Writing For IELTS-key

Collins
English for Exams
Writing
for IELTS
Anneli Williams @ 6 "’”
R y
HarperCollins Publishers
77-85 Fulham Palace Road
Hammersmith
London Wé 8JB
First edition 2011
Reprint109876543210
© HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ISBN 978-0-00-742324-8
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condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
About the author

Anneli Williams has taught English for academic purposes
at university level in the UK for over 15 years, developing
extensive experience assessing and preparing candidates
for the IELTS examination.
Author’s acknowledgements
The author would like to thank her editors Katerina
Mestheneou, Tasia Vassilatou and Howard Middle for
their valuable input and Louis Harrison for his advice
and support.
Contents
Unit Title Topic Exam focus Page number

Introduction 4
Gender roles Family matters Understanding visual prompts; 8

Analysing the question
Diet & Health and fitness Describing a line graph; 16
nutrition Generating ideas for an essay;
Presenting arguments
Educational Education Describing a chart; 24
goals Selecting and organising ideas;
Comparing contrasting quantities
and numbers
Biodiversity Nature and the Describing a process; 32
environment Signposting a sequence of events
Global Language and Writing an introduction and 40
English communication conclusion;
Describing a diagram
The Internet Science and Interpreting a table; 48
technology Signposting main points;
Modifying statements
Consumer Employment and ~ Working with two visual prompts; 56
spending finances Making correlations;
Developing supporting examples
Childrenand Youth Developing and linking supporting b4
parents examples;
Writing the conclusion
An ageing People and places Using cohesive devices; 72
population Using punctuation effectively;
Writing topic sentences
10 Fame Culture and Using appropriate vocabulary; 80
modern society Avoiding repetition by use of
synonyms
" The car Holidays and Learning how to correct errors; 88
travel Practising proofreading
Practice test 96
Additional model essays 98
Answer key 110
Introduction
Who is this book for?

Writing for IELTS will prepare you for the IELTS
Academic
Writing test whether you are taking the
test for the first time, or re-sitting the test. It has been written for learners with band score 5-5.5
who are trying to achieve band score 6 or higher.
The structured approach, comprehensive answer key and model answers have been designed
so that you can use the materials to study on your own. However, the book can also be used as
a supplementary writing skills course for IELTS preparation classes. The book provides enough
material for approximately 50 hours of classroom activity.
Content
Writing for IELTS is divided into 12 units. Each unit focuses on a topic area that you are likely to
meet in the IELTS exam. This helps you to build up a bank of vocabulary and ideas related to a
variety of the topics.
Units 1-11 cover the key stages of the writing process: everything from analysing the task to
proof-reading a completed response. Every exercise is relevant to the test. The aims listed at the
start of each unit specify the key skills, techniques and language covered in the unit. You work
towards Unit 12, which provides a final practice IELTS Writing test.
Additionally, the book provides examination strategies telling you what to expect and how best to
succeed in the test. Exam information is presented in clear, easy-to-read chunks. ‘Exam tips’ in
each unit highlight essential exam techniques and can be rapidly reviewed at a glance.
Unit structure
Each of the first 11 units is divided into 3 parts.
Part 1 introduces vocabulary related to the topic as well as a selection of the most common
academic words and expressions needed for the writing functions covered in the unit. A range of
exercises gives you the opportunity to use the vocabulary - clearly and effectively - in a variety of
contexts. The vocabulary is presented using Collins COBUILD dictionary definitions.
Part 2 provides step-by-step exercises and guidance on the key stages of the writing process.
Both writing Task 1 and Task 2 are covered in each unit. There are guided questions and worked
examples to show you what an effective IELTS response looks like. Useful expressions and
grammatical forms are highlighted, and there are exercises to help you to develop good range
and accuracy in your writing. You are encouraged to apply what you have learnt while at the same
time writing your own responses to task questions.
Part 3 provides exam practice questions for Task 1 and Task 2 in a format that follows the actual
exam. You can use this as a means of assessing your readiness for the actual exam.
Answer key
A comprehensive answer key is provided for all sections of the book including recommended
answers and explanations for more open-ended writing tasks. There are model answers for all
of the writing questions. For one of the practice exam questions in each unit, two model answers
are given - one of them annotated. This shows you that a variety of approaches to each writing
task can be taken.
Using the book for self-study

If you are new to IELTS, we recommend that you work systematically through the 12 units in
order to benefit from its progressive structure. If you are a more experienced learner, you can
use the aims listed at the start of each unit to select the most useful exercises.
Each unit contains between three and four hours of study material. Having access to someone
who can provide informed feedback on writing practice exercises is an advantage. However,
you can still learn a lot working alone or with a study partner willing to give and receive peer
feedback.
Ideally, you should begin each unit by working through the Part 1 vocabulary exercises. Try to
answer the questions without looking at a dictionary in order to develop the skill of inferring the
meaning of unfamiliar words from context. This is important because dictionaries cannot be used
during the actual exam. Avoid writing the answers to vocabulary exercises directly into the book
so that you can try the exercises again once you have completed the unit.
Work through the Part 2 writing exercises from beginning to end. important
Itis to study the
examples given in order to become familiar with the type of writing required. Doing this will
also help you become a perceptive = and critical = reader of your own work. The grammar
points covered should be thoroughly mastered so that during the actual exam you can focus on
the higher order skills of communicating
planning and effectively your response. All learners,
including those who are working on their own, should attempt the writing tasks as writing is a
skill that can only be improved through extensive practice. At the same time, you should aim
to become well-informed about a wide variety of subjects, not just those covered in the book.
The IELTS Writing test can cover almost any topic considered to be within the grasp of a well-
educated person.
Part 3 contains exam practice with timed questions. This gives you the opportunity to practise
writing to a time limit. If you find this difficult at first, you could focus first on writing a high-
quality response of the correct length. Then you could start to reduce the time allowed gradually
until you are able to write an acceptable answer within the time limit. You should become
familiar enough with your own hand writing so that you can accurately estimate the number of
words you have written at a glance. Model answers should be studied to identify the underlying
approach and effect on the reader. Try not to memorise essays or reports or to attempt to fit a
pre-existing response around another exam question. If you work systematically through the
book, you should develop the skills and language to effectively express your own responses to
unseen exam questions on the day.
The International English Language
Testing System (IELTS) Test
|ELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, Cambridge ESOL Examinations and IDP Education, Australia.
There are two versions of the test:
* Academic
* General Training
Academic is for students wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels in an English-medium
environment.
General Training is for people who wish to migrate to an English-speaking country.
This book is primarily for students taking the Academic version.
The Test
There are four modules:
Listening 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes for transferring answers to the answer sheet
NB: the audio is heard only once.
Approx. 10 questions per section
Section 1: two speakers discuss a social situation
Section 2: one speaker talks about a non-academic topic
Section 3: up to four speakers discuss an educational project
Section 4: one speaker gives a talk of general academic interest
Reading 60 minutes
3 texts, taken from authentic sources, on general, academic topics. They may contain
diagrams, charts, etc.
40 questions: may include multiple choice, sentence completion, completing a diagram, graph
or chart, choosing headings, yes/no, true/false questions, classification and matching exercises.
Writing Task 1: 20 minutes: description of a table, chart, graph or diagram (150 words minimum)
Task 2: 40 minutes: an essay in response to an argument or problem (250 words minimum)
Speaking 11-14 minutes
A three-part face-to-face oral interview with an examiner.
The interview is recorded.
Part 1: introductions and general questions (4-5 mins)
Part 2: individual long turn (3-4 mins) - the candidate is given a task, has one minute to
prepare, then talks for 1-2 minutes, with some questions from the examiner.
Part 3: two-way discussion (4-5 mins): the examiner asks further questions on the topic from
Part 2, and gives the candidate the opportunity to discuss more abstract issues or ideas.
Timetabling Listening, Reading and Writing must be taken on the same day, and in the order listed above.
Speaking can be taken up to 7 days before or after the other modules.
Scoring Each section is given a band score. The average of the four scores produces the Overall Band
Score. You do not pass or fail I[ELTS; you receive a score.
IELTS and the Common European Framework of Reference

The CEFR shows the level of the learner and is used for many English as a Foreign Language examinations.
The table below shows the approximate CEFR level and the equivalent IELTS Overall Band Score:
CEFR description CEFR code IELTS Band Score
Proficient user c2 ¥
(Advanced) c1 7-8
Independent user B2 5-6.5
(Intermediate - Upper Intermediate] B1 4-5
This table contains the general descriptors for the band scores 1-9:
IELTS Band
Scores
9 Expert user Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent
with complete understanding.
8 Very good user Has fully operational command of the language, with only occasional unsystematic
inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar
situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
v Good user Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies,
inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles
complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
6 Competent user Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies,
inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex
language, particularly in familiar situations.
5 Modest user Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most
situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic
communication in own field.
4 Limited user Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in
understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
3 Extremely limited Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations.
user Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2 Intermittent user No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using
isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate
needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1 Non user Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
0 Did not attempt No assessable information provided.
the test
Marking
The Listening and Reading papers have 40 items, each worth one mark if correctly answered. Here are
some examples of how marks are translated into band scores:
Listening: 16 out of 40 correct answers: band score 5
23 out of 40 correct answers: band score 6
Reading 15 out of 40 correct answers: band score 5
Writing and Speaking are marked according to performance descriptors.
Writing: examiners award a band score for each of four areas with equal weighting:
Task achievement [Task 1)
» Task response (Task 2)
* Coherence and cohesion
* Lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy
Speaking: examiners award a band score for each of four areas with equal weighting:
* Fluency and coherence
* Lexical resource
* Grammatical range
* Accuracy and pronunciation
For full details of how the examination is scored and marked, go to: www.ielts.org
1 Gender roles
Aims: Understanding the task | Understanding visual prompts
Overview of the writing task and process | Analysing the question
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 Many people believe that men and women are

different in fundamental ways. Decide which
words are commonly associated with men and
which words with women.
a aggressive e gentle
b authoritative f strong
¢ competitive g vulnerable
d compliant
2 A knowledge of abstract nouns is essential for academic writing. Complete the sentences
1-6 with the noun form (singular or plural) of the adjectives in brackets.
Example: Aggression is commonly considered a masculine trait. (aggressive]
1 | believe that men and women have different ________ (strong)
is not an exclusively feminine characteristic. (gentle)
N
Many men have difficulty showing . (vulnerable)

W
Some people have difficulty working with female _______figures. (authoritative)

N
Women are often praised for _____ whereas men are praised for leadership.
g
(compliant)
6 There is some evidence that girls are better at cooperation, while boys are happier
when theyarein ____ with one another. [competitive)
3 In IELTS Writing Task 1, you have to summarise information which is usually presented
in a visual form. Match the figures 1-6 with the headings a-f. Then complete the
descriptions with the words i-ix. The first one has been done for you.
a barchart c flow chart e piechart

b diagram d line graph f table
i comparisons iv trends vii segment

i axis v percentage viii features
i columns vi vertical ix stage
8 Writing for IELTS

Unit1”
il Men (] Women
7
1900 1960 2000
A Y
This type of figure can be These figures are useful You can use a figure like this to
used to show (7) _iv_. The for illustrating (10) show how a whole is composed
horizontal (8) often between items or categories of parts. Here, each (11)
indicates time, and the of items. This one compares indicates a (12) of the
9 axis often shows men and women. whole.
what changes over time.
57—
3y
[4]—
S
HEIR
T
i
[ e
— 0 (NINES
You should present data like This type of figure is useful for Figures like this are also used
this if you need to give precise representing a process. Each to represent a process. They
numbers. This example box represents one (14) can also illustrate the
contains four rows and five in the process. (15) of an object.
(13) &
4 In IELTS Writing Task 2, you have to write an essay discussing opinions and the reasons
for holding these opinions. Complete the Task 2 essay questions 1-5 with the words a-e.
a agree b consider c feel d see e view
1 Many people think that boys and girls learn better when they are educated separately.
How do you about this view?
2 Inyour , what should be done to promote equality of opportunity for men and
women?
3 Doyou boys to be naturally more aggressive than girls?
Many people argue that governments should intervene in the labour market to ensure
that more women are promoted to positions of power. To what extent do you
with this practice?
5 What do you as the main reasons for gender inequality in the workplace?
Family matters
Part 2: Practice exercises: Task 1
0 Exam information:
In IELTS Writing Task 1, you have to summarise information which is usually presented in
the form of a table, a pie chart, a line graph, a bar chart, a diagram, or a flow diagram.
1 Read the Task 1 instructions below and answer the questions 1-4.
¢ WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart below shows the numbers of male and female research students studying six
i science-related subjects at a UK university in 2009. i
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
i comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
P20
Research students
clisicls
8
o—
A —
1 How long should you spend on this task?

2 How many words do you need to write?
3 Will you score higher marks if you include all the information in the chart?
4 Are you expected to give your opinion about the information?
2 Your answer to Task 1 should include a brief introductory paragraph, 1-3 body
paragraphs and, if you wish, a brief concluding paragraph. Read the sample answer
on page 11 and answer the questions 1-6 below.
1 What information does the introduction contain?
What is the main focus of the first body paragraph?
N
What is the main focus of the second body paragraph?

g~W
What is the purpose of the first sentence in each of the body paragraphs?
What is the purpose of the second and third sentences in each body paragraph?
What is the purpose of the conclusion?
o~
10 Writing for IELTS

Unit 1
The bar chart shows the gender distribution of students doing scientific research
across a range of disciplines at a UK university in 2009.
In five of the six disciplines, males outnumbered females. Male students made up a
particularly large proportion of the student group in subjects related to the study of
inanimate objects and materials: physics, astronomy, and geology. The gender gap
was particularly large in the field of physics, where there were five times as many
male students as female students.
Men and women were more equally represented in subjects related to the study
of living things: biology, medicine, and veterinary medicine. In biology, there were
nearly as many women (approximately 200) as men (approximately 240). This was
also true of medicine. Veterinary medicine was the only discipline in which women
outnumbered men (roughly 110 women vs. 90 men).
Overall, the chart shows that at this university, science-related subjects continue to
be male-dominated; however, women have a significant presence in fields related to
medicine and the life sciences.
Study the pie chart and read the sample answer below. Underline and correct the
mistakes the writer has made.
Average weekday activities

of women in paid employment
Mealtimes 2 hours
Leisure 2 hours
Sleeping 8 hours
Domestic chores 5 hours
Paid employment 7 hours
The pie chart shows the numbers of hours devoted to various activities in the average
working woman'’s day. Women spend the largest proportion of their waking day working
in paid employment (seven hours) and doing domestic chores [five hours). Women have
on average relatively little time for themselves; only two per cent of their day is devoted
to leisure activities and two per cent to mealtimes. Overall, the chart shows that working
women are busy every day of the week.
Exam Always look carefully at what flgures represenl If lhey represent

percentages you must use expressions such as a large/small/higher/lower percentage af
i men . If the figures give numbers, you can write many/more/most/few/fewer men
Family matters
o Exam information:
In IELTS Writing Task 2, you have to write an essay of 4-6 paragraphs in answer to
a question. The question will ask you to evaluate or present an idea or solution to a
problem. Your aim should be to present a strong argument supported by evidence.
4 Read the Task 2 instructions below and complete the statements 1-4 by circling a or b.

Write about the following topic:
In spite of the many advances women have made in education and employment, they
i continue to be at a disadvantage when it comes to pay and promotion. In your view,
i what should be done to promote equality of opportunity for men and women in the
i workplace?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
i knowledge or experience.
E Write at least 250 words.
1 You should spend

a more time on Task 2 than on Task 1.
b the same amount of time on Task 2 and Task 1.
2 Inyour response you should mainly
a explain why women are at a disadvantage.
b suggest solutions to the problem of inequality in the workplace.
3 To support your opinion, you should
a give reasons and examples.
b give reasons or examples.
4 You have to write
a more than 250 words.
b fewer than 250 words.
5 Read the sample answer on page 13 and the explanatory comments in the boxes.
Complete the boxes 1-5 by adding the comments a-e. Then answer questions 1-5.
a anexample
summary of your main points
ano
a better solution
an acknowledgement that there are difficulties
advantage of this solution
o

Unit 1’
description of —In many parts of the world, there is now greater

the situation and equality between working men and women.
problem Nevertheless, women still tend to earn less and
enjoy fewer promotions than men.
an opposing —Some would argue that this situation will correct
opinion itself over time. However, in my view, there is your opinion
much that can be done to address the problem and plan
constructively.
One possible approach would be for—— | ©one possible but
governments to force employers to promote the not ideal solution
same numbers of men and women and to pay
them the same salaries. This would certainly an advantage of
tackle the problem quickly. However, measures this solution
a disadvantage of —like this would probably be seen as excessive
this solution and difficult to enforce.
A more feasible approach'would be for ——— 1
governments themselves to take the lead by
ensuring that their male and female employees
earn the same for equivalent work and that
women are promoted fairly. This would help to an advantage of
establish gender equality as a norm and set this solution
a good example for companies in the private
sector. Countries, such as Sweden and Iceland,
2c— - | which have done this are often regarded by
others as socially-advanced models.
another solution [——To further encourage equality, companies
could be required to publish figures on the rank
and average earnings of men and women in
their workforce. Evidence of large inequalities
would create a bad impression. In order to
avoid bad publicity, companies might consider
it worthwhile to pay fairer wages and promote
more women&@mafuagement positions.
4 It is true that the problem of gender inequality
in the workplace will probably not be solved
restatement of
quickly. However, that is not a reason to avoid
your opinion
taking action. Governments can encourage
change by showing the way forward and taking 5
advantage of the need for companies to present
themselves as fair and reasonable.
How long is the introduction?

BWN -
How many body paragraphs are there?

How many main points are there?
In what order are solutions discussed: from strongest to weakest or from weakest to
strongest?
5 What is the main purpose of the conclusion?
Family matters 13
o Exam information:
There are four types of Task 2 questions (a-d below). The question type will determine
how you plan and write your essay. Each type requires you to do something different.
Question type Comment and example

a Propose one or more This type of question either contains the word should or it can be
solutions to a problem rephrased with should.
Example: How can the problem of inequality in the workplace best
be addressed? = How should we solve the problem of inequality?
b Evaluate one or more You will recognise this type of question in the same way as a
solutions to a problem above.
Example: Many people believe that boys and girls learn better
when they are educated separately. What is your view on this
practice? = Should boys and girls be educated separately?
¢ Present your ideas about This type of question usually requires you to make a prediction or
a topic write about causes and/or effects.
Example: What do you see as the main reasons for gender
inequality in the workplace? = What are the causes of gender
inequality in the workplace?
d Evaluate anidea about This type of question asks you to consider the truth value of a
a topic prediction, explanation or statement.
Example: Many people maintain that boys are naturally more
aggressive than girls. To what extent do you agree with this
view? = Consider the truth value of the statement that boys are
naturally more aggressive than girls.
6 Read the essay questions 1-5 below and indicate the type of essay (a-d) you need to write.
(See the Exam information box above.) Underline the words in the essay question that
helped you decide.
1 Why do you think women generally hold fewer positions of power?
2 In many parts of the world, unemployment among men is rising whilst the number of
positions in jobs traditionally held by women is increasing. Do you think that women
will overtake men as the main wage earners?
3 To what extent should governments intervene in the labour market to ensure that men
and women are paid the same amount for equivalent work?
4 Although there has been a large increase in the numbers of women who go out to work,
women continue to do a disproportionate amount of housework and childcare. What can
be done to promote greater equality between men and women within the home?
5 Some people believe that boys and girls behave differently only because society
teaches them that they are different. What is your view?
1 Exam tip: You should spend 6-7 minutes on the first 3 stages of writing: analysing the
question, thinking of ideas, and making a plan. You should spend about 30 minutes
writing your essay, and 3-4 minutes checking your essay for mistakes.

Unit 1’
Part 3: Exam practice
WRITING TASK 1
The chart shows the percentage of male and female teachers in six different
types of educational setting in the UK in 2010.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and
make comparisons where relevant.

%
100 7 T T 3 T T T
| L Lol PMen
80 !:lWor’&
0l | - |
1 {
el | %
Wi Eena % ] L
{ { J
20 4 | | ‘
77
|
7
|| i
Nursery/ Primary Secondary College Private University
Pre-school school school training
institute
WRITING TASK 2
Women and men are commonly seen as having different strengths and
weaknesses. Is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions
because of their gender?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
Family matters
2 Diet & nutrition
Describing a line graph | Using tense and time expressions | Taking a position
Generating ideas for an essay | Presenting arguments and reasons for your opinion
Vocabulary
1 Match the expressions 1-9 with the correct definitions a-i.
1 organic food a physical weakness resulting from lack of food or poor diet
2 dietary supplement b fruit and vegetables available at particular times of the year
3 obesity ¢ food that needs little preparation and can be used at any time
4 fast food d a diet without meat or fish
5 genetically modified food e food containing genes which have been altered
6 seasonal produce f condition of being very overweight
7 convenience food g tablets or foods taken to improve nutrition
8 malnutrition h food grown without artificial fertilizers or pesticides
9 vegetarianism i food that can be obtained quickly from a restaurant
2 The verbs a-h can all be used to describe line graphs. Match each expression with the
part of the graph it best describes. Average household expenditure
" : £lweek on convenience foods (UK)
a rise (rose, risen) 60
b fall (fell, fallen) 50
¢ peak (-ed, -ed)
d reach (-ed, -ed) its lowest point *
e level [-led, -led) off 30
f dip (-ped, -ped) 20
g remain (-ed, -ed) the same 0
h fluctuate (-d, -d)
1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Unit 2
There be + noun [+ in) can also be used to describe trends.

Example: There was a rise in fast food consumption.
Write the noun form of the verbs 1-7.
Example: rose rise
1 increased 5 fell
2 peaked 6 dropped
3 decreased 7 fluctuated
4 dipped
The adjectives a-g can be used to describe the degree of change represented in a line
graph. Adjectives are placed before the noun.
Example: There was a sharp rise in fast food consumption.
Match each adjective with the line that it best describes.
gradual
oo
moderate
modest
an
sharp
dramatic
o
slight
steep
a
Adverbs can also be used to describe the degree of change. Adverbs come after the verb.
Example: Fast food consumption rose sharply.
The sentences 1-5 on the left describe trends using there be + adjective + noun. Complete
the sentences on the right using the corresponding verb + adverb.
Example: There was a steep increase in Sales of convenience food increased steeply.
sales of convenience food.
1 There was a dramatic decrease in the The use of dietary supplements
use of dietary supplements.
2 There was a modest dip in levels of Levels of obesity
obesity.
3 There was a slight fallin the production The production of genetically modified food
of genetically modified food.
4 There was a significant drop in levels of Levels of malnutrition
malnutrition.
5 There was moderate fluctuation in the The availability of seasonal produce
availability of seasonal produce.
Health and fitness 17

1 In order to describe a line graph, you need to understand the time frame and use the
correct tense. Study the graph below. Then read the passage and draw a solid line (___)
under examples of the past tense, a dotted line [...... ) under examples of the present
perfect tense, and circle the expressions which refer to the future. Then answer
questions 1-4.
Consumption of fresh fruit and g/person Average consumption of fresh produce
vegetables rose steadily from 600
1970 to 1990, and then levelled off. 500
There was a dip
in the early and 400
mid 1990s, and then a further rise 300
until it reached a peak of 500g P00
per person in 2005. Since then .
consumption has fluctuated. Over
the next ten years, consumption is
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
expected to fall steadily. Between
2020 and 2030, it is also projected
to decline, but more gradually.
When should you use the past tense in describing a line graph?
=
When should you use the present perfect tense?

N
What other expressions can you use for future trends?

W
When would you use the present tense?

N
2 Complete the passage below using verbs, adverbs, adjectives and nouns. Make sure you
use the correct verb tenses. The first one has been done for you.
% Malnutrition among the elderly
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030

The percentage of malnourished elderly people in the EU fell gradually between 1970 and
1978. Over the following seven years, it (1) (2) , until 1990,
whenit(3)________ at 16 per cent. After falling slightly, the rate of malnutrition
() foradecade. Since 2000, there (5) al6) fall.
Over the next ten years, it is (7) to (8) 9

Unit2’
When describing a line graph, you should also indicate precisely the time you are
referring to. Use the expressions a-e to complete the passage below.
2';/0 Use of dietary supplements by children
a over the next.../for the following ... 20

b thereafter 15
¢ from...to/between...and
. 10
d until
e inlx2) 5
J FMAM1J
J A S OND
Months
The percentage of children using supplements is at its highest level (1)

January — March. It then falls sharply and fluctuates (2) _________ two months.
Supplement use continues to fall gradually (3) it reaches its lowest point
(4) — August.(5) | itincreases gradually during the autumn months
and more sharply (7) _—_ December.
Exam tip: You can also use from ... to to describe the amount of change.
i Example: The percentage of children taking dietary supplements fell from 21 per cent in
i January to 6 per cent in March.
Notice that the start and end points are indicated by in (in January ... in March). If you
find this word order confusing, put the time frame at the start of the sentence and the
i amount of change at the end.
Example: Between January and March, the percentage of children taking dietary
supplements fell from 21 per cent to 8 per cent.
4 Compare the two descriptions of a graph on obese adults. Underline any differences that
you find.
Description 1 Description 2
The percentage of obese adults rose steadily from The percentage of obese adults rose steadily from
8 per centin 1950 to 15 per cent in 1970. There 8 per cent in 1950 to 15 per cent in 1970. There
was a slight dip, and then there was a gradual rise was a slight dip, followed by a gradual rise until
until 1990. It rose steeply for the next ten years, 1990. After rising steeply for the next ten years,
and then it levelled off. It has risen even more it levelled off. Since then, it has risen even more
sharply, and it is projected to peak at 35 per cent sharply. It is projected to peak at 35 per cent in
in 2010 and then it will level off. 2010, and level off thereafter.
Now use the expressions: followed by ..., after + -ing and since then to rewrite the
description below. Remove any unnecessary words.
Between 1996 and 1999, expenditure on convenience foods fell gradually from
approximately £25 per week to half that amount. It rose sharply over the next three years
and then levelled off at £30 per week. It remained the same for over two years. It dipped
briefly and then rose slightly. Between 2005 and 2007 it fluctuated. It rose sharply and
peaked at nearly £50 per week in 2008 and then started to fall.

5 Once you have analysed the title, you need to generate ideas. It helps to begin by
identifying how you feel about the topic. Look at the statements 1-5 below and mark them
according to how closely they represent your opinion. SA (Strongly agree), A (agree),
D (disagree), SD (strongly disagree)
1 We should return to more natural methods 4 Because fast food is generally
of food production, such as organic farming, unhealthy, governments should
even if this means that we produce food less regulate the fast food industry in
efficiently. \ the same way that they regulate
2 Inorder to improve public health, governments the alcohol and tobacco industries.
should require food manufacturers to add 5 Convenience food will become
nutrients to their products. increasingly prevalent and
3 The problem of rising levels of obesity in many eventually replace traditional
parts of the world is mainly due to people’s foods and traditional methods of
lack of knowledge about food and nutrition. food preparation.
[ When you write your essay, you must give reasons for your opinions. You should also
show that you have ‘tested’ your opinion by comparing it with at least one other opinion
and examined the reasoning behind it. Look at the two opinions below and the reasons
a-g. Indicate which reasons support each opinion by writing letters a-g in the spaces
provided. The first one has been done for you.
1 Some people strongly agree that we should return to more natural methods of food
production, such as organic farming, even if this means that we produce food less
efficiently. They believe this because:¢,
2 Other people strongly disagree that we should return to more natural methods of food
production, such as organic farming, even if this means that we produce food less
efficiently. They believe this because: —,
Reasons
a More people will need to be employed on farms, and fewer people will be available to
do work that will help the country develop economically.
b Producing food less efficiently could lead to food shortages.
¢ It is better for the environment to produce food using fewer chemicals such as
pesticides and herbicides.
d Organically produced food is no more nutritious than food produced using pesticides
and artificial fertilisers.
e Naturally produced food tastes better than food produced using more artificial methods.
f Food that has been produced without preservatives is less likely to stay fresh, so more
food may be wasted.
g Man-made chemicals used in modern methods of food production could be harmful to
human health.
i Templates are useful for training yourself to think of a range of points

i quickly and write about them in an organised way. However, during the actual exams,
i you should spend only 3-4 minutes on this stage, so you will probably have to do your
; preparation in your head rather than on paper.

Templates A and B below can be used for essay questions that involve writing about
solutions to problems. Read the essay questions 1 and 2 and complete Templates A and B
with the missing information a-h below.
diet?
What are What specific action | What are the positive What are the drawbacks?
the possible can be taken? consequences?
solutions?
1 Regulate the Require food o AR A This would be unpopular
food industry. producers to fortify & expensive for food
their products with producers.
vitamins.
2 Regulate 2oy S Children would have at This would not stop
school meals. least 1 healthy meal per children from bringing
day. unhealthy packed lunches
or going out for lunch to
fast food outlets.
3 3___ Require schools to Children can take pride 4
teach children to in their learning &
cook healthy foods. transfer these skills to
the home.
Schools may not have the facilities to teach cooking.

oo
Children would eat healthier food without having to change their habits.
Require schools to provide only healthy food and drink at lunch time.
an
Educate children about healthy eating.
i 2 Should the government regulate the fast food industry in the same way that it
i regulates the drug, alcohol and tobacco industries?
Template B: ‘Evaluate the soluti say questions

What are the possible What specific action can | Positive Drawback(s)
solutions? be taken? consequence(s)
Solution in the question: Restrict opening hours. Send a clear signal This would not stop
Regulate the fast food Restrict location, e.g. that fast food is bad people cooking &
industry like drug, alcohol not near schools. for health. eating unhealthy food
& tobacco industries. | RS at home.
[}
Other possible solution: television advertising Help people change People could ignore
public health campaign showing long-term their eating habits government advice.
explaining the dangers of consequences of fundamentally. 8
eating too much fast food unhealthy diet T
e Reduces people’s access to unhealthy foods.

f Effectiveness of public health campaigns can be difficult to measure.
g Allows freedom of choice.
h Too much government interference is unpopular with business & bad for the economy.

Similar templates can be used for Task 2 essay questions that require you to discuss
ideas. However, instead of listing ‘positive consequences’ and ‘drawbacks’, you will list
‘evidence for the idea’ and ‘evidence against’.
Read the essay questions 1 and 2 and complete Templates C and D with the missing
information.
1 Dieting to lose weight has become increasingly prevalent in the developed world.
Why do you think people nowadays are so concerned with body shape and size?
Template C: ‘Discuss your ideas’ essay questions

- What are your ideas? What is the evidence for? What is the evidence against?
1 Advertisements Advertisements often Advertisers wouldn't use slim
encourage peopleto show desirable consumer models unless the public
value slim figures. products alongside slim already had a favourable view
models. of them.
2 People associate People who do not eattoo 1
slimness with positive much are seen as having
character traits. good self-control.
Ji p R ioeenalls L S If people diet too much, they

may become malnourished.
2 The problem of obesity is mainly due to people’s lack of knowledge about healthy
eating. To what extent do you agree with the statement above?
Template valuate an idea’ essay questions

What are the ideas? What is the evidence for? | What is the evidence against?
Idea in the question: Koo e 5

Obesity is due to lack of knowledge
about healthy eating.
Other possible idea: oo o 8
[

WRITING TASK 1
The graph shows the percentage of UK adolescents following a vegetarian diet.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features.
% UK adolescents following a vegetarian diet
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
WRITING TASK 2
Convenience foods will become increasingly prevalent and eventually

replace traditional foods and traditional methods of food preparation.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
experience.
K
Health and fitness ~
3 Educational goals
Aims: Describing a chart | Expressing language of quantities and numbers
Comparing and contrasting quantities and numbers
Selecting and organising ideas | Writing a basic argument outline
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 Match the school subjects a-h with the pictures 1-8 above.
a Mathematics e Media, Film and Television Studies
b Biology f Physical Education (PE)
¢ Chemistry g Health and Food Technology (HFT)
d Artand Design h Computing
2 Each adjective in column 1 commonly collocates with one of the nouns in column 2.
Complete the sentences 1-6 with one adjective and one noun.
Adjectives Nouns
rote standards
critical education
higher dishonesty
academic assessment
continuous learning
formal thinking
educational examinations
Example: Cheating in examinations is one form of academic dishonesty.

Unit3°
1 Ifyou need to memorise large amounts of information, —is

probably a good method to use.
If you need to evaluate information,youneed —___ skills.
In many countries, studentssit________in order to graduate.
Accessto______isoften determined by performance in university
entrance examinations.
5 Insome countries, progressismeasuredby _____ instead of by
end-of-term examinations.
6 Some people worry that without examinations, —___ willdecline.
The expressions i-vi are useful for describing quantity. Match them with the percentages
a-f below.
i nearly half __ a 85%
i the vast majority b 75%
iii a small minority c 46%
iv three quarters d 31%
v justundera third ___ e 24%
vi roughly one in four —— f 15%
The bar chart below shows the results of a survey of how people felt about examinations.
Complete the sentences 1-6, which describe the chart, using the expressions i-vi from
Exercise 3.
Examination survey
% results
100 T I l
b : A4
80 4+ =
60 i = i =
40 B e - i
i e
20 +—H : H =
& AN A & R
Y‘é' & F & & &
~ o KS & &>
of those surveyed said they found the challenge exciting.

=
of respondents said they felt anxious.

g~ N
said they felt more competitive.

W
of those surveyed replied that they felt more focused.

indicated that examinations made them lose interest in their studies.
of those who responded said they felt motivated to work harder.
o
Education 2
1 The bar chart below shows the numbers of students sitting examinations in eight
different subjects and the percentage of students gaining top marks. For this type of data,
you are expected not just to describe, but also to compare and contrast the information.
You can use comparative forms to compare two or more items:
* more/fewer/less + noun + than
Overall, more students sat examinations in science-related subjects than in arts-related
subjects.
* adjectives of one syllable: -er + than
A higher percentage of students gained top marks in Mathematics than in Chemistry.
* more/less + adjective of two or more syllables + than
Science-related subjects were more popular than arts-related subjects.
You can use superlative forms to compare one item with the remainder of the group:
* the most/least + adjective
The most popular subject was Mathematics.
¢ adjectives of more than one syllable: -est
The highest percentage of students gaining top marks was in Mathematics.
You can use as + adjective + as to express similarity: Art and Design was nearly as_
popular as Chemistry.
Complete the sentences 1-6 with a comparative or superlative form.
Mathematics [T 4506 ]
Biology [ % ]
Chemistry % ]
Art + Design
Media, Film + TV B 3%
Physical Education B J16%
Number of entries
Health + Food Technology B 114%
Percentage awarded
Computing I116% AorA*
T T T T
20 40 60 80 thousands
1 Nearly many students sat the Art and Design exam did the
Chemistry exam.
2 The percentage of students gaining top marks in Art and Design was slightly than
the percentage of students achieving top marks in Chemistry.
3 The popular subjects were Physical Education, Health and Food Technology,
and Computing.
4 The HFT examination was taken by students than the PE examination.
However, a percentage of students taking the HFT exam gained top marks.
o
6 The percentage of students gaining top marks was in Media, Film and Television
Studies.

Unit3°
i Exam tip: Use adverbs to make your comparisons more exact.

: To emphasise a difference, you can use: many, much, far, and significantly.
i Many more students sat examinations in science subjects.
i Science-related subjects were much more popular than arts-related subjects.
or small differences you can use: slightly or nearly as ... as.
he percentage of students gaining top marks in Chemistry was slightly higher than the
ercentage of students gaining top marks in Art and Design.
early as many students sat the Art and Design exam as did the Chemistry exam.
You can use expressions such as in contrast to express difference, or the same to express
similarity. Read the sentences 1-4 below. Write S if the sentence expresses similarity and
D if it expresses difference. Underline the words which helped you decide.
1 The percentage of top marks was quite high in subjects such as Mathematics, which
are traditionally regarded as difficult. On the other hand, the percentage of top marks
was relatively low in subjects such as HFT, which are commonly regarded as ‘soft’.
2 Whereas 45 per cent of Mathematics candidates gained top marks, only 12 per cent of
Media, Film and Television candidates gained top marks.
3 Similar numbers of students sat examinations in Art and Design and in Chemistry.
4 Sixteen per cent of students gained top marks in both Physical Education and
Computing.
To do well in IELTS Writing Tasks, you must show that you can use a range of expressions
and structures for functions like comparing and contrasting. Re-write the sentences 1-5
using the words in brackets.
1 More girls than boys passed their English examinations. (fewer)
2 The same number of boys and girls achieved a passing grade in Mathematics. (as... as)
3 Boys did well in Technology; girls, in contrast, did well in language-related subjects.
(whereas)
4 The number of passes in Religious Studies was higher for girls than for boys. (lower)
5 Nearly as many girls as boys passed the Economics exam. (similar)
Education
In order to be truly employable, the educated person should be able to

demonstrate not just knowledge but also the ability to work independently
in teams.
How can teamwork best be encouraged and assessed in
educational settings?
Once you have analysed the question, taken a position and generated some ideas, you
need to decide which of your ideas to include and in what order to include them. You can
use an essay outline to do this. Look at the example below and answer questions 1-4.
Ideas
[ [Sotions ____[Specifc action

1 require students assign group * motivating for students difficult to assess
to work on group research project * students would learn to individual students’
projects outside investigating aspect work as a team contribution to team
school of local history students would make some projects would
more friends be poor quality
2 group project could ask students to teacher could monitor some teachers
be done partly periodically present students’ work more wouldn't be good
in school, partly ‘work in progress’ in easily at this
outside school class it's better for students to time-consuming for
be in classrooms because large classes
that's what people expect
3 some teacher students keep a burden of monitoring and some students would
monitoring + learning journal assessing progress shared dishonestly claim they
student self- throughout the by teacher and students worked harder than
assessment project they did
Essay outline
Introduction: importance of training students in teamwork
Body paragraph 1:
Solution 1: require students to work on group projects outside of school
Specific action: assign group research project investigating aspect of local history
Positive consequences: motivating for students; students would learn to work as a
team independently
Drawback: difficult to assess individual student’s contribution to team effort
Body paragraph 2:
Solution 2: group project could be done partly in school, partly outside of school
Specific action: ask students to periodically present ‘work in progress’ in class
Positive consequences: teacher could monitor students’ work more easily
Drawback: time-consuming for large classes
28 wWriting for IELTS

Unit 3°
Body paragraph 3:
Solution 3: in addition to some teacher monitoring, students assess own progress
Specific action: students write a learning journal throughout the project
Positive consequences: burden of monitoring and assessing progress shared by
teacher and students
Conclusion: teamwork can be taught and assessed but needs to be done in the right way
1 What type of question is this: A: propose a solution, B: evaluate a solution, C: present

an idea or D: evaluate an idea?
2 Which of her ideas has the writer omitted from body paragraphs one and two? Why?
Why has the writer chosen to list her main ideas in this order?
Why has the writer included drawbacks in body paragraphs one and two but not in three?
b Read the Task 2 question below and complete the table with your own ideas. Take a position.
Then select the most appropriate ideas and write an outline using the headings given
Success in formal ‘pen and paper’ examinations is often seen to be a

sign of intelligence.
To what extent do you agree with the view that formal examinations
measure intelligence?
Ideas
Template D: Evaluate an idea
What are the ideas? What is the evidence for? What is the evidence against?
Idea in the question: People who do well in exams often Pen & paper exams are often
Exams measure do well in other types of tasks, e.g. predictable - students can prepare by
intelligence. assignments. rote learning.
Exams usually include a range of tasks 1
to measure different abilities.
Other possible idea: Some people express themselves 3
There are probably much better verbally than in writing.
different types of 2
intelligence - these can
only be measured in
different ways.
Essay outline
Introduction:
Body
paragraph1:
Evidence for:
Evidence against:
I h 2:
Evidence against:
Evidence for:
Conclusion:
Education 26
0 Exam information:
If you are aiming for an IELTS band 6.0, it is probably sufficient simply to list your
main points along with reasons and examples (Firstly, ... Secondly, ... Thirdly, ...). If
you are aiming for a band 6.5 or above, you are more likely to achieve this score if you
demonstrate some critical thinking skills. This means discussing the advantages and
disadvantages of different solutions and ideas.
6 Read the Task 2 question below and complete the table with your own ideas. Take a
position, select the most appropriate ideas, and write an outline.
In many countries, students attend private ‘cram schools’ for extra coaching in
test-taking techniques.
What is your view of this practice?
Ideas
Template B: ‘Evaluate the solution’ essay questions
What are the possible Positive consequencel(s) Drawback(s)
solutions?
Solution in the question:
Other possible solution:
Essay outline
Introduction:
Body paragraph 1:
Body paragraph 2:
Conclusion:
7 Look at Template C ‘Discuss your ideas’ in Unit 2. Draw up headings for an outline for this
type of question.
Introduction:
Body paragraph 1:
Body paragraph 2:
Conclusion:
30 writing for IELTS

Unit3 ’
WRITING TASK 1
The graph compares the percentage of international and the percentage of UK
students gaining second class degrees or better at a major UK university.

UK and international students gaining second
% class degrees or better (2009)
100
80
60
4041
20 1~
H]
5 &
[] UK students International students
WRITING TASK 2
Many people believe that formal ‘pen and paper’ examinations are not the best
method of assessing educational achievement.
What is your view of examinations?
experience. J
Education 31
4 Biodiversity
Describing a process | Using the active and passive voice
Signposting a sequence of events | Using the language of cause and effect
Overviewing the academic style
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 Match the pictures 1-6 above with the natural habitats a-f.
a estuary € mangrove swamp e grasslands
b forest d desert f rainforest
2 The expressions a-g below describe sources of damage to the environment. Complete the
sentences 1-7 using these expressions. The first one has been done for you.
a oil spills d logging f overgrazing
b intensive farming e acid rain g global warming
¢ strip mining
1 Intensive farming in wheat-growing countries like Canada has led to the loss of natural
grasslands.
causes damage to forests as well as limestone monuments.
N
3 Indiscriminate_____ of tropical hardwoods has contributed to the destruction of

rainforests.
4 ___ ofgrasslands by cattle and sheep is associated with soil erosion and
desertification.
5 Off-shore__________ frequently result in damage to mangrove swamps and the
unigue species that live there.
6 The thinning of the arctic icecap has been attributed to
7 — for minerals near river banks is linked to soil erosion and degradation
of estuaries.

Unit4’
Look again at sentences 1-7 in exercise 2 and answer the questions 1-3.
1 Which sentences express a cause-and-effect relationship?
2 Which sentences express an association (possibly, but not necessarily, cause-and-effect)?
3 How is contribute to different from cause?
Cause-and-effect relationships can also be expressed using a number of different words

and expressions:
because + dependant clause
Because mangrove swamps have been damaged, many unique species are now endangered.
Many unique species are now endangered because mangrove swamps have been damaged.
because of + noun phrase
Because of damage to mangrove swamps, many unique species are now endangered.
due to
Many unique species are now endangered due to damage to mangrove swamps.
therefore/consequently/as a result + clause
Mangrove swamps have been damaged; therefore, many unique species are now endangered.
so
Mangrove swamps have been damaged, so many unique species are now endangered.
so + that + clause
Mangrove swamps have been so damaged that many unique species are now endangered.
Re-write the sentences 1-4 below using the words in brackets. Make any other changes
necessary.
1 Land has been farmed so intensively that there has been a significant decline in
biodiversity. (contributed to)
Intensive farming
2 Loss of vegetation has caused a decline in the insect population. [consequently)
Vegetation
3 Because there are fewer insects, the small animals that feed on them have moved
elsewhere. (so)
There are
4 The disappearance of prey species has resulted in a marked reduction in numbers of
predators such as wild cats and owls. (because of)
There has been
Each pair of words or phrases in italics in the sentences 1-5 below expresses a similar
meaning. Underline the word which makes the sentence more moderate.
1 Acid rain has damaged/destroyed acres of forest.
2 As a result, many woodland species have become extinct/are endangered.
3 The loss/disappearance of predator species has caused an increase in numbers of prey
species.
4 Many forests can no longer be used/exploited for commercial purposes.

5 Governments should ban/limit the burning of fossil fuels, which causes acid rain.
Nature and the environment

1 Read the two process descriptions below. Use information from the second description to
complete the flowchart.
a
become
established
b <
provide
shade
d___
trees grow
Clear cutting
The flow chart illustrates the process of clear cutting, a logging practice which involves the
complete removal of trees from a given area.
Firstly, access roads to the area are cut. Secondly, the entire crop of standing trees is felled by
mechanized harvesters. The trees are then ‘extracted’, or brought to the road side.
Once the trees have been extracted, they are processed by chain saw. The limbs and tree tops
are removed. The stems are ‘bucked’, that is cut into logs of a specified length. The logs are then
sorted by size and loaded onto logging trucks for transport to the sawmill.
In the final stage, the land is prepared for future harvests. The remaining scrub is gathered into
large piles and burnt. The area is then re-planted.
Forest re-growth
The flowchart illustrates the process of forest re-growth following a period of widespread
deforestation.
The first plants to grow are ‘pioneer’ plants, which can survive in harsh conditions. They provide
shade, gather moisture, and return organic material to the soil. They therefore create the
conditions for other plants to thrive.
In the second phase of re-growth, shrubs emerge. They quickly cover the ground, crowding out
the pioneers. However, they too eventually die off as young trees push through the brush. Within
ten years, trees finally take over, preventing light from reaching the forest floor.

units
Now look at options i and ii and decide in each case whether you would normally use the
active or the passive voice.
i when the process is natural
ii when there is a human agent
The descriptions on page 34 contain examples of how several stages of a process can
be combined in one sentence. Read the descriptions again and notice how the groups of
sentences 1-5 below have been combined. Study the examples and then join each group
of sentences without looking at the model texts. The first one has been done for you.
Example: The first plants to grow are pioneer plants. Pioneer plants can survive in harsh
conditions.
The first plants to grow are pioneer plants, which can survive in harsh conditions.
1 Pioneer plants provide shade. Pioneer plants gather moisture. Pioneer plants return
organic material to the soil.
2 Shrubs quickly cover the ground. Shrubs crowd out the pioneers.
3 However, shrubs too eventually die off. Young trees push through the brush.
4 The logs are sorted by size. The logs are loaded onto logging trucks. They are
transported to the sawmill.
5 The trees have been extracted. The trees are processed by chain saw.
The descriptions in Exercise 1 also contain examples of signposting language, which

mark the stages of the process. Find examples from the texts in Exercise 1 that signpost
the following stages:
beginning stages: Firstly
middle stages:
end stages:
the start, one or two in the middle and one at the end are sufficient in most cases.
i In process descriptions, the most frequently used signpost is the adverb then. Itis
i normally placed between the subject and verb (Precipitation then increases) or between
the auxiliary verb and the main verb (The trees are then extracted).
Nature and the environment

4 The process diagram below includes both man-made and natural phenomena. Complete the
sentences 1-10 using an active or passive verb form. The first one has been done for you.
1 Adam is constructed at the river head.
construction of dam at river head
2 The flow of water _____ down. \
3 Flooding____less frequent.
4 Asand bar across the estuary. iless slower
s
5 The quantity of nutrients on land declines flooding water
and agricultural output
6 Salinity in the estuary
:
7 The human population P formation
. decline in of sand bar
. nutrients oross
8 Fewer fish on land *
estuary
9 Mangrove trees $ l
10 Mangrove cover in the estuary
reduced decreased
agricultural salinity in
growth of output estuary
human
population \ l l
cutting of smaller fish

mangrove catches in
trees estuary
D
loss of mangrove cover
5 Join each pair of sentences a-f below using the structure, word or expression in brackets.
Make any other necessary changes. Then rewrite the sentences as a passage, adding any
signposting expressions from Exercise 3 that you think are suitable.
a 1and 2 (-ing clause) Example: A dam is constructed at the river head, slowing the flow of
water.
3and 5 (because)
o
4and 6 (as a result)

n
6and 8 (as)
o
7,84and 9 (due to)

o
9 and 10 (once)
-

unit 4
part 2: Practice exercises: Task 2
6 Compare the introductions and first body paragraphs of two responses to the Task 2
question below. Underline the differences and then answer questions 1-2.
Many species of plants and animals have come and gone throughout the history
of the Earth. From this perspective, extinction can be seen as part of a natural
process. Some people have argued that we should not, therefore, make heroic
efforts to preserve the natural habitats of endangered plants and animals when
doing so would conflict with human interests.
To what extent do you agree with this view?
Response 1 Response 2
If you look at it that way, it's true that humans and Looked at from a broad historical perspective, it
animals have conflicting interests. People have is true that humans and animals have conflicting
always exploited animals for food and clothing, interests. People have always exploited animals
and farmers have brought bigger and bigger areas for food and clothing, whilst farmers have brought
of land under cultivation. But should we keep on ever-increasing areas of land under cultivation.
doing this? Whether this process should continue is a
In regions of the world where the population question that requires careful consideration.
is growing, and there aren’t enough resources, In regions of the world where the population is
the conflict between humans and animals is growing, and resources are scarce, the conflict
really bad. If you go to Africa, for example, between humans and animals is particularly
you can see large nature reserves alongside problematic. This can be seen in parts of Africa,
really poor human settlements. | love the idea for example, where large nature reserves sit
of elephants and lions living in the wild. But alongside very poor human settlements. People
often it's the poor farmer living nearby who's living thousands of miles away may value the idea
got to pay the cost in terms of land and lost of elephants and lions living in the wild. However,
earnings. often it is the poor farmer living nearby who must
pay the cost in terms of land and lost earnings.
1 What is the main difference between these two responses?

2 What are the main characteristics of the style of the second response?
7 The table on page 38 outlines four characteristics of academic style. Complete the table
with examples from the texts in Exercise 6.
Exam tip: If writing in an academic style is new to you, make sure that you do not write
in an overly complicated way. Above all, your writing should be clear and easy to read.
Avoid writing more than one subordinate clause in each complex sentence. Do not write :
in a way that is so impersonal that your message is obscured. Do not use a lot of words
to express an idea when a few words would be sufficient.
Nature and the environment 37

Characteristics of academic style Examples from Responses 1 and 2
Informal style Academic style
Academic style is impersonal. Avoid overusing Ifyou look at it that Looked at from a broad
personal pronouns (e.g. /, you, we) and addressing ~ way, ... historical perspective, ...
the reader directly.
Academic style is not emotional. Avoid absolute bad problematic
statements and exaggeration (e.g. totally, perfect),
emotive words [e.g. terrible, adore) and words that
express value judgments (e.g. immoral).
Academic style uses fewer conjunctions (and, but) and farmers whilst farmers
and more subordinators (whereas, because) and
sentence linkers (nevertheless, therefore).
Academic style uses different vocabulary. Avoid It's Itis
colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs (e.g. take
up, break out), double comparatives (e.g. more and
more), contacted forms (e.g. isn't, wont) and the
words get, a lot of and really.
8 Re-write the second half of the essay below in the academic style.
But if you think about plants, the advantages of conservation are more apparent. You have
to remember that wild plants aren't just things of beauty; they're also a really valuable
resource. Wild plants have been used throughout history to make medicines. Take aspirin,
for example. And if certain varieties of crops are prone to disease, you could use wild
plants to develop new varieties. There are lots of plants that we haven't even discovered
yet, so you never know what they might be useful for.
Allin all, I'd say it's worth trying to preserve natural habitats because wild animals and
plants are really special and they could be life savers. But we've got to remember that
people’s basic needs have to be met too. So, we have to do it in a fair way.
Re-write the sentences 1-2 below to make them clearer and easier to read. Remove
unnecessary words and divide long sentences if required.
Example: The desirability of avoiding environmental degradation is an idea that most people
probably agree with.
Most people do not want to damage the environment.
1 It could be argued, though the opposite view might be equally true, that the tendency
that many people have to acquire riches and material wealth is one of several possible
factors that may encourage people to exploit the natural environment excessively.
2 ltis possible that some people may believe that environmental degradation is a process
that cannot be avoided in the long term because the countries of the world do not have
away or means of enforcing environmental agreements which their leaders may have
committed themselves to, possibly for the wrong reasons, for instance simply to create
a favourable impression in the mass media and television.

units *
Part3: Exam practice
WRITING TASK 1
The flow chart illustrates the consequences of deforestation.


Clear cutting of
forests
heavy logging equipment fewer roots hold Increased risk of burning plants return
compresses the soil the top soil in place (deliberate or accidental) less moisture to air
il becos E waste wood fror A

h:::a“ d !::l:d top soil erodes logging is dest = i less precipitation
X micro-organisms 3
rain water runs off’ feeding on waste lost increased drought
1
pioneer species move in,
flooding vegetation is degraded
less biodiversity
WRITING TASK 2
The importance of biodiversity is being more widely recognised as increasing

numbers of species come under threat.
What can be done to maintain biodiversity?
experience.
Nature and the environment 39

9 Global English
Describing a diagram | Writing an introdu
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 The expressions a-h below are all related to language.

Use each expression once to complete the sentences 1-8.
bilingual mother tongue

anoco
"o
foreign language non-native
lingua franca official language
Ta
minority languages standard form

1 The majority of people living in the US, the UK, Canada,
Australia, and New Zealand speak English as their
2 Englishisaln)l _______ inafurther fifty-three countries, including India
and the Philippines.
3 English is the most widelytaught ____in the world.
4 Because English is used by so many people around the world for so many purposes, it
is widely regarded as a
5 Theratioof _____ speakers to native speakers of English is roughly
three to one.
6 People who can speak two languages fluently are commonly referred to as
7 There are many different varieties of English spoken throughout the world; in fact,
thereisnosingle
8 Many people fear that the spread of English as a global language will contribute to the
death of .
2 Match the types of words and expressions 1-7 below with the examples a-g.
1 a loanword a lol
2 acolloguialism b thou
3 adialect of English c café
4 atechnical term d There's more than one way to skin a cat.
5 anobsolete term e Geordie
6 asaying f wanna = ‘want to’)
7 text speak g refraction

unit s
In IELTS Writing Task 2, you are often required to express more than one point of view.
You can use reporting verbs to do this. In English, there is a wide variety of reporting
verbs, which can be used:
« toexpress beliefs: believe, maintain, suspect, think
« in discussion: argue, assert, claim, insist, say
« to show agreement: accept, acknowledge, admit, advocate, agree, concede, support
« to show disagreement: challenge, deny, disagree, dismiss, doubt, object, question, refute
« to give suggestions: imply, suggest, urge
Reporting verbs can be tentative (e.g. suspect, suggest), neutral (e.g. say, agreel, or
emphatic (e.g. assert, dismiss). Look at the sentences 1-7 below and underline the
stronger of the two reporting verbs.
1 Many people insist/argue that there is one ‘best’ variety of English.
However, | question/refute the idea that one variety of the language is better than another.
WN
Some people doubt/deny the value of a bilingual education.

Others accept/advocate the idea of a bilingual education, even for very young children.
N
| would urge/suggest that educational authorities do all they can to promote minority
o
languages.
6 Some people suspect/maintain that within a century, there will only be two or three
languages spoken in the world.
7 Other people dismiss/doubt the idea that all but two or three languages will die out.
Different reporting verbs are followed by different structures:
« that + clause: Some people argue that governments should subsidise ...
« whether + clause: Others question whether governments should subsidise ...
* reporting verb +
. preposition + noun/noun phrase: / object to the policy of government subsidies ...
. noun/noun phrase: Most people support the idea of subsidising ...
« gerund: Educators recommend subsidising ...
. object + infinitive verb: / would urge the government to subsidise ...
Some reporting verbs can be followed by more than one type of structure. For example:
e question +
. whether+ clause: Others question whether schools should promote ...
noun phrase: Others question the feasibility of promoting ...
.
y
Re-write the sentences 1-4 below using the phrases a-d. Make any changes necessar
for a more academic style.
a Some people insist... ¢ |concede...
b Teachers recommend... d | refute the idea...
1 Maybe making English a mandatory subject in primary schools isn’t such a good idea.
2 The world definitely needs one common language for trade.
3 Itis highly unlikely that everyone in the world will speak the same language at any
point in the future.
4 You should practise a foreign language outside the classroom if you want to become
really fluent in it.
Language and communication 41

1 Sometimes IELTS Writing Task 1 requires you to describe a diagram. Read the response
below, which describes a diagram showing the relationship between a number of
different languages. Sketch the diagram to see how well you understood the description.
The diagram shows the languages of Europe, Iran, and the Indian subcontinent and
how they are related through a common Indo-European root language.
There are seven main branches: three represent the languages spoken throughout
Western Europe, and four represent the languages spoken further to the east. The
Western European branches include the Celtic, Germanic, and Italic languages. Some
of these languages, such as Scots or Welsh, are spoken by relatively few people, but
others, including German and English (from the Germanic branch) and French and
Spanish (Italic branch) are among the most widely spoken languages in the world.
The eastern Indo-European branches include the languages spoken in Iran, the
Indian Subcontinent, Greece, and the Slavic countries. The Indian branch comprises
several languages including Hindi, Urdu and Bengali. The Slavic branch covers
languages spoken in Eastern Europe, such as Russian and Polish, as well as Czech.
Overall, the diagram shows that languages that are commonly regarded as very
different are, in fact, related.
2 Look at the diagram below and the text on page 43 which describes it. Put the paragraphs
a-d in the correct order. Then answer the questions 1-4.
ENGLISH
|
AMERICAN ENGLISH BRANCH BRITISH ENGLISH BRANCH
|
|
USA
|
CANADA
|
BRITISH FAR EAST
| ISLES INDIA-
| PAKISTAN
| Anglophone Francophone Malay
x::[ Canada Canzda Irish |English| ]
Nocth [—I——[—l Chinese
East
West Welsh Scottish| Forms of
-
Philipines Coast Coast Indian
West English
Indies
American
Fa Southem
AFRICA AUSTR/,%LAS]A
Puerto Jamaica Barbados [ [

Rico |
West East Australia) New
Africa Africa Zealand
Anglophone
S. Africa

unita
a The American branch is largely restricted to the American continent. It comprises the
varieties of English spoken in the different regions of the United States itself, as well as
in Canada. Beyond the continent, the extent of its influence is limited to the Philippines
in the Far East and American Samoa in the Pacific.
b In brief, the diagram shows that, like the economic and political influence of the Anglo-
Saxon countries, the reach of English has extended to virtually every region of the world.
¢ The diagram shows the varieties of English spoken throughout the world and how they
are related.
d There are two main branches of English: British English and American English. The
British English Branch is geographically wide-spread. It extends across several
continents from the West Indies, through the British Isles themselves, Africa, the Indian
subcontinent, the Far East and Australasia. In addition to the four varieties of English
spoken in the British Isles [i.e. in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England), it includes a
large number of other varieties, for instance Jamaican English, South African English,
and Australian English.
1 Which paragraphs refer to the whole diagram and which paragraphs refer to parts of
the diagram?
How is the introduction different from the conclusion?
Do the body paragraphs give general information first and then specific information, or
vice versa?
4 Which expressions from the text would you learn because they will be useful when
writing about categories and classifications?
Look at the Task 1 instructions below. Then read the sentences a-d and answer the
questions 1-3.
The diagram illustrates the percentage of the world population that speaks
minority, mid-sized, and dominant languages.
a The diagram shows the percentage of the world population that speaks minority,
mid-sized, and dominant languages.
b The diagram shows the number of languages classified as minority, mid-sized, or
dominant, and the proportion of people in the world that speak them.
¢ The diagram shows that although many languages are spoken throughout the world,
the size of their respective speech communities varies enormously.
d The diagram shows that a very small number of languages (approximately 100) hold a
dominant position, whereas more than half of the world’s languages are spoken by a
very small percentage of the world population (0.2%).
Which of the sentences a-d would work well as an introduction?

=
Which would work well as a conclusion?

N
What is the problem with sentence a?

W
Why might you not want to use sentence d as an introduction or conclusion?

N

0 not copy the exact words of the task instructions. Re-phrasing the
instructions in your own words shows that you have range and flexibility. You can give
your response a clear beglnmng by stating the kind of information the figure shows, and
a clear ending by summ the overall ‘message’ conveyed by the figure.
4 Complete the introductory and the concluding sentences for the figure below.
Percentage of European
Percentage Secondary School Pupils Learning Languages
100 —
| BEU 2000 ]7, 2010
=z
English French German Spanish Russian
1 Introduction: 2 Conclusion:
The bar chart shows ... In summary,
...

unitd
5 In introductions to academic essays, writers often:

a state the topic of the essay: This essay is about ...
b write something about the general context: /n recent years ...
¢ explain why the topic is interesting, relevant or important: X is interesting/relevant/
important because
present a viewpoint that they go on to challenge: Some people believe that ...
-0 o
present their own viewpoint: In my view, ...

state the purpose of the essay: The aim of this essay isto...
outline the structure of the essay: This essay will firstly ..., secondly ..., thirdly ...
a
Read the Task 2 question below and the introduction that follows. For each section of the
introduction, indicate which of the functions a-g above is being addressed. Then answer
the questions 1-2.
As the English language becomes more widespread, some speakers of other H

languages fear that English loanwords are gradually replacing perfectly adequate
native words. H
To what extent do you believe that people should seek to protect the ‘purity’ of
their language from the influence of English?
; Not surpr?snng y,
éppeared in many other languages throughout 22—
the world from Japanese to French. This
3___
e. | would
argue how: are likely to 4
prove futile.
1 How would you describe the overall organisation of the introductory paragraph? Does it
begin with the writer’s opinion and then explain the context, or vice versa?
2 Why has the writer presented his/her own view last?
,
6 Read the Task 2 question below and the sentences 1-5 on page 46. For each sentence
indicate its function a-g, listed in Exercise 5 above. Then arrange the sentences in the
most effective order.
With regard to foreign language learning, the effectiveness of out-of-clas

learning is well-established. What are the best ways of learning a foreign
langu tside of a classroom situation?

1 Ibelieve the success of out-of-class learning suggests that not all language learning
needs to be classroom-based.
2 However, in many cases, additional languages are learned not in the classroom, but
through exposure to a language in day-to-day activities.
3 Around the world, people who speak only their mother tongue are probably
outnumbered by those who speak one or more additional languages.
4 Inthis essay, | will outline what | believe to be the three most effective ways of
independent language learning.
5 Many people assume that the classroom is the best place to learn a foreign
language.
Academic writing values modesty and tolerance of others’ views. Therefore,

when expressing your opinion, it is often more effective to use the more tentative or
neutral reporting verbs. Rather than writing: / insist that governments do more to protect
minority languages, write: | believe that governments should do more .... Use the more
emphatic verbs for expressing viewpoints that you wish to challenge: Some people
insist that there can only be one officially recognised variety of a language. | would argue,
however, that no single variety should be favoured.
low with the expressions a
Many education systems throughout the world recognise the value of

learning a foreign language and are seeking to improve the way foreign
languages are taught.
What in your view is the best way of teaching a foreign language in
schools and universities?
a right approach d the world becomes

b the most effective methods e increasingly important
¢ therefore f Iwill outline
As (1) ___ more integrated, the ability to speak a foreign language is becoming (2) ___,
not just for individuals, but also for nations. The teaching of foreign languages is labour-
intensive and (3) ___ costly, so it is important that the (4) ___ is taken. In this essay,
(5] — what | consider to be (6) ___ of language teaching in a classroom context.
8 Write introductions for the Task 2 questions below.

1 As English becomes more widespread as a lingua franca, there is concern that the
values and culture of the English-speaking world will displace native values and
cultures. To what extent is this fear justified?
2 Sometimes misunderstandings occur among people from different cultures, even
those who can communicate in a common language. What factors can contribute to the
breakdown of cross-cultural communication?

vin v
pPart 3: Exam practice
WRITING TASK 1
The diagram shows the main systems of writing used throughout the world.

WRITING
SYSTEMS
I
Logographic Abjad Abjuda Alphabetic Syllabic
1 character = :2 t= 1 character = Lo 1 character =

1 word okl : 1 consonant + ;::o":d (vov:;el 1 syllable
Example: Chinese Example: Arabic 1 vowel - psl‘]::“'En‘ glish Example: Japanese
Notes: Same Notes: First Example: Indian NE mm_ E Kana
writing system o Devanagari i Bt
can besily type of match of
tspoiu;gesfi
aguages dificesatin |14} reiEAREl speliing s
pronunciation
writing system
p Iway
no;:ihleys
e.g. Chinese and
Japanese poX
“You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

As languages such as English, Spanish and Mandarin become more widely

spoken, there is a fear that many minority languages may die out. Some
countries have taken steps to protect minority languages.
What is your view of this practice?
experience.

Aims: Interpreting a table | Making effective main points | ‘Signposting’ main points
Planning an essay | Organising an essay | Modifying statements
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 What are the a-f activities below called when you do them online? Match them to the
images 1-6 above.
a accessing the news d online banking
b downloading films e searching for information
¢ Internet shopping f social networking
2 In [ELTS Writing Tasks, it is important to highlight key points. The words a~f below can be
used to do this. Match them with the correct definitions i-vi.
a distinctive i affecting many people or places

b main i easyto see
¢ noticeable ii_important
d significant iv.most important
e underlying v realand basic but not obvious
f widespread Vi unique, special or characteristic

unitos
Complete the sentences 1-5 with the best adjective from Exercise 2.
w
Notice how they form common collocations with the nouns in italics.
Example: There was a significant correlation between age and number of hours spent
gaming online.
1 Atfirst glance, the most change was in the growing popularity of social
networking; however, on closer examination, it is clear that other changes were more
fundamental.
2 The graph shows that the spread of wireless technology hasa _—_____regional
pattern. In fact, this pattern is characteristic of the spread of new technology generally.
3 While there was some variation in the use of online auction sites, the _______ trend
has been upward.
4 Although price is undoubtedly a factor, the reason customers chose the
newer mobile devices is because of their wide range of applications.
5 The___distribution of towns in that region made investment in
telecommunications infrastructure worthwhile. Less populated regions attracted less
investment.
The words in italics in the passage below are useful for writing about science- and
technology-related topics. Read the text and match the words in italics a-f with the
definitions 1-6.
1 arrival 4 make possible
2 development 5 speeded/sped up
3 gradual change 6 tools
It is often said that the technological (a) advance that had the greatest impact on
everyday life in the early twentieth century was the telephone. This is not surprising
given the effect (b) devices, such as the telephone, have had on social relationships.
When first developed, the telephone was marketed as a practical tool for conducting
business; however within a few decades, it was being increasingly used to meet
people’s emotional and social needs. This (c) trend has (d) accelerated with the
(e) advent of a new generation of wireless devices, which (f] enable users to stay in
touch with friends and family virtually twenty-four hours a day.
The paragraph below comes from an essay written in response to the Task 2 question:
Which new technology of the last fifty years has had the greatest impact on daily life?
Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in italics a-f in Exercise 4.
Although there have been many important technological (1) over the last five
decades, the (2 of the Internet has probably had the most significant effect
on everyday life. The Internet (3) people to access more information than ever
before. This (4) is (5) as whole libraries are being made available
online. Moreover, with instant messaging and social networking, it is cheaper and more
convenient to communicate with others via the Internet. Within the next decade, the
Internet will probably replace the older generation of telecommunication 6 —
such as the telephone.
Science and technology 49

"
Study the table below which shows the percentage of time Internet users spent on the
eight most popular online activities in 2007 and 2009. Compare the two responses and
answer the questions 1-3.
1 Which response do you think is more satisfactory? Why?
2 Which sentences in the two responses contain main points? How are these signposted?
Underline the signposting.
3 Ineach response, where is the detailed information in relation to the general statements?
Activity Share of time 2007 (%) | Share of time 2009 (%)

Social networking
-
Watching videos 10
oUWN
=
E-mailing 16
o
Instant messaging 1"
oo
Downloading music 4
Searching for information 4
N
Online banking 3
N
W
Accessing news 2
®
N
Other 36 36
The table shows that there were significant The table shows that there were significant
changes in how Internet users spent their time changes in how Internet users spent their time
online over a two-year period. online over a two-year period.
The percentage of time spent on social The most significant change was in the way
networking sites increased sharply from users communicated online. The use of social
fourteen per cent to twenty-four per cent. The networking increased significantly from fourteen
proportion of time devoted to watching videos per cent to twenty-four per cent. However, this
also increased, but only by a small amount appears to be at the expense of other forms of
(from ten per cent to eleven per cent). There was online communication, namely email and instant
also a twenty per cent increase in time spent messaging, which both declined sharply to only nine
downloading music. The time spent on email, per cent and six per cent respectively of total activity.
on the other hand, dipped significantly (sixteen Another noticeable trend was the relatively
per cent to nine per cent). This was also true of small increase in entertainment-related activities,
instant messaging, which fell from eleven such as watching videos and downloading music,
per cent to six per cent. The other activities with each climbing one percentage point. Other
listed (searching for information, online banking, activities, which can be seen as more practical, such
and accessing the news) all remained constant as searching for information, online banking, and
at four, three, and two per cent respectively. accessing the news remained constant at a relatively
Overall, the way that users spent their time low four, three, and two per cent respectively.
on the Internet varied significantly, with some Overall, in 2009 users continued to spend a large
activities, such as social networking, becoming share of their time online interacting with others
more popular and others becoming less popular. (nearly forty per cent in totall; however, their
preferred way of doing so had changed.

i Exam tip: To find patterns in the data more easily, try grouping similar items together
and looking for associated trends. If you can’t see a pattern immediately, switch your
i focus. In the second response above, the writer started by grouping online activities
i into themes: communication, entertainment, practical needs. Alternatively, she could
have started by grouping items according to type of change (positive, negative, or
i neutral) and then looked for other connections within each group.
Study the table below and follow steps 1-4.

1 Focus on the bottom row. What general points can you make from the data shown?
Which figure seems to be the most important?
2 Now focus on the regions listed in the first column. How might you group these regions
into different categories? Think about developed and developing regions.
3 Switch your focus to the percentages listed in the third column. Which regions have
the largest percentages of Internet users? Which regions have the smallest? How does
this information relate to the categories of regions you have identified?
4 Switch your focus again to the last column. Notice the biggest and smallest changes.
How does this information relate to the information in column 3? What connections can
you make?
Internet users as % of | Growth in Internet use

users (millions) population 2000 - 2010
Africa 109 10% 2,621%
Asia 921 24% 602%
Middle East 59 30% 1,785%
Europe 473 59% 353%
Latin America 199 33% 1,123%
North America 21 78% 137%
Australia 20 60% 181%
TOTAL 2,052 29% 455%
Exam tip: You should 'signpost’ general statements, i.e. introduce them with
i expressions such as The table/pie chart/graph/etc. shows ... The most significant change
. Another noticeable trend ... Overall... You must also support general statements
with detailed information from the table/graph/etc.
Write three general statements about the information in the table above. Then develop
each of your general statements with one or two supporting details.
Example: The table shows that over the last ten years there has been an exponential increase
in Internet use worldwide. The number of Internet users expanded nearly five-fold, with the
proportion of the world’s population enjoying Internet access now standing at nearly thirty
per cent.

& Study the Task 2 essay question and essay plan below. What are the strengths and
weaknesses of this plan?
To what extent does the Internet increase social cohesion?
Essay outline
Introduction: Internet very important in modern life; two sides to this debate
1 Internet can increase social isolation
a Shy teens always surfing net - losing social skills & real friends?
b Couple addicted to online gaming, arrested for child neglect
¢ Atwork spend all morning reading emails, no time for meeting
- bad for teamwork?
2 However, Internet can also bring people closer together
d Stuck at home with injury, used net to keep in touch with friends
e Used net to stay in touch with family when studying abroad - phone calls
too expensive
f Through social networking can meet friends of friends
g Email & instant messaging more useful than phone for collaboration if written
record needed
Conclusion: Internet can create more togetherness if used in right way
5 Look at an alternative essay plan below. Write the topic sentences 2-3 by expanding the
notes. Then indicate where you would place the supporting points a-g from Exercise 4
above. What are the advantages of this plan?
Essay outline
Introduction: Internet can affect how relate to family, friends, and colleagues
in both good & bad ways
1 The Internet has the potential to diminish family life but also to enhance it.
Supporting points: b, ___
2 Similarly, the Internet can ... friends; however, it can also ...
Supporting points: a, ___,
3 ...work...
Supporting points: ___,
Conclusion: Internet can create more togetherness if used appropriately

unit é
Read the sentences below and answer questions 1-2.

Excessive Internet use leads to social isolation.
Excessive Internet use can lead to social isolation.
1 Which of these sentences is more appropriate for an academic context? Why?
2 In what other ways could you modify the first sentence to make it less sweeping?
Exam is important not to make absolute or sweeping statements. You can do this
i by using a range of modifiers and ‘softer’ vocabulary.
Quantifiers: Verbs: Frequency adverbs:
i some appear sometimes
many seem often
most tend rarely
Expressions: Modal verbs: Probability adverbs:

i tissaid that... can possibly
It is possible ... could probably
In some circumstances ... may perhaps
Example:
Rapid technological change destroys traditional values.
Rapid technological change can weaken traditional values.
Modify the statements 1-6 so that they are more appropriate.

1 People over the age of fifty cannot grasp new technology.
2 Everyone wants to own the latest gadget.
3 Children are corrupted by the Internet.
4 People do not like new technology because they do not understand it.
5 Too much technology makes people lazy.
6 The world's problems will be solved by advances in science and technology.

8 Look at the Task 2 essay question and essay plan below. The candidate has written the
introductory paragraph and notes (a-i) for the question:
i To what extent has information technology reduced social inequality?

i Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
i knowledge or experience.
Complete the body of the essay by following steps 1-3.

Step 1: Write G next to the notes which can be expanded to form general statements and S
next to those that give specific supporting information.
Step 2: Put the notes in a logical order. Think about the best sequence of general
statements and make sure that each is followed by one or two supporting details.
Step 3: Write your essay and remember:
* Expand the notes into sentences.
¢ Add ‘signposting” expressions to emphasise important points.
¢ If necessary, add modifiers or use ‘'softer’ vocabulary to make statements less sweeping.
People who live in highly developed countries often take access to information technology
for granted. They find it hard to imagine a world in which this technology does not bring
greater prosperity. However, as the IT revolution moves forward in some parts of the
world, in other parts of the world the poor are falling further and further behind. Indeed
there are many barriers to wider IT access and its potential benefits.
a In some countries, fewer than 50% population able to read
Use of blocking software & firewalls common
W
Electricity supply irregular

&-W|m™AN
Government censorship of Internet widespread

Even where IT access available, governments fearful of well-informed public
-y
Broadband access only in major cities

Illiteracy a major obstacle
Basic infrastructure inadequate
Women & the poor especially likely to be illiterate

WRITING TASK 1
The table shows the average length of video advertisements on the Internet
and the average length of time viewers spend watching them.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features,
and make comparisons where relevant.
Average online video ad length and time viewed
Type of advertisement Average length of advertisement | Average time viewed (seconds)

(seconds)
Public service 45.8 18.5
Automotive 27.2 14.7
Financial services 20.5 16.3
Travel 18.0 13.0
Entertainment 27.8 10.8
Home furnishings 17.3 10.0
Consumer electronics 15.3 74
Pharmaceuticals 16.6 6.3
Clothing 14.6 6.0
Other retail 21.0 45
Overall 22.4 10.7
WRITING TASK 2
New technologies and ways of buying and selling are transforming

the lives of consumers.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge
or experience.

7 Consumer spending
Aims: Working with two visual prompts | Making correlations
Developing supporting examples
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 Match the expressions a-h to the segments 1-8 of the pie chart below.
a food and drink e housing

b transportation f dining out
¢ clothing and footwear g utilities
d entertainment h home furnishings
2 The words below can be paired to form common collocations. Complete the sentences
1-5 on page 57 by choosing one word from each list.
1 consumer, goods, disposable, personal, household
2 debt, expenditure, income, confidence, services

unit7
1 isthe amountof money left after you have paid for all of the
things that you need.
2 Over the last two decades, many people spent more money than they earned, resulting
in high levels of
3 Spendingon_and___ such as clothing and financial advice has
slowed down because of the economic crisis.
4 When people feel more secure intheirjobs, _______ grows and people
begin to spend money more freely.
5 __ isanother way of saying the amount of money each domestic unit
spends.
Replace the words in italics in the sentences 1-6 with the more precise expressions a-f.
a their necessities d products
b their possessions e take action
¢ aspects of f advantages
1 People often buy things, even when they do not need them.
2 One of the interesting things about consumer behaviour is that it is often irrational.
People can do things to avoid getting into debt.

o~ W
One of the good things about shopping online is the convenience.

Often people’s income barely covers the cost of the things that they need.
People are often very attached to the things that they own.
o
The following paragraph comes from an essay written in response to the Task 2 question:
How do people learn to manage their money? Complete the text with the words a-g.
a oncredit e behaviour
b quantity f saved
c financial g costly
d criteria
Learning by example is one important method. From their early years, children can
observe how their parents make (1) decisions. They may notice, for example,
whether money is (2) for (3) purchases, or whether purchases are
bought (4) . Children can also see what kinds of (5) ________ parents use when
choosing what to buy, for instance, whether quality or (6) —___is more important. I.t
is important, therefore, that parents model sensible purchasing (7) and explain
what they are doing and why. However, in many circumstances, this may not be sufficient.
Employment and finances 57

0 Exam information:
IELTS Writing Task 1 sometimes requires you to describe two figures. Before writing
your response, it is important to ask yourself the following:
1 What do both figures relate to?
2 What kind of relationship is evident?
a a similarity ¢ a cause and effect relationship
b a difference d some other type of relationship
Once you have answered these questions, you are then in a better position to answer
questions 3 and 4:
3 Which aspects of each figure should be highlighted?
4 aShould the figures be described in separate paragraphs or b, should different
aspects of the figures be compared within a series of paragraphs?
1 Answer the questions 1-4 in the box above in relation to the two figures below.
£/week Disposable income by age (UK)
250 L
1524 eeemeee 3544 —mmmm 65-74

Percentage increase or decrease in sales
2001 | 2004 | 2007 | 2010

Trainers 1% | % | 3% | -1%
Business suits 2% | % | % | -6%
Video games 2% | 6% | 4% | 1%
Reading glasses % | 1% | 1% | -1%
Books 1% | 4% | 10% | —6%
Children’s toys 1% | % | 8% | -8%

Unit 7
L R ead the response below and answer questions 1-6.
The line graph shows average disposable income for three different age groups
from 2000 to 2010. The table gives the percentage increase in sales for six different
products at three-year intervals from 2001 to 2010. Seen together, the figures
suggest a link between the disposable income of different age groups and how well
certain products sell.
The disposable income of young people in the UK between the ages of fifteen and
twenty-four peaked in 2004 and reached another high point in 2007 before falling
sharply. Sales of products typically enjoyed by young people, trainers and video
games, showed a similar pattern with sales of both products increasing sharply by
2004 (5% and 6% respectively).
The disposable income of the 35-44 age group peaked in 2008 after reaching its
second highest point in 2004. Sales of business suits, books and children’s toys - all
items that people of this age group might be expected to buy - also peaked in the
third quarter of the decade, with particularly strong growth in sales of toys (8%).
For people aged 65-74, disposable income remained rciughly constant. Not
surprisingly, sales of reading glasses also remained steady throughout the period.
Overall, the figures show that the sales performance of different types of products
may be influenced by the disposable income available to different sectors of the
population.
Look at the three sentences of the introduction. What information is given in each of
them?
What type of relationship between the two figures is identified and how is this expressed?
WN
How is each of the three body paragraphs structured?

What specific information has the writer chosen to highlight? Why?
oo~
What expressions has the writer used to highlight the similarities in the trends
represented?
What expression is used in the conclusion to express the relationship between the two
figures?
Exam tip: If you are presented with two figures which appear to show a cause and
effect relationship, it is helpful to take note of this. It will enable you to highlight the
i information more effectively. However, you should be cautious about expressing a cause
i and effect relationship too directly. This is because IELTS Writing Task 1 does not ask
i you to interpret the table or refer to anything outside of it. If you use a cause and effect
i expression (e.g. causes, leads to), use a hedging expression to make the claim less
i sweeping, (e.g. appears to cause, may lead to), or use one of the expressions in Exercise 3.

3 Look at the two figures below. The two italicized expressions in sentences 1-2 can be
used to describe relationships between data sets. Indicate what each of them means by
rephrasing the sentence.
1 The two figures show that there is a positive correlation between the availability of
cheap credit and levels of consumer spending.
2 The two figures show that the rate of taxation correlates negatively with levels of
consumer spending.
Percentage change in taxation Consumer spending UK

and consumer credit 6
60
50 5
40
= Available credit
1 i
==~ Taxation
30 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

1990 95 2000 05 2010 [ Food 3 House hold appliances Clothing
Now rephrase each sentence in three different ways using the expressions a-f below.
a inversely proportional d when...falls, ... appearto...
b proportional e theless...the more...
¢ when...rises, ...also appearto... f the more...the more...
4 Write a description of the two figures in Exercise 3 using the following prompts.
Introduction:
¢ State what figure 1 shows.
* State what figure 2 shows.
Body paragraph 1:
* Describe the overall relationship between the availability of credit and consumer
spending using one of the phrases from Exercise 3.
* Give a more detailed description of the trends.
Body
paragraph2:
* Describe the overall relationship between taxation and consumer spending using
one of the phrases from Exercise 3.
* Give a more detailed description of the trends.
Conclusion:
* Rephrase the relationship between credit, taxation and spending.

unit 7
5 Study the Writing Task 2 question below. Compare the two responses and answer the
questions 1-5.
What influences our purchasing decisions? Do we mainly buy things because

we need them, or
Sometimes people are more likely to buy Sometimes people are more likely to buy
products because celebrities have been products because celebrities have been
employed to advertise them. The famous employed to advertise them. In buying the
people used in these advertisements make product, the consumer may feel ‘closer’ to
these products more attractive, so people want a person they admire. An example of this is
to purchase them. Therefore, the influence of when famous sportsmen or women endorse
celebrities can be a powerful reason for some a particular brand of trainer or sportswear.
purchasing decisions. Indeed, the powerful influence of this type of
advertising on consumer behaviour is reflected
in the large sums of money such celebrities are
often paid for their advertising work.
Which response do you think is more satisfactory? Why?

=
What is the purpose of the first sentence in Responses 1and 2?

N
What is the purpose of each of the remaining sentences in Response 2?

W
What expression is used to signal that the writer is giving an example?

What expression is used to signal that the writer is supporting the main point with
g
evidence?
Exam tip: You can use a range of expressions to signal to the reader that you are giving
an example to illustrate your point:
o Famous sportsmen and women, for example/for instance, may endorse a particular
brand of trainer or sportswear.
« An example/Another good example of this is when famous sportsmen and women
endorse a particular brand of trainer or sportswear.
And to signal that you are supporting your point with evidence:
« Indeed/In fact the powerful influence of this type of advertising on consumer behaviour
is reflected in the large sums of money such celebrities are often paid for their
advertising work.
The experienced academic reader will normally assume that successive sentences in a
i passage support or illustrate the points made. For this reason, it is not necessary to use
i many of these particular signpost expressions to make your passage clear. Two or three
in your response will be sufficient in most cases.

6 Complete the text below with signpost expressions.
It is often the case that consumers buy products on impulse simply because of the way
they are displayed. In supermarkets, (1) , snacks are often situated by the checkout
to tempt those who are tired and bored with queuing. (2) is when necessities such
as clothes are displayed with matching accessories, such as jewellery. (3) shoppers
are often surprised at how much more they spend than they had intended.
7 When thinking about developing a body paragraph, it is useful to ask yourself the
following questions:
a What main point do | want to make?
b Have | seen, heard, or experienced something that makes me want to say this? How
can | express this as an example to illustrate my main point?
¢ If someone were to disagree with me, what could | say to persuade them that my point
is valid? What evidence can | give to support my main point?
Develop each statement 1-3 below into a paragraph by giving examples and supporting
evidence:
1 Some people buy products that they do not really need because they feel empty and
unhappy.
2 People often buy products they do not really need because they want to display their
status or wealth.
3 Sometimes people buy products they do not really need because they want to use them
in a positive way to make their lives more enjoyable or interesting.
8 Look at the IELTS Writing Task 2 question below and write a body paragraph explaining
how financial institutions may be responsible for high levels of indebtedness. Remember
to make a main point and to give examples to illustrate and support your idea.
The increased availability of consumer credit in some countries has contributed

to the problem of debt. Who is responsible for high levels of indebtedness: the
financial institutions that lend money or the individuals who borrow money?

Unit 7
part 3: Exam practice
WRITING TASK 1
The figures give information about economic growth and household

expenditure across a range of categories.
Figure 1: Economic Growth Figure 2: Breakdown of Household Expenditure

10 @ Clothing @ Clothing
; 4 _}ri:‘::;mnmem 4 'XE:::lmnm'
Housing- Housing:
. i 1995 2000
:
-10 T T 1
m
. &} Travel
mm
. T Travel
1995 2000 2005 2010
Housing W Housing W
2005 2010
WRITING TASK 2
Learning to manage money is one of the key aspects of adult life. How in your
view can individuals best learn to manage their money?
experience.

8 Children and parents
Aims: Developing and linking supporting examples | Reviewing verb forms
Writing the conclusion
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 Match the words a-e with the words i-v, then indicate which pair of words goes with each
of the pictures 1-5 above.
a adult i oldage
b adolescent i childhood
c infant i adolescence
d pensioner iv_adulthood
e child v infancy
All of the words listed above are nouns. What is the difference between those in the
column on the left and those in the column on the right?
2 The expressions a-j can be associated with rights or responsibilities. Decide which of
them are rights and which are responsibilities.
be entitled to f beallowed to
oo
have a duty to g be authorized to

be obliged to h be permitted to
®an
be empowered to i be required to
be committed to j beheld accountable for

Unit 8
Underline the verb in each of the sentences 1-5 which expresses the right or
responsibility more emphatically.
1 The children were forced/obliged to sit still throughout the lesson.
2 Adolescents generally appreciate being allowed/empowered to make their own
decisions.
In some companies, once employees reach the age of sixty-five, they are compelled/
required to retire.
Parents are committed to doing/have a duty to do their best for their children.
5 The young men were required to join/coerced into joining the army.
The sentences 1-8 all contain common set expressions requiring one or more
prepositions. Complete the sentences using the prepositions a-h below.
for b from c in d into e of f on g over h with
Parents sometimes want to exercise too much control ________their children.

Young people often perceive their parents as interfering too much their lives.
It is often better to negotiate responsibilities —______ adolescents than to impose
responsibilities _—_______them.
Children must learn to cooperate — others in order to achieve goals.
In some countries such as Scotland, theage —__ criminal responsibility is as low
as ten.
When setting standards ___ behaviour, the child’s level of maturity needs to be
taken —____account.
In order for children to distinguish right —__ wrong, they need to be held
accountable ______their actions.
Parents do not always behave __the best interests ________their children.
Complete the sentences 1-5 below with expressions from Exercise 4.

1 It is unethical if professionals do notact_______their clients.
2 If a child has a disability, this hastobe __ when deciding on a programme of
education.
If you are applying for a job which requires teamwork, you need to demonstrate that
you are able to
When governments impose too many rules and regulations, people often complain that
the state is
If managers —their employees, workers may never develop the ability to take
initiative.
Youth 65
1 Study the table below, which shows the results of a survey of 200 adolescents and their
parents. Compare the two responses and answer questions 1-4.
1 Which response do you think is more satisfactory? Why?
2 Why do you think the writer of Response 2 has chosen to include certain supporting
details and not others?
3 How are supporting details in Response 2 signposted and linked with the rest of the
text?
4 Are any supporting details supplied without being explicitly signposted?
Parents and Adolescents’ Views of Parental Restrictions on Adolescent Decision-Making

Parents should place restrictions on: Adolescent
ls boys
how adolescents spend their free time 72% 67% 23% 19%
what subject(s) they study 68% 60% 33% 45%
how they spend money they have earned 34% 23% 12% 9%
what occupation they pursue 55% 53% 18% 21%
what friends they make 76% 78% 17% 19%
The table shows the results of a survey of 200 The table shows the results of a survey of 200
adolescents and their parents in which they adolescents and their parents in which they
were asked whether parents should exercise were asked whether parents should exercise
some control over a range of adolescent life some control over a range of adolescent life
choices. choices.
Overall, parents said that they wanted Overall, parents said that they wanted
more control over their children than did the significantly more control over their children
adolescents surveyed. For some decisions, than did the adolescents surveyed. The areas
the difference in opinion was quite large. where parents wanted most control were ‘how
In addition, fathers reported wanting more adolescents spend their free time” and ‘what
control than mothers over all except one of the friends they make’. Roughly three out of four
choices. Boys were also prepared to accept parents wanted to place restrictions on these
more parental control than girls in four of the areas, whereas only approximately one in five
six choices. children felt this was needed. The biggest conflict
of opinion concerned young people’s choice
of friends, with nearly 80 per cent of mothers
believing they should exercise control and only
17 per cent of adolescent girls agreeing.
In addition, ...

uUnit 8
Expressions that are commonly used to signal supporting detail include:

« superlatives: most control; the biggest conflict of opinion
» focusing expressions: particularly, in particular, especially
« expressions indicating uniqueness: only, sole
« expressions indicating example: for example, for instance.
Words used to link supporting detail to main clause include:

« prepositions: with
« relative pronouns: where, in which
Look again at the body paragraph in Response 2 on page 66 and at extracts 1-3 below,
which are from sample Task 1 responses from previous units. Underline examples of the
features listed above.
1 Women predominated in schools for children. This was particularly true of schools
for very young children. Over 95 per cent of nursery school teachers, for example,
were female. The situation was similarly one-sided in primary schools, where over
90 per cent of teachers were women.
2 In Arts and Social Science-related subjects, UK students tended to do better. The
biggest gap in performance was in International Law, where three-quarters of
UK students gained a second-class degree or better. In contrast, fewer than half of the
international students attained this level.
3 There are four types of writing system in which characters represent sounds. The
oldest of these is ‘Abjad’, in which each character represents a consonant sound.
Arabic, for instance, uses this type of system.
Complete the paragraph below with expressions from Exercise 2. For some gaps, there
may be more than one correct answer.
Fathers generally reported wanting more control than mothers, the (1)
exception being control over what friends their children make, 12) e T6 per
cent of fathers, as opposed to 78 per cent of mothers, wanted a say. In addition to choice
of friends, fathers were (3] keen to exercise control over how adolescents
spend their free time and what they studied. The (4] —_ gap between fathers’ and
mothers views was over how children spend their self-earned money. Over a third of
fathers wanted to place restrictions on this area, whereas (5) 23 per cent of
mothers wanted to do so.
Choose supporting detail from the table in Exercise 1 to complete the paragraph below.
The adolescent boys surveyed also indicated a greater acceptance of parental control than
did the adolescent girls ...
Youth 67
5 In order to frame your ideas effectively, you need to use the correct verb forms. You
have
to choose the correct tense, the correct voice (active or passive) and, where
appropriate,
the right modal verb. Study the example Task 2 response below to the question: What
can
society do to ensure that the rights of young people are respected? Match the verb forms
1-9 in the text with the functions a-h below. Then answer questions 1-4.
a verb form used when making a promise or prediction
conditional verb form used for describing the consequence(s) of an action
passive voice, often used to describe an action when the agent is unknown or
indeterminate
modal verb used to indicate strong obligation or necessity
a
verb tense indicating that the state or action is habitual, general or true now
TWQ
" 0o
modal verb used for making a suggestion and indicating that an action is possible
verb tense used for actions that occurred or were completed in the past
verb tense linking past and present used to express an experience or an ongoing
situation
modal verb used for tentatively making a suggestion and indicating possibility
In most countries around the world, children (1) are recognised as persons by law. However,
because children (2) do not have the same access to power as adults, they lack the means to
defend their rights. It is therefore important that adults recognise the rights of young people.
Some argue that this is uniquely the duty of parents. In my view, society as a whole (3] must
bear some of this responsibility. In this essay | (4) will outline three measures that can be taken
to safeguard the rights of young people.
Firstly, government (5) can ensure that its policies take the interests of children into account. It (6)
could, for example, appoint a children’s commissioner to scrutinise new legislation for compliance
with frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This (7) would ensure that
young people are continuously represented in the halls of power.
Secondly, local government and charities can ensure that young people have access
to
independent confidential sources of help. Telephone help lines are just one example of what
could be done. One such service in the UK, Childline, (8) answered over 700,000 calls last year,
suggesting a strong need for this kind of help.
A third possible measure is to ensure that information about children’s rights is widely
disseminated through schools, for example, and the mass media. Children who are well-
informed about their rights are in a better position to seek help to defend them.
In short, society has an obligation to look after young people. Doing so can have benefits for
all. Young people who (9) have felt valued by society are more likely to recognise the value of
society and behave accordingly.
Which verb tense is used most frequently in the text?

WN =
How many examples of the passive voice are in the response?

Which modal verb is used most frequently? Why?
Why would you use the modal verb should instead of must, and why would you use may?
N
)8 Writing for IELTS

Unit 8
Exam tip: Makegood use of modal verbs to frame your ideas. Use:
« will to state your intention: /n this essay | will outline three measures that can be
taken to safeguard the rights of children.
« emphatic modal verbs such as must and should to express a necessity: /n my view,
society as a whole must bear some of this responsibility.
i« canand couldto make suggestions: Firstly, the government can ensure that its
i policies take the interests of children into account.
would to indicate the consequences of implementing a suggestion: This would
ensure that eople are contmuously represented |n the halls of power.
Read the partially completed Task 2 response to the question: What can be done to
encourage young people to become responsible members of society? Complete the text
by adding a modal verb to the gaps 1-10. In some cases more than one modal verb is
possible - your choice will depend on how emphatic you wish to be.
In many societies these days, people are concerned about deteriorating standards of
behaviour among young people. Petty crime, misuse of drugs and alcohol and apparent
lack of respect for others all seem to be on the rise. Some people maintain that the best
way to address this problem is to reinstate firm discipline within homes and schools.
|(1)___ suggest that although this (2) ________ be one solution, we (3]
approach the task of encouraging responsible behaviour among young people in a variety
of ways.
One measure that both parents and teachers (4) ________take is to involve young people
in making decisions about what is acceptable behaviour. In schools for example, teachers
(5)____ draw up a contract with the children in their class. It (6] — need
to be revised periodically as the children mature and are able to handle more freedom
responsibly. Doing this (7) —__ discourage children from using misbehaviour as a
means of expressing their independence.
Secondly, young people (8] ______ be taught leadership skills by taking part in
organisations such as the Scouts. Young people who have experienced what it is like to be
aleader (9)____ probably have a better understanding of the difficulties involved.
This (10) ______ encourage them to cooperate more easily with authority figures...
i Exam tip: Make sure you complete your essay by writing a conclusion, even if this
i consists of only one sentence. If you are running short of time, it is better to shorten or
: omit one of your body paragraphs than to fail to complete the task.
In conclusions to academic essays, writers often:

a restate their opinion
b summarise the main points
¢ make a recommendation
d make a prediction (often stating what may happen if the recommended action isoris
not taken)
Youth 69
Look at the three conclusions below and notice how the functions a-d have been used.
aThe writer gives LA more effective approach is to educate the

her opinion. public about the benefits of biodiversity.
Money should be invested in the research
and development of the world's biological
resources. Once people understand that there
are real benefits to exploiting natural resources — d The writer
in a sustainable way, they are more likely to makes a
make the short-term sacrifices necessary to prediction.
preserve natural habitats.
In brief, it is not possible to make

recommendations regarding the supervision of
adolescents that fit all contexts. The physical
b Here the writer environment, the cultural context, and the
summarises the [~ personalities of those involved should all be
main points. considered.
In short, there is little about today’s celebrity

culture that is fundamentally more harmful
than the types of celebrity children have ¢ The writer
encountered in the past. Provided children are makes a
given appropriate guidance, they are unlikely to recommendation.
be adversely affected.
Re-read the conclusion to the response in Exercise 5 reproduced below, then answer
questions 1-5.
In short, society has an obligation to look after young people. Doing so can have benefits for
all.
Young people who have felt valued by society are more likely to recognise the value of society
and behave accordingly.
What expression is used to signal that this is the conclusion?

WN =
What other expressions can be used for this purpose?

Which of the functions a-d above is evident in the first sentence?
Which of the functions a-d above is evident in the second sentence?
BN
How would you summarise the main points of the essay in a single sentence?
g
8 Complete the essay in Exercise 6 on page 69 by writing a conclusion. Write one sentence
for each of the functions a-d listed in Exercise 7.
0 Writing for IELTS

Unit 8
WRITING TASK 1
The figure shows the results of a survey of 1000 adolescents in five different
countries. The participants were asked at what age they believed certain rights
and responsibilities should be granted to young people.

Age (years)
25
20
10 \_FI
USA UK Mexico Japan Egypt
Marriage [ Voting Criminal responsibility*
* age at which person who commits a crime can be

tried in a court
of law
WRITING TASK 2
In many countries, young people are granted certain privileges and responsibilities
at the age of sixteen. Clearly parents have a responsibility to both care for and
prepare their children as they approach this important milestone.
To what degree should parents intervene in the lives of their 14-15 year-old children?
experience.
Youth 71
9 An ageing population
Using cohesive devices | Using punctuation effectively | Writing topic sentences
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 The sentences 1-7 all contain words relating to population and population growth.
Circle
the option (a or b) that the words in italics best correspond to.
1 Overpopulation relates not just to the 4 The 2001 census revealed that the median
size of the population but also to the age of the population had risen markedly.
density of population in relation to
a estimate of the population
available resources.
b count of the population
a the total number of people
b the degree to which an area is filled The proportion of the population
with people composed of children has declined, while
the proportion of the population that is
Many people predict that aged has grown.
population growth will accelerate
a old
over the next thirty years before
b young
leveling off at approximately
12 billion. The recent jump in the numbers of
a stay the same people aged 60 to 65 in some countries
b speed up can be attributed to the boom in births
following the Second World War.
Governments regularly gather
a gradual rise
demographic data, including
b rapid rise
information about age, gender,
income, and employment status, As the population ages, many fear that
in order to plan effectively for the caring for the elderly will be too great a
future. burden for the younger generation.
a relating to population a obligation
b relatingto politics b privilege
2 Writing for IELTS

umt?9
Match the expressions 1-10 with the definitions a-j.
1 pension a aperson who looks after the elderly or sick
2 longevity b the ability to produce children

3 nursing home ¢ the middle point in a range of values
4 care-giver d serious, recurring and/or long lasting
5 to retire e long life
6 mortality f aregular payment made by government or
former employer to a person who has stopped
working
fertility g the control of the number of children in a family

by use of contraceptives
median h to give up work, especially on reaching

pensionable age
9 family planning i ahospital or home for people who are old orill
10 chronic j the number of deaths in a given period
population ageing. Decide

The expressions a-h are either causes or consequences of
which of them are causes and which are consequences.
a increasing public health costs e growing pressure on care givers
b lower fertility rate f family planning
c decreasing mortality from infectious g dwindling pension funds
diseases h improved health care
d increasing incidence of chronic
illnesses (e.g. arthritis)
3. Make any changes
Complete the sentences 1-7 with expressions from Exercise
necessary.
especially women in
1 The increasing numbers of older people hasput .
their 40s, who are also often responsible for looking after children.
yers and
have been a cause for concern among governments, emplo
to save more for
financial institutions and led to calls for the working population
retirement.
status
has resulted not only in greater longevity but also in better health
among the elderly.
such as cholera and polio has been a welcome development.
As the population ages, there has beenan and type-two diabetes.
Unless measures are takentocurb —, these will almost certainly result in

higher taxes.
countries.
measures have undoubtedly reduced birth rates in some
People and places 73

In [ELTS Writing Tasks, you need to write coherently

, that is link points within a sentence
and between sentences. Study the three short sente
nces a-cand the longer sentence
which combines them. Notice the cohesive devic
es in italics.
a Something can be seen from the diagram.
b Population ageing results from decreasing birth
rates.
¢ Population ageing results from declining mortal
ity.
As can be seen from the diagram, population ageing
results from both decreasing birth
rates and declining mortality.
Cohesive devices include:
pronouns a Many people enjoy retirement. Many people enjoy retirement.
b Many people find they have the time They find they have the time for
for activities they enjoy. activities they enjoy.
apposition a Over the last two decades, Over the last two decades,
population ageing has accelerated population ageing, a common
in the UK. trend throughout the developed
b Population ageing is a common trend world, has accelerated in the UK.
throughout the developed world.
this/these + a The population in urban areas has The population in urban areas
summary grown particularly quickly. has grown particularly quickly.
word b The population growth in urban This trend has put pressure on
areas has put pressure on local local services.
services.
coordinating a There are more job opportunities in There are more job opportunities
conjunctions cities. in cities, so people migrate to
b People migrate to cities from rural them from rural areas.
areas.
subordinating a Couples are under pressure towork. Because couples are under
conjunctions b Couples often delay starting a pressure to work, they often
family. delay starting a family.
relative a Lower mortality is due to increased Lower mortality is due to
pronouns longevity. increased longevity, which
b Increased longevity results from results from improved health
improved health care. care.
sentence a People want to enjoy retirement. People want to enjoy retirement;
linkers b People do not always save enough however, they do not always
for a comfortable retirement. save enough for a comfortable
retirement.
Read the remainder of the paragraph below and
underline the cohesive devices.
Decreasing birth rates can be attributed to two
main factors, namely: availability of family
planning and changes in how people feel about work
and family. These changes include
greater career aspirations among women, a tende
ncy to delay marriage, and a preference
for smaller families. Lower mortality, on the other
hand, is due to increased longevity,
which results from improved health care and bette
r living conditions.
r
+ Writing for IELTS
unit 9
ph on page
Good cohesion requires a good grasp of punctuation. Look again at the paragra
marks. Then
74 and the longer sentences in the table in Exercise 1. Circle the punctuation
correct the text below by adding or changing the punctuation.
world’s population
The graph illustrates two trends. Namely the rise in the proportion of the
can be
aged sixty-five and above and the decline in the proportion of those under five. As
5 per cent
seen the proportion of elderly people has risen gradually from approximately
d to more than
in 1950 to roughly 7.5 per cent today. Over the next thirty years it is expecte
ly since 1970
double. The proportion of young children on the other hand has fallen gradual
at roughly the
from approximately 14 per cent to 9 per cent, itis forecast to continue falling
same rate over the next forty years.
of cohesive
Combine each group of sentences 1-4 below into one sentence using a range
y.
devices. Make any changes necessary and punctuate each sentence correctl
sixty-five in
1 The bar chart shows the percentage of people who were over the age of
age of
2000. The bar chart shows the percentage of people expected to be over the
es.
sixty-five in 2030.The bar chart gives figures for seven different countri
Korea,
2 Korea, Mexico, and Turkey are all developing or newly industrialized countries.
ion of
Mexico, and Turkey are all expected to experience large increases in the proport
the population that is elderly.
in Korea
3 The biggest increase is likely to occur in Korea. The proportion of pensioners
is expected to increase from 10 per cent to 35 per cent.
predicted
4 The changes in all three countries will occur from a relatively low base. The
ed economies.
proportion of elderly residents will still be lower than that expected in develop
to read.
Using too many cohesive devices results in writing that is heavy and difficult
dividing
Improve the paragraph below by removing unnecessary cohesive devices,
sentences that are too complex, and correcting the punctuation.
and in
The figure shows the distribution of the population in terms of gender and age,
55 to 59.
fact, the age group with the highest percentage of both men and women is
, the
Moreover, roughly five per cent of the population is in this age group. In addition
and 35 to 39.
age groups with the next highest proportion of the population are 30 to 34
females
Also, it is interesting that until the age of fifty-nine, the proportion of males and
ion of the elderly
is roughly equal, however, thereafter, women make up a higher proport
For example, over
population and this trend is particularly evident in those aged eighty.
of men have
four per cent of women fallinto in this category, whereas only two per cent
reached this age.
paragraph
Exam tip: Remember that readers will assume that each sentence in a
se.
ogically develops or supports the preceding sentence unless they are told otherwi
This means that sentence connectors such as in addition and moreover should be
or
used sparingly, if at all. On the other hand, logical relationships that are surprising
.
ndicate a contrast of ideas normally require signposting expressions such as however

5 One of the best ways of achieving good cohesion is through word choice. Read the
passage below and answer the questions 1-5.
As the population ages, people can expect to spend a longer proportion of their lives as
pensioners. The quality of life among older people has, therefore, become a focus of
attention. A number of measures can be taken to ensure that the elderly can enjoy life
after retirement.
One of the most important measures is to make sure people of working age are setting
aside enough funds for when they retire. This could be done through a government
scheme such as the national insurance system in the UK, through employer contributions,
or through compulsory private pension plans. Saving sufficient sums of money would
ensure that the burden of looking after elderly people does not fall entirely to the younger
generation. However, savings alone would probably be insufficient to guarantee a good
retirement for all.
Another measure that should be taken is to invest properly in the health care services
so that they are able to cope with the demands of an increasingly frail section of the
population ...
1 Which sentence captures the main idea of the text?
2 Which key word has the writer repeated in order to make the organisation of the
passage clear?
In which sentences does this repetition occur?
4 What words and expressions has the writer used to avoid repeating the word
pensioners?
5 What words and expressions has the writer used to avoid repeating the word funds?
Exam tip: Use repetition of key words strategically. It can be effective to repeat two or
three times words that link back to the main argument and that make the structure
of
your response clear. Use synonyms for other words or expressions that you may need
to
repeat throughout your text.
6 Look at the Task 2 question below and the sample response extract. Notice how the
key
word obligations has been repeated.
1 Write synonyms for the expressions younger family members and older relations in the
blank spaces in the response on page 77.
What are the obligations of younger family members towards older relations?
6 Writing for IELTS

uni sy
becoming
In most societies, adults in their prime are expected to care for those who are
of younger family
more frail due to old age. How one defines the specific responsibilities
for example,
members towards older relations, however, depends on a number of factors,
| would
the family’s resources and the degree of state support available. Nevertheless,
suggest a number of core obligations can be identified.
The most fundamental obligation that [younger family members)
have towards (older relations) is to ensure that their
)
physical needs are being met. It is particularly important that (older relations
have good nutrition, adequate healthcare and a safe and warm
suchasa
environment. Whether this is provided in the family home or in an institution
nursing home does not matter.
Another core obligation is to ensure that (older relations) —— ——
continue to feel a sense of love and belonging. Whenever possible, they should be
value to the
included in family occasions such as birthdays, weddings and funerals. Their
te
family as a whole should be acknowledged even if they are no longer able to contribu
actively to the family, financially or otherwise.
Finally, [younger family members] should ensure that (older
relations) continue to have the opportunity to grow and develop
e, people
as individuals. As the process of personal development is never complet
out their
continue to need stimulation in the form of activities and interests through
are all things
lives. Reading aloud, watching a film together or playing a board game
that (younger family members) can do with their (older
relations)
In short, ...
word that you

Now look at the Task 2 questions below. For each question, circle a key
be replaced
might want to repeat and underline any words or expressions which could
with synonyms.
2 With improvements in life expectancy, people living today are clearly able work
for and against
productively for much longer than in the past. What are the arguments
a mandatory retirement age?
3 What are the most significant consequences of population ageing?
Exam tip: One of the most useful strategies for linking points between sentences is
on its own or
i to use the demonstrative this or these. This (or these) can be used either
ng sentence.
i followed by a summary word which captures the main point of the precedi
Study the example below.
old to work.
n the past, many people believed that people over the age of sixty-five were too
This view is no longer widely held.

7 Look at the essay extracts below from sample responses you have seen
in previous units.
Link the sentences by filling in the gaps with appropriate summary words.
1 The changes that result from allowing men into female-dominated occupations and
vice versa may be subtle, but they are far-reaching. However, to benefit the most from
this______ itisimportant not to expect males and females to approach work
in
identical ways.
2 However, exams also have clear drawbacks. Test-wise candidates can often perform
wellin exams without having good underlying knowledge or skills. On the other hand,
some test-takers perform poorly in exams simply because of anxiety. Some teachers
and learners focus only on those aspects of the curriculum that are likely to be tested,
thus narrowing the educational experience for all. A number of measures should
be
taken to address these
3 Governments could promote greater understanding of plants and animals by investing
in the research and preservation efforts of universities, zoos and botanical institute
s...
However,this____ alone would do little to protect whole ecosystems
that are
under threat.
4 Itis true that as the balance of power among groups of people throughout history
has shifted, languages have arisen, changed, and died out. Even once widely
spoken languages, such as Latin, have disappeared. To some extent, therefore, this
may be inevitable.
8 Study the topic sentences which open the three body paragraphs of the response in
Exercise 6 (reproduced below). Underline the word or phrase in each that signals it is
a topic sentence. Circle the phrase that that expresses the main idea developed
in the
paragraph.
1 The most fundamental obligation that younger family members have towards older
relations is to ensure that their physical needs are being met.
2 Another core obligation is to ensure that older relations continue to feel a sense of love
and belonging.
3 Finally, younger family members should ensure that older relations continue to
have
the opportunity to grow and develop as individuals.
Now write topic sentences for three paragraphs in response to the question below.
What are the most significant consequences of population ageing?
Use repetition and synonyms as appropriate.

Expand the first topic sentence into a paragraph. Make your paragraph cohesive using
this
(or these) + a summary word.
8 Writing for IELTS

unity
WRITING TASK 1
The figure shows demographic trends in Scotland.


% Demographic Trends (Scotland)
304
s ETTE birth rate
=== population growth rate
WRITING TASK 2
Longer life spans and improvements in the health of older people suggest
lives.
that people over the age of sixty-five can continue to live full and active
In what ways can society benefit from the contribution that older people can
make?
your own knowledge or

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from
experience.

10 Fame
Dealing with words often confused | Using appropriate vocabulary
Avoiding repetition by the use of synonyms
Part 1: Vocabulary
1 In IELTS Writing Tasks, it is important to demonstrate that you have a wide vocabula
ry
by avoiding unnecessary repetition. Match the words 1-9 with the words a-i that have
a
similar meaning.
1 fame a short-lived
2 ambition b icon
3 achievement ¢ accomplishment
4 shortcoming d approve
5 idol e stardom
6 transient f aspiration
7 endorse g notorious
8 image h flaw
9 infamous i impression
2 Knowing which words go together is important. Complete the sentences 1-6

with words
from Exercise 1 above to form common collocations. Make any necessary changes to
part
of speech or number.
1 When meeting someone for the first time, it is natural to want to make a good
When starting a new project, it is common to be full of hopes and

N
Many people see celebrities as beingall_______ and no substance.

g~W
People often migrate to cities seeking____and fortune.

Although he is undoubtedly famous, his character is deeply
She aspired to being a fashion
o~
0 Writing for IELTS

unit 1u
Sometimes an idea can be expressed with greater or lesser degrees of strength by a group
of words or phrases with similar meanings. For example: satisfactory good excellent.
Arrange the groups of words below from left to right in terms of strength of meaning.
1 famous legendary well-known 3 like admire idolise
2 bad imperfect worthless 4 praise acclaim recognition
The adverbs below can be placed at the beginning of a statement to show your attitude
to what follows. Rewrite the sentences 1-7, beginning each sentence with an adverb that
expresses the sentence in brackets.
fortunately interestingly surprisingly

importantly obviously unfortunately
inevitably
1 Many people who achieve fame as children struggle to live a normal adult life. (This
phenomenon is bound to happen.)
2 Many people who become famous as children struggle to live a normal life in
adulthood. (This is not a good thing.)
3 Only a small percentage of people become truly obsessed with celebrities. (Thisis a
good thing.)
4 The vast majority of respondents were critical of the amount of celebrity coverage in
the news. (I didn't expect this.)
5 Fame can confer certain advantages. (This is clear)
6 The majority of children surveyed said that they did not want to be famous. (I find this
interesting.)
7 Many children were critical of the bad behaviour of people in the public eye. (This idea
is significant.)
Some of the adverbs above can be modified by the use of: more, less, not, somewhat.
Complete the sentences 1-4 below with an adverb and suitable modifier.
1 Fame can be stressful. (This is not as clear as the previous point.)
2 The majority of children said they did not want to emulate the bad behaviour of their
idols. [This idea is more significant than the previous one.)
3 People find notorious criminals quite fascinating. (This is to be expected.)
4 The children of famous people rarely seek fame themselves. (This is a bit surprising.)
Culture and modern society 81

1 Sentences 1-8 describe information in the table below, which compares the results of
a survey of children’s career aspirations in 1980 and 2010. Each sentence contains two
commonly confused words in italics. Underline the correct word.
S T W Teacher Sports star

2 Businessman/woman 9 Actor/Actress 12
3 Doctor/Nurse 8 Popular singer (5
4 Scientist 7 Astronaut 9
5 Lawyer 6 Lawyer 8
6 Vet 6 Businessman/woman 8
7 Sports star 5 Doctor/Nurse )
8 Astronaut 4 Teacher 6
9 Banker 4 Chef 5
10 Archaeologist 3 Vet 4
1 Children today appear to have a greater interest in careers associated with celebrities
than did children in the passed/past.
2 Surprisingly, the number/percentage of children wanting to work in medicine
decreased.
3 There were changes in the rankings of all of the occupations accept/except that of
lawyer.
4 The percentage of children choosing ‘sports star’ as one of their top ten careers rose/
raised.
5 In 2010, a higher proportion of children wanted to work in entertainment then/than in
traditional professions such as medicine.
6 A smaller/fewer percentage of respondents opted for ‘teacher’ in 2010 than in 1980.
7 In contrast/On the contrary, a much higher percentage of those surveyed chose ‘sports
star’, which occupies first position in the 2010 list.
8 Some professions that did not appear in the 1980 rankings, feature/future prominently
in the 2010 list.
Now complete the sentences 9-13 below with some of the words in italics above.
9 The percentage of children wanting to be an astronaut
10 In2010,a______ percentage of children wanted to be a vet.
11 A smaller percentage of children today want to work in business and banking than did
children in the
12 Not surprisingly, ‘banker’ didnot ________in the 2010 list.
13 All of the professions in the 1980 list appeared in the 2010 list ________ scientist,
astronaut and banker.
2 Writing for IELTS

uniu 1v
The paragraph below contains six informal expressions in italics. Replace them with more
appropriate words or expressions.
There were (1) really big changes in the children’s career aspirations between 1980 and
2010. (2) Lots of traditional professions either declined in popularity or disappeared.
(3) E.g. in 1980, 14 per cent of respondents wanted to be teachers whereas thirty years
later, only 6 per cent of those surveyed chose this profession. (4) Amazingly, scientist,
ranked fourth in 1980, (5) didn't even (6) show up in the top ten occupations of 2010.
1 4
2 5
3 6
The passage below contains some unnecessary repetition. Replace the words 1-6 in italics
with synonyms from Exercise 1 on page 82. Make any other necessary changes to the words.
A number of professions typically associated with celebrities, which were not included
in the 1980 list, appeared among the top ten in 2010. Acting and singing were
particularly popular, ranking second and third respectively. Chef, chosen by five per cent
of respondents, also (1) appeared in the 2010 list. Other (2) professions increased
significantly in popularity. The percentage of (3] respondents (4) choosing sports star and
astronaut more than doubled. The only (5) profession that did not change in the rankings
was lawyer, which (6) appeared in fifth place in both 1980 and 2010.
1 4
2 5
3 6
The words in italics in the extracts 1-7 from unit 2 below are too informal. Rewrite the
sentences using more appropriate words and phrases.
1 One of the biggest steps in civilisation is the development of modern ways of making and
getting food ready.
2 Convenience foods have now become the done thing in many societies.
3 Although some people love traditional cooking practices and believe they will be around
for a long time, ...
4 In more traditional societies, where families tended to be big, it made economic sense
for one person to give him/herself to time-consuming jobs at home such as growing and
preparing food.

5 Nowadays, people by and large live in ever smaller family units.
6 If each family were to spend hours and hours growing and processing food, this
would
be a silly use of society’s human resource.
7 ...the increase in the number of grown ups, especially women with kids, who work
in
Jjobs all day long.
5 The table below shows the results of an opinion poll of media coverage. Read
the
description and circle the most appropriate option in the items 1-7 in italics.
Then
underline the expressions the writer has used to avoid repeating the word
respondents.
Celebrity gossip 42 Good news 18

Political leaders 10 Poverty/Homelessness "
War/Conflict 9 Environment 10
Crime 8 Education 9
The economy/recession 8 Health 8
Sports 5 International news 4
The table presents the findings of a public opinion survey of media coverage
.
On the whole, the respondents felt there was too much coverage of individua
ls in the
entertainment industry and politics, ‘bad’ news and sports. Dissatisfaction with
the
amount of coverage given to celebrity gossip was particularly high at 42 per cent.
Individuals in politics were also seen as (1) receiving/getting too much attention
by
one in ten of those surveyed. A similar (2) number/percentage of respondents said
the
media focused too much on (3) awful/negative news stories, war and the recession, for
example. At the other end of the scale, a (4) small/few percentage of people question
ed
said there was too much sports news. (5) On the contrary/On the other hand,
respondents
said that there (6) wasn t/was not enough coverage of good news, social and
issues and
international news. Nearly one in five of those who took part in the survey felt that
there
was not enough focus on good news. A relatively high percentage also felt that
there was
too little coverage of issues relating to quality of life: poverty, the environment, educatio
n
and health. A small percentage (4 per cent) wanted more international news.
In short, (7) there appears to be/you could say there was a mismatch between
the types of
news stories covered and the stated preferences of the survey respondents.
& Writing for IELTS

unit 1v
able. Listed below

() The language required for |ELTS Writing Task 2 is often quite predict
g for each.
are ten common expressions. Write one or two words with a similar meanin
1 advantage e 6 problem
2 disadvantage 7 solution
3 opinion SRR 8 important
4 however _— 9 issue
5 people ST — 10 situation
question:
7 Study the four introductions a-d to an essay written in response to the
of modern life?
In your view, why have celebrities become such an important feature
Answer questions 1-2.
1 Which is the best introduction?
2 What is the problem with each of the other three?
per
a There are more and more television programmes, magazines, and newspa
of the one of
articles about celebrities these days. The ‘cult of celebrity’ is one
say that
the things about modern pop culture that really stands out. Some people
g new. But
because there have always been famous people around, this isn’t anythin
| say that there’s something different about fame today.
g
b The number of television programmes, magazines, and newspaper articles focusin
‘cult
on the lives of celebrities has rocketed over the last few decades. Indeed, the
that,
of celebrity’ is the defining feature of modern popular culture. People say
enon.
because there have always been famous people, this is not a new phenom
However, | insist that fame today is unique to our times.
g
¢ The number of television programmes, magazines, and newspaper articles focusin
the last few
on the lives of celebrities appears to have grown considerably over
s of
decades. Indeed, the ‘cult of celebrity’ seems to be one of the defining feature
been
modern popular culture. Some people insist that, because there have always
that there
famous people, this is not a new phenomenon. However, | would suggest
are aspects of fame today that are particular to our times.
g
d The number of television programmes, magazines, and newspaper articles focusin
few
on the lives of celebrities appears to have grown considerably over the last
features
decades. Indeed, the ‘cult of celebrity’ seems to be one of the defining
insist that,
of television programmes, magazines and newspapers. Some people
nota
because there have always been famous people, the ‘cult of celebrity’ is
of
new phenomenon. However, | would suggest that there are aspects of the “cult
celebrity’ that are particular to our times.
e the text by:
8 Read the first two body paragraphs of the essay on page 86. Improv
has been
1 changing the informal expressions into more formal language. (The first one
marked for you in italics.)
to help you.
2 adding hedges to the statements 1-5 that are too sweeping. Use the hints
Culture and modern society

Add a hedge to In the past, people (1) became
show that this is famous for doing great things. Einstein,
a generalisation. Dickens, and Gandhi, for instance, were
all celebrated for what they'd done for
science, literature and public life. People
Add a hedge to were interested in them (2)
show that this because they were role models. One of
is not the only the reasons fame today is so different is
Add a hedge to
reason. because celebrities (3) meet a indicate that this
range of people’s emotional needs, not just seems to be what
the need for role models. Lots of people in happens.
the public eye today are famous simply for
being famous. The public are (4)
interested in them because, when news of Add a hedge to
scandals comes out into the open, they indicate that this
Add a hedge that 15l get the satisfaction of feeling doesn’t happen
indicates this is a superior to people they've been encouraged all of the time.
possibility. to envy.
9 Read the third body paragraph and the conclusion to the essay below. Reduce the
unnecessary repetition in the text by replacing repeated words with synonyms.
Another reason fame today is unique is the desire for ordinary people to explore
the nature of fame itself. Many celebrities that have emerged from reality television
programmes, for example, come from the same walks of life as ordinary people. Reading
about or watching such celebrities allow ordinary people to imagine what it might be
like
to suddenly find themselves in the public eye. Celebrities may, therefore, allow ordinary
people to indulge in wish fulfilment fantasies without having to worry about whether
they
are capable of significant achievement.
The third and perhaps most significant reason that celebrities play such an importan
t role
in modern life is the fact that commercial pressures encourage media organisations
to
focus on information that is immediately attractive to ordinary people. As we have seen,
celebrities appear to tap into powerful emotional needs, the need to feel superior, the
need
to imagine oneself to be the centre of attention; therefore, news about celebrities sells.
i Exam tip: Remember that some repetition is acceptable and can even be effective
as
i ameans of signposting key ideas. If you do not know suitable synonyms for some
key
terms, it is better to repeat these words than to use expressions that are a poor
match
i orinappropriate to the context.
10 Readthe concluding paragraph below. Make any changes to word choice and style
that
you think necessary.
In brief, the nature of fame today is different from fame in the past. There's a greater
need
to denigrate, rather than celebrate the actions of people in the public eye, as well as
huge
interest in fame itself. Whether the public will eventually get tired of denigrating people
in
the public eye or of fame itself we'll never know.
6 writing for IELTS

unit v
WRITING TASK 1
celebrity news
The table shows the results of a survey of people’s perception of
coverage. .
, and
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features

Who is responsible for the Who gives celebrities the
Celebrities receive:
amount of coverage? most coverage?
news organisations television news

too much news coverage
34 | Internet news websites 15
not enough news coverage 6 | the public
7 | newspapers 12
right amount of coverage 7 | both
2 | don’t know 3 | radio news 5
don’t know
other 3
don’t know 5
WRITING TASK 2
Many people believe that media coverage of celebrities is having a negative

effect on children.
from your own knowledge or

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples
experience.

11 The car
Aims: Becoming aware of common errors | Learning how to correct errors
Practising proofreading
Part 1 : Vocabulary
7
Z A\
1 Match the phrases a-h with the road signs 1-8 above.
a cycle route ahead e road works ahead
b frail pedestrians likely ahead f danger
c end of motorway g bus lane at road junction ahead
d traffic queues likely h speed cameras in the area
2 Use the words and phrases from Exercise 1 above to complete the sentences 1-7. Make
any necessary changes.
1 Unless the governmentinvestsin_____| the number of journeys made
by
bicycle is unlikely to increase.
Although______ have been shown to reduce the frequency of road accidents,
drivers dislike being under surveillance.
Faulty traffic lights and inadequate road crossings putthelivesof _____
in
In spite of the government'’s expansion of the road network, drivers are still likely to
experience______ during peak travel periods.
make travelling long distances much faster; however, many people feel
they are a blight on the landscape.
The need to continually upgrade and repair the road network means that journeys
are
frequently delayed by .
The number of journeys by public transport increased when the government invested
in_______ and the commuter rail network.
Writing for IELTS

v 11
but also that

3 For IELTS Writing, you have to show not only that you have a wide vocabulary
with
you can use the right form of a word in the right context. Complete the table below
the correct word forms.
A 1 A——— reduction
production
convert
maintain
emission
combust
propel
necessary.
4 Use words from Exercise 3 to complete the passage below. Make any changes
Electric cars are battery-powered vehicles (1) by electric motors. Because
electric cars are more efficientat (2) _____ stored energyinto (3] they
have the potential to (4] CO2 emissions. The level of reduction depends on how
if vehicles
the electricity is generated; however, it can be substantial. In the UK, for example,
with internal (5) ______engines were replaced with electric vehicles, C02 (6)
would decrease by 40 per cent. Moreover, because electric cars do not (7)
exhaust fumes, they have the potential to reduce urban pollution. Another advantage of
electric cars is their low (8] costs; because electric motors have fewer moving
parts than petrol-powered engines, they are easier to maintain. One disadvantage, however,
is that they (9] less noise and can therefore be dangerous to pedestrians.
in the
Governments and manufacturers around the world are investing substantial sums
development of state-of-the-art electric cars and batteries. Some have predicted that
by
electric car (10) ______ will increase substantially over the next decade and that
2025, 12 per cent of cars on the road will be battery-powered.
or -ance.
5 Look again at the nouns in Exercise 3 and notice how they all end in: -tion, -sion,
is -ment.
Another common ending for nouns which are frequently used in academic writing
make any
Write the noun form of the verbs a-g. Use -tion, -sion, -ance, or -ment and
sentenc es 1-7
other changes necessary to the root form of the word. Then complete the
with the correct noun form.
a achieve c allow e involve g oppose
b appear d explain f provide
of
1 The local authority was unable to enforce the new parking restrictions because
significant public .
2 For many people, learning to dive is a significant
3 The train operator could not offer a coherent —__for why the trains were
frequently late.
4 When purchasing a new car, people will often consider functionality, price and
tial
5 The new public transport scheme is unlikely to go ahead unless there is substan
financial ___________ from central government.
6 Itisimportant that drivers make —for cyclists on busy roads.
succeed without
7 Attempts to create pedestrian-only zones in city centres are unlikely to
the_____ of local businesses.
Holidays and travel

Many of the most common errors in candidates’ Task 1 responses involve tense.
Complete
the sentences 1-6 by selecting the correct tense a, b, or c.
1 Between 2008 and 2009, there __a 4 Asageneralrule, car use __ positively
substantial decrease in petrol prices. with per capita income.
a was a correlates
b has been b is correlating
c is ¢ was correlating
2 Petrol prices __ substantially since 5 The percentage of households in the UK
2009. with access to a car __ from 50 per cent
a rose to 73 per cent between 1975 and 2000.
b have risen a isincreasing
¢ arerising b wasincreasing
3 The figure shows that if the price of LR
petrol _to rise over the next five years, 6 According to the graph, car use __
fewer people will choose to drive. substantially when the oil crisis began.
a will continue a already rose
b continues b was already rising
¢ s continuing ¢ willrise
Another common difficulty with Task 1 responses is knowing when to use the active
voice
and when to use the passive voice. Underline the correct form in the sentences 1-6
below.
1 Sales of electric cars decreased/were decreased for approximately three years.
2 Over the next ten years, electric car sales expect/are expected to rise.
3 Petrol consumption correlates/is correlated negatively with population density.
4 Use of public transport varied/was varied in relation to income and average
distance
travelled per year.
Public transport accounted/was accounted for only eight per cent of journeys to work
«a
in 2010.
6 When they asked/were asked why they were reluctant to buy an electric car, the
majority of respondents cited the following factors: cost, maintenance and reliabilit
y.
Itis important to know when to use the infinitive, the infinitive without to, or the -ing
form
of a verb. For each sentence 1-6, write the correct form of the verb in brackets.
1 Three-quarters of the survey participants said that, whenever possible, they
avoided
(drive) at peak times.
2 People below the age of twenty-five and over the age of fifty-five tended
(use) public transport more regularly than those aged between twenty-six and fifty-four.
3 Consumers often postpone ____ [purchase) a new car during periods of
economic uncertainty.
4 Even significant discounts on new car models did not make prospective buyers
(change) their minds.
5 Nearly half the respondents indicated that they would consider _—_______ [travel)
by
public transport if it were cheaper and more reliable.
6 Most people said that they intended ____ (reduce] their car use in future.
) Writing for IELTS

umit 11
Exam tip: O
can be
i correct because the rules of article use in English are complex. Most mistakes
i avoided by following a few basic guidelines:
« make generalisations using the plural noun without the: Cars cause pollution.
« single countable nouns generally require an article.
could afford
. use a if you mean one or any: Most people would buy a new car if they
one.
« use the if you mean a specific one: The car that | bought last year ...
* use the with:
« ordinals: The first car | ever bought ...,
« superlatives: The best car on the market ...,
..
. words such as only, sole, or same: The only electric car costing less than £20,000
« adjectives to represent a class of people: The wealthy could afford cars.
tions and articles a

Study the Task 1 response below. Complete the text by adding preposi
and the. Where no article or preposition is needed write - .
The bar chart gives information about (1) — modes of transport used
(2 people living in rural areas and cities of (3) — different sizes.
__ foot per
It shows the annual distance travelled by car, bus, train and (4) _—_
person.
thesize of
Overall, the distance travelled is inversely proportional (5]
conurbation. People living in (6) ——_large cities (over, 50,000 inhabitants)
travelled less than those living in cities (7) _ fewer than 50,000 people and
st
considerably less than those living in rural areas. Inhabitants of (8] —large
cities (over 500,000) travelled the fewest miles (approximately 5,500). In contrast,
(99 people living in the countryside travelled nearly twice that distance
each year.
This tendency was particularly evident in relation (10— car travel. For all
t.
of the categories represented, cars considerably outweighed other forms of transpor
However, people livingin (11— rural area travelled nearly three times the
distance (over 9,000 miles) by car as people living in (12) —large city. In fact,
car use correlated negatively with (13) ______size of the conurbation.
opposite tendency.
Other modes of transport, on the other hand, showed (14)________
than
The inhabitants of larger cities tended to travel more by train and bus and on foot
people in less populated areas.
as far as distance
In short, city living appears to be more environmentally friendly, at least
and mode of transport is concerned.
i Exam tip: Make sure that you are familiar with the type of mistakes that you tend to
four or five
i make. Look at previous texts you have written and draw up a list of your
most common mistakes. Keep them in mind when you check your work.
Holidays and travel 91

Ten of the most common errors found in Task 2 responses involve problems with a-f
below.
a subject-verb agreement f relative clauses
b articles: a/an/the g verb forms: modal/infinitive/gerund
¢ countable vs. uncountable nouns h tenses
d prepositions i run-on sentences
e part of speech j sentence fragments
The sentences 1-10 each contain one of the errors a-j listed above. Identify the type of
error in each sentence and correct it.
1 The evidences show that wearing a seatbelt significantly reduces road accident fatalities.
2 In fact wearing a seatbelt is most important safety measure that can be taken.
3 The number of road accidents has declined last year.
4 ltis illegally to drive without a licence.
5 The cost of insurance depends of several factors including age, experience and type of car.
6 Organisations such as the AA can to provide assistance to motorists who break down.
7 Many people which living in rural areas have no choice but to travel by car.
8 Buying a second-hand car is sometimes risky, inexperienced buyers can be easily cheated.
9 There is numerous examples of illegal practices in the second-hand motor trade.
10 Because the industry is poorly regulated and buyers are not always well-informed.
Correct use of relative clauses can demonstrate good control of complex sentence structure.
Join the pairs of sentences 1-5 using a relative pronoun. N.B. There may be more than one
way of joining the sentences. Choose the way that most effectively highlights the main point.
1 Some people own cars. Cars undoubtedly have practical benefits for them.
2 Urban pollution can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma. Urban pollution is
largely caused by vehicle emissions.
3 Cars cause noise pollution. Noise pollution is another problem that can affect people’s
health.
4 The vast majority of car journeys are for short distances. Short distances can be
covered on foot.
5 There is evidence that some people are less likely to know or interact with their
neighbours. These people live on streets with high volumes of traffic.
Writing for IELTS

umit 11
Having good control of sentence structure also means having good control of punctuation.
Correct the punctuation in the sentences 1-7.
1 Although most people say they would use other forms of transport for short journeys in
fact most car journeys are for distances of less than two miles.
Most people are reluctant to buy electric cars because of three main factors, cost,
maintenance and reliability.
Some of those surveyed said they had concerns about the distance electric cars could
travel before having to be recharged.
Electric cars are more expensive than conventional cars, however their maintenance
costs are lower.
One major Japanese car manufacturer which produces some of the most fuel-efficient
petrol-powered cars has recently announced that it plans to invest more heavily in
electric car technology.
By 2025 over 40 per cent of vehicles on the road are likely to be hybrid or electric cars.
Hybrid and electric cars produce fewer emissions but this may not result in a reduction
in overall emissions. Because the growth in car ownership over the next fifteen years is
likely to accelerate.
For IELTS Writing Task 2, it is important that you give reasons for your opinions. Connect
the pairs of sentences 1-5 using the linking words given in brackets.
1 In many parts of the world, people now have greater access to cars. They often have
more choice over where they live and work. (as)
Cities have become more sprawling. People have sought out the greater privacy and
space afforded by suburban living. (because)
There are more vehicles, often travelling at greater speed. The streets are less
hospitable to pedestrians. (as a consequence]
There has also been a decline in public transport. People have less day-to-day contact
with other members of their community. (as a result)
their
Most people are very dependent on their cars. Most people do not want to give up
cars. [since)

The essay extract below contains three run-on sentences, two very short sentences
and
one sentence fragment. Repair the text by correcting the punctuation and choosing
from
the list of linking words below to connect the ideas. (N.B. there are more linking words
than needed.)
although since
as therefore
as a consequence whereas
because which
however while
In many parts of the world, people now have greater access to cars, they often have
more
choice over where they live and work. Cities have become more sprawling, people have
sought out the greater privacy and space afforded by suburban living. There are more
vehicles. Often travelling at greater speed. The streets are less hospitable to pedestria
ns.
There has also been a decline in public transport, people have less day-to-day contact
with other members of their community.
i Exam tip: It is worthwhile learning how to effectively proofread your writing. Always
i check your work carefully and correct any mistakes you find.
10 Read the following essay extract written in response to the question: What are the most
significant negative consequences of the massive expansion of car ownership? Find and
correct as many of the errors as you can but don’t be disappointed if you don’t find all of
them.
One of the factor that distinguishes developed from developing economies is mass car
ownership. Cars undoubtedly have practical benefits for the individuals which own them.
They allow for more flexible and autonomous travel. Like other consumer items, they
can be used to expressing individual taste and identity, however, they also clearly have
a
number of undesirable consequences. .
One of these consequences is deteriorate in people’s health. Urban pollution which is
largely causing by vehicle emissions. It can cause respiratory problems such as asthma.
This health problems is more prevalent in cities, particularly among children and the
elderly. Noise pollution caused by car is another problem that can affect on people’s health.
Another consequences of car use is a decline in levels of physical activity and hence levels
of fitness. Although this is partly a consequence of rising prosperity generally, there is
evidence that car use is responsible to lower levels of cardiovascular fitness. The vast
majority of car journeys are for less than two miles, that is, distances that can easily be
covered on foot. In short, when people own the cars, they tend to walk less, thus removing
a major means by which people maintain day-to-day fitness.
Finally, widespread car use can have a negative effect on community life. There is evident
that people who live on streets with high volumes of traffic are less likely to know or interact
with their neighbours. This too can have a negative impact on people’s sense of well-bein
g.
These factors alone are unlikely to discourage people from buying cars. However, more
could be done to make the public more aware of the disadvantages of car ownership.
Provide alternative means of transport would encourage people to use their cars less
and
enjoy some of the benefits of a car-free environment.
A Writing for IELTS

WRITING TASK 1
The table shows the percentage of journeys made by different forms of

transport in four countries. The bar chart shows the results of a survey into
car use.

Netherlands p::";iml‘:m
Journeys made by:
Car 90% 72% 68% 47% % by car (USA)
Bicycle 1% 2% 2% 26% 50
Public transport 3% 12% 18% 8%
On foot 5% 1% 1% 18% 4
Other 1% 3% 1% 1% 30
20
10 ==
||
g g e
g 18 1 %
§ 2 zisnn
= S8 3
2 s3 $ES
z
WRITING TASK 2

There is a good deal of evidence that increasing car use is contributing to

global warming and having other undesirable effects on people’s health and
well-being.
What can be done to discourage people from using their cars?
ge or
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowled
experience.

12 Practice test
WRITING TASK 1
The figure gives information about smoking habits of the UK population by age.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and

Smoking habits by age (UK)
100
70 H
1624 25-34 3544 45-54 55-64 65-74

Age
Never smoke Ex-smoker Light smoker
6 Writing for IELTS

unit 1£
WRITING TASK 2
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the relationship between
inequality and personal achievement. Some people believe that individuals can
achieve more in more egalitarian societies. Others believe that high levels of
personal achievement are possible only if individuals are free to succeed or fail
according to their individual merits. .
What is your view of the relationship between equality and personal success?
experience.
Practice test 97
Additional model essays
Unit 1
Unit 1 - Task 1
Bar charts are The chart compares the

frequently used to percentageof male and female
The bar chart
compare information. teachers in different educational
represents
Notice how the writer settings from nursery school to
percentages not
makes comparisons university. Significant differences
numbers. The
throughout. between men and women are
words percentage
evident.
and proportion are
used throughout the
Women held nearly all of the
response.
teaching posts in nursery and
primary schools and the majority
of posts in secondary schools
(approximately 56 per cent). They
held the same percentage of
posts as did men at college level.
However, a smaller proportion of
women held teaching positions
at training institutes, and, at
universities, female lecturers were
outnumbered by males by roughly
The writer makes two to one.
reference to only four
percentage figures For men, the pattern of employment
out of a possible total was the reverse. Only 2 per cent of
of twelve. This is nursery school teachers and
enough to illustrate 10 per cent of primary teachers
and support the main were men. They were more
points. Remember, equally represented at secondary
you do not need to and college level. However, a
include all of the significantly higher percentage of
information in the university lecturers were male
visual prompt. (roughly 70 per cent). The conclusion
highlights the main
The response Overall, the figure shows that point but does not
meets the 150 word gender is a significant factor in offer an explanation.
requirement but patterns of employment within the You are not required
is not any longer education sector. to explain or
than necessary. interpret the data.
Remember, you |—(151 words)
should spend no
more than twenty
minutes on Task 1.
'8 Writing for IELTS

Units 1-2
Unit 2
—Unit 2 - Task 2
This is a response
toa Type D One of the most significant advances in civilisation
‘Evaluate an idea’ is the development of modern methods of food
essay question. production and preparation. Convenience foods
It asks the writer have now become the norm in many societies.
to consider the Although some people idealise traditional cooking——| By acknowledging
truth value of a practices and believe they will prevail indefinitely, there is another
prediction. demographic trends suggest that this is unlikely point of view, the
to be the case. In fact, there are a number of writer indicates
asons for believing that convenience foods are that she has
/l‘i-:ety to grow in popularity. ‘tested” her idea.
The writer
structures her The first reason is the decline in family size and
essay around the increase in single-adult households. In more
reasons for her traditional societies, where families tended to be
opinion. Notice large, it made economic sense for one person.to
how the word devote him/herself to time-consuming domestic
reason appears at tasks such as growing and preparing food.
the start of each Nowadays, people tend to live in ever smaller
body paragraph. family units. If each family were to spend large
amounts of time growing and processing food, this
would be a poor use of society’s human resource.
Another reason convenience foods are likely

to become more popular is the increase in
the number of adults, especially women with
children, who work in full-time employment. In Examples to
the UK, for example, working mothers significantly illustrate and
outnumber stay-at-home mothers. There is support the
evidence that consumption of convenience argument are
foods rises with numbers of hours worked. As also given.
modern life increasingly demands that people are
economically active, this trend is likely to continue.
Although many people still value traditional

foods and methods of cooking, the trend towards
smaller, dual-income households suggests
that convenience foods are likely to continue to
grow in popularity and may very well eventually
The response replace traditional methods of food production and
meets the preparation.
250-word
requirement. (261 words)

Unit 3
Unit 3 - Task 1
The simple The bar chart shows the percentage of home and
present tense international students in the UK achieving at least
is used when a second class degree in eight subjects in 2009. Quantities are
referring to what referred to in a
the figure shows. For the UK students, over halfof the degrees variety of ways.
| _awarded were second class or better. The largest—
The simple past The writer uses
percentage of good passes was in Art History
tense is used and Sociology (80 per cent) The lowest was in superlatives when
here and in the Information Technology (55 per cent). comparing more
remainder of the than two items,
response because For international students, the rates were similarly (in this case, eight
the data refers to high, though figures for individual subjects subjects).
2009. differed. In Electrical Engineering and Information
Technology, four out of five degrees awarded to
students from abroad were second class or better
(versus fewer than two out of three for home
students). However, the percentage gaining good
degrees in subjects such as English Literature
(55 per cent) and Law (50 per cent) was lower than— The writer uses
the corresponding rate for home students (roughly comparatives
70 per cent). when comparing
two items, (in this
The conclusion (—in brief, the chart shows that home students tended case, international
highlights the to do better in Arts and Social Science-related and home
main idea but does subjects, whereas international students tended to students).
not give reasons. do better in technology related subjects.
(163 words)
)0 Writing for IELTS

Units 3-4
Unit 4
Thisisa —Unit 4 - Task 2

response to a In recent years there has been growing awareness
Type A ‘Propose of the importance of preserving the world's This is a more
asolutionto a biological diversity. As increasing numbers of academic way of
problem’ essay unique, and potentially useful, plants and animals saying more and
question. come under threat, people are beginning to ask more.
whether more can be done to
This is a less
The writer
emotive and ne possible approach is to regulate agricultural
presents this idea
therefore more and industrial activity so that pollution and
impersonally by
academic way disruption to natural habitats is kept to a
making people
of saying are minimum. People argue that economic prosperity
rather than / the
destroyed. must be curtailed if it comes at the expense of
the environment. However, businesses affected subject of the
are unlikely to comply with such a strategy. It may sentence.
The writer begins even generate hostility to conservation efforts
with his least generally if the economic costs are perceived to be
favoured option. too high.
An alternative approach would be to protect

and expand nature reserves so that complete
ecosystems can be kept intact. This would ensure
that a minimum number of wild plants and
animals would survive. However, although such
Notice that the
places are indeed valuable, experience shows that
writer does
|_itis difficult to protect rare plants and animals
not use the
from exploitation. In fact, as some species, like
contracted form
the tiger, become rarer, the more valuable they
it’s.
become to poachers and others who seek to
benefit from their trade. The writer
concludes with
A more effective approach is to educate the public— his preferred
about the benefits of biodiversity. Money should option. This
be invested in the research and development of makes the essay
the world’s biological resources. Once people feel finished.
understand that there are real benefits to Notice how the
exploiting natural resources in a sustainable writer avoids
way, they are more likely to make the short-term using the
sacrifices necessary to preserve natural habitats. word / and keeps
his sentences
(253 words) short and simple.

Unit 5
Unit 5 - Task 1
The introduction |__The diagram gives information about the five
indicates what the principal writing systems used throughout the
diagram shows. world: the Logographic, Abjad, Abjuda, Alphabetic,
and Syllabic.
Four of these are similar in that characters

represent sounds. The oldest is the Abjad, The superlative
used in Arabic, for example, where each form is used
Another is used character represents a consonant sound. because more
to signpost the —Another is the Abjuda, used in the Indian than two items
second item in Devanagari. Here, each character indicates a are compared.
the list. Notice consonant plus vowel. The third system is the
the remaining Alphabetic, used in English, for instance, where
signposting characters refer to a sound, either vowel or
expressions in consonant. However, the relationship between
this paragraph pronunciation and spelling is sometimes
(The third system approximate. Finally, in the Syllabic system,
and Finally). used in Japanese Kana for example, characters
represent syllables.
In addition to these four systems, there is also the

Logographic system, which works on a different
principle. Here, each character represents a word
meaning. Therefore, languages which are different
The concluding when spoken, such as Chinese and Japanese, can
sentence says share written forms.
something about
the diagram as a (—Overall, the diagram shows that most writing
whole. The word systems are based on sounds.
overall signals the
conclusion. (167 words)
2 Writing for IELTS

uUnits -6
Unit 6
TETE——
This is a response —Unit 6 - Task 2
to atype D In this part of the
The Internet has undoubtedly changed the
‘Evaluate an idea’ way people shop. In some countries, buying and introduction, the
essay question. writer describes
selling products online has become commonplace.
|__Enthusiasts claim that the Internet offers the context of the
An opposing
consumers greater choice and flexibility. topic.
point of view
However, those who say that the Internet is
is given using The writer
the emphatic
transforming the lives of consumers are going*
far. expresses his
reporting verb point of view by
claim. challenging the
Firstly, alttmugh online shopping appears to offer
greater convenience, it is often rather risky and opposing point of
This is the first cumbersomein practice. Consumers cannot view.
generalisation, evaluate the quality of online products by handling
made less them directly. Instead, they must rely on sellers
sweeping with the to describe goods accurately in words and/or
words often and pictures. Mistakes can easily be made, leading
rather. to the inconvenience of having to exchange
goods or seek a refund. Products bought online
also normally need to be delivered by post. The
convenience of online shopping thus hinges in part
on the efficiency of the postal service.
Secondly, in spite of the promise of lower prices, This is the second

Internet shopping seldom offers substantial generalisation,
savings. A competitive marketplace ensures that made less
large price differentials rapidly disappear as sweeping with the
suppliers align themselves with one another. Also, word seldom.
the cost of postage is normally borne by the buyer.
A product that appears to be a bargain on screen
often turns out to be no cheaper than the same
product bought in a shop. Not surprisingly, only
one in ten purchases in the UK are made online.
The writer gives
his opinion —For these reasons, Internet shopping is likely
(without using /). to remain a minority pursuit. The continuing
popularity of shopping in the traditional way
The writer |—suggests that consumers continue to value its
displays modesty advantages: the opportunity to sample, compare
by using the and buy products in a real as opposed to a virtual
more tentative space.
reporting verb
suggests. (265 words)

Unit 7
Unit 7 - Task 1
The introduction —Figures 1 and 2 show economic growth and
briefly patterns of household expenditure from 1995 until
summarises what 2010.
the figures show.
In 1995, economic growth was approximately
This paragraph
1 per cent. The pie chart for that year shows that ——
includes
spending on essentials such as food and housing
information from
accounted for approximately two-thirds of total
both figures.
household expenditure. Spending on less essential
This pattern
items such as clothing, entertainment and travel
is repeated in
was relatively modest at roughly 20 per cent.
the following
paragraphs,
Five years later, growth had roughl)7 doubled
which are
and expenditure on essentials had shrunk as a
In contrast sequenced
roportion of total spending. Spending on non-
highlights chronologically.
%s-z\ntfil'sfin contrast, had expanded. This trend
difference. was even more markedi&m.%
peaked at approximately 4.5 per cent and over The comparative
25 per cent of expenditure was devoted to form (more +
non-essentials. adjective) is used
because two
The writer —However, the trend had reversed when in 2010 years are being
begins the growth stood again at approximately 1 per cent compared.
paragraph with a following an economic contraction. The pattern of
generalisation. expenditure in that year was similar to the pattern
in 1995, though the contraction in non-essential
spending was even more pronounced.
Overall, the figures suggest that economic growth—— The conclusion

has an effect on patterns of household expenditure. cautiously
expresses a
(169 words) cause-and-effect
relationship
between figures
1and 2 using the
less emphatic
reporting verb
suggest.
4 Writing for IELTS

Units 7-8
Unit 8
Thisisa +—Unit
8 - Task 2
response to a No two families are alike. Therefore, the degree of —— The writer states
type A ‘Propose control that it is appropriate for parents to exercise her opinion.
asolutiontoa
over their 14-15-year-old adolescent children is
problem’ question.
likely to vary from family to family. In this essay, |
|—will outline three key variables that
The writer's
should be considered when attempting to make a Should is used
intention is
decision about what is suitable in a given context. to express a
expressed using
necessity.
will. ne variable is the family’s physical environment.
Some environments clearly pose more dangers
Each body than others. Parents in an inner-city area with Thisis a
paragraph heavy traffic, a transient population and a high supporting
begins with a crime rate, for instance, probably need to supervise example,
generalisation. their children more closely than parents in a small signalled with for
rural community in which the residents know one- instance.
another.
Secondly, prevailing cultural norms are likely to
be a factor. Some cultures,
in Asia and the Middle
This supporting
example is
|—East, for example, value social cohesion, whereas -
signalled with for
others, such as the US, tend towards individualism.
One of the tasks of parents is to teach their
example.
children to function within their society; thus
the degree of parental control will probably vary
according to the type of society in which children
are expected to take part.
The third, and perhaps most important

consideration, is the personalities of the
children involved. Children vary enormously in
terms of traits such as maturity, impulsiveness,| These examples
May is used conscientiousness, and so on. The degree of are signalled with
to make the parental control appropriate for one 14-15-year- such as.
statement less }ldmay not be at all appropriate for another.
sweeping.
__n short, The writer begins
In short signals the conclusion
the conclusion. The physical environment, the cultural by restating her
context, and the personalities of those involved opinion.
should all be considered.
Here the writer
(261 words) summarises the
main points.

Unit 9
Unit 9 - Task 1
The line graph shows three
demographic trends in
Scotland between 1940 and
The colon is used to 2020: birth rate, population
introduce a list. growth rate, and death rate.
The writer has ————Between 1940 and 1970,

organised this response both ... and links these
chronologically, with all fluctuated trends.
three trends compared significantly. The birth rate
in segments of time. started the period at 2.5 per
cent and ended at just over
1.0 per cent. The population
growth rate began and ended
at approximately 1.0 per cent,
having peaked at 1.5 per cent
in 1955. The death rate, onthe | on the other hand is
other hand, declined steadily a sentence linker
until 1955 and then remained signalling contrast.
stable. When placed after the
subject of the sentence,
Between 1970 and 1990, it requires commas on
all three trends declined either side.
gradually. In about 1990,
the death rate overtook the
however is a sentence population growth rate for the
linker. It is usually first time; however, all three
punctuated with a full rends remained roughly static
stop or semi colon over the next ten years.
before, and a comma
after. Over the last decade, the birth
rate and population growth rate with can be used as a
The writer uses the cohesive device.
have continued to decline, with
present perfect tense
the m&m%‘m\ the latter is used
because the time frame
0 per cent in 2005. The dea
is past to present. to avoid repeating
rate, in contrast, has risen
population growth rate.
slightly. This is projected
This + summary
o continue over | This brief reference to
word (trend) ensures
years. the future is enough to
cohesion.
make the passage feel
(157 words) complete. No separate
conclusion is required.
D6 Writing for IELTS

Units 9-10
Unit 10
This is a response —Unit 10 - Task 2

toatype D Celebrities appear to play an increasingly
‘Evaluate an idea’ prominent role in popular culture today. It is
question. difficult to open a newspaper or switch on
the television without encountering an item
of celebrity gossip. Not surprisingly,_there This adverb
this + summary are concerns about how this trend impac'm phrase shows the
word [trend) links children, with some people claiming that children writer’s attitude
two sentences. are being corrupted. This essay will argue that to the opinion
these fears are unnecessarily alarmist. expressed.
Firstly, some people maintain that children The writer states

cannot distinguish between notoriety and genuine her intention
fame. However, in my experience, children using will. The
The writer subject of the
—_‘tis_tgl_lxgd_mjneiootbauers. singers and actors
avoids repeating sentence is this
or their skill and achievements and express
celebrities by essay rather than
disappointment when they misbehave. Moreover,
listing common 1, in keeping with
historically famous figu ave also been flawed.
types of academic style.
In the past, many prominent politi business
celebrities.
Mh the slave trade, for
ample. Yet they are still presented to children as Famous figures
Prominent and is used to avoid
noteworthy individuals.
noteworthy in repetition.
the following
Another common fear is that children are being
sentence are
encouraged to pursue the unrealistic goal of
synonyms for
achieving celebrity status themselves instead
famous.
of working towards more socially useful
occupations such as engineering, teaching. These are
or nursing. In fact, children have always had examples of
unrealistic fantasies about what they might socially useful
Commonly do as adults, and these commonly reflect the occupations,
is a hedging preoccupations of their society. In the 19" century, signalled with
expression, for example, British children often aspired to such as.
as is often in being famous explorers. As children grow up, they
the following learn to draw inspiration from their heroes and
sentence. heroines without emulating them literally.
In short, thereis little about today’s celebrity culture| Here, the

that is fundamentally more harmful than the types conclusion begins
of celebrity children have encountered in the past. with a summary
Provided children are given appropriate guidance, of the main
they are unlikely to be adversely affected. points.
(259 words)

Unit 11
Unit 11 - Task 1
Notice how the writer ——The table compares four countries in
has paraphrased the terms of the proportion of journeys
task instructions.
undertaken by five modes of travel:
car, bicycle, public transport,
walking, and ‘other’. The bar chart
gives findings of a study into the
reasons people in the USA drive.
Of the four countries compared,

the USA was heavily reliant on cars,
With is used as a ——with only a small proportion of
cohesive device in journeys made by other means
this and the following (only 10 per cent in total). The
sentence. Netherlands, in contrast, showed
a more even distribution of travel
modes with fewer than half of all Quantity is expressed
journeys made by car, a relatively in different ways. See
large percentage made by bicycle also one in five in the
When the task requires (28 per cent) and nearly one in five following sentence.
you to compare several on foot. France and the UK fell
figures, the information —between these two extremes.
must be more
condensed. The survey results shown in the bar—— The paragraph begins
chart may help explain why car use with a generalisation.
is higher in some countries than
in others. The most cited reasons— | A superlative is used as
were the lack of alternative means of a focusing expression
transport (38 per cent) and the need for the supporting detail
to use a car for work (28 per cent). that follows.
The response does
not end with a general —However, convenience was also an
summary. However, important factor for over 20 per cent
at 172 words it is of respondents.
sufficiently long. It
also feels complete (172 words)
as the two figures are
adequately linked and
described.
B Writing for IELTS

Units 11-12
Unit 12
The writer makes Unit 12 - Task 2

reference to the Human beings have long struggled with the
opposing point of difficulty of ensuring both freedom and fairness
view to indicate in society. Some people argue that a good society
that he has +—is necessarily one that ensures equality for all.
‘tested’ his idea. However, in my view, this is neither feasible nor
desirable in practice.
Each body
paragraph —Firstly, it is difficult to define universal standards Some is used as
begins with a of achievement. For some, achievement means a pronoun here to
generalisation. material success, for others it may mean avoid repetition of
something else: a simple but altruistic life, for people [see also
This example
example. Bill Gates and Mother Teresa were very others).
supports the main +—different but both
achieved a great deal. Because
point. people define achievement in different ways, it is Each body
difficult to determine what equality of opportunity paragraph ends
might mean in practice.
with a concluding
sentence which
The writer —Secondly, people differ in terms of their talents. refers back to the
signposts each Some people can make the most of scanty
key word equality.
key point. resources; others do very little with inherited
This repetition
wealth or educational opportunities. Many highly ensures good
successful individuals have had little of either in cohesion.
their early years, yet achieved a great deal. The
lflaflmhma equality of opportunity and The writer
personal successis not: straightforward. maintains
academic style
not
it is easy
Finally, to ensure a level playing field— by expressing
without damaging dowell. It is
the | incentotive his ideas
This sentence natural for parents to work hard in order to confer impersonally. In
summarises the advantages on their children: private schooling, this paragraph
main idea. Notice for example. It is difficult to see how equality of he uses a series
how the opposing opportunity in education can be achieved without of statements
point of view is capping the aspirations of those who work hard. beginning /tis +
expressed in adjective.
the subordinate |—In short, while equality of opportunity is an
clause and the attractive concept, attempting to put this ideal The three main
writer’s view is into practice can do more harm than good People points of the body
expressed in the are different in terms of their values, paragraphs are
main clause. This It is not possible to ensure equallty captured in the
gives the writer’s without distorting what makes people unique. words values,
view greater talents and
weight. (273 words) initiative.

Answer key
1 Gender roles
Part1: Vocabulary
Exercise 1 Exercise 3
Suggested answers 1d, 2a, 3e, 4f 5c, 6b, 7iv, 8ii,
Womend, e, g; Mena, b, c, 9vi, 100, 1Mvii, 12v, 13iii, 14ix, 15viii
Exercise 2 Exercise4
1 strengths 3 vulnerability 5 compliance lc, 2e, 3b, 4a, 5d
2 gentleness 4 authority 6 competition
Part2: Practice exercises: Task 1

Exercise 1 4 makes a general statement about one of the main
120 minutes, 2150 words, 3 No. You should select features of the chart
and summarise the main features, 4 No 5 give supporting detail
6 a summary of the main features of the chart
Exercise 2
1 astatement about the type of information shown Exercise 3
2 the fields which are dominated by men 2per cent should be 2 hours; every day of the week
3 the fields in which there are more equal numbers of should be every weekday (i.e. Monday-Friday)
men and women

la, 2b, 3a, 4a 1¢: Whydo you think....?
24d: Do you think ... will . .?
Exercise 5 3 b: To what extent shoul
lc, 2a, 3e, 4d, 5b 4 a: What can be done....?
Questions: 1 approximately 50 words, 2 three, 5d: Some people believe ... because ... What is your view
3three, 4 from weakest solution to strongest, e
5 to emphasise your opinion and summarise the main points
|0 Writing for IELTS

Unit 1
Task
1: Model answer
The bar chart gives information about male and female teachers in six types of educational institution in the
UK in 2010. It shows what percentage of teachers were male and what percentage were female.
Women predominated in schools for children. This was particularly true of schools for very young children.
Over 95 per cent of nursery school teachers, for example, were female. The situation was similarly one-sided in
primary schools, where over 90 per cent of teachers were women.
Men and women were more equally represented in teaching institutions catering for older children and
young adults: secondary schools and colleges. College lecturers, for example, were 50 per cent female and
50 per cent male.
Males held a larger share of teaching posts in higher-level institutions. This was particularly true for universities,
where twice as many males were teaching staff than females.
Overall, women were more likely to hold the more typically maternal role of teaching young children. Males, on
the other hand, predominated in the higher status teaching role of university lecturer.
Task 2: Model answer

There have always been differences in the types of work men and women have done. However, the trend in modern
times has been for both men and women to have greater freedom of choice in terms of employment. Some people
might say that there is no need to go further. However, in my view, wherever possible, gender equality should be
encouraged. *
There may indeed be good arguments for allowing certain posts to remain predominantly male or female.
Where all-male or all-female groups exist, there may be a need for related posts to be held by men and women
respectively. Patients in all-female hospital wards, for example, would probably appreciate having female nurses
to look after them. It could also be argued that certain jobs requiring a great deal of physical strength, coal
mining or logging, for example, should continue to be done mainly by men.
However, in the vast majority of situations, making occupations more open to both genders has distinct
advantages. Men and women can bring slightly different perspectives and approaches to a job. Female police
officers, for example, may have a greater understanding of domestic violence and a better range of strategies for
dealing with this problem. Male primary school teachers probably have a better understanding of the needs of
young boys and can serve as good role models for them.
The changes that result from allowing men into female-dominated occupations and vice versa may be subtle,
but they are far-reaching. However, to benefit the most from this development, it is important not to expect
males and females to approach work in identical ways.
Answer key 111

2 Diet & nutrition
Part1: Vocabulary
1h, 2g, 3f 4i, 5e, 6b, 7c, 8a, 9d 1d,e.g; 2a,b,cf
p Exercise 5
1E):]emzs§ e 3 4 5 6t 7h 8 1 decreased dramatically 4 dropped significantly
' » 98, 4e 93, ' ne G 2 dipped modestly 5 fluctuated moderately
Exercise 3 3 fell slightly
1 increase 5 fall
2 peak 6 drop
3 decrease 7 fluctuation
4 dip

Exercise 1
Past tense: rose, leveled off, was, reached;
Present perfect tense: has fluctuated;
Expressions which refer to the future: is expected to, is also projected to
1 Use the past tense when describing a trend or event that happened between two fixed times in the past.
2 Use the present perfect tense to describe a trend or event that started at a fixed time in the past and has continued
until the present.
3 Other expressions that you can use to describe future trends include: is/are likely to and is/are predicted to. Note: You
should avoid using will.
4 Use the present tense when describing a cyclical trend, for example a trend that happens in the same way every year.
Exercise 2
1increased/rose, 2 dramatically/sharply/steeply, 3 peaked, 4 remained the same, 5 hasbeen, & dramatic/
sharp/steep, 7 expected/projected/likely/predicted, 8 increase/rise, 9 gradually/moderately/modestly
Exercise 3
1c, 2a, 3d, 4e, 5b, 6be
Exercise 4
Description 1
The percentage of obese adults rose steadily from 8 per cent in 1950 to 15 per cent in 1970. There was a slight dip, and
then there was a gradual rise until 1990. It rose steeply for the next ten years, and then it levelled off. It has risen even
more sharply, and it is projected to peak at 35 per cent in 2010, and then it will level off.
2 Writing for IELTS

Unit 2
Description 2
The percentage of obese adults rose steadily from 8 per cent in 1950 to 15 per cent in 1970. There was a slight dip,
followed by a gradual rise until 1990. After rising steeply for the next ten years, it levelled off. Since then, it has risen
even more sharply.It is projected to peak at 35 per cent in 2010, and level off thereafter.
Note: If you are aiming for a Band 6.5+, you should avoid using and too much.
Use followed by + adjective + noun.
Use after + -ing instead of subject + finite verb, but remember, you must have a subject in the main clause that follows.
Example: After rising steeply ..., it levelled off.
If you list one verb after another, you only need to write the subject for the first verb.
Example: /t rose sharply, then fell, then levelled off.
Model answer
Between 1996 and 1999, expenditure on convenience foods fell gradually from approximately £25 per week to half
that amount. After rising sharply over the next three years, it levelled off at £30 per week. It remained the same for
over two years. There was a brief dip, followed by a slight rise. Between 2005 and 2007 it fluctuated. Then, after rising
sharply, it peaked at nearly £50 per week in 2008. Since then it has fallen.

Exercise 5
All answers valid
Exercise 6
1ce,g; 2a,b.df
Exercise 7
1b, 2c, 3d, 4a, 5e, 6h, 7g, 8f
Exercise 8
Suggested answers
1 People who are too concerned with being slim could be considered vain.
2 Itis healthier to be slim.
3 People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
4 Many people underestimate the amount of calories in food.
5 Some people cannot lose weight even if they know what is in their food and how much they should eat.
6 Obesity may be due to genetic factors.
7 People who are related tend to have similar body shapes and sizes.
8 This does not explain why obesity rates are rising in modern times.
Answer key 113


Over the past fifty years, there has been significant variation in the percentage of young people in the UK who
choose to eat a vegetarian diet.
In 1960, only a small percentage of adolescents (about 1 per cent) were vegetarian. There was then a steep
increase until 1978, when over 15 per cent were following a vegetarian diet. Thereafter, the percentage fell
steadily until 1990 and then fluctuated for a decade. It reached a low point of just 4 per cent in 1996. It has
risen gradually since 2000 and is expected to continue to do so over the next few years. After reaching a high
point in around 2015, it is projected to decline again and possibly level off by the decade’s end.
Overall, the graph shows two main periods of interest in vegetarianism among young people in the UK: one
peaking around 1978 and the second projected to peak approximately forty years later, in 2015.
Task2: Model answer

The increasing availability of convenience foods has been a significant feature of modern life in many
developed countries. Some people have predicted that with advances in food technology, traditional foods
and traditional methods of food preparation will disappear. In this essay, | will argue that this is unlikely to
happen.
Itis true that nowadays many people do not have enough time to cook and that convenience foods present an
attractive option. These foods have improved significantly in terms of quality and availability and the range for
sale in the average supermarket is quite impressive. It is possible to find even very sophisticated ready-prepared
microwavable meals.
However, the growing popularity of television cookery programmes, “celebrity chefs’, and cook books
suggest that people continue to value traditional ways of preparing foods. Farmers markets selling fresh,
locally-produced food continue to be the norm in many parts of the world. In fact, they are growing in
popularity in countries such as the UK, where they had virtually disappeared from many cities. This may be
partly because cooking with basic, natural ingredients is cheaper than buying processed foods.
Moreover, traditional foods are an important aspect of culture and social life. In many countries, traditional
meals continue to be shared in regular family gatherings. Important celebrations such as weddings, Christmas
and Chinese New Year are marked by traditionally prepared feasts.
In spite of the utility of convenience foods, people are unlikely to abandon practices that are economically
sound and give them great pleasure. It is hard to imagine a world in which people do not continue to enjoy
traditional, home-cooked meals at least some of the time.
4 Writing for IELTS

3 Educational goals
Part1: Vocabulary
a2, b8, c1, d5 eé4 fé g3, h7 ic, iia, iiif, ivb, vd, vie
1 rote learning 4 higher education 1 a small minority 4 nearly half
2 critical thinking 5 continuous assessment 2 the vast majority 5 roughly one in four
3 formal examinations 6 educational standards 3 just under a third 6 three quarters
Part2: Practice exercises£ Task 1

1as...as 3 least 5 higher 1 Fewer boys than girls passed their English examination.
2 lower 4 fewer 6 lowest 2 As many boys as girls achieved a passing grade in
Exercise 2 Mathematics. )
1 D: On the other hand 3 S: similar 3 Whereas boys did well in Technology, girls did wellin
2 D: Whereas 4 S: both language-related subjects.
4 The number of passes in Religious Studies was lower
for boys than for girls.
5 Similar numbers of boys and girls passed the
Economics exam.

Exercise 4
1 Type a: propose a solution
2 The writer has omitted: Students would make more friends; Some projects would be poor quality; It's better for students
to be in classrooms because that's what people expect; Some teachers wouldn't be good at this. She has omitted them
because these points are not strictly relevant to the issue of how teamwork can be encouraged and assessed.
The points are arranged from weakest to strongest, with critical evaluation of each point leading logically to the next
w
point. This allows the writer to make a strong conclusion.

4 The writer wants to present this suggestion as stronger than the previous two suggestions.
Exercise 5: Suggested ideas
1 People often perform poorly in examinations because they are anxious, not because they lack intelligence.
2 Many people who do poorly in exams are successful in fields that clearly require intelligence, e.g. technology or
business.
3 There is probably no definitive proof of whether there is one kind of intelligence or several kinds of intelligence.
Example essay outline
Measuring intelligence is a difficult task
Idea in the question ~Exams measure intelligence
Evidence for: people who do well in exams often do wellin other types of tasks,
e.g. assignments; exams usually include a range of tasks to measure different abilities
Evidence against: pen & paper exams are often predictable - students can prepare by rote
learning; people often perform poorly in examinations because they are anxious, not because
they lack intelligence
Body paragraph Other possible idea: there are probably different types of intelligence - these can only be
measured in different ways
Evidence against: there is probably no definitive proof of whether there is one kind of
intelligence or several kinds of intelligence
Evidence for: some people express themselves much better verbally than in writing; many
people who did poorly in exams, are successful in fields that clearly require intelligence,
e.g. technology, business
Conclusion ‘pen and paper’ exams probably useful for measuring certain kinds of intelligence, but have
limitations; other methods needed
Answerkey 115
Exercise 6: Suggested ideas
Template B: ‘Evaluate the solu Ssa)
Positive consequencels) rawback(s)
solutions?
Solution in the give students the opportunity to practise teach students to be ‘test wise’ rather than
question: taking exams to learn
cram schools students get support can be stressful
many students who attend such schools unfair because they give advantage to
do well in exams students who can afford to pay
Other possible if students pay attention in school, thereis some people will always want to get ahead &
solution: no need for additional cramming there will always be businesses that want
vary the format of in countries with exams that properly reflect to exploit that desire
exams and match the curriculum, there are few cram
them to what is schools
taught in schools fair for everyone
Example essay outline

Introduction: cram schools are big business; may not be a good thing
LLVEEICT T IERl solution in the question - cram schools serve a need
evidence for: give students opportunity to practise; students get support; many students
who attend such schools do well in exams
_ evidence against: teach students to be ‘test wise’ rather than to learn; can be stressful;
unfair because they give advantage to students who can afford to pay
Body paragraph other possible solution - vary the format of exams and match them to what is taught
evidence against: some people will always want to get ahead & there will always be
businesses that want to exploit that desire
evidence for: if students pay attention in school, there is no need for additional cramming;
in countries with good exams that properly reflect the curriculum, there are few cram
schools; fair for everyone
Conclusion: cram schools are a symptom of a faulty educational system
Exercise 7: Suggested headings
Body paragraph Idea 1 [‘'weakest idea’)
Evidence against:
Body paragraph 2: Idea 2 ('better idea’)
Evidence for:
I o:inst
Body paragraph 3: Idea 3 (‘best idea’)
I o
Conclusion:
Note: The outlines suggested in this unit are useful for most Task 2 questions. For some Task 2 questions,
you may want or need to modify them. For example, you may want to discuss two rather than three ideas
or solutions. On occasion, you may need to combine elements of two types of outline, for example if you are
asked to discuss an idea and propose a solution to a problem.
6 Writing for IELTS

Unit 3

The bar chart shows the proportion of UK students and international students achieving second class degrees or
higher in seven different subjects at a university in the UK.
Degree results were generally good for both home and international students, with well over 50 per cent
gaining a second class degree or better in all seven subjects except International Law. International students
tended to do better than UK students in technology-related subjects. This was particularly true of Information
Technology. Whereas over 80 per cent of international students gained a good degree in IT, only about half of
the UK students did so.
Degree results were similar for the two groups in Nursing and Accounting. In Arts and Social Science-related
subjects, UK students tended to do better. The biggest gap in performance was in International Law, where
three-quarters of UK students gained a second class degree or better. In contrast, fewer than half of the
international students attained this level.
Overall, the chart suggests that international and UK students had different strengths when studying for degrees
in this UK university.

Examinations are one of the most common methods of measuring learning in education systems throughout
the world. At virtually every stage of the learning process, exams are used to verify that the learner is
ready to move on to the next stage. However, many people believe that the role of examinations should be
reconsidered.
There are clearly certain advantages to exams. They help to ensure fairness by imposing the same conditions on
all exam candidates. They are also relatively versatile; different types of exam questions, for example, multiple-
choice questions and essay tasks, can test different sorts of reasoning ability. However, exams also have clear
drawbacks. Test-wise candidates can often perform well on exams without having good underlying knowledge or
skills. On the other hand, some test-takers perform poorly in exams simply because of anxiety. Some teachers and
learners focus only on those aspects of the curriculum that are likely to be tested, thus narrowing the educational
experience for all.
A number of measures should be taken to address these concerns. Wherever possible, exams should match
the content and activities of the learning environment. Exam tasks should be varied to give fair opportunities
to candidates with different types of skills. Other types of assessment should also be considered; assignment
writing, for example, to assess independent learning and research skills, or group projects, to measure
teamwork ability.
Exams clearly have a role to play in ensuring proper, objective assessment of achievement. However, exams
need to be carefully designed and supplemented with other forms of assessment if they are to be a truly useful
component of the educational system.
Answer key 117

4 Biodiversity
Part1: Vocabulary
a2, b1, cé d5 e3, f4 1 Intensive farming has contributed to a significant
decline in biodiversity.
Exercise 2 2 Vegetation has been lost; consequently, the insect
11bE52 a3 d G A5 a6 g population has declined.
3 There are fewer insects, so the small animals that feed
Exercise 3 on them have moved elsewhere.
1 Sentences 1,2,3,5,6 4 There has been a marked reduction in numbers of
2 Sentences 4,7 predators such as wild cats and owls because of the
3 Contribute to implies there is more than one cause. disappearance of prey species.
Exercise 5
1 damaged 4 used
2 are endangered 5 limit
3 loss

a pioneer plants, b gather moisture, beginning stages: Firstly, first
c return organic material to the soil, d shrubs middle stages: Secondly, then, In the second phase
i the active voice end stages: In the final stage, finally
ii the passive voice
Exercise 4
Exercise 2 2 slows 7 grows
1 They provide shade, gather moisture and return 3 is/becomes 8 are caught
organic materialto the soil. 4 forms 9 arecut
2 They quickly cover the ground, crowding out the 5 is reduced 10 is lost
pioneers. 6 decreases
3 However, they too eventually die off as young trees
push through the brush.
4 The logs are then sorted by size and loaded onto
logging trucks for transport to the sawmill.
Once the trees have been extracted, they are processed
2
by chain saw.
8 Writing for IELTS

Unit 4
Exercise 5
Suggested answers
b Because flooding is less frequent, the quantity of nutrients on land and agricultural output decrease.
¢ Asand bar forms across the estuary; as a result, salinity in the estuary decreases.
d As salinity in the estuary decreases, fewer fish are caught.
e Due to the growth of the human population and smaller fish catches, mangrove trees are cut.
f Once the mangrove trees are/have been cut, mangrove cover in the estuary is lost.
Suggested answer
First, a dam is constructed at the river head, slowing the flow of water. Secondly, because flooding is less frequent, the
quantity of nutrients on land and agricultural output decrease. A sand bar forms across the estuary; as a result, salinity
in the estuary decreases. As salinity decreases, fewer fish are caught. Finally, due to population growth and smaller
fish catches, the mangrove trees are cut. Once they have been cut, mangrove cover in the estuary is lost.

Exercise 6
If you look at it that way, it's true that humans and Looked at from a broad historical perspective, it is true that
animals have conflicting interests. People have humans and animals have had conflicting interests. People
always exploited animals for food and clothing, and have always exploited animals for food and clothing, whilst
farmers have brought bigger and bigger areas of wild farmers have brought ever increasing areas of wild land
land under cultivation. But should we keep on doing under cultivation. Whether this process should continue is
this? a question that requires careful consideration.
In regions of the world where the population is In regions of the world where the population is
growing, and there aren’t enough resources, the growing and resources are scarce, the conflict between
conflict between humans and animals is really humans and animals is particularly problematic. This.
bad. If you go to Africa, for example, you can see can be seen in parts of Africa, for example, where
large nature reserves alongside really poor human large nature reserves sit alongside very poor human
settlements. | love the idea of elephants and lions settlements. People living thousands of miles away may
living in the wild. But often it's the poor farmer living value the idea of elephants and lions living in the wild.
nearby who's got to pay the cost in terms of land and However, often it is the poor farmer living nearby who
lost earnings. must pay the cost in terms of land and lost earnings.
1 Response 1 is informal in style; Response 2 is academic in style.

2 Response 2 is more impersonal and less emotional. There are fewer conjunctions and more subordinators. There
are no colloguialisms or contracted forms.
Answer key 119

Exercise 7
Characteristics
of academic style Examples
from the texts
Informal style Academic style

Academic style is more impersonal. If you look at it that way, Looked at from a broad historical
Avoid overusing personal But should we keep on doing this? perspective,
pronouns If you go to Africa, ..., you can see Whether this process should continue
(1, you, we) and addressing the I love is a question that requires careful
reader directly. consideration.
This can be seen in parts of Africa
People living thousands of miles away
may value
Academic style is less emotional. bad problematic
Avoid exaggeration (totally, love may value
perfect), emotive words (terrible,
adore) and words that express
value judgments (immoral).
Academic style uses fewer and farmers whilst farmers
conjunctions (and, but) and But often it's the poor farmer However, it is often the poor farmer
more subordinators (whereas,
because) and sentence linkers
[nevertheless, therefore).
Academic style uses different It's Itis
vocabulary. Avoid colloquial bigger and bigger areas increasing areas
expressions, phrasal verbs really bad particularly problematic
(take up, break out), double really poor human settlements very poor human settlements
comparatives (more and more), who's got to pay who must pay
contacted forms [isn't, won't) and
the words get, lots of, a lot of, and
really.
Exercise 8
Model answer
However, in relation to plants, the advantages of conservations are more apparent. It is important to remember
that wild plants are not just things of beauty; they are also a very valuable resource. Wild plants have been used
throughout history to make medicines like aspirin. Also, if certain varieties of crops are prone to disease, wild
plants could be used to develop new varieties. Because there are many plants that have not yet been discovered,
their potential uses remain unknown.
To sum up, in my view, it is worth trying to preserve natural habitats because wild animals and plants are
unique and could save lives. However, it is important to remember that people’s basic needs have to be met too.
Therefore, the burden of protecting plant and animal species should be distributed fairly.
Exercise 9
Suggested answers
1 It could be argued that the desire for wealth encourages people to exploit the environment.
2 Environmental degradation may be unavoidable because there is no way of enforcing international agreements.
Leaders may sign such agreements simply to create a favourable impression in the media.
D Writing for IELTS

Unit 4

The flow chart shows what typically occurs as a consequence of deforestation. When trees are removed, there are
four main immediate effects, which eventually result in flooding, degraded vegetation and a loss of biodiversity.
One immediate effect is soil which has been compacted by heavy equipment. The resulting hard, ‘baked" soil
contributes to the run off of rain water and, eventually, flooding.
Another immediate consequence of logging is a reduction in the number of roots holding the soil together. This
leads to soil erosion. As a consequence, the quality and variety of vegetation is compromised.
The third immediate effect is burning, both deliberate and as a consequence of an increased risk of forest
fires. The waste that remains after logging is destroyed and the microorganisms that feed on this material are
lost. This leads to degraded vegetation.
The final immediate consequence is a reduction in the amount of moisture plants return to the air. Because there
is less moisture in the air, there is less precipitation and an increased incidence of drought. This too reduces
plant growth and ultimately results in degraded vegetation and a loss of biodiversity.

As natural resources come under increasing pressure, the list of endangered plants and animals continues
to grow. The causes are many: developments in agriculture, mining, forestry and transport. Some would
argue that the loss of biodiversity is a price we must pay for progress. In my view, however, there is much
that governments can and should do to protect the world’s plants and animals.
Governments could promote greater understanding of plants and animals by investing in the research and
preservation efforts of universities, zoos, and botanical institutes. This may ensure the survival of individual
species and produce tangible benefits in the form of new medicines and products. However, this strategy alone
would do little to protect whole ecosystems that are under threat.
An alternative strategy would be to protect natural habitats by expanding nature reserves. This would have
immediate positive consequences for those areas by preserving delicate ecosystems. However, this strategy
also has limitations. It does not protect from phenomena such as acid rain and water pollution, which can
cross boundaries and affect large areas.
The most effective solution is to limit the damage at its source. Companies that engage in practices that
harm the environment should be required to demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable efforts to
minimise the damage. Public contracts for roads and buildings should only be awarded to firms that have a good
environmental track record.
The strategies outlined above: preservation, protection and, above all prevention, can do much to reverse the
destruction that threatens the world’s plants and animals. The aesthetic and practical benefits of doing so are
well worth the cost.
Answer key 121

5 Global English
Part1: Vocabulary
le, 2g, 3b, 4c, 5f, 6a, 7h, 8d 1 I concede that making English a mandatory subject in
primary schools is not a good idea.
Exercise 2 2 Some people insist that the world needs one common
1c, 2f, 3e, 4g, 5b, 6d, 7a language for trade.
3 Irefute the idea that everyone in the world will speak
Exercise 3 the same language at any point in the future.
1 insist 5 urge 4 Teachers recommend practising a foreign language
2 refute 6 maintain outside of the classroom in order to become fluent.
3 deny 7 dismiss
4 advocate
Exercise 1
, :
Scots West 1 East Iranian,
Hindi
Bengali
Indo-European
Root Language
French
Exercise 2
Order:c,d,a, b
1 The first and fourth paragraphs make generalisations about the whole diagram. The second and third paragraphs
give specific information about parts of the diagram.
2 The introduction indentifies the type of information shown by the diagram; the conclusion makes a general
statement about the information.
3 Generalto specific
4 Suggested answers: The diagram shows (that}; there are two main branches; in addition to ... it includes; it
comprises
2 Writing for IELTS

Unit 5
Exercise 3
1b
2 e
3 It repeats the words in the task instructions.
4 It has too much detailed information.
Exercise 4
Suggested answers
1 The bar chart shows the proportion of children in European secondary schools who are studying five different foreign
languages in the years 1990, 2000 and 2010.
2 In summary, the figure shows that some of the more dominant world languages, English in particular, are being
more widely taught, whereas other languages, with the exception of Spanish, are becoming less popular.

Exercise 5 Exercise6
1 ¢/, 2b, 3d, 4e le, 2e, 3b, 4g, 5d
Order:3,5,2,1,4
1 It begins with the context and ends with the writer's
opinion. Exercise 7
2 The last position makes the sentence more prominent. 1d, 2e, 3c, 4a, 5f, 6b
Exercise 8
Model answers
1 Itis very likely that the spread of English as a lingua franca is connected in some way with the process of
globalisation. Some people believe that because language is an aspect of culture, speaking a particular language
involves adopting some of the values of that culture. In this essay | will examine the arguments for and against
this view.
2 As anyone who has travelled abroad will know, misunderstandings can easily occur among people from
different cultures. It is sometimes assumed that this happens because the people involved do not have an
adequate knowledge of the language. However, | would argue that more than language knowledge is required
to communicate successfully. This essay will examine what | believe to be the most important factors in
communication breakdown.
Answerkey 123

The diagram illustrates six different writing systems.
There is one type of writing system, the Logographic, in which characters represent word meanings. An example
of this is Chinese. Interestingly, because each character represents a word meaning rather than a sound, it is
possible for two languages which are different in spoken form to share the same writing system. This is partially
the case with Chinese and Japanese, for example.
There are four types of writing system in which characters represent sounds. The oldest of these is the Abjad,
in which each character represents a consonant sound. Arabic uses this type of system. Related to this is
the Abjuda system, in which each character represents a consonant plus a vowel sound. The third type, the
Alphabetic system, is slightly different in that consonant and vowel sounds are represented by different
characters. English, for example, uses this type of system. Finally the Syllabic system is used in languages
such as Japanese Kana, in which there are a relatively small number of possible syllables in the spoken form.
Overall, the diagram shows that there is wide variation in writing systems around the world.

As the world becomes more integrated, the need for common means of communication is becoming more pressing.
Inevitably, speakers of minority languages have been under pressure to speak the languages of more dominant
groups, both locally and globally. Some people argue that there is nothing that can or should be done to stop this
process. | would suggest that the issue merits more careful consideration.
Itis true that as the balance of power among groups of people throughout history has shifted, languages
have arisen, changed, and died out. Even once widely-spoken languages, such as Latin, have disappeared. To
some extent, therefore, this process may be inevitable. However, there are examples of communities that have
managed to preserve and even revive languages under threat. Irish and Scots Gaelic, for example, have been
preserved by government policy on education and broadcast media.
There are, indeed, several benefits to preserving minority languages. Retaining the language of a community
often means that other forms of culture are maintained: songs, literature and local traditions. These all
contribute to the richness and variety of human culture. Moreover, language helps communities to remain
cohesive and to have a strong sense of identity. This can help people to be strong in adversity. Where this sense
of identity and cohesion has been lost, for example among many indigenous communities in North America,
problems can follow: low self-esteem, lack of confidence and loss of initiative.
In short, it is possible and in many cases, desirable, to make the effort to preserve minority languages. This can
have benefits both for the minority speech community and for society as a whole in terms of cultural richness.
+ Writing for IELTS

Units 5-6 °
6 The Internet
Part1: Vocabulary
a3, b5 c¢2 d1, eé f4 a2, bé, ¢3, d5 el fé4
avi, biv, cii, dii, ev, fi 1 advances 4 trend
2 advent 5 accelerating
Exercise 3 3 enables 6 devices
1 noticeable 4 main
2 distinctive 5 widespread
3 underlying
Exercise 1
1 Response 2 is more satisfactory. In Response 1, the writer has simply reproduced the information in the table in
words, whereas in Response 2, the writer has highlighted the significance of the data by emphasising main points
and supporting these with detailed information from the table.
2 The first and last sentences contain main points in both responses (The table shows that ... Overall....]. In Response 2,
the first line of paragraph 2 (The most significant change was ...J and the first line of paragraph 3 (Another noticeable
trend ...) also contain general statements.
3 In Response 1, there is a general introductory statement followed by several detailed points, ending with a general
concluding statement. In Response 2, there are four general statements, each followed by supporting details.
Exercise 2
1 There has been significant growth in Internet use worldwide; Internet users now make up nearly 30 per cent of the
population. The most significant figure is probably the percentage change (455 per cent).
2 The most significant groupings are (a) developing regions (Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America) and (b)
developed regions (Europe, North America, and Australia).
3 The developed regions have the largest percentages of Internet users - all over 50 per cent. The developing regions
have the smallest - all under 50 per cent.
4 The developing regions have all experienced the highest rates of growth in Internet users. The developed regions
have experience the lowest rates of growth.
Exercise 3
Suggested answers
1 One significant trend is the high percentage of Internet users in the most economically developed regions of the
world. Seventy-eight per cent of the population of North America, for example, use the Internet. Nearly two-thirds of
Australians and Europeans are also Internet users.
Answerkey 125
The smallest growth in the percentage of Internet users occurred in the most developed regions of the world.
~
Growth in North America, which had the highest percentage of Internet users, was the lowest at 137 per cent.
Australia and Europe also experienced relatively low percentage increases in Internet users at 181 per cent and
353 per cent respectively.
Another noticeable feature of the information in the table is the relatively low percentage of Internet users in the
w
least developed regions of the world. Less than one third of the populations of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin
America use the Internet. The region with the smallest percentage of Internet users was Africa at 10 per cent.
However, the biggest growth in Internet users occurred in developing regions. The percentage of the population
~
online in Africa, for instance, grew nearly twenty-five fold. The Middle East and Latin America also saw Internet use
grow more than ten fold.

Exercise 4
Strengths: (1) It has a clear structure. (2) There are good supporting examples for each of the two main points.
Weaknesses: (1) The main points repeat parts of the essay question. (2] It follows a typical formula and does not
show strong skills in essay organisation.
Exercise 5
1 The Internet has the potential to diminish family life but also to enhance it. Supporting points: b, e
2 Similarly, the Internet can distract people from spending time with their friends; however, it can also help people
make and keep friends. Supporting points: a, d, f
3 In work situations, the Internet can rob workers of time for face-to-face contact, but it can also make it easier to
work together. Supporting points: ¢, g
The main advantage of this plan is that it shows a more sophisticated structure: the advantages and disadvantages of
the Internet are discussed in relation to three main themes: family, friends and work.
Exercise 6
1 The second sentence is more appropriate because it is less sweeping and, therefore, easier to defend as valid.
2 You could modify the first sentences is several ways:
Excessive Internet use sometimes leads to social isolation. (frequency adverb)
Excessive Internet use possibly leads to social isolation. (probability adverb)
Itis said that excessive Internet use leads to social isolation. (expressions)
Excessive Internet use appears to lead to social isolation. (less absolute language)
Exercise 7
Suggested answers
1 Many people over the age of fifty have difficulty grasping new technology.
2 People often want to own the latest gadget.
3 The Internet can sometimes have a harmful effect on children.
4 Some people do not like new technology because they find it difficult to understand.
5 Too much technology may make some people less active.
6 Itis possible that some of the world’s problems may be alleviated by advances in science and technology.
> Writing for IELTS

Unit 6
Exercise 8
Suggested outline of body paragraphs:
1 Illiteracy a major obstacle (G)
In some countries, less than 50 per cent population able to read (S)
Women & the poor especially likely to be illiterate (S)
2 Basic infrastructure inadequate (G)
Electricity supply irregular (S)
Broadband access only in major cities (S]
3 Even where IT access available, governments fearful of well-informed public (G)
Government censorship of Internet widespread (S)
Use of blocking software & firewalls common (S)
Model answer
People who live in developed countries often take access to information technology for granted. However, as the IT
revolution moves forward in some parts of the world, elsewhere the disadvantaged are falling further and further
behind. Indeed there are many barriers to wider IT access and its potential benefits.
In many parts of the world, illiteracy remains a major obstacle to IT access. In some countries, less than 50 per
cent of the population is able to read. Women and the poor are especially likely to be illiterate and therefore ata
disadvantage when it comes to IT access and its potential benefits.
Another major barrier is inadequate infrastructure. In some countries, the electricity supply is irregular. In
addition, broadband may only be available in major cities, rendering many rural areas off the map as far as IT
access is concerned. In these circumstances, the Internet may actually be increasing rather than decreasing
social inequality between urban and rural areas.
Even where IT access is available, governments are often fearful of a well-informed public. In fact, government
censorship of the Internet is widespread. The use of blocking software and firewalls is common, even in countries
such as Australia, which are commonly regarded as free and democratic. Those who are well-educated and
sophisticated may be able to find a way around such obstacles; however, those who are less advantaged may
remain unable to access some information freely.
In short, where unequal access to infrastructure, education and free information exist, the IT revolution is unlikely
to reduce inequality. Unless fundamental inequalities are addressed, the Internet may, in fact, increase social
divides.
Answer key 127


The table shows the average length of online video advertisements by sector and the average length of time viewers
spent watching these advertisements.
The average length of the advertisements varied from a low of 14.6 seconds for clothing to a high of 45.8 for
public service advertisements. With the exception of government- and entertainment-related advertisements,
in general, products and services which required a large financial commitment tended to have longer
advertisements. Cars, financial services and travel advertisements, for example, were all eighteen seconds
on average or longer. Less expensive products, on the other hand, such as consumer electronics, clothing and
medicines, tended to have shorter advertisements.
Adverts for more expensive products or services also tended to be watched for longer than adverts for less
expensive items. Viewers on average watched more than 50 per cent of advertisements for cars, financial
services and travel. In contrast, viewers tended to watch less of government advertisements and advertisements
for cheaper goods such as consumer electronics, clothing and medicines.
Overall, length of online video advertisements and length of time spent viewing such advertisements appears to
be associated with the perceived cost of the product or service being advertised.

New technologies, and in particular the Internet, are undoubtedly having a major impact on the way goods and
services are bought and sold. In many countries, buying products online has become a mainstream activity.
Now in the UK, for example, roughly 12 per cent of all retail trade is conducted on line. While some maintain
that the actual impact of the Internet on shopping is negligible, | would argue that it is in fact quite significant
for two main reasons.
The first main reason is that the development of online shopping has meant that the market for goods available
to the individual has grown exponentially. It is possible to buy virtually anything from what has effectively become
a world-wide retail market: exotic foods, art works, rare books, adventure holidays; the list is endless. Products
that were once only available to those who lived in large cosmopolitan cities with a wide variety of shops can now
be bought by those living in small towns with few local amenities.
Another significant reason is that the buyer can have more control over the process. Price comparison websites make
it easier to find bargains. Shopping can be done at any time of the day or night, and shoppers can browse for as long
as they like without pressure from sales assistants. This means that shoppers can potentially become more astute
and knowledgeable about the products they are buying. Because of the greater competition involved in trading within
a large market, sellers may have to improve the quality of their products.
In short, experience suggests that online shopping has shifted the balance of power in favour of the consumer.
Consumers not only have wider access to goods but also have greater access to information and more control
over how they shop.
8 Writing for IELTS

Units 6-7
7 Consumer spending
Part1: Vocabulary
le, 2b, 3d, 4a, 5f, éc, 7h, 8g 1d, 2c, 3e, 4f 5a, 6b
1 disposable income 4 consumer confidence 1c, 2f, 3g, 4a, 5d, 6b, 7e
2 personal debt 5 household expenditure
3 goods and services

Exercise 1
1 Both figures relate to consumer spending.
2 C-cause and effect
3 Ifyou look at the overall trends, you may notice a connection between the disposable income of the three age groups
and the sales figures for the products most likely to be purchased by people in these age groups. Any obvious points,
for example, peaks and low points that help to illustrate the connection should be highlighted.
4 You could use either, though you can highlight the connection between age and sales of certain products most
effectively by comparing features of both figures in each paragraph.
Exercise 2
1 The first sentence gives a description of what is shown in figure 1; the second sentence gives a description of what is
shown in figure 2; the third sentence makes a statement about the relationship between figures 1and 2.
2 Cause and effect: Seen together, the figures suggest a link between ...
3 In paragraph 1, the writer describes the overall trend in disposable income for 15-24 year-olds, then the overall
trend in sales for the products most likely to be purchased by that age group.
In paragraph 2, the writer describes the overall trend in disposable income for 35-44 year-olds, then the overall
In paragraph 3, the writer describes the overall trend in disposable income for 65-74 year-olds, then the overall
4 The writer focuses on peaks in both trends because this is sufficient to demonstrate that there is a connection.
5 showed a similar pattern, with; also; not surprisingly ... also
& may be influenced by
Exercise 3
Suggested answers
1 When the availability of cheap credit increases, consumer spending increases; when the availability of cheap credit
decreases, consumer spending decreases.
2 When the rate of taxation increases, consumer spending decreases; when the rate of taxation decreases, consumer
spending increases.
The two figures show that:
a The rate of taxation is inversely proportional to levels of consumer spending.
b The availability of cheap credit is proportional to levels of consumer spending.
¢ When the availability of cheap credit rises, levels of consumer spending also appear to rise.
d When the rate of taxation falls, levels of consumer spending appear to rise.
e The less consumers are taxed, the more they spend.
f The more cheap credit is available, the more consumers spend.
Exercise 4
Suggested answer
Figure 1 shows the percentage change in the amount of credit available and taxation between 1990 and 2010. The
second figure shows the percentage increase in expenditure on three different types of products at five-year intervals
over the same time period.
Answer key 129

Seen together, the two figures suggest that there is a positive correlation between the availability of credit and
levels of consumer spending. The availability of credit reached a peak in 2005, when nearly 60 per cent more
credit was available than in 1990. Spending on all three categories of products (food, household appliances and
clothing) also reached a peak.
On the other hand, the level of consumer spending appears to be inversely proportional to the rate of taxation. When
taxation fell sharply in the periods leading up to 1995 and 2005, consumer spending appeared to increase sharply.
Overall, greater availability of credit appears to act as a stimulus to consumer spending, whereas higher taxation
may have the opposite effect.

Exercise 5
1 Response 2 is more satisfactory because it contains examples to illustrate and support the main point. Response 1
essentially repeats the main point in three different ways.
2 to state the main point
3 Sentence 2 further explains the main point, sentence 3 gives an example to illustrate the main point, sentence 4
supports the main point.
4 An example of this
5 Indeed
Exercise 6
1 for example or for instance
2 Another good example of this
3 indeed or in fact
Exercise 7
Suggested answers
1 Some people buy products that they do not really need because they feel empty and unhappy. For instance, people
often consume alcohol, cigarettes or sugary foods because these enhance mood. Indeed, the link between emotion
and buying is evident in the fact that much of the content of advertisements has little to do with giving factual
information about the product being promoted.
People often buy products they do not really need because they want to display their status or wealth. A good
N
example of this is when people dispose of perfectly good items (clothing, furniture, electronic goods) simply to buy
a more up-to-date model. Another example is when shoppers choose high-value brands that prominently display
their logos over anonymous brands that are equivalent in quality but cheaper. Indeed, the relationship between
social status and consumer spending is so powerful that many brands are carefully targeted at particular social
groups.
3 Sometimes people buy products they do not really need because they want to use them in a positive way to make
their lives more enjoyable or interesting. In an ideal world, all people would have some disposable income with which
to buy products or services that enhance their lives in some way. Hobbies, music and novels, for example, are all
products that are not strictly necessary for survival, but can contribute greatly to quality of life.
Exercise 8
Suggested answer
It is likely that financial institutions are at least partially responsible for high levels of personal debt. In times when
lenders are less tightly regulated and greater competition is allowed, there is a natural tendency to try to attract
more customers by making it easier to borrow money. Banks may choose to lend to people who have relatively low
incomes or who already have high levels of personal debt. This practice may be sustainable up to a point; however,
when the economy suffers and people lose their jobs, the situation can quickly reach a crisis point, as has been
clearly shown in the ‘credit crunch’ and recession experienced by many countries in recent years.
Writing for IELTS

unit7

The line graph shows economic growth over a 15-year period ending in 2010. The pie charts give a breakdown
of household spending in four separate years over the same period. Viewed together, there appears to be a
relationship between economic growth and patterns of spending.
According to the graph, economic growth began at a modest 1 per cent, rose modestly, then remained more
or less steady at about 2 per cent until 2003. It grew sharply and peaked at nearly 5 per cent in 2005, then fell
dramatically to -5 per cent in 2008, before recovering to 1 per cent in 2010.
Over the same period, changes in patterns of spending were evident. In periods of low or negative growth,
spending on housing and food accounted for a larger proportion of total household expenditure than in times of
relative prosperity. Conversely, in times of economic growth, spending on less essential items such as travel,
entertainment and clothing tended to increase. This is particularly evident in the chart for 2005 where together
these three items appear to account for over 15 per cent of total spending.
In summary, the figures show that in times of hardship, households spend a greater proportion of their income
on necessities whereas, in times of prosperity, more is spent on non-essentials.

Learning to manage money is something that virtually everyone must do as the ability to maintain a balance
between income and expenditure is essential for a stable life. In many developed countries, the availability of easy
credit and a wide variety of financial products have made the task of managing one’s money more complex. In less
affluent parts of the world, lack of money or access to credit creates its own challenges. In this essay, | will outline
two ways in which people can learn to manage their money.
Learning by example is one important method. From their early years, children can observe how their parents
make financial decisions. They may notice, for example, whether money is saved for costly purchases, or
whether purchases are bought on credit. Children can also see what kinds of criteria parents use when
choosing what to buy, for instance, whether quality or quantity is more important. It is important, therefore,
that parents model sensible purchasing behaviour and explain what they are doing and why. However, in many
circumstances, this may not be sufficient.
Another important means of teaching people to manage money is through education. When school children, for
instance, learn arithmetic, they could also be taught the basics of budgeting and how to recognise good value.
For adults, the Internet could be a good source of advice on how to save money. Price comparison websites, for
example, can be a good way of researching what is available before making an expensive purchase.
The ability to manage money is often taken for granted. Because the consequences of poor money management
can be severe, it is worthwhile taking steps to ensure people are as well-informed as possible.
Answerkey 131
8 Children and parents
Part1: Vocabulary
aiv4, biii3, cv1, di5 eii2, 1 over 5 of
The nouns on the left can be used to refer to people; the 2in 6 of;into
nouns on the right refer to life stages. 3 with; on 7 from; for
4 with 8 in; of
Exercise 2 .
Rights:a,d. f, 9, h Exercise 5ES : ) )
Responsibilities: b, ¢, e, i, j 1 inthe bestinterests 4 interfering too much in
of their lives
Exercise 3 2 takeninto ac‘count 5 exercise too much control
1 forced 4 have a duty to do 3 cooperate with others over.
2 empowered 5 coerced into joining

3 compelled

Exercise 1 3 superlatives (most control, the biggest conflict) and the
1 Response 2 is more satisfactory because it includes preposition with (with nearly 80% of mothers believing)
examples from the table to support the main point. 4 Yes (roughly three out of four parents). N.B. It is not
2 The writer wants to emphasise the difference in opinion always necessary to signpost supporting examples
between parents and adolescents, so he/she has because an experienced academic reader will expect
chosen those details that illustrate the biggest gap in main points to be followed by examples.
views.
Exercise 2
Overall, parents said that they wanted significantly more control over their children than did the adolescents surveyed.
The areas where parents wanted most control were how adolescents spend their free time and what friends they make.
Roughly three out of four parents wanted to place restrictions on these areas, whereas only approximately one in five
children felt this was needed. The biggest conflict of opinion concerned young people’s choice of friends with nearly
80 per cent of mothers believing they should exercise control and only 17 per cent of adolescent girls agreeing.
1 Women predominated in schools for children. This was particularly true of schools for very young children. Over
95 per cent of nursery school teachers, for example, were female. The situation was similarly one-sided in primary
schools, where over 90 per cent of teachers were women.
In Arts and Social Science-related subjects, UK students tended to do better. The biggest gap in performance was in
N
International Law, where three-quarters of UK students gained a second class degree or better. In contrast, fewer
than half of the international students attained this level.
3 There are four types of writing system in which characters represent sounds. The oldest of these is ‘Abjad’, in which
each character represents a consonant sound. Arabic, for instance, uses this type of system.
Exercise 3
1only [orsole), 2where, 3 particularly (or most), 4 biggest (or widest], 5 only
2 Writing for IELTS

Unit8
Exercise 4
Suggested answer
The adolescent boys surveyed also indicated a greater acceptance of parental control than did the adolescent girls. The
two areas where girls accepted greater control were how they spend their free time and how they spend their money.
The biggest gap between boys and girls was over what subject they study. 45 per cent of boys said they agreed with
parental restrictions in this area, where as only a third of girls felt this was needed.

Exercise 5
a4, b7 c1, d3, e2 f5 g8 h9 ié 4 should is a less emphatic term than must and is used to
express necessity; may is used to express a possibility
1 present simple tense and to ‘hedge’
2 five
3 can because this task 2 question asks you to make
suggestions
Exercise 6
1 would 6 would
2 may/might 7 might/may/could
3 should/must 8 can/could
4 can/could 9 would
5 can/could 10 could/would
Exercise 7
1 Inshort 5 Society can ensure that children’s rights are taken into
2 In brief, In summary, In conclusion account, that children have access to help, and that
3a children are properly informed of their rights.
4d
Exercise 8
Suggested answer
In summary, there are several ways in which young people can be encouraged to behave responsibly. They can be
involved in defining what constitutes good behaviour, and they can be taught leadership skills. Parents and teachers
should be encouraged to try these methods before resorting to more punitive measures. If they are successful, they
may very well discover a maturity in their children that they never anticipated.
Answer key 133


The bar chart illustrates the views of 1000 young people in five countries around the world on the most suitable age
for three key rights and responsibilities to be given to young people.
There was some variation in the views of all five nationalities for all three categories. For marriage, the minimum
age identified ranged from a low of sixteen in Egypt and Mexico to a high of twenty-two in Japan. Respondents in
the UK and the US chose eighteen.
A similar pattern was seen in the results concerning voting age. Again, this was highest among the Japanese
participants and lowest (16) among those in Mexico and the UK.
Interestingly, for all of the countries surveyed, the participants set their preferred age of criminal responsibility
at a lower point than either of the rights. The gap was particularly wide in the US, where respondents identified
twelve as the age at which children should be held responsible for their crimes.
Overall, the results show that adolescents in different countries have different views of when it is appropriate for
young people to hold certain responsibilities associated with adulthood.

As children grow up, they can be increasingly responsible for making their own decisions. However, until a young
person is ready to live independently, parents still have a responsibility for guiding their children. In this essay, Twill
outline two main areas in which | believe parents should continue to exercise some control over their adolescent
children.
The most important area is safety. Learning to manage risk is clearly very important. However, because children
often have less experience of and therefore less awareness of adverse consequences, they are not always able to take
sensible precautions. Because, for example, they may never have been robbed whilst outdoors at night, they may
assume that this can never happen to them. Parents should, therefore, intervene to help their children understand
and manage risk. In the example above, they could help their child arrange suitable transport.
Another area in which a degree of parental intervention is necessary is in considering long-term interests. Young
people sometimes have a tendency to prioritise short-term needs and wants over longer-term goals. They may,
for instance, choose to attend a sporting event or social occasion rather than study for an exam that is weeks in
the future. Parents can help their children by insisting that certain responsibilities are met before privileges are
granted. Children would not only be helped to achieve their goals but would also learn how to manage their time.
In summary, parents should allow their adolescent children a degree of autonomy but continue to exercise some
control. If they intervene with a view to helping their child learn to make good decisions independently, they are
likely to see the best outcome.

Units 8-9 °
9 An ageing population
Part1: Vocabulary
1b, 2b, 3a, 4b, 53, 6b, 7a Causes: b, c,f,h Consequences:a,d, e, g
1f, 2, 3i, 4a, 5h, &j, 7b, 8, 9g, 10d le, 2g, 3h, 4c, 5d, 6a, 7f

Exercise 1
Decreasing birth rates can be attributed to two main factorsynamelysavailability of family planning and
changes in how people feel about work and family, These changes include greater career aspirations among
womenya tendency to delay marriageyand a preference for smaller familiesoLower mortality; on the other
handyis due to increased longevity;which results from improved health care and better living conditionsy
Exercise 2
The graph illustrates two trends, namely: the rise in the proportion of the world’s population aged sixty-five and
above and the decline in the proportion of those under five. As can be seen, the proportion of elderly people has risen
gradually from approximately 5 per cent in 1950 to roughly 7.5 per cent today. Over the next thirty years, it is expected
to more than double. The proportion of young children, on the other hand, has fallen gradually since 1970 from
approximately 14 per cent to 9 per cent. It is forecast to continue falling at roughly the same rate over the next forty
years.
Exercise 3
1 The bar chart shows the percentage of people in seven different countries who were over the age of sixty-five in 2000
and the percentage of people expected to be in that age group in 2030.
2 Korea, Mexico, and Turkey, all developing or newly industrialized countries, are expected to experience large
increases in the proportion of the population that is elderly.
3 The biggest increase is likely to occur in Korea, where the proportion of pensioners is expected to increase from
10 per cent to 35 per cent.
4 The changes in all three countries will occur from a relatively low base, so the predicted proportion of elderly
residents will still be lower than that expected in developed economies.
Exercise 4
Suggested answer
The figure shows the distribution of the population in terms of gender and age. The age group with the highest
percentage of both men and women is 55 to 59. Roughly five per cent of the population is in this age group. The age
groups with the next highest proportion of the population are 30 to 34 and 35 to 39. Interestingly, until the age of
fifty-nine, the proportion of males and females is roughly equal. However, thereafter, women make up a higher
proportion of the elderly population. This trend is particularly evident in those aged eighty plus. Over four per cent
of women fall into in this category, whereas only two per cent of men have reached this age.
Answerkey 13f
Exercise 5
1 A number of measures can be taken to ensure that the elderly can enjoy life after retirement.
2 measure
3 measure occurs in the first (topic) sentence of each of the following two body paragraphs
4 older people, the elderly, elderly people, all, increasingly frail section of the population
5 sums of money, savings
Exercise 6
1 Synonyms for younger family members could include: the younger generation, younger relatives, younger relations,
younger members of the family
Synonyms for older relations could include: the older generation, older family members, older relations, elderly relatives,
senior members of the family
2 Circle arguments; mandatory retirement age
3 Circle consequences; population ageing
Exercise 7
1 development/shift
2 concerns/disadvantages/drawbacks
3 strategy/measure/approach
4 process
Exercise 8
1 The most fundamental obligation that younger family members have towards older relations is to ensure that
theirare being met.
Another core obligation is to ensure that older relations continue to feel a sense o
~
3 Finally, younger family members should ensure that older relations continue to have the opportunity to grow and
develog
One of the main consequences of population ageing is the increasing incidence of illnesses and ailments
commonly associated with age.
2 Another consequence is growing pressure on care givers, often sons and daughters who may themselves be in the
process of raising a family of their own.
3 The final consequence is pressure on pension funds.
Paragraph
Suggested answer
One of the main consequences of population ageing is the increasing incidence of illnesses and ailments commonly
associated with age. Cancer, heart disease, and arthritis, for example, are all on the rise in many countries with ageing
populations. This trend can result in pressure on health budgets and services.
& Writing for IELTS

unity

The line graph shows three demographic trends in Scotland between 1940 and 2020: birth rate, population growth
rate, and death rate.
The birth rate followed a falling trend overall from 2.5 per cent in 1940 to a projected 0.5 rise in 2020. There were
brief increases in the late 1940s and 1960s followed by more substantial falls, particularly between 1950 and 1960.
The population growth rate followed a very similar trend with a brief time lag, suggesting a strong link between
birth rate and population rate. The main difference in the two trends was a more substantial rise in population
growth between 1945 and 1955.
The death rate showed a somewhat different trend. There was a steady fall between 1940 and 1955, followedby
a very gradual decline over the next forty-five years. There is expected to be a slight rise over the next decade,
presumably as the ‘boom’ generation of 65-75 years previously reaches the end of its life span.
Overall, the trends show a declining population in Scotland.

People today can expect to live a longer and healthier Life than people in the past. People often see retirement as a
time for relaxation and letting go of the stresses of warking life, However, many who reach retirement age are more
interested than ever in contributing actively to their communities. This essay will outline two ways in which this
interest can benefit society.
Becoming involved in schools is one of the ways in which the life experience of the elderly can be made available
to the community. Because families now are often more mobile than in the past, many children do not have
regular contact with grandparents. Yet children are often fascinated by stories of life in the past. Inviting local
retired people into schools to speak to children can help to maintain a vital link between past and present.
Another way in which society can benefit from a more active older generation is by inviting older employees to
remain in work part-time. Older people may not want to or indeed be able to do a full day’s work; however, their
experience may continue to be valuable to their employers. A good example of this can be seen in one scheme in
the UK in which elder employees remained in work as mentors for younger employees.
Schools and the workplace are just two of the areas in which those who have reached retirement age can
continue to contribute to their communities. As life expectancy improves, the need to maintain an active and
socially meaningful life may also increase. Experience suggests that this trend can have benefits for all, not just
the elderly.
Answer key
10 Fame
Part1: Vocabulary
1e, 2f, 3c, 4h, 5b, éa, 7d, 8i, 9g 1 ...
Inevitably 5 Obviously...
2 Unfortunately... 6 Interestingly...
Exercise 2 ...
3 Fortunately ...
7 Importantly
1 impression 4 fame 4 ...
Surprisingly
2 aspirations 5 flawed .
3 image 6 icon ExemseSI .
1 ...
Less obviously ...
3 Not surprisingly
Exercise 3 2 ...
More importantly 4 Somewhat surprisingly ...
1 well-known/famous/legendary
2 imperfect/bad/worthless
3 like/admire/idolise
4 recognition/praise/acclaim

1 past 8 feature 1 significant 4 Surprisingly
2 percentage 9 rose 2 Many 5 did not
3 except 10 smaller 3 For example 6 appear
4 rose 11 past N
5 than 12 feature Exercise 3 .
6 smaller 13 except 1 fea!ureq 4 opting for
7 in contrast 2 occupations 5 career
3 those surveyed 6 occupied
Exercise 4
Suggested answers
1 One of the most significant advances in civilization is the development of modern methods of food production and
preparation.
2 Convenience foods have now become the norm in many societies.
3 Although some people idealise traditional cooking practices and believe they will prevail indefinitely, ...
4 In more traditional societies, where families tended to be large, it made economic sense for one person to devote
him/herself to time-consuming domestic tasks such as growing and preparing food.
Nowadays, people tend to live in ever smaller family units.
o
6 If each family were to spend large amounts of time growing and processing food, this would be a poor use of society’s
human resource.
7 ...the increase in the number of adults, especially women with children, who work in full-time employment.
Exercise 5
1receiving, 2percentage, 3 negative, 4small,
50n the other hand, 6 was not, 7 there appears to be
Underline: those surveyed, people questioned, those who took part in the survey, survey respondents

Unit 10 °

Suggested answers 1 Paragraph c is the best.
1 benefit, positive 5 individuals 2 Paragraph a is too informal; paragraph b has too few
consequence 6 dilemma, difficulty hedges; paragraph d has too much repetition.
2 drawback, negative 7 approach, strategy
consequence 8 significant, noteworthy
3 view, point of view 9 topic, concern
4 nevertheless 10 circumstances, context
Exercise 8
Suggested answer
In the past, people (1) generally became famous for their achievements. Einstein, Dickens, and Gandhi, for instance,
were all celebrated for their contributions to science, literature and public life. People were interested in them
(2) primarily because they were role models.
One of the reasons fame today is so different is because celebrities (3] appear to meet a range of people’s emotional
needs, not just the need for role models. Many celebrities today are famous simply for being famous. The public are
(4) often interested in them because, when news of scandals emerges, they (5) can experience the satisfaction of
feeling superior to people they have been encouraged to envy.
Exercise 9
Suggested answer
Another reason fame today is unique is the desire for ordinary people to explore the nature of fame itself. Many
celebrities that have emerged from reality television programmes, for example, come from the same walks of life as
the viewing public. Reading about or watching such people allow ordinary individuals to imagine what it might be
like to suddenly find themselves in the public eye. People who are famous for being famous may, therefore, allow
unremarkable people to indulge in wish-fulfilment fantasies without having to worry about whether they are capable of
significant achievement.
The third, and perhaps most significant reason that celebrities play such an important role in modern life is the fact
that commercial pressures encourage media organisations to focus on information that is immediately attractive to
the consumer. As we have seen, the ‘cult of celebrity’ appears to tap into powerful emotional needs, the need to feel
superior, the need to imagine oneself to be the centre of attention; therefore, celebrity news sells.
Exercise 10
Suggested answer
In brief, the nature of fame today is somewhat different from fame in the past. There appears to be a greater need to
denigrate, rather than celebrate the actions of people in the public eye, as well as a consuming interest in fame itself.
Whether the public will eventually grow tired of these remains to be seen.
Answer key 1369


The table gives the results of an opinion poll in which respondents were asked about their views of celebrity news
coverage.
There were clear majority views for all three questions asked. The vast majority of those questioned (85%), for
example, said that there was too much news coverage of celebrities. Only 7 per cent said there was the right
amount, and an even smaller percentage (6%) said there was too little.
The public was somewhat more divided on the question of who was responsible for the quantity of celebrity news.
A majority (56%) said the news organisations were; however over a third felt that the public were at fault. Roughly
one in ten respondents felt that both were responsible.
When asked to identify the news medium responsible for providing most of the coverage, most of those polled
singled out television news programmes. Online news websites were identified by 15 per cent of respondents,
followed by newspapers (12%).
Overall, the findings suggest that most people think there is too much focus on celebrities in the news and that
television news programmes are largely to blame.

In the past, news about famous people may have been confined to gossip columns in newspapers; these days it
is not uncommon for celebrities to feature as front page news. There is evidence that the public feels there is too
much news coverage of famous people. Not surprisingly, there is concern about how this might be affecting people,
and in particular children.
One of the possible negative consequences of the ‘cult of celebrity’ is the tendency to confuse fame and notoriety.
Celebrity scandals are just as likely to receive publicity as celebrity achievements. Indeed, some famous people
have received more attention for their misuse of drugs and alcohol than for their successes on the stage or in
sports. Children who crave attention may come to see misbehaviour as normal.
The emphasis on individuals in the public eye may also be at the expense of serious news coverage. Next to the
superficial excitement of celebrity gossip, news about serious events and issues that have a more profound effect
on people’s lives may seem uninteresting. Children may be forming a very distorted picture of how the world
works.
The negative influence of celebrities on children can also be seen in children’s career aspirations. These days,
young people are much more likely to see themselves as potential sports stars or entertainers. The prevalence
of these figures in the mass media may convey the impression that such positions are plentiful. Children may be
developing unrealistic expectations that they too will become rich and famous.
In summary, the ‘cult of celebrity’ may be affecting children ina number of undesirable ways. It is important that
children be taught to critically evaluate what they see in the media so that they can form a more realistic view of
society, acceptable behaviour, and indeed themselves. 3
+0 Writing for IELTS

Units 10-11"°
1 Thecar
Part 1: Vocabulary
Exercise 1
a2, b7, c8 d1, e4 f6 g5 h3
Exercise 2
1 cycle routes 4 traffic queues 6 road works
2 speed cameras 5 motorways 7 bus lanes
3 pedestrians; danger
Exercise 3
reduce reduction
produce production
convert conversion
maintain maintenance
emit emission
combust combustion
propel propulsion
Exercise 4
1 propelled 3 propulsion 5 combustion 7 emit 9 produce
2 converting 4 reduce 6 emissions 8 maintenance 10 production
Exercise 5
aachievement, bappearance, callowance, d explanation, e involvement, fprovision, g opposition
1 opposition, 2achievement, 3 explanation, 4 appearance, 5 provision, 6 allowances, 7 involvement

1a, 2b, 3b, 4a, 5¢ 6b 1 driving 3 purchasing 5 travelling
2 touse 4 change 6 toreduce
Exercise 2 2
1 decreased 3 correlates 5 accounted Exercise 4 .
2 are expected 4 varied 6 were asked Tthe, 2by, 3- 4on, 5to, -, 7with;of,
8the, 9-, 10to, 11a, 12a, 13the, l4the

Exercise 5
a9 b2 c1, d5 e4 f7, gé h3, i8 j10
1 The evidence shows that wearing a seatbelt significantly reduces road accident fatalities. (countable vs.
uncountable noun)
2 In fact wearing a seatbelt is the most important safety measure that can be taken. (use of the article)
3 The number of road accidents declined last year. tense)
4 ltis illegal to drive without a licence. (word class)
5 The cost of insurance depends on several factors including age, experience and type of car. (preposition)
6 Organisations such as the AA can provide assistance to motorists who break down. [verb form)
7 Many people who live in rural areas have no choice but to travel by car. (relative clause)
8 Buying a second-hand car is sometimes risky. Inexperienced buyers can be easily cheated. (run-on sentence)
9 There are numerous examples of illegal practices in the second-hand motor trade. (subject-verb agreement)
10 0 This is because the industry is poorly regulated and buyers are not always well-informed. [sentence fragment)
Answer key 14
Exercise 6
1 Cars undoubtedly have practical benefits for the people who own them.
2 Urban pollution, which is largely caused by vehicle emissions, can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma.
3 Noise pollution (which is] caused by cars is another problem that can affect people’s health.
4 The vast majority of car journeys are for short distances, which can be covered on foot.
5 There is evidence that people who live on streets with high volumes of traffic are less likely to know or interact with
their neighbours.
Exercise 7
1 Although most people say they would use other forms of transport for short journeys, in fact, most car journeys are
for distances of less than two miles.
Most people are reluctant to buy an electric car because of three factors: cost, maintenance and reliability.
N
Some of those surveyed said they had concerns about the distance electric cars could travel before having to be
w
recharged.
4 Electric cars are more expensive than conventional cars. However, their maintenance costs are lower.
5 One major Japanese car manufacturer, which produces some of the most fuel-efficient petrol-powered cars, has
recently announced that it plans to invest more heavily in electric car technology.
6 By 2025, over 40 per cent of vehicles on the road are likely to be hybrid or electric cars.
7 Hybrid and electric cars produce fewer emissions, but this may not result in a reduction in overall emissions because
the growth in car ownership over the next fifteen years is likely to accelerate.
Exercise 8
1 As people in many parts of the world now have greater access to cars, they often have more choice over where they
live and work.
2 Cities have become more sprawling because people have sought out the greater privacy and space afforded by
suburban living.
There are more vehicles, often travelling at greater speed; as a consequence, the streets are less hospitable to
w
pedestrians.
There has also been a decline in public transport; as a result, people have less day-to-day contact with other
~
members of their community.

Since most people are very dependent on their cars, they do not want to give them up.
o
Exercise 9
Suggested answer
In many parts of the world, people now have greater access to cars. Therefore, they often have more choice over where
they live and work. Cities have become more sprawling, as people have sought out the greater privacy and space
afforded by suburban living. Because there are more vehicles, often travelling at greater speed, the streets are less
hospitable to pedestrians. There has also been a decline in public transport. As a consequence, people have less day-
to-day contact with other members of their community.
Exercise 10
Suggested answer
One of the factors that distinguishes developed from developing economies is mass car ownership. Cars undoubtedly
have practical benefits for the individuals who own them. They allow for more flexible and autonomous travel. Like
other consumer items, they can be used to express individual taste and identity. However, they also clearly have a
number of undesirable consequences.
One of these consequences is deterioration in people’s health. Urban pollution, which is largely caused by vehicle
emissions, can cause respiratory problems such as asthma. These health problems are more prevalent in cities,
particularly among children and the elderly. Noise pollution caused by cars is another problem that can affect
people’s health.
Another consequence of car use is a decline in levels of physical activity and hence levels of fitness. Although this is
partly a consequence of rising prosperity generally, there is evidence that car use is responsible for lower levels of
cardiovascular fitness. The vast majority of car journeys are for less than two miles, that is, distances that can easily
Writing for IELTS

unittie
be covered on foot. In short, when people own cars, they tend to walk less, thus removing a major means by which
people maintain day-to-day fitness.
Finally, widespread car use can have a negative effect on community life. There is evidence that people who live
on streets with high volumes of traffic are less likely to know or interact with their neighbours. This too can have a
negative impact on people’s sense of well-being.
These factors alone are unlikely to discourage people from buying cars. However, more could be done to make
the public more aware of the disadvantages of car ownership. Providing alternative means of transport would
encourage people to use their cars less and enjoy some of the benefits of a car-free environment.

The table compares modes of transport used in four countries: the USA, the UK, France and the Netherlands.
Percentages of journeys made by car, bicycle, public transport and on foot are given. The bar chart shows the
results of a survey into reasons people in the USA travel to work by car.
As can be seen from the table, cars were the most frequently used form of transport in all four countries.
However, the proportion of journeys made by car ranged from a low of 47 per cent in the Netherlands to a high of
90 per cent in the USA. Figures for the other forms of transport also varied considerably. Not surprisingly, in the
Netherlands, a high proportion of trips were made by bicycle (26%) and on foot [18%). The highest rate of public
transport use was in France, where nearly one in five journeys was made by public transport.
The bar chart provides information that may help explain why car use is so high in the USA. The most frequently
cited reason was lack of any other alternative (38%). Although a sizable percentage said it was more convenient
(21%), the other factors listed appeared to relate more to need than preference, e.g. working night shift.
Overall, the figures show considerable variation in modes of transport used, though the car continues to
dominate in most contexts.

Mass car ownership clearly has a number of undesirable consequences for people’s health and fitness as well as
for the environment and community life generally. Nevertheless, owning a car is still seen as a desirable option. In
fact, the number of cars in the world today is fast approaching one billion. Although this trend may seem inexorable,
there is much that can be done to discourage unnecessary car use.
One possible approach is to make cars expensive to own and use, for example, by taxing them at the point of
purchase or annually through a road tax. Certain types of car use, for instance short journeys within already
congested cities, can also be discouraged through road pricing schemes such as that operating in London.
However, these punitive measures alone are unlikely to have a major impact unless alternative means of
transport are available.
Evidence suggests that where public transport options are plentiful, convenient and reliable, people will use
them. Inhabitants of cities such as Paris, which have invested heavily in commuter rail networks, are more likely
to use public transport than people living in cities where such networks have been allowed to deteriorate.
A less expensive and more environmentally sound option is to create a network of cycle lanes and other facilities
for cyclists, such as safe weather-proof shelters for parking bicycles. This has the additional advantage of
encouraging people to keep fit whilst allowing them the flexibility of autonomous travel. Cities in the Netherlands,
which have relatively high rates of cycling, have shown how this can work.
In brief, the trend towards rising car ownership and use need not be inexorable. People can be encouraged to
use other means of transport. However, rhetoric alone is unlikely to bring about change. Investment in practical
alternatives is what is needed above all.
Answer key 14
12 Practice test

The bar chart shows information about people’s smoking behaviour by age group in the UK. Several trends are
evident.
The highest proportion of those who have never smoked (nearly two-thirds) was in the 16 to 24 year group. The
proportion tended to decrease with age. Only 40 per cent of people aged 65 to 74 had never smoked.
On the other hand, the percentage of those who had quit smoking tended to increase with age. Only 5 per cent
of those in the youngest age group (16 to 24] were ex-smokers, as opposed to roughly 40 per cent of those aged
65t0 75.
The percentage of those classed as heavy smokers also showed a distinct pattern. People in middle age (35 to 54)
tended to be the heaviest smokers - approximately 13 per cent of the total. A relatively small proportion of those
in the youngest age group, and an even smaller percentage of those in the oldest group (roughly 3 per cent)
smoked heavily.
Overall, age appears to be a significant factor in patterns of smoking behaviour.

The issue of equality and achievement has occupied people throughout history. Some argue that because people
vary in terms of talent and initiative, inequality is inevitable. The job of the government is to ensure freedom for
each person to achieve his or her personal best. Others believe that because wealth and therefore opportunity tend
to concentrate in the hands of a few, the government must actively redistribute resources. While | believe there is
some truth in both views, the latter is likely to yield greater life satisfaction for the majority.
Societies that are very unequal in terms of income and resources are often credited with great achievements. The
United States, for example, has many successful individuals in business and science. Its universities, among the
world’s most expensive, rank among the top ten in the world and employ a disproportionately large number of
Nobel-prize winners. However, such countries also often produce many people without qualifications, and poor
prospects.
More egalitarian countries often achieve higher average rates of success. Finland and Korea, for example, which
invest heavily in free public education for all, tend to rank high in international comparisons of literacy and
numeracy rates. Although such countries do not always produce many internationally successful ‘superstars’,
they tend to have a high proportion of moderately successful people in terms of employment and income. More
importantly, they have lower rates of absolute deprivation and underachievement.
In short, if we allow freedom for individuals to achieve their potential, some inequality is inevitable. However,
success usually generates wealth, which can be passed from one generation to another resulting in inequality of
opportunity regardless of individual merit. It, therefore, makes sense for society to level the playing field.
144 wWriting for IELTS

English for Exams
If your writing skills are preventing you from getting the score
you need in |ELTS, Collins Writing for IELTS can help.
Don’t let one skill hold you back.
Develops your skills in describing Build your vocabulary with the
charts and graphs, expressing opinions topic-based vocabulary work at the
and arguing a case in an essay as start of every unit
Fpoiatir EEs Essential [ELTS vocabulary presented
Full model answers are provided using Collins COBUILD dictionary
T war explanations
Exam tips and test practice in every
unit plus a full practice paper at the Written by an experienced IELTS tutor
back of the book
ALSO AVAILABLE in the Collins English cattins 'Collins

for Exams range: Reading
- . Listening for IELTS % Speaking
Listening for IELTS for |ELTS Q\ for IELTS &%
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Speaking for IELTS | s ‘
A -'-" s
CEF level: Ideal for learners with band score 5-5.5 who are aiming for band score 6 or higher.
B1 and above Perfect for self-study or for use in the classroom.

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Collins

English for Exams

About the author

Unit Title Topic Exam focus Page number

Gender roles Family matters Understanding visual prompts; 8

Who is this book for?

Using the book for self-study

IELTS and the Common European Framework of Reference

1 Many people believe that men and women are

Many men have difficulty showing . (vulnerable)

Some people have difficulty working with female _______figures. (authoritative)

a barchart c flow chart e piechart

i comparisons iv trends vii segment

8 Writing for IELTS

a agree b consider c feel d see e view

1 How long should you spend on this task?

What is the main focus of the second body paragraph?

10 Writing for IELTS

Average weekday activities

Domestic chores 5 hours

Paid employment 7 hours

Exam Always look carefully at what flgures represenl If lhey represent

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

1 You should spend

12 Writing for IELTS

description of —In many parts of the world, there is now greater

How long is the introduction?

How many body paragraphs are there?

Question type Comment and example

14 Writing for IELTS

Part 3: Exam practice

Write at least 150 words.

1 Match the expressions 1-9 with the correct definitions a-i.

16 Writing for IELTS

There be + noun [+ in) can also be used to describe trends.

Health and fitness 17

When should you use the present perfect tense?

What other expressions can you use for future trends?

When would you use the present tense?

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030

18 Writing for IELTS

a over the next.../for the following ... 20

The percentage of children using supplements is at its highest level (1)

Health and fitness 19

i Templates are useful for training yourself to think of a range of points

20 Writing for IELTS

Schools may not have the facilities to teach cooking.

Educate children about healthy eating.

Template B: ‘Evaluate the soluti say questions

e Reduces people’s access to unhealthy foods.

Health and fitness 21

Template C: ‘Discuss your ideas’ essay questions

Ji p R ioeenalls L S If people diet too much, they

Template valuate an idea’ essay questions

Idea in the question: Koo e 5

22 Writing for IELTS

The graph shows the percentage of UK adolescents following a vegetarian diet.

Write at least 150 words.

% UK adolescents following a vegetarian diet