This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of researching your family history.

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IELTS Essay: Research on Family History

Some believe that research on family history is a useful thing to do, while others disagree.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

In recent years, many people have become increasingly interested in tracing their ancestry. While some argue that learning about family history can offer valuable insights into personal identity, I believe that it is a waste of time and resources on the whole.

On the one hand, supporters of researching family history believe that it can foster a deeper understanding of one’s identity. For instance, my friend Jessica, who was adopted as a baby in Canada, spent years trying to uncover her biological roots. Through online databases, DNA testing, and eventually hiring a genealogist, she discovered that her maternal family came from rural Vietnam and had immigrated to the United States during the Vietnam War. This discovery not only provided a sense of closure but also allowed her to reconnect with relatives and learn about her culture’s traditions, language, and values. For people like Jessica, family history research can be a deeply meaningful journey that enriches their lives and strengthens their connection to their heritage.

On the other hand, critics argue that researching family history can be a time-consuming and ultimately fruitless endeavor. Not everyone has access to detailed records, especially those whose ancestors came from regions affected by war, colonization, or poor documentation. A person today in Zimbabwe may not be able to trace their lineage as many records have been destroyed during political unrest. After spending months and a considerable amount of money, this person may give up, frustrated by the lack of progress. In such cases, the process can feel more like long errand than a meaningful pursuit. This focus on the past can distract from the present and future. Investing time and money into discovering long-lost ancestors can be seen as indulgent given the more serious personal and public issues that face all individuals today. For example, a single mother working two jobs may find little value in knowing her great-grandfather was a fisherman in Ireland when she is struggling simply to pay bills and take care of her children.

In conclusion, while researching family history can be deeply rewarding for some, I believe that it is generally a poor use of time, resources, and curiosity. The ultimate usefulness of such research largely depends on an individual’s personal circumstances, access to resources, and what they hope to gain from the experience.

Analysis

1. In recent years, many people have become increasingly interested in tracing their ancestry. 2. While some argue that learning about family history can offer valuable insights into personal identity, I believe that it is a waste of time and resources on the whole.

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

1. On the one hand, supporters of researching family history believe that it can foster a deeper understanding of one’s identity. 2. For instance, my friend Jessica, who was adopted as a baby in Canada, spent years trying to uncover her biological roots. 3. Through online databases, DNA testing, and eventually hiring a genealogist, she discovered that her maternal family came from rural Vietnam and had immigrated to the United States during the Vietnam War. 4. This discovery not only provided a sense of closure but also allowed her to reconnect with relatives and learn about her culture’s traditions, language, and values. 5. For people like Jessica, family history research can be a deeply meaningful journey that enriches their lives and strengthens their connection to their heritage.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Better to have more detail.

1. On the other hand, critics argue that researching family history can be a time-consuming and ultimately fruitless endeavor. 2. Not everyone has access to detailed records, especially those whose ancestors came from regions affected by war, colonization, or poor documentation. 3. A person today in Zimbabwe may not be able to trace their lineage as many records have been destroyed during political unrest. 4. After spending months and a considerable amount of money, this person may give up, frustrated by the lack of progress. 5. In such cases, the process can feel more like long errand than a meaningful pursuit. 6. This focus on the past can distract from the present and future. 7. Investing time and money into discovering long-lost ancestors can be seen as indulgent given the more serious personal and public issues that face all individuals today. 8. For example, a single mother working two jobs may find little value in knowing her great-grandfather was a fisherman in Ireland when she is struggling simply to pay bills and take care of her children.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. The more detail, the better.
6. Continue expanding on your ideas.
7. Be specific with your details.
8. This essay is a bit long – aim for about 275 words.

1. In conclusion, while researching family history can be deeply rewarding for some, I believe that it is generally a poor use of time, resources, and curiosity. 2. The ultimate usefulness of such research largely depends on an individual’s personal circumstances, access to resources, and what they hope to gain from the experience.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. 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.

In recent years, many people have become increasingly interested in tracing their ancestry. While some argue that learning about family history can offer valuable insights into personal identity, I believe that it is a waste of time and resources on the whole.

On the one hand, supporters of researching family history believe that it can foster a deeper understanding of one’s identity. For instance, my friend Jessica, who was adopted as a baby in Canada, spent years trying to uncover her biological roots. Through online databases, DNA testing, and eventually hiring a genealogist, she discovered that her maternal family came from rural Vietnam and had immigrated to the United States during the Vietnam War. This discovery not only provided a sense of closure but also allowed her to reconnect with relatives and learn about her culture’s traditions, language, and values. For people like Jessica, family history research can be a deeply meaningful journey that enriches their lives and strengthens their connection to their heritage.

On the other hand, critics argue that researching family history can be a time-consuming and ultimately fruitless endeavor. Not everyone has access to detailed records, especially those whose ancestors came from regions affected by war, colonization, or poor documentation. A person today in Zimbabwe may not be able to trace their lineage as many records have been destroyed during political unrest. After spending months and a considerable amount of money, this person may give up, frustrated by the lack of progress. In such cases, the process can feel more like long errand than a meaningful pursuit. This focus on the past can distract from the present and future. Investing time and money into discovering long-lost ancestors can be seen as indulgent given the more serious personal and public issues that face all individuals today. For example, a single mother working two jobs may find little value in knowing her great-grandfather was a fisherman in Ireland when she is struggling simply to pay bills and take care of her children.

In conclusion, while researching family history can be deeply rewarding for some, I believe that it is generally a poor use of time, resources, and curiosity. The ultimate usefulness of such research largely depends on an individual’s personal circumstances, access to resources, and what they hope to gain from the experience.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

1. In recent years → Over the past few years
2. increasingly interested in tracing their ancestry → more inclined to explore their family roots
3. family history → ancestral background
4. offer valuable insights into personal identity → provide important clues about one’s sense of self
5. a waste of time and resources → an inefficient use of energy and money
6. on the whole → overall
7. On the one hand → From one perspective
8. foster a deeper understanding of one’s identity → encourage greater self-awareness
9. adopted → raised by non-biological parents
10. uncover her biological roots → discover her genetic origins
11. Through online databases → Using internet-based genealogical tools
12. DNA testing → genetic analysis
13. eventually hiring a genealogist → ultimately employing a family history expert
14. maternal family → mother’s side of the family
15. rural Vietnam → countryside in Vietnam
16. immigrated to → relocated to another country
17. a sense of closure → emotional resolution
18. reconnect with → re-establish ties with
19. deeply meaningful journey → profound personal quest
20. enriches → enhances
21. strengthens their connection to their heritage → deepens their bond with cultural roots
22. On the other hand → Conversely
23. critics argue that → skeptics claim that
24. time-consuming and ultimately fruitless endeavor → lengthy and potentially unrewarding task
25. detailed records → comprehensive documentation
26. regions affected by war → areas impacted by conflict
27. colonization → imperial rule
28. poor documentation → inadequate recordkeeping
29. trace their lineage → follow their ancestral trail
30. destroyed during political unrest → lost amid civil turmoil
31. a considerable amount of money → a significant financial investment
32. may give up → could abandon the search
33. frustrated by the lack of progress → disheartened by slow results
34. In such cases → Under these circumstances
35. long errand → drawn-out task
36. meaningful pursuit → worthwhile endeavor
37. distract from the present and future → shift focus away from current and upcoming priorities
38. long-lost → estranged or forgotten
39. can be seen as indulgent given the more serious personal and public issues that face all individuals today → may seem self-indulgent in light of more pressing societal and personal challenges
40. find little value → see limited benefit
41. struggling simply to pay bills and take care of her children → barely managing financial responsibilities and childcare
42. deeply rewarding → highly fulfilling
43. generally a poor use of time, resources, and curiosity → often an unwise investment of effort, funds, and interest
44. The ultimate usefulness of such research largely depends on → How beneficial this type of exploration is often hinges on
45. individual’s personal circumstances → someone’s unique life situation
46. access to resources → availability of support and tools
47. what they hope to gain from the experience → the outcomes they aim to achieve

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ɪn ˈriːsᵊnt jɪəz

ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˈɪntrɛstɪd ɪn ˈtreɪsɪŋ ðeər ˈænsɛstri

ˈfæmᵊli ˈhɪstᵊri

ˈɒfə ˈvæljəbᵊl ˈɪnsaɪts ˈɪntuː ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl aɪˈdɛntəti

ə weɪst ɒv taɪm ænd rɪˈzɔːsɪz

ɒn ðə həʊl

ɒn ðə wʌn hænd

ˈfɒstər ə ˈdiːpər ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ ɒv wʌnz aɪˈdɛntəti

əˈdɒptɪd

ʌnˈkʌvə hɜː ˌbaɪəˈlɒʤɪkᵊl ruːts

θruː ˈɒnˌlaɪn ˈdeɪtəbeɪsɪz

diː-ɛn-eɪ ˈtɛstɪŋ

ɪˈvɛnʧuəli ˈhaɪərɪŋ ə ˌʤiːniˈæləʤɪst

məˈtɜːnᵊl ˈfæmᵊli

ˈrʊərəl ˌvjɛtˈnæm

ˈɪmɪɡreɪtɪd tuː

ə sɛns ɒv ˈkləʊʒə

ˌriːkəˈnɛkt wɪð

ˈdiːpli ˈmiːnɪŋfᵊl ˈʤɜːni

ɪnˈrɪʧɪz

ˈstrɛŋθᵊnz ðeə kəˈnɛkʃᵊn tuː ðeə ˈhɛrɪtɪʤ.

ɒn ði ˈʌðə hænd

ˈkrɪtɪks ˈɑːɡjuː ðæt

ˈtaɪmkənˈsjuːmɪŋ ænd ˈʌltɪmətli ˈfruːtləs ɪnˈdɛvə

ˈdiːteɪld ˈrɛkɔːdz

ˈriːʤᵊnz əˈfɛktɪd baɪ wɔː

ˌkɒlənaɪˈzeɪʃᵊn

pɔː ˌdɒkjəmɛnˈteɪʃᵊn

treɪs ðeə ˈlɪniɪʤ

dɪˈstrɔɪd ˈdjʊərɪŋ pəˈlɪtɪkᵊl ʌnˈrɛst

ə kənˈsɪdᵊrəbᵊl əˈmaʊnt ɒv ˈmʌni

meɪ ɡɪv ʌp

frʌsˈtreɪtɪd baɪ ðə læk ɒv ˈprəʊɡrɛs

ɪn sʌʧ ˈkeɪsɪz

lɒŋ ˈɛrənd

ˈmiːnɪŋfᵊl pəˈsjuːt

dɪˈstrækt frɒm ðə ˈprɛzᵊnt ænd ˈfjuːʧə

lɒŋ-lɒst

kæn biː siːn æz ɪnˈdʌlʤᵊnt ˈɡɪvᵊn ðə mɔː ˈsɪəriəs ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ænd ˈpʌblɪk ˈɪʃuːz ðæt feɪs ɔːl ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤuəlz təˈdeɪ

faɪnd ˈlɪtᵊl ˈvæljuː

ˈstrʌɡᵊlɪŋ ˈsɪmpli tuː peɪ bɪlz ænd teɪk keər ɒv hɜː ˈʧɪldrən

ˈdiːpli rɪˈwɔːdɪŋ

ˈʤɛnᵊrᵊli ə pɔː juːz ɒv taɪm, rɪˈzɔːsɪz, ænd ˌkjʊəriˈɒsəti

ði ˈʌltɪmət ˈjuːsfᵊlnəs ɒv sʌʧ rɪˈsɜːʧ ˈlɑːʤli dɪˈpɛndz ɒn

ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤuəlz ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ˈsɜːkəmstɑːnsɪz

ˈæksɛs tuː rɪˈzɔːsɪz

wɒt ðeɪ həʊp tuː ɡeɪn frɒm ði ɪkˈspɪəriəns

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:

I_____________s, many people have become i_____________________________y. While some argue that learning about f____________y can o_____________________________y, I believe that it is a__________________________e.

O______________d, supporters of researching family history believe that it can f______________________________________y. For instance, my friend Jessica, who was a________d as a baby in Canada, spent years trying to u_______________s. T______________________s, D____________g, and e___________________t, she discovered that her m___________y came from r___________________m and had i______________o the United States during the Vietnam War. This discovery not only provided a_______________e but also allowed her to r____________h relatives and learn about her culture’s traditions, language, and values. For people like Jessica, family history research can be a d_________________y that e__________s their lives and s_________________________________________e.

O________________d, c________________t researching family history can be a t_______________________________________________r. Not everyone has access to d______________s, especially those whose ancestors came from r___________________r, c_______________n, or p__________________n. A person today in Zimbabwe may not be able to t__________________________e as many records have been d_________________________t. After spending months and a_____________________________y, this person m_______________p, f_______________________________________s. I___________s, the process can feel more like l_________d than a m____________t. This focus on the past can d______________________________e. Investing time and money into discovering l_____________t ancestors c___________________________________________________________________________________y. For example, a single mother working two jobs may f_____________e in knowing her great-grandfather was a fisherman in Ireland when she is s__________________________________________n.

In conclusion, while researching family history can be d______________g for some, I believe that it is g____________________________________________________________y. T_____________________________________________n an i___________________________s, a_______________s, and w___________________________e.

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.archives.gov/riverside/how-to-begin-genealogical-research

Speaking Practice

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

History

1. Do you like to learn about history?

2. What historical event do you find most interesting?

3. Do you think history is important?

4. Do you consider archaeology to be an important science?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic:

Today family members eat fewer meals together.

Why is this?

Is this a positive or negative trend?

IELTS Essay: Moving Away from Friends and Family