Below are two IELTS model essays for May 2018 in writing task 2. There is one essay for the Academic test and one for the General Training test. You can all benefit from both of them.

IELTS Essay Question May 2018

Caring for children is very important for our society. Therefore all mothers and fathers should take a childcare training course. To what you extent agree or disagree?

IELTS Model Essay 2018

It is thought that all parents should attend a childcare training course in order to properly understand how to bring up their children. In my opinion, while I agree that parents should learn about childcare, it is not realistic to have mandatory childcare training courses for all parents.

Firstly, it is certainly essential that parents learn the basics of childcare, particularly in the early months and years when they first have a child. Understanding a baby’s needs and the possible medical problems that can arise is essential for the baby’s safety. Without such knowledge they could easily put their baby at risk or not be ready to respond to critical situations in the right way.

However, although childcare is important, it would be practically impossible to have obligatory childcare training courses for all parents due to the large number of new parents each year. For example, there are over half a million children born annually in the UK at present which means that over 750,000 parents would have to attend a childcare training course each year. Both the large scale and cost of such a training course makes this option very difficult to implement.

Finally, a more practical solution to teaching parents, therefore, would be to provide easily accessible information on a website with a free online video training course. This would ensure all parents have access to the necessary information at a fraction of the cost. This would also allow parents to decide which information is useful and still bring up their children according to their own culture or religion.

In conclusion, it is best to provide a free video training course and website which is cheap to make and accessible to all parents rather than a training course which parents need to attend in person.

IELTS Essay Question May 2018 (GT)

Some people believe that travelling within a city is better by car while some other think bicycle is a better means. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

IELTS Model Answer May 2018 (GT)

People hold different opinions about whether a car or a bicycle is the best form of transport in a city. I believe within the city centre a bicycle is best, but a car is better if someone must travel further.

On the one hand, it is commonly thought that a car is the best option for transport in a city as it offers great comfort in terms of seating, air conditioning and other features. A further reason for people preferring cars is that they can easily transport a number of people at the same time and is especially safe for children. Cars are, moreover, time effective. being able to cover long distances in less time.

On the other hand, bicycles are healthier options for getting around a city centre according to some. The majority of people lead a sedentary life style with little or no exercise which can cause serious health problems. This is often due to the lack of time available in their daily routine for exercise. By using a bicycle to travel, people will get the necessary physical activities without any inconvenience.

Finally, in my opinion, bicycles are certainly an asset in a city centre where traffic jams are frequent. They can pass through congestion with minimal effort and offer health benefits. However, if a person lives in the suburbs, the most logical option would be a car for travelling longer distances into the city centre, particularly with more than one person to transport.

In conclusion, both bicycles and cars offer advantages depending on whether the travel is only with the city centre or outside the centre. However, for families travelling together, a car will always be the best option.

Comments

These essays are possibly longer than essays you might aim to write in your real test. There is no actual upper word limit for IELTS writing task 2. However, there is a time limit which will prevent you writing a long essay. Also errors will lower your score. This means you should aim for quality rather than quantity. Most people will aim for between 270 and 290 in writing task 2.

To learn more about the length of your essay, click here: Tips on IELTS Essay Length  If you would like to see more tips on writing task 2, click here: IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips, Info and Answers

IELTS Writing Task 1 Overview (Academic Paper): Tips, Videos and Answers

Do all types of writing task 1 have an overview?

Yes. ALL TYPES of writing task 1 for the academic paper should have an overview. The types are listed below.

1. bar chart
2. pie chart
3. table
4. line graph
5. map
6. diagram (process)

All the above types MUST have an overview.

What is an Overview?

• An overview is a statement or statements which contain all the key features in the task given to you.
• It is important that the key features are collected in one overview and not put in different places.
• An overview will contain all features – this means if you have two charts, there is only one overview which contains the key features for both tasks.
• You are marked on your ability to choose the key features. Each task will be different.

Is the Overview Important?

Yes. It is the most important paragraph in your writing task 1 for the academic paper.

The overview is marked in the marking criterion of Task Achievement. This criterion counts for 25% of your writing task 1 marks. The examiner will look specifically for an overview in all types of writing task 1 (academic). See below:

Band 5 = no clear overview

Band 6 = presents an overview

Band 7 = presents a clear overview

You can see that your score will go up or down depending on your overview. If you miss the overview, you will get Band 5 or below in Task Achievement. If you are aiming for band 7, 8 or 9, you must have a clear overview with key features well selected and highlighted.

Learn more about the band score requirements of IELTS writing task 1 on this page: Band Score Tips & Info Writing Task 1

Overview or Conclusion?

See this video about the difference between an overview and a conclusion.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/zjzuxyVlkR8″]

Paragraphing: Where to put the overview?

See this video lesson to learn about the paragraphs for writing task 1, including where the overview should be put.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/TzLyARGcTEA”]

Model Writing Task 1 Answers

See this page to take a look at model answers for all types of IELTS writing task 1. You will see the overviews for ALL types of writing task 1. Model Answers and Tips: IELTS Writing Task 1

Hope this was useful 🙂

All the best

Liz

Below you will find a list of IELTS writing task 2 questions which appeared in the IELTS test in the last two months: March and April IELTS writing task 2 topics, You can see some interesting trending topics.

The questions below have been reported by people taking their IELTS writing task 2 in March and April 2018.

Do IELTS repeat questions?

It is possible to have an essay question repeated. But it is more likely that topics will be repeated with questions written differently. You should prepare all topics below and also ALL common topics: 100 IELTS Essay Questions

March IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Due to the use of the computers and mobile phones, letter-writing ability is disappearing. To what extent do you agree?
2. Social media has replaced the traditional methods of communicating, and people use more and more social media to communicate, and to follow news and events. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
3. Some people believe bicycles have a lot of advantages, whereas others believe bicycles have more disadvantages. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully, while others disagree. Discuss both views, and give you opinion.
5. Some people think that the government should take care of disadvantaged people such as the unemployed and homeless people. Do you agree or disagree?
6. Museums and art galleries should concentrate on local works of art, not showing the cultures or artworks from other countries. To what extent do you agree?
7. Some people spend a lot of money on sports and cultural events. Do you think this is this good or bad?
8. The government should provide free public transportation facilities 24/7 to reduce the traffic congestion. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
9. Some people believe that robots are important for humans to develop their future, while others think that it is a dangerous invention that will impact society negatively. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
10. When designing a building the intended use of the building should be taken into account rather than its outward appearance. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
11. Nowadays people show more anti-social behaviour and a lack of respect to others. What are the causes of this? How could we improve the situation?
12. Some people believe that sleeping is the only method which allows people to get enough relaxation. Others believe that physical activities such as playing games and exercises also provide enough relaxation. Discuss both views and provide your opinion.
13. Some people think that dangerous sports should be ban? Do you agree or disagree?
14. In many countries, plastic shopping bags are the main type of rubbish. They cause water pollution and land pollution, so they should be banned. To what extent do you agree?
15. Some people believe that houses should be built in same style as other houses in the area, while others believe people should be allowed by the council to build houses in any style they like. Discuss and give your opinion.

 

April IELTS Writing Task 2

1. All fathers should be entitled to time off from work when their children are born. What is your opinion?
2. Nowadays, a lot of movies and music are free to download online. Is it a negative development or a positive development?
3. Some people prefer hobbies that require technology, while some people prefer hobbies that do not require technology. Discuss the both views and give your opinion.
4. Pollution and other environmental damages are caused by a country developing and becoming richer. This problem cannot be avoided. To what extent do you agree?
5. Organised tours are choosing more and more to go to remote places and communities. Do you think this a positive or negative development for the local people and the environment?
6. The number of people interested in cosmetic surgery is increasing in order to improve their physical appearance. Why do people do operations to change the way they look? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
7. Some cities have vehicle free days where private cars, trucks and motorcycles are banned in city centres. Only bus, bicycles and taxis are permitted in the city centre. Do you think the benefits outweigh the disadvantages?
8. In today’s world of advanced science and technology, people still value artists such as painters, musicians and writers. How can art make a difference in our society that science and technology cannot?
9. In many societies, more and more people are choosing to live on their own. What are the reasons behind this? Is it a positive or negative trend?
10. It is believed by some that people should take a yearly driving test in order to ensure safety on the roads, while others do not agree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
11. Once children start school, teachers have more influence on their intellectual and social development than parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
12. Some people think that people who are over 60 years old should not work and should be made to retire. To what extend do you agree or disagree?
13. The key to solving the environmental problems is for the present generation to sacrifice their convenient lifestyle for the sake of future generations. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
14.  It is important for public money to be spent on promoting healthy lifestyle to prevent illness rather than spending money treating people who are ill. To what extent do you agree or disagree?