60 Model

Task 2 IELTS Essays

All of the essays below conform to a
4 or 5 paragraph structure and are suitable for both
Academic and General Training Tests

Blue sentences = General Statement/Topic sentences, Signal words

Red words = These words introduce a contrasting opinion in the first or last paragraph

Yellow words = Show your opinion clearly

Words in bold = Useful expressions, linking words, organising words

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 Table of Contents
1. Mobile phones - pros and cons

2. Violence in films - causing social problems?

3. Machines - are we over-dependent on them?

4. Neighbours - how to improve relations?

5. Online shopping - negative effects?

6. Fossil fuel alternatives - a global priority?

7. Urban vs rural development - problems and solutions?

8. Health Budgets

9. School transport

10. Learning a foreign language

11. Dress codes

12. Homework

13. Privatisation

14. Recycling - a legal requirement?

15. Educational qualifications - the key to a successful life?

16. TV advertising - effects on children?

17. Community service - should it be on the school curriculum?

18. Cultural adaptation

19. Homesickness

20. The Arts

21. Migration to cities

22. House-building

23. Robots

24 Children’s toys

25. Cars versus bicycles

26. Childcare - do parents need training?

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27. An aging population - problems and benefits

28. Plastic Bags - should they be banned?

29. Damage caused by humans - causes and solutions

30. Tech tools - safety improvement or loss of privacy?

31. Increase in crime rates - Why? What can be done?

32. Overcoming stress

33. The power and influence of young people

34. Machines versus humans

35. The use of animals to test cosmetics and medicine.

36. Have celebrations lost their original meaning?

37. Genetically Modified Food

38. Space Exploration

39. The pros and cons of email

40. Should everyone study Art at school?

41 Celebrity endorsement of products for teenagers

42. Electronic media - negative effect on relationships?

43. Urban crime: how to prevent its spread

44. Does technology lead to a loss of basic skills?

45. Hot climates versus cold climates

46 Food waste

47. How to limit our use of energy

48. Teenage years - the happiest time of life?

49. Wealth and happiness

50. Tourism - pros and cons

51 Obesity

53. Talent and training

54 How to produce less waste

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55. Nature versus nurture

56. Globalisation

57. The Visual Arts - a minority interest?

57. Fame on the internet - pros and cons?

58. Unhealthy urban environments - causes and solutions

59. Prisons - do they work?

60 International Tourism - does it create tension?

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1. Mobile phones - pros and cons

Mobile phones have brought many benefits, but they have also had negative effects.

Do the disadvantages of having mobile phones outweigh the advantages?

Mobile phones have had an enormous impact on many aspects of our lives. They have
significantly changed the way we communicate with each other in both our personal and our
professional lives and they clearly have many advantages. However, there are several
drawbacks to being constantly available and connected to the internet, which I will outline
below.

By far the most common criticism of mobile phones is the fact that people are now expected
to be available 24/7. Before mobile phones were invented, the time spent away from work was
our own, but now it seems that the separation between work and free time has disappeared. In
addition, mobile phones pose certain health risks and can be dangerous if drivers use them at
the wheel or if people cross busy roads while texting. There have been several mobile-phone
related accidents and fatalities. A final negative effect is that in public places such as on the
train or at the cinema, there is no escape from the noise of annoying ringtones and loud,
one-sided conversations.

On the other hand, there are several obvious benefits. The most powerful argument in favour
of mobile phones is that they can be used to call for help in the most inaccessible places, for
example when a car breaks down in a remote area, and emergency services can be called to the
scene of an accident without delay. Moreover, being easily contactable every minute of the day
has real advantages for business people and for working parents.

To sum up, I feel that although there are some clear drawbacks to mobile phones, their
efficiency, portability and multi-functional abilities have greatly enhanced most aspects of our
lives and the plus points certainly offset the downsides.

275 words

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2. Violence in films - causing social problems?

Many people believe that the high levels of violence in films today are causing serious social
problems.

What are these problems and how could they be reduced?

The increasing amount of violence that is shown regularly in films has been a cause of
concern for some time. Such films make violence appear entertaining, exciting and even
something to be copied. However, it seems to be increasingly clear that this development is
causing problems in our society. This essay will argue that the issues related to the portrayal of
violence in films need to be urgently addressed.

It has been suggested that people who enjoy these films may stop associating the violence
with real consequences. They could therefore lose their sense of reality and no longer take
violence seriously or have any sympathy with the victims. This often leads to senseless, random
'thrill-seeking' crimes such as drug-dealing and car-jacking. Another worrying trend is that the
heroes of these films are shown as people to be admired, even though they are very violent
characters. This may lead some people to believe that they can gain respect and admiration by
copying this aggressive behaviour, and so the levels of violence increase.

Unfortunately, the rules regulating the film industry are outdated. What is needed now is
definite action and policies that reflect the reality of modern-day street violence, knife crime
and gang warfare. The government should regulate the film industry more strictly and
producers must be prevented from showing meaningless violence as 'fun'. Instead, films should
emphasise the tragic consequences of violent acts and this would make young people realise
that violence is real. The 'Breaking Bad' series was a very good example of this.

To conclude, I think that viewing violence as entertainment may indeed cause serious social
problems and that the only way to improve this situation is by rigorous censorship of violent
scenes and educating the public about the real human suffering that such violence brings.

298 words

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3. Machines - are we over-dependent on them?

We are becoming more and more dependent on machines to function in the modern world.
Some people think this is a very negative development.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is difficult to imagine how modern life could carry on without the machinery that we have
come to rely on. However, this does not necessarily mean that the effects of our dependence
are negative. In this essay I will argue that machines have brought great benefits to most
aspects of our daily lives.

First of all, let us consider the countless advantages of machinery. In our homes, for instance,
washing machines, kettles and all the labour-saving devices that we take for granted have
liberated many people, especially women, from hours of domestic chores. Similarly in the
workplace, computers and the communication equipment that we use form the basis of
business and commerce. Examples of the positive effect of machines in our lives are endless,
whether we consider transport, medicine or many other sectors of society.

In contrast, it is hard to find reasons to argue against the use of machines. Of course people
may risk losing their jobs if they are replaced by more efficient machines, for example in car
factories, and there are also health problems associated with the more sedentary lifestyles that
have resulted from manual labour becoming automated. Also the passive nature of much of our
entertainment can be counted as a drawback. Yet these are features of modern life that
individuals can change if they want to.

In conclusion, I cannot deny the fact that our dependency on machines has the potential to
bring disaster if they all suddenly stopped working, but without them, our standard of living and
the economic growth and development of our society would collapse. Few of us would want to
go back to subsistence farming with hand-made tools. Instead of trying to turn back history, we
should appreciate the many benefits that machines can bring.

295 words

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4. Neighbours - how to improve relations?

People do not have such a close relationship with their neighbours as they did in the past.

Why is this so, and what can be done to improve contact between neighbours?

In the past, neighbours formed an essential part of people's social lives and they helped each
other in times of need. However, nowadays people often do not even know their neighbours
and as a consequence they live more isolated lives. In my opinion, getting to know one’s
neighbours requires time and energy, but the results will be hugely worthwhile.

There are a number of reasons why we have less contact with our neighbours. Firstly, our
lifestyles are more mobile. This means that people move house quite frequently and
relationships tend to become more superficial. Secondly, people often commute long distances
to work. This leads to them forming closer relationships with work colleagues than with their
neighbours. Finally, modern lifestyles make us spend more time inside our houses on screens
than in the local pub. As a result, we get fewer opportunities to build relationships within the
community.

There are many ways in which neighbourhood ties could be strengthened. First of all, local
authorities could provide more communal areas such as playgrounds and community halls so
that there are places where neighbours can meet and make friends. In addition, I think that
when new people come to a street, the local residents should make more of an effort to
introduce themselves and welcome them. Lastly, people could set up neighbourhood
associations that meet regularly to discuss the things which affect them.

Admittedly, these suggestions require a great deal of time and effort, both of which seem to be
in very short supply in this day and age. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that the community
spirit is still alive and just needs a push in the right direction.

275 words

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5. Online shopping - negative effects?

More and more people are shopping online.

What might be the effect on the environment and on the types of jobs that are needed?

The popularity of online shopping continues to increase at an alarming rate. Indeed, it is hard
for most of us to resist the allure, convenience and affordability of a next-day-delivery being
brought right to our doorstep at the click of a button. But despite the many benefits of internet
shopping, in my opinion the long-term impact on the environment and on jobs needs to be
taken more seriously.

First of all, let us consider the environmental impact. Although people argue that home
delivery means fewer cars on the road and therefore less pollution, research has shown that
there has been no reduction in car use and that people still drive to the shops. This doubles the
amount of traffic on the road and worsens the air quality as diesel-fuelled trucks compete for
space with everyday shoppers. In addition, the overuse of plastic and non-recyclable packaging
while transporting these goods is a cause of growing concern.

As for the impact on jobs, it seems to me that as more local businesses and small shops close
down because they are unable to compete on price with the large online companies such as
Amazon, different types of workers (shop floor staff, managers, cleaners) are having to find jobs
elsewhere. Unfortunately, the delivery driver jobs which have been created from online
shopping are not suitable for everyone. Besides, these jobs are often badly-paid and have little
job security and other benefits such as sick pay.

To conclude, consumers need to be better informed about how their shopping habits impact
their environment and people’s livelihoods. It may be worth paying a little extra to support a
local business and walking to the shops rather than making shopping decisions based on price
and convenience.

288 words

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6. Fossil fuel alternatives - a global priority?

The development of alternatives to fossil fuels should be the most important global priority
today. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Our reliance on fossil fuels as a main source of energy has taken a terrible toll on the
environment, and the effects of releasing so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere can be
felt all over the world. Therefore it seems to me that alternatives need to be found as a matter
of urgency, otherwise the scale of their use will only continue to grow as more countries
develop their industries and economies.

Burning gas, petrol and coal causes increases in temperature. The results of this could be
devastating and irreversible, posing a threat to our entire planet. Despite pledges by world
leaders to cut CO2 emissions, governments appear to be dragging their heels in implementing
real change, as if there is no real urgency about the situation. This is a terrible mistake in my
opinion, and it is imperative that they now devote far more time and money into finding other
ways of producing energy.

While some countries have started to use renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and
water power, insufficient investment has been made to develop and exploit the technology
available to make these alternatives accessible for all. So it should indeed be a global priority to
invest in research and development, especially because time is running out and solutions will
take some time to achieve.

To conclude, although there are of course several other global issues that we need to address,
such as poverty and disease, in my opinion prioritising environmental problems caused by our
continued use of fossil fuels would improve the situation of people whose lives have been
affected by extreme weather, drought and flooding linked to global warming.

276 words

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7. Urban vs rural development - problems and solutions?

In recent years, some countries have experienced very rapid economic development. This has
resulted in higher standards of living in urban areas but not in the countryside.

What problems could this cause? How could these be reduced?

It is inevitable that economic growth is mostly generated in the business and industrial
centres of major cities. As a consequence, urban citizens have access to jobs and facilities that
improve their living standards considerably. However, the wealth is not evenly distributed, and
this creates a number of problems in rural areas, which I will outline below.

First of all, young people from the countryside leave their villages in search of better
employment opportunities. The villages are left under-populated, schools and doctors’
surgeries close and the increase in the urban population puts great pressure on housing,
infrastructure and services. This leads to the creation of slum areas where conditions may be
worse than in the villages. Finally, as a country's economy develops, there may be an increasing
sense of inequality as the towns get richer and the villages get poorer, and this may even result
in civil unrest.

The solution to these problems seems to lie in improving the standards of living and the
facilities available in the countryside. Perhaps incentives can be offered to factories and
companies to relocate; road and rail networks can be built to make such relocation possible;
investment could be made into developing tourism in the countryside so that more jobs are
created and the income of the local economy grows.

In conclusion, however, improving rural living standards requires investment and political will
that is sometimes not easy to generate. More pressure needs to be put on the government to
take the plight of rural areas more seriously and to investigate ways in which money invested in
rural economies could benefit the country as a whole.

271 words

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8. Health Budgets

‘Prevention is better than cure'. Out of a country’s health budget, a large proportion should
be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventative measures.

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

A huge amount of money is spent curing preventable illnesses. In many ways, it would make
more sense for more of this money to be spent educating the public about the long-term
benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, in countries such as the UK where the national
health system is already under severe pressure, there is barely enough money to cope with the
current surge in demand for its services. Therefore it seems hard to imagine the consequences
of diverting a large chunk of its funding to preventative strategies.

Recent research has shown that many of today’s illnesses are related to lifestyle. Many people
work long hours, do not have time to cook healthy meals and drink too much in order to cope
with the stress of modern life. If the government spent more money on alleviating such
problems, for example, by subsidising gyms, taxing unhealthy food, reducing the number of
hours in a working week and introducing more annual leave, there could be a massive knock-on
effect on people's general well-being and this would be a very cost-effective solution in the long
term.

Unfortunately, such a positive outcome cannot be guaranteed, and the government would
have to take a huge risk of cutting health budgets at a time when the money is so desperately
needed. It would be extremely difficult to convince tax-payers of the benefits of investing in
public health facilities and awareness campaigns when all they see is long queues at A&E,
lengthy waiting lists for routine operations and extreme difficulty getting an appointment to see
their local GP.

So although I completely support the idea of diverting money to preventing rather than curing
illness, the reality is more complicated and requires careful research, thought and planning.

291 words

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9. School transport

Some people think that it is the government’s responsibility to transport children to school.
Others say that parents should be responsible. What is your opinion?

The issues surrounding how children get to school have become a subject of much discussion
recently because of a huge increase in the amount of cars on the road during rush hour.
Having a government-run system would certainly alleviate this growing problem and in my
opinion bring a host of other benefits.

Let us look first of all at the role of the parents. It goes without saying that parents have the
ultimate responsibility for ensuring that their child gets to school safely and punctually.
However, the trend for going to school by car is having a harmful effect on the children, who
are missing out on opportunities to socialise, exercise and get fresh air.

Turning now to the role of the government, it is without doubt their duty to guarantee that
every child has access to education no matter what their personal circumstances are. Therefore,
it is up to the government to provide a reliable means of getting to school. I believe that this
could have several other positive consequences. Firstly, there would be a noticeable
improvement in air quality due to fewer private vehicles being on the road. Secondly, it would
be beneficial for the economy, creating jobs for drivers and providing more job opportunities for
parents, especially women, who might currently be tied to school-run duties and limited in the
type of jobs they can find. The corresponding increase in household income could in the long
term improve the child’s life opportunities.

All things considered, although it may be hard to justify the additional costs involved in
providing a school bus service, I think that overall there would be a significant improvement to
the quality of life of many different people and not just the children concerned.

290 words

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10. Learning a foreign language

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh
the disadvantages?

Traditionally, children have begun studying foreign languages at secondary school, but
introducing them earlier is recommended by some educationalists. This policy has been
adopted by some educational authorities or individual schools, with both positive and negative
outcomes.

The obvious argument in its favour is that young children pick up languages much more easily
than teenagers. Their brains are still programmed to acquire their mother tongue, which
facilitates learning another language, and unlike adolescents, they are not inhibited by
self-consciousness. In addition, the greater flexibility of the primary timetable allows for more
frequent shorter sessions and for a play-centred approach, thus maintaining learners'
enthusiasm and progress. Their command of the language in later life will benefit from this early
exposure, while learning other languages subsequently will be easier for them. They may also
gain a better understanding of other cultures.

There are, however, some disadvantages. Primary school teachers are generalists, and may not
have the necessary language skills themselves. If specialists have to be brought in to deliver
these sessions, the flexibility referred to above is diminished. If primary language teaching is not
standardised, secondary schools could be faced with a great variety of levels in different
languages within their intake, resulting in a classroom experience which undoes the earlier
gains. There is no advantage if enthusiastic primary pupils become demotivated as soon as they
change schools. However, these issues can be addressed strategically within the policy adopted.

In my opinion, anything which encourages language learning benefits society culturally and
economically, and early exposure to language learning contributes to this. Young children's
innate abilities should be harnessed to make these benefits more achievable.

272 words

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11. Dress codes

In the past, there were strict guidelines about how people should dress for work, but in recent
times dress codes seem to have been relaxed.

Is this a positive or negative development?

In my opinion, the relaxation of the dress code at work is a worrying development. Although it
goes without saying that employers should prioritise the quality of their staff's performance, I
think that dressing smartly at work is essential and I will outline my reasons below.

The main reason why employers need to pay more attention to the way their staff dress is
because casual clothes give a very bad first impression of the company, whereas formal clothes
convey an image of respectability and trustworthiness, two qualities which are important in so
many professions that involve face-to-face interaction with members of the public. One
illustration of this is in the banking sector. It is the responsibility of a manager to ensure that
customers feel confident that their money is in safe hands. A smart suit suggests that if the staff
care about their appearance then they will take care of your investment too.

On the other hand, just because someone dresses well, it does not necessarily guarantee that
they are good at their job, and vice versa. In my workplace for example, the best teachers are
often the ones that care more about how to teach well than how to dress well, and their
students never seem to notice what they are wearing. There are also many creative professions
where trendy clothes convey a sense of style and individuality, which is very desirable in many
companies.

To conclude, an employee's ability to perform well in their job has to be the highest priority in
any profession. However, the need to dress smartly and appropriately should also be an
important consideration in many workplaces. Personally, if I was paying large amounts of
money to a teacher in flip-flops who looked as if they had just got up, I would have serious
concerns about that person's attitude towards their work and their ability to teach me
effectively.

315 words

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12. Homework

Nowadays some parents feel that schoolchildren are given too much homework.

In your opinion, should homework time be reduced or banned altogether?

Homework is a common feature of school life and there is no doubt that giving students some
homework is a useful exercise. Too much homework, however, can cause a great deal of
unnecessary stress for pupils. In the following essay I will discuss the reasons why I believe it
should be reduced.

Homework is a beneficial tool for several reasons. Most importantly, it teaches pupils to work
independently and to practise the skills or knowledge acquired during lesson time. They are
able to work on projects or extended pieces of work, which they have to research either in the
library or using the internet. In addition, homework teaches children the discipline needed to
complete work to a deadline - a very important life skill. One other benefit is that it helps
parents to become involved in their child's learning. By helping with homework, parents can
understand what is being learnt at school and encourage their child to become interested in the
topic. It may even help keep youngsters away from their phone screens for a short period of
time.

On the other hand, it is important to note that too much homework could have a negative
impact on a child's ability to learn. Excessive amounts of homework could be very stressful and
ruin a child's enjoyment of being at school. In my view, homework should be limited to one
hour every evening so that children have the time to become involved in other extra-curricular
activities such as sport or music lessons.

To conclude therefore, homework does indeed have a value at school and should not be
banned altogether. However, it is vitally important that homework does not dominate a child's
time at home. There must also be adequate time for family, friends and sport.

289 words

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13. Privatisation

'The role of the government is to protect the country and provide urban infrastructure (roads,
water supplies etc). All other services (education, health etc) should be provided by private
companies.' To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

No-one would dispute the responsibility of governments to provide defence capability and
ensure that the country has the basic infrastructure in place to develop and prosper. However
the question of privatisation, which involves selling off state assets to private companies over
which the government has no control, is a highly controversial issue. In this essay I will argue
that in my personal experience, privatisation has had a detrimental effect on the affordability
and quality of services, and those who cannot afford to pay are as always the ones who suffer
the most.

Many people believe that if services such as transport and energy are privately owned, there
is increased competition between providers, which leads to lower prices, better quality of
service and the development of new services. But if we take British Rail as an example,
privatisation has resulted in cuts to local services, frequent delays and cancellations and
astronomical price hikes. A similar effect could be seen when gas and electricity provision was
sold off to the highest bidder. Yes, it produced a multitude of companies vying for your custom,
but rates are soaring out of control, leaving the vulnerable and elderly having to switch off their
heating in the depths of winter.

When it comes to industries such as health care and education it is often argued that private
companies are more efficient, cutting any surplus costs where necessary and incentivising
workers with bonuses and rewards for results. Yet in these industries, the profit motive should
not be the primary objective. For example, in the case of health care, privatising health
provision would mean a greater priority is given to profit rather than patient care. Also, when
doctors treat patients, they are unlikely to try harder if they get a bonus.

To sum up, I believe that services such as the ones described above should be returned to
public ownership where there will be more control and less focus on profits over people.

325 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

14. Recycling - a legal requirement?

'Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the
only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement.'

To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste?

There is no doubt that the introduction of council-run schemes to encourage people to recycle
their household waste has had a considerable impact on the amount of rubbish that goes to
landfill every year. However, the lack of any kind of law enforcement related to this means that
more could still be done. In my opinion, the only way to improve the situation is to introduce
laws that will penalise excessive waste and ensure that the majority rather than the minority
recycle as much as possible.

Few people want to live in a ‘big brother’ state where their every move is monitored and
controlled. However, when it comes to rubbish, something needs to change urgently. Local
councils have made a huge effort to facilitate our attempts to recycle – in my area residents are
given free transparent bags and plastic boxes in order to separate the various recyclable
materials, including food waste. But unless people are forced to do this, tonnes of household
waste will still end up in black bin bags.

Having said that, I am not suggesting that these laws and punishments should be too severe,
which could have an adverse effect and result in people ‘fly-tipping’ and dumping their rubbish
illegally for fear of being fined. What I am suggesting is a more careful monitoring, perhaps by
first giving warning notifications followed up by a home visit from an inspector who could
advise on ways of making the weekly recycling chores less of an ordeal.

With an ever-increasing population and growing urban areas with a high density of people,
something must be done to tackle the problem of waste, and this must start with individuals
taking responsibility for what they throw away. New laws would encourage people to make
more effort to minimise their waste and recycle it wherever possible.

302 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

15. Educational qualifications - the key to a successful life?

'Some people say that educational qualifications are the key to a successful life. Others say
that they are not necessary'.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Educational qualifications are often seen as a passport to success, and for this reason an
increasing number of young people are pressured into cramming for exams in order to secure
their future. However, the definition of success does not necessarily mean a well-paid,
high-flying job and there are many other ways of achieving success without having to pass an
exam.

Those that argue that academic qualifications are a good thing point to the wide range of
employment options that exist for those who are well qualified. Opportunities for career
development in certain professions such as medicine and the law are often only available to
those with the highest qualifications. In addition, employers need to be able to distinguish
between job candidates, and school results appear to give evidence of intelligence, hard work
and ability. Finally, there is far less likelihood of becoming stuck in a dead-end job, as
qualifications give you more freedom to choose the career, employer or workplace that is best
suited to your skills.

In contrast, some believe that educational qualifications do not necessarily guarantee success
in life. There are many examples of so-called university ‘dropouts’ such as Steve Jobs and Bill
Gates who went on to astonishing success in their fields. Creativity, drive, passion, self-belief
and a determination to succeed are far more important prerequisites for success than an ability
to learn facts and regurgitate them in an exam. You do not need a qualification to have success
in a number of different areas of life, from starting a family to running your own business or
raising money for charity.

In my view, there is too much emphasis placed on academic qualifications. Employers need to
look beyond exam results and find alternative ways of evaluating people’s strengths and natural
talents. Creative, innovative thinkers should be encouraged to pursue their goals without being
hampered by the pressures of exams and out-dated recruitment procedures.

315 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

16. TV advertising - effects on children?

What are the effects of TV advertising aimed at children? Should TV adverts aimed at children
be controlled?

The advertising industry spends millions of dollars on TV adverts that target children, and
there is no doubt that such adverts have a powerful influence on young, impressionable minds.
In my opinion, the effects are almost always harmful and I would advocate a total ban. I will
outline my reasons below.

A number of studies have found that persuasive marketing can have long-term effects on a
child’s physical and psychological well-being. Take for example, the food industry, which falsely
promotes certain products as being healthy, while in reality they contain high levels of sugar and
saturated fats. Children are unable to see beneath the clever marketing and are lured into
fast-food outlets with the promise of a plastic toy. This is having a detrimental impact on our
children’s health and yet the government is doing nothing to regulate these misleading
campaigns.

Another worrying trend caused by adverts designed to influence children is the pressure put
on children to buy the latest products and to conform to the image of happy, smiling people
seen in the adverts. Children are brought up believing that material possessions bring
happiness, which in turn creates a demand that will never be satisfied. Research has shown that
this leads to low self-esteem and depression in later life.

The problems that I have outlined above are just a few of the negative effects that the
all-pervasive marketing culture has on the young generation, and I find it incredible that these
companies are allowed to exploit children in such a manipulative way. The government must do
more to protect children and should strictly censor the type of adverts that children are
exposed to.

276 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

17. Community service - should it be on the school curriculum?

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high
school programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or
teaching sports to younger children). To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
opinion?

The role of school education is a much-discussed topic these days. Some people believe that
schools should focus on traditional subjects such as Maths and English, while others argue that
schools should provide a more holistic education. In this essay I will argue that children need to
learn how society works and the responsibilities of its citizens, and that by participating in
community service schemes, important lessons can be learned.

In many ways, life skills are more important than paper qualifications because they better
equip students for the real world. By doing voluntary work, students learn not only how to
communicate with others and work in a team but also how to manage their time and improve
their organisational skills. After-school enrichment activities are unfortunately quite limited
these days, so teenagers tend to go home and play video games instead of doing anything
constructive or creative with their time. In addition, a healthy life balance and exercise are
strongly promoted by the NHS and therefore any kind of spare-time charity work might prevent
youngsters from sitting and doing nothing.

Another advantage of making charitable work a compulsory part of the school curriculum, is
that the skills gained will be an asset on their CV, thereby increasing their employability. Being
made to do community service could also reduce the rate of petty crime in the high school age
group. If students have activities to occupy themselves with, this will reduce boredom and
anti-social behaviour which can be dangerous for both them and the community in which they
live.

To conclude, it is hard to deny the number of benefits associated with mandatory community
service. However, such a programme would have to be implemented with great care so that
youngsters are not exploited in any way and do not miss out on valuable study time, especially
when important exams are approaching.

308 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

18. Cultural adaptation

If people go to live in another country they should follow the customs and traditions of the
new country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Going to live in another country has a great deal in common with being a guest in someone
else’s house. Whatever you may think of your host’s rules, and however frustrating such
restrictions may be, you have to remain conscious of the fact that you are a guest and therefore
show great respect in order to maintain harmony and to ensure a more enjoyable experience
for everyone concerned.

The whole purpose of visiting another country is to sample a different culture, and anyone
who is in the fortunate and privileged position of being able to do this must make the most of
every opportunity to adapt, for example by learning the language. This will make the whole
experience a more positive one for both the individual and the community in which they live.

Having said that, I am not suggesting that visitors have to go to the extremes of, say, adopting
a different religion. Indeed, foreign places become even more interesting to visit when they
themselves embrace diversity, for instance by encouraging a wide range of ethnic shops and
restaurants to open. The UK would certainly be a very dull place if all its visitors abandoned
their own cuisine and adopted British eating habits.

To conclude, the thought of British holidaymakers ruining a beautiful, unspoilt holiday resort
with ‘Fish & Chip’ shops and drunken stag nights is depressing. Loud, anti-social behaviour,
wearing revealing clothing or taking selfies in sacred places can cause great offence and should
not be tolerated. If people are not prepared to moderate their behaviour to suit the host
country, then I would suggest that they stay at home.

274 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

19. Homesickness

People who travel to another country to live, work or study for a period of time often suffer
badly from homesickness.

Why is this? What are the best ways to reduce this problem?

I think most people who travel away from home for any length of time will feel homesick at
the beginning because missing one’s home and country is a natural reaction. However, I think
it becomes less of a problem if people make an effort to adapt to the new environment and to
enjoy new relationships and experiences.

There are several reasons why people suffer from homesickness. First of all, many young
people leave home to study abroad and for them it is probably their first time away from family,
friends and everything that is familiar. The country they have moved to may have a completely
different culture and language, so they need to adjust to this and learn how to communicate in
new ways. This can be very tiring but until they can do so they will feel out of place and unable
to form new relationships.

Secondly, professionals who have moved abroad for work may have left older parents behind,
or even young children. For them, the separation can be worse because they feel so far from the
people they feel responsible for. In addition, they may be older and more set in their ways and
therefore feel less inclined to socialise and adopt new habits.

As for the solutions, I personally think that people should try and prepare themselves for study
or work abroad. They need to learn the new language before they go and to try to be as
adaptable and independent as they can. At the same time, however, they need to set up ways
of communicating quickly and easily with people back home, so that they know what is
happening there and do not need to worry.

To conclude, if people are aware of the problems and are willing to make changes, they can do
a lot to reduce their homesickness and ensure that their stay abroad is a positive, exciting
experience.

(317 words)

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

20. The Arts

In today's world of advanced science and technology, we still greatly value artists such as
musicians, painters and writers.

What can the arts tell us about life that science cannot?

Developments in science and technology have had an enormous impact on the way we live
our lives. However, the continuing importance of the arts is a reflection of the fact that they
can teach us a great deal about the world, in a way that science and technology cannot.

The first thing that the arts provide is a way to experience aspects of life which we might
otherwise never actually know for ourselves. A novel may transport us to faraway places or put
us in the mind of a person suffering great hardship; a painting may depict an event from history
that we can learn from. In these ways, we can develop an understanding of human experience
and thus develop greater empathy for others.

Secondly, art gives us beauty. Whether in the form of a painting or piece of music, beauty
enhances our lives and reminds us of the positive side of life when we might otherwise feel
despondent. Going to see a play or film can be an uplifting experience, offering a means of
escape from the realities of life.

Thirdly, unlike science, art is not right or wrong: we appreciate art very subjectively and what
we like is a matter of personal taste and interpretation. Thus, it shows us that life is not always
about objective truths that can be measured or require proof.

In conclusion, although art may appear less useful than science, in reality it gives people a great
deal of knowledge and understanding, as well as providing comfort and inspiration. As a
complement to the practical benefits of science, it gives us a wide variety of enriching
experiences that enable us to live better lives.

(280 words)

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

21. Migration to cities

Nowadays the way modern society is developing is being shaped by people’s migration to
large cities. In what ways is migration to large cities affecting society? Is this a positive or
negative development?

Cities have always been an engine of development worldwide, attracting people and
resources, but nowadays the pace of change is increasing rapidly. As a result, modern society is
now more urbanized than at any time in its history and societies are experiencing both negative
and positive changes.

One possible negative development is the danger that through migration, society may
generally become more selfish, using up resources in terms of energy, food and facilities at a
faster rate than in the countryside. Moreover, once people lose contact with the values,
traditions and possibly languages of the communities they left behind, society will undergo
further change.

The negative impact of urbanization on society generally cannot be ignored. However,

migration also benefits society. This is because large cities are dynamic and in a state of flux,
offering people opportunities such as jobs and the chance to try out new ideas. The
contribution of such ideas to the wealth of any country can transform society enormously,
funding more facilities in fields such as health and education. As well as transformation through
new ideas, innovative ways of living - for example eco-houses and flexible working practices like
partially working from home - can in turn affect the whole of society. The quality of life for city
inhabitants can then be significantly improved, which in turn stimulates growth and
improvements in rural areas.

On balance, in my opinion the contribution made by migration to society is positive and the
transformation is not restricted to cities alone. It can stimulate developments beyond city
boundaries, creating wealth, ideas, jobs and improvements in society at large.

265 words
Adapted from Direct to IELTS by Sam MacCarter, Macmillan 2013

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

22. House-building

Some people think that buildings such as flats and houses should be designed to last a long
time. Others believe that it is more important to provide accommodation quickly and cheaply.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Most governments have to build housing for their citizens. As populations grow, more homes
are needed and sometimes the demand for accommodation increases rapidly. If people cannot
find places to live, it is a huge worry for them. However, in my opinion, buildings should always
be built to last, and I will outline my reasons below.

In the past, many buildings were carefully and thoughtfully designed, and a lot of time and
effort went into constructing them in the hope that they would last for many years to come. The
results are obvious to see: towns that have preserved and maintained old buildings are far more
attractive than the cities that have replaced them with ugly apartment blocks and shopping
malls that have ruined many town centres and made them depressing places in which to live.

Having said that, the housing shortage problem is not going to go away, and it is
understandable why local councils would need to find quick and cheap solutions. For this
reason, vast housing developments are being built wherever there is land available, and the
developers appear to be making a substantial profit from using poor quality materials but
charging very high prices. It is clear that these houses will not last long, and will have to be
pulled down like so many of the inner-city flats that were built in the 60s and have since been
pulled down at a great financial and environmental cost.

To conclude, I strongly believe that buildings should be built to last for many years. Surely in
this day and age we have the technology and the resources to ensure that low-cost does not
mean low-quality.

277 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

23. Robots

Some people believe that robots will play an important role in future societies, while others
argue that robots might have negative effects on society.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Robots are already being used in a number of different situations. However, as with all
technology, their use needs to be carefully regulated. Some people welcome them, while others
see them as the beginning of a frightening future in which machines take over our lives. This
essay will argue that as long as robots are employed wisely, they can be an enormous asset to
mankind.

Being capable of great precision of movement, robots can undertake many procedures that
humans are much less capable of. Take, for example, medical procedures. The most
complicated operations are already being carried out with unprecedented success because of
the accuracy with which a robot can work over extended periods of time. For similar reasons,
robots will be used increasingly in the manufacturing industry where they will take over the
most tedious, repetitive jobs and work quickly with little human supervision. In addition, robots
will continue to have an invaluable function in certain hazardous situations, such as defusing
bombs.

The danger, some people believe, is that we will increasingly design types of robots for
purposes that don’t actually require them. The voice-activated ‘home hubs’, which can turn the
heating on and boil the kettle for us, are an example of this. Technology, as we have seen
through our experience of computers, can quickly lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which results in
obesity among other health problems. Innovators often get carried away with their ingenuity,
and this encourages a mentality of ‘letting the machine do the work for you’, which can be
detrimental to our lives and our ability to think for ourselves.

In conclusion, it may be said that with careful and selective use, robots will go on solving
problems and carrying out jobs with extraordinary effectiveness, but that we should be always
aware of their threat to our mental and physical health.

[341 words]

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

24 Children’s toys
Some parents buy their children a large number of toys to play with.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children a large number of toys?

There is an incredible array of toys available to the modern parent, and the fact that most of
them are made from plastic means that they are reasonably cheap. Because of this, parents
are often tempted to treat their children to new toys on a regular basis rather than on special
occasions such as birthdays. This essay will argue that far too many of these plastic toys end up
in landfill, and that parents should restrict the number of playthings that they buy.

There is no doubt that toys have an important educational value, stimulating the imagination
and preparing the younger generation to survive and prosper in the adult world. Old-fashioned
toys such as dolls and teddy bears provide comfort to younger children and help them to
become well-balanced and caring adults. Wooden toys such as skittles and spinning tops can be
used to develop motor skills such as hand-eye coordination, while computerised toys can build
literacy and numeracy skills in an enjoyable and an engaging way.

Having said that, there are a number of drawbacks to having too many toys. First of all,
children are easily bored and may not appreciate the value of the toy, throwing it away after a
few days in the expectation of getting something better. This has negative consequences for the
environment. Secondly, their concentration span may suffer if they are constantly surrounded
by too many tempting objects, and they become unable to focus on any one game without
becoming distracted. Finally, older children can become spoilt and may also become targets of
envy from classmates if they are perceived as having far more possessions than their peers.

To conclude, I strongly believe that parents should resist the urge to shower their offspring with
a never-ending supply of toys. It is far better to spend quality time together as a family, playing
with simple toys as they did in the past.

318 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

25. Cars versus bicycles

Some people say that cars are the best way of travelling around cities while others think that
bicycles are better. Discuss both sides and give your opinion

The type of transport we use is a topic that is often discussed these days. Concerns about
levels of pollution as well as significant increases in obesity, have led to many calls for greener
modes of transport. This essay will discuss the arguments in favour of the use of cars and
bicycles as ways of travelling around cities.

The great advantages of cycling are well-known: not only is it good for the health of the planet,
but it is an excellent way to keep fit. Bikes do not use valuable energy resources, nor do they
produce polluting emissions. Recent figures have shown that levels of pollution in big cities have
reached particularly harmful levels. Cycling, however, remains relatively hazardous on busy
roads, such as in London, where every year an alarming number of cyclists are killed or injured.
It is necessary that governments invest in cycle lanes and other infrastructure to make cycling a
safer and more appealing way to travel.

One major disadvantage of cycling is that it transports just a single person who can carry only a
small amount. Clearly, there are many occasions when it is beneficial to go by car, thus carrying
passengers and heavy goods. Cars are also preferable in poor weather conditions, when cycling
is at best unpleasant, or at worst positively dangerous. Drivers might argue that rather than
introducing lanes for cyclists where space is already tight, it would be better to encourage
car-sharing or other schemes such as rewarding (with reduced taxes) drivers who use
low-emission vehicles.

In conclusion, it seems clear that more cycling and less driving would benefit both the
environment and the individual. However, many people would require incentives to encourage
them to give up their car.

288 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

26. Childcare - do parents need training?

Bringing up children is a huge responsibility. All parents should therefore receive training on
how to look after a child. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Parents have an enormous influence on the welfare of their offspring. However, no support or
training is necessarily offered to parents when they start a family. Given the importance of a
good upbringing, this seems to be an unsatisfactory situation and I believe that more should be
done to help parents raise their children.

There are various aspects to childcare that parents need help with. Firstly, parents need to be
able to support their children’s education. This means understanding how their school
education can be complemented by home tuition or, if this is unfeasible, what strategies parents
could adopt to encourage their children to learn.

Secondly, parents should be informed of how they can contribute to the health of their
children, whether through providing a balanced diet or in ensuring an active lifestyle. Such
measures will also have the significant benefit of reducing the dependence on the state, which
always struggles to finance efficient health and welfare services.

Finally, parents need to understand the child’s developmental stages and to be well-equipped
to deal with these challenges. For example, dealing with behavioural issues, from toddler
tantrums to teenage rebellion is often an extremely stressful experience, and some guidelines
on ways of coping with the depression and anxiety brought on by the modern-day pressures of
social media would reassure and help parents who struggle to understand this new
phenomenon.

In conclusion, although these measures can be beneficial, we must guard against being too
prescriptive and we should avoid generalising the needs of children, who are, after all,
individuals and do not respond in the same way to different situations. Nevertheless, I think
that much more should be done to guide and inform parents so that they can support their
children and help them reach their full potential.

296 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

27. An ageing population - problems and benefits

The number of old people is increasing in many countries. Some people think this causes
problems, while others think old people play an important role.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

As life expectancy continues to increase, the impact on a country’s economy is keenly felt,
especially in countries where the birth rate is falling dramatically. Because of this, it is often
thought that old people are a burden to society. However, in my opinion they have a crucial
role to play.

There is an undeniable correlation between ageing and ill-health, and the general assumption is
that a country’s health service is put under severe stress when there are large numbers of
elderly people. For example, they may need 24-hour care if they suffer from Alzheimer’s
disease or other age-related illnesses. Yet studies suggest that because pensioners spend so
much of their time volunteering, looking after grandchildren and running charity shops, they
contribute far more to the economy than was previously thought.

Another reason why people consider elderly people a drain on resources is that the ‘baby
boom’ generation were able to retire at 60 and start drawing a pension, something which is
almost unheard of these days. The government has to pay out billions of pounds and the
situation is unsustainable. In reality though, pensioners actually contribute more to the
economy than they take out, because of taxes they pay on their savings and earnings.
Furthermore, their ‘free’ childcare services help maintain and sustain employment for parents,
bringing further benefits to the economy.

To conclude, this essay has exposed some of the myths surrounding the problems of an ageing
society. Most importantly, in my view, old people are an essential part of the community,
passing on their skills, advice and knowledge to younger generations. It is high time that we
showed more respect and appreciation for our elders, whose real value cannot be measured in
financial terms.

287 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

28. Plastic Bags - should they be banned?

In many countries plastic bags are the main source of rubbish, causing pollution on land and
in the water, so many people think they should be banned.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The polluting effects of plastic are often featured in the news these days. We have realised
how damaging plastic can be and there is a strong public reaction in favour of reducing plastic
waste. Banning plastic bags would be one way of dealing with the problem. However, in my
opinion there are other, more effective, strategies that could be implemented, targeting not
only consumers but also the manufacturers and retailers of plastic products.

The main problem with plastic bags is that they take many years to decompose and are often
only used only once for convenience and then discarded, ending up in rivers and seas where
they cause particular harm to marine creatures such as whales and turtles. The obvious
response might be to ban plastic bags. If shops stopped supplying them, customers would be
forced to re-use existing bags or find other ways of carrying their shopping. This has had a great
deal of success in many countries. But this ban should extend to all plastic which is used in
packaging, much of which is unnecessary. Fruits and vegetables, for example, have their own
natural covering and do not need a further layer of plastic.

While banning plastic bags would be beneficial, this measure would not be enough to solve
the problem. People also need educating about littering and recycling in general. Many people
still do not dispose of plastic properly and as a result, even if less plastic is produced, much of
what is in existence finds its way into the natural environment. Heavy fines should be
introduced for those who do not respect the laws regarding the protection of the environment.

In conclusion, the required approach should be to both limit the production and use of plastic
and also to ensure that people understand the impact that it can have on the environment if
plastic is not correctly managed.

310 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

29. Damage caused by humans - causes and solutions
Recent research has confirmed that human activity has become the greatest threat to plant
and animal life. Why do you think this has happened? How can we reduce our impact on the
natural world?

There can be no doubt that human beings have been responsible for loss of wildlife. We tend
to exploit the natural world for our own purposes whereas our ancestors understood their
relationship with other species much better. I would argue that it is this sense of harmony with
nature that we need to recapture.

One of the main reasons why certain species of wildlife have become threatened is loss of
habitat. As the population of the world has grown, humans have claimed increasingly large
areas of land for the construction of homes and cities. An inevitable result has been the removal
of plants and trees and the destruction of animal territories. Increasing urban development
has, in turn, led to global warming, which is another contributing factor. Temperature and
rainfall are critical to the survival of wildlife. Global warming has brought about a shift in
weather patterns, resulting in drought, flooding and heatwaves, all of which have taken their
toll on the natural world.

So what can be done? I believe that the problem has to be tackled on a number of levels. As
individuals, we should ensure that we treat the countryside with respect, avoid activities that
harm animal life and, if possible, participate in projects or donate to charities that work to
protect the world around us. However, it seems that the real work has to be done on a
national and international level. What governments need to do in their own countries is to
encourage sustainable building practices, limit urban growth and reduce human activities which
contribute to global warming. But they also need to sign up to treaties that enable nations to
collaborate in the protection of the world’s diverse species. After all, we cannot live without our
flora and fauna.

Many of the threats to plant and animal life are a direct result of human activity, so it is now
time to redress the situation. If we do not do this, we may be the next species to become
endangered.

334 words (too long!)

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

30. Tech tools - safety improvement or loss of privacy?

Some people believe that technological tools such as body scanners and CCTV have
significantly enhanced our safety and security, while others feel that they have resulted in a
loss of privacy. Do the benefits of these items outweigh their disadvantages?

Information technology has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past few decades. New
devices are being designed and upgraded all the time and it is inevitable that society will want
to use them; what is important is how they are used. I believe that if they are employed for the
right purposes their benefits outweigh their drawbacks.

No one can deny that CCTV makes many public places safer for people. If youngsters need to
travel by train or underground on their own, for example, their parents feel happier knowing
that the public are being monitored on the platforms. This type of surveillance also reduces
anxiety for those travelling in the evening, and has certainly been welcomed by staff working in
shops and cafes at night.

Like CCTV, scanners are also used in many situations where the public welcome the
heightened security that they provide. Flying is the form of travel that makes people most
nervous, so body and luggage scanners can help ease this concern. Although it can be
time=consuming, most passengers do not mind the additional wait as long as the process is
efficient.

Having made these points, it is true that every invention receives some criticism and perhaps
this is a good thing. It is perfectly possible that the huge amounts of data gathered by CCTV and
scanners could be misused by authorities or passed on to other organisations without people’s
knowledge. Such uses would amount to an abuse of personal privacy. If this were to happen, I
would agree with the view expressed in the task.

In the end, it is up to us to ensure that technology is used wisely. Generally, this is what
happens, and people who complain are often too impatient or too short-sighted to see the
advantages that it offers. However, that does not mean that we should become complacent
about it.

311 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

31. Increase in crime rates - Why? What can be done?

In many countries the level of crime is increasing and crimes are becoming more violent.

Why do you think this is and what can be done about it?

It is certainly true that the crime rate is increasing in many areas of the world. Many
governments react to this problem by building more prisons to contain the criminals. However,
this has proved so unsuccessful that each year bigger and tougher prisons are needed. Perhaps
we need to go back to the basics of this problem and assess the possible causes.

One of the reasons that is often given is the increase in violence both on television and in
computer games. While this may be responsible for making crimes more violent, I think it is
unrealistic to lay the blame for all criminal activity on the media. In my opinion, the main cause
of crime is the increasing gap between the rich and poor, as well as the increasing use of drugs.
The majority of crimes are being committed by people in need who are forced to take what they
do not have, and by people addicted to drugs.

Solving these problems is not easy. We could try to ensure that more jobs are created so that
the divide between rich and poor is reduced. However, criminals need to be trained and
rehabilitated so that they can enter the workforce. Furthermore, providing employment only
addresses part of this problem; so far there has been little success in the war against drugs.

To conclude, I believe that crime will continue to rise, particularly in crowded and
overpopulated areas, unless we can find an effective way to address these issues. Perhaps we
can help to break the cycle by trying to ensure fewer young people enter a life of crime in the
first place. We could do this through education and by making sure that they are able to work.

287 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

32. Overcoming stress

Some psychologists think that the best way to overcome the stress of everyday life is to spend
a portion of the day doing absolutely nothing.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The stresses and strains of our increasingly pressurized daily lives are having a detrimental
effect on our mental and physical well-being and this is taking its toll on both our personal and
our professional lives. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interest to find a solution in order to have a
more fulfilling home-life and to be more productive at work. However, in my opinion, choosing
to do ‘nothing’ is not the answer and I will outline my reasons below.

There are a number of modern-day gurus who have made a lot of money out of what they call
‘mindfulness’ - a supposedly new and possibly new-age way of ‘doing nothing’ in order to
relieve stress. Although I have no personal experience of this myself, recent reports suggest that
practicing mindfulness does more harm than good, as some people become depressed when
they stop and think about their lives. In fact, I would argue that it encourages some people to
dwell on past failures and to become even more anxious about where their life is heading.

In my view, it is much better to be active than to spend too long sitting around and doing
nothing. It is a well-known fact that sport and exercise activates endorphins and ‘happiness
hormones’ in a way that doing nothing cannot. I believe that workplaces should ensure that
staff have time to get outside at regular intervals throughout the day, even if it is just to go for a
short walk. This has been shown to improve mental performance and would benefit both the
worker and employer alike.

To conclude, although I have no doubt that certain ways of doing nothing can be very calming,
such as meditation when practiced properly, for most people it is more beneficial, natural and
rewarding to get outside and do some gentle exercise. I am confident that employers who
encourage this will also quickly reap the benefits.

317 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

33. The power and influence of young people

Young people in the modern world seem to have more power and influence than any previous
young generation.

Why is this the case? What impact does this have on the relationship between old and young
people?

Due to the large social and technological changes that have increased the experience gap
between the generations, young people today certainly play a bigger role in society than their
parents’ or grandparents’ generation did. In my opinion, this has had a negative impact on
society and I will outline my reasons for thinking this below.

Young people are generally better educated than they were because they have been trained
from a young age to use computer technology. They have access to information in a way that
was unimaginable for earlier generations. This means that they are probably better informed
than their parents or grandparents were at their age, and their hi-tech skills give them
confidence in dealing with the very rapid changes in technology that are so uncomfortable for
many older people. In addition, young people have become powerful consumers with large
disposable incomes and spending power. Therefore, they are given far more attention and are
taken much more seriously than they were in the past.

As a result of all these developments, relationships with older people are often difficult.
Teachers and parents are no longer treated with respect, and their experience is undervalued
because young people think they know everything or at least can find all the answers on the
Internet. In many cultures this has led to a lack of discipline in schools, family breakdowns and
even serious social problems.

To conclude, the current generation gap is the responsibility of both younger and older
generations. Both have to make an effort to understand each other, and young people need to
realise that they still have so much to learn. I strongly believe that older people have valuable
experience and skills that can only be gained with age and not through a quick search on the
Internet.

298 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

34. Machines versus humans

Advances in technology have meant that machines are increasingly used to do jobs that were
previously done by humans. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?

We are living in an age of fast-paced development. Thanks to technological advancements,

new inventions are constantly being produced that are supposed to help us. However,
machines are now often chosen over humans as they are more cost-effective. Despite this
undesirable development, I completely agree that there are more advantages than drawbacks
and I will outline my reasons below.

The main argument against using machines is that they take away jobs from humans.
Examples include cash machines which have meant redundancies in the banking sector, and
factories, where fewer people are required as the production line becomes more mechanised.
Businesses have taken these measures because ultimately machines save companies money.
Increased technology and mechanization have also affected our personal lives. For instance, in
the past we would visit our neighbours and friends, whereas nowadays people either jump in
their car or simply pick up the phone. As a result, we have become less active and problems
linked to this, such as obesity, are on the increase.

However, it has not all been negative. First of all, we have been liberated from certain
household chores thanks to labour-saving devices like washing machines, vacuum cleaners and
dishwashers. This means we have more time available for leisure activities and seeing friends
and family. Furthermore, technology has actually created many jobs, from design to production
and sales. In order to do these jobs, people need training which has led to more jobs in
education and people having more highly specialised careers.

To conclude, although technology has had both desirable and negative effects, it has given us
the potential to reach new heights that would not have previously been possible. We should
now focus our efforts on ensuring that we receive a higher level of specialization in the
workplace whilst not letting ourselves become less healthy and active.

303 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

35. The use of animals to test cosmetics and medicine.

Using animals to test the safety of cosmetics or drugs used for medical reasons is never
acceptable. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Before any new product is put on the market, whether it is a cosmetic product or a potentially
life-saving medicine, the manufacturers have to ensure that it is safe for humans to use.
Advocates of vivisection would argue that testing products on animals is the only reliable
method of doing this. They believe that it is better for an animal to suffer than a human.
Although I can see convincing arguments behind testing drugs on animals for medical purposes,
I am strongly opposed to the practice of using animals to test the safety of cosmetics.

It cannot be denied that animal testing has helped scientists to make great discoveries in the
field of medicine, providing effective drugs against cancer, heart disease and other potentially
fatal illnesses. Indeed, many lives have been saved and prolonged due to research carried out
on lab rats. But increasingly there are new ways of testing products, using cell cultures, which
need not involve animals at all. Therefore I would prefer such testing to be kept to a minimum
wherever possible.

On the other hand, when it comes to the cosmetic industry I cannot possibly see why it is
necessary to test these types of products on animals. We already have far more makeup and
toiletries on the market than we will ever need. In fact, several well-known brands such as The
Body Shop and Lush have always used human ‘guinea pigs’ to test their products without any
detrimental effects. So in my view, we no longer need to exploit animals for the sake of human
vanity, and this kind of testing is completely unacceptable.

In conclusion, though I agree to a certain extent that testing on animals is a necessary evil, it
must be reserved for essential scientific work and to help end human suffering, but never for
enhancing our appearance.

305 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

36. Have celebrations lost their original meaning?

Some celebrations have lost their original meaning and these occasions have become too
much about spending money.

What problems can this cause? What could be done to change the situation?

There are several celebrations throughout the year which are dominated by shops and
companies taking the opportunity to make large profits. Heavy advertising campaigns, which
begin well in advance of the celebration itself, mean that some people pay very little attention
to the actual reason behind the event. In the following essay, I will discuss some of the
problems this causes and also offer some solutions.

One of the main problems with some celebrations is that the focus on spending money causes
great stress and anxiety. People worry about what gifts to buy or about not having enough
money to splash out on their loved ones. Take Christmas for example, when people often waste
their hard-earned cash on unnecessary or unwanted gifts just because they feel pressured into
buying something. Many families end up in serious debt at this time of the year.

Perhaps the most significant problem, however, is that the true meaning of the celebration is
forgotten. Most celebrations are about appreciating life and spending time with friends and
family. As a result of focusing on presents and money, this is often forgotten, and the tradition
of gift-giving can lead to arguments and tension between friends and relatives.

I believe the solutions to these problems are simple. Firstly, it is the duty of schools and
parents to educate the younger generation, teaching them the true meaning of each
celebration. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, people should agree to limit the number
of presents they give and receive, consequently putting less emphasis on the materialistic
aspects of the occasion.

In conclusion, therefore, there are several negative effects associated with celebrations
revolving around money. In order to limit the effects, the younger generation need to be
educated about the true meaning of celebrations and people should resist the marketing ploys
that encourage us to buy without thinking about the consequences.

309 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

37. Genetically Modified Food

Some people think that genetically modified (GM) crops are a positive development. Others,
however, argue that they are potentially dangerous.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

GM food products have been at the centre of a global debate for several years, with claims
about their effects ranging from the eradication of world hunger to the total destruction of
wildlife habitats and ecosystems. This essay aims to balance those arguments and concludes
that more research needs to be done so that we can either reap the benefits of GM crops or
prevent irreparable damage.

Some people claim that the genetic engineering of food products brings many advantages.
Firstly, they argue that food production can be massively increased by making crops more
resistant to pests. Secondly they believe that food can actually be improved by adding vitamins
or removing problem genes that lead to allergies, for example in peanuts. Fruit and vegetables
can also last much longer if the gene that ripens them is modified. This means that they can be
stored for much longer periods and so there will be less waste.

On the other hand, people who oppose the widespread use of GM techniques worry that
there could be long-term negative effects. They are concerned that, so far, the GM industry has
not been able to prove that they are safe. The issue is not only how safe such foods are for
humans, but also what long-term effects they may have on the environment and wildlife
populations. For instance, there is some evidence to suggest that GM crops may contaminate
nearby plants.

In conclusion, I personally tend to agree with these concerns. I think that while there may be
obvious benefits to GM crops, overall they present more potential dangers. Their impact could
be so large and so irreversible that more long-term studies should be carried out before their
use spreads any further.

284 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

38. Space Exploration

Some people think that money spent on space exploration is a waste and could be better
used to fund other urgent problems in society. To what extent do you agree?

Some countries spend vast sums of money on space exploration, and many people are of the
opinion that the money would be better spent trying to tackle more serious problems in society
such as wealth inequality and global warming. However, I am persuaded that this expenditure
is worth it for a number of reasons that I will outline below.

On the one hand it may seem that space exploration has contributed very little to our quality
of life on earth. So many people still suffer from starvation, poverty and disease that better
funding of healthcare and education is desperately needed to reduce the gap between rich and
poor. Therefore it seems extravagant and wasteful to spend such a lot of money on space
projects that appear to bring no benefit to our everyday lives.

On the other hand, proponents of space exploration argue that it is an industry which is good
for the economy, generating income and providing hundreds of jobs. They also point out that
many useful gadgets and machines such as GPS devices, solar panels and water purification
systems came from the science of space technology. Space research is also extremely important
for future scientific discoveries. For example, we may discover a new element or material, which
could become an alternative and renewable energy source.

In conclusion, I believe that space exploration is worthwhile mainly because of the benefits that
it brings in terms of technology. More importantly, given recent extreme weather events, it may
in the future give us an option to live elsewhere. Perhaps humans should not rely solely on
earth for their long-term future. The earth’s resources are running out and one day we may be
grateful that we have found alternative planets to colonise.

290 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

39. The pros and cons of email

Email has had a huge impact on professional and social communication, but this impact has
been negative as well as positive.

Do the disadvantages of using email outweigh the advantages?

It is certainly true that the use of email has greatly changed the way we communicate with
each other at work as well as socially. But it is also true that not all the effects of this
innovation have been positive. In my opinion, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, and I
will outline the reasons below.

A common criticism of email in the workplace is that it causes extra work and stress. This is
because employees receive more messages than they can answer every day and since email
writers expect a quick response, this further increases pressure on employees. Other objections
to email for both social and professional users include the way it encourages people to spend
even longer at their computers. More worryingly, people are often expected to check their
work emails while they are on holiday, which means that they never get a proper chance to
‘switch off’ and make the most of their annual leave.

Despite these negative effects, however, email has brought important benefits as well. One
such advantage of using email is that it is a fast and easy way to communicate with family,
friends and work colleagues wherever they are in the world. It not only allows people to stay in
touch with each other but it also allows them to send all kinds of information (such as pictures,
photos and diagrams) very quickly, cheaply and with a very good quality of reproduction. This is
a huge advance on earlier communication systems. Another bonus is that there is always a
‘paper trail’: all correspondence is automatically stored in the email account and can be quickly
retrieved without having to dig through boxes of paperwork.

To sum up, while there are some obvious drawbacks to using email, this fast and user-friendly
technology has greatly improved our ability to communicate both professionally and socially.
Therefore, I think email has brought us so many benefits that it is difficult to imagine life
without it.

330 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

40. Should everyone study Art at school?

It is pointless making children who lack artistic talent learn painting and drawing in Art classes
at school. Instead, they should concentrate on other creative or practical subjects for which
they may have more aptitude. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In many secondary education systems around the world, there comes a point where pupils
who lack talent in non-academic subjects like Art and Music are encouraged or made to
switch subjects. It is generally believed that there is no point in making children do something
that they have no aptitude for. In my view, this is the correct approach.

It is true that there are several reasons why children should continue to learn painting and
drawing at school, even if they lack the relevant skills. Firstly, they might develop a talent for
art if they are given time and encouragement. In fact, some of the world’s greatest artists
showed little artistic promise at school but went on to produce paintings that now sell for
millions of pounds. Secondly, evidence suggests that creative activities like painting can improve
overall academic performance and help children make sense of the world around them, even if
they are not good at it. Above all, painting is pleasurable, and learning should be fun as well as
educational.

However, I believe that there are more persuasive counter-arguments. For a start, pupils who
are taken out of art classes will be making much better use of their time at school. Practical
subjects like woodwork or IT skills, for example, will be far more useful to them later in life. A
second point is that trying and failing to do something you are not good at can be extremely
demoralising, and this can have a powerful negative impact on a child’s sense of self-worth.
Furthermore, by removing untalented pupils from art classes, they will not be slowing other
pupils down. Being held back by other pupils in a class can cause resentment and anger among
those who are more capable.

On the whole, I feel that all pupils benefit from learning to paint and draw, regardless of their
artistic abilities. However, where talent is clearly lacking, it makes sense to move them on to
something that they will not only find more practical, but which they may be better at.

342 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

41. Celebrity endorsement of products for teenagers

Using celebrities to advertise consumer goods that are attractive to teenagers should be
banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Celebrities such as sports stars and TV personalities are used to advertise all kinds of
consumer products to people of all ages. The need for a ban on such advertising directed at
young people in their teens is an idea that I agree with to a certain extent, but I have
reservations about a total ban.

Adverts where sports stars advertise particular sportswear or clothes is one area which can
cause problems for young teenagers especially, and their parents. Footwear such as trainers is a
good example. If a sports star advertises a pair of trainers, they can become highly desirable
among young teenagers. This can then lead to the youngsters putting pressure on their parents
to buy them, especially if friends have them. In a family with more than one teenager this can
cause friction and financial problems for the family.

Young adults in their late teens may be under similar pressure. Even if they are working and
have their own money to spend, they may feel compelled to keep up with the latest trends in
clothes and accessories like expensive watches advertised by famous personalities. Being
trapped into keeping up with the latest gadgets can then lead to debt.

Yet, celebrity endorsement of consumer goods in adverts is not all harmful, because stars can
act as role models, promoting a healthy lifestyle. If buying the latest trainers advertised by a
football star encourages teenagers to be more active, then that is beneficial. Likewise, consumer
products such as healthy food and drinks can lead to a greater awareness of health issues.

In conclusion, when considering a ban on celebrities advertising products, we also need to bear
in mind the benefits in certain cases and consider whether a total ban might not have the
desired outcome.

296 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

42. Electronic media - negative effect on relationships?

The use of electronic media has a negative effect on personal relationships. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?

People use electronic media to communicate with each other more and more these days,
rather than having face-to-face contact or speaking to each other. This can certainly have an
effect on their relationships with other people. However, in my opinion the impact is not
necessarily a negative one.

It is easy to see many positive effects of the use of electronic media on relationships. For
example, email enables people who might otherwise not have any contact with each other to
communicate regularly. People with friends and family in other countries can keep in touch
much more easily and regularly than if they only contacted each other by letter. Social
networking sites are another example of positive effects. These enable people to make new
friends and to keep their loved-ones up to date with everything they are doing. Social media
allows us to extend our group of acquaintances very quickly and easily and find people who
share similar interests.

On the other hand, there are several drawbacks to emails and messaging. People are now
bombarded with so much information in their inbox that they no longer have time to consider
the politeness of their response. We have become more relaxed about how we communicate
via electronic media, and sometimes messages can be inaccurate and often seem rude. This can
annoy certain people, especially the older generation who are used to putting a lot of thought
into what they write and checking their emails several times before sending them. In my
experience, the informal style of emails often puts younger people at a disadvantage when they
are applying for jobs, as their emails often give a negative first impression.

To sum up, I believe that communicating through electronic media is convenient and efficient
but it cannot replace meeting and talking face-to-face. It can also cause some problems if emails
and text messages are not written with due thought and care.

315 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

43. Urban crime: how to prevent its spread

One of the most serious problems that cities now face is crime. What can be done to prevent
the spread of urban crime?

There is no doubt that numerous problems exist in most modern cities. Although traffic
congestion, pollution and overcrowding often occur, many people believe that crime is the most
serious problem in urban areas. Indeed, television and newspaper reports often tell us that
crime continues to rise. However, I believe it is possible to tackle this serious issue in a number
of ways.

One approach would be to increase the number of police. If more police were on the streets,
whether on foot or in patrol cars, criminals would be less likely to commit crimes and people
would feel much safer. Having more police visible at night would be particularly beneficial. A
second possibility would be to make laws stricter and punishments more severe. This could
involve increasing fines or lengthening prison sentences. If a criminal has to pay more money for
doing something illegal or would face more time in prison, I believe this would reduce the crime
rate.

Thirdly, methods to increase security might deter potential criminals. For example, more
effective alarms in houses and cars would reduce burglary and theft. In addition, more
information about home security would also be useful. In terms of personal safety, rape alarms
or pepper sprays could prevent some attacks.

In conclusion, although crime is a major problem in most cities in the world, the situation can
be addressed by adopting the methods mentioned above. In this way the negative effects could
be reduced and people living in cities would feel much safer.

250 words

[Alternative] In conclusion, although the problem of crime can be addressed by adopting the
methods mentioned above, it requires effort and investment from the government. In my
opinion, tackling urban crime should be made a high priority and more money should be spent
on ensuring the safety of urban residents.

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

44. Does technology lead to a loss of basic skills?

Over-reliance on modern technology means that people are failing to learn, or are forgetting, many
basic skills. To what extent is this true? Are people becoming so reliant on modern technology that
they are no longer able to do some things without it?

Modern technology has brought huge benefits and has made many aspects of our everyday lives much
easier. However, technology designed to simplify things can have a detrimental effect. This essay will
highlight some of the dangers of our over-reliance on gadgets but it will conclude that, on the whole, the
advantages of technology far outweigh the disadvantages.

Take satellite navigation (sat nav) systems for example. Although they are an invaluable resource for
people such as taxi and lorry drivers, many people are no longer learning how to read a map. Some have
become so dependent on their sat navs that they are even failing to observe their surroundings while
driving, often with disastrous consequences. Meanwhile, other features, such as automatic parking
devices mean that some drivers are not learning or are forgetting how to drive properly.

This sort of criticism is not confined to vehicles. There is evidence to suggest that the use of spelling and
grammar checking facilities in word processing programmes means that people are no longer concerned
about acquiring good writing skills. Meanwhile, language translation apps on smart phones have reduced
the need to learn languages, and the increasing use of social network websites to communicate is
preventing people from learning the ‘skill’ of conversation.

On the other hand, the benefits of modern technology more than compensate for the skills we have
lost. Modern in-vehicle devices have been shown to help prevent traffic congestion and cut down on
accidents. Computer spelling checks and language translation apps make communication clearer and less
ambiguous, while social networking sites help us to stay in touch with people more easily. It could even
be argued that learning how to use new technology means we are learning new skills to replace the ones
we have lost.

Clearly, therefore, there are many positive things we can say about modern technology. Having said
that, however, we need to be careful that we do not become over-reliant on it. We need to treat
modern technology as an aid to, rather than a substitute for, the skills that we have learnt.

345 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

45. Hot climates versus cold climates

Some people prefer to live in hot climates, whereas others love the lifestyle in countries with cold
climates.

Discuss both views and explain which climate you prefer.

For some people climate makes a significant difference to their quality of life. Some people
suffer psychologically in dark, cold weather, and prefer to live in a country which has constant
sunshine, while others suffer from the heat and choose the cosiness and warmth of being
wrapped up in front of a log fire. In my opinion, a moderate climate such as that of the
Mediterranean offers the best of both worlds and I will outline my reasons below.

There are several benefits to living in a country with a hot climate. The main advantage is that
people can enjoy being outside in the sun and doing outdoor activities. For example, residents
of hot countries can spend their time sunbathing, swimming in the sea and eating in the open
air. Another advantage of warm weather is that it is cheaper and easier to buy clothes, and
wearing less clothing gives you a feeling of freedom. Also, many elderly people choose to move
to hotter climates for health reasons and to avoid difficult winter conditions such as ice and
snow.

On the other hand, the advantages of spending time in cold countries cannot be denied. One
obvious bonus is that people are less likely to suffer from the effects of the sun. For example, in
Canada there are far fewer cases of skin cancer caused by over-exposure to the sun than in
Australia. Another benefit is that people can enjoy spending time with their family by organising
winter feasts and spending more quality time with their family over the Christmas period.

In conclusion, I believe that a combination of a cold winter and a hot summer which can be
found in the Mediterranean is the perfect combination, providing plenty of opportunity for
outdoor recreation as well as the comfort and pleasure of being indoors with your loved-ones
on a snowy winter’s day.

(This essay is based on a model by my lovely student Jeff. Jeff worked so hard for over a year and
he finally got the 7 he had worked so hard for. I miss you Jeff!)

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

46. Food waste

Why do people waste food? What can be done to reduce the amount of food we waste?

Food waste has been getting a lot of attention lately. The world produces far more food than it
did 30 years ago, yet almost half of it is thrown away and huge amounts of perfectly edible food
items are never eaten, while nearly a billion people still don’t have enough to eat. This has got
to change.

First of all, let us look at the reasons why people throw away food. In the past, when food was
scarce, people found innovative ways to preserve seasonal produce and use up leftovers.
However, people in developed countries now have so much food that they can afford to let it go
to waste. In addition to this, people have become overly-concerned with appearance, which
means that fruit and vegetables that do not conform to a ‘perfect’ size, shape or colour are
discarded before they even reach the supermarket shelves. Finally, supermarkets make the
situation worse by confusing consumers with multiple descriptions for expiry dates, so many
foodstuffs go to landfill unnecessarily.

There are many ways to solve this problem. Firstly as individuals we can make simple changes
such as buying smaller quantities, planning our meals, making better use of the freezer, and
using a compost bin. We can also put pressure on the supermarkets through our buying
choices, for example by avoiding their bulk-buy deals and by campaigning for food which is fit
for human consumption to be given away to charities and those in need. This consumer
pressure has had some success in countries such as France where it is now illegal for
supermarkets to send food to landfill sites.

To conclude, nobody wants to see good food go to waste. It harms our environment and is
morally indefensible. We are not just wasting food that could end global hunger, but using up
the planet’s resources in the process. In my opinion, consumers need to make their feelings
about waste reduction clearer. Enough consumer pressure will encourage supermarkets and
the government to make it easier for everyone, from producers to retailers and shoppers, to
make the changes necessary to reduce food waste.

350 words (over length)

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

47. How to limit our use of energy

Scientists have been warning for many years about protecting the environment and that we should
limit the use of energy in our daily lives. Despite these warnings, many people do not do this.
What are the reasons for this? How can people be encouraged to take an interest in protecting the
environment?

Scientists have been warning us about the impact on the planet of our daily habits for many years.
Even though people now appreciate and accept the dangers our lifestyles poses to the environment,
many do not act to change things. This essay will consider the reasons why this is the case and suggest
some ways in which people can help in looking after our environment.

There are many reasons why some people are put off certain initiatives to reduce their impact on the
planet. One reason is that it may involve an extra cost to themselves. For example, it is more expensive
to buy a car powered by electricity than many petrol-driven cars. Electric vehicles and improved public
transport networks should be financed and prioritised by governments to encourage more people to
use them, with economic incentives if necessary.

A further reason relates to the idea of responsibility. Many people see the government as responsible
for implementing and financing measures to protect the environment and do not see why the individual
should take the lead and foot the bill. A third reason is to do with education – many people, even in
developed countries, do not understand how their behaviour is impacting the environment and how
they could make a difference.

In order to change the habits and attitudes of people, a number of actions can be taken. The
government should ensure that people are better educated in these matters, through school education
and publicity campaigns. Furthermore, certain behaviours should be made socially unacceptable, for
instance the use of polluting vehicles and unnecessary car journeys. Finally, developments which have a
significant positive impact, such as electric vehicles and improved public transport networks, should be
financed and prioritised by governments to encourage more people to use them, with economic
incentives if necessary.

In conclusion, I believe urgent action is required to address environmental concerns. This can be
achieved at the level of government, but also at the individual level, and requires that attitudes towards
certain ways of living change radically.

338 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

48. Teenage years - the happiest time of life?

Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives.
Others think that adult life brings more happiness, in spite of greater responsibilities.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion

It is one of life’s great ironies that teenagers desire the freedom of adulthood, while adults
envy the seemingly carefree life of a teenager. There are obvious benefits to both stages in life.
However, in my opinion, not many people would welcome the trauma and anxiety of being a
teenager in today’s society, myself included.

Those who believe teenagers are the happiest age group cite their lack of responsibilities as a
significant factor. They are supported financially and emotionally by their parents, and although
they may be included in family decisions, they are not ultimately responsible. Adolescents are
on the threshold of adult life: they’re old enough to get a part-time job, so they can enjoy their
first taste of financial independence, and they have an exciting future ahead of them. Young
people also tend to have an active social life, and of course, there’s the excitement of first love
and first heartbreak. With all this to experience, teenagers see their parents’ lives as boring,
repetitive and stressful.

However, the reverse is also true. Adults see anxious, self-dramatising adolescents and
appreciate the joys of maturity. These may include a contented family life, close friendships
and a rewarding career. The greatest benefit, though, is that maturity gives you greater
confidence in your own judgement, in all areas of life. You are not afraid to express your opinion
when others disagree and, unlike a teenager, you know when to let things go.

To conclude, both these periods can be happy times, but I look back at my own teenage years
with no desire to go back. With constant reports about adolescents suffering from depression
and mental health issues, and with the pressures of exams and social media, I believe that
adulthood is a much happier place to be.

295 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

49. Wealth and happiness

Wealth does not guarantee happiness. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

For many people, money is associated with happiness. This is why people seek better-paid jobs
and play the lottery in the hope that greater financial security will mean a happier life.
However, happiness is not entirely based on economic circumstances and too much money can
have the opposite effect, as this essay will argue.
Real poverty is an obvious source of unhappiness, so a minimum level of income is required
to enjoy a basic level of existence. It could be argued that for a happy life, a relatively modest
income is needed to enable a person to buy or rent a house, have a car, enjoy an annual holiday
and treat themselves without worrying about getting into debt. Yet too much money, as we
often hear, can have a seriously damaging effect. People who suddenly get rich abuse the
privilege that money gives them and may adopt bad habits and disregard their families and
friends. Their priorities change and they no longer value the aspects of life that truly matter.
Real happiness comes from appreciating what we have, whether that is other people, a
rewarding job, or our hobbies and interests. In fact, if we constantly covet things we don’t
have, we are likely to feel frustrated and dissatisfied. The wise person lives life to the full and
values things not for their monetary value but for the pleasure and fulfilment they bring. As a
philosopher once said: ‘Not what we have, but what we enjoy constitutes our wealth’.
In conclusion, although a degree of financial security is needed to live an enjoyable life, it
would be misguided to assume that happiness results from money alone.

276 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

50. Tourism - pros and cons

Tourism has increased so much over the last 50 years that it is having a mainly negative
impact on local inhabitants and the environment. However, others claim that it is good for the
economy. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of tourism and give your own opinion.

Whether or not tourist destinations benefit from international tourism is a debatable issue. To
some governments, the local economic benefits are worth the overcrowding and hiked prices of
the tourist season. However, there are environmental and social costs and other risks of relying
on tourism as a major source of annual income.

Sleepy coastal communities can be changed beyond recognition by mass-market tourism.

Package holiday companies operate huge numbers of low-cost flights to high-rise hotels in
developing countries every summer. This means, of course, that easy money can be obtained by
servicing this seasonal influx and the government sees an increase in tax revenue and local
employment. However, when the tourist season comes to an end, employment ceases and the
area often becomes a ghost town. The social cohesion of a small community can be blighted by
the seasonal migration of people to the cities to look for work out of season, leaving only the
elderly behind. This is perhaps made worse by second home owners who drive up house prices
beyond the means of local inhabitants.

Such a large volume of travellers every year can also cause environmental problems to fragile
habitats and historical sites. Ancient stone remains can be worn away and traditional buildings
demolished in favour of bland international hotels. Local infrastructure struggles to cope with
large numbers of visitors, leading to pollution and litter.

Overall, tourism can be a good source of income for countries blessed with natural beauty or
sites of historical interest. However, governments must ensure that the wishes of local
businesses are not put before the needs of the local community and that any revenue
generated by tourism is reinvested in the area to protect the local environment.

285 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

51. Obesity

Obesity is now a major global epidemic. What can be done to tackle this increasingly common
problem?

Obesity is now one of the main causes of preventable death, especially in industrialised
countries. To tackle this problem, governments can reduce the impact of their overweight
citizens by the careful use of taxation to fund alternatives to a sedentary lifestyle. However,
individuals should also take responsibility for their own health by avoiding a bad diet and taking
the initiative to participate in sport.

It is important for governments to act quickly to curb obesity because of the rising death rate.
There will also be rising costs in healthcare and the benefits system if it is left unchecked. To
combat this problem, governments should, first of all, heavily tax junk food and use the revenue
generated to subsidise healthy fruit and vegetables. This would make healthy food cheaper and
more widely available than unhealthier options. Also the government can act by funding leisure
centres, sports clubs and gyms. This money could be used to help people gain motivation to
exercise and become more active.

On the other hand, there are those who claim that obesity is due to lifestyle choice and
therefore an individual problem, not one for the government. They claim that people should
find their own motivation to prevent obesity by being aware of the potentially fatal
consequences of their lifestyles. Individuals could also change their diets by switching from a
carbohydrate-heavy diet to one which includes a balance of vitamins and minerals. Joining a
sports club need not always be the only way to lose weight. Even vigorous housework or heavy
gardening can help avert heart disease.

In conclusion, although individuals may be able to help themselves by changing their diets and
activities, it may require government intervention to tackle obesity quickly and on a large scale.

290 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

53. Talent and training

It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for sport
or music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to
become a good sports person or musician. Discuss both these views and give your own
opinion.

The issue of nature versus nurture has been a matter of considerable debate for many years.
Some are of the opinion that musical and athletic talents are in the genes, while others hold the
view that any child can learn these abilities, regardless of their genetic makeup. In this essay, I
will explore both sides and conclude that true talent is something that individuals are born
with.

With regards to those who feel that any child can become a star sportsman or famous
musician through training, there is some evidence to suggest that many so-called child
prodigies and geniuses have actually trained for a minimum of 10,000 hours to achieve a level
of mastery that people might assume is a gift. They argue that anyone who devotes a fixed
amount of time to ‘deliberate practice’ can achieve expert-level performance and they often
cite The Beatles as examples of performers who made up for their lack of musical talent by
putting in hours of hard work.

Nevertheless, I believe that it is almost impossible to excel in sports or music without natural
ability, the reason for my view being that nearly every gold medal Olympian and best-selling
artist exhibited raw talent from an early age. Granted, they could not have reached their levels
of success without practice and training. However, it cannot be denied that talent existed first.
Take Michael Phelps, for example. It has been discovered that he naturally produces half as
much lactic acid as other athletes, which means that he tires less easily and can maintain a fast
pace for longer.

In sum, I believe in the value of hard work, but I also am realistic about the fact that not just
anybody can make millions as a musician or sportsman. Hopefully in the future, every child will
be allowed to nurture their own natural talents, whatever those may be.

313 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

54. How to produce less waste

Nowadays we are producing more and more rubbish. Why do you think this is happening?
What can governments do to help reduce the amount of rubbish produced?

These days, almost every product we consume produces waste. The main reason for this is
that modern life prioritises speed and convenience over time-consuming activities such as
recycling. This essay will argue that the government should invest more in making it easier for
people to recycle and researching alternatives to non-biodegradable packaging.

There are two main reasons why people are creating more waste. First of all, as productivity
increases, goods are becoming far more affordable. This means that our society is consuming
more and instead of repairing things when they break, it is easier and less expensive to buy
something new. To make matters worse, people nowadays are far too busy and find it difficult
to find time to recycle. For example, in my country, the facilities to recycle glass and metal
simply do not exist and the government does not invest any money in them. All in all, modern
life makes it easy for us to throw things away and manufacturers make it almost impossible for
us to shop responsibly.

Perhaps the most efficient way of dealing with this problem is for the government to fund
research into a suitable alternative to plastic packaging. For example, this has proved to be
effective in one UK store subsidised by a government scheme where you bring your own plastic
containers. The fact that this costs less for the consumer is a huge incentive. Furthermore, to
address the issue of recycling, local councils could finance more kerbside collections to enable
people to change their recycling habits. A final suggestion could be that local authorities
provide workshops where non-recyclable items can be repaired.

To conclude, with political will, such measures could really reduce the amount of rubbish we
produce. Certainly nobody wants to see our resources used up and our planet poisoned by
waste.

301 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

Model from Cambridge Test Book (slightly adapted)
It is true that in almost every country today each household and family produces a large
amount of waste every week. Most of this rubbish comes from the packaging from the things
we buy, such as processed food. But even if we buy fresh food without packaging, we still
produce rubbish from the plastic bags used everywhere to carry shopping home. (no thesis
sentence?)

The main reason why we have so much packaging is that we consume so much more on a daily
basis than families did in the past. Convenience is also very important in modern life, so we buy
packaged or canned food that can be transported from long distances and stored until we need
it, first in the supermarket, and then at home. However, I think the amount of waste produced
is also a result of our tendency to use something once and throw it away. We forget that even
the cheapest plastic bag has used up valuable resources and energy to produce. We also forget
that it is a source of pollution and difficult to dispose of.

I think, therefore, that governments need to raise this awareness in the general public.
Children can be educated about environmental issues at school but adults need to take action.
Governments can encourage such action by putting taxes on packaging, such as plastic bags, by
providing recycling services and by fining households and shops that do not attempt to recycle
their waste.

To conclude, with political will, such measures could really reduce the amount of rubbish we
produce. Certainly nobody wants to see our resources used up and our planet poisoned by
waste.

273 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

55. Nature versus nurture

Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our
personality and development than any experience we may have in our life.

Which do you consider to be the major influence?

Today the way we consider human psychology and mental development is heavily influenced
by the genetic research. We now understand the importance of inherited characteristics more
than ever before. Yet we are still unable to decide whether an individual’s personality and
development are more influenced by genetic factors (nature) or by the environment (nurture).
This essay will argue that they are both equally important.

Research relating to identical twins has highlighted how significant inherited characteristics
can be for an individual’s life. But whether these characteristics are able to develop within the
personality of an individual surely depends on whether the circumstances allow such a
development. It seems that the experiences we have in life are so unpredictable and so
powerful that they can boost or override other influences, and there seems to be plenty of
research findings to confirm this.

My own view is that there is no one major influence on a person’s life. Instead, the traits we
inherit from our parents and the situations and experiences that we encounter in life are
constantly interacting. It is the interaction of the two that shapes a person’s personality and
dictates how that personality develops. If this were not true, then we would be able to predict
the behaviour and character of a person from the moment they were born.

In conclusion, I do not think that either nature or nurture is the major influence on a person,
but that both have powerful effects. How these factors interact is still unknown today, and they
remain largely unpredictable in a person’s life.

260 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

56. Globalisation

Due to the effects of globalisation, the cultures of some countries are influenced by others.
Some people think this is a natural process. Others think this is a threat to cultural identity.
What is your opinion about this?

The single most important change to the world in recent years has been the rise of
globalisation. This has resulted in the sharing of resources, markets and communication due to
advances in transportation of goods and the influence of the internet and social media. While
there are some cultural benefits as a result of globalisation, in some ways cultural identity may
be threatened, as this essay will outline.
Globalisation means that economically powerful countries are able to export their cultures as
well as their goods more easily. The USA, for example, leads the way in information technology,
and developing countries seek to adopt American methods, using social media platforms to
conduct their affairs. This cements English as the lingua franca and promotes western cultural
values. As a consequence, western products are becoming ever more prevalent in faraway
places such as South-east Asia and Africa. This, it could be argued, is a natural process of
economic supply and demand, with customers gaining access to the products and services that
they aspire to use.
The drawbacks of globalisation, however, centre on the effects that this process has on
distinct cultural identities. The result of a worldwide marketplace dominated by the richest
countries is that features of country-specific culture, from clothing to language, and from diet to
family life, become ever more standardised and uniform, conforming to a foreign model. The
very aspects of life that gave countries their distinctive identities will become diluted and risk
disappearing altogether for reasons predominantly relating to the cold processes of economics.
In conclusion, though globalisation may give rise to improved economic conditions in many
poorer countries, it seems inevitable that there will be damaging effects on local cultures which
it may be impossible to reverse.

289 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

57. The Visual Arts - a minority interest?

The government spends a huge sum of money supporting museums and galleries in the UK
and a similar amount subsidising the visual and performing arts.
Some people believe the money would be better spent on more important things. It should
be up to the people who enjoy cultural attractions to pay for them.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The government invests a large sum of money on supporting the cultural and artistic life of
the country. This is undoubtedly a very large sum and the question inevitably arises as to
whether the money is well spent. Some people are of the opinion that this funding should be
spent on more important services such as health and education. However, others believe that
art is an essential part of modern life and I will argue that it should receive the funding it
deserves.

Some people object to such a large expenditure on art, arguing that it is unfair to devote so
much tax-payers’ money to things which only appeal to a minority of people. They believe these
attractions should be self-funding, in other words, museums and galleries should set an
entrance fee which covers their costs, while theatres and concert halls should also charge a
realistic amount for tickets. The public money thus saved could then be spent on more
important matters such as improving health care or providing better educational facilities.

However, there is a counter-argument which says that culture and the arts are not a trivial
matter but a very important part of a nation’s identity. Those who support this view contend
that the arts have an important education role by representing the traditions and heritage of a
people. In their opinion, access to museums, galleries and artistic events should be freely
available to all, rich or poor. Furthermore, they would argue that there is an important
economic aspect to consider in that culture and the arts play a key role in tourism, and are
therefore responsible for a significant amount of employment.

On balance it seems to me that although governments have many demands on their resources
they do have a responsibility to support a range of cultural and artistic activities and to make
these available to all their citizens.

269 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

58. Fame on the internet - pros and cons?

Lately, it has become easier for ordinary people to become famous through the internet and
television. Do you think this represents a negative or a positive development? 

In recent years, the increase in the number of reality TV shows and the rise of social media
has meant that more ordinary people have found ways of becoming well-known. Often, this
seems to be a rather underserved fame. However, I believe that there are a number of benefits
that have resulted from this phenomenon which I will outline below.

A powerful argument in favour of the new media is that they give everyone an opportunity
and an outlet to express themselves and become known to a wider public. Social media
platforms such as Instagram and YouTube encourage people to show off and develop their
particular interests and receive feedback on what they do. As a result, it could be argued that
creativity is no longer restricted to a narrow field of expression, and that the overall effect has
been to liberate and democratise our lives. It can also provide a much-needed source of income
for young people who are struggling to find jobs.

Having said that, there is a feeling that it has become too easy to publicise oneself, and that
standards of quality and taste have dropped or are not applied, allowing virtually anything to be
communicated on the Internet or on TV. This is the age of being famous for being famous, when
people with no special talent find fame and riches simply on the basis of their looks or their
outrageous behaviour.

In conclusion, I think that the freedoms we enjoy today are generally beneficial, although some
kind of quality control should remain so that the media is not dominated by shallow and
frivolous content.

269 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

59. Unhealthy urban environments - causes and solutions
Many people feel that urban environments are more unhealthy than they have ever been.
What do you think are the main causes of this problem?
What measures can be effective in tackling this problem?

Towns and cities around the world are much less healthy for their inhabitants compared to
the past. This situation is the direct result of several factors, but many approaches exist to
address the issue.
[Point] One reason for the problem is greater population density combined with increased
traffic, which, in turn, causes pollution, like air and noise, as well as stress. [Example] For
example, many countries worldwide are becoming more urbanised as people move to cities
because of the entertainment and education facilities available, along with greater work
opportunities. [So what?]As a result, city life is considerably less wholesome now both
physically and mentally than for previous generations.
[Point]To make city environments healthier, however, several important steps can be taken.
[Example] For instance, urban areas can be made greener by introducing more green spaces,
even if they are only micro-gardens with a few trees, shrubs and seats. [So what?] This can lead
to both cleaner air and reduced stress. This problem can also be addressed by public and private
buildings being made greener with the creation of roof gardens for people to relax in.
[Point] Having transport systems that are efficient, cheap and comfortable is another way of
ensuring that cities are healthy places. Such a measure will also enhance the quality of city life
by [Example] reducing air pollution and stress on the roads as people are drawn to using the
transport system. Attractive buildings that integrate work and living conditions as well as
facilities like leisure, health and education set in attractive open spaces, [So what?] can also
lead to improvements in the health of the urban environment.
To conclude, despite cities being less healthy than in the past, the root causes can be tackled
with several simple strategies.

293 words [PEEL points highlighted]

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

60. Prisons - do they work?

'Prisons are an expensive way of making bad people worse' To what extent do you agree or
disagree?

There are several generally accepted beliefs about prison. Firstly, that prison is a social defence
against anti-social people. In short, it keeps us safe. Secondly that prison punishes wrongdoers
through their loss of freedom. Thirdly, it teaches convicts the error of their ways, so that when
they are released, they can enter back into daily life as law-abiding citizens.

However, there is growing evidence that prison is not always the best solution to the problems
of crime that we face. Several scientific studies have shown that prison is not nearly as
beneficial to society as we might imagine. There are several explanations for this.

The terrible conditions in most prisons mean that criminals rarely receive a positive
education. Rather, they spend their time inside with other prisoners who teach them the tricks
of their trade. Also, when they are released, it is very difficult for them to find a job, so they
often feel that they have no choice but to reoffend. It’s the only thing they know. So the truth is
that they are more likely to commit crimes again when they are released than if they hadn’t
been sent to prison in the first place.

As a society, we have to pay attention to the results of these findings. In practice, we may be a
lot safer if we give criminals the ability to gain the practical skills they need to get a job and live
successful, productive lives, rather than just locking them away. There is little proof that prison
works. Perhaps now is the time for us to take important decisions regarding our system of
punishment. At the very least we need to give it more thought. It could be a matter of life and
death.

290 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona

61. International Tourism - does it create tension?

Nowadays, international tourism is the biggest industry in the world. Unfortunately,

international tourism creates tension rather than understanding between people from
different cultures.

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

In this age of inexpensive international travel, tourists and holidaymakers finds it as easy as it
has ever been to visit new places. While this has obvious benefits, cultural differences can lead
to tensions of different kinds, sometimes with very damaging consequences, which I will
outline below.

The first type of tension is between people. Human beings are essentially tribal creatures with
habits and customs that identify them as belonging to a particular place. While it may be
exciting and eye-opening to experience different cultures, our fundamental differences can lead
to misunderstandings and even conflict. Young adults from the UK , for example, often go
abroad in order to have stag parties or to enjoy the beach and clubs. As a result, their excessive
behaviour can antagonise the local people. Prague, which is a favourite location for such parties,
has expressed concern at the numbers of sometimes rowdy people who visit every year.

A further kind of tension is caused by the pressure of tourism on areas of natural beauty or
cultural importance. Cities such as Venice are struggling with the sheer number of tourists who
want to see the city. The authorities there have recently introduced an entrance charge which
will limit numbers and help to finance maintenance of the city. The footfall and littering of
natural beauty spots is also a matter of concern. For instance, a canyon in Iceland has been
seriously damaged after it featured in a pop video and attracted hundreds of visitors.

In conclusion, although tourism can be seen as a good thing, we must take measures to be
sensitive to local populations and remain aware of the potential damage our behaviour can
cause.

279 words

©️ Fiona Wattam IELTS with Fiona