Holding international games such as the Olympic Games is an exciting event. Some people think it is positive while others argue it is waste of money. Discuss both. IELTS Writing Task 2
Bhargavee Sisodia15 Oct 2024
When writing the IELTS essay in the 2nd part of the IELTS writing task, you will be assessed for your vocabulary, grammar, and articulation abilities. You will have approximately 40 minutes to complete this task which is why you will have to be adept in managing time and structuring your essay well.
Before writing an essay, you will have to be aware of different types of essays that you might come across while getting assigned the essay question. So, do look at the types of essays that are set for an IELTS essay writing task, so that you can identify and write as per what is demanded.
- Opinion-Based: In an opinion-based essay, you have to explain and support an argument over another that will be given in the question. Do not avoid stating your opinion and state your agreement or disagreement clearly.
- Problem/Solution: These essays often come in the form of a cause/ effect essay where the writer needs to recognize and elucidate the causes of a problem, highlight the problem, and suggest rational and practically applicable solutions to the concerning issue.
- Discussion: You will be expected to discuss both points of view without being impartial. In such essays, you are most likely asked to give an opinion for which you will explain the reasons showing your support or disapproval. However, when it is not asked for, do not state any opinion as it will lead you to score low.
- Advantage/ Disadvantage: You will have to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of a given issue or situation. Moreover, you can be asked to analyze if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
- Balanced Opinion: These essays require you to show partial agreement with one side, as well as the other side while explaining it in separate paragraphs. You should conclude by summarizing both to express that both arguments are equally valid.
- Two questions or a direct question: In separate paragraphs, you will answer the various questions that share the same topic in the question prompt in an essay format.
Scoring Criteria: IELTS writing task 2
The four key assessment criteria for IELTS writing task 2 topics are:
Task Achievement / Task Response: This part of the assessment looks at how well you addressed the topic from your IELTS Writing Task 2. It checks if you wrote at least 250 words in the allotted 40 minutes, and whether you managed to rephrase the question effectively, as well as included examples and evidence to back up your points.
Coherence and Cohesion: Coherence refers to how easily you can articulate your thoughts, and cohesion refers to avoiding repetition or unrelated content. By not overusing a particular word and using linking phrases like "furthermore”, “ In addition”, etc. you can earn good marks. You should create three or four paragraphs, each of which must be shorter and cohesively connected.
Lexical Resource: It measures the test takes ability to use a wide range of vocabulary accurately in the right context. If you incorporate varied vocabulary and appropriate examples, it will improve your score in this category.
Grammatical Accuracy and Range: This section evaluates your correctness, complexity, and precision in using the grammatical range. It takes into account things like using nouns, punctuating correctly, using the right tense, etc.
Holding international games such as the Olympic Games is an exciting event. Some people think it is positive while others argue it is waste of money. Discuss both.: IELTS Writing task 2 sample topic.
Identifying the essay type
The first step before writing an essay is to identify the type of essay so that the structure is followed accordingly. Based on the given question, the instruction words are: “Discuss both” which indicates that there should be discussion on whether the Olympic Games bring positive consequences or create negative impacts to the country. Since there is no opinion being asked, one must stick to only discussing the arguments. This makes it a discussion essay.
Mistakes that are common in IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay
While the discussion essay suggests justifying and elucidating both sides of the given argument with examples or evidence, there are certain mistakes that are seen to be made by test takers even after the prompt involving words like “IELTS Discuss Both Views” essay.
- When you explain the reasons for each view, you have to develop all of the ideas to achieve a high band score. Do not present too many reasons, rather stick to 1-2 and explain them thoroughly.
- Do not forget to give your own opinion when it goes “discuss both views and give your opinion”.
- It often costs your score if you do not give your opinion in detail. It should not be a case of generalization but have some reasons in support of your view.
- When you write an overly general statement about a topic in the introduction, it degrades the quality of your essay. (E.g. Technology has been one of the major aspects of today's society.
- Without proper development and illustration of all the ideas, your essay does not seem to contain a rich essence. This will let you earn a score of more than 7.
- Some test takers include irrelevant ideas and information in the essay. Sharing information that is not associated with the question, the answer is usually marked low.
- There is confusion in understanding the essay question which is due to not carefully reading the question, and attending to each part of it.
- If phrases are memorized (eg. in current times, trending issue, a hot topic) and incorporated in the essay forcibly.
- Do not use ‘research studies’ as examples because these are supposed to demonstrate your ideas, and not prove which research studies do.
- Using novel, rare, or complex vocabulary will not help you get higher scores in IELTS writing. The examiners generally look for naturally flowing vocabulary and phrases.
Structure of the Discussion Essay
Introduction: Paraphrase the question from the introduction. Mention that you will discuss both arguments.
Main Body 1: Describe the argument in the first line. Give examples to back up your claim.
Main Body 2: Address the other issue of dispute. Give examples to support the opposing position.
Conclusion: Finally, summarize everything that you have written.
Sample Answers on the Topic
Given below are the few sample answers categorized based on band score level standards of writing.
Band 6
Competition of international game is helded in the world which are olympiq and these have a pros impact and some feeling that it is wasting money and not necesary for celebration. There will be discussing about the benefit it bring as well as exploring of how spend of heavy money is also there.
Some belive that international event become beneficial in social aspect for which there are reason that should not overlooked. A person's or a sports people talent is shown in it. One is motivate to acheive their potential and interst and personal devlopment when this game internationaly is organized. Eg. Every individual is born with particular skill in what they do good. When it will supported by goverment and help for building of intelligent, and, provides importance for increase of ability, there are lot of benefits through such game. There is improved in society and economy progres as tourist visit for watching olympic.
Communities considers event a wasting of money and time. When people get more responsibilty, from academic goal to developing careers, they stop themself from involvement in sport or international game events and even let go of watching these as they feel like losing of time. Second thing is that the individual persons nowaday focus on advance degree and successing career rather than doing sports. Most family are focus on geting high education instead sport activity to build a good careers.
There are two perspective in people depending on their believes where some persons likes to support organized of Olympic sport but some do not suggesting it as they feel it leading to wasting time. Nonetheless, there is benefits to hold of game in helping increasing skills and brought growth even if rest belive a stable career is achieve in education.
Views on the essay: In bold, it shows how there can have been specific linking phrases used which comes within coherence and cohesion. There is an introduction and conclusion, and the structuring of the paragraphs is done well and sounds logical. However, there is a lack of examples for each supporting idea. In terms of lexical resource, which are shown using italics, there are spelling errors and inaccurate word usage. Synonyms could be used instead of repeating certain words, but the meaning conveyed should be relevant. For grammatical range and accuracy, there are italics and underline highlight that show wrong singular/ plural usages, subject-verb agreement issues, tense, and punctuation errors. Nonetheless, all the parts of the essay question has been examined and addressed.
Band 7
People feel international sport like the Olympics hosting is necesary for the organizing -country as it bring enthusiasm and visitors, while other people are believing holding such game events is wasting money and time. Rather than mostly joining in this, there shall be interest for education is what the latter group of belivers think. Both the arguments will have detailed reasons in the following paras and supporting by practical examples.
The advocates have argument that hosting international games such as Olympics contain many advantage to organizing the country. Sport at a global level requires and attracts various participants from corner of the world to one location where gives a chance for cultural exchange and growing connections. When the Olympics is conducted after four years, there are new and old players who step in the competition in various sport in a few months. Due to such sports, culture experience is shared in a global space, which pushes unity and brotherhood with nation and people.
Other side views how there is a waste of a lot of amount of money. Firstly, the infrastucture needs to be bettered to make it ready for the players, participants, and visitors. This involve spending of money. Also, it is known for represent the state of the hosting country which make it important to invest for improving the facility into a good one. An example is how the roads, drains, bridge are repaired and arranged to attract visitors.
In summary, despite some thinking it to be a waste in money and rather focus should be on other development activity, there is a benefit in invest of money in establish of a better image of the organizing nation when arranging a international event. This is because the reputation in the worldwide view is valuable.
Views on the essay: In this essay, the bold highlights indicating coherence and cohesion represent the lack of linking words in one or two places. Then, in the lexical resource, which is highlighted in italics, there are minor spelling errors and incorrect word formation. Considering grammatical range and accuracy, which are indicated in italics and underlined, there are few grammar errors, tense, and singular/ plural issues. However, all main points are well supported with examples and smooth connections is there between sentences.
Band 9
Countries frequently engage in vigorous competition to secure the privilege of hosting prominent international sporting events such as the World Cup or the Olympics, perceiving it as a rare opportunity to elevate their global prestige. Nevertheless, some advocates argue that the financial expenditures involved are excessively burdensome. In the forthcoming paragraphs, there will be a thorough discussion on both of the perspectives with relevant examples.
There is an assumption that hosting illustrious events such as the Olympics confers substantial economic and infrastructural advantages. Firstly, the surge of international visitors elevates the demand for refined accommodations, diverse culinary experiences, and regional goods, thereby invigorating various economic sectors. Investments in these areas ranging from hotel upgrades to the development of cutting-edge sports facilities often yield enduring financial returns. Secondly, the enhancement of public transportation and modernization of existing infrastructure not only boost tourism but also provide lasting benefits to local communities. For example, Paris, the venue for this year’s Olympics, has experienced a significant influx of tourists, leading to increased job prospects and stimulation of local businesses.
While international events like the Olympics can deliver a temporary surge in economic activity and generate employment opportunities, these gains are regarded as ephemeral by a few. The influx of tourists might exacerbate urban challenges, including environmental degradation and waste management issues. Simultaneously, essential sectors like healthcare and education may experience significant budgetary shortfalls, leaving critical needs unmet and diminishing overall living standards as investments go into infrastructure and organization of the event. This is justified by the fact that those fundamental areas could have fostered more sustainable improvements to enrich the quality of life of the citizens.
To conclude, organizing events like the Olympics might lead to sector-based and environmental challenges due to the unbalanced allocation of a nation’s funds. Yet, it brings advantages such as urban development and augments the nation's reputation.
Views on the essay: This essay displays mindfulness and effort in jotting down correct linking words and grammatical sentences, and highlighting tense consistency. There has been proper use of cohesive devices, and it addresses all the parts of the prompt with analysis, logic, and examples which are convincing and sophisticated.
Conclusion
Preparing for the IELTS exam can be both a challenge and an exciting journey. Whether you’re looking to enter a university or pursue job opportunities abroad, D-VIVID is here to provide you with the guidance and support you need. Our experienced IELTS instructors have developed comprehensive practice materials and modules, including IELTS essay topics and IELTS Writing Task 2 topics with answers. By studying these examples, which include in-depth analysis and feedback, you'll gain a clearer understanding and improve your chances of achieving a high IELTS writing band score. Do not wait, just reach out to us now, and we’ll help you navigate your path to success.
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