IELTS Essay: Competition in University

by Dave | May 14, 2021 | Real Past Tests

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of the benefits and disadvantages of competition in university from the real IELTS exam.

Tricky two-part question!

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks!

Dave

IELTS Essay: Governments Helping

Competition for university study is becoming increasingly strong.

Why are universities becoming more competitive?

Is this a positive or negative development?

In recent decades, there has been a rise in competitive admission rates for universities. In my opinion, this is largely due to improving income equality and is a positive trend on the whole.

The main cause of this phenomenon is a growth in the global middle class. In developed countries, education levels have been rising steadily since the beginning of the 20th century with diminishing returns as countries reach 90% and above. Therefore, the most significant increases now come from the developing world. In particular, Asian and Middle Eastern nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and the UAE have seen dramatic growth in per capita income, enabling families to send their children to university domestically or abroad. Coupled with increased tax revenue this allows governments to fund state schools and offer scholarships and grants to less privileged segments of the population. Larger applicant pools from around the world are concomitant with increased competition.

Despite the risk that less affluent families will be left behind, fiercer competition is an overwhelming positive. When a large number of applicants compete for limited number of spots, this motivates each individual to excel. For example, a student applying to Harvard University in the 1950s was competing against a limited number of other applications and could likely rely on wealth and social status to gain acceptance. Nowadays, the acceptance rate is below 5% as students from all over the world strive for a place at Harvard. This means students must work harder to differentiate themselves by taking on more meaningful extracurriculars, receiving higher grades, and writing more insightful college essays. All this hard work in the aggregate translates to personal growth even if they must settle for a lesser university.

In conclusion, rising incomes globally are responsible for increased competitiveness for university education and this clearly benefits both individuals and society. However, it is also important that governments and families mitigate the potentially negative effects of competition.

Analysis

1. In recent decades, there has been a rise in competitive admission rates for universities. 2. In my opinion, this is largely due to improving income equality and is a positive trend on the whole.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. The main cause of this phenomenon is a growth in the global middle class. 2. In developed countries, education levels have been rising steadily since the beginning of the 20th century with diminishing returns as countries reach 90% and above. 3. Therefore, the most significant increases now come from the developing world. 4. In particular, Asian and Middle Eastern nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and the UAE have seen dramatic growth in per capita income, enabling families to send their children to university domestically or abroad. 5. Coupled with increased tax revenue this allows governments to fund state schools and offer scholarships and grants to less privileged segments of the population. 6. Larger applicant pools from around the world are concomitant with increased competition.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Stay focused on the same main idea.
6. Finish by linking it back to the main idea.

1. Despite the risk that less affluent families will be left behind, fiercer competition is an overwhelming positive. 2. When a large number of applicants compete for limited number of spots, this motivates each individual to excel. 3. For example, a student applying to Harvard University in the 1950s was competing against a limited number of other applications and could likely rely on wealth and social status to gain acceptance. 4. Nowadays, the acceptance rate is below 5% as students from all over the world strive for a place at Harvard. 5. This means students must work harder to differentiate themselves by taking on more meaningful extracurriculars, receiving higher grades, and writing more insightful college essays. 6. All this hard work in the aggregate translates to personal growth even if they must settle for a lesser university.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Continue developing it…
5. as fully as possible!
6. Any extra statement of the result will help.

1. In conclusion, rising incomes globally are responsible for increased competitiveness for university education and this clearly benefits both individuals and society. 2. However, it is also important that governments and families mitigate the potentially negative effects of competition.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. 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.

In recent decades, there has been a rise in competitive admission rates for universities. In my opinion, this is largely due to improving income equality and is a positive trend on the whole.

The main cause of this phenomenon is a growth in the global middle class. In developed countries, education levels have been rising steadily since the beginning of the 20th century with diminishing returns as countries reach 90% and above. Therefore, the most significant increases now come from the developing world. In particular, Asian and Middle Eastern nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and the UAE have seen dramatic growth in per capita income, enabling families to send their children to university domestically or abroad. Coupled with increased tax revenue this allows governments to fund state schools and offer scholarships and grants to less privileged segments of the population. Larger applicant pools from around the world are concomitant with increased competition.

Despite the risk that less affluent families will be left behind, fiercer competition is an overwhelming positive. When a large number of applicants compete for limited number of spots, this motivates each individual to excel. For example, a student applying to Harvard University in the 1950s was competing against a limited number of other applications and could likely rely on wealth and social status to gain acceptance. Nowadays, the acceptance rate is below 5% as students from all over the world strive for a place at Harvard. This means students must work harder to differentiate themselves by taking on more meaningful extracurriculars, receiving higher grades, and writing more insightful college essays. All this hard work in the aggregate translates to personal growth even if they must settle for a lesser university.

In conclusion, rising incomes globally are responsible for increased competitiveness for university education and this clearly benefits both individuals and society. However, it is also important that governments and families mitigate the potentially negative effects of competition.

Answers

recent decades the last 20 or 30 years

rise growth

competitive admission rates harder to get into

largely due to mostly because of

improving income equality people earning more money

positive trend on the whole good overall

phenomenon trend

growth increase

global middle class people around the world earning decent salaries

developed countries rich nations

education levels how much schooling someone has

steadily at regular intervals

20th century 1900-2000

diminishing returns the rates of growth slow

reach 90% and above between 90 and 100%

significant meaningful

developing world poorer parts of the world

seen dramatic growth undergone a lot of positive change

per capita income the amount earned per person

enabling allowing for

domestically in one’s country

abroad in other countries

coupled with combined with

tax revenue money people pay the government

fund state schools give money to government schools

scholarships money for academic excellence

grants money the government gives students that they don’t have to pay back

less privileged segments of the population poorer people

larger applicant pools more total people applying

are concomitant with happen at the same time as a result

despite regardless of

risk threat

less affluent families poorer families

left behind neglected

fiercer more intense

applicants people who apply

motivates encourages

excel do really well

limited contained

applications what you send to apply

rely on depend on

wealth money

social status standing in society

gain acceptance get into

acceptance rate number of people admitted

differentiate separate yourself

taking on join

meaningful extracurriculars good activities outside school

insightful meaningful, smart

in the aggregate combined

translates to means

personal growth individual progress

even if regardless of

settle have to

lesser university not as good school

responsible for it is their duty

clearly benefits definitely good for

mitigate lessens the impact

potentially negative effects possible downsides

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ˈriːsnt ˈdɛkeɪdz
raɪz 
kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ədˈmɪʃ(ə)n reɪts 
ˈlɑːʤli djuː tuː 
ɪmˈpruːvɪŋ ˈɪnkʌm i(ː)ˈkwɒlɪti 
ˈpɒzətɪv trɛnd ɒn ðə həʊl
fɪˈnɒmɪnən 
grəʊθ
ˈgləʊbəl ˈmɪdl klɑːs
dɪˈvɛləpt ˈkʌntriz
ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃən ˈlɛvlz 
ˈstɛdɪli 
ˈtwɛntɪəθ ˈsɛnʧʊri 
dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ rɪˈtɜːnz 
riːʧ 90% ænd əˈbʌv
sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt 
dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ wɜːld
siːn drəˈmætɪk grəʊθ 
pɜː ˈkæpɪtə ˈɪnkʌm
ɪˈneɪblɪŋ 
dəʊˈmɛstɪk(ə)li 
əˈbrɔːd
ˈkʌpld wɪð 
tæks ˈrɛvɪnjuː 
fʌnd steɪt skuːlz 
ˈskɒləʃɪps 
grɑːnts 
lɛs ˈprɪvɪlɪʤd ˈsɛgmənts ɒv ðə ˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən
ˈlɑːʤər ˈæplɪkənt puːlz 
ɑː kənˈkɒmɪtənt wɪð 
dɪsˈpaɪt 
rɪsk 
lɛs ˈæflʊənt ˈfæmɪliz 
lɛft bɪˈhaɪnd
ˈfɪəsə 
ˈæplɪkənts 
ˈməʊtɪveɪts 
ɪkˈsɛl
ˈlɪmɪtɪd 
ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)nz
rɪˈlaɪ ɒn 
wɛlθ 
ˈsəʊʃəl ˈsteɪtəs 
geɪn əkˈsɛptəns
əkˈsɛptəns reɪt 
ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪeɪt 
ˈteɪkɪŋ ɒn 
ˈmiːnɪŋfʊl ˌɛkstrəkəˈrɪkjʊləz
ˈɪnsaɪtf(ə)l 
ɪn ði ˈægrɪgɪt 
trænsˈleɪts tuː 
ˈpɜːsnl grəʊθ 
ˈiːvən ɪf 
ˈsɛtl 
ˈlɛsə ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsɪti
rɪsˈpɒnsəbl fɔː
ˈklɪəli ˈbɛnɪfɪts 
ˈmɪtɪgeɪt 
pəʊˈtɛnʃəli ˈnɛgətɪv ɪˈfɛkts 

Vocabulary Practice

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:

In r_________________s, there has been a r___e in c__________________________s for universities. In my opinion, this is l_________y d_______o i__________________________y and is a p_______________________________e.

The main cause of this p________________n is a g________h in the g_______________________s. In d_________________s, e_________________s have been rising s__________y since the beginning of the 2____________y with d______________________s as countries r_____________________e. Therefore, the most s______________t increases now come from the d________________d. In particular, Asian and Middle Eastern nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and the UAE have s___________________h in p_______________e, e__________g families to send their children to university d_______________y or a_______d. C________________h increased t__________e this allows governments to f__________________s and offer s_______________s and g_______s to l_________________________________________n. L_________________s from around the world a_______________________h increased competition.

D_________e the r___k that l____________________s will be l___________d, f____________r competition is an overwhelming positive. When a large number of a____________s compete for limited number of spots, this m__________s each individual to e_______l. For example, a student applying to Harvard University in the 1950s was competing against a l_______d number of other a____________s and could likely r________n w______h and s____________s to g___________________e. Nowadays, the a________________e is below 5% as students from all over the world s_______e for a place at Harvard. This means students must work harder to d_____________e themselves by t_________n more m_____________________s, receiving higher grades, and writing more i____________l college essays. All this hard work i_____________________e t____________o p_______________h e_________f they must s_______e for a l_____________y.

In conclusion, rising incomes globally are r___________________r increased competitiveness for university education and this c______________________s both individuals and society. However, it is also important that governments and families m__________e the p________________________s of competition.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/04/is-college-really-harder-to-get-into-than-it-used-to-be/360114/

Writing Practice

Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:

Full-time university students spend a lot of time studying. Some say they should do other activities too.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay: Governments Helping

by Dave | May 11, 2021 | Real Past Tests

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether or not governments should help people around the world or focus on their own citizens from the real IELTS exam.

Second time I’ve seen this topic in the last 2 years!

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks!

Dave

IELTS Essay: Governments Helping

It is impossible to help all people around the world in need so governments should focus on people from their own country.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many today have suggested that governments should prioritise supporting their own citizenry over offering foreign aid. I strongly agree with this statement as international interventions often do more harm than good and governments have greater control concerning domestic assistance.

Firstly, foreign aid is notoriously difficult to manage. The majority of countries helped by foreign aid either end up exploiting the charity or become overly dependent. A good example of this would be the aid sent to many African nations during times of civil turmoil. Certain corrupt governments would often leverage the aid, whether it be food supplies or financial support, to maintain their autocratic position. Even in the rare cases where aid reaches its intended targets without interference from governments or non-governmental organisations, there is a strong likelihood of establishing a dependence. Individuals generally profit more long-term from developing characteristics related to self-reliance rather than becoming subservient in a dependent relationship.

Moreover, governments are able to affect greater change over their own populace. The are many different tactics that governments can choose ranging from funding a comprehensive social welfare net to allowing individuals to keep more of their tax dollars and contribute to the economy. A standout example of this would be in China where the government has tremendous sway over both public and private entities. This ensures that their assistance is not misused and that it supports truly vulnerable segments of the population. Their oversight and knowledge of their own country translates to a more efficient allocation of resources and this applies generally to governments globally.

In conclusion, there is little support for the efficacy of foreign aid and governments can intervene most effectively in their own nations. Therefore, foreign aid should be limited to times of extreme crisis.

Analysis

1. Many today have suggested that governments should prioritise supporting their own citizenry over offering foreign aid. 2. I strongly agree with this statement as international interventions often do more harm than good and governments have greater control concerning domestic assistance.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Firstly, foreign aid is notoriously difficult to manage. 2. The majority of countries helped by foreign aid either end up exploiting the charity or become overly dependent. 3. A good example of this would be the aid sent to many African nations during times of civil turmoil. Certain corrupt governments would often leverage the aid, whether it be food supplies or financial support, to maintain their autocratic position. 4. Even in the rare cases where aid reaches its intended targets without interference from governments or non-governmental organisations, there is a strong likelihood of establishing a dependence. 5. Individuals generally profit more long-term from developing characteristics related to self-reliance rather than becoming subservient in a dependent relationship.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Stay focused on the same main idea.

1. Moreover, governments are able to affect greater change over their own populace. 2. The are many different tactics that governments can choose ranging from funding a comprehensive social welfare net to allowing individuals to keep more of their tax dollars and contribute to the economy. 3. A standout example of this would be in China where the government has tremendous sway over both public and private entities. 4. This ensures that their assistance is not misused and that it supports truly vulnerable segments of the population. 5. Their oversight and knowledge of their own country translates to a more efficient allocation of resources and this applies generally to governments globally.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Continue developing it…
5. as fully as possible!
6. Any extra statement of the result will help.

1. In conclusion, there is little support for the efficacy of foreign aid and governments can intervene most effectively in their own nations. 2. Therefore, foreign aid should be limited to times of extreme crisis.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. 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 today have suggested that governments should prioritise supporting their own citizenry over offering foreign aid. I strongly agree with this statement as international interventions often do more harm than good and governments have greater control concerning domestic assistance.

Firstly, foreign aid is notoriously difficult to manage. The majority of countries helped by foreign aid either end up exploiting the charity or become overly dependent. A good example of this would be the aid sent to many African nations during times of civil turmoil. Certain corrupt governments would often leverage the aid, whether it be food supplies or financial support, to maintain their autocratic position. Even in the rare cases where aid reaches its intended targets without interference from governments or non-governmental organisations, there is a strong likelihood of establishing a dependence. Individuals generally profit more long-term from developing characteristics related to self-reliance rather than becoming subservient in a dependent relationship.

Moreover, governments are able to affect greater change over their own populace. The are many different tactics that governments can choose ranging from funding a comprehensive social welfare net to allowing individuals to keep more of their tax dollars and contribute to the economy. A standout example of this would be in China where the government has tremendous sway over both public and private entities. This ensures that their assistance is not misused and that it supports truly vulnerable segments of the population. Their oversight and knowledge of their own country translates to a more efficient allocation of resources and this applies generally to governments globally.

In conclusion, there is little support for the efficacy of foreign aid and governments can intervene most effectively in their own nations. Therefore, foreign aid should be limited to times of extreme crisis.

Answers

suggested advised

prioritise value more

supporting helping

citizenry people in a country

over offering foreign aid instead of giving help to other countries

statement opinion

international interventions helping other countries

more harm than good hurts more than it helps

concerning relating to

domestic assistance helping within a country

notoriously famous for bad reasons

difficult to manage hard to deal with

majority most of

either one or the other

end up finally

exploiting taking advantage of

charity organisation that helps others

overly dependent moreso relying on

times of civil turmoil wars, famines, unrest, etc.

corrupt taking bribes, stealing, etc.

whether it be food supplies or financial support if it is food or money

maintain keep up

autocratic position complete control

rare cases exceptions

reaches its intended targets finding where it is meant to go

interference getting in the way

non-governmental organisations charities

likelihood strong chance

dependence reliance on

generally profit overall get more from

long-term over time

characteristics qualities

self-reliance independence

subservient lower than

dependent relationship needing someone

populace people in a country

tactics methods

ranging from including

funding giving money for

comprehensive social welfare net total support for people in need

contribute give to

public citizenry

private entities companies

truly vulnerable segments actually in need parts of the country

oversight control over

translates means

efficient allocation better spreading of money

applies has to do with

globally all over the world

little support not much help

efficacy how well it works

intervene step in, interfere

limited under control

times of extreme crisis when something really bad happens (like a natural disaster)

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

səˈʤɛstɪd 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz 
səˈpɔːtɪŋ 
ˈsɪtɪznri 
ˈəʊvər ˈɒfərɪŋ ˈfɒrɪn eɪd
ˈsteɪtmənt 
ˌɪntə(ː)ˈnæʃənl ˌɪntə(ː)ˈvɛnʃənz 
mɔː hɑːm ðæn gʊd 
kənˈsɜːnɪŋ 
dəʊˈmɛstɪk əˈsɪstəns
nəʊˈtɔːrɪəsli 
ˈdɪfɪkəlt tuː ˈmænɪʤ 
məˈʤɒrɪti 
ˈaɪðə 
ɛnd ʌp 
ɪksˈplɔɪtɪŋ 
ˈʧærɪti 
ˈəʊvəli dɪˈpɛndənt
taɪmz ɒv ˈsɪvl ˈtɜːmɔɪl 
kəˈrʌpt 
ˈwɛðər ɪt biː fuːd səˈplaɪz ɔː faɪˈnænʃəl səˈpɔːt 
meɪnˈteɪn 
ˌɔːtəʊˈkrætɪk pəˈzɪʃən
reə ˈkeɪsɪz 
ˈriːʧɪz ɪts ɪnˈtɛndɪd ˈtɑːgɪts 
ˌɪntəˈfɪərəns 
nɒn-ˌgʌvənˈmɛntl ˌɔːgənaɪˈzeɪʃənz
ˈlaɪklɪhʊd 
dɪˈpɛndəns 
ˈʤɛnərəli ˈprɒfɪt 
ˈlɒŋtɜːm 
ˌkærɪktəˈrɪstɪks 
sɛlf-rɪˈlaɪəns 
səbˈsɜːviənt 
dɪˈpɛndənt rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪp
ˈpɒpjʊləs
ˈtæktɪks 
ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frɒm
ˈfʌndɪŋ 
ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv ˈsəʊʃəl ˈwɛlfeə nɛt 
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t 
ˈpʌblɪk 
ˈpraɪvɪt ˈɛntɪtiz 
ˈtruːli ˈvʌlnərəbl ˈsɛgmənts 
ˈəʊvəsaɪt 
trænsˈleɪts 
ɪˈfɪʃənt ˌæləʊˈkeɪʃ(ə)n 
əˈplaɪz 
ˈgləʊbəli
ˈlɪtl səˈpɔːt 
ˈɛfɪkəsi 
ˌɪntə(ː)ˈviːn 
ˈlɪmɪtɪd 
taɪmz ɒv ɪksˈtriːm ˈkraɪsɪs

Vocabulary Practice

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 today have s______________d that governments should p___________e s___________g their own c__________y o____r o__________________________d. I strongly agree with this s_____________t as i______________________________s often do m_________________d and governments have greater control c_____________g d____________________e.

Firstly, foreign aid is n_______________y d____________________e. The m__________y of countries helped by foreign aid e_______________________g the c________y or become o_____________________t. A good example of this would be the aid sent to many African nations during t________________________l. Certain c________t governments would often leverage the aid, w__________________________________________t, to m_________n their a____________________n. Even in the r____________s where aid r________________________s without i_____________e from governments or n_________________________________s, there is a strong l____________d of establishing a d_____________e. Individuals g__________________t more l_____________m from developing c__________________s related to s_________________e rather than becoming s______________t in a d_____________________p.

Moreover, governments are able to affect greater change over their own p__________e. The are many different t___________s that governments can choose r_______________m f___________g a c___________________________________________t to allowing individuals to keep more of their tax dollars and c______________e to the economy. A s____________t example of this would be in China where the government has t________________________y over both p__________c and p________________s. This e__________s that their assistance is not m___________d and that it supports t______________________________s of the population. Their o___________t and knowledge of their own country t_____________s to a more e_____________________n of resources and this a__________s generally to governments g_________y.

In conclusion, there is l_________________t for the e__________y of foreign aid and governments can i___________e most effectively in their own nations. Therefore, foreign aid should be l___________d to t____________________s.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/opinion/africa-foreign-aid-philanthropy.html

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Helping

1. Should developed countries help developing countries?
2. What kind of help is best to provide?
3. Can help be harmful in some cases?
4. How should parents help their children?
5. Are there any advantages to not helping someone?

Writing Practice

Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:

Some believe that because everyone needs a place to live, governments should provide houses for those who are too poor to afford their own.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?