This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of taking care of parents from the real IELTS general training exam.
Tough one for me to write about it – let me know what you think in the comments!
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Taking Care of Parents
Fewer and fewer children are willing to look after their parents as they get older these days.
Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
Many people today believe that since children are less and less likely to look after their parents, this has a negative impact on society. In my opinion, though there are decided social drawbacks, the advantages for both the elderly and younger people are greater.
Those who decry the perceived selfishness of children these days point out the vulnerability of the elderly. Firstly, many elderly people suffer from chronic, degenerative conditions such as declining eyesight, arthritis, dementia, and more serious diseases such as cancer. They therefore rely on the support of those around them and may not still have a spouse capable of looking after them. Secondly, those on fixed incomes might need financial assistance. In many countries, the social welfare systems are weak and elderly people who have not been able to save for retirement can find themselves living in destitute conditions or relying on soup kitchens and, in extreme cases, driven to homelessness.
However, the cases above are exceptions and it is more important for both parents and children to be independent. Many children end up in a situation where they must neglect their own plans and family in order to spend time and pay exorbitant medical bills for the elderly. This has an impact disproportionate with its benefits and younger people would be better off prioritising their own lives. Moreover, the elderly themselves may come to think of themselves as burdens. If they are constantly asking for help and impairing the progress of their children, then they have not done an adequate job as a parent to begin with. A greater degree of self-reliance will preserve their dignity and allow their children to prosper.
In conclusion, despite the necessity of aid from children in specific instances, most families benefit valuing independence. Therefore, looking after ones parents ought to be a last resort option.
Analysis
1. Many people today believe that since children are less and less likely to look after their parents, this has a negative impact on society. 2. In my opinion, though there are decided social drawbacks, the advantages for both the elderly and younger people are greater.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who decry the perceived selfishness of children these days point out the vulnerability of the elderly. 2. Firstly, many elderly people suffer from chronic, degenerative conditions such as declining eyesight, arthritis, dementia, and more serious diseases such as cancer. 3. They therefore rely on the support of those around them and may not still have a spouse capable of looking after them. 4. Secondly, those on fixed incomes might need financial assistance. 5. In many countries, the social welfare systems are weak and elderly people who have not been able to save for retirement can find themselves living in destitute conditions or relying on soup kitchens and, in extreme cases, driven to homelessness.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific detail.
- Continue to develop it.
- Develop it as fully as possible.
1. However, the cases above are exceptions and it is more important for both parents and children to be independent. 2. Many children end up in a situation where they must neglect their own plans and family in order to spend time and pay exorbitant medical bills for the elderly. 3. This has an impact disproportionate with its benefits and younger people would be better off prioritising their own lives. 4. Moreover, the elderly themselves may come to think of themselves as burdens. 5. If they are constantly asking for help and impairing the progress of their children, then they have not done an adequate job as a parent to begin with. 6. A greater degree of self-reliance will preserve their dignity and allow their children to prosper.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- The more specific, the better.
- Add on any extra detail that you can that is related for a better task achievement score.
- This paragraph can be slightly longer but not too much!
1. In conclusion, despite the necessity of aid from children in specific instances, most families benefit valuing independence. 2. Therefore, looking after ones parents ought to be a last resort option.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Take notes on a piece of paper so that you remember them better:
Many people today believe that since children are less and less likely to look after their parents, this has a negative impact on society. In my opinion, though there are decided social drawbacks, the advantages for both the elderly and younger people are greater.
Those who decry the perceived selfishness of children these days point out the vulnerability of the elderly. Firstly, many elderly people suffer from chronic, degenerative conditions such as declining eyesight, arthritis, dementia, and more serious diseases such as cancer. They therefore rely on the support of those around them and may not still have a spouse capable of looking after them. Secondly, those on fixed incomes might need financial assistance. In many countries, the social welfare systems are weak and elderly people who have not been able to save for retirement can find themselves living in destitute conditions or relying on soup kitchens and, in extreme cases, driven to homelessness.
However, the cases above are exceptions and it is more important for both parents and children to be independent. Many children end up in a situation where they must neglect their own plans and family in order to spend time and pay exorbitant medical bills for the elderly. This has an impact disproportionate with its benefits and younger people would be better off prioritising their own lives. Moreover, the elderly themselves may come to think of themselves as burdens. If they are constantly asking for help and impairing the progress of their children, then they have not done an adequate job as a parent to begin with. A greater degree of self-reliance will preserve their dignity and allow their children to prosper.
In conclusion, despite the necessity of aid from children in specific instances, most families benefit valuing independence. Therefore, looking after ones parents ought to be a last resort option.
Answers
less and less likely not as common
look after take care of
decided definite
drawbacks downsides
greater more important
decry question
perceived selfishness apparently only caring about themselves
point out argue
vulnerability weakness
suffer hurt
chronic your whole life
degenerative conditions conditions that only get worse, not better
declining eyesight worse seeing
arthritis aching joints
dementia can’t remember, Alzheimer’s
rely depend on
support help
spouse capable significant other can
fixed incomes no extra money
financial assistance extra money
social welfare systems support from the government, housing, etc.
retirement stopping working after 65
find themselves end up
destitute conditions very poor
soup kitchens places that provide free meals
in extreme cases the worst examples
driven to homelessness have to live on the streets
exceptions outliers
independent self-reliant
end up finally become
neglect not pay attention to
pay exorbitant medical bills expensive medicine, treatments
impact disproportionate with its benefits not as much result as what it costs
better off prioritising should care about
may come to think of themselves as burdens feel they are a hindrance
constantly always
impairing hurting
progress moving up in life
adequate enough
to begin with starting with
a greater degree some amount
self-reliance independence
preserve maintain
dignity self-respect
prosper flourish
necessity need
specific instances some examples
last resort option no other choice/option
Pronunciation
lɛs ænd lɛs ˈlaɪkli
lʊk ˈɑːftə
dɪˈsaɪdɪd
ˈdrɔːbæks
ˈgreɪtə
dɪˈkraɪ
pəˈsiːvd ˈsɛlfɪʃnɪs
pɔɪnt aʊt
ˌvʌlnərəˈbɪlɪti
ˈsʌfə
ˈkrɒnɪk
dɪˈʤɛnərətɪv kənˈdɪʃənz
dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ ˈaɪsaɪt
ɑːˈθraɪtɪs
dɪˈmɛnʃɪə
rɪˈlaɪ
səˈpɔːt
spaʊz ˈkeɪpəbl
fɪkst ˈɪnkʌmz
faɪˈnænʃəl əˈsɪstəns
ˈsəʊʃəl ˈwɛlfeə ˈsɪstɪmz
rɪˈtaɪəmənt
faɪnd ðəmˈsɛlvz
ˈdɛstɪtjuːt kənˈdɪʃənz
suːp ˈkɪʧɪnz
ɪn ɪksˈtriːm ˈkeɪsɪz
ˈdrɪvn tuː ˈhəʊmlɪsnəs
ɪkˈsɛpʃənz
ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt
ɛnd ʌp
nɪˈglɛkt
peɪ ɪgˈzɔːbɪtənt ˈmɛdɪkəl bɪlz
ˈɪmpækt ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃnɪt wɪð ɪts ˈbɛnɪfɪts
ˈbɛtər ɒf praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzɪŋ
meɪ kʌm tuː θɪŋk ɒv ðəmˈsɛlvz æz ˈbɜːdnz
ˈkɒnstəntli
ɪmˈpeərɪŋ
ˈprəʊgrəs
ˈædɪkwɪt
tuː bɪˈgɪn wɪð
ə ˈgreɪtə dɪˈgriː
sɛlf-rɪˈlaɪəns
prɪˈzɜːv
ˈdɪgnɪti
ˈprɒspə
nɪˈsɛsɪti
spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈɪnstənsɪz
lɑːst rɪˈzɔːt ˈɒpʃən
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 people today believe that since children are l__________________y to l______________r their parents, this has a negative impact on society. In my opinion, though there are d__________d social d_____________s, the advantages for both the elderly and younger people are g_________r.
Those who d________y the p____________________s of children these days p__________t the v______________y of the elderly. Firstly, many elderly people s__________r from c__________c, d_______________________s such as d__________________t, a_____________s, d____________a, and more serious diseases such as cancer. They therefore r____y on the s____________t of those around them and may not still have a s______________e of looking after them. Secondly, those on f_________________s might need f_____________________e. In many countries, the s_______________________s are weak and elderly people who have not been able to save for r________________t can f_______________s living in d___________________s or relying on s_____________s and, i___________________s, d_____________________s.
However, the cases above are e_________________s and it is more important for both parents and children to be i______________t. Many children e_______p in a situation where they must n________t their own plans and family in order to spend time and p________________________s for the elderly. This has an i__________________________________s and younger people would be b__________________________g their own lives. Moreover, the elderly themselves m___________________________________________s. If they are c_____________y asking for help and i________________g the p_________s of their children, then they have not done an a_____________e job as a parent t___________________h. A____________________e of s_________________e will p__________e their d__________y and allow their children to p_________r.
In conclusion, despite the n____________y of aid from children in s___________________s, most families benefit valuing independence. Therefore, looking after ones parents ought to be a l__________________n.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Old People (Model answer available on my Patreon)
- What are the advantages of having an elderly person at home?
- Is there anything that older people should learn from the younger generation?
- What can the younger generation learn from the older generation?
- What qualities does a person need to take care of older people?
- Do you think elderly people should be allowed to work?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Parents should take courses in parenting in order to improve the lives of their children.
To what extent do you agree?
Hello sir,
First of all, i would like to appreciate you efforts and thank you for the help you are providing to students like me.
I have a question.
Should we write 2 advantages or 2 disadvantages / 2 causes or 2 solutions in the IELTS essay as they ask what are the CAUSES. (plural)
Thanks for saying that, Manpreet!
If it asks for the causes, then you should write about the causes.
Are you asking about when the question is plural?