Đinh Thị Ngoan – FTU Ielts writing task 2- “Discuss both of the views”

II. The discursive question/ the for and against question

This question asks for a discussion of both sides of the issue raised. It usually has an additional question after the statement. Which may
take one of the following forms:
 Discuss (this opinion). Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
 Discuss both of the views. Which do you agree with?
 Present arguments for and against the above opinion. Which one do you agree with?
Note: The additional question given to remind you that you are expected to take side after discussing both sides of the issue. It doesn’t
mean that you have to write an argumentative essay, too. It doesn’t mean that you have to write an argumentative essay, too.
Sample essay 1
As the number of cars has dramatically increased, more money has been spent on road systems. Some people think governments
should pay for all of this, while others think road users must cover all the costs of road building.
Discuss both of the views. Which do you agree with?
Huge investment has been made in expanding road systems. On average, roads take up about 20% of urban land area, and building one
kilometer of high way costs about one million US dollars. Yet more roads are still needed to accommodate the dramatically increasing
number of cars. Who should cover the huge costs of road building, road users or governments?
It sounds fair for road users to pay for what they use because they are the direct beneficiaries. Good roads save travelers’ time and
energy and increase their safety as well as durability of their cars. Also, as investors themselves, road users would be better aware of
preserving roads to maximize the cost effectiveness of their own money. In addition, road fees would add to the costs of using cars, thus
discouraging car use. The environment would certainly benefit from less energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the opinion that the government should be the sole investor in road building also stands to reasons. As the representative body
of supreme power, the government has to exercise its power in planning the socio-economic development of its country. Road systems
are the arteries of the country directly promoting and hindering its socio-economic development. Good roads attract investors whereas
poor road conditions discourage them. A standardized road system throughout the country would facilitate equitable development
among different regions and areas, thus reducing the rich-poor gap. Another reason is that the government receives financial
contribution from people through taxes. Tax money should be reinvested in public infrastructure, including roads to benefit the whole
society.
Both sides examined, I find it hard to completely agree or disagree with either of the above views. In my opinion, the responsibility of
road building should be the shared between the government and road users. Macro-planning of the whole traffic system as well as
building the artery motorways should rest with the government. Local roads, on the other hand, should be constructed with the money
contributed by the direct users.
Artery (n) huyết mạch, quốc lộ
Equitable (adj) đồng đều
Hinder (v) hạn chế
Representative body (n) cơ quan đại diện
Sample essay 2
This style of organizing the discussion essay is more sophisticated than the other one since its body starts with the opinions that you do
not support, thus creating room for you to refute these when you present the arguments that you support or your own arguments later
on. Another good thing about this style is that the arguments that you support will be presented just before the conclusion in which you
will state the side of argument that you support. These two paragraphs at the end of the essay will help strengthen your arguments.

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Đinh Thị Ngoan – FTU Ielts writing task 2- “Discuss both of the views”
Many people agree that education should be compulsory to all children until a certain age. Others, however, argue that children and
their families should be free to choose when to leave school.
Discuss both these views.
One feature of improved education systems around the world has been an increase in the period of compulsory schooling for students.
In many developed and developing countries, students are now required to stay at school until they are 15 years of age. Such education
policy, however, has raised different arguments among students, their families, and other people of concern.
There are quite plausible reasons for opposing this policy. Low income families, for example, may not be able to afford to keep their
children at school and may resent governments imposing this decision on them. In fact, in many developing countries, children can help
bring in much needed income, either by working in family agricultural activities, or else through paid employment. Compulsory
schooling might also be opposed on educational grounds. Studies have shown that compulsory schooling might be psychologically
damaging for the students who are not motivated to learn. These students may be more ready to learn later on as adults when their
motivation is stronger.

However, there are also strong reasons why students should be obliged to remain at school until a certain age. First, at a young age,
students are unlikely to be sufficiently mature to make sensible decisions about their lives. Thus, we should not allow them to make
decisions they may later regret. Another reason is that in today’s society, where increasingly high levels of skills and knowledge are
required of the workforce, early school leavers are highly to confront difficulties in obtaining employment.

All things considered, I am convinced that schooling should be compulsory to all children since this is of benefit for both the individual
student and for society as a whole. Education authorities, however, must ensure that the education provided is both affordable to
families and relevant and interesting to students.

IELTS Writing Task 2: fixed punishments

Task 2 (Đề thi ngày 10 tháng 8 năm 2023)

Some People Say That In The Modern World, Getting Old Is Entirely Bad. Others Believe That Old People’S Life Nowadays Is Much
Better Than In The Past. Discuss Both Views And Give Your Own Opinion.

Here is my suggested essay outline:

The perception of aging in contemporary society varies significantly, with divergent views on whether growing old is entirely
unfavorable or whether the living standards of the elderly have greatly improved compared to the previous time. This essay will
examine the rationale behind both perspectives and assert my agreement with the latter viewpoint.

On the one hand, several problems related to the elderly’s health and lack of career options are many people’s main concerns.
Advanced age is often accompanied by physical decline since the function of the body is greatly weakened and cannot maintain a high
level of mobility or resistance to diseases. This urges many old people to almost depend on medical care, which can be a burden,
especially for some chronic ailments that require permanent treatment and a stable financial situation. Employment opportunities are
also another challenge for old people because of the age barrier. In more detail, most enterprises often set up their own age restriction
that prioritizes the young due to their higher level of commitment, creativity and productivity.

On the other hand, with government support in healthcare and finance, the lives of older people now are indeed superior to
those of the past. Several advancements in medical and pharcumarcial areas have significantly enhanced the overall well-being of
senior citizens. By absorbing supplements and gaining access to state-of-the-art medical treatment, several fatal diseases can be
prevented, leading to prolonged lifespans. Besides, enhanced financial security and support systems from the government such as
pension schemes, allowance or welfare programs can provide a stable finance for the elderly, thus alleviating burden off them.

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Đinh Thị Ngoan – FTU Ielts writing task 2- “Discuss both of the views”
In conclusion, while some individuals consider aging as a terrible experience, I believe that the seniors’ quality of life nowadays is
enhanced greatly as opposed to the past due to the improvement of medical care and financial support from the state. + thêm lời
khuyên cho ng già

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