This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of hot and cold climates from the real IELTS recent general training exam.

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Dave

IELTS Essay: Hot and Cold Climates

Some people prefer activities and lifestyles in hot climates while others prefer living in cold climates.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Many people enjoy living in hotter climates while others are more inclined to a cold weather lifestyle. In my opinion, although the latter can engender greater productivity, it is better to live in a warm climate for the mental and physical health benefits.

Those with an inclination towards cold weather argue it is a catalyst for work. Individuals living in colder places typically spend more time indoors and less time socializing or being active outside. This naturally gives them the opportunity to get more work or study done. The best evidence for this is the achievements made in nations with colder average temperatures. The countries in Northern Europe, for instance, typically have higher per capita earning figures and make more significant contributions in terms of innovations and economic production. One explanation for this is that a person living in a harsh climate is simply less likely to be distracted by activities outside the home.

I would argue, however, that warm weather encourages a more physically active and cheerful disposition. The goal of life is not simply to be productive but also enjoy one’s life. Returning to the European example, although the more northern countries have stronger economies, the southern locations report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction. This is because individuals can go outside and play sports, visit beaches, and socialize more frequently. The benefits for physical health also extend to mental health. People in warmer climates, such as those from Southern California, are generally more upbeat, positive, and outgoing. Leading an active, enjoyable life is more important than being in the optimal situation to maximize productivity.

In conclusion, despite the advantages of cold weather for individual productivity, the best lifestyles are generally enjoyed in warmer climates. All other factors being equal, residents should seek to live and raise a family in hotter locales.

Analysis

1. Many people enjoy living in hotter climates while others are more inclined to a cold weather lifestyle. 2. In my opinion, although the latter can engender greater productivity, it is better to live in a warm climate for the mental and physical health benefits.

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

1. Those with an inclination towards cold weather argue it is a catalyst for work. 2. Individuals living in colder places typically spend more time indoors and less time socializing or being active outside. 3. This naturally gives them the opportunity to get more work or study done. 4. The best evidence for this is the achievements made in nations with colder average temperatures. 5. The countries in Northern Europe, for instance, typically have higher per capita earning figures and make more significant contributions in terms of innovations and economic production. 6. One explanation for this is that a person living in a harsh climate is simply less likely to be distracted by activities outside the home.

  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. Vary long and short sentences.
  6. Keep adding more detail.

1. I would argue, however, that warm weather encourages a more physically active and cheerful disposition. 2. The goal of life is not simply to be productive but also enjoy one’s life. 3. Returning to the European example, although the more northern countries have stronger economies, the southern locations report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction. 4. This is because individuals can go outside and play sports, visit beaches, and socialize more frequently. 5. The benefits for physical health also extend to mental health. 6. People in warmer climates, such as those from Southern California, are generally more upbeat, positive, and outgoing. 7. Leading an active, enjoyable life is more important than being in the optimal situation to maximize productivity.

  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. Develop the example fully.
  6. State the results as well.
  7. Try not to write this many sentences…

1. In conclusion, despite the advantages of cold weather for individual productivity, the best lifestyles are generally enjoyed in warmer climates. 2. All other factors being equal, residents should seek to live and raise a family in hotter locales.

  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.

Many people enjoy living in hotter climates while others are more inclined to a cold weather lifestyle. In my opinion, although the latter can engender greater productivity, it is better to live in a warm climate for the mental and physical health benefits.

Those with an inclination towards cold weather argue it is a catalyst for work. Individuals living in colder places typically spend more time indoors and less time socializing or being active outside. This naturally gives them the opportunity to get more work or study done. The best evidence for this is the achievements made in nations with colder average temperatures. The countries in Northern Europe, for instance, typically have higher per capita earning figures and make more significant contributions in terms of innovations and economic production. One explanation for this is that a person living in a harsh climate is simply less likely to be distracted by activities outside the home.

I would argue, however, that warm weather encourages a more physically active and cheerful disposition. The goal of life is not simply to be productive but also enjoy one’s life. Returning to the European example, although the more northern countries have stronger economies, the southern locations report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction. This is because individuals can go outside and play sports, visit beaches, and socialize more frequently. The benefits for physical health also extend to mental health. People in warmer climates, such as those from Southern California, are generally more upbeat, positive, and outgoing. Leading an active, enjoyable life is more important than being in the optimal situation to maximize productivity.

In conclusion, despite the advantages of cold weather for individual productivity, the best lifestyles are generally enjoyed in warmer climates. All other factors being equal, residents should seek to live and raise a family in hotter locales.

Answers

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

hotter climates countries where it is warm

inclined like to

lifestyle how you live, shopping, sports, travel, work, etc.

the latter mentioned last

engender greater productivity make people get more work done

warm almost hot

mental related to the mind

physical health benefits good for the body

inclination towards preference for

argue claim

catalyst reason it happens

indoors inside

socializing talking to others

active not passive

naturally of course

opportunity chance

The best evidence for this is the strongest support comes from

achievements accomplishments

colder average temperatures not as hot throughout the year

typically usually

higher per capita earning figures make more money per person

make more significant contributions do a lot more

in terms of concerning

innovations new ideas

economic production GDP

explanation reason

harsh climate cold, bad weather

distracted by not focused on

encourages engenders

cheerful disposition happy personality

Returning to the European example going back to the instance from the last paragraph

report higher levels say they are more

satisfaction contentment

extend to include

upbeat happy

positive friendly

outgoing not introverted

leading having

optimal situation best context

maximize productivity make most efficient

despite regardless of

generally enjoyed overall liked

All other factors being equal everything else the same

residents people living there

locales places

Pronunciation

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

ˈhɒtə ˈklaɪmɪts
ɪnˈklaɪnd
ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl
ðə ˈlætə
ɪnˈʤɛndə ˈgreɪtə ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvɪti
wɔːm
ˈmɛntl
ˈfɪzɪkəl hɛlθ ˈbɛnɪfɪts
ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən təˈwɔːdz
ˈɑːgjuː
ˈkætəlɪst
ˌɪnˈdɔːz
ˈsəʊʃəlaɪzɪŋ
ˈæktɪv
ˈnæʧrəli
ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti
ðə bɛst ˈɛvɪdəns fɔː ðɪs ɪz
əˈʧiːvmənts
ˈkəʊldər ˈævərɪʤ ˈtɛmprɪʧəz
ˈtɪpɪk(ə)li
ˈhaɪə pɜː ˈkæpɪtə ˈɜːnɪŋ ˈfɪgəz
meɪk mɔː sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃənz
ɪn tɜːmz ɒv
ˌɪnəʊˈveɪʃənz
ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk prəˈdʌkʃən
ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən
hɑːʃ ˈklaɪmɪt
dɪsˈtræktɪd baɪ
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤɪz
ˈʧɪəfʊl ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən
rɪˈtɜːnɪŋ tuː ðə ˌjʊərəˈpi(ː)ən ɪgˈzɑːmpl
rɪˈpɔːt ˈhaɪə ˈlɛvlz
ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən
ɪksˈtɛnd tuː
ʌpˈbiːt
ˈpɒzətɪv
aʊtˈgəʊɪŋ
ˈliːdɪŋ
ˈɒptɪməl ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃən
ˈmæksɪmaɪz ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvɪti
dɪsˈpaɪt
ˈʤɛnərəli ɪnˈʤɔɪd
ɔːl ˈʌðə ˈfæktəz ˈbiːɪŋ ˈiːkwəl
ˈrɛzɪdənts
ləʊˈkɑːlz

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 enjoy living in h________________s while others are more i_________d to a cold weather l________e. In my opinion, although t__________r can e_______________________________y, it is better to live in a w_____m climate for the m_________l and p________________________s.

Those with an i______________________s cold weather a______e it is a c__________t for work. Individuals living in colder places typically spend more time i________s and less time s_________g or being a______e outside. This n______y gives them the o________________y to get more work or study done. T__________________________s the a_________________s made in nations with c________________________s. The countries in Northern Europe, for instance, t___________y have h_______________________________s and m________________________________s i_______________f i______________s and e_____________________n. One e_______________n for this is that a person living in a h_____________e is simply less likely to be d______________y activities outside the home.

I would argue, however, that warm weather e_____________s a more physically active and c___________________n. The goal of life is not simply to be productive but also enjoy one’s life. R______________________________e, although the more northern countries have stronger economies, the southern locations r____________________s of happiness and s_____________n. This is because individuals can go outside and play sports, visit beaches, and socialize more frequently. The benefits for physical health also e_________o mental health. People in warmer climates, such as those from Southern California, are generally more u________t, p_________e, and o___________g. L_________g an active, enjoyable life is more important than being in the o_________________n to m____________________y.

In conclusion, d__________e the advantages of cold weather for individual productivity, the best lifestyles are g__________________d in warmer climates. A____________________________________l, r___________s should seek to live and raise a family in hotter l________s.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-most-livable-cities-in-the-world

Speaking Practice

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

Outdoors

  1. Did you like to go outdoors when you were younger?
  2. Do you still go outdoors a lot now?
  3. Do you like reading outside?
  4. Where do people in your country like to go outside?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:

Some believe that people should make efforts to fight climate change while others think it is better to learn to live with it.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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