IELTS essay writing is an essential part of the IELTS exam. In the IELTS Writing Test, you will need to write two essays within 60 minutes. To achieve a good band score, it is important to understand the different essay types and their requirements. Reviewing model answers or sample essays is a great way to improve your essay writing skills. This article will analyze several IELTS essay samples and provide a detailed breakdown of their content, structure, grammar, vocabulary and more.
Argument Essay Sample 1
Some people think governments should spend more money on spaceships/spaceships exploration rather than focusing on problems on Earth. Others believe this money would be better spent on tackling issues here.
Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
Model Answer:
There is an ongoing debate about whether governments should allocate more funds to space exploration programmes or focus financial resources on solving social and environmental problems on our planet. Both perspectives have certain merits.
Supporters of increased spending on space missions argue that such ventures drive scientific and technological innovation which benefits humanity. Space travel led to various contemporary technologies like water filters, memory-foam and infra-red cameras. They also claim space exploration inspires young minds to pursue careers in STEM subjects. From an economic standpoint, money spent on aerospace creates jobs and boosts industries. Some believe discovering life on other worlds could help answer profound philosophical questions.
Others emphasize that we have urgent issues right here on Earth requiring attention, like poverty, disease, pollution and climate change. They argue limited government budgets are better used to tackle problems affecting millions of lives today rather than funding highly expensive, long-term space initiatives with uncertain returns. It is said existing space agency budgets could make a significant difference if diverted to healthcare, renewable energy or conservation programs. Some also question the priority and feasibility of ambitious manned spaceflight plans in light of financial constraints.
In my view, a balanced approach is sensible. While space programs do offer benefits, governments should put Earth’s well-being first by directing more finances towards sustainability goals outlined in the UN Sustainable Development agenda. At the same time, a certain amount of spending on robotic and crewed space missions can continue since space-based applications aid challenges on our planet related to weather forecasting, communication, agriculture and so on. Overall, an appropriate blend of near-term development with ongoing innovation appears a viable strategy.
Both financing space exploration and concentrating on terrestrial issues have reasonable justifications. Considering urgent environmental and social realities, priority must be accorded to resolving problems here before substantially boosting expenditures elsewhere. A balanced outlook recognizing cross-sector interlinkages seems the optimal way forward.
Argument Essay Sample 2
Universities should ban the sale of junk food on campus. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Model Answer:
I partly agree that universities could benefit students by prohibiting the sale of junk food on their premises. An outright ban may not be the most pragmatic or ethical solution given certain disadvantages.
There are good health and welfare-based arguments for discouraging junk food consumption among students. College years tend to involve erratic lifestyles and eating patterns which promote weight gain if unhealthy snacks are readily available. Obesity and related diseases stemming from poor diets could impact well-being and academic performance negatively. Banning junk food may help inculcate responsible eating habits at a formative life stage.
At the same time, an outright ban also has potential downsides. It could be seen as overly controlling students’ personal choices and removing their agency. Strict regulations do not always achieve behavioral change and may backfire through reactance. Viable affordable meal alternatives would need to be provided ubiquitously if certain options are withdrawn. There are also slippery slope concerns regarding overreach of the university’s regulatory powers. Implementing and enforcing a ban could prove impractical.
A reasonable compromise would be to limit but not eliminate snacks and drinks of minimal nutritional value through restricted availability or special pricing rather than a complete prohibition. Simultaneously, subsidizing healthier dining choices and emphasizing nutritional education appear gentler approaches respecting student autonomy. A balanced environment promoting balanced diets seems preferable to imposing blanket bans which may undermine student welfare in other ways.
While reducing junk food consumption on campuses is a worthy aim, a total prohibition risks being too absolute and impractical to work effectively. A balanced strategy combining responsible availability with promotion of wellness seem most conducive to students’ overall development and welfare.
Report/Proposal Essay Sample
Your university/college is considering starting an exercise program for students to encourage better health and fitness. Write a report for the head of your university/college health center about starting such a program.
You should write at least 250 words and include the following information:
A description of what types of physical activities could be included (e.g. yoga, running club etc.)
An assessment of the benefits of such a program for students
An outline of the basic resources and organization required
Your recommendation as to whether or not the program should be implemented and why
Model Answer:
Dear Head of Health Center,
I am writing to propose the implementation of a new campus-wide student exercise program. Activities could include yoga and Pilates classes, a running club, swimming lessons and team sports like volleyball.
There are many advantages to such a program. Regular physical activity helps reduce stress and improve mental well-being, which are significant concerns for college students. It also promotes better physical health by preventing obesity, diabetes and heart disease risk factors that often start during young adulthood. Group exercise offers social support which can make establishing healthy habits more sustainable.
To organize the program, we would need to hire qualified fitness instructors for different activities, schedule session times table and reserve appropriate campus facilities like the gymnasium or outdoor fields. Simple registration via the university portal and provision of T-shirts or water bottles could incentivize participation. Periodic fitness assessments can track benefits.
In my view, considering students’ wellness should be a top priority. If launched properly with appropriate resources, this program could meaningfully enhance our students’ quality of life. I strongly recommend implementing it to encourage active, healthy lifestyles from the beginning of university life. Kindly approve of this proposal so we can get started in the coming semester.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Argument Essay Sample 3
Some people believe that university education should be available free of charge to all students. Others, Disagree and think students should pay tuition fees. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answer:
This issue elicits reasonable arguments on both sides. Supporters of free higher education highlight its role in building an educated workforce and promoting social equity and mobility. Others contend that taxpayer-funded university places are not financially sustainable and reducing personal investment may compromise educational quality and outcomes. On balance, I believe a hybrid system balancing access with accountability has most advantages.
Those advocating tuition-free universities argue this expands learning opportunities regardless of socioeconomic background. Especially for developing countries, a skilled population is indispensable for economic progress. Without fees as an obstacle, qualified students facing financial constraints can secure college seats. Proponents also observe most youth cannot afford tuition out of pocket and rely on student loans aggravating debt burdens.
Conversely, others point out universities are expensive to run and governments have limited budgets amid other needs like healthcare and infrastructure. Taxpayers may resent subsiding other individuals’ higher education when resources could support basic public services better. Reducing personal investment through free tuition risks diminishing students’ sense of responsibility and incentive to study diligently. It could even raise costs by enabling uncommitted enrolment.
In my opinion, neither completely free nor prohibitively expensive university is preferable. A balanced model with relatively affordable tuition supplemented by needs-based aid seems optimal. This encourages academic merit and commitment while keeping college reasonably accessible. Regular performance reviews can ensure continued subsidies subject to satisfactory results. Such a system balances the interests of students, taxpayers as well as institutions’ obligations regarding sustainable funding and high educational standards.
Making higher education entirely tuition-free or unaffordable to most are both flawed solutions. A moderate, hybrid approach appropriately balancing participation with quality and responsibility overall serves students and societies better in the long run.
As you can see from these examples, top-scoring IELTS essays clearly address the task, present a balanced analysis of different perspectives and ultimately state an opinion with justifications. Features like academic vocabulary, clear structure, varied connecting words and appropriate grammar are evident. Reviewing model responses such as these helps improve writing techniques for achieving a high band score. I hope this breakdown provides useful insights into writing effective IELTS essays. Let me know if any part needs further explanation.
Andrew Stroud