perspective, the computer has found a permanent place in the workplace. Today,
employers still pay to provide computer training to their employees. Tomorrow, corporations will
expect prospective job applicants to already possess these critical job skills. Consequently, parents
who encourage their child to use the computer for a reasonable period of time daily are in fact
investing in the child's future career.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the computer as a technological tool is here to stay. The sooner
children become computer-literate, the better for many aspects of their future lives.

(299 words)

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16. What factors are related to academic success in high school students?

Write at least 250 words.

High school is a critical time in the life of young people. On the one hand, teenagers are eager to enjoy
their freedom and independence. On the other hand, they must be disciplined enough to keep their
priorities straight. In my opinion, three social institutions impact high school students the most at
this vulnerable time : the family, peer group and school.

First, the family plays the central role by providing the backdrop in a young person’s life. A positive
family environment provides love, support and encouragement for the student to do his/her best.
Simultaneously, the family aims to instill discipline and ambition in the child. The influence and
expectations of family members remain paramount at this time and throughout a young person's life.

Second, as a child turns into a teenager, the peer group begins to play an increasingly important role
in his/her life. The friendships one develops at this highly sensitive stage can affect ones attitude to
studies, authority, society and the world. In the right company, young people can get involved in
positive activities that support their academic performance. With the wrong crowd, teenagers could
develop a host of unhealthy and dangerous habits which impact not only their grades but all aspects
of their lives.

Lastly, the school itself is a deciding factor in the student's academic success. A variety of elements
determine how the students feel about school: the teachers, the staff, the facilities, the subjects, the
text books, the method of instruction and more. All of these have a significant impact on the young
person’s motivation to excel.

In conclusion, high school success is the product of various influences. We are all fortunate that, aside
from a few unfortunate exceptions, the majority of students worldwide aspire to do well and grow up
to become active and healthy participants in the world around them.

(309 words)

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17. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities
can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use. In
order to reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to
encourage people to use their cars less and public transport more. Discuss possible
ways to encourage the use of public transport.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

In a world of increasing environmental awareness improved public transport represents

the way of the future. Although people do enjoy the convenience and privacy of traveling in
their own private vehicles, in my opinion they may choose public transport if it fulfills
certain conditions. These conditions fall into three broad categories: attitudinal, financial
and logistical.

From an attitudinal perspective, people must first be convinced of the benefits of public
transportation. An educational or public relations campaign must be launched to sensitize
those who might have disregarded this possibility before. People should be familiarized
with the environmental, social and personal benefits for present and future generations.
This is one step.

From a financial perspective, public transportation must be a clear and viable benefit to
consumers. In other words, it must be more affordable than driving to work every day. For
example, if people know that by using bus and subway, they can save enough money to take
a free holiday each year, many more individuals would be persuaded to travel in this way.
This is another critical step.

From a logistical perspective, public transportation should be convenient for commuters.

City planners and transport officials must ensure that frequent and reliable public
transportation is available for each citizen. For people to make the habit of traveling by bus
or subway, they must know that they will be able to get to various places on time.
Transport vehicles must be well maintained, subway and bus drivers should be customer-
oriented and service must be punctual and efficient. This is an additional important step.

In conclusion, through a multi-pronged approach, it is possible to increase the use of public

transportation. City officials and politicians can lead the way by utilizing these forms of
transport themselves and bringing about change through personal example. Then, more
citizens will follow suit and we may all hope to live in a cleaner, less polluted environment.

(316 words)

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18. 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.

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

Write at least 250 words.

Taking a “gap year” off between high school and university has become a popular option among
many young people. This time off provides a break after many years of formal study. Some students
use this time to travel around the world, others volunteer and still others begin working. The idea
behind each of these activities is to do something hands-on and refreshing, which enables young
people to learn more about themselves and their place in the world around them.

The benefits of taking a year off are plentiful. On a personal level, students who travel away from
home develop their independence and self-confidence. On a cultural level, they learn about
viewpoints, traditions and perspectives different from their own. Professionally, students get a taste
of diverse workplaces, which might inspire a possible career interest. Intellectually, they examine
their own beliefs and ideas in relation to those of others in a new environment. All these advantages
combine to make a strong case for taking the one-year break.

Nevertheless, there are also dangers involved in taking such a long break. Academically, the main
drawback is that students can get sidetracked from their studies. A year is a long time and students
could lose the good study habits and sense of discipline they had when they were in a formal
academic structure. If they begin working, they could also be deluded into thinking that they’re
making a lot of money. They could lose the benefit of college or university education and the chance
to earn a higher income all their lives.

In conclusion, whether to take a year-long break or not is an individual decision. Each young person
should consider his or her motivations carefully and decide on what’s most desirable. Time is a
precious resource and people of all ages, including young people, should treat it with respect.

(305 words)

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19. Universities should accept equal numbers of men and women in every subject.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

You should write at least 250 words.

Gender issues have been increasing in importance through the centuries. In almost every sphere of
human activity, there has been a movement towards greater equality between men and women.
Although I agree that universities should open their doors to all students alike, in my view, they need
not set a fixed limit on the number of men and women they accept in each subject. The bases for my
views are psychological and personal.

Psychologically-speaking, men and women are simply different, though they have the same potential
for greatness. For example, women tend to be more intuitive, sensitive to others and caring. This
means they may feel drawn, on the basis of their personalities, to certain kinds of professions such as
teaching, nursing, or psychology, even if all fields are open to them. In such a context, it is best for
universities to choose the best applicants, regardless of gender.

Personally, students need to discover their true calling. This is an individual matter and is not
influenced by the universities reserving seats for men or women. For example, if the majority of
women shy away from math or engineering, perhaps it has to do with their upbringing, which has
influenced their interests. The universities will not be able to reverse this trend, though they should
always look out for the most qualified candidates.

In conclusion, equality cannot be forced upon people – not in the area of education, employment or
family life. Equality is about having choices and those who prove themselves capable will qualify for
university, regardless of gender. It is only right that universities reflect and respect these free and
natural choices being exercised by their students.

(277 words)

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20. Many people believe that women make better parents than men and that this is why they
have a greater role in raising children in most societies. Others claim that men are just as good
as women at parenting. Write an essay expressing your point of view. Give reasons for your
answer.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

You should write at least 250 words.

A child is born to two parents : a man and a woman. Both sexes play a crucial role in raising the child.
Although fathers can make excellent parents, in my opinion, mothers are in reality better parents
based on their natural intuition and compassionate tendencies.

Firstly, for a wide variety of socio-cultural reasons, women tend to have more intuitive intelligence
than men. It is this intuition that enables the mother to know when her child needs [Link] addition,
women often know how to read non-verbal signals in human behavior, which can alert them to
issues and problems in the child’s life. All of these ‘perceptive skills’ play a major role in making the
mother a close, responsible and responsive parent.

Secondly, most mothers share a inimitable bond with their children. Perhaps this bond arises during
the nine months of pregnancy; perhaps it is reinforced through the act of breastfeeding. Whatever
the cause, there often appears to be a lifelong silver chord or psychic connection between mother
and child. As a result, the mother is able to evaluate the child’s actions from the viewpoint of his/her
intentions, and not just results. This empathy is priceless and cannot easily be replicated. Although
fathers may form deep loving bonds with their children, they may not be able to match the depth of
closeness shared by mother and child.

In conclusion, although both parents are certainly capable of caring for the child, the mother often
makes a better parent. Anyone who has experienced the unconditional acceptance of a mother’s love
can bear witness to this reality.

(260 words)

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21. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities can be
attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use. In order to reverse
this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to encourage people to use
their cars less and public transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public
transport.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

You should write at least 250 words.

In a world of increasing environmental awareness improved public transport represents the way of
the future. Although people do enjoy the convenience and privacy of traveling in their own private
vehicles, in my opinion they may choose public transport if it fulfills certain conditions. These
conditions fall into three broad categories: attitudinal, financial and logistical.

From an attitudinal perspective, people must first be convinced of the benefits of public
transportation. An educational or public relations campaign must be launched to sensitize those who
might have disregarded this possibility before. People should be familiarized with the environmental,
social and personal benefits for present and future generations. This is one step.

From a financial perspective, public transportation must be a clear and viable benefit to consumers.
In other words, it must be more affordable than driving to work every day. For example, if people
know that by using bus and subway, they can save enough money to take a free holiday each year,
many more individuals would be persuaded to travel in this way. This is another critical step.

From a logistical perspective, public transportation should be convenient for commuters. City
planners and transport officials must ensure that frequent and reliable public transportation is
available for each citizen. For people to make the habit of traveling by bus or subway, they must
know that they will be able to get to various places on time. Transport vehicles must be well
maintained, subway and bus drivers should be customer-oriented and service must be punctual and
efficient. This is an additional important step.

In conclusion, through a multi-pronged approach, it is possible to increase the use of public

transportation. City officials and politicians can lead the way by utilizing these forms of transport
themselves and bringing about change through personal example. Then, more citizens will follow
suit and we may all hope to live in a cleaner, less polluted environment.

(316 words)

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22. 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 opinion.

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

Write at least 250 words.

The world of sports is a multimillion dollar industry. Around the globe, people flock to sporting
events or watch their favourite teams faithfully each week on television. As a result, professional
sports athletes receive huge salaries – well above, for example, those of doctors, lawyers, teachers or
social workers. There is some debate about whether such outrageously high salaries are justified.

On the one hand, sport is viewed as a professional career, in which the top players should rightly
earn high salaries. Athletes train rigorously from an early age to become peak performers in their
field. They face tremendous pressure in each and every game, match or competition. Their personal
lives are compromised and they lose all privacy. At the same time, their strong achievements bring
honour and attention, not only to themselves, but also to their teams, schools, cities or countries.

On the other hand, various professions contribute to making our world run smoothly. Doctors put in
at least ten years of grueling study and internship; their work saves lives. Teachers educate and
inspire young people to be responsible citizens: their efforts produce the citizens of tomorrow. Social
workers rescue individuals facing physical, mental and psychological challenges: their intervention
creates safer societies.

Yet, professionals in the fields above usually struggle to get by, despite their meaningful and critical
contribution to the world.

In my view, paying enormous salaries to sportspeople is unnecessary. We need to reconsider our

social priorities and eliminate the great disparity in income received by diverse professionals. By
doing so, we can build societies in which each one feels valued, appreciated and appropriately
compensated for their own vocation or specialization.

(273 words)

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