Object 2

Object 1

In many countries, very few young people read newspapers or follow the news on TV. What do you
think are the causes of this?
What solutions can you suggest?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Exam Tip
• Some IELTS writing tasks contain more than one question. Make sure that your answer fully covers
all parts of the task.
• You might be asked to write about a problem and consider possible causes and solutions.
• Make sure that any causes you suggest are relevant. Give reasons and examples.
• Make sure that any solutions you suggest deal with the causes of the problem.
• Describe how your solutions might be put into practice, giving reasons and examples.

Sample answer
There is increasing concern in many countries that newspapers are not being read and the news on
television is not being watched by many young people. As a result, young people in these countries are
not up-to-date with or even concerned about local, national and international events.
The major causes of this problem are that most newspapers and news programmes are designed for an
adult audience and are not presented in a format that teenagers find attractive. Few young people read
newspapers because the language is too difficult and the style and content is usually quite serious. A
lack of interest in the news is also due to the fact that young people are fascinated by new technology,
such as computers and the Internet. As a result of this there is a lower interest in traditional news
formats, which are considered unappealing and unfashionable.
There are some strategies that can be used to encourage young people to keep abreast of the news. The
first is to have news agencies present the news in formats that are appealing for the young. The easiest
way to do this would be to present news on internet sites that are designed for a younger audience.
Another way to confront the problem is to have schools involved in the publication of regular school
newspapers. Recent local, national and international news events could be included, although schools
should also encourage pupils to be involved in the writing of articles and submissions. This newspaper
could then be distributed to all the pupils, which means a greater number of young people would
regularly read news stories.
The low number of young people reading newspapers and following the news on television can be
increased by presenting the news in formats that are appealing to them. The key is to utilise websites
and also have schools publish their own newspapers, which students are involved in.
(317 words)

IELTS Tip
Be careful of the following common errors when describing changes in numbers.

There was an increase of 20% between 1955 and 2015. NOT an increase in 20%

There was an increase in obesity between 1955 and 2015. NOT increase of obesity

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The charts summarise the weight measurements of people living in Charlestown in 1955 and 2015.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Read the model answer below, and choose the correct alternative for each gap.
The charts provide an analysis of the weight issues among the residents of the town of Charlestown in
1955 and in 2015.
In 1955, the youngest age group had the fewest number / amount of weight issues, with more than 70%
of 20-29-year-olds being assessed as having a healthy weight. In the same year, excess weight was only
a significant problem among 40-49-year-olds, 20-30% of whom were classified as either overweight or
obese. In fact, being underweight was a more significant problem affecting more than twenty percent /
percentage of each age group, and the elderly in particular, with 40% of the over 60s being classified as
underweight.
In stark contrast to this, for / in 2015, being underweight was only a problem among 20-29-year olds,
with 20% obtaining this diagnosis, and the number of underweight elderly people had fallen by / to
10%. The charts clearly show that, in modern times, obesity poses a considerable problem from the age
of 30 upwards. In fact, there was a steadily / steady increase in this problem in almost every age group
over 29 until the age of 60, when the vast majority are considered to have an unhealthy weight. It is
important to note that, by the age of 60, less than 50% of each age group was considered to have a
perfect weight by the year 2015. This is a fall in / of 10% compared of / to the same age group in 1955.
When compared / comparing the two years, it is clear that there has been a significant increase in / of
the number of obese people in Charlestown, and there was a general drop of / in the number of
underweight people between 1955 and 2015.

ELTS Tip
• Comparing data involves recognising similarities and differences.
• Focus on the data that shows the main similarities/differences.
• Use words and phrases such as In the some way and Similarly to introduce the similarities.
• Use words and phrases such as Whereas and In contrast to introduce the differences.
• Use adverbs such as considerably plus a comparative adjective (e.g. higher or lower) to emphasise
difference.
• Always mention the actual data (numbers, percentages, dates, etc.) in your comparison but make sure
it is relevant to the point you are making.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The charts below show the reasons why people travel to work by bicycle or by car.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
Model answer
The first chart shows the reasons why some people in the UK prefer to cycle to work. Conversely, the
second chart gives reasons for those who choose to go to work by car.
The highest percentage of those who favour cycling say that this is because riding a bicycle to work is
healthier than driving. 30% of them gave this as a reason. The same amount of people, 30% say that
they cycle to work because it causes less pollution. 13% of people cycle to work because it is cheaper
than driving. Surprisingly, a similar amount of people said that they cycled to work because it is faster
than travelling by car.
In contrast to this, the percentage who prefer to travel by car because it is more comfortable is 40%.
The two least important reasons for going to work by car, with 14% and 11% respectively, is that
people need to carry things to work and that it is safer than cycling to work. Finally, 16% say they
prefer driving because it is faster than cycling. This contrasts with the cyclists who ride to work
because it is faster than driving.
In general, it seems that the majority of people who cycle to work do this for health and environmental
reasons. By contrast, those who travel by car want to have a more comfortable journey over longer
distances.
(229 words)
IELTS Tip
In written reports we don't normally describe statistics using exact numbers as this can be very boring
and distracting for the reader. Instead we use approximation to round numbers up or down.

Elicit different ways of describing the following numbers:

134,575: just over 135,000, approximately/roughly/around/about 135,000;

134,575 compared to 396,530: over triple, around 200% more, about three times as many, roughly
260,000 more, about a third as many, approximately one in three, far more, for less

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below shows population figures for India and China since the year 2000 and predicted
population growth up until 2050.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Model answer
The graph shows how the populations of India and China have changed since 2000 and how they will
change in the future.
In 2000, there were more people living in China than in India. The number of Chinese was 1.25 bill
ion, while India's population was about 1 billion. Between 2000 and the present, there has been a 0.2
billion rise in the number of Indian citizens. Over the same period, China's population has increased by
0.1 billion to reach over 1.35 billion.
According to the graph, the population in India will increase more quickly than in China, and experts
say that by 2030, both countries will have the same population of 1.45 billion. After this, China's
population is likely to fall slightly to 1.4 billion in 2050, while India's population will probably increase
and reach 1.6 billion.
Thus, over the 50-year period, India is going to experience steady growth in its population and it will
overtake China. On the other hand, China's population will peak in 2030 and then begin to fall.
(173 words)

IELTS Tip
Remember that in the IELTS exam you should use a variety of sentences and structures. When dealing
with data, you should use as many different descriptions as possible to avoid repetition or simply listing
numbers.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below gives information about languages with the most native speakers.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Languages with the most native speakers

Model answer
The table illustrates the number of native speakers of six languages as well as the number of speakers
of these languages as an additional language. It is noticeable that the number of speakers of Mandarin
Chinese is strikingly higher than the other languages with over one billion speakers.
People who speak Mandarin largely speak it as a first language (900 million). In comparison to this
only 190 million people speak Mandarin Chinese as an additional language. What is remarkable about
English speakers is that the number of speakers of English as an additional language is higher than that
of native speakers of English (603 and 339 million respectively).
While the total number of Hindi speakers (490 million) is roughly equal to that of Spanish speakers
(420 million); when it comes to speaking these languages as an additional language the number for
Hindi is much higher (120 million) than that for Spanish (70 million).
Native speakers of Arabic and Portuguese are similar in number with 206 million and 203 million
respectively. However, the number of Arabic speakers as an additional language (24 million) is almost
2.5 times higher than speakers of Portuguese as an additional language.
(195 words)

IELTS Tip
When two quantities are compared using figures, we can mark the comparison using whereas or while.
Whereas is generally used when the difference is stressed, and while is generally used for more neutral
comparisons.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below gives information about a restaurant’s average sales in three different branches in
2016.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Model answer
The table illustrates the performance of three different branches of a chain of restaurants in three
different locations in Vancouver for the year 2016. It is evident that the best performer is the branch in
Georgia Street, which with 854 transactions a day on average has at least 100 more transactions than
Dunsmuir Street and more than double from Drake Street. Georgia Street is also ahead in terms of
average transaction value (ATV), with $10.69 per transaction compared to Dunsmuir Street’s $5.61 and
Drake Street’s $9.02.
On average, eat-in and take-away transactions are almost equal in each restaurant, with take-away
transactions ending slightly ahead in two of them. Drake Street is the only exception, with eat-in
transactions surpassing take-away by 10.
The table also gives us information about the most popular item in each branch, revealing that the
eating habit of customers in each area are widely varied: Georgia Street’s best seller is Chicken Burger,
while Dunsmuir Street’s customers favour Chicken Wings, and Drake Street’s customers prefer
Chicken Pasta.
Overall, it is clear that the Georgia Street’s branch is the company’s most profitable branch, with the
highest number of transactions and ATV. Drake Street, on the other hand, lags far behind, despite the
fact that its ATV is higher than Dunsmuir Street.
(212 words)

ELTS Tip
In the IELTS exam, it is important not to spend more than 20 minutes on Task 1, otherwise you may not
have enough time for Writing Task 2, which is longer and is worth twice as many marks.

When practising you will probably need more than 20 minutes at first. Keep a note of how long you
take and try reducing the time for each practice test until you can do Task 1 in 20 minutes.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The pie chart below shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive. The table
shows how these causes affected three regions of the world during the 1990s.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Model answer
The pie chart shows that there are four main causes of farmland becoming degraded in the world today.
Globally, 65% of degradation is caused by too much animal grazing and tree clearance, constituting
35% and 30% respectively. A further 28% of global degradation is due to over-cultivation of crops.
Other causes account for only 7% collectively.
These causes affected different regions differently in the 1990s, with Europe having as much as 9.8%
of degradation due to deforestation, while the impact of this on Oceania and North America was
minimal, with only 1.7% and 0.2% of land affected respectively. Europe, with the highest overall
percentage of land degraded (23%), also suffered from over-cultivation (7.7%) and over-grazing
(5.5%). In contrast, Oceania had 13% of degraded farmland and this was mainly due to over-grazing
(11.3%). North America had a lower proportion of degraded land at only 5%, and the main causes of
this were over-cultivation (3.3%) and, to a lesser extent, over-grazing (1.5%).
Overall, it is clear that Europe suffered more from farmland degradation than the other regions and the
main causes there were deforestation and over-cultivation.
(184 words)

ELTS Tip
In the IELTS exam, it is important not to spend more than 20 minutes on Task 1, otherwise you may not
have enough time for Writing Task 2, which is longer and is worth twice as many marks.

When practising you will probably need more than 20 minutes at first. Keep a note of how long you
take and try reducing the time for each practice test until you can do Task 1 in 20 minutes.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The pie chart below shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive. The table
shows how these causes affected three regions of the world during the 1990s.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Model answer
The pie chart shows that there are four main causes of farmland becoming degraded in the world today.
Globally, 65% of degradation is caused by too much animal grazing and tree clearance, constituting
35% and 30% respectively. A further 28% of global degradation is due to over-cultivation of crops.
Other causes account for only 7% collectively.
These causes affected different regions differently in the 1990s, with Europe having as much as 9.8%
of degradation due to deforestation, while the impact of this on Oceania and North America was
minimal, with only 1.7% and 0.2% of land affected respectively. Europe, with the highest overall
percentage of land degraded (23%), also suffered from over-cultivation (7.7%) and over-grazing
(5.5%). In contrast, Oceania had 13% of degraded farmland and this was mainly due to over-grazing
(11.3%). North America had a lower proportion of degraded land at only 5%, and the main causes of
this were over-cultivation (3.3%) and, to a lesser extent, over-grazing (1.5%).
Overall, it is clear that Europe suffered more from farmland degradation than the other regions and the
main causes there were deforestation and over-cultivation.

Test Tip
When you are describing a chart or graph, you are actually describing the patterns he the data. Before
you begin to write, spend one or two minutes noticing the different features of the visual information.

To help identify the patterns, you need to look for the

• peaks (high points) and troughs (low points)
• periods when the figures remain steady (show little or no change)
• periods when the figures fluctuate (show a lot of changes)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below shows the pollution levels in London between 1600 and 2000.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Model answer
(1st paragraph introduces the topic of the graph, explains what the graph shows and outlines overall
trends or patterns.)
The graph shows pollution levels in London between 1600 and 2000. It measures smoke and sulphur
dioxide in micrograms per cubic metre. According to the information, the levels of both pollutants
formed a similar pattern during this period, but there were always higher levels of sulphur dioxide than
smoke in the atmosphere.
(2nd paragraph describes the trends in more detail and illustrates these using data from the graph.)
In 1600, pollution levels were low, but over the next hundred years, the levels of sulphur dioxide rose
to 700 micrograms per cubic metre, while the levels of smoke rose gradually to about 200 micrograms
per cubic metre. Over the next two hundred years the levels of sulphur dioxide continued to increase,
although there was some fluctuation in this trend. They reached a peak in 1850. Smoke levels increased
a little more sharply during this time and peaked in 1900 at about 500 micrograms. During the 20th
century, the levels of both pollutants fell dramatically, though there was a great deal of fluctuation
within this fall.
(Final paragraph draws a simple conclusion from the data.)
Clearly air pollution was a bigger problem in London in the early 20th century than it is now.

any people believe that formal “pen and paper” examinations are not the best method of assessing
educational achievement.
Discuss this view and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Exam Tip

Timing is critical in any test or exam. Running out of time leads to underlength essays and essays that
are really a set of notes or bullet point. The latter will lead to the candidate losing points due to poor
paragraphing. Although taking a watch into the test will help, it is by practising before the test and
improving writing speed that the candidate will really help themselves. Try to keep a note of how many
words you are able to write within a time limit and record how your writing speed improves with
practice.

Sample answer
Examinations are one of the most common methods of measuring learning in education systems
throughout the world. At virtually every stage of the learning process, exams are used to verify that the
learner is ready to move on to the next stage. However, many people believe that the role of
examinations should be reconsidered.
There are clearly certain advantages to exams. They help to ensure fairness by imposing the same
conditions on all exam candidates. They are also relatively versatile; different types of exam questions,
for example, multiple-choice questions and essay tasks, can test different sorts of reasoning ability.
However, exams also have clear drawbacks. Test-wise candidates can often perform well on exams
without having good underlying knowledge or skills. On the other hand, some test-takers perform
poorly in exams simply because of anxiety. Some teachers and learners focus only on those aspects of
the curriculum that are likely to be tested, thus narrowing the educational experience for all.
A number of measures should be taken to address these concerns. Wherever possible, exams should
match the content and activities of the learning environment. Exam tasks should be varied to give fair
opportunities to candidates with different types of skills. Other types of assessment should also be
considered; assignment writing, for example, to assess independent learning and research skills, or
group projects, to measure teamwork ability.
Exams clearly have a role to play in ensuring proper, objective assessment of achievement. However,
exams need to be carefully designed and supplemented with other forms of assessment if they are to be
a truly useful component of the educational system.

Some people choose to eat no meat or fish. They believe that this is not only better for their own health
but also benefits the world as a whole.
Discuss this view and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Test Tip

Do not attempt to rewrite model or sample answers in the exam. Your composition will not fit the task
exactly, ever if it is about a similar object. The examiners can recognize a prepared answer and you will
lose a lot of mark.

Sample answer
The number of vegetarian in a community may depend on various factors, for example the traditions of
the country, the wealth of the country, the religion or the age group. Therefore, the reasons why people
choose to exclude meat and fish from their diet may also vary.
Some people become vegetarian because they believe that this will benefit their health. Undoubtedly,
eating too much meat, especially too much red meat, is not to be recommended. Moreover, the fact that
there are healthy populations in some parts of the world where no one eats meat proves that it is not, as
some people claim, an essential part of the human diet. However, it is important to ensure that enough
protein, for example, is included in the diet from other sources. Where vegetarianism is not a tradition,
this may require some careful planning.
In my experience, it is quite common for people to become vegetarians because they feel that it is
selfish to eat meat or because meat production increases global warming. They may also feel that if no
one ate meat, there would be no food shortage, because meat production uses up food resources. This
idealistic point of view is very attractive, but it is hard to judge whether it is in fact correct.
In some families, if a teenager decides to become a vegetarian, they may do so partly out of a spirit of
rebellion, because this behaviour can be interpreted as a criticism of their parents’ way of life.
However, provided that they continue to eat healthily, the parents should not raise objections, in my
opinion. Vegetarianism is a valid choice in life. Moreover, research shows that vegetarians tend to be
healthier in many ways than meat-eaters.
Personally, I think that being a vegetarian is a good idea in principle as there are proven health benefits
and probably social benefits as well. However, it does not suit everybody, and I doubt whether it will
ever be a universal choice.

Modern communications mean that it’s no longer necessary to write letters.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Test Tip

Your ideas will form the basis of your argument and they need to be expressed clearly and
appropriately.

Here are some expressions to help you present ideas.

I would argue/say/agree that …

In my view/opinion It seems (to me) that …
I tend to think that/ I feel that …
As far as I am concerned …
Some/Most people argue/think/say that …
It is understood that …
It is generally accepted that …
There is a tendency to believe that …
One of the main arguments in favour of / against …

Sample answer
In years gone by, before the age of the telegraph or telephone, letter writing was the main means of
communication for most people. Since then we have developed faster and more direct ways of
contacting people, and personal mail has become relatively rare.
It is true that in many cases where our parents would have written a letter, we prefer to pick up the
phone, to email or even to text instead. These are perfectly suitable ways of inviting friends to call
round or exchanging news with a family member, for example, and they have the advantage that the
communication is immediate and we can receive a reply very quickly. In business, too, fax and email
are extremely useful.
However, in my opinion there are times when there is no alternative to a letter. Letters are generally
more formal and carefully composed than emails. This makes them more suitable for occasions when
they are likely to be kept and re-read, perhaps several times, by the recipient, as with formal letters of
thanks or sympathy. In addition, letters provide a written record, unlike telephone calls, so they are also
a better way of setting out an important or complex argument, as in official complaints or legal matters.
In conclusion, I would definitely agree that there are fewer times when we need to write letters than in
the past. On the other hand, I feel there are still some important occasions when a letter is the most
appropriate form of communication.
(248 words)

n some countries an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of
eating too much fast food. It is therefore necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind
of food.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples
and relevant evidence.
You should write at least 250 words.

IELTS Writing Tip

In many cases, when you give your view in the introduction of an opinion essay, your ideas may be
more complicated than ‘I completely agree’ or ‘I completely disagree’. It's a good idea to learn some
phrases to explain your opinion in a more sophisticated way.

Sample answer
The growth of the fast food industry has, without doubt, impacted on the eating habits and the health of
many societies around the world. Diabetes, high cholesterol, heart and respiratory problems are all on
the rise due to fatty and sugar-rich food. However, the question is whether higher tax would improve
this situation or not.
From an economic point of view, higher tax might seem sensible. In countries such as the USA,
Australia and Britain, the healthcare system spends a large part of its budget on people with diet-related
health problems. It could be argued that these people have caused their own illnesses because of their
choice of food. In this case, why should they expect the state to pay for their treatment? The tax could
help fund the healthcare system.
However, we also need to consider which socio-economic group consumes fast food as the main part of
their diet. Statistics indicate that lower income groups eat more of this food than wealthier people. One
possible reason for this is that fast food is far cheaper than fresh produce. This is because many
governments offer large subsidies to farmers who provide products for the fast food industry, such as
corn, wheat and beef. Fruit and vegetables, on the other hand, are not subsidised. Research suggests
that many families simply cannot afford to buy healthy food or pay higher taxes on fast food. For them,
fast food is not a choice but a necessity.
In conclusion, imposing a higher tax on fast food does not seem to be the answer. If the government
chose to do this, it would only lead to greater poverty and families facing further hardship.
(278 words)
Film stars and music celebrities may earn a great deal of money and live in luxurious surroundings, but
many of them lead unhappy lives. Do you agree?
To what extent is this the price they pay for being famous?
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples
and relevant evidence.
You should write at least 250 words.

IELTS Writing Tip

Step 1: Underline key words in the exam question.

This will help you focus your answer on the key points, then brainstorm ideas for both sides of the
argument, that is, both for and against the issue.

Step 2: Show clear links between the main argument and the supporting arguments.
In your introduction, re-word the question showing the topic clearly and state the opinion(s) that you
will go on to discuss. Remember that each paragraph should have one main argument - start a new
paragraph when you start a new main idea. Develop contrasting views, problems and solutions,
advantages and disadvantages. Make sure you justify each point with clear supporting material. Do not
forget to provide a logical argument wherever you refute the opposing opinion.

Step 3: Provide a strong conclusion.

Conclude your essay by summarising the main points and stating your own personal view.

Sample Band 9 answer

Newspapers and magazines are full of stories about famous people and the wonderful lifestyles that
they enjoy. I think it's something that we get used to. We expect to see them wearing very expensive
clothes and, going to amazing parties. It seems natural that if you have a lot of money, you will spend it
in these ways.
(Opening paragraph agrees with first part of premise.)
Some people who are rich and famous do manage to have a happy life as well. They get married and
have children and, although they have to work hard, they still have time to give to their family. Victoria
and David Beckham are just one example of a happy celebrity couple.
(Second paragraph disputes second part of premise.)
However, money doesn't always bring happiness. In fact, sometimes the opposite is true. Stars often
talk to the press about the pressures of being rich and famous. Some of them end up drinking too much
or taking too many drugs. The actress Elizabeth Taylor, for example, has been in clinics many times for
these problems. The divorce rate is also very high among celebrities. Often their marriages last only a
short period of time and they re-mary very quickly but the same thing happens again.
(Third paragraph agrees and gives two clear examples.)
Ultimately, I think it depends on the person. I don't really believe that being unhappy is a consequence
of fame but I do think that it may be very difficult to cope with having a lot of money and fame.
Celebrities are ordinary people underneath and perhaps some of them are not strong enough to deal
with their fame.
(Conclusion provides a possible explanation and gives a personal view.)

IELTS Writing Tip

Task 2 of the Academic Writing test is an essay. Don’t forget to plan your essay structure before you
start writing. You should include an introduction, ideas to support your argument or opinion, real-life
examples to illustrate your points, and a conclusion based on the information you have provided.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Motorways help people travel quickly and cover long distances but they also cause problems. What are
the problems of motorways and what solutions are there?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Model answer
Many countries in the world rely on motorways for speedy and efficient transportation, as they are a
very convenient way of travelling long distances. However, motorways also have negative aspects such
as dangerous traffic, damage to the environment and pollution. In this essay, I will look at some of the
problems of motorways and how they can be overcome.
One major problem of motorways is that they can be dangerous. In many countries, the speed limit on
motorways is very high. This means that any accidents are more likely to be serious and involve many
vehicles. Sometimes in bad weather, several vehicles crash into each other and many people are killed
or injured. This problem could be solved in a number of ways. People could have special lessons on
how to drive safely on motorways. In addition, special signs could be displayed when driving
conditions are bad to make people drive more slowly and safely. Alternatively, the general speed limit
could be reduced slightly.
Secondly, motorways can spoil the environment. Motorways often go through beautiful areas and may
damage plants and wildlife. This problem could be avoided by building motorways through less
beautiful areas or putting some sections in tunnels. In addition, the large amount of traffic on
motorways produces both air pollution and noise pollution. However, governments could help to
reduce air pollution by making environmentally-friendly cars cheaper. Noise pollution could be
reduced by changing motorway surfaces or by putting up sound-proof fences.
Despite the problems of motorways, they are necessary and useful. With careful preparation and
planning, the problems they cause could be reduced. People today are also more aware of
environmental issues and as a result cars and road transport in general are becoming more
environmentally friendly.
IELTS Writing Tip

It is particularly important in writing task 2 to display clear thinking and organization. You should go
through the processes you have been practising, taking notes and organizing your writing but in
addition you should remember to:

- have a clear introduction telling the reader briefly what areas you are going to cover;

- make it clear which side of an argument you are presenting (use clear linking expressions such as ‘On
the one hand ... On the other hand’) and make sure you do not mix two sides of an argument in the
same paragraph;

- give examples clearly (choose good examples which illustrate your argument when you take notes,
and when you write introduce them with phrases such as ‘We can see an example of this ... ’);

- make it clear when you are giving your own opinion (use expressions such as ‘in my view ... ’);

- give a clear conclusion which relates your argument back to the original question/s and summarises
your opinion

Related Topic: Linking Words

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

It is generally believed that the Internet is an excellent means of communication but some people
suggest that it may not be the best place to find information.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.

Model answer
Using the Internet has become a normal part of everyday life for many people. They use it to book
airline tickets, or to access news about world events, or to follow the fortunes of their favourite football
club. Millions of people across the world belong to social networking groups where they keep in touch
with their friends and if they live away from them, their family. In my opinion these are all good ways
to use the Internet.
When it comes to finding out information there are some very good sites where it is possible to check,
for example, someone's biographical details or statistics about global warming. However, information
from the Internet should be used with caution, because although there are many reliable sites, such as
academic journals and well-known newspapers, there are also unreliable ones, so it is important to
check where information originates from before using it.
Some students use websites which offer ready-made assignments. This is not a good idea, even if you
ignore the fact that it is cheating, because such websites may contain factual errors or biased views. In a
recent case, a student found herself in serious trouble when she submitted an essay from one of these
sites only to discover that it was about Austria, not Australia, but had an error in the title.
Nevertheless, it is nowadays possible for people all over the world to study or do business on an equal
footing, in a way that was unimaginable only a few years ago. On the whole I believe that the Internet
is an excellent way both to communicate and to find information, as long as it is used intelligently.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

As the number of private cars has increased, so too has the level of pollution in many cities. What
can be done to tackle this increasingly common problem?
Write at least 250 words.

Model answer
As the number of private cars has increased, so has the level of pollution. Overreliance on cars at the
expense of public transport has made this problem even worse, causing many concerned citizens to
look for a solution to the problem.
One potential solution to this problem is to discourage the use of private cars by raising taxes. If the
cost of petrol was increased, then many people would consider using alternative forms of transport or
even walking. Admittedly, there would be a number of complaints from car drivers, but these would not
be of much importance when balanced against the environmental benefits.
Another solution could be to look at more specific causes of the problem. Modern cars are fitted with
cleaner burning engines and catalytic converters. Accordingly, they do not cause as much of an
environmental hazard as some older cars. In Japan, for example, cars are heavily taxed once they have
been on the road for three years or more, encouraging people to buy new cars which pollute less. By
heavily taxing older vehicles from the road, some of the worst-polluting vehicles would be taken off
the road. However, this would not really be fair to those who cannot afford a new car with such
regularity.
An improvement in the quality and efficiency of public transport would also encourage people to use
their cars less. In London, for example, a system has been operating for some time in which people are
allocated days of the week when they can use their cars. On days that they are not allowed to drive,
public transport is taken.
Although these are potential solutions to the problem, none of them are perfect. Only by a concerted
effort by both the government and the public can this situation truly be resolved.
(298 words)

ou should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people think that professional athletes make good role models for young people, while
others believe they don’t.

Discuss both these points of views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Tip

With some question types in IELTS Writing Task 2, you need to discuss more than one type of
evidence, argument or point of view before reaching your conclusion. This is called the evidence-led
approach.

The term role model generally means a person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be
emulated by others, especially by younger people.

Model answer
People everywhere like watching sports. Many top athletes are admired throughout their countries, and
some even have fans all around the world. Young people especially, view many athletes as role models
and want to emulate the way these stars dress, act and live their lives. While some athletes aren't
deserving of their "role model" status, others act like role models and responsible community citizens.

Top athletes get the attention of young people. Most children and teenagers like to follow professional
sports. For many of them, star athletes represent heroes, and children want to be like their heroes. This
means they will want to play sports, which is good for their health. Playing sports also teaches valuable
life lessons such as teamwork, discipline, goal setting, and the realities of dealing with success and
failure. Professional athletes demonstrate the importance of working hard to achieve a goal, or
practicing regularly to become good at something. This is a good example for children to follow.

However, professional athletes are not always good role models. For one thing, when young athletes
reach a level of fame, it comes with media attention, large financial benefits and social attention. This
can lead children to believe that money and fame are an important part of sports. Children might focus
more on these aspects than on the fun of the game or on the challenge of learning how to play well.
Then there are those athletes who behave badly. For example, some cheat to win their games or take
drugs to improve their performance. This kind of behaviour sends the wrong message to children.

Athletes are people who are held at a lofty place in the society owing to their popularity and wealth.
These attributes are what makes people want to look up to them and model various facets of their lives
along those of the athletes. We can thus be led to conclude that professional athletes can be very good
role models for children, as long as they focus on the positive aspects of playing sports.

Write about the following topic:

Many newspapers and magazines feature stories about the private lives of famous people. We
know what they eat, where they buy their clothes and who they love. We also often see pictures of
them in private situations.

Is it appropriate for a magazine or newspaper to give this kind of private information about
people?
Give reasons for your answer.

Write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip

Structuring an essay is an important part of writing for IELTS. For a Task 2 essay, use a standard essay
structure consisting of separate paragraphs: an introduction (one paragraph), followed by the main
body of the essay (two or three paragraphs), then a conclusion (one paragraph).

There are various connectors that are typically used for conclusions. The first one on the list is the most
unimaginative, and it is better to think of a more interesting one if you can.

In conclusion, finally, therefore, consequently, clearly, it is clear, on the whole, in other words,
generally speaking

You cannot score above Band 5 if you do not use any paragraph. You cannot score above Band 6 if
your paragraphs do not have a clear central topic.

Model answer
Generally, people read newspapers to find out about world current affairs and they read magazines to
be entertained. Therefore, one would expect to find articles that feature the private lives of famous
people in magazines rather than newspapers. However, nowadays, more and more newspapers include
stories like these which are neither informative nor useful.
In my opinion, this type of gossip about people's private lives should not be in newspapers for several
reasons. Firstly, for example, the fact that Princess Diana is going out with a sportsman is not important
news. Secondly, if newspapers want to publish articles about famous people they should focus on their
public events and achievements. In other words, if there is an article about Princess Diana it should be
about her works of charity, which will increase public awareness of important problems. In addition,
journalists should make sure that they write about the facts only, not rumours. One should be able to
rely on newspapers for the actual truth.

Magazines, on the other hand, focus on social news. But I feel it is more acceptable for them to contain
some features about famous personalities. In addition to being popular reading, these stories often
benefit the stars by giving free publicity to them, thereby helping their careers. However, I also believe
that magazine stories should not mention things that are too embarrassing or untrue just to attract
people to buy the magazine. Sensational stories, such as these, cause great unhappiness to the people
concerned.
In conclusion, I think newspapers should concentrate on real news but magazines can feature some
articles on people's private lives.