IELTS FIRST STEPS

Writing Practice
Question:
In recent years, the structure of a family and the role of its members are gradually
changing.
1- What kinds of changes can occur?
2- Do you think these changes are positive or negative?
(You should write at least 250 words)
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Outline:
I- Introduction: (at least two sentences)
- Paraphrase
- Thesis statement
II- Body:
- Body 1: (answer the first question)
- Body 2 (answer the second question)
III- In conclusion:
- Sum up ideas (1-2 sentences)
I- Analyze and Brainstorm ideas:

* What kinds of changes can occur?

1- The structure of a family:
- In the past: 3-4 generations living together under the same roof
A few decades ago, there (be) + (n)
 There were three or four generations living under the same roof
- Now: 2 generations or one-person households
2 generations = nuclear family / Become popular
** changes in perception and living condition in modern society
2- The roles of its members:
- In the past:
Father  primary breadwinner (finance burdens / important decisions)
Mother  homemaker (take care of children / do the housework)
- Now: Women: gain higher qualifications / pursue their owner career
 family financial burdens are shared by both fathers and mothers

* Do you think these changes are positive or negative?

Positive: Children are taken care of and given better educational conditions
- Study abroad  gain international qualifications  brighter future careers
Negative: working parents  too busy  have no time to take care of their kids
 lack of parental care/ instruction  some problems: autism/ bad
behaviors / criminal activities  ruin/damage their future

III- Paraphrasing practice

In recent years, the structure of a family and the role of its members are gradually
changing.
- In recent years  in the past few decades
- The structure of a family: the (n1) of (n2)  (n2) (n1)  (adj 2) (n1)
 Family structure
Ex: the development of technology  technological development
- Role = responsibility
- Gradually  significantly
 In the past few decades, the structure of a family and the responsibility of its
members are significantly altering/ changing

 Your writing:
In the past few decades, the structure of a family and the responsibility of its members
are significantly altering. There are some important changes, and I believe that these
changes have both benefits and drawbacks

It is apparent that families at present have experienced two main differences

compared to the past. In term of the average size of a family, a few decades ago,
there were normally three or four generations living together under the same roof.
Nowadays, however, nuclear families and one-person households are becoming more
and more popular. This results from changes in people’s perception and living condition
in modern society. Regarding the responsibility of family members, fathers traditionally
take on the role of primary breadwinner, while the task of homemaker is done by
mothers. Women in today’s society have the opportunity to gain higher qualification,
pursue their own careers, and so family financial burdens are now shared by both
fathers and mothers.

In my view, those changes have both positive and negative aspects. The major benefit
is that children of small families are given better educational conditions, many of them
have the opportunity to study abroad and gain international qualifications, which
would ensure them a brighter career in the future. On the other hand, working parents
are now too busy to look after their children. In the absence of parental care and
guidance, children may suffer from various mental problems, such as autism, bad
behaviors or even worse engaging in criminal activities, which may ruin their future.

In conclusion, ….