Topic

These days many fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go out to work. What
could be the reason for this? Do you think it is a positive or a negative development?

Sample response
Thanks to widespread womens rights movements, more and more women have become the breadwinners
for their family while their husbands stay at home looking after the kids. In my opinion, this is the result of
an extreme, yet nave ideology that has created an imbalance in many families.
Organised groups which call for absolute equality between men and women are often shallow minded.
Many such groups make illogical demands such as giving both couples exactly equal and reversible rights
and responsibilities. In theory, this sounds fair and square. However, when you look at the details, it is not
hard to see that this arrangement paralyzes both men and women by reversing their natural roles.
Improper allocation of roles puts exceedingly high pressure on women, and renders mens roles rather
ineffective. When women are the primary breadwinners for the family, they cannot afford to take long
maternity leaves. Not only because such holidays may be unpaid, but also because they need to progress
in their jobs to support their expanding family.
It is a well-known fact that mothers develop better bonds with new born babies. In addition, babies need to
be breastfed multiple times during the day. This will not be possible if the mother has a demanding job that
requires her to be away from the child for long hours. Therefore, it is counter-productive for the father to be
the main caretaker. That said, it is indeed productive for the man to help with raising kids. The woman
should also work to secure theFINANCIAL

future of the family.

In short, it is plausible for partners to share their domestic responsibilities, but an arrangement where
mothers earn a living and fathers stay at home is way too extreme.

Parents should teach children about the importance ofMONEY . Do you agree or disagree. Give your own
reasons and include examples from your knowledge and experience.

Sample response
There is no denying the fact thatMONEY

plays a crucial role in our lives. Children are too young to fully

understand the value of money or its significance in our lives. However, it still makes sense for parents to
make them money wise from an early age.
Habits learned during childhood will stay with them for the rest of their lives. So, if parents can teach
children how important it is for them to use their money wisely, they will become responsible spenders as
they grow up.
Money may or may not be the root cause of all evil, but the truth is that we cant live without money. Little
children ask for just about everything they see. They dont understand the financial difficulties involved in
obtaining the objects of their fancy. They dont understand the hard work their parents put in toEARN THE
MONEY

necessary to provide them a comfortable living. By teaching children about the importance of

money, parents can foster a sense of appreciation in them.

Parents can teach the importance of money in several ways. They can take the children along when they
go shopping. This simple act teaches them that if they need something, they have to pay for it. Parents can
cultivate saving habits in their children by gifting them a piggy bank where they can deposit their pocket
money. Giving children monetary rewards for doing simple tasks around the house is another way of
making them money wise. For example, if the children help dad in the garage or mom in the garden,
parents can reward their time and effort by giving them a few pennies. This helps children learn many
valuable lessons. They learn that to earn they have to work hard. This also helps them appreciate the value
of labor.
I wasnt raised by rich parents, but they were responsible people who knew how to live within their means.
When we were kids, we didnt have many luxuries. My parents, nonetheless, worked hard and made sure
that we led a comfortable life and received the best education. It was the wise spending habits that I
learned from my parents during my childhood that stood by me when I started living on my own.
To conclude, parents should teach children about money. This helps them acquire many life skills which will
stand them in good stead when they start living on their own. Children who are involved in theFINANCIAL
matters of the family from an early age learn to appreciate their parents hard work. They also recognize the
importance of spending money wisely.

Topic
Some people believe that media should be allowed to publish information about the private lives of famous
people. Others say that everybody has a right to privacy and this practice must be controlled or even
stopped. Discuss both views.
This essay topic was asked in an IELTS test held in Iran in November 2014.

Sample response
We are living in a celebrity obsessed world where everything that famous people do or say makes
headlines. If media publishes stories about the private lives of the rich and the famous, that is because
there is an audience for them. People want to know what celebrities do, say, wear, eat and drink. Media
merely satisfies this need because it makes sound business sense for them.
Public personalities also have a private life that they want to shield from others. Just because they are
famous, the media doesnt have the right to publish all sorts of personal information about them. It has now
become fashionable to publish photos and stories that are demeaning to famous people. This trend must
be condemned. Everybody has flaws; however, when a celebrity exhibits them it becomes news. People
get some weird pleasure from knowing that these famous men and women that they admire are not perfect.
On the flip side, there is a symbiotic relationship between celebrities and the media. One depends on the
other for their existence. Celebrities need media exposure to remain celebrities. They are desperate to stay
in the news. They need media attention to build their career. They become conscious of their right to
privacy only after they have established themselves in the industry. At that stage, however, they cant
expect the media, which fuelled their growth, to stop writing about them.
To conclude, as long as people want to know about the private lives of famous personalities, media will
oblige them with photos and stories. However, I believe that public personalities also have a right to privacy.
Although I wouldnt say that media should stop writing about famous people, I do believe that they should
draw a line. Media must resist the temptation to publish stories that can destroy lives and careers.

http://www.ielts-practice.org/essay-samples/

Some people believe that money brings happiness; others are of the opinion that having too much money
is a problem. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Sample response
Almost all of us are motivated by money. The only reason that most of us spend 8 to 10 hours at the
workplace is to earn money. Money probably doesnt bring happiness, but not having enough money to
take care of our basic needs will seriously limit our happiness. No one wants to live in poverty and no one
will lend to the poor.
Money helps us lead a comfortable life. It helps us provide the best possible education for our children. It
ensures that our near and dear ones have access to medical attention whenever they need it.

Some people believe that the internet should be regulated. Others are against any forms of internet
censorship. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample essay
The internet gives us access to limitless amounts of information. There is no denying the fact that it
exposes us to both good and bad content. Some people believe that the internet should be regulated and
censored. Others disapprove of any kind of censorship because they feel that the internet is a vent through
which the oppressed can express their opinion.
Supporters of internet censorship argue that the internet has content that might be inappropriate for certain
people. For example, they dont want children to be exposed to the online terrorist propaganda or
pornographic materials. This is indeed a valid point. The internet does host lots of materials that are
inappropriate for young children.
However, many people do not regard this argument as legit. In their opinion there are several ways to block
inappropriate content. Parental control software is one of them. It is quite effective and allows parents to
control the content their children access online. In fact, parents can exercise the best form of control by
simply moving the computer to the living room. This way they can keep a tab on their childrens online
activities.
Some totalitarian governments use the inappropriate content argument for their benefit. They censor the
internet to suppress their opposition. In my opinion, this cannot be tolerated at all. Governments that control
the internet are merely demonstrating their inability to manage their affairs. They are afraid of their people
and dont want their opinions to be heard. National security is important but it cannot be at the expense of
freedom.
To conclude, I firmly believe that there are no valid grounds for internet censorship. I sincerely hope that
governments around the world will understand this and stop censoring the internet.

Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment. Why is this happening, and what
measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

Students response
It is generally observed that criminals indulge in more legal offenses after being punished the first time. This
is a result of improper legal system, which has a negative effect on the defected mentality that wrongdoers
have in the first place. Therefore, rehabilitation measures need to be taken to remedy offenders misscalculations.
The reason people who are found guilty continue to breach the law once and again is their exacerbated
negative state of mind. In other words, the negative psychological state which cases them to go against the
legal framework in the first place is not only still existence, but it is even more entrenched after they are
humiliated and punished. In most cases, people offend due to the feeling of self-worthlessness, despair or
greed. In my opinion, the current reckless and brutal punishment scheme, characterized by humiliation,
isolation and low social interaction, contributes to growing these traits, which instigates them to commit
more illegal actions.
There are various measures that can be taken to deal with this issue. First, it is crucial to identify the
negative feelings that caused the illegal action. Aft

There are several advantages to hosting an international sporting event. There are disadvantages too.
Discuss both views and state your opinion.

Students response
The location of global sports events often results in a competition between nations. Although there are clear
downsides for hosting such events, I think the benefits make it attractive.
There are several drawbacks for countries where major sports events take place. Firstly, there is a notable
security threat to the host country due to the sudden influx of people from across the globe, which makes it
harder to undergo a thorough security check on all of them. Additionally, the venues of the events may be
targeted by terrorist groups. Secondly, many fans often choose to use drugs while watching their favourite
events. Intoxicated fans could over-react, which may lead to problems such as fights and other illegal
actions. Nevertheless, I believe such negative consequences can be overcome by increasing security
measures.
In fact I believe hosting sports events that are recognized worldwide bring more benefits than harm.
Primarily, the host country undergoes significant financial activities, which boosts the economy. This is
mainly due to the tourists coming to watch the events. As a result, local businesses also flourish. These
businesses can also leverage their interaction with international costumers by learning about their tastes
and preferences. This can help guide their entrepreneurial decisions if they choose to internationalize their
business. Moreover, the host country gains significant prestige in the international arena, which also drives
more tourists in the future.
In conclusion, I would argue that despite the apparent harmful consequences of hosting international sports
events, the benefits of doing so make it a worthy venture.

Young people are getting more influenced by friends than parents or teachers. Do you agree or disagree?

Sample response
There is no denying the fact that young people are more influenced by their friends than their teachers or
parents. They spend more time with their friends. It is quite natural for them to get influenced by the people
they spend time with.
Parents are the biggest influence on children during the first few years of their life because young children
dont get many opportunities to interact with the world outside their family. When they begin to attend
school, their friends begin to play a more important role in their life. Young children want to dress and
behave like their friends.
Friends exert an even bigger influence on teenagers. Teens tend to have a rebellious streak in them. They
seek freedom and hate it when parents or teachers try to impose restrictions on them. They find the
company of their friends more attractive because people of the same age groups have similar needs,
interests and tastes.
Parents and teachers often assume the role of advisors. They are well-meaning; unfortunately, teens hate
advice. The huge generation gap between children and their parents do not help the situation either.
Teenagers today have access to a lot of things that their parents didnt have when they were young. At this
age, boys and girls experience an irresistible need to fit in with their group. This need encourages them to
adopt the beliefs and behaviors of their friends. Since parents and teachers do not always agree with them,
they find solace in the company of their friends.
To conclude, I totally agree with the statement that young people are more influenced by their friends.
However, I do not feel that this is a positive trend because friends are unlikely to have the unconditional
love that parents have for their children. They also lack the worldly wisdom that parents or teachers have.

With the availability of information on the internet, public libraries are no longer necessary. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Sample response
It is often argued that public libraries have become redundant because of the easy availability of
information online. However, I totally disagree with this idea.
It is true that all information known to the mankind is now available on the internet. Internet accessibility has
also improved over the years. However, this does not mean that public libraries are no longer needed.
Libraries are much more than mere access points for books and information. They serve some other
purposes as well. For example, libraries provide a quiet environment where one can read and learn.
Distractions of everyday life can kill the joy of reading. Libraries offer a solution to this problem.

Also,

when you are in an environment where everyone is reading, you will also be motivated to get your reading
done. This may not be possible at home, even if you can find the same reading material online.
The internet is a vast pool of information but if you dont know what you are looking for, it is nearly
impossible to find relevant information online. Libraries, on the other hand, make research easier by
grouping books on a particular topic together. Even if you dont know anything about a given topic, you will
still be able to find relevant information on that topic. Todays libraries also provide access to computers
and tablets so that users can search online if they need more information on a topic.
Internet accessibility may have improved over the years, but there are still millions of people who do not
have access to the internet. Public libraries are the only sources of information for them. If libraries were to
die, they would be in trouble.
To conclude, despite the existence of all information online, libraries are still important because they
provide an environment conducive to reading and learning.

Some people like to work in a company which offers high salary. Some others think that it is good to work in
a company which offers a good working atmosphere. What is your opinion? Discuss both the views with
examples.

Sample response
Some people prefer high-paying jobs. Others place more importance on the quality of the workplace. This
is basically a matter of personal preference and I dont think that one option is better than the other. It
depends on the unique circumstances of the employee.
In the developing countries many families have a single source of income. Consequently, they need a wellpaying job to take care of their expenses. Also, in many of these countries, people dont get any financial
support from their governments. All of these factors encourage them to opt for a job with a higher salary.
Companies also believe that employees will deliver their best performance when they are offered a good
salary.
The situation is somewhat different in the developed world where many families have multiple sources of
income. People in these countries also get a lot of benefits from their government. Needless to say, they
are not concerned about earning more money; they would rather prefer a good working environment.
There is yet another reason for this preference. The working environment affects the employees
performance in many ways. A study conducted by a multinational company revealed that a good working
environment enhances the efficiency of the employees because it keeps them relaxed. And employees
tend to work better when they are relaxed.
In my opinion, money is as important as the quality of the workplace. After all, everybody should be able to
earn enough to lead a comfortable life. I would like to work in a company that offers a great working
environment and a reasonably good salary.

Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, so protecting them is a waste of resources. To what extent
to you agree or disagree

Response
Some argue that todays advancement has rendered wild animals redundant as we do no need to depend
on them for a balanced living ecosystem, and hence we do not need to protect such animals. In my
opinion, this self-righteous attitude would lead to potential threat to the lifecycle on earth. That said, I
disagree with wasting excessive amount of resources to protect certain animals; human beings should
always take priority.
Day in and day out, scientific findings are revealing the interdependence between earths living organisms.
It is very dangerous to believe that we can survive by sacrificing any of the lives on earth, where they are
humans, animals or plants.
For example, if cats were to suddenly become extinct, there is a high probability that there will be a sudden
increase in the number of bugs that cats feed on. This may introduce new challenges for humans due to
the potential viruses these bugs will spread or the agricultural damage they will cause. Moreover, recent
research evidences show that some wild animals have skills that can complement our lives. For example,
dogs can smell passengers to detect illegal items. Therefore, interfering with animals ecosystems will have
adverse effects on the lives of all living beings on earth.
However, we need not invest excessively in protecting certain organisms. Instead, all we need to do is to
remain vigilant of how our activities affect the existence of other creatures and if our activities are justified.
For example, using animals to produce cosmetics, which also have long term negative effect on womens
skin, is obviously not a prudent move.
However, using mice to experiment new drugs is okay because it is contributing to saving human lives,
which I believe is a priority.
In short, protecting all living creatures is essential, but humans take precedence over animals. Indeed,
unnecessary interference in animals ecosystem may also affect humans in the long run.