IELTS Writing Task 1 by Simon - Bar chart - House prices

The bar chart compares the cost of an average house in five major cities over a period of 13 years from 1989.

We can see that house prices fell overall between 1990 and 1995, but most of the cities saw rising prices between 1996 and 2002. London experienced by far the greatest changes in house prices over the 13-year period.

Over the 5 years after 1989, the cost of average homes in Tokyo and London dropped by around 7%, while New York house prices went down by 5%. By contrast, prices rose by approximately 2% in both Madrid and Frankfurt.

Between 1996 and 2002, London house prices jumped to around 12% above the 1989 average. Homebuyers in New York also had to pay significantly more, with prices rising to 5% above the 1989 average, but homes in Tokyo remained cheaper than they were in 1989. The cost of an average home in Madrid rose by a further 2%, while prices in Frankfurt remained stable. 

(165 words, written by Simon)

IELTS Writing Task 1 by Simon - Bar chart - Consumer good

The bar chart compares consumer spending on six different items in Germany, Italy, France and Britain.

It is clear that British people spent significantly more money than people in the other three countries on all six goods. Of the six items, consumers spent the most money on photographic film.

People in Britain spent just over £170,000 on photographic film, which is the highest figure shown on the chart. By contrast, Germans were the lowest overall spenders, with roughly the same figures (just under £150,000) for each of the six products.

The figures for spending on toys were the same in both France and Italy, at nearly £160,000. However, while French people spent more than Italians on photographic film and CDs, Italians paid out more for personal stereos, tennis racquets and perfumes. The amount spent by French people on tennis racquets, around £145,000, is the lowest figure shown on the chart. 

(154 words, written by Simon)

IELTS Writing Task 1 by Simon - Bar chart - Levels of participation

Levels of participation

The charts below show the levels of participation in education and science in developing and industrialised countries in 1980 and 1990.

The three bar charts show average years of schooling, numbers of scientists and technicians, and research and development spending in developing and developed countries. Figures are given for 1980 and 1990.

It is clear from the charts that the figures for developed countries are much higher than those for developing nations. Also, the charts show an overall increase in participation in education and science from 1980 to 1990.

People in developing nations attended school for an average of around 3 years, with only a slight increase in years of schooling from 1980 to 1990. On the other hand, the figure for industrialised countries rose from nearly 9 years of schooling in 1980 to nearly 11 years in 1990.

From 1980 to 1990, the number of scientists and technicians in industrialised countries almost doubled to about 70 per 1000 people. Spending on research and development also saw rapid growth in these countries, reaching $350 billion in 1990. By contrast, the number of science workers in developing countries remained below 20 per 1000 people, and research spending fell from about $50 billion to only $25 billion.

(187 words, written by Simon)

IELTS Writing Task 1 by Simon - Bar chart - Marriages and divorces

The first bar chart shows changes in the number of marriages and divorces in the USA, and the second chart shows figures for the marital status of American adults in 1970 and 2000.

It is clear that there was a fall in the number of marriages in the USA between 1970 and 2000. The majority of adult Americans were married in both years, but the proportion of single adults was higher in 2000.

In 1970, there were 2.5 million marriages in the USA and 1 million divorces. The marriage rate remained stable in 1980, but fell to 2 million by the year 2000. In contrast, the divorce rate peaked in 1980, at nearly 1.5 million divorces, before falling back to 1 million at the end of the period.

Around 70% of American adults were married in 1970, but this figure dropped to just under 60% by 2000. At the same time, the proportion of unmarried people and divorcees rose by about 10% in total. The proportion of widowed Americans was slightly lower in 2000.

(174 words, written by Simon)

IELTS Writing Task 2: There is a general increase in anti-social behaviours and lack of respect for others. What are the causes and solutions?

TOPIC: There is a general increase in anti-social behaviours and lack of respect for others. What are the causes and solutions?

ANSWER:

The widespread problem of anti-social behaviours and disrespectful attitudes towards others has long been a major topic of concern in society. Some of the major culprits of this problem will be discussed before the most important solutions are drawn.

Reasons for this alarming situation vary. In some cases, people may hold an anti-social attitude or disrespect others because they live in an environment where violence and discrimination are the norms. For example, children of sexist parents in rural families in Vietnam, irrespective of their gender, show a worrying tendency of disrespecting women. In some other cases, it is the lack of parental guidance that is to blame. As modern parents are becoming increasingly busy with their jobs, they may have the proclivity to be indifferent to children education. When there is no one to help young children distinguish between the good and the bad, ill-mannered attitudes may emerge and develop among them without being controlled.

A number of definite actions could be taken to mitigate the problem. On the national level, the first obvious solution is to reduce violence and discrimination. As this would be a massive act, the all voters and legislators should be responsible. Together, they could call for stricter enforcement of the laws on violent and discriminatory acts to deter them from happening. In addition, on the nuclear-family level, parents must not underestimate the significance of their guidance for children. If they notice any signs of an anti-social or insolent manner in children, they must provide them with negative evaluations of these signs. At the same time, parents could also educate their children about social manners by instilling a pro-social sense in them. These actions, albeit small, could have a strong influence on children when they mature.

To conclude, it is clear that violence, discrimination and the indifference of parents to children education are the major catalysts for increase in anti-social behaviours and disrespect for others. Strong measures, such as stringent law enforcement on violent and discriminatory acts, must be taken to alleviate this distressing situation.

338 words, written by Tu Pham, Head Teacher at www.ippielts.com

IELTS Writing Task 2: The government and individuals are spending too much money on national celebrations like new year or festivals. Do you agree or disagree?

TOPIC: The government and individuals are spending too much money on national celebrations like new year or festivals. Do you agree or disagree?

ANSWER:

People have different views about whether public expenditure on national occasions such as new year or festivals is too much nowadays. While I agree that governments and individuals are spending a significant amount of money on those celebrations, I would argue that this activity is necessary and therefore can be considered acceptable.

It is true that a large amount of money is currently spent on some important celebrations of a country. Firstly, governments are spending a proportion of their budget on holding events to celebrate these occasions. For example, much money is being paid for fireworks on New Year's eve in many countries around the world. Secondly, individuals also spend money to have celebrations and parties with their families, which is a common habit in many areas. For instance, my parents and I often have a special dinner on the final day of every year.

However, I believe there are great benefits of public spending on national celebrations, and therefore it is completely justifiable. The first advantage is that this is a great way to preserve the culture of a nation. To illustrate, Lunar New Year is an important part of the Vietnamese culture, and holding celebrations for this occasion is necessary to remind younger generations of this tradition. Additionally, since these occasions are usually the only times for family members to have time and enjoy together, it is understandable that people would want to spend money on something that makes them happy. Finally, as there are only a few national celebrations in a year, the amount of money spent on those days is unlikely to be too much.

In conclusion, I disagree with the idea that people and governments are spending too much money on national occasions.

(288 words, by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing task 2: Too much emphasis is placed on going university for academic education. People should be encouraged to do vocational training, because there is a lack of qualified tradespeople such as electricians or plumbers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

TOPIC:
Too much emphasis is placed on going university for academic education. People should be encouraged to do vocational training, because there is a lack of qualified tradespeople such as electricians or plumbers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

ANSWER:

It goes without saying that society always needs a skilled workforce to function. Employees of different professions contribute different to the thriving of the community, and therefore I disagree with the statement that vocational courses should be given anymore weight than before.

There is no doubt that many people consider taking tertiary education instead of a vocational training program to prepare for their future. It is universally accepted that knowledge and qualifications gained from university can help one to have a head start over other candidates when it come to job hunting. In Vietnam, for instance, a majority of high school graduates are content to spend fours to five years more studying at a university with the hope for a bright career ahead. This results in a lack of skilled manual workers such as plumber and electricians in society.

However, if we encourage more people to become blue-collar workers, then there will be a shortage a while-collar workers who may otherwise create more wealth for society. For example, few engineers would mean lower productivity; a dearth of scientists may inhibit scientific discoveries which can provide us with a better life in the future. In contrast, those doing blue-collar jobs may face redundancy when too many applicants complete for the same position. An unbalanced workforce might, therefore, hold society back from development in the long term.

In conclusion, the workforce will adjust itself to carter for the need of the community. If there are too many engineer than necessary, some will take vocational courses to become tradespeople to avoid unemployment.

(260 words, written by Thay Vinh IELTS)

IELTS Writing Task 1 by Simon - Car ownership

The graph below gives information about car ownership in Britain from 1971 to 2007.

The graph shows changes in the number of cars ______ household in Great Britain ______ a period of 36 years.

Overall, car ownership in Britain increased ______ 1971 and 2007. In particular, the number of households with two cars rose, while the number of households ______ a car fell.

In 1971, ______ half of all British households did not have regular use of a car. Around 44% of households had one car, but only about 7% had two cars. It was uncommon for families to own three or more cars, ______ around 2% of households falling into this category.

The one-car household was the most common type from the late 1970’s ______, although there was little change in the ______ for this category. The biggest change was seen in the proportion of households without a car, which fell steadily over the 36-year period ______ around 25% in 2007. In contrast, the proportion of two-car families rose steadily, reaching about 26% in 2007, and the proportion of households with more than two cars rose ______ around 5%.

Fill the gaps in the essay with the following words:

almost, to, figures, per, between, by, over, with, without, onwards

(Source: ielts-simon.com)

IELTS Writing Task 1 by Simon - Water consumption

The graph and table below give information about water use worldwide and water consumption in two different countries.

The charts compare the amount of water used for agriculture, industry and homes around the world, and water use in Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is clear that global water needs rose significantly between 1900 and 2000, and that agriculture accounted for the largest proportion of water used. We can also see that water consumption was considerably higher in Brazil than in the Congo.

In 1900, around 500km³ of water was used by the agriculture sector worldwide. The figures for industrial and domestic water consumption stood at around one fifth of that amount. By 2000, global water use for agriculture had increased to around 3000km³, industrial water use had risen to just under half that amount, and domestic consumption had reached approximately 500km³.

In the year 2000, the populations of Brazil and the Congo were 176 million and 5.2 million respectively. Water consumption per person in Brazil, at 359m³, was much higher than that in the Congo, at only 8m³, and this could be explained by the fact that Brazil had 265 times more irrigated land.

(184 words, band 9)

Source: ielts-simon.com

IELTS Writing Task 1 by Simon - Line Graph - UK acid rain emission

The graph below shows UK acid rain emissions, measured in millions of tones, from four different sectors between 1990 and 2007.

I've made the following essay into a gap-fill exercise.

The line graph compares four sectors in ______ of the amount of acid rain emissions that they produced over a period of 17 years in the UK.

It is clear that the total amount of acid rain emissions in the UK ______ ______ between 1990 and 2007. The most ______ decrease was seen in the electricity, gas and water supply sector.

In 1990, around 3.3 million tones of acid rain emissions came from the electricity, gas and water sector. The transport and communication sector was ______ for about 0.7 million tones of emissions, while the domestic sector ______ around 0.6 million tones. Just over 2 million tones of acid rain gases came from other industries.

Emissions from electricity, gas and water supply fell dramatically to only 0.5 million tones in 2007, a ______ of almost 3 million tones. While acid rain gases from the domestic sector and other industries fell gradually, the transport sector ______ a small increase in emissions, ______ a peak of 1 million tones in 2005.

Fill the gaps using these words:

produced, reaching fell, responsible, saw, considerably, terms, drop, dramatic

(source: ielts-simon.com)

IELTS Writing Task 1, Written by Simon - Line Graph - International migration in UK

 International migration in UK

The chart gives information about UK immigration, emigration and net migration between 1999 and 2008.

Both immigration and emigration rates rose over the period shown, but the figures for immigration were significantly higher. Net migration peaked in 2004 and 2007.

In 1999, over 450,000 people came to live in the UK, while the number of people who emigrated stood at just under 300,000. The figure for net migration was around 160,000, and it remained at a similar level until 2003. From 1999 to 2004, the immigration rate rose by nearly 150,000 people, but there was a much smaller rise in emigration. Net migration peaked at almost 250,000 people in 2004.

After 2004, the rate of immigration remained high, but the number of people emigrating fluctuated. Emigration fell suddenly in 2007, before peaking at about 420,000 people in 2008. As a result, the net migration figure rose to around 240,000 in 2007, but fell back to around 160,000 in 2008.

(159 words, written by Simon)

Source: ielts-simon.com

IELTS Writing Task 1 by Simon - Line Graph - Internet Users as percentage of population

Internet Users as percentage of population

The line graph compares the percentage of people in three countries who used the Internet between 1999 and 2009.

It is clear that the proportion of the population who used the Internet increased in each country over the period shown. Overall, a much larger percentage of Canadians and Americans had access to the Internet in comparison with Mexicans, and Canada experienced the fastest growth in Internet usage.

In 1999, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA was about 20%. The figures for Canada and Mexico were lower, at about 10% and 5% respectively. In 2005, Internet usage in both the USA and Canada rose to around 70% of the population, while the figure for Mexico reached just over 25%.

By 2009, the percentage of Internet users was highest in Canada. Almost 100% of Canadians used the Internet, compared to about 80% of Americans and only 40% of Mexicans.

(151 words, written by Simon)

Source: ielts-simon.com

IELTS Writing Task 2: The consumption of the world's resources (oil, and water etc.) is increasing at a dangerous rate. What are causes and solutions?

TOPIC: The consumption of the world's resources (oil, and water etc.) is increasing at a dangerous rate. What are causes and solutions?

ANSWER 1:

The accelerating rate of natural resources consumption has been a major topic of concern in recent years. As some factors are likely to trigger this alarming trend, a number of drastic measures can be employed to slow down the pace.

Perhaps it is the key role of natural resources in boosting economic growth and the heavy reliance on natural resources that accompany each other to create this dire situation. Today, precious commodities from nature such as gas, oil and coal still remain crucial to the operation of a country as transport and industries would grind to a halt without the energy and fuel generated from these resources. In emerging economies which are striving to rise, the demands for resources are certainly on the increase. The dependence on natural resources is also to blame as it is easier to exploit them from nature than developing and converting to sustainable alternatives such as wind and solar energy, which requires many years and great determination to produce changes on a large scale.

In order to alleviate the existing problem, there are some feasible solutions. One step to be mentioned is that the authority should impose higher taxes on the use of natural resources to deter further consumption. On the other hand, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power can be developed to substitute fossil fuels in transport and manufacture. Lastly, governmental campaigns need to be launched to make individuals acknowledge the risks of overusing natural resources through the mass media.

In conclusion, the overuse of the world’s resources may result in severe consequences, threatening the environment and many people’s life, and strong measures must be implemented to tackle this situation.

(279 words - Bao Nguyen)

ANSWER 2:

The overconsumption of natural resources has evolved as a major topic of concern in recent years. This alarming trend is caused by a few factors, and it must be addressed by a number of definite actions.

The increasingly high level of exploitation of natural resources could be ascribed to a number of reasons. The most obvious reason is the tremendous demand for resources in developing countries, such as China and Brazil. The citizens of these countries are becoming increasingly wealthy, and they may now afford a living standard that is associated with a higher level of resource consumption. A clear example of this is the widespread use of cars among tens of millions of middle-income Chinese nationals, which may have contributed substantially to the burning of oil on a global scale. Besides, the over-dependence on natural resources, such as fossil fuels, is another significant reason to consider. In Vietnam, for example, the majority of electricity is generated in thermal power stations, in which a vast amount of coal is the burnt on a daily basis.

Some measures can be taken to mitigate the problem of over-consuming Earth’s resources. The most practical measure at the moment is to reduce the demand for resources in developing countries. This can be done by mass-producing energy-efficient products, such as hybrid cars, and selling these items at a low price to citizens of these nations. If such a measure is implemented, these people may still benefit from the modern living standard without over-consuming natural resources. Besides, the most sustainable solution is to lower the reliance on natural resources by taking advantage of alternative sources. For instance, wind and tidal power in the Netherlands, nuclear power in Japan and solar power in the United States have all proven their efficiency in energy production. These forms of energy should be used in other parts of the world as well, to minimise the global dependence on fossil fuels.

All the existing data provides a concrete foundation that the overexploitation of natural resources derives from the strong demand in developing countries and the over-reliance on these types of resources. Strong measures, such as reducing the aforementioned demand and making use of alternative energy sources, must be implemented to tackle this situation.

372 word, written by Tu Pham, Head teacher at IPP IELTS

IELTS Writing Task 2: Whether or not someone achieve their aims is mostly by a question of luck. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

TOPIC: Whether or not someone achieve their aims is mostly by a question of luck. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

ANSWER:

The debated whether luck is the primary determinant of success in achieving targets has been heated constantly. My position is that hard work and determination are far more important than luck, while luck must not be considered as the main precursor of the attainment of one’s goals.

I advocate the notion that the role of being industrious and determined is more significant than luck. Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors in the 20th century, is an excellent example of such a notion. He conducted numerous experiments with the filament until the finest light bulb was produced; and his hard work, rather than luck, was acknowledged by all the human race. Another clear evidence of this notion is the case of Nguyen Ngoc Ky. This disabled man could not write by hand, but he was determined enough to teach himself to write by foot. The fact that he would then became one of the greatest teachers in the history of education in Vietnam provides a concrete foundation that even with bad luck, determination could result in goal achievement.

By contrast, I believe the saying that fortune has a major part to play is just a fallacy. One clear reason is that although there may have been a number of people reaching their goals with good luck, such good luck in most cases only comes to people who have worked hard. Take Mendeleev as an example. As a research chemist, he worked tirelessly for a few decades, until one day in his dream, the complete arrangement of the elements appeared. The appearance of this arrangement could be ascribed to luck, but no one could deny the extreme effort that Mendeleev had exerted. Another clear reason for my belief is that luck could only lead people to short-term achievements, and there is nothing to ascertain that it would continue to exist in the long run. The over-reliance on good fortune, as a result, would prevent people from achieving their long-term or life-long aims.

In brief, I think the importance of luck in determining goal attainment is overstated, while there are much more significant factors to consider, namely hard work and determination.

(359 words, written by Tu Pham, Head Teacher at IPP Ielts)

IELTS Speaking part 2 - Describe a film

Cue card:
Describe a film that you would like to see in the future.
You should say:
- What the film is called
- What it is about
- How you heard about this film
and why you would like to see it

Answer 

1. What the film is called

I would like to talk about Avatar 2 film, which is a sequel film from Avatar. Avatar 2 is a science fiction film directed by an accomplished director, James Cameron and starring by couple of famous Actors. “Avatar” itself is derived from a genetic engineering creature from other planet inhabitant that can control by human mind.

2. What it is about

I suppose that it will be the same story with previous Avatar film, the Avatar 2 from the news that I’ve ever read will focus on how human colonize a habitable planet named Pandora in order to mine a rare mineral. I guess the story still about how human interact with a local tribe of Pandora named Navi, which sometimes it cause conflict and wars between them.

3. How you heard about this film

I actually big fan of Avatar film, I really want to know how film development especially from internet. I read several website how the director delayed the film production a year ago, I quite feel sad to hear that.

4. Why you would like to see it

This film is interest me because this film will display best special effect and an unimaginable beautiful scene from another planet. And also the story is quite interesting, because I still wonder how human can survive in different planet with full of unexpected animal and humanoid people.

IELTS Writing Task 2 - responsibilities of businesses

As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. Do you agree or disagree?

People have different views about what kinds of obligation a company should have. While I accept that the top priority of companies is to generate profits, I believe they should also have social responsibilities.

On the one hand, I believe businesses already contribute to society by simply focusing on making money. The first reason is that when companies earn much profits, they can expand their businesses, which creates more job opportunities for people. Some big multinational corporations such as Apple or Microsoft can be a great illustration. They have been employing hundreds of thousands of individuals around the world, which helps to reduce unemployment rates in many countries. Additionally, when companies make higher profits, they will pay more taxes for the government. This money can be used to invest in important fields such as education or health care, which will benefit society as a whole.

On the other hand, I would argue that apart from making money, companies also need to have social responsibilities. Firstly, since the rising number of factories these days has led to serious environmental damage, companies need to take immediate actions to help protect the natural environment. For example, they could try new technologies to recycle their wastes instead of disposing of them right away. Secondly, corporations should also consider helping those who are less fortunate such as homeless or disabled citizens. This will contribute to better society and also help to enhance the image of the company or the brand.

In conclusion, although companies should prioritise the need to make profits, I believe they should also have social responsibilities.

(264 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - People do not feel safe

People today do not feel safe either at home or when they are out. What are the causes? What are the solutions?

People currently feel unsafe either when they stay at home or go out on the streets. This problem is caused by some factors, and it should be dealt with by some effective solutions.

There are some reasons why people now have to face serious risks no matter where they are. Firstly, due to climate change that is happening all around the world, people might face the danger of natural disasters even when they are at home. For example, in Japan, earthquakes and tsunamis occur every year, and many people have been killed during those events. Secondly, when being out on the streets, individuals are usually exposed to different types of pollution such as noise or air pollution. This might negatively affect people’s health and can even lead to fatal consequences.

Feasible solutions should be produced to tackle these aforementioned problems so that people would feel safer. The first measure would be to develop new technologies that can help minimise or prevent the damages caused by natural disasters. For instance, scientists have come up with machines that can forecast the occurrence of earthquakes. Additionally, it is necessary to reduce noise and air pollution on the streets. This can be done by encouraging citizens to use public transport in order to limit the levels of noise and exhausted fumes caused by private vehicles.

In conclusion, there are some reasons why people today usually do not have the feeling of safety either at home or when they are out, and some measures could be taken to solve this problem.

(256 words, by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - a negative attitude towards studying

Many young people who leave school hold a negative attitude towards learning. Why does this happen? What are the solutions?

An increasing number of school leavers are currently having a negative attitude towards studying. This problem is caused by some factors, and it should be tackled by some effective solutions.

There are some reasons why young people who leave school dislike learning. Firstly, the school curriculum is usually too demanding. Apart from attending lectures, students are also required to complete a large number of assignments and group projects, so they might feel stressed and exhausted after studying intensely. Gradually, they are against learning. Secondly, students often have to learn many unnecessary subjects that do not provide any benefits for their future. For example, when studying History, learners must memorise events in the past although they cannot apply this sort of knowledge into earning money later on. As a result, high school education might be considered a waste of time.

Fortunately, some measures could be taken to prevent this problem. The first solution would be to make lessons more interesting. For instance, visual aids such as video clips should be added in order to attract learners’ attention. Therefore, studying would become a hobby rather than an obligation, and students would have greater motivation to learn. Secondly, lessons that are not necessary should be cut down, and schools should only provide knowledge that students can apply in their future career. When the number of non-essential subjects is reduced and the school syllabus becomes more practical, learners would really see the benefits of education.

In conclusion, school leavers tend to have a negative attitude towards learning because of some reasons, and solutions should be produced soon to tackle this issue.

(267 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - weight & health of people

In some countries the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing.

What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?

People around the world are currently getting more obese, and they also have to face with increasing health problems. There are some factors leading to this, and effective solutions should be produced soon to prevent this issue.

To begin with, there are several elements that cause health deterioration. Firstly, individuals these days tend to eat too much fast food. This kind of food is extremely convenient and time-saving, so people increasingly consume fast food despite knowing its harmful effects. As a result, those diners who eat an excessive amount of fast food are more likely to suffer from obesity or diabetes. Secondly, young people often lack physical activities due to their limited free time. In this modern life, everyone is busy working and therefore does not have enough time for exercises.

However, some feasible measures could be used to tackle this problem. First, the government should limit the amount of fast food consumed. This can be done by increasing tax rates on selling fast food or running advertising campaigns to raise people’s awareness. The quality of fast food restaurants must also be controlled by the authorities. Furthermore, citizens should be encouraged to exercise more. The government needs to invest more money on constructing sports facilities or holding sports competitions for non-professionals. For example, office workers might have more incentive to play sports if they can win money from taking part in competitions.

In conclusion, the health of people is getting worse because of some reasons, and there should be some possible solutions for this serious problem.

(254 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Take care of children

Nowadays, many families have both parents working. Some working parents believe other family members like grandparents can take care of their children, while others think childcare centres provide the best care. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Currently, many parents tend to be busy working, and they need to rely on someone else to take care of their offspring. While some people think childcare organisations can offer the best care, I would argue that it is better for children to be looked after by their grandparents.

On the one hand, it is believed that youngsters should be sent to childcare centres for some reasons. The first one is that since those centres are professional organisations, their staff are often well trained and therefore have good babysitting skills. For example, when a child falls over and gets himself injured, a staff can react quickly and give him first aid. Furthermore, children can have a chance to make friends with their peers when coming there, which might increase their communication and language abilities. If they are looked after by their family at home, they might feel a bit lonely.

On the other hand, I believe it is a better idea for grandparents to take care of their grandchildren. Firstly, as grandparents have lived for many years and have brought up their own offspring, they have much experience in raising children. For instance, they might know how to calm the baby down when he cries. Secondly, grandparents are family members, so they love their grandchildren more than other people do. As a result, they tend to spend much more time and effort caring for their grandchildren compared to a childcare staff. Finally, youngsters looked after by their grandparents are likely to become more family-oriented and appreciate the value of a happy family.

In conclusion, while there are some benefits of children being sent to childcare centres, I believe they should be raised by their own grandparents.

(286 words, written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - improve industrial skills/ promote education

Some people believe that developing countries should concentrate on improving industrial skills whereas others argue that these countries should promote education first. Discuss the both viewpoints and give your own opinion.

People have different views about whether developing countries should focus on enhancing industrial skills or education. While there are some benefits of improving working skills, I would argue that education should be the top priority of these nations.

There are several reasons why industrial skills should be improved. Firstly, since developing countries often lack workers with specialised ability, the governments of these countries should invest more in training and enhancing working skills to provide sufficient work force. For example, in Vietnam, there are currently very few people who work in the automobile manufacturing industry, so it is necessary to increase the number of workers in this field. Secondly, when workers' practical skills are improved, the productivity of factories would be enhanced. As a result, more goods with higher qualities would be produced, which generates more money for the whole nation.

However, I believe promoting education would lead to a more stable growth for developing countries. The first reason is that since education provides basic knowledge for people, it is likely to assist in the development of other industries. For instance, education can help scientists to come up with new technologies, which allows workers to produce modern devices such as smart phones. The second benefit of improving the education system is that this would produce good citizens. Being well educated, people would be more likely to have good behaviour such as obeying the law, and this contributes to the development of the entire society. If inadequate attention is paid to education, the growth of countries will only be short-term.

In conclusion, I think developing countries should concentrate more on enhancing education because it will bring about stable and long-term developments.

(279 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Increase the minimum legal age for drivers and motorbike users

Some people think that the best way to ensure road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving cars or riding motorbikes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some individuals argue that raising the minimum legal age for driving cars or riding motorbikes is the most effective method of increasing road safety. While I accept that this policy is good in some ways, I believe there are better measures to reduce traffic accidents.

To begin with, I believe it is a good idea to increase the minimum age required for driving. Firstly, when people are young, they are usually less mature and less responsible with their manners, so they might not be aware of the importance of following the rules. Therefore, it is reasonable to ban them from travelling on the street to prevent them from breaking the law and causing accidents. Secondly, as older people are more experienced, they can know how to react quickly to handle dangerous situations on the road, while younger ones might not be able to. To illustrate, if the brakes of a car suddenly stop working, a young driver might panic, and accidents are more likely to occur.

However, I would argue that there are better methods of ensuring road safety. The first one is to have stricter punishments for driving offenders. For example, people who break traffic rules should be required to pay huge fines or be banned permanently from commuting on the street. This makes commuters more likely to respect the law, and traffic accidents can be reduced. Another solution is to encourage people to use public transport rather than private vehicles. This can be done by reducing the price and increasing the frequency of buses and tubes to make it more convenient for users.

In conclusion, I believe apart from increasing the legal age for driving, there are more effective ways to make sure that travelling on the street is safe for everyone.

(294 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Giving birth later in life

Nowadays, more and more people decide to have children later in their life. What are the reasons? What are the effects on society and family life?

Many people currently decide not to have babies when they are young and wait until they get older instead. There are some reasons for this tendency, and it could have some impacts on family life as well as society.

To begin with, there are several reasons why a number of individuals want to have children later in their life. Firstly, this choice allows them to have more time to enjoy life when they are young. For instance, it is easier for a young couple to travel when they do not have a baby to nurture. Secondly, people who are at the early stage of their career usually have lower income compared to when they are older. Therefore, many people decide to start raising a family after having accumulated enough money to ensure a better life for their children.

However, this tendency might bring about some negative effects on both family life and society. The first impact is that having children later will cause a significant age gap between two generations. This makes it harder for parents to understand and communicate with their offspring. Additionally, if people give birth when they are too old, the babies being born might be less physically healthy. This might adversely affect the quality of the future workforce if too many people decide to follow this trend.

In conclusion, there are some reasons why many people prefer to have children later in their life, and this tendency can result in some negative impacts on both family life and society.

(253 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Access information online/ Libraries

Students today can easily access information online, so libraries are no longer necessary. Do you agree or disagree?

Students are currently able to acquire information on the Internet in a much easier way than in the past. While I accept that online sources of information have advantages over traditional libraries, I would argue that there is still a great need for libraries in today's world.

It is true that accessing information online has several clear benefits. The first one is that online sources can store a huge amount of information that is greater than any physical library. This allows researchers to easily get the information they need without having to travel to a local library. Furthermore, students can look for information on the Internet whenever they want, while most libraries can only be visited during several hours per day. As a result, it might be better for those who are busy to utilise online information sources.

However, I believe that physical libraries still have special features that online sources can never replace. Firstly, libraries usually provide quiet areas, which is a great environment for students to learn and research since they are less likely to be distracted by things around them. For example, some of my university friends claim that they can only concentrate when they are in a quiet study area in my university library. Secondly, since everyone can easily write and post information on the Internet, these online sources are not always reliable for research. Therefore, we need libraries whose staff members have the responsibility to select and provide readers with the most credible materials.

In conclusion, while I agree that there are great benefits of getting information on the Internet, I disagree with the idea that traditional libraries are no longer important.

(277 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Travel to remote natural environment

It is now possible for scientists and tourists to travel to remote natural environment, such as the South Pole. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

As technology has developed, people can now travel to remote natural areas. While there are some advantages of this trend, I would argue that its disadvantages are more significant.

On the one hand, visiting isolated natural places has some benefits. Firstly, this is a newer and more interesting type of travelling. Going to other cities or countries has been too common for most people, so it might be more exciting for them to explore new places such as the South Pole or the Amazon rainforest. This gives them valuable experiences and unforgettable memories. Secondly, when visiting remote areas, people, especially scientists, might acquire more knowledge about the natural habitat. For example, when coming to the North Pole, scientists can learn about the life of polar bears which live far away from humans.

On the other hand, I believe there are great drawbacks of this development. The first one is that travelling to remote natural areas can be risky if the travellers are not sufficiently prepared. For instance, the temperature at the South Pole is usually very low, which adversely affects people's health. Travelling to forests can also be dangerous as people have to face the risk of being attacked by wild animals. Also, since visiting isolated places often requires a large amount of investment in researching and ensuring the safety of travellers, the costs of travelling tend to be high. Therefore, it seems like only scientists and rich people can afford this activity, so this development is likely to benefit only a small group of individuals.

In conclusion, I believe the disadvantages of people being able to travel to remote areas outweigh its advantages, and this is a negative development.

(280 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Controls noise

Some people think that there should be some strict controls about noise. Others think that they could just make as much noise as they want. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Answer

The problem of noise pollution is currently increasing in the modern society. While some individuals believe the levels of noise being created should be strictly controlled, I would argue that people should have the right to produce noise if they want to.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why the government should control the amount of noise produced. The first reason is that too much noise can significantly affect people's health. Living in a place that is too noisy can cause problems such as headaches, which can decrease the health levels of people, especially old ones. Additionally, noise can disturb people's work or study. For example, a university student will not be able to concentrate on his preparation for exams if his neighbours keep singing too loud.

On the other hand, I believe people can make as much noise as they want because of some reasons. Firstly, producing noise is sometimes considered a type of recreational activities. For instance, singing or cheering for a football club can be relaxing, and everyone has the right to do those things. Secondly, as the world is becoming more modern, people have found ways to deal with the problem of noise. Scientists have invented walls and windows that can block out the noise, which allows individuals to focus on their work without being disturbed. Therefore, the problem of noise can be reduced and there is no need for people to keep quiet.

In conclusion, while there are reasons why the levels of noise should be limited, I believe people should have the right to make noise.

 (264 words, Written by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Developments of technology

Developments in technology have brought various environmental problems. Some believe that people need to live simpler lives to solve environmental problems. Others, however, believe technology is the way to solve these problems. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Answer

The improvements in technology currently bring about harmful effects on the environment. While some people believe having simpler lives is the only solution, I would argue that technological advances can help to tackle these environmental problems.

On the one hand, it is believed that individuals need to live simple lives and rely less on technology. The first suggestion is that people should walk or cycle rather than drive cars. This is because the current number of cars being manufactured and used is increasing, which causes high levels of exhausted fumes and makes air pollution become serious. Additionally, people should try to reduce their consumption of electricity so that the exploitation of natural resources such as fossil fuels or nuclear power can be minimised. An example of this idea is the annual event called Earth Hour where everyone is asked to turn their lights off for sixty minutes.

On the other hand, I believe the developments of technology can greatly contribute to environmental protection. Firstly, because of those improvements, people are able to come up with ways to recycle materials such as paper or glass, which reduces the problem of waste disposal. Secondly, technology can also help to create electricity using renewable resources. For example, many countries in the world have built plants that utilise solar energy to generate power. As a result, it is not necessary to rely on non-renewable resources, and people can create electricity without significantly damaging the environment.

In conclusion, while some people think that they should live simpler lives to prevent environmental issues, I would argue that these problems can be dealt with by technological improvements.

(270 words, by IELTS Quang Thắng)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Online Shopping

In some countries, online shopping is replacing shopping in stores. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

Answer:

Currently, people are increasingly doing their shopping on the Internet instead of going to stores. I personally believe this tendency has both positive and negative effects, which will be discussed below.

On the one hand, there are some benefits of online shopping. Firstly, it is a quicker and cheaper way to shop since people can buy products at home without having to go to stores or shopping malls. For example, Amazon and eBay are two popular websites that provide a huge number of different products, and customers can visit those sites and make purchases easily, which allows them to save time and the costs of travelling. Secondly, online shopping allows people to have a wider range of choices as they can compare different brands and products. For instance, buyers can easily compare the shoes of Converse and Adidas, while it is difficult to do that at physical stores.

On the other hand, online shopping can be negative in several ways. The first drawback is that customers cannot try products before making a purchase. For example, a girl cannot try wearing a dress to see if it fits her body. Furthermore, products sold online are often less reliable, and the product that people finally get delivered to their house might have a poorer quality than expected. Finally, because online shopping is easier and cheaper, people tend to buy too much, which would lead to a large waste of money. This is less likely to happen if shopping in stores is more popular.

In conclusion, I believe the fact that shopping on the Internet is replacing shopping in physical stores is both positive and negative.

(273 words, Written by Quang Thắng)

( Source: IELTS Quang Thắng )

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a plant

Describe a plant grown in your country. You should say:
- what the plant is
- where it is grown
- why you like or dislike it
- and explain why it is important to your country.

Sample Answer:
I would like to talk about a coffee tree which is grown more in Dac Lak and Tay Nguyen provinces in the South of Vietnam.

Generally, its average height is from 8 to 15 meters.A coffee tree has small thick dark green leaves.it also has small oval fruits which are to produce coffee beans preferred by many parts in the World.

I like coffee tree because it has many benefits for human beings.First of all, coffee flour helps people get over tiredness and concentrate on their works.Secondly, by dint of drinking cafe, they also enhance their memories.Although, price of it is quite expensive; however, I think that " best is cheapest".So I often spend my money on buying cafe.I get used to drinking cafe in the early morning.It helps me have an effective day.

Coffee tree is an important tree in my country.My nation is the second coffee exporter in the world, only behind Brazil that helps my country get more benefits to develop our economy. Besides, that also makes more jobs to more than 2 million people to increase standard of living. So, coffee tree plays an necessity part in my country.

IELTS Speaking Part 2 - Describe a mobile phone

• Describe something you bought recently.
• Describe a gift you gave or received.
• Describe something you own which is important to you.

Sample Answer: 

I'm going to describe my mobile phone. I bought it in a mobile shop 3 years ago. It's an iPhone 4S, white color and look thin. 

I use the phone to keep in touch with my friends and family, for communication by voice, text and email. It has various features like video, MP3 player, wireless Internet, digital camera and games.It's easy to share photos and music. I use it for almost everything, it even has a calendar that reminds me about appointments. 

My phone is an essential part of my life. It holds my contacts, my photos, my music collection. I've got instant access to my favourite websites. It's like having my whole life in my pocket. I couldn't live without it.

(Source: IELTS Simon)

IELTS Speaking Test - Part I - Reading

1, Is reading books important being going to sleep?

I guess it depends. Some people find it helpful to read before going to bed because reading makes it easier for them to fall asleep. But to some others, book provoke thoughts which will, as a result, keeping them from sleeping, so they don’t apopt this bed time habit.

2, What is the best time for reading? Why?

I personally think that there is neither good time nor bad time for reading. As long as people have some unoccupied time and are in the mood for reading a book, they should go for it. If someone reads only because that’s how he is supposed to spend time, it’s not as much fun and productive.

3, What do you like to read? Why?

I read a wide range of books because I would like to expand my knowledge in different areas. I normally choose what to read based on how I feel, or, to be precise, how I would like to feel. For example, if I want to feel motivated and energetic, my choice would probably be a self-help book. 

(Source: IELTS Trang Bui)

IELTS Speaking Test - Part 1 - Friendship

- Do you have a close friend?

I do. Her name is Hang. She is my roommate. We have a lot in common and I can relate to her in so many ways. We enjoy each other’s company a lot.

- When did you meet him/her?

It was back in 2012. I was sharing a room with another friend but she moved out with her boyfriend, so I decided to posted an ad on the internet looking for a new roommate. Hang saw the ad and gave me a call. We clicked right away.

- Do you prefer having a few close friends or a lot of just friends?

Although it could be fun to have a large circle of friends, I’d rather have a few close friends because we get to be able to spend more time with each other and develop more meaningful relationships.

(Source: IELTS Trang Bui )