World of work: structuring

paragraphs

Theme:
Writing: Task 2
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Welcome to IELTS Coach English Online

How does it work? Prepare

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You need to complete all
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most out of English
Online.
Practise
after class
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Pre-lesson activities

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Lesson objectives

In this live part of the lesson, you will:

• write a structured paragraph.
• use language for expressing opposing ideas.
You will also review linking words that you learned before
the lesson.

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Introduction
The following things affect people’s job satisfaction. Rank them in order of importance
(1–6).

A. A good salary
B. Plenty of holidays
C. Fun colleagues
D. Opportunities to manage people
E. A friendly boss
F. Opportunities to get promoted

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Useful language for IELTS
Do you remember these linking words for expressing positive or negative results from
the pre-lesson tasks? Use them to answer the question.

Even if However
Although On the other hand

Some people believe that having a job you enjoy is more important than earning a
high salary. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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IELTS skills (optional)
How could you order the following elements to structure a paragraph?

A. An example to illustrate the main idea ___

B. The main idea of the paragraph __
C. An idea that contrasts with the main idea ___
D. The main idea in more detail __
E. A consequence, linking the example to the main idea ___

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 Task
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Task
Read the IELTS task below and think of three arguments for and against the opinion.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that the difference between the lowest paid jobs
and the highest paid jobs should be reduced.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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Task
Read the introduction from a response to the IELTS task in activity 9. Then plan the
next paragraph of the response. Use the features (1–5) listed below.

There is a great deal of difference between the amount that the wealthiest and the
poorest workers earn in many countries nowadays. The question of whether this pay
gap should be made smaller is therefore a frequent topic of discussion when people
talk about the issue of equality in society.

1. A main idea
2. An opposing view introduced with appropriate words, e.g. although, however
3. An explanation of the main idea
4. An example that illustrates the main idea
5. A concluding sentence

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How can I get my writing marked?
1 2 3 4

Draft it within the Type it up (Use Book a writing Get feedback and
exam time limit Microsoft Word or tutorial correction from one
Google Docs) of our IELTS teachers

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Feedback
Please ensure your main ideas (topic sentences in a paragraph)
are concise and not lengthy sentences.

The supporting detail must complement your position and not

take away or confuse the reader.

Stick to the framework for a paragraph. It helps with cohesion and

coherence.

Don’t forget to add an opposing view.

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Feedback
Even if i have high paying salary and i don’t enjoy my work i will end up quitting my job - Even if
i have a high paying salary if I don’t enjoy my work, I will end up quitting my job.

A very important reason for a good mental health is to have a job that you enjoy even if the
salary is not as good as you wish - To have a job you enjoy is more important than a high salary
to maintain good mental health.

Even if you have a high salary, but haven't a love to your job you will never be happy with your
everyday life - Even if you have a high salary but don’t love your job you will end up unhappy.

I agree with most of the people choose a job for happiness even if the salary is not satisfied our
expectations - I agree most people choose a job for happiness even if the salary does not
satisfy their needs.

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Feedback
From my personal experience I believe that having an enjoyable job is much more important
than having a high salary, however depending on living costs it could be challenging to earn
less than the country of residency average salary- From my personal experience I believe that
having an enjoyable job is much more important than having a high salary, however depending
on living costs it could be challenging if you earn less.

I believe that having a joyfull job is great . On the other hand, i dont beleive that this job will be
good for me if i can't earn a good salary who makes my life hapier and easier - I believe that
having a joyful job is great . On the other hand, I don’t believe that this job will be good for
me if I can't earn a good salary which makes my life happier and easier .

Have an enjoying job can give a good motivation to myself however good salary can help me to
plan my future - Have an enjoying job can be motivating however a good salary will help me
plan my future better.

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Feedback
Well-paying job can maintain a high quality of life. We can purchase what you want even if the
job is not you want to do - A well-paid job can help maintain a high standard of life. One can
purchase and live life large even if the job is not something one enjoys.

Salary should be lowered for the high paying jobs to the lower paid job to bring equality in
society- the difference between the lowest paid jobs and the highest paid jobs should be reduced to bring
equality in society.

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Sample Q 1: Some people believe that having a job you enjoy is more important than
earning a high salary. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There are many factors that affect people’s working life, such as having an enjoyable career, being creative or earning a lot of
money. Although doing work we like is important, having a high income is arguably more important because it affects us in
many other ways.

Firstly, the money from a well-paid job gives us a sense of status that makes us feel valued. It is true that we can feel valued
in some roles where there is a friendly, supportive environment. However, in many jobs we cannot rely on respect and support
from work colleagues. Jobs in banking, for example, are often quite competitive and involve staring at a computer screen for
much of the time. Without the compensation of a high salary, workers in these roles might feel low self-esteem.

In addition, a high salary means that people can plan for the future more easily and have more opportunities in life. On the
one hand, we may like our boss and enjoy working with our colleagues. But on the other hand, if we do not earn a high salary,
our future might be more difficult. For instance, we might not be able to support our children through university or might not
have enough money for our retirement. If a low salary impacts on our children’s future or our lifestyle in retirement, this could
make us very dissatisfied.

In conclusion, even if people really enjoy their jobs, they are unlikely to be happy and comfortable without a high level of
income. A good salary can make so many other areas of life better, and it is therefore more important than doing work you
like.

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 Sample Q2: Some people believe that the difference between the lowest paid jobs and the highest
paid jobs should be reduced.To what extent do you agree or disagree?

People do a wide variety of jobs, and there is great deal of difference between the amount that the richest and poorest workers are
paid. Some people feel that the difference between the best- and worst paid jobs should be reduced. This essay will argue that the
gap in pay levels is too large and that measures should be taken to reduce the difference.

The first reason for a reduction in the difference in wage levels is that some salaries do not reflect the importance of the role. Even
if a high salary is paid, it does not mean that this is deserved. For instance, many jobs in the financial sector do not contribute much
to society, yet they can make individuals very rich. On the other hand, workers in important professions such as nursing are often
not paid very well, although they do valuable work. As a result, large differences in salary can seem unfair when related to how
useful or important jobs are.

The second reason is that the lowest paid jobs do not enable people to live a very comfortable life. Even though people do a wide
range of different jobs, everyone still needs to earn a certain amount of money in order to have a reasonable standard of living. For
example, cleaners and shop workers are often very poorly paid, and may not be able to afford to live an enjoyable life, especially in
some large cities. This can lead to people finding it difficult to survive, and can affect their health and well-being.

In conclusion, while all workers should not be paid the same amount, the difference in people’s pay needs to be reduced. Salaries
should match the importance of the work that people do and should also allow everyone to have a good standard of living.
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