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:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay General Training: Group and One-on-one Lessons
Some people believe that one-on-one lessons are better for learning while others think that group lessons are superior.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Exam
Many concerned parties feel that education is best done in private sessions while others feel that group lessons are better. In my opinion, the pacing of individual lessons is an advantage but a classroom setting is superior as it allows for a wider range of skills to develop.
On the one hand, one-on-one lessons enable learners to work at an individualised pace. In the classroom, students either fall behind or get bored because they understand the lessons too easily. A tutor can observe their student’s progress and tailor lessons accordingly. This could result in a situation where a student who is gifted at math progresses well beyond their grade level. If they struggle in another subject, such as English, a Grade 5 aged student could effectively be studying Grade 4 English and Grade 8 math at the same time. This kind of pacing is only possible with one-on-one lessons.
On the other hand, group lessons open up opportunities for collaboration in and outside the classroom. Groups foster a classroom dynamic of debate. Students and teachers can exchange views and learn more from a plurality of perspectives. This is further exemplified in the project work that is commonplace in high schools and university classrooms in the United States. The rationale for assigning these projects is that students must improve their teamwork skills by getting along with classmates, taking on responsibility for given tasks, learning to compromise, and managing different temperaments. Many schools today assign roles within teams, such as team leader, presenter, primary researcher, and so on. These collaborative projects can then be brought into a group lesson and debated.
In conclusion, group lessons are a better way to learn. It is important that educators do not blindly follow the latest academic fads and instead carefully analyse the consequences before making drastic reforms to established educational practices.
Analysis
1. Many concerned parties feel that education is best done in private sessions while others feel that group lessons are better. 2. In my opinion, the pacing of individual lessons is an advantage but a classroom setting is superior as it allows for a wider range of skills to develop.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Give a clear opinion by choosing an overall side.
1. On the one hand, one-on-one lessons enable learners to work at an individualised pace. 2. In the classroom, students either fall behind or get bored because they understand the lessons too easily. 3. A tutor can observe their student’s progress and tailor lessons accordingly. 4. This could result in a situation where a student who is gifted at math progresses well beyond their grade level. 5. If they struggle in another subject, such as English, a Grade 5 aged student could effectively be studying Grade 4 English and Grade 8 math at the same time. 6. This kind of pacing is only possible with one-on-one lessons.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
I begin developing this idea by stating a counter-example.
Explain your main idea.
Give an example. Here my example is hypothetical.
Develop the example – be specific, not general!
Conclude by relating back to the essay topic.
1. On the other hand, group lessons open up opportunities for collaboration in and outside the classroom. 2. Groups foster a classroom dynamic of debate. 3. Students and teachers can exchange views and learn more from a plurality of perspectives. 4. This is further exemplified in the project work that is commonplace in high schools and university classrooms in the United States. 5. The rationale for assigning these projects is that students must improve their teamwork skills by getting along with classmates, taking on responsibility for given tasks, learning to compromise, and managing different temperaments. 6. Many schools today assign roles within teams, such as team leader, presenter, primary researcher, and so on. 7. These collaborative projects can then be brought into a group lesson and debated.
Write another topic sentence with a new main idea. Now I’m writing about the other side, the side that I agree with (so my argument is stronger and the paragraph is a little longer).
Explain or support your main idea.
Use specific ideas – don’t be general.
Give an example.
Develop the example.
Keep developing it as much as possible
Finish your development. No need to conclude the paragraph.
1. In conclusion, group lessons are a better way to learn. 2. It is important that educators do not blindly follow the latest academic fads and instead carefully analyse the consequences before making drastic reforms to established educational practices.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in a final thought/detail for full marks from the examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many concerned parties feel that education is best done in private sessions while others feel that group lessons are better. In my opinion, the pacing of individual lessons is an advantage but a classroom setting is superior as it allows for a wider range of skills to develop.
On the one hand, one-on-one lessonsenable learners to work at an individualised pace. In the classroom, students either fall behind or get bored because they understand the lessons too easily. A tutor can observe their student’s progress and tailor lessons accordingly. This could result in a situation where a student who is gifted at math progresses well beyond their grade level. If they struggle in another subject, such as English, a Grade 5 aged student could effectively be studying Grade 4 English and Grade 8 math at the same time. This kind of pacing is only possible with one-on-one lessons.
On the other hand, group lessons open up opportunities for collaboration in and outside the classroom. Groups foster a classroom dynamic of debate. Students and teachers can exchange views and learn more from a plurality of perspectives. This is further exemplified in the project work that is commonplace in high schools and university classrooms in the United States. The rationale for assigning these projects is that students must improve their teamwork skills by getting along with classmates, taking on responsibility for given tasks, learning to compromise, and managing different temperaments. Many schools today assign roles within teams, such as team leader, presenter, primary researcher, and so on. These collaborative projects can then be brought into a group lesson and debated.
In conclusion, group lessons are a better way to learn. It is important that educators do not blindly follow the latest academic fads and instead carefully analyse the consequences before making drastic reforms to established educational practices.
Answers
concerned parties those who are interested in this issue
best done better accomplished
private sessions one-on-one lessons
group lessons classroom lessons
pacing speed of learning
an advantage a positive
classroom setting in the classroom
superior better
allows for opens up the possibility of
wider range more variety
one-on-one lessons tutoring
enable learners makes it possible for students to
individualised pace at their own speed
fall behind can’t catch up with their work
tutor one-on-one teacher
observe watch
progress advancing in a skill/subject
tailor lessons accordingly make the lessons fit the student’s ability
This could result in a situation where it is possible the effect will be
gifted talented
progresses well beyond advances far faster
grade level how far they are in school
effectively essentially
at the same time simultaneously
open up opportunities allow for the possiblity of
collaboration working together
foster encourage
classroom dynamic of debate exchanging views with other students
exchange views debating
plurality of perspectives many different opinions
exemplified verb of example
commonplace ubiquitous
rationale reason for
assigning giving to
teamwork skills working with others
getting along with classmates be friendly with each other
taking on responsibility for given tasks having duties
learning to compromise not being stubborn, listening to other ideas
managing different temperaments dealing with other personalities
assign roles give jobs
team leader boss
presenter person who presents
primary researcher person who looks up the information
and so on etc.
brought into taken to
debated ideas discussed
blindly without thinking/looking
latest academic fads what’s new in education
carefully analyse the consequences look deeply into the effects
drastic reforms big changes
established educational practices how people have been teaching for a long time
Many c______________________s feel that education is b_________e in p____________________s while others feel that g_________________s are better. In my opinion, the p___________g of individual lessons is an a______________e but a c__________________g is s_____________r as it a_____________r a w_____________e of skills to develop.
On the one hand, o_________________se___________________s to work at an i________________________e. In the classroom, students either f_______________d or get bored because they understand the lessons too easily. A t________r can o____________e their student’s p_____________s and t__________________________y. T________________________________e a student who is g__________d at math p_______________________d their g_____________l. If they struggle in another subject, such as English, a Grade 5 aged student could e__________________y be studying Grade 4 English and Grade 8 math a_____________________e. This kind of pacing is only possible with one-on-one lessons.
On the other hand, group lessons o_________________________s for c__________________n in and outside the classroom. Groups f__________r a c_____________________________________e. Students and teachers can e__________________s and learn more from a p________________________s. This is further e__________________d in the project work that is c_________________e in high schools and university classrooms in the United States. The r______________e for a______________g these projects is that students must improve their t___________________s by g___________________________s, t_______________________________s, l___________________________e, and m___________________________________s. Many schools today a______________s within teams, such as t________________r, p______________r, p______________________r, a_______________n. These collaborative projects can then be b_______________o a group lesson and d____________d.
In conclusion, group lessons are a better way to learn. It is important that educators do not b____________y follow the l______________________s and instead c__________________________________s before making d___________________s to e_____________________________________s.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch an interesting short documentary from The New York Times on this topic below:
Write about the following related educational topic and then check with my sample answer:
In many schools and universities today, women have a tendency to study the humanities (such as the arts and languages) while men more often major in science related subjects. Some believe this tendency should be changed.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay: Concerts Line Chart
The graph below shows the percentage of people in different age groups in one city who attended music concerts between 2010 and 2015.
The given line chart details the percentages of people attending concerts from 2010 to 2015 across various age groups. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that all ages showed increasing trends except for 55-64 and that younger people tended to go to concerts more often.
52% of those between the ages of 45 and 54 went to concerts in 2010, leading all age brackets, but there was a dip to 40% in 2011 which allowed the 16-24 group to rise 15% to 55% and lead all concert-goers. From there, both groups increased with broadly similar trends as the 16-24 year olds had risen to 70% by 2015 and the former group had grown to 54%.
The 25-44 and 55-64 groups showed inverse trends with the former group dipping from 40% in 2010 to a low of 30% in 2013 before sloping upwards to nearly 50% by the end of the period. The latter group rose steadily from a starting point of 20% to intersect with the younger group at 30% in 2013 and then fell to just over 20% in 2015. The final group, aged 75+, doubled to 20% in the first year, had surrendered those gains by 2013, before undergoing a stable increase and reaching 20% to finish the period.
Analysis
1. The given line chart details the percentages of people attending concerts from 2010 to 2015 across various age groups. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that all ages showed increasing trends except for 55-64 and that younger people tended to go to concerts more often.
Paraphrase what the graph shows.
Write an overview that includes whether or not the categories went up or down and the general overall ranking of each.
1. 52% of those between the ages of 45 and 54 went to concerts in 2010, leading all age brackets, but there was a dip to 40% in 2011 which allowed the 16-24 group to rise 15% to 55% and lead all concert-goers. 2. From there, both groups increased with broadly similar trends as the 16-24 year olds had risen to 70% by 2015 and the former group had grown to 54%.
Begin to describe the data by comparing different groups.
Continue comparing and list all the groups. You don’t need all the data but make sure the start and end point is clear and how quickly/slowly it rose/fell.
1. The 25-44 and 55-64 groups showed inverse trends with the former group dipping from 40% in 2010 to a low of 30% in 2013 before sloping upwards to nearly 50% by the end of the period. 2. The latter group rose steadily from a starting point of 20% to intersect with the younger group at 30% in 2013 and then fell to just over 20% in 2015. 3. The final group, aged 75+, doubled to 20% in the first year, had surrendered those gains by 2013, before undergoing a stable increase and reaching 20% to finish the period.
Begin to compare the other data.
Continue comparing it listing all the data.
Include any areas that you didn’t talk about at the end as I do here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The given line chart details the percentages of people attending concerts from 2010 to 2015 across various age groups. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that all ages showed increasing trends except for 55-64 and that younger people tended to go to concerts more often.
52% of those between the ages of 45 and 54 went to concerts in 2010, leading all age brackets, but there was a dip to 40% in 2011 which allowed the 16-24 group to rise 15% to 55% and lead all concert-goers. From there, both groups increased with broadly similar trends as the 16-24 year olds had risen to 70% by 2015 and the former group had grown to 54%.
The 25-44 and 55-64 groups showed inverse trends with the former group dipping from 40% in 2010 to a low of 30% in 2013 before sloping upwards to nearly 50% by the end of the period. The latter group rose steadily from a starting point of 20% to intersect with the younger group at 30% in 2013 and then fell to just over 20% in 2015. The final group, aged 75+, doubled to 20% in the first year, had surrendered those gains by 2013, before undergoing a stable increase and reaching 20% to finish the period.
Answers
given presented
details describes
attending concerts going to music shows
across various age groups at different ages
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that Overall
increasing trends more and more
tended were more likely to
leading in front of
age brackets age groups
dip fall
rise increase
concert-goers people who go to concerts
broadly similar trends in general had the same pattern
former one mentioned first
showed inverse trends had opposite patterns
dipping from falling from
a low of the minimum point
sloping upwards gently increasing
latter more recent one
steadily at regular intervals
starting point beginning with
intersect with cross each other at
just over a little above
doubled increased by 2x
surrendered gave up
undergoing experiencing
stable increase regular rise
reaching getting to
to finish the period at the end of the surveyed time
The g______n line chart d__________s the percentages of people a______________________s from 2010 to 2015 a____________________________s. L___________________________________________________________t all ages showed i________________________s except for 55-64 and that younger people t_________d to go to concerts more often.
52% of those between the ages of 45 and 54 went to concerts in 2010, l____________g all a______________s, but there was a d____p to 40% in 2011 which allowed the 16-24 group to r_____e 15% to 55% and lead all c______________s. From there, both groups increased with b___________________________s as the 16-24 year olds had risen to 70% by 2015 and the f_______r group had grown to 54%.
The 25-44 and 55-64 groups s________________________s with the former group d_____________m 40% in 2010 to a________f 30% in 2013 before s_____________________s to nearly 50% by the end of the period. The l________r group rose s____________y from a s___________________t of 20% to i_____________________h the younger group at 30% in 2013 and then fell to j____________r 20% in 2015. The final group, aged 75+, d___________d to 20% in the first year, had s___________________d those gains by 2013, before u________________g a s_______________e and r______________g 20% t____________________________d.
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