Before reading, listen to my audio of the answer and try to draw the bar chart as accurately as you can to improve your listening skills. Listen to it more than once if you have to:
IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer: Organisations Bar Chart (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
The chart below gives information about billions of euros invested in four areas by various organisations.
The bar chart details funding to four sectors by organisation A-E in a given time period. What stands out most is that overall expenditure is highest for organisation B, in particular staff training and research are outliers compared to the other organisations, while organisations D and E were much lower in overall funding and A and C were in the middle. There were varying trends for all organisations though building tended to be near the top for most of them.
Looking first of all at the funding for organisations A and B, machinery received €1 billion and just under a billion euros respectively, while building was the most funded for organisation A (€1.5 billion) and €.1 billion lower for B, trailing staff training (€1.9 billion) and research (€1.6 billion). Organisation A invested less in both areas with €1.2 for training and €1.1 for research.
The numbers for organisation C, D, and E were much lower with machinery at €1.1 billion for C, €.9 billion for D and €.8 billion for E. All three organisations invested equally in building (an even €1 billion), while staff training was between €.7 and €.9 billion for all groups. Research showed more divergent numbers with organisations C contributing €1.3 billion, organisation D €.6 billion and organisation E €.7billion.
Analysis
1. The bar chart details funding to four sectors by organisation A-E in a given time period. 2. What stands out most is that overall expenditure is highest for organisation B, in particular staff training and research are outliers compared to the other organisations, while organisations D and E were much lower in overall funding and A and C were in the middle. 3. There were varying trends for all organisations though building tended to be near the top for most of them.
Paraphrase very simply what the graph shows – don’t waste time on this sentence.
Write a general overview. It must touch on all areas but not include specific data.
Usually you will need 2 sentences for your overview. 3 is too many.
1. Looking first of all at the funding for organisations A and B, machinery received €1 billion and just under a billion euros respectively, while building was the most funded for organisation A (€1.5 billion) and €.1 billion lower for B, trailing staff training (€1.9 billion) and research (€1.6 billion). 2. Organisation A invested less in both areas with €1.2 for training and €1.1 for research.
Begin to talk about some of the organisations and include all the data. There is a lot of data here so I use parenthesis (…) to include some of it.
Finish and make sure you wrote about all the data and it is accurate.
1. The numbers for organisation C, D, and E were much lower with machinery at €1.1 billion for C, €.9 billion for D and €.8 billion for E. 2. All three organisations invested equally in building (an even €1 billion), while staff training was between €.7 and €.9 billion for all groups. 3. Research showed more divergent numbers with organisations C contributing €1.3 billion, organisation D €.6 billion and organisation E €.7billion.
Talk about the other areas – again with all the data.
Compare the data as much as possible.
Double check to make sure that you included all the data and your overview also includes all the organisations.
Vocabulary
Can you think of any synonyms for the words in bold below?
The bar chart details funding to four sectors by organisation A-E in a given time period. What stands out most is that overall expenditure is highest for organisation B, in particular staff training and research are outliers compared to the other organisations, while organisations D and E were much lower in overall funding and A and C were in the middle. There were varying trends for all organisations though building tended to be near the top for most of them.
Looking first of all at the funding for organisations A and B, machinery received €1 billion and just under a billion euros respectively, while building was the most funded for organisation A (€1.5 billion) and €.1 billion lower for B, trailing staff training (€1.9 billion) and research (€1.6 billion). Organisation A invested less in both areas with €1.2 for training and €1.1 for research.
The numbers for organisation C, D, and E were much lower with machinery at €1.1 billion for C, €.9 billion for D and €.8 billion for E. All three organisations invested equally in building (an even €1 billion), while staff training was between €.7 and €.9 billion for all groups. Research showed more divergent numbers with organisation C contributing €1.3 billion, organisation D €.6 billion and organisation E €.7billion.
Answers
details funding shows the money spend on
sectors areas
in a given time period over the period surveyed
what stands out most is the most striking feature is
The bar chart d___________ to four s___________ by organisation A-E i___________. W___________ that o___________ is highest for organisation B, i___________ staff training and research are o___________ compared to the other organisations, while organisations D and E were much lower in overall funding and A and C were in the middle. There were v___________ for all organisations though building t___________ to be n___________ for most of them.
Looking first of all at the funding for organisations A and B, machinery r___________ €1 billion and j___________ a billion euros r___________, while building was the most funded for organisation A (€1.5 billion) and €.1 billion lower for B, t___________ staff training (€1.9 billion) and research (€1.6 billion). Organisation A i___________ less in both areas with €1.2 for training and €1.1 for research.
The numbers for organisation C, D, and E were m___________ with machinery at €1.1 billion for C, €.9 billion for D and €.8 billion for E. All three organisations i___________ in building (an e___________ €1 billion), while staff training was between €.7 and €.9 billion for all groups. Research showed more d___________ with organisations C c___________ €1.3 billion, organisation D €.6 billion and organisation E €.7billion.
Some believe that people are naturally born as leaders while others feel that leadership skills can develop.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Many are of the view that leadership is innate, rather than cultivated through time and experience. In my opinion, leadership is largely developed rather than gifted.
Those who believe that there are naturally born leaders point out the character of a person as a fixed quantity. There are certain individuals who display a natural charisma and inimitable capacity for command. A recent example of this would be Barack Obama. He is a naturally eloquent, stately, physically imposing presence and perfectly walks a fine line between warmth and firmness. Researchers have long identitified common natural characteristics of leadership such as height, a deep voice, a strong chin and natural grace of movement. These cannot be developed to a significant degree and therefore support the claim that leadership is intrinsic.
However, great leadership is more deliberate than spontaneous. There are countless examples of individuals possessing all the physical characteristics of leaders who fall well short of inspiring people. An instructive example of this is Steve Jobs. Early in his career he inspired people with his exceptional talent but that had its limits as he pushed and demeaned employees ultimately leading to his ouster from Apple. This humbling experience led him to soften the sharper edges of his personality in the ensuing decade by considering other viewpoints and giving up more control to competent employees. These learned traits served him well when he become CEO of Apple again and reached what many regard as the pinnacle of leadership.
In conclusion, though the endpoint may obscure the origins, all leaders must cultivate their hubris to become great leaders. The long-standing assumptions about leadership must be challenged in order to put in place better institutional practices to mold future pioneers of industry and politics.
Word Count: 289
Analysis
1. Many are of the view that leadership is innate, rather than cultivated through time and experience. 2. In my opinion, leadership is largely developed rather than gifted.
Paraphrase the overall topic in your first sentence.
Give your opinion – make it clear!
1. Those who believe that there are naturally born leaders point out the character of a person as a fixed quantity. 2. There are certain individuals who display a natural charisma and inimitable capacity for command. 3. A recent example of this would be Barack Obama. 4. He is a naturally eloquent, stately, physically imposing presence and perfectly walks a fine line between warmth and firmness. 5. Researchers have long identitified common natural characteristics of leadership such as height, a deep voice, a strong chin and natural grace of movement. 6. These cannot be developed to a significant degree and therefore support the claim that leadership is intrinsic.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Begin to develop/explain your main idea.
Give a specific example.
Develop the example with specific details.
Here I quote (fake) research to further support my main idea.
Tie it back to your main idea for the paragraph/the overall essay question.
1. However, great leadership is more deliberate than spontaneous. 2. There are countless examples of individuals possessing all the physical characteristics of leaders who fall well short of inspiring people. 3. An instructive example of this is Steve Jobs. 4. Early in his career he inspired people with his exceptional talent but that had its limits as he pushed and demeaned employees ultimately leading to his ouster from Apple. 5. This humbling experience led him to soften the sharper edges of his personality in the ensuing decade by considering other viewpoints and giving up more control to competent employees. 6. These learned traits served him well when he become CEO of Apple again and reached what many regard as the pinnacle of leadership.
Write a new main idea.
Begin to develop that main idea by explaining it first.
Start another specific example of a person that you know a lot about.
Go into great detail in your example.
Continue developing the example.
Finish developing your example to fully support your main idea.
1. In conclusion, though the endpoint may obscure the origins, all leaders must cultivate their hubris to become great leaders. 2. The long-standing assumptions about leadership must be challenged in order to put in place better institutional practices to mold future pioneers of industry and politics.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in a final thought/extra detail for full points from the IELTS examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in below in bold mean?
Many are of the view that leadership is innate, rather than cultivated through time and experience. In my opinion, leadership is largely developed rather thangifted.
Those who believe that there are naturally born leaders point out the character of a person as a fixed quantity. There are certain individuals who display a natural charisma and inimitable capacity for command. A recent example of this would be Barack Obama. He is a naturally eloquent, stately, physically imposing presence and perfectly walks a fine line between warmth and firmness. Researchers have long identitified common natural characteristics of leadership such as height, a deep voice, a strong chin and natural grace of movement. These cannot be developed to a significant degree and therefore support the claim that leadership is intrinsic.
However, great leadership is more deliberate than spontaneous. There are countless examples of individuals possessing all the physical characteristics of leaders who fall well short of inspiring people. An instructive example of this is Steve Jobs. Early in his career he inspired people with his exceptional talent but that had its limits as he pushed and demeaned employees ultimately leadingto his ouster from Apple. This humbling experience led him to soften the sharper edges of his personality in the ensuing decade by considering other viewpoints and giving up more control to competent employees. These learned traits served him well when he become CEO of Apple again and reached what many regard as the pinnacle of leadership.
In conclusion, though the endpoint may obscure the origins, all leaders must cultivate their hubris to become great leaders. The long-standing assumptions about leadership must be challenged in order to put in place better institutional practices to mold future pioneers of industry and politics.
Answers
innate intrinsic
cultivated developed
largely mostly
rather thangifted instead of given
naturally born leaders innate leaders
point out argue
character temperament
fixed quantity unchangeable
display show
natural charisma personality
inimitable capacity for command can’t be repeated ability to lead
naturally eloquent speaks well
stately presidential
physically imposing presence looks like a leader
perfectly walks a fine line balances well
between warmth and firmness being friendly and strong
natural characteristics your character
deep voice manly voice
natural grace of movement refined manners
to a significant degree much
support the claim give evidence for
intrinsic innate
deliberate intentional
spontaneous without intent
countless examples many instances
fall well short nowhere near
inspiring people leading
instructive example instance that shows well
inspired visionary
exceptional talent standout ability
limits boundaries
pushed forced
demeaned condescended to
ultimately leadingto in the end resulting in
ouster kicked out
humbling experience brough him down to Earth
soften the sharper edges of his personality mature
ensuing decade over the next 10 years
considering other viewpoints listening to others
giving up more control empowering others
competent employees able staff
learned traits served him well experiences benefited him later
what many regard as lots of people think
pinnacle of leadership height of leadership
endpoint final destination
obscure hide
origins where it started
cultivate develop
hubris ego/pride
long-standing assumptions unquestioned
challenged rethink
put in place implement
institutional practices schools, companies, etc. how they operate
Many are of the view that leadership is i____________, rather than c____________ through time and experience. In my opinion, leadership is l____________ developed r____________.
Those who believe that there are n____________p____________ the c____________ of a person as a f____________. There are certain individuals who d____________ a n____________ and i____________. A recent example of this would be Barack Obama. He is a n____________ , s____________, p____________ and w____________ b____________. Researchers have long i____________ common n____________ of leadership such as height, a d____________, a strong chin and n____________. These cannot be developed t____________ and therefore s____________ that leadership is i____________.
However, great leadership is more d____________ than s____________. There are c____________ of individuals possessing all the physical characteristics of leaders who f____________ of i____________. An i____________ of this is Steve Jobs. Early in his career he i____________ people with his e____________ but that had its l____________ as he p____________ and d____________ employees u____________ his o____________ from Apple. This h____________ led him to s____________ in the e____________ by c____________ and g____________ to c____________. These l____________ when he become CEO of Apple again and reached ____________ the p____________.
In conclusion, though the e____________ may o____________ the o____________, all leaders must c____________ their h____________ to become great leaders. The l____________ about leadership must be c____________ in order to p____________ better i____________ to m____________ future p____________ of industry and politics.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Listen to Tony Robbins below on leadership:
Reading Practice
Here is a fascinating article on leadership from research that Google conducted:
This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essay on the topic of unhealthy foods from the real exam on the topic of unhealthy foods and whether or not governments should tax them.
It’s a very common topic – health and government regulations.
Read it below in case something similar comes up on your test!
Some think that governments should tax unhealthy foods to encourage people to eat healthier.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
Some think that heavy-handed governmental taxation is the only way to compel healthier eating. In my opinion, while this makes rational sense, its actual effectiveness is questionable.
Those that argue in favour of these taxes can point to a logical chain of suppositions. Though taxes on unhealthy foods are rare, there is the occasional mandated price hike for sugary drinks and fast food, smoking is an instructive corollary. Several decades after research showed that smoking causes cancer, governments were able to push through legislation to tax cigarettes heavily. The result was that those already addicted to smoking continued to smoke but many people did not pick up the habit to begin with. Proponents argue this would also be the case when it comes to foods known to cause cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Many would eat them despite higher prices but the next generation would become more health conscious and that would further trickle down to their children.
Though the above argument is well reasoned, people will still buy luxuries. There is strong evidence for this dating back centuries. After the war of independence from Britain, the newly formed United States instituted direly needed taxes on luxuries including whiskey and chocolate. The purpose of the taxes was to raise money, not to lower consumption of those products. The unpopular acts were internally vindicated when people continued to buy luxuries along the same growth trend, enabling them to increase the national budget. Even though cutting down on purely pleasurable products makes disinterested sense, people are more swayed by instant gratification than cold calculation.
In conclusion, taxes on unhealthy foods would not be an effective measure against their consumption. Instead, governments should invest more in healthy school lunches and making healthy products more widely available to attack the problem at its root source.
Word Count: 295
Analysis
1. Some think that heavy-handed governmental taxation is the only way to compel healthier eating. 2. In my opinion, while this makes rational sense, its actual effectiveness is questionable.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay.
Write your opinion clearly.
1. Those that argue in favour of these taxes can point to a logical chain of suppositions. 2. Though taxes on unhealthy foods are rare, there is the occasional mandated price hike for sugary drinks and fast food, smoking is an instructive corollary. 3. Several decades after research showed that smoking causes cancer, governments were able to push through legislation to tax cigarettes heavily. 4. The result was that those already addicted to smoking continued to smoke but many people did not pick up the habit to begin with. 5. Proponents argue this would also be the case when it comes to foods known to cause cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. 6. Many would eat them despite higher prices but the next generation would become more health conscious and that would further trickle down to their children.
Write a clear topic sentence with a singly main idea.
Explain your main idea if you need to.
Begin to develop it with research/examples/supporting ideas.
Write about the result if possible.
Continue developing – notice the specific ailments I mention.
Your last sentence can relate back to the question and be more general.
1. Though the above argument is well reasoned, people will still buy luxuries. 2. There is strong evidence for this dating back centuries. 3. After the war of independence from Britain, the newly formed United States instituted direly needed taxes on luxuries including whiskey and chocolate. 4. The purpose of the taxes was to raise money, not to lower consumption of those products. 5. The unpopular acts were internally vindicated when people continued to buy luxuries along the same growth trend, enabling them to increase the national budget. 6. Even though cutting down on purely pleasurable products makes disinterested sense, people are more swayed by instant gratification than cold calculation.
Write another topic sentence with a clear main idea.
Begin to develop it. Vary long/short sentences in your writing.
Your examples should be specific so write about the country/example that you know best.
Continue developing the same example.
Keep developing it – don’t switch to a new example or write generally.
Your last sentence can be more general and relate to the overall question.
1. In conclusion, taxes on unhealthy foods would not be an effective measure against their consumption. 2. Instead, governments should invest more in healthy school lunches and making healthy products more widely available to attack the problem at its root source.
Conclude by repeating your opinion.
Add in a final thought/extra detail at the end.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Try to figure them out based on the sentences:
Some think that heavy-handed governmental taxation is the only way to compel healthier eating. In my opinion, while this makes rational sense, its actual effectiveness is questionable.
Those that argue in favour of these taxes can point to a logical chain of suppositions. Though taxes on unhealthy foods are rare, there is the occasional mandated price hike for sugary drinks and fast food, smoking is an instructive corollary. Several decades after research showed that smoking causes cancer, governments were able to push through legislation to tax cigarettes heavily. The result was that those already addicted to smoking continued to smoke but many people did not pick up the habit to begin with. Proponents argue this would also be the case when it comes to foods known to cause cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Many would eat them despite higher prices but the next generation would become more health conscious and that would further trickle down to their children.
Though the above argument is well reasoned, people will still buy luxuries. There is strong evidence for this dating back centuries. After the war of independence from Britain, the newly formed United States instituted direly needed taxes on luxuries including whiskey and chocolate. The purpose of the taxes was to raise money, not to lower consumption of those products. The unpopular acts were internally vindicated when people continued to buy luxuries along the same growth trend, enabling them to increase the national budget. Even though cutting down on purely pleasurable products makes disinterested sense, people are more swayed by instant gratification than cold calculation.
In conclusion, taxes on unhealthy foods would not be an effective measure against their consumption. Instead, governments should invest more in healthy school lunches and making healthy products more widely available to attack the problem at its root source.
Answers
heavy-handed strong/over-the-top
compel force
rational sense logical
actual effectiveness whether or not it works
questionable doubtful
argue in favour of support the idea of
point to argue about
logical chain sensible series
suppositions reasons
occasional mandated price hike regulation/tax
instructive corollary useful analogy
push through force
heavily strongly/a lot
addicted can’t stop using
pick up begin
to begin with start
proponents advocates
cardiovascular disease heart attacks
diabetes a disease related to eating too much sugar
cancer a common disease
next generation young people
health conscious caring about what you eat/exercise
Some think that h_____________ governmental taxation is the only way to c_____________ healthier eating. In my opinion, while this makes r_____________ , its a_____________ is q_____________.
Those that a_____________ these taxes can p_____________ a l_____________ of s_____________. Though taxes on unhealthy foods are rare, there is the o_____________ for sugary drinks and fast food, smoking is an i_____________. Several decades after research showed that smoking causes cancer, governments were able to p_____________ legislation to tax cigarettes h_____________. The result was that those already a_____________ to smoking continued to smoke but many people did not p_____________ the habit t_____________. P_____________ argue this would also be the case when it comes to foods known to cause c_____________, d_____________ and c_____________. Many would eat them despite higher prices but the n_____________ would become more h_____________ and that would f_____________ to their children.
Though the above argument is w_____________, people will still buy luxuries. There is s_____________ for this d_____________. After the w_____________ from Britain, the _____________United States instituted d_____________needed taxes on l_____________including whiskey and chocolate. The purpose of the taxes was to raise money, not to l_____________ of those products. The u_____________ were i_____________ when people continued to buy luxuries along the same g_____________, enabling them to increase the n_____________. Even though c_____________ purely pleasurable products m_____________, people are more s_____________ by i_____________ than c_____________.
In conclusion, taxes on unhealthy foods would not be an e_____________ against their c_____________. Instead, governments should invest more in healthy school lunches and making healthy products m_____________ to a_____________ at its r_____________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Listen to the video below to practice your listening and get some ideas about the topic:
Reading Practice
Read here about the success of junk food taxes in Mexico and Hungary:
Listen to the audio before reading my sample answer to practice your listening:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Robots at Home (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
Nowadays more tasks at home and work are being performed by robots.
Is this a negative or positive development?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
It is becoming increasingly common for homeowners and businesses to use robots to deal with daily tasks. I believe this trend is wholly positive because it saves individuals time and allows businesses to better allocate resources.
Those who use various advances in robotics in the home have more free time. Fully humanoid robots are rare but more and more families now use robotic vacuums such as the Roomba, mobile webcams for security surveillance, lawn care machines and devices that bridge the gap between robotics and artificial intelligence like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to make life easier. These devices save a lot of time for their users that can be better invested in hobbies, exercise, family, entertainment, and spending time with your significant other.
In the past, a sizeable percentage of operating budgets went to labour but as this number begins to dwindle we will see a concomitant rise in investiture in areas like research and development. Large companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple and automobile manufacturers can now invest in developing artificial intelligence, improving existing products, making safer cars, and so on. Over time, these benefits will add up to hasten both the pace of technological development and the speed with which new advances reach consumers. Robots will replace jobs reliant on manual labour and divert those wasted dollars to more important, creative areas that elevate human endeavours.
The large scale adoption of robotics bodes well for the future as it will streamline both home and work. There are looming risks related to massive unemployment but these can be mitigated with governmental regulation and by encouraging ethical corporate practices.
Word Count: 267
Analysis
1. It is becoming increasingly common for homeowners and businesses to use robots to deal with daily tasks. 2. I believe this trend is wholly positive because it saves individuals time and allows businesses to better allocate resources.
For your first sentence, paraphrase the overall topic of the essay.
Write your opinion, make it clear! I chose in this one to go with one side so that I can talk about robots and home and business in separate paragraphs and develop both ideas fully.
1. Those who use various advances in robotics in the home have more free time. 2. Fully humanoid robots are rare but more and more families now use robotic vacuums such as the Roomba, mobile webcams for security surveillance, lawn care machines and devices that bridge the gap between robotics and artificial intelligence like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to make life easier. 3. These devices save a lot of time for their users that can be better invested in hobbies, exercise, family, entertainment, and spending time with your significant other.
Write a simple topic sentence with your first main idea.
Develop it as specifically as possible – notice my vocabulary and the specific products named.
Continue to develop your main idea. Aim for 4-5 sentences. My paragraph is shorter because the sentences are long and the idea is fairly simple.
1. In the past, a sizeable percentage of operating budgets went to labour but as this number begins to dwindle we will see a concomitant rise in investiture in areas like research and development. 2. Large companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple and automobile manufacturers can now invest in developing artificial intelligence, improving existing products, making safer cars, and so on. 3. Over time, these benefits will add up to hasten both the pace of technological development and the speed with which new advances reach consumers. 4. Robots will replace jobs reliant on manual labour and divert those wasted dollars to more important, creative areas that elevate human endeavours.
Start with another topic sentence with your main idea at the end.
Again, be specific – name real companies and products.
State the result to continue developing your example.
Conclude by answering the overall question of the essay directly.
1. The large scale adoption of robotics bodes well for the future as it will streamline both home and work. 2. There are looming risks related to massive unemployment but these can be mitigated with governmental regulation and by encouraging ethical corporate practices.
Repeat your opinion.
Write an extra detail/final thought at the end to get full points from the IELTS examiner for task achievement.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
It is becoming increasingly common for homeowners and businesses to use robots to deal with daily tasks. I believe this trend is wholly positive because it saves individuals time and allows businesses to better allocate resources.
Those who use various advances in robotics in the home have more free time. Fully humanoid robots are rare but more and more families now use robotic vacuums such as the Roomba, mobile webcams for security surveillance, lawn care machines and devices that bridge the gap between robotics and artificial intelligence like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to make life easier. These devices save a lot of time for their users that can be better invested in hobbies, exercise, family, entertainment, and spending time with your significant other.
In the past, a sizeable percentage of operating budgets went to labour but as this number begins to dwindle we will see a concomitant rise in investiture in areas like research and development. Large companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple and automobile manufacturers can now invest in developing artificial intelligence, improving existing products, making safer cars, and so on. Over time, these benefits will add up to hasten both the pace of technological development and the speed with which new advances reach consumers. Robots will replace jobs reliant on manual labour and divert those wasted dollars to more important, creative areas that elevate human endeavours.
The large scale adoption of robotics bodes well for the future as it will streamline both home and work. There are looming risks related to massive unemployment but these can be mitigated with governmental regulation and by encouraging ethical corporate practices.
Answers
increasingly common more and more often
homeowners people who have houses
deal with handle
wholly positive entirely good
better allocate resources put money into new areas
fully humanoid robots robots that are similar to people
Roomba an electronic vacuum device
mobile webcams cameras on your computer
security surveillance keeping a watch on your home for criminals
lawn care taking care of your yard
bridge the gap shorten the distance/link
artificial intelligence smart computers
better invested allocate resources smarter
significant other girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife
sizeable percentage large proportion
operating budgets money to run your business
labour workforce
dwindle disappearing
concomitant rise resultant increase
investiture funding
research and development money spent on coming up with new ideas
existing products what your company already makes
add up combine to
hasten speed up
new advances reach consumers new technology finds its way to customers
reliant on depend on
manual labour physical work
divert take from
elevate human endeavours allow for greater achievements
large scale adoption everyone using
bodes well is a good sign
streamline simplify, speed up
looming risks upcoming problems
massive unemployment lots of people without jobs
mitigated lessen the impact of
encouraging ethical corporate practices incentivising companies to be good
It is becoming ______________ for ______________ and businesses to use robots to ______________ daily tasks. I believe this trend is ______________ because it saves individuals time and allows businesses to ______________.
Those who use various advances in robotics in the home have more free time. ______________ are rare but more and more families now use robotic vacuums such as the ______________, ______________ for ______________, ______________ machines and devices that ______________ between robotics and ______________ like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to make life easier. These devices save a lot of time for their users that can be ______________ in hobbies, exercise, family, entertainment, and spending time with your ______________.
In the past, a ______________ of ______________ went to ______________ but as this number begins to ______________ we will see a ______________ in ______________ in areas like ______________. Large companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple and automobile manufacturers can now invest in developing artificial intelligence, improving ______________, making safer cars, and so on. Over time, these benefits will ______________ to ______________ both the pace of technological development and the speed with which ______________. Robots will replace jobs ____________________________ and ______________ those wasted dollars to more important, creative areas that ______________.
The ______________ of robotics ______________ for the future as it will ______________ both home and work. There are ______________ related to ______________ but these can be ______________ with governmental regulation and by ______________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch the video below for more ideas for your examples:
This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer essay from the real IELTS test/exam related to businesses and whether or not they have social responsibilities.
Topics about business and society are both very common so studying this answer will help you if you get a similar question on the exam.
Before you read the answer, listen to my audio and take some notes on the ideas and vocabulary to improve your listening:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Businesses Social Responsibility (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
As well as making money, businesses also have a responsibility towards society.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Test/Exam
Many socially conscious public figures have called on businesses to show greater responsibility to the societies they depend on. In my opinion, the reponsibility of a business towards society extends to ethical management of their own operations but not to areas largely outside their purview.
Large and small businesses are no different from individuals and have the same obligation to be ethical. Every business, conducting themselves in a just manner, will contribute greatly to the betterment of society. A local grocery shop that pays its workers a living wage, charges fair prices, keeps accurate books, and sells quality food taken in the aggregate with stores around the country, produces innumerable benefits for both staff and patrons. Large companies are no exception. If Apple pays employees well and builds quality products while adhering to environmental and economic regulations, they make the world a better place. In contrast, companies without moral compass like Enron, Purdue and Facebook exact a heavy toll on society in exchange for their services.
However, companies should not to be forced to take responsibility for greater societal ills unless they are in some way culpable. A good example of this relates to education. The education of children and adolescents is the foundation of a stable, content society. Responsibility for education lies squarely with governments and parents, notwithstanding some private enterprise schools. If a company comes in direct contact with a school, for example by selling them textbooks, then the company is responsible for the quality of their products. If they pollute nearby land and students get sick, the company should bear full responsibility as well. In all other matters not under their direct influence, parents and governments take on the sole burden of care.
In conclusion, businesses are only in contact with certain aspects of society and they should not be asked to assume a full burden of responsibility. As free market companies become larger and supplant national governments this may require re-examination.
Word Count: 320
Analysis
1. Many socially conscious public figures have called on businesses to show greater responsibility to the societies they depend on. 2. In my opinion, the reponsibility of a business towards society extends to ethical management of their own operations but not to areas largely outside their purview.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay. You can change it a lot like I did or just alter it slightly.
Write your opinion. Mine seems like it is sitting in the middle but I have made it very nuanced and complicated – only do this if you are very confident with your English.
1. Large and small businesses are no different from individuals and have the same obligation to be ethical. 2. Every business, conducting themselves in a just manner, will contribute greatly to the betterment of society. 3. A local grocery shop that pays its workers a living wage, charges fair prices, keeps accurate books, and sells quality food taken in the aggregate with stores around the country, produces innumerable benefits for both staff and patrons. 4. Large companies are no exception. 5. If Apple pays employees well and builds quality products while adhering to environmental and economic regulations, they make the world a better place. 6. In contrast, companies without moral compass like Enron, Purdue and Facebook exact a heavy toll on society in exchange for their services.
Write a simple topic sentence with a single, clear main idea.
Explain your main idea if necessary.
Begin a real or hypothetical example with specific evidence.
Vary short and long sentences.
Here I focus on a second example to further develop my opinion.
Finally I use a counter-example to show the ways in which companies have to be ethical and socially responsible.
1. However, companies should not to be forced to take responsibility for greater societal ills unless they are in some way culpable. 2. A good example of this relates to education. 3. The education of children and adolescents is the foundation of a stable, content society. 4. Responsibility for education lies squarely with governments and parents, notwithstanding some private enterprise schools. 5. If a company comes in direct contact with a school, for example by selling them textbooks, then the company is responsible for the quality of their products. 6. If they pollute nearby land and students get sick, the company should bear full responsibility as well. 7. In all other matters not under their direct influence, parents and governments take on the sole burden of care.
Write another main idea with a new main idea to develop.
Start your example right away, if possible.
Begin to develop it with more specifics or more argument. Don’t be repetitive.
Keep developing it. Keep your claims weak – notice how I mention the exception that weakens my argument (private schools).
Be specific with your hypothetical examples.
I include a seond situation to further strengthen my point.
Conclude your paragraph by relating it back to your main idea.
1. In conclusion, businesses are only in contact with certain aspects of society and they should not be asked to assume a full burden of responsibility. 2. As free market companies become larger and supplant national governments this may require re-examination.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in a final detail/thought to get full marks from the IELTS examiner for task achievement.
Vocabulary
Many socially conscious public figures have called on businesses to show greater responsibility to the societies they depend on. In my opinion, the reponsibility of a business towards society extends to ethical management of their own operations but not to areas largely outside their purview.
Large and small businesses are no different from individuals and have the same obligation to be ethical. Every business, conducting themselves in a just manner, will contribute greatly to the betterment of society. A local grocery shop that pays its workers a living wage, charges fair prices, keeps accurate books, and sells quality food taken in the aggregate with stores around the country, produces innumerable benefits for both staff and patrons. Large companies are no exception. If Apple pays employees well and builds quality products while adhering to environmental and economic regulations, they make the world a better place. In contrast, companies without moral compass like Enron, Purdue and Facebook exact a heavy toll on society in exchange for their services.
However, companies should not to be forced to take responsibility for greater societal ills unless they are in some way culpable. A good example of this relates to education. The education of children and adolescents is the foundation of a stable, content society. Responsibility for education lies squarely with governments and parents, notwithstanding some private enterprise schools. If a company comes in direct contact with a school, for example by selling them textbooks, then the company is responsible for the quality of their products. If they pollute nearby land and students get sick, the company should bear full responsibility as well. In all other matters not under their direct influence, parents and governments take on the sole burden of care.
In conclusion, businesses are only in contact with certain aspects of society and they should not be asked to assume a full burden of responsibility. As free market companies become larger and supplant national governments this may require re-examination.
Answers
socially conscious public figures politicians and popular people who care about society
called on asked for
show greater responsibility take on more responsibility
depend on rely on
extends goes to
ethical management moral direction
operations their business
largely outside their purview mostly not what they are involved in
obligation duty
ethical what’s right/wrong
conducting doing/handling
manner way/method
contribute greatly add a lot to
betterment improvement
grocery shop food shop
living wage enough money to live on
charges fair prices not too expensive goods
keeps accurate books do not cheat/conceal money
taken in the aggregate considered altogether
innumerable benefits great gains
patrons customers
no exception includes
adhering following
regulations rules
moral compass ethical/know what is right and wrong
exact a heavy toll take a lot away
in exchange for for
services what a business provides
societal ills hurts society
culpable liable/responsible
stable consistent
content society happy
lies squarely belongs entirely to
notwithstanding regardless of
private enterprise schools schools owned by businesses
direct contact personally
textbooks coursebooks
bear full responsibility take complete responsibility for
direct influence clear source
sole burden of care singly responsible
in contact with interact with
assume a full burden of responsibility take all the responsibility
free market companies capitalist companies
supplant national governments take the place of governments
Many _______________ have _______________ businesses to _______________ to the societies they _______________. In my opinion, the reponsibility of a business towards society _______________ to _______________ of their own _______________ but not to areas _______________.
Large and small businesses are no different from individuals and have the same _______________ to be _______________. Every business, _______________ themselves in a just _______________, will _______________ to the _______________ of society. A local _______________ that pays its workers a _______________, _______________, _______________, and sells quality food _______________ with stores around the country, produces _______________ for both staff and _______________. Large companies are _______________. If Apple pays employees well and builds quality products while _______________ to environmental and economic _______________, they make the world a better place. In contrast, companies without _______________ like Enron, Purdue and Facebook _______________ on society _______________ their _______________.
However, companies should not to be forced to take responsibility for greater _______________ unless they are in some way _______________. A good example of this relates to education. The education of children and adolescents is the foundation of a _______________, _______________. Responsibility for education _______________ with governments and parents, _______________ some _______________. If a company comes in _______________ with a school, for example by selling them _______________, then the company is responsible for the quality of their products. If they pollute nearby land and students get sick, the company should _______________ as well. In all other matters not under their _______________, parents and governments take on the _______________.
In conclusion, businesses are only _______________ certain aspects of society and they should not be asked to _______________. As _______________ become larger and _______________ this may require _______________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch the video below and take notes so that you can use it an example if a related topic comes up on your test:
Reading Practice
Here are some other examples of corporate social responsibility:
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