Tuesday, August 29, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: “help” essay

We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only be concerned with our own communities and countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Some people believe that we should not help people in other countries as long as there are problems in our own society. I disagree with this view because I believe that we should try to help as many people as possible.

On the one hand, I accept that it is important to help our neighbors and fellow citizens. In most communities there are people who are impoverished or disadvantaged in some way. It is possible to find homeless people, for example, in even the wealthiest of cities, and for those who are concerned about this problem, there are usually opportunities to volunteer time or give money to support these people. In the UK, people can help in a variety of ways, from donating clothing to serving free food in a soup kitchen. As the problems are on our doorstep, and there are obvious ways to help, I can understand why some people feel that we should prioritise local charity.

At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live beyond our national borders. In some countries the problems that people face are much more serious than those in our own communities, and it is often even easier to help. For example, when children are dying from curable diseases in African countries, governments and individuals in richer countries can save lives simply by paying for vaccines that already exist. A small donation to an international charity might have a much greater impact than helping in our local area.

In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion national boundaries should not stop us from helping those who are in need.

IELTS Writing Task 2: “technologies” essay

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?

It is true that new technologies have had an influence on communication between people. Technology has affected relationships in various ways, and in my opinion there are both positive and negative effects.

Technology has had an impact on relationships in business, education and social life. Firstly, telephones and the Internet allow business people in different countries to interact without ever meeting each other. Secondly, services like Skype create new possibilities for relationships between students and teachers. For example, a student can now take video lessons with a teacher in a different city or country. Finally, many people use social networks, like Facebook, to make new friends and find people who share common interests, and they interact through their computers rather than face to face.

On the one hand, these developments can be extremely positive. Cooperation between people in different countries was much more difficult when communication was limited to written letters or telegrams. Nowadays, interactions by email, phone or video are almost as good as face-to-face meetings, and many of us benefit from these interactions, either in work or social contexts. On the other hand, the availability of new communication technologies can also have the result of isolating people and discouraging real interaction. For example, many young people choose to make friends online rather than mixing with their peers in the real world, and these ‘virtual’ relationships are a poor substitute for real friendships.

In conclusion, technology has certainly revolutionized communication between people, but not all of the outcomes of this revolution have been positive.

(257 words, band 9)

IELTS Writing Task 2: “hobbies” essay

Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some hobbies are relatively easy, while others present more of a challenge. Personally, I believe that both types of hobby can be fun, and I therefore disagree with the statement that hobbies need to be difficult in order to be enjoyable.

On the one hand, many people enjoy easy hobbies. One example of an activity that is easy for most people is swimming. This hobby requires very little equipment, it is simple to learn, and it is inexpensive. I remember learning to swim at my local swimming pool when I was a child, and it never felt like a demanding or challenging experience. Another hobby that I find easy and fun is photography. In my opinion, anyone can take interesting pictures without knowing too much about the technicalities of operating a camera. Despite being straightforward, taking photos is a satisfying activity.

On the other hand, difficult hobbies can sometimes be more exciting. If an activity is more challenging, we might feel a greater sense of satisfaction when we manage to do it successfully. For example, film editing is a hobby that requires a high level of knowledge and expertise. In my case, it took me around two years before I became competent at this activity, but now I enjoy it much more than I did when I started. I believe that many hobbies give us more pleasure when we reach a higher level of performance because the results are better and the feeling of achievement is greater.

In conclusion, simple hobbies can be fun and relaxing, but difficult hobbies can be equally pleasurable for different reasons.

IELTS Writing Task 2: “unpaid job” essay

ome people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?

Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for both the individual and society as a whole. However, I do not agree that we should therefore force all teenagers to do unpaid work.

Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without being given the added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is just as demanding as a full-time job, and teachers expect their students to do homework and exam revision on top of attending lessons every day. When young people do have some free time, we should encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or to spend it doing sports and other leisure activities. They have many years of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.

At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obliging young people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that it goes against the values of a free and fair society to force a group of people to do something against their will. Doing this can only lead to resentment amongst young people, who would feel that they were being used, and parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their children. Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.

In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in my opinion we should not make this compulsory.

(250 words, band 9)

Grammar and vocabulary

Friday, August 18, 2017

19 motivational quotes to keep you learning english

19 MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES TO KEEP YOU LEARNING ENGLISH

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When you’re down on motivation, it’s a great idea to get some advice from an expert. We don’t always have experts on hand, though. If that’s the case and you need some advice to help you get motivated to learn English, turn to some of the greatest thinkers of the past with these 19 quotes to help you get motivated to learn English.
1. The best way to predict the future is to create it. – Abraham Lincoln
If you want to be a fluent speaker of English in the future, you need to make it happen.
2. You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. – C.S.Lewis
Many people say it’s easier to learn a language when you are young but there are advantages to learning a language when you are older.
3. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. – Gandhi
Enjoy living in the moment but remember that learning English will prepare you for the future.
4. Learning is not a spectator sport. – D. Blocher
If you want to master English, get involved and practise as much as possible.
5. There is no substitute for hard work. – Thomas Edison
Learning any language is hard work so prepare well, put in the hours and you will achieve your goals.
6. Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu
Starting early with your learning will mean that you have time to deal with things in small steps. Even a large goal is more approachable if you break it down into smaller ones and just get started.
7. Today a reader, tomorrow a leader. – Margaret Fuller
Reading is not just important for acquiring knowledge, it will help you build your vocabulary and range in English, too.
8. Learning is like rowing upstream, not to advance is to drop back. – Chinese Proverb
In a world where everyone else is learning, if you don’t take your learning seriously you will fall behind.
9. The secret of getting ahead is getting started. – Mark Twain
Like the Lao Tzu quote earlier, this one is a great way to help you stop procrastinating. Anything you can do right away will help you get ahead with your goal of leaning a language.
10. If you can dream it, you can do it. – Walt Disney
Walt Disney was well known as a man who made dreams come true, and you can, too. It just takes plenty of hard work.
11. It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius
Learning a skill such as a new language can take a long time. If you feel like your progress is slow, bear in mind these wise words from Confucius. The important thing is to keep going and you will get there in the end.
12. By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. – Benjamin Franklin
Earlier in the year, we shared some tips on how to plan your studies for the coming year. Planning is important when you are learning a language so don’t be afraid to put some time into it.
13. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better. – Samuel Beckett
Making mistakes is a natural part of the language learning process. The key is to learn from these mistakes. Don’t be afraid to try out new things in English but always remember to reflect on them and decide what was successful and what you need to keep working on.
14. Language is “the infinite use of finite means.” – Wilhelm von Humboldt
Remember, it is possible to communicate big ideas with relatively limited language. Don’t feel like you need perfect English before you can go out and have interesting conversations with other people.
15. Is it not enjoyable to learn and practise what you learn? – Confucius
Using your English skills is fun. Make time just to enjoy speaking English.
16. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. – Joseph Addison
More wise words on reading here. Reading will also help you improve your English writing by introducing you to new, interesting sentence structures.
17. To have another language is to possess a second soul. – Charlemagne
Learning a new language gives you the chance to be a different person if you want to. Make the most of that chance.
18. Language is wine upon the lips. – Virginia Woolf
When you are learning a language, remember to slow down and enjoy the process. The language itself is often as enjoyable as the end goal.
19. Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. – Benjamin Franklin Very sensible advice. Now it’s time for you to get involved. Which of the quotes was your favourite? Share it on with your friends and inspire them to improve their English, too!