REPEAT YOUR RESPONSE THE FOLLOWING QUESTION WAS USED IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES LAST SATURDAY

The following question was used in several countries last Saturday. I've listed some

ideas below.

Some people think that in the modern world we have become more dependent on

each other, while others think that people are now more independent.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

First view: we have become more dependent

Life is more difficult and expensive, and we are less self-sufficient

Young people rely on their parents for longer

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Unemployed people receive state benefits

Our jobs are much more specialised, and we need to work in teams

Second view: we are more independent

We rely on machines more than we depend on each other

The Internet allows us to solve problems without needing help

Families are more dispersed, and therefore provide less support

Education gives us the freedom to make our own choices

By linking these points together and supporting them with examples, you could easily

write two good paragraphs.

The following question asks for your opinion. You can either have a strong opinion or

a more balanced opinion, but make it clear in your introduction.

Governments should not have to provide care or financial support for elderly people

because it is the responsibility of each person to prepare for retirement and support

him or herself.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

U

Introduction (strong opinion):

^U

People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior

citizens. I completely disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive no

support from the state.

U

Introduction (more balanced opinion):

^U

citizens. Although I accept that we all have a responsibility to save money for

retirement, I disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive no support from

the state.

Note:

After the first introduction, try to write 2 paragraphs that both explain why you

disagree. The second introduction allows you to discuss both sides (which might be

easier).

Here is a review of my advice for task 2 introductions:

Make the introduction short and do it quickly. The main body paragraphs are

more important.

Two sentences are enough: 1) introduce the topic. 2) give a basic answer to the

question.

Example question:

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All high school students should be encouraged to take part in community service

programmes.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

My introduction:

Some people believe that high school students would benefit from doing unpaid work

in their local communities. I completely agree that community service programmes

for teenagers are a good idea.

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an

important element of individual well-being.

What factors contribute to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

The following paragraph answers the second part of the question (How realistic..)

It is difficult to imagine a world in which everyone is truly satisfied with their job.

Most people work in order to earn a salary, and they would probably not choose to

spend eight or more hours each day doing their jobs if they did not need the money.

The need to earn money to pay mortgages, bills and everyday living costs is of much

greater concern than job satisfaction. In fact, I would argue that the majority of people

dislike their jobs and are unhappy about their salaries, working hours, workloads, or

their bosses.

(95 words)

What "band 7 vocabulary" can you find in the paragraph above?

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Here's my full essay using last week's plan:

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every

subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In my opinion, men and women should have the same educational opportunities.

However, I do not agree with the idea of accepting equal proportions of each gender

in every university subject.

Having the same number of men and women on all degree courses is simply

unrealistic. Student numbers on any course depend on the applications that the

institution receives. If a university decided to fill courses with equal numbers of males

and females, it would need enough applicants of each gender. In reality, many courses

are more popular with one gender than the other, and it would not be practical to aim

for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to attract more female

applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses if fifty per cent of the places

needed to go to males.

Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that it would be

unfair to base admission to university courses on gender. Universities should continue

to select the best candidates for each course according to their qualifications. In this

way, both men and women have the same opportunities, and applicants know that

they will be successful if they work hard to achieve good grades at school. If a female

student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it would be wrong to reject her in

favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications.

In conclusion, the selection of university students should be based on merit, and it

would be both impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure based on

gender.

(265 words, band 9)

This was the IELTS writing task 2 question on 28th May:

The money given to help poor countries does not solve the problem of poverty, so

rich countries should give other types of help instead.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

My students and I planned a 4-paragraph essay: