IELTS Writing Task 2
Sample Essays
Here you will find a variety of different IELTS Writing Task 2 band 9 sample Essays on different subjects.
In the IELTS Writing Task 2 the candidate will have to complete their answer in 40 minutes writing a minimum of 250 words.
Task 2 Topics
Writing Task 2 Question: Cities and countryside.
Some people claim it is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a large city. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 250 words minimum
Band 9 Sample Essay:
In the last hundred years, more and more children have grown up in large cosmopolitan cities as opposed to rural areas. It can be argued that this trend has been detrimental. However, I disagree with this view and believe that being raised in a city is actually beneficial for children.
First and foremost, one of the most important elements to a child’s future is their education. And in cities, we have not only the best schools but also a greater selection to choose from when compared to the country. In any city, you will find hundreds of schools with a wide range of individual characteristics such as being academically focused, arts focused, religious, strict or student focused. This means that parents and children can choose a school that fits their needs best, better enabling the child’s potential and dramatically increasing his or her career prospects.
Another reason why living in a city can be better for children is because it offers more extracurricular activities as well as interesting ways to spend their free time. Children have a vast array of options in a city including football training, volleyball classes, martial arts, chess club, maths club, swimming, tennis, cinema the list goes on and on. Meaning children will occupy their time outside of school more productively, either by doing something that is good for their physical health, stimulates their brain or gives them satisfaction. Furthermore, they will meet other kids and make more friends with similar interests.
In conclusion, by growing up in a city a child should have a greater chance at a better education and their leisure time outside of school will be more stimulating and productive. This should lead to a happier and more fulfilled individual.
288 words
Plan
Opinion:
I believe living in a city is better for children
Points :
- Better schools
- more activities, people, interests
Writing Task 2 Question: The Environment
There is growing evidence that man-made activities are making global temperatures higher.
What might be the man-made causes of temperatures rising? How should we deal with this problem?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Band 9 Sample Essay:
Earth goes through natural weather cycles of cooler and warmer periods. However, there is mounting evidence that at the moment global temperatures are rising at a pace never before seen, leading us to believe it is a result of mankind’s actions. If global temperatures exceed a certain level the results will be catastrophic. In this essay I will explain what could be causing this rise and how we might correct it.
One of the main ways in which humans are adding to or causing global warming is by releasing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere which in turn heat up our planet. One of the main contributors of methane in the atmosphere is rearing livestock. Meat and dairy products have become an ever-growing part of the human diet. Therefore, there is more livestock on earth now than ever before, and the methane they release through digestion has a severe impact on global warming.
Other important factors are transportation and energy production. Currently, most of our vehicles, cars, trains, ships and airplanes, are powered by oil products such as gasoline. Oil is a fossil fuel and when burnt releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. With the dramatic expanse in motor vehicles, shipping and air travel in the last century Earth has seen its carbon dioxide emissions soar. Furthermore, forty percent of the world’s energy is produced by burning coal, which is also a fossil fuel.
In order to tackle these environmental issues, there are a few things that can be done. Firstly, humans could lower their consumption of meat and dairy products. This will reduce the need to maintain so many farm animals. Secondly, we should commit further to electric vehicles, thereby lowering the amount of oil which is extracted and burnt. And finally, shifting the majority of energy production to green and renewable energy sources.
In conclusion, despite the dramatic rise of meat, oil and energy consumption over the last hundred years, I believe we can still halt the rise of global temperatures. It will mean changing our habits, less beef, less flights, more electric cars and much more green energy. It won’t be easy, but it will make a healthier future for us and for Earth.
Words 372
Plan
Greenhouse gas emissions
- cattle
- transport airplanes and cars
- fossil fuels
- deforestation
Energy production is another problem. Forty percent of the world’s electricity is produced by burning coal, another fossil fuel, which releases C02 into the atmosphere.
Solutions
- eat less meat therefore have less livestock
- electric cars
- produce green energy
Writing Task 2 Question: Education
Some systems require students to specialize in a limited range of subjects from the age of fifteen. Other systems require students to study a wide range of subjects until they leave school. What are the benefits of these two education systems and which is better?
You should write at least 250 words.
Band 9 Sample Essay:
One type of school system allows students from the age of fifteen to select and narrow down which subjects they take, while a different school system makes students take all their subjects until they graduate. Both programs have their own benefits which I will discuss in this essay.
One of the most important benefits of letting students select which subjects they do is that it focuses on what the students really need. If someone already knows that they wish to have a career using mathematics and they would like to do Maths at university then by only selecting subjects that would help in this endeavour would maximise their potential for success. It would be a waste of their time to have to study History for example. Another benefit of such a system is that an early age you force students to start thinking about their careers. This gives them more time to organise themselves and to see what steps they need to take in order to achieve their career goals.
In contrast, there also benefits to a curriculum that makes all subjects mandatory until graduation. One interesting benefit is that students will finish school with more options because they didn’t limit their studies to a handful of subjects. When they graduate, they have the freedom to wrestle with different ideas on what to study at university and with what career path to follow, knowing that all of them are possible. This is perhaps the greatest benefit to this schooling system.
In conclusion, I can see interesting benefits on both sides. One lets you focus and go more in-depth on what you want, while the other gives you the comfort of choice after you graduate. I believe that the best option is to let the student decide which system they prefer. Some students already know what they want and have no time or interest in anything else, while others have no idea what they want to do in the future, so why should they have to decide at fifteen? Perhaps the ideal situation would be to integrate both systems in one school.
Words 351
Plan
Opinion non limited range better
benefits limited
focus on what you like
go into more detail
prepare better for university course
Benefits wide range
have a broader understanding
leave have more possibilities for future careers
Writing Task 2 Question: Indoor outdoor activities
Some people think that outdoor activities are more beneficial for children’s development than playing computer games. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
You should write at least 250 words.
Band 9 Sample Essay:
Since the 1990s computer games have become more and more commonplace inside the home. Games and consoles have become more advanced leading to greater graphics and greater interactivity between player and game. However, it can be argued that despite these developments, playing outside still has more benefits to a child or teenager. I agree with this view and in this essay I will explain why.
One of the most important advantages of playing outside is that it’s much better for your health. Taking part in outdoor activities will almost certainly involve a high level of physical movement, be it a football game, hide and seek or the popular playground game ‘it’. Running around not only improves your motor skills but also dramatically reduces levels of obesity, cholesterol and can even improve concentration. In contrast, video games promote a sedentary lifestyle.
Secondly, playing with friends on the street or in a club significantly improves face to face communication skills. Having to organise a game, separating teams, inviting people to play and dealing with conflict will lead to a more socially confident, emotionally aware and apt communicator. These skills are fundamental to a person’s personal life and work life. You are only able to improve face to face communication skills in person, and unfortunately not through a headset.
In conclusion, perhaps no matter how real or intricate video games become, they will never be more beneficial than the simplest outdoor game with friends, due to the communication and health benefits involved.
250 words
Plan
Opinion: Yes ,outdoor more beneficial
Points:
health
Communication skills
Writing Task 2 Question: Drugs
People in all modern societies use drugs, but today's youth are experimenting with both legal and illegal drugs, and at an increasingly early age. Some sociologists claim that parents and other members of society often set a bad example.
Discuss the causes and some effects of widespread drug use by young people in modern day society. Make any recommendations you feel are necessary to help fight youth drug abuse.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Band 9 Sample Essay:
The temptation to experiment with drugs can come from many different directions. In this essay I will explain why some young people end up using them, the effects this can have and what I feel could be done to prevent the youth from picking up this habit.
One of the biggest reasons why people start using drugs is because they see someone they know doing it. If someone’s father, sibling or friend are taking drugs the individual might want to try it as well to seem ‘cool’ or mature like them. However, it’s not just close relationships that can influence them, celebrities, actors and musicians can also have this effect. People enjoy emulating their idols, so if their favourite band does drugs, why shouldn’t they do it as well? Nevertheless, I do feel that there are other factors that are equally responsible in putting young people down a path of drug abuse, such as stress, loneliness, pressure from social situations, depression and boredom.
The effects of drug taking vary greatly depending on how much someone is taking and what the person is taking. In general, for a young person drug addiction tends to effect three areas: health, relationships and education. Drugs can have a detrimental effect on your health by causing weight gain, lethargy, paranoia, organ failure and even death. It can cause rifts in family ties, as well as harming school grades, risking failure to graduate or leaving school with inadequate marks. Making life after school much more difficult.
One way to prevent youngsters from taking up alcohol, cannabis, and other harmful substances is by keeping them busy. By this I mean, parents and schools should encourage extracurricular activities such as sports, theatre and music. By filling their time with positive actions, we reduce the time which can be filled with drugs and the need for such substances.
In conclusion, there is an array of reasons why young people start doing drugs. The effects can range from low severity to high severity and can even be fatal. I believe if we focus on what kids and teenagers are doing after school, we can dramatically reduce the youth of the world picking up this terrible habit.
365 words
How to write IELTS Writing Task 2
There is no specific essay structure you must follow in order to achieve a good score on your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.
However, what I am about to show you is a common and recommended approach to take.
Recommended Task 2 essay structure.
You should divide your essay into three parts: the introduction, the body and the conclusion
Introduction:
There are three things you should do in your introductory paragraph:
1) Write a sentence which introduces the topic and gives any relevant background information regarding the question.
2) Paraphrase the question into your own words.
3) Give your opinion, if asked, and say what you will do in the essay.
Example
Question
There is growing evidence that man-made activities are making global temperatures higher.
What might be the man-made causes of temperatures rising? How should we deal with this problem?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Earth goes through natural weather cycles of cooler and warmer periods. However, there is mounting evidence that at the moment global temperatures are rising at a pace never before seen, leading us to believe it is a result of mankind’s actions. If global temperatures exceed a certain level the results will be catastrophic. In this essay I will explain what could be causing this rise and how we might correct it.
The body paragraphs:
Normally you will write two or three body paragraphs in your essay. Here you will need to:
1) Clearly state your point.
2) Explain your point with a relevant example.
3) Clearly state what this point means in relation to the question.
You should repeat those 3 steps for each of your points.
Example
One of the main ways in which humans are adding to or causing global warming is by releasing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere which in turn heat up our planet. One of the main contributors of methane in the atmosphere is rearing livestock. Meat and dairy products have become an ever-growing part of the human diet. Therefore, there is more livestock on earth now than ever before, and the methane they release through digestion has a severe impact on global warming.
Other important factors are transportation and energy production. Currently, most of our vehicles, cars, trains, ships and airplanes, are powered by oil products such as gasoline. Oil is a fossil fuel and when burnt releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. With the dramatic expanse in motor vehicles, shipping and air travel in the last century Earth has seen its carbon dioxide emissions soar. Furthermore, forty percent of the world’s energy is produced by burning coal, which is also a fossil fuel.
In order to tackle these environmental issues, there are a few things that can be done. Firstly, humans could lower their consumption of meat and dairy products. This will reduce the need to maintain so many farm animals. Secondly, we should commit further to electric vehicles, thereby lowering the amount of oil which is extracted and burnt. And finally, shifting the majority of energy production to green and renewable energy sources.
Conclusion:
This paragraph should not be very long. Here you will need to:
1) briefly summarise your points and opinion using different words to the body paragraphs. Doing this makes it easier for the reader to fully understand what your points were.
2) If possible finish your essay with a nice sentence, perhaps something optimistic or about the future.
You should not add any new points in the conclusion.
Example
In conclusion, despite the dramatic rise of meat, oil and energy consumption over the last hundred years, I believe we can still halt the rise of global temperatures. It will mean changing our habits, less beef, less flights, more electric cars and much more green energy. It won’t be easy, but it will make a healthier future for us and for Earth.