Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

(Sample IELTS Essay)

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Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Discuss this question with a partner

Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Discuss this question with a partner

Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Discuss this question with a partner

Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Discuss this question with a partner

Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Discuss this question with a partner

Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Discuss this question with a partner

Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Below are two different sample answers.  What is the difference between them?

International sporting events have become extremely popular in recent years. For instance, millions of people either attended the 2006 Football World Cup or watched it on television. To a large extent, these types of events help ease international tensions and give people the opportunity to show their patriotism safely. First of all, despite occasional fights between opposing supporters at international matches, sports events can improve international relations. For instance, the 2006 World Cup, which was held in Germany, was regarded as a success in this respect. Supporters from all over the world visited Germany on this occasion and interacted with supporters of traditional rivals in a positive way. For example, the followers of the US and Russian teams were able to enjoy this event together, without concern for the political differences between the two countries. This shows that major international sporting events can reduce tensions between rival nations. Additionally, although patriotic displays sometimes incite violence, international sports events also allow patriotism to be demonstrated in a harmless way. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, supporters of various nations arrived at the stadium decked out in their national colours. This display of patriotism added to the spectacle of the Games and their enthusiastic cheering gave each event a very exciting atmosphere. The same kind of thing has happened at events in my country. For example, Cambodia held the Asian National Football Qualifiers in 2008. At this event, many of my compatriots cheered for the national team at the stadium, but did so in a friendly manner. The above examples make it clear that international sports events do allow people to behave safely in a patriotic way.        In conclusion, sport can help improve relations between people of different nationalities significantly and allow people to show their patriotic emotions safely.

International sporting events have become extremely popular in recent years. For instance, millions of people either attended the 2006 Football World Cup or watched it on television. Some people feel that these types of events can lead to violence and increase international tensions, while others believe they improve relations between countries and allow people to express their patriotic feelings safely.  First of all, some sports events can make international relations worse. For instance, tensions sometimes overflow during football or baseball games between Korea and Japan. Sometimes, after the matches, the supporters of each team fight. This is an example of displaying patriotism in a dangerous way. Another disturbing scenario is that some Korean players who play for Japanese club sides may suffer subtle discrimination after international games. For example, a player may have to sit on the bench, while a less skilful Japanese player is given game time. On the other hand, the World Cup, Olympics and other international games can help ease tensions among different nations. For example, South and North Korea have football games regularly which give the two nations a chance to improve relations.  In the mid 1990s, hundreds of North Korean supporters came to South Korea with to support their national football team. Many South Koreans were quite surprised to see North Koreans displaying a lot of emotion in supporting their team. South Koreans all realized that their counterparts were ordinary people, just like them. Games such as this help the two divided nations to reduce their political and ideological tension and enable fans to display patriotism safely. In conclusion, despite occasional problems, international sporting occasions usually help ease international tensions and give people the opportunity to show their patriotism safely.

Which essay is two sided?  Which essay is one sided?

Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

“To what extent do you agree or disagree?” 

• This question can be answered with a two-sided or one-sided essay.

·         If you choose a one-sided format, use modals (and make concessions) so that you don’t overstate your argument.

Paragraph 1: State the degree to which you agree / disagree (not 100%) Paragraph 2: Can ease international tensions…For example,  Paragraph 3: Release patriotic emotions in a safe way …. For example,  Conclusion: Generally agree

International sporting events have become extremely popular in recent years. For instance, millions of people either attended the 2006 Football World Cup or watched it on television. To a large extent, these types of events help ease international tensions and give people the opportunity to show their patriotism safely. First of all, despite occasional fights between opposing supporters at international matches, sports events can improve international relations. For instance, the 2006 World Cup, which was held in Germany, was regarded as a success in this respect. Supporters from all over the world visited Germany on this occasion and interacted with supporters of traditional rivals in a positive way. For example, the followers of the US and Russian teams were able to enjoy this event together, without concern for the political differences between the two countries. This shows that major international sporting events can reduce tensions between rival nations. Additionally, although patriotic displays sometimes incite violence, international sports events also allow patriotism to be demonstrated in a harmless way. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, supporters of various nations arrived at the stadium decked out in their national colours. This display of patriotism added to the spectacle of the Games and their enthusiastic cheering gave each event a very exciting atmosphere. The same kind of thing has happened at events in my country. For example, Cambodia held the Asian National Football Qualifiers in 2008. At this event, many of my compatriots cheered for the national team at the stadium, but did so in a friendly manner. The above examples make it clear that international sports events do allow people to behave safely in a patriotic way.        In conclusion, sport can help improve relations between people of different nationalities significantly and allow people to show their patriotic emotions safely. Word count: 296

                                     

Making a concession to another point of view:

• First of all, despite occasional fights between opposing supporters at international matches, sports events can improve international relations.

• Additionally, although patriotic displays sometimes incite violence, international sports events also allow patriotism to be demonstrated in a harmless way.

IELTS Writing Task 2:   (Completely edited)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Write at least 250 words.

“To what extent do you agree or disagree?” 

• This question can be answered with a two-sided or one-sided essay.

·         If you choose a two-sided format:

1.    Introduce both sides in the introduction.

2.    Write about the side you agree with less in P2.

3.    Write about the side you agree with more in P3.

4.    State your opinion clearly in the conclusion.

Paragraph 1: Introduce both  sides Paragraph 2: Negative side International  tensions Patriotic emotions  Paragraph 3: Positive side International  tensions Patriotic emotions  Conclusion: Generally agree

International sporting events have become extremely popular in recent years. For instance, millions of people either attended the 2006 Football World Cup or watched it on television. Some people feel that these types of events can lead to violence and increase international tensions, while others believe they improve relations between countries and allow people to express their patriotic feelings safely.  First of all, some sports events can make international relations worse. For instance, tensions sometimes overflow during football or baseball games between Korea and Japan. Sometimes, after the matches, the supporters of each team fight. This is an example of displaying patriotism in a dangerous way. Another disturbing scenario is that some Korean players who play for Japanese club sides may suffer subtle discrimination after international games. For example, a player may have to sit on the bench, while a less skilful Japanese player is given game time. On the other hand, the World Cup, Olympics and other international games can help ease tensions among different nations. For example, South and North Korea have football games regularly which give the two nations a chance to improve relations.  In the mid 1990s, hundreds of North Korean supporters came to South Korea with to support their national football team. Many South Koreans were quite surprised to see North Koreans displaying a lot of emotion in supporting their team. South Koreans all realized that their counterparts were ordinary people, just like them. Games such as this help the two divided nations to reduce their political and ideological tension and enable fans to display patriotism safely. In conclusion, despite occasional problems, international sporting occasions usually help ease international tensions and give people the opportunity to show their patriotism safely. Word Count: 285

Writing Task 2:

Popular events like the football world cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Grammar in Practice:  Articles

All of the articles ( a  //  an  //  the) have been removed form the following answer.

1. Place articles where required to correct this answer. (You need 20 articles).
2. Highlight and underline each article you insert.

International sporting events have become extremely popular in recent years. For instance, millions of people either attended 2006 Football World Cup or watched it on television. To large extent, these types of events help ease international tensions and give people opportunity to show their patriotism safely.

First of all, despite occasional fights between opposing supporters at international matches, sports events can improve international relations. For instance, 2006 World Cup, which was held in Germany, was regarded as success in this respect. Supporters from all over world visited Germany on this occasion and interacted with supporters of traditional rivals in positive way. For example, the followers of US and Russian teams were able to enjoy this event together, without concern for political differences between two countries. This shows that major international sporting events can reduce tensions between rival nations.

Additionally, although patriotic displays sometimes incite violence, international sports events also allow patriotism to be demonstrated in harmless way. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, supporters of various nations arrived at the stadium decked out in their national colours. This display of patriotism added to spectacle of Games and their enthusiastic cheering gave each event a very exciting atmosphere. same kind of thing has happened at events in my country. For example, Cambodia held Asian National Football Qualifiers in 2008. At this event, many of my compatriots cheered for national team at stadium, but did so in friendly manner. above examples make it clear that international sports events do allow people to behave safely in patriotic way.       

In conclusion, sport can help improve relations between people of different nationalities significantly and allow people to show their patriotic emotions safely.

Answer:

International sporting events have become extremely popular in recent years. For instance, millions of people either attended the 2006 Football World Cup or watched it on television. To a large extent, these types of events help ease international tensions and give people the opportunity to show their patriotism safely.

First of all, despite occasional fights between opposing supporters at international matches, sports events can improve international relations. For instance, the 2006 World Cup, which was held in Germany, was regarded as a success in this respect. Supporters from all over the world visited Germany on this occasion and interacted with supporters of traditional rivals in a positive way. For example, the followers of the US and Russian teams were able to enjoy this event together, without concern for the political differences between the two countries. This shows that major international sporting events can reduce tensions between rival nations.

Additionally, although patriotic displays sometimes incite violence, international sports events also allow patriotism to be demonstrated in a harmless way. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, supporters of various nations arrived at the stadium decked out in their national colours. This display of patriotism added to the spectacle of the Games and their enthusiastic cheering gave each event a very exciting atmosphere. The same kind of thing has happened at events in my country. For example, Cambodia held the Asian National Football Qualifiers in 2008. At this event, many of my compatriots cheered for the national team at the stadium, but did so in a friendly manner. The above examples make it clear that international sports events do allow people to behave safely in a patriotic way.       

In conclusion, sport can help improve relations between people of different nationalities significantly and allow people to show their patriotic emotions safely.

Word count: 296