In marriages today, some argue that it is the responsibility of both spouses to earn a living for the family.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many these days contend that both spouses should work and provide for the entire family. In my opinion, though advisable in certain circumstances, it is preferable to subdivide roles within a family.
Those who support this argument focus on the righteousness of empowering women in marriages. Historically, women did not have the freedom in most cultures to work. In recent decades, as women have gained more rights both formally and informally in society, this has allowed them to extend themselves through their careers. Connected to this empowerment is also a sense of duty. Not only do women now have the opportunity to work and develop their full potential, they also have the privilege of taking on greater responsibility. The end result is they can both help alleviate financial burdens at home and gain improved self-esteem.
However, a clear division of responsibilities in a family is the best way to nurture one’s child. If both parents work, as has become increasingly common in Western nations, there is a strong likelihood the children will be neglected. Though affluent families can mitigate this drawback with a nanny to look after the children and a cleaner, this is a poor substitute for the love of one’s actual parents. Moreover, most working-class families must simply work harder at their jobs and at home. This can produce significant fatigue over the long term and cause parents to feel powerless, overextended, and even lead to anxiety conditions and depression.
In conclusion, ideally both parents would have jobs but in reality this does not allow for proper balance in a family. This does not imply that only males should have jobs as either the husband or wife can become the primary earner.
Analysis
1. Many these days contend that both spouses should work and provide for the entire family. 2. In my opinion, though advisable in certain circumstances, it is preferable to subdivide roles within a family.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who support this argument focus on the righteousness of empowering women in marriages. 2. Historically, women did not have the freedom in most cultures to work. 3. In recent decades, as women have gained more rights both formally and informally in society, this has allowed them to extend themselves through their careers. 4. Connected to this empowerment is also a sense of duty. 5. Not only do women now have the opportunity to work and develop their full potential, they also have the privilege of taking on greater responsibility. 6. The end result is they can both help alleviate financial burdens at home and gain improved self-esteem.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
Keep developing it fully.
Short sentences can make your writing clearer.
State the fullest possible result.
1. However, a clear division of responsibilities in a family is the best way to nurture one’s child. 2. If both parents work, as has become increasingly common in Western nations, there is a strong likelihood the children will be neglected. 3. Though affluent families can mitigate this drawback with a nanny to look after the children and a cleaner, this is a poor substitute for the love of one’s actual parents. 4. Moreover, most working-class families must simply work harder at their jobs and at home. 5. This can produce significant fatigue over the long term and cause parents to feel powerless, overextended, and even lead to anxiety conditions and depression.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
Develop the example fully.
1. In conclusion, ideally both parents would have jobs but in reality this does not allow for proper balance in a family. 2. This does not imply that only males should have jobs as either the husband or wife can become the primary earner.
Summarise your main ideas.
Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Many these days contend that both spouses should work and provide for the entire family. In my opinion, though advisable in certain circumstances, it is preferable to subdivide roles within a family.
Those who support this argument focus on the righteousness of empowering women in marriages. Historically, women did not have the freedom in most cultures to work. In recent decades, as women have gained more rights both formally and informally in society, this has allowed them to extend themselves through their careers. Connected to this empowerment is also a sense of duty. Not only do women now have the opportunity to work and develop their full potential, they also have the privilege of taking on greater responsibility. The end result is they can both help alleviate financial burdens at home and gain improved self-esteem.
However, a clear division of responsibilities in a family is the best way to nurture one’s child. If both parents work, as has become increasingly common in Western nations, there is a strong likelihood the children will be neglected. Though affluent families can mitigate this drawback with a nanny to look after the children and a cleaner, this is a poor substitute for the love of one’s actual parents. Moreover, most working-class families must simply work harder at their jobs and at home. This can produce significant fatigue over the long term and cause parents to feel powerless, overextended, and even lead toanxiety conditions and depression.
In conclusion, ideally both parents would have jobs but in reality this does not allow for proper balance in a family. This does not imply that only males should have jobs as either the husband or wife can become the primary earner.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
contend argue
spouses husbands and wives
provide for earn money for
entire family whole family, all children and the husband and wife
advisable a good idea
certain circumstances some cases
preferable better
subdivide roles split responsibilities
within inside of
support help
argument contention
focus on pinpoint
righteousness feeling right and just
empowering feeling more confident
historically in the past
freedom ability to do what you want
most cultures many nations
in recent decades the last 20 or 30 years or so
gained have acquired
formally in laws
informally in society more generally
allowed permitted
extend themselves do more
careers jobs
connected related to
empowerment becoming stronger
sense of duty feeling of responsibility
opportunity chance
develop their full potential achieve more in life
privilege something to be grateful for
taking on greater responsibility assume more duty in life
end result final consequence
alleviate financial burdens help fix money issues
gain improved self-esteem feel more confident
clear division definite separation
nurture help to grow
increasingly common more and more prevalent
Western nations countries in Europe, America
strong likelihood good chance of
neglected not paid attention to
affluent rich
mitigate lessen
drawback downside
nanny someone who looks after the children
cleaner person who cleans the house
poor substitute doesn’t replace fully
actual in fact, real
working-class families less wealthy families, normal families
significant fatigue lots of tiredness
over the long term for a while
powerless without any power, weak
overextended overburdened
even lead to actually cause
anxiety conditions worrying
depression feeling very sad
in reality actually
proper balance in everything in order
imply necessitate
primary earner main person making money for a family, primary breadwinner
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Many these days c_________d that both s________s should work and p___________r the e________________y. In my opinion, though a___________e in c_______________________s, it is p__________e to s_____________________n a family.
Those who s_________t this a__________t f___________n the r________________s of e__________g women in marriages. H______________y, women did not have the f__________m in m__________s to work. I____________s, as women have g_________d more rights both f___________y and i___________y in society, this has a__________d them to e__________________s through their c___________s. C__________d to this e________________t is also a s_____________y. Not only do women now have the o______________y to work and d___________________l, they also have the p_________e of t__________________________________y. The e__________t is they can both help a________________________s at home and g________________m.
However, a c____________n of responsibilities in a family is the best way to n______e one’s child. If both parents work, as has become i___________________n in W_____________s, there is a s______________d the children will be n_______d. Though a_________t families can m________e this d________k with a n_____y to look after the children and a c_________r, this is a p______________e for the love of one’s a_______l parents. Moreover, most w______________________s must simply work harder at their jobs and at home. This can produce s________________e o________________m and cause parents to feel p________s, o____________d, and e___________oa___________________s and d________n.
In conclusion, ideally both parents would have jobs but i________y this does not allow for p_____________n a family. This does not i_____y that only males should have jobs as either the husband or wife can become the p_____________r.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Are families becoming more distant in your country?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
Some believe that younger family members should be legally responsible for supporting older family members when they become physically, mentally and financially unable to look after themselves.
IELTS Task 1 Essay: Women in Australia – First Child
The bar chart details when women in Australia had their first child from 1966 to 2006. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that women in the past tended to have their first child earlier in life, especially very young women. Having a child in one’s 30s became much more common, though after one’s 30s it remained relatively rare.
In 1966, 33% of women had their first child under the age of 19. This figure dropped precipitously to reach 11% by 2006. The data for women 19-24 underwent a similar drop, falling from 62% to 50% and finally 28%.
In contrast, 36% of women were 19-24 years old when they first gave birth in 1966 and this number then rose to 50% in 1986 before dropping back to just above the original figure to end the period. The largest rise occurred in the 30-34 age range which more than quadrupled (11% to 18% to 45%). This paralleled the growth for ages 34-39, nearly doubling every 20 years from 9% to 17% and lastly 30%. Finally, there was little change for women over 40 despite marginal growth from 3% to 5%.
Analysis
1. The bar chart details when women in Australia had their first child from 1966 to 2006. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that women in the past tended to have their first child earlier in life, especially very young women. 3. Having a child in one’s 30s became much more common, though after one’s 30s it remained relatively rare.
Paraphrase what the table shows.
Write a clear overview summarising the differences.
You might need another sentence for your overview.
1. In 1966, 33% of women had their first child under the age of 19. This figure dropped precipitously to reach 11% by 2006. 2. The data for women 19-24 underwent a similar drop, falling from 62% to 50% and finally 28%.
Begin writing about the data for the first categories.
Make sure you compare as much as possible.
1. In contrast, 36% of women were 19-24 years old when they first gave birth in 1966 and this number then rose to 50% in 1986 before dropping back to just above the original figure to end the period. 2. The largest rise occurred in the 30-34 age range which more than quadrupled (11% to 18% to 45%). 3. This paralleled the growth for ages 34-39, nearly doubling every 20 years from 9% to 17% and lastly 30%. 4. Finally, there was little change for women over 40 despite marginal growth from 3% to 5%.
Write about the final, other parts of the graph – include everything!
Compare the categories.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:
The bar chart details when women in Australia had their first child from 1966 to 2006. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that women in the past tended to have their first child earlier in life, especially very young women. Having a child in one’s 30s became much more common,though after one’s 30s it remained relatively rare.
In 1966, 33% of women had their first child under the age of 19. This figure dropped precipitously to reach 11% by 2006. The data for women 19-24 underwent a similar drop, falling from 62% to 50% and finally 28%.
In contrast, 36% of women were 19-24 years old when they first gave birth in 1966 and this number then rose to 50% in 1986 before dropping back to just above the original figure to end the period. The largest rise occurred in the 30-34 age range which more than quadrupled (11% to 18% to 45%). This paralleled the growth for ages 34-39, nearly doubling every 20 years from 9% to 17% and lastly 30%. Finally, there was little change for women over 40 despite marginal growth from 3% to 5%.
Answers
Try to write down or think of an antonym/opposite word for further practice:
details shows
first child first kid
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
in the past formerly
tended to usually
earlier in life when younger
especially in particular
common happened a lot
remained relatively rare stayed not that common
under less than
figure dropped precipitously number fell a lot
reach got to
data numbers
underwent a similar drop also fell
falling from … to going down to
finally lastly
in contrast however
first gave birth had their first child
rose increased
before dropping back to prior to decreasing
just above the original figure a little over the first number
to end the period at the end of the time surveyed
largest rise occurred in biggest increase was in
age range age bracket
quadrupled 4x, 400%
paralleled mirrored
growth increase
nearly doubling almost 2x, 200%
lastly finally
little change not much different
despite marginal growth regardless of a little rise
Remember and fill in the blanks. Note it on a piece of paper so you can remember better:
The bar chart d_____s when women in Australia had their f_________d from 1966 to 2006. L________________________________________t women i_________________o have their first child e_________e, e________y very young women. Having a child in one’s 30s became much more c_________n,though after one’s 30s it r__________________e.
In 1966, 33% of women had their first child u______r the age of 19. This f________________________y to r_____h 11% by 2006. The d__a for women 19-24 u________________________p, f___________m 62% t__ 50% and f______y 28%.
I___________t, 36% of women were 19-24 years old when they f____________h in 1966 and this number then r____e to 50% in 1986 b_________________________o j_______________________e t__________________d. The l_____________________n the 30-34 a_________e which more than q____________d (11% to 18% to 45%). This p___________d the g________h for ages 34-39, n____________________g every 20 years from 9% to 17% and l______y 30%. Finally, there was l______________e for women over 40 d___________________h from 3% to 5%.
Listening Practice
Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:
This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of building houses and homes over parks and farmland and cities from the real IELTS exam.
Be sure to check out some of my other resources here:
Many cities are now turning parks and farmland into new housing developments.
Is this a positive or negative development?
Some are of the belief that current initiatives to transform public parks and farms into residential areas are misguided. I am in general agreement with this contention despite its ostensible advantages in dense urban areas.
Those who argue this policy is positive point out its effects on overcrowding in cities. In the last century, mass migrations to cities have created increasingly dense urban areas. One of the best solutions for this is to expand the size of cities by subsuming nearby farmland into urban districts. For instance, large metropolitan areas such as Tokyo and Mexico City are only able to house their surging populations by spreading to neighboring lands. The result is that more individuals are able to live in cities and enjoy higher standards of living, better healthcare, improved economic opportunity, and various entertainments options. For the average resident, such a development is incontestably positive.
However, new housing developments neglect the primacy of the natural world. Firstly, building homes on nearby farmland not only clears away pristine natural land but also necessitates the transportation of agricultural products from greater distances. This will in turn exacerbate environmental issues and potentially lead to inflated food costs for the average person. More importantly, cities that lack parks are not providing an optimistic living environment for residents. For wealthy individuals, this is less pressing since they may be able to make frequent trips to outlying areas. However, for the least privileged classes, parks may be their only opportunities to experience nature and a life deprived of all contact with the natural world is undeniably bleak.
In conclusion, despite the positives related to population density in cities, it is an overall negative due to its effect on the natural environment and quality of life in cities. Such proposals should therefore be pursued in moderation.
Analysis
1. Some are of the belief that current initiatives to transform public parks and farms into residential areas are misguided. 2. I am in general agreement with this contention despite its ostensible advantages in dense urban areas.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who argue this policy is positive point out its effects on overcrowding in cities. 2. In the last century, mass migrations to cities have created increasingly dense urban areas. 3. One of the best solutions for this is to expand the size of cities by subsuming nearby farmland into urban districts. 4. For instance, large metropolitan areas such as Tokyo and Mexico City are only able to house their surging populations by spreading to neighboring lands. 5. The result is that more individuals are able to live in cities and enjoy higher standards of living, better healthcare, improved economic opportunity, and various entertainments options. 6. For the average resident, such a development is incontestably positive.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
Keep developing it fully.
Use short and long sentences.
Finish the paragraph strong.
1. However, new housing developments neglect the primacy of the natural world. 2. Firstly, building homes on nearby farmland not only clears away pristine natural land but also necessitates the transportation of agricultural products from greater distances. 3. This will in turn exacerbate environmental issues and potentially lead to inflated food costs for the average person. 4. More importantly, cities that lack parks are not providing an optimistic living environment for residents. 5. For wealthy individuals, this is less pressing since they may be able to make frequent trips to outlying areas. 6. However, for the least privileged classes, parks may be their only opportunities to experience nature and a life deprived of all contact with the natural world is undeniably bleak.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
Develop the example fully.
Finish strong.
1. In conclusion, despite the positives related to population density in cities, it is an overall negative due to its effect on the natural environment and quality of life in cities. 2. Such proposals should therefore be pursued in moderation.
Summarise your main ideas.
Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Some are of the belief that current initiatives to transform public parks and farms into residential areas are misguided. I am in general agreement with this contention despite its ostensible advantages in dense urban areas.
Those who argue this policy is positive point out its effects on overcrowding in cities. In the last century, mass migrations to cities have created increasingly dense urban areas. One of the best solutions for this is to expand the size of cities by subsuming nearby farmland into urban districts. For instance, large metropolitan areas such as Tokyo and Mexico City are only able to house their surging populations by spreading to neighboring lands. The result is that more individuals are able to live in cities and enjoy higher standards of living, better healthcare, improved economic opportunity, and various entertainments options. For the average resident, such a development is incontestably positive.
However, new housing developments neglect the primacy of the natural world. Firstly, building homes on nearby farmland not only clears away pristine natural land but also necessitates the transportation of agricultural products from greater distances. This will in turn exacerbate environmental issues and potentially lead to inflated food costs for the average person. More importantly, cities that lack parks are not providing an optimistic living environment for residents. For wealthy individuals, this is less pressing since they may be able to make frequent trips to outlying areas. However, for the least privileged classes, parks may be their only opportunities to experience nature and a life deprived of all contact with the natural world is undeniably bleak.
In conclusion, despite the positives related to population density in cities, it is an overall negative due to its effect on the natural environment and quality of life in cities. Such proposals should therefore be pursued in moderation.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
current initiatives efforts right now
transform change
public parks places for people to experience nature in cities
farms agricultural areas
residential areas places where people can live
misguided not a good idea
I am in general agreement with this contention despite I agree with the opinion regardless of
ostensible advantages seeming benefits
dense urban areas crowded cities
policy idea, way of operating
point out argue
overcrowding too many people
In the last century the last 100 years
mass migrations lots of people moving
increasingly more and more often
expand make bigger
subsuming nearby farmland into urban districts taking over nearby farms and making them part of cities
large metropolitan areas such as big cities including
house verb for live there, house
surging populations more and more people living there
spreading to neighboring lands go to places near there
enjoy higher standards of living live better
healthcare hospitals, medicine, etc.
economic opportunity job chances
various entertainments options places to have fun
the average resident normal person
incontestably positive definitely good
neglect not pay attention to
primacy central importance
natural world nature
nearby next to
clears away pristine natural land destroys nature
necessitates requires
transportation trucks, ships, etc.
agricultural products food products
greater distances further away
This will in turn exacerbate environmental issues makes climate change worse
potentially lead to inflated food costs possibly raise the price of foods
More importantly even more crucially
lack not have
providing giving
optimistic living environment positive place to live
wealthy rich
less pressing not that important
frequent trips often travel to
outlying areas regions nearby
least privileged classes poorest people
experience nature be in contact with trees, grass, etc.
a life deprived of all contact with the natural world not experiencing nature at all
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Some are of the belief that c_____________________s to t_______________________s and f______s into r______________________s are m____________d. I____________________________________________________e its o_______________________s in d_________________s.
Those who argue this p_________y is positive p___________t its effects on o________________g in cities. I__________________________y, m_________________s to cities have created i_________________y dense urban areas. One of the best solutions for this is to e__________d the size of cities by s___________________________________________s. For instance, l_________________________________s Tokyo and Mexico City are only able to h________e their s_________________________s by s________________________________s. The result is that more individuals are able to live in cities and e________________________________g, better h________________e, improved e_________________y, and v_________________________________s. For t_________________________t, such a development is i______________________e.
However, new housing developments n__________t the p_________y of the n________d. Firstly, building homes on n________y farmland not only c_________________________________d but also n_____________s the t_______________n of a___________________________s from g__________________s. T____________________________________________s and p_____________________________________s for the average person. M__________________y, cities that l_______k parks are not p_____________g an o_____________________________t for residents. For w_____________y individuals, this is l_______________g since they may be able to make f________________s to o_______________s. However, for the l___________________________________s, parks may be their only opportunities to e___________________________e and a_____________________________________________________d is u________________k.
In conclusion, despite the positives r_____________o population d___________y in cities, it is an o______________________o its effect on the natural environment and quality of life in cities. Such p____________s should therefore be p______________________n.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Some feel that governments should monitor and regulate scientific research done by companies.
Here is a preview of the essay, the introduction:
Many would argue that scientific research requires a degree of oversight from the relevant governmental authorities. In my opinion, properly handled, this is a sensible and necessary policy.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
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