This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether or not people are more independent or more dependent nowadays from the real IELTS exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Dependent and Independent Individuals
Some people think that individuals today are more dependent on each other. Others believe people have become more independent.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Many are of the opinion that people today are less self-reliant than at any point in the past. In my opinion, there exists the possibility to be completely independent but the most are justifiably more reliant on each other now.
Those who believe people today are more independent argue technology is liberating. In the past, a person who wanted to do research or enjoy a movie would have to leave their home, interact with others, and engage more with the community at large. However, it is now possible to live a largely insular lifestyle. Users can sign up for educational courses online, order food by delivery, and access mass amounts of information freely. Those who take advantage of these modern conveniences can theoretically become more independent and self-reliant. The question of whether this ideal is often achieved is still a matter of debate.
The main reason people are less independent today is this quality is no longer considered unequivocally positive. The traditional importance placed on keeping one’s composure, enduring difficult situations, and not requiring the help of others has been replaced in recent decades with a more progressive outlook that elevates vulnerability and dependence on others. It is now more common, for men especially, to be open to revealing their own weaknesses and asking for help. This social shift in turn has led to an increased reliance on the community, both online and in person, as well as a modern acceptance of wellness, therapy, and the importance of a compassionate support network for long-term mental health.
In conclusion, though many people have the potential to lead a more independent lifestyle thanks to advances in internet technology, most are now more dependent than ever before because of seismic shifts in society. This change has its positives and negatives but its reality is undeniable.
Analysis
1. Many are of the opinion that people today are less self-reliant than at any point in the past. 2. In my opinion, there exists the possibility to be completely independent but the most are justifiably more reliant on each other now.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who believe people today are more independent argue technology is liberating. 2. In the past, a person who wanted to do research or enjoy a movie would have to leave their home, interact with others, and engage more with the community at large. 3. However, it is now possible to live a largely insular lifestyle. 4. Users can sign up for educational courses online, order food by delivery, and access mass amounts of information freely. 5. Those who take advantage of these modern conveniences can theoretically become more independent and self-reliant. 6. The question of whether this ideal is often achieved is still a matter of debate.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- You can have some long sentences like this to really argue your point.
- State the fullest possible result.
1. The main reason people are less independent today is this quality is no longer considered unequivocally positive. 2. The traditional importance placed on keeping one’s composure, enduring difficult situations, and not requiring the help of others has been replaced in recent decades with a more progressive outlook that elevates vulnerability and dependence on others. 3. It is now more common, for men especially, to be open to revealing their own weaknesses and asking for help. 4. This social shift in turn has led to an increased reliance on the community, both online and in person, as well as a modern acceptance of wellness, therapy, and the importance of a compassionate support network for long-term mental health.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it as fully as possible!
1. In conclusion, though many people have the potential to lead a more independent lifestyle thanks to advances in internet technology, most are now more dependent than ever before because of seismic shifts in society. 2. This change has its positives and negatives but its reality is undeniable.
- 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.
Many are of the opinion that people today are less self-reliant than at any point in the past. In my opinion, there exists the possibility to be completely independent but the most are justifiably more reliant on each other now.
Those who believe people today are more independent argue technology is liberating. In the past, a person who wanted to do research or enjoy a movie would have to leave their home, interact with others, and engage more with the community at large. However, it is now possible to live a largely insular lifestyle. Users can sign up for educational courses online, order food by delivery, and access mass amounts of information freely. Those who take advantage of these modern conveniences can theoretically become more independent and self-reliant. The question of whether this ideal is often achieved is still a matter of debate.
The main reason people are less independent today is this quality is no longer considered unequivocally positive. The traditional importance placed on keeping one’s composure, enduring difficult situations, and not requiring the help of others has been replaced in recent decades with a more progressive outlook that elevates vulnerability and dependence on others. It is now more common, for men especially, to be open to revealing their own weaknesses and asking for help. This social shift in turn has led to an increased reliance on the community, both online and in person, as well as a modern acceptance of wellness, therapy, and the importance of a compassionate support network for long-term mental health.
In conclusion, though many people have the potential to lead a more independent lifestyle thanks to advances in internet technology, most are now more dependent than ever before because of seismic shifts in society. This change has its positives and negatives but its reality is undeniable.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
are of the opinion think
less self-reliant not as independent
at any point in the past at any time before
exists it is a reality
possibility chance
completely independent totally capable on your own
justifiably reasonable
reliant dependent, need others
each other other people
independent on your own, self-reliant
liberating freeing
research study
interact talk to
engage interact with
community at large all of society
largely insular lifestyle mostly alone
sign up join into
educational courses online learning on the internet
delivery brought by others to you
access mass amounts of information freely learn a lot online for no cost
take advantage exploit
modern conveniences new comforts
theoretically potentially
ideal perfect
achieved accomplished
still a matter of debate currently still controversial
main reason major cause
quality how good something is
no longer considered unequivocally positive don’t think it is 100% good
traditional importance placed old values put on
keeping one’s composure maintaining your cool
enduring difficult situations get through tough times
not requiring the help of others not depending on other people
replaced takes the place of
in recent decades the last 20+ years
progressive outlook modern way of thinking
elevates vulnerability values feelings of being open/weak
dependence relying on
for men especially males in particular
open not closed off to
revealing showing
weaknesses vulnerabilities
social shift changes in society
in turn then
has led to has caused
increased reliance more dependence
in person in reality
modern acceptance new embrace of
wellness healthy living
therapy talking to a psychiatrist
compassionate support network caring people around you
long-term mental health over a long time how you are emotionally
potential possibly
thanks to because of
more dependent than ever before need others more than in the past
seismic shifts in society big changes in society
undeniable can’t be refuted
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ɑːr ɒv ði əˈpɪnjən
lɛs sɛlf-rɪˈlaɪənt
æt ˈɛni pɔɪnt ɪn ðə pɑːst
ɪgˈzɪsts
ˌpɒsəˈbɪlɪti
kəmˈpliːtli ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt
ˈʤʌstɪfaɪəbli
rɪˈlaɪənt
iːʧ ˈʌðə
ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt
ˈlɪbəreɪtɪŋ
rɪˈsɜːʧ
ˌɪntərˈækt
ɪnˈgeɪʤ
kəˈmjuːnɪti æt lɑːʤ
ˈlɑːʤli ˈɪnsjʊlə ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl
saɪn ʌp
ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃənl ˈkɔːsɪz ˈɒnˌlaɪn
dɪˈlɪvəri
ˈæksɛs mæs əˈmaʊnts ɒv ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃən ˈfriːli
teɪk ədˈvɑːntɪʤ
ˈmɒdən kənˈviːniənsɪz
θɪəˈrɛtɪkəli
aɪˈdɪəl
əˈʧiːvd
stɪl ə ˈmætər ɒv dɪˈbeɪt
meɪn ˈriːzn
ˈkwɒlɪti
nəʊ ˈlɒŋgə kənˈsɪdər ˌʌnɪˈkwɪvəkəli ˈpɒzətɪv
trəˈdɪʃənl ɪmˈpɔːtəns pleɪst
ˈkiːpɪŋ wʌnz kəmˈpəʊʒə
ɪnˈdjʊərɪŋ ˈdɪfɪkəlt ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃənz
nɒt rɪˈkwaɪərɪŋ ðə hɛlp ɒv ˈʌðəz
rɪˈpleɪst
ɪn ˈriːsnt ˈdɛkeɪdz
prəʊˈgrɛsɪv ˈaʊtlʊk
ˈɛlɪveɪts ˌvʌlnərəˈbɪlɪti
dɪˈpɛndəns
fɔː mɛn ɪsˈpɛʃəli
ˈəʊpən
rɪˈviːlɪŋ
ˈwiːknɪsɪz
ˈsəʊʃəl ʃɪft
ɪn tɜːn
hæz lɛd tuː
ɪnˈkriːst rɪˈlaɪəns
ɪn ˈpɜːsn
ˈmɒdən əkˈsɛptəns
ˈwɛlnəs
ˈθɛrəpi
kəmˈpæʃənɪt səˈpɔːt ˈnɛtwɜːk
ˈlɒŋtɜːm ˈmɛntl hɛlθ
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl
θæŋks tuː
mɔː dɪˈpɛndənt ðæn ˈɛvə bɪˈfɔː
ˈsaɪzmɪk ʃɪfts ɪn səˈsaɪəti
ˌʌndɪˈnaɪəbl
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Many a__________________n that people today are l__________________t than a_________________________________t. In my opinion, there e_______s the p______________y to be c__________________________t but the most are j_____________y more r_________t on e____________r now.
Those who believe people today are more i_______________t argue technology is l________________g. In the past, a person who wanted to do r___________h or enjoy a movie would have to leave their home, i___________t with others, and e_________e more with the c______________________e. However, it is now possible to live a l_____________________________e. Users can s_________p for e______________________________e, order food by d_________y, and a__________________________________________________y. Those who t___________________e of these m_______________________s can t__________________y become more independent and self-reliant. The question of whether this i________l is often a__________d is s_____________________e.
The m_____________n people are less independent today is this q_________y is n________________________________________e. The t___________________________d on k____________________________e, e____________________________s, and n_____________________________________s has been r_____________________________s with a more p_________________________k that e___________________________y and d______________e on others. It is now more common, f____________________y, to be o_____n to r_____________g their own w_____________s and asking for help. This s____________t i_________n h_____________o an i__________________e on the community, both online and i_____________n, as well as a m__________________e of w____________s, t_________y, and the importance of a c_______________________________k for l_____________________________h.
In conclusion, though many people have the p____________l to lead a more independent lifestyle t____________o advances in internet technology, most are now m_____________________________e because of s_____________________________y. This change has its positives and negatives but its reality is u________________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://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/podcast113/
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Borrowing and Lending
- Have you ever borrowed a book from someone else?
- Do you like to lend to others?
- Would you ever lend a friend money?
- Would you lend someone your phone to make a phone call?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a company or organisation.
Why might this be the case?
What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed?
tough topic, thanks! Dave
Opinions are divided regarding whether individuals today tend to be more self-reliant. Although there are certain legitimate reasons why individuals are increasingly dependant on others, I opine that the level of independence of individuals nowadays is greater than it was in the past.
There are two primary reasons why individuals count more on each other. First, life is extremely difficult these days with the prices of houses soaring, rendering it unrealistic for individuals, most especially the youth, to buy their own house and live independently. Therefore, relying on parents by sharing the same roof with them is the only available option for individuals nowadays. Second, greater levels of gender equality can contribute to individuals being more reliant on each other. This is because women are more ambitious and therefore able to step into the workforce, thus leading to the emergence of dual-income families. This means that parents with full-time jobs have to rely on the assistance of grandparents or even their relatives to ease the burden of child-raising.
Despite the aforementioned argument, I claim that individuals nowadays tend to be more independent. This is partly due to the fact that more and more families can afford to send their children to universities, thus living far away from their parents. Consequently, these young people might become accustomed to the absence of parental care and protection. This often leads to them leading a more independent lifestyle and therefore having their own family, which contributes to the appearance of nuclear families. Furthermore, the omnipresence of technology and the Internet also reduce the need to count on others. For example, Students do not have to ask for helps from teachers as they can access a colossal amount of information widely available online, while employees can work alone or from anywhere with their computers.
In conclusion, while there are several reasons to believe that individuals are more reliant on each other, I maintain that individuals are progressively self-dependent.
Haha, yeah a really tricky one!
Yours is really good – great ideas and really specific throughout!
Hello, wonderful write up! How you improve to this level? Could you share your strategies?
Dear Dave, we have learnt that when paraphrasing discuss both views topics, we should paraphrase both sides.
You have paraphrased just one view, if I’m not mistaken. how can we do so?
For this one, it implies the other side (if people are less self-reliant then they are more dependent).
That’s also not a requirement necessarily – you just need to clearly state/paraphrase the topic of the essay, Niloofar.
thank you so much! paraphrasing and topic sentence are the most difficult parts of essay in my opinion. I learn from you how to deal with them.
That’s interesting, Niloofar – with some practice I think you should be able to handle those.
For most students, writing long, detailed examples is the most difficult part – me included!
I think that is easy to cope with if followed by multiple why method. how to start is usually hard. plus, when paraphrasing choosing precise vocabularies always is considerably difficult because of time pressure and limited knowledge of vocabularies
Yes, I see – thanks for commenting, Niloofar – I love to hear how students handle the test!
you are the most welcome
to my knowledge this sentence (topic sentence of body 2, paragraph 3 line 1) seems to be wrong.
“The main reason people are less independent today is this quality is no longer consider unequivocally positive”
I think it should be “The main reason people are less independent today is that this quality is no longer considered to be unequivocally positive/ considered as unequivocally positive”.
I would appreciate it if you would tell me why I am mistaken, so that I won’t make the same mistake in the future.
That sentence is correct, Niloofar – I just left off the ‘ed’ on considered by mistake.
You don’t need the fully ‘to be’ phrase on there – that makes it a little too wordy so it can be dropped to just ‘no longer considered…’
Great question!
thank you
You’re welcome!
Yes
Thanks, Uwakwe!
Hi Dave!
I Have Been following your writing since one year. Everytime when i read your writing i mesmerise how beautifully and logically you connect thesis sentence to topic sentence. How to improve that skill? Let me know please.
In body paragraph 2, topic sentenced is about ‘quality ‘. If i am not mistaken, is it about quality of technology or tradition? This is not clear to me perfectly.