This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of competition for getting into university from the real exam.
IELTS Essay: Value of Preserving Old Buildings
Nowadays, there is more and more competition for getting into university.
Is this a positive or negative development?
As the number of university applicants continues to rise, a debate has emerged regarding whether this growing competition yields positive or negative consequences. In my opinion, competition is positive in this case despite the increased emotional burden it engenders.
One of the major drawbacks of increased university competition is the mounting pressure it places on students. Intense competition often leads to heightened stress levels, anxiety, and mental health issues. Countless students face sleepless nights, burnout, and compromised well-being due to the overwhelming pressure to outshine their peers. For instance, research conducted by the American Psychological Association revealed that high-stakes academic competitions and examinations can contribute to elevated levels of stress and anxiety disorders. Consequently, this negative impact on mental health can hinder students’ overall development and well-rounded growth.
On the other hand, intense competition can also act as a driving force that motivates students to strive for excellence and unleash their full potential. When faced with a highly competitive environment, students are incentivized to become more focused, disciplined, and goal-oriented. They are then more likely to develop a strong work ethic, perseverance, and resilience, which are essential qualities for success in various aspects of life. There is therefore an increased likelihood that students who have overcome intense competition during their university admissions process will display higher levels of determination and tenacity in their future endeavors, leading to potentially greater achievements in their careers.
In conclusion, escalating competition for university admission increases stress levels among students, yet more importantly fosters personal growth. Individuals must learn methods to manage their anxiety as it will prepare them for greater achievement later in life as well.
Analysis
1. As the number of university applicants continues to rise, a debate has emerged regarding whether this growing competition yields positive or negative consequences. 2. In my opinion, competition is positive in this case despite the increased emotional burden it engenders.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. One of the major drawbacks of increased university competition is the mounting pressure it places on students. 2. Intense competition often leads to heightened stress levels, anxiety, and mental health issues. 3. Countless students face sleepless nights, burnout, and compromised well-being due to the overwhelming pressure to outshine their peers. 4. For instance, research conducted by the American Psychological Association revealed that high-stakes academic competitions and examinations can contribute to elevated levels of stress and anxiety disorders. 5. Consequently, this negative impact on mental health can hinder students’ overall development and well-rounded growth.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Add in as much detail as possible.
1. On the other hand, intense competition can also act as a driving force that motivates students to strive for excellence and unleash their full potential. 2. When faced with a highly competitive environment, students are incentivized to become more focused, disciplined, and goal-oriented. 3. They are then more likely to develop a strong work ethic, perseverance, and resilience, which are essential qualities for success in various aspects of life. 4. There is therefore an increased likelihood that students who have overcome intense competition during their university admissions process will display higher levels of determination and tenacity in their future endeavors, leading to potentially greater achievements in their careers.
- 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.
1. In conclusion, escalating competition for university admission increases stress levels among students, yet more importantly fosters personal growth. 2. Individuals must learn methods to manage their anxiety as it will prepare them for greater achievement later in life as well.
- 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.
As the number of university applicants continues to rise, a debate has emerged regarding whether this growing competition yields positive or negative consequences. In my opinion, competition is positive in this case despite the increased emotional burden it engenders.
One of the major drawbacks of increased university competition is the mounting pressure it places on students. Intense competition often leads to heightened stress levels, anxiety, and mental health issues. Countless students face sleepless nights, burnout, and compromised well-being due to the overwhelming pressure to outshine their peers. For instance, research conducted by the American Psychological Association revealed that high-stakes academic competitions and examinations can contribute to elevated levels of stress and anxiety disorders. Consequently, this negative impact on mental health can hinder students’ overall development and well-rounded growth.
On the other hand, intense competition can also act as a driving force that motivates students to strive for excellence and unleash their full potential. When faced with a highly competitive environment, students are incentivized to become more focused, disciplined, and goal-oriented. They are then more likely to develop a strong work ethic, perseverance, and resilience, which are essential qualities for success in various aspects of life. There is therefore an increased likelihood that students who have overcome intense competition during their university admissions process will display higher levels of determination and tenacity in their future endeavors, leading to potentially greater achievements in their careers.
In conclusion, escalating competition for university admission increases stress levels among students, yet more importantly fosters personal growth. Individuals must learn methods to manage their anxiety as it will prepare them for greater achievement later in life as well.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
applicants: candidates, contenders, aspirants
debate has emerged regarding whether: discussion has arisen as to whether, controversy surrounds the question of whether
growing competition yields positive or negative consequences: increasing competition results in either positive or negative outcomes, the effects of growing competition are being debated
in this case despite: in this instance, notwithstanding, in spite of
increased emotional burden: heightened emotional load, amplified emotional pressure
engenders: produces, generates, fosters
One of the major drawbacks of: a significant disadvantage of, one of the main downsides of
mounting pressure it places on: increasing pressure it imposes on, the burden it places on
Intense competition: fierce competition, cutthroat competition
heightened stress levels: elevated levels of stress, intensified stress
anxiety: apprehension, unease, worry
mental health issues: psychological challenges, emotional well-being concerns
face sleepless nights: experience insomnia, endure nights without sleep
burnout: exhaustion, fatigue, breakdown
compromised well-being: diminished welfare, impaired state of being
overwhelming pressure to outshine their peers: immense pressure to surpass their peers, crushing expectations to outperform others
research conducted by: studies carried out by, investigations undertaken by
high-stakes academic competitions: high-pressure academic contests, competitive academic challenges with significant consequences
examinations: tests, assessments
elevated levels of stress and anxiety disorders: heightened levels of stress and anxiety-related disorders, increased stress and anxiety disorders
Consequently: as a result, therefore, accordingly
hinder: impede, obstruct, hamper
well-rounded growth: holistic development, comprehensive advancement, balanced progress
act as a driving force: serve as a motivating factor, function as a propelling influence
motivates: inspires, propels, drives
strive for excellence: aim for greatness, pursue perfection, seek to excel
unleash their full potential: realize their maximum capabilities, tap into their complete potential
faced with a highly competitive environment: confronted with an intensely competitive setting, in the midst of a cutthroat atmosphere
incentivized: encouraged, motivated, stimulated
focused: concentrated, centered, fixated
disciplined: self-controlled, regimented, well-regulated
goal-oriented: target-driven, purposeful, directed towards objectives
develop a strong work ethic: cultivate a robust work discipline, foster a diligent approach to work
perseverance: persistence, determination, tenacity
resilience: grit, toughness, bounce-back ability
essential qualities for success in various aspects of life: crucial attributes for success in different spheres of life, fundamental characteristics for achievement in diverse areas of life
There is therefore an increased likelihood that: Consequently, there is a higher probability that, as a result, there is a greater chance that
overcome intense competition: surmount intense competition, prevail over fierce competition
will display higher levels of determination: will exhibit greater levels of resolve, will demonstrate increased determination
tenacity: persistence, doggedness, perseverance
future endeavors: forthcoming pursuits, future undertakings
potentially greater achievements in their careers: possibly greater accomplishments in their professional lives, potentially more significant successes in their careers
escalating competition: increasing competition, rising rivalry
methods: approaches, techniques, strategies
manage their anxiety: cope with their anxiety, handle their anxiousness
prepare them: equip them, ready them, make them ready
greater achievement later in life as well: higher accomplishment in the future, enhanced success in later stages of life
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈæplɪkənts
dɪˈbeɪt hæz ɪˈmɜːʤd rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ ˈwɛðə
ˈɡrəʊɪŋ ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊn jiːldz ˈpɒzətɪv ɔː ˈnɛɡətɪv ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz
ɪn ðɪs keɪs dɪˈspaɪt
ɪnˈkriːst ɪˈməʊʃᵊnᵊl ˈbɜːdᵊn
ɪnˈʤɛndəz
wʌn ɒv ðə ˈmeɪʤə ˈdrɔːbæks ɒv
ˈmaʊntɪŋ ˈprɛʃər ɪt ˈpleɪsɪz ɒn
ɪnˈtɛns ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊn
ˈhaɪtᵊnd strɛs ˈlɛvᵊlz
æŋˈzaɪəti
ˈmɛntᵊl hɛlθ ˈɪʃuːz
feɪs ˈsliːpləs naɪts
ˈbɜːnˈaʊt
ˈkɒmprəmaɪzd wɛl-ˈbiːɪŋ
ˌəʊvəˈwɛlmɪŋ ˈprɛʃə tuː aʊtˈʃaɪn ðeə pɪəz
rɪˈsɜːʧ kənˈdʌktɪd baɪ
haɪ-steɪks ˌækəˈdɛmɪk ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊnz
ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃᵊnz
ˈɛlɪveɪtɪd ˈlɛvᵊlz ɒv strɛs ænd æŋˈzaɪəti dɪˈsɔːdəz
ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli
ˈhɪndə
wɛl-ˈraʊndɪd ɡrəʊθ
ækt æz ə ˈdraɪvɪŋ fɔːs
ˈməʊtɪveɪts
straɪv fɔːr ˈɛksᵊlᵊns
ʌnˈliːʃ ðeə fʊl pəˈtɛnʃᵊl
feɪst wɪð ə ˈhaɪli kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ɪnˈvaɪərənmənt
incentivized
ˈfəʊkəst
ˈdɪsəplɪnd
ɡəʊl-ˈɔːriɛntɪd
dɪˈvɛləp ə strɒŋ wɜːk ˈɛθɪk
ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərᵊns
rɪˈzɪliəns
ɪˈsɛnʃᵊl ˈkwɒlətiz fɔː səkˈsɛs ɪn ˈveəriəs ˈæspɛkts ɒv laɪf
ðeər ɪz ˈðeəfɔːr ən ɪnˈkriːst ˈlaɪklɪhʊd ðæt
ˌəʊvəˈkʌm ɪnˈtɛns ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊn
wɪl dɪˈspleɪ ˈhaɪə ˈlɛvᵊlz ɒv dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃᵊn
təˈnæsəti
ˈfjuːʧər ɪnˈdɛvəz
pəˈtɛnʃᵊli ˈɡreɪtər əˈʧiːvmənts ɪn ðeə kəˈrɪəz
ˈɛskəleɪtɪŋ ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊn
ˈmɛθədz
ˈmænɪʤ ðeər æŋˈzaɪəti
prɪˈpeə ðɛm
ˈɡreɪtər əˈʧiːvmənt ˈleɪtər ɪn laɪf æz wɛl
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:
As the number of university a__________s continues to rise, a d__________________________________r this g_____________________________________________________________s. In my opinion, competition is positive i________________e the i_______________________________n it e___________s.
O_______________________________f increased university competition is the m__________________________n students. I____________________n often leads to h___________________________s, a__________y, and m__________________s. Countless students f______________________________s, b___________t, and c___________________g due to the o_______________________________________________s. For instance, r____________________y the American Psychological Association revealed that h___________________________s and e______________s can contribute to e_________________________________________s. C____________________y, this negative impact on mental health can h_________r students’ overall development and w_______________h.
On the other hand, intense competition can also a________________________e that m_________s students to s_________________e and u______________________________l. When f_________________________________________t, students are i_______________d to become more f___________d, d_____________d, and g_____________d. They are then more likely to d____________________________c, p____________e, and r______________e, which are e_________________________________________________________e. T_______________________________________t students who have o_________________________n during their university admissions process w_________________________________________n and t_________y in their f________________s, leading to p____________________________________________s.
In conclusion, e________________n for university admission increases stress levels among students, yet more importantly fosters personal growth. Individuals must learn m___________s to m________________y as it will p______________m for g_________________________r i________________l.
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:
https://www.mybaggage.com/blog/the-hardest-universities-to-get-into-around-the-world/
Speaking Practice
- Have you ever attended a university or college?
- What were the main factors that influenced your decision?
- Will you study more in the future?
- What unique opportunities does a university education provide?
Writing Practice
Many university students want to learn about different subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others feel it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for their qualification.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
