This is an IELTS sample answer on leadership that came up on the test in July – maybe it will come up again next July! (That’s just a joke – questions are not repeated on the test.)

Read this sample answer and complete the vocabulary exercises below it in quizlet so you can be ready for when it comes up again!

Check out the links to articles and videos to become more familiar with a topic that will definitely come up again on the test next July! (Joking!)

If you want more sample answers, you can also read this one on Climate Change.

Here are some of my other sample answers.

If you want some SPEAKING sample answers you can check out our YouTube Channel.

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Dave

Task 2 IELTS Sample Question

Some are of the opinion that people are naturally born as good leaders while others feel that leadership skills can be learned.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer

It is often said that important people are born with certain characteristics that enable them to become great leaders. The alternative view is that leadership is a learnable quality. Personally, I agree with the latter viewpoint because training and experience are more important than innate ability in this situation.

It is somewhat true that many individuals are born with distinctive personal traits that allow them the opportunity to become talented leaders. Leaders tend to be those who are charming and persuasive. In contrast, those who lack of these characteristics may have a difficulty inspiring the belief and loyalty that all leaders require and end up as followers rather than leaders. For instance, a salesman who often fails to convince his clients to sign a deal may be dissuaded from becoming the sales team leader since he does not believe that he has what it takes to be one. The more convincing salesmen are more likely to rise to that role.

However, there are also people who assert that leadership skills can actually be achieved through proper training and effort. That is why there is a larger number of institutes offering leadership training programmes helping those who want to learn the skills required to be a leader. Public speaking is one of many skills these schools can teach. Individuals who are shy and lack confidence can find their feet in the leadership battle by learning the essence of good body language, pronunciation, and other elements of good public speaking. This will in turn make them better leaders.

In conclusion, although some traits related to leadership are likely inherited there is tremendous room for people to grow into positions of responsibility if they apply themselves fully to learning the skills and personal characteristics of great leaders.

Analysis

Introduction: 1. It is often said that important people are born with certain characteristics that enable them to become great leaders. The alternative view is that leadership is a learnable quality. 2. Personally, I agree with the latter viewpoint because training and experience are more important than innate ability in this situation.

1. The first sentence simply restates one side of the topic (leaders are born).

2. The second sentence restates the other side (leaders are made).

3. The third sentence states my opinion that leaders are made more, not born.

Body Paragraph 1: 1. It is somewhat true that many individuals are born with distinctive personal traits that allow them the opportunity to become talented leaders. Leaders tend to be those who are charming and persuasive. 2. In contrast, those who lack of these characteristics may have difficulty inspiring the belief and loyalty that all leaders require and end up as followers rather than leaders. 3. For instance, a salesman who often fails to convince his clients to sign a deal may be dissuaded from becoming the sales team leader since he does not believe that he has what it takes to be one. 4. The more convincing salesmen are more likely to rise to that role.

1. The first sentence is a topic sentence that includes my main idea for the whole paragraph (there are some natural traits that help people become talented leaders).

2. The second sentence further supports my main idea by pointing out that people who lack certain qualities often become followers rather than leaders.

3. The third sentence further this idea by giving the example of a salesman without the natural charisma to convince clients also not having the personality to lead other salesmen.

4. The fourth sentence supposes that a more naturally convincing person is more likely to become the leader of that team.

Body Paragraph 2: 1. However, there are also people who assert that leadership skills can actually be achieved through proper training and effort. 2. That is why there are a larger number of institutes offering leadership training programmes helping those who want to learn the skills required to be a leader. 3. Public speaking is one of many skills these schools can teach. 4. Individuals who are shy and lack confidence can find their feet in the leadership battle by learning the essence of good body language, pronunciation, and other elements of good public speaking. 5. This will in turn make them better leaders.

1. The first sentence is a topic sentence that includes my main idea for the whole paragraph (people can become leaders through training and effort).

2. The second sentence further supports my main idea by pointing out that many institutions offer training courses for leadership.

3. The third sentence further supports my main idea by saying that there are clear skills a person can learn related to body language, pronunciation and public speaking.

4. The fourth sentence summarises the paragraph by concluding that the training course will make them better leaders.

Conclusion: 1. In conclusion, although some traits related to leadership are likely inherited there is tremendous room for people to grow into positions of responsibility if they apply themselves fully to learning the skills and personal characteristics of great leaders.

1. The first (and only) sentence restates the main ideas and my overall opinion.

Vocabulary Practice

Quizlet is one of the best websites on the internet that you are not using (unless if you are using it – then good!)

Don’t believe me? Click on the link below and use it to easily learn some high-level vocabulary from the sample answer above:

Quizlet Vocabulary Study

Use this amazing site to learn some of the vocabulary from our sample answer!

Leadership Articles

https://www.brainyquote.com/top_10_leadership_quotes

https://hbr.org/the-real-leadership-lessons-of-steve-jobs

Leadership Videos

https://www.ted.com/topics/leadership

https://www.youtube.com/Top_10_Speeches

 https://www.youtube.com/Top_10_Leaders

https://www.youtube.com/Disney_Leadership

Example Notes

Here are some notes that I wrote myself (with the aid of a cup of coffee) from our Instagram page:

 

Student / Expert Answer comparison (Spot the mistake in body paragraph #2?)

 

Now it’s Your Turn! Comment below:

Are leaders born or made?

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