Friday 27 December 2013

Essay 45 (Animal Rights)




Some people think that humans can use animals in any way for their own benefit.  Others, however, believe that people should not use animals in a wrong way.  Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

Man use animals for various purposes, which sometimes can amount to abuse and even cause their death.  Many animal right activists have, recently, raised concerns about the ill-treatment of animals by human beings.  This essay intends to analyse both sides of this issue in detail.

On the one hand, many believe that man is a superior being and therefore it is justifiable to cause pain and even kill animals for his survival and welfare, especially in scientific experiments and as a means of food and entertainment.  For example, many life saving drugs for humans have been tested in animals like guinea pigs before they are is used by man.  This has resulted in the invention of many life saving medicines which are essential for man to maintain his health and prolong his life.  Similarly, many animals like pigs and chicken are reared and killed for food and elephants and lions are used in circuses to entertain people and make money.  Although many consider these to be cruelty to animals, most human beings think that it is essential for man’s well-being.

On the other hand, animal lovers contend that showing cruelty to animals is unjustifiable because it is a violation of animal rights.  They also believe that animals experience pain and stress just like human beings and therefore it is cruel to ill-treat them. 

Although it may amount to a certain level of cruelty, it seems logical to make use of animals for the needs of man.  Even in nature, we see stronger animals attacking and killing weaker ones for their food.  Moreover, man greatly benefits from animals, in transportation, farming and scientific experiments. 

In conclusion, my suggestion is that it is inevitable to use animals for the benefit of man, but they should minimise animal sufferings in all ways possible. 

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Tuesday 24 December 2013

Essay 44 (Save energy by shorter workweeks)

 

Research has shown that spending much less time in office can reduce the use of energy (for example, electricity, gas).  Thus some companies close for some days a week.  Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Inspired by the realisation that energy consumption can be checked by reducing the time spent by employees in offices, many companies have adopted strategies like reducing the number of days in a workweek.  However, some people feel that such a plan can have a negative impact on the performance of businesses and the welfare of employees.


On the one hand, there would be a substantial reduction in office expenses in terms of electricity consumption, water usage and fuel costs.  Moreover, with the reduced workweek and longer leisure time it is likely that the productivity of employees would improve, compensating for the hours lost.  For example, the number of days in a workweek has been reduced from six to five in many government offices in India.  While it has substantially cut down energy costs in terms of lighting and running of office machinery, the work completed in a week has not been seriously affected.  Similarly, the commuting of employees and movement of office vehicles have been reduced, resulting in substantial fuel savings.

On the other hand, critics believe that shortened workweek can affect work output and reduce the earning capacity of employees.  This would mean that losing a considerable number of man-hours at work would affect the performance of companies.  Moreover, the loss of wages due to fewer hours can discourage workers.

After considering both views, from a broader perspective, the substantial energy saving achieved by modern companies should be given greater prominence.  Moreover, the drawbacks can be minimized by introducing alternative methods like telecommuting, where employees do not come to office, but work from home using modern telecommunication systems.

In short, although there are minor disadvantages to this system, shorter workweeks can have greater benefits to individuals and society by saving the depleting energy resources of the world.

(289 words)


Saturday 24 August 2013

Partime Jobs




IELTS Essay from Darsana Academy

In some countries teenagers are allowed to do part time jobs. Some people say it is a good thing, but others disagree.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

(You need to underline the key-words of the question, so that you will not leave out any important part of the question in your essay and lose focus.  Reading the question and underlining the keywords should not take more than 30 seconds)

Synonyms or similar words for keywords

Teenager – adolescent, high school children
Good thing – advantageous, beneficial, positive impacts
Part-time jobs –work done outside school hours
Disagree – oppose, are against, disadvantageous, negative impacts, drawbacks

(Writing down synonyms and similar words of the key-words helps you to rephrase the question in your own words and use lexical resource effectively.  You have two minutes to complete this activity)

Rephrasing the question

Engaging in paid jobs outside school hours is a usual practice for senior high-school children in certain countries, especially in the west.  While most people appreciate the benefits of such work experience for adolescent children, there are also opposing views.

(Rephrasing is a very useful exercise to help you to write the introduction effectively without losing any key points in the question.  This is also very important in achieving task response.  You can focus on any keywords to start your sentence.  In this case, I have focused on ‘part-time jobs’ to start the sentence.)

Viewpoint

Despite certain concerns about allowing teenagers to do part-time jobs, this practice has greatly helped them, in terms of earning their pocket money and appreciating the value of work at an early age.

(Viewpoint is your position in the essay, which should be effectively presented throughout the essay.  It also helps you to write the conclusion by summarising the main points of the essay.)

IELTS with George Andrews (http://darsanaielts.blogspot.in/)

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Wednesday 7 August 2013

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Saturday 6 July 2013

Skills of writing an IELTS essay

Skills of writing an IELTS essay - 1


1.   Rephrasing

Rephrasing the question is one of the most important skills of IELTS essay writing.  It is useful in writing the introduction and conclusion.  Rephrasing is usually done, focusing on various key-words in the question.

Look at this question and see how it has been rephrases using the key words in the question.

In today’s world, it is private companies rather than government that pay for and carry out most scientific research. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Private companies, of late, have dominated the funding and carrying out of majority of scientific research and development and the role of government in this sector seems to be on the decline.  Many people fear that such a trend would lead to greater disadvantages for the society.

Majority of scientific research is now being funded or carried out by privately owned businesses and government seems to be gradually withdrawing from this field.  Although many admit its advantages, it is also very relevant to examine whether this trend has serious drawbacks for the nation.

In the recent times, the role of government in scientific research is on the decline, whereas private initiatives in this sector is growing substantially.  An attempt is made here to analyse whether the benefits of this development is greater than the disadvantages.

Investing in and carrying out scientific research, in the recent times, has been dominated by the private business corporations, while government has substantially reduced its presence in this sector.  While acknowledging the merits of this new trend, it is also essential to study the negative implications.

Rephrase the questions below, focusing on different key words from the question.

·         Some people think zoos are cruel and they should be closed. However, others believe zoos are useful to protect rare animals. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

·      Some people believe in the traditional idea that the woman’s place is in the home, while others say that idea is outdated and that women should play an increasingly important role in the workplace of the future. What is your opinion?

 

·      The education a child receives at home from having parents who are positive role models is more important than the academic education a child receives at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 

·      In many countries there has been an increase in social problems involving teenagers in recent years. Many people believe that this is due to modern lifestyles because parents spend more and more time at work and have less time to supervise their children. To what extent do you believe this is true?

 


·      People are now living longer than ever before and many old people are unable to look after themselves. Some people believe that it is the responsibility of families to look after the elderly, while others say governments should provide retirement homes for them where they can be looked after properly. Discuss.



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Sunday 2 June 2013

IELTS Questions 2013


May 2013

Some people think that humans can use animals in any way for their own benefit. Others, however, believe that people should not use animals in the wrong way. Discuss both this views and give your opinion.

 

May 2013

In many countries big cities become very crowded. What are the causes and solutions for this problem, in your opinion?

 

May 2013

In many countries, the quality of life in the large cities is worsening. What possibly can cause this problem? What measures can be taken to resolve it?

 

May 2013

In many countries, the quality of life in the large cities is worsening. What possibly can cause this problem? What measures can be taken to resolve it?

 

May 2013

Nowadays big cities in many countries become overcrowded. Why? Give some reasons and solutions for this problem.

 

May 2013

The advantages and disadvantages of computers and TV for the mental development of children.

 

April 2013

Some people think that men and women have different qualities, which is why men are suitable for some types of jobs and women – for different types of jobs. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

 

April 2013

Animals are used by humans for profit in many ways. However, some people don’t agree with this use of animals. Discuss both views and express your own opinion.

 

April 2013

In some countries boarding schools are getting more popular. Is it a positive or negative development? What are the reasons behind it?

 

April 2013

Some say that children should spend more time working on school projects from an early age, others believe that young children should spend more time playing and have less stress at school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Use examples from your experience.

 

April 2013

Saving money is a good habit for an individual after retirement. Do you agree or disagree?

 

April 2013

These days more emphasis is being placed on university education. Vocational training is not encouraged, and thus there are few qualified tradespeople. To which extent do you agree or disagree?

 

April 2013

In the past people believed that the human race was steadily making progress in all areas of life; nowadays there is less certainty that it is so. In what areas do you think the most important progress has been made so far? In what areas more needs to be done?

 

March 2013

Some people think that technological progress has affected their lives. To what extent do agree or disagree with the statement?

 

March 2013

Sport today is turning into a business, with many companies involved and ever growing prize money for the sportsmen. Do you think it’s a positive or negative development?

 

March 2013

These days many countries are facing different problems, so it is better that each country concentrates on solving its own problems, instead of cooperating with other countries. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

 

March 2013

Some people believe that study is important to success, others say there is no relation between study and success. Discuss both views. Give your own opinion based on your experience.

 

March 2013

Some parents feel that students should focus on all subjects equally. Others believe that students should concentrate more on the subjects they are interested in. Do you agree or disagree?

 

February 2013

Subjects at schools are selected by authorities such as the central government (not by the teachers). Some say that these subjects should be chosen by teachers. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons and examples.

 

February 2013

Professional workers like doctors, nurses and teachers make a greater contribution to society and so should be paid more than sports and entertainment personalities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 

February 2013

Some say all offenders should be sent to prison, other argue that there are better alternatives such as community work for those who commit minor crimes. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

 

February 2013

Some people focus too much on products and brands that they buy/use. Do you think this behavior has more advantages than disadvantages?

 

February 2013

Some say that students should concentrate only on the subjects that they like. Others suggest that they should focus on all school subjects. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

 

February 2013

Nowadays there is no need for museums and art galleries any more. Since everything is accessible through internet, people can find any historic facts there. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons and examples from your personal knowledge.

 

February 2013

TV watching is argued to be detrimental to children’ development, but some argue that it could bring positive effects as well. Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion.

 

January 2013

Some say that if anyone would be given a choice between ‘not working’ and ‘working most of the time’, they would choose not to work. Do you agree or disagree?

 

January 2013

Some people work only for a few months a year and take the rest of the time off to do whatever they like. To what extent do the advantages of this arrangement outweigh the disadvantages?

 

January 2013

Most countries develop their economies to improve living standards. Some people are afraid that it will cause degradation of important social values. Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

 

January 2013


These days parents are more concerned with their children’s up-bringing than before. Child-care training course for parents can be the best way to update their parenting skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion and support it with examples where possible.