This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer from the real IELTS exam focused on the topic of the internet and travel.
This is an agree/disagree questions so you have a few options.
Agree and support your opinion in both paragraphs.
Disagree and support that opinion in both paragraphs.
Agree in one paragraph and disagree in the other.
But…
If you choose the last option – make 100% sure that you give a clear opinion.
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Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: The Internet & Travel (Real IELTS)
People today often use the internet to learn about the culture of other countries. This means that it is not that important to travel to those countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Tests
The fact that many people today use the internet to experience other countries means that it is no longer as important to actually travel to those nations. In my opinion, though travel has its benefits, this is largely true.
Proponents of travel often claim that real life experience trumps virtual experience. Compare, for instance, the recent Google Museum project which catalogues collections from famous museums in high resolution photos available to anyone with internet access. This is no doubt a positive development but it pales in comparison to the experience of walking through the Louvre and seeing the brushstrokes up close, going on a guided tour, and talking with other museum-goers. This holds true for a variety of experiences that are enhanced by being physically present in the moment.
Although there are good reasons to continue to travel on occasion, the internet allows people to access the majority of the experience remotely. The most salient example of this is the ubiquity of YouTube for internet users around the world. A child from an impoverished background, who still has internet access, probably cannot travel to other countries but they can watch travel documentaries, vlogs, and archived television shows that show cultures around the world. The makers of these videos not only bring their experience but also aggregate the most noteworthy events and individuals that even the most adventurous traveller would have difficulty finding the time to locate.
To conclude, travelling still plays a role in life but the internet has largely replaced its primary importance in life. There will come a time when the virtual world too fully overcomes the physical but for the moment it is still beneficial.
Word Count: 280
Analysis
1. The fact that many people today use the internet to experience other countries means that it is no longer as important to actually travel to those nations. 2. In my opinion, though travel has its benefits, this is largely true.
- My first sentence simply states the topic for the essy – don’t waste time trying to make it perfect because other sentences are more important!
- The second sentence gives my opinion. Be clear – don’t choose both sides!
1. Proponents of travel often claim that real life experience trumps virtual experience. 2. Compare, for instance, the recent Google Museum project which catalogues collections from famous museums in high resolution photos available to anyone with internet access. 3. This is no doubt a positive development but it pales in comparison to the experience of walking through the Louvre and seeing the brushstrokes up close, going on a guided tour, and talking with other museum-goers. 4. This holds true for a variety of experiences that are enhanced by being physically present in the moment.
- My first sentence is a topic sentence with the main idea for the showl paragraph – real life experience is better.
- The second sentence begins my example using a specific website – be as specific as possible!
- My next sentence continues to develop my museum example and mentions another specific museum.
- The last sentence generalises this to other experiences besides museums.
1. Although there are good reasons to continue to travel on occasion, the internet allows people to access the majority of the experience remotely. 2. The most salient example of this is the ubiquity of YouTube for internet users around the world. 3. A child from an impoverished background, who still has internet access, probably cannot travel to other countries but they can watch travel documentaries, vlogs, and archived television shows that show cultures around the world. 4. The makers of these videos not only bring their experience but also aggregate the most noteworthy events and individuals that even the most adventurous traveller would have difficulty finding the time to locate.
- The first sentence gives my main idea for this paragraph – accessing an experience remotely is almost as good.
- I start my example right away in the second sentence – don’t waste any time before you get to your examples!
- My third sentnence continues to develop my main idea with a hypothetical example.
- I conclude the paragraph by adding further detail to the reasons why expereincing travel online is as good as in real life.
1. To conclude, travelling still plays a role in life but the internet has largely replaced its primary importance in life. 2. There will come a time when the virtual world too fully overcomes the physical but for the moment it is still beneficial.
- The first sentence of the conclusion repeats my opinion clearly.
- My last sentence adds an extra detail that many examiners require for band 7+.
Vocabulary
Try to write a definition or synonym for the vocabulary in bold below:
The fact that many people today use the internet to experience other countries means that it is no longer as important to actually travel to those nations. In my opinion, though travel has its benefits, this is largely true.
Proponents of travel often claim that real life experience trumps virtual experience. Compare, for instance, the recent Google Museum project which catalogues collections from famous museums in high resolution photos available to anyone with internet access. This is no doubt a positive development but it pales in comparison to the experience of walking through the Louvre and seeing the brushstrokes up close, going on a guided tour, and talking with other museum-goers. This holds true for a variety of experiences that are enhanced by being physically present in the moment.
Although there are good reasons to continue to travel on occasion, the internet allows people to access the majority of the experience remotely. The most salient example of this is the ubiquity of YouTube for internet users around the world. A child from an impoverished background, who still has internet access, probably cannot travel to other countries but they can watch travel documentaries, vlogs, and archived television shows that show cultures around the world. The makers of these videos not only bring their experience but also aggregate the most noteworthy events and individuals that even the most adventurous traveller would have difficulty finding the time to locate.
To conclude, travelling still plays a role in life but the internet has largely replaced its primary importance in life. There will come a time when the virtual world too fully overcomes the physical but for the moment it is still beneficial.
Answers
no longer as important less relevant
actually in fact
largely mostly
proponents supporters
trumps invalidates
catalogues records
high resolution photos good photos
internet access ability to use the internet
no doubt definitely
pales in comparison to is not as good as
brushstrokes the physical marks from the artist’s paintbrush
guided tour museum tour
museum-goers people going to the museum
holds true is true
enhanced better
on occasion sometimes
remotely somewhat
most salient example best example
ubiquity common
impoverished poor
vlogs video blogs
archived television shows old TV programmes
makers people who make/create
aggregate choose the best to showcase
noteworthy stands out
adventurous traveller enterprising traveller
finding the time making time for
plays a role has something to do with
overcomes stronger than
beneficial good for
Pronunciation
nəʊ ˈlɒŋgər æz ɪmˈpɔːtənt
ˈækʧʊəli
ˈlɑːʤli
prəˈpəʊnənts
trʌmps
ˈkætəlɒgz
haɪ ˌrɛzəˈluːʃən ˈfəʊtəʊz
ˈɪntəˌnɛt ˈæksɛs
nəʊ daʊt
peɪlz ɪn kəmˈpærɪsn tuː
brʌʃ strəʊks
ˈgaɪdɪd tʊə
mju(ː)ˈzɪəm-ˈgəʊəz
həʊldz truː
ɪnˈhɑːnst
ɒn əˈkeɪʒən
rɪˈməʊtli
məʊst ˈseɪliənt ɪgˈzɑːmpl
ju(ː)ˈbɪkwɪti
ɪmˈpɒvərɪʃt
v:lɒgz
ˈɑːkaɪvd ˈtɛlɪˌvɪʒən ʃəʊz
ˈmeɪkəz
ˈægrɪgɪt
ˈnəʊtˌwɜːði
ədˈvɛnʧərəs ˈtræv(ə)lə
ˈfaɪndɪŋ ðə taɪm
pleɪz ə rəʊl
ˌəʊvəˈkʌmz
ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl
Listen and repeat:
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
The fact that many people today use the internet to experience other countries means that it is ___________________ to ___________________ travel to those nations. In my opinion, though travel has its benefits, this is ___________________ true.
___________________ of travel often claim that real life experience ___________________ virtual experience. Compare, for instance, the recent Google Museum project which ___________________ collections from famous museums in ___________________ available to anyone with ___________________. This is ___________________ a positive development but it ___________________ the experience of walking through the Louvre and seeing the ___________________ up close, going on a ___________________, and talking with other ___________________. This ___________________ for a variety of experiences that are ___________________ by being physically present in the moment.
Although there are good reasons to continue to travel ___________________, the internet allows people to access the majority of the experience ___________________. The ___________________ of this is the ___________________ of YouTube for internet users around the world. A child from an ___________________ background, who still has internet access, probably cannot travel to other countries but they can watch travel documentaries, ___________________, and ___________________ that show cultures around the world. The ___________________ of these videos not only bring their experience but also ___________________ the most ___________________ events and individuals that even the most ___________________ would have difficulty ___________________ to locate.
To conclude, travelling still ___________________ in life but the internet has largely replaced its primary importance in life. There will come a time when the virtual world too fully ___________________ the physical but for the moment it is still ___________________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Watch the first 3 minutes of the clip below and answer the questions:
- What is his main reason for travelling to Thailand?
- What does the Songkran festival mark?
- How long does it last?
- Why is he interested in Songkran?
- What are the roots of Songkran?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54V84dcSBNA
Answers:
- To experience its unique conntection to water.
- The start of the Thai new year and the end of the rainy season.
- 3 days.
- To see how it relates to Thailand’s relationship to water.
- Farmers gave thanks for their harvest and to mark new beginnings
Reading Practice
Choose an article from The Atlantic related to travel and comment a short summary of it in the comments below for feedback:
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/categories/travel/
You can also practice with these ideas: how to read the news and improve your IELTS reading score.
Hi Dave. Amazing essay as usual, but I can’t be the only one to notice some changes in writing quality here? It feels like you either wrote this in a rush, or you’re purposely simplifying the language, or you’re forcing a sub-300 word structure? I feel like your past essays have way more depth and sophistication.
Yes, thanks so much for the feedback. I am trying to challenge myself by writing them in different ways – most of mine will probably settle in around the 300 word mark – 400+ words is a bit indulgent honestly!
Should governments or teachers be responsible for what is to be taught in schools?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
Children’s education plays a vital role in the economy’s development. It is generally argued in society to decide who should set the school’s curriculum, either governments or teachers. I believe that policymakers have a crucial role in the education imparted in the educational institutions, but the value of teachers cannot be overlooked as well.
To embark upon, it is the legislation that governs a nation and implements all policies for the country’s development. In every country, there is a ministry of education which regulates the country’s entire education system. They hire academicians and administrative staff who formulate the curriculum for all primary and high or secondary classes. They provide directions to the schools regarding the number and type of assignments that should be given to pupils. Apart from this, they also bring changes and amendments to the system as and when required by considering the feedback provided to them from schools and parents. In addition, many aspects must be considered to put in the curriculum. To cite an example, in 2013, some private schools in India were teaching the values to the students from a holy book and many individuals rose an issue of racism. Therefore, governments know what should be permitted and what things must be prohibited to teach the learners.
Teachers play a vital role to enhance a student’s performance. They are the one who run the educational institutes by following the curriculum and giving lessons to the students. A highly experienced teacher provides expertise in the teaching sector by clearing the doubts regarding the topics to the students and preparing them for the competitive exams. For example, in India, plethora of competitive exams are held each year for getting high levels jobs and these educators educate the test takers for these exams.
To conclude, making the curriculum is the mutual responsibility of the governments and the teachers since none of them can decide what should be taught in schools in isolation.
Great work, Girish!
There is some nice vocab but be careful with fixed expressions like ‘to embark upon’ – which we don’t use in English.