IELTS Essay Writing

Sample 1

Write about the following topic:

Some people think women should be allowed to join the army, the navy and the air force just like
men. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

Introduction:

Whether women should be allowed to serve in the military has triggered spirited debate. Some
assert that the status quo should be changed and women should be entitled to join the armed
forces. Personally, I fundamentally agree with their assertion for three reasons.

Analysis:

This introduction consists of 3 sentences:

1) Paraphrase of question. No opinion stated.

2) Opinion (Supporters or Opponents) - usually use the uncommon opinion

3) Your own opinion

Structure: Types of sentences used:

Sentence 1: Complex sentence (Passive inserted)

Sentence 2: Compound sentence (Passive inserted)

Sentence 3: Simple sentence

Vocabulary:
triggered (v) caused
that women are not allowed to join the army (explained in the
status quo
second part of the sentence)

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 spirited debate hot discussion
status que present/current situation
be entitled to have the right to
fundamentally strongly
assertion claim

Coherence and Cohesion:

some some people (people is omitted)
their refers back to (some people) in the previous sentence
for three reasons connects the introduction to the following body paragraphs

Body Paragraph 1:

History has shown that women are fully capable of performing well in the military. Historically,
there were a host of valiant women soldiers whose achievements really put their male
counterparts to shame. One need only look at the classic examples of Joan of Arc and Mulan to
see how exceptionally women could perform on the battlefield. In my observation, their
determination, courage and dignity, to this day, are still being admired by male soldiers and
civilians alike throughout the world.

Analysis:

Topic sentence 1 (Reason 1): History has shown that women are fully capable of performing
well in the military.

Type of sentence: Simple

Supporting idea: Historically, there were a host of valiant women soldiers whose achievements
really put their male counterparts to shame.

Type of sentence: Complex (... whose ...)

Example: One need only look at the classic examples of Joan of Arc and Mulan to see how
exceptionally women could perform on the battlefield.

Type of sentence: Complex (infinitive)

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Closing sentence: In my observation, their determination, courage and dignity, to this day, are
still being admired by male soldiers and civilians alike throughout the world.

Type of sentence: Complex (Passive Continuous)

Vocabulary:

a host of many
valiant brave
counterparts equivalents
put ... to shame embarrass
exceptionally unusually

Coherence and Cohesion:

whose refers back to women soldiers

male counterparts refers back to males who join the army and the navy
their determination refers back to women soldiers

Body Paragraph 2:

Moreover, from an enlightened standpoint, female patriots should be granted the right to go to
the front line when their motherland is involved in a war. Admittedly, gender inequality was a
highly controversial issue in the twentieth century. However, now twelve years into the new
millennium, women can learn and teach, work and supervise, vote and be voted in most countries
just like men. In light of this sweeping progress in gender equality, there is no sense in denying
them the right to defend their home country when a war breaks out.

Topic sentence 2 (Reason 2): Moreover, from an enlightened standpoint, female patriots should
be granted the right to go to the front line when their motherland is involved in a war.

Type of sentence: Complex (Passive Modals / when ...)

Supporting idea (part 1): Admittedly, gender inequality was a highly controversial issue in the
twentieth century.

Type of sentence: Simple

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Supporting idea (part 2): However, now twelve years into the new millennium, women can
learn and teach, work and supervise, vote and be voted in most countries just like men.

Type of sentence: Simple

Closing sentence: In light of this sweeping progress in gender equality, there is no sense in
denying them the right to defend their home country when a war breaks out.

Type of sentence: Complex

Vocabulary:

enlightened standpoint rational viewpoint

controversial issue debatable topic
sweeping progress great development

Coherence and Cohesion:

Moreover connects the two body paragraphs

However connects the two parts of the supporting idea
this sweeping progress refers back to the change in opinion mentioned previously
them / their refers back to women soldiers

Conclusion:

In sum, keeping military services out of bounds of women in the information age is unwarranted.
I have been convinced that it is in the best interest of a nation if women are also granted equal
rights in this particular arena.

Summarizing sentence: In sum, keeping military services out of bounds of women in the
information age is unwarranted.

Re-stating opinion: I have been convinced that it is in the best interest of a nation if women are
also granted equal rights in this particular arena.

Vocabulary:

out of bounds not involved

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unwarranted unjustified / not logical
arena field

Coherence and Cohesion:

In sum connects the conclusion to the body paragraphs

this particular arena refers back to the army and the navy

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 Sample 2

Write about the following topic:

Machine translation (MT) is slower and less accurate than human translation and there is no
immediate or predictable likelihood of machines taking over this role from humans.

Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer

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

on the contrary for instance especially because

for these reasons in order to it is true similarly
however it seems to me that for example

It is true that there have been great advances in technology over the last forty years.
___________ the use of mobile phones and e-mail communication are common these days.
___________, machines that translate from one language to another are still in their early stages.

___________ that a machine could never do as good a job as a human, ___________ when it
comes to interpreting what people are saying. ___________, machines can translate statements
such as “Where is the bank?” but even simple statements are not always straightforward
___________ the meaning depends on more than just words ___________ the word “bank” has a
number of different meanings in English. How does a translating machine know which meaning
to take?

___________ understand what people are saying, you need to take into account the relationship
between the speakers and their situation. A machine cannot tell the difference between the
English expression “Look out!” meaning “Be careful!” and “Lookout!” meaning “Put your head
out of the window”. You need a human being to interpret the situation. ___________ with
written language, it is difficult for a machine to know how to translate accurately ___________
we rarely translate every word. ___________, we try to take into consideration how the idea
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would be expressed in the other language. This is hard to do ___________ every language has its
own way of doing and saying things.

___________ I feel that it is most unlikely that machines will take the place of humans in the
field of translating and interpreting. If machines ever learn to think, perhaps then they will be in
a position to take on this role.

Model Answer:

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It is true that there have been great advances in technology over the last forty years. For
example / For instance the use of mobile phones and e-mail communication are common these
days. However, machines that translate from one language to another are still in their early
stages.

It seems to me that a machine could never do as good a job as a human, especially when it
comes to interpreting what people are saying. Of course, machines can translate statements such
as “Where is the bank?” but even simple statements are not always straightforward because the
meaning depends on more than just words. For instance / For example the word “bank” has a
number of different meanings in English. How does a translating machine know which meaning
to take?

In order to understand what people are saying, you need to take into account the relationship
between the speakers and their situation. A machine cannot tell the difference between the
English expression “Look out!” meaning “Be careful!” and “Lookout!” meaning “Put your head
out of the window”. You need a human being to interpret the situation.

Similarly with written language, it is difficult for a machine to know how to translate accurately
because we rarely translate every word. On the contrary, we try to take into consideration how
the idea would be expressed in the other language. This is hard to do because every language has
its own way of doing and saying things.

For these reasons I feel that it is most unlikely that machines will take the place of humans in
the field of translating and interpreting. If machines ever learn to think, perhaps then they will be
in a position to take on this role.

Sample 3

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Write about the following topic:

Many newspapers and magazines feature stories about the private lives of famous people. We
know what they eat, where they buy their clothes and who they love. We also often see pictures
of them in private situations. Is it appropriate for a magazine or newspaper to give this kind of
private information about people? Give reasons for your answer.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer

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

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

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

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

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Sample 4 In my opinion, this type of gossip about people's private lives should not be in
newspapers for several reasons. Firstly, for example, the fact that Princess Diana is going out
with a sportsman is not important news. Secondly, if newspapers want to publish articles about
famous people they should focus on their public events and achievements. In other words, if
there is an article about Princess Diana it should be about her works of charity, which will
increase public awareness of important problems. In addition, journalists should make sure that
they write about the facts only, not rumors. One should be able to rely on newspapers for the
actual truth. Magazines, on the other hand, focus on social news. But I feel it is more acceptable
for them to contain some features about famous personalities. In addition to being popular
reading, these stories often benefit the stars by giving free publicity to them, thereby helping
their careers. However, I also believe that magazine stories should not mention things that are
too embarrassing or untrue just to attract people to buy the magazine. Sensational stories, such as
these, cause great unhappiness to the people concerned. In conclusion, I think newspapers should
concentrate on real news but magazines

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people
feel that certain workers like nurses, doctors and teachers are undervalued and should be paid
more, especially when other people like film actors or company bosses are paid huge sums of
money that are out of proportion to the importance of the work that they do. -How far do you
agree? -What criteria should be used to decide how much people are paid? You should use your
own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant
evidence. Write at least 250 words. model answer: Nobody can deny that there are certain
professionals like nurses, doctors and teachers who are essential to the fabric of society, and who
should therefore be rewarded accordingly. However, this is seldom the case. When we look at
the salaries and fees commanded by certain film stars and actresses and people who run large
companies, this does not seem fair. First of all, not all film stars earn huge sums of money. In
fact, at any one time in the UK, for example, roughly 80 per cent of actors are out of work and on
top of that the number who are paid so-called ‘telephone number fees’ is even smaller. One must

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also remember that the career of many actors is very short and that therefore the money they earn
has to be spread over many years. The same applies to company bosses. Stating a set of criteria
as to how much people should be paid is not easy. The idea of performance-related pay is very
much in vogue at the moment. Rewarding people according to qualifications has long been used
as a yardstick for paying people, but itis not a consistently good measure. Another is years of
relevant experience, but there are many cases where a younger person can perform a task better
than someone with lots of experience. Whatever criteria are used to assess salaries, an on-going
cycle will develop. This will create pressure in other areas. This considered, generally I feel that
certain key professionals should have their salaries assessed by independent review bodies on an
on-going basis so that they do not fall behind. (269 words) Sample 5 You should spend about 40
minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people consider computers to be
more of a hindrance than a help. Others believe that they have greatly increased human potential.
How could computers be considered a hindrance? Give reasons for your answer and include any
relevant examples from your own experience. Write at least 250 words. Look at the words or
phrases in capitals. Correct your version where necessary. It is easy to understand why some
people THINK computers are more of a hindrance than a help. THINGS LIKE GETTING MY
MONEY BACK FROM BANK or changing a ticket ARE EASY WITHOUT USING
COMPUTER, yet once one is involved, the processcan become time- consuming, complex and
prone to errors. IN ALL THE OFFICESI'VE SEEN, it can sometimes seem that for every hour
saved by computers, at leastset of problems caused by THE COMPUTERS BREAKING
DOWN. THIS WASTES A LOT OF TIME. ALSO, over-enthusiastic use of computers in the
home has the potential to divert large amounts of free time away from THINGS LIKE
socialising, tasking exercise orhaving dinner with your family. Spending a lot of leisure time
looking at a computermonitor screen HINDERS achieving other goals in life, LIKE being
healthy and sociallyintegrated. However, it would be simplistic to SAY that computers ARE
BAD. THEY HAVE CAUSEDENORMOUS IMPROVEMENTS in communications, medicine,
design, education andLOTS OF OTHER THINGS. THESE DAYS, virtually EVERYTHING
WE KNOW is as far away asthe nearest internet point. Computers have brought about a
profound change in thewaymost people in RICH COUNTRIES live. (Although it should not be
forgotten that themajority of the inhabitants of this planet have never EVEN USED A
COMPUTERONCE.) THERE ARE DEFINITELY MORE GOOD THINGS THAN BAD

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THINGS ABOUT COMPUTERS. The question is not DO computers help or hinder, but DO WE
alwaysuseTHEM in a sensible and responsible way? Model Answer: It is easy to understand why
some people believe that computers are more of a hindrance than a help. Operations suchas
obtaining a refund or changing a ticket tend to be fairly straightforward withoutthe aid of a
computer, yet once one is involved, the process can become time- consuming, complex and
prone to errors. In an office environment, it can sometimesseem that for every hour saved by
computers, at least set of problems caused by asystem malfunction. Another consideration is that,
over- enthusiastic use of computers in the home has thepotential to divert large amounts of free
time away from activities such as socialising, tasking exercise or having dinner with your family.
Spending a lot of leisuretime looking at a computer monitor screen could perhaps achieving
other goals in life, such as being healthy and socially integrated. However, it would be simplistic
to assert that computers have a generally negativeimpact. There have been enormous advences in
communications, medicine,design, education and numerous fields of human endeavour.
Nowadays, virtuallytheentire sum of human knowledge is as far away as the nearest internet
point. Computers have brought about a profound change in the way most peoplein the developed
world live. (Although it should not be forgotten that the majorityofthe inhabitants of this planet
have never so much as touched a computer keyboard.)The benefits of computers undoubtedly
outweigh the disadventages. The questionis not whether computers help or hinder, but whether
people always use their hugepotential in a sensible and responsible way? Sample 6 You should
spend about 40 minutes

https://bayanebartar.org/file-dl/library/IELTS1/Ielts-230-Writing-Samples.pdf

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