This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of men’s and women’s sports shows from the real IELTS exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my full, exclusive IELTS Ebooks!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Men’s and Women’s Sports Shows
Today, TV channels broadcast men’s sports shows more than women’s sport shows.
Why is this the case?
Should TV channels give equal showtime for each?
It is common practice for most TV networks to focus more on men’s athletics rather than women’s. In my opinion, this is a natural byproduct of the history of sports and there should be more equal emphasis depending on the sport in question.
Men’s sports are more popular because they have developed further. In the past, athletics was always the primary domain of men and women were relegated to more domestic roles. Modern society understands this was discriminatory but the result, higher quality of play among male sports, cannot be argued. A good example of this would be professional basketball where the male leagues, such as the NBA, feature some of the greatest athletes in the world, executing complex coaching schemes, and consistently showcasing high skill levels. Women’s basketball, while it has developed considerably in the last two decades, is not the same level of entertainment though this may change in the coming years.
As this situation may require time to remedy, only the ratings can justify equal programming time. There are sports where this is already the case essentially, such as tennis, where women receive equal prize money and the ratings are comparable. In the United States, this also applies for international football tournaments, where the female team regularly advances far beyond their male counterparts. In these examples, it is warranted to give female athletics at least, if not more, broadcast time. However, mandating this policy for all sports before they are ready and the audience exists is likely to produce a strong backlash and in fact hinder the progress of women’s sports.
In conclusion, there are institutional reasons for the disparity in the time television channels dedicate to men’s and women’s sports and this should be corrected on a case by case basis. Viewers will decide themselves which sports deserve the most attention, regardless of gender.
Analysis
1. It is common practice for most TV networks to focus more on men’s athletics rather than women’s. 2. In my opinion, this is a natural byproduct of the history of sports and there should be more equal emphasis depending on the sport in question.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Men’s sports are more popular because they have developed further. 2. In the past, athletics was always the primary domain of men and women were relegated to more domestic roles. 3. Modern society understands this was discriminatory but the result, higher quality of play among male sports, cannot be argued. 4. A good example of this would be professional basketball where the male leagues, such as the NBA, feature some of the greatest athletes in the world, executing complex coaching schemes, and consistently showcasing high skill levels. 5. Women’s basketball, while it has developed considerably in the last two decades, is not the same level of entertainment though this may change in the coming years.
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.
Vary long and short sentences.
1. As this situation may require time to remedy, only the ratings can justify equal programming time. 2. There are sports where this is already the case essentially, such as tennis, where women receive equal prize money and the ratings are comparable. 3. In the United States, this also applies for international football tournaments, where the female team regularly advances far beyond their male counterparts. 4. In these examples, it is warranted to give female athletics at least, if not more, broadcast time. 5. However, mandating this policy for all sports before they are ready and the audience exists is likely to produce a strong backlash and in fact hinder the progress of women’s sports.
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, there are institutional reasons for the disparity in the time television channels dedicate to men’s and women’s sports and this should be corrected on a case by case basis. 2. Viewers will decide themselves which sports deserve the most attention, regardless of gender.
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.
It is common practice for most TVnetworks to focus more on men’s athleticsrather than women’s. In my opinion, this is a natural byproduct of the history of sports and there should be more equal emphasisdepending on the sport in question.
Men’s sports are more popular because they have developedfurther. In the past, athletics was always the primarydomain of men and women were relegatedto more domestic roles. Modern society understands this was discriminatory but the result, higher quality of play among male sports, cannot be argued. A good example of this would be professional basketball where the male leagues, such as the NBA, feature some of the greatest athletes in the world, executing complex coaching schemes, and consistently showcasing high skill levels. Women’s basketball, while it has developed considerably in the last two decades, is not the same level of entertainment though this may change in the coming years.
As this situation may require time to remedy, only the ratings can justify equal programming time. There are sports where this is already the case essentially, such as tennis, where women receive equal prize money and the ratings are comparable. In the United States, this also applies for international football tournaments, where the female team regularly advances far beyond their male counterparts. In these examples, it is warranted to give female athletics at least, if not more, broadcast time. However, mandating this policy for all sports before they are ready and the audience exists is likely to produce a strong backlash and in fact hinder the progress of women’s sports.
In conclusion, there are institutional reasons for the disparity in the time television channels dedicate to men’s and women’s sports and this should be correctedon a case by case basis. Viewers will decide themselves which sports deserve the most attention, regardless of gender.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
common practice normal
TVnetworks stations like Fox, ESPN, CNN, NBC, etc.
focus emphasize
men’s athletics male sports
rather than instead of
natural byproduct of happens organically
equal emphasis the same focus
depending on if
in question being discussed now
popular ubiquitous
developedfurther more advanced
in the past years before
primarydomain usually just for
relegatedto had to settle for
domestic roles jobs in the household
modern society the world today
discriminatory prejudiced
result consequence
higher quality of play better standards
argued debated
A good example of this would be one instance of this is
male leagues men’s sports
NBA national basketball association
feature showcase
greatest athletes best sportspeople
executing complex coaching schemes carry out complicated strategy
consistently showcasing high skill levels regularly showing off high quality play
developed considerably improved a lot
last two decades 20 years previously
level standard
in the coming years upcoming
as this situation may require time to remedy this context might need more time to fix
ratings how many people watch the shows on television
justify equal programming time are good reason to balance the programming
already the case essentially happens now basically
equal prize money same money for both
comparable about the same
applies for is the case for
regularly advances far beyond usually goes deeper in tournaments
male counterparts men’s team
warranted deserved, justified
at least at minimum
if not more maybe more than that
broadcast time time slots for a TV show
mandating ordering
policy rules
audience exists people watching the show are already there
strong backlash lots of people angry
in fact actually
hinder hold back
progress moving forward
institutional reasons causes related to history
disparity difference
dedicate give
corrected fixed
on a case by case basis depending on each example, sport
viewers people watching on television
decide choose
deserve the most attention should have the most focus
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:
It is c____________________e for most T________________s to f______s more on m_______________sr______________n women’s. In my opinion, this is a n___________________f the history of sports and there should be more e______________sd_____________n the sport i_______________n.
Men’s sports are more p_________r because they have d___________________r. I____________t, athletics was always the p________________n of men and women were r__________________o more d_________________s. M______________y understands this was d______________y but the r______t, h_____________________y among male sports, cannot be a______d. A____________________________e professional basketball where the m_________s, such as the N___A, f_____e some of the g____________s in the world, e______________________s, and c_________________________________s. Women’s basketball, while it has d___________________________y in the l____________________s, is not the same l______l of entertainment though this may change i________________s.
A______________________________________y, only the r_____s can j________y e________________________e. There are sports where this is a________________________y, such as tennis, where women receive e________________y and the ratings are c_____________e. In the United States, this also a_____________r international football tournaments, where the female team r_________________________d their m______________________s. In these examples, it is w___________d to give female athletics a__________t, i______________e, b_______________e. However, m___________g this p_______y for all sports before they are ready and the a__________________s is likely to produce a s_________________h and i_________t h_______r the p_________s of women’s sports.
In conclusion, there are i____________________s for the d_________y in the time television channels d________e to men’s and women’s sports and this should be c______________n a____________________s. V________s will d_______e themselves which sports d__________________________n, r________________f g________r.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of good citizens, school, and individuals from the real exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my full, exclusive IELTS Ebooks!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Good Citizens
Some people think the main purpose of school is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many are of the opinion that the primary role of schools is to create good citizens, instead of simply working towards individual betterment. In my opinion, schools should aim to elevate the individual, not impose conformity.
Those is favor of this statement argue the value of a well-functioning society. As the world develops and there are advances in medicine, safety, working conditions, and so on it is easy to forget that this level of comfort requires sacrifices for the common good. Individuals must work at companies to stimulate the economy and the public must have a basic sense of community in order to live peaceably with one’s neighbors. School is where this education can begin. Teachers can explicitly and implicitly guide students to socially beneficial behaviors and educate them well enough to establish a viable future career.
However, I would argue that focusing on the individual will accomplish the goals detailed above but also be mentally healthier. Students who are taught to share, work well in teams, and develop their talents will contribute to society as a byproduct of pursuing their own seemingly selfish interests. Moreover, there may be times when the focus on society will come at the cost of the mental health of individuals. For instance, students who are taught to withhold their personal viewpoints in school, as is common in many authoritarian nations, may harbor resentment and not feel they can fully express themselves in a free environment. Psychological research has shown that the key to healthy growth is feeling safe to express oneself without fear of reprisals and repercussions.
In conclusion, although there is a valid argument in favor of social stability, schools should aim to produce healthy, industrious individuals. Naturally, these goals are not mutually exclusive and the overlap should be emphasized.
Analysis
1. Many are of the opinion that the primary role of schools is to create good citizens, instead of simply working towards individual betterment. 2. In my opinion, schools should aim to elevate the individual, not impose conformity.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those is favor of this statement argue the value of a well-functioning society. 2. As the world develops and there are advances in medicine, safety, working conditions, and so on it is easy to forget that this level of comfort requires sacrifices for the common good. 3. Individuals must work at companies to stimulate the economy and the public must have a basic sense of community in order to live peaceably with one’s neighbors. 4. School is where this education can begin. 5. Teachers can explicitly and implicitly guide students to socially beneficial behaviors and educate them well enough to establish a viable future career.
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.
Vary long and short sentences.
1. However, I would argue that focusing on the individual will accomplish the goals detailed above but also be mentally healthier. 2. Students who are taught to share, work well in teams, and develop their talents will contribute to society as a byproduct of pursuing their own seemingly selfish interests. 3. Moreover, there may be times when the focus on society will come at the cost of the mental health of individuals. 4. For instance, students who are taught to withhold their personal viewpoints in school, as is common in many authoritarian nations, may harbor resentment and not feel they can fully express themselves in a free environment. 5. Psychological research has shown that the key to healthy growth is feeling safe to express oneself without fear of reprisals and repercussions.
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, although there is a valid argument in favor of social stability, schools should aim to produce healthy, industrious individuals. 2. Naturally, these goals are not mutually exclusive and the overlap should be emphasized.
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 are of the opinion that the primary role of schools is to create good citizens, instead of simply working towardsindividual betterment. In my opinion, schools should aim to elevate the individual, not impose conformity.
Those is favor of this statement argue the value of a well-functioning society. As the world develops and there are advancesin medicine, safety, working conditions, and so on it is easy to forget that this level of comfort requires sacrifices for the common good. Individuals must work at companies to stimulate the economy and the public must have a basic sense of community in order to live peaceably with one’s neighbors. School is where this education can begin. Teachers can explicitly and implicitly guide students to socially beneficial behaviors and educate them well enough to establish a viable future career.
However, I would argue that focusing on the individual will accomplish the goalsdetailed above but also be mentally healthier. Students who are taught to share, work well in teams, and develop their talents will contribute to society as a byproduct of pursuing their own seemingly selfish interests. Moreover, there may be times when the focus on society will come at the cost of the mental health of individuals. For instance, students who are taught to withhold their personal viewpoints in school, as is common in many authoritarian nations, may harbor resentment and not feel they can fully express themselves in a free environment. Psychological research has shown that the key to healthy growth is feeling safe to express oneself without fear of reprisals and repercussions.
In conclusion, although there is a valid argument in favor of social stability, schools should aim to produce healthy, industrious individuals. Naturally, these goals are not mutually exclusive and the overlap should be emphasized.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
Many are of the opinion that some think
primary role main responsibility
good citizens productive members of society
instead of rather than
working towardsindividual betterment making one’s own life better
aim goal
elevate raise
individual one person
impose conformity make everyone the same, fit in
Those is favor of this statement argue supporters say
value importance
well-functioning society healthy public
advancesin developments in
medicine hospitals and doctors, etc.
working conditions labor and how safe it is to work
easy to forget many don’t remember
level of comfort how convenient it is
requires needs
sacrifices having to give up on
common good for the good of all
stimulate the economy help people make money
basic sense of community fundamental feeling of togetherness
in order to so that
peaceably in a peaceful way
explicitly overtly
implicitly guide not overtly show
socially beneficial behaviors good for all
establish create
viable future career good future profession
however yet
focusing emphasizing
accomplish finish
goalsdetailed above aims mentioned before
mentally healthier not stressed, feeling good
talents abilities
contribute add to
byproduct result of
pursuing following
seemingly selfish interests appears to be just for them
focus on care about
come at the cost of at the expense of
withhold keep back
personal viewpoints individual opinions
as is common in like where this happens a lot
authoritarian nations countries with strong governments
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:
M__________________________t the p_____________e of schools is to create g________________s, i_____________f simply wo____________________________________t. In my opinion, schools should a___m to e_________e the i____________l, not i_____________y.
T_____________________________e the v_______e of a w____________________y. As the world develops and there are a________________________e, safety, w______________________s, and so on it is e_________________t that this l________________t r______________________s for the c__________________d. Individuals must work at companies to s________________y and the public must have a b_____________f c____________y i__________o live p________y with one’s neighbors. School is where this education can begin. Teachers can e___________y and i___________y g______e students to s______________________s and educate them well enough to e___________h a v___________________r.
H________r, I would argue that f_______g on the individual will a__________h the g________________e but also be m_________________r. Students who are taught to share, work well in teams, and develop their t_______s will c___________e to society as a b_____________t of p____________g their own s_________________________s. Moreover, there may be times when the f__________n society will c________________f the mental health of individuals. For instance, students who are taught to w____________d their p___________________s in school, a_________________n many a____________________s, may h_________________t and not feel they can f_______________s themselves in a f________________t. P____________________h has shown that the k___y to healthy growth is f______________________________f w_______________f r___________________________s.
In conclusion, although there is a v_________________t i________________f s___________________y, schools should aim to produce healthy, i_____________s individuals. N____________y, these goals are n____________________e and the o________p should be e_____________d.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
Some people believe the purpose of education should be helping the individual to become useful for society, while others believe it should help individuals to achieve their ambitions.
"The highest quality materials anywhere on the internet! Dave improved my writing and vocabulary so much. Really affordable options you don't want to miss out on!"
