Model Answer:

It is generally acknowledged that families are now not as close as they used to be.
Give some reasons why this change has happened and suggest how families could be brought closer
together.

Include any relevant examples from your experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:
There is much discussion nowadays as to whether or not the relationship between family members is as
close as before.
Diverse contributing factors can be identified. In the following, I would like to present my point of view.

Great changes have taken place in family life along with the development of society.
One of them is that the once-extended family tends to become smaller and smaller.
Many children have to leave their parents at an early age to study or work elsewhere.
As time passes, children become emotionally estranged from their parents.

Compared with the past, social competition is becoming increasingly fierce.

People are urged to concentrate their efforts on their works so that they can achieve success or at least
a good standard of living.
As a result, they can’t afford to spend their leisure hours with their families.
The importance of bonds of kinship is gradually fading from their minds.

In addition, the availability of various kinds of recreational facilities also diverts people from enjoying
chats with the members of their families.
Their free time is mostly occupied by watching TV, surfing the Internet or playing video games.
They come to lose interest in communicating with the other members of their families. In view of such
alienation within families,
urgent steps must be taken, in my opinion. For members of families who live away from one another,
regular contact on the phone can bring them the care that they need. Family reunions on holidays or
other important occasions
can make a difference as well. For those living together, it is a good idea to take some time off work or
recreation periods
to spend more time with each other.

In the final analysis, a close family relationship can surely be maintained as long as we realise the
significant role it plays in our lives
and we attach importance to it.

(Approximately 310 words)

(This model answer has been prepared by the site developer. However, please note that this is just one
example out of many possible answers.)

Model Answer 2:
In the past, people mostly preferred to stay in the extended families. Today, it is observed that many
individuals have their own nuclear families. In this essay, we will discuss how professional commitments
forced people for opting this kind of families. To tackle this, an organisation’s role will be analysed.

To begin with, individuals focus towards their career development to a greater extent. A good
illustration for this is the group of professionals who spend most of their time in their companies. As a
result, they do not have much time for themselves and hence, prefer staying in small families with less
contact with other members. Thus, it is obvious that they are not much involved with other family
members leading to the lack of closeness with them.

To overcome this, companies can play a crucial role. The first step which a firm can take is to provide the
work from home access to the employees. By doing this, they will allow their staff to spend more time
with their families. The other steps which can be taken include declaring holidays on all festivals and
organising family day in a company. This will allow them to spend more periods with their families and
hence, can help them to recuperate their relationships.

From the above, it is clear that hectic work schedule act as a major hindrance for creating close bonds
with family. Therefore, the companies should allow remote work, increase holidays and announce family
days at workplaces for enforcing individuals to concentrate towards their relationships.