Model Answer - IELTS (Task 2)

Some people argue that it is more important to have an enjoyable job than to earn a lot of money. Others disagree and think that a good salary leads to a better life.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

The workforce is motivated by a number of factors. For some an attractive salary is the prime reason for working whilst others take into consideration other factors such as a good working environment, perks, flexible working hours, co-operative colleagues and job satisfaction. Undoubtedly a high salary results in a better standard of living but considering that workers spend most of their hours at work, often this is not enough to keep them satisfied.

In many cases, students study a subject that interests them with the logic that they will end up working in a profession that suits their character and ambitions. Being creative at work as opposed to carrying out monotonous tasks means that a person will be more productive and happy which in turn might be profitable for the company. On the other hand, workers who are miserable at work irrespective of their high salary are likely to transfer these negative feelings home.

Naturally, the first benefit that is negotiated when seeking employment is a good salary. Everybody needs to survive and prosper financially especially during periods of economic crises. Most workers are willing to put up with being unsatisfied in the workplace when they earn a good package.

Ideally, the best situation would be job satisfaction accompanied by a high salary, but unfortunately this is not always the case. What a person chooses depends on their ideals and what they view as important. People who put money above all else will only be interested in a high salary while those who value enjoyment more place pleasure at the forefront. Personally, I believe job satisfaction is equally important.

Question taken from Cambridge IELTS Trainer p.114

Model Answer - IELTS (Task 2)

It is generally believed that the Internet is an excellent means of communication but some people suggest that it may not be the best place to find information. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

As well as being a vital source of information, the Internet has other functions such as easing communication. Although life has become easier with the Internet and information may be accessed faster, some people do not believe that the information found on the web is reliable.

Applications such as MSN, Skype, Facebook etc. enable people to communicate with each other all over the world via computers and mobile phones. This is beneficial as communication is free and simultaneous. Webcams also enable you to see the person you are conversing with. Communication is possible with the use of emails too. This form of communication is useful for companies as well. Video conferencing can save valuable time and money and break down communication barriers.

In addition to being a great means of communication, the Internet provides a wealth of information. Many journals can be found online, books may be downloaded and libraries have begun uploading books on the web. Well-known newspapers and magazines have on-line versions of their printed material. Although there are other traditional places to search for information such as directories, libraries and state archives most people prefer the Internet. What concerns many academics is the reliability of the information posted on the web. As the Internet is open to the public and supports freedom of speech, people who may not have expert knowledge on a topic may present information there. In fact students are often warned not to extract information from certain sites.

To conclude, I believe the Internet is one of man’s greatest inventions. It allows us to be in touch with our family and friends from all corners of the world and at any hour of the day. Information can be found instantly and it is up to each individual to exercise their judgment on the usefulness of the information found there.

Question taken from Cambridge IELTS Trainer p.133

General Training Model Answer - IELTS (Task 1)

You are planning a two-week vacation, and you need someone to take care of your house while you are away.
Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter
Tell your neighbour that you are going away
ask your neighbour to take care of your house for you
explain what tasks you would like your neighbour to do

Dear Rob,

I hope you are well. The time has finally arrived for me to take my annual leave and I’m sure you’re tired of me going on about it continuously. Well, I’m going to Alaska for two weeks starting on the 1st of April. Everything has been booked and confirmed and I’m so excited.

You’ve already informed me that you’ll be at home next week so I was wondering whether you could do me a favour. I would really appreciate it if you could pop into my house from time to time to make sure everything is fine.

The plants in the living room need to be watered once a week only and placed near the window when it is sunny. In terms of taking care of the house that is all I require you to do. I also gave your telephone number to the TV repair company who will be returning my set on the 8th of April. Kindly open the house for them so they can install it for me.

Thank you for all your help and I’ll remember to bring back the souvenir you requested from Alaska.

Regards,
Melanie
Question taken from Barron’s IELTS Practice Exams p.387

General Training Model Answer IELTS (Task 1)

You have decided to leave your current job and look for a new one. Write a letter to a friend. In your letter

explain why you want to leave your current job
what kind of job you are looking for
ask for some help or advice.

Dear Scarlet,

I hope you have been keeping well. It’s been a while since we last met. You might recall me complaining about my job when we went out for dinner about two months ago. Well, the situation has become worse and I’m thinking of handing in my resignation.

I currently work twelve hours a day which is exhausting and the company has not been paying me overtime for the extra effort I put in. As well as the pressure I’m under, there is no sign of appreciation for all the hard work I do.

I wish to continue in my line of work but I’m looking for better working conditions. Although I’m satisfied being a secretary it would be nice to work for a small organization where I can leave on time and be respected by my employers.
As you are well-connected in the business sector and have friends in high places I was wondering whether you could put in a good word for me. I would also appreciate it if you could help me update my CV to make it more attractive as well as provide me with some interview tips.

Regards,
Sharon
Question taken from Barron’s IELTS Practice Exams p.360

General Training Model Answer - IELTS (Task 1)

Your next-door neighbour likes to listen to music late at night. Because of the loud music, you often lose sleep. Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter

Describe the situation
Explain the problem it is causing you
Offer at least one solution

Dear Dan,

We’ve been neighbours for a number of years now and in order to maintain the good relationship we have and to avoid future misunderstanding, I wanted to let you know that the loud music you have been playing at night is affecting my sleep.

As you are aware I need to be up at 5am daily, so I should be in bed early too. As I’m kept up late due to your loud music I’m not getting enough sleep. My manager has commented that my performance at work is not up to scratch and my mood swings are not seen favourably by my colleagues. I have also begun to get addicted to caffeine to stay awake during the day.

I would appreciate it if you could listen to music using headphones. That way, you can enjoy your music while I rest. Alternatively you might lower the volume. I wouldn’t want to deprive you of your passion, so if you must listen to loud music, the weekend would be an ideal time to do so as I’m away then.

Regards,
Mark
Question taken from Barron’s IELTS Practice Exams p.279

Model Answer - IELTS (Task 2)

In the past, shopping was a routine domestic task. Many people nowadays regard it as a hobby.
To what extent do you think this is a positive trend?

As the standard of living in many countries was not as high as it is today and most citizens were not wealthy, many households carried out shopping for the sole purpose of purchasing weekly necessities. Shopping trolleys and baskets were smaller and usually it was the woman’s task to go to the grocery store and stock up on what the family required.

Today this has all changed with advertising, marketing, mass production and the rise in popularity of consumerism. Shopping has become a favourite pastime for many consumers. Shoppers not only crowd into covered shopping centres and malls to buy products but combine this activity with other options like drinking coffee, watching movies etc. For this reason it is seen as a good way to spend your day.

This may regarded as a positive trend by shopaholics who enjoy spending their free time purchasing products, window shoppers, people who enjoy keeping up with the latest trends, shoppers who like walking around shopping districts as a form of exercise and of course manufacturers who stock shops with products. If shopping has come to be a hobby then this means that people also enjoy a higher standard of living.

Others however may view this shift in shopping habits negatively as they believe that it leads to unnecessary waste, social pressure to keep up with trends or that free time could be used more creatively.

To conclude, current shopping offers more choice and is more enjoyable than routinely buying necessities. It is a matter of personal preference how a person choses to spend their free time and shopping is one of the many options available.

Question taken from Cambridge IELTS Trainer p.90

Model Answer - IELTS (Task 2)

In many parts of the word there is continuous coverage of sport on television. Some people believe this discourages the young from taking part in any sport themselves.
Discuss this view and give your opinion.

In recent years sports programmes have become extremely popular. As there are local, national and international sporting events on a daily basis e.g. baseball games, the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup etc. the media is present at these events and ready to transmit the highlights to the world. In addition to regular media coverage there are sports channels that show sports around the clock.

Perhaps because sport programmes are heavily advertised, readily available and a form of entertainment, young people find it more attractive to watch sport than take part in it. In fact, many young people enjoy going to crowded stadiums to watch live events as well as to sports bars and cafes to view sports on the big screen. This time could be better spent actually being a participant rather than a spectator in a sport as a person benefits physically in the long run from exercising.

I do not however believe there is a direct relationship between watching and participating in sports. There are many young athletes who can be seen training hard and taking sports seriously as well as others who take this up as a hobby. This does not mean that they don’t also like watching programmes on television.

It is of course a good idea for young people to exercise their body and gain confidence from all the positive qualities sports have to offer. Perhaps seeing others on TV will actually motivate them to try a new sport or learn a new technique they might apply to their game.

Question taken from Cambridge IELTS trainer p.48