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A wide range of useful writing samples

IELTS Writing Task One (Academic) (link to a list of topics and answers)

IELTS Writing Task Two (Academic) (link to a list of topics and answers)

________


IELTS Writing Task Two (Academic) - 2

(PDF Document - 43KB)

IELTS Writing Task Two (Academic) - 1

(PDF Document - 39KB)

IELTS Writing Task One (Academic) - 1

(PDF Document - 48KB)

Reading and writing on climate change

⭐️First, read this article:

Scientists shocked by Arctic permafrost thawing 70 years sooner than predicted https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/18/arctic-permafrost-canada-science-climate-crisis

⭐️Watch this video which illustrates vocabulary related to the environment: https://youtu.be/keGgDTJI02g

⭐️Now write this essay: https://www.ieltsbuddy.com/global-warming-essay.html 

WRITING TIPS: SELECTED SLIDES OF A CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH WEBINAR

Useful British Council links for the Writing paper

1) Describing a graph of trends over time:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/advanced-c1-writing/describing-graph-trends-over-time

2) Describing a bar chart:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/advanced-c1-writing/describing-bar-charts-about-reading-habits

3) Describing a pie chart:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/intermediate-b1-writing/writing-about-pie-chart

4) An opinion essay about fast food:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/advanced-c1-writing/opinion-essay-about-fast-food

5) An essay about academic pressure:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/advanced-c1-writing/essay-about-leisure-time-academic-pressure

Revising before the writing test

http://www.cityu.edu.hk/elc/booklet/writing.pdf 

Task 1:

Task 2:

Assessment criteria

Versions of the assessment criteria for Writing and Speaking have been developed to help stakeholders better understand the level of performance required to secure a particular band score:

Downloads

IELTS task 1 Writing band descriptors35.35 KB

IELTS task 2 Writing band descriptors 35.28 KB

IELTS Speaking band descriptors (22 Dec 2015)161.11 KB

Taken from:
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/find-out-about-results/ielts-assessment-criteria

Also visit this page to calculate your score more accurately:

https://www.ielts.org/ielts-for-organisations/ielts-scoring-in-detail

IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9 Examples

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ielts-writing-task-2-band-9-examples-joseph-mason-%E9%BE%99%E7%9A%84%E5%BB%BA%E9%80%A0%E8%80%85-?trk=v-feed

Tips for writing Task 2

https://teflreflections.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/ielts-writing-dos-and-donts-of-task-2/

Writing tips

Writing task about traffic and pollution problems

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective?

Nowadays we are going through a crisis, a crisis greater than political (and) wider than cultural. It’s the economic crisis which was intensified by the dramatic increase in fuel’s price. Individuals (people/ the government) may believe that this is the best way to solve the growing traffic and pollution problems. There is no doubt in my mind that (no comma) this statement will only scratch the surface of the main problems, and there are more beneficial and efficient solutions which will (old use: avail) benefit the society substantially.

(More and more nations are choosing to increase the price of petrol for many and different reasons. ---> unnecessary sentence, your topic sentence could be the next one) One of the repercussions (no comma) of raising the price of petrol is that petrol stations will turn into chaos with citizens who will try to fill their fuel tanks early enough, in order to be on time for a lower price. Consequently, this (measure) will only affect the civilians financially and not the petrol stations’ owners who will only have profits (make profit) from this situation. Moreover, from an environmental perspective, the whole hazardous situation, will not raise any awareness on environmental issues. For instance, despite what many people might say, our (people's) pursuit will only be on how we/ they can decrease the gas consumption we/ they had last month.

 

To alleviate the situation, the government ought to provide citizens with cleaner and alternative fuels such as natural gas and diesel. Additionally, rarely do we see citizens using hybrid cars which seems to be a great solution to pollution problems. The government also needs to organize advertising campaigns so that individuals start using public transport (more)or take their rides circulate on foot. Last but not least, a valuable idea would be if government establish some special courses at schools in order to educate the younger generations on certain pressing environmental issues.

On balance, the drawbacks of increasing fuel prices outweigh the advantages, so I (always capital) am inclined to believe that governments need to start prioritizing their reforms and think about the common good.

Comment: Well done Germanos! I can see you have understood the writing guidelines I have given you and with a little more practice you will more than ready for the exams! 6/ 9

Writing task 2: role of parents and school

It is generally claimed that people should be (learned or taught?) values from their childhood values in order to become valuable members of the society. However, (comma) there is an argument if this cultivation/ kind of education should be done/ given by from school or parents.

 

Many people think that it is the parents' duty to teach their offspring s how to be positive members of the society by giving them the appropriate virtues. This argument is maintained because scientists support the view that parents have a significant impact on their children's behavior and this is a partly true, since most of the children tend to imitate their parents' characteristics. For instance, most of the children would like to adopt/ have achieve the same occupation as with their father or mother. (You overused introductory phrases, but did not explain your argument fully, eg with an example)

 

On the other hand , it cannot be denied that many families do not have the adequate educational levels for this purpose, thus they are unable to cultivate their children. As a consequence, the only capable institute to do this is the school, whose imperative duty is to teach their pupils how to become acceptable citizens of the society. (Why is education necessary for values like respect to be taught to children? Your argument here does not add up.) And: how can schools teach values? (Read the comments on Germanos' essay)

 

However, there is another group of people arguing that neither school or parents could teach the children how to be (good?) members, but the society through the communication and interaction with their peers would/will teach them.

 

Although However, from a social aspect, it is true that statistically the most of the criminals have less educational experience or descend from families which didn’t give them the appropriate tools and knowledge. Needless to say that the economic crisis has contributed to the low quality of the educational system that drives children to the wrong direction. (Is this part of the writing topic?)

 

Taking everything into account, it appears to me that children have to be cultivated by both parents and educators in order to become excellent members of the society. My opinion is that society should build strong institutions and organizations that would mentor families and teachers how to guide children into the appropriate direction. (The conclusion is OK)

Writing task 2: Role of parents and school in socialization

Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members in society. Others, believe that school is the place to learn this. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Over the past several years, there has been agreat debate on whether parents or school are the most decisive socialization factor for adolescents or even for younger children. Some people believe that parents should teach them how to be exceptional members of society, while others believe that this is a process which can only occur in schools. There is no doubt in my mind that both sides play a crucial role in order to have some producing successful residents in (their) society in the near future.

Socialization is the process through which anindividual acquires an understanding of ideas, beliefs and values, sharedcultural symbols, meanings and codes of conduct. Therefore, parents, play an essentialrole in children comprehending these meanings; in fact, parents are forced to responsible for socialising a person from infant. In addition, (comma) parents need to socialize/ inform/ educate adolescentsin many ways, such as sexually, religiously, to name but a few. Sexual and religious socialization of babies and children begins at home, where parents have the opportunity toemphasize/ cultivate their deepest values in the family. Most importantly, from a very young age, children areexposed to messages about modesty and privacy, and gender specific messages about proper conduct. So do we realise Consequently, it is of utmost importance that parents need to be carefulof how they discipline their children and, (comma) more vitally, (comma) how they set theirappropriate boundaries for children growth.

Socialization also takes place outside the home,like in the school, as adolescents and children observe community regulations, and participate in cultural and religious activities. Children and adolescents are also exposed to a diversity of cultural viewpoints, birth control and gender roles. Such issues sometimes remain unaddressed in schools as teachers may feel reluctant to explore these diverse opinions, fearing that such discussions will be perceived as endorsing or refuting specific values. (So WHY are schools important? Think of values like respect, cooperation and tolerance and how these are encouraged in the classroom. Are those necessary to future citizens of a civilized society? How do children mix when they go to school? Is school a determining stage of socialization? These are the questions that you should answer in this paragraph! :-)

All things considered, both parents and educators have imperative roles in fostering literacy and skills. I am inclined to believe that parents should play the primary role on endowing their children with social and cultural values , whereas professional educators should play the primary role in providing information about the above values.

Essay about how technology affects communication and interaction between people

It is a general fact/ is generally acknowledged that the process in which people interact has been affected because of the technological progress, but this inevitably gives rise to the question of whether this phenomenon has altered life in a positive or a negative way.

Some experts claim that im personal communication has diminished. Through technology the proper interaction among the interlocutors is eliminated, (comma) thus people are more and more keen on making conversations only in front of a screen, whereas in the real life they are not able to develop any kind of relationship. For instance, the most of the young people are more confident when searching for lovers/ partners through Facebook or Skype rather than flirting and having romantic affairs in the real world.

On the other hand, many social networkers believe that technology has made them more social, since it enables them to transfer those relationships to the real world, too. Actually, networkers find it easier to make friends through social networks/ media, while they substitute mobile devices with actually meeting each other at local cafés or other places that they are keen on.

Not only has technology influenced people individually, but it has also assisted the business activity through firms around the world. In fact, companies are able to cooperate with other corporations and sell their products in the global market. Therefore, technology has enabled economic growth around the most transitioning economies. A case in point could be Greek family businesses which are active in the field of tourism and are now able to globally advertise their activity on the Internet. ---> Good point, but is this related to human relationships?

In my point of view, (comma) because every coin has two sides, technological effects on communication depend on which way people use it. I am convinced that technology requires wisdom and limits. (a bit unclear, maybe one extra sentence could explain it better)

Writing Tips Video

Life is easier today than it was 500 years ago.

In the twenty-first century, alot of things have changed, compared to five hundred years ago. Nowadays, development in every field, but especially technological development, render our life more convenient and easier.I am inclined to believe that people have better living standarts and higher quality of life the last five hundred years.

First of all, the development of medicine has improved our life.In previous centuries, medical procedures were very dependent on nature. Additionally, doctors were not as specialized and knowledgable as today. In our days, techniques, medicines, drugs and biological methods have been discovered in order to treat diseases and illnesses. Medicine is more effective and faster in its treatment today. This is clearly illustrated by many operations which have become routine processes.

Another argument in favour of the current way of living is the technological development and innovations which have made our life advantageous by turning it into a simple and easy series of function. For example, kitchen appliances and generally house appliances, advanced tools and gadgets. Furthermore, inventions like cars, ships and aircrafts ameliorated the transportation in time. Computers, mobile phones and the Internet annihilated the distance between people in terms of communication. Moreover, our life and work became more auspicious and productive respectively by advanced technological equipment.

To sum up, our life has improved dramatically during the last century. Our average quality of our life increased substantially due to technology and medicine.

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve traffic ans pollution problems.To what extend do you agree or disagree?Other measures.

Nowadays,both the price of petrol and pollution increase rapidly. Towns also suffered from traffic jams due to the excessive use of cars.I am inclined to believe that high prices in petrol are not the best solution available,but help to reduce pollution and traffic.
First of all,extra costs will definately discourage people to use cars,thus urge them to resort to other means of transport. For example, people could use buses, bikes even walking in order to circulate.This means that they reduce their expenses ,as well as the city pollution and traffic to a great extend and also improve their health.Additionally,pollution and traffic are not just caused by the burning of petrol; to these problems chemical wastes,industries,wrong mentality,narrow streets and lack of traffic lights in most of situations contribute significantly.
Consequently, we must introduce more effective measures to achieve radical changes.For instance cheaper tickets for public means of transportation.Moreover, bikes can be free at the citizens' disposal which means the citizens will gradually using alternative means to get transported.Furthermore,car-pooling is another measure.Only one car can be used when we want to circulate if a lot of people go to the same destination.What is more, wider streets and more traffic lights will result in reducing traffic jams.In my opinion, these are some measures, which will give an effective solution to the aforementioned problems.
In conclusion, if we apply all the above in combination with changing our mentality, we will live in a better place,away from polluting traffic jams.

A successful life is a happy life

Nowadays,society lays a great deal of emphasis on professional,and ,thus, financial success. Everybody appears to aim at surpassing others to climb the social ladder. However,as far as I am concerned,happiness does not necessarily lie in the aforementioned ways of living for a number of reasons.
It is obvious that the things offered by success make people more distant and promote materialistic values and trends. For instance, somebody can gain recognition, respect, money, material goods, expensive possessions (like cars and mansions) and convenience through success. Nevertheless, things not offered by success are more crucial for a happy life. Success demands hard work,which is why many people neglect personal relationships in order to be more productive , thus, they lose love from family, relatives and friends.
Additionally,success becomes an obsession. People want to succeed again and again,achive more and more. That is the reason they are not satisfied and do not experience an emotional well-being. In other words, they are being rewarded financially but not emotionally; therefore they do not have emotional stability. This is clearly illustrated by actors and businessmen who are unhappy even though they have reached the top. More specifically, they take drugs, commit crimes and suicide because they cannot bear the thought of failure.
Overall, as I see it, happiness comes from success in personal relationships and the love of your relatives. Success does not guarantee love and happiness.

Technology affects human relationships

In the 21st centurey,technology plays an imperative role in our ways of interaction.That is to say,technology offers convenience and development between our interactions,but it has also negative impacts on our lives.
Recent innovations and modern technologies,such as the Internet and mobile mobile pfones,have changed the way people communicate,work and live.Fisrt of all,contacts between people and colleagues have been faciliated by communication software,like emails.Additionally,social networks,such as twitter and facebook,have eliminated the distance between people and have led ever shy people to become more socially accepted in this virtual world.Moreover,thanks to the development of online trade,people can perform a variety of activities for example online booking for accommodation and flights or online shopping.
However,there are some hazards involved in using such advanced technology.Firstly,people tend to spend more time staying at home and sitting in front of a computer screen rather than going outside to visit friends.In other words,people end up to be distant.All this development will not strengthen family bonds if everyone sits in front of a computer.Finally fake relationships,deceptions and crimes manifest themselves which will affect social safety.This is clearly illustrated by people using online chatting to gain your trust and then trying to deceive you and especially to get your money or do you harm.
In conclusion,I believe that technology has changed our way of interaction in a positive way in terms of convenience.Nonetheless,taking negative effects into consideration,we must be more careful and keep a balance between online and real communication.

In your opinion what are the two most important environmental problems?State your two options,give reasons and suggest solutions.

Today,the world faces many environmental problems.I am inclined to believe that Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect are the most significant ones.However,they can be managed by finding the appropriate solutions.
It is obvious by its name that Global Warming has various effects.For example,the temperature of the planet increases more and more lately.Health problems and especially cardiovascular problems are caused by increased temperature.Not only is the planet affected,but also the humans.Furthermore,the weather is influenced by Global Warming.A rise of the sea level has been observed the last few years.Animals and plants are no exception;animals are obligated to change the place where they live and plants are experiencing difficulties in growing.People should take measures in order to reduce Global Warming.In particular,people should reduce the use of appliances which emit CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) and other polluting gases.Recycling should be encouraged,while deforestation should be stopped.Besides,the use of renewableand sustainable sources of energy such as solar and wing power are vital.
In addition to this,the Greenhouse Effect induces a lot of problems.Most of its effects are the same as the ones caused by Global Warming,these two environmental problems are linked closely.Greenhouse Effect makes the sea level rise and causes climate changes.As the heat is trapped in the atmosphere,a huge amount of water evaporates causing drought in many places.Apart from that,it increases the frequency of forest fires,storms,hurricanes and tropical deseases.If we want to avoid all these harmful results we should reduse greenhouse gases,use energy efficient appliances and reduce the use of vehicles.This is clearly illustrated by the attempt to diminish the number of oil-based automobiles.What is more,industries should control the waste disposal and put filters on the chimneys of the factories.
To conclude,we live in a planet which suffers from highly important problems.We must change our mentality and our devastating way of living in order to act immediately before it is too late and the situation becomes irreversible.All of us want to live in a better place,don't we?

Great work Thanasi! The only problem is, as I have already told you, that global warming is the threat to our planet and the greenhouse effect is the cause of it, not exactly a distinct threat. It is obvious that in both paragraphs of the main body you write almost the same things, so why don't you choose another problem to elaborate on, say air pollution? Think about it! :-)