Conclusions for writing task 2

Some students have written in and told me that they didn’t write a conclusion for their essay. They wanted to know if it is a serious problem to run out of time and miss the conclusion. The questions below are for both GT and Academic students.

Questions for you:

1. Do you think the conclusion is important in writing task 2?
2. Do you think having no conclusion is a serious problem for your band score?

Answers

I have written a full page answer for these questions.

Click here: Is a Conclusion Important? Tips and Advice

IELTS Model Essay Answer for June 2017. The IELTS essay question was reported in the academic test on 17th June, 2017 – just two days ago. It’s a difficult topic for students who have not prepared ideas for court trials. Use my model essay below to develop ideas.

There is a list of useful vocabulary and useful links below the model answer.

June 2017 IELTS Essay Question

In some countries,some criminal trials in law courts are shown on television so that the general public can watch.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

June 2017 IELTS Model Essay

Below is a model essay answer for the IELTS essay question above. Remember there are a number of different ways of writing this essay question and this model answer offers one way.

 

Model Essay Answer

In recent years, criminal trials have been televised in some countries to allow the public an opportunity to watch them. I believe, although there are advantages, making trials public can lead to too much injustice and other problems.

One of the main advantages of allowing court trials to be broadcast on TV is that the entire judicial system is open to the public to watch and supervise. In some countries where the judicial system is corrupt, it would be a step forward towards more justice by televising the trials as it is overseen by the public. Another benefit is that opening the doors of the court room allows the public rights to information. The public have a right to know the details of trials so that they can form their own opinions. This is important in countries where the government has restricted public access to information.

On the other hand, allowing trials to be shown on TV has serious consequences. Firstly, the public might form opinions which are based on mass media bias and a lack of understanding of the legal system. This public and media pressure might affect the outcome of the trial and justice will not be served. Secondly, the legal team might see this as an opportunity to promote themselves which means they may be distracted and not put all their attention into defending or prosecuting. Lastly, the jury is supposed to decide the verdict but by televising the trial, the entire public removes the effectiveness of a jury system.

In conclusion, regardless of the benefits, the disadvantages of an open televised trial can be devastating due to public and media pressure which might result in a lack of justice.

Words = 284 (please note I put the word count for your benefit, you don’t need to do this in your test)

Useful Language

shown on TV = televised = broadcast on TV

court trials = legal proceedings in court

justice / injustice

judicial system = legal system

outcome of the trial = results of the trial = verdict

defending / prosecuting

jury / judge

More Useful Language: Crime & Punishment Vocabulary for IELTS

See ALL Vocabulary for IELTS pages

 

Below is a list of IELTS essay questions reported this month, June 2017. I’ve listed the topics for each question so you can see the common trends this month. There are 10 topics listed.

Notice: These questions are NOT predictions. It is not possible to predict questions in IELTS. They are reported topics. Following trending topics is useful as topics can be repeated but there is no guarantee you will get them.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions June 2017

1. Topic: Work

Countries with long working days are more economically successful, but there are also some negative social consequences. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some countries have introduced a new law deciding how many hours employers can ask their employees to work. Why do you think they implemented this law? And do you think it is a positive or negative decision?

2. Topic: Education

In some countries it has been observed that many parents choose to teach their children at home rather than sending them to school. Do the advantages of children studying at home outweigh the disadvantages?

The teaching situation of teacher and students in a classroom will no longer be exist by the year 2050.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

3. Topic: Environment & Economy

Some people believe that a country will be able to be economically success and also have a clean environment. Some people disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

 

4. Topic: Money & Economy

Some people think that the money they earn should be enjoyed by spending it now, while other thinks that their earnings should be saved for future. Discuss both the views & give your opinion.

5. Topic: Housing

In some countries, people prefer to rent a house for accommodation, while in other countries people prefer to buy their own house. Does renting a house have more advantages or disadvantages than buying a house?

6. Topic: Transport 

Many people think that the government should spent money on developing and improving road systems. Others think that car drivers should pay the cost for it. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

7. Topic: Government Funding

Governments spend a lot of money on public celebrations such as national holidays and public festivals. Some people say that the government spends too much on this and that they should use this money on other useful things. Do you agree or disagree?

8. Topic: Society 

Some people say that its better for young people to follow the traditions of society. However, others believe that its better to follow one’s own ideas and ways of living. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion,

9. Topic: Crime & Punishment

Some people think that criminal activities can be reduced by implementing long prison sentences. However, others think that it can be reduced effectively by alternative ways. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

In some countries,some criminal trials in law courts are shown on television so that the general public can watch.
Do the advantages of allowing this outweigh the disadvantages?

10. Topic: Space

Space travel is now possible and some say that space tourism may probably developed in the future. To what extent do you agree?

More Links for IELTS Writing task 2:

• 100 IELTS Essay Questions
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Lessons, Tips and Model Answers
• Recent Exam Questions for Speaking & Writing

Yesterday I asked you to choose words in order to paraphrase the paragraph below. If you didn’t see the lesson, please check it before you see the answers: Paraphrasing Practice Exercise 2

It is sometimes thought that it is beneficial for companies to sponsor sports events through advertising. By doing this, extra funding, which is often lacking, can be raised to support sports events and ensure that they continue to run. Furthermore, companies can also contribute clothing or equipment which supports the event, teams and players.

Answers

Below you will find two answers; two paragraphs and a list of changes. The first answer is for the yesterday’s lesson. The second answer is a free paraphrasing example to show you how this paragraph can be altered further.

Answer 1: Some people believe that it is advantageous for business to sponsor sports events through advertisements. In this way, extra funding, which is often in short supply, can be raised to support sports events and ensure they continue to run. Furthermore, companies can also contribute clothing or equipment which supports the event, team and players.

Word Changes and Tips

1. It is sometimes thought that = Some people believe that
2. it is beneficial = it is advantageous
3. companies = businesses (you should not paraphrase companies as industries)
4. By doing this = In this way (you should not write “When we”, it is too informal for an IELTS essay)
5. extra funding should not be paraphrased as extra cash (it is too informal in this context. Although, the word “cash” can be used in other situations, such as talking about using cash or cards)
6. is often lacking = in short supply (you should not paraphrase it as “a lack of” because it is grammatically incorrect)
7. sports events – it’s best not to paraphrase this. The words “sports occasion” is incorrect in meaning. Not all words can be paraphrased. But you can give examples of sports events instead. Some words will be repeated in English.
8. Furthermore can’t be paraphrased as And. The reason is that “and” never goes at the start of a sentence in a formal essay.
9. clothing should not be paraphrased as attire in this context. Certainly the meaning is similar but the word attire does not relate to sports wear. The word “sports wear” is the best paraphrase to use.
10. players should not be paraphrased as “performers”. The word “performers” is not used in sport in this context.

Free Paraphrasing

Answer 2: Some people think it is advantageous for sports companies to use advertising to sponsor sports events, such as football matches or the Olympics.  The extra funding from businesses is frequently much needed, as government funding can be limited. Sports events benefit from the extra finances as the money allows them to continue running and also, at times, provides teams and players with free sports wear or equipment, which are often too costly for them to buy. 

Paraphrasing Practice Exercise 2

The aim of this lesson is paraphrase the paragraph by using the words given below. This is a great practice for IELTS writing task 2. It is all about choosing the right words.  The paragraph below is based on a writing task 2 topic that has been reported this month, May 2017: Companies Sponsoring Sports Events.

This is the second paraphrasing practice exercise for writing task 2. If you want to see the first one, click here:  Paraphrasing Practice Exercise 1

Paragraph:

Paraphrase the words in this paragraph using the words in the box below. Only paraphrase a word if you are sure it is appropriate to do so.

It is sometimes thought that it is beneficial for companies to sponsor sports events through advertising. By doing this, extra funding, which is often lacking, can be raised to support sports events and ensure that they continue to run. Furthermore, companies can also contribute clothing or equipment which supports the event, teams and players.

Paraphrasing Options:

You must write the paragraph above again by paraphrasing it using the words below. You do not need to use all the words. You must decide which words to use and which words not to use.

some citizens believe       /        some people believe       /      advantage       /   good       /      advantageous        /       industries          /  businesses          / sporting occasions        /      matches   /     when we do this        /    in this way      /      extra cash     /    a lack of      /      in short supply        /   sports matches   /    And      /     industries    /    businesses    /    give      /    donate        /   attire  /  groups     /      performers    /   coordinate

 

Answers :

You can now view the answers: Answers to this lesson

 

 

Hi guys,

Below are the answers to yesterday’s lesson on proof reading for writing.

1. Research in space explorations can lead to new cutting edge technology.
   1. Answer: There are two problems with this sentence. “space exploration” is uncountable and therefore there is no “s” needed. Also the word “cutting-edge” requires a hyphen when it is used as an adjective but not when it is used as a noun. In our sentence, it is used as an adjective.
   2. Full correct sentence: Research in space exploration can lead to new cutting-edge technology.
2. Improving handwriting skills is still essential even in todays modern world.
   1. Answer: There is only one mistake in this sentence. The word “todays” should have an apostrophe = today’s.
   2. Extra comment: “Improving handwriting skills” is a noun phrase and is singular. Therefore the verb is singular.
   3. Full correct sentence: Improving handwriting skills is still essential even in today’s modern world.
3. Increasing number of people are choosing to to travel by car rather than public transports.
   1. Answer: There are two mistakes in this sentence. An article is missing at the start = an increasing number & “transport” is uncountable so no “s”
   2. Full correct sentence: An increasing number of people are choosing to travel by car rather than public transport.
4. If students are involved in making decisions about how a school is run it might lead to problems.
   1. Answer: There is only one mistake in this sentence. The sentence needs a comma to divide the clauses.
   2. Full correct sentence: If students are involved in making decisions about how a school is run, it might lead to problems.
5. While some people think that children should be given more homework, others believe that children should be free for enjoy their leisure time.
   1. Answer: there is only one mistake with this sentence. The proposition is wrong: for = to.
   2. Full correct sentence: While some people think that children should be given more homework, others believe that children should be free to enjoy their leisure time.

Summary of common mistakes

Uncountable nouns: This is one of the most common mistakes in IELTS writing. Students do not pay attention to them. See this list of Uncountable Common Nouns

Gerunds and noun phrases are singular. A gerund is a verb+ing which is used as a noun and it is always singular. See the video below to see an example of this.

Articles: “a” and “the”. So many students miss articles. The most common mistake I see is: “Government should …”. The word “government” is a noun which requires an article. “The government should …”. Always review your articles.

Punctuation: Don’t forget your commas between clauses 🙂

Video Lesson

Making a complex sentence: Using a gerund

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nkwOxLwyQ8″]

 

How good are you at proof reading and spotting mistakes?

In IELTS writing, the more mistakes you make with grammar, the lower your band score will be in that assessment criterion. Grammar counts for 25% of your marks in writing. Learning to proof read your essays is an essential skill to develop.

The following sentences contain mistakes. Can you spot them?

Each sentence contains one or two mistakes.

1. Research in space explorations can lead to new cutting edge technology.
2. Improving handwriting skills is still essential even in todays modern world.
3. Increasing number of people are choosing to to travel by car rather than public transports.
4. If students are involved in making decisions about how a school is run it might lead to problems.
5. While some people think that children should be given more homework, others believe that children should be free for enjoy their leisure time.

Answers

The answers are now available to see. Click the link below:

Answers for this lesson

 

More IELTS Essay Writing Lessons 

If you would like more lessons, tips and see some model essays, please see this page: IELTS Writing Task 2 Main Page