This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the general training exam on the topic of physical exercise for adults.
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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.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
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.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific detail as fully as possible.
Continue to develop it with an example or a hypothetical example.
Continue developing the same idea.
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.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
Make your example more specific.
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.
Summarise your main ideas.
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 longerexert 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 tonefor 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 longerexert 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 tonefor 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
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:
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.
Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
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.
Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific detail as fully as possible.
Continue to develop it with an example or a hypothetical example.
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.
Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
Switch to a second main idea if you have one.
And develop the second idea fully.
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.
Summarise your main ideas.
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 byconcerned 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
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________________yc_____________________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:
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.
Address the letter to someone.
Include your purpose for writing.
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…
Begin to develop the first point.
Add more detail to it.
Keep developing it.
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.
Move on to the second point.
Begin developing it.
Keep developing it.
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
Develop the last point.
Keep developing it.
Finish developing it.
Write a goodbye statement.
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
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:
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