IELTS Essays, discussion and vocabulary, January 2010 (Questions Courtesy www.ielts-blog.com)

IELTS Essay 2010

1.      January 9, 2010

Some people believe that the charity organisations should give aid to those in the greatest need wherever they live. Some people believe that the charity organisations would better concentrate on helping people who live in their own country instead. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Aid to people wherever they live because:

·         There are poor countries where the local charity organisations or government are not financially capable(especially in emergencies, like famines, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes or large amount of money is required by many African countries to fight poverty and diseases).

·         There are very rich countries where there is very little requirement for extensive charity work, but great amount of charity money for disposal.

Help those in their own countries:

·         Dependence on rich countries will increase and discourage them from becoming self reliant.

·         Sharing in poor countries will increase when do not get help from abroad.

Vocabulary

·         Aid agency

·         Benefactor

·         Charities

·         Philanthropic groups

·         Humanitarian

·         Donations

·         Sponsorship

·         Outreach

·         International Aid

·         Natural calamities

·         Floods

·         Hurricanes

·         Famine

·         Earthquake

·         Tsunami

·         Unemployment

·         Poverty

·         Dependence

·         Self-reliant

2.      January 14, 2010

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

Advantages

·         Huge investments required and so government can concentrate on more priority issues like health care and social security.

·         Better quality research and better utilisation of money for research.

Disadvantages

·         Monopolisation of certain research and consequently the products may be priced very high.

·         Profit motive and therefore no social commitment. May not be accessible to the poor.

·         Sometimes research may be hampered as private companies may not be able to invest as much as government as it may not be financially feasible (alternative sources of energy).

Vocabulary

·         Research and development

·         Carry out research

·         Research into

·         Research on

·         State funding

·         Corporate research

·         Corporate companies

·         Monopolistic policies

·         Multinational

·         Inventions

·         Discoveries

·         Scientific development

·         Social commitment

·         Profit motive

·         Money making

·         Researchers

·         Scientists

·         Greater benefits

3.      January 23, 2010

The gap between the rich and the poor is becoming wider.  While the rich are becoming richer, the poor are becoming poorer. What problems can this situation cause and give solutions to this problem?

Problems

·         increasing levels of social unrest and antisocial behaviour

·         polarisation of the society on the basis of income

·         lopsided development

Solutions

·         increase tax for the super rich and use it for social welfare

·         industrialisation and the creation of good jobs for the poor

·         better social security measures and welfare programmes

Vocabulary

·         Widening the gap

·         Increasing the gap

·         Narrowing the gap

·         Closing the gap

·         Equitable distribution of resources

·         Unequal distribution

·         The wealthy

·         The prosperous

·         The underprivileged

·         Lower economic strata

·         Economically backward sections of people

·         Issues

·         Result in

·         One of the best ways to address the problem

·         Tackle the issue

·         Economic divide

·         On the basis of

·         Disillusionment of the poor and the youth

4.      January 30, 2010

Many people believe that today there is a general increase in anti-social behaviour and lack of respect for others. What might have caused this situation?  How to improve it?

Causes

·         Modern consumerist culture

·         Unemployment and poverty

·         Lack of disciple in families and schools

·         Pampered children

·         Influence of the media like movies, television and the internet

·         Leniency in punishments

·         Selfishness and individualistic attitude

·         Deterioration of social values

Solutions

·         Better discipline and values in schools and homes

·         Censorship of undesirable material in the media

·         Creation of employment and eradication of poverty

·         Superior policing and strong laws

Vocabulary

Increasing proportion of

Rising levels of

Go up

Multiply

Crimes

Offences

Law breakers

Social unrest

Disillusionment

Hostile

Lack of discipline

Civic sense

Social responsibilities