IELTS 写作思路1

大作文话 题 快递公司问题件快递公司问题件货款处理关于圆的周长面积重点题型关于解方程组的题及答案关于南海问题 写作思路参考 文明类 Tourism, Education, Government, Women and Families, Language and Culture, Technology and the Media, Development and Globalization 野蛮类 Crime, Animals, Environmental Problems IELTS Writing: tourism Do the benefits of tourism outweigh the drawbacks? Positives of tourism: 1. Personal perspective: Tourism is a popular leisure activity. Tourists can relax, have fun, 'recharge their batteries', and experience different customs and cultures (sight-seeing, sunbathing, visiting monuments, tasting new cuisine). Travel opens our minds. It can broaden our horizons. 2. Economic perspective: The tourism industry is vital for some countries. People rely on tourism for their income. Tourism attracts investment from governments and companies. It creates employment due to demand for goods and services (hotels, entertainment etc.). It helps to improve the standard of living. Negatives of tourism: 1. Environmental perspective: Tourism can have a negative impact on the environment. Excessive building (roads, hotels etc.) destroys natural habitats and spoils the landscape. Tourism creates pollution and waste. It puts pressure on local resources such as food, water and energy. 2. Economic perspective: Tourism may cause a rise in the cost of living. Prices of goods and services go up. Tourists buy second homes. All of this affects local people. 3. Cultural perspective: Local traditions may be lost. Traditional jobs and skills die out (e.g. farming, fishing). Local people are forced to work in the tourist industry. IELTS Writing: 'parents and children' topic Many people believe that parents are not as close to their children as they used to be. Suggest some reasons why this could be true. Parents and their children seem to be less close nowadays. Perhaps the main reason for this is that both parents often work full-time and therefore spend less time with their children. Whereas women traditionally stayed at home to cook, clean and look after children, many mothers now choose to work or are forced to do so. This means that children may be left alone, or with nannies or babysitters. Busy parents have less contact with their children and less 1 energy to enjoy family activities. Many families no longer eat meals together, and children are given the freedom to go out with friends, watch television or chat on the Internet for hours. IELTS Writing: study abroad More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country. Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks? Benefits of studying abroad: ?Many students travel abroad to study at a prestigious university. ?The best universities employ lecturers who are experts in their fields. ?Qualifications gained abroad can open doors to better job opportunities. ?Living in a foreign country can broaden students' horizons. ?Overseas students are exposed to different cultures and customs. ?They can immerse themselves in a language. Drawbacks of studying abroad: ?Living away from home can be challenging. ?Students have problems with paperwork such as visa applications. ?The language barrier can cause difficulties. ?Students have to find accommodation and pay bills. ?Many students feel homesick and miss their families. ?Some students experience culture shock. IELTS Writing: education / practical skills Some people think that school children need to learn practical skills such as car maintenance or bank account management along with the academic subjects at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 1. Introduce the topic then give your opinion I would write that it is true that children learn academic subjects at school, but not many practical skills. However, I would then disagree that schools should teach skills like bank account management and car maintenance. 2. First supporting paragraph I would write a paragraph about the importance of academic subjects like maths, science, languages etc. We live in a knowledge-based economy where independent thinking and problem solving are the most important skills. With timetables already full, schools do not have time to teach children anything else. 3. Second supporting paragraph I would argue that bank account management is a 'life skill' that anyone can learn by simply opening a bank account. Most adults have no problem managing their finances without being taught accounting lessons at school. Other skills like car maintenance are not really necessary. Most people take their cars to a qualified mechanic. 4. Conclusion Repeat the idea that schools are already doing a good job teaching the traditional academic subjects. If they start to teach practical skills, the study of important academic subjects will suffer. IELTS Writing: 'children' topic What problems do children face in today's world? What should we do to address or solve these problems? ?The lack of closeness in families can have a negative effect on children. ?Many parents have no idea how their children spend their time. ?Friends, television and the Internet have become the main influences on c hildren?s behavior. ?Teenagers are influenced by peer pressure. ?Juvenile delinquency is on the increase. ?Parents should be more involved with their children?s upbringing. ?Young people need positive role models. IELTS Writing: governments A lot of IELTS Writing questions ask you to give opinions about what governments should do in relation to an issue. Governments can have an influence on almost everything: environment, crime, television, advertising, work etc. ?Governments provide public services like healthcare and education. ?They introduce new laws. ?They raise money by taxing working people. ?They can spend money on campaigns to educate people. ?They can raise people's awareness of issues. ?They can create new jobs. ?They can provide resources for schools, hospitals etc. ?They can support people who are living in poverty or unable to work. So, if the question asks you to suggest what governments should do to reduce obesity, you could write this: "In my opinion, governments should spend money on campaigns to educate people about the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet. Perhaps they should also introduce new laws to ban the advertising of junk food to children." IELTS Writing: 'bottled water' topic Water is a natural resource that should always be free. Governments should ban the sale of bottled water.To what extent do you agree or disagree? Here are some opinions that you could use: ?Some people believe that bottled water is healthier than tap water. ?They also argue that it tastes better. ?Other people believe that we should consume less bottled water. ?Plastic water bottles add to litter and waste problems. ?Companies should not be able to make a profit from a natural resource. ?There is no difference in quality between bottled and tap water. Governments should ensure that everyone has access to clean tap water. IELTS Writing: public/private healthcare State Health Systems: Advantages ?Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free. ?State healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes. ?Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment. ?Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it. ?The National Health Service in the UK provides free healthcare for every resident. (use this as an example) Private Healthcare: Advantages ?State hospitals are often very large and difficult to run. ?Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments. ?Patients can benefit from faster treatment. ?Many people prefer to pay for more a personal service. ?Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities. IELTS Writing: money and consumerism Many people say that we now live in 'consumer societies' where money and possessions are given too much importance. Others believe that consumer culture has played a vital role in improving our lives. Discuss both views and give your opinion. General ideas: a consumer society, materialistic, earn money, make money, make a profit, success, material possessions, connect wealth with happiness, status symbols, the power of advertising. Positives of consumerism: employment, income, salaries, products that we need, reduce poverty, better standard of living, quality of life, creativity and innovation, trade between countries. Negatives: Create waste, use natural resources, damage to the environment, throw-away culture, people become greedy, selfish, money does not make us happy, loss of traditional values. IELTS writing: health topic Despite huge improvements in healthcare, the overall standard of physical health in many developed countries is now falling. What could be the reason for this trend, and what can be done to reverse it? Lifestyle is a major cause of poor health in developed countries. Most people now travel by car rather than walking, and machines now perform many traditional manual jobs. As a result, people tend to work in offices where little physical activity is required. At home, people are also less active; most adults relax by watching television, while children play video games rather than doing outdoor sports. Technology has therefore made our lives more comfortable but perhaps less healthy. IELTS Writing: city problems More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can governments make urban life better for everyone? ?Life in cities has its drawbacks. ?The cost of living is higher than in rural areas. ?Housing is usually much more expensive. ?Homelessness and poverty are common in cities. ?There is a gap between the rich and poor. ?Life in cities can be extremely stressful. ?There are problems like traffic congestion and crime. ?Cities lack a sense of community. ?People do not even know their neighbors. ?Cities are sometimes described as “concrete jungles”. IELTS Writing: 'road safety' topic Despite improvements in vehicle technology, there are still large numbers of road accidents. Explain some of the causes of these accidents, and suggest some measures that could be taken to address the problem. Causes: ?Driving while tired or drunk is extremely dangerous. ?Mobile phones can be a dangerous distraction for drivers. ?They draw the driver?s attention away fr om the road. Solutions: ?The use of phones while driving has been banned in many countries. ?Punishments are becoming stricter. ?Television campaigns are used to remind people to drive safely. ?Speed cameras have become more common. IELTS Writing: 'gender and university' essay Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Here are some ideas: 1. Introduction: We decided to completely disagree with the question statement. You don't need to explain both sides of the argument. Just give your opinion in the introduction, and then support it in the main body paragraphs. 2. Paragraph 2: One reason why we decided to disagree is that it would not be practical or realistic to have exactly the same number of males and females on every course. Some courses have mainly male applicants, while others are more popular with females. 3. Paragraph 3: Another reason we disagreed is that it would not be fair to base admission to courses on gender. Universities should select candidates based on their qualifications, skills, experience etc. 4. Conclusion: Repeat the idea that selecting according to gender is not the best way to ensure equal opportunities for men and women at university. In my opinion, men and women should have the same educational opportunities. However, I do not agree with the idea of accepting equal proportions of each gender in every university subject. Having the same number of men and women on all degree courses is simply unrealistic. Student numbers on any course depend on the applications that the institution receives. If a university decided to fill courses with equal numbers of males and females, it would need enough applicants of each gender. In reality, many courses are more popular with one gender than the other, and it would not be practical to aim for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to attract more female applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses if fifty per cent of the places needed to go to males. Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that it would be unfair to base admission to university courses on gender. Universities should continue to select the best candidates for each course according to their qualifications. In this way, both men and women have the same opportunities, and applicants know that they will be successful if they work hard to achieve good grades at school. If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it would be wrong to reject her in favor of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications. In conclusion, the selection of university students should be based on merit, and it would be both impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure based on gender. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'women and work' topic Women should have an equal role alongside men in both police and armed forces. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 1. Introduction: topic + response - Introduce the topic e.g. "Increasing numbers of women are choosing to..." - Respond to the question e.g. "I completely agree that women should be able..." 2. First reason why I agree: equal opportunities explain why women should have the same right as men to choose their profession. People should be chosen for jobs according to their skills, qualifications, character etc. 3. Second reason why I agree: women's capabilities I would disagree with the view that women are less able than men to do certain jobs. Also, I would argue that policewomen, for example, may be better at controlling a situation by communicating more effectively. Police and military work requires more than just physical strength. Teamwork, leadership and communication can be much more important. 4. Conclusion: one sentence Repeat your response in a different way. IELTS Writing: global language argument Negatives of English as a global language: The expansion of English has also been criticized. Some people worry that if one language, like English, becomes dominant, other languages may disappear. Languages spoken by small communities could become extinct as people learn English in order to find work. This would obviously have a negative effect on local cultures, customs and traditions because the new dominant language would bring its own culture with it. For example, the expansion of English has happened alongside the increasing popularity of American culture. The American film, music and fashion industries are as dominant as global American companies and products, such as Microsoft or the iPod. Some people call this …cultural imperialism?, meaning that one culture has power over others. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'minority languages' essay Several languages are in danger of extinction because they are spoken by very small numbers of people. Some people say that governments should spend public money on saving these languages, while others believe that would be a waste of money. Discuss both these views and give your opinion. It is true that some minority languages may disappear in the near future. Although it can be argued that governments could save money by allowing this to happen, I believe that these languages should be protected and preserved. There are several reasons why saving minority languages could be seen as a waste of money. Firstly, if a language is only spoken by a small number of people, expensive education programs will be needed to make sure that more people learn it, and the state will have to pay for facilities, teachers and marketing. This money might be better spent on other public services. Secondly, it would be much cheaper and more efficient for countries to have just one language. Governments could cut all kinds of costs related to communicating with each minority group. Despite the above arguments, I believe that governments should try to preserve languages that are less widely spoken. A language is much more than simply a means of communication; it has a vital connection with the cultural identity of the people who speak it. If a language disappears, a whole way of life will disappear with it, and we will lose the rich cultural diversity that makes societies more interesting. By spending money to protect minority languages, governments can also preserve traditions, customs and behaviors that are part of a country?s history. In conclusion, it may save money in the short term if we allow minority languages to disappear, but in the long term this would have an extremely negative impact on our cultural heritage. IELTS Writing: what is happiness? Happiness is considered very important in life.Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness? (Cambridge IELTS 4, page 55): ?Happiness means different things to different people. ?It can be described as a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment. ?People enjoy spending time with family and friends. ?Hobbies, sports and games can be a source of fun and enjoyment. ?Some people see money as a source of happiness. ?Other people define happiness as something deeper. ?They need to feel that they are doing something useful with their lives. ?Some people get a sense of achievement from their work. ?Others find happiness in bringing up their children. IELTS Writing: 'sports salaries' topic Some people believe that the salaries paid to professional sportspeople are too high, while others argue that sports salaries are fair. Discuss both views and give your opinion. View 1: sports salaries are too high ?Sports professionals earn too much money. ?They do not provide a vital service. ?Football players earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball. ?We could all live happily without professional football. ?We should value professionals such as nurses and teachers more highly. View 2: sports salaries are fair ?It is fair that the best sportspeople earn a lot of money. ?Sport is a multi-million-pound industry. ?There is a large audience of sports fans who are willing to pay. ?Televised games or events attract many viewers. ?Being a top sportsperson requires hours of practice. IELTS Writing: 'museums' essay Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people, while others believe that the purpose of museums is to educate. Discuss both views and give you own opinion. People have different views about the role and function of museums. In my opinion, museums can and should be both entertaining and educational. On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role of a museum is to entertain. Museums are tourist attractions, and their aim is to exhibit a collection of interesting objects that many people will want to see. The average visitor may become bored if he or she has to read or listen to too much educational content, so museums often put more of an emphasis on enjoyment rather than learning. This type of museum is designed to be visually spectacular, and may have interactive activities or even games as part of its exhibitions. On the other hand, some people argue that museums should focus on education. The aim of any exhibition should be to teach visitors something that they did not previously know. Usually this means that the history behind the museum?s exhibits needs to be explained, and this can be done in various ways. Some museums employ professional guides to talk to their visitors, while other museums offer headsets so that visitors can listen to detailed commentary about the exhibition. In this way, museums can play an important role in teaching people about history, culture, science and many other aspects of life. In conclusion, it seems to me that a good museum should be able to offer an interesting, enjoyable and educational experience so that people can have fun and learn something at the same time... IELTS Writing: 'job satisfaction' topic As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual well-being. What factors contribute to job satisfaction? How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers? It is difficult to imagine a world in which everyone is truly satisfied with their job. Most people work in order to earn a salary, and they would probably not choose to spend eight or more hours each day doing their jobs if they did not need the money. The need to earn money to pay mortgages, bills and everyday living costs is of much greater concern than job satisfaction. In fact, I would argue that the majority of people dislike their jobs and are unhappy about their salaries, working hours, workloads, or their bosses. LTS Writing: 'dependence' question Some people think that in the modern world we have become more dependent on each other, while others think that people are now more independent. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. First view: we have become more dependent ?Life is more difficult and expensive, and we are less self-sufficient ?Young people rely on their parents for longer ?Unemployed people receive state benefits ?Our jobs are much more specialized, and we need to work in teams Second view: we are more independent ?We rely on machines more than we depend on each other ?The Internet allows us to solve problems without needing help ?Families are more dispersed, and therefore provide less support ?Education gives us the freedom to make our own choices IELTS Writing: problem / solution (life expectancy) In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of aging populations. Some advice: 1. Write 4 paragraphs: introduction, problems, solutions, and conclusion. 2. Don't worry about separating ideas about individuals and ideas about society. Just mention something about both in your paragraphs. 3. Below are some ideas. Problems caused: an increase in the number of retired people (who will receive a pension); a smaller proportion of young adults; smaller working populations; a greater tax burden on working adults; demand for healthcare will rise; young adults will have to look after elderly relatives Possible solutions: people may have to retire later; the state pension age will rise; medical advances and health programs might allow elderly people to stay healthy and work for longer; people should be encouraged to have more children; governments should encourage immigration (in order to increase the number of younger adults) IELTS Writing: technology Some people believe that the range of technology available to individuals today is increasing the gap between rich people and poor people, while others say that technology has the opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Technology could increase the gap between rich and poor. Rich people have smart phones, laptops, wireless broadband Internet etc. People in developed countries can now work from home or from anywhere in the world. They can do their shopping online and have things delivered to their homes. Technology improves their quality of life. On the other hand, many people in poorer countries, who did not have normal telephones, now have mobile phones. Also, the Internet is spreading to all parts of the world. In the past, only people in developed countries had access to world-class libraries, but now the Internet gives everyone access to the same information. This will lead to greater equality. IELTS Writing: 'online shopping' topic Online shopping is increasing dramatically. How could this trend affect our environment and the kinds of jobs required? My advice is to plan your essay with a 4-paragraph structure: 1. Introduction: topic + response (2 sentences are enough) Introduce the topic of 'online shopping becoming more popular'. Then write that it will have a significant impact on the environment and on jobs. 2. Paragraph about the environment Write about simple ideas e.g. people will drive less, so there will be less pollution, less destruction from the building of new roads, but perhaps more packaging. 3. Paragraph about jobs Simple ideas e.g. many shop workers will lose their jobs, unemployment may rise, but there will be more skilled jobs in IT (computer programmers, web designers). 4. Conclusion: repeat your response Overall opinion: online shopping may have a negative effect on employment, but it might be a good thing for the environment. IELTS Writing: 'nuclear power' topic There are several benefits to building more nuclear power stations. Firstly, nuclear power is a sustainable energy source, meaning that it can be used to produce electricity without wasting limited natural resources like coal, oil or gas. Secondly, nuclear power stations are cleaner than fossil fuel power stations, and could help to reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming. With improvements in nuclear technology, the risks of accidents are being reduced. As a result, many countries are now considering nuclear power as a solution to high oil and gas prices, increasing demand for electricity, and worries about pollution and climate change. IELTS Writing: advertising topic Positives of advertising: ?Companies need to tell customers about their products and services. ?Advertisements inform us about the choices we have. ?The advertising industry employs many people. ?Advertisements are often funny, artistic or thought-provoking. Negatives of advertising: ?Advertisers aim to convince us that buying things leads to happiness. ?We are persuaded to follow the latest trends and fashions. ?Children can be easily influenced by advertisements. ?They put pressure on their parents by pestering or nagging. Opinions: ?Advertising should be regulated by governments. ?Advertisements that target children should be banned. ?Packaging for junk food should display clear health warnings. ?Overall, advertising is necessary but it needs to be controlled. IELTS Writing: old buildings Do you think old buildings should be broken down, and give place for modern buildings. How are the old buildings important in our society? With the rapid development of urbanization, many people advocate the demolition of old houses for the benefit of economic and social development. But others argue that we can?t ruin the traditional cultural heritage. Personally, I side with the former opinion. In the first place, the existence of old houses is an obstacle to modern urbanization by damaging the image of the city. If they are replaced with modern skyscrapers, the city will take on a new look. Take the Summer Palace in Beijing for example, Being government has demolished a large number of run-down the Summer Palace and constructed many new housing buildings instead. In the second place, there is a potential danger to people living in old houses or even passers-by. If the houses are old enough to collapse in the end, where does the value of culture or tourism exist? The tourists surely will not travel a long distance to see these so-called “culture heritage” at the risk of their lives. In the third place, replacing old houses with buildings can help to solve housing problems. It is well-known that China is a densely-populated country and people in urban areas only have little housing space. Undoubtedly, replacing old houses with new buildings is a good way to solve the problem. As mentioned above, I can draw a conclusion safely: It is irresistible to replace old houses with modern buildings. At the same time, it is necessary for us to restore a limited number of old houses for the sake of conserving traditional culture and attracting tourists. IELTS Writin: 'helping poor countries' topic The money given to help poor countries does not solve the problem of poverty, so rich countries should give other types of help instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 1. Introduction: introduce the topic of helping poor countries, and agree that giving money is not the best way to help. 2. Paragraph explaining why giving money is a bad idea. 3. Paragraph explaining why other types of help are better. 4. Conclusion: repeat the argument (investing is better than giving). In my opinion, it is a bad idea to simply give financial aid to governments of poor countries. If rich countries do this, there is a risk that the money will not go to the people who need it most. Governments may misuse the money they are given because they do not have the resources or the know-how to tackle the causes of poverty. In some cases, corrupt politicians have become rich while their citizens continue to suffer. For these reasons, it is important for developed countries to find ways to invest in developing nations, instead of just donating money. IELTS Writing: globalisation It has been said that the world is becoming a global village in which there are no boundaries to trade and communication. Do the benefits of globalization outweigh the drawbacks? Positives of globalization: ?Business is becoming increasingly international. ? A global economy means free trade between countries. ?This can strengthen political relationships. ?Globalization can also create opportunities for employment. ?It encourages investment in less developed countries. ?It could reduce poverty in the developing world. Negatives of globalization: ?Globalization can also lead to unemployment and exploitation. ?Companies move to countries where labor is cheap. ?This creates redundancies, or job losses. ?Some companies exploit their employees in developing countries. ?Salaries are low and working conditions are often poor. ?Global trade also creates excessive waste and pollution. IELTS Writing: crime topic Many criminals re-offend after they have been punished. Why do some people continue to commit crimes after they have been punished, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem? Causes of crime and re-offending: ?The main causes of crime are poverty, unemployment and lack of education. ?People who commit crimes often have no other way of making a living. ?The prison system can make the situation worse. ?Offenders mix with other criminals who can be a negative influence. ? A criminal record makes finding a job more difficult. ?Many prisoners re-offend when they are released. Possible measures to reduce crime and re-offending: ?Prisons should provide education or vocational training. ?Rehabilitation programmes prepare prisoners for release into society. ?Community service is another way to reform offenders. ?It makes offenders useful in their local communities. ?They might be required to talk to school groups or clean public areas. ?Offenders also need help when looking for accommodation and work. IELTS Writing: fixed punishments Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. 1. Introduction: topic + response People have different views about whether punishments for crimes should be fixed. Although there are some advantages of fixed punishments, I believe that it is better to judge each crime individually. 2. Benefits of fixed punishments There are some good arguments for having one set punishment for each crime. IDEAS: easy, fair justice system; everyone is aware of the punishment for each crime; fixed punishments could deter criminals. 3. Benefits of not having fixed punishments However, I would argue that the circumstances of a crime and the criminal?s motivation should have an influence on the punishment. IDEAS: judge can decide the best response; a more humane system; example: stealing to feed a family compared to stealing for profit. 4. Conclusion: repeat your response In conclusion, despite the advantages of fixed punishments, it seems to me that each crime should be judged taking both the circumstances and motivation into account. IELTS Writing: 'zoo' topic Some people believe that it is wrong to keep animals in zoos, while others think that zoos are both entertaining and ecologically important. Discuss both views. Positives of keeping animals in zoos: 1. Environmental perspective: Zoos play an important role in wildlife conservation. They help to protect endangered species. They allow scientists to study animal behavior. 2. Economic perspective: Zoos employ large numbers of people. They provide job opportunities and income for the local area. The money raised can be used for conservation projects. 3. Personal perspective: Zoos are interesting, educational and fun. They make a great day out for families. Children learn to appreciate wildlife and nature. Negatives of zoos: 1. Environmental perspective: Zoos are artificial environments. Animals lose their instinct to hunt for food. It would be better to save endangered species by protecting their natural habitats. 2. Moral perspective: Keeping animals in cages is unethical. We have no right to use animals for entertainment. Zoos exhibit animals with the aim of making a profit. IELTS Writing: environment Explain some of the ways in which humans are damaging the environment. What can governments do to address these problems? What can individual people do? Humans are responsible for a variety of environmental problems, but we can also take steps to reduce the damage that we are causing to the planet. This essay will discuss environmental problems and the measures that governments and individuals can take to address these problems. Two of the biggest threats to the environment are air pollution and waste. Gas emissions from factories and exhaust fumes from vehicles lead to global warming, which may have a devastating effect on the planet in the future. As the human population increases, we are also producing ever greater quantities of waste, which contaminates the earth and pollutes rivers and oceans. Governments could certainly make more effort to reduce air pollution. They could introduce laws to limit emissions from factories or to force companies to use renewable energy from solar, wind or water power. They could also impose …green taxes? on drive rs and airline companies. In this way, people would be encouraged to use public transport and to take fewer flights abroad, therefore reducing emissions. Individuals should also take responsibility for the impact they have on the environment. They can take public transport rather than driving, choose products with less packaging, and recycle as much as possible. Most supermarkets now provide reusable bags for shoppers as well as …banks? for recycling glass, plastic and paper in their car parks. By reusing and recycling, we can help to reduce waste. In conclusion, both national governments and individuals must play their part in looking after the environment. IELTS Writing: strong or balanced opinion Governments should not have to provide care or financial support for elderly people because it is the responsibility of each person to prepare for retirement and support him or herself. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Introduction (strong opinion): People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior citizens. I completely disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive no support from the state. Introduction (more balanced opinion): People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior citizens. Although I accept that we all have a responsibility to save money for retirement, I disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive no support from the state. IELTS Writing: using examples Should governments make decisions about people's lifestyle, or should people make their own decisions? This question seems difficult, but if you take "smoking" as an example of a lifestyle choice, it becomes a lot easier. In some cases, governments can help people to make better lifestyle choices. In the UK, for example, smoking is now banned in all workplaces, and it is even prohibited for people to smoke in restaurants, bars and pubs. As a result, many people who used to smoke socially have now given up. At the same time, the government has ensured that cigarette prices keep going up, and there have been several campaigns to highlight the health risks of smoking. These measures have also helped to reduce the number of smokers in this country. IELTS Grammar: cause and effect 1. Cause - Effect Pollution causes global warming. Pollution leads to global warming. Pollution results in global warming. Pollution is the main cause of global warming. Factories pollute the atmosphere. As a result, global warming is occurring. 2. Effect - Cause Global warming is caused by pollution. Global warming is the result of pollution. Global warming is due to pollution. Global warming occurs as a result of pollution. IELTS WRITING IELTS Writing: conclusions 1. Opinion: For the reasons mentioned above, I believe that... (+ repeat your opinion). 2. Discussion (+ Opinion)In conclusion, there are convincing arguments both for and against..., but I believe that... 3. Advantages and Disadvantages In conclusion, I would argue that the benefits of... (topic) outweigh the drawbacks. 4. Problem and Solution In conclusion, it is clear that there are various reasons for... (topic), and steps need to be taken to tackle this problem.