IELTS Essay: Outdoor Activities

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

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IELTS Essay: Outdoor Activities

Some think that it is more important for children to engage in outdoor activities instead of playing videogames.

To what extent to you agree or disagree?

Many believe that children today play too many videogames and should instead spend more time outdoors. In my opinion, though the former diversion is more educational than in years past, the full scope of the latter makes it preferable.

Advocates of gaming point out their recent evolution. This goes beyond more realistic graphics and includes the topics and types of games now available. Many games today are essentially a cinematic experience, with fully realised characters and themes that rival other great works of art. In this way, games are as educational as more respected art forms such as novels and films. Moreover, not all games are passive. There are more and more games every year that require creative and logical thinking, such as puzzles and text based mysteries. The developers of the newest apps available for phones now take advantage of improving hardware to push forward the medium and engage the mind.

Nonetheless, the games mentioned above are the exceptions and the benefits of outdoor play are greater in general. The most obvious advantage is the effect on heath. The world is facing an obesity epidemic that is at least partly driven by more sedentary lifestyles centered around consumer electronics and gaming. Going outside is a natural antidote and can instill in children good habits that will promote a healthy life later. Additionally, outdoor activities offer the opportunity for children to engage in a social activity. Most games are, to varying degrees, an individual experience but playing with others outside will foster teamwork and improved interpersonal skills.

In conclusion, games can be worthwhile but they rarely have more value than going outside. It is therefore important that parents strive to limit children’s screen time.

Analysis

1. Many believe that children today play too many videogames and should instead spend more time outdoors. 2. In my opinion, though the former diversion is more educational than in years past, the full scope of the latter makes it preferable.

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

1. Advocates of gaming point out their recent evolution. 2. This goes beyond more realistic graphics and includes the topics and types of games now available. 3. Many games today are essentially a cinematic experience, with fully realised characters and themes that rival other great works of art. 4. In this way, games are as educational as more respected art forms such as novels and films. 5. Moreover, not all games are passive. 6. There are more and more games every year that require creative and logical thinking, such as puzzles and text based mysteries. 7. The developers of the newest apps available for phones now take advantage of improving hardware to push forward the medium and engage the mind.

1. Write a clear topic sentence with your main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop the idea.
4. Finish developing it.
5. Transition to a related idea.
6. Develop that idea.
7. Conclude with the furthest result/development.

1. Nonetheless, the games mentioned above are the exceptions and the benefits of outdoor play are greater in general. 2. The most obvious advantage is the effect on heath. 3. The world is facing an obesity epidemic that is at least partly driven by more sedentary lifestyles centered around consumer electronics and gaming. 4. Going outside is a natural antidote and can instill in children good habits that will promote a healthy life later. 5. Additionally, outdoor activities offer the opportunity for children to engage in a social activity. 6. Most games are, to varying degrees, an individual experience but playing with others outside will foster teamwork and improved interpersonal skills.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Use specific examples.
4. Develop them fully.
5. Add in a related idea.
6. Develop it.

1. In conclusion, games can be worthwhile but they rarely have more value than going outside. 2. It is therefore important that parents strive to limit children’s screen time.

1. Summarise your ideas and repeat your opinion.
2. Add a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

Many believe that children today play too many videogames and should instead spend more time outdoors. In my opinion, though the former diversion is more educational than in years past, the full scope of the latter makes it preferable.

Advocates of gaming point out their recent evolution. This goes beyond more realistic graphics and includes the topics and types of games now available. Many games today are essentially a cinematic experience, with fully realised characters and themes that rival other great works of art. In this way, games are as educational as more respected art forms such as novels and films. Moreover, not all games are passive. There are more and more games every year that require creative and logical thinking, such as puzzles and text based mysteries. The developers of the newest apps available for phones now take advantage of improving hardware to push forward the medium and engage the mind.

Nonetheless, the games mentioned above are the exceptions and the benefits of outdoor play are greater in general. The most obvious advantage is the effect on heath. The world is facing an obesity epidemic that is at least partly driven by more sedentary lifestyles centered around consumer electronics and gaming. Going outside is a natural antidote and can instill in children good habits that will promote a healthy life later. Additionally, outdoor activities offer the opportunity for children to engage in a social activity. Most games are, to varying degrees, an individual experience but playing with others outside will foster teamwork and improved interpersonal skills.

In conclusion, games can be worthwhile but they rarely have more value than going outside. It is therefore important that parents strive to limit children’s screen time.

Answers

instead rather than

though despite

former diversion one mentioned before distraction

educational help you learn

in years past in the past

full scope entire range

the latter one mentioned last

preferable better

advocates supporters

point out argue

evolution changes

goes beyond passes

realistic graphics better images

now available out now

essentially fundamentally

cinematic experience like a movie

fully realised characters realistic characters

themes what the game wants to say/express

rival compare well with

in this way like this

educational helps you learn

more respected art forms highly revered arts

moreover also

passive not active

more and more increasing

creative expressive

logical thinking rational thinking

puzzles problems to solve

text based mysteries games based on writing

developers people who make games

take advantage exploit

improving hardware better phones, computers, etc.

push forward drive innovation

medium type of device

engage the mind must think about

nonetheless regardless

mentioned above written about before

exceptions outside the norm

greater in general larger overall

most obvious advantage clearest benefit

world is facing Earth is grappling with

obesity epidemic people getting fatter

at least partly driven by up to a point somewhat the source of

sedentary lifestyles not active

centered around have to do with

consumer electronics phones, computers, etc.

natural antidote clear remedy

instill teach

good habits good actions

promote a healthy life later be healthy throughout life

additionally also

offer the opportunity for allow for

engage in have to do with

social activity talking with others

to varying degrees to different extents

individual experience done alone

foster teamwork encourage working together

improved interpersonal skills better communication with others

worthwhile useful

rarely not often

therefore thus

strive try for

limit keep contained

screen time using phones, tablets, computers, etc.

Pronunciation

ɪnˈstɛd 
ðəʊ 
ˈfɔːmə daɪˈvɜːʃən 
ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃənl 
ɪn jɪəz pɑːst 
fʊl skəʊp 
ðə ˈlætə 
ˈprɛfərəbl 
ˈædvəkɪts 
pɔɪnt aʊt 
ˌiːvəˈluːʃən 
gəʊz bɪˈjɒnd 
rɪəˈlɪstɪk ˈgræfɪks 
naʊ əˈveɪləbl
ɪˈsɛnʃəli 
sɪnəˈmætɪk ɪksˈpɪərɪəns 
ˈfʊli ˈrɪəlaɪzd ˈkærɪktəz 
θiːmz 
ˈraɪvəl 
ɪn ðɪs weɪ
ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃənl 
mɔː rɪsˈpɛktɪd ɑːt fɔːmz 
mɔːˈrəʊvə
ˈpæsɪv
mɔːr ænd mɔː 
kri(ː)ˈeɪtɪv 
ˈlɒʤɪkəl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ 
ˈpʌzlz 
tɛkst beɪst ˈmɪstəriz
dɪˈvɛləpəz 
teɪk ədˈvɑːntɪʤ 
ɪmˈpruːvɪŋ ˈhɑːdweə 
pʊʃ ˈfɔːwəd 
ˈmiːdiəm 
ɪnˈgeɪʤ ðə maɪnd
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
ˈmɛnʃənd əˈbʌv 
ɪkˈsɛpʃənz 
ˈgreɪtər ɪn ˈʤɛnərəl
məʊst ˈɒbvɪəs ədˈvɑːntɪʤ 
wɜːld ɪz ˈfeɪsɪŋ 
əʊˈbiːsɪti ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk 
æt liːst ˈpɑːtli ˈdrɪvn baɪ 
ˈsɛdntəri ˈlaɪfˌstaɪlz 
ˈsɛntəd əˈraʊnd 
kənˈsjuːmər ɪlɛkˈtrɒnɪks 
ˈnæʧrəl ˈæntɪdəʊt 
ɪnˈstɪl 
gʊd ˈhæbɪts 
prəˈməʊt ə ˈhɛlθi laɪf ˈleɪtə
əˈdɪʃənli
ˈɒfə ði ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti fɔː 
ɪnˈgeɪʤ ɪn 
ˈsəʊʃəl ækˈtɪvɪti
tuː ˈveəriɪŋ dɪˈgriːz,
ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl ɪksˈpɪərɪəns 
ˈfɒstə ˈtiːmwɜːk 
ɪmˈpruːvd ˌɪntəˈpɜːsən(ə)l skɪlz
ˈwɜːθˈwaɪl 
ˈreəli 
ˈðeəfɔː 
straɪv 
ˈlɪmɪt 
skriːn taɪm

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

Many believe that children today play too many videogames and should i________d spend more time outdoors. In my opinion, t__________h the f_______________n is more e____________l than i_____________t, the f___________e of t______________r makes it p_____________e.

A___________s of gaming p_________t their recent e___________n. This g________________d more r_________________s and includes the topics and types of games n__________________e. Many games today are e________________y a c______________________e, with f______________________s and t__________s that r______l other great works of art. I______________y, games are as e___________________l as m___________________s such as novels and films. M___________r, not all games are p____________e. There are m________________e games every year that require c___________e and l__________________g, such as p____________s and t_______________________s. The d______________s of the newest apps available for phones now t______________________e of i_____________________e to p_________________d the m____________m and e____________________d.

N______________s, the games m__________________e are the e_______________s and the benefits of outdoor play are g____________________l. The m______________________________e is the effect on heath. The w_________________g an o__________________c that is a________________________y more s_____________________s c___________________d c______________________s and gaming. Going outside is a n___________________e and can i__________l in children g_______________s that will p_____________________________r. A______________y, outdoor activities o________________________r children to e__________n a s_______________y. Most games are, t____________________s, an i____________________e but playing with others outside will f______________________k and i___________________________s.

In conclusion, games can be w_______________e but they r_________y have more value than going outside. It is t______________e important that parents s_________e to l_______t children’s s________________e.

Listening Practice

Listen below and use the activities in here to practice:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and practice with these ideas:

https://www.wired.com/2009/08/simpleoutdoorplay/

Speaking Practice

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

Sport

1. What sport do you like?
2. Do you prefer team or individual sports?
3. Who is your favourite sports star?
4. What is the most popular sport in your country?

Writing Practice

Write about this related topic and check with my sample answer:

Many feel that going to the gym is the best way to stay fit. Others think there are more effective methods.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Gym/Exercise (General Training)