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.

Essay 43 (Parents or school mould children?)

Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of the society.  Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

A child learns values to behave in an accepted manner in a civil society through various sources.  While parents have great influence at home, the prominent role of teachers and peers in school cannot be disregarded in this process.

On the one hand, parents, especially in the early childhood, teach their children the importance of obeying rules and regulations and violating them is often dealt with minor punishments.  For instance, if a child steals a chocolate or fights with children in the neighbourhood, he is reprimanded, and in certain societies, given corporal punishments, if the offence is serious.  Such interventions from parents remind children of the importance of being good citizens in the society.

On the other hand, schools also greatly contribute to the civil behaviour of children, especially in areas of discipline in public conduct and safeguarding them from bad habits.  For example, through group activities children learn to interact with their peers in an accepted manner and perform activities with cooperation.  Whereas, children may not have opportunities to learn such social skills at home.  Similarly, unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking and drug abuse are controlled in schools through disciplinary actions by school authorities. 

In conclusion, a close analysis of both the perspectives suggests that both school and parents need to play a complimentary role in moulding children to be law-abiding citizens.  Each should perform its respective role in various aspects of children’s character, in developing them to be fit for a worthy social life.

Make sure that you encourage the blogger by commenting. Also Click the Facebook icon to share it on your page...thanks.

Need for Museums (IELTS Essay Q, Feb. 2013)

There is no need for museums and art galleries any more. Since everything is accessible through the internet, people can find any historical object there.

Do you agree or disagree?

Essay Question: Police without guns

Police in some countries like England don’t carry guns. Some people do not approve of this because they think that police with guns gives them security.  Others think that police carrying guns increases violence and crime.

What is your opinion? 

Darsana IELTS Academy, Kottayam

Essay Question November 2012, Kottayam

This weeks IELTS Essay Question, Kottayam, India

Environmental problems should be handled by one international organisation rather than making every country's national government responsible for it. 

Do you agree or disagree with the given statement?

Make sure that you encourage the blogger by commenting. Also Click the Facebook icon to share it on your page...thanks.

Who should pay for roads (article)

Read the article and write an essay on the following topic in 250 words:

The number of cars keeps increasing, so road systems should be expanded. Some people think the government should pay for it, while others think the car owners should pay for it. What’s your opinion?

The fast pace of economic development in many countries has enabled more and more people to own personal vehicles like cars.  This situation has necessitated the need to create additional infrastructure to accommodate the escalating traffic on the roads, which require huge investments.  However, many governments have lagged behind in this area due to insufficient funds.  In the meantime, the scarcity of highways, flyovers and by-pass roads and the overloading of existing roads have created severe traffic congestions and accidents are on the increase. 

In order to address this crisis situation many governments are considering the possibility of making car owners pay for the development of road infrastructure.  People who favour governments’ stand on this issue argue that since it is the motorists who need superior roads to drive comfortably, they should pay for it.  However, many others believe that government alone should shoulder the responsibility of developing roads.

From a government perspective, increasing car ownership by individuals has flooded the existing roads and necessitated the construction of a larger road system.  Newer highways, bridges, flyovers and by-pass roads have to be built to control the traffic congestions, which require huge funds.  Due to commitments from other essential sectors, governments are often not able to afford such enormous capital investment.  Hence, they believe, car owners should bear the cost of road development. 

Since the public are willing to pay for utilities like water and electricity, government questions the logic in that argument that roads need to be funded by public finances.

A successful methodology adopted by many governments both in the developed and developing countries is to assign private infrastructure firms to develop road system and allow them to collect toll from vehicle owners who use such roads, in order to meet the cost. 

Charging higher taxes from car owners to be used for the construction and upkeep of new road system has also been adopted in some countries.  This would take the pressure off the government and they can concentrate on more essential utilities for the public. 

Again, there are special lanes which can be used by drivers who want to avoid crowded lanes, by paying a certain fee especially during the peak hours.  This system has already been introduced in certain western countries as ‘pay-as-you-go lanes’ or ‘Lexus lanes’, where rich motorists can bypass traffic jams.  This money would be used for infrastructural development.

There are people who oppose the policy of the government and suggest that any welfare government has the obligation to provide the basic infrastructural facilities, such as roads, to the citizens.  It is unreasonable for government to stay away from this responsibility, arguing that it does not have sufficient funds to do it.  Instead, government should avail funds from other sources and improve road systems for the people.  Ideally, they could take loans from financial institutions like World Bank or International Monitory Fund.  Many governments are already doing it, especially in the developing world.

Moreover, many believe that car owners pay various types of vehicle, road and fuel taxes to the government and it is unfair to burden them further with additional taxes or road toll.  Increase in the number of vehicles automatically suggests greater taxes, which can be used for the improvement of roads.

Both sides have valid arguments to substantiate their point of view.  However, considering to enormous burden that governments need to shoulder in various sectors, I would support the view that it is time that citizens be responsible for the development of road systems.

(584 words)