IELTS Essay: Advertising

IELTS Essay: Advertising

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of advertising from the real IELTS exam.

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

IELTS Essay: Advertising

Some feel that the effects of advertising are positive for individuals and businesses, while others think they are negative.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

As advertising becomes increasingly invasive, there has been an increase in debates concerning its effects. In my opinion, advertising is on the whole a negative due to its impact on the average individual, though it is clearly beneficial for businesses.

It is hard to argue against the positive boon that advertising has brought to a variety of industries. In the 1950s and 60s, the growth of American advertising in particular ushered in an age of rampant commercial opportunity. Corporations ranging from automoblie manufacturers to airlines to soft drink companies took advantage of the emerging medium of television to reach wider audiences. By appealing to basic human psychology, they were able to tap into a nearly limitless market that eventually expanded globally and is now supported by ruthlessly efficient and profitable online marketing methods.

Nonetheless, advertising mainly serves to distract and entice. The purpose of advertisements is not simply to inform. Consumers can find information about products from a number of sources of their own volition. Advertising attracts individuals and creates new desires that distract from healthier modes of living. For example, the average person would be better served by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. However, ubiquitous advertisements for fast food make this difficult, in some cases impossible, to achieve. Generalised across a range of consumer products, it is clear that people are being drawn unhealthily towards their worst impulses.

In conclusion, the benefits of advertising for the business world do not outweigh its psychological impact on the average citizen. A world without advertising is not feasible but it is still possible to limit one’s exposure.

Analysis

1. As advertising becomes increasingly invasive, there has been an increase in debates concerning its effects. 2. In my opinion, advertising is on the whole a negative due to its impact on the average individual, though it is clearly beneficial for businesses.

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

1. It is hard to argue against the positive boon that advertising has brought to a variety of industries. 2. In the 1950s and 60s, the growth of American advertising in particular ushered in an age of rampant commercial opportunity. 3. Corporations ranging from automoblie manufacturers to airlines to soft drink companies took advantage of the emerging medium of television to reach wider audiences. 4. By appealing to basic human psychology, they were able to tap into a nearly limitless market that eventually expanded globally and is now supported by ruthlessly efficient and profitable online marketing methods.

  1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your main idea.
  3. Develop it with specific detail as fully as possible.
  4. Continue to develop it and don’t change to a new idea.

1. Nonetheless, advertising mainly serves to distract and entice. 2. The purpose of advertisements is not simply to inform. 3. Consumers can find information about products from a number of sources of their own volition. 4. Advertising attracts individuals and creates new desires that distract from healthier modes of living. 5. For example, the average person would be better served by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. 6. However, ubiquitous advertisements for fast food make this difficult, in some cases impossible, to achieve. 7. Generalised across a range of consumer products, it is clear that people are being drawn unhealthily towards their worst impulses.

  1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your new main idea.
  3. Continue with your explanation if you need to.
  4. Start developing your idea.
  5. Use a specific example.
  6. Develop the example.
  7. Fully.

1. In conclusion, the benefits of advertising for the business world do not outweigh its psychological impact on the average citizen. 2. A world without advertising is not feasible but it is still possible to limit one’s exposure.

  1. Summarise your main ideas.
  2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

As advertising becomes increasingly invasive, there has been an increase in debates concerning its effects. In my opinion, advertising is on the whole a negative due to its impact on the average individual, though it is clearly beneficial for businesses.

It is hard to argue against the positive boon that advertising has brought to a variety of industries. In the 1950s and 60s, the growth of American advertising in particular ushered in an age of rampant commercial opportunity. Corporations ranging from automoblie manufacturers to airlines to soft drink companies took advantage of the emerging medium of television to reach wider audiences. By appealing to basic human psychology, they were able to tap into a nearly limitless market that eventually expanded globally and is now supported by ruthlessly efficient and profitable online marketing methods.

Nonetheless, advertising mainly serves to distract and entice. The purpose of advertisements is not simply to inform. Consumers can find information about products from a number of sources of their own volition. Advertising attracts individuals and creates new desires that distract from healthier modes of living. For example, the average person would be better served by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. However, ubiquitous advertisements for fast food make this difficult, in some cases impossible, to achieve. Generalised across a range of consumer products, it is clear that people are being drawn unhealthily towards their worst impulses.

In conclusion, the benefits of advertising for the business world do not outweigh its psychological impact on the average citizen. A world without advertising is not feasible but it is still possible to limit one’s exposure.

Answers

increasingly invasive more and more personal

debates concerning controversy around

on the whole in general

average individual normal person

clearly beneficial definitely good for

hard to argue against difficult to disagree with

boon good for

variety of industries many types of

ushered in an age of rampant commercial opportunity started an era of more business

ranging from including

manufacturers makers

took advantage exploited

emerging medium new type

reach wider audiences find more people

appealing attractive

basic human psychology how people think

tap into exploit

nearly limitless market unlimited potential

eventually expanded globally after a while became international

supported by ruthlessly efficient backed up by useful

profitable making money

nonetheless regardless

distract take attention from

entice pull in

inform give information about

of their own volition their own choice

attracts entices

healthier modes of living ways of being healthy

better served is better for

regularly usually

ubiquitous common

in some cases impossible sometimes can’t be

achieve accomplish

generalised applies to lots of

drawn unhealthily towards their worst impulses enticed to do bad things

business world industry

outweigh stronger than

psychological impact effect on one’s mind

not feasible impossible

limit extent

exposure open to

Pronunciation

ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ɪnˈveɪsɪv 
dɪˈbeɪts kənˈsɜːnɪŋ 
ɒn ðə həʊl 
ˈævərɪʤ ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl 
ˈklɪəli ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl 
hɑːd tuː ˈɑːgjuː əˈgɛnst 
buːn 
vəˈraɪəti ɒv ˈɪndəstriz 
ˈʌʃəd ɪn ən eɪʤ ɒv ˈræmpənt kəˈmɜːʃəl ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti 
ˈreɪnʤɪŋ frɒm 
ˌmænjʊˈfækʧərəz 
tʊk ədˈvɑːntɪʤ 
ɪˈmɜːʤɪŋ ˈmiːdiəm 
riːʧ ˈwaɪdər ˈɔːdiənsɪz 
əˈpiːlɪŋ 
ˈbeɪsɪk ˈhjuːmən saɪˈkɒləʤi 
tæp ˈɪntuː 
ˈnɪəli ˈlɪmɪtlɪs ˈmɑːkɪt 
ɪˈvɛnʧəli ɪksˈpændɪd ˈgləʊbəli 
səˈpɔːtɪd baɪ ˈruːθlɪsli ɪˈfɪʃənt 
ˈprɒfɪtəbl 
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs 
dɪsˈtrækt 
ɪnˈtaɪs 
ɪnˈfɔːm 
ɒv ðeər əʊn vəʊˈlɪʃən 
əˈtrækts 
ˈhɛlθɪə məʊdz ɒv ˈlɪvɪŋ 
ˈbɛtə sɜːvd 
ˈrɛgjʊləli 
ju(ː)ˈbɪkwɪtəs 
ɪn sʌm ˈkeɪsɪz ɪmˈpɒsəbl 
əˈʧiːv 
ˈʤɛnərəlaɪzd 
drɔːn ʌnˈhɛlθɪli təˈwɔːdz ðeə wɜːst ˈɪmpʌlsɪz 
ˈbɪznɪs wɜːld 
aʊtˈweɪ 
ˌsaɪkəˈlɒʤɪkəl ˈɪmpækt 
nɒt ˈfiːzəbl 
ˈlɪmɪt 
ɪksˈpəʊʒə 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

As advertising becomes i_____________________e, there has been an increase in d____________________g its effects. In my opinion, advertising is o_________________e a negative due to its impact on the a_________________l, though it is c_________________l for businesses.

It is h__________________t the positive b____n that advertising has brought to a v___________________s. In the 1950s and 60s, the growth of American advertising in particular u__________________________________________________y. Corporations r_________________m automoblie m________________s to airlines to soft drink companies t______________e of the e_________________m of television to r____________________s. By a_____________g to b__________________________y, they were able to t__________o a n______________________t that e_______________________y and is now s_________________________________t and p____________e online marketing methods.

N_____________s, advertising mainly serves to d_________t and e_______e. The purpose of advertisements is not simply to i_______urces o______________________n. Advertising a________s individuals and creates new desires that distract from h_________________________g. For example, the average person would be b_______________d by eating a healthy diet and exercising r_________y. However, u_____________s advertisements for fast food make this difficult, i____________________________e, to a_________e. G______________d across a range of consumer products, it is clear that people are being d____________________________________________________s.

In conclusion, the benefits of advertising for the b_____________d do not o_________h its p_____________________t on the average citizen. A world without advertising is n______________e but it is still possible to l________t one’s e___________e.

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.wired.com/story/why-dont-we-just-ban-targeted-advertising/

Speaking Practice

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

Beauty

  1. What is beauty for you? 
  2. Do you think the media influences our idea of beauty? 
  3. Do you think advertisements portrayal of beauty is correct? 
  4. How has people’s idea of beauty changed over the last few decades?
  5. Do you think beauty only relates to a person’s appearance? 

Writing Practice

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

Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

IELTS Essay: Physical Exercise for Adults

IELTS Essay: Physical Exercise for Adults

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the general training exam on the topic of physical exercise for adults.

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

IELTS Essay: Physical Exercise for Adults

Some people play sport when they are young but then stop doing physical exercise when they become adults.

Why is this?

What can be done to solve this problem?

It is more common for people to play sports and be physically active while in school than in adulthood. The reason for this is limited time and energy to devote to sporting activities and it can be alleviated by prioritising health.

The reason adults tend to engage in less physical exercise is they are overburdened with work and family commitments. It is true that some of the same pressures exist in school, but there are also allotted periods for exercise and easily available teams sports to join. As an adult, it is individual initiative that must spur on exercise and this is often in conflict with other demands. The average person works at least 40 hours a week and if they have a family, the majority of their time is already occupied. Any free time they have is more likely to be spent relaxing by hanging out with friends, watching TV, or another hobby. Therefore, exercise slowly becomes less valued and it is increasingly difficult to get back into the habit over time.

The best solution for this situation is for adults to prioritise their health. Parents and schools can no longer exert control over adults so the individual must exercise their own reserves of willpower. For example, instead of getting up late, many health-conscious adults will go to bed early, wake up early, and get in some time at the gym before the workday begins. This sets the tone for the rest of the day and is a sustainable habit. It is also possible to join amateur sporting competitions, such as a casual pick-up basketball league, in order to encourage consistent participation. These actions require a concerted effort to relegate other tasks and organise one’s time with a view towards enhancing health, rather than reveling in the immediate gratification of less demanding pastimes.

In conclusion, hectic lives lay the foundation for less exercise in adulthood but these tendencies can be countered with determination. This is a key challenge each adult must face and overcome to lead a healthy life.

Analysis

1. It is more common for people to play sports and be physically active while in school than in adulthood. 2. The reason for this is limited time and energy to devote to sporting activities and it can be alleviated by prioritising health.

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

1. The reason adults tend to engage in less physical exercise is they are overburdened with work and family commitments. 2. It is true that some of the same pressures exist in school, but there are also allotted periods for exercise and easily available teams sports to join. 3. As an adult, it is individual initiative that must spur on exercise and this is often in conflict with other demands. 4. The average person works at least 40 hours a week and if they have a family, the majority of their time is already occupied. 5. Any free time they have is more likely to be spent relaxing by hanging out with friends, watching TV, or another hobby. 6. Therefore, exercise slowly becomes less valued and it is increasingly difficult to get back into the habit over time.

  1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your main idea.
  3. Develop it with specific detail as fully as possible.
  4. Continue to develop it with an example or a hypothetical example.
  5. Continue developing the same idea.
  6. State the furthest possible result.

1. The best solution for this situation is for adults to prioritise their health. 2. Parents and schools can no longer exert control over adults so the individual must exercise their own reserves of willpower. 3. For example, instead of getting up late, many health-conscious adults will go to bed early, wake up early, and get in some time at the gym before the workday begins. This sets the tone for the rest of the day and is a sustainable habit. 4. It is also possible to join amateur sporting competitions, such as a casual pick-up basketball league, in order to encourage consistent participation. 5. These actions require a concerted effort to relegate other tasks and organise one’s time with a view towards enhancing health, rather than reveling in the immediate gratification of less demanding pastimes.

  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. Make your example more specific.
  5. Develop this idea fully.

1. In conclusion, hectic lives lay the foundation for less exercise in adulthood but these tendencies can be countered with determination. 2. This is a key challenge each adult must face and overcome to lead a healthy life.

  1. Summarise your main ideas.
  2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

It is more common for people to play sports and be physically active while in school than in adulthood. The reason for this is limited time and energy to devote to sporting activities and it can be alleviated by prioritising health.

The reason adults tend to engage in less physical exercise is they are overburdened with work and family commitments. It is true that some of the same pressures exist in school, but there are also allotted periods for exercise and easily available teams sports to join. As an adult, it is individual initiative that must spur on exercise and this is often in conflict with other demands. The average person works at least 40 hours a week and if they have a family, the majority of their time is already occupied. Any free time they have is more likely to be spent relaxing by hanging out with friends, watching TV, or another hobby. Therefore, exercise slowly becomes less valued and it is increasingly difficult to get back into the habit over time.

The best solution for this situation is for adults to prioritise their health. Parents and schools can no longer exert control over adults so the individual must exercise their own reserves of willpower. For example, instead of getting up late, many health-conscious adults will go to bed early, wake up early, and get in some time at the gym before the workday begins. This sets the tone for the rest of the day and is a sustainable habit. It is also possible to join amateur sporting competitions, such as a casual pick-up basketball league, in order to encourage consistent participation. These actions require a concerted effort to relegate other tasks and organise one’s time with a view towards enhancing health, rather than reveling in the immediate gratification of less demanding pastimes.

In conclusion, hectic lives lay the foundation for less exercise in adulthood but these tendencies can be countered with determination. This is a key challenge each adult must face and overcome to lead a healthy life.

Answers

common normal

physically active doing sports

adulthood over the age of 18

limited time not for long

devote give time to

sporting activities physical activity

alleviated fixed

prioritising making more valuable

tend to engage usually do

physical exercise working out, sports

overburdened have too much to do

commitments things you must do

it is true that no one doubts

pressures strains

allotted periods gym, P.E.

easily available can go to without much effort

individual initiative person’s own willpower

spur on be a catalyst for

in conflict with in contrast to

demands requirements

majority most of

occupied took the place of

increasingly difficult more and more hard

get back into the habit starting exercising again

best solution for best way to counter

prioritise make more important

no longer exert control have no more power over

exercise use

reserves stores

willpower strength of will, determination

get in do

workday the time at work

sets the tone for begins the day

sustainable habit can keep doing it

amateur sporting competitions not professional games

casual pick-up basketball league friendly games

encourage consistent participation force you to go

require need

concerted effort try hard

relegate place lower

organise put in place

with a view towards looking to

reveling in enjoying

immediate gratification pleasure right away

less demanding pastimes takes up less effort, time

hectic busy

lay the foundation the source of

tendencies inclinations

countered fought

determination persistence

key challenge main obstacle

face deal with

overcome get over

lead a healthy life be healthy

Pronunciation

ˈkɒmən 
ˈfɪzɪkəli ˈæktɪv 
əˈdʌlthʊd
ˈlɪmɪtɪd taɪm 
dɪˈvəʊt 
ˈspɔːtɪŋ ækˈtɪvɪtiz 
əˈliːvɪeɪtɪd 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzɪŋ 
tɛnd tuː ɪnˈgeɪʤ 
ˈfɪzɪkəl ˈɛksəsaɪz 
ˌəʊvəˈbɜːdnd 
kəˈmɪtmənts
ɪt ɪz truː ðæt 
ˈprɛʃəz 
əˈlɒtɪd ˈpɪərɪədz 
ˈiːzɪli əˈveɪləbl 
ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv 
spɜːr ɒn 
ɪn ˈkɒnflɪkt wɪð 
dɪˈmɑːndz
məˈʤɒrɪti 
ˈɒkjʊpaɪd
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˈdɪfɪkəlt 
gɛt bæk ˈɪntuː ðə ˈhæbɪt 
bɛst səˈluːʃən fɔː 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz 
nəʊ ˈlɒŋgər ɪgˈzɜːt kənˈtrəʊl 
ˈɛksəsaɪz 
rɪˈzɜːvz 
ˈwɪlˌpaʊə
gɛt ɪn 
ˈwɜːkdeɪ 
sɛts ðə təʊn fɔː 
səsˈteɪnəbl ˈhæbɪt
ˈæmətə(ː) ˈspɔːtɪŋ ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃənz
ˈkæʒjʊəl pɪk-ʌp ˈbɑːskɪtˌbɔːl liːg
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ kənˈsɪstənt pɑːˌtɪsɪˈpeɪʃən
rɪˈkwaɪə 
kənˈsɜːtɪd ˈɛfət 
ˈrɛlɪgeɪt 
ˈɔːgənaɪz 
wɪð ə vjuː təˈwɔːdz 
ˈrɛvlɪŋ ɪn 
ɪˈmiːdiət ˌgrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən 
lɛs dɪˈmɑːndɪŋ ˈpɑːstaɪmz
ˈhɛktɪk 
leɪ ðə faʊnˈdeɪʃən 
ˈtɛndənsiz 
ˈkaʊntəd 
dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃən
kiː ˈʧælɪnʤ 
feɪs 
ˌəʊvəˈkʌm 
liːd ə ˈhɛlθi laɪf

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

It is more c_________n for people to play sports and be p____________e while in school than in a____________d. The reason for this is l___________e and energy to d_______e to s_________________s and it can be a_____________d by p________________g health.

The reason adults t________________e in less p_____________e is they are o_________________d with work and family c________________s. I_______________t some of the same p____________s exist in school, but there are also a_______________s for exercise and e__________________e teams sports to join. As an adult, it is i____________________e that must s________n exercise and this is often i________________h other d__________s. The average person works at least 40 hours a week and if they have a family, the m_________y of their time is already o__________d. Any free time they have is more likely to be spent relaxing by hanging out with friends, watching TV, or another hobby. Therefore, exercise slowly becomes less valued and it is i_________________t to g_____________________t over time.

The b______________________r this situation is for adults to p______________e their health. Parents and schools can n_____________________l over adults so the individual must e_____________e their own r_____________s of w_____________r. For example, instead of getting up late, many health-conscious adults will go to bed early, wake up early, and g_______n some time at the gym before the w__________y begins. This s___________________r the rest of the day and is a s_____________________t. It is also possible to join a____________________s, such as a c_______________________e, in order to e_____________________________n. These actions r_________e a c_________________t to r______________e other tasks and o____________e one’s time w____________________s enhancing health, rather than r____________________n the i__________________n of l___________________s.

In conclusion, h________c lives l___________________n for less exercise in adulthood but these t________________s can be c____________d with d_____________________n. This is a k________________________e each adult must f____e and o___________e to l______________________e.

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/2020/01/01/well/move/exercise-physical-activity-workout-time.html

Speaking Practice

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

Sports

  1. Which sport do you like to play?
  2. Have you ever been on a sports team?
  3. Do you like watching sports on TV?
  4. Which sports are popular in your country?

Writing Practice

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

Many people living in cities these days do not get enough physical exercise.

What are the causes of this?

What are some possible solutions?

IELTS Essay: Rural and Urban Areas

IELTS Essay: Rural and Urban Areas

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of more and more people living in cities these days.

The full Ebook for this question is only available on my Patreon here.

Sign up and support me in writing these essays!

Here is the question by the way:

Around the world more and more people today are living in urban areas.

Why is this?

What problems does this cause?

Dave

IELTS Essay: Classical Music

IELTS Essay: Classical Music

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of classical music from the real IELTS exam.

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

IELTS Essay: Classical Music

In some countries, there are fewer young people who listen to or play classical music these days.

Why is this?

Should young people be encouraged to play or perform classical music?

It is becoming less and less common for students to both listen to and play classical musical. In my opinion, this is the result of changing tastes and it should be countered by concerned parents when possible.

The reason fewer young people today opt to listen to or take up playing classical music is that there are other, more modern options. In the past, classical music helped students gain entrance into elite universities and was a potential career path. This is still true but to a lesser extent as the diversification of musical styles and the growth of the music industry now allows students to develop skills with music more suited to their particular preferences. A young person today is more likely to want to learn the drums to play in a rock group or practice rapping. This applies for listening habits as well and is reflected in the dominance of pop music.

Regardless, it is still advisable for parents to instill a love of classical music and encourage playing an instrument. First of all, appreciating classical music requires greater mental engagement and patience than other popular genres. In an era of shorter attention spans and immediate gratification, a love of complex melodies can serve as a counter-balance. Secondly, the benefits of playing an instrument are self-evident. Decades of substantial research support the claims that it aids cognitive development generally and one’s creativity more specifically. This is apart from the discipline one must develop through years of intensive practice.

In conclusion, though it is natural younger people today opt for more popular genres, there is great value in sustaining an interest in classical music. It is therefore up to parents to gently encourage such a pursuit.

Analysis

1. It is becoming less and less common for students to both listen to and play classical musical. 2. In my opinion, this is the result of changing tastes and it should be countered by concerned parents when possible.

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

1. The reason fewer young people today opt to listen to or take up playing classical music is that there are other, more modern options. 2. In the past, classical music helped students gain entrance into elite universities and was a potential career path. 3. This is still true but to a lesser extent as the diversification of musical styles and the growth of the music industry now allows students to develop skills with music more suited to their particular preferences. 4. A young person today is more likely to want to learn the drums to play in a rock group or practice rapping. 5. This applies for listening habits as well and is reflected in the dominance of pop music.

  1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
  2. Explain your main idea.
  3. Develop it with specific detail as fully as possible.
  4. Continue to develop it with an example or a hypothetical example.
  5. Extend it to both parts of the question.

1. Regardless, it is still advisable for parents to instill a love of classical music and encourage playing an instrument. 2. First of all, appreciating classical music requires greater mental engagement and patience than other popular genres. 3. In an era of shorter attention spans and immediate gratification, a love of complex melodies can serve as a counter-balance. 4. Secondly, the benefits of playing an instrument are self-evident. 5. Decades of substantial research support the claims that it aids cognitive development generally and one’s creativity more specifically. 6. This is apart from the discipline one must develop through years of intensive practice.

  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. Switch to a second main idea if you have one.
  5. And develop the second idea fully.
  6. Conclude the paragraph or finish developing your last idea.

1. In conclusion, though it is natural younger people today opt for more popular genres, there is great value in sustaining an interest in classical music. 2. It is therefore up to parents to gently encourage such a pursuit.

  1. Summarise your main ideas.
  2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

It is becoming less and less common for students to both listen to and play classical musical. In my opinion, this is the result of changing tastes and it should be countered by concerned parents when possible.

The reason fewer young people today opt to listen to or take up playing classical music is that there are other, more modern options. In the past, classical music helped students gain entrance into elite universities and was a potential career path. This is still true but to a lesser extent as the diversification of musical styles and the growth of the music industry now allows students to develop skills with music more suited to their particular preferences. A young person today is more likely to want to learn the drums to play in a rock group or practice rapping. This applies for listening habits as well and is reflected in the dominance of pop music.

Regardless, it is still advisable for parents to instill a love of classical music and encourage playing an instrument. First of all, appreciating classical music requires greater mental engagement and patience than other popular genres. In an era of shorter attention spans and immediate gratification, a love of complex melodies can serve as a counter-balance. Secondly, the benefits of playing an instrument are self-evident. Decades of substantial research support the claims that it aids cognitive development generally and one’s creativity more specifically. This is apart from the discipline one must develop through years of intensive practice.

In conclusion, though it is natural younger people today opt for more popular genres, there is great value in sustaining an interest in classical music. It is therefore up to parents to gently encourage such a pursuit.

Answers

less and less common not popular

classical music Beethoven, Mozart, etc.

changing tastes new inclinations

countered by fought by

concerned parents mothers and fathers who care

when possible if they can

opt choose

more modern options newer genres

in the past a long time ago

gain entrance into elite universities get into top schools

potential career path could be a job

to a lesser extent not as important now

diversification more options

growth of the music industry more money put into music

more suited to prefer

particular preferences what they like

applies for also true for

habits what you do over and over

reflected mirrored

dominance stronger than

regardless nonetheless

advisable a good idea

instill encourage

encourage suggest

first of all firstly

appreciating caring a lot about

requires greater mental engagement must pay attention to

patience being able to wait

genres types of music

era of shorter attention spans people today can’t pay attention for as long

immediate gratification satisfaction right away

complex melodies complicated songs

serve as a counter-balance help fight against

secondly next

self-evident obvious

decades many years

substantial research support the claims a lot of science backs up

aids cognitive development generally helps people learn/think better

creativity imagination

specifically in particular

apart different from

discipline restraint

intensive practice working hard

great value lots of importance in

sustaining keeping alive

therefore thus

gently encourage suggest without too much force

pursuit area of study

Pronunciation

lɛs ænd lɛs ˈkɒmən 
ˈklæsɪkəl ˈmjuːzɪkəl
ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ teɪsts 
ˈkaʊntəd baɪ 
kənˈsɜːnd ˈpeərənts 
wɛn ˈpɒsəbl
ɒpt 
mɔː ˈmɒdən ˈɒpʃənz
ɪn ðə pɑːst
geɪn ˈɛntrəns ˈɪntuː eɪˈliːt ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsɪtiz 
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl kəˈrɪə pɑːθ
tuː ə ˈlɛsər ɪksˈtɛnt 
daɪˌvɜːsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən 
grəʊθ ɒv ðə ˈmjuːzɪk ˈɪndəstri 
mɔː ˈsjuːtɪd tuː 
pəˈtɪkjʊlə ˈprɛfərənsɪz
əˈplaɪz fɔː 
ˈhæbɪts 
rɪˈflɛktɪd 
ˈdɒmɪnəns 
rɪˈgɑːdlɪs
ədˈvaɪzəbl 
ɪnˈstɪl 
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ 
fɜːst ɒv ɔːl
əˈpriːʃɪeɪtɪŋ 
rɪˈkwaɪəz ˈgreɪtə ˈmɛntl ɪnˈgeɪʤmənt 
ˈpeɪʃəns 
ˈ(d)ʒɑːŋrəz
ˈɪərə ɒv ˈʃɔːtər əˈtɛnʃ(ə)n spænz 
ɪˈmiːdiət ˌgrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən
ˈkɒmplɛks ˈmɛlədiz 
sɜːv æz ə ˈkaʊntə-ˈbæləns
ˈsɛkəndli
sɛlf-ˈɛvɪdənt
ˈdɛkeɪdz 
səbˈstænʃəl rɪˈsɜːʧ səˈpɔːt ðə kleɪmz 
eɪdz ˈkɒgnɪtɪv dɪˈvɛləpmənt ˈʤɛnərəli 
ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvɪti 
spəˈsɪfɪk(ə)li
əˈpɑːt 
ˈdɪsɪplɪn 
ɪnˈtɛnsɪv ˈpræktɪs
greɪt ˈvæljuː 
səsˈteɪnɪŋ 
ˈðeəfɔː 
ˈʤɛntli ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ 
pəˈsjuːt

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

It is becoming l______________________n for students to both listen to and play c________________l. In my opinion, this is the result of c_________________s and it should be c________________y c_____________________s w___________________e.

The reason fewer young people today o___t to listen to or take up playing classical music is that there are other, m______________________s. I_____________t, classical music helped students g_____________________o e____________________s and was a p______________________h. This is still true but t________________________t as the d__________________n of musical styles and the g__________________________________y now allows students to develop skills with music m______________o their p__________________s. A young person today is more likely to want to learn the drums to play in a rock group or practice rapping. This a______________r listening h________s as well and is r________________d in the d______________e of pop music.

R_______________s, it is still a________________e for parents to i___________l a love of classical music and e_________________e playing an instrument. F______________l, a________________________g classical music r______________________________________t and p_________e than other popular g_________s. In an e_______________________________________s and i_____________________n, a love of c___________________s can s____________________________e. S_____________y, the benefits of playing an instrument are s______________t. D_________s of s__________________________________________s that it a__________________________________y and one’s c_____________y more s_______________y. This is a______t from the d_____________e one must develop through years of i_______________________e.

In conclusion, though it is natural younger people today opt for more popular genres, there is g______________e in s_________________g an interest in classical music. It is t______________e up to parents to g______________________e such a p___________t.

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/2020/01/conservatories-sexual-harassment-abuse/604351/

Speaking Practice

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

Music

  1. Do you like music?
  2. Which types of music do you like?
  3. Would you like to learn a musical instrument?
  4. Do you prefer listening to music by yourself or with someone else?

Writing Practice

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

Some people think that the most important function of music is to help people relax.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay: Letter to a Friend about your Apartment

IELTS Essay: Letter to a Friend about your Apartment

This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay from the general training exam on the topic of writing a letter to a friend about an apartment.

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

IELTS Essay: Letter to a Friend about your Apartment

Your friend is going to stay in your apartment while you are away. Write a letter to your friend and include:

Where the key is

Instructions to look after the apartment

What should he/ she do on the day of your return

Hey Billy,

I’m writing to give you all the details about my (yours for a week!) apartment. Thanks for agreeing to this mutually beneficial arrangement.

So, you can find the key taped up above the doorframe. Not the safest system, I know, but the best I could think up. If it’s not there for any reason, give me a call and I can ask a neighbor to hand you the spare key. Hope the police won’t need a ring as well in that case…

Also, I didn’t want to mention this before but you’ve got quite a few chores to take care of. First of all, I left the place an absolute mess. I had a big party the other night (sorry, forgot to invite you…) and I just left all the beer bottles, pizza boxes, etc. lying around because I know how much you enjoy cleaning up after me. There are also a few pets somewhere in the apartment so make sure you feed and walk them regularly. If you can’t locate them, don’t worry about it.

Finally, sorry to burden you with this but on the day I return I’ll need you to do a couple of things. Make sure everything is cleaner than how I left it and you can tape the key back up above the doorframe (might be tough for you, being so short…) or give it to one of my neighbors. Not on good terms with the apartment to the left but on the right, it’s a new neighbor, so they should be friendly enough.

Enjoy your stay and big thanks!

Dave

Analysis

1. Hey Billy,

2. I’m writing to give you all the details about my (yours for a week!) apartment. 3. Thanks for agreeing to this mutually beneficial arrangement.

  1. Address the letter to someone.
  2. Include your purpose for writing.
  3. Add in some more detail if you want.

1. So, you can find the key taped up above the doorframe. 2. Not the safest system, I know, but the best I could think up. 3. If it’s not there for any reason, give me a call and I can ask a neighbor to hand you the spare key. 4. Hope the police won’t need a ring as well in that case…

  1. Begin to develop the first point.
  2. Add more detail to it.
  3. Keep developing it.
  4. Make sure there are 3 sentences or more for each point.

1. Also, I didn’t want to mention this before but you’ve got quite a few chores to take care of. 2. First of all, I left the place an absolute mess. 3. I had a big party the other night (sorry, forgot to invite you…) and I just left all the beer bottles, pizza boxes, etc. lying around because I know how much you enjoy cleaning up after me. 4. There are also a few pets somewhere in the apartment so make sure you feed and walk them regularly. 5. If you can’t locate them, don’t worry about it.

  1. Move on to the second point.
  2. Begin developing it.
  3. Keep developing it.
  4. Finish developing it.

1. Finally, sorry to burden you with this but on the day I return I’ll need you to do a couple of things. 2. Make sure everything is cleaner than how I left it and you can tape the key back up above the doorframe (might be tough for you, being so short…) or give it to one of my neighbors. 3. Not on good terms with the apartment to the left but on the right, it’s a new neighbor, so they should be friendly enough.

4. Enjoy your stay and big thanks!

5. Dave

  1. Develop the last point.
  2. Keep developing it.
  3. Finish developing it.
  4. Write a goodbye statement.
  5. Write your name at the end.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

Hey Billy,

I’m writing to give you all the details about my (yours for a week!) apartment. Thanks for agreeing to this mutually beneficial arrangement.

So, you can find the key taped up above the doorframe. Not the safest system, I know, but the best I could think up. If it’s not there for any reason, give me a call and I can ask a neighbor to hand you the spare key. Hope the police won’t need a ring as well in that case…

Also, I didn’t want to mention this before but you’ve got quite a few chores to take care of. First of all, I left the place an absolute mess. I had a big party the other night (sorry, forgot to invite you…) and I just left all the beer bottles, pizza boxes, etc. lying around because I know how much you enjoy cleaning up after me. There are also a few pets somewhere in the apartment so make sure you feed and walk them regularly. If you can’t locate them, don’t worry about it.

Finally, sorry to burden you with this but on the day I return I’ll need you to do a couple of things. Make sure everything is cleaner than how I left it and you can tape the key back up above the doorframe (might be tough for you, being so short…) or give it to one of my neighbors. Not on good terms with the apartment to the left but on the right, it’s a new neighbor, so they should be friendly enough.

Enjoy your stay and big thanks!

Dave

Answers

I’m writing to my purpose is

details describes

agreeing to accepting

mutually beneficial arrangement works for both people

taped up above put over

doorframe the wooden part over the door

safest system dangerous way

think up device

for any reason with a justification

give me a call call me

neighbor person living next to you

hand you give you

spare key extra key

a ring a call

in that case in this situation

mention talk about

quite a few chores some household work

take care of look after

first of all firstly

left the place an absolute mess it is very messy

the other night some time back

invite ask to come over

etc. and so on

cleaning up after me tidying up for me

somewhere a place in the apartment

regularly often

locate find

burden make your responsibility

couple of two or more things

tough difficult

not on good terms not friendly with each other

to the left on the left side

friendly enough kind of nice with each other

stay time living there

big thanks very grateful

Pronunciation

aɪm ˈraɪtɪŋ tuː
ˈdiːteɪlz
əˈgriːɪŋ tuː
ˈmjuːtjʊəli ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl əˈreɪnʤmənt
teɪpt ʌp əˈbʌv
ˈdɔːfreɪm
ˈseɪfɪst ˈsɪstɪm
θɪŋk ʌp
fɔːr ˈɛni ˈriːzn
gɪv miː ə kɔːl
ˈneɪbə
hænd juː
speə kiː
ə rɪŋ
ɪn ðæt keɪs
ˈmɛnʃən
kwaɪt ə fjuː ʧɔːz
teɪk keər ɒv
fɜːst ɒv ɔːl
lɛft ðə pleɪs ən ˈæbsəluːt mɛs
ði ˈʌðə naɪt
ɪnˈvaɪt
ɪtˈsɛtrə.
ˈkliːnɪŋ ʌp ˈɑːftə miː
ˈsʌmweə
ˈrɛgjʊləli
ləʊˈkeɪt
ˈbɜːdn
ˈkʌpl ɒv
tʌf
nɒt ɒn gʊd tɜːmz
tuː ðə lɛft
ˈfrɛndli ɪˈnʌf
steɪ
bɪg θæŋks

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

Hey Billy,

I_____________o give you all the d_______s about my (yours for a week!) apartment. Thanks for a___________o this m__________________________t.

So, you can find the key t__________________e the d______________e. Not the s_______________m, I know, but the best I could t___________p. If it’s not there f_______________n, g_________________l and I can ask a n__________r to h________________u the s_____________y. Hope the police won’t need a__________g as well i______________e…

Also, I didn’t want to m___________n this before but you’ve got q_______________s to t________________f. F___________l, I l____________________________s. I had a big party t________________t (sorry, forgot to i________e you…) and I just left all the beer bottles, pizza boxes, e___. lying around because I know how much you enjoy c__________________________e. There are also a few pets s_____________e in the apartment so make sure you feed and walk them r____________y. If you can’t l_________e them, don’t worry about it.

Finally, sorry to b________n you with this but on the day I return I’ll need you to do a_____________f things. Make sure everything is cleaner than how I left it and you can tape the key back up above the doorframe (might be t_______h for you, being so short…) or give it to one of my neighbors. N_________________s with the apartment t____________t but on the right, it’s a new neighbor, so they should be f_________________h.

Enjoy your s____y and b____________s!

Dave

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.triplecrowncorp.com/happy-apartment/

Speaking Practice

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

Friends

  1. Do you talk about yourself to your friends?
  2. Do you like to listen or talk with your friends?
  3. Do you often change your mind about your friends?
  4. Is it important to have friends?

Writing Practice

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

Write a letter to friend to inform them of a celebration you are having for a recent job promotion. Include information about

The promotion

The celebration

Their accommodation