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IELTS Writing Task 2 – Topic: DISCUSS BOTH

VIEWS
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1.  In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high

salaries.
Some people believe that this is good for the country, but others think
that governments should not allow salaries above a certain level.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.   

Sample Answer 

People have different views about whether governments should introduce a

maximum wage. While in some ways it may seem reasonable to allow people
to earn as much as companies are willing to pay, I personally believe that
2
employee remuneration should be capped at a certain level.
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There are various reasons why it might be considered beneficial to allow

people to be paid extremely high salaries. If companies offer excellent pay
packages, they can attract the most talented people in their fields to work for
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them. For example, technology companies like Google are able to employ the
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best programmers because of the huge sums that they are willing to pay.
Furthermore, these well-paid employees are likely to be highly motivated to
work hard and therefore drive their businesses successfully. In theory, this
should result in a thriving economy and increased tax revenues, which means
that paying high salaries benefits everyone.

However, I agree with those who argue that there should be a maximum
wage. By introducing a limit on earnings, the pay-gap between bosses and
employees can be reduced. Currently, the difference between normal and top
salaries is huge, and this can demotivate workers who feel that the situation
is unfair. With lower executive salaries, it might become feasible to introduce
higher minimum wages, and everybody would be better off. One possible
consequence of greater equality could be that poverty and crime rates fall
because the general population will experience an improved standard of
living.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be better, on balance, for

governments to set a limit on the wages of the highest earners in society.

 (274 words, band 9)

2.  Many governments think that economic progress is their most

important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of
progress are equally important for a country. Discuss both these views
and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 

People have different views about how governments should measure their
countries’ progress. While economic progress is of course essential, I agree
with those who believe that other measures of progress are just as
important.

There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen as a fundamental
goal for countries. Firstly, a healthy economy results in job creation, a high
level of employment, and better salaries for all citizens. Secondly, economic
progress ensures that more money is available for governments to spend on 2
infrastructure and public services. For example, a government with higher
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revenues can invest in the country’s transport network, its education system

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and its hospitals. Finally, a strong economy can help a country’s standing on
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the global stage, in terms of its political influence and trading power.

However, I would argue that various other forms of progress are just as
significant as the economic factors mentioned above. In particular, we should
consider the area of social justice, human rights, equality and democracy
itself. For example, the treatment of minority groups is often seen as a
reflection of the moral standards and level of development of a society.
Perhaps another key consideration when judging the progress of a modern
country should be how well that country protects the natural environment,
and whether it is moving towards environmental sustainability. Alternatively,
the success of a nation could be measured by looking at the health, well-
being and happiness of its residents.

In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker of a country’s success,

but social, environmental and health criteria are equally significant.

 (262 words, band 9)

3.  Some people think that all university students should study
whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to
study subjects that will be
useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.
Discuss both
these views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 

People have different views about how much choice students should have
with regard to what they can study at university. While some argue that it
would be better for students to be forced into certain key subject areas, I
believe that everyone should be able to study the course of their choice.

There are various reasons why people believe that universities should only
offer subjects that will be useful in the future. They may assert that university
courses like medicine, engineering and information technology are more
likely to be beneficial than certain art degrees. From a personal perspective, it
can be argued that these courses provide more job opportunities, career
2
progression, better salaries, and therefore an improved quality of life for
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students who take them. On the societal level, by forcing people to choose
particular university subjects, governments can ensure that any knowledge

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and skill gaps in the economy are covered. Finally, a focus on technology in
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higher education could lead to new inventions, economic growth, and greater
future prosperity.

In spite of these arguments, I believe that university students should be free

to choose their preferred areas of study. In my opinion, society will benefit
more if our students are passionate about what they are learning. Besides,
nobody can really predict which areas of knowledge will be most useful to
society in the future, and it may be that employers begin to value creative
thinking skills above practical or technical skills. If this were the case, perhaps
we would need more students of art, history and philosophy than of science
or technology.

In conclusion, although it might seem sensible for universities to focus only

on the most useful subjects, I personally prefer the current system in which
people have the right to study whatever they like.

 (297 words, band 9)

4.  Some people think that a sense of competition in children should

be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-
operate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both
these views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 

People have different views about whether children should be taught to be

competitive or co-operative. While a spirit of competition can sometimes be
useful in life, I believe that the ability to co-operate is more important.

On the one hand, competition can be a great source of motivation for

children. When teachers use games or prizes to introduce an element of
competitiveness into lessons, it can encourage children to work harder to
outdo the other pupils in the class. This kind of healthy rivalry may help to
build children’s self confidence, while pushing them to work independently
and progress more quickly. When these children leave school, their
confidence and determination will help them in competitive situations such
as job interviews. It can therefore be argued that competition should be
2
encouraged in order to prepare children for adult life.
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On the other hand, it is perhaps even more important to prepare children for
the many aspects of adult life that require co-operation. In the workplace,
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adults are expected to work in teams, follow instructions given En by profiter

their
superiors, or supervise and support the more junior members of staff. Team
collaboration skills are much more useful than a competitive determination
to win. This is the attitude that I believe schools should foster in young
people. Instead of promoting the idea that people are either winners or
losers, teachers could show children that they gain more from working
together.

In conclusion, I can understand why people might want to encourage

competitiveness in children, but it seems to me that a co-operative attitude is
much more desirable in adult life.

 (270 words, band 9)

5.  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.

Sample Answer 

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 2
ways. Some museums employ professional guides to talk to their visitors,
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while other museums offer headsets so that visitors can listen to detailed
commentary about the exhibition. In this way, museums can play an

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important role in teaching people about history, culture, science and many
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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.

 (253 words, band 9)

6.  Some people believe that studying at university or college is the

best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better
to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.  

Sample Answer 

When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job
or continue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job
straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or
university.

The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons.
Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this
way, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own
house or start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to
find work, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly.
They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills
related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a
successful career.

On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue
their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many
professions. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or
lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates
have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn
higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market
is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of
applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do not have 2
qualifications from a university or college will not be able to compete.
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For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more
likely to be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond
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school level. En profiter

 (271 words, band 9)

7.  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.

Sample Answer 

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 programmes 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
behaviours 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. 2
<

 (258 words, band 9)

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8.  Some people think that governments should give financial support
to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that
creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both
views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 

People have different views about the funding of creative artists. While some
people disagree with the idea of government support for artists, I believe that
money for art projects should come from both governments and other
sources.

Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there are
many works of art in public spaces, such as streets or squares in city centres.
In Liverpool, for example, there are several new statues and sculptures in the
docks area of the city, which has been redeveloped recently. These artworks
represent culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people about
the city, and act as landmarks or talking points for visitors and tourists.
Governments and local councils should pay creative artists to produce this
kind of art, because without their funding our cities would be much less
interesting and attractive.

On the other hand, I can understand the arguments against government

funding for art. The main reason for this view is that governments have more
important concerns. For example, state budgets need to be spent on
education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, among other areas. These
public services are vital for a country to function properly, whereas the work
of creative artists, even in public places, is a luxury. Another reason for this
opinion is that artists do a job like any other professional, and they should
therefore earn their own money by selling their work.

In conclusion, there are good reasons why artists should rely on alternative
sources of financial support, but in my opinion government help is
sometimes necessary.

 (262 words, band 9)

2
9.  Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new
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medicines and to test the safety of other products. Some people argue
that these experiments should be banned because it is morally wrong
to cause animals to suffer, while others are in favour of them because
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of their benefits to humanity. En profiter

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer 

It is true that medicines and other products are routinely tested on animals
before they are cleared for human use. While I tend towards the viewpoint
that animal testing is morally wrong, I would have to support a limited
amount of animal experimentation for the development of medicines.

On the one hand, there are clear ethical arguments against animal
experimentation. To use a common example of this practice, laboratory mice
may be given an illness so that the effectiveness of a new drug can be
measured. Opponents of such research argue that humans have no right to
subject animals to this kind of trauma, and that the lives of all creatures
should be respected. They believe that the benefits to humans do not justify
the suffering caused, and that scientists should use alternative methods of
research.

On the other hand, reliable alternatives to animal experimentation may not

always be available. Supporters of the use of animals in medical research
believe that a certain amount of suffering on the part of mice or rats can be
justified if human lives are saved. They argue that opponents of such
research might feel differently if a member of their own families needed a
medical treatment that had been developed through the use of animal
experimentation. Personally, I agree with the banning of animal testing for
non-medical products, but I feel that it may be a necessary evil where new
drugs and medical procedures are concerned.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be wrong to ban testing on

animals for vital medical research until equally effective alternatives have
been developed.

 (270 words, band 9)

10.  Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are
the key to reducing traffic accidents. Others, however, believe that
other measures would be more effective in improving road safety. 2
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
<

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En profiter
Sample Answer 

People have differing views with regard to the question of how to make our
roads safer. In my view, both punishments and a range of other measures
can be used together to promote better driving habits.

On the one hand, strict punishments can certainly help to encourage people
to drive more safely. Penalties for dangerous drivers can act as a deterrent,
meaning that people avoid repeating the same offence. There are various
types of driving penalty, such as small fines, licence suspension, driver
awareness courses, and even prison sentences. The aim of these
punishments is to show dangerous drivers that their actions have negative
consequences. As a result, we would hope that drivers become more
disciplined and alert, and that they follow the rules more carefully.

On the other hand, I believe that safe driving can be promoted in several
different ways that do not punish drivers. Firstly, it is vitally important to
educate people properly before they start to drive, and this could be done in
schools or even as part of an extended or more difficult driving test.
Secondly, more attention could be paid to safe road design. For example,
signs can be used to warn people, speed bumps and road bends can be
added to calm traffic, and speed cameras can help to deter people from
driving too quickly. Finally, governments or local councils could reduce road
accidents by investing in better public transport, which would mean that
fewer people would need to travel by car.

In conclusion, while punishments can help to prevent bad driving, I believe

that other road safety measures should also be introduced.

 (269 words, band 9)

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