IELTS Exam April 2011

There is a trend of increasing competitiveness in today’s society. In your opinion, is it a good or a bad development?

Essay 33 (Strict punnishments for drivers)

The only way to improve safety on our reads is to have stricter punishment for driving offenders.  To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Careless driving and violation of traffic rules certainly result in a large number of accidents and stricter punishments are necessary to reduce them.  However, there are also certain other measures that have equal or more effectiveness in ensuring road safety.

In the first place, there are certain accidents that occur not because of traffic violations.  To explain it further, poor road condition is considered a major reason for road casualties.  For example, narrow roads and sharp curves often force even law-abiding drivers makes mistakes.  Therefore, it should be noted that drivers alone cannot be blamed for such mishaps and giving them stricter punishments in these cases is no solution.  A more effective strategy by the government would be to straighten accident prone curves and widen narrow roads.  Larger number of road signs and proper traffic signals can also be effective in reducing accidents on roads.

Furthermore, poor climate condition can be a major cause of accidents.  For instance, poor visibility due to dense mist and rain, slippery roads on account of snowfall cause make driving difficult and cause serious accidents in many countries.  Stricter punishment for drivers is a futile exercise in handling such problems.  Modern technological innovations should be used to deal with such emergency situations.

On the other hand, reckless driving, speeding and breach of traffic rules by careless drivers have caused many accidents.  Moreover, drunken and drowsy driving have also resulted serious traffic mishaps.  While we admit that more stringent punishment for drivers would be an effective measure to an extent, it should not be considered the only way towards road safety.

In summary, there are certain situations where drivers are not responsible for a particular accident.  Hence apart from punishing drivers with heavier penalties other effective measures should also be taken.

IELTS Essay Questions

 

1.   Some sports are extremely dangerous but many people still like them very much. Why do people take part in dangerous sports? Give some suggestions on how to deal with these dangers.

2.   Some people say that parents have the most important role in a child’s development. However, others argue that other things like television or friends have the most significant influence. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

3.   Today, people can work and live in anywhere they want, because of the improvement of communication technology and transport. Do advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

4.   Films can have effect on the children’s education and teach them many things. Do you think it is always a positive influence? Discuss.

5.   Competitive sports like football are considered to add a lot of value by bringing people of different states and nationalities together. Yet some people argue that these sports divide people on the basis of nationalities and age groups. What is your opinion? Write about each view and then describe your answer supporting it with relevant examples from your own experience.

6.   Some people think that competitive sports have a positive effect on the child’s education while others argue it is not so. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and opine.

7.   Scientists believe that computers will become more intelligent than human beings. Some people find it a positive development while others think it is negative development. Discuss both points and give your own opinion.

8.   For some people shopping is not just about buying what is necessary, but a form of entertainment. Do you think it is a positive or a negative development? Give your opinion and examples from your experience.

9.   Students at schools and universities learn far more from lessons with teachers than from others sources (such as the internet, television). To what extent do you agree or disagree?

10.                Some people believe the range of technology available to individuals today is increasing the gap between poor people and rich people. Others think it is having an opposite effect. Discuss these points of view. What is your opinion?

11.                Some people think that paying taxes is enough to contribute to the society. Others argue that being a citizen involves more responsibilities. Discuss, what is your opinion?

12.                Some people think that charity organizations should only offer help to people of their own country. But others believe that these organizations should give aid to people in great need wherever they live. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

13.                Some people say that the government should not put money on building theatres and sports stadiums. They should spend more money on medical care and education. Do you agree or disagree?

14.                Tobacco is a kind of drug. People have been free to use it. Some people think that it should be illegal to use it comparing with other drugs. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What is your opinion?

15.                Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, and the protection is a waste of resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

16.                Some people believe that tourists should accept social and environmental responsibility while others believe that tourists should not accept any responsibility at all. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

17.                The speeding up of life in many areas such as travel and communication has negative effects on society at all levels—individual, national and global. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

18.                The only way to improve the safety on our own road is to have stricter punishment for driving offenders. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

19.                History tells that people have often thought about creating an ideal society, but most of the times fail in making this happen. What is your opinion about an ideal society? How can we create an ideal society?

20.                Children who grow up in families which are short of money are better prepared with the problems of adult life than children who are brought up by wealthy parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

21.                In many countries, good schools and medical facilities are available only in cities. Some people think new teachers and doctors should work in rural areas for a few years, but others think everyone should be free to choose where they work. Discuss and give your own opinion.

22.                Some people think the increasing business and cultural contact between countries brings many positive effects. Others say it causes the loss of national identities. Discuss on both sides and give your opinion.

23.                The detailed description about crime will affect the people and cause many social problems. Some people say that the media should be strictly controlled. Do you agree or disagree?

24.                Some scientists believe that studying the behaviour of 3-year-old children can tell which children would grow up to be criminals. To what extent in your opinion is crime a product of human nature or is it possible to stop children from growing up to be criminals?

25.                Far too little has been done to prevent animals and plants from dying out, although people have been aware of this problem for a long time. Why do people do so little about it? Give your suggestions on how to solve this problem.

26.                Many people say that we have developed into a “throw-away” culture, because we are filling up our environment with so many plastic bags and rubbish that we cannot fully dispose of. To what extent do you agree with this opinion and what measures can you recommend reducing this problem?

27.                The main purpose of public libraries is to provide books and they shouldn’t waste their limited resources and space on providing expensive hi-tech media such as computer software, videos and DVDs. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

28.                It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful. Architects shouldn’t worry about producing building as a work of art. Do you agree or disagree?

29.                Many employees may work at home with the modern technology. Some people claim that it can benefit only the workers, not the employers. Do you agree or disagree?

30.                Many people believe that scientific research should be carried out and controlled by the governments rather than private companies. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

31.                Many people are optimistic of the 21st century and see it as an opportunity to make positive changes to the world. To what extent do you share their optimism? What changes would you like to see in the new century?

32.                Food can be produced much more cheaply today because of improved fertilisers and better machinery. However, some of the methods used to do this may be dangerous to human health and may have negative effects on local communities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

33.                Some people think that cultural traditions may be destroyed when they are used as money-making attractions aimed at tourists. Others believe it is the only way to save these traditions. Discuss on both sides and give your opinion.

34.                It is generally believed that education is of vital importance to the development of individuals and the well-being of societies. What should education consist of to fulfil both these functions?

35.                It is known to all that the technological and scientific advances have made great changes to the range and quality of our food. Some people regard it as an improvement while others believe that the change is harmful. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

36.                Some people claim that public museums and art galleries will not be needed because people can see historical objects and works of art by using a computer. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

37.                Air transport is increasingly used to export types of fruits and vegetables to countries where they cannot be grown or are out of season. Some people say it is a good thing, but other people think it can’t be justified. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

38.                Some people think that the government should provide assistance to all kinds of artists including painters, musicians and poets, etc. However, other people think that is a waste of money. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

39.                The society would benefit from a ban on all forms of advertising because it serves no useful purpose, and can even be damaging. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

40.                People can perform everyday tasks, such as shopping and banking as well as business transactions, without meeting other people face-to-face. What are the effects of this on an individual and the society as a whole?

March 2011(IELTS Essay Questions)

 

Some people think that government should support artists (poets, musicians) financially, while other argue that this money should be spent on other more important, issues.

Do you agree or disagree?

Essay 32 (Dependence or Independence)

IELTS Exam March 2011

Some people think that in the modern world we have become more dependent on each other, while others think that people are now more independent.  

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

In personal, social and professional life people today have become more independent due to a number of reasons.  However, there is an opposing view that modern lifestyles have forced people to become more dependent on each other.  Both perspectives are analysed in this essay.

Firstly, a major reason for people being more independent today is the financial freedom they enjoy, especially by the young people.  For instance, more and more young people do part time jobs during their studies and many of them are employed immediately after their secondary education.  This gives them greater self-reliance as they need not depend on their parents for their economic needs. 

Secondly, the disintegration of traditional family systems and values has made people much more independent as compared to the past.  An ideal example would be the disappearance of joint family system in many parts of India, where younger members had to obey the head of the family in their personal, career or economic matters.

Finally, emergence of technology has also given a great deal of freedom to people to perform many activities without depending on others.  For example, computerisation of offices, Bank ATMs, online commerce and modern household appliances have reduced the dependence of people on others. 

On the other hand, there are others who hold the view that dependence on others has become more prominent in modern life.  They cite the example of modern work places where team work and coordination among various departments play vital role in the success of any particular business.  Even in scientific developments group activity is more crucial than individual achievements.  Moreover, since technology has influenced most human activities people need to depend on specialist technicians in each area to sort out issues in their everyday life.

After analysing both points of view in detail, I would consider that people have become more dependent on others in greater number activities, despite the freedom they enjoy in certain areas.

(While considering both the perspectives, I am convinced that people today have greater independence, in spite of their dependence on others in certain areas)

In summary, while people have become independent in some aspects, dependence on others have increased in many areas of modern life

You have read this post. It is greatly appreciated if you write down your opinion on this essay.

Essay 31 (Lack of support for Art)

Question

Professional sports involve large sums of money and receives enormous media coverage. Meanwhile serious culture, including music, art and theatre, is badly neglected. This is making our society shallower. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Answer

Due to the enormous popularity that sport enjoys it receives great financial support and media publicity, while sponsorship to serious cultural activities is seriously on the decline.  This essay examines whether this trend reflects a superficial attitude of the society.

On the one hand, the declining financial as well as media support for music, art and theatre is often interpreted as society’s indifference towards serious cultural activities.  It seems that very few people today have the willingness or time to enjoy such arts, which would require a deeper aesthetic sense.  In contrast, the society spends a great deal of time and effort to watch sports, which provides instant entertainment and emotional satisfaction.  For instance, in many societies it is difficult to get audiences for classical music concerts or theatre, whereas football and cricket stadium are usually crowded with cheering spectators.  Consequently, organisers of such events fail to get media support and financial sponsorship.  Such attitude of modern society towards serious cultural activities forces many people consider it a ‘shallow society’.

On the other hand, there are others who believe that today’s society cannot be labelled superficial in it attitude, because of its unenthusiastic approach towards serious cultural activities.  The excess economic and press support that sports receive is due to its universal popularity as a means of entertainment.  Moreover, people today need rest from their stress-filled life and sports provide such relaxation and help them to ease their tensions.  Art or music cannot expect such back up from the government or corporate world, because people generally spend much less time to enjoy such activates.  For example, people may go for a theatre performance or similar shows only a few times a year, but and this has not reduced their appreciation of such serious cultural events.  A society’s depth of character should not be judged only on the basis of the amount of support that the cultural activities receive.

Overall, although today serious culture does not receive as much media attention or money as sport, the society cannot be considered shallow in it approach.