This is a real question from a past IELTS Writing Task 2.

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It is very common to have to answer questions about global events or sports.

Keep reading for a sample answer as well as vocabulary, analysis, practice, notes and other stuff too!

Read all my other exclusive sample answers online for free here: IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answers.

The recent questions from the IELTS writing task 2 exam are here, task 1 is here and the speaking questions and topics are here.

Dave

 

IELTS WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people think that it is a waste of money for countries to host big sporting events like the world cup, and that the money would be better spent on other things. However, others think that hosting large sporting events has a clear, positive impact on a country.
Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

Give reason for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

 

There is fierce competition between nations to host major international sports events like the World Cup or Olympics as it is a unique opportunity to boost the national reputation of the host nation. In spite of its undeniable benefits, I believe that the costs are too great and therefore governments should prioritise other key issues to better benefit their citizens.

 

On the one hand, becoming a host nation for global events such as the World Cup or the Olympics brings a number of economic and infrastructural benefits. During these events, there is an influx of tourists from all over the world who need places to stay, restaurants to eat in and traditional products to purchase. The efforts made to cater to these tourists will remain long after they have gone. The cost of renovating a hotel might pay for itself during the event and then begin turning a large profit in later years. The other main area of development is related to the rapid expansion of quality infrastructure. Nations will be forced to invest in new sports facilities like swimming pools and stadiums as well as make renovations to pre-existing infrastructure like roads and airports. For example, China used the Beijing Olympics as an opportunity to modernise old buildings and roads.

 

On the other hand, these competitions use up tremendous resources from the host nation for a temporary competition. To ensure the success of these prestigious events, governments must waste a large percentage of the nation budget in the years leading up to the competition, oftentimes in the billions of dollars. The newly constructed facilities usually fall into disuse after each tournament. A salient example of this is Brazil as many of the swimming pools and sports facilities that were used in the 2014 Olympics are currently abandoned and becoming decrepit. Meanwhile, there are other pressing issues that have been festering including the need for new schools for underprivileged students and quality healthcare for the elderly population. If the government had prioritised these issues the country would be in a better position and its citizens would have a higher standard of living.

 

To summarize, due to the exorbitant costs, I am of the belief that the government should not allocate such a large percentage of its financial resources to hosting global events with negligible long-term impact. Instead these events should be hosted in the same countries year after year so that the new infrastructure pays for itself over time.

 

 

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Analysis

 

1. There is fierce competition between nations to host major international sports events like the World Cup or Olympics as it is a unique opportunity to boost the national reputation of the host nation. 2. In spite of its undeniable benefits, I believe that the costs are too great and therefore governments should prioritise other key issues to better benefit their citizens.

1. My first sentence simply restates what the topic is. Try to write this sentence as quickly as possible as it is not that important.

2. My second sentence includes my opinion and main ideas to support it. Try to put your opinion at the beginning so it is clear throughout your writing.

 

1. On the one hand, becoming a host nation for global events such as the World Cup or the Olympics brings a number of economic and infrastructural benefits. 2. During these events, there is an influx of tourists from all over the world who need places to stay, restaurants to eat in and traditional products to purchase. 3. The efforts made to cater to these tourists will remain long after they have gone. 4. The cost of renovating a hotel might pay for itself during the event and then begin turning a large profit in later years. 5. The other main area of development is related to the rapid expansion of quality infrastructure. 6. Nations will be forced to invest in new sports facilities like swimming pools and stadiums as well as make renovations to pre-existing infrastructure like roads and airports. 7. For example, China used the Beijing Olympics as an opportunity to modernise old buildings and roads.

1. My first sentence says what the whole paragraph will be about – how these events are helpful.

2. My second sentence explains how tourism will help specific parts of a country.

3. My third sentence introduces the idea that the changes made for tourists will have a long-term impact.

4. My fourth sentence gives an example of the long-term benefit for a hotel.

5. My fifth sentence describes how the events also help a country’s infrastructure.

6. My sixth sentence describes the specific areas of infrastructure.

7. My seventh sentence gives a specific example of this.

 

1. On the other hand, these competitions use up tremendous resources from the host nation for a temporary competition. 2. To ensure the success of these prestigious events, governments must waste a large percentage of the nation budget in the years leading up to the competition, oftentimes in the billions of dollars. 3. The newly constructed facilities usually fall into disuse after each tournament. 4. A salient example of this is Brazil as many of the swimming pools and sports facilities that were used in the 2014 Olympics are currently abandoned and becoming decrepit. 5. Meanwhile, there are other pressing issues that have been festering including the need for new schools for underprivileged students and quality healthcare for the elderly population. 6. If the government had prioritised these issues the country would be in a better position and its citizens would have a higher standard of living.

1. My first sentence says what the whole paragraph will be about – why they are a waste of resources.

2. My second sentence explains that governments spend billions on these tournaments.

3. My third sentence claims the facilities are not often used after the tournaments.

4. My fourth sentence gives an example of the Olympics in Brazil.

5. My fifth sentence describes the more important issues that have not been addressed in Brazil.

6. My sixth sentence claims that focusing on those other issues would have been better for the people of Brazil.

 

1. To summarize, due to the exorbitant costs, I am of the belief that the government should not allocate such a large percentage of its financial resources to hosting global events with negligible long-term impact. 2. Instead these events should be hosted in the same countries year after year so that the new infrastructure pays for itself over time.

1. My first sentence summarises my opinion and the main reason for it.

2. My merciful final sentence adds an extra detail containing a potential solution.

 

 

Sample Answer Vocabulary

There is fierce competition between nations to host major international sports events like the World Cup or Olympics as it is a unique opportunity to boost the national reputation of the host nation. In spite of its undeniable benefits, I believe that the costs are too great and therefore governments should prioritise other key issues to better benefit their citizens.

On the one hand, becoming a host nation for global events such as the World Cup or the Olympics brings a number of economic and infrastructural benefits. During these events, there is an influx of tourists from all over the world who need places to stay, restaurants to eat in and traditional products to purchase. The efforts made to cater to these tourists will remain long after they have gone. The cost of renovating a hotel might pay for itself during the event and then begin turning a large profit in later years. The other main area of development is related to the rapid expansion of quality infrastructure. Nations will be forced to invest in new sports facilities like swimming pools and stadiums as well as make renovations to pre-existing infrastructure like roads and airports. For example, China used the Beijing Olympics as an opportunity to modernise old buildings and roads.

 

On the other hand, these competitions use up tremendous resources from the host nation for a temporary competition. To ensure the success of these prestigious events, governments must waste a large percentage of the nation budget in the years leading up to the competition, oftentimes in the billions of dollars. The newly constructed facilities usually fall into disuse after each tournament. A salient example of this is Brazil as many of the swimming pools and sports facilities that were used in the 2014 Olympics are currently abandoned and becoming decrepit. Meanwhile, there are other pressing issues that have been festering including the need for new schools for underprivileged students and quality healthcare for the elderly population. If the government had prioritised these issues the country would be in a better position and its citizens would have a higher standard of living.

 

To summarize, due to the exorbitant costs, I am of the belief that the government should not allocate such a large percentage of its financial resources to hosting global events with negligible long-term impact. Instead these events should be hosted in the same countries year after year so that the new infrastructure pays for itself over time.

 

Vocabulary Definitions

fierce competition: fighting with each other seriously in sports or business usually

as it is: because it is

unique opportunity: very good, one time only chance

national reputation: how a country is viewed by the rest of the world

host nation: the country where the event is

in spite of: despite

undeniable benefits: clear positives

prioritise: made something the most important matter

key issues: most important matter or question

a number of: many or a lot of

influx: a rush of something or a lot of something suddenly appearing

traditional products: things with an historical background

cater: to serve or try to please

renovating: fixing up or making better

rapid expansion: quickly growing

quality infrastructure: very good roads, buildings, etc.

invest: put money into something

pre-existing infrastructure: the infrastructure that has already been around for a long time

modernise: becoming more modern/new

use up tremendous resources: spend a lot of money/time/natural resources

temporary competition: impermanent tournament

ensure the success: make sure that it will work/be successful

prestigious events: important events

in the years leading up to: the time before something

fall into disuse: no longer used by people

a salient example of this is: an example that stands out

abandoned: left behind

decrepit: old and falling apart

pressing issues: important or urgent problems

festering: getting worse without anyone paying much attention

underprivileged students: students without much money/opportunity

quality healthcare: good hospitals and doctors for people to use

better position: a good place

higher standard of living: good quality of life

exorbitant costs: very expensive

allocate: distribute resources to a particular area

financial resources: money

negligible long-term impact: little effect over a long period of time

pays for itself: will end up breaking even/not losing any money

 

 

Vocabulary Practice

 

There is _________________ between nations to host major international sports events like the World Cup or Olympics _________ a _________________ to boost the _________________ of the _________________. _________________ its _________________, I believe that the costs are too great and therefore governments should _________________ other _________________ to better benefit their citizens.

 

On the one hand, becoming a host nation for global events such as the World Cup or the Olympics brings _________________ economic and infrastructural benefits. During these events, there is an _________________ of tourists from all over the world who need places to stay, restaurants to eat in and _________________ to purchase. The efforts made to _________________ to these tourists will remain long after they have gone. The cost of _________________ a hotel might pay for itself during the event and then begin turning a large profit in later years. The other main area of development is related to the _________________ of _________________. Nations will be forced to _________________ in new sports facilities like swimming pools and stadiums as well make renovations to _________________ like roads and airports. For example, China used the Beijing Olympics as an opportunity to _________________ old buildings and roads.

 

On the other hand, these competitions _________________ from the host nation for a _________________. To _________________ of these _________________, governments must waste a large percentage of the nation budget _________________ the competition, oftentimes in the billions of dollars. The newly constructed facilities usually _________________ after each tournament. _________________ Brazil as many of the swimming pools and sports facilities that were used in the 2014 Olympics are currently _________________ and becoming _________________. This means that more than 2 billion dollars from Brazilian citizens was wasted. Meanwhile, there are other _________________ that have been _________________ including the need for new schools for _________________ and _________________ for the elderly population. If the government had prioritised these issues the country would be in a _________________ and its citizens would have a _________________.

 

To summarize, due to the _________________, I am of the belief that the government should not _________________ such a large percentage of its _________________ to hosting global events with _________________. Instead these events should be hosted in the same countries year after year so that the new infrastructure _________________ over time.

 

World Cup Quiz!

 

IELTS Quiz!

Answers:

1. Striker/Forward.
2. Goalkeeper, forward, defender, centreback, fullback, right back, left back, sweeper, winger, midfielder, centre midfielder, defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, wide midfielder, centre forward

IELTS Practice: True/False/Not Given/Russian Hooligans

Answer the T/F/NG questions about this quote:

ANTON CHOOSES TO fight everywhere. Anton is a bouncer and a boxing coach and an instructor at a gym in St. Petersburg that specializes in training hooligans. Anton loves fighting, loves talking about it, loves the language of it.

1. Anton is a hooligan himself.
2. In Russia, football hooligans are very common.
3. Anton enjoys fighting.
4. Anton doesn’t have a job.

 

Answers:

1. Not Given. He trains fighter but it isn’t clear that he is also a football hooligan.

2. True. If there are gyms training them, then they must be common. It’s logical – most countries don’t have that.

3. True. It says he ‘loves’ fighting so he must enjoy it.

4. False. It says he is an instructor at a hooligan training gym and that is a job, believe it or not.

Read the full article about Fight Club 2: Russian Forest Fights here: http://www.espn.com/…/world-cup-2018-russia-new-school-hool…

 

Comment Below:

Do you enjoy watching the Olympics? The World Cup?

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