This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay of a diagram/process showing how rainwater is collected and used for drinking water in an Australian town.
This one was really challenging for a strange reason… there wasn’t enough to write about!
I had to add in more words just so that it made the word count!
Read it below in case you get a simple process on your exam.
The above diagram details the process by which precipitation is stored and sent for household use in a given town in Australia. Overall, there are 3 main stages that involve the collection of water through drains, its repeated transportation and treatment underground and finally reuse as drinking water in homes.
Rainwater distribution begins with collection through gutters and drains attached to houses. The water seeping into the ground is not collected according to the diagram. The drain water is carried through a system of pipes into a water filter and then a storage tank.
From the storage tank, it next flows by more piping to a water treatment tank where a chemical process makes the water clean enough for residents to drink. After the water has been processed, it is sent through pipes, different from the drain water pipes that originally collected the water, back into homes to be used for drinking water.
Analysis
1. The above diagram details the process by which precipitation is stored and sent for household use in a given town in Australia. 2. Overall, there are 3 main stages that involve the collection of water through drains, its repeated transportation and treatment underground and finally reuse as drinking water in homes.
Paraphrase what the process shows.
Give an overview of the process. Try to divide it into two or three main stages and summarise what happens.
1. Rainwater distribution begins with collection through gutters and drains attached to houses. 2. The water seeping into the ground is not collected according to the diagram. 3. The drain water is carried through a system of pipes into a water filter and then a storage tank.
Begin descripting the process.
I included this sentence because there wasn’t enough to write about otherwise. Do not include opinion or speculation.
Use the passive when you continue the process since it is not being done by a specific person.
1. From the storage tank, it next flows by more piping to a water treatment tank where a chemical process makes the water clean enough for residents to drink. 2. After the water has been processed, it is sent through pipes, different from the drain water pipes that originally collected the water, back into homes to be used for drinking water.
Continue with the rest of the process. I added in extra words to reach the word limit here.
Conclude the diagram and state the end result.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The above diagram details the process by which precipitation is stored and sent for household use in a given town in Australia. Overall, there are 3 main stages that involve the collection of water through drains, its repeated transportation and treatment underground and finally reuse as drinking water in homes.
Rainwater distribution begins with collection through gutters and drains attached to houses. The water seeping into the ground is ignored according to the diagram. The drain water is carried through a system of pipes into a water filter and then a storage tank.
From the storage tank, it next flows by more piping to a water treatment tank where a chemical process makes the water clean enough for residents to drink. After the water has been processed, it is sent through pipes, different from the drain water pipes that originally gathered the water, back into homes to be used for drinking water.
Answers
above diagram details process shown describes
by which precipitation the way in which rain
stored kept
household use for homes/people to use
a given town in some town
main stages biggest parts
involve have to do with
collection gathering, storage
repeated transportation more than one time sent
treatment underground being filtered under the ground
reuse used again
drinking water water that is safe to drink
rainwater distribution water sent out
gutters on houses to channel rain into pipes
drains attached to houses pipes on the side of homes to collect water
The a______________________s the process b______________________n is s_________d and sent for h_______________e in a_______________n in Australia. Overall, there are 3 m________________s that i_____________e the c______________n of water through drains, its r_________________n and t__________________________d and finally r____________e as d________________r in homes.
R_____________________n begins with collection through g____________s and d_______________________s. The water s________________o the ground is i________________d according to the diagram. The d__________________r is carried t______________________________s into a w____________r and then a s________________k.
From the storange tank, it n_________________s by more piping to a w_________________________k where a c___________________s makes the water c____________________h for r____________________s to drink. After the water has been p__________________d, it is sent through pipes, different from the drain water pipes that o_________________________d the water, b______________________s to be used for drinking water.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn more in detail about the process of filtering and treating water in this video:
Reading Practice
Read the facts here about how much water you should really drink a day:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether governments should direct more funding towards medical or environmental research.
It’s a good topic to practice with because it focuses on two common IELTS topics: medicine and the environment.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Medical Research
Governments should spend more money on medical research and less on researching the environment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many believe governments today should prioritise funding for medicine over environmental studies. In my opinion, learning more about the environment is one way to inform policy regarding climate change but more money should be directed towards medical research.
Those advocating for increased focus on the environment are eager to understand and counter the effects of climate change. There is arguably no greater threat facing the future of human civilisation than a degrading natural world. At the moment, billions are being poured into studies to understand how fast the polar ice caps are melting, what the impact will be, the damage to ecosystems, the interrelation between humans and these delicate ecosystems as well as the role of fossil fuels in aggravating climate change. There are wildly different theories about all these areas and some think the best utilisation of research grants is to give scientists free rein to study and collaborate in the hope of coming to a stronger consensus, which can then shape international accords and domestic policy decisions.
Despite the force of the above argument, I believe health is a more tangible and pressing concern. There is constant disagreement from climate scientists and it is unclear if increased funding would be a remedy or injury. Health research is unequivocally positive. Some of the many advances in health from the last several decades include increased understanding of mental illness, less invasive procedures for surgery, better vaccines, and countless new iterations of advanced medical equipment. These are all put into practice immediately and save or better lives in every country around the world. More money for research now would open up possibilities for new medical innovations that could involve experimentation with genetic modification and greater understanding of disease prevention.
In conclusion, making sense of climate change is important but nothing is more essential than one’s health. Governments ought to find ways to balance these competing interests but also be mindful of what most benefits their present citizenry.
Analysis
1. Many believe governments today should prioritise funding for medicine over environmental studies. 2. In my opinion, learning more about the environment is one way to inform policy regarding climate change but more money should be directed towards medical research.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
Write a clear opinion.
1. Those advocating for increased focus on the environment are eager to understand and counter the effects of climate change. 2. There is arguably no greater threat facing the future of human civilisation than a degrading natural world. 3. At the moment, billions are being poured into studies to understand how fast the polar ice caps are melting, what the impact will be, the damage to ecosystems, the interrelation between humans and these delicate ecosystems as well as the role of fossil fuels in aggravating climate change. 4. There are wildly different theories about all these areas and some think the best utilisation of research grants is to give them free rein to study and collaborate in the hope of coming to a stronger consensus, which can then shape international accords and domestic policy decisions.
Write a clear topic sentence with your main idea at the end of it.
Explain/develop the idea.
Make your support as specific and clear as possible.
State the results and the reasons to support your original main idea.
1. Despite the force of the above argument, I believe health is a more tangible and pressing concern. 2. There is constant disagreement from climate scientists and it is unclear if increased funding would be a remedy or injury. 3. Health research is unequivocally positive. 4. Some of the many advances in health from the last several decades include increased understanding of mental illness, less invasive procedures for surgery, better vaccines, and countless new iterations of advanced medical equipment. 5. These are all put into practice immediately and save or better lives in every country around the world. 6. More money for research now would open up possibilities for new medical innovations that could involve experimentation with genetic modification and greater understanding of disease prevention.
Write a new topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
Here I start with a counter-example to make it clear why this is my opinion.
I transition to why health is important.
I inclue a lot of specific detail related to health advances.
Then I state why these advances are so important.
Conclude your paragraph with more support – no need for summary.
1. In conclusion, making sense of climate change is important but nothing is more essential than one’s health. 2. Governments ought to find ways to balance these competing interests but also be mindful of what most benefits their present citizenry.
Repeat your opinion.
Include a final thought/detail for full marks from the examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many believe governments today should prioritise funding for medicine over environmental studies. In my opinion, learning more about the environment is one way to inform policy regarding climate change but more money should be directed towards medical research.
Those advocating for increased focus on the environment are eager to understand and counter the effects of climate change. There is arguably no greater threat facing the future of human civilisation than a degrading natural world. At the moment, billions are being poured into studies to understand how fast the polar ice caps are melting, what the impact will be, the damage to ecosystems, the interrelation between humans and these delicateecosystems as well as the role of fossil fuels in aggravating climate change. There are wildly different theories about all these areas and some think the best utilisation of research grants is to give researchersfree rein to study and collaborate in the hope of coming to a stronger consensus, which can then shape international accords and domestic policy decisions.
Despite the force of the above argument, I believe health is a more tangible and pressing concern. There is constant disagreement among climate scientists and it is unclear if increased funding would be a remedy or injury. Health research is unequivocally positive. Some of the many advances in health from the last several decades include increased understanding of mental illness, less invasive procedures for surgery, better vaccines, and countless new iterations of advanced medical equipment. These are all put into practice immediately and save or better lives in every country around the world. More money for research now would open up possibilities for new medical innovations that could involve experimentation with genetic modification and greater understanding of disease prevention.
In conclusion, making sense of climate change is important but nothing is more essential than one’s health. Governments ought to find ways to balance these competing interests but also be mindful of what most benefits their present citizenry.
Answers
prioritise make more important
medicine health related study
environmental studies learning about the natural world
inform policy regarding climate change help shape/make better decisions about global warming
directed towards focused on
advocating in favour of
increased focus more emphasis
eager excited for
counter argue against
arguably no greater threat facing probably nothing more pressing
degrading natural world hurting the environment
poured put into
how fast the polar ice caps are melting the speed with which icebergs are disappearing
damage injury
ecosystems plants and animals interacting with their environment
interrelation interaction
delicateecosystems fragile environments
role part to play in
fossil fuels oil, gas
aggravating climate change making the environment worse
wildly different theories many different ideas
utilisation use
research grants money to study
give researchersfree rein allow them to study whatever they want
collaborate work together
in the hope of with the goal of
coming to a stronger consensus agreeing on
shape international accords influence international agreements
domestic policy decisions a country’s laws
Despite the force of the above argument nonetheless
tangible real impact
pressing concern important problem
constant disagreement never agree on
climate scientists researchers looking into global warming
unclear equivocal
increased funding more money for
remedy fix
injury hurt
unequivocally positive definitely good
last several decades 30 or so years
increased understanding of mental illness more knowledge on mental disorders
less invasive procedures for surgery not have to cut into a person as much
vaccines shot to make you immune to a disease
countless new iterations many new versions
put into practice immediately used right away
open up possibilities allow for
new medical innovations new ideas in health
experimentation trying out ideas
genetic modification changing your genes/biology
disease prevention stopping illnesses
making sense of understanding
nothing is more essential than the most important thing is
balance equality
competing interests forces in conflict
mindful aware of
what most benefits their present citizenry the biggest advantage for all people of a country
Many believe governments today should p_____________e funding for m_____________e over e_________________________s. In my opinion, learning more about the environment is one way to i____________________________________e but more money should be d________________________s medical research.
Those a___________________g for i_______________________s on the environment are e______________r to understand and c_____________r the effects of climate change. There is a_______________________________g the future of human civilisation than a d__________________________d. At the moment, billions are being p__________________d into studies to understand h_____________________________________g, what the impact will be, the d____________e to e________________s, the i______________________n between humans and these d_____________________s as well as the r________e of f___________________s in a____________________________e. There are w________________________s about all these areas and some think the best u__________________n of r_____________________s is to g_____________________________n to study and c_______________e i_______________f c_______________________s, which can then s__________________________s and d________________________s.
D_______________________________________t, I believe health is a more t____________e and p______________________n. There is c___________________________t among c_____________________s and it is u_____________r if i____________________g would be a r_____________y or i__________y. Health research is u_______________________e. Some of the many advances in health from the l________________________s include i__________________________________s, l_______________________________y, better v____________s, and c_______________________s of advanced medical equipment. These are all p____________________________________y and save or better lives in every country around the world. More money for research now would o_______________________s for n___________________________s that could involve e_____________________n with g_________________________n and greater understanding of d_______________________n.
In conclusion, m________________________f climate change is important but n_________________________n one’s health. Governments ought to find ways to b_____________e these c_____________________s but also be m___________l of w______________________________________________y.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn about some real-life medical researchers at Mass General:
Many people think that zoos are cruel. Others think they are helpful in protecting rare animals.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam
Some concerned groups feel that zoos are cruelly exploitative while others argue they serve the vital function of protecting endangered animals. In my opinion, though zoos are inherently unnatural, their efforts are laudable overall.
Those activists who decry the existence of zoos often point out how animals live in the wild. A lion in the African Serengeti, one of the few remaining preserves for lions in their natural habitat, roams over miles of grassland, hunts for meals and competes with rival prides. This is how lions have lived for thousands of years and is the natural byproduct of a generational process of evolution. The same lion placed in a zoo paces a small cage, is tossed already dead meat to eat, and rarely has other lions to interact or mate with. The evidence for zoos as a cruel institution lies in the contrasting of a natural and unnatural lifestyle and turning proud beasts into scavengers.
Regardless, zoos are essential for the preservation and cultivation of endangered species. There are countless animals ranging from various big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, and other sub-species), to pandas, rhinoceros, gorillas, pangolins and many more that depend on zoos for protection and safe breeding grounds. These animals have been driven to the brink of extinction either by loss of habitat due to rampant development and climate change or hunted for their fur or alleged medicinal properties. Responsible zoos are tasked with breeding them in order to stabilise falling populations and then re-introducing them into the wild. Without these zoos, many species would likely already have gone extinct.
In conclusion, zoos are fundamentally artificial but also a net positive because of their conservation efforts. To ensure this remains the case, these refuges must be well-regulated and governments should enact complementary solutions such as anti-poaching laws.
Analysis
1. Some concerned groups feel that zoos are cruelly exploitative while others argue they serve the vital function of protecting endangered animals. 2. In my opinion, though zoos are inherently unnatural, their efforts are laudable overall.
Paraphrase the topic for the essay.
Give a clear opinion.
1. Those activists who decry the existence of zoos often point out how animals live in the wild. 2. A lion in the African Serengeti, one of the few remaining preserves for lions in their natural habitat, roams over miles of grassland, hunts for meals and competes with rival prides. 3. This is how lions have lived for thousands of years and is the natural byproduct of a generational process of evolution. 4. The same lion placed in a zoo paces a small cage, is tossed already dead meat to eat, and rarely has other lions to interact or mate with. 5. The evidence for zoos as a cruel institution lies in the contrasting of a natural and unnatural lifestyle and turning proud beasts into scavengers.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea/reason at the end of the sentence.
Begin a specific example.
Develop the example.
Continue developing it – here I switch to contrast the life of a lion in a zoo.
Finish developing it and make an overall statement to relate back to the overall question.
1. Regardless, zoos are essential for the preservation and cultivation of endangered species. 2. There are countless animals ranging from various big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, and other sub-species), to pandas, rhinoceros, gorillas, pangolins and many more that depend on zoos for protection and safe breeding grounds. 3. These animals have been driven to the brink of extinction either by loss of habitat due to rampant development and climate change or hunted for their fur or alleged medicinal properties. 4. Responsible zoos are tasked with breeding them in order to stabilise falling populations and then re-introducing them into the wild. 5. Without these zoos, many species would likely already have gone extinct.
Another topic sentence with a clear main idea.
Explain your main idea.
Here I state the causes for animals to be in zoos because that supports the need for zoos.
I further develop the main purpose of zoos.
Conclude your paragraph with a strong sentence.
1. In conclusion, zoos are fundamentally artificial but also a net positive because of their conservation efforts. 2. To ensure this remains the case, these refuges must be well-regulated and governments should enact complementary solutions such as anti-poaching laws.
Repeat your opinion.
Add a final thought/detail to get full marks from the IELTS examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Some concerned groups feel that zoos are cruelly exploitative while others argue they serve the vital function of protecting endangered animals. In my opinion, though zoos are inherently unnatural, their efforts are laudable overall.
Those activists who decry the existence of zoos often point out how animals live in the wild. A lion in the African Serengeti, one of the few remaining preserves for lions in their natural habitat, roams over miles of grassland, hunts for meals and competes with rival prides. This is how lions have lived for thousands of years and is the natural byproduct of a generational process of evolution. The same lion placed in a zoo paces a small cage, is tossed already dead meat to eat, and rarely has other lions to interact or mate with. The evidence for zoos as a cruel institutionlies in the contrasting of a natural and unnatural lifestyle and turning proud beasts into scavengers.
Regardless, zoos are essential for the preservation and cultivation of endangered species. There are countless animals ranging from various big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, and other sub-species), to pandas, rhinoceros, gorillas, pangolins and many more that depend on zoos for protection and safe breeding grounds. These animals have been driven to the brink of extinction either by loss of habitat due to rampant development and climate change or hunted for their fur or alleged medicinal properties. Responsible zoos are tasked with breeding them in order to stabilise falling populations and then re-introducing them into the wild. Without these zoos, many species would likely already have gone extinct.
In conclusion, zoos are fundamentally artificial but also a net positive because of their conservation efforts. To ensure this remains the case, these refuges must be well-regulated and governments should enact complementary solutions such as anti-poaching laws.
Answers
concerned groups people who care
cruelly exploitative take advantage of badly
serve the vital function are important because of
protecting endangered animals keeping animals safe with low population numbers
inherently unnatural fundamentally artificial
laudable overall good in general
activists people who care about a specific issue
decry denounce
point out argue
African Serengeti grassland preserve in Africa
preserves conservation lands
natural habitat where they normally live
roams over miles of grassland walks around lots of fields
competes fights with
rival prides other groups of lions
natural byproduct the normal result of
generational process of evolution many years of adaptation
placed in put in
paces walks around
cage enclosure
tossed thrown
rarely sometimes
interact be around other lions
mate with breed, have children with
evidence support
cruel institutionlies in evil zoos comes from
contrasting different
natural and unnatural lifestyle what are normal and artifical ways of living
proud beasts animals with dignity
scavengers animals that pick up already dead food
regardless nonetheless
preservation keeping safe
cultivation developing
endangered species animal at risk of going extinct
countless many
sub-species species within a species such as types of frogs, cats, etc.
pangolins a scaly mammal that rolls itself into a ball
depend on rely on
protection conservation
safe breeding grounds places where they can mate and have offspring
driven to the brink of extinction nearly all gone
loss of habitat no more home
rampant development changing a lot, industrialisation
climate change global warming
alleged medicinal properties supposed medical effects
responsible zoos good zoos
tasked with breeding have the duty of helping them mate
stabilise falling populations stop the numbers from decreasing
re-introducing them into the wild letting them go free
extinct all gone
fundamentally artificial at base not natural
net positive overall good
conservation efforts trying to keep them safe
To ensure this remains the case so that this is true
refuges places to be safe
well-regulated lots of oversight
enact complementary solutions pass laws to also protect animals
Some c______________________s feel that zoos are c_______________________e while others argue they s________________________n of p________________________________s. In my opinion, though zoos are i_________________________l, their efforts are l________________________l.
Those a______________s who d__________y the existence of zoos often p__________________t how animals live in the wild. A lion in the A______________________________i, one of the few remaining p________________s for lions in their n__________________t, r_____________________________d, hunts for meals and c_____________s with r_________________s. This is how lions have lived for thousands of years and is the n____________________t of a g____________________________________________n. The same lion p______________n a zoo p____________s a small c__________e, is t__________d already dead meat to eat, and r_____________y has other lions to i____________t or m_____________h. The e______________e for zoos as a c___________________________n the c________________g of a n___________________________________e and turning p__________________s into s____________________s.
R________________s, zoos are essential for the p__________________n and c_____________________n of e_____________________s. There are c_________________s animals ranging from various big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, and other s_________________s), to pandas, rhinoceros, gorillas, p_________________s and many more that d_______________n zoos for p________________n and s______________________s. These animals have been d______________________________________n either by l_____________t due to r_______________________t and c__________________e or hunted for their fur or a_______________________________s. R_________________________s are t________________________g them in order to s___________________________s and then r______________________________d. Without these zoos, many species would likely already have gone e_____________t.
In conclusion, zoos are f_________________________l but also a n________________e because of their c__________________________s. T_____________________________________e, these r_________________s must be w_______________________d and governments should e_____________________________________s such as a__________________________s.
Write about the related question below and then check with my sample answer:
Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay General Training: Private & Work Life
Some people like to spend their leisure time after work with co-workers while others prefer to keep their private life separate from their work life.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam
After finishing work, many people strive to carve out an independent private life and therefore eschew meeting colleagues socially. In my opinion, strong bonds with co-workers are justifiably common but it is more important to have a stable network of friends outside work.
The main advantage of fraternising with other employees after work is convenience. Employees get off work at the same time and it is easy to make plans. Most workers chat with each about their plans for the evening and then invite each other to get a drink, go to dinner, play sport or catch a movie. Since colleagues work together all day, they have a good idea of each other’s personality and will naturally congregate with the characters and groups they are predisposed towards. This organic process of meeting up with their close friends at work can quickly become an entrenched habit to look forward to at the end of the workday.
Nonetheless, a varied social life is crucial in order to maintain better mental health. Conversations with co-workers inevitably turn to office related gossip and gripes about work. These self-serving and repetitive dialogues do little more than weakly reinforce one’s self-esteem. When talking with an old school friend or former co-worker one is more likely to forget about work and delve into other subjects. The result is relief of work-related stress and freedom from reinforcement of your inner drives to compare, belittle, gossip, and complain. Over time, the mental toll of being immersed in work the entire day can lead to feelings of depression and frustration, while the opposite is true of those who compartmentalise work and social life.
In conclusion, spending one’s leisure time with a wider sphere of friends is key to good mental health. As people today become increasingly isolated, it is especially important to have a secure group of friends beyond the workplace.
Anaylsis
1. After finishing work, many people strive to carve out an independent private life and therefore eschew meeting colleagues socially. 2. In my opinion, strong bonds with co-workers are justifiably common but it is more important to have a stable network of friends outside work.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion by choosing one side overall.
1. The main advantage of fraternising with other employees after work is convenience. 2. Employees get off work at the same time and it is easy to make plans. 3. Most workers chat with each about their plans for the evening and then invite each other to get a drink, go to dinner, play sport or catch a movie. 4. Since colleagues work together all day, they have a good idea of each other’s personality and will naturally congregate with the characters and groups they are predisposed towards. 5. This organic process of meeting up with their close friends at work can quickly become an entrenched habit to look forward to at the end of the workday.
Use specific details – notice how specific and not general my ideas are.
Continue developing your main idea with a logical argument or an example.
Draw conclusions or state the final result to finish the paragraph.
1. Nonetheless, a varied social life is crucial in order to maintain better mental health. 2. Conversations with co-workers inevitably turn to office related gossip and gripes about work. 3. These self-serving and repetitive dialogues do little more than weakly reinforce one’s self-esteem. 4. When talking with an old school friend or former co-worker one is more likely to forget about work and delve into other subjects. 5. The result is relief of work-related stress and freedom from reinforcement of your inner drives to compare, belittle, gossip, and complain. 6. Over time, the mental toll of being immersed in work the entire day can lead to feelings of depression and frustration, while the opposite is true of those who compartmentalise work and social life.
Write another topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
Begin to develop your main idea.
Continue developing the same main idea – don’t switch to a new one.
State the results of your arguments/points.
Continue drawing out the results and be very specific.
Here I draw the reults out as far as I can.
1. In conclusion, spending one’s leisure time with a wider sphere of friends is key to good mental health. 2. As people today become increasingly isolated, it is especially important to have a secure group of friends beyond the workplace.
Repeat your opinion.
Add a final detail/thought for full marks from the IELTS examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
After finishing work, many people strive to carve out an independent private life and therefore eschew meeting colleagues socially. In my opinion, strong bonds with co-workers are justifiably common but it is more important to have a stable network of friends outside work.
The main advantage of fraternising with other employees after work is convenience. Employees get off work at the same time and it is easy to make plans. Most workers chat with each about their plans for the evening and then invite each other to get a drink, go to dinner, play sport or catch a movie. Since colleagues work together all day, they have a good idea of each other’s personality and will naturally congregate with the characters and groups they are predisposed towards. This organix process of meeting up with their close friends at work can quickly become an entrenched habit to look forward to at the end of the workday.
Nonetheless, a varied social life is crucial in order to maintain better mental health. Conversations with co-workers inevitably turn to office related gossip and gripes about work. These self-serving and repetitive dialogues do little more than weakly reinforce one’s self-esteem. When talking with an old school friend or former co-worker one is more likely to forget about work and delve into other subjects. The result is relief of work-related stress and freedom from reinforcement of your inner drives to compare, belittle, gossip, and complain. Over time, the mental toll of being immersed in work the entire day can lead to feelings of depression and frustration, while the opposite is true of those who compartmentalise work and social life.
In conclusion, spending one’s leisure time with a wider sphere of friends is key to good mental health. As people today become increasingly isolated, it is especially important to have a secure group of friends beyond the workplace.
Answers
strive try for
carve out separate
independent private life separate personal life/time
eschew avoid
socially not work-related
strong bonds good relationships with
justifiably common a good reason for people doing it
stable network secure group
fraternising be friendly with
convenience easy
get off work when your work ends
make plans arrange to meet
chat talk to
invite each other ask
get a drink go to a bar
catch a movie watch a movie
colleagues co-workers
personality temperament/character
naturally congregate group with the people you like
characters temperaments
predisposed towards likely to like
organic process happens naturally
meeting up with hanging out with
close friends people you like a lot, best friends
entrenched habit habit you can’t stop
look forward to are hopeful for
workday your time at work
varied social life lots of different friends, activities
crucial essential
maintain better mental health stay sane
inevitably turn always go to
office related gossip rumours at work
gripes complaints
self-serving for your own pleasure/advantage
repetitive dialogues saying the same thing over and over
weakly reinforce barely help with
self-esteem how you feel about yourself
old school friend friends from when you were in school
former co-worker someone you used to work with
delve into talk about
relief of work-related stress de-stress, not feel so much pressure
reinforcement supports
inner drives desires
compare contrast or look at to see what is the same/different
belittle make feel small, condescend
gossip talk rumours about
complain whine
mental toll more stress
immersed fully part of
depression feeling sad
frustration feeling angry
opposite is true of the contrary case holds for
compartmentalise work and social life keep work and private life separate
After finishing work, many people s_______e to c_________t an i_____________________e and therefore e_________w meeting colleagues s___________y. In my opinion, s______________s with co-workers are j_______________________n but it is more important to have a s________________k of friends outside work.
The main advantage of f_________________g with other employees after work is c_______________e. Employees g__________________k at the same time and it is easy to m_______________s. Most workers c______t with each about their plans for the evening and then i____________________r to g_____________k, go to dinner, play sport or c_______________e. Since c______________s work together all day, they have a good idea of each other’s p_______________y and will n_______________________e with the c_______________s and groups they are p________________________s. This o_________________s of m___________________h their c_________________s at work can quickly become an e____________________t to l__________________o at the end of the w____________y.
Nonetheless, a v____________________e is c____________l in order to m_______________________________h. Conversations with co-workers i___________________n to o__________________________p and g_____________s about work. These s__________________g and r______________________s do little more than w_______________________e one’s s___________________m. When talking with an o____________________d or f_________________r one is more likely to forget about work and d_______________o other subjects. The result is r______________________s and freedom from r__________________t of your i___________________s to c________________e, b____________e, g__________p, and c________________n. Over time, the m___________________l of being i_________________d in work the entire day can lead to feelings of d________________n and f________________n, while the o________________________f those who c_______________________________________e.
In conclusion, spending one’s l__________________e with a w________________e of friends is k___y to good mental health. As people today become i______________________d, it is e___________________t to have a s__________________p of friends b_______________________e.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch a scene about friends from work from the movie Thor:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of parents spending less and less time with their children today.
You can also find my exclusive IELTS PDFs here on Patreon.
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Parents Spending Time with Kids
Many parents today do not spend much time with their children.
Why is this?
Does this affect parents or children more?
Real Past IELTS Exam
These days it is becoming increasingly common for parents to spend less and less time with their children. In my opinion, this is because of some distinctly modern distractions and has a far greater effect on children.
Both parents and children are vulnerable to today’s consumer electronics. In the past, parents and children might have been distracted by television or a good book but they were also likely to play a board game together or go for a walk. This started to change with the advent of the internet and portable devices. Many children only care about using their phone or tablet to play games or watch Netflix. Parents are similarly addicted to games, entertainment and the allure of social media. This inclination towards passive entertainment persists even when taking their children out because though parents are physically present, phones often demand most of their attention.
This primarily impacts children as they are more impressionable. Research has shown that the majority of an individual’s personality and habits are formed early in life. If a parent neglects a child in favour of their own desires then they are likely to either act out seeking attention or withdraw into their own shell. The child in question might lack not only the supportive and unconditional love that is essential for a healthy upbringing, but also assume and repeat the negative behaviours of their role models. Many children overcompensate for their parent’s implicit rejection by numbing themselves by retreating into books, television, YouTube, social media or whatever will give them the attention they crave. This long-cultivated trauma can even follow them throughout adulthood.
In conclusion, the growth of consumer electronics is the source of parental neglect and it mainly impairs the mental health of children. Parents must take it on themselves today to find ways to counter the injurious implications of trading their children’s well-being for a sustained glance at a screen.
Analysis
1. These days it is becoming increasingly common for parents to spend less and less time with their children. 2. In my opinion, this is because of some distinctly modern distractions and has a far greater effect on children.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion.
1. Both parents and children are vulnerable to today’s consumer electronics. 2. In the past, parents and children might have been distracted by television or a good book but they were also likely to play a board game together or go for a walk. 3. This started to change with the advent of the internet and portable devices. 4. Many children only care about using their phone or tablet to play games or watch Netflix. 5. Parents are similarly addicted to games, entertainment and the allure of social media. 6. This inclination towards passive entertainment persists even when taking their children out because though parents are physically present, phones often demand most of their attention.
Write a clear topic sentence with your main idea at the end.
I begin to develop my main idea with a comparison to the past.
Use specific details to support your main idea.
Continue to support your main idea with clear examples.
Here I switch to deal with how it affects both children and parents.
Draw conclusions/state the results.
1. This primarily impacts children as they are more impressionable. 2. Research has shown that the majority of an individual’s personality and habits are formed early in life. 3. If a parent neglects a child in favour of their own desires then they are likely to either act out seeking attention or withdraw into their own shell. 4. The child in question might lack not only the supportive and unconditional love that is essential for a healthy upbringing, but also assume and repeat the negative behaviours of their role models. 5. Many children overcompensate for their parent’s implicit rejection by numbing themselves by retreating into books, television, YouTube, social media or whatever will give them the attention they crave. 6. This long-cultivated trauma can even follow them throughout adulthood.
Write another topic sentence with another clear main idea at the end.
You can quote general research to support your ideas.
I try to include the very specific effects.
Continue developing the same main idea and don’t switch to a new one.
Keep stating the full results.
Conclude with further results – summary isn’t very important.
1. In conclusion, the growth of consumer electronics is the source of parental neglect and it mainly impairs the mental health of children. 2. Parents must take it on themselves today to find ways to counter the injurious implications of trading their children’s well-being for a sustained glance at a screen.
Repeat your opinion.
Include a final thought/detail.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
These days it is becoming increasingly common for parents to spend less and less time with their children. In my opinion, this is because of some distinctly modern distractions and has a far greater effect on children.
Both parents and children are vulnerable to today’s consumer electronics. In the past, parents and children might have been distracted by television or a good book but they were also likely to play a board game together or go for a walk. This started to change with the advent of the internet and portable devices. Many children only care about using their phone or tablet to play games or watch Netflix. Parents are similarly addicted to games, entertainment and the allure of social media. This inclination towards passive entertainment persists even when taking their children out because though parents are physically present, phones often demand most of their attention.
This primarily impacts children as they are more impressionable. Research has shown that the majority of an individual’s personality and habits are formed early in life. If a parent neglects a child in favour of their own desires then they are likely to either act out seeking attention or withdraw into their own shell. The child in question might lack not only the supportive and unconditional love that is essential for a healthy upbringing, but also assume and repeat the negative behaviours of their role models. Many children overcompensate for their parent’s implicit rejection by numbing themselves by retreating into books, television, YouTube, social media or whatever will give them the attention they crave. This long-cultivated trauma can even follow them throughout adulthood.
In conclusion, the growth of consumer electronics is the source of parental neglect and it mainly impairs the mental health of children. Parents must take it on themselves today to find ways to counter the injurious implications of trading their children’s well-being for a sustained glance at a screen.
Answers
these days nowadays
increasingly common more and more popular
less and less time not as much time with
distinctly modern distractions new ways of grabbing your attention
far greater effect much larger impact
vulnerable can be exploited
consumer electronics phones, tables, TVs, etc.
distracted not paying attention
good book a book you like
board game games like Monopoly
advent beginning of
portable devices phones, tablets
similarly addicted also can’t stop using
allure attraction
inclination towards passive entertainment persists tendency to watch things and not be active continues
though despite
physically present there in person
demand most of their attention take most of their time
primarily impacts mostly effects
impressionable easily influenced
majority most of
formed early in life starts from childhood
neglects not pay attention to
in favour of preferring
desires wants
act out seeking attention have bad behaviour to get attention
withdraw into their own shell become passive, less open/active
lack don’t have
supportive helpful
unconditional love caring without conditions
healthy upbringing supporting environment
assume take on
repeat do again
negative behaviours bad actions
overcompensate go to far in reacting to
implicit rejection not explicitly stated dissaproval of
numbing not feeling
retreating hiding away from
crave want
long-cultivated trauma long period of neglect/hurt
follow them throughout adulthood stay with them forever
consumer electronics phones, TVs, etc.
parental neglect parents not paying attention/caring
mainly impairs mostly hurts
counter the injurious implications fight back against the hurtful effects
trading swapping
children’s well-being mental/physical health
sustained glance at a screen looking a long time at your device
T____________s it is becoming i_____________________________n for parents to spend l_____________________e with their children. In my opinion, this is because of some d_______________________________s and has a f________________________t on children.
Both parents and children are v________________e to today’s c_____________________s. In the past, parents and children might have been d_______________d by television or a g_____________k but they were also likely to play a b________________e together or go for a walk. This started to change with the a___________t of the internet and p__________________s. Many children only care about using their phone or tablet to play games or watch Netflix. Parents are s_________________d to games, entertainment and the a__________e of social media. This i___________________________________________________s even when taking their children out because t__________h parents are p___________________t, phones often d_________________________________n.
This p_________________________s children as they are more i__________________e. Research has shown that the m___________y of an individual’s personality and habits are f_______________________e. If a parent n___________s a child i____________f their own d___________s then they are likely to either a_____________________________n or w___________________________________l. The child in question might l_______k not only the s__________________e and u____________________e that is essential for a h_____________________g, but also a_____________e and r___________t the n________________________s of their role models. Many children o_______________________e for their parent’s i____________________n by n_______________g themselves by r________________g into books, television, YouTube, social media or whatever will give them the attention they c________e. This l_____________________________a can even f______________________________d.
In conclusion, the growth of c___________________s is the source of p__________________________t and it m__________________s the mental health of children. Parents must take it on themselves today to find ways to c_________________________________s of t_______________g their c_________________________g for a s______________________________n.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn more about emotional abuse from parents here:
Reading Practice
Read more about how screen time affects parenting here:
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