GoAbroadIELTS

Table of Contents


Remeber

IELTS Training:

  • 1.Understand the task
  • 2.Break the task into parts
  • Methods, techiniques
  • Lots of practice
  • Feedback, measure progress

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Write an essay

  • Minimum 250 words
  • 40 minutes
  • Universal topics
  • 4 question types

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Four scoring criteria

  • Task response
  • Coherence and cohesion
  • Vocabulary

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Break the task into parts

  • 250 words
  • 4 paragraphs: Introduction+Two main paragraphs + conclusion
  • about 13 sentences: 2+5+5+1
  • Timing: 10minutes(plan) + 5 minutes(intro) + 20 minutes + 5 minutes(conclusion)

Introduction

Method(2 sentences):

  • introduce the topic
  • give a general answer

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Four types of question:;

  • discussion
  • opinion
  • problem and solution
  • two-part question

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Discussion

Some people think that it is more effective for students to study in groups, while others believe that it is better for them to study alone. Disscuss both views and give your own opinion.

Plan:

  • Topic-study in groups or alone
  • Answer-sometimes better alone, usually better in a group

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People have different views about the effectiveness of group study as opposed to working alone. While there are some benefits to studying independently, I believe that group work is usually more productive.

Opinion

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Plan:

  • Topic-community service for all teengaers
  • Answer-3 choices: agree, disagree, or balanced opinion

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It is sometimes argued that high school students should be made to do some work in their local communities. I completely agree that this kind of scheme would be a good idea.

It is sometimes argued that high school students should be made to do some work in their local communities. In my opinion, it would be worng to force teenageers to do any kind of unsalaried work.

It is sometimes argued that high school students should be made to do some work in their local communities. While I disagree with the idea of making such programmes compulsory, I do believe voluntary community service could benefit young people.

Problem and solution

Many criminal s reoffend afer they have been punished. Why do some people continue to commit crimes after they have been punished, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

Plan:

  • Topic-criminals reoffend
  • Answer-several reasons, a variety of measures(governments,communities)

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It is true that punishments do not always deter criminals from committing more cirmes. There are various reasons why offenders repeatedly break the law, but governments could certainly take steps to address this issue.

Two-part question

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important elemnt of individual well-being. What factors contribute to job satisfaction? How realistic is the expection of job satisfaction fro all workers?

Plan:

  • Topic-job satisfaction
  • Answer-serveral factors, usrealistic/impossible

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Work plays a central role in our lives, and we would all like to feel fulfilled professionally. while a variety of factors may lead to job satisfaction, it would be unrealistic to expect everone to be happy at work.


Main body paragraphs

4 paragraph essay:

  • 2 main body paragraphs
  • 5 sentences in each
  • link words, topic volcabulary

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2 methods:

  • Firstly, Secondly, Finally: advantages, disadvantgages, problems, solutions
  • Idea, Explain, Example: one idea, a reason, an opinion

Firstly, Secondly, Finally

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

3-minutes plan:

  • disagree for several reasons
  • school timetable is full, no time for community service
  • students’ work in other subjects would be affected
  • teenagers might not want to do it(reluctant, no motivation)

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There are several reasons why I would argue against having compulsory community service for secondary school students. Firstly, the school curriculum is already full with important academic subjects, such as maths, science and languages. For example, I remember having an extremely busy timetable when I was at high school, and it would not have been possible to add to it. Secondly, studens’ performance in other subjects would be affected if valuable study time were taken by charity work or neighbourhood imporovement schemes. Finally, I believe that teenage students would be reluctant to take part in any programme of obligatory work, and this could lead to poor motivation and even bad behavior.

Idea, Explain, Example

3-minutes plan:

  • voluntary(not compulsory) community service is positive
  • students more motivated if they can choose
  • gain work experience, self confidence, skills
  • good for CVs, career, university admissions, employers

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On the other hand, the oppotunity to do voluntary community service could be extremely positive for high school students. By making these programmes optional, schools would ensure that only motivated students took part. These young people would gain valuable experience in an adult working enviroment, which could help to build their self confidience and enhance their skills. Having such experience and skills on their CVs could greatly improve school leavers' career prospects. For example, a period of voluntary work experience might impress a university admissions officer or a future employer.

Conclusion

2 easy rules:

  • never write anything new
  • one sentence:repeat,summarise

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Paraphrase the answer that you gave in your introductoin

Discurssion

In many cities the use of video cameras in public places is being increased in order to reduce crime, but some people believe that these measures restrict our individual freedom. Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?

–Introduction–

It is true that video surveillance has become commonplace in many cities in recent years. While I understand that critics may see this as an invasion of privacy, I believe that there are more benefits than drawbacks.

–Conclusion–

In conclusion, I would argue that the advantages of using video security systems in public places do outweigh the disadvantages.

Opinion

Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay taxes that support the state education system. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

–Introduction–

Some people believe that parents of children who attend private schools should not need to contribute to state schools through taxes, Personally, I completely disagree with this view.

–Conclusion–

In conclusion, I do not believe that any financial concessions should be made for people who choose private education.

Problem and solution

In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measure that could be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.

–Introduction–

It is true that people in industrialised nations can expect to live longer than ever before. Although there will undoubtedly be some negative consequences of this trend, societies can take steps to mitigate these potential problems.

–Conclusion–

In conclusion, vairous measures can be taken to tackle the problems that certain to arise as the populations of coutries grow older.

two-part question

There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

–Introdution–

It is true that a rich variey of musical stydles can be found around the world. Music is a vital part of all human cultures for a range of reasons, and I would argue that traditional music is more important than modern, internaltional music.

–Conclusion–

In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human existence, and I believe that traditional music should be given more importance than internaltional music.

Planning

Spend 10 minutes planning your essay

Some people think that it is more effective for students to study in groups, while others believe that it is better for them to study alone. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

1.Reading and understand the question

  • highlight/underline key parts

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2.Plan your essay structure(4 paragraphs)

  • Introduction: topic+answer(study in groups or alone, sometimes better alone, usually better in a group)
  • Benefits of studying alone
  • Benefits of group study
  • Conclusion: repeat answer(both have benefits, but I prefer group)

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3.Plan ideas for the two main paragraphs

  • brainstorm, note down any ideas you have
  • develop ideas in detail
  • keep asking yourself ‘why’?
  • think of examples to support your ideas
  • finally, try to group related ideas(number them)

Benefits of studying alone:
concentrate better, no distractions, focus on the task, read books or articles, study at own pace, e.g. when revising for an exam, memorise information

Benefits of group study:
more ideas, share knowledge, gather more information e.g. research project, learn from each other, more motivating, responsibility to the group, sense of competition

  • viewpoint
  • example
  • interpretation


Opinion essay

Do YOU agree or disagree?

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The money spent by governments on space programmes would be better spent on vital public services such as school and hospitals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Plan your essay structure:

  • Introduction: topic(government spending) + answer(public services instead of space projects)
  • explain why ‘space’ spending should be stopped
  • explain why public service spending is better
  • Conclusion: repeat answer(spend on services that benefit us all)

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Why speace spending should be stopped:
waste of money when projects fail, expensive(scientists, facilities, equipment), no benefit to normal people, politicians showing power, risk of accidents, deaths e.g. Challenger space shuttle

Why public service spending is better:
cheaper e.g. doctors,teachers police instead of astronauts, public services impact on everyone, reduce poverty, better quality of life, we all use schools, hospitals, police, roads etc.

Introduction

Governments in some countries spend large amounts of money on space exploration programmes. I completely agree with the idea that these are a waste of money, and that the funds should be allocated to public services.

Details

There are several reasons why space programmes should be abandoned. Firstly, it is extremely expensive to train scientists and other staff involved with space missions, and facilities and equipment also come at a huge cost to the government. Secondly, these programmes do not benefit normal people in our daily lives; they are simply vanity projects for politicians, Financially, many missions to space fail completely, and the smallest technological error can cost astronauts their lives. The Challenger space shuttle disaster showed us that space travel is extremely dangerous, and in my opinion it is not worth the risk.

I believe that money from space programmes should go to vital public services instead. It is much cheaper to train doctors, teachers, police and other public service workers than it is to train astronauts or the scientists and engineers who work on space exploration projects. Futhermore, public servants do jobs that have a positive impact on every member of society. For example, we all use schools, hospitals and roads, and we all need the security that the police provide. If governments reallocated the money spent on space travel and research, many thousands of people could be lifted out of poverty or given a better quality of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my view is that governments should spend money on services that benefits all memebrs of society, and it is wrong to waste rescources on projects that do not improve our everyday lives.

Vocabulary

  • space programmes, exploration, missions, projects, travel, research
  • funds should be abandoned
  • facilities and equipment come at a huge cost
  • vanity projects for politicians
  • can cost astronauts their lives
  • space shuttle disaster
  • public servants
  • a positive impact on every member of society
  • if governments reallocated
  • could be lifted out of poverty
  • given a better quality of life

Discussion essay

Some people think that a sense of competitiion in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Plan your essay structure:

  • Introduction: topic + answer(benefits of both, co-operation more important)
  • Why encourage competition
  • Why teach co-operation(my view)
  • Conclusion:

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Why encourage competition:
motivation to work harder, be better than other children, self confidence, independent work, faster progress, competitive situations when leave school
e.g. job interviews,prepared for adult life

Why teach co-operation(my view):
co-operation even more important, e.g. at work(teams,follow boss’s instructions, help junior staff), collaboration more useful than winning, better attitude for young people, working together

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Introduction

People have different views about whether children should be taught to be competitive or co-operative. While a spirit of competition can sometimes be useful in life, I believe that the ability to co-operate is more important.

Main body

On the one hand, competition can be a great source of motivation for children. When teachers use games or prizes to introduce an element of competitveness into lessons, it can encourage children to work harder to outdo the other pupils in the class. This kind of healthy rivalry may help to build children’s self confidence, while pushing them to work independently and progress more quickly. when these children leave school, their confidence and determination will help them in competitive situations such as job interviews. It can therefore be argued that competition should be encouraged in order to prepare children for adult life.

On the other hand, it is perhaps even more important to prepare children for the many aspects of adult life that require co-operation. In the workplace, adults are expected to work in teams, follow instructions given by their superiors, or supervise and support the more junior members of staff. Team collaboration skills are much more useful than a competitive determination to win. This is the attitude that I believe schools should foster in young people. Insted of promoting the idea that people are either winners or losers, teachers could show children that they gain more from working together.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I can understand why people might want to encourage competitiveness in children, but it seems to me that a co-operativr attitude is much more desiable ion adult life.

Vocabulary

  • competition/co-operation, competitve, co-operative, co-operate, competitiveness
  • a spirit of competition
  • a source of motivation
  • introduce an element of competitiveness
  • outdo other pupils, healthy rivalry
  • build self confidence, determination
  • aspects of adult life
  • superiors, junior members of staff
  • team collaboration skills
  • attitude that schools should foster
  • promoting the idea
  • a co-operative attitude is more desiable

Problem and solution essay

In many countries schools have severe problems with student behaviour. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?

Plan your essay structure:

  • Introduction: student behavior in schools variety of reasons, steps can be taken to tackle
  • Causes of bad student behaviour
  • My suggested solutions
  • Conclusion: summarise the problem and steps

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Cause of bad student behaviour:
parents not strict(too lenient), children don’t accept teachers’ instructions or school rules, teachers’ fault, no control, bad classroom management, influence of celebrities who are a bad example

My suggested solutions:
parents set rules for children, use punishments, action have consequences, schools train teachers and parents, discipline techniques, better communication, famous people act as role models

Introduction

It is true that the behaviour of school pupils in some parts of the world has been getting worse in recent years. There are a variety of possible reasons for this, but steps can definitely be taken to tackle the problem.

Main body

In my opinion, three main factors are to blame for the way young peple behave at school nowdays. Firstly, modern parents tend to be too lenient or permissive. Many children become accustomed to getting whatever they want, and they find it difficult to accept the demands of teachers or the limits imposed on them by school rules. Secondly, if teachers cannot control their students, there must be an issue with the quality of classroom management training or support within schools. Finally, children are influenced by the behaviour of celebrities, many of whom set the example that success can be achieved without finishing school.

Student behaviour can certainly be improved. I believe that the change must start with parents, who need to be persuaded that it is important to set firm rules for their children. When children misbehave or break the rules, parents should use reasonable punishments to demonstrate that actions have consequences. Also, schools could play an important role in training both teachers and parents to use effective disciplinary techniques, and in improving the communication between both groups. At the same time, famous people, such as musicians and football players, need to understand the responsibility that they have to act as role models to children.

Conclusion

In conclusion, schools will continue to face discipline problems unless parents, teachers and public figures set clear rules and demonstrate the right behaviour themselves.

Vocabulary

  • steps can be taken to tackle the problem
  • three main factors are to blame
  • parents tend to be too lenient or permissive
  • children become accustomed to
  • limits imposed on them
  • quality of classroom management
  • celebrities, famous people, public figures
  • set an example
  • set firm rules, reasonable punishments
  • play an important role in
  • effective disciplinary techniques
  • responsibility to act as role models
  • face discipline problems

2-part question

News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors fo you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news, and would it be better if more good news was reported?

Plan your essay structure:

  • Introduction: decisions about news stories variety of factors, yes too much bad news
  • Factors that influence new editors
  • Too much bad news, should report more good
  • Conclusion: diffcult news choices, more positive

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Factors that influence news editors:

  • interest or attract viewers/readers
  • inform the public, important issues and events, in the public interest
  • pressure from owners, promote political views

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Too much bad news, should report more good:
accustomed to bad news, war, crime, natural disasters, human suffering, desensitises us, cynical about the world, prefer positive news, e.g. medical workers, volunteers, kindness, news to inspire us

Introduction

It is true that editors have to make diffcult decisions about which news stories they broadcast or publish, and their choices are no doubt influenced by a variety of factors. In my opinion, we are exposed to too much bad news, and I would welcome a greater emphasis on good news.

Main body

Editors face a range of considerations when decidin what news stories to focus on. Firstly, I imagine that they have to consider whether viewers or readers will be interested enough to choose their television channel or their newspaper over competing providers. Secondly, news editors have a responsibility to inform the public aboutimportant events and issues, and they should therefore prioritise stories that are in the public interest. Finally, editors are probably under some pressure from the owners who employ them. For example, a newspapaer owner might have particular political views that he or she wants to promote.

It seems to me that people do become accustomed to negative news. We are exposed on a daily basis to stories about wars, cirme, natural disasters and tragic human suffering around the world. I believe that such repeated exposure gradually desensitises people, and we become more cynical about the world and more sceptical that we can do anything to change it. I would prefer to see more poisitive news stories, such as reports of the work of medical staff afer a natural disaster, or the kindness of volunteers who help in their communities. This kind of news might inspire us all to lead better lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it must be extremely difficlut for editors to chooose which new stories to present, but I would like to see a more positive approach to this vital public service.

Vocabulary

  • exposed to bad news
  • welcome a greater emphasis on good news
  • Editors face a range of considerations
  • prioritise stories that are in the public interest
  • under some pressure form the owners
  • promote particular political views
  • become accustomed to negative news
  • natural disasters and tragic human suffering
  • exposure gradually desensitises people
  • cynical and sceptical
  • inspire us all to lead better lives
  • a more positive approch
  • vital public service

Extra help for “Agree or disagree?” questions

agree

The money spent by governments on space programmes would be better spent on vital public services such as school and hospitals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Plan your essay structure:

  • Introduction: topic(government spending) + answer(public services instead of space projects)
  • explain why ‘space’ spending should be stopped
  • explain why public service spending is better
  • Conclusion: repeat answer(spend on services that benefit us all)

disagree

Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Plan your essay structure:

  • Some hobbies are relatively easy, while others present more of a challenge. Personally, I believe that both types of hobby can be fun, and I therefore disagree with the statement that hobbies need to be difficult in order to be enjoyable.
  • explain why easy hobbies can be enjoyable
  • explain why difficult hobbies can be fun
  • Conclusion: disagree that difficult hobbies are better

partly agree

Many people say that we now live in ‘consumer societies’ where money and possessions are given too much importance. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Plan your essay structure:

  • It is true that many people criticise modern society because it seems to be too materialistic. I agree with this to some extent, but I do not think it is the case that everyone is a victim of consumer culture.
  • I believe many people do focus too much on money
  • However, many others are not money oriented
  • Conclusion: partly agree

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In the last century, the first man to walk on the moon said it was “a giant leap for mankind”. However, some people think it has made little difference to our daily lives. To what extent do yhou agree or disagree?

Plan your essay structure:

  • It is often argued that the act of sending a man to the moon has been of no benefit to normal people. While I agree that this is true in practical terms, I believe that the psychological impact of this great achievement should not be underestimated.
  • no benefit in practical terms(standard of living,health)
  • but it was an inspiring achievement
  • Conclusion: partly agree

PEEEL

  • Introduction
  • Main body
  • Conclusion

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PEEEL:

  • poiont
  • Explanation: chains of analysis
  • Example
  • Evaluation
  • Link: back to question