IELTS Writing Task 2: 'online shopping' topic
This was a recent IELTS exam question:
Online shopping is increasing dramatically. How could this trend affect our
environment and the kinds of jobs required?
My advice is to plan your essay with a 4-paragraph structure:
1. Introduction: topic + response (2 sentences are enough)
Introduce the topic of 'online shopping becoming more popular'. Then write that it will
have a significant impact on the environment and on jobs.
2. Paragraph about the environment
Write about simple ideas e.g. people will drive less, so there will be less pollution, less
destruction from the building of new roads, but perhaps more packaging.
3. Paragraph about jobs
Simple ideas e.g. many shop workers will lose their jobs, unemployment may rise, but
there will be more skilled jobs in IT (computer programmers, web designers).
4. Conclusion: repeat your response
Overall opinion: online shopping may have a negative effect on employment, but it
might be a good thing for the environment.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (24)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
IELTS Writing Task 2: fixed punishments
Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime.
Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the
motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the
punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Here is my suggested essay outline:
1. Introduction: topic + response
People have different views about whether punishments for crimes should be fixed.
Although there are some advantages of fixed punishments, I believe that it is better to
judge each crime individually.
2. Benefits of fixed punishments
There are some good arguments for having one set punishment for each crime.
IDEAS: easy, fair justice system; everyone is aware of the punishment for each crime;
fixed punishments could deter criminals.
3. Benefits of not having fixed punishments
However, I would argue that the circumstances of a crime and the criminals motivation
should have an influence on the punishment.
IDEAS: judge can decide the best response; a more humane system; example: stealing
to feed a family compared to stealing for profit.
4. Conclusion: repeat your response
In conclusion, despite the advantages of fixed punishments, it seems to me that each
crime should be judged taking both the circumstances and motivation into account.
Posted by Simon in IELTS Writing Task 2 | Permalink | Comments (34)
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
IELTS Writing Task 2: money and consumerism
Here are some vocabulary ideas for the topic of money and consumerism. You could
use these ideas to write an essay:
Many people say that we now live in 'consumer societies' where money and
possessions are given too much importance. Others believe that consumer
culture has played a vital role in improving our lives.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
General ideas:
a consumer society, materialistic, earn money, make money, make a profit, success,
material possessions, connect wealth with happiness, status symbols, the power of
advertising.
Positives of consumerism:
employment, income, salaries, products that we need, reduce poverty, better standard
of living, quality of life, creativity and innovation, trade between countries.
Negatives:
create waste, use natural resources, damage to the environment, throw-away culture,
people become greedy, selfish, money does not make us happy, loss of traditional
values.
I share the writing task 2 question I got today in China.
When new towns are planned, it is more important to include public parks and
sports facilities than shopping centres for people to spend their free time in.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
I tried my best to keep it to be exactly the same as the original one for obvious reasons.
IELTS Writing Task 2: strong opinion & both sides
Sometimes it's possible to have a strong opinion but still write about both sides of
the argument. Take this question for example:
Teleworking, or the use of telecommunications to allow people to work
from home, should be adopted by all employers in order to improve the
quality of life of their staff. To what extent do you agree or disagree with
this statement?
Here's my introduction:
The current trend towards teleworking is a positive one in many respects. However,
I strongly disagree with the idea that it should be introduced in all work contexts.
Can you see how this introduction allows me to write about both the positives and
negatives of teleworking, even though I expressed a strong opinion? Which word in
the question allowed me to do this?
Students response:
Teleworking or telecommute has been increasingly adopted by many enterprises
and companies, as the Internet and computers allowed people to do their work at
home. However, from my point of view, it should not be encouraged.
Admittedly, teleworking has its advantages. One of them is that working at home
can save money and time for both employees and employers. Without having to
travel between home and office every day, much time can saved, which means
more time can used on employees' work commitments. In addition, office
expenditure can also be reduced when employees do their jobs at home.
Furthermore, in comparison with office, home is a relatively quiet and comfortable
place to work at. Sitting in an armchair at home with a cup of coffee on the desk,
people might be less distracted and be able to concentrate on their works.
However, it seems to me that teleworking has more problems than its benefits.
Firstly, working at home means employees are under less supervision and
management. They will probably engage their time to personal activities like, for
example, chatting with their friends and playing games. Therefore, the productivity
of their works cannot be guaranteed. Secondly, office environment sometimes
cannot be simply replaced by working at home. Face to face talk (having
conversation in person) and office meeting are important for a team or company,
because employees can learn and be inspired by others in these office activities.
Obviously (Often it is said that), an online conference cannot be as effective as
an office meeting.
To conclude, although working at home sounds like a fantastic idea, I think it should
not be encouraged because of its potential threats to companies' productivity and
management.
Great essay and thank you Allen for sharing.
I hope you get Band 7.
Just wanted to share a few things that I noticed.
"Could use a little improvement areas"
+singular,plural words (work,job)
+word choice :
problems V drawbacks ,
to do their job at home V work from home
office time V office environment
face to face talk V having a conversation in person/or face to face
+the use of OBVIOUSLY ( what if it is not THAT obvious to the reader? If I am not wrong
, Simon doesn't really suggest using obviously.I am sure you can find a better
alternative - i.e. 'Many people believe that', "Often it is said that"
Assert = contend; proclaim; trumpet; affirm; aver; state; profess
