IELTS Essay agree disagree

IELTS Essay: Do prisons work?

December 14, 2020 Pooja Ph.D. CELTA

Writing task 2 : IELTS Essay: Do prisons work?

You should spend 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:
In many places, prisons are overcrowded and expensive for governments to maintain. Yet, when offenders are released, they end up back in prison a short while later.
Do prisons work?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Essay - Do prisons work? In many places, prisons are overcrowded and expensive for governments to maintain..........

Sample Answer

Imprisonment is one of the most common forms of punishment in several parts of the world. But, how effective is this system? A high percentage of prisoners relapse into crime once they are released into the community. They are imprisoned again and this vicious cycle continues forever. In my view, sentencing criminals to time in prison fails in most cases and in this essay I will explain why.

Firstly, offenders enjoy a comfortable life in prisons. Many of them have access to luxuries such as televisions, mobile phones, free internet and sport facilities etc. In other words, instead of being a place where lawbreakers should learn a life lesson, prisons become holiday camps. If the penal system really expects prisons to act as a deterrent, then I think it should be tougher.

Secondly, I do not accept that all offenders need to be separated from society. Take pickpockets and shoplifters as examples. Keeping these petty criminals in the same cells as rapists, murderers or violent criminals actually worsens the situation. This is because after serving their time in prisons, juvenile and minor offenders often turn into habitual and professional criminals. Sadly, governments and tax payers have to bear the cost of keeping these recidivists (= a criminal who continues to commit crimes even after they have been punished) in jails. I think punishing them through fines, community service or other non-custodial means etc. is a better option.

To conclude, I do understand that criminals who pose a threat to society cannot be allowed to roam freely. For such people, imprisonment is necessary. But, for other offences prison is not the answer. In my view, the severity of the crime committed should be taken into consideration before deciding on the punishment. (290 Words)

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Essay: People often believe that great musicians, sports stars and artists are born not made

April 28, 2020 IELTS Research

IELTS Writing task 2 Essay: People often believe that great musicians, sports stars and artists are born not made

You should spend 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:
People often believe that great musicians, sports stars and artists are born not made.
Do you agree that we are born with much of our ability, or are there other factors that can make us good sports people or musicians?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Cue Card musicians, sports stars and artists are born OR made

Sample Answer

What makes great artists, musicians, writers, or athletes: Nature or Nurture? This question has intrigued philosophers and scientists for centuries. I personally think that factors like family and environment play a decisive role in one’s life and successful career. Nevertheless, some natural talent is required to excel in areas such as sport, art or music.
Let us first look at how an innate ability in art or music or sport can make a difference. Certainly, it differentiates a person who has learned to play a sport or an instrument from someone who has mastered that skill. In other words, natural talent wins over a learned technique. It allows gifted people to reach a level which their hard-working counterparts can never manage. Also, learning that extra element is almost impossible, no matter how hard someone practices or how good the teachers are.
However, natural talent is an internal factor that can contribute to someone’s success. There are numerous external factors such as family, environment, experiences and training etc. which have their own significance. Good musicians, exceptional sports starts or other successful people are not made in one day. Years of hard work, family support, training and devotion make them what they are. Composer Beethoven and tennis legend Roger Federer are the telling examples.
To sum up, nature and nurture are inseparable. Inherited talents can affect our ability to reach the top level in certain professions. However, people can acquire skills and achieve their goals if they live in a conducive environment. (250 Words)

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IELTS Essay # Financial aid

March 19, 2020 Pooja Ph.D. CELTA

IELTS Writing task 2
You should spend 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Providing financial aid to the poor can increase poverty.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer

Poverty has become a pressing problem across the globe. Governments in many countries take various measures to control the rising poverty levels. Giving monetary help to the poor is one of the most common methods followed globally. But, the effectiveness of this approach is often questioned by social reformers and economists. According to them, this measure can make the situation worse. I completely agree with this view and in this essay I will support my opinion with examples.

Firstly, financial support does not provide the poor with a motive to become self-sustained. It seriously damages the spirit of self-development. The fundamental reason behind this is the psychological attitude which it creates in the minds of beneficiaries. If someone is getting money for their needs without doing any work, then why they would work. Even if the amount is less, they are willing to accept it. Such people resist any kind of change in their way of living. This can be exemplified with unemployment benefit receivers who hardly try to find a suitable employment for themselves.

Another reason why I am against distributing money to the poor is that it affects the overall growth and development of a country. Research has shown that nations where citizens depend on monetary help experience a slow economic growth rate. A possible explanation for this could be the skewed distribution of the available funds. The money that is meant for the development of the nation is given to those who do not contribute to the economy in anyway. Therefore, it can be concluded that this solution creates a vicious cycle of poverty that is extremely hard to break.

To sum up, any government is responsible to fulfil the basic needs of its people. But, I strongly believe that providing financial help to the poor is not the answer. This practice should be discouraged. Other measures like skill development programmes, opening aided schools and hospitals, and creating more employment opportunities can yield far better results. In short, do not give fish to the poor, teach them how to fish. (341 Words)

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IELTS Latest Essay # Road Safety

March 4, 2020 Pooja Ph.D. CELTA

Some people believe that the age limit for the drivers should be increased to ensure road safety. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer

Everyday thousands of people across the globe succumb to road accidents. Many of these crashes involve young drivers. Some people argue that the age limit for driving should be raised to tackle this situation. Although this is a feasible solution, in my opinion, several other measures can be more effective in curbing traffic deaths and injuries.

Raising the legal driving age means that there will be fewer novice drivers on roads. This would certainly make roads safer as young motorists are accountable for about 20 percent road accidents globally. But, how to prevent the other road mishaps which are not caused by teenage drivers. Furthermore, we should keep in mind the fact that the more you resist someone, the more they go against it. Thus, this solution can lead to unauthorized driving by teenagers. This is particularly true for some Asian countries where traffic rules are flouted in broad daylight.

On the other hand, if we focus on the precautionary measures, I believe that road safety can be improved considerably. Firstly, the governing bodies should change the standards for giving driving licenses. Only qualified individuals must be issued a license. Secondly, driving penalty such as small fines, license suspension, drive awareness courses and even prison sentences should be introduced for those who disobey traffic laws. Thirdly, authorities should pay attention to safe road design. For instance, warning signs for bumps, sharp bends and cameras to monitor the speed limit of vehicles can be of great help. Finally, higher investment in public transport by local councils or governments can be fruitful as it will reduce the number of private cars on roads.

In conclusion, altering the legal age limit to drive can definitely make a difference. Nonetheless, other measures are equally vital, without them it is almost impossible to combat road fatalities. (301 words)

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