I. IELTS Writing Task 2 – Discussion

A. Discussion Essay with No Opinion

Some people think that children should be taught to be competitive in school. Others,
however, say that cooperation and team working skills are more important. Discuss
both sides.

Model Answer

People have different perspectives on whether schools ought to focus on teaching children to
compete or work together as a team. While competition is indispensible in today’s changing
world, there are also good reason why it is essential for children to learn to cooperate with
each other.

Children who learn to compete against each other often do better in school, according to
some. In other words, the competition between students motivates them to excel in their
studies or tasks which consequently produces better academic performance and results. For
example, students generally apply themselves and work harder when they are in direct
competition with their classmates. Furthermore, it is commonly believed that being driven to
achieve the best is vital in order to succeed later in life when, as adults, they must compete
against others in the job market.

On the other hand, it is often thought that it is better if the emphasis at school is on
cooperating with others in a team. People do not live, work or socialise apart from others, so
learning how to work alongside others ought to be taught from childhood. Without these
skills, children would lack the ability to communicate with each other or know how to deal
with confrontations and conflicts in a constructive way. Another reason why team skills are
useful for children is that they can learn how to negotiate with others to complete a task
which are useful skills to have for their future.

In conclusion, there are convincing arguments for children to become more competitive, but
it is crucial for a child to work together for a successful performance at school initially and at
work later in life.

Homework: Some people say that nowadays children have an easy life, and others think
that the life of children was easier in the past. Discuss both points of view and also provide
relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

  1  
  

B. Discussion Essay with Opinion

Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a
successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their
education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue
that it is better to go to college or university.

The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young
people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become
independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of
their career, young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may
progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical
skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.

On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies.
Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is
impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a
result, university graduates have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to
earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is
becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one
position in a company. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or
college will not be able to compete.

For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be
successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school level.

Homework: Some people think that environmental problems are too big for individuals to
solve. Others believe individuals can also do some things to solve these problems. Discuss
both views and give your own opinion

  2  
  

II. IELTS Writing Task 2 – Advantages and Disadvantages

A. Essay with NO Opinion

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

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

Before college, many young people are advised that a year of working or travelling may be a
good option. In fact, the experiences gained and money saved are the biggest advantages of
this, but delaying careers and reducing motivation to study are the primary disadvantages.

The main advantages of a gap year are learning more about the world and earning money.
For students who have just finished secondary school, working or travelling for a year will
allow them to learn what life is like outside of the education system. Also, third-level
education is very expensive, and many students decide to work for 12 months and save
money before they begin their studies. The average student at a Vietnam university requires
over $3,000 per annum to survive, and many drop out because they cannot afford to stay.

Despite these advantages, students lose a year that could have been used to advance their
future careers, and they often get used to working or travelling and don’t want to return to a
life of study. As job markets are very competitive, an extra year of experience can make a
massive difference when applying for jobs, and those who took a gap year are at a
disadvantage. Moreover, some decide to bypass university altogether and go straight into a
job that is beneath their capabilities or may not offer the same prospects their future career
might have. For instance, jobs in the service industry are easy to get without a third-level
education, and many gap students fill these roles only to be stuck in them for the rest of their
lives.

In conclusion, taking a break from studies can be advantageous if it allows people to

accumulate savings or learn more about the world. However, they should also be careful that
it does not delay the start of their careers and lead to disillusionment with education.

  3  
  

B. Advantages and Disadvantages Essay with Opinion

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language
at primary schools rather than secondary schools.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Some authorities think that it is more favourable for pupils to begin studying languages at
primary school instead of secondary school. Without a doubt, the earlier someone learns an
additional language, the more likely they are to master it and that it brings added cognitive
benefits, while the primary disadvantage, namely confusion with their native tongue, is quite
insignificant.

The main reason to start young learners off with foreign languages early is that this increases
the likelihood they will achieve fluency in adulthood. That is to say that they will have far
more years to perfect their skills, and speaking bilingually will seem perfectly normal. For
example, in countries such as Holland and Norway, where English is taught from a very
young age, most adults speak it at an advanced level. Learning a second language also helps
to improve overall cognitive abilities. In other words, it benefits the overall development of a
child’s brain. It is well known that bi-lingual children are significantly more likely to score
higher in Mathematics and Science.

Those opposed to this say that it causes the child to become confused between their mother
tongue and the other language. However, there is actually no evidence to support this view
and children from bilingual families do just as well in both languages. Many children were
brought up speaking both Vietnamese and English and outperforms most of their classmates
in both in many schools across Vietnam.

On balance, the fact that early foreign language learning leads to higher fluency and
improved brain function clearly outweighs the flawed argument that it impairs the uptake of
native languages.

  4  
  

III. Opinion essays:

1. A strong answer with two supporting ideas.
Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free
time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual
teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?
Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for both the
individual and society as a whole. However, I do not agree that we should therefore force all
teenagers to do unpaid work.
Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without being given
the added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is just as demanding as a full-
time job, and teachers expect their students to do homework and exam revision on top of
attending lessons every day. When young people do have some free time, we should
encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or to spend it doing sports and other leisure
activities. They have many years of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.
At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obliging young
people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that it goes against the values of a free and
fair society to force a group of people to do something against their will. Doing this can only
lead to resentment amongst young people, who would feel that they were being used, and
parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their children. Currently, nobody is
forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.
In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in my opinion we
should not make this compulsory.
2. A strong answer in which I refute the opposite view.
Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later, and it is often argued
that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the dangers of committing a crime.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is true that ex-prisoners can become normal, productive members of society. I completely
agree with the idea that allowing such people to speak to teenagers about their experiences is
the best way to discourage them from breaking the law.
In my opinion, teenagers are more likely to accept advice from someone who can speak from
experience. Reformed offenders can tell young people about how they became involved in
crime, the dangers of a criminal lifestyle, and what life in prison is really like. They can also
  5  
  
dispel any ideas that teenagers may have about criminals leading glamorous lives. While
adolescents are often indifferent to the guidance given by older people, I imagine that most
of them would be extremely keen to hear the stories of an ex-offender. The vivid and perhaps
shocking nature of these stories is likely to have a powerful impact.
The alternatives to using reformed criminals to educate teenagers about crime would be
much less effective. One option would be for police officers to visit schools and talk to
young people. This could be useful in terms of informing teens about what happens to
lawbreakers when they are caught, but young people are often reluctant to take advice from
figures of authority. A second option would be for school teachers to speak to their students
about crime, but I doubt that students would see teachers as credible sources of information
about this topic. Finally, educational films might be informative, but there would be no
opportunity for young people to interact and ask questions.
In conclusion, I fully support the view that people who have turned their lives around after
serving a prison sentence could help to deter teenagers from committing crimes.
3. A balanced answer.
The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live,
think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in
preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
It is true that many older people believe in traditional values that often seem incompatible
with the needs of younger people. While I agree that some traditional ideas are outdated, I
believe that others are still useful and should not be forgotten.
On the one hand, many of the ideas that elderly people have about life are becoming less
relevant for younger people. In the past, for example, people were advised to learn a
profession and find a secure job for life, but today’s workers expect much more variety and
diversity from their careers. At the same time, the ‘rules’ around relationships are being
eroded as young adults make their own choices about who and when to marry. But perhaps
the greatest disparity between the generations can be seen in their attitudes towards gender
roles. The traditional roles of men and women, as breadwinners and housewives, are no
longer accepted as necessary or appropriate by most younger people.
On the other hand, some traditional views and values are certainly applicable to the modern
world. For example, older generations attach great importance to working hard, doing one’s
best, and taking pride in one’s work, and these behaviours can surely benefit young people as
they enter today’s competitive job market. Other characteristics that are perhaps seen as
traditional are politeness and good manners. In our globalised world, young adults can
expect to come into contact with people from a huge variety of backgrounds, and it is more
important than ever to treat others with respect. Finally, I believe that young people would
lead happier lives if they had a more ‘old-fashioned’ sense of community and
neighbourliness.
In conclusion, although the views of older people may sometimes seem unhelpful in today’s
world, we should not dismiss all traditional ideas as irrelevant.

  6  
  

4. An "almost balanced" answer, favouring one side.

Most people have forgotten the meaning behind traditional or religious festivals; during
festival periods, people nowadays only want to enjoy themselves. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this opinion?
Some people argue that we no longer remember the original meaning of festivals, and that
most of us treat them as opportunities to have fun. While I agree that enjoyment seems to be
the priority during festival times, I do not agree that people have forgotten what these
festivals mean.
On the one hand, religious and traditional festivals have certainly become times for
celebration. In the UK, Christmas is a good example of a festival period when people are
most concerned with shopping, giving and receiving presents, decorating their homes and
enjoying traditional meals with their families. Most people look forward to Christmas as a
holiday period, rather than a time to practise religion. Similar behaviour can be seen during
non-religious festivals, such as Bonfire Night. People associate this occasion with making
fires, watching firework displays, and perhaps going to large events in local parks; in other
words, enjoyment is people’s primary goal.
However, I disagree with the idea that the underlying meaning of such festivals has been
forgotten. In UK primary schools, children learn in detail about the religious reasons for
celebrating Christmas, Easter and a variety of festivals in other religions. For example, in
late December, children sing Christmas songs which have a religious content, and they may
even perform nativity plays telling the story of Jesus’ birth. Families also play a role in
passing knowledge of religious festivals’ deeper significance on to the next generation. The
same is true for festivals that have a historical background, such as Bonfire Night or
Halloween, in the sense that people generally learn the stories behind these occasions at an
early age.
In conclusion, although people mainly want to enjoy themselves during festivals, I believe
that they are still aware of the reasons for these celebrations.

  7  
  

IV. A Problems/Solutions essay

In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this
cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce
the impact of ageing populations.
It is true that people in industrialised nations can expect to live longer than ever before.
Although there will undoubtedly be some negative consequences of this trend, societies can
take steps to mitigate these potential problems.
As people live longer and the populations of developed countries grow older, several related
problems can be anticipated. The main issue is that there will obviously be more people of
retirement age who will be eligible to receive a pension. The proportion of younger, working
adults will be smaller, and governments will therefore receive less money in taxes in relation
to the size of the population. In other words, an ageing population will mean a greater tax
burden for working adults. Further pressures will include a rise in the demand for healthcare,
and the fact young adults will increasingly have to look after their elderly relatives.
There are several actions that governments could take to solve the problems described above.
Firstly, a simple solution would be to increase the retirement age for working adults, perhaps
from 65 to 70. Nowadays, people of this age tend to be healthy enough to continue a
productive working life. A second measure would be for governments to encourage
immigration in order to increase the number of working adults who pay taxes. Finally,
money from national budgets will need to be taken from other areas and spent on vital
healthcare, accommodation and transport facilities for the rising numbers of older citizens.
In conclusion, various measures can be taken to tackle the problems that are certain to arise
as the populations of countries grow older.

  8