IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: An International Language

Some believe that we should invent a new language for international

communication. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
There have been recent calls for the implementation of a novel language to facilitate
global communication. In my opinion, though this would make for a more level playing
field economically, it is impractical.
Those who support an international language rely on its economic advantages. The
salient argument is that it would remove barriers to success currently in place. English is
close to a universal language at the moment and those born in English-speaking
countries have a clear headstart while those from non-English countries, who cannot
afford private instruction, begin life at a disadvantage. A new language would reset
these disparities. An added advantage of minimising the value of English would be that
developing countries could integrate more deeply with the global market and be better
able to extend services, entertainment and products to a wider audience.
However, the disadvantages of this proposal all relate to its feasibility. In an ideal world,
we would have a global language but for the time and money required. The best
evidence of this is the progress of the world’s current dominant language, English.
Countries all around the world pour money and time into funding English education but
the majority of the world still cannot attain mastery. A new language would be even
more difficult not only because everyone in the world would have to learn it but also
because there would be little incentive if you can already communicate with your
compatriots and English allows you to talk to a large segment of the world population.
The money and time resources required are staggering, unrealistic, and would be
detrimental to both individuals and society.
In conclusion, the drawbacks to an international language far outweigh any perceived
gains. Instead, countries should continue to fund English education in the hopes of
establishing it as a lingua franca.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Gap Year (Real Past IELTS Exam)
After graduation many students take a year to travel. Some think that it would be
more useful to work for a year.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam
It is very common for privileged students from developed nations to take a year for
travel between the end of high school and beginning of university in lieu of working part-
time. In my opinion, it is much better to develop your capacity for leisure activity rather
than getting a job in this interim period.
The main reason many advocate employment during a gap year is the cultivation of a
strong work ethic. When someone begins working, their bad habits necessarily subside.
For example, a worker has to be on time, work diligently, follow orders, get along with
co-workers, show initiative, have a positive attitude, endure long days, and make ends
meet with little pay. This is the molding process of adulthood which entails reconciling
your personal desires with the expectations of the community at large. The individual
who opts to spend their gap year working, will enter university more well-rounded,
disciplined, and humble.
However, a strong work ethic is bound to develop later while the ability to enjoy one’s
leisure while traveling is a far more valuable skill. Most people acclimate to work with a
part-time job during high school or in unversity. At worst, they develop these qualities
after graduation. Since they have been either working or studying their entire lives they
have neglected the ability to enjoy leisure that distinguishes higher classes. The
average person who has been working their entire life goes on holiday or retires and
feels restless. To enjoy your leisure time traveling you must be able to set aside future
worries, live in the moment, get outside your comfort zone, have a wide range of
hobbies and skills, and be active for a full day without a workday. Chances to cultivate
these habits will see far less light with a career and family so it is best to nourish them
before university.
In conclusion, the gap year is a crucial space for individuals to develop a personal
relationship to their leisure time. This is important as an ever-advancing career can
become an undesirable transformational experience.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Traveling to Other Countries
Many people today are choosing to travel to other countries.
Why is this happening?
Is this a positive or negative development?
Real Past IELTS Exam
More and more people today are choosing to travel internationally. This positive
development is mainly because of a rise in middle class income coupled with advances
in aviation.
People today can afford to travel as it has become more convenient. The last half
century has seen wages in both developed and developing companies climb with the
concomitant expansion of the global middle class. Workers have the disposable income
to travel that they lacked in the past. This has been complemented with safer airplanes
so individuals are not afraid to fly. Airfares have also become cheaper as companies
like Boeing produce more efficient planes, competition intensifies between competing
airlines, and the supply more than meets demand for flights. These factors combined
have spawned a golden age of international travel.
Looking at the opportunity in perspective, it is hard to see the advent of international
travel as anything less than one of mankind’s greatest achievements. For the entirety of
human history, most people lived and died near to where they were born. Anyone who
wanted to travel to another country had to possess enourmous wealth, time, and
courage. Today, the average employee can save up and travel to see the wonders of
the Rennaissance in Southern Europe, the vast monuments to history and modernity in
China, or explore any other corner of Earth that has piqued their interest. This is an
unprecedented opportunity unavailable to past generations.
In conclusion, international travel is a byproduct of the modern age and we should all be
grateful for its possibility. There are clear environmental drawbacks but those should not
blind people to its benefits taken as a whole.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Planning for the Future (Real Past
IELTS Exam/Test)
Some feel that it is a waste of time to plan for the future and it is more important
to focus on the present.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam
There is growing sentiment today that making plans for the future can take one out of
the present moment. Although it is important to have some general future goals,
individuals ought to prioritise right now.
The clear advantage of having goals is that they dictate and align your actions. A good
counter-example to support this comes from aimless individuals without any fixed
aspirations. It is not uncommon for recent university graduates to feel lost and drift from
job to job. This can be a rewarding experience but if it continues too long then one will
likely remain in low-paying positions and fall behind one’s peers. A clear goal can
motivate a decision on long-term vocation and force one to put in the hard work required
to excel.
Despite the general advantages of having some long-term goals listed above,
obsessing over the future can impair connection with the present. There are many
famous literary examples of this that reveal underlying tensions between capitalist
striving and individual contentment, such as in the famous novel Babbitt by Sinclair
Lewis. The titular character Babbitt has spent most of his life looking to the future and
accomplishing middle class goals. He grows dissatisfied with this life because he no
longer feels a vibrant connection to the present moment and his true feelings. His
suspension of his deepest desires to meet extrinsic goals set by society alienates him
from the present. This is commonly referred to as a mid-life crisis and is very common
among driven individuals who reach a pinnacle of success.
In conclusion, emphasis on future goals is one source of modern unhappiness.
Individuals must carefully select their goals to distinguish between the life they want and
the life they are expected to want.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Artistic Talent (Real Past IELTS
Exam/Test)
Some think that quality art can be made by anyone while others think that it
requires special talent and ability.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Real IELTS Exam/Test
Some believe that art ought to be left to talented professionals while others believe
anyone can make worthwhile pieces. In my opinion, talent is a complex concept but its
lack of clarity does not make it any less crucial.
Talent, particularly in a subjective field such as art, is indefinable. It is impossible to
determine the interplay between talent and genetic predisposition, upbringing, personal
qualities like perseverance, motivation, luck, and practice. Research into sports has
shown the importance of genetics but that is largely because of the athletic
requirements. Good hand eye coordination, superior spatial sense, and linguistic
prowess may give one a talent advantage in the arts but many technically skilled artists
produce lifeless, unoriginal art. There are simply too many unknowns as to what informs
talent and how this translates to subjective works to make a definitive appraisal of its
value.
However, let us make no mistake: talent is important for all human endeavours and art
is no exception. The term itself may be hazy but there is no doubt in practice that certain
individuals can create stirring masterpieces and others cannot, regardless of how much
hard work they put in. A good example of this would be in music. Some bands and
artists toil away for years without making much of an impression while others, like the
Beatles and Mozart, were successful from a very young age. John Lennon and Paul
McCartney’s lyrical gifts and understanding of melody were present for them in their
early 20s and few other individuals, professional or amateur, in their entire lifetime have
had the talent to reach their heights.
In conclusion, though it is difficult to define, good art requires talent. There is therapeutic
value for amateurs but great art with universal appeal is the prerogative of the gifted.
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Uniforms (Real
Past IELTS Exam/Test)
A lot of companies and organisations require employees to wear uniforms.
Which kind of jobs are uniforms suitable for?
Are there any disadvantages to wearing a uniform to work?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Many jobs today and in the past have required their employees to wear uniforms. This is
especially true for jobs that must be recognisable and its greatest drawback relates to
resentment.
The jobs that most require uniforms all relate to positions of authority. It is important for
the public and other employees to be able to recognise these figures. The original
example of this is soldiers who must be recognisable to their own people and each
other in order to fight an enemy effectively. Today this same principle applies to
authorities ranging from the police to fire fighters. There are also more civilian
occupations where authority is self-evidently important such as for doctors, judges, and
chefs. Even simple jobs such as working in a fast food restaurant or supermarket
require uniforms in order to make it easier for customers to identify them.
The disadvantage to wearing a uniform at work is the effect on morale. In some
instances, uniforms can be inspiring if the employee is personally invested in the service
or product the company provides. For the majority of employees, however, uniforms
repress individuality and comodify. In the same way that cans of soup are wrapped in a
label, an employee may come to feel like a company product. The jobs most susceptible
to this will not be high-ranking ones such as a doctor, where the uniform instills pride,
but lower order work such as a factory worker, cashier, or cleaner. Uniforms will likely
only add to pre-existing resentment of their position in life.
In conclusion, uniforms are necessary for operations but can hurt mental health in
certain occupations. There is little that can be done to address the necessity of uniforms
but their effects can be mitigated with compassionate company policies.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: The Internet & School (Real Past
IELTS Exam/Test)
Some today argue that schools are no longer necessary because children can
learn so much from the internet and be educated at home.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
There are some today who would argue that the internet has sufficiently supplanted the
role of traditional education so as to make it redundant. In my opinion, though the
internet opens up possibilities for learning, schools are a crucial filter.
What separates the internet from how other advances in technology have impacted
education is greater accessibility to information. It is no exaggeration to claim that nearly
everything can be found on the internet. School age children can access educational
videos on YouTube, read online articles and use interactive learning platforms. As they
get older, the possibilities expand and include scholarly articles, video-conferencing
platforms like Zoom, and online newspapers from every country in the world that can be
translated to your native language in modern internet browsers. There is immense
potential for autodidacts and parents who choose to homeschool.
Nonetheless, schools are the real world editors of the internet. A lot of news is thrown
up instantly and not carefully vetted. This means that students can get led into dark
corners such as alt-left and right websites that specialise in sensationalised
propaganda. Children and teens are especially susceptible to what they read online as
they might be less skeptical. Teachers have more life experience and their training
helps them approach information critically. They can then pass these skills on to their
pupils by teaching them how to read closely, spot biases, and check information through
a number of primary and secondary sources. Without teachers, students are more likely
to be indoctrinated rather than educated.
In conclusion, teachers are important to dispel the inherent risks of unreliable online
information. Schools and administrators ought to take a long-view in order to assess the
value of the internet for learning.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Gender & Study (Real Past IELTS
Exam/Test)
In many schools and universities today, women have a tendency to study the
humanities (such as the arts and languages) while men more often major in
science related subjects. Some believe this tendency should be changed.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Test/Exam
Today more and more parents and policymakers are concerned with the
disproportionate ratio of males studying science relative to females. In my opinion,
though there are likely social factors at play here that need addressing, there is little
value enforcing this change.
The main reason that many are striving to remedy this imbalance is because they feel it
is societal, not natural. For centuries, women have subjugated their careers and
education to male siblings and husbands. This has led to a history of mostly male role
models in scientific pursuits, with women like Mary Shelly and Frida more likely to shine
in the arts. Even today, there is a widespread bias that men are better at science that
may discourage girls. There have been a number of famous studies cataloging the
gender imbalance in science, with most researchers attributing this to social, rather than
genetic, factors.
Nonetheless, heavy-handed efforts to force change are detrimental to both men and
women. Women who are helped or strongly encouraged to pursue science rather than
the arts will be less self-reliant and more likely to develop self-esteem problems. A
corollary example would be the failure of affirmative action to promote racial equality.
Individuals prosper when societal barriers to success are removed and they are given
the opportunity to help themselves. If overly strong measures are taken, such as a
quota of female majors in a given subject, that might place less qualified candidates
above more deserving ones and then later manifest itself in reduced self-confidence
from the unfairly elevated and resentment from those who were passed over.
In conclusion, though I am in favour of all reforms to provide for equal educational
opportunity for the sexes, attempts to reform a tendency rather than allow for its change
will bring about more harm than good. Rather, parents and educators should encourage
students to pursue their passions.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Advertisements & Needs (Real Past
IELTS Exam/Test)
Some believe that people will purchase a product based on their needs and
advertising is not needed.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many have argued that advertisement serves no real purpose as necessity motivates all
purchases. I disagree with this completely because ads give consumers a minimum
guarantee of quality and also develop wants into needs.
First of all, advertising is the most direct way to inform customers of a given product’s
quality. The content of the ad is less important than the fact they were able to produce,
distribute and, oftentimes, get a celebrity endorsement. For example, KFC typically
signs the most famous football players to massive sponsorship deals, thereby
evidencing the continued relevance and quality of their food. When a lesser known
company premiers an advertisement this is evidence that they are generating enough
revenue to validate whatever product they sell or service they provide.
Secondly, advertising does not simply meet needs; it creates them. Most people could
live more fulfilling lives with fewer products but advertising stimulates desires by
appealing to consumer psychology and those initial wants eventually become habitual.
A good example of this would be the rise of Apple products in the last two decades and
the role of advertising in making them popular. Apple phones and computers are famed
not only for their quality but also the sense of being part of a community of users. Stylish
ads like the ‘think different’ campaign helped foster their dominance. Now the desire to
become part of the Apple community and appear cool has become a basic need for
many users hooked into the Apple ecosystem of high-quality consumer electronics.
In conclusion, advertising serves an important role in society. This does not mean that it
should not be regulated, simply that consumers and officials should be mindful of the full
contribution of advertisers.
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Education
Spending (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Some believe that money for education should mainly be spent on better
computers while others believe it would be better spent on teachers.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Many today are of the view that education funding ought to be chiefly directed towards
upgrading computer technology in schools while others would prioritise teachers. In my
opinion, better computers will have the most identifiable impact, but teacher quality is
more important.
Those who want increased investment in computers can highlight the unquestioned
relevance of computers today and in the future. The single most important skill students
will learn and that will serve them in professional and personal contexts over the course
of their life, will be computer literacy. Jobs in traditional domains are rapidly vanishing or
deteriorating while information technology positions are the most likely to be stable in an
uncertain future job market. Someone who learns how to code in school will have a
lifetime job at a good salary. This clear evidence insulates from criticism decision-
makers opting for increased funding for computers over teachers.
Regardless, the overall impact of teachers is far greater, if not as immediately
discernible. A good example of this is in Finland, which has invested heavily in
education generally and in teachers particularly. Teachers often remain with the same
students for years and are able to form stable bonds, guiding them through both their
social and intellectual development. Students will remember these teachers their entire
lives but the greatest impact comes from the values and habits instilled by teachers that
may never reach the level of conscious gratitude. Students will simply be indebted to
them without being able to trace the roots of some of their best qualities.
In conclusion, the quantifiable support for investing in computers only veils the true
value teachers hold for education. Educational leaders with the vision to make
unpopular, risky decisions will reap later rewards.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Film as Art (Real Past IELTS
Exam/Test)
Many people believe that film is a less important art than other forms such as
literature and painting.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Film is often looked down on as a less important art form in comparison with more
elevated mediums like painting and literature. In my opinion, though the blatant
commercialisation of film often undermines its claim to be art at all, it is a clearly more
important art form for the 21st century.
Those who would minimise the importance of film, can point out its primary purpose is
to make money. This has become increasingly true in the last several decades as
studios have assumed greater power. It used to be common for auteurs like Martin
Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Robert Altman to make modestly budgeted films
that earned decent returns. The advent of blockbuster films generally and superhero
movies in particular makes it much harder for studios catering to their shareholders to
justify anything other than tentpole franchises. The artistic merits of these big movies
tends to be low as they are often made by committee and strive only for escapism and
fan service.
However, film has clearly overtaken other forms of art in the popular imagination.
Hundreds of years ago, composers, playwrights, novelists, and painters were held in
higher esteem and their works were the centre of popular culture. Music and film have
now displaced them. Someone who would have become a great writer in the 19th
century, would now opt to make films as they can reach the greatest number of people
and the medium is newer and more open to possibility. A good example of this would be
a young filmmaker like P.T. Anderson who creates thoughtful, explorative works that
also have a degree of mass appeal.
In conclusion, film as an art form is ascendant today. It is, however, still important for
audiences to tune in to a wide breadth of genres in order to encourage the film industry
to remain vibrant and innovative.
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Part-Time Jobs
(Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
In many countries, teenagers are encouraged to find part-time jobs. Some think
this is a good development while others disagree.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Some believe that teenagers ought to take part in hourly paid work while others feel this
is not a good idea. In my opinion, though this can be an added burden for teenagers, it
offers a host of benefits related to life experience.
Opponents of part-time work for teenagers seize on the mental repercussions of stress.
Teenagers already deal with so many life problems ranging from the chemical changes
inherent in puberty to social stress to academic pressure. There are countries such as
South Korea and Japan where the academic workload rarely allows for recreation time,
let alone paid work. Adding in a job and its encumbent concerns can only worsen a
teenager’s mental health and, in the most extreme cases, lead to depression and
nervous breakdowns. Even students not affected as deeply are sure to be less happy
due to stress.
Regardless, working is a maturing experience. Work continues and hastens the lifelong
process of negotiating one’s own priorities against the expectations of others. Most high
schoolers start with a low-paying part-time position and that may educate them about
the importance of having a good education. They are also likely to begin developing the
qualities that will serve them well in a variety of future workplaces including teamwork
skills, organisation, and perseverance. The experience will also give them a window into
an industry and help them make more informed choices for their future career.
In conclusion, though work can take a toll on mental well-being it is a positive, overall
maturing experience. Teenagers should try a variety of jobs in order to have a clear
overview of possible working environments.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Housing Shortages (Real Past IELTS
Exam/Test)
There are severe social consequences to housing shortages in cities and only
the government can solve these problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real IELTS Exam/Test
Many people today feel that limited housing in urban areas can only be seriously
addressed by governmental action. In my opinion, private investiture in this area will
always be low so governments bear the burden of responsibility.
Only limited support for housing problems will come from the private sector. Large real
estate and construction firms are mainly motivated to generate the greatest profits and
will therefore largely cater projects towards a wealthy clientele. This means building
large apartments and homes that likely replace smaller homes, exacerbating any
existing housing crisis. In New York City, for example, ambitious developers knocked
down government housing projects and built luxury apartments and brownstone homes.
These efforts push poor residents out of the city and further away from their work and
engender a variety of social problems.
The only realistic solution for housing shortages in major urban areas in governmental
intervention. Governments can either build themselves or accept bids from construction
companies. There are inspirational examples of public works projects in cities all around
the world. The typical process is that the government will delineate an undeveloped or
poorly planned area for new homes and accept bids from private companies. Since
these areas are unavailable for unregulated commercial exploitation, the government
holds power over the private companies. Once these projects are completed, they can
house thousands of residents affordably, which allows occupants to find quality jobs in
the city and eventually move out of these housing developments.
In conclusion, the government is the major catalyst in all housing solutions in cities.
Governments ought to prioritise these efforts before cities become too gentrified and
this hinders upwards social mobility.
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Fashion (Real Past
IELTS Exam/Test)
The number of people who are interested in and wearing fashionable clothes is
increasing.
Is this a positive or negative development?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
More and more people today are interested in and have the disposable income to take
greater care with their fashion choices. In my opinion, though many fashion companies
exploit their workers, this is a positive development overall.
Those who criticise the fashion industry often point out its treatment of workers. The
most famous fashion brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel (as well as footwear makers
such as Nike and Adidas) outsource their labour at reduced costs to East Asia. Workers
in their factories make subsistence wages and are notoriously mistreated, while the
countries in question often have lax child labour laws as well. Exploitive fashion
companies then massively inflate prices for their products. Their actions cannot be
controlled directly by consumers but nonetheless undermine every innocent transaction
at a shopping mall.
Regardless, fashion is an important aesthetic choice for ordinary people. The
exploitation of workers ought to be regulated by governments and corporations, not
consumers. Those who buy fashionable clothes are trying to express themselves
through their attire and the end result of a more fashion-conscious public is greater
beauty for onlookers. No one would question the importance of beautiful buildings and
public works of art but fashion is arguably more noticeable. Fashion gives not only
individuals but also towns, cities, and nations a distinctive flair, without which the world
would be blander and less beautiful.
In conclusion, the beauty fashion engenders outweighs any ethical considerations.
Governments ought to properly regulate labour so that their citizens can shop and flaunt
with a clear conscience.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Live Performances (Real Past IELTS
Exam/Test)
Watching a live performance such as a play, concert, or sporting event is more
enjoyable than watching the same event on television.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Many believe that watching live entertainment is better than watching it on television. In
my opinion, though the experience of attending a performance in person can be
exhilarating, television provides the best viewing experience these days.
Live performances are unique. A good example of this would in the sporting world. Most
would jump at the chance to watch the greats of the game like Messi, Federer and
Lebron ply their craft by attending one of their matches in person. The recorded
versions of those events will last forever but there is a limited window to catch them in
person. Experiencing the best players live highlights the speed, precision, and high-
level talent required to dominate other professional athletes. This indelible memory of
seeing a genius performing in person also applies to varying degrees for concerts,
plays, and speeches.
Nonetheless, advances in broadcasting have elevated the home-viewing experience
above the live version. The advent of HD televisions in the last two decades and the
expansion of channels are the principle causes. These days, an individual watching a
basketball game can hear play-by-play and colour commentary, see close-ups of the
players, follow the action from the ideal view, and enjoy all this within the comforts of
their own home. The memory may be less distinct but the experience itself is more
enjoyable. This collective shift away from most major live events and towards home
entertainment is evidenced in lower attendance numbers and ticket prices.
In conclusion, the best way to watch a live event is on television. There may be certain
exceptions depending on the kind of event and how often it occurs but this holds true for
most live performances.
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Mobile Phones and
Social Interaction (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Some people believe that smartphones are destroying social interaction today.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Recent IELTS Exam/Test
Many today are of the belief that smartphones are injurious to social interaction. In my
opinion, while smartphones can isolate individuals, their creative potential for
communication overshadows this downside.
Those who argue against smartphones are typically wary of isolation. In the era before
smartphones, it was more common for people to meet up at large social gatherings or
see each other in person. This still happens today but it is less common because
smartphones allow individuals to communicate and stay connected with their friends in
the privacy of their own homes. It is entirely possible for a person today to stay home
and completely eschew in person social interaction. Cases of these shut-ins have
increased due to smartphones and this is also reflected in the number of services like
Netflix and YouTube that cater to isolated consumers.
However, proponents of smartphones can rightly point out their functionality. This is
evidenced daily in messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WeChat. It is easy to
set up group chats to message, share links, gifs and video for co-workers, family, old
classmates, and various subsets of friends. This type of instant, infinitely flexible
communication was impossible in the past and the ability to share images and video
allows people to be more creative and banter in new ways. Far from destroying social
interaction, smartphones have expanded its scope, accessibility, and convenience.
In conclusion, smartphones are not destroying social interactions; they are helping it, in
general. It is important to be mindful of both the drawbacks and the new possibilities for
communication opening up due to advances in technology.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Female Leaders (Real Past IELTS
Exam/Test)
Throughout history, male leaders have led us into violence and conflict. If a
society is governed by female leaders it will be more peaceful.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Many are of the opinion the male inclination towards violence is the root of many
international conflicts and societies ruled by women might be more peaceful. In my
opinion, this is likely true.
The reason that some oppose this seemingly sexist viewpoint is based on past
examples of female leaders. The sample size is much smaller but leaders like Margaret
Thatcher, Cleopatra, Hilary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Queen Elisabeth I, Joan d’Arc
and countless others have started, maintained, and escalated violent conflicts. There
are very few examples of peaceful female leaders and those that exist can be matched
proportionally with male leaders. The claim that women are more peaceful is not
supported by historical evidence. A major caveat is that these are the exceptions and
women rulers have held power in a world otherwise dominated by male hierarchy. It is
impossible to know how peaceful the world would be if women held the majority of
powerful positions.
Furthermore, men are naturally predisposed towards aggression. This stems from both
biology and society. Men produce more testosterone than women and this has been
shown to increase aggressive tendencies and violent behaviour. Men can curb this
instinct but it has the potential to undermine their better nature at any moment. There
are also societal forces at work that play on men’s pride. From a young age, boys are
raised to be tough, to not back down, to not compromise and to idealise violent heroes.
The majority of male role models are violent, ranging from historic figures to action stars
and even videogame characters. It is hard to disentangle the roles of nature and nurture
clearly but the end product of their combination is clear for both males and females.
In conclusion, males are more violent and women would likely be more peaceful given
the opportunity to rule widely. The question of the desirability of ending all conflicts and
its global impact is another matter.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay General Training: Practical Skills
(Real Past Exam/Test)
Many feel that students today should learn practical skills at school such as car
maintenance and managing a bank account.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Some believe that useful life skills should be taught at schools in addition to the
standard academic schedule. In my opinion, school is chiefly an opportunity to learn
about academic subjects.
The main argument in favour of learning these skills is self-evident: they are useful. The
majority of students graduate from high school well versed in a foreign language,
algebra, anatomy, and classic literature but helpless when confronted with the realities
of daily life. Some skills they lack include general car maintenance such as changing
the oil or a flat tire, cooking their own meals, managing their finances, and doing odd
jobs around the house. The majority of what they learned in school will not be useful in
their life and, without attention, will eventually fade from memory. Practical skills, on the
other hand, will stay fresh in their mind due to repeated application and have a more
ostensibly tangible impact.
Nonetheless, practical skills can be learned at home while the best place to learn about
academic subjects is school. Many students will learn the craft of daily life from their
family or naturally pick it up later. Cooking will not become a daily habit when living at
home and the skills are unlikely to resurface intact years later when called upon. In
contrast, schools are filled with experts in their fields only available at this time of life. A
quality math or history teacher will guide you in a way books alone cannot. The
accumulated knowledge from all these experts may or may not be directly useful but
this singular opportunity to learn about a wide breadth of subjects will inform an
individual’s long-term intellectual life.
In conclusion, useful subjects are important but should not detract from the true purpose
of schooling. Practical skills should be taught at schools only if they can be seamlessly
worked into the curriculum and are not detrimental to academics.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Learning from History (Real Past
IELTS Exam/Test)
Some believe that history has little to teach us about today while others think that
the study of the past helps us to understand the present.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Recent Past IELTS Exam/Test
Many feel that the study of the past does little to inform the present while others believe
it can help aid understanding. In my opinion, history certainly holds insights but they are
so deeply woven into a specific context so as to be as misleading as enlightening.
Those who argue in favour of learning from history can point to the importance of
understanding a culture. A frequently cited example of this is the war between Vietnam
and the United States in the mid 1960s to early 1970s. Both before and during the war,
the United States President and his advisors understood little about the history of
Vietnam with its successive invasions from foreign nations including China and Japan.
A deeper understanding of the unity and resilience of Vietnam might have led them to
make different decisions regarding splitting the country in half and the escalation of
ground troops. Mistakes born of ignorance take place all the time in international
relations and even domestic politics.
Regardless, history only holds lessons for the keenest observors. Every historical
moment passes through a complex set of circumstances, many of which are hidden
from history books, and cannot be reduced to simple lessons. For example, the Vietnam
war is often summed up with the platitude that it is impossible to invade and occupy a
foreign nation. This ignores the myriad reasons that led to defeat and supposes that
other conflicts are identical. After the invasion of Iraq proved to be a quagmire, many
relished the historical lessons of Vietnam without considering the very diverse set of
circumstances that led to failure in each country. There are certainly insights to be
gained from studying past conflicts, but they will rarely result in fixed, black and white
rules applicable to every new situation.
In conclusion, history is not a simple road map for the future. Those who are too avid to
accept seemingly apparent lessons are doomed to lead themselves astray and make
new mistakes.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Studying Science (Real Past IELTS
Exam/Test)
More and more students at university today are not choosing to study science.
Why is this happening?
What are the effects of this?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Fewer undergraduates today than ever before are opting to pursue careers in science.
This is because business related subjects offer greater financial security and this will
result in less overall talent in scientific fields.
The main reason that science majors are dwindling is the lure of business. Studying a
scientific subject such as biology or chemistry requires intense specification, long hours
in labs, and unstable future career options. Business related majors, on the other hand,
are guaranteed an easier path to a good salary and the esteem of others. Good
evidence of this comes in the form of all the majors related to commerce rapidly growing
in popularity including marketing, finance, corporate law, banking, and economics.
Parents often put pressure on their children to major in these subjects to secure a
minimum level of financial success and raise the ceiling on future earning potential.
The impact will be felt in an overall decrease of talent in science. In the past, science
tended to attract the best and brightest students who saw it as a path to personal
wealth, glory and the public good. A good example of this is in the decades leading up
to World War 2 when advances in medicine and technology of bright individuals like
Marie Curie, Alexander Fleming, and Albert Einstein made them immortal role models.
Today, our role models are more likely to be businessmen of a sort such as Steve Jobs,
Warren Buffet, and Donald Trump. This is not only evidence of the societal shift but also
portends fewer great figures in science going forward.
In conclusion, business has siphoned off potential science majors and this will result in
fewer high quality scientists. It is important to highlight the achievements of scientists
and denigrate businessmen in order to curb this alarming trend.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay General Training: Advice from Old
People (Real IELTS Exam/Test)
Many people think that it is better to get advice from old rather than young
people.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
There is a growing tendency to seek advice from older, instead of younger, people. In
my opinion, this is prudent because older people are less narcissistic and have more
mature viewpoints.
Recent research has confirmed the suspicion that our seniors are less self-involved.
Just as children begin as complete narcissists incapable of feeling empathy, young
people must also work through trauma, hurtful pride and delusions to become healthy.
When you get a job, work as part of a team, form friendships and have lovers, you will
naturally uncover your own unhealthy drives and slowly replace them with socially
constructive ones. This expanded confidence and self-growth allows you to truly listen
to what others are saying and be capable of giving sound advice disentangled from
personal insecurities.
The other reason that older people give better advice is that they have opinions shaped
through years of experience. Young people tend to be more idealistic and less willing to
consider what is pragmatic. If an individual has had a family they will have to navigate
work/life balance issues, raising a child, intimacy, and financial obstacles. They will
develop coping mechanisms and methods to deal with these problems and be able to
pass them on to anyone in search of guidance. Young people could give similar advice,
but since it is not based on experience and has not been tested, it is less likely to be
effective.
In conclusion, a settled temperament and experience are the factors that favour the
counsel of older people. As young people become old people, it is increasingly likely
they will see the veracity of this.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Music & Society (Real Past IELTS
Exam/Test)
Many people believe that music is just a form of entertainment, whilst others
believe that music has a much larger impact on society today.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion. 
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
There are those who claim that music is solely for entertainment purposes while others
feel it has larger societal implications. In my opinion, ostensibly most people listen to
music for fun, however it still opens up pathways for fringe elements of society to
become mainstream.
Those that argue for the narrower view of music can easily highlight the ways in which
music is consumed today. People listen to music at parties, nightclubs, and weddings to
dance and enjoy themselves. They listen using streaming services like YouTube, Apple
Music and Spotify to relax throughout the average day. The end result of all that
listening is not that individuals think deeply about the lyrics or in any way question their
actions, attitudes, or prejudices. Moreso than narrative forms of entertainment like
movies and books, music is almost purely for entertainment and rarely rises above the
level of subconscious enjoyment.
While there is some truth to the argument above, music turns a positive spotlight on
previously underrepresented demographic groups. People do not simply listen to music;
they are also apt to follow and admire their favourite artists. One of the best examples of
this is the championing of LGBT lifestyles. Elton John was an early example of an artist
whose sexuality was fluid at a time when many viewed this behaviour as deviant. He did
not come out as gay until much later but his influence on aspiring artists and the
average listener was immense. Today, there are many artists who are openly gay and
this not only reduces bigotry in general by undermining its logic but also inspires others
to come out. A person listening to and following artists in any genre today accepts these
once alternative lifestyles as the norm.
In conclusion, music has an important role to play in society by giving voice to
previously silent groups. In the same way that music broke down racial barriers in the
20th century, the 21st century will be the century of inclusion.
Word Count: 330
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer General Training: Staying Fit (Real Past
IELTS Exam/Test)
Some believe that the best way to stay fit is to join a gym or health club while
others think doing everyday activities such as walking and climbing stairs is
enough.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Many think that going to the gym is unnecessary and you can get in adequate shape
simply through your day-to-day routine. In my opinion, there are benefits to a generally
active lifestyle but joining a gym is still the best guarantee of a basic level of fitness.
The health benefits of everyday activities are apparent for those who are very active
walkers. Doctors advise the average person to walk 10,000 steps a day to be healthy.
These steps can now be easily recorded with a FitBit or Apple Watch, which means that
there is less need than ever to set aside gym time. This clear goal can encourage
individuals to become more aware of their daily habits and slowly change or supplement
them. For example, instead of taking the elevator to one’s apartment or work, you can
add a few hundred steps by taking the stairs. While at work you can walk around more
often and all your progress will be digitally recorded. This dedication may become habit,
eliminating the need for regular, dedicated workouts.
Despite the advantages of walking detailed above, the gym nets more impactful results.
The number one leading cause of death globally is heart disease and the only way to
combat it is through dietary changes and exercise. Researchers have long extolled the
benefits of aerobic exercise for heart health. The most effective aerobic workouts
happen at the gym on treadmills and ellipticals. Many doctors recommend that patients
at risk of heart disease sign up for gym memberships and commit to a regular workout
schedule as walking alone does not provide the intense workout required to strengthen
the heart and prevent early death.
In conclusion, going to the gym is crucial to being in good shape. Healthy habits ranging
from good nutrition to taking part in sports to making time for the gym are important
checks against the inclination today towards a passive, sedentary lifestyle.
Word Count: 315
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Job Satisfaction/Security (Real Past
IELTS Exam/Test)
Some people argue that job satisfaction is more important than job security,
while others believe that they cannot always expect job satisfaction and a
permanent job is more important.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Some make the pragmatic argument that in an uncertain job market, security ought to
be valued over satisfaction. In my opinion, those with families cannot be reproached for
this view but it is generally more important to enjoy your job and spread goodwill.
Workers with dependents rightly value a consistent paycheck and benefits over all other
factors. If someone is just starting out in a labour of love such as becoming an artist,
they may struggle initially to bring home enough money to make ends meet every
month. They might not be able to send their children to good schools, live in a good
neighborhood, and keep everyone in the house reasonably well clothed and fed. Even if
they can manage that, it will place incredible mental stress on not only them but also
their spouse and children. Research has shown these deeply ingrained anxieties from
childhood can persist throughout adulthood.
It is nonetheless more important to pursue a job that is fulfilling. The vast majority of the
world dislikes their job and a large percentage of these people have difficulty reconciling
their frustrations with their day-to-day temperament. An unhappy employee is more
likely to be short with co-workers, complain to friends, and resent their family for the
burden they must shoulder for their welfare. More of this persons daily interactions will
be negative and this adds up over years to create the greatest global repository of ill
will. Free up the same person to enjoy their job and there is a strong chance they will
suddenly brighten the days of those around them.
Overall, fomenting good humour is more important and only in very rare family
situations should an individual persist in a job for its stability. Many recognise this once
it is too late and they already have an expensive lifestyle to maintain or their best
working years are behind them.
Word Count: 315
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer General Training: Leaving School &
Success (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Many people who drop out of school are more successful than those who
complete their studies.
Why does this happen?
What does it require to be successful?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
There are numerous high-profile success stories about entrepreneurs who left school
early. This happens because these people hone practical skills in the absence of
academics and the main requirement of success is hard work.
Those who enter the labour market without academic qualifications have no choice but
to compensate and make themselves concretely valuable. The most famous examples
of this including Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs make for compelling articles but are
not representative of most drop-outs. Most get jobs doing some kind of manual or semi-
skilled labour such as training to become an electrician, plumber or cook. These jobs
can withstand market fluctuations and with accumulated experience earn a high salary
comparable to most university graduates and even many doctorate students.
The cliché that no one gets anywhere without working hard is true. If you choose to
remain in school or drop out and enter the workforce, concerted effort will typically yield
results. The examples of people getting rich quick or without much effort are appealing
outliers but not instructive. A better example of the application of sustained
perseverance is Dr. Seuss. His children’s books were continually rejected for more than
two decades while he worked as a newspaper cartoonist to make ends meet. He
continued to hone his craft and the quality of his work ensured that as long as he stuck
with it, he would eventually be published. His wild success cannot be counted upon but
everyone who dedicates themselves to a quality product will at least reap modest
rewards.
In conclusion, those who stop studying find themselves valued for their practical skills
and the key to success is hard work. Technology has disrupted the job market
drastically but hard work and commitment applied to any trade will always be eminently
employable skills.
Word Count: 295
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Crime TV Shows (Real Past IELTS
Exam/Test)
Watching TV shows and movies about crime is becoming more and more
popular.
Why is this?
What effect does that have on society?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
The frenzy over crime shows in recent years has led many to question both the origins
of this morbid interest and its impact. In my opinion, people watch these shows to dispel
or safely confirm psychological similarities with killers and the result for society will be
negligible in most cases.
The reason people watch crime shows is to understand and compare the psychology of
killers. The mystery of these shows goes deeper than figuring out which suspect is the
real perpetrator. Audiences are chiefly concerned with motive and the best shows
analyse compelling, complex personality archetypes. People can then try to parse out
whether or not these individuals are driven by human nature and are just expressing
their desires differently from law-abiding citizens or if they are qualitatively different from
the average person. Some watch to try to unequivocally differentiate themselves while
others experience a guilty, unconscious pleasure in identification and vicarious living.
The end result of all these shows related to crime will amount to nothing in the final
analysis. There will be some exceptions where individuals develop an unhealthy
obsession that isolates them from normal society or claim them as excuses for their own
crimes but this is just as likely to occur with any form of entertainment. The majority of
people watch these shows, think about them and talk about them just as they discuss a
book or a sports team. Research has been unable to show any direct link between
watching crime shows and committing crimes or altering one’s outlook towards others.
Similarly, they will not have a positive impact since most people do not watch them to
get tips to avoid criminals and the sample sizes for the crimes taking place are too small
relative to the knowledge gained.
In conclusion, people watch crime shows to exonerate or convict themselves and it is a
benign obsession. It is more important for psychologists to examine the drive to
fascination than its object.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Technology (Real Past Exam/Test)
Some believe technology has made our lives too complex and the solution is to
lead a simpler life without technology.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
Many are of the opinion that technology has done more harm than good and we ought
to simplify in order to lead more fulfilling lives. I agree that technology has its drawbacks
but I think turning away from technology is impractical.
The main reason that technology has complicated life for people today is that it has
made people perpetually available. In the past, a worker might work a 9 to 5 then come
home to spend time with their family, have dinner and enjoy their private life. That
simplicity is largely no longer the case. Once work ends, you can still get email
notifications and phone calls from managers or co-workers. The end result is that you
can never be fully present in the moment because work always threatens to pull you
back.
Although life has become more complicated and this is a negative development,
shutting yourself off from technology would only serve to isolate people from the world.
If you want to stay in touch with friends and know about events in your area, it is
essential to have a phone. You can use Facebook Messenger to cheaply chat with
individuals or make group plans. Email is an indispensible element of nearly every job.
Without it, you are filtering out quality jobs and predetermining manual work as your
vocation.
In conclusion, although technology has hurt people, turning away from it is not feasible
today without making drastic sacrifices. Instead, people ought to seek ways to
compartmentalise technology in order to live happier, more satisfying lives.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: International Sporting Events
One good way to promote world peace is through international sporting events.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Recent IELTS Exams/Tests
Some today feel that international sporting events are an opportunity to encourage
world peace between traditionally opposed nations. In my opinion, the shared
comradery is marginal enough as to be largely meaningless.
Proponents would argue that these events strengthen national bonds, particularly for
the host country. Take the recent Olympics in Brasil as an example. Brasilian citizens
and the government may have harboured animosity and prejudices towards various
other countries where they have political, geographic, or economic ties. These
predispositions might soften in citizens as they replace their generalised impressions
with the real people now staying in their hotels, eating in their restaurants and passing
them on the street. Governments will also have the opportunity to meet with foreign
leaders in a spirit of friendly competition and without the tension of trade or military
talks.
Nonetheless, only a very small percentage of people will be influenced in this way
relative to the global interactions that actually impact world peace. A good example of
this would be the complex civil war taking place in Syria. Very few citizens in a war-torn
nation care about sporting events, if they have any representatives, and the leaders
may not even make the trip. They will be more concerned about which sides Russia and
the United States are supporting and the outstanding problems that led to conflict in the
first place. World peace is further imperiled by other Middle Eastern countries with a
religious affiliation who are unlikely to be pacified through a football match.
Competitions like the Olympics and World Cup cannot in any way alter these underlying
sources of conflict.
In conclusion, sports tournaments have very little role to play in a more peaceful world.
Countries should take part in them to stir up national pride and achieve glory, not as a
means to an unachievable political end.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer General Training: Dying Languages (Real
Past IELTS Test/Exam)
Many local languages today are dying out due to the rise of languages like
English.
Is this a positive or negative development?
The ubiquity of English as a lingua franca is leading to lesser known languages fading
away. Although this is a great cultural loss for the world as a whole, it is a positive
development for the ethnic groups in question.
Those who regret these loses point out the irreplaceable role of unique languages
among ethnic peoples. A good example of this would be in India which is home to 22
national languages and hundreds of unofficial languages in various states of decay.
Once a region begins to assimilate and learn English and Hindi, their native tongue
becomes antiquated. Since language does more to shape how we see the world than
our vision, this also means an interpretation of the world falls away. Over time, younger
people will tend to follow global or national trends rather than local ones and the culture
itself will be at risk.
Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, assimilation means progress. Western
tourists might feel their right to see authentic ethnic minorities is being stripped away,
but those groups typically want better lives for themselves and their children. Speaking
a language known only to a small group of people greatly limits your opportunities. You
can remain in your village and live below the poverty line your entire life or learn a
widely-spoken language and be able to travel, work and stay abreast of developments
abroad. Even if they do not leave the country, they can move to bigger cities and pursue
their passion. Those that remain in their villages, will have better chances of finding
online work as well.
In conclusion, the disappearance of smaller languages is inevitable and positive from a
purely utilitarian point of view. It would be great to find a means of supporting
indigenous tribes that choose to preserve their ancestors way of life.
Word Count: 300
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer General Training: Fame (Real Past IELTS
Test/Exam)
Due to television and the internet it is easier today for a large number of people to
become famous.
Is this a positive or negative development?
Real Past IELTS Exams/Tests
It is easier than ever today for people to become famous because of increased
channels for distribution such as television and the internet. This is clearly a positive
trend as it opens up the entertainment industry to greater diversity.
Those that decry this trend typically point to talentless celebrities. In the past, a
comedian or musician might work for years honing their craft in order to get a slot on
one of the few talkshows and then become famous overnight. Nowadays, many
celebrities start on reality TV or a YouTube channel and do not have any discernible
talents. The socialite Paris Hilton was one of the first to take advantage of her wealth
and personality to build a brand without any real product. Kim Kardashian is a more
recent example of an individual who through dating celebrities and canny use of social
media and television was able to become a celebrity in her own right.
Despite the aforementioned cases, this is on a whole a positive trend because of the
more diverse range of famous people today. Fame used to be the prerogative of white
men and women, with the occasional exception from an ethnic group. One of the
reasons for this is that whites typically come from more privileged backgrounds and
have greater opportunity, thereby making up a disproportionate share of success
stories. The internet in particular has levelled the playing field to an extent. Anyone with
a smartphone today has the ability to broadcast their talents and cultivate a loyal
fanbase, regardless of gender or ethnicity and without the barriers that existed in the
past such as ingrained reluctance from authority figures to give certain ethnicities an
honest chance.
In conclusion, there are clear cultural drawbacks to the ease with which many achieve
fame but today it is nonetheless more inclusive. A greater concern should be the age at
which people become famous as it can have developmental side effects.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Ambition (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Some think that ambition is a good quality.
Is it important to be ambitious?
Is it a positive or negative characteristic?
Real Past IELTS Exams/Tests
The rise of the one percent and accumulated capital has led many people today to
question the basic value of raw ambition. In my opinion, though ambition has historical
importance, it is a largely negative trait for most of society today.
Ambition’s value lies in pushing forward human progress. Some of the best evidence of
this comes from advances in science. Galileo was a determined astronomer, willing to
doubt ingrained dogma in order to propagate his heretical view and we owe the basis of
our understanding of the planetary system to him. A more recent example would be
discoveries like penicilin and vaccines in the 20th century that were all the result of
highly ambitious, driven individuals whose legacies endure to this day. Without their
aspirations, human civilisation would have stagnated.
However, ambition for its own sake hurts society. When ambition is severed from
passion and ethics, it becomes the raw engine of political and economic greed. A good
example of this would be the rampant speculation fueling Wall Street. Most employees
at large brokerage firms are ambitious in terms of moving up the ladder and making
more money for their clients but have little concern for the consequences of their
actions. Reckless investment spurred on by greed was one of the underlying causes of
the sub-prime mortgage scandal that led to a global financial crisis in 2008 during which
millions of homeowners and investors lost their retirement savings. Unchecked,
ambition will always tend towards excess and society will always be left to reckon with
the aftermath.
In conclusion, ambition is a crucial drive behind human civilisation but it is not a positive
force on its own. It is important for parents and educators to serve as good role models
to inspire children to check ambition with conscience.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Online Shopping (Real Past IELTS
Test/Exam)
Online shopping is becoming more common these days.
What effect could this have on the environment and the types of jobs required?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
The ubiquity of online shopping has brought with it concerns about the environment and
an evolving job market. In my opinion, online shopping increases fossil fuel emissions
and requires a massive, unskilled workforce for both delivery and production.
Online shopping uses fossil fuels in the making and transportation of goods. In order to
manufacture a given product, such as a television, book, or bag of muesli, there is an
environmental cost from sourcing and transporting all the elements, powering the
factory that assembles it, and creating the plastic packaging, which is also a petroleum
byproduct. In the case of a large company like Amazon, the product must be driven or
flown to various centres around the country in order to be available for next day
delivery. From the storage warehouse, it is then driven or flown to the consumer who
ordered it, further burning fossil fuels. The net impact on the environment is self-
evidently massive and hastens climate change.
Moreover, online shopping is such a sprawling business that it manipulates the labour
market. First of all, there are the workers directly involved. Deliverymen must pack,
unpack and ship products while the whole operation also requires a variety of
managers, foremen, and office workers. These workers are notoriously underpaid and
exploited when working for the largest online retailers, who also streamline the means
of production in order to offer the lowest prices. Instead of sourcing from local
businesses, which would be slightly more expensive, they opt for large factories largely
based in China that can cheaply and quickly produce standardised products. This
requires an army of factory workers, working at low wages in unsafe conditions.
In conclusion, online shopping contributes greatly to climate change and has created
deep fissures in the job market. Governments should regulate these companies before
their rampant profit-driven efficiency has unforeseen social and political implications.
Word Count: 304
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Retirement (Real Past IELTS
Tests/Exams)
Some think that governments should support retired people financially while
others believe they should take care of themselves.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
Many today have come to the conclusion that retired seniors should be supported by
the government and not left to their own meagre resources. While I agree there are
certain cases where governments are liable, citizens ought to be incentivised to handle
their own finances.
The main reason many support a government backed retirement plan is the dire
condition of many seniors. There are a number of possible causes deserving due
attention. Some seniors are without family, others may be war veterans and have
trouble finding work due to physical or psychological impairments, and still others may
be victims of economic downturns. Without support they must fall on the mercy of
society and will wind up at soup kitchens and seeking out chronic charity or even
begging. Simply put, governments are their last refuge and in the best position to lend a
helping hand.
Despite the rare instances mentioned above, nations ought to encourage ownership of
one’s own future. If all citizens knew the government would provide a decent retirement
fund for them, they would have little incentive to work hard, save money and make wise
investments. Governments deal with large sample sizes and, granted this would not
happen with many responsible adults, it still poses a sizeable national risk. An
analogous example of this is the way parents raise their children. They provide for them
early on, much like how governments offer free schooling, but then children are
expected to grow up and take responsibility for their own lives. Parents that coddle their
children for too long end up spoiling them in the same way that a national retirement
fund would deprive individuals of the opportunity to become self-reliant.
In conclusion, the advantages of a more self-assured, mature citizenry outweigh the odd
unavoidable case of desperation. There should be a degree of balance to allow for
these exceptions while still nurturing more life-affirming values.
Word Count: 315
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training: Internet & Phone Dependence (Real Past
IELTS Tests/Exams)
More and more people today are becoming overly dependent on the internet and
phones.
Is this a positive or negative development?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
The advent of smartphones has led to widespread internet addiction. Although this shift
has its conveniences, it signals a decline in healthy activity.
Those who contend that the overall value of phones and the internet is a net positive
can easily point to its versatility. The vast majority of people today would either
reluctantly or enthusiastically admit they cannot live without their phones. If you are on a
road trip or meeting a friend at a new cafe, you will need Google maps to find your way.
The best method of booking a restaurant or researching online and offline businesses is
through Facebook. All that only touches the surface of what the internet allows for
ranging from sending emails, trading stocks online, posting on social media, to binge
watching videos on streaming sites.
Despite the pile of advantages listed above, phones and the internet take up more time
than they merit. The reason for this is that people get stuck in feedback loops,
exchanging their time for momentary bursts of dopamine, no different from any other
drug addict. Before the internet an individual might waste time watching television but
still engage in a greater proportion of healthy habits like hanging out with friends,
reading books, making art, exercising or taking up another worthwhile hobby. The
healthy rush from those activities is chemically identical to scrolling through an algorithm
mindlessly. The only distinction is that some distractions have more value in terms of
physical and mental health than others.
In conclusion, the ubiquity of an internet living in your pocket has led to a decrease in
engagement with healthy activities. In order to remedy this, people must take it on
themselves to break their dependence as no government will ever regulate this drug
properly.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Leadership Essay 2 (Real Past
IELTS Tests/Exams)
Some believe that people are naturally born as leaders while others feel that
leadership skills can develop.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Many are of the view that leadership is innate, rather than cultivated through time and
experience. In my opinion, leadership is largely developed rather than gifted.
Those who believe that there are naturally born leaders point out the character of a
person as a fixed quantity. There are certain individuals who display a natural charisma
and inimitable capacity for command. A recent example of this would be Barack
Obama. He is a naturally eloquent, stately, physically imposing presence and perfectly
walks a fine line between warmth and firmness. Researchers have long identitified
common natural characteristics of leadership such as height, a deep voice, a strong
chin and natural grace of movement. These cannot be developed to a significant degree
and therefore support the claim that leadership is intrinsic.
However, great leadership is more deliberate than spontaneous. There are countless
examples of individuals possessing all the physical characteristics of leaders who fall
well short of inspiring people. An instructive example of this is Steve Jobs. Early in his
career he inspired people with his exceptional talent but that had its limits as he pushed
and demeaned employees ultimately leading to his ouster from Apple. This humbling
experience led him to soften the sharper edges of his personality in the ensuing decade
by considering other viewpoints and giving up more control to competent employees.
These learned traits served him well when he become CEO of Apple again and reached
what many regard as the pinnacle of leadership.
In conclusion, though the endpoint may obscure the origins, all leaders must cultivate
their hubris to become great leaders. The long-standing assumptions about leadership
must be challenged in order to put in place better institutional practices to mold future
pioneers of industry and politics.
Word Count: 289
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Unhealthy Foods (Real Past IELTS
Tests/Exams)
Some think that governments should tax unhealthy foods to encourage people to
eat healthier.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
Some think that heavy-handed governmental taxation is the only way to compel
healthier eating. In my opinion, while this make rational sense, its actual effectiveness is
questionable.
Those that argue in favour of these taxes can point to a logical chain of suppositions.
Though taxes on unhealthy foods are rare, there is the occasional mandated price hike
for sugary drinks and fast food, smoking is an instructive corollary. Several decades
after research showed that smoking causes cancer, governments were able to push
through legislation to tax cigarettes heavily. The result was that those already addicted
to smoking continued to smoke but many people did not pick up the habit to begin with.
Proponents argue this would also be the case when it comes to foods known to cause
cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Many would eat them despite higher
prices but the next generation would become more health conscious and that would
further trickle down to their children.
Though the above argument is well reasoned, people will still buy luxuries. There is
strong evidence for this dating back centuries. After the war of independence from
Britain, the newly formed United States instituted direly needed taxes on luxuries
including whiskey and chocolate. The purpose of the taxes was to raise money, not to
lower consumption of those products. The unpopular acts were internally vindicated
when people continued to buy luxuries along the same growth trend, enabling them to
increase the national budget. Even though cutting down on purely pleasurable products
makes disinterested sense, people are more swayed by instant gratification than cold
calculation.
In conclusion, taxes on unhealthy foods would not be an effective measure against their
consumption. Instead, governments should invest more in healthy school lunches and
making healthy products more widely available to attack the problem at its root source.
Word Count: 295
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Robots at Home (Real Past IELTS
Tests/Exams)
Nowadays more tasks at home and work are being performed by robots.
Is this a negative or positive development?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
It is becoming increasingly common for homeowners and businesses to use robots to
deal with daily tasks. I believe this trend is wholly positive because it saves individuals
time and allows businesses to better allocate resources.
Those who use various advances in robotics in the home have more free time. Fully
humanoid robots are rare but more and more families now use robotic vacuums such as
the Roomba, mobile webcams for security surveillance, lawn care machines and
devices that bridge the gap between robotics and artificial intelligence like Amazon
Alexa and Google Home to make life easier. These devices save a lot of time for their
users that can be better invested in hobbies, exercise, family, entertainment, and
spending time with your significant other.
In the past, a sizeable percentage of operating budgets went to labour but as this
number begins to dwindle we will see a concomitant rise in investiture in areas like
research and development. Large companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple and
automobile manufacturers can now invest in developing artificial intelligence, improving
existing products, making safer cars, and so on. Over time, these benefits will add up to
hasten both the pace of technological development and the speed with which new
advances reach consumers. Robots will replace jobs reliant on manual labour and divert
those wasted dollars to more important, creative areas that elevate human endeavours.
The large scale adoption of robotics bodes well for the future as it will streamline both
home and work. There are looming risks related to massive unemployment but these
can be mitigated with governmental regulation and by encouraging ethical corporate
practices.
Word Count: 267
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Businesses Social Responsibility
(Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
As well as making money, businesses also have a responsibility towards society.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Test/Exam
Many socially conscious public figures have called on businesses to show greater
responsibility to the societies they depend on. In my opinion, the reponsibility of a
business towards society extends to ethical management of their own operations but
not to areas largely outside their purview.
Large and small businesses are no different from individuals and have the same
obligation to be ethical. Every business, conducting themselves in a just manner, will
contribute greatly to the betterment of society. A local grocery shop that pays its
workers a living wage, charges fair prices, keeps accurate books, and sells quality food
taken in the aggregate with stores around the country, produces innumerable benefits
for both staff and patrons. Large companies are no exception. If Apple pays employees
well and builds quality products while adhering to environmental and economic
regulations, they make the world a better place. In contrast, companies without moral
compass like Enron, Purdue and Facebook exact a heavy toll on society in exchange
for their services.
However, companies should not to be forced to take responsibility for greater societal
ills unless they are in some way culpable. A good example of this relates to education.
The education of children and adolescents is the foundation of a stable, content society.
Responsibility for education lies squarely with governments and parents,
notwithstanding some private enterprise schools. If a company comes in direct contact
with a school, for example by selling them textbooks, then the company is responsible
for the quality of their products. If they pollute nearby land and students get sick, the
company should bear full responsibility as well. In all other matters not under their direct
influence, parents and governments take on the sole burden of care.
In conclusion, businesses are only in contact with certain aspects of society and they
should not be asked to assume a full burden of responsibility. As free market companies
become larger and supplant national governments this may require re-examination.
Word Count: 320
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: The Economy & the Environment
(Real Past IELTS Exams/Tests)
Developing the economy will always damage the environment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
It is often asserted that economic progress must always come at the expense of
environmental. While this is not the case for entrenched economies, it is true for nations
trying to gain a foothold in the global marketplace.
Only developed nations have the prerogative of protecting the environment without
major economic backlash. The best examples of this can be seen in advanced
economies around the world ranging from Japan and South Korea in Asia to France and
Germany in Europe and the UAE and Kuwait in the Middle East. All these nations are
already dominant in various global economic sectors. Germany leads the world in
automobile manufacturing and other high-end goods. Japan is famous for its electronics
and entertainments brands. This frees them up to haughtily build more energy efficient
factories, tax companies, pass public awareness bans, and regulate pollution far more
aggressively than developing nations.
Developing nations have neither the means nor the inclination to protect the
environment. A good example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which is a rapidly
evolving, populous nation. A good deal of their economic growth has come from
offshore drilling, which has resulted in oil spills, as well as factories dotting the
countryside, which contribute to growing concerns about air pollution. Many people
depend on these businesses for their livelihood and the companies are trying to
compete with developed nations from a huge initial, competitive disadvantage. In order
to catch up they must cut environmental corners or risk falling further behind globally.
In conclusion, environmental conservation is a privilege for countries that contributed
the most to climate change historically. Developed nations ought to make allowances
for countries that are still struggling to provide their citizenry with a decent standard of
living.
Word Count: 290
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay General Training: Working too Much
(Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
These days people spend more and more time at work and less time at home.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Real Past IELTS Test/Exam
These days, most people find themselves working longer hours, cutting into their home
time. Though this brings economic stability to a nation, it also deprives people of a rich
personal life.
The foundation of economic prosperity is a flourishing middle class unburdened by
debts. A good example and counter-example of this can be seen in the changing
fortunes of the American model of economics. In the 1950s the economy grew as
people worked long hours and had large disposable incomes to feed back into the
larger consumer economy by purchasing automobiles, houses, and luxuries. Since the
economic crash of 2008, there have been fewer jobs to go around and most people
make due with part-time labour. The result of an idle labour force was a long-lasting
recession that has only abated in recent years as people began to work more.
When people have less time to spend either on their hobbies or with their family, they
rightly feel deprived. Every person should have time for both a fulfilling public and
private life. Work constitutes the bulk of public service for most people and home life the
private. Those with families feel particularly justifiable anger, which can boil over to
general unhappiness or depression at best and neglect or abuse, at worst. Even the
childless still have loved ones, hobbies, and a variety of other pursuits. At the end of
their lives, everyone strives to be able to look back proudly on their career and fondly on
their daily life.
In my opinion, the tilting of work-life balance towards work is primarily a negative
because it robs people of some of their most meaningful moments. People must
individually find ways to not only survive but also prosper in a world where the private
sphere shrinks with each passing year.
Word Count: 299
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Face to Face Interaction (Real Past
IELTS Tests/Exams)
The use of social media is replacing face-to-face interaction among many people
in society.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Real Past IELTS Test/Exam
Many people today believe that social media has largely supplanted traditional face-to-
face interpersonal relationships, leading to worsening communication skills. I fully agree
with this point of view though I concede the advantages of social media for
entrepreneurs.
Social media has been a boon for anyone interested in starting their own business. In
the past, if someone wanted to start a business the avenues were more limited and
likely presupposed some inherited capital. Social media, beginning with Facebook and
now being brought to fruition with apps like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, opens up
possibilities for content creators to communicate with their audience around the world.
This applies to larger than life success stories like Justin Bieber, who went viral and
rose from relative obscurity to global stardom, as well as more modest examples like
the various Instagram artists and models who interact and generate income and
publicity from their loyal fan bases.
Despite the aforementioned advantages, social media has degraded the general quality
of communication. Those most affected are young users. In school, children and
teenagers must develop their interpersonal skills by telling jokes, engaging in playful
banter, and arguing about personal and political topics. Over time, some people
distinguish themselves as great storytellers or compelling speakers while others at least
improve their communication skills. In contrast, young people today are more likely to
communicate by texting and interacting through fleeting comments as they impatiently
scroll through their various feeds. They do not get quality feedback on their output and
so develop haphazardly, not knowing whether or not their jokes and points ever really
connect.
In conclusion, social media has hurt communication, overshadowing all its economic
utility. Parents ought to limit phone use for children and themselves in order to fight the
rising influence of technology that humanity is not evolved enough to deal with
responsibly.
Word count: 298
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Tourism and Culture (Real Past
IELTS Tests/Exams)
Some believe that tourism does more to create tension between countries rather
than helping individuals better understand other cultures.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Reported IELTS Exam on February 8th
Many people are of the belief that rather than easing tensions, tourism actually further
strains relations between countries. In my opinion, despite some newsworthy incidents,
the vast majority of tourist interactions are positive.
The reason that many have turned against tourism as a means of soft power is the
memorable disputes that naturally arise. A good example of this would be the recent
outbreak of Coronavirus in China and the resultant worldwide panic. Chinese tourists
have since reported on social media channels increased harassment and chilly
treatment abroad. Such reactions are irrational because Coronovirus is a tame threat
relative to normal strains of influenza, various diseases and other fatalities over the
period including vehicular deaths. This psychological bias applies to small-scale tourist
interactions as well: people are more likely to remember recent, negative events even if
their actual impact is marginal.
The overwhelming majority of interactions between tourist and local are friendly and
conducive to increased understanding. The average person taking a trip, to most
countries, will encounter friendly customs officials, chat amiably with their taxi driver on
the way to their hotel, where the staff will likely be very accommodating. The negative
interactions are rare though they may stick out and make memorable stories. The more
common scenario is that a tourist’s curiosity will be matched by local enthusiasm to
make a good impression of themselves and their country. These complimentary human
drives from the tourist and local, re-enacted in millions of micro-interactions daily, may
not make headlines but they foster empathy and understanding between otherwise
diverse cultures.
In conclusion, the cumulative impact of friendly encounters engendered by tourism far
outweigh exaggerated slights. People should keep this in perspective when travelling
and rise above prejudice and confirmation bias.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Old Buildings (Real Past IELTS
Tests/Exams)
Too much money is wasted on repairing old buildings that should be used to
knock them down and build new ones.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
Many people today claim that too much money is being allocated to the upkeep of older
buildings that would be better utilised on modern infrastructure. In my opinion, though
new buildings are more practical, old buildings are indispensable cultural relics.
Progressive supporters of modernity rationally point out the actual utility of a building
should be the priority. A good example of this would be in cities that have developed
substantially in the last half century such as Kolkata, India. Rapid economic
development there has overtaken sentimentality over both pre and post-Colonial
architecture. It is commonplace for old buildings that no longer meet today’s safety
standards to be bulldozed to build hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and offices. All these
new buildings serve vital functions in a 21st century metropolis and are not merely for
show, as the buildings relegated for demolition are.
Despite the above justifications, old buildings serve to maintain the irreplaceable cultural
identity of a city. While cities like Kolkata and Beijing have ruthlessly swept aside the
past in favour of an inevitable future, smaller cities like Chiang Mai in Thailand have
managed to protect the majority of their historic buildings. The result is more than just
tourist attractions like classic homes, old city walls and ancient pagodas. The residents
of Chiang Mai, and other citizens of Thailand, can visit and be reminded of the beauty
and resilience of their ancestors. In Beijing, the disdain for history encourages the
nation at large to imitate the stubborn pursuit of progress characteristic of the 21st
century.
In conclusion, old buildings ought to be preserved as they are important for a nation’s
cultural identity. The governments that adopt this long-term, multifaceted view will reap
the rewards of a more unified national citizenry.
Word count: 285
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Plagiarism (Real Past IELTS
Tests/Exams)
Plagiarism in academics has become a pressing problem in many countries
today.
What are the causes of this problem?
What are some possible solutions?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
Plagiarism has become a serious issue in academic circles in recent decades. The main
causes of this center around the dissemination of information to countries with varying
attitudes to intellectual property rights and the solutions are strict censures of
plagiarised works.
In many countries, plagiarism is not considered an offence or treated very lightly. For
example, students in Vietnam grow up in an environment where copyright is largely just
for show. It is common practice for photocopy shops to print or copy entire books with
no legal repercussions. In school, many students are instructed to memorise and
reproduce the works of others and prohibited from coming up with their own ideas. The
rise of Facebook, which hardly polices IP rights, has led to further lawlessness.
Altogether, theft is culturally permitted if not encouraged. Countries around the world all
have differing standards based on their history, culture, and legal frameworks.
The best solutions for plagiarism are to implement degrees of punishments. Those who
outright copy and paste works and pass them off as their own for commercial purposes
should be subject to full criminal and civil prosecution. This will limit the most extreme
cases. Sharing and posting materials on the internet is a thornier issue because the
perpetrators do not always receive direct financial benefit and can be difficult to track
down. In these cases, it is the websites, such as Facebook, that must police members
and initiate warnings and bans to repeat offenders.
In conclusion, the pertinent threat of plagiarism means both companies and countries
must work in tandem to limit any potential damage. In the future, this issue will only
become more difficult to extricate so it is advisable that preventive measures be put in
place now.
Writing Task 2
The roads in major cities today are often difficult to travel on.
What are the causes of this?
What are some possible solutions?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
As world populations transition from rural to urban settings, there has been a resultant
degradation of travel conditions within cities. The main causes of this are all related to
overpopulation and the solution is for governments to incentivise living outside city
limits.
The clearest source of crowded roads and degrading infrastructure is surging urban
populations. Research has shown that now more than half the world is densely packed
into cities built hundreds of years ago. Take Boston as an example. Boston was built for
a population of under 100,000 people, who mainly travelled by walking or riding horses
and carriages. Today the population is nearly a million and that means the narrow roads
are gridlocked with traffic during rush hour. The relentless pounding of an overpopulated
city also means that the roads suffer from greater wear and tear, which necessitates
constant maintenance and exacerbates the average citizen’s daily commute.
In order to mitigate these issues, governments could encourage people to move outside
cities. One half measure would be to lower taxes in neighboring districts. Many people
could still commute to work from nearby suburbs, as is the case in most major cities
already. Governments could also give special tax breaks and dispensations to
companies that allow workers to work remotely. This would free people up to live
outside of cities or, if they opt to remain in the city, they at least would not contribute to
rush hour traffic.
In conclusion, worsening travel conditions for urban dwellers can be curbed through
government intervention. The nations that take up this cause will be well placed to
compete in a rapidly evolving 21st century.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Entertainers & Politicians (Real Past
IELTS Tests/Exams)
Nowadays, entertainers get paid more than politicians.
What are the reasons for this?
Is this a negative or positive development?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
These days entertainers invariably earn higher wages than politicians. In my opinion,
this is the result of technological growth in the entertainment industry and it is a positive
development because politics should not be a means to amass a fortune.
Entertainment is one of the most lucrative industries today largely due to developments
in media distribution. Vaudeville actors and musicians in the early 20th century were
looked down on and earned little. The birth of cinema in the 1920s and the rise of
television in the 1950s allowed entertainers to reach a wider audience. From there the
rise has continued not only with the diversification of television but also the invention of
CDs, portable music players, the internet, and streaming websites like Netflix and
YouTube. All this new media reaches the majority of the world’s population who then
pay for the content by subscribing or watching paid advertisements.
This is a positive development because politics should not be a profit driven profession.
A good example of this would be the early American founding founders, including
Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, both of whom sacrificed private wealth for
public service. Hamilton was the leading lawyer in New York and when he
enthusiastically joined Washington’s cabinet he took a drastic cut in salary. By the end
of his term, he was mired in debt but had no regrets as he viewed public political action
as far more valuable than private capital. Politicians ought to earn a good salary but this
should never subvert their chief motive in serving their country.
In conclusion, entertainers make more money due to the advent of the media age and
politicians should not be jealous of their wealth. Unfortunately, many politicians are
selfishly compelled by economic gain when they ought to be more self-interested in
terms of their role in public life.
Word count: 296
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Sugary Drinks (Real IELTS
Test/Exam)
More and more people today are drinking sugar-based drinks.
What are the reasons for this?
What are the solutions?
Real Past IELTS Exams/Tests
Health experts have warned against a rise in addictions to sugary drinks and the
concomitant risks. In my opinion, this is due to both advertising and encroachment in
developing markets and the solution is to enact various restrictions.
Over-consumption of sugary drinks can be directly attributed to advertising and opening
up vulnerable new markets. In much of the developed world, people are becoming more
health conscious and while consumption may increase as a total number, it is more
likely to decline as a proportion. This is not the case in the developing world in countries
such as Vietnam. A burgeoning middle-class in the last two decades coupled with
unregulated ad campaigns from Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to a pandemic of sugary
drinks in the market. Consumers now have more disposable income and are generally
less educated about the long-term effects of sugar while companies are eager to exploit
these facts to fatten their bottom line.
The only proven solutions for any public health crisis are regulation. One of the most
famously successful laws in this area was the ban on large sugary drinks in New York
City. It prohibited only the largest sizes but had a large impact before it was ultimately
repealed due to corporate lobbying. In its place, many states including New York and
California enacted taxes that have driven up the cost of sugar-heavy drinks. The result
is that fewer people are willing to take on the associated health risks given the higher
prices. If federal governments tax these drinks similarly to cigarettes, then their
popularity will decline even faster.
In conclusion, the ubiquity of sugary drinks is down to exploitation of developing nations
and can be curbed through thoughtful regulation. Governments that take firm, unpopular
steps towards these reforms will later save money in medical care.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Income Inequality (Real Past IELTS
Test/Exam)
Many believe that the best way to ensure a happier society is to reduce the
difference in income earnings between the rich and poor.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Class distinctions are an intrinsic element of human relations but many today worry over
the drastically widening gap between rich and poor. In my opinion, in order to have a
happy society there must be a more equal distribution of income.
The main reason that these economic reforms would make society happier is by
diffusing personal frustrations. The less wealthy often feel resentful and insecure about
their place in life. This has a number of symptoms ranging from relatively benign
unhappiness to deep depression, and takes a collective toll on individuals, families and
societies. In the most extreme examples, mass shootings in the United States are
invariably undertaken by poor, white males who feel left behind economically. The net
impact of lifting people out of poverty would be a boon to everyday families as well as
society at large.
Furthermore, if people no longer had to stress and work themselves to the bone to
make ends meet, new outlets to contribute more to society would open up. They could
volunteer for a charity, if they have an altruistic bent, take up an art, spend more time
being a dedicated family member, or even set aside time to try to innovate in their
vocation. Small-scale parallels for this exist already in the form of scholarships given to
underprivileged students who are then able to get degrees and contribute across a
variety of disciplines to making society happier in general.
In conclusion, there is little doubt that in the 21st century income inequality has reached
a level that causes extreme unrest among the general population and distributing capital
more evenly would remedy this. Countries ought to look closely at recent proposals for
a universal basic income.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Online Materials (Real Past IELTS
Tests/Exams)
Many people feel that students should learn from online materials while others
feel that it is better to use printed materials.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Tests
There have been recent calls for schools to phase out printed materials and take better
advantage of online resources. Although printed materials enable important cognitive
returns, schools should adopt online materials almost exclusively to protect the
environment.
Printed materials encourage children to develop good thinking habits. Children and
teenagers will of course spend an outsized amount of time on the internet, through
smartphones and computers, as they grow up. This not only impacts their attention
span and brain chemistry but also makes them susceptible to worryingly unreliable
online information. Printed materials, on the other hand, are written by well-regarded
authors, thoroughly researched, and students cannot get distracted by the lures of the
internet while reading a physical book.
Nonetheless, online materials present an opportunity to protect the world’s trees at a
time when they are under great threat. Take the typical lifecyle of a school’s
coursebooks for example. Hundreds of students in a single grade are given a dozen
books for various subjects every year. The books tend to be reused for several years
but they later must be replaced with newer editions, necessitating more trees be cut
down. Using online materials does not entail the same level of environmental costs.
Textbooks can be easily updated and no trees have to be chopped down to create the
devices in the first place. Over time, this will have a dramatic impact on tree populations
around the globe and help mitigate the looming damage of climate change.
In conclusion, administrators should make every effort to replace the outdated medium
of paper with their electronic equivalent. This is merely one step, but a still crucial one,
in saving the earth from imminent catastrophe.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Extreme Sports (Real IELTS Test)
Extreme sports such as sky diving and skiing are very dangerous and should be
banned.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
Real Past IELTS Tests
The increasing popularity of so-called extreme sports such as base jumping and rock
climbing have led to backlash calling for them to be banned. Although these sports are
potentially fatal, they should not be banned as they are also fun and can be undertaken
responsibly.
The reason that many have demanded limits on extreme sports is their potential for
injury and death. Take for example one of the most notorious extreme sports: base
jumping. In this sport, participants jump off a given point (a cliff or building, for example)
with a parachute. There is very little time before they hit the ground so unforeseen
parachute malfunctions are possible and the fatality rate is extremely high. Those that
do not die may suffer severe, debilitating injuries such as paralysis and brain damage.
Base jumping is something of an outlier on the spectrum of dangerous sports but all
these sports involve varying degrees of danger.
Despite the aforementioned concerns, I believe the fun people have outweighs potential
injury when they are cautious. Base jumping is the most perilous extreme sport but
other sports such as skiing, deep-sea diving, and rock climbing are relatively safe. Rock
climbing is a good example of a sport that can be very safe and fun if proper
precautions are taken. You should sign up for training and go with someone who knows
how to safely rig up the harness and tie the requisite knots. Many people who try it end
up become passionate rock climbers because it is an exhilirating experience. Most
extreme sports, taken seriously, present little real danger and are an enjoyable
pasttime.
In conclusion, extreme sports are fun and do not have to be particularly dangerous.
People should take the opportunity to responsibly try out at least one extreme sport in
their lives in order to see if it is to their liking.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Children Starting School (Real Past
Tests)
Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very
early age. Some think they should begin at least 7 years old. Discuss both views
give opinions.
Real Past IELTS Tests
There has been growing momentum in recent years towards movements for children to
start schooling after the age of 7. In my opinion, although going to school from a young
age will help with social development, children should be allowed to grow outside school
until the age of 7.
Proponents of early schooling often point out the clinical research on the impact of
school on social skills. At home, children are exposed to a variety of different
circumstances. They may or may not have siblings, their parents might take them out
for playdates often or neglect them at home, hampering their social skills. Once children
start school, they are all in more or less an equal environment where they must
communicate with older and younger children, compromise when playing, learn to listen
to their teachers, and start forming stable bonds based on empathy and shared
interests with others.
Despite the social advantages, children can develop more uniquely if they are allowed
to delay their entrance to formal schooling. A good example of this is in Finland, where
students do not begin school until after the age of 7. Finland is renowned for its top-
performing students but this can be traced to a number of factors besides simply school
age. However, the impact on individual development is apparent. According to research
into child psychology, children form the basis of their personality between the ages of 4
and 7. Therefore it is paramount to delay the age when they begin school in order to
give them room to breath and ultimately produce a greater variety of voices in society at
large as has been the case in Finland.
In my opinion, the social benefits of school do not outweigh the individual positives of
delayed schooling to both the individual and society. Schools should continue to
research this area so that they can better advise policymakers.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Healthy Lifestyle (General Training)

Many think that in today’s world it is very difficult for people to maintain
a healthy lifestyle. Others, however, feel that it is easy for people to be
healthy and fit if they want to be.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

You should write at least 250 words.

Living a healthy lifestyle has become an increasingly important topic as what

researchers know about nutrition has evolved. In my opinion, despite some obvious
hurdles it is easier than ever for people to be healthy and fit today.
The main hurdles related to fitness today revolve around technology. A few decades
ago people led much more active lives that involved more exercising and comparatively
less time in front of screens. The advent of computer technology generally and the
smartphone in particular has precipitated more passive lifestyles globally. Smartphones
are the chief culprit. People become easily addicted to the small dopamine rushes that
phones provide and their availability means they are tailor-made to be everyone’s worst
habit. This prevents many people from developing healthy exercise patterns and, in
cases where people binge watch shows on Netflix or YouTube, can also cause over-
eating.
Despite the above mentioned challenges, it is easy to be healthy today because of the
amount of information on nutrition available. Doctors a hundred years ago
recommended smoking cigarettes and the many sources of heart disease were only
documented decades ago. Today everywhere you look there are articles and people on
television laying out hard evidence related to nutrition as well as the importance of
eating vegetables and limiting meats and fatty foods. There is healthy debate and the
consensus on specific foods might fluctuate but the general trend is greater awareness
of which foods are healthy and which ones will shorten your life and undermine your
fitness goals.
In conclusion, although there are good excuses today to be unfit, people can learn
enough about nutrition to lead a healthy life with a degree of ease. Schools should
make greater efforts in the future to teach students about nutrition and set them up with
the knowledge they need to combat passivity.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Crime & Technology (Real Past
Tests)
The crime rate nowadays is decreasing compared to the past due to advances in
technology.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
It is often argued that precipitous global declines in crime are principally down to
developments in technology. While advanced technology admittedly plays and integral
role in crime reduction, I would argue education hits more directly at the cause of crime.
The biggest argument in favour of technology’s impact is the advent of forensic science.
In the past, forensics was an unreliable soft science that included notoriously mistake
prone practices such as a dental identification and blood splatter analysis. Over the last
couple of decades it has grown into a much more accurate tool. Courts now rely heavily
on DNA testing, which is nearly 100% conclusive in most cases. This has had a two-fold
effect, allowing prosecutors to reopen and investigate cold cases as well as better
prosecute and deter current criminals.
However, education still more powerfully underpins decreases in crime because it does
more to eradicate poverty. Poverty is far and away the chief cause of crime. Take for
example a country such as China, which has developed rapidly in the last 30 years,
elevating millions formerly below the poverty line. Their economic rise has been
followed by better educational standards which has trickled down into better
employment opportunities for graduates. The crime rate in China has plummeted simply
because far fewer people have the basic motivation, poverty, to commit crimes.
In conclusion, the impact of technology is negligible next to educational reform, which
undermines the deepest roots of crime. Forward-looking countries that prioritise
education will also reap benefits that extend well beyond the crime rate.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Museum Entrance Fees (Real IELTS Test)
Many museums charge for admission while others are free.
Do you think the advantages of charging people for admission to museums
outweigh the disadvantages?
Real Past IELTS Tests
Many are of the belief that museums should be free to the public because of their
enormous potential to educate while others feel charging money helps ensure the
quality of the art therein. I concede the benefits of the latter argument but would still side
with those who advocate free admissions.
The main reason that many are in support of charging money is that it sustains both the
maintenance and quality of exhibitions. A good example of this would be the Museum of
Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. MoMA is generally regarded as one of the finest
museums in the world and is famous not only for its well-maintained facade but also the
ever-rotating artworks on display. They charge a nominal entrance fee in the
neighbourhood of $20 a ticket and invest that money wisely to ensure a memorable
experience for all museum-goers.
Despite the advantages for a private museum such as MoMA, I think making all
museums free would encourage more people to appreciate art. A contrasting example
with MoMA would be a museum just a few blocks away: The Metropolitan Museum of
Art. The MET has educated and uplifted millions of citizens regardless of their
socioeconomic status. The wealthy who can afford museum admission are likely to
already have a deep appreciation of the arts as well as the leisure time to enjoy their
practice. People, and children especially, from poorer backgrounds have fewer
opportunities and free museums is the best way to support appreciation of the arts en
masse.
In conclusion, the benefits of free museum admissions, particularly for lower income
families, outweigh the benefits of charging. The bigger issue is how governments and
other organisations can budget free or relatively inexpensive museums.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Personal Energy Consumption (Real IELTS
Test)
Scientists have been warning for many years about environmental protection and
how important it is to limit our personal energy consumption.
What are the causes of the over-consumption of electricity?
How can people be encouraged to use less energy?
For decades, warnings of incoming climate catastrophe have grown louder and many
today are making concerted efforts to limit their carbon footprint. In my opinion, the main
cause of over-consumption of electricity is the development of technology and people
can be taught to limit their energy usage through strict governmental regulations.
People today use more electricity because technology has pervaded every aspect of
life. Several decades ago, electricity was mainly used to power a limited number of
household items including lights, televisions and washing machines. It still powers those
devices but now there are phones to charge and computers that use electricity
throughout the day. People tend to spend more time at home, online with their devices
thus using more power. Even the large servers and generators required to power the
internet add to the collective electric toll of modern technology.
The best way to cultivate good energy habits is to impose regulations. Government
regulations have been a proven remedy in curbing human excess in terms of using
plastic bags (bans) and smoking (taxes). This would also work when it comes to energy.
One simple solution would be to tax energy use, though this step would have
socioeconomic bias built into it. A better approach might be to regulate the energy
efficiency of household items. This would target a high percentage of people across all
classes and have an easily quantifiable, manageable outcome.
In conclusion, outsized energy consumption is down to technology and governments
can regulate to minimise it moving forward. The more effort put into reducing energy
use, the more dividends future generations will reap from today’s reforms.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Responsibility, Society, and Taxes
(Real Past IELTS Tests)
Some people think that paying taxes is their only responsibility towards society
while others feel that everyone should do more.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Tests
Many are of the opinion that taxpayers are fulfilling their obligations to society at large
while other feel that responsibilty extends beyond a financial contribution to the
government. In my opinion, paying taxes greatly helps fund social programs but
individuals have little choice but to do more if they also want to think highly of
themselves.
The main reason that many see taxes as enough are the far reaching impact of tax
dollars. Take some well-run European socialist countries such as France for example.
In France, there are social welfare programs underpinning their progressive society
such maternity leave for new mothers, world renowned unemployment benefits, top
notch schools, not to mention more basic services like police, fire, and infrastructure
maintanence. These are the direct result of taxes and though their net effect varies by
implementation in various countries, they are clearly the foundation of stable societies
globally.
Despite the discernible impact of taxes, individuals are responsible for their daily
decisions related to society. Every job will touch on, with varying degrees of strength,
society. A doctor who takes his job seriously, rather than simply trying to push new
drugs or unnecessary tests to drive up premiums, helps families in their most dire
situations. Even a cashier has a role to play. They can do their job responsibly with a
positive attitude and send out other people into society with a good impression or
contribute to the rising tide of cynisism in today’s culture. These actions are unavoidable
and anyone who feels the need to think of themselves as a good person has no choice
but to take up a larger role in making society a better place to live.
In conclusion, thought taxes are part of what a person owes to society, they will
necessarily also have a positive or negative day to day impact. People should rightly
see their contributions as essentially self-interested excuses to feel good about
themselves.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Digital Filmmaking (Real IELTS Test)
Nowadays because of digital technology it is possible for not only studios but
also individuals to produce their own films.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Real Past IELTS Tests January 18th 2020
The democratisation of film has led to greater opportunity as well as fears as to the
future of filmmaking. In my opinion, this is a largely positive development as it opens up
the medium for a more diverse range of socieconomic voices.
The main reason that film purists resist the digital revolution is it brings down the quality
of films. A good example of this is when digital film first burst onto the scene and started
to replace film around the turn of the century. The initial complaints from viewers were
that film looks better and digitally shot movies have a cheap aesthetic akin to a soap
opera. As digital film has proliferated beyond studios looking to cut costs, it has
exponentially increased the number of films made by amateurs. This naturally leads to
movies with bad acting, clumsily written dialogue and poor overall production values.
Despite the admitted cons listed above, digital film has given a voice to less wealthy
filmmakers who tend to be of a different class and ethnicity. There are countless
examples of students who film digitally, post their video on YouTube and become
internet sensations. Many of these new perspectives are outside of the predominantly
white, male, heterosexual homogenity of Hollywood. It is increasingly possible for LGBT
themes to surface in these shorts and for ethnic minorities around the world to break
through. The most striking evidence is simply comparing the major movies made 50
years ago with the diverse range of cinema on offer today.
In conclusion, although there are drawbacks in terms of quality those are mitigated by
novel themes from underrepresented demographics. Studios should pay heed and relax
their control over an ever-promising industry.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Television (Real IELTS Test)
Nowadays children watch much more television than they did in the past and
spend less time being active or creative.
What is the reason for this?
What measures should be taken to encourage children to be more active?
Today children spend more time watching television than at any point in the past. The
reason for this is the development of online streaming websites and parents should
eschew smartphones to curb this trend towards passivity.
The main reason that many children today spend an outsized amount of time watching
television is that it is widely available on streaming websites. YouTube was the earliest,
and now the most popular, streaming website for video content. Children are often
allowed to watch it on smartphones or iPads. The more recent rise of streaming
websites like Netflix and Hulu provide the same experience as television on the internet.
Simply put, children spend more time watching because they have the ability to choose
whatever show they want, pause it, and binge watch TV shows on a variety of portable
devices with limited adult supervision.
In order to discourage children from watching television, parents should not give their
children smartphones under any circumstances. This is the first step that responsible
parents must undertake. Once children are no longer tempted by phones, it is much
easier to get them interested in creative outlets. Parents can sign up their children for
art or music lessons. They could encourage them to do art at home and instead of
putting a TV in their room, fill it with books and art supplies. Children’s natural curiosity
and artistic energy will naturally take over from that point and parents then need only
supervise, guide and intervene when called upon.
In conclusion, parents can counterbalance the rise of streaming by banning portable
devices and stocking up on art supplies. Unfortunately, it will take a concerted effort
from the majority of parents to prevent children without devices from being ostracised
socially.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Social Networking Sites (Real IELTS Test)
Many people believe that social networking sites (such as Facebook) have a huge
negative impact on both individuals and society.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The advent of social networking sites, mainly Facebook and Instagram, in the early
decades of the 21st century have transformed the ways that people interact with their
friends and community. I am in complete agreement that they have had a negative
overall impact on both individuals and society.
Social networking sites hurt individuals by replacing more active forms of enjoyment
with transitory, unhealthy self-esteem boosts. In the past, people were more likely to
take up an active hobby such as painting, playing a sport or learning a musical
instrument. Over time those hobbies increase self-esteem, provide hours of enjoyment,
and can be seen as active and healthy to varying degrees. Facebook and Instagram
replace not only the time spent on worthwhile hobbies but users also get stuck in a
feedback loop which gives them temporary bursts of dopamine in place of longer lasting
feelings of accomplishment.
Just as social media has undoubtedly hurt individuals, it has also taken its toll on
society. It is a common refrain to hear older people complaining about how generations
today are narcissists, glued to their phones. There is an element of truth in this. Social
networking sites, coupled with smartphones, allow people to withdraw and be
anonymous in public places. Over time people will come to feel they have less in
common with their fellow man and society will become fragmented and more insular
with deeply complex political, individual and social consequences.
In conclusion, the rise of social networking platforms has hurt individuals and society
greatly. In order to combat this, governments and parents should at least better regulate
their availability to children and young teens.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer General Training: Shopping Malls (Real
IELTS Test)
Some people think that it is better to build more public parks and sports facilities
in new towns rather than shopping malls.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
It is often suggested that it would be better to erect parks and exercise facilities in new
urban developments rather than shopping malls. I agree that this would be an ideal
solution as it would spur on increased health awareness.
The main reason detractors are in favour of shopping malls is their benefit to the
economy. Malls employ hundreds of workers from cashiers to store clerks to managers
as well as the various members of janitorial staff charged with maintaining the mall
itself. The benefits are clear when you couple these factors with the increased revenue
that businesses bring in the form of taxation and propping up the local consumer
product market.
Notwithstanding the economic returns malls bring, parks and sports facilities would do
more to encourage better health. In most developed nations, buying more products,
especially with online services such as Amazon readily available, is no longer a
pressing issue. However, health has become the dominant concern of the decade as
obesity soars and heart disease has reached pandemic levels. Well maintained,
beautifully landscaped parks and outdoor exercise facilities would instill in residents an
obligation to work out. If they are numerous, then older people and children, who may
not be able to travel far, will also be able to access them.
In conclusion, the job market is less important than the health of ordinary residents. The
bigger issue is the feasibility of such an approach given the lack of financial incentive for
those towns to prioritise the foundations for their residents’ well-being over business
interests.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Recycling (Real IELTS Test)
Most agree that we should be training children to recycle waste to preserve the
Earth’s natural resources. However, some believe that it is parents who should
teach their children to recycle waste while others feels schools are more
responsible.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real IELTS Past Tests
The general sentiment in most quarters is that recycling is an integral part of combatting
climate change and most debate now circles around whether parents or teachers
should be most responsible. In my opinion, schools reach the largest number of children
overall.
Many believe that instilling values is a parental right. Parents have the basic right to
influence their children according to their own beliefs. For example, a Muslim living in a
Christian country will likely still follow many Islamic traditions. Even if the child learns
implicitly or explicitly about Judeo-Christian tenets in school, the parents have a right to
raise their child in the manner they think is most culturally fitting. This also applies to
recycling, though it is hardly a matter of subjective belief to most informed citizens
today.
Despite the rare potential parents who may be against recycling, schools should be
where recycling is taught because government mandates will reach all children. There is
simply no way to legislate every single family to make their children recycle but this can
be easily enacted in schools. A good example of this would be in Japan where school
children take an active role in cleaning and separating their own rubbish for recycling.
Not only does this make a huge difference in it of itself but it is also a nationally
comprehensive approach to fostering life-long environmentally conscious habits across
an entire generation.
In conclusion, schools are more likely to have a larger impact on recycling habits and
therefore this is their responsibility. Governments ought to make recycling one of their
top educational priorities in the future as part of a cohesive plan to better the
environment.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Academic/Practical Knowledge
Students should be primarily taught academic subjects so that they can pass
exams, and practical skills such as cooking should not be taught.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
Many educators today feel pressure to teach to the test and emphasise academic
subjects over more practical ones. In my opinion, this approach is overtly short-sighted
and practical skills play an important role in a well-rounded education.
Those who support a singular focus on academics can point to its tangible outcome in
higher test scores. A good example of this would be accelerating academic progress at
inner city schools. There have been numerous reforms in the last several decades to
help the poorest performing districts catch up. The results have been uneven at times
but overall more students from impoverished or troubled backgrounds can now go to
college, often being the first person in their family to do so. Passing exams has the very
real benefit of giving them opportunities outside of menial work and, in the most extreme
cases, crime.
Though there might be a case for overemphasis on academics in select districts,
learning practical skills is an important part of becoming an all around person. Those
who possess certain skills, such as a sharp memory and logical thinking, will perform
better in academics like math and physics. This means that these skills are rewarded
and may become over-developed at the expense of skills related to practical work such
as spatial thinking and multi-tasking. Graduates who know how to please their teachers
and get good grades in academic subjects will find themselves lacking in real world
skills. Adding in practical skills goes a long way towards making this a reality.
In conclusion, the argument for academics only applies to niche segments of society
and learning practical skills has tremendous benefits. Schools should find ways to
balance both despite external pressure from the government and parents for the
reductive measure of higher marks.
Word count: 293
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Hunger (Real IELTS Test)
Some people believe that education is the key to tackling hunger worldwide while
others feel that the answer is in food aid.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Tests
Many feel that education is the best way to tackle hunger while others feel that
immediate food aid is a better solution. As far as I’m concerned, education is clearly the
better long-term remedy.
Many charities are active in food aid efforts because of its clear impact in emergency
situations. A good example of this would be famines in a sub-Saharan African nations.
These are caused by unpredictable weather conditions and coupled with governmental
instability can result in mass malnutrition and even death. It is impossible to deal with
the sources of these famines over time but food aid addresses its symptoms and keeps
actual people alive now. The tangible results of this kind of aid are the strongest
arguments in its favour.
Although the above mentioned methods are appropriate in emergencies, they do little to
disrupt the underlying causes of hunger. If people are better educated then they can get
better jobs and hunger disappears as a problem. There may be other relevant economic
realities, such as the unemployment rate, that need addressing but education will still go
a long way to eradicating hunger. Education can also help in regions that are prone to
hunger as farmers will be able to develop better agricultural methods. Simply put, if
citizens have good jobs, there is little real threat of hunger even under exceptional
circumstances.
In conclusion, although food aid has its use, I feel education is a clearly better option.
Governments ought to divert more resources into education to see world hunger ended
over the course of the next century.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: News Media Influence
Some people think that the news media has become much more influential in
people’s lives today and it is a negative development. Do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Test
It is commonly held that the news has become an invasive force in people’s everyday
lives. In my opinion, I completely disagree with this viewpoint because the news
contributes greatly to the decision making process of discerning citizens.
Modern news media properly consumed improves its readership’s ability to make quality
decisions regarding their own interests. One standout example of this is the way that
people follow political issues. In democratic countries, it is difficult to argue that there is
anything more important than staying informed of political developments. When
Americans learned about the harmful effects of global warming on our environment they
began to advocate, through the ballot box and general public sentiment, for reforms.
This has led to the election and overhaul of policies related to environmental
conservation and is the direct result of information gleaned from experts on the news.
Some rightly argue that the news is not always trustworthy. Individuals and
organisations are always attempting to twist the news to their advantage. A good
example of this would be the recent rise of online news. Online news goes up
immediately and is therefore much more likely to contain mistakes than news verified
and published in newspapers. Retractions in newspapers are rarely read and they are
almost unheard of for online news, despite their increasing frequency. This is a decided
consequence of the way people consume news today but readers can avoid this by only
trusting reputable sources like The New York Times or the BBC and not naively
believing every article they happen across. 
In conclusion, I believe that the merits of staying informed far outweigh any perceived
drawbacks. People should take the time to find reliable news sources and vet the
articles most pertinent to them.
Word count: 291
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Stress
Many pschologists recommend that the best way to relieve stress is to do
nothing at all for a period of time during the day.
Do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
One of the most pressing issues for first world countries is how to reduce their stress
levels and this has led some psychologists to propose a daily period of rest. Although I
think that daily rest would be helpful, it is more important to take an active role in stress
relief.
Proponents of a rest period suggest that taking a break has proven health benefits
related to stress reduction. It is very common in Latin American countries and some
Southeast Asian countries to take an afternoon ‘siesta’ or short nap before resuming
work. Research has supported the myriad health benefits related to this stress-free
period. It lowers blood pressure, increases serotonin in the brain, and aids memory
function. Besides the statistics from studies that breaks reduce stress, there is also
anecdotal evidence that taking a break energises people in both the short and long
term. Plowing on without breaks, on the contrary, can lead to an increase in stress and
has been linked to related health problems.
Instead of taking a rest, I believe that joining a team sport will do more to relieve stress.
Doctors and scientists agree that exercise is the best way to cut down on stress overall.
In most parts of the world, football is the most common sport both to watch and
participate in. Playing football reduces your stress by releasing endorphins in the brain
that make people happier, strengthening the heart to better withstand stressful
situations, and helping people to relax by working in a team towards a shared goal. The
teamwork aspect cannot be underestimated, and is integral to most sports, as it does
more to reduce stress and reset your body for a new day than any other activity.
To conclude, although taking a rest certainly helps reduce stress, the best way to
unwind is to play a sport. People should set aside time at least once a week to partake
in team sporting activities.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: The Internet & Travel (Real IELTS)
People today often use the internet to learn about the culture of other countries.
This means that it is not that important to travel to those countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
The fact that many people today use the internet to experience other countries means
that it is no longer as important to actually travel to those nations. In my opinion, though
travel has its benefits, this is largely true.
Proponents of travel often claim that real life experience trumps virtual experience.
Compare, for instance, the recent Google Museum project which catalogues collections
from famous museums in high resolution photos available to anyone with internet
access. This is no doubt a positive development but it pales in comparison to the
experience of walking through the Louvre and seeing the brushstrokes up close, going
on a guided tour, and talking with other museum-goers. This holds true for a variety of
experiences that are enhanced by being physically present in the moment.
Although there are good reasons to continue to travel on occasion, the internet allows
people to access the majority of the experience remotely. The most salient example of
this is the ubiquity of YouTube for internet users around the world. A child from an
impoverished background, who still has internet access, probably cannot travel to other
countries but they can watch travel documentaries, vlogs, and archived television shows
that show cultures around the world. The makers of these videos not only bring their
experience but also aggregate the most noteworthy events and individuals that even the
most adventurous traveller would have difficulty finding the time to locate.
To conclude, travelling still plays a role in life but the internet has largely replaced its
primary importance in life. There will come a time when the virtual world too fully
overcomes the physical but for the moment it is still beneficial.
Word Count: 280
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Education and Crime (Real Test)
The most common solution for criminal behaviour is prison but many believe
education is a better method.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
Many feel that instead of locking up criminals, we could better reduce crime by tackling
systemic problems in our educational systems. In my opinion, although education is
important, deterrence remains the primary inhibitor of criminality.
Many see education as a better remedy as it holds long-term promise. The main cause
of crime is poverty and that can be linked directly to education. Take for example
countries with strong educational systems. In Singapore, which has one of the most
well-regarded school systems in the world, the majority of graduates can find well paid
jobs and the crime rate is consequently among the lowest globally. There is no cause to
commit a crime if you have enough money to provide for yourself and your family.
Despite the clear results education can bring about, deterrence remains the main
reason why people do not commit crimes. If there was no threat of prison, people would
feel free to steal, murder or commit whatever crime they choose. A good example of the
effect of prison on crime is in countries with strict, mandatory sentencing guidelines.
Many Southeast Asian countries have imposed severe sentences on drug related
crimes to successfully curb drug trafficking and distribution. There is no substitute for
the clearcut logic engendered by the threat of prison.
To sum up, despite the admitted benefits of education, the deterring effect of prison
prevents most crime. Countries ought to invest in sustainable solutions such as
education and economic reform while not neglecting the irreplaceable role of
incarceration.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: The Ideal/Perfect Society
People have historically attempted to achieve a perfect society. However, it is
difficult to decide what a perfect society would be like. What would be the most
important element of an ideal society? What can normal people do to make
society more perfect?
Real IELTS Essay Society
The best way to improve our society is a topic of understandable concern for all
governments and citizens. In my opinion, the key to this is increased tolerance of
difference and people can take the individual step of examining their own beliefs in
order to not pass ingrained prejudices on to the next generation.
The most momentous shifts in society in the last centuries have involved progress
related to tolerance of different types of people. The original pilgrims left England to
found new colonies in order to have religious freedom to worship as they wish. Racism
and slavery in the 19th century is a direct result of considering one group of people
separate. The most recent example is the movement to be more accepting of a variety
of sexualities. These have all made society more perfect and their evolution and
nascent spread throughout the world will allow the greatest number of people to enjoy a
full range of freedom and opportunity.
To achieve the more open society mentioned above, individuals can closely evaluate
their beliefs and try to impart more tolerant values to the younger generation. A good
example of this can be seen in the embrace of gay marriage by many in the last
decade. In the 20th century, it was political suicide to support gay marriage. However,
people began to question the rationale for denying this basic human right. Now most
schools and parents teach their children about alternative lifestyles and it is much more
common to see LGBT couples in popular culture. This is one step towards a utopian,
inclusive society free of prejudice.
In conclusion, the movement to accept more diverse elements of society is already
underway. With continued effort, it is reasonable to expect a generally positive attitude
towards all people in the coming years, though this progressivism will vary widely from
country to country.
Word Count: 310
Some people say that it is acceptable to test medicine intended for people on
animals. Others, however, believe that it is not right to use animals in this
research.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exams
Many believe that using animals for scientific testing purposes is fundamentally
immoral, while others see it as a necessary evil. In my opinion, even though it is
decidedly unethical, the overall impact on human progress justifies its continuance.
Detractors of animal testing often point out that animals have rights. We would never
condone this type of testing on a human, even with one with a low IQ and it follows that
we should treat animals with some measure of respect. The strongest argument
supporting this is the level of cruelty involved in animal testing. Many drugs that are
tested on animals have painful side-effects and the test subjects may die slow, painful
deaths. This is undeniably unjustifiable regarding testing in non-essential medical fields
such as cosmetics.
Despite the moral quagmire detailed above, I believe animal testing does enough to
advance medical testing to warrant its use. Some cursory research will reveal the
importance of animal testing in fields such as diabetic medicine, cancer research,
experimental surgery, and stem cells. Testing insulin for diabetics on dogs may be the
most well-known example of this kind of impactful research. Many other advances in
medicine often attributed to animal testing have saved countless human lives to an
extent that would be impossible if researchers were working under the moral constraints
of human test subjects.
In conclusion, animal testing is the best way to make breakthroughs in medicine and
should be strongly encouraged. Governments should work with medical institutions to
implement more medical testing on animals across the board.
Word Count: 255
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Changing Jobs (Real Test)
The job market today is very competitive and it is best to choose a career or field
of study early in order to get a good job later in life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real IELTS Exam
Today’s hyper-competitive job market encourages parents and educators to push
specialization at increasingly earlier ages. Although choosing a career early on is a safe
option, it will not produce the best results in my opinion.
The reason that opting in to a career from an early age has become so prevalent is that
it affords people a sense of security that is at least somewhat justified. In Vietnam, the
vast majority of High School graduates are pushed early by their parents into safe fields
like finance and the sciences. There are a number of hard skills required for these fields
such as good mathematical acumen, industriousness, and logical thinking. If students
start to learn these skills at a very young age or beginning in High School then they will
have a head start on their peers that can continue through university into the job market.
This is the theory that guides specialization.
It is difficult to dispute the above logic, however, recent research has shown that having
a breadth of knowledge and experience is a much better predictor of future success. A
recent book by David Epstein titled ‘Range’ debunked the commonly held belief that
early specialization is safer. In fact, the majority of leaders in their fields experimented
with a large number of subject areas and professions before settling on one. The early
specialisers were the exceptions and are therefore a poor model to imitate. The core
argument of that book is that experience in multiple fields helps you to make
connections and learn a diverse range of skills that you can later bring to bear on your
chosen profession.
In conclusion, having a range of experience is more important than locking yourself into
a field of study early in order to enhance later career options. Universities ought to make
a shift to adopt some of the principles of liberal arts schools to better prepare graduates
for an uncertain future world economy.
Word Count: 323
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Gym/Exercise (General Training)
Many feel that going to the gym is the best way to stay fit. Others think there are
more effective methods.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real past IELTS tests (General Training)
A lot of people feel the best way to stay in shape is to regularly go to the gym while
others think there are more effective methods. Although I would readily admit that the
health benefits of gyms are self-evident, the best way to stay fit over the long-term is a
to join a sport or similar activity.
Those who swear by gyms often point out the bulk of research on the benefits of
working out. People going to the gym can broadly be divided into those doing
cardivascular exercise and weight-lifting (or partaking in both). Cardio workouts have
been proven in various studies to increase circulation, strengthen the heart muscles and
reduce risks of heart disease later in life. Weight-lifting is also a scientifically supported
method of combating bone density deterioration, especially important for women, and
improving muscular health. No reasonable person would doubt both the vast anecdotal
and scientific support for regular trips to the gym.
Despite the aforementioned advantages, it is far more motivating to take part in an
organised activity. Signing up for a gym membership is a notoriously fickle commitment.
Most people go for a few months and give up, never to return again. Contrast that with
participation in sports and other activities. Someone who picks up tennis or football is
much more likely to play regularly for a large portion of their life, possibly deep into old
age. Even activities like Yoga and Tai Chi are more likely to become lifelong habits and
therefore have a greater overall impact on fitness levels.
To conclude, going to the gym has indisputable benefits but it is not motivating enough
to become habitual for most gym-goers. Instead, parents and teachers should
encourage children to experiment with a wide range of activities in the hopes that they
can develop a lifelong passion for one of them.
Word Count: 307
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Problems with Purchasing Cars (Real Test)
More and more people in developing countries are purchasing cars for the first
time. What problems does this cause? What do you think are the possible
solutions?
It is a pressing problem that increased automobile purchases in developing countries is
leading to a host of problems that governments will have to deal with in the future. I
believe that the biggest problems centre around traffic and governments can impose
higher taxes and support public transport to minimise the impact.
The rise of the automobile as a popular means of travel in developing countries
inevitably leads to worsening road conditions. This is because developing nations often
have narrower roads and fewer lanes. Once the growing middle class in previously
impoverished countries begins to replace buses, motorbikes, and bicycles with cars,
there is often a concurrent rise in the number of gridlocked roads. For example,
research from The Economist linked a 40% rise in traffic jams to a 15% rise in
automobile purchases in 2017 in Vietnam.
To fully address this problem, there are two potential fixes that governments can apply.
Firstly, governments should enact higher taxes on all automobile purchases to deter
buyers. This has had a massive impact in cities like Singapore where purchasing a car
is prohibitively expensive for most residents. Another solution would be to invest further
in public awareness campaigns of alternative modes of travel. A standout example of
this would be in Vietnam, where these campaigns coupled with reduced fares to make
busing more affordable, have cut down drastically on the number of vehicles on the
road.
In conclusion, traffic problems caused by cars are a serious issue that governments
must work hard to combat. If efforts are made to reduce automobiles on roads in favor
of more efficient transport they will see their initial investment returned many times over
in improved, sustained economic growth.
Word count: 282
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 12: Children & Choice (by Dave)
Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices on
everyday matters (such as food, clothes and entertainment) is likely to result in a
society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Other people
believe that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that
affect them.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Cambridge IELTS 12
One common area of debate among parents is the extent to which children should be
trusted to make their own decisions and the potential impact this will have on their
sense of responsibility. Although decision-making skills will help in some ways, I believe
parents should dictate choices for children in order to make them more aware of others.
On the one hand, children who have been allowed to make their own choices will
eventually develop a keen sense of responsibilty. This can be best seen in the
contrasting example of helicopter parents and more liberal parents. Helicopter parents
smother their children with attention and make the majority of their decisions for them.
Over time, these kids will likely become dependent on their parents. If your parents
always pick out your clothes then you never have to check weather forecasts, make
choices about what colours match or concern yourself with trends in fashion. Later in
life, these kids will not have developed any of these skills because of their parents.
Contrast this with children who pick out their own clothes; they will have to consider
these factors carefully and it will make them more responsible when it comes to
shopping and taking care of their wardrobe.
On the other hand, I still believe that parents should make the majority of choices so
that children will be more responsible towards others. For example, some parents have
made the logical and ethical choice to be vegetarians and they force their children to do
the same. This can have a positive effect not only on their individual health but also on
the environment. Moreover, it is a learning opportunity for parents to teach their
offspring about ethics. Parents can make the argument that industrial farming is
inhumane and animals should be treated with more respect. This may have a carry-over
effect resulting in their children growing up to be more thoughtful towards others.
In conclusion, parents should make most decisions for children to guide them to be
more empathetic. They should work with teachers in their efforts to raise conscientous
future citizens.
Word count: 347 (aim for under 350 words – around 300 is better!)
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer by Dave: Studying Abroad
Compared to the past, more people are now studying abroad because it is more
convenient and cheaper than before. Do you think this is beneficial to the foreign
student’s home country? Will this trend change much in the future?
Nowadays, there are more and more students choosing to study overseas due to a
variety of benefits for their own future life and career. From my perspective, I believe
that this trend can also be beneficial to the foreign student’s home country and will
continue developing in the next few years because of these benefits.
I think it is beneficial to the foreign student’s home country because after they finish
studying, they may choose to come back and contribute to their homeland. For
example, Vietnamese Professor, Ngo Bao Chau was announced by the 2010
International Congress of Mathematics as one of four mathematicians to win the Fields
Medal, which is the world’s most prestigious mathematics award. After returning to
Vietnam, he started to help and encourage aspiring Vietnamese from universities to
study mathematics further. He not only contributed directly to the burgeoning field of
Vietnamese mathematics but also continues to serve as aspirational example to
students of the rewards of studying abroad and then returning home.
In the future, I believe that this trend will continue as both foreign and domestic
countries will support students through scholarships. For example, in Vietnam it is
common for students to apply for scholarships to study in countries like the USA, the
UK, Australia, France, and so on. These countries have the means and are willing to
support students from foreign countries because it enhances the diversity of their
campuses. Additionally, the government in Vietnam encourages studying abroad
through scholarships for underprivileged students. They do this because students who
study abroad typically return to Vietnam and help push forward economic development,
as in the case of Ngo Bao Chau.
In conclusion, I feel that there are clear advantages for the foreign student’s home
country because of their potential academic and economic contributions after coming
back home. Developing nations in particular should invest heavily in programs to send
students abroad, besides funding their own educational infrastructure, if they want to
have the kind of secure foundation that will allow the country to flourish for many years.
Word count: 340 (a bit high – aim for 300!)
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer (Government)
Some believe that because everyone needs a place to live, governments should
provide houses for those who are too poor to afford their own.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many reformers are of the opinion that it is the responsibility of governments to provide
public housing for members of the public too poor to afford their own homes. In my
opinion, although there are some situations when this might be necessary, it is better to
allow people the opportunity to pull themselves out of poverty.
Those who support government assistance in housing programs point out the
institutional shackles that keep people in poverty. In the United States, there is a long,
painful history concerning African Americans that began with slavery, discrimination and
still shows its impact in various more muted forms of racism. These people have few
chances to escape poverty and own their own homes because they have difficulty
getting a good education and then a job. If governments provide them with housing, that
frees up their money to go to the education of their children and can break the long
chain of poverty that has blighted their path in America.
Although the above-mentioned argument has its merits, in my opinion people who help
themselves are more likely to be able to maintain their success. Charity is a notoriously
double edged sword because it fosters dependence. Someone who is in poverty who
works hard and finds and escape and manages to own a home will develop reserves of
willpower and determination that will serve them their entire life. Their self-respect will
also help them in their work and encourage them to hold onto their house, regardless of
obstacles. If the government simply gifts this person a house, they will be much less
inclined to take care of it and will not develop any of the qualities that will spell out their
success in life more generally.
In conclusion, people who are more self-reliant are more likely to be successful and
hold onto their homes. The role of government ought to be more subtle and include
educational reforms aimed at opening up opportunities that individuals can themselves
seize.
 Word count: 329
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer (Smoking)
The best way to prevent people from smoking is to impose high taxes on tobacco
products. In this way, people will be less likely to develop a long-term addiction
to smoking.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some have suggested that the best method of reducing the number of smokers is for
governments to raise taxes. Although there are economic disadvantages, I believe that
this will have the greatest impact.
The economic disadvantage of increasing taxes on smoking is that it will hurt the large
tobacco industries in countries like the United States. In the USA, Phillip Morris, the
largest tobacco company in the world, provides thousands of jobs and pays large taxes
on its revenue to prop up state and federal budgets. If taxes on tobacco had their
desired effect then many people would lose their jobs and budgets would be slashed.
This is a sacrifice that many might be willing to accept but that would be nonetheless
negative.
Despite the aforementioned drawbacks, raising the cost of smoking is the best way to
reduce smoking. A good example of this can be seen in a comparison of countries with
little or no tax on tobacco products with those with high taxes. Indonesia famously has a
particularly high number of smokers and the main reason for this is that the tobacco
lobbies have blocked tax legislation, keeping the price of a pack below a dollar. In many
European countries, smoking is on the decline because few can justify paying more
than ten dollars for a pack of cigarettes.
In conclusion, although it might have a negative impact on the economy and jobs,
raising taxes on tobacco related goods will reduce smoking. If more governments
embraced this approach, they would reap future rewards in reduced spending for
medicare.
Word count: 260
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer (Society) by Dave
In many countries people are living in a “throwaway society” where things are
used for a short time and thrown away. 
What are the causes of this and what problems does it lead to?
The proliferation of single use products is a major concern for all countries. In my
opinion, the main cause of this is increased disposable income coupled with advances
in technology and the main result of this trend is environmental degradation.
The rise of single or limited use products comes from new technologies and people’s
ability to afford these items. A hundred years ago, it would not have been possible to
cheaply produce plastic products on a mass scale. The technological advances of the
last hundred years have made these products profitable for large companies like
Walmart. Of course the advances in technology have only met demand from a
burgeoning global middle class. People today do not have to use the same plates,
dishes, and bags that previous generations would have been more protective of;
nowadays people can afford to buy and throw out various household items.
The main result of the overdependence on single use products is burning more fossil
fuels which in turn escalates climate change. Cheap plastic is made through a chemical
process involving raw oil and is then transported on ships or planes running on petrol
before being carted on trucks to supermarkets. The total accumulation of fossil fuel
consumption is therefore massive. In the last half century this has precipitated climate
change leading to increases in the severity of natural disasters, further endangerment of
plant and animal species and dire warnings by climate scientists for the standard of
living of future generations.
In conclusion, the so-called ‘throwaway society’ is a result of economic and
technological factors and is taking a massive toll on the environment. More
governments should seek to curb this problem by instituting wide-reaching bans on
single-use plastics like straws and bags.
Word count: 289
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer (Family and the Home)
Many parents encourage young people to leave home when they become older,
while others think they should stay at home with the family. Discuss both views
and give your own opinion.
It has become increasingly prevalent for young adults to leave home before getting
married. In my opinion, this is a positive trend taken as a whole because it fosters
independence but it can have rare debilitating financial drawbacks.
The main drawback to moving out early is losing a parental safety net that safeguards
financial stability. In large cities such as New York, real estate prices are so high that
without  a high-paying job you will struggle to contend with rent, food, transportation
costs, and allowances for leisure activities. It is even possible that these hardships
could prove overwhelming and pride may prevent your from going back to your parents.
These individuals might end up taking a job with a low salary or that is not their passion.
The aforementioned drawbacks are the exceptions; the majority of people who move
out are successful because they become self-reliant. A standout example of this is the
typical American university student. Most students leave their parental home at 18 and
never look back. These students take their first baby steps towards looking after
themselves by doing their own laundry, managing their finances to an extent, and taking
on campus employment. Once they graduate from university they will likely take over
their entire financial outlay. This means they must find a good job and spend more
responsibly. These qualities, of frugality and responsibility, will serve them well in their
lives and increase their odds of future success.
In conclusion, the majority benefit from the added responsibility that leaving home
brings. To encourage more people to move out parents should provide a degree of
financial support when necessary but focus moreso on fostering their children’s
independence.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer (Crime and the Police)
Some countries are struggling with increases in crime rates. Some believe that
having more police on the streets is best way to reduce and combat crime. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many countries today are grappling with the best ways to curb rising crime rates and
some have suggested that increased police presence on the streets is the optimal
solution. Although I think this would have a positive effect for obvious reasons, the best
solution is more nuanced and requires a deeper understanding of the sources
underlying crime.
There is little doubt that employing greater numbers of police officers will have an
adverse affect on criminality. One of the best examples of this would be in New York
City under Mayor Rudy Giuliani during the late 1980s and early 90s. At that time, New
York was a haven for criminals and many areas of the city were deemed too dangerous
by residents to safely live in or walk through at night. One of the many measures that
Giuliani used to reduce crime was significantly increasing the number of police officers
during his time in office. This led to a reciprocal decline in crime and made the tourist-
heavy neighbourhoods almost entirely safe and the rougher districts at least passably
crime-free.
The above-mentioned measures were only effective because administrators also
tackled the root causes of crime. It is generally agreed upon that the principle causes of
crime are related to education indirectly and poverty more directly. If you look at
countries with extremely low poverty and unemployment rates, such as Japan, you will
see correspondingly low rates of crime. In Japan, this begins with one of the world’s
most renowned educational systems. Students graduate from high school and university
with immediately employable skills and most are employed throughout their lifetimes.
Since they have money to afford a good standard of living there is little incentive for
criminal behaviour and the crime rate is among the lowest in the world.
In conclusion, the best way to reduce crime in the long-term is to invest more in
education and the economy to stimulate job growth and address the catalysts spurring
on crime. Any government that is serious about making their country a safer place must
first take steps to improve their educational system as that will have the largest impact
on creating the stable jobs that discourage criminality in all its forms.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Health Problems Individuals/Governments
(Real IELTS Exam)
Many people believe that every individual is responsible for his/her own healthy
lifestyle. Others believe that governments should take care of it. Discuss both
these views and give your own opinion.
There has been much recent policy advocacy related to what the proper role of
governments in healthcare should be. Although I believe governments have begun to
treat this issue with the seriousness it merits, the responsibility for taking care of one’s
health should ultimately rest with individuals as they are more likely to stick with habits
that they themselves have cultivated.
Those who favour strong governmental intervention often point out the role of the state
in forming healthy eating habits through early intervention at public schools. In the
United States, the vast majority of students attend state schools and in recent years the
government has been implementing new policies aimed at curbing addiction to
unhealthy foods. This means that they have reduced the total intake of saturated fats in
school lunches and drastically cut down on sugar not only in prepared lunches but also
in the ubiquitous vending machines placed around most schools. In the short term this
has led to improved health for students but its true effect will be over the next several
decades when these children grow up and are more likely to eschew fast food for the
healthier alternatives now opening up to meet the growing demands of an increasingly
health-conscious nation.
While there are clear benefits to governmental action, individuals are better at regulating
their own behaviour in the long-term. People have always found ways to get around
rules in order to satisfy their most basic desires, including those related to food. No
matter what steps governments take, people will always crave unhealthy, delicious
foods as our brains are hardwired to feel pleasure from saturated fats, carbohydrates,
and sugar. For example, even a country like France, which has imposed strict rules over
the food that children are served, is still facing an obesity crises. Therefore the only way
for people to consistently combat poor health is to develop the discipline on their own.
Individuals who make the choice to eat healthier are more likely to stick with this habit
having worked out the reasons for themselves, rather than simply following a rule
imposed by their schools at the behest of the government.
In conclusion, governments have a large role to play in public health but only individuals
can take control of their own lives and make decisions that will truly benefit them in the
future. In this case, the best solution is simply no solution. Standing back and allowing
people to become more self-reliant will not only have more long-lasting effects but will
also empower individuals in various other areas of their life to be more responsible.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Music Bringing People Together (IELTS
Cambridge 14)
 
Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures
and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
 Music has always been a key distinguisher of culture but many believe that it can also
bridge cultural gaps and differences in age. Though I think some people overstate the
impact of music leveling the differences between generations, I strongly believe that it
brings people of different cultures together by expressing universal sentiments.
The main reason that I believe music is not a particularly good unifier in terms of
generational disparity is that people tend to enjoy the music from their formative years
and disdain whatever is currently relevant. Though there are of course exceptions, most
people would recognise the mostly accurate stereotype of an old person complaining
about the music that youths listen to nowadays. For example, in America some of the
most popular artists today include Kanye West, Taylor Swift, and Rihanna. These artists
differ greatly from past musicians. Kanye is a brash rapper with controversial opinions
whose music constantly shifts and redefines genre. Taylor Swift and Rihanna write
sugary pop songs that become ubiquitous in cafes and on the radio. Older people prefer
what they used to listen to, whether that be intricate melodies and insightful writing of
The Beatles or the raw sincerity of old school rap. The differences between the
generations are reflected and augmented rather than mediated due to the different
personalities and styles of modern music.
Although music does little to alleviate generational barriers, it does help cultures relate
through universal, human perspectives. What I mean by this is that even though people
may not understand another culture they can still understand the messages of the
music. One great example of this is the music of Bob Marley. Bob Marley is from a small
Carribbean country called Jamaica, a country whose culture has become influential
around the world. This is because he expressed universal feelings of love, empathy,
and positivity against the backdrop of a nation experiencing political and economic
upheaval. His resilience against this pulses through his infectious music and has
translated across cultural divides. An Asian person, who might not have any firsthand
experience with different races or cultures, can still identify with Bob Marley and enjoy
his music. This connection based entirely on music brings together people of disparate
cultures through an emotional and intellectual bonding on common issues.
In conclusion, although music may actually do more to divide the young and old it
definitely uses its universality to bring together different cultures. It is especially
important at a time when the world appears to be more divided than ever that we find
common ground to build cross-cultural relationships upon.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Self-Employment (IELTS Cambridge 14)
Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a
company or organisation. Why might this be the case? What could be the
disadvantages of being self-employed?
An increasing number of people today are opting to start their own companies instead of
working for a company mainly because of the increased support for young
entrepreneurs. In my opinion, the main disadvantages of not having an employer are
lack of expertise and its overall effect on businesses.
The number of self-employed is related to young entrepreneurs and has its origin in
widespread angel investment across a variety of industries. One well-known example of
this can be seen on the popular show ‘Shark Tank,’ where a panel of investors and
executives hear product pitches and compete to purchase stakes in budding
entrepreneurs’ businesses. This show has launched a number of successful products
by securing initial funding, which has led to a trickle down effect from this show: not only
has it turned specific dreams into realities but it also encourages viewers in general to
be more ambitious and has therefore been one of the main catalysts for the frenzy of
self-run businesses popping up in recent years.
Though there are undoubtedly positives to all these start-up companies, I think that the
overall impact is negative because it results in many poorly run businesses. For
example, in recent years a number of ride-sharing apps including Uber, Grab, Lyft, Be,
Go-Viet and countless others have sprung up. The established companies provide a
functioning app with high-quality service to meet the growing demands of this industry.
However, the majority of small start-ups find themselves in over their heads with apps
that barely function and driver shortages that specialise in inconveniencing customers. It
would be better for the people starting these derivative businesses to either work in
companies, gain valuable experience, look for gaps in the market, and then develop
develop worthy competitors or simply be content to have a good job in a good company
that they do not own.
In conclusion, I feel that the rising number of new companies has led to a cult of
overconfidence. If more people were satisfied working for others rather than pursuing
unrealisable ambitions, this would likely lead to better consumer products across the
board as well as increased national economic prosperity.
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 12: Railyway Lines (by Dave)
In a number of countries, some people think it is necessary to spend large sums
of money on constructing new railway lines for very fast trains between cities.
Others believe the money should be spent on improving existing public
transport.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Cambridge IELTS 12
Governments must always balance demands for newer modes of transport, including
newer railway lines to connect cities, with maintaining current transportation
infrastructure. In my opinion, the maintanence of current transport has a greater overall
impact although the importance of fast trains will make life more convenient for
commuters in the short-term.
The rationale for investing in newer, faster railway lines is that they will make it easier
for people to travel between cities. Recent examples of this can be seen in Japan,
which is famous for its ‘bullet trains’ that allow residents to traverse the country in a
matter of hours. This provides an economic boon by allowing businessmen to travel
easily from city to city. Moreover, tourists can also use these trains for convenient
transnational travel, thereby making the country more tourist-friendly and helping to
expand the industry.
Although I concede the above advantages, the majority of people are served by already
existing forms of public transportation. Tourists and businessmen travelling between
cities are the exception compared with those travelling inside cities. These travellers
rely on buses, subways and city streets to get around. Simple improvements or
additions to a subway line impacts millions of people. A new bus route can help workers
get to and from work more easily. Even the lowering of fares is a reform that would
benefit less affluent travellers.
In conclusion, cities that are more concerned with actual improvements, rather than
publicity grabbing headlines, should focus on the most-used forms of public transport. In
the future high speed rails may even become redundant as people commute less and
transition to jobs based primarily online.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Environmental Problems Plants and
Animals (IELTS Cambridge 14)
Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of
particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more
important environmental problems.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Many are of the opinion that the risks for endangered plants and wildlife are the most
severe consequences of our worsening environment while others would argue that
other problems are more pressing. While I consider the impact of recurring natural
disasters to be important, in my opinion the loss of wildlife is the most serious threat to
the environment.
The rise in recent catastrophic natural disasters has been strongly linked to climate
change. Many scientists have made the case that incremental rises in temperature,
specifically involving the oceans, has increased the frequency and potency of
hurricanes, tsunamis, and blizzards. There are countless instances of these from the
last two decades but the tsunami affecting mainly Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in
2004 is a particularly striking example. This was the largest natural disaster this century
and resulted in thousands of deaths, injuries and billions of dollars in damages, the
effects of which set these developing nations back economically for years. People lost
their lives, homes, and livelihood in many cases.
The main reason that many people including myself are so focused on plant and animal
life is because of the rising number of endangered animals in recent decades. One of
the most well-known examples of this is the often cited case of polar bears. Polar bears
live mainly in the Arctic and recent melting of the polar ice caps has resulted in reduced
ice for polar bears to hunt on. Polar bears have become an endangered species and it
is often forecast that by 2100 they will be entirely extinct in the wild. Their extinction will
likely have a domino effect on the fragile ecosystems of the arctic and other endangered
animals like seals and narwhales. This is just one example of the impact of global
warming on animals and plants of our planet. Extinction is irreversible and there is no
more lasting impression we can leave than to deplete the world entirely of a species.
In my opinion, the loss of ecological diversity trumps any other environmental concerns.
In order to remedy this problem governments and individuals need to take serious steps
to not only invest more in conservation efforts for endangered animals but also work
towards long term reforms related to fossil fuels, carbon emissions and the other
apparent catalysts for climate change.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Acceptance / Unsatisfactory (IELTS
Cambridge 14) by Dave 
Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an
unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others argue that it is better to try and
improve such situations. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Many people find themselves in situations where they must either accept what life has
given them or find a way to move up in the world. In my opinion, although accepting
your situation in life may be pragmatic in some cases, it is still better to at least strive to
improve your situation as it can usually be bettered to some degree.
On the one hand, the vast majority of people are unable to drastically change their
situation and acceptance of this fact will make them feel more satisfied with their lives.
The best example of this would be those people living in dire economic conditions.
Recent research puts the Democratic Republic of Congo as one of the poorest nations
on Earth, both due to a lack of developed infrastructure and internal strife in recent
years. For a person living in a small village, ravaged by war or famine, it would be cruel
to suggest that they should find a way to improve their lives when it might simply be
impossible. Instead, such people may feel they are better off accepting that they cannot
make any changes to their situation at the present moment and just focus on their own
survival and that of their family. These situations are rare but do exist around the world
in various countries, particularly if they are at war or experiencing a severe economic
downturn.
On the other hand, few would dispute the fact that in even the most difficult situations
people can make their lives better through continued effort. Instances of people who
worked hard and became successful abound in both developed and developing nations.
Some relevant examples of this are the postwar situations of countries like Germany,
Japan, and South Korea. All those countries were devastated by war to greater and
lesser degrees yet they are all currently economic powerhouses. In Japan, World War 2
left their population depleted of workers, a deep national debt due to reparations and
infrastructure reduced to rubble. By not accepting their situation they were able to
become leaders in technology through notable companies like Sony, Nokia and Toyota.
The efficacy of the individuals who had to work hard to improve their lives is reflected in
the overall progress of the country and should serve as an example to all war-torn
nations.
To conclude, there are very few situations where it would be advisable to simply accept
an unhappy situation because hard work over a long period will pay off to some degree
in the vast majority of cases. By having a more positive attitude it is also more likely that
your efforts to make a better life will be rewarded, while a more defeatist attitude is likely
to reduce your chances to make changes in life.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Scientific Research (IELTS Cambridge 12)
by Dave
Some people believe that it is good to share as much information as possible in
scientific research, business, and the academic world. Others believe that some
information is too important or too valuable to be shared freely.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
The question of how much information relevant to various areas of scientific and
academic research should be shared is becoming more and more important as the pace
of technological innovation quickens and the internet allows for instant collaboration. In
my opinion, information is a valuable, potentially dangerous asset and should only be
shared freely in particular circumstances.
Advocates of freely sharing information rightly argue that collaboration leads to faster
results. This applies to scientists, who can help each by offering their individual
research results, businesses, which can work together as long as they are not
competitors on advertising or product development, as well as academics, who need
fresh perspectives to push their work to higher plateaus. Take for example the potential
for sharing information in the business world. Google has built their successful
advertising business by working together with various companies and sharing
information. Google collects a variety of statistics related to users including their location
and interests. This information is shared with advertisers who can then better target ads
for users. It allows the consumer to see more relevant products and services and the
companies advertising to target their audience more efficiently.
While there are decided advantages like the one mentioned above, information is still a
valuable asset that individuals and companies should safeguard. In a perfect world, we
might expect people to openly share everything they know but the social and economic
constructions of our actual world make this a naive proposition. One interesting example
of this is from a recent news article about Elon Musk where he explained why his rocket
company SpaceX does not apply for patents on any new technology. He reasoned that
his main competitors are governments, not private companies. If his company discloses
its innovations then domestic and foreign governments can take advantage of the
shared technology and potentially disrupt his business. This is just one example of how
sharing can prove damaging in a capitalist society.
In conclusion, though sharing might be a valid standpoint in a perfect world, it is not
feasible under current global conditions. Instead of looking to increase sharing,
governments should do more to support innovative companies and researchers. This
will have a larger overall impact.
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 13: Transportation (by Dave)
Some people think that governments should invest mainly in making public
transportation faster while other think there are more important priorities (cost,
the environment). Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
While many are of the opinion that the most important factor in public transport is speed,
others value areas such as cost and the environment. In my opinion, although there are
a number of key considerations, speed is by far the most important.
Two of the most commonly addressed areas of public transport are cost and the
environment. In Vietnam, the quality of the public transport buses is very low and they
produce a lot of air pollution. However, they are very cheap and this allows the residents
who need them the most, typically students and low-wage earners, to afford them. In an
ideal world the government would have cheap buses that produce little exhaust, but
cost and environmental concerns will always be in conflict. In developing countries, it
makes sense to emphasise the expense of tickets while developed countries have the
wealth and responsibility to try to better balance these competing policy influences.
Although these are worthwhile considerations, speed of transport should be the main
rationale as it has a trickle down effect on the economy and quality of life of a country.
For example, Japan has a famously fast and efficient system of railways both inside
cities and connecting provinces within the country. If someone has a family, faster
transport allows them to spend more time with their family both before and after work.
This can enhance the quality of life of working class people. It also means that they will
get to work faster, get more work done during the day and have more time to recuperate
for the next day. Over years and decades this has hastened Japan’s development into
one of the world’s leading economies.
In my opinion, cost and the environment are crucial for ordinary people and the future of
our planet but speed has a greater effect on people in both the short and long-term.
Governments that focus on faster public transport will reap the rewards for decades and
be able to reinvest that money in areas like the environment, education, and
healthcare. 
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 13: Traffic and Road Safety (by
Dave)
Some people believe that the best way to increase the road safety is to increase the
minimum legal age for driving cars. To what extent do you agree or disagree.
Many are of the opinion that raising the age at which people can get driving licenses is
the best way to make roads safer. Although this will help prevent some accidents due to
inexperience, I strongly feel that it is more important to focus on safer roads through
improved urban planning.
The main justification that proponents of raising the age at which people can drive will
often cite is the number of accidents attributed to inexperience. In the USA, most
teenagers get their driving permit around age 16. There are a couple of factors that can
lead a 16 year-old to cause more accidents than someone in their 20s. The first is that
they simply do no have as much road experience. They have only dealt with a limited
number of experiences and are more likely to make poor decisions at pivotal moments.
The other reason is that many American teenagers begin drinking alcohol around this
age even though the legal age is 21. Teenagers are notoriously irresponsible and they
have not developed strategies for handling alcohol when driving. All people, when
drunk, are dangerous but it is especially dangerous if they are inexperienced in terms of
both alcohol and driving.
Even though these are valid points, I do no think they outweigh the number of accidents
that poor urban planning and infrastructure cause. There will always be other causes
that include young drivers, driving while under the influence and road rage but the only
factor that plays a hand in nearly all accidents relates to how the roads have been
planned. Take the city of New Orleans for example. The urban planners in New Orleans
constructed the city with almost entirely one-way streets. This may make it inconvenient
at times but it has also resulted in one of the lowest accident rates in the USA. It has
also allowed for the construction of parallel streetcars that have also greatly reduced the
number of accidents. Cities around the world have replicated this approach by
increasing the number of one-way streets and working streetcars into the city plan and
seen reciprocal declines in vehicular accidents.
I believe that urban planning, despite not being a well-publicized cause, is the main
source of most accidents around the world and raising the legal driving age would have
little real impact. The more cities that begin to focus their attention on the causes, rather
than the symptoms, of accidents the safer our roads will be for ourselves and future
generations.
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 13: Newspapers and the Media
(by Dave)
Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn news. However,
others believe that they can learn news better through other media. Discuss both
views and give your opinion
Newspapers have been considered the most reliable news source for more than a
century but in recent decades newer forms of media have supplanted their influence.
Some feel that these new sources of news are better but in my opinion, newspapers are
by far better because of the amount of time and research that writers put into their
articles.
The main reason that many people prefer newer media outlets is that they deliver news
more quickly across a variety of convenient platforms. The most notable example of this
is online news. The vast majority of people get their news from Facebook and other
social media websites which aggregate articles from various online publishers, including
the online version of print newspapers in some cases. The problem here is that
websites are solely concerned with increasing traffic and getting news up as fast as
possible. It is a common occurrence for a website to publish news quickly in order to
beat others to the scoop before it has been properly verified or even thoughtfully
analysed. The result is hordes of people clicking on links to amuse themselves for a
minute without casting a critical eye over the veracity of the news. These articles are
then shared online or by word of mouth and false information spreads rapidly.
Despite the conveniences of online media, the news that is printed in newspapers has
been better researched and verified in most cases. Newspapers frequently devote
entire departments to long-term investigative journalism. A standout example of this
would be the Boston Globe’s years long investigation into sexual abuse by the Catholic
church. They carefully interviewed victims and put together a convincing case which led
to long-lasting reforms and convictions of some individuals. They also published stories
on the topic for over a year which allowed for detailed and thoughtful analysis of the
problem, suggestions for solutions, and articles on wider societal implications. This type
of reporting is anathema to the fervent pace of online media.
In conclusion, even though newspapers are a dying industry I think they are more
informative and trustworthy than the largely online institutions that are replacing them.
This trend is irreversible and will have consequences for the future of democracies
around the world as people become less informed.
 
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 13: Agriculture (by Dave)
In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still
go hungry. Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem?
Recent years have witnessed tremendous developments in agricultural science yet
every day people all over the world continue to suffer and even die from hunger. In my
opinion, this is because innovations rarely impact the developing world and the best
solution for it is to direct humanitarian funding towards these advances.
The main cause of more advanced agricultural methods not reaching the people who
need it the most is that the developing world has trouble implementing these methods.
There are a number of reasons for this ranging from limited financial resources to poor
existing infrastructure to political instability, depending on the country in question. One
example of this would be in many African nations, where malnourishment has
historically been highest. Countries like the Congo have seen revolution after revolution
over the last several decades, which has effectively destabilised the entire country. The
universities where students would learn about changes in agriculture are frequently shut
down or destroyed. The young people who would become agricultural scientists end up
drawn into the conflict as soldiers or victims. Long-term economic neglect means that
the government has very limited ability to subsidise farming. These problems are
present to varying degrees in countries around the world and offer one possible
explanation for the continued prevalence of hunger.
The solution that I believe would be most effective is directing humanitarian funds
previously focused on food aid towards education and agricultural infrastructure. Food
aid is a notoriously poor solution because it only offers an immediate solution and
warlords often exploit it to support their continued mistreatment of their people. It hurts
more than it helps. However, there would be better long-term effects if international
organisations and governments redirected that money into helping build better farms,
provide more modern equipment, and sending qualified professions to train people in
need. There is a TedTalk by a young man in Kenya who built his own windmill out of old
bicycle parts and by reading a book in the local library. It is large enough to power his
own house and he was seeking financing for a larger one that would power irrigation
channels for the entire village. If more people like him can be found or trained then this
will have an impact that lasts for decades and is relatively impervious to the factors
preventing agricultural advances from taking root in developing countries.
In conclusion, developing companies face myriad problems that hinder their ability to
take advantage of newer agricultural models and we should direct more funding to
helping these countries learn more about new farming methods. This is likely to be an
important issue in the world as the gap between rich and poor, develop and
undeveloped widens while technological progress continues its indifferent march
forward.
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 13: History (by Dave)
Some people say history is one the most important school subjects. Other people
think that, in today’s world, subjects like science and technology are more
important than history. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
There are many people who have called into question the importance in today’s world of
subjects like history, which do not have an immediately discernible impact on most
future careers. While I think that history should still be mandatory, more practical
subjects related to technology and the arts are more needed in our evolving world.
The main reason that students should study some history in school is that it provides
crucial insights into nations around the world that serve as springboards for later
political beliefs. In America, students learn about the American Revolution, the
constitution and the founding fathers periodically from elementary to high school. They
learn about why the war started (so that the colonies could tax and govern themselves)
as well as the great figures from history like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson,
and Benjamin Franklin. Some of the principles students learn include the ideas of
American exceptionalism, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the responsibility
of citizens to vote in a representative democracy. Later in life, most people will lean
liberal or conservative but still hold the same basic convictions about individual liberty
and responsibility. By knowing the context in which these ideas emerged students can
become adults with well-informed political beliefs and it will be more difficult for
unscrupulous politicians to make false assertions about the past.
Although history should still be taught, the practical sciences and arts should be
prioritised because these are more likely to have an impact on a person’s future career.
Very few students will end up with careers in history, as historians or professors, but a
large percentage will work in the arts and especially the sciences. For example, in
Vietnam the most popular university majors are engineering, finance, and graphic
design. If schools emphasise maths at school then this will better prepare them to make
calculations in complex engineering projects or when working at a bank or accountancy
firm. Even learning how to draw and use colors in art class is more useful for students
because of the high demand for graphic designers on websites and advertisements.
Countries that devote more of their educational budget towards these practical subjects
will give students a head start on a potential future career and increase their chances of
having a higher standard of living.
It is clear that in this case a moderate approach is best. School administrators should
not remove history from the timetable but in my opinion they should devote more time
and resources to the teaching of subjects related to technology and the arts. This will
become ever more important as the tech industry continues to dominate the future job
market.
 
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer: Work-Life Balance (by Dave)
Many people try to balance work and other parts of their life. However, this is very
difficult to do. What are the problems associated with this? What is the best way to
achieve a better balance?
People today are increasingly concerned with individual happiness and work-life
balance. The main problem for most people is that work takes up too much time and
causes mental health issues and the best way to achieve this balance is to work more
efficiently.
The primary issues associated with work-life balance are the amount of time people
must spend working and how this impacts their mental health. Since the global financial
crisis of 2008, the job market around the world has become increasingly competitive.
This means that old workers may get pushed out of their jobs by younger graduates
willing to work for less and that new graduates have to put in enormous extra hours to
catch up. The end result is more work, which eats away at a person’s private life. Once
your free time becomes restricted there are a variety of related mental health problems
that can appear. For example, someone who is overworked can suffer from excessive
stress, some forms of depression, and obesity because of the lack of time available to
exercise. That is why there has been a sharp rise in the last decade in these problems.
The best way for people to combat being overworked and get more time for their
personal life is to work more efficiently. In an ideal world, there would be ways to
alleviate the burden that put less stress on individuals but making the most of your time
is a more pragmatic solution. For example, smartphones allow people to get a lot of
work done in what were previously wasted hours in the past. You can send emails,
make phone calls, and use productivity applications when waiting for the bus, train, or
standing in line. People will have to make the choice not to scroll through Facebook or
read the news but that is a small sacrifice to have some extra time at the end of the day
to do their hobbies or spend time with a loved one.
In conclusion, the problems associated with poor work-life balance are especially
apparent because of the current economic climate and the best solution is to find ways
to maximise efficiency. If more people changed their daily habits related to social media
and using the internet, then they might be able to find more worthwhile passions and not
feel as though their life is passing them by.
 
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 13: Choice (by Dave)
Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
experience or knowledge.
Write at least 250 words.
 
It is common nowadays to hear people decrying the number of choices people have
relative to the past and proclaiming the drawbacks of so many easily-available options
in a variety of areas of life. While I think that there is some truth in this, increased choice
is ultimately a positive trend because it opens up options outside the mainstream.
The main reason why increased choice is considered a negative development is it
makes life more complicated. Take for example the number of products people can
choose from today. Supermarkets are filled with different brands with hardly any
meaningful differences. This can cause people to waste time and energy making
choices with little actual impact. This is also the case when it comes to online streaming
services like Netflix, Hulu and HBO. Not only do people have to spend time researching
these sites but once they make a choice they are limiting what they will be able to watch
in the future. If they decide to subscribe to all of them, suddenly they will be paying
upwards of $40 a month for basic viewing content. These are a couple of ways in which
choice can take up time and make life more complex.
Although choice introduces a level of complexity to life, the main benefit is that it opens
up options for people outside dominant cultural trends. The best example of this is the
changes that have taken place in the music industry over the last 20 years with the
advent of iTunes and streaming services. In the past, the big pop acts dominated the
radio and album sales. Now the music scene is much more fractured. This makes it
more difficult for some artists but also opens up the possibility that you can find a niche
of music that you and some other people love. This has been replicated in other areas
like podcasting, painting, and film as well. People can find what interests them outside
of what major companies are trying to push. That is why increased choice is positive
taken as a whole.
In conclusion, the drawbacks of increased choice do not outweigh the advantages
gained by allowing people to explore what interests them the most. In the future, this will
continue and present challenges but also allow for a more diverse cultural experience
for rich and poor alike, all over the world.
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 12: Young People (by Dave)
At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large
number of young adults, compared with the number of older people.
Do the advantage of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?
The average age of the population for many nations around the world has been in
decline in recent decades creating a situation where young people have become the
world’s largest demographic, particularly in developing nations. Although there are
decided drawbacks to this phenomenon related to expertise in the workforce, it is still a
positive development because it will lead to booming economies in the coming years.
The most frequently cited drawback to having a predominately young population is the
lack of skilled workers in many important industries. A great example of this can be
seen in Vietnam, which has one of the youngest populations in the world. Vietnam
currently has very few leaders in important areas like engineering and technology.
When it came time for Ho Chi Minh city to build a subway system, there were not
enough skilled engineers to accomplish the feat. They had to hire a huge number of
specialists from Japan and Thailand to ensure the quality of the project. The potential
engineers for this project are still in school in Vietnam or studying abroad and it may be
another decade before they are ready to design and execute large, complex
infrastructure. It is not uncommon for developing countries with young populations to
require outside assistance for national projects to the detriment of their own workers.
Despite this drawback, the advantage of a young population is that it brings many future
benefits to a country and is a key indicator of future economic prosperity. Japan
famously has one of the oldest populations in the world and this has led them into a
deep economic recession over the last 20 years as it becomes increasingly apparent
that the nation will have to assume responsibilities related to healthcare and a dwindling
workforce. Contrast this with the so-called ‘Tiger Economies’ of Southeast Asia that
include Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. These countries have some of the
youngest populations in the world, which, coupled with a growing middle class and
better education, means that they will enjoy upward economic growth for decades to
come. The middle class will expand because well-educated graduates will be able to get
good jobs and this middle class will become a consumer class that feeds the economy.
Overall, this is why having a young population is desirable for any nation.
In conclusion, I fully believe that a younger population indicates a country is going to be
successful in the future. The key element for all young populations is education and
governments should focus on this in order to fully exploit the benefits of their
demographics.
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer: Foreign Languages (by Dave)
Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause
serious social problems, as well as practical problems. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this statement?
One of the biggest social and practical challenges that people living abroad face is the
language barrier. I believe that this can lead to very serious social problems in many
countries but technology has made the practical issues less relevant over the last
several decades.
The main reason that having to speak a foreign language can cause social problems is
through the breakdown in understanding between people of different cultures. The most
salient example of this is in the United States where there has been an influx of
Hispanic immigrants, especially along the Southern border. These immigrants are
typically able to integrate well if they learn English but those that have not learned have
provoked social problems and even violent reactions. Many English speaking residents
resent the immigrants failure to integrate and this has resulted in discriminatory
practices and widespread racism towards Hispanics. This in turn has caused many
Hispanics to develop an antipathy towards other residents and segregate themselves in
homogeneous neighborhoods.
There are comparatively fewer practical problems caused by not knowing the language
of the country where you live because of the development of technology in general and
smartphones in particular. Computers have made it much easier to look up directions,
find important information and get quick translations. Smartphones have made this even
easier. If someone doesn’t know the language of the country where they live, they can
still find restaurants to their liking on Facebook and get simple directions through
Google Maps. They can even order food online without having to use another language
at all. If they need to communicate with someone who does not speak their language
they can simply take out their phone and use Google translate to slowly, but effectively,
convey a message. The problems that not knowing the language of the country where
you live causes are therefore minimal and easily overcome.
In conclusion, I only partly agree with the statement in question. Not knowing a
language when living abroad can cause social unrest but pragmatic concerns have
been mitigated by recent technology. In the future, it will become even less important to
know the language of the country where you live although there is great potential for
increased social unrest and heightened tensions in many parts of the world.
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people think that it is a waste of money for countries to host big sporting
events like the world cup, and that the money would be better spent on other
things. However, others think that hosting large sporting events has a clear,
positive impact on a country.
Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
There is fierce competition between nations to host major international sports events
like the World Cup or Olympics as it is a unique opportunity to boost the national
reputation of the host nation. In spite of its undeniable benefits, I believe that the costs
are too great and therefore governments should prioritise other key issues to better
benefit their citizens.
 On the one hand, becoming a host nation for global events such as the World Cup or
the Olympics brings a number of economic and infrastructural benefits. During these
events, there is an influx of tourists from all over the world who need places to stay,
restaurants to eat in and traditional products to purchase. The efforts made to cater to
these tourists will remain long after they have gone. The cost of renovating a hotel might
pay for itself during the event and then begin turning a large profit in later years. The
other main area of development is related to the rapid expansion of quality
infrastructure. Nations will be forced to invest in new sports facilities like swimming
pools and stadiums as well as make renovations to pre-existing infrastructure like roads
and airports. For example, China used the Beijing Olympics as an opportunity to
modernise old buildings and roads.
 On the other hand, these competitions use up tremendous resources from the host
nation for a temporary competition. To ensure the success of these prestigious events,
governments must waste a large percentage of the nation budget in the years leading
up to the competition, oftentimes in the billions of dollars. The newly constructed
facilities usually fall into disuse after each tournament. A salient example of this is Brazil
as many of the swimming pools and sports facilities that were used in the 2014
Olympics are currently abandoned and becoming decrepit. Meanwhile, there are other
pressing issues that have been festering including the need for new schools for
underprivileged students and quality healthcare for the elderly population. If the
government had prioritised these issues the country would be in a better position and its
citizens would have a higher standard of living.
 To summarize, due to the exorbitant costs, I am of the belief that the government
should not allocate such a large percentage of its financial resources to hosting global
events with negligible long-term impact. Instead these events should be hosted in the
same countries year after year so that the new infrastructure pays for itself over time.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Overpopulation
Traffic and housing problems in major cities could be solved by moving
companies, factories and their employees to the countryside. Do you agree or
disagree?
Many people claim that moving companies, factories and their employees from cities to
the countryside might ameliorate some of the worst traffic and housing issues. I strongly
believe that this is a suitable solution for those two particular city problems.
Moving the facilities of major corporations to the countryside will reduce traffic problems
by encouraging more people to live in the countryside for their work. It is widely known
that more people live in cities today than ever before and this has caused terrible traffic.
For example, in Beijing it is not uncommon for gridlocked motorways to delay motorists
for hours. Travelers depend on getting in to Beijing for their livelihood but if their jobs
were in the countryside, or a nearby suburb, they could live outside the city and reduce
traffic. This would have a major impact on overcrowded cities like Beijing that lose
billions of dollars a year because of time wasted in traffic jams, according to recent
research.
Moving factories and employees to the countryside will also help to mitigate housing
issues in cities. In many developing countries, the rush of people from the country to the
city has necessitated the construction of massive skyscrapers. A lot of these
underdeveloped cities such as Mexico City and Lagos do not have the sophisticated
infrastructure including efficient plumbing, clean water and trash collection that is
needed to service a concentrated population. By moving jobs and people to the
countryside, developing countries will have more time to improve their infrastructure to
deal with surging urban populations.
In conclusion, moving people to the countryside will help to reduce traffic and housing
problems, especially in developing countries. If more governments studied this closely
and enacted laws to encourage people to move, it would greatly improve the quality of
life for everyone living in the city.
SAMPLE ANSWER 1: MOSTLY DISAGREE
Museums and art galleries should focus on works that show the history and
culture of their own country rather than works of other parts of the world.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many people claim that it is more important for museums to display work from the
country where they are located rather than draw from other places around the world. I
partly agree that museums are a valuable educational tool to learn about one’s own
country but overall museums should aspire to broaden people’s perspective rather than
narrow and deepen it.
Proponents of museums mainly showcasing works from their own country often point
out that they help people connect with their country’s culture and history. Children all
over the United States learn about American history from their textbooks. They learn
about the constitution, the founding fathers, and the various wars of liberation America
has fought. However, if they go to a museum to see the actual historical documents
from the period this will likely have a more memorable impression. Seeing a famous
work of art or historical document up close, they may notice notice details that were not
in their book and feel a more personal connection to their country.
Although there is a strong argument to be made for museums specialising in this way, I
feel it is more important for people to gain a broader view of cultures around the world.
Most people cannot afford to travel abroad and even if they do, they are unlikely to
experience another culture deeply as a tourist. Museums are a great opportunity for
people of all ages to learn about other countries. Someone visiting the British Museum
in London will see artifacts from every continent in the world without a plane ticket. Over
the years if they keep returning to the museum they will learn more and more.
Museums will inevitable show a mixture of works from their own country as well as other
countries. In my opinion, it is more important for people to take in the breadth of culture
of the whole world rather than just their country. If children start from a young age
learning about the world they are likely to grow up more tolerant.
SAMPLE ANSWER 2: MOSTLY AGREE
There is natural debate around the issue of whether or not museums should be
showcasing works mainly from their own country or other countries. Although it is
important to learn about other cultures through museums, countries have the right and
responsibility to preserve and maintain their own cultural history.
Proponents of museums showing a variety of works from many different countries
rightly argue that people’s lives are enriched through all these different cultures. For
example, Europe is a relatively small area that packs in dozens of distinct national
identities. Someone going to a museum in a cosmopolitan city like Berlin is likely to find
Italian Renaissance paintings next to modernist Spanish sculpture as well as German
works. This allows people to feel they are travelling around the world and taking in a
variety of viewpoints. Through this exposure to culture they may come to better
understand other nations and have greater insight into what connects and differentiates
countries from each other.
Despite the clear benefits of learning about other cultures, countries have the right to
house the relics of their own history. Many of the museums displaying works from other
countries took them without permission. For example, the British Museum’s collection
was mainly sourced during the height of the British Empire. Many nations have disputed
the right of the museum to house their country’s artifacts and some have been returned.
It is only right that countries keep what was made in their country so that they can
educate their own people about their history. Anything that has been taken without
explicit permission should be returned, just as a thief is required to return what they
have stolen if they are caught.
I think that there is tremendous value in museums displaying works from other countries
but it does not override the basic right of nations to look after their own history. One way
forward would be to encourage museums to have frequent exchanges and temporary
exhibitions.
Some people say that school children should be mainly taught about the
literature (e.g fiction and poetry) of their own country because it is
more important than that of other countries.
To what extent do you agree?
Many think that it is more important to learn about the literature from one’s own country,
rather than other countries. I am in complete agreement with this viewpoint because of
how literature can contribute to both national understanding and individual identity.
The most fundamental reason that children should be exposed to literature from their
own country is to deepen their understanding. For example, young students in America
study a common curriculum including authors like Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, and
Harper Lee. The books from Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein convey principles of
individualism, creativity and entrepreneurship that are key to understanding America’s
history and present. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a good example of a book
focused on a period of racial segregation, that can help students to better understand
recent events around the Black Lives Matter movement. Learning about racism from a
classic novel set in America is more likely to likely engage, inform and stimulate a
relevant response.
Another reason why students need to learn their national literature well is that it will help
to shape their personal identity at an impressionable age. Children will form their identity
from a variety of sources, including the literature of other countries. This is a positive
development. But the main influence should be from their own country so that they are a
true representative of their nationality. A Japanese child growing up abroad could return
to Japan and feel like an outsider. One method of countering this is to make sure they
have a good grasp of poetry and fiction from Japan. From classical poetry they will be
influenced by Japan’s singular minimalist tradition. From the novels, they will learn
about the relationships between people and the differing levels of formality expected in
Japanese society. This will all contribute to making their identity more Japanese.
In conclusion, children will better understand and have their identity firmly shaped by the
literature of their home country. This is becoming increasingly important in a globalized
world that threatens to blur the distinctions between nationalities into a single mono-
culture.
When designing a building, the most important factor is the intended use of the
building rather than its outward appearance.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
When it comes to building design, architects often have to make compromises between
form and function. Many feel that the purpose of the building should dictate these
decisions. I agree that how the building will be used is a key factor, but I think that how it
looks is just as important.
Those who argue that a building should be constructed according to its function are
mainly thinking about the people who will later use the building. If a building is unable to
perform its most basic functions, then it is undoubtedly a failed project. For example, if
an architect is building a primary school then they must consider parking areas, how
cars will pick up and drop off children, where to put the playground, access for people
with disabilities, and that is just the area around the school. A beautiful parking lot that
only has room for a handful of cars is useless. Inside the school, they also need 
classrooms that are large enough, hallways that do not get easily too crowded, a good
number and location of restrooms and many other pragmatic concerns. If the architect is
overly focused on how the school looks, then they may sacrifice ease of use and
practicality.
However, the look of the building is also important because of the role of art in everyday
life. Architecture is often considered one of the original and purest forms of artistic
expression. I am reminded of a quote from Pablo Picasso who said ‘Art washes away
from the soul the dust of everyday life.’ Imagine a city filled with ugly, utilitarian
structures like many Soviet-era buildings. These buildings will not lift people’s spirits or
encourage them to contemplate the intended message. Contrast this with a city where
architects have been given free rein to be artists. As long as the buildings are also
functional, you will find a city filled with beauty and provocation that enhances life for its
inhabitants. The outward appearance does not have to be beautiful, but it has a
responsibility to contribute something to enrich the lives of everyday people.
In conclusion, how a building works is equally as important as how that same building
looks. Form should not follow function but be fused together in order to add to the
aesthetic dimension of a city. It is undoubtedly more challenging, expensive and time-
consuming to achieve this kind of balance, but it is also worth the effort.
Plastic shopping bags are used widely and cause many environmental problems.
Some people say they should be banned.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
No one would deny that the plastic bags used in supermarkets and shops have a
negative effect on the environment because they do not degrade and end up as litter in
our cities or oceans. However, the replacements for plastic bags also carry significant
environmental risks. That is why I think plastic bags should not be banned.
The main environmental side effect related to plastic bags is that they pollute both the
land and water. An insignificant percentage of people may reuse or recycle plastic bags,
but most ultimately litter or throw them in the trash. If they are thrown in the trash,
plastic bags will wind up in the ever-increasing number of landfills and contribute to soil
pollution. The ones that are simply tossed in the street clog drains in cities and
eventually find their way to the sea and entangle marine life. This is why many feel
that plastic bags should be banned.
Despite the advantages of banning plastic bags, the solutions for plastic bags are worse
than the original problem. Most people who advocate banning plastic bags suggest
paper bags (which are biodegradable) or reusable bags that are typically made from
cotton or plastic. Both of these replacements are flawed. Paper bags require us to
continue clearing forests and also carry a large carbon footprint. Reusable bags are
plagued by similar problems. Independent studies have shown that the production of
cotton and reusable plastic causes more harm to the environment than disposable
plastic bags. Coupled with the fact that reusable bags are more difficult to recycle, their
overall effect on the environment is worse.
I do not think overly simplistic restrictions on plastic bags would have the desired
positive effect. Rather than thoughtlessly banning them, policy makers should come up
with a policy that balances the materials we use for bags in order to produce an overall
positive impact on the environment.
Task 2 IELTS Sample Answer
Living in large cities today poses many problems for people.
What are these problems? Should governments encourage more people to live in
smaller towns?
 More and more people live in cities today than at any point in the past and this trend
will likely continue in the future. This has resulted in many problems including extreme
overcrowding and governments should take measures to make living outside cities
more attractive.
There are a wide range of drawbacks associated with the rise of modern cities but one
of the most obvious issues is related to population density. The large number of people
crammed into a relatively small area has caused expensive housing, increased traffic
and severe pollution. For example, apartment prices in mega-cities like Tokyo and New
York have soared to the point where only the wealthiest inhabitants can afford decent
living standards. Regardless of financial status, all city dwellers have to deal with more
and more traffic jams as the population increases while the area of cities remains fixed.
Finally, all these people living and travelling in one place puts a tremendous strain on
the environment and some cities, like Beijing in China, have become dangerously
polluted.
In my opinion, governments have a duty to encourage citizens to move to more rural
areas. If cities continue to expand unabated then the above problems will only get
worse. We might one day find ourselves living in densely packed, heavily polluted cities
that resemble scenes from a dystopian science fiction film. In order to prevent this from
happening, the government can give tax breaks to companies that choose to locate
offices and production facilities outside the city. This will provide more jobs for people
who are willing to live in the countryside.
In conclusion, the concerns related to overcrowding in cities can and should be
somewhat countered by governments incentivising living in rural areas. If this is done
then we may still face problems related to cities in the future, but at least they will not be
as serious.
Recent research has shown that business meetings and training are increasingly
taking place online.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Sample Answer
Many businesses today choose to hold meetings and do training online, rather than in
person. While this has certain drawbacks related to interpersonal relationships, I still
feel this is a positive trend because of its positive impact on employees with families. In
this essay, I will discuss both sides in detail.
Conducting the majority of business meetings online has a potentially negative effect on
the social dynamics of a company. The preference for online communication sacrifices
essential elements of human interaction in the name of a more efficient, utilitarian
process. When people sit in a room together, for training or a meeting, they are more
likely to form strong interpersonal bonds. They will be able to see each other’s body
language better and there is a good chance they may socialise in person afterwards.
For example, employees might go for drinks or even just have a private chat about the
meeting or training while still at work. This is much less likely to happen when people
are working from home or a remote location and using online tools like Skype to
communicate.
Companies that choose to do more training and have more meetings online are making
life more convenient for their employees with families. At some point in their lives, most
people must face the challenge of working and having a family. If both the mother and
father work, then one of them might have to give up their job to stay home or they will
have to hire an expensive caretaker to look after their child during the day. If more
meetings and training took place online, this could free up time for people in certain
jobs, such as IT workers, to work entirely from home and look after their children during
the day. They will still have to make time for the training and meetings but at least they
won’t waste valuable time commuting to the office.
The move towards increased online training and meetings may sacrifice some of the
social aspects of work but this is more than made up for by the convenience it allows
working families. In many families today, both the mother and father have to work to
make ends meet and we should support any efforts to relieve their financial and
physical burdens.
Some are of the opinion that people are naturally born as good leaders while
others feel that leadership skills can be learned.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
 
Sample Answer
It is often said that important people are born with certain characteristics that enable
them to become great leaders. The alternative view is that leadership is a learnable
quality. Personally, I agree with the latter viewpoint because training and experience are
more important than innate ability in this situation.
It is somewhat true that many individuals are born with distinctive personal traits that
allow them the opportunity to become talented leaders. Leaders tend to be those who
are charming and persuasive. In contrast, those who lack of these characteristics may
have a difficulty inspiring the belief and loyalty that all leaders require and end up as
followers rather than leaders. For instance, a salesman who often fails to convince his
clients to sign a deal may be dissuaded from becoming the sales team leader since he
does not believe that he has what it takes to be one. The more convincing salesmen are
more likely to rise to that role.
However, there are also people who assert that leadership skills can actually be
achieved through proper training and effort. That is why there is a larger number of
institutes offering leadership training programmes helping those who want to learn the
skills required to be a leader. Public speaking is one of many skills these schools can
teach. Individuals who are shy and lack confidence can find their feet in the leadership
battle by learning the essence of good body language, pronunciation, and other
elements of good public speaking. This will in turn make them better leaders.
In conclusion, although some traits related to leadership are likely inherited there is
tremendous room for people to grow into positions of responsibility if they apply
themselves fully to learning the skills and personal characteristics of great leaders.