Fill in the Blanks

I am going to show you a sample band 9 essay for IELTS writing task 2. This task contains some really
good vocabulary. I have removed some words and phrases, which you can find listed below.

Vocabulary
Here are some words that have been cut out of the essay below. You should try to put them into the
right place. You can find the answers on the next page.

aforementioned examples genetic predisposition

perseverance indispensable
in the domain of capabilities
adversity physical superiority
prerequisites tenacity

Sample Band 9 Answer

Traditionally, people believed that sports were __1__ those who were bigger, faster, or stronger than
their peers; however, nowadays people value mental strength and believe that this is the most important
factor in attaining sporting prowess. This essay will look at both sides of the argument before concluding
that a successful sportsperson needs both.

To begin with, it is nearly impossible to become a talented sportsperson without some degree of ___2__
over your fellow athletes. This could be either a __3___ or the result of intensive training, but it is
undoubtedly of massive importance. A runner with short legs could not win a race against his long-
legged competitors regardless of his __4__ and a Tour de France cyclist with a weak heart and poorly
developed leg muscles would stand no chance of winning the yellow jersey even if he was extremely
determined.

Despite that, mental strength is also tremendously important and thus cannot be overlooked in
measuring the __5__ for sporting achievements. In the __6__ of running and cycling, physical strength
and attributes are incredibly important, but without the motivation to win and the __7__ to push
through pain and __8__, there would be little chance that those people could succeed. In addition,
mental strength is required to endure the brutal training regimes necessary for modern athletes, and
these are responsible for at least part of the physical __9__ that they develop.

In conclusion, it is impossible to say whether physical or mental strength is more important for
sportspeople because they are both utterly __10__.
Answers
Traditionally, people believed that sports were in the domain of those who were bigger, faster, or
stronger than their peers; however, nowadays people value mental strength and believe that this is the
most important factor in attaining sporting prowess. This essay will look at both sides of the argument
before concluding that a successful sportsperson needs both.

To begin with, it is nearly impossible to become a talented sportsperson without some degree of physical
superiority over your fellow athletes. This could be either a genetic predisposition or the result of
intensive training, but it is undoubtedly of massive importance. A runner with short legs could not win a
race against his long-legged competitors regardless of his tenacity and a Tour de France cyclist with a
weak heart and poorly developed leg muscles would stand no chance of winning the yellow jersey even
if he was extremely determined.

Despite that, mental strength is also tremendously important and thus cannot be overlooked in
measuring the prerequisites for sporting achievements. In the aforementioned examples of running and
cycling, physical strength and attributes are incredibly important, but without the motivation to win and
the perseverance to push through pain and adversity, there would be little chance that those people
could succeed. In addition, mental strength is required to endure the brutal training regimes necessary
for modern athletes, and these are responsible for at least part of the physical capabilities that they
develop.

In conclusion, it is impossible to say whether physical or mental strength is more important for
sportspeople because they are both utterly indispensable.