This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of prioritizing healthcare from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS General Training Essay: Competition

In some countries today, children are taught from a young age that competition is important and that winning is everything.

Is this a positive or a negative development?

In some cultures, competition is viewed as an essential part of personal and professional growth, and children are taught from an early age to win. While this approach may have motivational advantages, the drawbacks for morality are concerning.

Firstly, competition can inspire children to strive for excellence. For example, in many Asian countries such as Vietnam and China, academic competition is highly valued and students often participate in national and international competitions to demonstrate their superiority. The National Science Olympiad in China is a prime example of this, with over 4 million students competing for a chance to represent their country in international competitions. Through this process, students learn how to set goals, manage their time effectively, and think critically, all of which are valuable skills for success in the 21st century.

Moreover, a culture of competition can oftentimes lead to a disregard for ethical behavior and foster interpersonal hostility. An illustrative instance of this can be seen in the recent college admissions scandal in the United States, where wealthy parents paid bribes to secure their children’s admission to elite universities. These parents were more concerned with their children’s success and prestige than with their future character, and their actions sent a message that cheating is acceptable as long as it is not discovered. Such behavior can have negative consequences in the long-term, as children may grow up with a skewed sense of values and priorities and a desire to win unconditionally, leading to aggressive behavior and a lack of principles.

In conclusion, while competition can be a powerful motivator for some children, the disadvantages overshadow the benefits. It is important to maintain a balance between fostering a healthy sense of ambition and creating an environment that is supportive, collaborative, and respectful.

Analysis

1. In some cultures, competition is viewed as an essential part of personal and professional growth, and children are taught from an early age to win. 2. While this approach may have motivational advantages, the drawbacks for morality are concerning.

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

1. Firstly, competition can inspire children to strive for excellence. 2. For example, in many Asian countries such as Vietnam and China, academic competition is highly valued and students often participate in national and international competitions to demonstrate their superiority. 3. The National Science Olympiad in China is a prime example of this, with over 4 million students competing for a chance to represent their country in international competitions. 4. Through this process, students learn how to set goals, manage their time effectively, and think critically, all of which are valuable skills for success in the 21st century.

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. Make sure your examples are specific

1. Moreover, a culture of competition can oftentimes lead to a disregard for ethical behavior and foster interpersonal hostility. 2. An illustrative instance of this can be seen in the recent college admissions scandal in the United States, where wealthy parents paid bribes to secure their children’s admission to elite universities. 3. These parents were more concerned with their children’s success and prestige than with their future character, and their actions sent a message that cheating is acceptable as long as it is not discovered. 4. Such behavior can have negative consequences in the long-term, as children may grow up with a skewed sense of values and priorities and a desire to win unconditionally, leading to aggressive behavior and a lack of principles.

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.

1. In conclusion, while competition can be a powerful motivator for some children, the disadvantages overshadow the benefits. 2. It is important to maintain a balance between fostering a healthy sense of ambition and creating an environment that is supportive, collaborative, and respectful.

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 some cultures, competition is viewed as an essential part of personal and professional growth, and children are taught from an early age to win. While this approach may have motivational advantages, the drawbacks for morality are concerning.

Firstly, competition can inspire children to strive for excellence. For example, in many Asian countries such as Vietnam and China, academic competition is highly valued and students often participate in national and international competitions to demonstrate their superiority. The National Science Olympiad in China is a prime example of this, with over 4 million students competing for a chance to represent their country in international competitions. Through this process, students learn how to set goals, manage their time effectively, and think critically, all of which are valuable skills for success in the 21st century.

Moreover, a culture of competition can oftentimes lead to a disregard for ethical behavior and foster interpersonal hostility. An illustrative instance of this can be seen in the recent college admissions scandal in the United States, where wealthy parents paid bribes to secure their children’s admission to elite universities. These parents were more concerned with their children’s success and prestige than with their future character, and their actions sent a message that cheating is acceptable as long as it is not discovered. Such behavior can have negative consequences in the long-term, as children may grow up with a skewed sense of values and priorities and a desire to win unconditionally, leading to aggressive behavior and a lack of principles.

In conclusion, while competition can be a powerful motivator for some children, the disadvantages overshadow the benefits. It is important to maintain a balance between fostering a healthy sense of ambition and creating an environment that is supportive, collaborative, and respectful.

Answers

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

In some cultures in many nations

competition rivalry

viewed as seen as

essential part of personal and professional growth necessary element for growth in both personal and professional spheres

taught from an early age instilled from a young age

win succeed

While this approach may have motivational advantages Although this method may offer motivational benefits

drawbacks disadvantages

morality ethics

concerning having to do with

inspire motivate

strive for excellence try really hard

academic competition is highly valued scholastic competition is highly esteemed

participate in national and international competitions take part in national and international contests

demonstrate show

superiority being better than

prime example good instance of

competing for a chance to represent their country in international competitions contending for the chance to take part in international contests on behalf of their country

set goals establish objectives

manage their time effectively utilize their time efficiently

think critically analyze thoughtfully

valuable skills for success in the 21st century crucial abilities for achievement in the 21st century

oftentimes lead to frequently result in

disregard ignore

ethical behavior moral conduct

foster interpersonal hostility breed hostility among people

An illustrative instance of this can be seen in A case in point can be observed in

recent college admissions scandal in the United States people in the USA trying to unfairly get into universities

wealthy rich

paid bribes corruption

secure make sure of

elite universities the best schools

concerned with cared about

success achievement

prestige status

future character personality later on

actions sent a message what they did communicated that

acceptable permissible

discovered found out

negative consequences in the long-term harmful repercussions in the long haul

skewed sense of values and priorities distorted sense of what is important in life

win unconditionally succeed no matter what

aggressive forceful

a lack of principles no morality

powerful motivator for encourages people a lot

overshadow stronger than

maintain a balance keep things equal

a healthy sense of ambition some drive

supportive helpful

collaborative working with others

respectful considerate, polite

Pronunciation

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

ɪn sʌm ˈkʌlʧəz 

ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃᵊn 

vjuːd æz 

ɪˈsɛnʃᵊl pɑːt ɒv ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ænd prəˈfɛʃᵊnᵊl ɡrəʊθ 

tɔːt frɒm ən ˈɜːli eɪʤ 

wɪn.

waɪl ðɪs əˈprəʊʧ meɪ hæv ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃᵊnᵊl ədˈvɑːntɪʤɪz 

ˈdrɔːbæks 

məˈræləti 

kənˈsɜːnɪŋ 

ɪnˈspaɪə 

straɪv fɔːr ˈɛksələns 

ˌækəˈdɛmɪk ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃᵊn ɪz ˈhaɪli ˈvæljuːd 

pɑːˈtɪsɪpeɪt ɪn ˈnæʃᵊnᵊl ænd ˌɪntəˈnæʃᵊnᵊl ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃᵊnz 

ˈdɛmənstreɪt 

suːˌpɪəriˈɒrəti 

praɪm ɪɡˈzɑːmpᵊl 

kəmˈpiːtɪŋ fɔːr ə ʧɑːns tuː ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt ðeə ˈkʌntri ɪn ˌɪntəˈnæʃᵊnᵊl ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃᵊnz 

sɛt ɡəʊlz 

ˈmænɪʤ ðeə taɪm ɪˈfɛktɪvli 

θɪŋk ˈkrɪtɪkᵊli 

ˈvæljəbᵊl skɪlz fɔː səkˈsɛs ɪn ðiː 21st ˈsɛnʧʊri 

ˈɒfntaɪmz liːd tuː 

ˌdɪsrɪˈɡɑːd 

ˈɛθɪkᵊl bɪˈheɪvjə 

ˈfɒstər ˌɪntəˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl hɒsˈtɪləti 

ən ˈɪləstreɪtɪv ˈɪnstəns ɒv ðɪs kæn biː siːn ɪn 

ˈriːsnt ˈkɒlɪʤ ədˈmɪʃᵊnz ˈskændᵊl ɪn ðə juːˈnaɪtɪd steɪts 

ˈwɛlθi 

peɪd braɪbz 

sɪˈkjʊə 

eɪˈliːt ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsətiz 

kənˈsɜːnd wɪð 

səkˈsɛs 

prɛsˈtiːʒ 

ˈfjuːʧə ˈkærɪktə 

ˈækʃᵊnz sɛnt ə ˈmɛsɪʤ 

əkˈsɛptəbᵊl 

dɪsˈkʌvəd 

ˈnɛɡətɪv ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz ɪn ðə ˈlɒŋtɜːm 

skjuːd sɛns ɒv ˈvæljuːz ænd praɪˈɒrətiz 

wɪn ˌʌnkənˈdɪʃᵊnᵊli 

əˈɡrɛsɪv 

ə læk ɒv ˈprɪnsəpᵊlz 

ˈpaʊəfʊl ˈməʊtɪveɪtə fɔː 

ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ 

meɪnˈteɪn ə ˈbæləns 

ə ˈhɛlθi sɛns ɒv æmˈbɪʃᵊn 

səˈpɔːtɪv 

kəˈlæbᵊrətɪv 

rɪsˈpɛktfʊl

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, c_____________n is v__________s an e_____________________________________________________h, and children are t____________________e to w__n. W_____________________________________________________s, the d________s for m_______y are c_______g.

Firstly, competition can i_________e children to s______________e. For example, in many Asian countries such as Vietnam and China, a________________________________d and students often p__________________________________________s to d____________e their s_________y. The National Science Olympiad in China is a ____________e of this, with over 4 million students c__________________________________________________________________s. Through this process, students learn how to s_______s, m____________________y, and t_____________y, all of which are v______________________________________y.

Moreover, a culture of competition can o_________________o a d_________d for e__________________r and f___________________________________y. A______________________________________n the r________________________________________________s, where w_______y parents p___________s to s_______e their children’s admission to e____________________s. These parents were more c____________________h their children’s s________s and p_________e than with their f_____________r, and their a__________________e that cheating is a______________e as long as it is not d__________d. Such behavior can have n______________________________________________m, as children may grow up with a s____________________________s and a desire to w________________________y, leading to a___________e behavior and a__________________s.

In conclusion, while competition can be a p_____________________r some children, the disadvantages o_____________w the benefits. It is important to m_____________e between fostering a_____________________________n and creating an environment that is s___________e, c____________e, and r___________l.

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varsity_Blues_scandal

Speaking Practice

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

School

1. Did you like your school when you were a child?
2. What did you learn about?
3. Did you have a favorite teacher?
4. Are there many rules in schools in your country?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age. Others think they should begin after 7 years of age.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

IELTS Essay: Formal School Age