The other Cambridge 19 essays can be found here:
Task 1:
Task 2:
IELTS Essay: Competition
Some people think that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing. Others believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Those who argue in favor of competition contend that it serves as powerful motivation. Examples of the impact of competition exend to many segments of life, including school and work. In schools, the desire to compete can lead a student to study harder than their classmates in order to achieve better grades and secure esteem from teachers and family members. At work, competition for promotions and higher compensation packages is the entire reason that individuals work diligently in the majority of company contexts. However, at home, competition rarely has positive ramifications. Family members that are consistently competing for admiration and recoginition are likely to suffer from some degree of poor mental health.
Indeed, there is greater value in fostering a cooperative environment. When individuals work together in teams, whether it be at school, work, or in the home, they are more likely to experience high levels of motivation, and more crucially, enjoyment. Competition can serve as a catalyst for achievement but is unlikely to engender the same heights of unifying satisfaction. A standout example of this would be the dynamics present on a sports team at any level of competition. Even though the players on the team are engaged in a competition, the most memorable and lasting memories of their experiences are more likely to come from small moments of comradery shared with teammates. This is the reason that many cite times spent working in groups towards a common goal as the highlights of life.
In conclusion, although competition can encourage innovation, cooperation provides a more vital environment of mutual respect and enjoyment of life. Depending on the situation, it is therefore imperative to seek cooperative understanding.
Analysis
1. Those who argue in favor of competition contend that it serves as powerful motivation. 2. Examples of the impact of competition extend to many segments of life, including school and work. 3. In schools, the desire to compete can lead a student to study harder than their classmates in order to achieve better grades and secure esteem from teachers and family members. 4. At work, competition for promotions and higher compensation packages is the entire reason that individuals work diligently in the majority of company contexts. 5. However, at home, competition rarely has positive ramifications. 6. Family members that are consistently competing for admiration and recognition are likely to suffer from some degree of poor mental health.
1. Indeed, there is greater value in fostering a cooperative environment. 2. When individuals work together in teams, whether it be at school, work, or in the home, they are more likely to experience high levels of motivation, and more crucially, enjoyment. 3. Competition can serve as a catalyst for achievement but is unlikely to engender the same heights of unifying satisfaction. 4. A standout example of this would be the dynamics present on a sports team at any level of competition. 5. Even though the players on the team are engaged in a competition, the most memorable and lasting memories of their experiences are more likely to come from small moments of comradery shared with teammates. 6. This is the reason that many cite times spent working in groups towards a common goal as the highlights of life.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- This essay is a bit long – aim for about 275 words.
- Finish the paragraph strong.
1. In conclusion, although competition can encourage innovation, cooperation provides a more vital environment of mutual respect and enjoyment of life. 2. Depending on the situation, it is therefore imperative to seek cooperative understanding.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Those who argue in favor of competition contend that it serves as powerful motivation. Examples of the impact of competition extend to many segments of life, including school and work. In schools, the desire to compete can lead a student to study harder than their classmates in order to achieve better grades and secure esteem from teachers and family members. At work, competition for promotions and higher compensation packages is the entire reason that individuals work diligently in the majority of company contexts. However, at home, competition rarely has positive ramifications. Family members that are consistently competing for admiration and recoginition are likely to suffer from some degree of poor mental health.
Indeed, there is greater value in fostering a cooperative environment. When individuals work together in teams, whether it be at school, work, or in the home, they are more likely to experience high levels of motivation, and more crucially, enjoyment. Competition can serve as a catalyst for achievement but is unlikely to engender the same heights of unifying satisfaction. A standout example of this would be the dynamics present on a sports team at any level of competition. Even though the players on the team are engaged in a competition, the most memorable and lasting memories of their experiences are more likely to come from small moments of comradery shared with teammates. This is the reason that many cite times spent working in groups towards a common goal as the highlights of life.
In conclusion, although competition can encourage innovation, cooperation provides a more vital environment of mutual respect and enjoyment of life. Depending on the situation, it is therefore imperative to seek cooperative understanding.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
competing – contending
a variety of daily environments – diverse range of daily settings
focus on cooperation – prioritize collaborative efforts
ideal – optimal
yield transformational results – produce revolutionary outcomes
more valuable – of greater worth
embrace cooperation as a guiding principle – adopt collaboration as a core belief
in favor of – supportive of
serves as powerful motivation – acts as a strong driving force
impact – influence
extend to many segments of life – reach various aspects of life
desire – aspiration
study harder than – put in extra effort compared to
in order to achieve better grades – to attain improved academic performance
secure esteem from teachers and family members – gain recognition from educators and relatives
higher compensation packages – increased salary offerings
entire reason – sole purpose
diligently in the majority of company contexts – consistently in most corporate scenarios
rarely has positive ramifications – seldom has positive consequences
consistently competing – continuously vying
admiration – respect
recognition – acknowledgment
likely to suffer from some degree of poor mental health – prone to experience certain levels of mental distress
Indeed – unquestionably
greater value in fostering a cooperative environment – enhanced significance in cultivating a collaborative atmosphere
whether it be at – whether it occurs in
experience high levels of motivation – encounter elevated levels of drive
more crucially – of greater importance
enjoyment – pleasure
serve as a catalyst for – act as a catalyst to
unlikely to engender – improbable to generate
heights of unifying satisfaction – pinnacle of unified contentment
A standout example of this would be – An exceptional instance of this can be seen in
dynamics present on – interactions existing within
at any level of competition – regardless of the competition level
engaged in a competition – involved in a contest
memorable – unforgettable
lasting memories – enduring recollections
come from small moments of comradery shared with teammates – arise from small instances of camaraderie among teammates
cite times spent working in groups towards a common goal – mention instances of collaborating in groups toward a shared objective
highlights – emphasizes
provides a more vital environment – offers a more dynamic setting
mutual respect and enjoyment of life – shared respect and delight in life
Depending on the situation – Depending on the circumstances
imperative – crucial
seek cooperative understanding – strive for collaborative comprehension
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
kəmˈpiːtɪŋ
ə vəˈraɪəti ɒv ˈdeɪli ɪnˈvaɪrᵊnmənts
ˈfəʊkəs ɒn kəʊˌɒpᵊrˈeɪʃᵊn
aɪˈdɪəl
jiːld ˌtrænsfəˈmeɪʃᵊnᵊl rɪˈzʌlts
mɔː ˈvæljəbᵊl
ɪmˈbreɪs kəʊˌɒpᵊrˈeɪʃᵊn æz ə ˈɡaɪdɪŋ ˈprɪnsəpᵊl
ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv
kənˈtɛnd
sɜːvz æz ˈpaʊəfᵊl ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃᵊn
ˈɪmpækt
ɪkˈstɛnd tuː ˈmɛni ˈsɛɡmənts ɒv laɪf
dɪˈzaɪə
ˈstʌdi ˈhɑːdə ðæn
ɪn ˈɔːdə tuː əˈʧiːv ˈbɛtə ɡreɪdz
sɪˈkjʊər ɪˈstiːm frɒm ˈtiːʧəz ænd ˈfæmᵊli ˈmɛmbəz
ˈhaɪə ˌkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃᵊn ˈpækɪʤɪz
ɪnˈtaɪə ˈriːzᵊn
ˈdɪlɪʤᵊntli ɪn ðə məˈʤɒrəti ɒv ˈkʌmpəni ˈkɒntɛksts
ˈreəli hæz ˈpɒzətɪv ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃᵊnz
kənˈsɪstᵊntli kəmˈpiːtɪŋ
ˌædməˈreɪʃᵊn
ˌrɛkəɡˈnɪʃᵊn
ˈlaɪkli tuː ˈsʌfə frɒm sʌm dɪˈɡriː ɒv pɔː ˈmɛntᵊl hɛlθ
ɪnˈdiːd
ˈɡreɪtə ˈvæljuː ɪn ˈfɒstərɪŋ ə kəʊˈɒpᵊrətɪv ɪnˈvaɪrᵊnmənt
ˈwɛðər ɪt biː æt
ɪkˈspɪəriəns haɪ ˈlɛvᵊlz ɒv ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃᵊn
mɔː ˈkruːʃᵊli
ɪnˈʤɔɪmənt
sɜːv æz ə ˈkætəlɪst fɔː
ʌnˈlaɪkli tuː ɪnˈʤɛndə
haɪts ɒv ˈjuːnɪfaɪɪŋ ˌsætɪsˈfækʃᵊn
ə ˈstændaʊt ɪɡˈzɑːmpᵊl ɒv ðɪs wʊd biː
daɪˈnæmɪks ˈprɛzᵊnt ɒn
æt ˈɛni ˈlɛvᵊl ɒv ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊn
ɪnˈɡeɪʤd ɪn ə ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊn
ˈmɛmᵊrəbᵊl
ˈlɑːstɪŋ ˈmɛmᵊriz
kʌm frɒm smɔːl ˈməʊmənts ɒv ˈkɒmreɪd ʃeəd wɪð ˈtiːmmeɪts
saɪt taɪmz spɛnt ˈwɜːkɪŋ ɪn ɡruːps təˈwɔːdz ə ˈkɒmən ɡəʊl
ˈhaɪˌlaɪts
prəˈvaɪdz ə mɔː ˈvaɪtᵊl ɪnˈvaɪrᵊnmənt
ˈmjuːʧuəl rɪˈspɛkt ænd ɪnˈʤɔɪmənt ɒv laɪf
dɪˈpɛndɪŋ ɒn ðə ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃᵊn
ɪmˈpɛrətɪv
siːk kəʊˈɒpᵊrətɪv ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ
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:
Those who argue i_____________f competition c__________d that it s________________________n. Examples of the i_______t of cooperation e__________________________e, including school and work. In schools, the d_______e to compete can lead a student to s__________________n their classmates i_______________________________________s and s______________________________________________s. At work, competition for p__________-__s and h______________________________s is the e______________n that individuals work d_________________________________________________-s. However, at home, competition r_______________________s. Family members that are c__________________-g for a_____________n and r_____________n are l_________________________________________________________________h.
I_________d, there is g________________________________________________t. When individuals work together in teams, w__________________t school, work, or in the home, they are more likely to e_________________________n, and m_____________y, e____________-t. Competition can s_______________________r achievement but is u____________________r the same h___________________________n. A___________________________________e the d_____________-n a sports team a__________________________n. Even though the players on the team are e________________-_n, the most m__________e and l______________________s of their experiences are more likely to c__________________________________________________________s. This is the reason that many c____________________________________________________l as the h__________-s of life.
In conclusion, although competition can encourage innovation, cooperation p_________________________________t of m________________________________________________e. D______________________________n, it is therefore i___________e to s_________________________________________g.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
Speaking Practice
Life Goals
- How important is it for people to set goals?
- Do people set different goals at different stages of life?
- Are personal goals more important than professional goals?
- What sort of goals do young people today set?
- Are people becoming more pessimistic about their life goals?
Writing Practice
Nowadays, there is more and more competition for getting into university.
Is this a positive or negative development?
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