This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of a line graph showing proportions of residents living in Australia from different countries from the real IELTS exam.
This answer is only available as an Ebook on my Patreon.
Here is the chart:
The charts below give information about the amount of time children spend with their parents.
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether or not CEOs and executives should receive more pay than average workers from the real IELTS exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!
Dave
Large companies should pay higher salaries to CEOs and executives compared to other workers.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many believe that executives at major companies are overpaid. In my opinion, this disconcerting wage gap is justified as there are few individuals capable of fulfilling the role responsibilities.
Critics of higher salaries for executives point out the unwarranted gap between them and other employees. For example, the average office worker or a cleaner works a similar amount of hours and, in some cases, the demanding nature of their job is arguably more strenuous. Nonetheless, CEOs and other executives get paid in the tens of millions of dollars annually, and this occurs even if the company reports disappointing results or in periods of economic downturn, such as the recent global recession. Their salaries are so many times higher it is impossible to rationalise the disparity by emphasising the hours worked alone. Therefore it is logical to decry the salaries of executives and identify corruption as a culprit.
However, in my opinion, the outsized salaries for executives are justified by supply and demand. It is an uncomfortable fact but true regardless that there is a large pool of potential applicants who would make serviceable replacements for the lowly paid positions. This is not true for executives generally and CEOs more specifically. A CEO must have a strong theoretical background (often based on attending an Ivy League institution), years of proven experience, tireless work ethic, uncommon leadership qualities, and exemplary understanding and insight into global economics. These abilities and characteristics are rare and , therefore, companies must compete to hire them by offering the greatest remuneration packages.
In conclusion, though the salaries for executives appear extravagant, they are the result of a logical calculation of supply and demand. There are more important reforms needed within the free market capitalist model.
1. Many believe that executives at major companies are overpaid. 2. In my opinion, this disconcerting wage gap is justified as there are few individuals capable of fulfilling the role responsibilities.
1. Critics of higher salaries for executives point out the unwarranted gap between them and other employees. 2. For example, the average office worker or a cleaner works a similar amount of hours and, in some cases, the demanding nature of their job is arguably more strenuous. 3. Nonetheless, CEOs and other executives get paid in the tens of millions of dollars annually, and this occurs even if the company reports disappointing results or in periods of economic downturn, such as the recent global recession. 4. Their salaries are so many times higher it is impossible to rationalise the disparity by emphasising the hours worked alone. 5. Therefore it is logical to decry the salaries of executives and identify corruption as a culprit.
1. However, in my opinion, the outsized salaries for executives are justified by supply and demand. 2. It is an uncomfortable fact but true regardless that there is a large pool of potential applicants who would make serviceable replacements for the lowly paid positions. 3. This is not true for executives generally and CEOs more specifically. 4. A CEO must have a strong theoretical background (often based on attending an Ivy League institution), years of proven experience, tireless work ethic, uncommon leadership qualities, and exemplary understanding and insight into global economics. 5. These abilities and characteristics are rare and , therefore, companies must compete to hire them by offering the greatest remuneration packages.
1. In conclusion, though the salaries for executives appear extravagant, they are the result of a logical calculation of supply and demand. 2. There are more important reforms needed within the free market capitalist model.
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Many believe that executives at major companies are overpaid. In my opinion, this disconcerting wage gap is justified as there are few individuals capable of fulfilling the role responsibilities.
Critics of higher salaries for executives point out the unwarranted gap between them and other employees. For example, the average office worker or a cleaner works a similar amount of hours and, in some cases, the demanding nature of their job is arguably more strenuous. Nonetheless, CEOs and other executives get paid in the tens of millions of dollars annually, and this occurs even if the company reports disappointing results or in periods of economic downturn, such as the recent global recession. Their salaries are so many times higher it is impossible to rationalise the disparity by emphasising the hours worked alone. Therefore it is logical to decry the salaries of executives and identify corruption as a culprit.
However, in my opinion, the outsized salaries for executives are justified by supply and demand. It is an uncomfortable fact but true regardless that there is a large pool of potential applicants who would make serviceable replacements for the lowly paid positions. This is not true for executives generally and CEOs more specifically. A CEO must have a strong theoretical background (often based on attending an Ivy League institution), years of proven experience, tireless work ethic, uncommon leadership qualities, and exemplary understanding and insight into global economics. These abilities and characteristics are rare and , therefore, companies must compete to hire them by offering the greatest remuneration packages.
In conclusion, though the salaries for executives appear extravagant, they are the result of a logical calculation of supply and demand. There are more important reforms needed within the free market capitalist model.
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
executives the highest ranking people at a company
overpaid get too much money
disconcerting wage gap worrying difference in salaries
justified reasonable
fulfilling rewarding
role responsibilities what the job requires
critics those who are against it
point out argue
unwarranted gap unjustified difference
average normal
similar amount almost the same
in some cases occasionally
demanding nature how difficult it is
arguably it can be argued
strenuous difficult
nonetheless regardless
CEOs chief executive officer – head of the company
tens of millions of dollars annually every year $20,000,000+
occurs happens
reports disappointing results company revenue/profit is down
periods of economic downturn times when the economy is bad
recent global recession around the world economies doing badly
rationalise justify
disparity difference
emphasising focusing on
logical makes sense
decry are against
identify corruption find that cheating
culprit person to blame
outsized too big
supply and demand how much of something and how much it is wanted
uncomfortable fact unpleasant reality
regardless nonetheless
large pool lots of people
potential applicants possible employees
serviceable replacements good people who can take their place
lowly paid positions not well-paid
generally overall
more specifically more exactly
strong theoretical background good schooling
based on attending because they went to
Ivy League institution Harvard, Yale, etc.
proven experience years of work that show their ability
tireless work ethic work really hard
uncommon leadership qualities rare ability to lead
exemplary understanding excellent knowledge of
insight into ideas about
global economics the world economy at large
characteristics traits
compete fight each other for
offering the greatest remuneration packages pay the most
appear extravagant seem too big
logical calculation rational decision
reforms changes
free market capitalist model the economic system of most countries involving private companies and a consumer economy
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ɪgˈzɛkjʊtɪvz
ˌəʊvəˈpeɪd
ˌdɪskənˈsɜːtɪŋ weɪʤ gæp
ˈʤʌstɪfaɪd
fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ
rəʊl rɪsˌpɒnsəˈbɪlɪtiz
ˈkrɪtɪks
pɔɪnt aʊt
ʌnˈwɒrəntɪd gæp
ˈævərɪʤ
ˈsɪmɪlər əˈmaʊnt
ɪn sʌm ˈkeɪsɪz
dɪˈmɑːndɪŋ ˈneɪʧə
ˈɑːgjʊəbli
ˈstrɛnjʊəs
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
siː-iː-əʊz
tɛnz ɒv ˈmɪljənz ɒv ˈdɒləz ˈænjʊəli
əˈkɜːz
rɪˈpɔːts ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ rɪˈzʌlts
ˈpɪərɪədz ɒv ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈdaʊntɜːn
ˈriːsnt ˈgləʊbəl rɪˈsɛʃən
ˈræʃnəlaɪz
dɪsˈpærɪti
ˈɛmfəsaɪzɪŋ
ˈlɒʤɪkəl
dɪˈkraɪ
aɪˈdɛntɪfaɪ kəˈrʌpʃən
ˈkʌlprɪt
ˈaʊtsaɪzd
səˈplaɪ ænd dɪˈmɑːnd
ʌnˈkʌmfətəbl fækt
rɪˈgɑːdlɪs
lɑːʤ puːl
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˈæplɪkənts
ˈsɜːvɪsəbl rɪˈpleɪsmənts
ˈləʊli peɪd pəˈzɪʃənz
ˈʤɛnərəli
mɔː spəˈsɪfɪk(ə)li
strɒŋ θɪəˈrɛtɪkəl ˈbækgraʊnd
beɪst ɒn əˈtɛndɪŋ
ˈaɪvi liːg ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃən
ˈpruːvən ɪksˈpɪərɪəns
ˈtaɪəlɪs wɜːk ˈɛθɪk
ʌnˈkɒmən ˈliːdəʃɪp ˈkwɒlɪtiz
ɪgˈzɛmpləri ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ
ˈɪnsaɪt ˈɪntuː
ˈgləʊbəl ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪks
ˌkærɪktəˈrɪstɪks
kəmˈpiːt
ˈɒfərɪŋ ðə ˈgreɪtɪst rɪˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃən ˈpækɪʤɪz
əˈpɪər ɪksˈtrævɪgənt
ˈlɒʤɪkəl ˌkælkjʊˈleɪʃən
ˌriːˈfɔːmz
friː ˈmɑːkɪt ˈkæpɪtəlɪst ˈmɒdl
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 believe that e____________s at major companies are o__________d. In my opinion, this d_____________________p is j__________d as there are few individuals capable of f______________g the r_____________________s.
C________s of higher salaries for executives p__________t the u______________________p between them and other employees. For example, the average office worker or a cleaner works a s_________________t of hours and, i________________s, the d__________________e of their job is a__________y more s____________s. N______________s, C_____s and other executives get paid in the t______________________________y, and this o_______s even if the company r______________________________s or in p_______________________n, such as the r________________________n. Their salaries are so many times higher it is impossible to r________________e the d_____________y by e__________________g the hours worked alone. Therefore it is l___________l to d_______y the salaries of executives and i___________________n as a c________t.
However, in my opinion, the o_________d salaries for executives are justified by s_____________________d. It is an u__________________t but true r____________s that there is a l____________l of p____________________s who would make s_________________________s for the l___________________s. This is not true for executives g____________y and CEOs m__________________y. A CEO must have a s__________________________d (often b___________n a___________g an I____________________n), years of p__________________e, t_____________________c, u_______________________s, and e______________________g and i_____________o g_________________s. These abilities and c__________________s are rare and , therefore, companies must c__________e to hire them by o___________________________________________s.
In conclusion, though the salaries for executives a_____________________t, they are the result of a l__________________n of supply and demand. There are more important r__________s needed within the f____________________________l.
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Some feel executives in large companies should receive high salaries while others think they are paid too much compared to ordinary workers.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of it being harder to study at school from the real IELTS general training exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks! (You can also sign up for live, personal lessons with me there.)
Dave
Many students find it is harder to study at university or college compared to when they were in grade school.
Why is this?
What are some possible solutions for this problem?
Many university students find concentrating on their new academic life considerably more challenging than past schooling. In my opinion, this is typically due to the altered structure of university teaching and the best solutions are to prepare and support students in the transition.
The primary cause of a lack of concentration at university is adjustment to novel ways of learning. In high school or secondary school, students fall into a set pattern of daily classes and homework assignments. This changes greatly depending on the pedagogical techniques of the university in question. Most university courses will only meet once or twice a week and the workload outside the classroom is larger and may include writing long essays and reading entire books. Students must therefore have the self-discipline to work mostly on their own and then be prepared for more rigorous discussion than they are used to with professors and other students.
The solutions to the problem mentioned above involve the activity of high schools and universities. For high school students who will be moving on to higher education, it is important that there are courses offered that roughly simulate the rigor of university. An example of this would be the AP courses on offer at most American high schools. Additionally, university professors play a key role, particularly freshman year. Professors must be patient but also strict in ensuring students understand their responsibilities. This could entail simple awareness raising related to how to manage their time effectively or clear illustrations of the standards required for academic comprehension and output in university.
In conclusion, though it is challenging for students to adapt to new styles of teaching and learning, they can be aided by empathetic teachers. The new environment will always be an obstacle and part of the importance of university is learning independently to overcome it.
1. Many university students find concentrating on their new academic life considerably more challenging than past schooling. 2. In my opinion, this is typically due to the altered structure of university teaching and the best solutions are to prepare and support students in the transition.
1. The primary cause of a lack of concentration at university is adjustment to novel ways of learning. 2. In high school or secondary school, students fall into a set pattern of daily classes and homework assignments. 3. This changes greatly depending on the pedagogical techniques of the university in question. 4. Most university courses will only meet once or twice a week and the workload outside the classroom is larger and may include writing long essays and reading entire books. 5. Students must therefore have the self-discipline to work mostly on their own and then be prepared for more rigorous discussion than they are used to with professors and other students.
1. The solutions to the problem mentioned above involve the activity of high schools and universities. 2. For high school students who will be moving on to higher education, it is important that there are courses offered that roughly simulate the rigor of university. 3. An example of this would be the AP courses on offer at most American high schools. 4. Additionally, university professors play a key role, particularly freshman year. 5. Professors must be patient but also strict in ensuring students understand their responsibilities. 6. This could entail simple awareness raising related to how to manage their time effectively or clear illustrations of the standards required for academic comprehension and output in university.
1. In conclusion, though it is challenging for students to adapt to new styles of teaching and learning, they can be aided by empathetic teachers. 2. The new environment will always be an obstacle and part of the importance of university is learning independently to overcome it.
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Many university students find concentrating on their new academic life considerably more challenging than past schooling. In my opinion, this is typically due to the altered structure of university teaching and the best solutions are to prepare and support students in the transition.
The primary cause of a lack of concentration at university is adjustment to novel ways of learning. In high school or secondary school, students fall into a set pattern of daily classes and homework assignments. This changes greatly depending on the pedagogical techniques of the university in question. Most university courses will only meet once or twice a week and the workload outside the classroom is larger and may include writing long essays and reading entire books. Students must therefore have the self-discipline to work mostly on their own and then be prepared for more rigorous discussion than they are used to with professors and other students.
The solutions to the problem mentioned above involve the activity of high schools and universities. For high school students who will be moving on to higher education, it is important that there are courses offered that roughly simulate the rigor of university. An example of this would be the AP courses on offer at most American high schools. Additionally, university professors play a key role, particularly freshman year. Professors must be patient but also strict in ensuring students understand their responsibilities. This could entail simple awareness raising related to how to manage their time effectively or clear illustrations of the standards required for academic comprehension and output in university.
In conclusion, though it is challenging for students to adapt to new styles of teaching and learning, they can be aided by empathetic teachers. The new environment will always be an obstacle and part of the importance of university is learning independently to overcome it.
For extra practice, write down an antonym (opposite word) for each of the new words below:
concentrating focusing
new academic life university
considerably greatly
challenging difficult
past schooling high school, primary, secondary school
typically normally
due to because of
altered structure different way
prepare get ready
support help
transition change
primary cause main reason
lack of concentration can’t focus
adjustment change
novel ways new methods
fall into a set pattern become set in their ways
greatly depending on a lot in the case where
pedagogical techniques ways of teaching
in question relevant now
meet once or twice a week have class a couple times in a week
workload outside the classroom work to do at home
therefore thus
self-discipline willpower
rigorous difficult
used to acclimated to
involve has to do woth
moving on going to
higher education university
roughly simulate approximate
rigor difficulty
AP courses honors classes
on offer available
additionally also
play a key role have an important part
particularly especially
freshman year first year of university
patient not in a rush
strict severe
ensuring making sure
entail consists of
awareness raising informing about
manage their time effectively not wasting time
clear illustrations good orders
standards required what they must do
academic comprehension understanding the class
output what they produce
adapt deal with
aided helped
empathetic caring, understanding
obstacle hurdle
part of the importance of one key element of
independently on their own
overcome beat, triumph over
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈkɒnsəntreɪtɪŋ
njuː ˌækəˈdɛmɪk laɪf
kənˈsɪdərəbli
ˈʧælɪnʤɪŋ
pɑːst ˈskuːlɪŋ
ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li
djuː tuː
ˈɔːltəd ˈstrʌkʧə
prɪˈpeə
səˈpɔːt
trænˈzɪʃ(ə)n
ˈpraɪməri kɔːz
læk ɒv ˌkɒnsənˈtreɪʃən
əˈʤʌstmənt
ˈnɒvəl weɪz
fɔːl ˈɪntuː ə sɛt ˈpætən
ˈgreɪtli dɪˈpɛndɪŋ ɒn
ˌpɛdəˈgɒʤɪkəl tɛkˈniːks
ɪn ˈkwɛsʧən
miːt wʌns ɔː twaɪs ə wiːk
ˈwɜːkˌləʊd ˌaʊtˈsaɪd ðə ˈklɑːsrʊm
ˈðeəfɔː
sɛlf-ˈdɪsɪplɪn
ˈrɪgərəs
juːzd tuː
ɪnˈvɒlv
ˈmuːvɪŋ ɒn
ˈhaɪər ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃən
ˈrʌfli ˈsɪmjʊleɪt
ˈrɪgə
eɪ-piː ˈkɔːsɪz
ɒn ˈɒfə
əˈdɪʃənli
pleɪ ə kiː rəʊl
pəˈtɪkjʊləli
ˈfrɛʃmən jɪə
ˈpeɪʃənt
strɪkt
ɪnˈʃʊərɪŋ
ɪnˈteɪl
əˈweənəs ˈreɪzɪŋ
ˈmænɪʤ ðeə taɪm ɪˈfɛktɪvli
klɪər ˌɪləsˈtreɪʃənz
ˈstændədz rɪˈkwaɪəd
ˌækəˈdɛmɪk ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnʃən
ˈaʊtpʊt
əˈdæpt
ˈeɪdɪd
ˈɛmpəθetik
ˈɒbstəkl
pɑːt ɒv ði ɪmˈpɔːtəns ɒv
ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəntli
ˌəʊvəˈkʌm
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 university students find c______________g on their n_________________e c______________y more c_________________g than p_____________g. In my opinion, this is t______________y d________o the a_________________e of university teaching and the best solutions are to p__________e and s____________t students in the t____________n.
The p________________e of a l_____________________n at university is a____________t to n____________s of learning. In high school or secondary school, students f______________________n of daily classes and homework assignments. This changes g__________y d________________n the p_______________________s of the university i______________n. Most university courses will only m__________________________k and the w_________________________________m is larger and may include writing long essays and reading entire books. Students must t____________e have the s___________________e to work mostly on their own and then be prepared for more r____________s discussion than they are u________o with professors and other students.
The solutions to the problem mentioned above i__________e the activity of high schools and universities. For high school students who will be m______________n to h___________________n, it is important that there are courses offered that r_______________e the r______r of university. An example of this would be the A___________s o____________r at most American high schools. A________________y, university professors p________________e, p______________y f________________r. Professors must be p_________t but also s_________t in e__________g students understand their responsibilities. This could e________l simple a_____________________g related to how to m___________________________y or c__________________s of the s______________________d for a________________________n and o__________t in university.
In conclusion, though it is challenging for students to a_______t to new styles of teaching and learning, they can be a_________d by e______________c teachers. The new environment will always be an o_________e and p_______________________f university is learning i________________y to o___________e it.
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p60rN9JEapg
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Some claim that studying abroad has great benefits for a student’s home country.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of developed countries and happiness from the real IELTS exam.
A really tough topic – don’t try to come up with the most amazing ideas ever for it. Focus on a good, reasonable idea fully developed because the topic is so broad and difficult!
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!
Dave
In recent times, economic growth has helped many become richer, both in developed and developing countries. However, those in developed countries are not as happy as they were in the past.
Why is this?
What can be learned from this?
As global wealth increases, there has been a surprising decrease in reported levels of happiness in developed nations. In my opinion, this is due to lifestyle changes and it teaches that money is merely a baseline requirement for happiness.
The main reason individuals in wealthy nations are less happy today relates to how people live. In the past, people had fewer free time options and this led to more time being outside and socializing. Modern lifestyles are predicated around isolation. For example, the average worker or student after a long day is likely to spend at least a few hours watching movies on Netflix, messaging friends, checking social media, and listening to music. These 21st century habits would seemingly elevate happiness levels but they are in fact a passive means of achieving low levels of contentment and pleasure. In the aggregate, this minimum threshold of commitment pales in comparison to more substantial activities.
The lesson from this development is that wealth is only the foundation of happiness. Many would claim that money has no relationship to happiness, however, this is naive since families living in poverty must obsess over simple matters such as shelter and sustenance. Money only serves to guarantee basic necessities and happiness is an active byproduct of action. This can be seen most clearly in nations that score high on happiness surveys such as in Northern Europe and Japan. Individuals in these countries tend to have more focused lives and feel they are part of a community and culture that requires active engagement. These societies prioritise involvement with others and community responsibility and shun the insular hobbies that have led to dissatisfaction in other developed nations.
In conclusion, lower levels of happiness are due to modern ways of living and this illustrates the relative importance of wealth. Happiness itself should not be an aim but rather a result of pursuing worthier life goals.
1. As global wealth increases, there has been a surprising decrease in reported levels of happiness in developed nations. 2. In my opinion, this is due to lifestyle changes and it teaches that money is merely a baseline requirement for happiness.
1. The main reason individuals in wealthy nations are less happy today relates to how people live. 2. In the past, people had fewer free time options and this led to more time being outside and socializing. 3. Modern lifestyles are predicated around isolation. 4. For example, the average worker or student after a long day is likely to spend at least a few hours watching movies on Netflix, messaging friends, checking social media, and listening to music. 5. These 21st century habits would seemingly elevate happiness levels but they are in fact a passive means of achieving low levels of contentment and pleasure. 6. In the aggregate, this minimum threshold of commitment pales in comparison to more substantial activities.
1. The lesson from this development is that wealth is only the foundation of happiness. 2. Many would claim that money has no relationship to happiness, however, this is naive since families living in poverty must obsess over simple matters such as shelter and sustenance. 3. Money only serves to guarantee basic necessities and happiness is an active byproduct of action. 4. This can be seen most clearly in nations that score high on happiness surveys such as in Northern Europe and Japan. 5. Individuals in these countries tend to have more focused lives and feel they are part of a community and culture that requires active engagement. 6. These societies prioritise involvement with others and community responsibility and shun the insular hobbies that have led to dissatisfaction in other developed nations.
1. In conclusion, lower levels of happiness are due to modern ways of living and this illustrates the relative importance of wealth. 2. Happiness itself should not be an aim but rather a result of pursuing worthier life goals.
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
As global wealth increases, there has been a surprising decrease in reported levels of happiness in developed nations. In my opinion, this is due to lifestyle changes and it teaches that money is merely a baseline requirement for happiness.
The main reason individuals in wealthy nations are less happy today relates to how people live. In the past, people had fewer free time options and this led to more time being outside and socializing. Modern lifestyles are predicated around isolation. For example, the average worker or student after a long day is likely to spend at least a few hours watching movies on Netflix, messaging friends, checking social media, and listening to music. These 21st century habits would seemingly elevate happiness levels but they are in fact a passive means of achieving low levels of contentment and pleasure. In the aggregate, this minimum threshold of commitment pales in comparison to more substantial activities.
The lesson from this development is that wealth is only the foundation of happiness. Many would claim that money has no relationship to happiness, however, this is naive since families living in poverty must obsess over simple matters such as shelter and sustenance. Money only serves to guarantee basic necessities and happiness is an active byproduct of action. This can be seen most clearly in nations that score high on happiness surveys such as in Northern Europe and Japan. Individuals in these countries tend to have more focused lives and feel they are part of a community and culture that requires active engagement. These societies prioritise involvement with others and community responsibility and shun the insular hobbies that have led to dissatisfaction in other developed nations.
In conclusion, lower levels of happiness are due to modern ways of living and this illustrates the relative importance of wealth. Happiness itself should not be an aim but rather a result of pursuing worthier life goals.
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
global wealth amount of money in the world
surprising decrease shocking fall
reported levels the amount people say
developed nations rich countries
lifestyle changes different ways of living
merely only
baseline requirement minimum needed
relates to has to do with
fewer free time options not as many choices for hobbies
socializing talking to people
predicated based on
isolation being alone
average worker normal employee
long day whole day at work/school
at least at the minimum
checking social media looking at Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
21st century habits new pastimes in the 2000s
seemingly elevate ostensibly make better
in fact actually
passive means not an active way
achieving accomplishing
contentment satisfaction
pleasure happiness
in the aggregate all combined
minimum threshold the least required
commitment duty
pales in comparison is weaker than
substantial meaningful
foundation basis
claim argue
naive innocent, unrealistic
poverty poor
obsess fixate on
simple matters ordinary issues
shelter home
sustenance food
serves to works to
guarantee ensure
basic necessities minimum to live
active byproduct result of
This can be seen most clearly in a good example of this is
score high get good marks
surveys reports
Northern Europe Finland, Denmark, Sweden, etc.
focused lives purposeful lives
community neighborhood
culture traditions and people around you
requires active engagement needs actual input
prioritise consider more important
involvement with others interpersonal relationships
community responsibility duty to those around you
shun ignore
insular hobbies isolated pastimes
dissatisfaction not feeling content, satisfied
relative importance of wealth how important money is compared to other factors
aim goal
pursuing worthier life goals going after more important aims in life
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈgləʊbəl wɛlθ
səˈpraɪzɪŋ ˈdiːkriːs
rɪˈpɔːtɪd ˈlɛvlz
dɪˈvɛləpt ˈneɪʃənz
ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl ˈʧeɪnʤɪz
ˈmɪəli
ˈbeɪslaɪn rɪˈkwaɪəmənt
rɪˈleɪts tuː
ˈfjuːə friː taɪm ˈɒpʃənz
ˈsəʊʃəlaɪzɪŋ
ˈprɛdɪkeɪtɪd
ˌaɪsəʊˈleɪʃən
ˈævərɪʤ ˈwɜːkə
lɒŋ deɪ
æt liːst
ˈʧɛkɪŋ ˈsəʊʃəl ˈmiːdiə
ˈtwɛnti fɜːst ˈsɛnʧʊri ˈhæbɪts
ˈsiːmɪŋli ˈɛlɪveɪt
ɪn fækt
ˈpæsɪv miːnz
əˈʧiːvɪŋ
kənˈtɛntmənt
ˈplɛʒə
ɪn ði ˈægrɪgɪt
ˈmɪnɪməm ˈθrɛʃˌhəʊld
kəˈmɪtmənt
peɪlz ɪn kəmˈpærɪsn
səbˈstænʃəl
faʊnˈdeɪʃən
kleɪm
nɑːˈiːv
ˈpɒvəti
əbˈsɛs
ˈsɪmpl ˈmætəz
ˈʃɛltə
ˈsʌstɪnəns
sɜːvz tuː
ˌgærənˈtiː
ˈbeɪsɪk nɪˈsɛsɪtiz
ˈæktɪv ˈbaɪˌprɒdʌkt
ðɪs kæn biː siːn məʊst ˈklɪəli ɪn
skɔː haɪ
ˈsɜːveɪz
ˈnɔːðən ˈjʊərəp
ˈfəʊkəst lɪvz
kəˈmjuːnɪti
ˈkʌlʧə
rɪˈkwaɪəz ˈæktɪv ɪnˈgeɪʤmənt
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz
ɪnˈvɒlvmənt wɪð ˈʌðəz
kəˈmjuːnɪti rɪsˌpɒnsəˈbɪlɪti
ʃʌn
ˈɪnsjʊlə ˈhɒbiz
dɪsˌsætɪsˈfækʃən
ˈrɛlətɪv ɪmˈpɔːtəns ɒv wɛlθ
eɪm
pəˈsjuːɪŋ ˈwɜːðɪə laɪf gəʊlz
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:
As g_______________h increases, there has been a s__________________e in r________________s of happiness in d________________s. In my opinion, this is due to l________________s and it teaches that money is m______y a b________________________t for happiness.
The main reason individuals in wealthy nations are less happy today r____________o how people live. In the past, people had f_________________________s and this led to more time being outside and s________________g. Modern lifestyles are p_____________d around i__________n. For example, the a_________________r or student after a l_____________y is likely to spend a________t a few hours watching movies on Netflix, messaging friends, c___________________a, and listening to music. These 2_________________s would s________________e happiness levels but they are i_______t a p_____________s of a_______________g low levels of c________________t and p___________e. I____________________e, this m_____________________d of c______________t p________________n to more s______________l activities.
The lesson from this development is that wealth is only the f___________n of happiness. Many would c______m that money has no relationship to happiness, however, this is n______e since families living in p________y must o________s over s_________________s such as s_________r and s_____________e. Money only s____________o g____________e b__________________s and happiness is an a__________________t of action. T________________________n nations that s_________h on happiness s________s such as in N_____________________e and Japan. Individuals in these countries tend to have more focused lives and feel they are part of a c______________y and c_________e that r______________________________t. These societies p____________________________s and c_________________________y and s_____n the i____________________s that have led to d_________________n in other developed nations.
In conclusion, lower levels of happiness are due to modern ways of living and this illustrates the r_________________________h. Happiness itself should not be an a____m but rather a result of p___________________________s.
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.vox.com/first-person/2016/10/4/13093380/happiness-america-ruth-whippman
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of the process of how cocoa beans and liquid chocolate is produced.
Please consider supporting my efforts to creative high quality IELTS materials for students around the world by signing up for my Patreon (and so you won’t miss out on any of my exclusive IELTS Ebooks)!
Dave
The process diagram details the steps by which liquid chocolcate is produced from cocoa beans.
The process illustrated above details how cocoa beans are harvested in order to produce liquid chocolate. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this combination of a man-made and natural process involves 3 main stages beginning with the collection and initial treatment of the beans followed by transportation and final processing in a factory.
The cacao tree is grown in South America, Africa and Indonesia and the pods are ripe for harvest when they turn red. The pods are then split open and the white cocoa beans are fermented under leaves before being left in the sun to dry. Subsequently, they are placed in large sacks and sent by either train or truck to factories for further preparations.
In the factory, the beans are roasted at 350 °C prior to being crushed in a grinder so that the outer shell can be separated out. The final step involves taking the inner part of the bean from the last step and pressing it into liquid chocolate.
1. The process illustrated above details how cocoa beans are harvested in order to produce liquid chocolate. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this combination of a man-made and natural process involves 3 main stages beginning with the collection and initial treatment of the beans followed by transportation and final processing in a factory.
1. The cacao tree is grown in South America, Africa and Indonesia and the pods are ripe for harvest when they turn red. 2. The pods are then split open and the white cocoa beans are fermented under leaves before being left in the sun to dry. 3. Subsequently, they are placed in large sacks and sent by either train or truck to factories for further preparations.
1. In the factory, the beans are roasted at 350 °C prior to being crushed in a grinder so that the outer shell can be separated out. 2. The final step involves taking the inner part of the bean from the last step and pressing it into liquid chocolate.
What do the words in bold below mean? Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:
The process illustrated above details how cocoa beans are harvested in order to produce liquid chocolate. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that this combination of a man-made and natural process involves 3 main stages beginning with the collection and initial treatment of the beans followed by transportation and final processing in a factory.
The cacao tree is grown in South America, Africa and Indonesia and the pods are ripe for harvest when they turn red. The pods are then split open and the white cocoa beans are fermented under leaves before being left in the sun to dry. Subsequently, they are placed in large sacks and sent by either train or truck to factories for further preparations.
In the factory, the beans are roasted at 350 °C prior to being crushed in a grinder so that the outer shell can be separated out. The final step involves taking the inner part of the bean from the last step and pressing it into liquid chocolate.
illustrated above describe in the picture
details shows
harvested picked
in order to so that
produce make
liquid chocolate chococalte in liquid form
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
combination both together
man-made done by people
natural process done by nature
involves has to do with
main stages big steps
beginning with starting with
collection putting together
initial treatment first state of dealing with them
followed by after that
final processing last stage
factory place to make the chocolate, plant
cacao tree where chocolate pods are grown
pods containers
ripe ready
harvest picked
turn become
split open cut open
fermented left to age
leaves from a tree
left in the sun to dry allowed to become dry in the heat
subsequently after that
placed put in
large sacks big bags
sent given to
further preparations additional steps
roasted cooked in an oven
prior to before
crushed grinded
grinder crusher
outer shell part around the bean
separated out kept apart
pressing pushing together
Practice saying the words below using this tip with Google voice dictation:
ˈɪləstreɪtɪd əˈbʌv
ˈdiːteɪlz
ˈhɑːvɪstɪd
ɪn ˈɔːdə tuː
ˈprɒdjuːs
ˈlɪkwɪd ˈʧɒkəlɪt
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt
ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən
ˈmænˈmeɪd
ˈnæʧrəl ˈprəʊsɛs
ɪnˈvɒlvz
meɪn ˈsteɪʤɪz
bɪˈgɪnɪŋ wɪð
kəˈlɛkʃən
ɪˈnɪʃəl ˈtriːtmənt
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ
ˈfaɪnl ˈprəʊsɛsɪŋ
ˈfæktəri
kəˈkɑːəʊ triː
pɒdz
raɪp
ˈhɑːvɪst
tɜːn
splɪt ˈəʊpən
fə(ː)ˈmɛntɪd
liːvz
lɛft ɪn ðə sʌn tuː draɪ
ˈsʌbsɪkwəntli
pleɪst
lɑːʤ sæks
sɛnt
ˈfɜːðə ˌprɛpəˈreɪʃənz
ˈrəʊstɪd
ˈpraɪə tuː
krʌʃt
ˈgraɪndə
ˈaʊtə ʃɛl
ˈsɛpəreɪtɪd aʊt
ˈprɛsɪŋ
Remember and fill in the blanks:
The process i___________________e d__________s how cocoa beans are h__________d i_____________o p_________e l___________________e. L__________________________________________t this c_____________n of a m______________e and n_______________s i____________s 3 m_____________s b_________________h the c___________n and i__________________t of the beans f________________y transportation and f________________g in a f__________y.
The c___________e is grown in South America, Africa and Indonesia and the p___s are r___e for h_________t when they t_____n red. The pods are then s________n and the white cocoa beans are f_____________d under l________s before being l_________________________y. S______________y, they are p___________d in l________________s and s______t by either train or truck to factories for f_________________________s.
In the factory, the beans are r___________d at 350 °C p______o being c________d in a g________r so that the o_____________l can be s_______________t. The final step involves taking the inner part of the bean from the last step and p___________g it into liquid chocolate.
Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:
Read more and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/where-do-cocoa-beans-grow
Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Practice with the related process below and then check with my sample answer:
