Before reading my sample essay, listen to the audio to practice your listening skills:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: The Economy & the Environment (Real Past IELTS Exams/Tests)
Developing the economy will always damage the environment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
It is often asserted that economic progress must always come at the expense of environmental. While this is not the case for entrenched economies, it is true for nations trying to gain a foothold in the global marketplace.
Only developed nations have the prerogative of protecting the environment without major economic backlash. The best examples of this can be seen in advanced economies around the world ranging from Japan and South Korea in Asia to France and Germany in Europe and the UAE and Kuwait in the Middle East. All these nations are already dominant in various global economic sectors. Germany leads the world in automobile manufacturing and other high-end goods. Japan is famous for its electronics and entertainments brands. This frees them up to haughtily build more energy efficient factories, tax companies, pass public awareness bans, and regulate pollution far more aggressively than developing nations.
Developing nations have neither the means nor the inclination to protect the environment. A good example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which is a rapidly evolving, populous nation. A good deal of their economic growth has come from offshore drilling, which has resulted in oil spills, as well as factories dotting the countryside, which contribute to growing concerns about air pollution. Many people depend on these businesses for their livelihood and the companies are trying to compete with developed nations from a huge initial, competitive disadvantage. In order to catch up they must cut environmental corners or risk falling further behind globally.
In conclusion, environmental conservation is a privilege for countries that contributed the most to climate change historically. Developed nations ought to make allowances for countries that are still struggling to provide their citizenry with a decent standard of living.
Word Count: 290
Analysis
1. It is often asserted that economic progress must always come at the expense of environmental. 2. While this is not the case for entrenched economies, it is true for nations trying to gain a foothold in the global marketplace.
Paraphrase the main topic of the whole essay in your first sentence.
Give your opinion and make it 100% clear. This one kind of sits in the middle but I can do that because I am very clear about the situation when I believe it is true/not true. Don’t just write ‘both sides are right’ or you will get band 5 for task achievement.
1. Only developed nations have the prerogative of protecting the environment without major economic backlash. 2. The best examples of this can be seen in advanced economies around the world ranging from Japan and South Korea in Asia to France and Germany in Europe and the UAE and Kuwait in the Middle East. 3. All these nations are already dominant in various global economic sectors. 4. Germany leads the world in automobile manufacturing and other high-end goods. 5. Japan is famous for its electronics and entertainments brands. 6. This frees them up to haughtily build more energy efficient factories, tax companies, pass public awareness bans, and regulate pollution far more aggressively than developing nations.
Write a topic sentence with your main idea at the end of the sentence.
Start your example/support or explain your main idea. Mine doesn’t need any explanation so I start the examples.
Here I state why those examples are important to my main idea.
Be as specific as possible – that’s why I write about the products Germany sells.
Same with Japan.
Notice the specific regulations that I mention – be specific!
1. Developing nations have neither the means nor the inclination to protect the environment. 2. A good example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which is a rapidly evolving, populous nation. 3. A good deal of their economic growth has come from offshore drilling, which has resulted in oil spills, as well as factories dotting the countryside, which contribute to growing concerns about air pollution. 4. Many people depend on these businesses for their livelihood and the companies are trying to compete with developed nations from a huge initial, competitive disadvantage. 5. In order to catch up they must cut environmental corners or risk falling further behind globally.
Another topic sentence with a new main idea.
Start your example – use your country or one you know well so that you can write a very specific example.
Develop your example with specific information.
Continue developing it – don’t write a second example!
Finish developing your example or make a general statement relating it to your main idea.
1. In conclusion, environmental conservation is a privilege for countries that contributed the most to climate change historically. 2. Developed nations ought to make allowances for countries that are still struggling to provide their citizenry with a decent standard of living.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in an extra detail/final thought.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
It is often asserted that economic progress must always come at the expense of environmental. While this is not the case for entrenchedeconomies, it is true for nations trying to gain a foothold in the global marketplace.
Only developed nations have the prerogative of protecting the environment without major economic backlash. The best examples of this can be seen in advanced economies around the world ranging from Japan and South Korea in Asia to France and Germany in Europe and the UAE and Kuwait in the Middle East. All these nations are already dominant in various global economic sectors. Germany leads the world in automobile manufacturing and other high-end goods. Japan is famous for its electronics and entertainments brands. This frees them up to haughtily build more energy efficient factories, tax companies, pass public awareness bans, and regulate pollutionfar more aggressively than developing nations.
Developing nations have neither the means nor the inclination to protect the environment. A good example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which is a rapidly evolving, populous nation. A good deal of their economic growth has come from offshore drilling, which has resulted in oil spills, as well as factories dotting the countryside, which contribute to growing concerns about air pollution. Many people depend on these businesses for their livelihood and the companies are trying to compete with developed nations from a huge initial, competitive disadvantage. In order to catch up they must cut environmental corners or risk falling further behind globally.
In conclusion, environmental conservation is a privilege for countries that contributed the most to climate change historically. Developed nations ought to make allowances for countries that are still struggling to provide their citizenry with a decent standard of living.
Answers
asserted claimed
progress moving forward
come at the expense of require
entrenchedeconomies established economies
gain a foothold become part of
global marketplace world economy
prerogative privilege/right/obligation
major economic backlash hurting their economy a lot
advanced economies developed nations
ranging from including
dominant overwhelming/in control
various global economic sectors industries
leads the world sells more than any other country
high-end goods quality products
frees them up allows them to
haughtily arrogantly
energy efficient factories factories that don’t pollute much
pass public awareness bans regulate consumer behaviour
regulate pollution pass laws for the environment
far more aggressively much more stringent
means methods
inclination will
rapidly evolving always changing/getting better
populous lots of people
offshore drilling looking for oil under the water
resulted in caused
spills oil getting into the water
dotting appearing along
contribute to add to
depend rely on
livelihood making a living/jobs
initial first
competitive disadvantage well behind
catch up become equal with
cut environmental corners not care about pollution
risk falling further behind globally might lose ground to other countries
environmental conservation protecting the environment
It is often ____________ that economic ____________ must always ____________ environmental. While this is not the case for ____________, it is true for nations trying to ____________ in the ____________.
Only developed nations have the ____________ of protecting the environment without ____________. The best examples of this can be seen in ____________ around the world ____________ Japan and South Korea in Asia to France and Germany in Europe and the UAE and Kuwait in the Middle East. All these nations are already ____________ in ____________. Germany ____________ in automobile manufacturing and other ____________. Japan is famous for its electronics and entertainments brands. This ____________ to ____________ build more ____________, tax companies, ____________, and ________________________ than developing nations.
Developing nations have neither the ____________ nor the ____________ to protect the environment. A good example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which is a ____________, ____________ nation. A good deal of their economic growth has come from ____________, which has ____________ oil ____________, as well as factories ____________ the countryside, which ____________ growing concerns about air pollution. Many people ____________ on these businesses for their ____________ and the companies are trying to compete with developed nations from a huge ____________ , ____________. In order to ____________ they must ____________ or ____________.
In conclusion, ____________ is a ____________for countries that contributed the most to climate change ____________. Developed nations ought to ____________ for countries that are still ____________ to ____________ their ____________ with a ____________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Practice your listening with this video about th Yamuna in India:
Reading Practice
Read here about air pollution in developing countries:
Before reading the sample answer, you can listen to the audio for some listening practice first:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay General Training: Working too Much (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
These days people spend more and more time at work and less time at home.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Real Past IELTS Test/Exam
These days, most people find themselves working longer hours, cutting into their home time. Though this brings economic stability to a nation, it also deprives people of a rich personal life.
The foundation of economic prosperity is a flourishing middle class unburdened by debts. A good example and counter-example of this can be seen in the changing fortunes of the American model of economics. In the 1950s the economy grew as people worked long hours and had large disposable incomes to feed back into the larger consumer economy by purchasing automobiles, houses, and luxuries. Since the economic crash of 2008, there have been fewer jobs to go around and most people make due with part-time labour. The result of an idle labour force was a long-lasting recession that has only abated in recent years as people began to work more.
When people have less time to spend either on their hobbies or with their family, they rightly feel deprived. Every person should have time for both a fulfilling public and private life. Work constitutes the bulk of public service for most people and home life the private. Those with families feel particularly justifiable anger, which can boil over to general unhappiness or depression at best and neglect or abuse, at worst. Even the childless still have loved ones, hobbies, and a variety of other pursuits. At the end of their lives, everyone strives to be able to look back proudly on their career and fondly on their daily life.
In my opinion, the tilting of work-life balance towards work is primarily a negative because it robs people of some of their most meaningful moments. People must individually find ways to not only survive but also prosper in a world where the private sphere shrinks with each passing year.
Word Count: 299
Analysis
1. These days, most people find themselves working longer hours, cutting into their home time. 2. Though this brings economic stability to a nation, it also deprives people of a rich personal life.
Paraphrase the main topic for the whole essay.
Write your opinion – make it 100% clear.
1. The foundation of economic prosperity is a flourishing middle class unburdened by debts. 2. A good example and counter-example of this can be seen in the changing fortunes of the American model of economics. 3. In the 1950s the economy grew as people worked long hours and had large disposable incomes to feed back into the larger consumer economy by purchasing automobiles, houses, and luxuries. 4. Since the economic crash of 2008, there have been fewer jobs to go around and most people make due with part-time labour. 5. The result of an idle labour force was a long-lasting recession that has only abated in recent years as people began to work more.
Make your example more specific – don’t run away from it.
Continue with the same example. Here I contrast the past with the present day.
State the result of your example.
1. When people have less time to spend either on their hobbies or with their family, they rightly feel deprived. 2. Every person should have time for both a fulfilling public and private life. 3. Work constitutes the bulk of public service for most people and home life the private. 4. Those with families feel particularly justifiable anger, which can boil over to general unhappiness or depression at best and neglect or abuse, at worst. 5. Even the childless still have loved ones, hobbies, and a variety of other pursuits. 6. At the end of their lives, everyone strives to be able to look back proudly on their career and fondly on their daily life.
Another topic sentence with a new main idea for the other side.
Begin to support/explain your main idea.
Here I futher explain my main idea.
I make it more specific by talking about families.
I example it to childless people here.
My last sentence summarises why having a personal life is important.
1. In my opinion, the tilting of work-life balance towards work is primarily a negative because it robs people of some of their most meaningful moments. 2. People must individually find ways to not only survive but also prosper in a world where the private sphere shrinks with each passing year.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in a final thought/extra detail for full points for task achievement from the examiner.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
These days, most people find themselves working longer hours, cutting into their home time. Though this brings economic stability to a nation, it also deprives people of a rich personal life.
The foundation of economic prosperity is a flourishing middle classunburdened by debts. A good example and counter-example of this can be seen in the changing fortunes of the American model of economics. In the 1950s the economy grew as people worked long hours and had large disposable incomes to feed back into the larger consumer economy by purchasing automobiles, houses, and luxuries. Since the economic crash of 2008, there have been fewer jobs to go around and most people make due with part-time labour. The result of an idle labour force was a long-lasting recession that has only abated in recent years as people began to work more.
When people have less time to spend either on their hobbies or with their family, they rightly feel deprived. Every person should have time for both a fulfilling public and private life. Work constitutes the bulk of public service for most people and home life the private. Those with families feel particularly justifiable anger, which can boil over to general unhappiness or depression at best and neglect or abuse, at worst. Even the childless still have loved ones, hobbies, and a variety of other pursuits. At the end of their lives, everyone strives to be able to look back proudly on their career and fondly on their daily life.
In my opinion, the tilting of work-life balance towards work is primarily a negative because it robs people of some of their most meaningful moments. People must individually find ways to not only survive but also prosper in a world where the private sphere shrinks with each passing year.
Answers
these days nowadays
cutting into taking away from
economic stability strong economy
deprives not having
rich personal life fulfilling private life
economic prosperity good economy
flourishing middle class more money for consumers
unburdened by debts not owing any money
changing fortunes varying levels of money
American model of economics capitalism
disposable incomes money to spend
feed back give back
larger consumer economy the economy as a whole/people buying
economic crash when the economy does badly
to go around for all
make due put up with
part-time labour not working full-time
idle labour force not having work
long-lasting recession economy shrinking for a long time
abated stopped/slowed down
rightly correctly
deprived doesn’t have
fulfilling public and private life happy at home and at work
constitutes makes up
bulk most of
public service pulic life
particularly justifiable good reason for/to feel
boil over have an impact on
depression feeling very sad
neglect ignore
abuse hurt
at worst in the worst situation
childless no children
pursuits hobbies
strives tries to
look back proudly feel good about your achievements
fondly warmly
tilting unbalancing
work-life balance time split between work and home
____________, most people find themselves working longer hours, ____________ their home time. Though this brings ____________ to a nation, it also ____________ people of a ____________.
The foundation of ____________ is a ________________________. A good example and counter-example of this can be seen in the ____________ of the ____________. In the 1950s the economy grew as people worked long hours and had large ____________ to ____________ into the ____________ by purchasing automobiles, houses, and luxuries. Since the ____________ of 2008, there have been fewer jobs ____________ and most people ____________ with ____________. The result of an ____________ was a ____________ that has only ____________ in recent years as people began to work more.
When people have less time to spend either on their hobbies or with their family, they ____________ feel ____________. Every person should have time for both a ____________. Work ____________ the ____________ of ____________ for most people and home life the private. Those with families feel ____________ anger, which can ____________ to general unhappiness or ____________ at best and ____________ or ____________, ____________. Even the ____________ still have loved ones, hobbies, and a variety of other ____________. At the end of their lives, everyone ____________ to be able to ____________ on their career and ____________ on their daily life.
In my opinion, the ____________ of ____________ towards work is primarily a negative because it ____________ people of some of their most meaningful moments. People must individually find ways to not only survive but also ____________ in a world where the ____________ with ____________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Listen to this rich guy talk about why there is no such thing as work-life balance:
The given table organises the export value of Kiwis sent from New Zealand to five other countries in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The most striking feature of the graph is the overall numbers for Japan, which increased the most and were highest overall by far. Both China and Russia increased their imports and were second and fourth, respectively, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia’s export value declined, with Saudi Arabia importing the least by a significant margin.
Looking first at the countries that increased, Japan led the way going from $271,100,000 in 2010 to $287,400,000 before a surge to $325,300,000 by the end of the period. China showed a similar growth pattern increasing by approximately $10,000,000 a year to end at $94,000,000. Russia imported less, starting under a million at $968,000, nearly doubling to $1,585,000 and importing $2,494,000 worth of Kiwis by 2012.
In contrast, Mexican imports stood at $6,000,000 before falling by more than half to $2,400,000, and then recovering slightly to $3,300,000. Saudia Arabia fell more steadily ($290,000 to $106,000 and finally $82,000).
Word Count: 174
Analysis
1. The given table organises the export value of Kiwis sent from New Zealand to five other countries in 2010, 2011, and 2012. 2. The most striking feature of the graph is the overall numbers for Japan, which increased the most and were highest overall by far. 3. Both China and Russia increased their imports and were second and fourth, respectively, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia’s export value declined, with Saudi Arabia importing the least by a significant margin.
Paraphrase what the graph shows for your first sentence – write it short and simple!
For a table, pick out the biggest area/areas and say whether or not they increased/decreased and if they were the highest overall.
Include all categories in your overview – did they increase or decrease? That is most important. Read more about the mistake 99% of students make with overviews for tables here.
1. Looking first at the countries that increased, Japan led the way going from $271,100,000 in 2010 to $287,400,000 before a surge to $325,300,000 by the end of the period. 2. China showed a similar growth pattern increasing by approximately $10,000,000 a year to end at $94,000,000. 3. Russia imported less, starting under a million at $968,000, nearly doubling to $1,585,000 and importing $2,494,000 worth of Kiwis by 2012.
Begin talking about one area of the table. I group together the countries with increasing imports.
Compare one country to another – notice that I say they had similar growth patterns.
Make sure that you include all date, for all countries (sometimes you may need to group countries or data togethe with more complex tables/graphs).
1. In contrast, Mexican imports stood at $6,000,000 before falling by more than half to $2,400,000, and then recovering slightly to $3,300,000. 2. Saudia Arabia fell more steadily ($290,000 to $106,000 and finally $82,000).
In this paragraph I describe the two countries with declining imports.
Use parenthesis ( … ) sometimes so that your writing doesn’t get too repetitive.
Vocabulary
Can you think of a synonym for each of the words in bold below?
The given table organises the export value of Kiwis sent from New Zealand to five other countries in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The most striking feature of the graph is the overall numbers for Japan, which increased the most and were highest overall by far. Both China and Russia increased their imports and were second and fourth, respectively, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia’s export value declined, with Saudi Arabia importing the least by a significant margin.
Looking first at the countries that increased, Japan led the way going from $271,100,000 in 2010 to $287,400,000 before a surge to $325,300,000 by the end of the period. China showed a similar growth pattern increasing by approximately $10,000,000 a year to end at $94,000,000. Russia imported less, starting under a million at $968,000, nearly doubling to $1,585,000 and importing $2,494,000 worth of Kiwis by 2012.
In contrast, Mexican imports stood at $6,000,000 before falling by more than half to $2,400,000, and then recovering slightly to $3,300,000. Saudia Arabia fell more steadily ($290,000 to $106,000 and finally $82,000).
Answers
given presented
most striking feature what stands out the most
increased the most went up a lot
highest overall by far took up the largest proportion
respectively in turn
the least the lowest amount
by a significant margin by a lot
looking first at firstly
surge increase a lot
end of the period where the table finishes
similar growth pattern same increasing trend
end at finish at
nearly doubling increasing by nearly 100%
in contrast however
stood at was at
falling by more than half decreasing by over 50%
recovering slightly increasing a little
fell more steadily decreased at the same intervals
The _____________ table organises the export value of Kiwis sent from New Zealand to five other countries in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The _____________ of the graph is the overall numbers for Japan, which _____________ and were _____________. Both China and Russia increased their imports and were second and fourth, _____________, while Mexico and Saudi Arabia’s export value declined, with Saudi Arabia importing __________________________.
_____________ the countries that increased, Japan led the way going from $271,100,000 in 2010 to $287,400,000 before a _____________ to $325,300,000 by the _____________. China showed a _____________ increasing by approximately $10,000,000 a year to _____________ $94,000,000. Russia imported less, starting under a million at $968,000, _____________ to $1,585,000 and importing $2,494,000 worth of Kiwis by 2012.
_____________, Mexican imports _____________ $6,000,000 before _____________ to $2,400,000, and then _____________ to $3,300,000. Saudia Arabia _____________ ($290,000 to $106,000 and finally $82,000).
This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer essay from the real past IELTS test/exam on the topic of social media and face-to-face interaction.
Topics like this come up a lot, just a few weeks ago there was a question on social media and there is another one on spoken communication that I wrote a PDF about (that you can access through my Patreon).
Read below to see how I handled it and remember to keep checking out the recent writing topics here!
Dave
Before reading, do some listening practice by taking notes on vocabulary/ideas with the audio of my essay:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Face to Face Interaction (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
The use of social media is replacing face-to-face interaction among many people in society.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Real Past IELTS Test/Exam
Many people today believe that social media has largely supplanted traditional face-to-face interpersonal relationships, leading to worsening communication skills. I fully agree with this point of view though I concede the advantages of social media for entrepreneurs.
Social media has been a boon for anyone interested in starting their own business. In the past, if someone wanted to start a business the avenues were more limited and likely presupposed some inherited capital. Social media, beginning with Facebook and now being brought to fruition with apps like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, opens up possibilities for content creators to communicate with their audience around the world. This applies to larger than life success stories like Justin Bieber, who went viral and rose from relative obscurity to global stardom, as well as more modest examples like the various Instagram artists and models who interact and generate income and publicity from their loyal fan bases.
Despite the aforementioned advantages, social media has degraded the general quality of communication. Those most affected are young users. In school, children and teenagers must develop their interpersonal skills by telling jokes, engaging in playful banter, and arguing about personal and political topics. Over time, some people distinguish themselves as great storytellers or compelling speakers while others at least improve their communication skills. In contrast, young people today are more likely to communicate by texting and interacting through fleeting comments as they impatiently scroll through their various feeds. They do not get quality feedback on their output and so develop haphazardly, not knowing whether or not their jokes and points ever really connect.
In conclusion, social media has hurt communication, overshadowing all its economic utility. Parents ought to limit phone use for children and themselves in order to fight the rising influence of technology that humanity is not evolved enough to deal with responsibly.
Word count: 298
Analysis
1. Many people today believe that social media has largely supplanted traditional face-to-face interpersonal relationships, leading to worsening communication skills. 2. I fully agree with this point of view though I concede the advantages of social media for entrepreneurs.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay. Show off a bit if you are confident, if not keep it simple and fast!
State your opinion clearly. I included my main ideas here but you don’t have to.
1. Social media has been a boon for anyone interested in starting their own business. 2. In the past, if someone wanted to start a business the avenues were more limited and likely presupposed some inherited capital. 3. Social media, beginning with Facebook and now being brought to fruition with apps like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, opens up possibilities for content creators to communicate with their audience around the world. 4. This applies to larger than life success stories like Justin Bieber, who went viral and rose from relative obscurity to global stardom, as well as more modest examples like the various Instagram artists and models who interact and generate income and publicity from their loyal fan bases.
Write a topic sentence with a clear, single main idea at the end.
Begin to develop it. I start by comparing now to the past to strengthen my point.
Here I write specifially about the apps people use and how they can help people start a business.
I add in some more specific examples and finish developing my main idea fully. This is a really long sentence – only write sentences this long if you can do it clearly and your grammar is really strong.
1. Despite the aforementioned advantages, social media has degraded the general quality of communication. 2. Those most affected are young users. 3. In school, children and teenagers must develop their interpersonal skills by telling jokes, engaging in playful banter, and arguing about personal and political topics. 4. Over time, some people distinguish themselves as great storytellers or compelling speakers while others at least improve their communication skills. 5. In contrast, young people today are more likely to communicate by texting and interacting through fleeting comments as they impatiently scroll through their various feeds. 6. They do not get quality feedback on their output and so develop haphazardly, not knowing whether or not their jokes and points ever really connect.
A new topic sentence with a new main idea related to communication. Read more about topic sentences here.
Start to develop and focus your main idea. Use a variety of short and long sentences to give the reader a breath.
Develop your idea as specifically as possible – avoid being general!
You can describe the result or how this changes over time as I do here.
Again, keep it specific – this will help your cohesion and coherence, task achievement and vocabulary scores!
Finish developing your point – don’t worry about summarising, it’s not important.
1. In conclusion, social media has hurt communication, overshadowing all its economic utility. 2. Parents ought to limit phone use for children and themselves in order to fight the rising influence of technology that humanity is not evolved enough to deal with responsibly.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in an extra detail/final thought for full points for task achievement.
Vocabulary
What do the words in below mean?
Many people today believe that social media has largely supplanted traditional face-to-face interpersonal relationships, leading to worsening communication skills. I fully agree with this point of view though I concede the advantages of social media for entrepreneurs.
Social media has been a boon for anyone interested in starting their own business. In the past, if someone wanted to start a business the avenues were more limited and likely presupposed some inherited capital. Social media, beginning with Facebook and now being brought to fruition with apps like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, opens up possibilities for content creators to communicate with their audience around the world. This applies to larger than life success stories like Justin Bieber, who went viral and rose from relative obscurity to global stardom, as well as more modest examples like the various Instagram artists and models who interact and generate income and publicity from their loyal fan bases.
Despite the aforementioned advantages, social media has degraded the general quality of communication. Those most affected are young users. In school, children and teenagers must develop their interpersonal skills by telling jokes, engaging in playful banter, and arguing about personal and political topics. Over time, some people distinguish themselves as great storytellers or compelling speakers while others at least improve their communication skills. In contrast, young people today are more likely to communicate by texting and interacting through fleeting comments as they impatiently scroll through their various feeds. They do not get quality feedback on their output and so develop haphazardly, not knowing whether or not their jokes and points ever really connect.
In conclusion, social media has hurt communication, overshadowing all its economic utility. Parents ought to limit phone use for children and themselves in order to fight the rising influence of technology that humanity is not evolved enough to deal with responsibly.
Answers
largely mostly
supplanted taken the place of
traditional face-to-face interpersonal relationships talking and interacting normally with people
worsening becoming bad
concede admit
entrepreneurs people who start their own businesses
boon lift
avenues pathways
limited not many ways
presupposed had to have/prerequisite
inherited capital money you get from your parents/relatives
brought to fruition become the finished product
opens up possibilities allows for lots of different methods
content creators people who make videos, music, podcasts, etc.
applies is true for
larger than life success stories famous stories of wildy successful people
viral all over the internet
relative obscurity not widely known
global stardom superstar
modest examples humble stories
generate create/make
publicity attention
loyal fan bases devoted fans
aforementioned just talked about
degraded getting worse
general quality overall level
engaging in playful banter chatting/joking with each other
Many people today believe that social media has ____________ ____________, leading to ____________ communication skills. I fully agree with this point of view though I ____________ the advantages of social media for ____________.
Social media has been a ____________ for anyone interested in starting their own business. In the past, if someone wanted to start a business the ____________ were more ____________ and likely ____________ some ____________. Social media, beginning with Facebook and now being ____________ with apps like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, ____________ for ____________ to communicate with their audience around the world. This ____________ to ____________ like Justin Bieber, who went ____________ and rose from ____________ to ____________, as well as more ____________ like the various Instagram artists and models who interact with and ____________ income and ____________ from their ____________.
Despite the ____________ advantages, social media has ____________ the ____________ of communication. Those most affected are young users. In school, children and teenagers must develop their interpersonal skills by telling jokes, ____________, and arguing about personal and political topics. Over time, some people ____________ themselves as great ____________ or ____________ while others ____________ improve their communication skills. In contrast, young people today are more likely to communicate by texting and interacting through ____________ as they ____________ through their various ____________. They do not get ____________ on their ____________ and so ____________, not knowing whether or not their jokes and points ever really ____________.
In conclusion, social media has hurt communication, ____________ all its ____________. Parents ought to limit phone use for children and themselves in order to fight the ____________ of technology that humanity is ____________ to ____________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Listen to the former Facebook executive below on how social media is ripping society apart:
Before reading you can listen to the audio of my answer and take some notes:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Tourism and Culture (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
Some believe that tourism does more to create tension between countries rather than helping individuals better understand other cultures.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Reported IELTS Exam on February 8th
Many people are of the belief that rather than easing tensions, tourism actually further strains relations between countries. In my opinion, despite some newsworthy incidents, the vast majority of tourist interactions are positive.
The reason that many have turned against tourism as a means of soft power is the memorable disputes that naturally arise. A good example of this would be the recent outbreak of Coronavirus in China and the resultant worldwide panic. Chinese tourists have since reported on social media channels increased harassment and chilly treatment abroad. Such reactions are irrational because Coronovirus is a tame threat relative to normal strains of influenza, various diseases and other fatalities over the period including vehicular deaths. This psychological bias applies to small-scale tourist interactions as well: people are more likely to remember recent, negative events even if their actual impact is marginal.
The overwhelming majority of interactions between tourist and local are friendly and conducive to increased understanding. The average person taking a trip, to most countries, will encounter friendly customs officials, chat amiably with their taxi driver on the way to their hotel, where the staff will likely be very accommodating. The negative interactions are rare though they may stick out and make memorable stories. The more common scenario is that a tourist’s curiosity will be matched by local enthusiasm to make a good impression of themselves and their country. These complimentary human drives from the tourist and local, re-enacted in millions of micro-interactions daily, may not make headlines but they foster empathy and understanding between otherwise diverse cultures.
In conclusion, the cumulative impact of friendly encounters engendered by tourism far outweigh exaggerated slights. People should keep this in perspective when travelling and rise above prejudice and confirmation bias.
Analysis
1. Many people are of the belief that rather than easing tensions, tourism actually further strains relations between countries. 2. In my opinion, despite some newsworthy incidents, the vast majority of tourist interactions are positive.
Paraphrase the overall topic – write this quickly and keep it simple.
Give your opinion. You can also write this quickly but be sure that you choose a clear overall side.
1. The reason that many have turned against tourism as a means of soft power is the memorable disputes that naturally arise. 2. A good example of this would be the recent outbreak of Coronavirus in China and the resultant worldwide panic. 3. Chinese tourists have since reported on social media channels increased harassment and chilly treatment abroad. 4. Such reactions are irrational because Coronovirus is a tame threat relative to normal strains of influenza, various diseases and other fatalities over the period including vehicular deaths. 5. This psychological bias applies to small-scale tourist interactions as well: people are more likely to remember recent, negative events even if their actual impact is marginal.
Write a clear topic sentence with your main idea at the end. Focus on a single main idea not a list of reasons.
Begin your example as fast as possible and make sure it is relevant.
Develop that example – don’t run away from it!
Be specific – notice how I describe other diseases and types of deaths.
Draw conclusions or results or make your specific more general at the end of the paragraph.
1. The overwhelming majority of interactions between tourist and local are friendly and conducive to increased understanding. 2. The average person taking a trip, to most countries, will encounter friendly customs officials, chat amiably with their taxi driver on the way to their hotel, where the staff will likely be very accommodating. 3. The negative interactions are rare though they may stick out and make memorable stories. 4. The more common scenario is that a tourist’s curiosity will be matched by local enthusiasm to make a good impression of themselves and their country. 5. These complimentary human drives from the tourist and local, re-enacted in millions of micro-interactions daily, may not make headlines but they foster empathy and understanding between otherwise diverse cultures.
Write another clear topic sentence with your main idea at the end again – single main ideas!
For this one, I use a hypothetical example but it is still very specific.
Continue developing your main idea. Here I use contrast to strengthen my point.
Keep focusing on the same example with specfic detail.
Conclude the paragraph by extending your support.
1. In conclusion, the cumulative impact of friendly encounters engendered by tourism far outweigh exaggerated slights. 2. People should keep this in perspective when travelling and rise above prejudice and confirmation bias.
Repeat your opinion.
Add an extra detail/final thought to get full marks from the examiner for your task achievement score.
Vocabulary
Try to figure out what the key academic vocabulary in bold means:
Many people are of the belief that rather than easing tensions, tourism actually further strainsrelations between countries. In my opinion, despite some newsworthy incidents, the vast majority of tourist interactions are positive.
The reason that many have turned against tourism as a means of soft power is the memorable disputes that naturally arise. A good example of this would be the recent outbreak of Coronavirus in China and the resultant worldwide panic. Chinese tourists have since reported on social media channels increased harassment and chilly treatment abroad. Such reactions are irrational because Coronovirus is a tame threat relative to normal strains of influenza, various diseases and other fatalities over the period including vehicular deaths. This psychological bias applies to small-scale tourist interactions as well: people are more likely to remember recent, negative events even if their actual impact is marginal.
The overwhelming majority of interactions between tourist and local are friendly and conducive to increased understanding. The average person taking a trip, to most countries, will encounter friendly customs officials, chat amiably with their taxi driver on the way to their hotel, where the staff will likely be very accommodating. The negative interactions are rare though they may stick out and make memorable stories. The more common scenario is that a tourist’s curiosity will be matched by local enthusiasm to make a good impression of themselves and their country. These complimentary human drives from the tourist and local, re-enacted in millions of micro-interactions daily, may not make headlines but they foster empathy and understanding between otherwise diverse cultures.
In conclusion, the cumulative impact of friendly encounters engendered by tourism far outweigh exaggerated slights. People should keep this in perspective when travelling and rise above prejudice and confirmation bias.
Answers
of the belief feel that
easing tensions being friendlier
further strainsrelations make relationships worse
newsworthy incidents stories that make the news
vast majority most of
interactions back and forth
turned against no longer agree with
soft power influence without force
memorable disputes easy to remember arguments/fights
naturally arise bound to come up
recent outbreak new pandemic
Coronavirus virus emerging in Wuhan, China
resultant worldwide panic people all of the world scared
social media channels online through Facebook, Instagram, etc.
harassment bothering
chilly treatment abroad not friendly when they travel to other countries
reactions receptions
irrational no logic to it
tame threat not that dangerous
relative to compared to
strains of influenza different kinds of flu
fatalities deaths
vehicular deaths dying from car accidents
psychological bias prejudice
small-scale tourist interactions everyday communication between locals and tourists
marginal unimportant
overwhelming majority most of
local residents
conducive allows for/encourages
increased understanding getting along better
average person anyone
customs officials people in charge of goods/people at airports
amiably friendly
accommodating easy-going, helpful
stick out stand out/be memorable
make memorable stories make good anecdotes
common scenario happens a lot
curiosity wonder about
matched met
enthusiasm energy
good impression get off on the right foot
complimentary human drives desires that go hand in hand
re-enacted happens over and over
micro-interactions little moments between people
make headlines become news
foster empathy encourages understanding
otherwise diverse cultures contrasting national identities
cumulative impact overall effect
engendered provokes
outweigh exaggerated slights more important than little insults
keep this in perspective not over-react
rise above prejudice overcome biases
confirmation bias favouring what confirms what you already believe
Many people are ___________ that rather than ___________, tourism actually ___________ between countries. In my opinion, despite some ___________, the ___________ of tourist ___________ are positive.
The reason that many have ___________ tourism as a means of ___________ is the ___________ that ___________. A good example of this would be the ___________ of ___________ in China and the ___________. Chinese tourists have since reported on ___________ increased ___________ and ___________. Such ___________ are ___________ because Coronovirus is a ___________ normal ___________, various diseases and other ___________ over the period including ___________. This ___________ applies to ___________ as well: people are more likely to remember recent, negative events even if their actual impact is ___________.
The ___________ of interactions between tourist and ___________ are friendly and ___________ to ___________. The ___________ taking a trip, to most countries, will encounter friendly ___________, chat ___________ with their taxi driver on the way to their hotel, where the staff will likely be very ___________. The negative interactions are rare though they may ___________ and ___________. The more ___________ is that a tourist’s ___________ will be ___________ by local ___________ to make a ___________ of themselves and their country. These ___________ from the tourist and local, ___________ in millions of ___________ daily, may not ___________ but they ___________ and understanding between ___________.
In conclusion, the ___________ of friendly encounters ___________ by tourism far ___________. People should ___________ when travelling and ___________ and ___________.
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Listening Practice
Listen and review the topic (use these ideas to practice):
Reading Practice
Read and further review the topic in case if it comes up on your test:
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