This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer essay from the real exam/test on the topic of sugary drinks.
It is a two part question that asks you to write about the causes of the problem in one paragraph and the solution in the other (read more about this structure here).
More and more people today are drinking sugar-based drinks.
What are the reasons for this?
What are the solutions?
Real Past IELTS Exams/Tests
Health experts have warned against a rise in addictions to sugary drinks and the concomitant risks. In my opinion, this is due to both advertising and encroachment in developing markets and the solution is to enact various restrictions.
Over-consumption of sugary drinks can be directly attributed to advertising and opening up vulnerable new markets. In much of the developed world, people are becoming more health conscious and while consumption may increase as a total number, it is more likely to decline as a proportion. This is not the case in the developing world in countries such as Vietnam. A burgeoning middle-class in the last two decades coupled with unregulated ad campaigns from Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to a pandemic of sugary drinks in the market. Consumers now have more disposable income and are generally less educated about the long-term effects of sugar while companies are eager to exploit these facts to fatten their bottom line.
The only proven solutions for any public health crisis are regulation. One of the most famously successful laws in this area was the ban on large sugary drinks in New York City. It prohibited only the largest sizes but had a large impact before it was ultimately repealed due to corporate lobbying. In its place, many states including New York and California enacted taxes that have driven up the cost of sugar-heavy drinks. The result is that fewer people are willing to take on the associated health risks given the higher prices. If federal governments tax these drinks similarly to cigarettes, then their popularity will decline even faster.
In conclusion, the ubiquity of sugary drinks is down to exploitation of developing nations and can be curbed through thoughtful regulation. Governments that take firm, unpopular steps towards these reforms will later save money in medical care.
Analysis
1. Health experts have warned against a rise in addictions to sugary drinks and the concomitant risks. 2. In my opinion, this is due to both advertising and encroachment in developing markets and the solution is to enact various restrictions.
For your first sentence, paraphrase the overall topic of the essay.
Answer the two questions clearly and you’ll get a good mark for task achievement.
1. Over-consumption of sugary drinks can be directly attributed to advertising and opening up vulnerable new markets. 2. In much of the developed world, people are becoming more health conscious and while consumption may increase as a total number, it is more likely to decline as a proportion. 3. This is not the case in the developing world in countries such as Vietnam. 4. A burgeoning middle-class in the last two decades coupled with unregulated ad campaigns from Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to a pandemic of sugary drinks in the market. 5. Consumers now have more disposable income and are generally less educated about the long-term effects of sugar while companies are eager to exploit these facts to fatten their bottom line.
Write a topic sentence with a clear, single main idea. This question asks for reasons so I give two related reasons so that I can develop them together and get full marks for task achievement.
Begin to develop your main ideas with specific details/examples.
The more specfiic the better – try to use a real country.
Continue with that example.
Draw out the result of your example and conclude the paragraph.
1. The only proven solutions for any public health crisis are regulation. 2. One of the most famously successful laws in this area was the ban on large sugary drinks in New York City. 3. It prohibited only the largest sizes but had a large impact before it was ultimately repealed due to corporate lobbying. 4. In its place, many states including New York and California enacted taxes that have driven up the cost of sugar-heavy drinks. 5. The result is that fewer people are willing to take on the associated health risks given the higher prices. 6. If federal governments tax these drinks similarly to cigarettes, then their popularity will decline even faster.
Write another topic sentence. Again I give two solutions but they are related so that I can develop them fully.
Use a specific example of a city/country/law (make it up if you have to).
Describe the example in detail and use strong vocabulary.
Continue developing the same example.
State the result to make your example even stronger.
Here I compare it to taxes on cigarettes (this would have also been a good way to start the paragraph).
1. In conclusion, the ubiquity of sugary drinks is down to exploitation of developing nations and can be curbed through thoughtful regulation. 2. Governments that take firm, unpopular steps towards these reforms will later save money in medical care.
Repeat your answer to the questions.
Add in an extra detail/final thought.
Vocabulary
Try to figure out the words in bold below:
Health experts have warned against a rise in addictions to sugary drinks and the concomitant risks. In my opinion, this is due to both advertising and encroachment in developing markets and the solution is to enact various restrictions.
Over-consumption of sugary drinks can be directly attributed to advertising and opening up vulnerable new markets. In much of the developed world, people are becoming more health conscious and while consumption may increase as a total number, it is more likely to decline as a proportion. This is not the case in the developing world in countries such as Vietnam. A burgeoning middle-class in the last two decades coupled with unregulated ad campaigns from Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to a pandemic of sugary drinks in the market. Consumers now have more disposable income and are generally less educated about the long-term effects of sugar while companies are eager to exploit these facts to fatten their bottom line.
The only proven solutions for any public health crisis are regulation. One of the most famously successful laws in this area was the ban on large sugary drinks in New York City. It prohibited only the largest sizes but had a large impact before it was ultimately repealed due to corporate lobbying. In its place, many states including New York and California enacted taxes that have driven up the cost of sugar-heavy drinks. The result is that fewer people are willing to take on the associated health risksgiven the higher prices. If federal governments tax these drinks similarly to cigarettes, then their popularity will decline even faster.
In conclusion, the ubiquity of sugary drinks is down to exploitation of developing nations and can be curbed through thoughtful regulation. Governments that take firm, unpopular steps towards these reforms will later save money in medical care.
Answers
health experts nutritionists
addictions hooked on
concomitant related/resultant
encroachment moving in on
developing markets opening up business in new countries
enact various restrictions pass regulatory laws
over-consumption have too much
directly attributed to clearly the result of
opening up starting in
vulnerable weak
health conscious care about your health
total number complete amount
proportion percentage
this is not the case this is not the situation
burgeoning growing/starting
coupled with combined with
unregulated ad campaigns no restrictions on advertisements
pandemic spreading across a large area
disposable income money to burn
generally overall
eager excited for
exploit take advantage of
fatten their bottom line make more money
public health crisis health problems for lots of people
regulation law/restriction
ban prohibit
prohibited ban
ultimately repealed in the end reversed
corporate lobbying companies influencing government
in its place instead
driven up increase
associated health risksgiven related health problems considering
_____________ have warned against a rise in _____________ to sugary drinks and the _____________ risks. In my opinion, this is due to both advertising and _____________ in _____________ and the solution is to _____________.
_____________ of sugary drinks can be _____________ advertising and _____________ new markets. In much of the developed world, people are becoming more _____________ and while consumption may increase as a _____________, it is more likely to decline as a _____________. _____________ in the developing world in countries such as Vietnam. A _____________ middle-class in the last two decades __________________________ from Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to a _____________ of sugary drinks in the market. Consumers now have more _____________ and are _____________ less educated about the long-term effects of sugar while companies are _____________ to _____________ these facts to _____________.
The only proven solutions for any _____________ is _____________. One of the most famously successful laws in this area was the _____________ on large sugary drinks in New York City. It _____________ only the largest sizes but had a large impact before it was _____________ due to _____________. _____________, many states including New York and California _____________ that have _____________ the cost of sugar-heavy drinks. The result is that fewer people are willing to take on the _____________ the higher prices. If _____________ tax these drinks similarly to cigarettes, then their popularity will decline even faster.
In conclusion, the _____________ of sugary drinks is down to exploitation of developing nations and can be _____________ through _____________ regulation. Governments that take _____________, _____________ towards these _____________ will later save money in _____________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Review the topic with a video from one of my favourite channels, ASAP Science:
And you can learn more about my Patreon resources here.
Good luck on your exam!
-Dave
Before you read my answer, you can listen to it first to practice your listenin – make sure you take some notes:
IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training Letter: Letter to an Editor (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
Write a letter to the editor to give your opinion about a magazine that you purchased. Include
Why you bought it
What you liked and disliked about it
Suggestions for improvement
Reported IELTS Exam/Test on February 1st
Dear editor,
I recently purchased a copy of Gardening Monthly from my local newsstand and I’m writing to give you some background and feedback. I’m not a professional gardener but I have a keen interest in the field. I retired from my job as a production assistant 2 years ago and gardening has become my daily pursuit.
I really appreciate your in-depth step-by-step tutorials for everyday gardening techniques. The visuals on them, and throughout the magazine, are stunning and inspirational for home gardeners. There are just a couple of areas I would recommend fixes for: first, the magazine is too short. It only comes out once a month and a 20 page magazine is not long enough. Also, your writers make a lot of grammatical mistakes. Just looking at the first article from the last edition, I can spot 8 mistakes.
To round out your magazine I would recommend hiring a new editor or better supervising them to ensure they are thorough. As for the length of the magazine, have you considered a bi-monthly format? I hope that demand would justify this. I would surely read it!
Thanks for hearing me out,
Dave
Word count: 193
Analysis
1. Dear editor,
2. I recently purchased a copy of Gardening Monthly from my local newsstand and I’m writing to give you some background and feedback. 3. I’m not a professional gardener but I have a keen interest in the field. 4. I retired from my job as a production assistant 2 years ago and gardening has become my daily pursuit.
Write dear at the beginning of formal letters and sometimes for informal letters.
State your purpose for writing. Don’t waste any time getting to it.
Add more detail.
More detail – the more detail for each point, the higher your task achievement score. Aim for 3 details for each point.
1. I really appreciate your in-depth step-by-step tutorials for everyday gardening techniques. 2. The visuals on them, and throughout the magazine, are stunning and inspirational for home gardeners. 3. There are just a couple of areas I would recommend fixes for: first, the magazine is too short. 4. It only comes out once a month and a 20 page magazine is not long enough. 5. Also, your writers make a lot of grammatical mistakes. 6. Just looking at the first article from the last edition, I can spot 8 mistakes.
Begin to detail the second point – here it is what I like/don’t like about the magazine.
I develop the point before moving on to what I don’t like.
Move on to the areas that you don’t like.
I include two areas I don’t like but you could just include one and develop it more fully.
Be as specific as possible.
The more development – the better!
1. To round out your magazine I would recommend hiring a new editor or better supervising them to ensure they are thorough. 2. As for the length of the magazine, have you considered a bi-monthly format? 3. I hope that demand would justify this. 4. I would surely read it!
Address the last point – suggestions.
Make sure that you have at least 1 suggestion to fully answer that point.
Here I put in some strong vocabulary and finish developing my point.
Some informality towards the end in a letter to an editor is fine.
1. Thanks for hearing me out,
2. Dave
Conclude with ‘sincerely’ ‘regards’ or a short phrase like ‘thanks for hearing me out.’
Write your name – real or fake is ok!
Vocabulary
Try to figure out what the words in below mean based on the sentences:
Dear editor,
I recently purchased a copy of Gardening Monthly from my local newsstand and I’m writing to give you some background and feedback. I’m not a professional gardener but I have a keen interest in the field. I retired from my job as a production assistant 2 years ago and gardening has become my daily pursuit.
I really appreciate your in-depth step-by-step tutorials for everyday gardening techniques. The visuals on them, and throughout the magazine, are stunning and inspirational for home gardeners. There are just a couple of areas I would recommend fixes for: first, the magazine is too short. It only comes out once a month and a 20 page magazine is not long enough. Also, your writers make a lot of grammatical mistakes. Just looking at the first article from the last edition, I can spot 8 mistakes.
To round out your magazine I would recommend hiring a new editor or better supervising them to ensure they are thorough. As for the length of the magazine, have you considered a bi-monthly format? I hope that demand would justify this. I would surely read it!
Thanks for hearing me out,
Dave
Answers
local newsstand neighborhood shop
background reason for writing
feedback criticism
professional gardener seriously care about your garden
keen interest really into
field area/hobby
production assistant someone who helps on movies or other productions
I recently purchased a copy of Gardening Monthly from my _____________ and I’m writing to give you some _____________ and _____________. I’m not a _____________ but I have a _____________ in the the _____________. I retired from my job as a _____________ 2 years ago and gardening has become my _____________.
I really _____________ your __________________________ for _____________. The _____________ on them, and _____________ the magazine, are _____________ and _____________ for _____________. There are just a couple of areas I would recommend _____________ for: first, the magazine is too short. It only comes out once a month and a 20 page magazine is not long enough. Also, your writers make a lot of grammatical mistakes. Just looking at the first article from the last _____________, I can _____________ 8 mistakes.
To _____________ your magazine I would recommend _____________ a new editor or _____________ them to _____________ they are _____________. As for the length of the magazine, have you _____________ a __________________________? I hope that _____________ would _____________ this. I would _____________ read it!
Thanks for _____________,
Dave
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Some of these magazines could be useful as examples on your IELTS exam:
Before you read the sample answer, you can improve your listening by playing the audio before and taking some notes on the keywords/ideas and then reading the sample essay:
Sample Answer Essay: Income Inequality
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Income Inequality (Real Past IELTS Test/Exam)
Many believe that the best way to ensure a happier society is to reduce the difference in income earnings between the rich and poor.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Class distinctions are an intrinsic element of human relations but many today worry over the drastically widening gap between rich and poor. In my opinion, in order to have a happy society there must be a more equal distribution of income.
The main reason that these economic reforms would make society happier is by diffusing personal frustrations. The less wealthy often feel resentful and insecure about their place in life. This has a number of symptoms ranging from relatively benign unhappiness to deep depression, and takes a collective toll on individuals, families and societies. In the most extreme examples, mass shootings in the United States are invariably undertaken by poor, white males who feel left behind economically. The net impact of lifting people out of poverty would be a boon to everyday families as well as society at large.
Furthermore, if people no longer had to stress and work themselves to the bone to make ends meet, new outlets to contribute more to society would open up. They could volunteer for a charity, if they have an altruistic bent, take up an art, spend more time being a dedicated family member, or even set aside time to try to innovate in their vocation. Small-scale parallels for this exist already in the form of scholarships given to underprivileged students who are then able to get degrees and contribute across a variety of disciplines to making society happier in general.
In conclusion, there is little doubt that in the 21st century income inequality has reached a level that causes extreme unrest among the general population and distributing capital more evenly would remedy this. Countries ought to look closely at recent proposals for a universal basic income.
Analysis
1. Class distinctions are an intrinsic element of human relations but many today worry over the drastically widening gap between rich and poor. 2. In my opinion, in order to have a happy society there must be a more equal distribution of income.
Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay first of all.
Then include your overall opinion – make it 100% clear.
1. The main reason that these economic reforms would make society happier is by diffusing personal frustrations. 2. The less wealthy often feel resentful and insecure about their place in life. 3. This has a number of symptoms ranging from relatively benign unhappiness to deep depression, and takes a collective toll on individuals, families and societies. 4. In the most extreme examples, mass shootings in the United States are invariably undertaken by poor, white males who feel left behind economically. 5. The net impact of lifting people out of poverty would be a boon to everyday families as well as society at large.
Write a topic sentence with a relevant main idea at the end of the sentence.
Begin to explain/develop your main idea.
Continue developing with as much specific detail as possible.
Include a specific example if possible.
Describe the effect/result of your main idea.
1. Furthermore, if people no longer had to stress and work themselves to the bone to make ends meet, new outlets to contribute more to society would open up. 2. They could volunteer for a charity, if they have an altruistic bent, take up an art, spend more time being a dedicated family member, or even set aside time to try to innovate in their vocation. 3. Small-scale parallels for this exist already in the form of scholarships given to underprivileged students who are then able to get degrees and contribute across a variety of disciplines to making society happier in general.
Write a new topic sentence. My topic sentence here is a little too long – try to write a shorter, simpler topic sentence.
Again include specific examples – the more specific, the better!
Here I use a comparative example to support my main idea. This paragraph is only 3 sentences, aim for 4-5 in your own writing.
1. In conclusion, there is little doubt that in the 21st century income inequality has reached a level that causes extreme unrest among the general population and distributing capital more evenly would remedy this. 2. Countries ought to look closely at recent proposals for a universal basic income.
Repeat your opinion and include some strong vocabulary/grammar at the end.
Add in a final thought or extra detail to get full points for task achievement from the IELTS examiner.
Vocabulary
Try to figure out what the words in bold below mean:
Class distinctions are an intrinsic element of human relations but many today worry over the drastically widening gap between rich and poor. In my opinion, in order to have a happy society there must be a more equal distribution of income.
The main reason that these economic reforms would make society happier is by diffusing personal frustrations. The less wealthy often feel resentful and insecure about their place in life. This has a number of symptoms ranging from relatively benign unhappiness to deep depression, and takes a collective toll on individuals, families and societies. In the most extreme examples, mass shootings in the United States are invariably undertaken by poor, white males who feel left behind economically. The net impact of lifting people out of poverty would be a boon to everyday families as well as society at large.
Furthermore, if people no longer had to stress and work themselves to the bone to make ends meet, new outlets to contribute more to society would open up. They could volunteer for a charity, if they have an altruistic bent, take up an art, spend more time being a dedicated family member, or even set aside time to try to innovate in their vocation. Small-scale parallels for this exist already in the form of scholarships given to underprivileged students who are then able to get degrees and contribute across a variety of disciplines to making society happier in general.
In conclusion, there is little doubt that in the 21st century income inequality has reached a level that causes extreme unrest among the general population and distributing capital more evenly would remedy this. Countries ought to look closely at recent proposals for a universal basic income.
Answers
class distinctions different levels of wealth
intrinsic element innate part
human relations human society
drastically widening gap getting larger very quickly
more equal distribution of income less disparity in wages
economic reforms changes to the economy
diffusing personal frustrations lessening the impact of annoyance with yourself
resentful anger towards others
insecure lacking confidence
place in life standing in life
symptoms results
relatively benign unhappiness comparatively not harmful feeling bad
deep depression feeling very sad
collective toll total drawbacks on everyone
most extreme examples outliers
mass shootings when lots of people get shot
invariably always
left behind economically stranded financially
net impact total effect
lifting people out of poverty helping poor people get richer
boon benefit
society at large all of society
work themselves to the bone to make ends meet work really hard to make enough money
new outlets novel avenues for
open up allow for
altruistic bent care about others over yourself
take up begin doing
dedicated passionate about
set aside time have free time to
innovate implement new ideas
vocation job
small-scale parallels comparisions
scholarships money to study
underprivileged poor
disciplines fields
extreme unrest strong discontent
distributing capital more evenly spreading money equally
______________ are an ______________ of ______________ but many today worry over the ______________ between rich and poor. In my opinion, in order to have a happy society there must be a ______________.
The main reason that these ______________ would make society happier is by ______________. The less wealthy often feel ______________ and ______________ about their ______________. This has a number of ______________ ranging from ______________ to ______________, and takes a ______________ on individuals, families and societies. In the ______________, ______________ in the United States are ______________ undertaken by poor, white males who feel ______________. The ______________ of ______________ would be a ______________to everyday families as well as ______________.
Furthermore, if people no longer had to stress and ______________, ______________ to contribute more to society would ______________. They could volunteer for a charity, if they have an ______________, ______________ an art, spend more time being a ______________ family member, or even ______________ to try to ______________ in their ______________. ______________ for this exist already in the form of ______________ given to ______________ students who are then able to get degrees and contribute across a variety of ______________ to making society happier in general.
In conclusion, there is little doubt that in the 21st century income inequality has reached a level that causes ______________ among the general population and ______________ would this. Countries ought to look closely at ______________ for a ______________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Obama’s an expert!Review the topic of income inequality with the video below:
Before you read, you can practice your listening skills with the audio file below – take some notes on my ideas and vocabulary then check with the sample answer:
Many people feel that students should learn from online materials while others feel that it is better to use printed materials.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Real Past IELTS Tests
There have been recent calls for schools to phase out printed materials and take better advantage of online resources. Although printed materials enable important cognitive returns, schools should adopt online materials almost exclusively to protect the environment.
Printed materials encourage children to develop good thinking habits. Children and teenagers will of course spend an outsized amount of time on the internet, through smartphones and computers, as they grow up. This not only impacts their attention span and brain chemistry but also makes them susceptible to worryingly unreliable online information. Printed materials, on the other hand, are written by well-regarded authors, thoroughly researched, and students cannot get distracted by the lures of the internet while reading a physical book.
Nonetheless, online materials present an opportunity to protect the world’s trees at a time when they are under great threat. Take the typical lifecyle of a school’s coursebooks for example. Hundreds of students in a single grade are given a dozen books for various subjects every year. The books tend to be reused for several years but they later must be replaced with newer editions, necessitating more trees be cut down. Using online materials does not entail the same level of environmental costs. Textbooks can be easily updated and no trees have to be chopped down to create the devices in the first place. Over time, this will have a dramatic impact on tree populations around the globe and help mitigate the looming damage of climate change.
In conclusion, administrators should make every effort to replace the outdated medium of paper with their electronic equivalent. This is merely one step, but a still crucial one, in saving the earth from imminent catastrophe.
Analysis
1. There have been recent calls for schools to phase out printed materials and take better advantage of online resources. 2. Although printed materials enable important cognitive returns, schools should adopt online materials almost exclusively to protect the environment.
Write the topic for the whole essay.
Give your opinion – make it 100% clear.
1. Printed materials encourage children to develop good thinking habits. 2. Children and teenagers will of course spend an outsized amount of time on the internet, through smartphones and computers, as they grow up. 3. This not only impacts their attention span and brain chemistry but also makes them susceptible to worryingly unreliable online information. 4. Printed materials, on the other hand, are written by well-regarded authors, thoroughly researched, and students cannot get distracted by the lures of the internet while reading a physical book.
Write a topic sentence with the main idea at the end of the sentence.
Begin to develop your main idea with specific examples/support.
Continue with the same main idea. Don’t switch. Develop it specifically.
Draw conclusions/conclude your paragraph.
1. Nonetheless, online materials present an opportunity to protect the world’s trees at a time when they are under great threat. 2. Take the typical lifecyle of a school’s coursebooks for example. 3. Hundreds of students in a single grade are given a dozen books for various subjects every year. 4. The books tend to be reused for several years but they later must be replaced with newer editions, necessitating more trees be cut down. 5. Using online materials does not entail the same level of environmental costs. 6. Textbooks can be easily updated and no trees have to be chopped down to create the devices in the first place. 7. Over time, this will have a dramatic impact on tree populations around the globe and help mitigate the looming damage of climate change.
Write another topic sentence with a new main idea.
Begin a specfic example.
Start developing the example.
Add as much detail to your example as possible.
I compare the example of physical books with online ones in this sentence.
The more detail the better!
Conclude your paragraph by talking about the result and tieing it back to your main idea.
1. In conclusion, administrators should make every effort to replace the outdated medium of paper with their electronic equivalent. 2. This is merely one step, but a still crucial one, in saving the earth from imminent catastrophe.
Repeat your opinion.
Add an extra detail/final thought.
Vocabulary
Figure out what the words in bold below mean:
There have been recent calls for schools to phase out printed materials and take better advantage of online resources. Although printed materials enable important cognitive returns, schools should adopt online materials almost exclusively to protect the environment.
Printed materials encourage children to develop good thinking habits. Children and teenagers will of course spend an outsized amount of time on the internet, through smartphones and computers, as they grow up. This not only impacts their attention span and brain chemistry but also makes them susceptible to worryingly unreliable online information. Printed materials, on the other hand, are written by well-regarded authors, thoroughly researched, and students cannot get distracted by the lures of the internet while reading a physical book.
Nonetheless, online materials present an opportunity to protect the world’s trees at a time when they are under great threat. Take the typical lifecyle of a school’s coursebooks for example. Hundreds of students in a single grade are given a dozen books for various subjects every year. The books tend to be reused for several years but they later must be replaced with newer editions, necessitating more trees be cut down. Using online materials does not entail the same level of environmental costs. Textbooks can be easily updated and no trees have to be chopped down to create the devices in the first place. Over time, this will have a dramatic impact on tree populations around the globe and help mitigate the looming damage of climate change.
In conclusion, administrators should make every effort to replace the outdated medium of paper with their electronic equivalent. This is merely one step, but a still crucial one, in saving the earth from imminent catastrophe.
Answers
recent calls demands
phase out get rid of
take better advantage use more often
enable allow for/encourage
cognitive returns benefits for the brain
adopt begin to use
exclusively entirely
outsized too large
attention span the amount of time you can focus on one thing
There have been ______________ for schools to ______________ printed materials and ______________ of online resources. Although printed materials ______________ important ______________, schools should ______________ online materials almost ______________ to protect the environment.
Printed materials encourage children to develop good thinking habits. Children and teenagers will of course spend an ______________ amount of time on the internet, through smartphones and computers, as they grow up. This not only impacts their ______________ and ______________ but also makes them ______________ to ______________ online information. Printed materials, ______________, are written by ______________, ______________, and students cannot get ______________ by the ______________ of the internet while reading a physical book.
______________, online materials ______________ to protect the world’s trees at a time when they are ______________. Take the typical ______________ of a school’s coursebooks for example. Hundreds of students in a single ______________ are given a ______________ books for various subjects every year. The books tend to be ______________ for several years but they later must be replaced with ______________, ______________ more trees be ______________. Using online materials does not ______________ the same level of environmental costs. Textbooks can be easily updated and no trees have to be ______________ to create the devices ______________. Over time, this will have a dramatic impact on tree populations around the globe and help ______________ the ______________ of climate change.
In conclusion, ______________ should ______________ to replace the ______________ with their ______________. This is ______________ one step, but a still ______________ one, in saving the earth from ______________.
Extreme sports such as sky diving and skiing are very dangerous and should be banned.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
Real Past IELTS Tests
The increasing popularity of so-called extreme sports such as base jumping and rock climbing have led to backlash calling for them to be banned. Although these sports are potentially fatal, they should not be banned as they are also fun and can be undertaken responsibly.
The reason that many have demanded limits on extreme sports is their potential for injury and death. Take for example one of the most notorious extreme sports: base jumping. In this sport, participants jump off a given point (a cliff or building, for example) with a parachute. There is very little time before they hit the ground so unforeseen parachute malfunctions are possible and the fatality rate is extremely high. Those that do not die may suffer severe, debilitating injuries such as paralysis and brain damage. Base jumping is something of an outlier on the spectrum of dangerous sports but all these sports involve varying degrees of danger.
Despite the aforementioned concerns, I believe the fun people have outweighs potential injury when they are cautious. Base jumping is the most perilous extreme sport but other sports such as skiing, deep-sea diving, and rock climbing are relatively safe. Rock climbing is a good example of a sport that can be very safe and fun if proper precautions are taken. You should sign up for training and go with someone who knows how to safely rig up the harness and tie the requisite knots. Many people who try it end up become passionate rock climbers because it is an exhilirating experience. Most extreme sports, taken seriously, present little real danger and are an enjoyable pasttime.
In conclusion, extreme sports are fun and do not have to be particularly dangerous. People should take the opportunity to responsibly try out at least one extreme sport in their lives in order to see if it is to their liking.
Analysis
1. The increasing popularity of so-called extreme sports such as base jumping and rock climbing have led to backlash calling for them to be banned. 2. Although these sports are potentially fatal, they should not be banned as they are also fun and can be undertaken responsibly.
Paraphrase the overall topic – don’t spend too much time on this simple sentence.
Give your opinion and make it clear.
1. The reason that many have demanded limits on extreme sports is their potential for injury and death. 2. Take for example one of the most notorious extreme sports: base jumping. 3. In this sport, participants jump off a given point (a cliff or building, for example) with a parachute. 4. There is very little time before they hit the ground so unforeseen parachute malfunctions are possible and the fatality rate is extremely high. 5. Those that do not die may suffer severe, debilitating injuries such as paralysis and brain damage. 6. Base jumping is something of an outlier on the spectrum of dangerous sports but all these sports involve varying degrees of danger.
Write about the other side first.
Begin your example for your main idea right away.
Develop the same example.
Keep developing it, don’t switch to a new example.
Add as much detail as you can to you example.
Generalise from your example with your last sentence.
1. Despite the aforementioned concerns, I believe the fun people have outweighs potential injury when they are cautious. 2. Base jumping is the most perilous extreme sport but other sports such as skiing, deep-sea diving, and rock climbing are relatively safe. 3. Rock climbing is a good example of a sport that can be very safe and fun if proper precautions are taken. 4. You should sign up for training and go with someone who knows how to safely rig up the harness and tie the requisite knots. 5. Many people who try it end up become passionate rock climbers because it is an exhilirating experience. 6. Most extreme sports, taken seriously, present little real danger and are an enjoyable pasttime.
Talk about the side that you agree with in your third paragraph.
Focus on a different example.
Develop your new example.
The more specific the details you include, the higher your task achievement and vocabulary scores.
Include the result of your example.
Conclude your paragraph by tieing it back to your main idea.
1. In conclusion, extreme sports are fun and do not have to be particularly dangerous. 2. People should take the opportunity to responsibly try out at least one extreme sport in their lives in order to see if it is to their liking.
Repeat your opinion.
Add in an extra detail or final thought.
Vocabulary
Try to figure out what the words in bold mean:
The increasing popularity of so-called extreme sports such as base jumping and rock climbing have led to backlash calling for them to be banned. Although these sports are potentially fatal, they should not be banned as they are also fun and can be undertaken responsibly.
The reason that many have demanded limits on extreme sports is their potential for injury and death. Take for example one of the most notorious extreme sports: base jumping. In this sport, participants jump off a given point (a cliff or building, for example) with a parachute. There is very little time before they hit the ground so unforeseen parachute malfunctions are possible and the fatality rate is extremely high. Those that do not die may suffer severe, debilitating injuries such as paralysis and brain damage. Base jumping is something of an outlier on the spectrum of dangerous sports but all these sports involve varying degrees of danger.
Despite the aforementioned concerns, I believe the fun people have outweighs potential injury when they are cautious. Base jumping is the most perilous extreme sport but other sports such as skiing, deep-sea diving, and rock climbing are relatively safe. Rock climbing is a good example of a sport that can be very safe and fun if proper precautions are taken. You should sign up for training and go with someone who knows how to safely rig up the harness and tie the requisite knots. Many people who try it end up become passionate rock climbers because it is an exhilirating experience. Most extreme sports, taken seriously, present little real danger and are an enjoyable pasttime.
In conclusion, extreme sports are fun and do not have to be particularly dangerous. People should take the opportunity to responsibly try out at least one extreme sport in their lives in order to see if it is to their liking.
Answers
increasing popularity more and more common
so-called allegedly
base jumping jumping from a low point with a parachute
backlash calling for people objecting to
potentially fatal could kill you
undertaken responsibly done with care
demanded limits regulated
take for example consider the instance of
notorious infamous
participants people taking part in
given point a random spot
parachute opens to save your life after jumping….
unforeseen can’t be predicted
malfunctions doesn’t work
fatality rate the number of people hurt/dying
debilitating injuries handicapped
paralysis can’t move
brain damage mental handicaps
outlier outside the norm
spectrum the full range of
varying degrees different levels
aforementioned concerns what was mentioned before
outweighs is stronger than
cautious careful
perilous dangerous
relatively safe somewhat risk-free
proper precautions well-prepared
sign up for joining
rig up set up/get read for
harness holds you when climbing
requisite knots what you must tie to climb
end up finally
passionate love for
exhilirating experience exciting time
taken seriously not treated lightly
present little real danger not actually that risky
Remember and fill in the blanks with the vocabulary:
The ______________ of______________ extreme sports such as ______________ and rock climbing have led to ______________ them to be banned. Although these sports are ______________, they should not be banned as they are also fun and can be ______________.
The reason that many have ______________ on extreme sports is their potential for injury and death.______________ one of the most ______________ extreme sports: base jumping. In this sport, ______________ jump off a ______________ (a cliff or building, for example) with a ______________. There is very little time before they hit the ground so ______________ parachute ______________ are possible and the ______________ is extremely high. Those that do not die may suffer severe, ______________ such as ______________ and ______________. Base jumping is something of an ______________ on the ______________ of dangerous sports but all these sports involve ______________ of danger.
Despite the ______________, I believe the fun people have ______________ potential injury when they are ______________. Base jumping is the most ______________ extreme sport but other sports such as skiing, deep-sea diving, and rock climbing are ______________. Rock climbing is a good example of a sport that can be very safe and fun if ______________ are taken. You should ______________ training and go with someone who knows how to safely ______________ the ______________ and tie the ______________. Many people who try it ______________ become ______________ rock climbers because it is an ______________. Most extreme sports, ______________ ,______________ and are an ______________.
In conclusion, extreme sports are fun and do not have to be particularly dangerous. People should take the opportunity to ______________ at least one extreme sport in their lives in order to see if it is ______________.
Notwithstanding the
aforementioned arguments, I concur that adventure sports should be welcomed moreare to be
embraced. It has been scientically proven that engaging in any
dangerous sports could can bolster
participants’ personal lives happiness and mentalitymental
well-being. In fact, when by overcoming
nerve-racking moments and conquering their own fears, players could can feel
a sense of achievement and satisfaction, which adds to their personal
experience and boosts their courage and self-esteem. For instance,
a rock climber who has conquered Everest might mark that
as his
the most significant milestone and
take pride in this accomplishment for his whole life. Another salient
point [G4] to clarify my view is that it is a
human right to freely partake in any recreational activityies.
If a person is willing to risk his life for an extreme sport to satisfy his
desire, the endeavor of prohibiting those sports from governments will be merely in
vain since he would likely secretly play engage in it
elsewhere. [G5]
Lots of good support for both of your main ideas
and a clear overall opinion. Your support was more concrete, specific and for
one paragraph you focused on one main idea – well done!
Cohesion/coherence 8
Clear throughout and good referencing, ellipsis and
paragraphing. You might want to look into theme/rheme which is the principle
that in English writing is clearer if you put the topic/old information at the
beginning of a sentence and what you want to say about it in the second part of
the sentence (as in the last sentence of paragraph 2). Otherwise great!
Vocabulary 7
Great vocabulary throughout – good enough for band
8 but a few too many mistakes and poor word choice bring this down to a 7 this
time.
Grammar 7
Complex sentences great as usual but mistakes in
almost every sentence and some simple ones with modal and articles bring this
down to a 7.
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