IELTS WRITING MATERIALS

1.In the future, it seems more difficult to live on the Earth. Some people think
more money should be spent on researching other planet to live, such as
Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Band 9.0 Model Essay
It is true that, if present trends continue, it will become increasingly difficult
to sustain human life on Earth. While I agree that it is vital to tackle this
problem. I believe that expenditure on research for new planets to colonise
should be given a low priority, and resources must be used to find other, more
practical solutions.
There are two major reasons why life on Earth is becoming more and more
unsustainable. One obvious problem is the uncontrolled consumption of
natural resources, which are being depleted as a result. For instance, the
extraction of fossil fuels, such as coal, gas and oil to satisfy growing energy
demands has serious environmental impacts, and these resources
will eventually run out. Another concern is the rising level of pollution
worldwide, of the land, the oceans and the air that we breathe. In India, for
example, thousands of tons of industrial rubbish have been released illegally
into rivers, killing aquatic life and contaminating drinking water.
However, I would argue that the search for a new planet on which humans
could survive is a waste of valuable resources. Firstly, a vast amount of
funding would be required to finance such space exploration, with no
guarantee of success. This money is needed now to improve health services
globally and to provide better education for all. Secondly, financial
resources should be used to develop advanced technologies that would be
more environmentally- friendly and provide renew able energy. In the field of
transport, to take a simple example, vehicles can now be converted to run on


hydrogen or even waste cooking oil – as McDonald’s have done with their

the
effects
of
global
earth a more desirable place for us all.

warming,

making

the

In conclusion, although global warming is a global malady, it seems ludicrous
to suggest that people should find another planet to settle down.
2.Some people think that governments must insist on preserving traditional
appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment. To
what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?
Band 8.0 Model Essay
Preserving historic buildings is vital to understanding our nation’s heritage.
In the process of restoring them, some people believe that the authorities
should not compensate on any changes done in their original appearance, and
that the buildings should be restored as they were. This essay shall advocate
a practical approach to this scenario.
Restoration is said as the process of accurately depicting the form, features,
and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time by
reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. All around the
world, there are many active redevelopment projects undertaken by the
government to preserve the sanctity of these ancient treasures. However, it is
not reasonably possible to restore each and every detail of these buildings as
it was.

and families. On the one hand, children born to more prosperous and
experienced parents can receive better and more comprehensive education,
and thus contribute more to society when they grow up. In each household,
the parents may also reap the benefits of this trend, as their first working years
are not interrupted by pregnancy and childcare. On the other hand, when an
aged couple decide to give birth, there are serious health risks for the woman
in the prenatal and postnatal period. If any complicated maternal health
problem arises, the life whole family would be turned upside down.
To conclude, the tendency to have children at later ages is caused by a number
of factors, such as the competitiveness of the job market for young adults, and
both the positive and negative impacts of it can be seen in families and
society.
Band 8.0 Model Essay :


Having babies later in life is regarded as a new trend of marriage, especially
in these days when soon becoming adolescent parents might face plenty of
troubles. It is easily seen that financial burden is one of the reasons why many
spouses tend to delay their childbirth because giving birth early forces them
to tighten budget. In this essay, I will lend more other detailed reasons and
effects to this trend.
The fact that pregnancy has been more common in older women stemming
from late –life marriage whose benefits are huge. Tying the knot early, in
some cases, would cause constant quarrels about rights of child-rearing
between young couples due to their immature thoughts on marital values. In
contrast, delayed marriage may secure better conditions for children’s future.
This would help singles have more time to seek a financially stable job and
broaden behavioral experience before deciding to live with someone forever.
Besides, high remarriage rate led by the rise of divorce in recent years partly
contributes to late childbirth. The reason is that the lack of

people give birth when they are too old, the babies being born might be less
physically healthy. This might adversely affect the quality of the future
workforce if too many people decide to follow this trend.
In conclusion, there are some reasons why many people prefer to have
children later in their life, and this tendency can result in some negative
impacts on both family life and society.
4. Some people say that humanitarian subjects such as philosophy, history
and literature that people study in universities have no value for their future
career. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give
your own opinion and relevant examples.
Band 9.0 Sample Essay:
Humanitarian
education teaches
various
social
topics
from
a humanitarian perspective. However important our academic careers may be
for us, a certain iota of humanity is always expected from us as being the
superior living beings on earth. Whether we need to study specialized subjects
for such a quality to develop in us is a debatable issue.
The people who opine that studying such subjects is a waste of time may
believe so, keeping in mind that many academic curriculum is set and rarely
changes. Therefore, the history, literature or philosophy that is taught is done


from a text-bookish perspective, and does not give in-depth knowledge of the
same. Also, people feel that memorizing dates and facts, sources of the origin
of a language, or brooding on lessons derived from life hardly matter when
we go out in search of work.

discuss the extent of feasibility of both solutions in the interest of the society.
Over the last few years, there has been a worrying increase in the numbers of
young offenders being reported, where many of them are involved in instances
of burglaries, robberies, shoplifting and even street muggings. In the hostile
environment that we live in, it becomes necessary to nip such problems in the
bud, lest the youngsters become full-fledged criminals when they grow up.
Many believe that the children of today’s generation are very much aware and
intelligent, than the ones 30 years ago, to comprehend the actions around
them. Many a times they aren’t even remorseful for their actions. Therefore,
they should be tried in courts as adults and punished according to the severity
of the offence regardless of them being underage.
In contrast, a lot of people also believe that such treatment of teenage
offenders might not be the best solution. Knowing the reason behind the crime
committed is an essential factor in deciding the punishment to be given. The
environment during the upbringing of a child too influences his mentality to
a great extent. Most of the research cases in this matter have indicated that
children who commit crimes, mostly do so because of some trauma they have
themselves suffered from in the past. It is only logical that the judgement of
right and wrong of such children becomes impaired; therefore they should be
educated about the same, and not punished. Rehabilitating them and flushing
all aggression from their minds is giving them a deserved chance to live a
better life, as they still have a lot of growing up to do.
To conclude, this being a sensitive and debatable issue, in my opinion, I feel
the primary course of action for underage criminals is to provide them
guidance regarding the consequences of their actions. I don’t fully agree with
not punishing them at all; the extent of the punishment should be decided by
the circumstances and the attitude of the offender, whether he is penitent or
not.





the factors responsible for the increase in juvenile delinquency and put
forward a number of ways to appropriately punish young offenders.
It is observed that extreme behaviours are exhibited by most children from
dysfunctional families. Without the supervision from parents or caregivers,
children’s extreme behaviours such as aggression, hostility or defiance are
given free rein to develop in their later lives. In addition, there is a direct
correlation between the lack of engagement in educational activities and
serious criminal offending in children. Out of boredom, children befriend with
antisocial peers and will gradually copy their behaviours. Media also plays an
enormous role in shaping children’s criminality. For example, games such as
grand theft auto can desensitise younger players to extreme acts of violence
and cruelty, encourage them to commit crimes while giving them the
impression that it is morally acceptable to do so.
Imprisonment is often cited as a way to punish juvenile offenders. However,
it is my view that this approach can produce extremely destructive effects.
The youth can potentially be victims of physical or sexual abuse from older
prisoners, as well as can adopt their negative behaviours. I feel that the better
cure for young criminals is rehabilitation. Throughout education and training,
the youth can realise their wrongful actions and be given opportunities to turn
over a new leaf and transform themselves into useful members of society later
in life.
There are reasons to explain why today antisocial behaviour among the
youth nowadays has reached a historically unprecedented high and
rehabilitation is the answer for this.
Useful words and expressions:
Youth crime is rife: Youth crime is very common.
Juvenile delinquency: act of crime committed by the young
Defiance (n.) behaviour in which you refuse to obey others

Most of people living in small towns and villages do not receive sufficient
education to undertake intellectual jobs. What is also disadvantageous is based


in regional areas, companies risk distancing themselves further from their
customers, their suppliers and other partners in their business transactions,
which can weaken their profitability.
In conclusion, moving business from cities to rural areas can be a smart
decision. However, there are disadvantages that should be weighed carefully
against the advantages.
Useful words and expressions:
Be in close proximity to: be close to
A flock of: a lot of
To elaborate (v.) to explain further
In flocks: a lot of them.
Rid human and other species of pollution: to make them free of pollution.
To make environmental sense: to be good for the environment
To rid somebody of something: remove that thing from someone.
To undertake: To bear the responsibility of, to carry out
Intellectual jobs (n.) jobs that require mental skills.
Weaken their profitability: make it less profitable
Distance yourself from: to stay away from

9. Many people believe that international tourism is a bad thing for their
countries. What are the reasons? Solutions to change negative attitudes?
Band 8.5 Sample 1:
There are several reasons why many people have a negative attitude towards
international tourism. However, this can be handled by adopting possible
solutions, as will now be discussed.


arriving from outside. Other places of interest are also gradually being turned
into which are comparable to garbage dumps, despite all attempts to reduce


the amount of waste by local community. In addition to this, many foreigners
travel on a shoestring. In order to economise, many are willing to sleep on the
streets in their tents, which mars the cityscape.
What local authorities can firstly do to change the behaviours of foreign
tourists is through education. While advertising the beauty of an area, the
media should also strive to raise the awareness of prospective travellers about
protecting it. The other method is to pass stricter regulations regarding
littering particularly in popular tourist places. The high effectiveness of fining
litterbugs is clearly demonstrated in the example of Singapore, where one can
no longer find trash in public places.
To summarise, the inhospitable feeling that the local people have for
international tourists can be explained by many ways. I feel that this issue can
hardly be solved by a single wave of a magic wand – it takes a great deal of
efforts from both the locals and the foreigners.
10. People today do not feel safe either at home or when they are out. What
are the causes? What are the solutions?
Band 8.0 Sample Essay
In modern days, there has been a higher and higher percentage of those who
reported not feeling safe in their communities. What has been disclosed in
recent surveys has highlighted the need to increase safety not only on the
streets but also at home. The goal of this essay is to outline why this has
happened and put forward appropriate solutions.
In countries rich and poor alike, much concern has been raised about safety
issue both on the street and at home, and their concern is justified. In the first
place, individuals has been bombarded with tragic crime reports of murder,
rape or house robbery almost every day. This is a particular issue in

unacceptable.
Damaging consequences: bad consequences.
On an unprecedented scale: on a scale that no one has ever set.
Get out of hand: to go uncontrollable.

11. It is impossible to help all people in the world, so governments should
only focus on people in their own countries. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
Band 9.0 Model Essay
The role of one government to support citizens of other countries has been a
major topic of concern in today’s society. From my perspective, this practice
is feasible and there are compelling reasons why governments should help
people in the global community rather than only focusing on the citizens of
their own countries.


In this context of globalisation and international integration, the provision
of assistance for peoples of all countries in the world is not an impossible task
anymore. One explanation for this is that modern means of
transport have transformed the way that international assistance could be
given, and now assistance could reach even the most remote places on Earth.
For example, thousands of victims of a deadly earthquake in a mountainous
city in Nepal were rescued by US and German military helicopters in 2014.
One further explanation is that thanks to international banking, the
international community could offer a helping hand to any country where the
financial system is on the verge of collapse. An excellent example of this is
that the saving money of millions of taxpayers and pensioners in Greece was
saved by a timely act of the European Commission of injecting a huge
amount of bailout money into Greek banks in 2009.
I strongly believe any government must assume the responsibility of helping

understand why some people feel that we should prioritise local charity.
At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live
beyond our national borders. In some countries the problems that people face
are much more serious than those in our own communities, and it is often even
easier to help. For example, when children are dying from curable diseases in
African countries, governments and individuals in richer countries can save
lives simply by paying for vaccines that already exist. A small donation to an
international charity might have a much greater impact than helping in our
local area.
In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion
national boundaries should not stop us from helping those who are in need.
12. People should follow the customs and traditions when people start to live
in a new country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Band 9.0 Model Answer
Many people argue that foreigners should adapt to the local customs and
traditions when they come to reside in a new country. I completely agree with
this view. c led
Newcomers will certainly face difficulties if they do not conform to the norms
of social behaviour in the host country. Firstly, it will become almost
impossible for them to blend into their new environment. For example, an


entrepreneur who comes to live in a new country and starts up a business must
be aware of the business practices of that country. There are bound to be many
pitfalls, not only legal ones but also simply in terms of winning and keeping
customers. Secondly, recent immigrants might fall foul of the law if they do
not respect the behaviour and customs of locals. In Singapore, for instance,
residents will consider newcomers dirty and ill-mannered if they litter the
street or spit gum in public places.
There are also many benefits for foreigners when they do adopt the customs

volunteer programs is also a very effective way for students to combat stress
and hone various crucial life skills such as communication, teamwork or timemanagement.
Despite the multiple merits of volunteer activities, there are still a lot of raised
eyebrows. Firstly, making unpaid work obligatory to all students without any
exception will certainly cause resentment among themselves or their families.
In addition, students’ studies at school can be sabotaged as they are always
short of time to complete their homework or revise their lessons. The other
more profound consequence that can ensue from constant poor academic
performance is the bleak career prospects that the future hold for them.
To conclude, the importance of community service should be fully realised,
however, it should not be made compulsory for all students.
Useful expressions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Show scant concern about…: Pay no interest to…
The underprivileged: Those who don’t have much money, possessions…
The sizzling weather: extremely hot weather.
Inspire in them higher sense of responsibility: to make them become
more responsible.
Hone various crucial life skills: improve those skills.

However, the idea of giving cash directly to the poor is also treated with
skepticism by many people who otherwise suggest that money or any other
type of donation should be given to charity organisations. Their main
argument is that for the people whose lives have always been devoid of
material possessions or money, knowing how to manage the financial aids is
out of the question. There are many cases that poor people use the money to
start businesses; however, bankruptcy is imminent due to their lack of
knowledge regarding financial management. For this reason, charities, which
can distribute the funds in a more effective way, prove their prominent roles
in improving living standards of the impoverished.
To conclude, I am inclined to think that giving money to charities is a better
way to end poverty as it deals with deeper causes of the issue in the long run.


Useful expressions:
Poverty is still on full display: Poverty happens everywhere.
The sparkling and vibrant streets of Los Angeles: dynamic Los Angeles
A bone of contention: something that causes dispute.
To be treated with skepticism: to be viewed with suspect.
To be devoid of material possessions: have little material belongings.
Recipient (n.) the person who receives.
Their lack of knowledge regarding financial management: they do not
have enough knowledge about managing their money.
Bankruptcy is imminent: is highly probable
In the long run: in the long term.

15. Everyone should become vegetarian because they do not need to eat
meat to have a healthy diet. Do you agree or disagree?
Band 8.5 Sample Essay
In the last few decades, vegetarianism has entered the mainstream of many

Indispensable (adj.) very important.
To be more vulnerable to fatigue: to be more likely to get sick
Be a fertile source of many nutrients: be very nutritious
To strengthen bone structures: make the bones stronger.
Manifestly (adv.) obviously.

16. Studies show that many criminals have a low level of education. For this
reason, people believe that the best way to reduce crime is to educate people
in prison so they can get a job when leave prison. Do you agree or disagree?
Band 8.5 Model Answer


Recently, crime has been increasing out of control. Some hold the idea that in
order to deter crimes, criminals should be given proper education while in
prison. Personally, I partly share the same view with this.
It is my belief that nurture, not nature, is responsible for malignant and
antisocial behaviours. That is to say, everybody is born with good
personalities and what turns some into criminals is parental neglect and lack
of education. Many studies have shown that children who are not supervised
by their parents on a regular basis are many times more likely to go off the
rails, commit acts of selfishness or to behave aggressively against others. This
rationalizes why I think a good number of prisoners after being released will
not repeat their offences if they are given education.
In addition, while being in jail, inmates have plenty of time which can be
misspent. For example, some of them spend their time on gambling with their
cellmates or accessing materials with objectionable contents. Thus, giving
them the opportunity to be educated translates to the reduction of time which
can be potentially frittered away or used for malicious purposes.
Nevertheless, there are objections to this perspective. Those who oppose
claim that the potential program of giving education to criminals can cost a

Objectionable (adj.) unpleasant, wrong
Inmate (v.) those who are imprisoned
Societal stability.
To fritter away time: misspend time.
Malicious (adj.) intended to harm others
To translate to: change something into something
To corroborate something: add proof to it.
To serve time: to be put into prison.

17. Some people think that it is good for a country’s culture to import
foreign movies and TV programmes. Others think that it is better to produce
these locally. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 8.0 Model Essay 1
People have different views about whether it is better for a country to
purchase foreign movies or to create domestic ones. While importing movies
from other countries can have some advantages, I would argue that
producing local movies is a much better option.
On the one hand, there are some clear benefits of buying movies from other
countries. Firstly, when a country imports movies that are produced overseas,
it can help its people learn about other cultures in a much easier and more
effective way. This would help its citizens to be more knowledgeable.
Secondly, individuals can learn the good things of other more civilised
societies and alter the way they behave. For example, the habit of queuing is
a nice thing in many Western countries, and people from Vietnam can learn
and copy this action when watching foreign movies.
On the other hand, I believe it is better for countries to produce movies
domestically because of some reasons. The first one is that movies made by
local people would help to preserve the traditions and customs of their own
cultures. For instance, many Vietnamese TV programmes remind young
generations of how people celebrate Lunar New Year, which is the most

a country’s film segments. The most obvious reason is that the act of a
country developing its own movies and broadcasting industry is of necessity
to preserve its culture. Through local films and TV shows, children and
adolescents develop their cognition of local customs and traditional values
and have a tendency to practice them. Another endorsing reason is that
domestic films and shows are irreplaceable products that bring people true