IELTS Essay: Patriotism and War
Some argue that patriotism is the primary cause of wars globally. Others feel that it serves to prevent less ethical politicians from running a country and starting wars.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Many feel that patriotic feelings do more to foment, rather than prevent, conflicts and potential wars. In my opinion, though patriotism can be a positive force in a nation, it is more likely to serve as the justification for armed conflict.
Those who value the benefits of patriotism argue that it is a tool to oppose international interventions. This is most often the case in countries where it is possible for citizens to voice their opinions publicly. A standout example of this would be in the United States as the government is often engaged in unpopular conflicts abroad such as the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Many critics make the argument that the US was originally isolationist and should not now interfere in the affairs of other countries. This appeal to the patriotic roots of the country is persuasive.
However, it is more common for politicians to encourage nationalistic feelings to justify foreign wars. There are examples of this from both the modern era and past historical epochs. For instance, in Medieval Europe there were frequent wars of aggression between France, England, and Spain. The rulers of these countries used both religious and ethnic or nationalistic justifications for either expansion or defensive measures. Over time, patriotism came to be considered a method to distract residents from the domestic situation and motivate them towards a common goal.
In conclusion, despite the legitimate potential advantages of patriotism within a country, I feel that it is more likely to serve as a catalyst for international conflict. In fact, individuals have very little overall impact on whether or not their country enters a war.
Analysis
1. Many feel that patriotic feelings do more to foment, rather than prevent, conflicts and potential wars. 2. In my opinion, though patriotism can be a positive force in a nation, it is more likely to serve as the justification for armed conflict.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who value the benefits of patriotism argue that it is a tool to oppose international interventions. 2. This is most often the case in countries where it is possible for citizens to voice their opinions publicly. 3. A standout example of this would be in the United States as the government is often engaged in unpopular conflicts abroad such as the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. 4. Many critics make the argument that the US was originally isolationist and should not now interfere in the affairs of other countries. 5. This appeal to the patriotic roots of the country is persuasive.
- 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.
- You might add a counterpoint here.
1. However, it is more common for politicians to encourage nationalistic feelings to justify foreign wars. 2. There are examples of this from both the modern era and past historical epochs. 3. For instance, in Medieval Europe there were frequent wars of aggression between France, England, and Spain. 4. The rulers of these countries used both religious and ethnic or nationalistic justifications for either expansion or defensive measures. 5. Over time, patriotism came to be considered a method to distract residents from the domestic situation and motivate them towards a common goal.
- 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.
- Continue your development.
1. In conclusion, despite the legitimate potential advantages of patriotism within a country, I feel that it is more likely to serve as a catalyst for international conflict. 2. In fact, individuals have very little overall impact on whether or not their country enters a war.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
Many feel that patriotic feelings do more to foment, rather than prevent, conflicts and potential wars. In my opinion, though patriotism can be a positive force in a nation, it is more likely to serve as the justification for armed conflict.
Those who value the benefits of patriotism argue that it is a tool to oppose international interventions. This is most often the case in countries where it is possible for citizens to voice their opinions publicly. A standout example of this would be in the United States as the government is often engaged in unpopular conflicts abroad such as the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Many critics make the argument that the US was originally isolationist and should not now interfere in the affairs of other countries. This appeal to the patriotic roots of the country is persuasive.
However, it is more common for politicians to encourage nationalistic feelings to justify foreign wars. There are examples of this from both the modern era and past historical epochs. For instance, in Medieval Europe there were frequent wars of aggression between France, England, and Spain. The rulers of these countries used both religious and ethnic or nationalistic justifications for either expansion or defensive measures. Over time, patriotism came to be considered a method to distract residents from the domestic situation and motivate them towards a common goal.
In conclusion, despite the legitimate potential advantages of patriotism within a country, I feel that it is more likely to serve as a catalyst for international conflict. In fact, individuals have very little overall impact on whether or not their country enters a war.
Answers
patriotic feelings being proud of your country
foment create
rather than prevent instead of stop
conflicts fights
potential wars possible fights
patriotism feeling strongly about your country
positive force does good
serve as the justification are the main reason for
armed conflict wars
value importance of
benefits advantages of
argue contend
tool to oppose international interventions method to stop fights abroad
This is most often the case in countries where usually happens in nations in which
voice their opinions publicly protest
A standout example of this would be in the United States as A good instance is in America where
engaged in unpopular conflicts abroad always fighting wars
critics those who argue against
argument contention
originally isolationist before didn’t interfere with other countries
interfere in intervene
affairs situations
appeal try
patriotic roots thinking about the past of your country
persuasive convincing
politicians governments
encourage nationalistic feelings make people love their country more
justify foreign wars give reason to fight abroad
modern era nowadays
past historical epochs past eras
frequent wars of aggression fighting others / attacking others
religious and ethnic or nationalistic justifications reasons related to religion, race, nation
either expansion or defensive measures in order to grow bigger or protect yourself
Over time later on
considered thought of as
distract residents make people not pay attention to
domestic situation how things are in the country
motivate them towards a common goal make them come together
despite regardless of
legitimate potential advantages of real possible benefits from
serve as a catalyst for international conflict be the main reason for wars abroad
In fact actually
very little overall impact on whether or not not much effect on the whole regardless if
enters a war starts a fight
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˌpætrɪˈɒtɪk ˈfiːlɪŋz
fəʊˈmɛnt
ˈrɑːðə ðæn prɪˈvɛnt
ˈkɒnflɪkts
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl wɔːz
ˈpætrɪətɪzm
ˈpɒzətɪv fɔːs
sɜːv æz ðə ˌʤʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən
ɑːmd ˈkɒnflɪkt
ˈvæljuː
ˈbɛnɪfɪts
ˈɑːgjuː
tuːl tuː əˈpəʊz ˌɪntə(ː)ˈnæʃənl ˌɪntə(ː)ˈvɛnʃənz
ðɪs ɪz məʊst ˈɒf(ə)n ðə keɪs ɪn ˈkʌntriz weə
vɔɪs ðeər əˈpɪnjənz ˈpʌblɪkli
ə ˈstændaʊt ɪgˈzɑːmpl ɒv ðɪs wʊd biː ɪn ðə jʊˈnaɪtɪd steɪts æz
ɪnˈgeɪʤd ɪn ʌnˈpɒpjʊlə ˈkɒnflɪkts əˈbrɔːd
ˈkrɪtɪks
ˈɑːgjʊmənt
əˈrɪʤɪnəli ˌaɪsəʊˈleɪʃənɪst
ˌɪntəˈfɪər ɪn
əˈfeəz
əˈpiːl
ˌpætrɪˈɒtɪk ruːts
pəˈsweɪsɪv
ˌpɒlɪˈtɪʃənz
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ ˌnæʃnəˈlɪstɪk ˈfiːlɪŋz
ˈʤʌstɪfaɪ ˈfɒrɪn wɔːz
ˈmɒdən ˈɪərə
pɑːst hɪsˈtɒrɪkəl ˈiːpɒks
ˈfriːkwənt wɔːz ɒv əˈgrɛʃ(ə)n
rɪˈlɪʤəs ænd ˈɛθnɪk ɔː ˌnæʃnəˈlɪstɪk ˌʤʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz
ˈaɪðər ɪksˈpænʃən ɔː dɪˈfɛnsɪv ˈmɛʒəz
ˈəʊvə taɪm
kənˈsɪdəd
dɪsˈtrækt ˈrɛzɪdənts
dəʊˈmɛstɪk ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃən
ˈməʊtɪveɪt ðɛm təˈwɔːdz ə ˈkɒmən gəʊl
dɪsˈpaɪt
lɪˈʤɪtɪmɪt pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ədˈvɑːntɪʤɪz ɒv
sɜːv æz ə ˈkætəlɪst fɔːr ˌɪntə(ː)ˈnæʃənl ˈkɒnflɪkt
ɪn fækt
ˈvɛri ˈlɪtl ˈəʊvərɔːl ˈɪmpækt ɒn ˈwɛðər ɔː nɒt
ˈɛntəz ə wɔː
Vocabulary Practice
Many feel that p___________________s do more to f________t, r____________________t, c___________s and p_____________s. In my opinion, though p___________m can be a p_____________e in a nation, it is more likely to s_______________________________n for a_________________t.
Those who v______e the b____________s of patriotism a_______e that it is a t__________________________________________s. T__________________________________________________________e it is possible for citizens to v____________________________y. A________________________________________________________________s the government is often e____________________________________________d such as the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Many c______s make the a__________t that the US was o____________________t and should not now i________________n the a______s of other countries. This a________l to the p_______________s of the country is p____________e.
However, it is more common for p___________s to e___________________________________s to j__________________s. There are examples of this from both the m______________a and p________________________s. For instance, in Medieval Europe there were f______________________________n between France, England, and Spain. The rulers of these countries used both r____________________________________________s for e_______________________________________________s. O_________e, patriotism came to be c______________d a method to d_______________s from the d____________________n and m___________________________________l.
In conclusion, d______e the l____________________________________________f patriotism within a country, I feel that it is more likely to s_________________________________________________t. I_______t, individuals have v_______________________________________________t their country e______________r.
Listening Practice
Reading Practice
Speaking Practice
Your Home Nation/Country
- Where are you from?
- What do you like the most about your country?
- Where would you like to live in your country?
- Are people in your country patriotic?
Writing Practice
Some people say patriotism causes problems and is negative overall. Others feel that it is beneficial for society at large.
Do the advantages of patriotism outweigh its disadvantages?
How to add a additional paragraph of our own opinion in same question including introduction both paragraphs and conclusion?
You should put your opinion in the introduction and conclusion – you can also have it in the body paragraphs.
But better not to have a 5th paragraph, Manmohit.
Is that clear?
How I suppose to think of that in the ielts exam
It’s very hard for me I can’t brainstorm under pressure
Hmm – in that case try thinking from someone else’s perspective – what would a politician say? What would my best friend say?
Practice that and then use the technique on the exam – you only need 1 good main idea for each side.
why i think these two bodies depict two bright sides of patriotism, but in the end you highlight the bad side as catalyst of war.
I write about both sides – and then decide that overall it is bad – like in all my sample answers basically.