Before reading, listen to the sample answer and try to draw the process from my answer:
IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Essay: Ceramic Pots Process
The diagram below shows one method of manufacturing ceramic pots.
The diagram outlines one particular way of creating ceramic pots. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this chemical process can be grouped into three main stages: collecting the raw materials, forming those materials into pots, and finishing the process by heating and colouring them.
The first stage of the process is to dig up and transport the raw materials to factories where they are then crushed and mixed with water to make them into a clay-like substance that can be molded into the shape of a pot. From there, they must dry for 4-6 hours in moulds in order to fix them into their final shape.
They are then placed in an oven and heated to over 1000 degrees celsius. Following this, the pots are colored and a ‘firing’ stage in the oven sets the paint pigments in place, finalising the process.
Analysis
1. The diagram outlines one particular way of creating ceramic pots. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this chemical process can be grouped into three main stages: collecting the raw materials, forming those materials into pots, and finishing the process by heating and colouring them.
1. The first stage of the process is to dig up and transport the raw materials to factories where they are then crushed and mixed with water to make them into a clay-like substance that can be molded into the shape of a pot. 2. From there, they must dry for 4-6 hours in moulds in order to fix them into their final shape.
Try to describe a lot of steps in one sentence to show off your grammar.
Mix up long and shorter sentences.
1. They are then placed in an oven and heated to over 1000 degrees celsius. 2. Following this, the pots are colored and a ‘firing’ stage in the oven sets the paint pigments in place, finalising the process.
Continue with the next part of the process. You can make a new paragraph when you get on to a new section of the process.
Finish describing all the steps.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
The diagram outlines one particular way of creating ceramic pots. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this chemical process can be grouped into three main stages: collecting the raw materials, forming those materials into pots, and finishing the process by heating and colouring them.
The first stage of the process is to dig up and transport the raw materials to factories where they are then crushed and mixed with water to make them into a clay-like substance that can be molded into the shape of a pot. From there, they must dry for 4-6 hours in moulds in order to fix them into their final shape.
They are then placed in an oven and heated to over 1000 degrees celsius. Following this, the pots are colored and a ‘firing’ stage in the oven sets the paint pigments in place, finalising the process.
Answers
outlines describes
particular way one method
ceramic pots pots/buckets made from a clay-type substance
looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
chemical process involves the transformation of materials
grouped into combined
raw materials original source
finishing ending
dig up mine
transport send to
crushed ground up
mixed combined
clay-like substance similar to clay/mud
molded shaped
dry not wet
moulds holders to shape something
fix set in place
placed put in
celsius measurement of temperature
following this after this
‘firing’ stage setting in place the colour
sets the paint pigments in place making the colour stay
The diagram o_________s one p_____________y of creating c______________s. L__________________________________________________________t this c_________________s can be g______________o three main stages: collecting the r________________s, forming those materials into pots, and f_____________g the process by heating and colouring them.
The first stage of the process is to d_______p and t_____________t the raw materials to factories where they are then c________d and m_________d with water to make them into a c____________________e that can be m___________d into the shape of a pot. From there, they must d___y for 4-6 hours in m_________s in order to f___x them into their final shape.
They are then p_________d in an oven and heated to over 1000 degrees c_________s. F_______________s, the pots are colored and a ‘f______________e in the oven s__________________________________e, f___________g the process.
Before reading, listen to the audio to improve your listening skills:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Traveling to Other Countries
Many people today are choosing to travel to other countries.
Why is this happening?
Is this a positive or negative development?
Real Past IELTS Exam
More and more people today are choosing to travel internationally. This positive development is mainly because of a rise in middle class income coupled with advances in aviation.
People today can afford to travel as it has become more convenient. The last half century has seen wages in both developed and developing companies climb with the concomitant expansion of the global middle class. Workers have the disposable income to travel that they lacked in the past. This has been complemented with safer airplanes so individuals are not afraid to fly. Airfares have also become cheaper as companies like Boeing produce more efficient planes, competition intensifies between competing airlines, and the supply more than meets demand for flights. These factors combined have spawned a golden age of international travel.
Looking at the opportunity in perspective, it is hard to see the advent of international travel as anything less than one of mankind’s greatest achievements. For the entirety of human history, most people lived and died near to where they were born. Anyone who wanted to travel to another country had to possess enourmous wealth, time, and courage. Today, the average employee can save up and travel to see the wonders of the Rennaissance in Southern Europe, the vast monuments to history and modernity in China, or explore any other corner of Earth that has piqued their interest. This is an unprecedented opportunity unavailable to past generations.
In conclusion, international travel is a byproduct of the modern age and we should all be grateful for its possibility. There are clear environmental drawbacks but those should not blind people to its benefits taken as a whole.
Analysis
1. More and more people today are choosing to travel internationally. 2. This positive development is mainly because of a rise in middle class income coupled with advances in aviation.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay.
Write your opinion.
1. People today can afford to travel as it has become more convenient. 2. The last half century has seen wages in both developed and developing companies climb with the concomitant expansion of the global middle class. 3. Workers have the disposable income to travel that they lacked in the past. 4. This has been complemented with safer airplanes so individuals are not afraid to fly. 5. Airfares have also become cheaper as companies like Boeing produce more efficient planes, competition intensifies between competing airlines, and the supply more than meets demand for flights. 6. These factors combined have spawned a golden age of international travel.
Write a clear topic sentence with your opinion at the end.
Begin to develop your main idea. I start with a further explanation.
Continue developing that idea.
Here I add another reason that is related.
I include another related reason – try to make your reasons build to support your main idea for the whole paragraph.
Conclude the paragraph by relating it back to the main question.
1. Looking at the opportunity in perspective, it is hard to see the advent of international travel as anything less than one of mankind’s greatest achievements. 2. For the entirety of human history, most people lived and died near to where they were born. 3. Anyone who wanted to travel to another country had to possess enourmous wealth, time, and courage. 4. Today, the average employee can save up and travel to see the wonders of the Rennaissance in Southern Europe, the vast monuments to history and modernity in China, or explore any other corner of Earth that has piqued their interest. 5. This is an unprecedented opportunity unavailable to past generations.
Write another topic sentence with another clear main idea at the end.
Here I compare with the past to make my point stronger.
I then develop the comparison.
Use specific examples.
Conclude the paragraph with a strong statement.
1. In conclusion, international travel is a byproduct of the modern age and we should all be grateful for its possibility. 2. There are clear environmental drawbacks but those should not blind people to its benefits taken as a whole.
Repeat your opinion to be 100% clear.
Include a final detail or thought at the end for full marks from the IELTS examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
More and more people today are choosing to travel internationally. This positive development is mainly because of a rise in middle class income coupled with advances in aviation.
People today can afford to travel as it has become more convenient. The last half century has seen wages in both developed and developing companies climb with the concomitant expansion of the global middle class. Workers have the disposable income to travel that they lacked in the past. This has been complemented with safer airplanes so individuals are not afraid to fly. Airfares have also become cheaper as companies like Boeing produce more efficient planes, competition intensifies between competing airlines, and the supply more than meets demand for flights. These factors combined have spawned a golden age of international travel.
Looking at the opportunity in perspective, it is hard to see the advent of international travel as anything less than one of mankind’s greatest achievements. For the entirety of human history, most people lived and died near to where they were born. Anyone who wanted to travel to another country had to possess enourmous wealth, time, and courage. Today, the average employee can save up and travel to see the wonders of the Rennaissance in Southern Europe, the vast monuments to history and modernity in China, or explore any other corner of Earth that has piqued their interest. This is an unprecedented opportunity unavailable to past generations.
In conclusion, international travel is a byproduct of the modern age and we should all be grateful for its possibility. There are clear environmental drawbacks but those should not blind people to its benefits taken as a whole.
Answers
more and more ever-increasing
travel internationally go abroad, to another country
middle class income not rich or poor
coupled with combine with
aviation.flying
afford can pay for
convenient easy, suitable
wages salary
climb increase
concomitant expansion related increase
global around the world
disposable income money to spare
lacked didn’t have
complemented with combined with
Boeing a company that makes airplanes
efficient planes planes that don’t use too much fuel, lighter
competition intensifies between competing airlines more and more fighting between companies
supply more than meets demand there are more planes than people wanting to travel so the prices are lower
spawned created
golden age great time
looking at the opportunity in perspective taken as a whole
advent beginning of
mankind’s greatest achievements best thing people have donw
entirety all of
possess have
courage bravery
average employee most people
save up set aside money for
Rennaissance a period of flourishing arts and science from 1400 – 1600 in Europe
Southern Europe Italy, Spain, Greece, France, etc.
vast monuments to history and modernity big works from the past and new ones
M__________________e people today are choosing to t______________________y. This positive development is mainly because of a rise in m___________________________e c__________________h advances in a__________n.
People today can a_________d to travel as it has become more c______________t. The last half century has seen w______s in both developed and developing companies c______b with the c_________________n of the g_________l middle class. Workers have the d__________________e to travel that they l_________d in the past. This has been c___________________________h safer airplanes so individuals are not afraid to fly. Airfares have also become cheaper as companies like B_________g produce more e___________________s, c______________________________________________s, and the s____________________d for flights. These factors combined have s____________d a g_____________e of international travel.
L_______________________________________e, it is hard to see the a___________t of international travel as anything less than one of m________________________________________s. For the e__________y of human history, most people lived and died near to where they were born. Anyone who wanted to travel to another country had to p___________s enourmous wealth, time, and c____________e. Today, the a______________________e can s________p and travel to see the wonders of the R___________________e in S_______________________e, the v_____________________________________y in China, or explore any other c_________________h that has p________________________t. This is an u______________________________y unavailable to p______________________s.
In conclusion, international travel is a b_____________t of the modern age and we should all be g___________l for its possibility. There are clear environmental d_____________s but those should not b_________d people to its benefits t____________________e.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch the travel guide for London below:
Reading Practice
You can also read about the environmental cost of international travel below, which would also make for a strong argument:
Listen to the audio first for some extra listening practice:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Planning for the Future (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Some feel that it is a waste of time to plan for the future and it is more important to focus on the present.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam
There is growing sentiment today that making plans for the future can take one out of the present moment. Although it is important to have some general future goals, individuals ought to prioritise right now.
The clear advantage of having goals is that they dictate and align your actions. A good counter-example to support this comes from aimless individuals without any fixed aspirations. It is not uncommon for recent university graduates to feel lost and drift from job to job. This can be a rewarding experience but if it continues too long then one will likely remain in low-paying positions and fall behind one’s peers. A clear goal can motivate a decision on long-term vocation and force one to put in the hard work required to excel.
Despite the general advantages of having some long-term goals listed above, obsessing over the future can impair connection with the present. There are many famous literary examples of this that reveal underlying tensions between capitalist striving and individual contentment, such as in the famous novel Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. The titular character Babbitt has spent most of his life looking to the future and accomplishing middle class goals. He grows dissatisfied with this life because he no longer feels a vibrant connection to the present moment and his true feelings. His suspension of his deepest desires to meet extrinsic goals set by society alienates him from the present. This is commonly referred to as a mid-life crisis and is very common among driven individuals who reach a pinnacle of success.
In conclusion, emphasis on future goals is one source of modern unhappiness. Individuals must carefully select their goals to distinguish between the life they want and the life they are expected to want.
Analysis
1. There is growing sentiment today that making plans for the future can take one out of the present moment. 2. Although it is important to have some general future goals, individuals ought to prioritise right now.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay.
Give a clear opinion.
1. The clear advantage of having goals is that they dictate and align your actions. 2. A good counter-example to support this comes from aimless individuals without any fixed aspirations. 3. It is not uncommon for recent university graduates to feel lost and drift from job to job. 4. This can be a rewarding experience but if it continues too long then one will likely remain in low-paying positions and fall behind one’s peers. 5. A clear goal can motivate a decision on long-term vocation and force one to put in the hard work required to excel.
Write a clear topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
Here I use a counter-example to support my argument.
Develop the example.
Keep developing it.
Bring it back to your overall argument for the paragraph.
1. Despite the general advantages of having some long-term goals listed above, obsessing over the future can impair connection with the present. 2. There are many famous literary examples of this that reveal underlying tensions between capitalist striving and individual contentment, such as in the famous novel Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. 3. The titular character Babbitt has spent most of his life looking to the future and accomplishing middle class goals. 4. He grows dissatisfied with this life because he no longer feels a vibrant connection to the present moment and his true feelings. 5. His suspension of his deepest desires to meet extrinsic goals set by society alienates him from the present. 6. This is commonly referred to as a mid-life crisis and is very common among driven individuals who reach a pinnacle of success.
Write another clear topic sentence with another main idea at the end.
Use another example to develop your main idea. Here I use an example from a novel.
Explain your example fully.
Keep developing it for the entire paragraph.
Continue developing it…
Conclude with a link back to your overall argument.
1. In conclusion, emphasis on future goals is one source of modern unhappiness. 2. Individuals must carefully select their goals to distinguish between the life they want and the life they are expected to want.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in a final detail/thought.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
There is growing sentiment today that making plans for the future can take one out of the present moment. Although it is important to have some general future goals, individuals ought to prioritise right now.
The clear advantage of having goals is that they dictate and align your actions. A good counter-example to support this comes from aimless individuals without any fixed aspirations. It is not uncommon for recent university graduates to feel lost and drift from job to job. This can be a rewarding experience but if it continues too long then one will likely remain in low-paying positions and fall behind one’s peers. A clear goal can motivate a decision on long-term vocation and force one to put in the hard work required to excel.
Despite the general advantages of having some long-term goals listed above, obsessing over the future can impair connection with the present. There are many famous literary examples of this that reveal underlying tensions between capitalist striving and individual contentment, such as in the famous novel Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. The titular character Babbitt has spent most of his life looking to the future and accomplishing middle class goals. He grows dissatisfied with this life because he no longer feels a vibrant connection to the present moment and his true feelings. His suspension of his deepest desires to meet extrinsic goals set by society alienates him from the present. This is commonly referred to as a mid-life crisis and is very common among driven individuals who reach a pinnacle of success.
In conclusion, emphasis on future goals is one source of modern unhappiness. Individuals must carefully select their goals to distinguish between the life they want and the life they are expected to want.
Answers
growing sentiment increasing opinion about
take one out of remove from
present moment right now
general future goals some plans for the future
prioritise make more important
dictate force
align keep in order
counter-example example showing the opposite case
aimless individuals people without goals
fixed aspirations clear goals
not uncommon common
recent university graduates people who just got out of university/college
drift from job to job no fixed career
rewarding experience fulfilling
low-paying positions bad jobs
fall behind one’s peers lost ground to
long-term vocation career
excel be the best at
general advantages benefits overall
obsessing fixated on
impair connection hurt the relationship between
literary examples from books
underlying tensions problems beneath the surface
capitalist striving trying to make money
individual contentment how fulfilled you are
Babbitt the main character and name of the novel
Sinclair Lewis a write from the 1920s in the United States
titular character character the book is named after
looking to the future anticipating
accomplishing middle class goals making money, having a family, etc.
dissatisfied unhappy with
vibrant connection strong relationship
suspension stopped, cut
deepest desires what you most want
extrinsic goals set by society what others think you should desire
alienates distanced from, resentful of
commonly referred to usually called
mid-life crisis time in life where you feel lost
driven individuals ambitious people
reach a pinnacle of success become the best
emphasis focus on
modern unhappiness discontent today
carefully select choose wisely
distinguish separate
the life they are expected to want what people think they should desire
There is g__________________t today that making plans for the future can t____________________f the p_____________________t. Although it is important to have some g__________________s, individuals ought to p______________e right now.
The clear advantage of having goals is that they d________e and a______n your actions. A good c__________________e to support this comes from a_______________________s without any f__________________s. It is n______________________n for r_______________________s to feel lost and d___________________________b. This can be a r________________________e but if it continues too long then one will likely remain in l______________________s and f________________________s. A clear goal can motivate a decision on l__________________________n and force one to put in the hard work required to e_______l.
Despite the g______________________s of having some long-term goals listed above, o______________g over the future can i_____________________n with the present. There are many famous l______________________s of this that reveal u______________________s between c_____________________g and i____________________________t, such as in the famous novel B___________t by S________________s. The t__________________r Babbitt has spent most of his life l________________________e and a______________________________________s. He grows d______________d with this life because he no longer feels a v_______________________n to the present moment and his true feelings. His s_______________n of his d_______________s to meet e___________________________y a______________s him from the present. This is c_____________________o as a m__________________s and is very common among d___________________s who r___________________________s.
In conclusion, e____________s on future goals is one source of m______________________s. Individuals must c_______________t their goals to d___________________h between the life they want and t_______________________________t.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn more about connecting with the present moment below:
Reading Practice
Here’s an interesting New York Times article on the same topic:
Some think that quality art can be made by anyone while others think that it requires special talent and ability.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Real IELTS Exam/Test
Some believe that art ought to be left to talented professionals while others believe anyone can make worthwhile pieces. In my opinion, talent is a complex concept but its lack of clarity does not make it any less crucial.
Talent, particularly in a subjective field such as art, is indefinable. It is impossible to determine the interplay between talent and genetic predisposition, upbringing, personal qualities like perseverance, motivation, luck, and practice. Research into sports has shown the importance of genetics but that is largely because of the athletic requirements. Good hand eye coordination, superior spatial sense, and linguistic prowess may give one a talent advantage in the arts but many technically skilled artists produce lifeless, unoriginal art. There are simply too many unknowns as to what informs talent and how this translates to subjective works to make a definitive appraisal of its value.
However, let us make no mistake: talent is important for all human endeavours and art is no exception. The term itself may be hazy but there is no doubt in practice that certain individuals can create stirring masterpieces and others cannot, regardless of how much hard work they put in. A good example of this would be in music. Some bands and artists toil away for years without making much of an impression while others, like the Beatles and Mozart, were successful from a very young age. John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s lyrical gifts and understanding of melody were present for them in their early 20s and few other individuals, professional or amateur, in their entire lifetime have had the talent to reach their heights.
In conclusion, though it is difficult to define, good art requires talent. There is therapeutic value for amateurs but great art with universal appeal is the prerogative of the gifted.
Analysis
1. Some believe that art ought to be left to talented professionals while others believe anyone can make worthwhile pieces. 2. In my opinion, talent is a complex concept but its lack of clarity does not make it any less crucial.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
Write your opinion clearly.
1. Talent, particularly in a subjective field such as art, is indefinable. 2. It is impossible to determine the interplay between talent and genetic predisposition, upbringing, personal qualities like perseverance, motivation, luck, and practice. 3. Research into sports has shown the importance of genetics but that is largely because of the athletic requirements. 4. Good hand eye coordination, superior spatial sense, and linguistic prowess may give one a talent advantage in the arts but many technically skilled artists produce lifeless, unoriginal art. 5. There are simply too many unknowns as to what informs talent and how this translates to subjective works to make a definitive appraisal of its value.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Begin to develop it with specific ideas.
Continue development of the same main idea.
Add as much specific detail as you can.
Finish with a strong statement.
1. However, let us make no mistake: talent is important for all human endeavours and art is no exception. 2. The term itself may be hazy but there is no doubt in practice that certain individuals can create stirring masterpieces and others cannot, regardless of how much hard work they put in. 3. A good example of this would be in music. 4. Some bands and artists toil away for years without making much of an impression while others, like the Beatles and Mozart, were successful from a very young age. 5. John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s lyrical gifts and understanding of melody were present for them in their early 20s and few other individuals, professional or amateur, in their entire lifetime have had the talent to reach their heights.
Write another topic sentence with another clear main idea.
Support or explain your main idea.
Give an example.
Develop your example.
Continue to full develop that example.
1. In conclusion, though it is difficult to define, good art requires talent. 2. There is therapeutic value for amateurs but great art with universal appeal is the prerogative of the gifted.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in a final detail/thought.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Some believe that art ought to be left to talented professionals while others believe anyone can make worthwhile pieces. In my opinion, talent is a complex concept but its lack of clarity does not make it any less crucial.
Talent, particularly in a subjective field such as art, is indefinable. It is impossible to determine the interplay between talent and genetic predisposition, upbringing, personal qualities like perseverance, motivation, luck, and practice. Research into sports has shown the importance of genetics but that is largely because of the athletic requirements. Good hand eye coordination, superior spatial sense, and linguistic prowess may give one a talent advantage in the arts but many technically skilled artists produce lifeless, unoriginal art. There are simply too many unknowns as to what informs talent and how this translates to subjective works to make a definitive appraisal of its value.
However, let us make no mistake: talent is important for all human endeavours and art is no exception. The term itself may be hazy but there is no doubt in practice that certain individuals can create stirring masterpieces and others cannot, regardless of how much hard work they put in. A good example of this would be in music. Some bands and artists toil away for years without making much of an impression while others, like the Beatles and Mozart, were successful from a very young age. John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s lyrical gifts and understanding of melody were present for them in their early 20s and few other individuals, professional or amateur, in their entire lifetime have had the talent to reach their heights.
In conclusion, though it is difficult to define, good art requires talent. There is therapeutic value for amateurs but great art with universal appeal is the prerogative of the gifted.
Answers
left to talented professionals only for real artists
worthwhile pieces important works
complex concept complicated idea
lack of clarity unclear
crucial essential
subjective field open to interpretation jobs
indefinable can’t be clearly summarised
determine decide on
interplay relationship between
genetic predisposition what you were born with
upbringing how you are raised
personal qualities characteristics
perseverance working through obstacles
motivation desire, determination
athletic requirements physical prerequisites
hand eye coordination how fast your hands and eyes work together
superior spatial sense kinaesthetic sense
linguistic prowess language ability
talent advantage more ability
technically skilled artists ability of artists
lifeless flat, boring
unoriginal not creative, stale
unknowns can’t be known
informs leads to, makes up
translates becomes
subjective open to interpretation
definitive appraisal clear judgment
value worth
let us make no mistake there is no doubt
human endeavours what mankind attempts
no exception conforms to the rule
term word
hazy unclear
no doubt in practice can’t be questioned in reality
stirring masterpieces beautiful works of art
put in contribute
toil away work at
without making much of an impression leaving little mark
Some believe that art ought to be l______________________________s while others believe anyone can make w_________________s. In my opinion, talent is a c__________________t but its l______________y does not make it any less c_________l.
Talent, particularly in a s__________________d such as art, is i______________e. It is impossible to d____________e the i____________y between talent and g___________________________n, u_______________g, p________________s like p____________________e, m____________n, luck, and practice. Research into sports has shown the importance of genetics but that is largely because of the a_________________s. Good h____________________________n, s____________________________e, and l______________________s may give one a t__________________________e in the arts but many t_________________________s produce l____________s, u_______________l art. There are simply too many u_______________s as to what i____________s talent and how this t______________s to s_____________e works to make a d__________________l of its v______e.
However, l_____________________e: talent is important for all h___________________s and art is n___________________n. The t_____m itself may be hazy but there is n____________________e that certain individuals can create s__________________s and others cannot, regardless of how much hard work they p________n. A good example of this would be in music. Some bands and artists t____________y for years w_________________________________n while others, like the Beatles and Mozart, were successful from a very young age. John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s l____________s and understanding of m__________y were p_____________t for them in their early 20s and few other individuals, professional or a____________r, in their entire l_____________e have had the talent to r________________s.
In conclusion, though it is difficult to d_________e, good art requires talent. There is t____________________e for amateurs but great art with u___________________l is the p_________________________d.
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the real general training exam on the topic of wearing uniforms.
It’s an interesting question and I really enjoyed writing about it!
Please consider signing up for my Patreon here in order to support my efforts and receive exclusive Ebooks and materials related to IELTS!
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Uniforms (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
A lot of companies and organisations require employees to wear uniforms.
Which kind of jobs are uniforms suitable for?
Are there any disadvantages to wearing a uniform to work?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Many jobs today and in the past have required their employees to wear uniforms. This is especially true for jobs that must be recognisable and its greatest drawback relates to resentment.
The jobs that most require uniforms all relate to positions of authority. It is important for the public and other employees to be able to recognise these figures. The original example of this is soldiers who must be recognisable to their own people and each other in order to fight an enemy effectively. Today this same principle applies to authorities ranging from the police to fire fighters. There are also more civilian occupations where authority is self-evidently important such as for doctors, judges, and chefs. Even simple jobs such as working in a fast food restaurant or supermarket require uniforms in order to make it easier for customers to identify them.
The disadvantage to wearing a uniform at work is the effect on morale. In some instances, uniforms can be inspiring if the employee is personally invested in the service or product the company provides. For the majority of employees, however, uniforms repress individuality and comodify. In the same way that cans of soup are wrapped in a label, an employee may come to feel like a company product. The jobs most susceptible to this will not be high-ranking ones such as a doctor, where the uniform instills pride, but lower order work such as a factory worker, cashier, or cleaner. Uniforms will likely only add to pre-existing resentment of their position in life.
In conclusion, uniforms are necessary for operations but can hurt mental health in certain occupations. There is little that can be done to address the necessity of uniforms but their effects can be mitigated with compassionate company policies.
Analysis
1. Many jobs today and in the past have required their employees to wear uniforms. 2. This is especially true for jobs that must be recognisable and its greatest drawback relates to resentment.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay.
Answer the two questions directly and clearly.
1. The jobs that most require uniforms all relate to positions of authority. 2. It is important for the public and other employees to be able to recognise these figures. 3. The original example of this is soldiers who must be recognisable to their own people and each other in order to fight an enemy effectively. 4. Today this same principle applies to authorities ranging from the police to fire fighters. 5. There are also more civilian occupations where authority is self-evidently important such as for doctors, judges, and chefs. 6. Even simple jobs such as working in a fast food restaurant or supermarket require uniforms in order to make it easier for customers to identify them.
Write a simple topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Give a specific example.
Develop or extend your example.
Here I develop the example but showing how it related to other jobs.
Finally, I include how it applies to the lowest class of workers.
1. The disadvantage to wearing a uniform at work is the effect on morale. 2. In some instances, uniforms can be inspiring if the employee is personally invested in the service or product the company provides. 3. For the majority of employees, however, uniforms repress individuality and comodify. 4. In the same way that cans of soup are wrapped in a label, an employee may come to feel like a company product. 5. The jobs most susceptible to this will not be high-ranking ones such as a doctor, where the uniform instills pride, but lower order work such as a factory worker, cashier, or cleaner. 6. Uniforms will likely only add to pre-existing resentment of their position in life.
Write another topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Here I qualify my main idea because there are some obvious exceptions.
Now I focus on why uniforms hurt morale.
I argue here by analogy.
I develop it further by listing the specific jobs affected.
Finally, I conclude the paragraph with a strong statement.
1. In conclusion, uniforms are necessary for operations but can hurt mental health in certain occupations. 2. There is little that can be done to address the necessity of uniforms but their effects can be mitigated with compassionate company policies.
Many jobs today and in the past have required their employees to wear uniforms. This is especially true for jobs that must be recognisable and its greatest drawback relates to resentment.
The jobs that most require uniforms all relate to positions of authority. It is important for the public and other employees to be able to recognise these figures. The original example of this is soldiers who must be recognisable to their own people and each other in order to fight an enemy effectively. Today this same principle applies to authorities ranging from the police to fire fighters. There are also more civilian occupations where authority is self-evidently important such as for doctors, judges, and chefs. Even simple jobs such as working in a fast food restaurant or supermarket require uniforms in order to make it easier for customers to identify them.
The disadvantage to wearing a uniform at work is the effect on morale. In some instances, uniforms can be inspiring if the employee is personally invested in the service or product the company provides. For the majority of employees, however, uniforms repress individuality and commodify. In the same way that cans of soup are wrapped in a label, an employee may come to feel like a company product. The jobs most susceptible to this will not be high-ranking ones such as a doctor, where the uniform instills pride, but lower order work such as a factory worker, cashier, or cleaner. Uniforms will likely only add to pre-existing resentment of their position in life.
In conclusion, uniforms are necessary for operations but can hurt mental health in certain occupations. There is little that can be done to address the necessity of uniforms but their effects can be mitigated with compassionate company policies.
Many jobs today and in the past have required their employees to wear uniforms. This is e_____________e for jobs that must be r______________e and its g__________________k relates to r_____________t.
The jobs that most require uniforms all relate to p______________________y. It is important for the public and other employees to be able to recognise these f__________s. The o____________________e of this is soldiers who must be recognisable to their own people and each other in order to fight an enemy e_____________y. Today this s______________________s to authorities r________________m the police to fire fighters. There are also more c___________________________s where a_______________y is s_______________________t such as for doctors, judges, and chefs. Even simple jobs such as working in a fast food restaurant or supermarket require uniforms in order to make it easier for customers to i__________y them.
The disadvantage to wearing a uniform at work is the effect on m_________e. In some instances, uniforms can be i____________g if the employee is p______________________d in the service or product the company provides. For the majority of employees, however, uniforms r____________________y and c_____________y. In the same way that cans of soup are w____________________l, an employee may c__________________e a company product. The jobs m__________________e to this will not be h_____________g ones such as a doctor, where the uniform i_______________e, but l_________________k such as a factory worker, cashier, or cleaner. Uniforms will likely only add to p______________________t of their p__________________e.
In conclusion, uniforms are necessary for operations but can h____________________h in c______________________s. There is little that can be done to a___________s the necessity of uniforms but their effects can be m______________d with c________________________________s.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch 50 years of flight attendant uniforms below:
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