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This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of banning mobile phones in public from the real IELTS exam.
Here is a similar question from the exam on mobile phones.
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Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Banning Mobile Phones in Public Places
Many people think that mobile phones should be banned in public places such as libraries, shops and public transport.
Do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam Essay
There have been recent calls for the regulation of mobile phones in public areas. In my opinion, though this would have a positive effect on social interactions, a complete ban is unrealistic and impractical.
Those in favour of such sweeping reforms can point to reduced communication in society. Look inside any public space, whether it be a library, a store, a bus, or a park, and most likely the majority of individuals will be staring at their phones. This stands in stark contrast to the days before smartphones when people had to resort to talking to each other, or, at worst, reading a book to curb social anxiety. In the last two decades, mobiles have greatly reduced chance encounters, potential friendships, and conversations with both strangers and friends. The long-term effects of this are still unknown but it is safe to say that future generations will be less sociable and dynamic and more isolated and passive.
Nonetheless, banning phones in public is purely theoretical as they have become indispensable. Most jobs require employees to either be available by phone, for example doctors and police officers, or to use their phones throughout the day, as is common with businessmen and lawyers. This means most people must have their phone on them in public places for work reasons. Moreover, phone addiction has reached a point where nearly everyone in public is either messaging, playing a game, reading the news, or scrolling through social media. These have become important escapes for individuals and serve the practical purpose of minimising boredom during breaks and while waiting. Phones are therefore no longer a luxury but a key ingredient in daily life.
In conclusion, despite the impact of phones on social interaction, I believe a ban would interfere too much with ingrained habits. It is instead the responsibility of individuals to police their own behaviour.
Analysis
1. There have been recent calls for the regulation of mobile phones in public areas. 2. In my opinion, though this would have a positive effect on social interactions, a complete ban is unrealistic and impractical.
- Paraphrase the overall topic. Read about introductions here.
- Write a clear opinion – don’t sit in the middle. Include your main ideas if possible.
1. Those in favour of such sweeping reforms can point to reduced communication in society. 2. Look inside any public space, whether it be a library, a store, a bus, or a park, and most likely the majority of individuals will be staring at their phones. 3. This stands in stark contrast to the days before smartphones when people had to resort to talking to each other, or, at worst, reading a book to curb social anxiety. 4. In the last two decades, mobiles have greatly reduced chance encounters, potential friendships, and conversations with both strangers and friends. 5. The long-term effects of this are still unknown but it is safe to say that future generations will be less sociable and dynamic and more isolated and passive.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain or begin to develop your main idea.
- Making a comparison to the past is a good way to develop your idea.
- Include specific details.
- State the final results and don’t switch to a new main idea.
1. Nonetheless, banning phones in public is purely theoretical as they have become indispensable. 2. Most jobs require employees to either be available by phone, for example doctors and police officers, or to use their phones throughout the day, as is common with businessmen and lawyers. 3. This means most people must have their phone on them in public places for work reasons. 4. Moreover, phone addiction has reached a point where nearly everyone in public is either messaging, playing a game, reading the news, or scrolling through social media. 5. These have become important escapes for individuals and serve the practical purpose of minimising boredom during breaks and while waiting. 6. Phones are therefore no longer a luxury but a key ingredient in daily life.
- Write another topic sentence with a new clear main idea.
- Begin developing your idea.
- State the results.
- If you switch to another idea, be sure it is related to your topic sentence.
- Explain/develop your ideas fully.
- Finish with a strong statement.
1. In conclusion, despite the impact of phones on social interaction, I believe a ban would interfere too much with ingrained habits. 2. It is instead the responsibility of individuals to police their own behaviour.
- Summarise your main ideas and repeat your opinion.
- Add a final detail/thought. Read about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
There have been recent calls for the regulation of mobile phones in public areas. In my opinion, though this would have a positive effect on social interactions, a complete ban is unrealistic and impractical.
Those in favour of such sweeping reforms can point to reduced communication in society. Look inside any public space, whether it be a library, a store, a bus, or a park, and most likely the majority of individuals will be staring at their phones. This stands in stark contrast to the days before smartphones when people had to resort to talking to each other, or, at worst, reading a book to curb social anxiety. In the last two decades, mobiles have greatly reduced chance encounters, potential friendships, and conversations with both strangers and friends. The long-term effects of this are still unknown but it is safe to say that future generations will be less sociable and dynamic and more isolated and passive.
Nonetheless, banning phones in public is purely theoretical as they have become indispensable. Most jobs require employees to either be available by phone, for example doctors and police officers, or to use their phones throughout the day, as is common with businessmen and lawyers. This means most people must have their phone on them in public places for work reasons. Moreover, phone addiction has reached a point where nearly everyone in public is either messaging, playing a game, reading the news, or scrolling through social media. These have become important escapes for individuals and serve the practical purpose of minimising boredom during breaks and while waiting. Phones are therefore no longer a luxury but a key ingredient in daily life.
In conclusion, despite the impact of phones on social interaction, I believe a ban would interfere too much with ingrained habits. It is instead the responsibility of individuals to police their own behaviour.
Answers
recent calls people asking for
regulation rules about
public areas libraries, parks, etc.
positive effect good impact
social interactions talking to people
complete ban totally restricting
unrealistic not likely
impractical can’t really happen
in favour of preferring
sweeping reforms big changes
reduced communication less talking to each other
public space outside the home
whether it be if it is… or
most likely often
majority most of
staring looking at
stands in stark contrast to big difference to
resort have to use
at worst worst case scenario
curb social anxiety be calm in public
greatly reduced chance encounters much fewer opportunities for new meetings
potential friendships possible relationships
long-term effects how things will be impacted in the future
unknown still up in the air
it is safe to say that will likely be true that
less sociable not as friendly
dynamic active, malleable
isolated alone
passive not active
purely theoretical only works in theory/as an idea
indispensable can’t be given up
available always on call
as is common with can be seen in
have their phone on them always available
phone addiction can’t stop using a phone
reached a point finally arrived at
scrolling looking through
escapes getaway from
serve the practical purpose have value because
minimising boredom reducing feeling bored
luxury extravagance
key ingredient essential component
interfere get in the way of
ingrained habits can’t change behaviour
police verb of police meaning ‘control’
Pronunciation
ˈriːsnt kɔːlz
ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃən
ˈpʌblɪk ˈeərɪəz
ˈpɒzətɪv ɪˈfɛkt
ˈsəʊʃəl ˌɪntərˈækʃənz
kəmˈpliːt bæn
ˌʌnrɪəˈlɪstɪk
ɪmˈpræktɪkəl
ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv
ˈswiːpɪŋ ˌriːˈfɔːmz
rɪˈdjuːst kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən
ˈpʌblɪk speɪs
ˈwɛðər ɪt biː
məʊst ˈlaɪkli
məˈʤɒrɪti
ˈsteərɪŋ
stændz ɪn stɑːk ˈkɒntrɑːst tuː
rɪˈzɔːt
æt wɜːst
kɜːb ˈsəʊʃəl æŋˈzaɪəti
ˈgreɪtli rɪˈdjuːst ʧɑːns ɪnˈkaʊntəz
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˈfrɛndʃɪps
ˈlɒŋtɜːm ɪˈfɛkts
ʌnˈnəʊn
ɪt ɪz seɪf tuː seɪ ðæt
lɛs ˈsəʊʃəbl
daɪˈnæmɪk
ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd
ˈpæsɪv.
ˈpjʊəli θɪəˈrɛtɪkəl
ˌɪndɪsˈpɛnsəbl
əˈveɪləbl
æz ɪz ˈkɒmən wɪð
hæv ðeə fəʊn ɒn ðɛm
fəʊn əˈdɪkʃ(ə)n
riːʧt ə pɔɪnt
ˈskrəʊlɪŋ
ɪsˈkeɪps
sɜːv ðə ˈpræktɪkəl ˈpɜːpəs
ˈmɪnɪmaɪzɪŋ ˈbɔːdəm
ˈlʌkʃəri
kiː ɪnˈgriːdiənt
ˌɪntəˈfɪə
ɪnˈgreɪnd ˈhæbɪts
pəˈliːs
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
There have been r_________________s for the r_______________n of mobile phones in p________________s. In my opinion, though this would have a p_________________t on s____________________s, a c________________n is u________________c and i________________l.
Those i_________________f such s___________________s can point to r____________________________n in society. Look inside any p_________________e, w__________________e a library, a store, a bus, or a park, and m________________y the m______________y of individuals will be s______________g at their phones. This s___________________________o the days before smartphones when people had to r___________t to talking to each other, or, a___________t, reading a book to c___________________y. In the last two decades, mobiles have g________________________________s, p__________________________s, and conversations with both strangers and friends. The l____________________s of this are still u______________n but i___________________________t future generations will be l__________________e and d_______________c and more i_____________d and p_____________e.
Nonetheless, banning phones in public is p____________________l as they have become i____________________e. Most jobs require employees to either be a_________________e by phone, for example doctors and police officers, or to use their phones throughout the day, a____________________h businessmen and lawyers. This means most people must h_________________________m in public places for work reasons. Moreover, p_____________________n has r______________________t where nearly everyone in public is either messaging, playing a game, reading the news, or s_______________g through social media. These have become important e_____________s for individuals and s____________________________e of m______________________m during breaks and while waiting. Phones are therefore no longer a l______________y but a k____________________t in daily life.
In conclusion, despite the impact of phones on social interaction, I believe a ban would i________________e too much with i______________________s. It is instead the responsibility of individuals to p_____________e their own behaviour.
Listening Practice
Watch the related video about a phone ban in schools below:
Reading Practice
Read about how phones may or may not have ruined a generation below:
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following topic from the real IELTS part 2 speaking exam:
Talk about a time you could not use your phone
IELTS Speaking Exam
Writing Practice
Write about the following related topic from the exam and check with my sample answer below:
Some people believe that smartphones are destroying social interaction today.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam
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