IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

200+ Sample Answers

DR VISHAL GOYAL

Ex Lecturer in English

M.Phil., Ph.D. (English), BCCIT, London (UK)

VISHAL ENGLISH, IELTS & PTE INSTITUTE, YAMUNANAGAR

What are your opinions on this?

81. School children are becoming far too dependent on computers. This is having an alarming effect on reading and writing skills. Teachers need to avoid using computers in the classroom at all costs and go back to teaching basic study skills.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

82. It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

83. The birth rate in most developed countries is predicted to begin to fall over the next 50 years. By 2030 it is estimated that over one third of the population in most developed countries will be aged 65 and over.

What effects will these predictions have on developed countries if they prove true? What can be done now to deal with this situation?

84. Some people believe that technology has made man more sociable while others believe it has made us less sociable.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

72. In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have the opportunity to study abroad.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

Sample Answer 1

Band 8.5

The trend of students pursuing university degrees abroad has seen a significant uptick in recent years, diverging from the conventional practice of studying within the confines of their own countries. This shift presents a myriad of advantages and disadvantages, reshaping the landscape of higher education.

Studying abroad offers students unparalleled exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives. By immersing themselves in foreign environments, students broaden their horizons, refine their intercultural skills, and gain deeper insights into global issues. This exposure fosters cultural awareness, tolerance, and empathy, enriching both personal and academic experiences. Interacting with students from different backgrounds fosters cross-cultural understanding, promoting a more inclusive and interconnected global community. Moreover, studying abroad provides access to enhanced academic opportunities.

Foreign universities often boast specialized programs, cutting-edge research facilities, and esteemed faculty, enabling students to pursue their academic passions more comprehensively. This exposure to varied teaching methods and disciplines encourages intellectual growth and innovation, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Additionally, studying abroad offers the opportunity to learn a new language, further broadening students' horizons and enhancing their global competence.

Furthermore, studying abroad nurtures personal growth and independence. Negotiating unfamiliar surroundings, adapting to new cultures, and overcoming challenges cultivates resilience, adaptability, and self-confidence. These essential life skills prepare students for the complexities of adulthood and professional life, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-reliance that is invaluable in today's rapidly changing world. However, studying abroad also presents challenges that students must navigate. Financial constraints can be significant, with tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs often exceeding those of domestic study. Language barriers may hinder academic performance and social integration, causing feelings of isolation and frustration. Moreover, cultural adjustment and homesickness are common, impacting mental well-being and academic progress. Additionally, students may encounter bureaucratic hurdles, visa restrictions, and legal issues, adding further complexity to the study abroad experience.

In conclusion, while studying abroad offers invaluable benefits such as cultural enrichment, academic excellence, and personal development, it also entails financial burdens, language barriers, and cultural challenges. By carefully weighing the pros and cons and seeking support when needed, students can navigate the complexities of studying abroad and reap its myriad rewards.

Difficult Words/Phrases with Example Sentences:

Word: Uptick (noun)

Meaning: A slight increase.

Example Sentence: There has been an uptick in online shopping since the pandemic began.

Word: Myriad (adjective)

Meaning: A large number or amount.

Example Sentence: The city offers a myriad of cultural activities and attractions.

Word: Immersion (noun)

Meaning: The state of being completely surrounded by something.

Example Sentence: The language program provides full immersion in Spanish culture and language.

Word: Intercultural (adjective)

Meaning: Relating to or involving different cultures.

Example Sentence: Intercultural communication skills are essential for working in a globalized world.

Word: Specialized (adjective)

Meaning: Designed or intended for a particular use or purpose.

Example Sentence: The university offers specialized programs in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Word: Esteemed (adjective)

Meaning: Widely respected and admired.

Example Sentence: The professor is an esteemed scholar in the field of history.

Word: Navigating (verb)

Meaning: Dealing with or managing something difficult or complex.

Example Sentence: Students need to learn how to navigate the challenges of online learning.

Word: Negotiate (verb)

Meaning: To discuss something in order to reach an agreement.

Example Sentence: The company is negotiating a new contract with its employees.

Word: Resilience (noun)

Meaning: The ability to recover quickly from difficult situations.

Example Sentence: The community showed remarkable resilience after the natural disaster.

Word: Autonomy (noun)

Meaning: The ability to make your own decisions and control your own life.

Example Sentence: Teenagers are often striving for greater autonomy from their parents.

Word: Bureaucratic (adjective)

Meaning: Relating to or characterized by the complex procedures and rules of administrative organizations.

Example Sentence: Getting a visa can be a bureaucratic process.

Word: Reap (verb)

Meaning: To gain or benefit from something.

Example Sentence: By working hard, you will reap the rewards of success.

What are your opinions on this?

81. School children are becoming far too dependent on computers. This is having an alarming effect on reading and writing skills. Teachers need to avoid using computers in the classroom at all costs and go back to teaching basic study skills.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

82. It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

83. The birth rate in most developed countries is predicted to begin to fall over the next 50 years. By 2030 it is estimated that over one third of the population in most developed countries will be aged 65 and over.

What effects will these predictions have on developed countries if they prove true? What can be done now to deal with this situation?

84. Some people believe that technology has made man more sociable while others believe it has made us less sociable.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Sample Answers

(Writing Task-1)

1. The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

6. The table and charts below give information on the police budget for 2017 and 2018 in one area of Britain. The table shows where the money came from, and the charts show how it was distributed.

7. The chart below gives information about how families in one country spent their weekly income in 1968 and in 2018.

8. The graph shows the number of shops that closed and the number of new shops that opened in one country between 2011 and 2018.

9. The charts below show the changes in ownership of electrical appliances and amount of time spent doing housework in households in one country between 1920 and 2019.

13. The chart below shows the results of a survey about people’s coffee and tea buying and drinking habits in five Australian cities.

14. The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.

15. The diagram below shows how instant noodles are manufactured.

16. The chart below shows what Anthropology graduates from one university did after finishing their undergraduate degree course. The table shows the salaries of the anthropologists in work after five years.

17. The charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.

18. The chart below shows the value of one country’s exports in various categories during 2015 and 2016. The table shows the percentage change in each category of exports in 2016 compared with 2015.

22. The chart below shows the percentage of households in owned and rented accommodation in England and Wales between 1918 and 2011.

23. The bar chart below shows the top ten countries for the production and consumption of electricity in 2014.

24. The plans below show the layout of a university’s sports centre now, and how it will look after redevelopment.

25. The bar chart below shows the percentage of Australian men and women in different age groups who did regular physical activity in 2010.

30. The charts below show the proportions of British students at one university in England who were able to speak other languages in addition to English, in 2000 and 2010.

31. The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

32. The table below shows the numbers of visitors to Ashdown museum during the year before and the year after it was refurbished. The charts show the result of surveys asking visitors how satisfied they were with their visit, during the same two periods.

33. The first chart below shows how energy is used in an average Australian household. The second chart shows the greenhouse gas emissions which result from this energy use.

34. The tables below give information about sales of Fairtrade-labelled coffee and bananas in 1999 and 2004 in five European countries.

35. The charts below show what UK graduate and post graduate students who did not go into full-time work did after leaving college in 2008.

36. The diagrams below show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the salmon.

37. The two maps below show an island, before and after the construction of some tourists facilities.

38. The chart below shows the total number of minutes (in billions) of telephone calls in the UK, divided into three categories, from 1995-2002.

39. The charts below give information on the ages of the populations of Yemen and Italy in 2000 and projections for 2050.

40. The graph below gives information from a 2008 report about consumption of energy in the USA since 1980 with projections until 2030.

41. 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.

42. The three pie charts below show the changes in annual spending by a particular UK school in 1981, 1991 and 2001.

43. The diagrams below show the stages and equipment used in the cement-making process, and how cement is used to produce concrete for building purposes.

44. The graph below shows the quantities of goods transported in the UK between 1974 and 2002 by four different modes of transport.

45. The table gives information on consumer spending on different items in five different countries in 2002.

46. The graph below shows the consumption of fish and different kinds of meat in a European country between 1979 and 2004.

47. The chart below shows information about changes in average house prices in five different cities between 1990 and 2002 compared with the average house prices in 1989.

48. The pie charts below show units of electricity production by fuel source in Australia and France in 1980 and 2000.

49. The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and water consumption in two different countries.

50. The table below gives information about changes in modes of travel in England between 1985 and 2000.

51. The diagrams below show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the production of silk cloth.

52. The charts below give information about USA marriage and divorce rates between 1970 and 2000, and the marital status of adult Americans in two of the years.

53. The graph below shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and over between 1940 and 2040 in three different countries.

54. The charts below show the main reasons for study among students of different age groups and the amount of support they received from employers.

55. The map below is of the town of Garlsdon. A new supermarket (S) is planned for the town. The map shows two possible sites for the supermarket.

56. The table below gives information about the underground railway systems in six cities.

57. The table below shows the proportion of different categories of families living in poverty in Australia in 1999.

58. The graph below shows the demand for electricity in England during typical days in winter and summer. The pie chart shows how electricity is used in an average English home.

59. The chart below shows the different levels of post-school qualifications in Australia and the proportion of men and women who held them in 1999.

60. The charts below give information about travel to and from the UK, and about the most popular countries for UK residents to visit.

61. The charts below show the number of Japanese tourists travelling abroad between 1985 and 1995 and Australia’s share of the Japanese tourist market.

62. The chart below shows the amount spent on six consumer goods in four European countries.

63. The pie charts below show the devices people in the 18 to 25 age group use to watch television in Canada in two different years.

64. The graph below shows population figures for India and China since the year 2000 and predicted population growth up until 2050.

65. The table below shows the percentage participation of women in senior management in three companies between 1975 and 2015.

70. The chart gives information on the percentage of women going into higher education in five countries for the years 1980 and 2015.

74. The chart below gives information about the number of social networking sites people used in Canada in 2014 and 2015.

75. The chart below shows the proportions of graduates from Brighton University in 2019 entering different employment sectors.

82. The pie charts below show the most common advantages and disadvantages of Bowen Island, according to a survey of visitors.

83. The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

84. The chart below shows the average hours worked per day by married men and women in paid employment.

85. The pie charts show the electricity generated in Germany and France from all sources and renewables in the year 2009.

86. The diagram shows how fruit is canned.

87. The graph shows the impact of vaccination on the incidence of whooping cough, a childhood illness, between 1940 and 1990 in Britain.

88. The following bar chart shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000.

89. The charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.

90. The diagram below shows how the Australian Bureau of Meteorology collects up-to-the-minute information on the weather in order to produce reliable forecasts.

94. The first chart below shows the results of a survey which sampled a cross-section of 100,000 people asking if they traveled abroad and why they traveled for the period 1994-98. The second chart shows their destinations over the same period.

IELTS Speaking

200+ Sample Answers

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

200+ Sample Answers

DR VISHAL GOYAL

3. The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

4. The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.