Academic Writing - Task 2 (Model answer)

Is there any value in studying academic subjects that are not ‘useful’ in terms of generating wealth for the country?


Countries that have well-educated citizens tend to have a high standard of living as these individuals are able to make intelligent choices for a country and make use of its natural resources wisely.

There are many subjects that help a country to become wealthy such as banking, finance and accounting. Other sectors such as tourism and exports are of equal importance. Each country derives its income from different sources so it is a good idea to invest in these sectors and ensure there is enough human capital to promote these goods and services. The UK for example is well-known for its universities, attracting thousands of students from all over the world every year. Encouraging people to become professors would be a way to attract potential students to enrol in a course.

On the other hand, people should have the choice of studying subjects that interest them without having to worry if their country is benefiting from their choice. All subjects have their value even if they don’t seem to be contributing towards a country's income. An artist or architect might attract tourists to galleries and museums. A worker in an assembly line might be adding a nose to millions of teddy bears destined to be exported.

In my opinion, a university student should study what they please and there should be a range of subjects available for them to choose from. All jobs and tasks are useful for a country’s progress and so students should not only focus on the ones that obviously bring wealth to a country.

Question taken from Collins Vocabulary for IELTS p.17

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Question taken from Cambridge IELTS 3 p.99

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Question taken from Cambridge IELTS 3 p.75

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Question takne from Cambridge IELTS 3 p.29

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Question taken from Practice Plus 1 p.50

Speaking IELTS - Part 2 & 3 (Model notes)

Question taken from Barrons p.180

Academic Writing - Task 2 (Model answer)

Some countries have come to rely on tourism as their major source of income. However, many people believe that the problems caused by tourism are more serious than those it has solved. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?


Tourism is the main income source for many countries especially if they have something extraordinary to show the world in terms of man-made wonders and beautiful landscapes. Even though some nations did not set out to attract tourists but relied instead on other forms of income such as farming or banking, they may have shifted to tourism later.

Naturally, tourism is favoured as it brings much needed money into the economy of a country as well as valuable foreign currency. Local people survive by being tour guides, working in the hospitality industry as well as in retail selling products to eager tourists.

On the other hand tourism destroys local values and morals as people put on shows to display their culture in order to please tourists. They leave their traditional way of life behind in order to sell trinkets, postcards and other useless items to tourists. Tourist areas are overcrowded and the natural environment is destroyed by those who do not appreciate what a country has to offer. What is more, greedy business people and the government are quick to invest in luxury facilities for tourists at the expense of the environment.

To sum up, although tourists boost a country’s economy, revitalise certain areas and provide jobs for the locals, there is a price to pay for this. A country’s environment is destroyed to provide the infrastructure to support tourism, areas become overcrowded and the local’s traditional way of life is changed as locals find it easier to make money from tourism.

Question taken from Objective IELTS Student’s book p.123