You can find all the IELTS speaking questions and topics here.
Before reading my sample answers, you can practice
A. Answering them yourself first.
B. Listening to my audio answers and making some notes.
then enjoy!
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 Speaking Model Answer: Voice (Real IELTS Speaking Exam/Test)
1. Do you like the sound of your own voice?
My voice has always bothered me actually. I think that it is a little too high-pitched and I wish that it was deeper. When I catch a movie, I get a bit jealous of the actors with their strong, gravely voices. But I’m over that now. I’m old enough now to accept the things about myself that I can’t change.
2. Has your voice altered a lot since you were younger?
Yeah, naturally, I don’t have a childish voice anymore. Like most people, my voice changed a lot when I went through puberty. That’s when I first became conscious of the way that my voice sounds. I doubt I ever gave it a second thought before it started to break and get a little deeper.
3. Is there anyone in your family with a similar voice?
That’s not something I’ve really paid much attention to but, yeah, I guess my brother has more or less the same voice as me. My dad’s voice is quite different, deeper. My mom, of course, has a very different voice. Hers is much softer and gentler, like most women. My grandfather had a really unique voice, very kind and deep.
4. Do you listen to recordings of your voice?
Yeah, all the time. I do a lot of online work that involves recording video and audio and I do all the editing myself so I listen to my own voice on recording everyday. At first, it drove me crazy to listen to it and I just had to get used to it but now I’m accustomed to it and it doesn’t bother me at all. I’d still rather listen to someone else’s voice!
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
My voice has always bothered me actually. I think that it is a little too high-pitched and I wish that it was deeper. When I catch a movie, I get a bit jealous of the actors with their strong, gravely voices. But I’m over that now. I’m old enough now to accept the things about myself that I can’t change.
Yeah, naturally, I don’t have a childish voice anymore. Like most people, my voice changed a lot when I went through puberty. That’s when I first became conscious of the way that my voice sounds. I doubt I ever gave it a second thought before it started to break and get a little deeper.
That’s not something I’ve really paid much attention to but, yeah, I guess my brother has more or less the same voice as me. My dad’s voice is quite different, deeper. My mom, of course, has a very different voice. Hers is much softer and gentler, like most women. My grandfather had a really unique voice, very kind and deep.
Yeah, all the time. I do a lot of online work that involves recording video and audio and I do all the editing myself so I listen to my own voice on recording everyday. At first, it drove me crazy to listen to it and I just had to get used to it but now I’m accustomed to it and it doesn’t bother me at all. I’d still rather listen to someone else’s voice!
A few quick tips to help you, if you’re taking the test soon:
Try to speak for 2 – 4 sentences for each answer and about 20-30 seconds. If you speak a bit longer or shorter it is fine. If you talk a lot more or a lot less then it will hurt your fluency score.
Include specific detail – don’t be general. The more specific – the better vocabulary that will come out!
Don’t ask the examiner questions. You can ask them to repeat the question (once) but that’s it.
This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample answer essay from the general training test on the topic of leaving school and being successful.
Enjoy 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
Before reading, you can listen to the audio file below first:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer General Training: Leaving School & Success (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Many people who drop out of school are more successful than those who complete their studies.
Why does this happen?
What does it require to be successful?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
There are numerous high-profile success stories about entrepreneurs who left school early. This happens because these people hone practical skills in the absence of academics and the main requirement of success is hard work.
Those who enter the labour market without academic qualifications have no choice but to compensate and make themselves concretely valuable. The most famous examples of this including Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs make for compelling articles but are not representative of most drop-outs. Most get jobs doing some kind of manual or semi-skilled labour such as training to become an electrician, plumber or cook. These jobs can withstand market fluctuations and with accumulated experience earn a high salary comparable to most university graduates and even many doctorate students.
The cliché that no one gets anywhere without working hard is true. If you choose to remain in school or drop out and enter the workforce, concerted effort will typically yield results. The examples of people getting rich quick or without much effort are appealing outliers but not instructive. A better example of the application of sustained perseverance is Dr. Seuss. His children’s books were continually rejected for more than two decades while he worked as a newspaper cartoonist to make ends meet. He continued to hone his craft and the quality of his work ensured that as long as he stuck with it, he would eventually be published. His wild success cannot be counted upon but everyone who dedicates themselves to a quality product will at least reap modest rewards.
In conclusion, those who stop studying find themselves valued for their practical skills and the key to success is hard work. Technology has disrupted the job market drastically but hard work and commitment applied to any trade will always be eminently employable skills.
Word Count: 295
Analysis
1. There are numerous high-profile success stories about entrepreneurs who left school early. 2. This happens because these people hone practical skills in the absence of academics and the main requirement of success is hard work.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the esay.
State your opinion clearly.
1. Those who enter the labour market without academic qualifications have no choice but to compensate and make themselves concretely valuable. 2. The most famous examples of this including Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs make for compelling articles but are not representative of most drop-outs. 3. Most get jobs doing some kind of manual or semi-skilled labour such as training to become an electrician, plumber or cook. 4. These jobs can withstand market fluctuations and with accumulated experience earn a high salary comparable to most university graduates and even many doctorate students.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Begin an example to develop your main idea.
Continue developing your main idea with specific support.
Conclude your paragraph with more supporting ideas – not a new main idea!
1. The cliché that no one gets anywhere without working hard is true. 2. If you choose to remain in school or drop out and enter the workforce, concerted effort will typically yield results. 3. The examples of people getting rich quick or without much effort are appealing outliers but not instructive. 4. A better example of the application of sustained perseverance is Dr. Seuss. 5. His children’s books were continually rejected for more than two decades while he worked as a newspaper cartoonist to make ends meet. 6. He continued to hone his craft and the quality of his work ensured that as long as he stuck with it, he would eventually be published. 7. His wild success cannot be counted upon but everyone who dedicates themselves to a quality product will at least reap modest rewards.
Write another topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Begin to develop your main idea.
Here I dismiss irrelevant examples because they don’t apply to most people.
Then I begin a better example.
I develop that example.
And keep developing the same example.
I conclude the paragraph by making it more general and applying it to people who do not become famous.
1. In conclusion, those who stop studying find themselves valued for their practical skills and the key to success is hard work. 2. Technology has disrupted the job market drastically but hard work and commitment applied to any trade will always be eminently employable skills.
Repeat your opinion.
Add a final thought/extra detail for full marks from the IELTS examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
There are numerous high-profile success stories about entrepreneurs who left school early. This happens because these people hone practical skills in the absence of academics and the main requirement of success is hard work.
Those who enter the labour market without academic qualifications have no choice but to compensate and make themselves concretely valuable. The most famous examples of this including Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs make for compelling articles but are not representative of most drop-outs. Most get jobs doing some kind of manual or semi-skilled labour such as training to become an electrician, plumber or cook. These jobs can withstand market fluctuations and with accumulated experience earn a high salary comparable to most university graduates and even many doctorate students.
The cliché that no one gets anywhere without working hard is true. If you choose to remain in school or drop out and enter the workforce, concerted effort will typically yield results. The examples of people getting rich quick or without much effort are appealing outliers but not instructive. A better example of the application of sustained perseverance is Dr. Seuss. His children’s books were continually rejected for more than two decades while he worked as a newspaper cartoonist to make ends meet. He continued to hone his craft and the quality of his work ensured that as long as he stuck with it, he would eventually be published. His wild success cannot be counted upon but everyone who dedicates themselves to a quality product will at least reap modest rewards.
In conclusion, those who stop studying find themselves valued for their practical skills and the key to success is hard work. Technology has disrupted the job market drastically but hard work and commitment applied to any trade will always be eminently employable skills.
Answers
numerous high-profile success stories many well-known examples
entrepreneurs people who start their own businesses
hone perfect/improve
in the absence of without
main requirement prerequisite
labour market employment/jobs
academic qualifications degrees and certificates
compensate make up for
concretely valuable actual importance/use
compelling articles interesting news stories
not representative don’t stand in for
drop-outs people who quit school
manual using your hands/body rather than mind
semi-skilled labour work requiring some skill
electrician, plumber examples of semi-skilled labour
withstand market fluctuations not effected by economic problems
accumulated experience time spent working
comparable related/contrasting
doctorate students PhD students
cliché common expression
no one gets anywhere you will not be successful
enter the workforce get a job
concerted effort working hard
typically yield results usually successful
getting rich quick making money suddenly
appealing outliers people like to here about these fantasies
instructive teaches/shows
application of sustained perseverance continuing to work hard
Dr. Seuss a children’s book writer from the United States
continually rejected turned away again and again
newspaper cartoonist person who draws comics for papers
make ends meet make enough money
hone his craft get better at his job
stuck with it continued doing it
published released to the public
wild success became very popular
counted upon relied on
dedicates commits
reap modest rewards get at least something out of it
valued considered important
practical skills skills that have useful applications
disrupted the job market drastically the types of jobs today have changed a lot
commitment applied to any trade perseverance in any sector
eminently employable skills very valuable qualities
There are n__________________ about e__________________ who left school early. This happens because these people h__________________ practical skills i__________________ academics and the m__________________ of success is hard work.
Those who enter the l__________________ without a__________________ have no choice but to c__________________ and make themselves c__________________. The most famous examples of this including Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs make for c__________________ but are n__________________ of most d__________________. Most get jobs doing some kind of m__________________ or s__________________ such as training to become an e__________________, p__________________ or cook. These jobs can w__________________ and with a__________________ earn a high salary c__________________ to most university graduates and even many d__________________.
The c__________________ that n__________________ without working hard is true. If you choose to remain in school or drop out and e__________________, c__________________ will t__________________. The examples of people g__________________ or without much effort are a__________________ but not i__________________. A better example of the a__________________ is D__________________. His children’s books were c__________________ for more than two decades while he worked as a n__________________ to m__________________. He continued to h__________________ and the quality of his work ensured that as long as he s__________________, he would eventually be p__________________. His w__________________ cannot be c__________________ but everyone who d__________________ themselves to a quality product will at least r__________________.
In conclusion, those who stop studying find themselves v__________________ for their p__________________ and the key to success is hard work. Technology has d__________________ but hard work and c__________________ will always be e__________________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Listen to Xyra below talk about why she dropped out:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer on the topic of crime TV shows from the real past IELTS exam/test.
It is a really interesting, really tough question.
I honestly don’t know why crime shows are so popular today. There are a lot of possible reasons and some of them may be true.
I just chose one reason and supported it full.
The real answer is fit for a book so just choose a simple reason and support it fully.
Read it below and check out my exclusive Patreon essays here!
Dave
Listen to the audio file before reading and take notes on the key vocabulary:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Crime TV Shows (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Watching TV shows and movies about crime is becoming more and more popular.
Why is this?
What effect does that have on society?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
The frenzy over crime shows in recent years has led many to question both the origins of this morbid interest and its impact. In my opinion, people watch these shows to dispel or safely confirm psychological similarities with killers and the result for society will be negligible in most cases.
The reason people watch crime shows is to understand and compare the psychology of killers. The mystery of these shows goes deeper than figuring out which suspect is the real perpetrator. Audiences are chiefly concerned with motive and the best shows analyse compelling, complex personality archetypes. People can then try to parse out whether or not these individuals are driven by human nature and are just expressing their desires differently from law-abiding citizens or if they are qualitatively different from the average person. Some watch to try to unequivocally differentiate themselves while others experience a guilty, unconscious pleasure in identification and vicarious living.
The end result of all these shows related to crime will amount to nothing in the final analysis. There will be some exceptions where individuals develop an unhealthy obsession that isolates them from normal society or claim them as excuses for their own crimes but this is just as likely to occur with any form of entertainment. The majority of people watch these shows, think about them and talk about them just as they discuss a book or a sports team. Research has been unable to show any direct link between watching crime shows and committing crimes or altering one’s outlook towards others. Similarly, they will not have a positive impact since most people do not watch them to get tips to avoid criminals and the sample sizes for the crimes taking place are too small relative to the knowledge gained.
In conclusion, people watch crime shows to exonerate or convict themselves and it is a benign obsession. It is more important for psychologists to examine the drive to fascination than its object.
Analysis
1. The frenzy over crime shows in recent years has led many to question both the origins of this morbid interest and its impact. 2. In my opinion, people watch these shows to dispel or safely confirm psychological similarities with killers and the result for society will be negligible in most cases.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the whole essay.
Answer both questions directly.
1. The reason people watch crime shows is to understand and compare the psychology of killers. 2. The mystery of these shows goes deeper than figuring out which suspect is the real perpetrator. 3. Audiences are chiefly concerned with motive and the best shows analyse compelling, complex personality archetypes. 4. People can then try to parse out whether or not these individuals are driven by human nature and are just expressing their desires differently from law-abiding citizens or if they are qualitatively different from the average person. 5. Some watch to try to unequivocally differentiate themselves while others experience a guilty, unconscious pleasure in identification and vicarious living.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Begin developing your main idea with specific details.
Keep supporting your argument. Make sure your ideas are logical and link to the previous sentence.
Conclude your argument – you don’t have to summarise the paragraph!
1. The end result of all these shows related to crime will amount to nothing in the final analysis. 2. There will be some exceptions where individuals develop an unhealthy obsession that isolates them from normal society or claim them as excuses for their own crimes but this is just as likely to occur with any form of entertainment. 3. The majority of people watch these shows, think about them and talk about them just as they discuss a book or a sports team. 4. Research has been unable to show any direct link between watching crime shows and committing crimes or altering one’s outlook towards others. 5. Similarly, they will not have a positive impact since most people do not watch them to get tips to avoid criminals and the sample sizes for the crimes taking place are too small relative to the knowledge gained.
Write another clear and simple topic sentence.
Again begin to develop it. I start here with a concession.
Here I use an analogy to make my argument stronger.
I also quote research which is a good way to add in support.
I conclude by covering whether or not there is any positive impact.
1. In conclusion, people watch crime shows to exonerate or convict themselves and it is a benign obsession. 2. It is more important for psychologists to examine the drive to fascination than its object.
Repeat your answer to both questions to be 100% sure you get above band 5 for task achievement by fully answering the topic.
Add in an extra detail/final thought.
Vocabulary
The frenzy over crime shows in recent years has led many to question both the origins of this morbid interest and its impact. In my opinion, people watch these shows to dispel or safely confirmpsychological similarities with killers and the result for society will be negligible in most cases.
The reason people watch crime shows is to understand and compare the psychology of killers. The mystery of these shows goes deeper than figuring out which suspect is the real perpetrator. Audiences are chiefly concerned with motive and the best shows analyse compelling, complex personality archetypes. People can then try to parse out whether or not these individuals are driven by human nature and are just expressing their desires differently from law-abiding citizens or if they are qualitatively different from the average person. Some watch to try to unequivocally differentiate themselves while others experience a guilty, unconscious pleasure in identification and vicarious living.
The end result of all these shows related to crime will amount to nothing in the final analysis. There will be some exceptions where individuals develop an unhealthy obsession that isolates them from normal society or claim them as excuses for their own crimes but this is just as likely to occur with any form of entertainment. The majority of people watch these shows, think about them and talk about them just as they discuss a book or a sports team. Research has been unable to show any direct link between watching crime shows and committing crimes or altering one’s outlook towards others. Similarly, they will not have a positive impact since most people do not watch them to get tips to avoid criminals and the sample sizes for the crimes taking place are too small relative to the knowledge gained.
In conclusion, people watch crime shows to exonerate or convict themselves and it is a benign obsession. It is more important for psychologists to examine the drive to fascination than its object.
Answers
frenzy obsession with
question wonder about
origins source
morbid interest dark fascination
dispel dismiss
safely confirm without risk show the connection
psychological similarities same way of thinking
negligible not a major factor
mystery enigma/riddle
deeper not superficial
figuring out knowing
suspect who might have done it
real perpetrator actual guilty criminal
chiefly concerned mostly interested in
motive reason
compelling influential
complex personality archetypes complicated type of person
parse out break down
driven encouraged
human nature nature
expressing their desires differently sublimating
law-abiding citizens people who don’t break the law
qualitatively different a real distinction
average person common person
unequivocally differentiate definitely different
guilty did the crime
unconscious pleasure unacknowledged joy
identification relate to
vicarious living living through others
amount to adds up to
in the final analysis in the end
exceptions outside the norm
unhealthy obsession dark faschinations
isolates makes separate
claim say/think
excuses reasons
just as likely to occur equally possible it will happen
just as the same as
direct link clear cause/effect relationship
altering one’s outlook towards others being less empathetic
The f______________ over crime shows in recent years has led many to q______________ both the o______________ of this m______________ and its impact. In my opinion, people watch these shows to d______________ or s______________p______________ with killers and the result for society will be n______________ in most cases.
The reason people watch crime shows is to understand and compare the psychology of killers. The m______________ of these shows goes d______________ than f______________ which s______________ is the r______________. Audiences are c______________ with m______________ and the best shows analyse c______________, c______________. People can then try to p______________ whether or not these individuals are d______________ by h______________ and are just e______________ from l______________ or if they are q______________ from the a______________. Some watch to try to u______________ themselves while others experience a g______________, u______________ in i______________ and v______________.
The end result of all these shows related to crime will a______________ nothing i______________. There will be some e______________ where individuals develop an u______________ that i______________ them from normal society or c______________ them as e______________ for their own crimes but this is j______________ with any form of entertainment. The majority of people watch these shows, think about them and talk about them j______________ they discuss a book or a sports team. Research has been unable to show any d______________ between watching crime shows and committing crimes or a______________ . Similarly, they will not have a positive impact since most people do not watch them to get tips to avoid criminals and the s______________ for the c______________ are too small r______________ the knowledge gained.
In conclusion, people watch crime shows to e______________ or c______________ themselves and it is a b______________ obsession. It is more important for psychologists to examine the drive to f______________ than its o______________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch the video below from some ideas from a real psychologist:
Reading Practice
Here is an article about its effect for your other paragraph:
Some believe technology has made our lives too complex and the solution is to lead a simpler life without technology.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
Many are of the opinion that technology has done more harm than good and we ought to simplify in order to lead more fulfilling lives. I agree that technology has its drawbacks but I think turning away from technology is impractical.
The main reason that technology has complicated life for people today is that it has made people perpetually available. In the past, a worker might work a 9 to 5 then come home to spend time with their family, have dinner and enjoy their private life. That simplicity is largely no longer the case. Once work ends, you can still get email notifications and phone calls from managers or co-workers. The end result is that you can never be fully present in the moment because work always threatens to pull you back.
Although life has become more complicated and this is a negative development, shutting yourself off from technology would only serve to isolate people from the world. If you want to stay in touch with friends and know about events in your area, it is essential to have a phone. You can use Facebook Messenger to cheaply chat with individuals or make group plans. Email is an indispensable element of nearly every job. Without it, you are filtering out quality jobs and predetermining manual work as your vocation.
In conclusion, although technology has hurt people, turning away from it is not feasible today without making drastic sacrifices. Instead, people ought to seek ways to compartmentalise technology in order to live happier, more satisfying lives.
Analysis
1. Many are of the opinion that technology has done more harm than good and we ought to simplify in order to lead more fulfilling lives. 2. I agree that technology has its drawbacks but I think turning away from technology is impractical.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay.
Include your opinion – choose a side!
1. The main reason that technology has complicated life for people today is that it has made people perpetually available. 2. In the past, a worker might work a 9 to 5 then come home to spend time with their family, have dinner and enjoy their private life. 3. That simplicity is largely no longer the case. 4. Once work ends, you can still get email notifications and phone calls from managers or co-workers. 5. The end result is that you can never be fully present in the moment because work always threatens to pull you back.
Write a topic sentence with a main idea at the end – for me it is being perpetually available.
Begin to develop it. I use a hypothetical example here.
Vary up your long and short sentences for effect.
Be specific – meniote the notifications, phone calls, etc.
State the result to finish the paragraph.
1. Although life has become more complicated and this is a negative development, shutting yourself off from technology would only serve to isolate people from the world. 2. If you want to stay in touch with friends and know about events in your area, it is essential to have a phone. 3. You can use Facebook Messenger to cheaply chat with individuals or make group plans. 4. Email is an indispensable element of nearly every job. 5. Without it, you are filtering out quality jobs and predetermining manual work as your vocation.
Write another topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Develop it with specific detail.
Make sure that you use really specific examples such as Facebook Messenger.
Keep developing the same main idea.
State the result again.
1. In conclusion, although technology has hurt people, turning away from it is not feasible today without making drastic sacrifices. 2. Instead, people ought to seek ways to compartmentalise technology in order to live happier, more satisfying lives.
Repeat your opinion.
Include a final thought/extra detail for full points from the IELTS examiner for task achievement.
Vocabulary
Many are of the opinion that technology has done more harm than good and we ought to simplify in order to lead more fulfilling lives. I agree that technology has its drawbacks but I think turning away from technology is impractical.
The main reason that technology has complicated life for people today is that it has made people perpetually available. In the past, a worker might work a 9 to 5 then come home to spend time with their family, have dinner and enjoy their private life. That simplicity is largely no longer the case. Once work ends, you can still get email notifications and phone calls from managers or co-workers. The end result is that you can never be fully present in the moment because work always threatens to pull you back.
Although life has become more complicated and this is a negative development, shutting yourself off from technology would only serve to isolate people from the world. If you want to stay in touch with friends and know about events in your area, it is essential to have a phone. You can use Facebook Messenger to cheaply chat with individuals or make group plans. Email is an indispensable element of nearly every job. Without it, you are filtering out quality jobs and predetermining manual work as your vocation.
In conclusion, although technology has hurt people, turning away from it is not feasible today without making drastic sacrifices. Instead, people ought to seek ways to compartmentalise technology in order to live happier, more satisfying lives.
Answers
done more harm than good hurt more than helped
lead more fulfilling lives be happier
turning away giving up
impractical not useful/unrealistic
perpetually available can always be contacted
spend time with hang out with
private life personal life
no longer the case not ture anymore
notifications updates
end result final outcome
fully present in the moment mindful, not distracted
threatens risks
pull you back bring you back to
shutting yourself off isolating
only serve to isolate keeps you away from others
stay in touch keep in touch
essential crucial
cheaply chat inexpensively communicate with
indispensable element crucial part
filtering out avoiding
predetermining manual work making it so you can’t do other jobs
vocation job/calling
feasible realistic
drastic sacrifices big cuts, giving up a lot
compartmentalise technology keep your phone in its place
Many are of the opinion that technology has d_________________ and we ought to simplify in order to l_________________. I agree that technology has its drawbacks but I think t_________________ from technology is i_________________.
The main reason that technology has complicated life for people today is that it has made people p_________________. In the past, a worker might work a 9 to 5 then come home to s_________________ their family, have dinner and enjoy their p_________________. That simplicity is largely n_________________ . Once work ends, you can still get email n_________________ and phone calls from managers or co-workers. The e_________________ is that you can never be f_________________ because work always t_________________ to p_________________.
Although life has become more complicated and this is a negative development, s_________________ from technology would o_________________ people from the world. If you want to s_________________ with friends and know about events in your area, it is e_________________ to have a phone. You can use Facebook Messenger to c_________________ with individuals or make group plans. Email is an i_________________ of nearly every job. Without it, you are f_________________ quality jobs and p_________________ as your v_________________.
In conclusion, although technology has hurt people, turning away from it is not f_________________ today without making d_________________. Instead, people ought to seek ways to c_________________ in order to live happier, m_________________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch here about someone who gave up their phone for 30 days:
Reading Practice
Here’s a related article that may also help you think of some ideas:
The successful in technological development has created a more complicated life for people and in order to solve this issue and it is thought [A1] to live without the appearance of technology. In my opinion, I hold a balanced view in this issue.[A2]
[A1]Many are of the opinion that we should try to…
[A2]Not a good idea to do this! It asks to the extent you agree/disagree –
make it clear that you only partly agree!
[A3]Way too vague! We already know this – describe how it is harder or more
complex!
[A4]This is confusing because this isn’t an argument about technology v no
technology it is old v new technology so it is irrelevant….
[A5]Good paragraph in general with a clear main idea and enough support.
I’m not sure about the example though because people still do household chores
and cook meals… Those tasks have become EASIER – that would be a better
argument.
[A6]There is no position in this essay! Just saying ‘I hold a balanced view’ is an automatic 5 for Task Achievement regardless of everything else…
This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of international sporting events from real IELTS exam/test.
I found this one a challenge because it is such a complex issue and I know so little about it.
It depends on so many factors and I’m not a politician.
That means I had to speculate a lot but also try to keep it grounded and specific.
See what I decided to do below!
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 Sample Answer Essay: International Sporting Events
One good way to promote world peace is through international sporting events.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Recent IELTS Exams/Tests
Some today feel that international sporting events are an opportunity to encourage world peace between traditionally opposed nations. In my opinion, the shared comradery is marginal enough as to be largely meaningless.
Proponents would argue that these events strengthen national bonds, particularly for the host country. Take the recent Olympics in Brasil as an example. Brasilian citizens and the government may have harboured animosity and prejudices towards various other countries where they have political, geographic, or economic ties. These predispositions might soften in citizens as they replace their generalised impressions with the real people now staying in their hotels, eating in their restaurants and passing them on the street. Governments will also have the opportunity to meet with foreign leaders in a spirit of friendly competition and without the tension of trade or military talks.
Nonetheless, only a very small percentage of people will be influenced in this way relative to the global interactions that actually impact world peace. A good example of this would be the complex civil war taking place in Syria. Very few citizens in a war-torn nation care about sporting events, if they have any representatives, and the leaders may not even make the trip. They will be more concerned about which sides Russia and the United States are supporting and the outstanding problems that led to conflict in the first place. World peace is further imperiled by other Middle Eastern countries with a religious affiliation who are unlikely to be pacified through a football match. Competitions like the Olympics and World Cup cannot in any way alter these underlying sources of conflict.
In conclusion, sports tournaments have very little role to play in a more peaceful world. Countries should take part in them to stir up national pride and achieve glory, not as a means to an unachievable political end.
Analysis
1. Some today feel that international sporting events are an opportunity to encourage world peace between traditionally opposed nations. 2. In my opinion, the shared comradery is marginal enough as to be largely meaningless.
Rewrite the overall topic for the whole essay.
Include your opinion and make it very clear – never sit in the middle!
1. Proponents would argue that these events strengthen national bonds, particularly for the host country. 2. Take the recent Olympics in Brasil as an example. 3. Brasilian citizens and the government may have harboured animosity and prejudices towards various other countries where they have political, geographic, or economic ties. 4. These predispositions might soften in citizens as they replace their generalised impressions with the real people now staying in their hotels, eating in their restaurants and passing them on the street. 5. Governments will also have the opportunity to meet with foreign leaders in a spirit of friendly competition and without the tension of trade or military talks.
Continue developing it – notice how specific my support is.
Finish developing your main idea and conclude the paragraph.
1. Nonetheless, only a very small percentage of people will be influenced in this way relative to the global interactions that actually impact world peace. 2. A good example of this would be the complex civil war taking place in Syria. 3. Very few citizens in a war-torn nation care about sporting events, if they have any representatives, and the leaders may not even make the trip. 4. They will be more concerned about which sides Russia and the United States are supporting and the outstanding problems that led to conflict in the first place. 5. World peace is further imperiled by other Middle Eastern countries with a religious affiliation who are unlikely to be pacified through a football match. 6. Competitions like the Olympics and World Cup cannot in any way alter these underlying sources of conflict.
Write another topic sentence with a new clear main idea.
Start your example right away – don’t waste time!
Develop it as specifically as you can.
The more support, the higher your task achievement score!
Use specific countries and relate them to your main idea.
You last sentence can be more general and answer the overall question for the essay directly.
1. In conclusion, sports tournaments have very little role to play in a more peaceful world. 2. Countries should take part in them to stir up national pride and achieve glory, not as a means to an unachievable political end.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in an extra detail/final thought.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Some today feel that international sporting events are an opportunity to encourage world peace between traditionally opposed nations. In my opinion, the shared comradery is marginal enoughas to be largely meaningless.
Proponents would argue that these events strengthen national bonds, particularly for the host country. Take the recent Olympics in Brasil as an example. Brasilian citizens and the government may have harboured animosity and prejudices towards various other countries where they have political, geographic, or economic ties. These predispositions might soften in citizens as they replace their generalised impressions with the real people now staying in their hotels, eating in their restaurants and passing them on the street. Governments will also have the opportunity to meet with foreign leaders in a spirit of friendly competition and without the tension of trade or military talks.
Nonetheless, only a very small percentage of people will be influenced in this way relative to the global interactions that actually impact world peace. A good example of this would be the complex civil war taking place in Syria. Very few citizens in a war-torn nation care about sporting events, if they have any representatives, and the leaders may not even make the trip. They will be more concerned about which sides Russia and the United States are supporting and the outstanding problems that led to conflict in the first place. World peace is further imperiled by other Middle Eastern countries with a religious affiliation who are unlikely to be pacified through a football match. Competitions like the Olympics and World Cup cannot in any way alter these underlying sources of conflict.
In conclusion, sports tournaments have very little role to play in a more peaceful world. Countries should take part in them to stir up national pride and achieve glory, not as a means to an unachievable political end.
Answers
international sporting events the Olympics, World Cup, World Games, etc.
world peace no more wars
traditionally opposed nations countries usually fighting/in conflict
shared comradery the feeling of being together in an enterprise/sport
marginal enoughas to be largely meaningless so little impact that it doesn’t matter
proponents supporter
strengthen national bonds bring countries closer together
host country nation where the games are held
harboured animosity resentments/grudges
prejudices judgments about others before meeting them/bigotry
political, geographic related to politics and geography
economic ties financial links
predispositions inclination towards
soften mature, take the edges off
generalised impressions first reactions, abstracted image of
passing walking by
in a spirit of friendly competition being a good sport
tension of trade or military talks anxiousness around important governmental discussions
relative to as it regards
global interactions times when countries come into contact
civil war fighting within a country
war-torn nation nation with a war devastating it
representatives elected officials
make the trip travel to
supporting in favour of
outstanding problems issues that still exist/are current
in the first place to begin with
imperiled put in danger
religious affiliation association with a religion
pacified make peace
alter make changes to
underlying sources of conflict problems that lead to fighting
very little role to play in no part in
take part in participate in
stir up national pride encourage nationalism
achieve glory win gold medals
means to an unachievable political end only to try and accomplish a national goal that can’t be accomplished anyway
Some today feel that i_______________ are an opportunity to encourage w_______________ between t_______________. In my opinion, the s_______________ is m_______________.
P_______________ would argue that these events s_______________, particularly for the h_______________. Take the recent Olympics in Brasil as an example. Brasilian citizens and the government may have h_______________ and p_______________ towards various other countries where they have p_______________, g_______________, or e_______________. These p_______________ might s_______________ in citizens as they replace their g_______________ with the real people now staying in their hotels, eating in their restaurants and p_______________ them on the street. Governments will also have the opportunity to meet with foreign leaders i_______________ and without the t_______________.
Nonetheless, only a very small percentage of people will be influenced in this way r_______________ the g_______________ that actually impact world peace. A good example of this would be the complex c_______________ taking place in Syria. Very few citizens in a w_______________ care about sporting events, if they have any r_______________, and the leaders may not even m_______________. They will be more concerned about which sides Russia and the United States are s_______________ and the o_______________ that led to conflict i_______________. World peace is further i_______________ by other Middle Eastern countries with a r_______________ who are unlikely to be p_______________ through a football match. Competitions like the Olympics and World Cup cannot in any way a_______________ these u_______________.
In conclusion, sports tournaments have v_______________ a more peaceful world. Countries should t_______________ them to s_______________ and a_______________, not as a m_______________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
This video would make a great example for your essay!
Answer the related question below and then read my sample answer on it:
Some people think that it is a waste of money for countries to host big sporting events like the world cup, and that the money would be better spent on other things.
However, others think that hosting large sporting events has a clear, positive impact on a country.
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