Matching Headings Question: IELTS Reading Exercise

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In this question you must match the correct heading to the correct section of the passage. Matching headings questions are common in IELTS reading and are one of the longest to complete. This is a practice exercise for students, not an IELTS test.

Take time to read through the headings given. Spot which ones are similar or contain similar language – they are often traps. Also check the number of headings given, usually there are more headings available than are needed.

The heading usually relates to the general aim of a section.

Antimicrobial Resistance

A) While antibiotic resistance refers specifically to the resistance to antibiotics that occurs in common bacteria that cause infections, antimicrobial resistance is a broader term, encompassing resistance to drugs to treat infections caused by other microbes. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial drug that was originally effective for treatment of infections caused by it. Resistant microorganisms (including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites) are able to withstand attack by antimicrobial drugs, such as antibacterial drugs (e.g., antibiotics), antifungals, antivirals, and antimalarials, so that standard treatments become ineffective and infections persist, increasing the risk of spread to others. The evolution of resistant strains is a natural phenomenon that occurs when microorganisms replicate themselves erroneously or when resistant traits are exchanged between them. The use and misuse of antimicrobial drugs accelerates the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Poor infection control practices, inadequate sanitary conditions and inappropriate food-handling encourages the further spread of AMR.

B) New resistance mechanisms emerge and spread worldwide threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases, resulting in death and disability of individuals who until recently could continue a normal course of life. Without effective anti-infective treatment, many standard medical treatments will fail or turn into very high risk procedures. This would be a financially draining situation for wealthy countries but for the poorer ones, it could have catastrophic effects.

C) Infections caused by resistant microorganisms often fail to respond to the standard treatment, resulting in prolonged illness, higher health care expenditures, and a greater risk of death. As an example, the death rate for patients with serious infections caused by common bacteria treated in hospitals can be about twice that of patients with infections caused by the same non-resistant bacteria. For example, people with MRSA (another common source of severe infections in the community and in hospitals) are estimated to be 64% more likely to die than people with a non-resistant form of the infection.

D) WHO’s report on global surveillance of antimicrobial resistance reveals that antibiotic resistance is no longer a prediction for the future; it is happening right now, across the world, and is putting at risk the ability to treat common infections in the community and hospitals. Without urgent, coordinated action, the world is heading towards a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries, which have been treatable for decades, can once again kill.

Questions 1-4

Choose the correct heading from the list below (i-x)

Choose the correct heading for sections A-D from the list of headings below.

i. A fatal threat

ii. A global concern.

iii. The evolution of resistance

iv. MRSA in hospitals

v. The present situation

vi. What is antimicrobial resistance?

vii. Protecting future generations

  1. Section A =
  2. Section B =
  3. Section C =
  4. Section D =
Answers
  1. vi
  2. ii
  3. i
  4. v

(passage adapted from WHO)

All reading exercises on ieltsliz.com have been written by myself to help you prepare for your IELTS test.   

Liz

Vocabulary
  • broader term = a more general term
  • encompassing = including
  • persist = continue
  • phenomenon = occurrence
  • replicate = copy / reproduce
  • erroneously = mistakenly
  • sanitary = hygienic  / clean
  • catastrophic = disastrous / terrible / devastating
  • prolonged = lengthy (prolonged illness = chronic illness)

Recommended

Matching Heading Practice: Medium Level

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Finding Ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2

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Before your test for your preparation, you need to find and develop ideas for IELTS writing task 2 topics. Your ideas and the way you present ideas make up 25% of your marks in writing task 2. So, you need to prepare ideas for common topics.

Follow the links to find a list of common topics for writing task 2 and also to get a list of over 100 IELTS essay questions. You can also follow the next link to see recent IELTS topics and questions posted by students after their IELTS test. Use these questions and topics as a starting point to develop ideas.

Developing Ideas For IELTS Essays?

There are two ways you can find ideas for topics before your test. Below are your two options:

1.  Using the Internet for Ideas

Take an essay question or topic and type it into google. Then start researching. There are always plenty of model essays, which although not always safe to use as models for IELTS, are good for gaining ideas and vocabulary. You can also visit debate websites which show you pros and cons of different topics or different world issues. 

2. Ideas for Essay Topics E-book

You can purchase an e-book which contains ideas and vocabulary for over 150 IELTS essay topics. 

The ideas in the e-book are presented as exercises to help you remember the ideas and learn the vocabulary. Don’t forget that vocabulary counts for 25% of your writing task 2 marks so you will need to review or develop your word knowledge. Click here: Sample Chapter. Click here: E-book in Liz’s Store

The method you choose for developing ideas will largely depend on the time you have before your test. If you like convenience, get the e-book. If you have lots of time, do your own research.

Planning Ideas During Your Test

It is important that you take time to analyse the essay question and plan your ideas properly. You are being marked not using relevant ideas, presenting them clearly and explaining them fully. Use at least 5 mins to make plans before you start writing. Remember – you control the time during the writing test. You have 1 hour for task 1 and task 2. It is your choice how long you spend on each one and which order you do them in. Click here: IELTS essay planning tips.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Band 9

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The IELTS writing task 2 sample answer below has examiner comments and is band score 9. The topic of social media is common and this IELTS essay question was reported in the IELTS test. Check the model essay and then read the comments.

Target Band 7, 8 and 9 in IELTS Essays

Many people think that the techniques used to get a band score 7 vary from those to get a band score 9. This is not the case. The techniques for a band score 9 essay are the techniques for all essays regardless of what score you are aiming for. The result of your band score will be decided by how well you apply those techniques, how well you address the task, and the level of your English language. So, the essay below is one that all IELTS candidates can learn from.

IELTS BAND 9 MODEL ESSAY

Many people believe that social networking sites (such as Facebook) have had a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.

To what extent do you agree?

Social networking sites, for instance Facebook, are thought by some to have had a detrimental effect on individual people as well as society and local communities. However, while I believe that such sites are mainly beneficial to the individual, I agree that they have had a damaging effect on local communities.

With regards to individuals, the impact that online social media has had on each individual person has clear advantages. Firstly, people from different countries are brought together through such sites as Facebook whereas before the development of technology and social networking sites, people rarely had the chance to meet or communicate with anyone outside of their immediate circle or community. Secondly, Facebook also has social groups which offer individuals a chance to meet and participate in discussions with people who share common interests.

On the other hand, the effect that Facebook and other social networking sites have had on societies and local communities can only be seen as negative. Rather than individual people taking part in their local community, they are instead choosing to take more interest in people online. Consequently, the people within local communities are no longer forming close or supportive relationships. Furthermore, society as a whole is becoming increasingly disjointed and fragmented as people spend more time online with people they have never met face to face and who they are unlikely to ever meet in the future.

To conclude, although social networking sites have brought individuals closer together, they have not had the same effect on society or local communities. Local communities should do more to try and involve local people in local activities  in order to promote the future of community life.

Examiner Comments: This essay was about how social media impacts two aspects: 1) individuals, which means people  2) society, which also means communities. This essay did address both of these aspects of social media and developed them both sufficiently for a high score. The writer presented a clear opinion and retained this opinion throughout the essay. Organisation of ideas into paragraphs was logical. Signposting and linking were also flexible. Furthermore, the word length of this essay is typical for anyone aiming for band score 7 and above. Words 280 = this is a sufficient length for a high score. A long essay (well over 300 words) is not helpful for a high score in Task Response, particular as IELTS essays are designed to be highly focused and quite short.

Useful IELTS Pages for Writing and Other Sections

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True False Not Given: IELTS Reading Practice Lessons

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Free practice reading for IELTS True False Not Given questions. IELTS reading TFNG questions come in both the Academic reading test and the General Training reading test. Below are 4 FREE practice lessons for IELTS TFNG questions. They are practice lessons for IELTS candidates and are aimed at helping people develop awareness and skills to successfully tackle these types of reading questions. Before you do reading practice, watch this Free Video Lesson about how to successfully tackle these questions: TFNG Tips Video

Note: If you are confused about the answers to any questions below, please check the comments boxes where I have explained in detail.

What are True, False, Not Given Questions?

These are questions where you are required to decide whether the information in the question statement is true, false or not given based on what you read in the passage. A TRUE answer is one where the question statement matches the passage information. A FALSE answer is one where the question statement doesn’t match the information because it is incorrect or gives an opposite meaning. A NOT GIVEN answer is one where there isn’t enough information in the passage to decide if the statement is correct or not.

Now try the reading passages below:

TFNG Reading: Exercise 1

Passage: The Thames Tunnel

The Thames Tunnel was a tunnel built under the River Thames in London. It was the first subaqueous tunnel ever built and many people were so amazed that they exaggerated their description of it calling it the Eight Wonder of the World at the time it was opened. It was opened in 1843 to pedestrians only and people came from far and wide to see the marvel. The day it was first opened, it attracted five thousand people to enter the tunnel and walk its length of almost 400 metres. The Thames Tunnel was used by people from all classes. Most working class people used it for its functional use of crossing from one side of the river to the other as they went to work each day, while for the middle classes and upper classes, it was a tourist experience. In the age of sail and horse-drawn coaches, people voyaged a long way to visit the tunnel, but this was not enough to make the tunnel a financial success. It had cost over £500,000 to complete which in those days was a considerable amount of money. However, even though it attracted about 2 million people each year, each person only paid a penny to use it. The aim had been for the tunnel to be used by wheeled vehicles to transport cargo so that it could bring in a profit. But this failed and the tunnel eventually became nothing more than a tourist attraction selling souvenirs and a subaqueous pathway connecting either side of the river. walkway. However, in 1865, the tunnel became part of the London Underground railway system which continues to be its use today.

Questions 1-8

Are the following statements true, false or not given according to the information in the passage above?

  • True = the statement matches the information in the passage.
  • False = the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
  • Not Given = the information is not found in the passage.
  •  
  1. The Thames Tunnel was the first tunnel ever built under a river.
  2. The Thames Tunnel was the Eighth Wonder of the World.
  3. People were drawn from all over to see the Thames Tunnel.
  4. The tunnel was used more by the middle and upper classes.
  5. People were able to travel by sea or land in those days.
  6. The aim of the tunnel was to turn a profit as a tourist attraction.
  7. Statues of the tunnel could be bought as souvenirs.
  8. The tunnel is no longer used as a pedestrian walkway to cross the river.

Answers

Click below to reveal the answers.

Answers
  1. TRUE
    1. “It was the first subaqueous tunnel ever built… “
    2. You might not know the word “subaqueous” but I’m sure you are familiar with “subway” which means a way under the ground. You might also recognise the word “aqua” as being connected with water. Even if you don’t know words, you can make an educated guess about the answer.  
  2. FALSE
    1. The Wonders of the World are places in the world that have been agreed upon internationally as wonders. This means they are factually labelled as Wonders of the World. Such places are not believed to be wonders but are official recognised as wonders.
    2. The passage states: “…many believed it was the Eighth Wonder of the World at the time…… ” The word “believes” implies it is not factual information. Therefore this answer is FALSE. Remember, IELTS is about reading beyond for meaning rather than matching words.
  3. TRUE
    1. “…drew people from far and wide…”
    2. The word “draw” in this context means to attract.
    3. “from all over” is an expression. It is idiomatic which means the words form an expression with a special meaning. This expression means – from many places around the world. The expression does not mean “all countries, for example every country in the world”. The words should not be interpreted individually or literally because it is an idiomatic expression. If you struggle with idiomatic language, please get an idiomatic dictionary which will help you learn meanings of these expressions.
  4. NOT GIVEN
    1. The passage does not state how much each class used the tunnel.
    2. For this answer to be false, the passage would need to show which class used the tunnel more and which used it least, but this information isn’t given.
  5. TRUE
    1. “In the age of sail and horse-drawn coaches….”
    2. “sail” refers to boats (sea travel) which is a method of travelling on the sea
    3. “horse-drawn coaches” were a land method of travel
    4. in the age of = at this time in history”
    5. the meaning of this phrase is “at this time, people could travel by sea (boat) or by land (coaches)”
  6. FALSE
    1. “The aim had been for the tunnel to be used by wheeled vehicles to transport cargo so that it could bring in a profit.”
  7. NOT GIVEN
    1. There is no information about what types of souvenirs were sold.
  8. TRUE
    1. “In 1865, the tunnel became part of the London Underground system which continues to be its use today.” This means that it is used as a railway, not as a walkway. 

Note: This passage was created by IELTS Liz. Information for this passage was sourced from various websites: ikbrunel.org.uk, wiki, britcannica.com and other sources.

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TFNG Reading: Exercise 2

Passage: Pyramid Building

The most famous pyramid is the Great Pyramid of Giza which is actually only one of over a hundred surviving pyramids. There is a long-standing question about how the pyramids were built given the lack of technology over 4,000 years ago but scientists are piecing together the puzzle. The blocks which make up the pyramids were hewn from quarries and then transported to the pyramids for construction. This was an incredible feat considering the distance that the raw materials had to travel and their enormous weight. The transportation of the materials was either by river using a boat or by land using a wooden sledge. Given the softness of the ground, the wheel would have been of little use had it been invented at that time. It is believed that the sand in front of the sledge was wet with water in order to facilitate the movement of the sledge and reduce friction. These sledges were pulled manually or sometimes by using beasts of burden depending on the ease at which the sledges could move over the ground. Interestingly, two thousand years after the pyramid building era of the Ancient Egyptians, the Romans moved stones using similar techniques at Baalbek. Once the blocks arrived at the pyramid construction site, it is thought they were moved into place using a ramp and pulley system.

The Old Kingdom period in Ancient Egyptian history is also known as the pyramid building era. The Ancient Egyptians achieved the most remarkable feats of building work which have still not been surpassed, particularly given the primitive technology used to build them. There is nothing remotely mystical or magical about how the pyramids were built as is commonly thought. Further still, while popular belief is that the Great Pyramid was built using slave labour, this theory has since been debunked. The first building made in a pyramid shape is thought to be the Stepped Pyramid which consists of six steps placed on top of each other in a pyramid shape to create the world’s first superstructure. The credit to finally achieving a smooth sided pyramid goes to Imhotep, an architect commissioned by King Sneferu. The pyramids were not an instant achievement, but the achievement of trial and error.

Questions 1-8

Decide if the statements below are True, False or Not Given according to the information in the passage.

  1. The controversy over the method used in the construction of the pyramids has been solved by scientists.
  2. It is possible that Ancient Egyptians could have lubricated paths to aid transportation by sledge.
  3. Sleds were dragged by animals not humans.
  4. The Romans learned the techniques of moving huge stones from the Ancient Egyptians.
  5. The building work of the Ancient Egyptians is unrivalled.
  6. Many people believe that magic may have been used by the Ancient Egyptians to build the pyramids.
  7. The Great Pyramid was built using slave labour.
  8. It took more than one attempt to get the construction of the pyramids right.

Note: Photo by Les Anderson

Answers

Click below to reveal the answers:

Answers
  1. FALSE
    • “…scientists are piecing together the puzzle.” = currently – a work in progress – not finished.
  2. TRUE
    • “It is believed that the sand in front of the sledge was wet with water in order to facilitate the movement of the sledges and reduce friction.”
  3. FALSE
    • “These sledges were pulled manually or sometimes by using beasts of burden …” 
    • manually = by hand (people)
    • beast of burden = animal
  4. Not Given
    • The passage gives no information about who the Roman’s learned from.
    • “…using similar techniques at Baalbek”. The preposition “at” means that “Baalbek” is a place, not a person.
  5.  TRUE
    • “The Ancient Egyptians achieved the most remarkable feats of building work which have still not been surpassed ….”
  6.  TRUE
    •  “There is nothing remotely mystical or magical about how the pyramids were built as is commonly thought. “
    • Meaning: “There is nothing magical – as is commonly thought.
    • Meaning: “There is nothing magical but many people think there is.”
    • The term “as is commonly thought” changes the whole meaning of the sentence given and converts it to the meaning above. This is high level English. If you get this question wrong, it is due to language, not technique. 
    • If you struggle to understand this one, you might need to ask an English language teacher to give you a lesson on the use of this expression.
  7. FALSE
    • “…while popular belief is that the Great Pyramid was built using slave labour, this theory has since been debunked.”
    • debunked = discredited
  8. TRUE
    • “The pyramids were not an instant achievement, but the achievement of trial and error.”

Note: This passage was created by IELTS Liz. Information for this passage was sourced from various websites: catchpenny..org, wiki, bbc.co.uk and other sources

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TFNG Reading: Exercise 3

Passage: Beethoven

Composer Ludwig van Beethoven was born on or near December 16, 1770, in Bonn, Germany. He is widely considered the greatest composer of all time. Sometime between the births of his two younger brothers, Beethoven’s father began teaching him music with an extraordinary rigour and brutality, which  affected him for the rest of his life. On a near daily basis, Beethoven was flogged, locked in the cellar and deprived of sleep for extra hours of practice. He studied the violin and clavier with his father as well as taking additional lessons from organists around town. Beethoven was a prodigiously talented musician from his earliest days and displayed flashes of the creative imagination that would eventually reach farther than any composer’s before or since.

In 1804, Beethoven was completing his third symphony, which he at first named “Bonaparte” in honour of Napoleon. However, when later that year Napoleon proclaimed himself Emperor, Beethoven was so disappointed that he renamed his composition “Eroica”. This work, his greatest and most original to date, debuted in Vienna in 1805. It was so unlike anything heard before that through weeks of rehearsal, the musicians could not figure out how to play it. At the same time as he was composing these great and immortal works, Beethoven was trying hard to come to terms with a shocking and terrible fact, one that he tried desperately to conceal. He was going deaf. At the turn of the century, Beethoven struggled to make out the words spoken to him in conversation.

Despite his extraordinary output of beautiful music, Beethoven was frequently miserable throughout his adult life. Beethoven died on March 26, 1827, at the age of 56.

Notice: The passage above is from biography.com. You can read the full article on this page: Ludwig Van Beethoven. There is also a great video to watch about this composer.

Questions 1 – 6

Are the following statements True, False or Not Given according to the information in the passage.

  1. It is not known exactly when Beethoven was born.
  2. Beethoven’s father took a forbearing approach to teaching his son music.
  3. Beethoven’s father was also a talented musician.
  4. Beethoven’s  Symphony No. 3 was inspired by a famous man.
  5. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 premiered just before Napoleon became Emperor.
  6. In the early 1800’s Beethoven struggled to follow a conversation.

Answers

Click below to reveal the answers.

Answers
  1. True
  2. False
    • forbearing means tolerant and patient. The passage shows his father took the opposite approach.
  3. Not Given
    • “He studied the violin and clavier with his father” – the passage does not state whether his father was talented as a musician or not.
  4. Not Given
    • For a false answer, the passage would need to state that the inspiration was not a famous man but something or someone else. But the passage doesn’t give any information about the inspiration behind the music.
    • Problems people have with this answer:
      • “original work” means it is work that has not been done before and has not copied other existing works.
      • This is not connected to the concept of inspiration at all. Many original works do stem from an inspiration of some kind. Inspiration does not make a piece of work unoriginal.
  5. FALSE
    • The passage states that the Symphony No. 3 “debuted in Vienna in 1805”. This was the year after Napoleon was made Emperor.
  6. True
    • “At the turn of the century, Beethoven struggled to make out the words spoken to him in conversation.”

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TFNG Reading Exercise 4

Passage: Spam Messaging 

SPAM, as every user of mobile phones in China is aware to their intense annoyance, is a roaring trade in China. Its delivery-men drive through residential neighbourhoods in “text-messaging cars”, with illegal but easy-to-buy gadgetry they use to hijack links between mobile-phone users and nearby communications masts. They then target the numbers they harvest, blasting them with spam text messages before driving away. Mobile-phone users usually see only the wearisome results: another sprinkling of spam messages offering deals on flats, investment advice and dodgy receipts for tax purposes.

Chinese mobile-users get more spam text messages than their counterparts anywhere else in the world. They received slightly more than 300 billion of them in 2013, or close to one a day for each person using a mobile phone. Users in bigger markets like Beijing and Shanghai receive two a day, or more than 700 annually, accounting for perhaps one-fifth to one-third of all texts. Americans, by comparison, received an estimated 4.5 billion junk messages in 2011, or fewer than 20 per mobile-user for the year—out of a total of more than two trillion text messages sent.

(Notice: Passage from The economist, November 2014)

Questions 1-6

Decide if the following questions are true, false or not given according to the information in the passage.

  1. In China, SPAM text messaging is a successful business.
  2. People’s phone numbers are collected through the use of technology which cannot be readily bought.
  3. In no other country do people receive more Spam texts than in China.
  4. In 2013, the number of SPAM texts increased considerably to reach at least 300 billion.
  5. The majority of all texts received in Shanghai and Beijing are SPAM.
  6. In 2011, Americans sent more texts than anywhere else in the world.

Answers

Click below to reveal the answers.

Answers
  1. True
    1. roaring trade
  2. False
    1. the gadgetry = technology
    2. easy to buy = readily bought
    3. This is false because the passage shows it is easy to buy which contradicts the statement.
  3. True
  4. Not Given
    1. The statement says – the number of texts increased. This means it was previously lower and increased to 300 billion or more. You need to find information in this passage as to whether this number increased, decreased or remained the same compared to the previous year. 
    2. If you only tried to match numbers, you failed to pay attention to the information in the statement. The keywords were “increased to reach” 
    3. over 300 billion means more than 300 billion
  5. False
    1. only one third are SPAM at the most
  6. Not Given
Vocabulary
  • intense = strong / extreme
  • roaring business = successful business / booming business
  • residential = suburban
  • gadget = device
  • harvest information = collect / gather
  • sprinkling = smattering
  • counterparts = equals / colleagues
  • spam messages = junk messages
  • digits = numbers / numerals

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IELTS Discussion Essay Model Answer with Techniques & Tips

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This IELTS Discussion Essay Model Essay Answer Band 9 with some techniques and tips.  The Discussion Essay is a common essay type and requires you to discuss two sides of a given issue. This essay type is for both Academic and GT IELTS Writing Task 2.

TECHNIQUES & TIPS FOR IELTS DISCUSSION ESSAY

Discussion Essays are probably the easiest to write of all IELTS essays so be glad if you get one in your test.

  1. Two Types of Discussion Essay
    1. There will be two sides of the same thing, such as homework is good for children / homework is bad for children.
    2. There will be two different options, such as the government should focus on building housing or on parks. These are two different things and you must address both.
  2. Instructions:
    • Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
    • Note: the discussion is not more important than the opinion. All parts of the instructions are important to fulfil.
  3. Identify both sides of the discussion in the essay question and prepare ideas (reasons why each side is valid)
    • each side is about why other people support that side
  4. Choose your main ideas
    • you don’t get a higher band score because you have more ideas.
    • you get a higher band score because your ideas are relevant and well-developed.
    • so, decide which ideas to use. You will usually have about two reasons to explain for each side of the discussion.
  5. Decide your opinion.
    • Do you agree with one of the sides?
    • Do you have your own balanced view which is a specific view that doesn’t fully agree and doesn’t fully disagree?
    • You can’t change your opinion half way through your essay so make sure you have decided it before you start writing.
  6. Always write your introduction paragraph with two statements:
    • Background statement = a paraphrase of the essay question. The biggest mistake is incorrect paraphrasing that changes the meaning of the essay question given.
    • Thesis statement = presents your position clearly.
  7. Body Paragraphs
    1. Always have a topic sentence. This shows the examiner which side of the discussion you are about to tackle.
    2. Making the content and aim of your body paragraphs clear is essential to a high score.
    3. Topic sentences should help the essay flow clearly and help the examiner locate information easily.
    4. Not all body paragraphs require examples. If you can’t think of an example don’t worry. Just explain the main point as well as you can.
    5. Supporting points are basically points that explain the main idea. Imagine someone asking you again and again “What do you mean?” – “Explain yourself”. Good supporting points make the main idea clear.
    6. Don’t overcomplicate your ideas. Ideas should be clear and relevant, but language should have more complexity for a high score.
    7. Your opinion should also be restate in the body paragraphs. 
  8. Conclusion
    1. Summarise all the main ideas you’ve given.
    2. This should be the shortest paragraph, usually one or two sentences.
    3. Never introduce a new main point in the conclusion.
    4. Always start the conclusion with the right linking word. Click here: Video: Linking Words for Conclusions. It’s an old video but still relevant today.
  9. Use language of discussions, see this video: Discussion Essay Language

IELTS DISCUSSION ESSAY MODEL ANSWER

Discussion Essay Question

Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Discussion Essay Model Answer

Please note that this essay is over 300 words. Longer doesn’t mean better. It is rare for an essay to go over 300 words or 310 words at most. Most IELTS essays are between 270 and 290 words, even for a band 9. However, 300 words, more or less, is possible as long as each sentence is highly focused and relevant. This Discussion Essay is an example of one such essay. 

It is considered by some that being a university graduate is the key to securing a good job, while there are others who think that it is better to have experience and soft skills. In my opinion, I believe that having university education is essential for academic jobs, while soft skills and experience are more useful in business.

On the one hand, many people think finding a good job is easier if they have a graduate degree because having tertiary education puts people one step ahead of others. For many employers, this can be the deciding factor between job applicants. Furthermore, a certain level of university education is required for particular jobs, such as being a doctor or teacher. For this reason, I believe that in the case of jobs that require academic knowledge, having a tertiary education is the key to success.

On the other hand, having work experience and soft skills, such as leadership skills and other interpersonal skills, can also throw the balance in favour of the job applicant. For someone who is applying for management positions having experience of how to manage a team as well as strong interpersonal skills to support and direct staff, experience and soft skills are critical. Business is also an area of work where experience puts a person ahead of the competition in a way that university education could not. For this reason I also believe that such skills do have a relevant place in the workplace.

In conclusion, getting a good job requires a relevant background either in experience or education depending on the type of work and field. Some positions require an academic background, whilst others benefit more from experience and skills.

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Advanced Lessons & E-books for IELTS Writing Task 2

Target band 7, 8 & 9 

IELTSLIZ STORE – ADVANCED IELTS

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Answers to Background Statement Practice Lesson

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Hi guys,

I have posted some model background statements on the original page. I also added a list of tips to help you learn the correct way to write for IELTS.

Click here: Background Statement Model Answers.

Sorry for posting this late.

All the best

Liz

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Background Statement Practice for IELTS Essays

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Practising Background Statements for IELTS Introductions

Below are four essay questions that appeared this month (December 2018) in IELTS writing task 2. Under each essay question are model background statements. You will see the different ways you can paraphrase the essay question.

All IELTS writing task 2 essay introduction paragraphs contain:

  1. Background statement = a paraphrase of the essay question
  2. Thesis statement = your position or main points

This lesson will give you practice at paraphrasing essay questions to make a background statement. Below you will find 4 essays with model background statements and a list of tips to help you.

IELTS Background Statement Practice

Paraphrase the essay questions below to create one background statement. The first one has been done for you as an example with three possible options. I would like you to write a background statement for questions 2-4.

Essay Question 1

Science will soon result in people living to an average of 100 years or more. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Model Background Statement for IELTS:

  1. People’s lifespan is increasing due to developments in science and it is thought that people will soon have an average life expectancy of 100 years or longer.
  2. Due to the development of science, people’s lifespans might be extended to 100 years or even longer.
  3. People may one day live to be 100 years old or more owing to the development of science.

Essay Question 2

Some people prefer online classes, while others think it is better to be in a traditional classroom. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Model Background Statements:

  1. While there are people who prefer to take part in online courses, others believe that traditional classroom teaching is by far superior.
  2. Online course are very popular with some people, however others still consider teacher led classrooms as the most effective way to learn.
  3. Although online courses are preferred by some people, there are others who firmly believe that learning should take place in a classroom face to face with a teacher.

Essay Question 3

Many people try to find a balance between their work and other aspects of their life. However, few actually achieve this. What solutions can you suggest?

Model Background Statements:

  1. It is a common problem that people struggle to find a healthy balance between their work and other areas of their life.
  2. Finding a balance between work and other areas of life can be a challenge that some people struggle with.
  3. While many people wish for a healthy work-life balance, few are able to realise this.

Essay Question 4

There has been an increase in the number of children and youngsters committing crime. What are the reasons for this and punishments should they receive?

Model Background Statements:

  1. The number of crimes involving children and adolescents has risen over recent years.
  2. Children and teenagers appear to be involved in an increasing number of crimes.
  3. It has been observed that juvenile crime is on the rise.

Tips for IELTS Background Statements

  1. Don’t write a very long background statement. It doesn’t help your score to do that and wastes valuable time.
  2. Try to write your background statement as one complex sentence. to do that, use a clause and correct linking.
  3. Don’t paraphrase unless you are 100% sure your word is perfect. Not all words can be changed in English. Be selective when you paraphrase. Paraphrasing is a skill about when to change something and also when NOT to change something.
  4. Don’t aim to impress – aim for accuracy instead.
  5. You don’t always need to start your background with “some people..”. See all the options above.
  6. You should not start your essay with overused expressions that are popular with low level English users, such as “In the modern era,” or “With the advent of modern technology..”
  7. Avoid learning expressions which you think will impress the examiner “A hot debate..” / “a burning question..” “a highly controversial issue..”. The examiner is trained to spot these learned expressions. They don’t help your score and show a lack of individuality in your language. You need to write each sentence in your own words, unique to yourself.

I hope you found this lesson useful 🙂

All the best

Liz

Filed Under: IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Solution Essay Band 9 Model with Useful Tips

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The IELTS Solution Essay is a common essay to get in Writing Task 2. You will be given an issue in the essay question and then presented with one or two questions to answer. The questions will decide what your task is. Knowing your task is essential for a high score in Task Response, which counts for 25% of your marks. All essay lessons and model essays on my website for writing task 2 are for both Academic and GT writing task 2.

Types of IELTS Solution Essay

There are three kinds of IELTS solution essays.

Solution Essay

IELTS will give you a problem that exists in the world today and then ask you what solutions you can offer. There are various different wording for this. Below are three examples:

  • What solutions can you offer?
  • What measures can you suggest to tackle this problem?
  • How can this be resolved?

Cause Solution Essay

For this essay, you will be presented with a topic, such as increasing urban populations. You will then see two questions which ask you to give the causes of the problem and solutions to the problem. Instructions can often be paraphrased. Below are two examples:

  • What are the reasons for this? What solutions can you suggest?
  • Why is this happening? What can be done to tackle it?

Problem Solution Essay

This is less common and is often confused for the Cause Solution Essay so watch out and pay attention to the word. You will be presented with an issue, such as more people moving to urban areas for work. You will then see two questions. Below is an example of how those questions can be worded:

  • What problems does this cause?
  • What answer can you suggest to deal with it?

IELTS Solution Essay Tips

  1. Identify the type of solution essay you have.
  2. Spend time analysing the topic given. Most people rush to form their ideas and don’t prepare supporting points. This is a mistake. Planning is crucial. You are being marked on your ideas and how they are explained and illustrated so spend a few minutes making sure you’ve got it all planned.
  3. Once your ideas are formed, think about how to organise them into paragraphs and how to organise supporting points within the paragraph. Many people think that only paragraphing is marked for organisation, but actually the order of supporting points is also marked. Your aim is for coherence.
  4. Think about language. How will you paraphrase words for the topic and what words will you use to express solutions and causes (if required). Poor paraphrasing (risky paraphrasing) is one reason people fail to get band 7 in their Vocabulary for writing task 2.
  5. Always have an introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. Never ever miss the conclusion. Always make sure you have time to write it.
  6. Pay attention to the content and length of paragraphs in the model essay below. All the model essay on my website are safe to use as a guide for how to write your IELTS essay. Even for people aiming for band 9, they are still safe to use.

IELTS Solution Essay Model Answer

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

A large number of criminals who serve their first prison sentence, leave prison only to reoffend. This is mainly because of the lack of rehabilitation and difficulty finding regular employment once released. There are a number of solutions which should be implemented to deal with criminals who reoffend.

Firstly, the reason for most first-time offenders committing crimes again, once they have been released from prison, is due to the lack of rehabilitation whilst in prison. In other words, offenders are not given a chance to retrain and learn new skills for their future or develop a deeper understanding of correct moral behaviour and instead mix with other criminals, which only strengthens their criminal intentions. Secondly, repeat offending is also owing to the difficulty in finding employment after being released. As a result, many of them struggle financially which leads them back to crime, regardless of the consequences.

There are two effective solutions to the problem of repeat offenders. One way to tackle this is to ensure that all criminals entering prison are given the chance to retrain with useful skills which will hopefully ensure them a job after they have served their sentence. By doing this, it will help them reintegrate back into society and give them some means of supporting themselves financially. Another method of dealing with criminals who reoffend is to have more supervision and checks in place when they are back in society. This solution would hopefully prevent them from taking any chances and deter them from reoffending because they are being so closely watched.

In conclusion, regardless of the reasons for reoffending, having skills training and education in prison as well as closer observation for newly released offenders can be effective in preventing criminals from committing crimes again.

VOCABULARY FOR THIS TOPIC: Word List for Crime & Punishment Topic

Examiner Comments: This essay addresses the task completely. All parts of the essay question have been covered with relevant ideas. Both causes and solutions have been well-explained. Ideas are logically organised and there is a flexible use of linking devices, which help sign post the direct of the essay. There is a range of sentence structures and also tenses. Vocabulary is also flexible with a good range of less common words that allows for precise meaning. Essay Length: 290 words

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Filed Under: IELTS Writing Task 2 Tagged With: , ,
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