IELTS CITY ESSAY: Today, the quality of life in large

cities is decreasing. Discuss the causes and solutions.

The global phenomenon of urbanisation from the
beginning of industrialisation to the present day has
brought opportunity and prosperity, albeit at a cost in
the quality of life. With an increasing city population,
the complexity of the challenges also increases, the
causes and solutions for this are outlined below.
The causes for the decrease in the quality of life are
paradoxically the prosperity endowed on such
metropolitan centres. Their growth is largely due to the
increase of opportunities on offer, which in turn
increases their attractiveness, essentially they are
trapped in a positive self enforcing cycle. However, this
eventually leads to a decrease in the quality of life as the
city can experience overcrowding, exorbitant property
prices, and increased vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
For example the density of London makes it a more
efficient place to attack, when compared to a smaller city
such as Bradford. Therefore, due to continuous growth
and prosperity, urban citizens, especially the less well
off, often experience a lower standard of living.
Considering the solutions, greater investment in public
transport would ease traffic congestion, as would bike
lanes. In theory this would reduce air pollution, and
possibly improve the well-being of the population if they
did adopt a more active lifestyle and cycle to work. To
counter violent terrorist attacks, cities could embark on

CCTV installations, so as to closely monitor for threats.

For example, it is said, the CCTV in London has foiled
many potential attacks, and therefore greatly increased
the security of its citizens.
To conclude, a wealthy city attracts large population
inflows, which then cause pressure on existing
infrastructure and security. Various solutions exist to
mitigate such drawbacks, nevertheless an indefinite
solution has yet to be found.
2)
When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them
alive.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Nowadays, technological advances and their rapid and wide applications are having a significant impact on a nations traditional skills and
ways of life. Some argue that such impact is so extraordinary that it would make conventional skills and life styles obsolete. However, I
believe they would continue to thrive by providing alternatives to modern ways of life, and innovative ideas for modern technologies.
First of all, traditional skills and ways of life are becoming an alternative solution to the problems caused by mainstreamed ways of life
which are greatly influenced by modern technologies. For instance, a cozy restaurant where traditional, home-brewed beer is served,
offers another experience to people who are bored with branded beers that have the same flavor and come out of mass production with
new technologies. It is in such a venue where traditional skills are preserved, people become relaxed and educated. Providing diversity
and thus enriching modern ways of life, such traditional skills and ways of life would continue to have their place.
Furthermore, conventional skills provide innovative ideas to the development of modern technologies. For example, sparkled by how the
word Love is traditionally knitted into a sweater by some ethnic minority women in some parts of Asia, some business managers from
textile industry have developed some production lines by applying the traditional skills to Computer-Aided Designs (CAD). The products
have boosted the companies sales which in turn have increased their investment in preserving traditional skills for further developing
their technologies.
To conclude, traditional skills and life styles are increasingly becoming a useful alternative to the homogeneity brought by global
applications of modern technologies. However, the evolution of technologies is a selection process, whereby some would become
obsolete, but there is no doubt that some would thrive when their roles are appreciated.
This is a good essay. The requirements of the task statement are covered, the arguments make sense and are presented in
a coherent, easy to follow way, the range of vocabulary is wide enough and the writer shows fluency and flexibility. There
are only a few errors (mouse over the words underlined in blue shows suggested corrections). Overall this looks like an
IELTS Band 8 essay.

3)

In some countries, the number of shootings increase because many

people have guns at home. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Across the globe, many individuals own guns for self-defence and recreational purposes. Gun-related mortalities in
households in particular throw the ethics of such forms of private gun ownership into sharp relief. In this essay, I
shall appeal to crime statistics to argue that a person is at a far greater risk being shot if there is a gun in a household.
Firstly, it is intuitively obvious that having a gun in a household endangers children and teenagers. This is because
minors do not have the requisite knowledge or maturity to handle guns safely. For example, the US Department of
Justice recently revealed statistics showing that 150 American children and teenagers die each year because of accidents
relating to household guns. Therefore it is incontrovertible that household guns lead to additional shootings.
Secondly, household guns become especially dangerous when couples have violent arguments. This is because male
sexual rage, in particular, often results in deadly aggression. For example, The International Crime Bureau recently
produced statistical evidence that, if a man discovers his wife having an affair, he is twice as likely to kill her in a fit of
jealous rage if he has easy access to a gun. Therefore, once again, household guns correlate positively with additional
shootings.
In conclusion, there is undeniable evidence that having a gun in a house leads to further shootings. Given the strength of
this evidence, in the future, more legislation needs to be put in place to limit private gun ownership.

4) not band 9

Obesity is a serious problem in many countries, especially in rich

countries. Discuss ways to solve the problem. Provide specific reasons
and examples to support your answer.
With the advent of urbanisation and the rise in popularity of fast food, there have been accompanying issues with rising
obesity rates especially in developed countries like Britain and the USA. After providing a careful analysis of why
obesity has risen so sharply in these countries, I shall suggest a number of ways in which the obesity epidemic can be
ameliorated.
To begin with, it should be unsurprising that fast food is incredibly popular in wealthy countries (like Britain and the
USA). Due to the high levels of development in these countries, consumers possess more money and can therefore
consume vast amounts of fast food without seriously diminishing their income. For example, the American Dietary
Association found that, compared to the average Indian household, the average American households budget for food
is six times larger per month. Consequently, it is to be expected that obesity rates are much higher in countries with
larger amounts of wealth.
Despite the severity of the obesity problem, however, there are a number of ways in which developed countries could
battle it more effectively. Firstly, developed governments could put far more pressure on fast food outlets to provide
healthy alternatives to hamburgers, french fries and soft drinks.
Secondly, public exercise initiatives could be advertised and promoted far more vigorously. Lastly, modules that inform
teenagers about healthy dietary requirements could be taught at schools.
In conclusion, although obesity is a serious issue in the developed world, if the above steps are taken, the situation will
surely improve in the coming years.

5)ielts buddy
As computers are being used more and more in education, there will be soon no role for teachers in the classroom.
There is no doubt that education and the learning process has changed since the introduction of computers: The search for information
has become easier and amusing, and connectivity has expedited the data availability. Though experts systems have made computers
more intelligent, they have not yet become a substitute of the human interaction in the learning process. In my opinion what can be
expected is a change of the teachers role, but not their disappearance from the classroom.
Nobody can argue that the acquisition of knowledge is more fun and easier with computers. The mere activity of touching and exploring
this device constitutes an enjoyable task for a child. This, accompanied by the relaxing attitude and software interactivity, usually
contributes to a better grasping of new knowledge. At a higher educational level the availability of digital books, simulators and other
academic materials provide the student with an ever accessible source of information, that otherwise would not be at hand.
But, besides the increasing complexity and behavior of intelligent software, which is usually embedded in the academic digital material,
the need for human interaction in the learning process will always be present, at least in the foreseeable future. There is the necessity
for a human being to be able to determine what the specifics needs of each individual are. The expertise of a teacher in how to explain
and adapt complex concepts to different individuals can hardly be mimicked by a computer, no matter how sophisticated its software is.
As computers are becoming a common tool for teaching, teachers should be more aware of their role as guides in the acquisition of
knowledge rather than transmitters of facts. They have to be open minded to the changes that are taking places, keep updated and
serve as problem solvers in the learning process, thus allowing students to discover the fact for themselves.
To summarize, in my personal view, teachers play and will continue to play an important role in the classroom, especially at the primary
level. No matter how complex computers become, there will be no replacement for the human interaction, but in the way haw
thisinteraction takes place.
This is an excellent essay! Are you a native English speaker? Well done. The only problem is that this essay is too long,
365 words instead of 250-265 maximum.

6)
Even though globalization affects the worlds economies in a very positive way, its negative side should not be forgotten.
Discuss.
Globalization is such a commonly used term in the twentieth century. It simply means that the world has become integrated
economically, socially, politically and culturally through the advances of technology, transportation and communication. It is undeniable
that globalization has resulted in both positive and negative effects which must be addressed accordingly.
To begin with, globalization has contributed to the worlds economies in many beneficial ways. The advances in science and technology
have allowed businesses to easily cross over territorial boundary lines. Consequently, companies tend to become more productive and
competitive thereby raising the quality o
Secondly, several companies from the more developed countries have already ventured to establish foreign operations or branches to
take advantage of the low cost of labor in the poorer countries. This kind of business activity will provide more influx of cash or
investment funds into the less developed countries.
However, one cannot deny the negative effects which have derived from globalization. One crucial social aspect is the risk and danger of
epidemic diseases which can easily be spread as the transportation becomes easier and faster in todays advanced society. This is
evidenced in the recent birds flu disease which has infected most Asian countries over a short period of time.
As large corporations invest or take over many offshore businesses, a modern form of colonization will also evolve which may pose
certain power pressure on the local governments of the less developed countries. Unemployment rates in the more developed regions
such as Europe may also escalate as corporations choose to outsource to the cheaper work force from Asian countries.
In conclusion. I like to reiterate that globalization is inevitable and we must urge individuals, companies and governments to use a more
balanced approach by taking the appropriate steps to deal with matters relating to the financial or economical gains verses the social,
political or ecological concerns of the world.
This essay is too long, 318 words instead of 250-265. Otherwise (except for some minor grammatical errors) it is a very
nice work. It covers the task, has the right structure, the paragraphs are coherent and are logically connected by elegantly
used linking words, the structure of sentences is fine and so is your vocabulary. Seems worthy of Band 7.5 or 8.

7) Financial education should be a mandatory component of the school program. To what extent do you agree or disagree
with this statement?
It is an obvious fact that financial aspects are a major part of the daily life, as an adult and even as a young individual. Each and every
one of us has to make financial decisions concerning recreation, health, education and more. The question is whether to start with
financial education as part of school program or to postpone it for a later stage in life.
To begin with, being able to understand the value of money, the way the economic system works and to interpret financial news and its
implications is a virtue. Without this virtue, an individual, even a young one, might suffer to some extent. For an example, a child who
doesnt understand the concept of money might find it more difficult toexcept choosing only one present out of more possible ones.
In addition, many adults are lacking capability of financial analysis. Quite often, the reason can be the lack of sound foundations or
insecurity when it comes to financial terms and concepts. Starting from an early age, building a strong background, can very likely
prevent such situation.

However, financial education necessarily involves quantifying and setting prices and value for services and goods. It can easily turn
young people into cynical human beings who lack emotion. Furthermore, a tendency to self-concentration and egoism might rise when
one start measuring everything from a profit-making perspective.
In conclusion, financial education has both pros and cons. In my opinion, the advantages are more significant than the disadvantages,
making financial education an advisable component of the school program. The disadvantages should be thought of as a certain price
that young people have to pay due to the characteristics of the world that we live in.
This is a wonderful essay. It covers the task, is correctly structured, the paragraphs are logically connected, the structure
of sentences shows excellent command of the English language. The vocabulary is fine and both spelling and grammar are
very good. See comments underlined in blue for some minor corrections. Overall, looks like a Band 7.5 Band 8 essay.

8)
As computers are being used more and more in education, there will be soon no role for teachers in the classroom.
There have been immense advances in technology in most aspects of peoples lives, especially in the field of education. Nowadays, an
increasing number of students rely on computers for research and to produce a perfect paper for school purposes. Others have decided
to leave the original way of learning and to get knowledge through online schools. These changes in the learning process have brought a
special concern regarding the possible decrease of importance of teachers in the classroom.

Some people believe the role of teachers started to fade because computers have been helping some students to progress in their
studies quicker compared to studies in an original classroom. For example, in the same classroom, students have different intellectual
capacities, thus some would be tied to a slow advance in their studies because of others incapability of understanding. In this way,
pupils could progress in their acquisition of knowledge at their own pace using computers instead of learning from teachers.
However, the presence of a teacher is essential for students because the human contact influences them in positive ways. Firstly,
students realize that they are not dealing with a machine but with a human being who deserves attention and respect. They also learn
the importance of studying in a group and respect for other students, which helps them improve their social skills.
Moreover, teachers are required in the learning process because they acknowledge some students deficiencies and help them to solve
their problems by repeating the same explanation, giving extra exercises or even suggesting a private tutor. Hence, students can have a
better chance of avoiding a failure in a subject.
In conclusion, the role for teachers in the learning process is still very important and it will continue to be such in the future because no
machine can replace the human interaction and its consequences.
This is a great essay. Seems worthy of Band 8. No improvements are necessary, keep up the good work!

9)
Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the
governments of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas.
Todays world has been divided into developing and industrialised countries which the main difference between them is the amount of
money that governments apply in important sectors such as education, health and commerce. Most of the poorer nations are buried in
debts as a result of their unbalanced finances which are reflect in afailed health care, an unstructured education system and a weak
international trade. This vicious cycle will continue indefinitely unless wealthier nations show interest in minimizing the worldwide
economic differences, as well as taking more responsibility for assisting less fortunate countries.

Most of the African countries live in sub-human conditions because of the extreme poverty, upheaval, hunger, disease, unemployment,
lack of education and both inexperienced and corrupt administrations. The devastating consequences of the AIDS epidemic in those
countries could improve if the infected population were to receive free drugs to control the disease, have access to health professionals
and get information on how to prevent its spread. But this can only be achieved through international help programs in which leaders of
the worlds richest countries donate medicine and also send doctors and nurses to treat and educate those in need.
Moreover, most of the poor countries rely on selling agricultural products and raw materials to rich nations and buying industrialized
products from them resulting in a huge financial deficit. Consequently, they borrow a significant amount of money from the World Bank
to try to improve their broken economies, but sometimes the money disappears with no significant changes and they cannot even pay
the interest to the bank. Regarding this issue, last year the G8, which is comprised of leaders of the eight richest nations, decided to
forgive billions of dollars worth of debt owed by the worlds poorest nations. In addition, they developed adequate loan programs to
financially assist those countries.
In conclusion, leaders of the industrialised countries play an indispensable role in assisting developing nations in dealing with essential
areas such as health, education and trade. Also, their aid is the key to breaking the vicious cycle, which results in poverty and death.
This is a great essay, seems to be on a Band 8 level, theres nothing to improve here.

10)
Popular events like the Football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international
tension and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.
Every four years, the whole world stops to watch international sporting events such as the Olympics and the Football World Cup in which
athletes show their best performance to make their country proud. These sporting occasions have proved to be helpful in easing
international tension in difficult times when powerful leaders were trying to control the worlds economy and other governments were
fighting over the land.

The Olympic Games are one of the best examples which prove how sporting events can bring nations together, at least temporarily. From
the ancient History, when Greeks and Romans would interrupt battles to participate in the games, to the more recent international
disputes, when athletes from Palestine and Israel would forget their differences, compete peacefully and even embrace each other after
an event. Moreover, these popular events have called the worlds attention to the terrible consequences of wars; thus some leaders have
tried to reach agreements to end their disputes and live peacefully.
Similarly, international sporting events show benefits in some developing countries which live in a daily internal civil war. For example,
Brazil has a high rate of unemployment, lack of education, hunger, crime, poverty and corruption which leads to an immense
embarrassment of being Brazilian and a low self-esteem. However, when the Football World Cup starts, the Brazilian squad, which is
considered the best team in the world, provokes an amazing feeling of pride in their country. Most people seem to forget all their
problems and even the criminal activity decreases. They paint roads with the national colors, wear the Brazilian team shirts and buy
national flags. Moreover, the competition brings families and neighbors together and even rival gangs watch the games and celebrate
peacefully.
In conclusion, popular sporting events play an important role in decreasing international tensions and liberating patriotic feelings as
history has shown.
This is a great essay, the ideas, language, structure of paragraphs and sentences, and your grammar show a good
command of the English language. In my opinion it is Band 8. Keep up the good work.

11)
In many countries children are engaged in different kinds of paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong,
while others consider it a valuable work experience, important for learning and taking responsibility. What is your
opinion?
The issue of whether or not children should be engaged in some paid work has sparked a heated debate. While some argue that having
some employment experience is conducive to a childs learning and development, I contend that it would bring harm to the
childs heathand learning.
First of all, a workplace designed for adults is normally shortage ofchild-friendly facilities. Desks and chairs are too high for a child; the
light switches are installed on the walls unreachable by children; also emergency training and facilities such as phones are only provided
to adults. Furthermore, various hazards such as polluted air and chemical fumes are still produced in factories and farms. Undoubtedly
young people would suffer in such workplaces.

Also, children would find it frustrating when they are not properly inducted before starting a job. A child working in a cement factory
would feel a setback when he could not get immediate support while struggling with the procedures of recording different raw materials
thatis required by the job. Further, without sufficient support, a childs misunderstanding or inappropriately communicating with adults
would only disappoint him and prevents him from active learning and interacting with other people.
To conclude, a childs paid employment experience would lead to a negative impact on their health and active learning. However,
recognizing the importance of childrens learning and their awareness of responsibility, it is advisable to encourage them to be involved in
some volunteering opportunities where they can meaningfully learn and interact with other people with sufficient care and support in
place for such jobs.
This is a good essay. There are only a few errors (mouse over the words underlined in blue shows corrections), but
otherwise this work seems worthy of Band 7.5 or 8. Remember to always proofread your essay before submitting it. Keep
up the good work!

12)
Some people think that spending a lot on holding wedding parties, birthday parties and other celebrations is just a waste
of money. Others, however, think that these are necessary for individuals and the society. Discuss both views and give
your opinion.
Throwing parties can be expensive. While some people do not find these fancy parties worth what they cost, others believe parties are
important to both individuals and the society.
People choose to throw parties for a number of reasons. For starters, parties can make better teams. Project kick-off parties are good
opportunities to break the ice and help team members to know each other better. Victory parties create a sense of success
and belonging. Companies do not see parties as wastes of money and allocate budget to support such events. Moreover, parties often
leave good memories. From our own experiences, we all have happy memories of our birthday parties when we were little. Every family
has great photostook on family parties in their album. In addition, contrary to what some people believe that spending on parties is a
waste of social resources, parties actually create value, either by employing people in the party planning business or by offering people
better party experiences.
The popularity of parties, however, causes some tension in the society. Parties are hard on introverted people who find themselves
uncomfortable in parties. This is a clinic symptom which psychologists call it social anxiety disorder. There are other ways to celebrate
important events that may have greater value for their cost. For instance, companies could send out gifts after successful projects and
parents could take their children on family trips to celebrate birthdays.
In my opinion, while a party is a form of social event that brings many benefits to individuals and the society, other choices should also
be considered, either to cut spending or to relieve the stress of those who are not fond of parties.
This is a very good essay. Other than minor inaccuracies there are no problems (mouse over the words underlined in blue
shows corrections). Seems to be worth IELTS Band 8.

13)
Even though globalization affects the worlds economies in a positive way, its negative side should not be forgotten.
Discuss.
In the present age, globalization is playing an increasingly important role in our lives. But in the meantime whether it is a blessing or a
curse has sparked a heated debate. Some people argue that globalization has a fundamentally beneficial influence on our lives, while
many others contend that it has a detrimental effect as well.
A convincing argument can be made about globalization not only playing a pivotal role in the development of technology and economy,
but also promoting the cultural exchange between different countries. To start with, it is the globalization that impelled
many corporate to become international groups, thereby making a contribution to the local technology and employment. Specifically,
when a multinational group establish a factory in a developing country, the new equipment, the new management skills and the job
vacancies are all in the best interest of the local society. Moreover, people worldwide can get to know each other better through
globalization. It is easy to see that more and more Hollywood blockbusters show cultures different from American, some recent examples
are Kungfu Panda and The Mummy.

Admittedly, the profit driven side of globalization has severely affected young people. Today, in the metropolises in different countries, it
is very common to see teenagers wearing NIKE T-shirts and Adidas footwear, playing Hip-Hop music on Apple iPods and eating at KFC.
The culture that took a thousand years to form just seems similar in these cities; it seems as though you can only distinguish them by
their language. Meanwhile, in some developing countries, sweat workshops are always a concerning issue. For instance, reports show
that some teenagers employed by NIKEs contractors work in smelly factories over 14 hours a day, but are only paid fifty cents per hour.
To sum up, I would concede that globalization does come with some adverse effects. Despite that fact, benefits created by it far
outweigh the disadvantages. Overall, I am convinced that we should further promote globalization and meanwhile the local government
should take measures to combat culture assimilation and sweat workshops.

This essay is extremely long (338 words instead of the advised 250-265). It has a sound structure, your position is clearly
expressed, the information is well-organized, and structure-wise the sentences are fine. The vocabulary is impressive and
there were only a few grammatical errors (see comments underlined in blue). Overall, this seems to be a band 7.5 +
essay.
14)
In some countries children have very strict rules of behavior, in other countries they are allowed to do almost anything
they like. To what extent should children have to follow rules?
The extent to which children have to follow rules is in itself a very complex issue, since children across the world grow up in very
different cultures. In India for example, children are expected to be very submissive to their parents as well as other adults around
them. This, however, is not the case with the Western countries of the world where children follow the motto Thou shalt do what thou
wilt as promoted by celebrities and rock stars. I believe that following strict rules has both advantages as well as serious drawbacks as
discussed below.
Firstly, strict rules of behavior create responsible and respectful children who in turn mature into respectful adults. This forms a stable
society which is virtually free from negative trends such as prostitution and drug abuse. Secondly, if children do not follow strict rules of
behavior, they may get out of hand and become work-shy and indolent. This may then create a burden on the society since the
government has to find ways to cater for these social ills.

However, forcing children to follow strict rules of behavior doesnt always yield positive results as discussed above, most of the time it
backfires and works against society. For example, teenagers are more likely to do the opposite of what theyre told to do simply because
they want to be independent. Children should also have rights to exercise their free will and develop their own pattern of behaviors.
Imposing strict rules may simply destroy the individuality of children.
At the end of the day, it is clear that children should be guided by rules, but these rules should not be imposed on them because as
human beings, they need to have room to develop their own traits of character and adopt a behavioral pattern of their own.
This essay is too long (309 words instead of advised 250-265). Otherwise this work is a very good one; it covers the task,
your position is clear, the ideas are well-organized, expressed, explained and supported. The sentences show a wide range
of language structures, cohesive devices and your grammar is fine. Overall, this seems to be a band 7.5 or higher essay.

15)
When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them
alive.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Nowadays, technological advances and their rapid and wide applications are having a significant impact on a nations traditional skills and
ways of life. Some argue that such impact is so extraordinary that it would make conventional skills and life styles obsolete. However, I
believe they would continue to thrive by providing alternatives to modern ways of life, and innovative ideas for modern technologies.
First of all, traditional skills and ways of life are becoming an alternative solution to the problems caused by mainstreamed ways of life
which are greatly influenced by modern technologies. For instance, a cozy restaurant where traditional, home-brewed beer is served,
offers another experience to people who are bored with branded beers that have the same flavor and come out of mass production with
new technologies. It is in such a venue where traditional skills are preserved, people become relaxed and educated. Providing diversity
and thus enriching modern ways of life, such traditional skills and ways of life would continue to have their place.
Furthermore, conventional skills provide innovative ideas to the development of modern technologies. For example, sparkled by how the
word Love is traditionally knitted into a sweater by some ethnic minority women in some parts of Asia, some business managers from
textile industry have developed some production lines by applying the traditional skills to Computer-Aided Designs (CAD). The products
have boosted the companies sales which in turn have increased their investment in preserving traditional skills for further developing
their technologies.
To conclude, traditional skills and life styles are increasingly becoming a useful alternative to the homogeneity brought by global
applications of modern technologies. However, the evolution of technologies is a selection process, whereby some would become
obsolete, but there is no doubt that some would thrive when their roles are appreciated.
This is a good essay. The requirements of the task statement are covered, the arguments make sense and are presented in
a coherent, easy to follow way, the range of vocabulary is wide enough and the writer shows fluency and flexibility. There
are only a few errors (mouse over the words underlined in blue shows suggested corrections). Overall this looks like an
IELTS Band 8 essay.

16)
Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment. Why is this happening, and what measures can be
taken to tackle this problem?
It is true that some criminals commit crimes again after they have been punished. While there are several reasons for this alarming
trend, some effective measures can be taken by governments to tackle this problem.
There are two main reasons for re-offenders. Firstly, the prison system can make the situation worse. Criminals put together in prison
and they make friends with other offenders. While they are locked up in prison, they do not have much to do there, and they would
exchange information about what they have done before they came to the prison or they may plan crimes with other inmates. Secondly,
offenders often do not have any other means of earning money. They are poor, uneducated and lacking skills needed to maintain a job.
Also, a criminal record makes finding a job difficult as people usually avoid hiring ex-convict.
To solve this problem, governments should focus on rehabilitation of criminals rather than punishment. Above all, prisons need vocational
training which makes inmates to prepare for life outside the prison. They can learn practical skills such as computer programming, car
maintenance and graphic design. In this way, they can be hired for a position that requires this certain knowledge and skills. Community
service is another way to reform offenders. Rather than being locked up in prison with other inmates, offenders can help society and
become useful to their local community, and these activities would eliminate the negative influence that prisons can have.
In conclusion, it is true the re-offenders are one of the problems in our community; it can be solved by focusing rehabilitation rather
than punishment itself.

This is a good essay. The requirements of the task statement are covered, the reasoning is logical and presented in a
coherent, easy to follow way, the range of vocabulary is wide enough and the writer shows fluency and flexibility. Some
minor errors in this essay include word choice and preposition errors (mouse over the words underlined in blue shows
suggested corrections). Overall this looks like an IELTS Band 8 essay.

17) Some people think that schools should select students according to their academic abilities, while others believe that
it is better to have students with different abilities studying together. Discuss both views and state your own opinion.
Some people contend that mixed ability classes are more beneficial for childrens development than streaming them on the basis of
judgement about their academic abilities. However, from my perspective, I disagree with this contention.
Admittedly, mixed ability classes provide a better environment for childrens all-round development. In such classes, children with
different abilities study together and in turn they can learn from one another. From example, a student, who is good at academic study
but weak in dancing or painting, can learn how to dance or paint form his peers. In this sense, mixed ability classes allow students to
develop their abilities in different subjects instead of only academic abilities.
Despite the argument above, I believe streaming students brings more benefits to teachers and students. As for teachers, separating
children with better academic abilities from others facilitates effective teaching. This practice helps teachers to control their students
more conveniently and easily. Compared with mixed ability in which teacher should consider students differences when they are using
teaching methodologies, streaming makes this situation simpler. To be more specific, students are at the same level of academic ability
in a class, and in turn teachers can use the same methodologies for them all. In this way, the narrower the spread of ability in the class,
the more convenient the teaching can be.
On top of this, steaming enables students to learn in an effective way. According to students different abilities, they are taught in
different ways that are more suitable for them. In the top streams, students use more difficult materials, therefore, they can learn more.
In sharp contrast, teachers can explain the material more slowly to those in bottom streams. Under this circumstance, students with
different academic abilities can study effectively and efficiently.
In the final analysis, mixed ability classes are beneficial for students versatile development, but in my opinion, segregating students
based on different academic ability is better for both teachers and students.
The writer presented a balanced discussion of the topic, effortlessly delivered in a form of a fluent, well-written IELTS
essay. The arguments and reasoning are laid out in a coherent, logical way. A wide range of vocabulary is used in this
work. There are very few spelling errors that could have been caught in an additional round of proofreading (mouse over
the words underlined in blue shows corrections). Keep up the good work! Overall, this essay seems worthy of IELTS Band
8.
18)
Modern children are suffering from the diseases that were once considered to be meant for adults only. Obesity is a major
disease prevalent among children. What are its causes and what solutions can be offered?

Nowadays, the increasing rate of overweight children and adults is a worldwide health issue. Obesity is a major problem which is
increasing day by day in school going children. There are various reasons behind it. This essay will discuss the causes of obesity and
offer some solutions.
The first cause of obesity is junk food. It is often seen that mostly children are fond of burgers, pizzas, noodles and coke. These types of
foods are easily available to them in school canteens. Children love to purchase chips, chocholates, - ice-cream for lunch. Moreover, in
this modern era, parents are working and they do not have time to cook at home. Parents often buy dinner for their children instead of
preparing food at home. This calorie-rich diet is making children obese. This problem can be solved by teaching children to cook healthy
foods for themselves and banning junk foods and fizzy drinks in schools. This diet can be replaced by milk, juice and fruits for lunch.
The second cause of obesity is sedentry life style. It is true that the use of computers and television is increasing in children. They spend
most of their time watching television or playing video games on a computer. This technological advancement has reduced the level of
physical activity in this specific age group. This issue can be resolved by encouraging children to do physical exercises. Parents can take
their children to park to encourage playing with friends. Furthermore, schools can add sports in their curriculum to maintain physical
fitness in their students.
To sum up, it is clear that main causes of obesity are unhealthy eating and not enough physical activities. This ailment can be prevented
and treated by healthy eating habbits and physical exercises.
This is a good essay. There are only a few minor errors that could have been easily prevented by proofreading this essay
one last time before submission (mouse over the words underlined in blue shows corrections). Overall, this work seems
worthy of IELTS Band 8. Keep up the good work!
19) Public libraries should only provide books and should not waste their limited resources on expensive high-tech media
such as software, videos or DVDs. Do you agree or disagree?
With the proliferation of high-tech media, some people hold that the public libraries would be rendered obsolete if they do not offer
software, videos or DVDs to their users while other assert its only a waste of limited resources and the libraries should offer books only.
High-tech media is, in many ways, indeed superior to the books in terms of entertainment, attraction, and functionality. For instance,
videos and DVDs function as a visual means to assist people to have a first-hand experience even though those people have not
physically visited or seen the objects which are introduced in the books. Also, despite the audio-visual equipment would be prohibitive to
install, the capital cost would be lowered by appealing to a sizable number of users.
More importantly, software could assist the library goers to access the Internet to update their knowledge on a daily basis; in contrast,
books typically take multiple months to be published, which in turn rendertheir contents outdated to some extent. In addition, upon
learning that the computer literacy has become an essential skill recently, public libraries should take on the responsibility to
educate its users how to operate a computer.
Furthermore, it is a common practice for most public libraries to share their resources via the Internet. In this way, even if one book of
interest cannot be found in one library, the borrower still could locate the book from other libraries and then request the librarians to
transfer the book to that particular library.
In conclusion, public libraries would benefit in multiple ways if they areequipped with the high-tech media.
This is a good essay. There are only a few errors indicating that the writer needs to take care with verbs, prepositions and
sentence formation (mouse over the words underlined in blue shows corrections). Overall, this work seems worthy of
IELTS Band 8. Remember to always proofread your essay before submitting it. Keep up the good work!

Some people think that all children should learn geography in school.
However, some others think that it is more important to learn subjects
that are more relevant to life. What is your opinion?
20)

by bw
in IELTS Writing Task

With constant modifications to the school curriculum and constant changes in society, the question of whether to
maintain or drop geography is an interesting topic. I believe there would be severe consequences if geography were to
disappear, mainly due to the understanding and open-mindedness that is derived from such studies.

Firstly, with evermore complex geopolitical strategies being played out, it can be considered extremely valuable to be
able to identify the locations of these events without checking on a map. Religious and border conflicts are among the
most common sources of news events, and a lack of knowledge as to where these events are taking place can be
considered ignorance. For example, areas such as the Middle East are constantly in the news. Therefore, by being merely
aware of their location in the world, readers or viewers can greatly increase their understanding of the conflict.

Secondly, making geography compulsory in schools would most likely encourage students to travel later in life. This is
because geography can bring to light options you may not have known existed previously. For example, historically
England has been the top destination to learn English. However, in recent times students have learned about more
economical options such as Malta or Ireland. Therefore, without a sound geographical knowledge of Europe, these
options could have been overlooked.

To conclude, removing geography from the school curriculum would reduce a students ability to fully assimilate global
events in the media. Furthermore, removing the subject could indirectly reduce the number of perceived options
available to students.

21)ielts advantage

Here is a sample band 9 task 2 essay on the topic of student behaviour.

In many countries schools have severe problems with student behaviour.
What do you think are the causes of this?
What solutions can you suggest?
In numerous nations educational institutions are facing serious difficulties with the conduct of their pupils.
This essay will suggest that poor parenting is the root cause of this phenomenon and submit that a public
awareness campaign is the most viable solution, followed by a reasoned conclusion.
The principal cause of poor discipline in schools is poor discipline at home. Many mothers and fathers
either do not have the time or the skills required to teach their youngsters the value of manners and
respecting authority. This results in many young people not listening to their teachers, being rude and
actively rebelling against rules and regulations. For example, a recent study by Cambridge University found
that 1 in 3 teenagers would refuse to comply with a rule if they didnt agree with it, compared to just 1 in 8 in
a similar study in 1990.
The most practical solution to this problem is a government sponsored awareness campaign. An effective
advertising campaign could warn of the dangers of misbehaviour and hopefully raise awareness amongst
the public. For example, the United Kingdom recently lobbied their citizens to teach their children about the
importance of respecting teachers and this resulted in a dramatic improvement.

In summary, widespread negative behaviour in the classroom has been caused by caregivers not instilling
the values of deference and civility in their offspring; however this can be tackled through a public
education programme that promotes these values. It is also recommended that people should attend
parenting classes before their child starts kindergarten.
22)

Fresh water has always been a limited resource in some parts of the world. Today, however, growing worldwide demand has made this
a global problem.

What are the causes of the increased demand and what measure could governments and individuals take to respond to this problem?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

Since time immemorial, in certain drier parts of the world, fresh water has always been a scarce natural resource. However, in the present time,
due to various reasons, scarcity of fresh water has become a global issue. This essay will illustrate some factors contributing to this problem and
will also elicit certain steps that can help the national authorities and individuals in controlling this growing demand for natural salt free water.

Firstly, population explosion is the factor of utmost importance, which has lead to the global surge in potable water requirement. Secondly,
increased pollution of natural fresh water reserves due to urbanisation and industrialization has compounded this demand. Furthermore, in
modern times, the growing use of salt free water for activities like recreational swimming, have also catalysed the surge in global water demand.

National authorities, on the other hand, can control this surge by implementing public education schemes regarding controlled water usage. Strict
national legislations for preventing natural fresh water reserve pollution are also required. Moreover, government should also enact infrastructures
for purification of seawater into saline free water, which will help in meeting the growing requirement of fresh water.

Similarly, public can also contribute towards this noble cause by conserving water and also by limiting their daily household water usage. They
should refrain themselves from performing activities that will pollute natural fresh water reserves.

Thus even though, the scarcity of fresh water is a growing global problem, there are various means and methods available, by which both the
government and individuals can prevent this from worsening.

Total Words: 253

Task Achievement: 9
Coherence & Cohesion: 9
Lexical resources: 9
Grammar: 9

Overall Score: Band 9

22)
Band 9

Forests are the lungs of the earth. Destruction of the worlds forests amounts to death of the world we currently know.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

I am in consummate accord with the statement that, the Earths natural green reserves purify its atmosphere and functions synonymously as that
of the mammalian lungs. I also advocate the view that, forest destruction will ruin our present world.

Firstly, from our basic knowledge of plant physiology, it can be restated that, plants by the process of photosynthesis convert the harmful carbondioxide gas into Oxygen, without which life cannot exist. Thus in a wider perspective, it can be stated that, the earths forests purify the
atmosphere and thereby help in sustaining life. Secondly, environmentalists have proven that, the rapid destruction of forests is also a leading
cause of global warming. Hence, destruction of the natural green reserves may lead to such a surge in the global temperature that agricultural
land may become arid, leading to wide spread famine and deaths. Thirdly, forests also house diverse forms of life and these would become
extinct if we continue to destroy their natural habitats.

Furthermore, scientific research have proven that forest ecosystem act as natural scavengers and by the process of biodegradation, forest
ecology helps in producing crude oil, which fuels our modern world and its unavailability is unimaginable as this will directly catalyse a global
economic crisis. Finally forests are also source of numerous medicinal plants, from which varieties of modern medicines are produced; Quinine,
an antimalarial drug, produced from the barks of Cinchona trees is the best possible example. Hence forest destruction will also be a bane for the
medical community.

Thus the harmony of the present wonderful will be ruined if our natural green reserves are continuously destroyed and there is a theoretical
possibility that the blue planet might become lifeless if these green lungs are totally wiped out.

Total Words: 288

23)

The most important thing about a job is how much money you earn in that job.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

A vast majority of our adult life is spent working; hence it is important that we have an appropriate job that fulfils our aspirations. While financial
remuneration is an important factor that attracts individuals towards a specific work, there are other factors of equal significance that make a job
ideal.

Firstly, the importance of financial security cannot be undermined in the modern materialistic world. Since a vast majority of people earn their
livelihood from their workplace, it will be difficult for individuals with single source of income, to make their ends meet, from underpaying jobs.
Thus underpaid employees, because of their financial burdens, may not be able to offer dedication and commitment at workplace, which in turn
results in under-performance. Secondly, the educated refrain from being employed in underpaying jobs, as these are less attractive. Hence the
remuneration associated, is an important factor that determines the value of a particular job.

On the other hand, to glorify higher earning as the sole determiner of an ideal job is incorrect. This is because various other factors like work and
life balance; working place culture and adequate recognition contribute towards satisfaction and contentment in work. Thus an astronomically
higher paying job with a demanding employer, with poor social life in a tedious work place environment will lead to higher job dissatisfaction,
which in turn will also promote higher attrition.

Henceforth, it can be stated that apart from financial remuneration, which is a major determiner of a good occupation, job satisfaction is also an
equally important associated factor that determines the value of a specific job.

Total Words: 265

24)

Some people believe the aim of university education is to help graduates get better jobs. Others believe there are much wider benefits
of university education for both individuals and society.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

University education, even though is definitely directed towards generating lucrative employment opportunities for the advanced students; there
are additional arrays of associated benefits of tertiary education that are worth mentioning.

Firstly market researches in the United States and other developed countries have shown that post graduates are able to command a
considerable higher salary at workplace when compared to graduates or simple high school diploma holders. Moreover, the professional world of
certain white collared highly respected professions, like those of physicians, engineers, scientists can only be pursued, after graduating from the
respective university courses. Furthermore, in certain fields like management, the credibility of various universities are judged by their ability to
generate glittering well-paid employment offers for their fresh graduates, during their campus placements. Hence university education is definitely
perceived as a means of better employability.

In this context it is worth mentioning that, apart from generating lucrative jobs for students, universities also benefit the nation by creating
educated societies, containing an immense pool of forward thinking individuals, who can contribute towards social development by their
respective expertise. Individuals graduating from universities also additionally benefit from the multicultural environments that promote

intercultural tolerance and brotherhood. The process of tertiary education also promotes teamwork and collective development amongst
individuals. Over and above, numerous long lasting friendships, business partnerships and courtships also bloom from the university campus life.

Finally, to sum up, it can be confidently stated that apart from generating respectable employment, there are numerous associated positive
aspects of university education, which are of great social and individual significance.

25)

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university
studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

In certain countries, it is preferred that students should take a year off from studies after completing high school, prior to joining universities and
during this period they are encouraged to work or to travel. Even though this seems to be a noble concept, it has its own merits and demerits and
some of these will be illustrated in this essay.

Firstly, a year off, after completing years of continuous school education is a welcome break for students and is well deserved too. This period
also serves as well earned family time for those pupils who grew up within the closed boundaries of boarding schools. Secondly, this period
provides ample opportunities to young people, to experience the realities of the modern world. Those students who prefer a break, can
experiment with various forms of employment and thereby decide their career goals and directions depending upon their experiences. The
holidaymakers, on the other hand can familiarise with the customs and cultures of various countries, which in turn will widen their outlook and will
also promote cultural tolerance. Thus, in a wider perspective, such breaks help the young minds in preparing for the much demanding university
life.

In contrast, certain disadvantages are definitely associated with this concept and are worth mentioning. Firstly, scholars are of the opinion that,
such breaks from studies, during the learning phase of life, affects further education. According to them, such activities should not be encouraged
as there are higher chances that the young minds might loose interest in learning or may get demotivated due to various reasons and might
ultimately refrain from pursuing university education. Secondly, the employed youth, due to a sudden increase in their purchasing power, might
also get attracted to various social evils like drugs, gambling and alcoholism.

Thus to sum up, it will be wise to comment that such policies even though are noble practices, should not be made mandatory in a national scale,
as these activities are also associated with considerable negative outcome.

Total Words: 331

26)

In the modern world, the image (photograph or film) is becoming a more powerful way of communicating than the written word.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

In modern society, with the advent of advanced telecommunication and photographic technologies, visual expression in mediums such as
television, photography and films are increasingly becoming popular as powerful means of expression when compared to the simple mundane
printed medium.

The increasing preference and use of visual resources over written communication is an undeniable fact and the growing utilisation of video
based learning in modern schools over text book based knowledge transfer is the best possible example. In the present evidence-seeking world,
visual communication is a powerful tool as it provides recognisable facts. Meticulously crafted images, like political cartoons and television
documentaries readily deliver the concerned messages to the onlookers and are mostly beneficial in conveying thoughts to the busy and
uneducated sections of the society. The television is also being bombarded with numerous catchy advertisements, by which manufacturers try to
communicate with the masses regarding their products.

On the other hand, the appeal of the printed media as means of mass communication, is declining as the younger generation considers it to be
relatively old fashioned and boring. Moreover, in the fast paced modern city life, less number of people can afford to dedicate time for reading the
daily morning newsprints, instead, most of the city dwellers follow daily-televised news. Despite this decreased appeal for mass communication,
value of the written form still stands tall in the field of interpersonal and formal communication. Written words, as a form of official documentation,
can never be superseded by any other means.

Thus, visual communication is definitely a popular, powerful and better tool for mass communication but written form of expression still has equal
importance for official, formal and interpersonal purposes.

Total Words: 277

27)

International tourism has brought enormous benefit to many places. At the same time, there is concern about its impact on local
inhabitants and the environment.

Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

Travel industry has experienced a major boom in the later part of the 20th century and has been a boon in disguise, which has helped some
weaker nations to uplift their failing economies. While questions have been raised regarding the negative impacts that accompany the growth in
the travel sector, these definitely do not outweigh the associated benefits.

The economic boost that accompanies a successful travel industry is quite well recognised and Thailand is the best example. The entire Thai
economy revolves around tourism and the country had been able to uplift its socio economic status through its flourishing hospitality sector.
Egypt is another nation that is heavily dependent on its hospitality sector. The growth in the number of incoming tourists leads to innumerable
prospects in terms of local entrepreneurship & employment generation. This is also associated with international investments and infrastructure
development. The national authorities, in order to ensure safety of the international visitors provide better law and order enforcement, improved
transportation and healthcare facilities, which in turn benefit the local population.

On the other hand, the rising influx of holidaymakers is associated with increased incidences of crimes, prostitution and antisocial activities like
drugs, human trafficking and gambling, which affect the values of the indigenous society. The local population are also affected by the growth in
property value indices. Environmentalists are also concerned regarding environmental remodelling, that is associated with increased tourist
activities in natural reserves. In this context, it is worth mentioning that, by enforcing stern law and order and implementing strict legislations,
governments can control most of these negative impacts of tourism.

Henceforth, it can be confidently conveyed that, even though the growth in travel industry has accompanying negative social impacts, these do
not outweigh the contributions made by this sector towards social development.

Total Words: 296

28)

Some people believe the aim of university education is to help graduates get better jobs. Others believe there are much wider benefits
of university education for both individuals and society.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

University education, even though is definitely directed towards generating lucrative employment opportunities for the advanced students; there
are additional arrays of associated benefits of tertiary education that are worth mentioning.

Firstly market researches in the United States and other developed countries have shown that post graduates are able to command a
considerable higher salary at workplace when compared to graduates or simple high school diploma holders. Moreover, the professional world of
certain white collared highly respected professions, like those of physicians, engineers, scientists can only be pursued, after graduating from the
respective university courses. Furthermore, in certain fields like management, the credibility of various universities are judged by their ability to
generate glittering well-paid employment offers for their fresh graduates, during their campus placements. Hence university education is definitely
perceived as a means of better employability.

In this context it is worth mentioning that, apart from generating lucrative jobs for students, universities also benefit the nation by creating
educated societies, containing an immense pool of forward thinking individuals, who can contribute towards social development by their
respective expertise. Individuals graduating from universities also additionally benefit from the multicultural environments that promote
intercultural tolerance and brotherhood. The process of tertiary education also promotes teamwork and collective development amongst
individuals. Over and above, numerous long lasting friendships, business partnerships and courtships also bloom from the university campus life.

Finally, to sum up, it can be confidently stated that apart from generating respectable employment, there are numerous associated positive
aspects of university education, which are of great social and individual significance.

Total Words: 257

29)

Question- Women and men are commonly seen as having different strengths and weaknesses. Is it
right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
Males and females are often viewed as having differing skill sets. It is agreed that it is correct to exclude
people from certain jobs on the basis of their gender, but only in very limited circumstances. This essay will
first discuss how physical attributes prevent women from excelling in particular roles; secondly discuss how
society at large rejects men from undertaking certain careers, followed by a reasoned conclusion.
For many years the general consensus in the armed forces is that women should not be allowed to
participate in combat missions. This is because most women lack the brute strength required for this
particular occupation and it is therefore right to prevent them from joining the ranks. For example, the
American Army recently allowed some women to fight on the front line and the Department of Defence
deemed the experiment a failure, due to lack of fighting effectiveness. Despite this, many women have
fought in many wars, famously on the Eastern Front for Russia and the Viet Cong in Vietnam, so maybe it
is mens attitudes that prevent them performing rather than their stature.
Society has yet to accept men in many traditionally female positions, such as nanny or beautician.
Businesses feel that it is fine to not hire men for these posts because most of their customers would not be
willing to have a man perform that service. I personally know of one example when a friend failed at the
interview stage when applying to become kindergarten teacher because he was the wrong sex.
To summarise, in limited circumstances it is just to prohibit people from certain occupations, but only if they
cannot physically perform or if the general consensus is that it is a single sex post.
(288 words)
30)

Multinational companies are becoming increasingly common in developing countries. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of this?
More and more transnational corporations are setting up branches and factories in less developed nations.
This essay will first suggest that reduced labour costs is the primary benefit for these companies, while bad
publicity because of Human Rights abuses is the main drawback.

The main reason multinationals set up shop in poorer countries is because it is much cheaper for them to
get their goods manufactured there, due to comparatively lower salaries. In an ever more competitive
marketplace it is simply unsustainable for most companies to pay Western wages when they can pay
someone a fraction of the cost to do the same job. For example, the only reason an iPad or iPhone can be
sold for less than $499 is because a worker in China can assemble the unit for approximately one tenth
what an American would expect to be paid.
Despite this economic benefit, Apple has recently come under scrutiny because of appalling conditions in
many of its Asian factories. Workers in their Foxconn plant in China had to work under such grim
circumstances, including 15 hour shifts, pressure to meet unrealistic quotas and low wages, that several of
them committed suicide by leaping off the factory roof. The New York Times reported that this resulted in a
12% drop in the sale of Apple products, especially after it was reported that Apple had installed nets to stop
any employees killing themselves in the future.
In conclusion, huge global companies may reap the rewards of low operating costs in developing countries,
but they should also keep in mind that they have a responsibility towards their workers and any
infringements of their rights could negatively affect their image and stock price.

31)

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school
programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighborhood or teaching sports to
younger children).
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is often argued that school curricula should include community work, and pupils ought to do it free of
charge. This essay will show that such experience at school can be beneficial for children as they learn to
be better people and more responsible citizens of their country.
Undoubtedly, volunteering teaches people to empathize with others, not to be indifferent to others needs
and lend a hand to strangers when it is needed. It is crucial that children acquire these qualities since a
very early age, and schools can provide a great opportunity to do that. Looking from my vantage point, I
can say that the school where I used to study made me a kinder, more considerate person when my fellow
pupils and I participated in a special programme that was aimed at helping older people do housework.
Many educators around the world claim that it is important to make even young children aware of the fact
that they are citizens of their country, and that they have their rights and responsibilities. Community
service can certainly raise this awareness by showing that even very young people can improve the world
around them. For example, in my hometown in Russia, schoolchildren are encouraged to collect recyclable
materials such as plastic, paper and glass, and everything that is collected by them accounts for three
quarters of all recyclables in the region.

In conclusion, unpaid labour for the sake of a better neighbourhood has many advantages such as learning
to be caring to others and to be in charge of what happens in ones community. While some countries such
as Russia has partly adopted community service for their curricula, more countries can incorporate this
element in theirs in the future.
32)