Contents

1. 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?...........................2

IELTS Writing Task 2: why planning is so important!...........................................................3

1. Genetic engineering is an important issue in society today. Some people think that it will improve
people’s lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both these
views and give your own opinion...............................................................................................................4

IELTS Vocabulary: 'less common' not 'advanced'..................................................................6

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' essay.................................................................................8

3. In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in small family units,
rather than in large, extended family groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?..............8

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'choices' essay.........................................................................................10

4. Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this statement?...........................................................................................10

IELTS Writing Task 2: MEDIA.......................................................................................................12

5. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of the following as media for communicating
information. State which you consider to be the most effective............................................................12

IELTS Writing Task 2: how many ideas per paragraph?...........................................................12

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'artificial intelligence' essay....................................................................14

6. Some people believe that developments in the field of artificial intelligence will have a
positive impact on our lives in the near future. Others, by contrast, are worried that we
are not prepared for a world in which computers are more intelligent than humans.
Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion...........................................................14

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'literature and history' essay...................................................................16

7. Some people believe that it is more important to teach children the literature and
history of their own country, rather than the literature and history of other countries. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?...........................................................................................16

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'parenting course' essay.........................................................................18

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8.Caring for children is probably the most important job in any society. Because of this,
all mothers and fathers should be required to take a course that prepares them to be
good parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?...............................18

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'dress code' essay...................................................................................19

9. Some people think that employers should not care about the way their employees
dress, because what matters is the quality of their work. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?................................................................................................................................................19

IELTS Vocabulary: from this week's essay............................................................................19

Wednesday, January 03, 2018.........................................................................................................21

IELTS Writing Task 2: two types of main paragraph..................................................................21

IELTS Writing Task 2: recycling essay........................................................................................22

10. Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say
that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement.
To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their
waste?.....................................................................................................................................................22

IELTS Writing Task 2: CCTV essay.............................................................................................24

11. In many cities the use of video cameras in public places is being increased in order
to reduce crime, but some people believe that these measures restrict our individual
freedom. Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?...........................24

IELTS Writing Task 2: band 7-9 vocabulary...........................................................................24

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'permissive parenting' answer................................................................26

12. Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for, and allow their children to do
whatever they want. Is this a good way to raise children? What consequences could this
style of parenting have for children as they get older?..............................................................26

IELTS Vocabulary: essay review...............................................................................................26

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'homework' essay....................................................................................28

13. Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their
teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important role in the education
of children. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.....................................28

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 IELTS Writing Task 2: 'unpaid work' essay.................................................................................30

14. 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?...................................................30

IELTS Writing Task 2: festivals essay..........................................................................................31

15. 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?.................................................................................31

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'traditional views' essay...........................................................................32

16. 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?.......................................................................................................................................32

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'strong opinion' essay..............................................................................33

17. 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?...............................................33

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'positive or negative' essay.....................................................................34

18. Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people can study
online. Is this a positive or negative development?....................................................................34

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'traditions and technology' essay...........................................................35

19. It is inevitable that traditional cultures will be lost as technology develops.

Technology and traditional cultures are incompatible. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this view?.....................................................................................................................35

IELTS Vocabulary: essay review...............................................................................................35

20. 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?.....................................................................................37

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'high salaries' essay................................................................................38

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21. In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high salaries. Some
people believe that this is good for the country, but others think that governments
should not allow salaries above a certain level. Discuss both these views and give your
own opinion...........................................................................................................................................38

IELTS Writing Task 2: climate change essay..............................................................................39

22. Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way
to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?...........................................................39

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases.......................................................................................39

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'economic progress' essay.....................................................................41

23. Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some
people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion................................................................41

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'business responsibilities' essay............................................................43

24. As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?.....................................................................................................43

IELTS Writing Task 2: problem and solution essay....................................................................44

25. More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can
be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can
governments make urban life better for everyone?.....................................................................44

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases.......................................................................................44

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Simon Task 2 Samples

Let's look at what I call an 'example-led' paragraph. In this type of paragraph, we explain
an opinion or develop an idea based on a single example.

Analysis:

Notice how I introduce a key example after the topic sentence. In the rest of the
paragraph, I simply describe the example in more detail, and I show how the example
illustrates my point.

Introduction paraphrasing

Examples of paraphrasing:

 some people say that = it is often said that

 music is a good way of = music has the power to

 bringing people together = unite and connect people

 of different cultures = regardless of their cultural backgrounds

1. 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?
It is often said that music has the power to unite and connect people, regardless of
their cultural backgrounds or ages. I completely agree with this view, and will give my
reasons below.

Music can certainly reach across cultural and national boundaries and bring
people together. Perhaps the best example of this would be the Live Aid concerts that
took place back in the 1980s, and which were broadcast to a global audience. Two live
events were held simultaneously in the UK and the US, and the objective was to raise
funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The concerts were a huge success, both in terms of
the number of people around the world who watched them and their impact on

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international public awareness of the famine. They demonstrated, I believe, that music
truly is the planet’s global language.

Just as it transcends cultures, music also has the ability to connect people from
different generations. Regardless of age, we can all enjoy a memorable melody, a
strong rhythm or a beautiful singing voice, and the best songs seem to have the same
magical effect on all of us. This would explain why televised music competitions, such
as ‘The X Factor’ or ‘The Voice’, are such popular prime-time shows. These
programmes attract incredibly broad audiences because singing and popular
songs appeal to children, parents and grandparents alike. I would argue that no
other form of entertainment can bring families together in this way.

In conclusion, I believe that music is unique in its capacity to create shared

experiences between people, irrespective of culture and age.

(265 words)

IELTS Writing Task 2: why planning is so important!

The essay that I shared last Wednesday was good, but it wasn't perfect. The problem
was that I didn't follow my own advice: I wrote the main body paragraphs without
doing a plan first.

Look at the 'unplanned' paragraph below:

The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key
areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans. Genetically modified crops
are already being grown, and people are concerned that they may damage whole
ecosystems as foods become resistant to diseases and natural predators. But perhaps
even more worrying is the possibility that humans could be modified or cloned. Some
people imagine a world in which cloned humans are used to fight wars or to provide
body part replacements. Although perhaps not a threat to life on earth, the implications
of such practices would be unprecedented.

Analysis:

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  The first highlighted sentence doesn't extend my ideas. It would be better to go
straight to the point about cloned humans fighting wars. I could then add more
'depth' and 'detail' to that particular idea, and this would help my task response
score.

 The second highlighted sentence is fine as a 'concluding' sentence, but it would

be better if I explained what the "implications" are. Reading this sentence now,
I can tell that I wrote it without planning; I relied on my vocabulary knowledge
to cover up my lack of real ideas!

This is what happens when you neglect the planning stage. It's so easy to write
sentences that fill a space but don't move the essay forward.

Version 2 - highlighted sentences extend and develop my ideas

The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key
areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans. Genetically modified crops
are already being grown, and people are concerned that they may damage whole
ecosystems as foods become resistant to diseases and natural predators. For example,
scientists are able to produce a variety of corn that releases a toxin to kill certain
insects, but this intervention could lead to the disappearance of birds that feed on those
insects. In the human realm, some people imagine a world in which clones are used to
fight wars or to provide body part replacements. Perhaps cloning could even be used to
bring deceased people back to life, which would certainly be a threat to humanity as we
know it.

2. Genetic engineering is an important issue in society today.

Some people think that it will improve people’s lives in many
ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss
both these views and give your own opinion.
It is true that genetic engineering is a key area of modern scientific research, with
broad implications for all human societies. While I accept that this field of technology

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may have its dangers, I believe that the benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the
drawbacks.

The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key
areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans. Genetically modified
crops are already being grown, and people are concerned that they may damage
whole ecosystems as foods become resistant to diseases and natural predators.
But perhaps even more worrying is the possibility that humans could be modified or
cloned. Some people imagine a world in which cloned humans are used to fight wars or
to provide body part replacements. Although perhaps not a threat to life on earth, the
implications of such practices would be unprecedented.

A more optimistic prediction, and one that I favour, is that humans will find ways to
mitigate the risks and use genetic technologies in a responsible way. From the food
production perspective, genetic engineering could be the solution to famine in
developing countries, if, for instance, crops can be grown more reliably in harsh
conditions. From a medical perspective, scientists may use genetic engineering to
produce vaccines, to cure diseases, or to correct a genetic defect before a child is born.
If properly regulated, even cloning can be done in a way that improves lives. For
example, the cloning of individual organs, such as a heart or kidney, could be permitted
for transplant purposes.

In conclusion, I am convinced that genetic engineering will have a positive impact on

our lives, and that people's fears will be unwarranted.

(283 words, band 9)

Let's review the good vocabulary from the essay that I shared on Wednesday. It was full
of 'less common' collocations and phrases.

 with broad implications for

 may have its dangers

 the negative implications

 the cloning of humans

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  genetically modified crops

 damage whole ecosystems

 foods become resistant to

 natural predators

 humans could be modified or cloned

 provide body part replacements

 would be unprecedented

 a more optimistic prediction

 mitigate the risks

 genetic technologies

 famine in developing countries

 can be grown in harsh conditions

 from a medical perspective

 produce vaccines

 cure diseases

 to correct a genetic defect

 if properly regulated

 the cloning of individual organs

 for transplant purposes

 have a positive impact on our lives

 people's fears will be unwarranted

IELTS Vocabulary: 'less common' not 'advanced'

In the comments below Wednesday's lesson, a few people said that they didn't see any
"advanced" vocabulary* in my essay. But examiners are not looking for "advanced"
vocabulary; they are looking for "less common" vocabulary.

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"Less common" vocabulary means words and phrases that most students wouldn't think
to use in their essays. For example, in the first line of my essay, I used the verb "to
rival". You might know the noun "rival", but have you ever used it as a verb? This is not
an "advanced" word, but it is certainly less commonly used by IELTS candidates, and
the examiner would be impressed to see it used in this way.

Here are the "less common" phrases from my essay:

 the Internet is beginning to rival newspapers

 the traditional press

 vital source of information

 the Internet age

 traditional means of communicating

 rural areas

 the ability or opportunity to get online

 trusted as reliable sources

 employ professional journalists and editors

 news in real time

 gadgets and mobile devices

 contribute with our own updates on social media

 an explosion in the use of platforms

Note:
Although you probably understand the phrases above, most candidates would
not use them in their essays.

*I never use the terms "advanced vocabulary" or "difficult vocabulary". Anyone can find
a "big" word in the dictionary and translate it. The difficult skill is to use words together
in collocations and phrases.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' essay

Here's my band 9 sample answer for the task below. We'll analyse it next week.

3. In many countries today, people in cities either live alone

or in small family units, rather than in large, extended family
groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?
It is true that cities are seeing a rise in smaller families and one-person households,
while the extended family is becoming a rarity. In my opinion, this is a negative
development.

(nuclear families) As families become smaller, the traditional family support network is
disappearing, and this can have a negative impact on children as they grow up. In a
nuclear family or single-parent household, childcare becomes an expensive and
stressful part of daily life. Without the help of grandparents or aunts and uncles, busy
parents must rely on babysitters, nannies and after-school clubs to take care of younger
children, while older children may be left alone after school and during holidays. The
absence of adult family members can mean that friends, television and the Internet
become the primary influences on children’s behaviour. It is no surprise that the
decline of the extended family has been linked to a rise in psychological and
behavioural problems amongst young people.

(people living alone) The trend towards people living alone is perhaps even more
damaging because of the psychological effects of reduced human interaction.
Individuals who live on their own have nobody to talk to in person, so they cannot
share problems or discuss the highs and lows of daily life. They forgo the constant
stimulation and hustle and bustle of a large family, and are left to their own devices for
extended periods of time. The lack of human contact in the home is necessarily
replaced by passive distractions, such as television, video games, online chat
rooms or Internet surfing. This type of existence is associated with boredom,

11
loneliness, and feelings of isolation or even alienation, all of which are factors that are
known to increase the risk of mental illness.

In conclusion, I believe that individuals thrive when they are part of larger family groups,
and so it is worrying that many people are choosing to live alone or in such small family
units.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'choices' essay

Here's my band 9 sample answer for the question below. I followed the essay plan that
you can see in this lesson.

4. Some people believe that nowadays we have too many

choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
It is often said that modern life presents us with an overwhelming number of choices. I
completely agree with this, and I believe that the Internet and globalisation are the two
major factors involved.

It is undeniable that the Internet has led to a dramatic expansion in the number of
choices that are available to us. The number of online media options, for instance, is
now almost endless. There are countless websites offering entertainment, news, videos,
on-demand TV and music streaming, many of which are free. I would argue that this
abundance of media leads to confusion on the part of the average user, as we have to
make so many decisions about the content that we consume. A personal example of
this trend would be the fact that I had a choice of just four TV channels when I was a
child, whereas I now have access to thousands of films and series through services like
Netflix.

Alongside the influence of the Internet, globalisation is making the world smaller and
compounding this problem of too much choice. Cheap international flights have made
overseas travel possible for millions of people, but this also means that we are faced
with a world of options when deciding where to go on holiday or even where to live. We
no longer have the limited but simple travel choices of our grandparents’ generation.
The same is true if we look at the increasing tendency for young people to study
abroad. While the opportunity for overseas study seems appealing, many students are
confused about where to go and which path to take.

In conclusion, we are faced with a huge number of options in most areas of life
nowadays, and this is often more bewildering than beneficial.
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Here's a list of the 'band 7-9' vocabulary in my most recent essay:

 modern life presents us with

 an overwhelming number of choices

 the two major factors involved

 a dramatic expansion in

 online media options

 almost endless

 countless websites

 on-demand TV

 music streaming

 abundance of media

 on the part of the average user

 the content that we consume

 compounding this problem

 faced with a world of options

 limited but simple travel choices

 our grandparents' generation

 the same is true

 the increasing tendency for

 the opportunity for overseas study

 seems appealing

 which path to take

 more bewildering than beneficial

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IELTS Writing Task 2: MEDIA

5. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of the

following as media for communicating information. State which
you consider to be the most effective.
• comics • books • radio • television • film • theatre

This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of three different media, namely
books, radio and television. I will argue that television is the most powerful of these
three media, in terms of its ability to communicate information. The main advantage of
books is that they are usually considered to be reliable sources of information. People
tend to refer to books when they want to research a subject in depth, and for this reason
they continue to play an important role in education. On the other hand, books quickly
go out of date, and therefore they are not the best medium for communicating news
stories. Radio is a much more effective medium than books for the communication of
up-to-date information. We can listen to news broadcasts about events as they happen,
and a key benefit of radio is that we can listen to it while doing other activities, such as
driving or working. The main drawback of radio, when compared to books or television,
is that there is no visual element; we cannot see what the broadcaster is describing. In
my opinion, television is the most dynamic of these three media because it brings us
closer to reality than a book or radio programme ever can. For example, we can watch
events as they take place on the other side of the world, or we can see the body
language of a politician who is being interviewed. The disadvantages of television are
that programmes tend to be short and interrupted by advertisements, meaning that
information is presented in limited depth. In conclusion, while books and radio
broadcasts are excellent communication tools, I believe the television can have an even
greater impact on the viewer. (286 words, band 9)

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IELTS Writing Task 2: how many ideas per paragraph?

A student asked me this useful question:

In writing task 2, isn't it better to write about just one idea in each main body paragraph?
If we put two or three ideas in the same paragraph (e.g. firstly, secondly, finally), we
can't explain each idea in as much detail.

Here's my answer to this question:

Some questions require you to put more than one idea in each main paragraph. For
example, if the question asks you to explain the advantages, disadvantages, reasons,
causes or solutions, you must give more than one. Therefore a "firstly, secondly, finally"
paragraph structure is perfect. If the question doesn't contain a plural word, one idea per
paragraph is fine.

16
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'artificial intelligence' essay

Here's my full essay for the question below.

6. Some people believe that developments in the field of

artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on our lives
in the near future. Others, by contrast, are worried that we
are not prepared for a world in which computers are more
intelligent than humans. Discuss both of these views and
give your own opinion.
People seem to be either excited or worried about the future impact of artificial
intelligence. Personally I can understand the two opposing points of view; I am both
fascinated by developments in artificial intelligence and apprehensive about its possible
negative effects.

On the one hand, the increasing intelligence of technology should bring some obvious
benefits. Machines are clearly able to do many jobs better than humans can, especially
in areas that require high levels of accuracy or calculations using large amounts of data.
For example, robots are being developed that can carry out surgical procedures with
greater precision than a human doctor, and we already have cars that use sensors and
cameras to drive themselves. Such technologies can improve safety by reducing the
likelihood of human errors. It is easy to imagine how these developments, and many
others, will steadily improve our quality of life.

On the other hand, I share the concerns of people who believe that artificial intelligence
may harm us if we are not careful. In the short term, it is likely that we will see a rise in
unemployment as workers in various industries are replaced by machines or software
programs. For example, self-driving vehicles are expected to cause redundancies in
driving jobs, such as lorry drivers, taxi drivers and bus drivers. In the medium term, if
intelligent technologies gradually take jobs away from humans, we may find that people
become deskilled and lose their sense of purpose in life. A longer term fear is that

17
computers become so intelligent that they begin to make decisions without human
oversight and without regard for our well-being.

In conclusion, while intelligent machines will no doubt improve our lives in many ways,
the potential risks of such technologies should not be ignored.

(295 words, band 9)

Here's a list of the good words, collocations and phrases from the essay that I shared in
last Wednesday's lesson. Maybe you could try using some of this vocabulary in your
own sentences.

 the future impact of

 the two opposing points of view

 I am both fascinated and apprehensive about...

 bring some obvious benefits

 high levels of accuracy

 calculations using large amounts of data

 carry out surgical procedures

 with greater precision

 reducing the likelihood of

 human errors

 steadily improve our quality of life

 I share the concerns of people who...

 in the short / medium / long term

 a rise in unemployment

 in various industries

 are replaced by software programs

 self-driving vehicles

 cause redundancies

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 become deskilled

 lose their sense of purpose

 a longer term fear

 without human oversight

 without regard for

 our well-being

 the potential risks

 should not be ignored

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'literature and history' essay

We've been looking at the following task for several weeks, so I think it's time for a full
sample answer.

7. Some people believe that it is more important to teach

children the literature and history of their own country,
rather than the literature and history of other countries. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?
People have different views about the teaching of national versus global literature and
history in schools. Personally, I support the idea that children should study first and
foremost the great books and historical events of their own countries.

There are several reasons why I believe that schools should focus on teaching national
literature and history. Firstly, children enjoy learning about where they live, and by
studying the ideas, culture and history of their own countries they begin to develop a
sense of identity. At the same time, this approach is appealing to parents, who studied
the same books and historical events and can therefore help their children with school
work. English children, for example, read Shakespeare and learn about the Battle of
Hastings just as their parents did, and there is educational continuity across the
generations. Finally, an emphasis on national literature and history gives educators a
narrower teaching scope, making curriculum design an easier task.

By contrast, the study of global events and foreign novels could cause unnecessary
difficulty and confusion for school pupils. For example, I do not see the point in
presenting Russian or Chinese history to a British child who has not yet studied the
history of his or her own country in detail. Surely the child would be more able to
comprehend historical events that took place in London than those that happened in
Moscow or Beijing. Similarly, any exposure to international literature is likely to require
the teaching of a foreign language or the use of translations. Young people at primary or
secondary school age are simply not ready for such complications.

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In conclusion, I would argue that it is undesirable for schools to cover aspects of foreign
history and literature; they should ground their pupils in the local culture instead.

(297 words, band 9)

Here's a list of the good vocabulary in last week's essay:

 national versus global

 great books and historical events

 global events and foreign novels

 develop a sense of identity

 this approach is appealing to parents

 just as their parents did (meaning "like their parents did")

 educational continuity across the generations

 an emphasis on

 gives educators a narrower teaching scope

 making curriculum design an easier task

 cause unnecessary difficulty and confusion

 more able to comprehend

 events that took place in

 exposure to international literature

 is likely to require

 not ready for such complications

 it is undesirable

 to cover aspects of

 ground their pupils in the local culture

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'parenting course' essay

Here's my full essay for the question below.

8.Caring for children is probably the most important job in

any society. Because of this, all mothers and fathers should
be required to take a course that prepares them to be good
parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
view?
It is true that parents shoulder a huge responsibility and that raising children is by no
means an easy task. However, I completely disagree with the idea that we should
therefore force all mothers and fathers to attend parenting courses.

In my opinion, the idea that all future parents should take a parenthood preparation
course is completely impractical. Many prospective parents have jobs and busy
schedules, and they may not be willing or able to attend regular parenting classes. This
raises the question of whether those who missed the classes, or perhaps refused to
attend, would be punished. I believe that it would be wrong to do this, and it would
therefore be impossible to enforce the idea of compulsory training for parents. Besides,
even if parents could be forced to attend, I doubt that people would agree on what good
parenting entails, and so it would be difficult to create a parenting course to suit
everyone.

As well as being impractical, I would argue that training courses for parents are
unnecessary. Mothers and fathers have been raising children without any formal help or
official interference for thousands of years. Parenting skills are learnt from family
members, friends, neighbours and the surrounding culture. Perhaps more importantly,
adults learn to be good parents by instinct, by trial and error, and by getting to know
their own children; for example, a good parent will try different strategies when faced
with a badly-behaved child, and will gradually develop an understanding of what works
to correct the behaviour. None of this requires the intervention of a taught course.

22
In conclusion, while compulsory parenting lessons might seem like a good idea, I
believe that such a scheme would be unworkable and largely pointless.

(289 words, band 9)

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'dress code' essay

Here's my full essay for the question that we looked at a couple of weeks ago.

9. Some people think that employers should not care about

the way their employees dress, because what matters is the
quality of their work. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
In the modern workplace, dress codes are changing as employers focus more on
results than on the rules that employees must follow. While I agree that the way people
dress should be seen as irrelevant in many work contexts, I believe that dress codes
still exist for good reason in certain professions.

On the one hand, many employers have stopped telling their staff how to dress, and I
see this as a positive trend. Some of the most successful companies in the world,
including technology giants like Google and Facebook, are famous for the relaxed office
environments that they try to create. Employees are encouraged to dress casually, and
even the company executives and leaders are rarely seen wearing anything other than
T-shirts and jeans. However, while managers and programmers are free to dress how
they like, they are expected to produce work of outstanding quality. It is clear from the
performance and global dominance of such companies that strict dress codes are
completely unnecessary in the technology sector.

However, I would also argue that rules regarding employees' clothing are still relevant in
other work situations. We expect certain professionals, such as nurses, police officers
and airline pilots, to wear uniforms. These uniforms may have a practical or safety
function, but perhaps more importantly they identify the person’s position or role in
society. Similarly, a lawyer, politician or school principal may choose to wear formal
clothing in order to portray an image of authority, trustworthiness and diligence. I believe
that most of us prefer to see these professionals in smart, formal attire, even if it is not
strictly necessary.

24
In conclusion, I support the trend towards relaxed dress codes for workers, but I do not
see it as applicable to all occupations or sectors of the economy.

(298 words, band 9)

IELTS Vocabulary: from this week's essay

Here's a list of the good 'topic vocabulary' from Wednesday's essay:

 in the modern workplace

 dress codes

 should be seen as irrelevant

 in many work contexts

 certain professions

 technology giants like Google and Facebook

 create relaxed office environments

 encouraged to dress casually

 are rarely seen wearing anything other than...

 produce work of outstanding quality

 global dominance

 in the technology sector

 a practical or safety function

 identify the person's position or role in society

 to portray an image of

 authority, trustworthiness and diligence

 smart, formal attire

 not applicable to all occupations

 sectors of the economy

25
Wednesday, January 03, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: two types of main paragraph

Let's return to the 'young population' question that you can see in this lesson. Today I'd
like to show you two different ways to write the same paragraph.

1. Paragraph describing three separate disadvantages:

On the one hand, countries with a large proportion of young adults may
experience various problems. Firstly, if considerable numbers of people leave school or
university at the same time, there will be intense competition for jobs. This oversupply of
labour could cause an increase in unemployment. Secondly, an abundance of working-
age adults may result in higher rates of poverty and falling living standards, as
governments or local councils are unable to meet the demand for the provision of
housing and public services. Finally, there is a risk that rates of crime and antisocial
behaviour may rise if the needs of a young population are not met.

2. Paragraph focusing on one main disadvantage, with supporting ideas:

On the one hand, countries with a large proportion of young adults may
experience problems related to employment. If considerable numbers of people leave
school or university at the same time, there will be intense competition for jobs. This
oversupply of labour could cause an increase in unemployment, or lead to poorer
working conditions as employers realise that they can bring wages down and exploit
young workers. Another possible consequence might be that young adults are forced to
migrate abroad in search of work. An exodus of well-qualified young graduates and
workers is often referred to as a ‘brain drain’, and this is not a desirable outcome for any
country.

Note:
In the first paragraph, I simply describe three separate disadvantages using "firstly,
secondly, finally". In the second paragraph, I go into more detail about the
consequences in one area only (employment problems). Both paragraph types can be
equally good - it just depends on the ideas that you have.

26
27
IELTS Writing Task 2: recycling essay

Here's my full sample essay for the recycling topic that we've been working on.

10. Some people claim that not enough of the waste from
homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase
recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement.
To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people
recycle more of their waste?
It is true that we do not recycle enough of our household waste. Although I accept that
new legislation to force people to recycle could help this situation, I do not agree that a
recycling law is the only measure that governments should take.

In my view, a new recycling law would be just one possible way to tackle the waste
problem. Governments could make it a legal obligation for householders to separate all
waste into different bins. There could be punishments for people who fail to adhere to
this law, ranging from a small fine to community service, or even perhaps prison
sentences for repeat offenders. These measures would act as a deterrent and
encourage people to obey the recycling law. As a result, the improved behaviour of
homeowners could lead to a clean, waste-free environment for everyone.

However, I believe that governments should do more than simply introduce a recycling
law. It might be more effective if politicians put education, rather than punishment, at the
centre of a recycling campaign. For example, children could be taught about recycling in
schools, and homeowners could be informed about the environmental impact of
household waste. Another tactic that governments could use would be to create stricter
regulations for the companies that produce the packaging for household products.
Finally, money could also be spent to improve recycling facilities and systems, so that
waste is processed more effectively, regardless of whether or not people separate it
correctly in the home.

28
In conclusion, perhaps we do need to make recycling a legal requirement, but this
would certainly not be the only way to encourage people to dispose of their waste more
responsibly.

(279 words, band 9)

 household waste

 new legislation

 just one possible way to tackle the problem

 a legal obligation

 householders

 fail to adhere to this law

 prison sentences for repeat offenders

 act as a deterrent

 encourage people to obey

 improved behaviour of homeowners

 a clean, waste-free environment

 put education at the centre of a recycling campaign

 the environmental impact of household waste

 Another tactic that governments could use

 create stricter regulations

 packaging for household products

 recycling facilities and systems

 waste is processed more effectively

 dispose of their waste more responsibly

29
IELTS Writing Task 2: CCTV essay

Here's another band 9 sample answer.

11. In many cities the use of video cameras in public places

is being increased in order to reduce crime, but some people
believe that these measures restrict our individual freedom.
Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the
drawbacks?
It is true that video surveillance has become commonplace in many cities in recent
years. While I understand that critics may see this as an invasion of privacy, I believe
that the benefits do outweigh the drawbacks. (you don’t have to say you will discuss
both)

There are two main reasons why people might disapprove of the use of video cameras
in public places. The first objection is that these cameras invade our privacy, in the
sense that we are constantly being watched by the authorities or by private security
firms. Many people find this intrusive and feel that the recording of their movements is a
form of state control that curtails their individual freedom. The second argument
against the proliferation of CCTV cameras is that they are being used as an alternative
to police officers patrolling the streets. If this is indeed happening, then it is unlikely that
members of the public will feel safer. (you don’t have to focus on just one drawback that
the question mentioned, instead you have to name more because it says “drawbacks”)

In spite of the drawbacks mentioned above, I believe that the use of video cameras to
monitor public areas is a positive measure. The key objective of video surveillance is to
deter criminals and to prevent crime. For example, petty criminals like shoplifters and
pickpockets are less likely to operate in parts of cities where they know that they are
being watched. At the same time, when crimes are committed, the police can use video
evidence to catch and prosecute offenders. Therefore, in my view, video cameras offer
valuable support to police officers, and they make cities safer for inhabitants, workers

30
and visitors alike. (you don’t have to focus on just one drawback that the question
mentioned, instead you have to name more because it says “befinifits”)

In conclusion, it seems to me that we gain more than we lose from the enhanced
security that CCTV cameras bring to our cities.

(275 words)

IELTS Writing Task 2: band 7-9 vocabulary

Let's look at the 'band 7-9' vocabulary from last week's essay:

 video surveillance

 has become commonplace

 an invasion of privacy

 reasons why people might disapprove of

 The first objection is that

 we are constantly being watched by the authorities

 private security firms

 intrusive

 a form of state control

 curtails their individual freedom

 the proliferation of CCTV cameras

 police officers patrolling the streets

 to monitor public areas

 to deter criminals

 petty criminals like shoplifters and pickpockets

 less likely to operate in parts of cities

 video evidence to catch and prosecute offenders

 offer valuable support to police officers

31
 make cities safer for inhabitants, workers and visitors alike

 we gain more than we lose

 the enhanced security that CCTV cameras bring

32
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'permissive parenting' answer

Here's my full answer to the question below.

12. Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for,

and allow their children to do whatever they want. Is this a
good way to raise children? What consequences could this
style of parenting have for children as they get older?
It is true that some parents are overly permissive and tend to spoil their children. In my
opinion, this is not a good parenting style, and it can have a range of negative long-term
consequences.

If parents want to raise respectful and well-behaved children, I believe that a certain
amount of discipline is necessary. Having worked with children myself, I have learnt that
clear expectations and boundaries are necessary, and it is important to be able to say
‘no’ to children when they misbehave or try to push against these boundaries. This is
the only way to help young people to regulate their desires and develop self-control. In
my view, parents who do the opposite and constantly give in to their children’s
demands, are actually doing more harm than good. They are failing their children rather
than being kind to them.

The children of indulgent or lenient parents are likely to grow up with several negative
personality traits. The first and most obvious danger is that these children will become
self-centred adults who show little consideration for the feelings or needs of others. One
consequence of such an attitude could be that these adults are unable to work
successfully in teams with other colleagues. A second negative trait in such people
could be impulsiveness. A person who has never lived with any boundaries is likely to
lack the patience to carefully consider options before making decisions. This may lead,
for example, to compulsive shopping, unwise financial decisions, or even criminal
activity.

33
In conclusion, parents should help their children to develop self-control and respect for
others, and I do not believe that the permissive parenting style supports this objective.

(283 words, band 9)

IELTS Vocabulary: essay review

Here's the 'band 7-9' vocabulary from the essay that I shared on Wednesday:

 overly permissive

 tend to spoil their children

 parenting style

 a range of negative long-term consequences

 to raise respectful and well-behaved children

 a certain amount of discipline

 Having worked with children myself,.....

 clear expectations and boundaries

 to push against these boundaries

 to regulate their desires

 develop self control

 constantly give in to their children’s demands

 doing more harm than good

 failing their children

 indulgent or lenient parents

 negative personality traits

 The first and most obvious danger

 self-centred adults

 show little consideration for the feelings or needs of others

 One consequence of such an attitude

 unable to work successfully in teams

34
 impulsiveness

 lack the patience

 to carefully consider options

 compulsive shopping

 unwise financial decisions

 criminal activity

 I do not believe that..... supports this objective

35
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'homework' essay

Here's my full essay for the question below.

13. Some people believe that school children should not be

given homework by their teachers, whereas others argue
that homework plays an important role in the education of
children. Discuss both of these views and give your own
opinion.
People’s opinions differ as to whether or not school children should be given homework.
While there are some strong arguments against the setting of homework, I still believe
that it is a necessary aspect of education.

There are several reasons why people might argue that homework is an unnecessary
burden on children. Firstly, there is evidence to support the idea that homework does
nothing to improve educational outcomes. Countries such as Finland, where school
children are not given homework, regularly top international educational league tables
and outperform nations where setting homework is the norm. Secondly, many parents
would agree that the school day is already long enough, and leaves their children too
tired to do further study when they return home. Finally, it is recognised that play time is
just as beneficial as study time from the perspective of brain development.

In spite of the above arguments, I support the view that homework has an important role
to play in the schooling of children. The main benefit of homework is that it encourages
independent learning and problem solving, as children are challenged to work through
tasks alone and at their own pace. In doing so, students must apply the knowledge that
they have learnt in the classroom. For example, by doing mathematics exercises at
home, students consolidate their understanding of the concepts taught by their teacher
at school. In my view, it is important for children to develop an independent study habit
because this prepares them to work alone as adults.

36
In conclusion, homework certainly has its drawbacks, but I believe that the benefits
outweigh them in the long term.

(270 words, band 9)

Look at these examples from the essay that I shared on Wednesday:

 opinions differ as to whether or not

 the setting of homework

 a necessary aspect of

 an unnecessary burden on

 there is evidence to support the idea that

 improve educational outcomes

 regularly top international educational league tables

 countries where..... outperform nations where.....

 setting homework is the norm

 is just as beneficial as

 from the perspective of

 brain development

 has an important role to play in

 the schooling of children

 encourages independent learning and problem solving

 are challenged to work through tasks

 at their own pace

 In doing so, .....

 apply the knowledge

 consolidate their understanding

 concepts taught by their teacher

 develop an independent study habit

37
 certainly has its drawbacks

 the benefits outweigh them in the long term

38
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'unpaid work' essay

14. 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.

(250 words, band 9)

39
IELTS Writing Task 2: festivals essay

Read the full essay that my students and I wrote for the 'festivals' question below. Can
you highlight the features that help this essay to get a band 9?

15. 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.

40
In conclusion, although people mainly want to enjoy themselves during festivals, I
believe that they are still aware of the reasons for these celebrations.

(296 words, band 9)

41
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'traditional views' essay

Here's my full essay for the following question.

16. 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

42
respect. Finally, I believe that young people would lead happier lives if they had a more
‘old-fashioned’ sense of community and neighborliness.

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.

(299 words, band 9)

43
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'strong opinion' essay

Here's my full essay for the "ex-prisoner" topic that we've been looking at over the last
few weeks. Notice that I give only one opinion, and I support it in each paragraph.

17. 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 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.

44
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.

(287 words, band 9)

45
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'positive or negative' essay

Here's my full band 9 essay. I'll analyse it in next week's lesson.

18. Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet

so that people can study online. Is this a positive or negative
development?
It is true that online courses are becoming a common feature of university education.
Although there are some drawbacks of Internet-based learning, I would argue that there
are far more benefits.

The main drawback of the trend towards online university courses is that there is less
direct interaction. Students may not have the opportunity to engage face-to-face with
their teachers, and will instead have to rely on written forms of communication.
Similarly, students who study online do not come into direct contact with each other,
and this could have a negative impact on peer support, discussion and exchange of
ideas. For example, whereas students on traditional courses can attend seminars and
even discuss their subjects over coffee after lessons, online learners are restricted to
chatting through website forum areas. These learners may also lack the motivation and
element of competition that face-to-face group work brings.

Despite the negatives mentioned above, I believe that online university courses are a
positive development for various reasons. Firstly, they allow learners to study in a
flexible way, meaning that they can work whenever and wherever is convenient, and
they can cover the material at their own pace. Secondly, the cost of a university
education can be greatly reduced, while revenues for institutions may increase as more
students can be taught. Finally, online learning offers open access to anybody who is
willing to study, regardless of age, location, ability and background. For example, my
uncle, who is 65 years old, has recently enrolled on an online MBA course in a different
country, which would have been impossible in the days before Internet-based
education.

46
In conclusion, while I recognise the possible disadvantages of online learning, I consider
it to be a positive development overall.

47
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'traditions and technology' essay

Read my full essay for the question below. I've tried to keep it as concise as possible,
but it's still good enough for a band 9 score.

19. It is inevitable that traditional cultures will be lost as

technology develops. Technology and traditional cultures
are incompatible. To what extent do you agree or disagree
with this view?
Some people believe that technological developments lead to the loss of traditional
cultures. I partly agree with this assertion; while it may be true in the case of some
societies, others seem to be unaffected by technology and the modern world.

On the one hand, the advances in technology that have driven industrialisation in
developed countries have certainly contributed to the disappearance of traditional ways
of life. For example, in pre-industrial Britain, generations of families grew up in the same
small village communities. These communities had a strong sense of identity, due to
their shared customs and beliefs. However, developments in transport, communications
and manufacturing led to the dispersal of families and village communities as people
moved to the cities in search of work. Nowadays most British villages are inhabited by
commuters, many of whom do not know their closest neighbours.

On the other hand, in some parts of the world traditional cultures still thrive. There are
tribes in the Amazon Rainforest, for example, that have been completely untouched by
the technological developments of the developed world. These tribal communities
continue to hunt and gather food from the forest, and traditional skills are passed on to
children by parents and elders. Other traditional cultures, such as farming communities
in parts of Africa, are embracing communications technologies. Mobile phones give
farmers access to information, from weather predictions to market prices, which helps
them to prosper and therefore supports their culture.

48
In conclusion, many traditional ways of life have been lost as a result of advances in
technology, but other traditional communities have survived and even flourished.

(266 words, band 9)

IELTS Vocabulary: essay review

Here are the "band 7 to 9" phrases from Wednesday's essay. See if you can write a full
sentence with each of these phrases.

 technological developments

 lead to the loss of

 this assertion

 it may be true in the case of

 seem to be unaffected by

 advances in technology that have driven industrialisation

 contributed to the disappearance of

 in pre-industrial Britain

 generations of families grew up in small communities

 a strong sense of identity

 shared customs and beliefs

 led to the dispersal of families

 villages are inhabited by commuters

 traditional cultures still thrive

 have been completely untouched by

 hunt and gather food

 traditional skills are passed on to children by parents and elders

 are embracing communications technologies

 access to information

 from weather predictions to market prices

49
 helps them to prosper

 have survived and even flourished

50
20. 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?
In recent years, extreme sports have become increasingly popular, and some people
argue that governments should prohibit them. I completely disagree with the idea that
these sports are too dangerous, and I therefore believe that they should not be banned.

In my opinion, so-called extreme sports are not as dangerous as many people think. All
sports involve some element of risk, and there should always be clear regulations and
safety procedures to reduce the possibility of accidents. People who take part in
extreme sports are usually required to undergo appropriate training so that the dangers
are minimised. For example, anyone who wants to try skydiving will need to sign up for
lessons with a registered club, and beginners are not allowed to dive solo; they must be
accompanied by an experienced professional. Finally, the protective equipment and
technology used in sports from motor racing to mountain climbing is constantly
improving safety.

While I support regulations and safety measures, I believe that it would be wrong, and
almost impossible, to ban extreme sports. In the first place, we should all be free to
decide how we spend our leisure time; as long as we understand the risks, I do not
believe that politicians should stop us from enjoying ourselves. However, an even
stronger argument against such a ban would be the difficulty of enforcing it. Many of the
most risky sports, like base jumping or big wave surfing, are practised far away from the
reach of any authorities. I cannot imagine the police being called to stop people from
parachuting off a mountain face or surfing on an isolated beach.

In conclusion,…

51
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'high salaries' essay

Here's a full essay that I wrote with my students for the question below.

21. In many countries, a small number of people earn

extremely high salaries. Some people believe that this is
good for the country, but others think that governments
should not allow salaries above a certain level.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about whether governments should introduce a maximum
wage. While in some ways it may seem reasonable to allow people to earn as much as
companies are willing to pay, I personally believe that employee remuneration should
be capped at a certain level.

There are various reasons why it might be considered beneficial to allow people to be
paid extremely high salaries. If companies offer excellent pay packages, they can attract
the most talented people in their fields to work for them. For example, technology
companies like Google are able to employ the best programmers because of the huge
sums that they are willing to pay. Furthermore, these well-paid employees are likely to
be highly motivated to work hard and therefore drive their businesses successfully. In
theory, this should result in a thriving economy and increased tax revenues, which
means that paying high salaries benefits everyone.

However, I agree with those who argue that there should be a maximum wage. By
introducing a limit on earnings, the pay-gap between bosses and employees can be
reduced. Currently, the difference between normal and top salaries is huge, and this
can demotivate workers who feel that the situation is unfair. With lower executive
salaries, it might become feasible to introduce higher minimum wages, and everybody
would be better off. One possible consequence of greater equality could be that poverty
and crime rates fall because the general population will experience an improved
standard of living.

52
In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be better, on balance, for governments to set
a limit on the wages of the highest earners in society.

(274 words, band 9)

53
IELTS Writing Task 2: climate change essay

Here's my full essay for the question that we've been looking at in recent weeks (see
below). It's a bit longer than necessary, but I decided not to cut it down.

22. Some people think that instead of preventing climate

change, we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?
Climate change represents a major threat to life on Earth, but some people argue that
we need to accept it rather than try to stop it. I completely disagree with this opinion,
because I believe that we still have time to tackle this issue and reduce the human
impact on the Earth's climate.

There are various measures that governments and individuals could take to prevent, or
at least mitigate, climate change. Governments could introduce laws to limit the carbon
dioxide emissions that lead to global warming. They could impose “green taxes” on
drivers, airline companies and other polluters, and they could invest in renewable
energy production from solar, wind or water power. As individuals, we should also try to
limit our contribution to climate change, by becoming more energy efficient, by flying
less, and by using bicycles and public transport. Furthermore, the public can affect the
actions of governments by voting for politicians who propose to tackle climate change,
rather than for those who would prefer to ignore it.

If instead of taking the above measures we simply try to live with climate change, I
believe that the consequences will be disastrous. To give just one example, I am not
optimistic that we would be able to cope with even a small rise in sea levels. Millions of
people would be displaced by flooding, particularly in countries that do not have the
means to safeguard low-lying areas. These people would lose their homes and their
jobs, and they would be forced to migrate to nearby cities or perhaps to other countries.
The potential for human suffering would be huge, and it is likely that we would see
outbreaks of disease and famine, as well as increased homelessness and poverty.

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In conclusion, it is clear to me that we must address the problem of climate change, and
I disagree with those who argue that we can find ways to live with it.

(322 words, band 9)

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

Here's a list of the good vocabulary from my 'climate change' essay:

 represents a major threat to

 tackle this issue

 reduce the human impact

 to prevent, or at least mitigate, climate change

 limit the carbon dioxide emissions

 impose “green taxes” on drivers

 other polluters

 invest in renewable energy production

 energy efficient

 voting for politicians who propose to tackle climate change

 the consequences will be disastrous

 not optimistic that we would be able to cope

 rise in sea levels

 people would be displaced

 the means to safeguard low-lying areas

 forced to migrate to nearby cities

 the potential for human suffering would be huge

 outbreaks of disease and famine

 increased homelessness and poverty

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'economic progress' essay

Here's the full essay that I wrote with my students for the question below.

23. Many governments think that economic progress is their

most important goal. Some people, however, think that other
types of progress are equally important for a country.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about how governments should measure their countries’
progress. While economic progress is of course essential, I agree with those who
believe that other measures of progress are just as important.

There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen as a fundamental goal for
countries. Firstly, a healthy economy results in job creation, a high level of employment,
and better salaries for all citizens. Secondly, economic progress ensures that more
money is available for governments to spend on infrastructure and public services. For
example, a government with higher revenues can invest in the country's transport
network, its education system and its hospitals. Finally, a strong economy can help a
country’s standing on the global stage, in terms of its political influence and trading
power.

However, I would argue that various other forms of progress are just as significant as
the economic factors mentioned above. In particular, we should consider the area of
social justice, human rights, equality and democracy itself. For example, the treatment
of minority groups is often seen as a reflection of the moral standards and level of
development of a society. Perhaps another key consideration when judging the
progress of a modern country should be how well that country protects the natural
environment, and whether it is moving towards environmental sustainability.
Alternatively, the success of a nation could be measured by looking at the health, well-
being and happiness of its residents.

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In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker of a country’s success, but social,
environmental and health criteria are equally significant.

(262 words, band 9)

 measure (verb) progress

 measures (noun) of progress

 just as important, equally significant

 a fundamental goal

 a healthy economy

 job creation, a high level of employment, better salaries

 money is available

 spend on infrastructure

 higher revenues

 invest in the transport network

 a country’s standing on the global stage

 political influence, trading power

 social justice, human rights

 the treatment of minority groups

 seen as a reflection of

 moral standards

 another key consideration

 judging the progress

 moving towards environmental sustainability

 health, well-being and happiness

 a key marker of

 social, environmental and health criteria

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'business responsibilities' essay

Here's my full essay for the question below.

24. As well as making money, businesses also have social

responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Businesses have always sought to make a profit, but it is becoming increasingly
common to hear people talk about the social obligations that companies have. I
completely agree with the idea that businesses should do more for society than simply
make money.

On the one hand, I accept that businesses must make money in order to survive in a
competitive world. It seems logical that the priority of any company should be to cover
its running costs, such as employees’ wages and payments for buildings and utilities.
On top of these costs, companies also need to invest in improvements and innovations
if they wish to remain successful. If a company is unable to pay its bills or meet the
changing needs of customers, any concerns about social responsibilities become
irrelevant. In other words, a company can only make a positive contribution to society if
it is in good financial health.

On the other hand, companies should not be run with the sole aim of maximising profit;
they have a wider role to play in society. One social obligation that owners and
managers have is to treat their employees well, rather than exploiting them. For
example, they could pay a “living wage” to ensure that workers have a good quality of
life. I also like the idea that businesses could use a proportion of their profits to support
local charities, environmental projects or education initiatives. Finally, instead of trying
to minimise their tax payments by using accounting loopholes, I believe that company
bosses should be happy to contribute to society through the tax system.

In conclusion, I believe that companies should place as much importance on their social
responsibilities as they do on their financial objectives.

(285 words, band 9)

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IELTS Writing Task 2: problem and solution essay

Here's my full sample essay for question below.

25. More and more people are migrating to cities in search of

a better life, but city life can be extremely difficult. Explain
some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can
governments make urban life better for everyone?
Cities are often seen as places of opportunity, but there are also some major drawbacks
of living in a large metropolis. In my opinion, governments could do much more to
improve city life for the average inhabitant.

The main problem for anyone who hopes to migrate to a large city is that the cost of
living is likely to be much higher than it is in a small town or village. Inhabitants of cities
have to pay higher prices for housing, transport, and even food. Another issue is that
urban areas tend to suffer from social problems such as high crime and poverty rates in
comparison with rural areas. Furthermore, the air quality in cities is often poor, due to
pollution from traffic, and the streets and public transport systems are usually
overcrowded. As a result, city life can be unhealthy and stressful.

However, there are various steps that governments could take to tackle these problems.
Firstly, they could invest money in the building of affordable or social housing to reduce
the cost of living. Secondly, politicians have the power to ban vehicles from city centres
and promote the use of cleaner public transport, which would help to reduce both air
pollution and traffic congestion. In London, for example, the introduction of a congestion
charge for drivers has helped to curb the traffic problem. A third option would be to
develop provincial towns and rural areas, by moving industry and jobs to those regions,
in order to reduce the pressure on major cities.

In conclusion, governments could certainly implement a range of measures to enhance

the quality of life for all city residents.

(273 words, band 9)

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IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

Did you note down these good phrases from Wednesday's lesson?

 it is an abstract concept with no definite meaning

 it can mean or represent

 depending on a person's age, culture or background

 a feeling of pleasure in a particular moment

 a state of mind

 adults equate happiness with...

 health, security, financial stability or success

 we seek contentment

 in our own individual ways

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