IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay Line Chart: Temperature & Sunshine
The charts below give information about the typical temperatures in London, New York, and Sydney as well as total hours of sunshine for each city.
The line chart and table detail both average annual temperatures and total hours of sunshine in a given year in London, New York, and Sydney. Overall, London and New York display broadly similar four-season climates, though the extremes are more pronounced in New York while Sydney has a reverse weather pattern with milder overall temperatures. In terms of overall sunshine, New York leads, followed closely by Sydney and distantly by London.
Looking first of all at London and New York, both undergo serious drops in temperature beginning in November as the former falls to just over 10 degrees Celsius, intersecting the latter at the same point. From there, temperatures in New York plummet throughout the winter with a low of under 5°C in January and February, while London bottoms out at around 9 degrees. Both rise steadily in the spring and peak in summer at around 23°C for London and nearly 30°C for New York. In contrast, Sydney is warmest from December to February (plateauing at over 25 degrees) and cools steadily to under 15 degrees from June to October.
Overall sunshine shows a different pattern with New York (2,535 hours) and Sydney (2,473) proximate and London much lower at 1,180.
Analysis
1. The line chart and table detail both average annual temperatures and total hours of sunshine in a given year in London, New York, and Sydney. 2. Overall, London and New York display broadly similar four-season climates, though the extremes are more pronounced in New York while Sydney has a reverse weather pattern with milder overall temperatures. 3. In terms of overall sunshine, New York leads, followed closely by Sydney and distantly by London.
Paraphrase what the graph or chart shows.
Write a general overview that covers all areas – don’t leave anything out but don’t be too specific by including data.
Make sure that you mention the table as well.
1. Looking first of all at London and New York, both undergo serious drops in temperature beginning in November as the former falls to just over 10 degrees Celsius, intersecting the latter at the same point. 2. From there, temperatures in New York plummet throughout the winter with a low of under 5°C in January and February, while London bottoms out at around 9 degrees. 3. Both rise steadily in the spring and peak in summer at around 23°C for London and nearly 30°C for New York. 4. In contrast, Sydney is warmest from December to February (plateauing at over 25 degrees) and cools steadily to under 15 degrees from June to October.
Begin to compare the data.
Finish comparing the data.
Shift to the last area and describe all the data there.
1. Overall sunshine shows a different pattern with New York (2,535 hours) and Sydney (2,473) proximate and London much lower at 1,180.
Describe the table fully as well. Sometimes the table and graph will relate to each other closely but these ones don’t so you don’t have to compare them.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The line chart and table detail both average annual temperatures and total hours of sunshine in a given year in London, New York, and Sydney. Overall, London and New York display broadly similar four-season climates, though the extremes are more pronounced in New York while Sydney has a reverse weather pattern with milder overall temperatures. In terms of overall sunshine, New York leads, followed closely by Sydney and distantly by London.
Looking first of all at London and New York, both undergo serious drops in temperature beginning in November as the former falls to just over 10 degrees Celsius, intersecting the latter at the same point. From there, temperatures in New York plummet throughout the winter with a low of under 5°C in January and February, while London bottoms out at around 9 degrees. Both rise steadily in the spring and peak in summer at around 23°C for London and nearly 30°C for New York. In contrast, Sydney is warmest from December to February (plateauing at over 25 degrees) and cools steadily to under 15 degrees from June to October.
Overall sunshine shows a different pattern with New York (2,535 hours) and Sydney (2,473) proximate and London much lower at 1,180.
Answers
detail describe
average annual temperatures how hot/cold it usually is
The line chart and table d________l both a___________________________s and t_____________________________e in a g______________r in London, New York, and Sydney. Overall, London and New York d______________________r f___________________________s, though the e_____________s are more p___________________d in New York while Sydney has a r______________________n with m____________r overall temperatures. In terms of overall sunshine, New York l_______s, f____________________y by Sydney and d_____________y by London.
L__________________________t London and New York, both u__________________________s in temperature beginning in November as the f____________r falls to just over 10 degrees Celsius, i________________g the l___________r at the s________________t. From there, temperatures in New York p________________________________r with a____________f under 5°C in January and February, while London b________________t at around 9 degrees. Both r___________________y in the spring and p_________k in summer at around 23°C for London and n____________y 30°C for New York. I__________________t, Sydney is w_______________t from December to February (p__________________g at over 25 degrees) and c_______________y to under 15 degrees from June to October.
Overall sunshine shows a d____________________n with New York (2,535 hours) and Sydney (2,473) p______________e and London m______________r at 1,180.
Practice with the following questions from the real speaking exam:
Skies
Do you often look at the sky?
Do you prefer to look at the sky during the day or at night?
Have you ever taken a course about stars?
Where is the best view of the sky where you live?
Real Past IELTS Speaking Exam
Writing Practice
Write about the following graph then check with my sample answer. The graph below shows the percentage of people in different age groups in one city who attended music concerts between 2010 and 2015.
ielts writing task 1 sample answer essay line chart
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Unpaid Student Work
Many schools today require students to work without pay for companies as part of their education.
Is this more advantageous to students or companies?
Real Past IELTS Exam
An increasing number of schools are forcing students to do unpaid internships with companies as a graduation requirement. In my opinion, this measure generally benefits students more than companies.
On the one hand, companies receive free labour. Every company, whether it is an international conglomerate or a small local business, must balance expenses against revenue in hopes of turning a profit. One of the largest operating expenses is labour and having unpaid volunteers from a nearby school helps companies carve out a larger profit margin. For example, a local supermarket could use high school students to help with bagging groceries, collecting carts, stocking shelves and potentially even manning the cash registers. The savings from this labour can make a sizeable difference for companies as long as they have simple, manual positions that require little training and schools are willing to offer up students for these monotonous jobs.
On the other hand, students will generally not want to do simple, manual labour but work in a more interesting field, where they might be more of a hindrance than a help. A hypothetical example of this would be a student who has a keen interest in a given field, such as film-making, landing an internship with a local television station. In this high-pressured, skilled environment, an experienced employee will have to be charged with training and supervising a student who is unlikely to remain long with the company. This unpaid trainee will probably struggle to make much of a positive difference since the learning curve on skilled work is steep and the consequences for making mistakes can be serious. The student will learn a lot of useful skills but the company should see this as a form of charity, rather than a boon for their bottom line.
In conclusion, compulsory unpaid work for companies usually benefits students as they have a lot to learn and companies must invest in training. These positions are chances for students to become acclimated to the working world and not simply free manual labour.
Analysis
1. An increasing number of schools are forcing students to do unpaid internships with companies as a graduation requirement. 2. In my opinion, this measure generally benefits students more than companies.
Paraphrase what the overall topic is.
Write a clear opinion.
1. On the one hand, companies receive free labour. 2. Every company, whether it is an international conglomerate or a small local business, must balance expenses against revenue in hopes of turning a profit. 3. One of the largest operating expenses is labour and having unpaid volunteers from a nearby school helps companies carve out a larger profit margin. 4. For example, a local supermarket could use high school students to help with bagging groceries, collecting carts, stocking shelves and potentially even manning the cash registers. 5. The savings from this labour can make a sizeable difference for companies as long as they have simple, manual positions that require little training and schools are willing to offer up students for these monotonous jobs.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop your ideas by being very specific.
Give a clear example.
Conclude the paragraph by relating back to the overall essay topic.
1. On the other hand, students will generally not want to do simple, manual labour but work in a more interesting field, where they might be more of a hindrance than a help. 2. A hypothetical example of this would be a student who has a keen interest in a given field, such as film-making, landing an internship with a local television station. 3. In this high-pressured, skilled environment, an experienced employee will have to be charged with training and supervising a student who is unlikely to remain long with the company. 4. This unpaid trainee will probably struggle to make much of a positive difference since the learning curve on skilled work is steep and the consequences for making mistakes can be serious. 5. The student will learn a lot of useful skills but the company should see this as a form of charity, rather than a boon for their bottom line.
Write another topic sentence with another clear main idea at the end.
Give an example. I use a hypothetical one because it is difficult to think of a real world one but if you know one, use a specific person.
Develop the example.
Keep developing the same example – don’t switch to a new main idea or a new example.
Conclude the paragraph with a strong statement.
1. In conclusion, compulsory unpaid work for companies usually benefits students as they have a lot to learn and companies must invest in training. 2. These positions are chances for students to become acclimated to the working world and not simply free manual labour.
Summarise your ideas and repeat your opinion.
Finish summarising and add a final thought.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
An increasing number of schools are forcing students to do unpaid internships with companies as a graduation requirement. In my opinion, this measure generally benefits students more than companies.
On the one hand, companies receive free labour. Every company, whether it is an international conglomerate or a small local business, must balance expenses against revenuein hopes of turning a profit. One of the largest operating expenses is labour and having unpaid volunteers from a nearby school helps companies carve out a larger profit margin. For example, a local supermarket could use high school students to help with bagging groceries, collecting carts, stocking shelves and potentially even manning the cash registers. The savings from this labour can make a sizeable difference for companies as long as they have simple, manual positions that require little training and schools are willing to offer up students for these monotonous jobs.
On the other hand, students will generally not want to do simple, manual labour but work in a more interesting field, where they might be more of a hindrance than a help. A hypothetical example of this would be a student who has a keen interest in a given field, such as film-making, landing an internship with a local television station. In this high-pressured, skilled environment, an experienced employee will have to be charged with training and supervising a student who is unlikely to remain long with the company. This unpaid trainee will probably struggle to make much of a positive difference since the learning curve on skilled work is steep and the consequences for making mistakes can be serious. The student will learn a lot of useful skills but the company should see this as a form of charity, rather than a boon for their bottom line.
In conclusion, compulsory unpaid work for companies usually benefits students as they have a lot to learn and companies must invest in training. These positions are chances for students to become acclimated to the working world and not simply free manual labour.
Answers
increasing number more and more
forcing have to do
unpaid internships working for free
graduation requirement have to do to leave high school/graduate
measure generally development usually
receive free labour get unpaid workers
international conglomerate multinational company
small local business neighborhood store/shop/business
balance expenses against revenue balance the books, earn a profit
in hopes of turning a profit in order to make money
operating expenses labour, rent, etc. (set costs)
unpaid volunteers interns
carve out find a way to make
profit margin the amount of money made after expenses
bagging groceries putting food in bags at the supermarket
collecting carts rounding up supermarket carts
stocking shelves putting food on the shelf at a supermarket
manning in charge of
cash registers where you pay in a shop
savings money saved
sizeable difference really important
as long as assuming that
manual positions jobs where you don’t have to think much
little training not much teaching
willing open to
offer up give
monotonous boring
hindrance holds one back
hypothetical imaginary
keen interest very interested in
given field some area
landing an internship getting to be an intern/trainee
local television station small TV studio
high-pressured intense
experienced employee veteran worker
charged with tasked with
supervising watch over
remain long stay there a while
unpaid trainee intern
struggle have difficulty
make much of a positive difference have a good impact on
learning curve on skilled work is steep hard to pick up the job/get good at it
An i________________________r of schools are f______________g students to do u_______________________s with companies as a g__________________________t. In my opinion, this m_______________________y benefits students more than companies.
On the one hand, companies r____________________r. Every company, whether it is an i_____________________________e or a s_______________________s, must b______________________________________ei_____________________________t. One of the largest o______________________s is labour and having u_______________________s from a nearby school helps companies c_____________t a larger p__________________n. For example, a local supermarket could use high school students to help with b___________________s, c__________________s, s___________________s and potentially even m___________g the c_________________s. The s_____________s from this labour can make a s____________________e for companies a________________s they have simple, m___________________s that require l________________________g and schools are w_____________g to o____________p students for these m__________________s jobs.
On the other hand, students will generally not want to do simple, manual labour but work in a more interesting field, where they might be more of a h________________e than a help. A h_________________l example of this would be a student who has a k______________t in a g______________d, such as film-making, l_____________________p with a l________________________n. In this h_________________d, skilled environment, an e________________________e will have to be c________________h training and s_________________g a student who is unlikely to r______________g with the company. This u_______________e will probably s_______________e to m_________________________________e since the l______________________________________p and the c__________________s for m____________________s can be s____________s. The student will learn a lot of useful skills but the company should see this as a form of c___________y, rather than a b_______n for their b_________________e.
In conclusion, c____________________________k for companies usually benefits students as they have a lot to learn and companies must i______________n training. These positions are chances for students to become a______________d to the w____________________d and not simply free manual labour.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Listen to Shivali Sharma talk about getting an internship at Johnson and Johnson:
Reading Practice
Read an argument against unpaid internships from The Atlantic here:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Researching Other Planets
In the future, people may have to live on other planets. Some think that it is therefore important to spend money researching other planets such as Mars.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
It is becoming increasingly likely that humanity will have to someday resort to the colonisation of other planets. Though some suggest that we should divert important resources towards research of other planets now, I believe it is more pragmatic to focus on our current planet.
Advocates of increased funding for interplanetary research hold that leaving Earth is inevitable. This conclusion is underpinned by studies showing the potentially irreversible and undoubtedly catastrophic effects of climate change. So far the habitats devastated have belonged to remote polar regions and the fragile ecosystems of already vulnerable animals. Climate scientists believe this degradation will rapidly extend to the lives of ordinary people and result in a global scarcity of natural resources and more intense natural disasters. If these predictions are accurate then we need a backup plan involving the evacuation of Earth to ensure human survival and prosperity for future generations.
However, the best safeguard against the doomsday scenarios laid out above is to salvage the planet we currently inhabit. It would require an immense amount of time, money, and resources to colonise even the nearest neighbor to Earth, Mars. Instead of directing those energies towards a fantastical plan to terraform an alien planet, the easier option is to invest more in protecting Earth’s environment. Governments could enact stricter regulations on individuals and private companies to cut carbon emissions, while also funding clean energy initiatives. By collectively signing the numerous international accords, policymakers could strike a balance between economic development and environmental conservation. These solutions are both more realistic in terms of the sacrifices entailed and have a much better chance of actual success.
In conclusion, investing in colonising other planets should not be a priority when there are better solutions to current global problems. Interplanetary dreams should be left to private companies or wealthy individuals who are passionate about humanity’s future in space.
Analysis
1. It is becoming increasingly likely that humanity will have to someday resort to the colonisation of other planets. 2. Though some suggest that we should divert important resources towards research of other planets now, I believe it is more pragmatic to focus on our current planet.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
Write a clear opinion and include your main ideas if you can.
1. Advocates of increased funding for interplanetary research hold that leaving Earth is inevitable. 2. This conclusion is underpinned by studies showing the potentially irreversible and undoubtedly catastrophic effects of climate change. 3. So far the habitats devastated have belonged to remote polar regions and the fragile ecosystems of already vulnerable animals. 4. Climate scientists believe this degradation will rapidly extend to the lives of ordinary people and result in a global scarcity of natural resources and more intense natural disasters. 5. If these predictions are accurate then we need a backup plan involving the evacuation of Earth to ensure human survival and prosperity for future generations.
Write a clear topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea or give some background.
Develop your main idea with specific details.
Continue to develop it specifically.
Tie your conclusions back to the main idea.
1. However, the best safeguard against the doomsday scenarios laid out above is to salvage the planet we currently inhabit. 2. It would require an immense amount of time, money, and resources to colonise even the nearest neighbor to Earth, Mars. 3. Instead of directing those energies towards a fantastical plan to terraform an alien planet, the easier option is to invest more in protecting Earth’s environment. 4. Governments could enact stricter regulations on individuals and private companies to cut carbon emissions, while also funding clean energy initiatives. 5. By collectively signing the numerous international accords, policymakers could strike a balance between economic development and environmental conservation. 6. These solutions are both more realistic in terms of the sacrifices entailed and have a much better chance of actual success.
Write another clear topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
I start here with a counter-example…
Then move on to explaining my main idea.
Use specific examples – the more specific the better.
Draw out your examples fully and don’t switch to a new main idea.
Conclude with a strong statement and the final results.
1. In conclusion, investing in colonising other planets should not be a priority when there are better solutions to current global problems. 2. Interplanetary dreams should be left to private companies or wealthy individuals who are passionate about humanity’s future in space.
Summarise your opinion and arguments.
Finish summarising and add in an extra detail.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Use the sentences to try to figure out the meaning of difficult words:
It is becoming increasingly likely that humanity will have to someday resort to the colonisation of other planets. Though some suggest that we should divert important resources towards research of other planets now, I believe it is more pragmatic to focus on our current planet.
Advocates of increased funding for interplanetary research hold that leaving Earth is inevitable. This conclusion is underpinned by studies showing the potentially irreversible and undoubtedly catastrophic effects of climate change. So far the habitats devastated have belonged to remote polar regions and the fragile ecosystems of already vulnerable animals. Climate scientists believe this degradation will rapidly extend to the lives of ordinary people and result in a global scarcity of natural resources and more intense natural disasters. If these predictions are accurate then we need a backup plan involving the evacuation of Earth to ensure human survival and prosperity for future generations.
However, the best safeguard against the doomsday scenarios laid out above is to salvage the planet we currently inhabit. It would require an immense amount of time, money, and resources to colonise even the nearest neighbor to Earth, Mars. Instead of directing those energies towards a fantastical plan to terraform an alien planet, the easier option is to invest more in protecting Earth’s environment. Governments could enact stricter regulations on individuals and private companies to cut carbon emissions, while also funding clean energy initiatives. By collectively signing the numerous international accords, policymakers could strike a balance between economic development and environmental conservation. These solutions are both more realistic in terms of the sacrifices entailed and have a much better chance of actual success.
In conclusion, investing in colonising other planets should not be a priority when there are better solutions to current global problems. Interplanetary dreams should be left to private companies or wealthy individuals who are passionate about humanity’s future in space.
Answers
increasingly likely more and more possible it will happen
resort have to do
colonisation taking over/living on other planets
suggest propose
divert redirect
pragmatic useful
current right now
advocates supporters
interplanetary research learning about other planets
inevitable definitely going to happen
underpinned sourced, the foundation of
potentially irreversible maybe can’t be fixed
undoubtedly catastrophic effects definitely really bad impact
climate change global warming
so far to this point
habitats devastated homes hurt
belonged to were part of
remote polar regions far away cold places like Antarctica
fragile ecosystems delivate habitats
vulnerable easily hurt, weak
degradation getting worse
rapidly extend quickly move to
ordinary people everyday citizens
result in the effect will be
global scarcity of natural resources running out of oil, gas, trees, water, etc.
intense natural disasters powerful hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.
backup plan another option just in case
evacuation escape from
ensure human survival safeguard humanity’s future
prosperity growth
future generations people in the future
best safeguard against top way to protect
doomsday scenarios laid out worst case situations explained before
salvage save what is left of
currently inhabit where we live now
require need
immense amount a lot of
nearest neighbor closest planet
directing those energies focusing on
fantastical plan delusional ideas
terraform make more like Earth
easier option feasible solution
invest more put more money into
enact stricter regulations pass tougher laws
cut carbon emissions reduce reliance on fossil fuels
funding clean energy initiatives giving money for wind, solar, etc.
collectively signing the numerous international accords all together agree on the same laws/regulations
policymakers politicians
strike a balance find the middle ground
economic development jobs, companies doing well
environmental conservation saving the environment
realistic possible, may actually happen
sacrifices entailed what must be given up
actual success could really work
investing putting money into
priority more important
interplanetary dreams desire to go to other planets
It is becoming i_____________________y that humanity will have to someday r________t to the c_________________n of other planets. Though some s_________t that we should d_________t important resources towards research of other planets now, I believe it is more p______________c to focus on our c____________t planet.
A_______________s of increased funding for i________________________h hold that leaving Earth is i_____________e. This conclusion is u________________d by studies showing the p_______________________e and u____________________________s of c__________________e. S_________r the h______________________d have b________________o r___________________s and the f__________________________s of already v_______________e animals. Climate scientists believe this d___________________n will r____________________d to the lives of o_____________________e and r___________n a g___________________________s and more i_____________________________s. If these predictions are accurate then we need a b_________________n involving the e_________________n of Earth to e_________________________l and p_______________y for f______________________s.
However, the b_________________________t the d____________________________t above is to s_____________e the planet we c____________________t. It would r____________e an i___________________t of time, money, and resources to colonise even the n____________________r to Earth, Mars. Instead of d________________________s towards a f______________________n to t_____________m an alien planet, the e_______________n is to i_______________e in protecting Earth’s environment. Governments could e________________________s on individuals and private companies to c_____________________________s, while also f_______________________________s. By c____________________________________________________________s, p____________________s could s__________________e between e_____________________t and e________________________n. These solutions are both more r_____________________c in terms of the s___________________d and have a much better chance of a____________________s.
In conclusion, i___________________g in colonising other planets should not be a p______________y when there are better solutions to current global problems. I____________________________s should be left to private companies or w________________________s who are p___________________e about humanity’s future in space.
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of rewarding students for success from the real IELTS exam.
It’s an interesting topic and I had a lot of fun writing about it!
My structure is a little bit different from my normal essays – it is fine to write with a different structure if you are fully supporting your main ideas.
Some think schools should rewards students who have the best academic results, while others think it’s more important to reward students who achieve other types of success (such as sports, music, and good behaviour).
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam
It is common to reward students for their academic success but many today believe schools should also recognise other areas of excellence such as athletics and behaviour. In my opinion, rewarding academic results is more important as it is a powerful motivator and should not be replicated for other pursuits.
Rewarding academic success is part of an historic system of control. The purpose is self-evident: to psychologically compel continued positive results. For example, in many East Asian countries such as Vietnam where good marks are highly valued, it is not uncommon for parents to offer financial incentives to students, schools to regularly hand out certificates of excellence, and teachers to highlight individuals for praise. All these distinctions are powerful extrinsic motivators that draw students away from the, often monotonous, subject being studied itself to monetary gains, public recognition and the esteem of one’s teachers, respectively. This effectively exploits basic desires for respect and reinforces a pattern of academic excellence.
However, despite the benefits listed above, other types of activities contain their own rewards already. A student who behaves well in class will typically earn the appreciation of teachers or simply do it out of their natural temperament and therefore not require compensation. Students with athletic prowess enjoy the reverence of their peers and the sports themselves. These built-in rewards apply to a variety of fields of success outside traditional school subjects. In fact, rewarding behaviours that students already enjoy doing in themselves might actually hinder motivation. Students could potentially become more focused on the reward than the experience itself and an intrinsic drive will become extrinsic, ironically now requiring tangible reinforcement to continue.
In conclusion, rewarding academics is a proven method of reinforcement that could have the opposite effect of decreasing intrinsic motivation when applied to other areas. Teachers and parents should be wary of the subtle difference between encouraging children and establishing a near-Pavlovian relationship.
Analysis
1. It is common to reward students for their academic success but many today believe schools should also recognise other areas of excellence such as athletics and behaviour. 2. In my opinion, rewarding academic results is more important as it is a powerful motivator and should not be replicated for other pursuits.
Paraphrase the overall topic.
Answer the question with a direct opinion.
1. Rewarding academic success is part of an historic system of control. 2. The purpose is self-evident: to psychologically compel continued positive results. 3. For example, in many East Asian countries such as Vietnam where good marks are highly valued, it is not uncommon for parents to offer financial incentives to students, schools to regularly hand out certificates of excellence, and teachers to highlight individuals for praise. 4. All these distinctions are powerful extrinsic motivators that draw students away from the, often monotonous, subject being studied itself to monetary gains, public recognition and the esteem of one’s teachers, respectively. 5. This effectively exploits basic desires for respect and reinforces a pattern of academic excellence.
Write a clear topic sentence. In this essay, I first argue that academic rewards are positive in this paragraph. The next paragraph focuses on why they would not be positive for other areas. Typically these paragraphs would be switched but in this essay I felt the next paragraph is a stronger argument so that is why I put them in this order.
Explain your main idea, if necessary.
Give a specific example.
Develop your example.
Conclude your paragraph by generalising.
1. However, despite the benefits listed above, other types of activities contain their own rewards already. 2. A student who behaves well in class will typically earn the appreciation of teachers or simply do it out of their natural temperament and therefore not require compensation. 3. Students with athletic prowess enjoy the reverence of their peers and the sports themselves. 4. These built-in rewards apply to a variety of fields of success outside traditional school subjects. 5. In fact, rewarding behaviours that students already enjoy doing in themselves might actually hinder motivation. 6. Students could potentially become more focused on the reward than the experience itself and an intrinsic drive will become extrinsic, ironically now requiring tangible reinforcement to continue.
Write a new topic sentence with another main idea at the end.
Begin a hypothetical example.
Here I shift to a related example.
Then I generalise to other examples.
Finally, I explain the importance of these example.
I conclude my paragraph with a strong statement and the final results of my opinion.
1. In conclusion, rewarding academics is a proven method of reinforcement that could have the opposite effect of decreasing intrinsic motivation when applied to other areas. 2. Teachers and parents should be wary of the subtle difference between encouraging children and establishing a near-Pavlovian relationship.
Repeat your opinion clearly.
Add in an extra detail or finish summarising your opinion.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Try to figure out the meaning from the sentence and then check below:
It is common to reward students for their academic success but many today believe schools should also recognise other areas of excellence such as athletics and behaviour. In my opinion, rewarding academic results is more important as it is a powerful motivator and should not be replicated for other pursuits.
Rewarding academic success is part of an historic system of control. The purpose is self-evident: to psychologically compel continued positive results. For example, in many East Asian countries such as Vietnam where good marks are highly valued, it is not uncommon for parents to offer financial incentives to students, schools to regularly hand out certificates of excellence, and teachers to highlight individuals for praise. All these distinctions are powerful extrinsic motivators that draw students away from the, often monotonous, subject being studied itself to monetary gains, public recognition and the esteem of one’s teachers, respectively. This effectively exploits basic desires for respect and reinforces a pattern of academic excellence.
However, despite the benefits listed above, other types of activities contain their own rewards already. A student who behaves well in class will typically earn the appreciation of teachers or simply do it out of their natural temperament and therefore not require compensation. Students with athletic prowess enjoy the reverence of their peers and the sports themselves. These built-in rewards apply to a variety of fields of success outside traditional school subjects. In fact, rewarding behaviours that students already enjoy doing in themselves might actually hinder motivation. Students could potentially become more focused on the reward than the experience itself and an intrinsic drive will become extrinsic, ironically now requiring tangible reinforcement to continue.
In conclusion, rewarding academics is a proven method of reinforcement that could have the opposite effect of decreasing intrinsic motivation when applied to other areas. Teachers and parents should be wary of the subtle difference between encouraging children and establishing a near-Pavlovian relationship.
Answers
common all around
reward students give something to students in appreciation
academic success doing well in school subjects
recognise acknowledge
excellence doing really well
athletics sports
behaviour how you act in class
powerful motivator good source of motivation
replicated repeated
pursuits areas
historic system of control been used a long time to enforce behaviour
self-evident needs no explanation
psychologically compel force to do
continued positive results keep getting good marks
highly valued very important
not uncommon common
financial incentives money
regularly hand out certificates of excellence give awards
highlight individuals for praise single out students to say they did well
distinctions separations, elevations
powerful extrinsic motivators something outside the activity itself that makes you want to do it
draw take from
often monotonous usually boring
monetary gains financial incentives
public recognition respect of others
esteem of one’s teachers admiration from teachers
respectively in turn
effectively exploits basic desires does a good job taking advantage of human psychology
reinforces supports
pattern trend
despite the benefits listed above regardless of the mentioned advantages
contain have within them
behaves well in class a good student, not naughty
earn gain
appreciation reverence
natural temperament your personality
compensation getting something back
athletic prowess ability with sports
reverence admiration
peers other students
built-in already there
outside traditional school subjects not just what you study in school
hinder hold back
potentially possible
more focused care more about
experience itself the activity in itself
intrinsic drive not for outside rewards
extrinsic for outside rewards
ironically coincidentally
tangible reinforcement physical reward
proven method working way of doing something
opposite effect reverse impact
applied to other areas transferred to non-academics
wary careful of
subtle difference hard to see distinction
encouraging children praising kids
establishing a near-Pavlovian relationship making them require your praise/reinforcement
It is c____________n to r_________________s for their a__________________s but many today believe schools should also r___________e other areas of e_____________e such as a______________s and b________________r. In my opinion, rewarding academic results is more important as it is a p__________________________r and should not be r_____________d for other p____________s.
Rewarding academic success is part of an h______________________________l. The purpose is s________________t: to p___________________________l c_________________________s. For example, in many East Asian countries such as Vietnam where good marks are h_________________d, it is n__________________n for parents to offer f__________________s to students, schools to r___________________________________________e, and teachers to h_____________________________________e. All these d________________s are p_____________________s that d_____w students away from the, o______________________s, subject being studied itself to m_________________s, p_____________________n and the e_______________________s, r________________y. This e_______________________________s for respect and r_____________s a p____________n of academic excellence.
However, d_______________________________e, other types of activities c__________n their own rewards already. A student who b________________________s will typically e________n the a_________________n of teachers or simply do it out of their n______________________t and therefore not require c_____________________n. Students with a____________________s enjoy the r_________________e of their p________s and the sports themselves. These b__________n rewards apply to a variety of fields of success o_______________________________s. In fact, rewarding behaviours that students already enjoy doing in themselves might actually h__________r motivation. Students could p_______________y become m________________d on the reward than the e__________________f and an i______________e will become e_____________c, i______________y now requiring t___________________________t to continue.
In conclusion, rewarding academics is a p_________________d of reinforcement that could have the o_______________t of decreasing intrinsic motivation when a______________________s. Teachers and parents should be w________y of the s_____________________e between e_______________________n and e_______________________________________p.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch a well-known animation related to this topic:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of researching medical treatments from the real IELTS exam.
The structure of the question is a little bit strange for IELTS but you can write your essay the same way: answer the question with a clear opinion and talk about 2 sides – that’s what I did.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Researching Medical Treatments
Research into medical treatments are essential to improve health and fight disease.
Who do you think should fund this research: individuals, private companies or governments?
Real Past IELTS Exam
It is indisputably important for researchers to develop new medical treatments in the battle against poor health and disease. In my opinion, this research should be funded primarily by governments and well-regulated private companies.
Governments are able to concentrate solely on public interests. They are indebted to tax-payers and have a responsibility to direct that money back into various services benefitting the nation at large. A good example of the important role governments play in medical services and treatments is the theory of disease originated by Louis Pasteur while working for the publicly funded University of Lille in France. It is unlikely he would have had the time or resources to conduct his experiments on his own and questionable if a private company would have recognised the commercial value of his work. Government funding functions much the same way today to fund medical projects without a clear path to profits but enormous importance for public health.
However, governments are notoriously slow-moving, under-funded and less innovative than private corporations. Companies are motivated to generate a profit, which pushes them to compete, innovate, and pay for the best minds in the field. Evidence for this is numerous and includes advances in surgical procedures, stem cell therapy, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, cancer research, and emergency medicine. Government funded projects and hospitals have a tendency to become complacent while private companies must innovate to excel. The risk, naturally, is that these companies will charge exorbitant costs and reserve the best medicine for select, wealthy clientele. Government regulation is therefore needed to keep these corporations in check.
In conclusion, the government plays a key role in medical research both as a creative body and a regulator. Private companies should not be vilified for their exploitation of health problems but they should be kept within clear limits.
Analysis
1. It is indisputably important for researchers to develop new medical treatments in the battle against poor health and disease. 2. In my opinion, this research should be funded primarily by governments and well-regulated private companies.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay.
Write your opinion – directly answer the question.
1. Governments are able to concentrate solely on public interests. 2. They are indebted to tax-payers and have a responsibility to direct that money back into various services benefitting the nation at large. 3. A good example of the important role governments play in medical services and treatments is the theory of disease originated by Louis Pasteur while working for the publicly funded University of Lille in France. 4. It is unlikely he would have had the time or resources to conduct his experiments on his own and questionable if a private company would have recognised the commercial value of his work. 5. Government funding functions much the same way today to fund medical projects without a clear path to profits but enormous importance for public health.
Write a topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Begin a specific example.
Develop the example.
Generalise and relate back to the overall question.
1. However, governments are notoriously slow-moving, under-funded and less innovative than private corporations. 2. Companies are motivated to generate a profit, which pushes them to compete, innovate, and pay for the best minds in the field. 3. Evidence for this is numerous and includes advances in surgical procedures, stem cell therapy, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, cancer research, and emergency medicine. 4. Government funded projects and hospitals have a tendency to become complacent while private companies must innovate to excel. 5. The risk, naturally, is that these companies will charge exorbitant costs and reserve the best medicine for select, wealthy clientele. 6. Government regulation is therefore needed to keep these corporations in check.
Write your topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Give specific examples or support – the more specific the better.
Continue to develop your main idea.
Here I qualify the importance to be consistent with my overall opinion.
Finish with a strong statement.
1. In conclusion, the government plays a key role in medical research both as a creative body and a regulator. 2. Private companies should not be vilified for their exploitation of health problems but they should be kept within clear limits.
Repeat your opinion and summarise your arguments.
Finish summarising and conclude with a strong statement.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
It is indisputably important for researchers to develop new medical treatments in the battle against poor health and disease. In my opinion, this research should be funded primarily by governments and well-regulated private companies.
Governments are able to concentrate solely on public interests. They are indebted to tax-payers and have a responsibility to direct that money back into various services benefitting the nation at large. A good example of the important role governments play in medical services and treatments is theory of disease originated by Louis Pasteur while working for the publicly funded University of Lille in France. It is unlikely he would have had the time or resources to conduct his experiments on his own and questionable if a private company would have recognised the commercial value of his work. Government funding functions much the same way today to fund medical projects without a clear path to profits but enormous importance for public health.
However, governments are notoriously slow-moving, under-funded and less innovative than private corporations. Companies are motivated to generate a profit, which pushes them to compete, innovate, and pay for the best minds in the field. Evidence for this is numerous and includes advances in surgical procedures, stem cell therapy, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, cancer research, and emergency medicine. Government funded projects and hospitals have a tendency to become complacent while private companies must innovate to excel. The risk, naturally, is that these companies will charge exorbitant costs and reserve the best medicine for select, wealthy clientele. Government regulation is therefore needed to keep these corporations in check.
In conclusion, the government plays a key role in medical research both as a creative body and a regulator. Private companies should not be vilified for their exploitation of health problems but they should be kept within clear limits.
Answers
indisputably important definitely crucial
new medical treatments important medicine
battle fight
funded primarily by given money from
well-regulated private companies corporations limited by laws
concentrate solely focus only
public interests what citizens all need
indebted owing money to
tax-payers citizens
direct focus towards
back into returned to
benefitting for the good of
nation at large the whole country
important role crucial part
play (play a role is a collocation meaning to ‘have a role’)
medical services and treatments medicine to help/treat sicknesses and diseases
originated comes from
Louis Pasteur French scientist who created a theory of germs and made many important discoveries
publicly funded money from the government
unlikely probably won’t happen
conduct his experiments do his experiments/research
questionable dubious
recognised know about, realised
commercial value can make a profit
functions much the same way today works in the same method
without a clear path to profits no way to make money
enormous importance for public health a lot of value for everyone
notoriously slow-moving famously not fast
under-funded not enough money
innovative new ideas and products/services
generate a profit make money
pushes them to compete motivates rivalry
innovate revolutionise
best minds in the field smartest people in a subject
evidence support
numerous lots of
advances progress
surgical procedures operations
stem cell therapy a type of regenerative medicine
nutrition eating healthy
pharmaceuticals prescribed drugs
cancer research study into cancer
emergency medicine medicine for accidents or fast-acting medicine
tendency inclination
complacent settled, lazy
excel do really well
naturally organically
charge exorbitant costs must pay a lot of money
reserve hold for
select chosen (adjective)
wealthy clientele people with a lot of money
keep these corporations in check control companies
plays a key role has a lot to do with
creative body institutions that think of ideas
regulator controller
vilified turned to villains
exploitation take advantage of
kept within clear limits not allowed complete freedom
It is i_________________________t for researchers to develop n_________________________s in the b__________e against poor health and disease. In my opinion, this research should be f_______________________y governments and w_______________________________s.
Governments are able to c___________________y on p___________________s. They are i______________d to t_______________s and have a responsibility to d______________t that money b_____________o various services b_____________g the n_________________e. A good example of the i_________________e governments p______y in m_______________________________s is the theory of disease o__________________d by L________________r while working for the p_____________________d University of Lille in France. It is u______________y he would have had the time or resources to c_________________________s on his own and q_________________e if a private company would have r_______________d the c___________________e of his work. Government funding f_________________________________y to fund medical projects w______________________________s but e______________________________________h.
However, governments are n________________________g, u________________d and less i_________________e than private corporations. Companies are motivated to g____________________t, which p______________________e, i_____________e, and pay for the b______________________d. E____________e for this is n______________s and includes a_____________s in s___________________s, s__________________y, n____________n, p______________________s, c___________________h, and e________________________e. Government funded projects and hospitals have a t_______________y to become c_______________t while private companies must innovate to e_______l. The risk, n____________y, is that these companies will c_________________________s and r_____________e the best medicine for s__________t, w__________________e. Government regulation is therefore needed to k___________________________k.
In conclusion, the government p____________________e in medical research both as a c________________y and a r______________r. Private companies should not be v___________d for their e__________________n of health problems but they should be k_______________________s.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Listen more about Louis Pasteur below:
Reading Practice
Read a story about research funding from The New York Times below:
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