The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

(Sample IELTS Essays)

Google: drive, docs, pub

Discuss this with a partner:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

Discuss this with a partner:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

Discuss this with a partner:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

Discuss this with a partner:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

Discuss this with a partner:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

Discuss this with a partner:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

Discuss this with a partner:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

Discuss this with a partner:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

Writing Task 2:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

1. Divide the report into paragraphs.

2. Highlight the topic sentence of each paragraph.

The issue of illegal logging has attracted a lot of attention in the media recently. This type of logging usually occurs in rainforests in developing countries. The timber is then exported to wealthy countries in the West for huge profits. This unlawful industry damages local environments and also contributes to global warming. Because it is now a major export industry, preventing illegal logging is the responsibility of both national and foreign governments. National governments could do a number of things to protect rainforests from loggers. For example, they could increase the penalties for illegal logging. Large fines for individual loggers and prison sentences for their bosses would be strong deterrents. Employing rangers to monitor national parks would be another positive step. The government could also subsidise the eco-tourist industry. This industry has the potential to employ more workers in long-term jobs than the logging industry. Eco-tourism could help ensure the future of the rainforests and also create alternative employment for loggers. Foreign governments should take action to ensure that illegal timber products do not enter their countries. They could do this by drawing up strict regulations for timber imports. For example, they could ban all timber imports except for plantation-grown timber. Customs officers could easily police such a policy because the varieties of this type of timber are quite limited. Governments could also introduce heavy fines for companies that import or try to sell illegally logged timber products. Additionally, public awareness campaigns about the negative impacts of logging would discourage people from buying these products. Similar campaigns have been successful in curtailing the sales of wildlife products such as ivory. In conclusion, it is important to protect rainforests. In order to do so, both national and foreign governments need to take appropriate action to stop illegal logging.
Writing Task 2:

The loss of rainforests due to illegal logging is a serious problem today. What can be done to stop illegal logging?

Sample Answer:

Paragraph 1: 1st sentence: introduction background info thesis statement: national and foreign governments are responsible Paragraph 2: national governments Paragraph 3: foreign governments Paragraph 4: Repeat ideas from p.2 & p.3 national and foreign governments are responsible

The issue of illegal logging has attracted a lot of attention in the media recently. This type of logging usually occurs in rainforests in developing countries. The timber is then exported to wealthy countries in the West for huge profits. This unlawful industry damages local environments and also contributes to global warming. Because it is now a major export industry, preventing illegal logging is the responsibility of both national and foreign governments. National governments could do a number of things to protect rainforests from loggers. For example, they could increase the penalties for illegal logging. Large fines for individual loggers and prison sentences for their bosses would be strong deterrents. Employing rangers to monitor national parks would be another positive step. The government could also subsidise the eco-tourist industry. This industry has the potential to employ more workers in long-term jobs than the logging industry. Eco-tourism could help ensure the future of the rainforests and also create alternative employment for loggers. Foreign governments should take action to ensure that illegal timber products do not enter their countries. They could do this by drawing up strict regulations for timber imports. For example, they could ban all timber imports except for plantation-grown timber. Customs officers could easily police such a policy because the varieties of this type of timber are quite limited. Governments could also introduce heavy fines for companies that import or try to sell illegally logged timber products. Additionally, public awareness campaigns about the negative impacts of logging would discourage people from buying these products. Similar campaigns have been successful in curtailing the sales of wildlife products such as ivory. In conclusion, it is important to protect rainforests. In order to do so, both national and foreign governments need to take appropriate action to stop illegal logging.

IELTS Scores

(Sample IELTS Essay)

Google: drive, docs, pub
PowerPoint: drive, slides, pub

Read the sample task 1 essay below, and fill in the table with the data.  Remember, a good task 1 essay does not methodically describe every data point, but simply summarizes the main points and uses some of the data for supporting details.  So there will be many boxes in the table where you will not have any data to insert.  (7 boxes, to be exact).  But fill in the data that you can.

IELTS Scores

The table gives IELTS band scores for different groups in 2003. Scores are given for all sections of the test and an overall score is included for each of the 4 groups, namely, Hindi, Malayalam, Russian and Spanish.

On the whole, Hindi speakers attained the best results, both overall and in three of the four skills. It can also be seen that all groups did best on the speaking test.

The Hindi group got an overall score of 6.73 with an average of 6.86 in the speaking test, the highest of any figure in the table. They also topped the lists for listening and writing with 6.78 and 6.62 respectively. With 6.38 in reading, however, they were beaten by the Spanish group.

Malayalam speakers came second overall with 6.43. They had the second highest writing score (6.49), but came bottom in speaking with 6.52.

Despite doing well in reading (6.42), Spanish students came last in listening and writing. Overall, this group ranked third with 6.41.

The Russians’ best achievements were second in speaking (6.69) and listening (6.35), and their overall score was 6.38.

In general, all four language groups did well in the IELTS test with all scores in all sections being over 6.

(204 words)

Now, fill in this table with the data from the essay:

Answers:

	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking	Overall
Hindi	6.78	6.38	6.62	6.86	6.73
Malayalam			6.49	6.52	6.43
Russian	6.35			6.69	6.38
Spanish		6.42			6.41

Most of the world’s poor live in countries where tourism is a growing industry. The issue is that tourism does not benefit the poorest. How can the income generated by tourism benefit the poor? And how can we ensure that tourism does not destroy traditional cultures and ways of life?

(Sample IELTS Writing)

Google: drive, docs, pub

Talk about this question with a partner:

Most of the world’s poor live in countries where tourism is a growing industry. The issue is that tourism does not benefit the poorest.

How can the income generated by tourism benefit the poor? And how can we ensure that tourism does not destroy traditional cultures and ways of life?

Talk about this question with a partner:

Most of the world’s poor live in countries where tourism is a growing industry. The issue is that tourism does not benefit the poorest.

How can the income generated by tourism benefit the poor? And how can we ensure that tourism does not destroy traditional cultures and ways of life?

Talk about this question with a partner:

Most of the world’s poor live in countries where tourism is a growing industry. The issue is that tourism does not benefit the poorest.

How can the income generated by tourism benefit the poor? And how can we ensure that tourism does not destroy traditional cultures and ways of life?

Talk about this question with a partner:

Most of the world’s poor live in countries where tourism is a growing industry. The issue is that tourism does not benefit the poorest.

How can the income generated by tourism benefit the poor? And how can we ensure that tourism does not destroy traditional cultures and ways of life?

Talk about this question with a partner:

Most of the world’s poor live in countries where tourism is a growing industry. The issue is that tourism does not benefit the poorest.

How can the income generated by tourism benefit the poor? And how can we ensure that tourism does not destroy traditional cultures and ways of life?

Talk about this question with a partner:

Most of the world’s poor live in countries where tourism is a growing industry. The issue is that tourism does not benefit the poorest.

How can the income generated by tourism benefit the poor? And how can we ensure that tourism does not destroy traditional cultures and ways of life?

Divide this essay up into four paragraphs: an introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.  Highlight the topic sentence for each body paragraph.  Highlight the thesis statement.

The tourist industry is thriving in many developing nations. In Cambodia, for example, international visitors flock to Angkor Wat and other places of interest, bringing in large amounts of foreign currency and creating employment in the process. Despite this, the wealth generated by tourism does not always flow down to the poor, and this industry can even destroy the traditions of local communities. Offering vocational training to poor people and promoting ecotourism are two practical solutions to these problems.  Providing training for the less privileged would enable them to profit from tourism. The hospitality industry requires skilled workers. Five-star hotels, for instance, need highly-trained food and beverage staff, and also multi-lingual receptionists to provide the level of service expected by foreign guests. Poorer people do not usually have the opportunity to learn these skills and therefore can only secure poorly-paid employment. Some of the tax revenue that tourism generates could be used to provide hospitality training to the poor. If they received this training, they would be able to get higher-paying jobs in the tourist industry.  Ecotourism is an excellent way for poorer communities to receive the financial advantages of tourism, without sacrificing tradition. This style of travel enables tourists to experience the regular way of life in developing countries. Instead of staying at an international hotel, the visitors stay at a local village. This gives them an insight into the local traditions and customs and provides the villagers with some much-needed income. So, ecotourism has financial rewards for local people and also helps them to maintain their own culture.  To sum up, providing training programs for poorer people and promoting ecotourism are two ways in which they can benefit financially from tourism while still keeping their own culture.  
Focus on IELTS p.147

Most of the world’s poor live in countries where tourism is a growing industry. The issue is that tourism does not benefit the poorest. How can the income generated by tourism benefit the poor? And how can we ensure that tourism does not destroy traditional cultures and ways of life?

Paragraph 1: Background… Despite this, 2 problems 2 solutions Paragraph 2: Solution to the 1st problem Paragraph 3: Solution to the 2nd problem Conclusion: Repeat 2 solutions

The tourist industry is thriving in many developing nations. In Cambodia, for example, international visitors flock to Angkor Wat and other places of interest, bringing in large amounts of foreign currency and creating employment in the process. Despite this, the wealth generated by tourism does not always flow down to the poor, and this industry can even destroy the traditions of local communities. Offering vocational training to poor people and promoting ecotourism are two practical solutions to these problems. Providing training for the less privileged would enable them to profit from tourism. The hospitality industry requires skilled workers. Five-star hotels, for instance, need highly-trained food and beverage staff, and also multi-lingual receptionists to provide the level of service expected by foreign guests. Poorer people do not usually have the opportunity to learn these skills and therefore can only secure poorly-paid employment. Some of the tax revenue that tourism generates could be used to provide hospitality training to the poor. If they received this training, they would be able to get higher-paying jobs in the tourist industry. Ecotourism is an excellent way for poorer communities to receive the financial advantages of tourism, without sacrificing tradition. This style of travel enables tourists to experience the regular way of life in developing countries. Instead of staying at an international hotel, the visitors stay at a local village. This gives them an insight into the local traditions and customs and provides the villagers with some much-needed income. So, ecotourism has financial rewards for local people and also helps them to maintain their own culture. To sum up, providing training programs for poorer people and promoting ecotourism are two ways in which they can benefit financially from tourism while still keeping their own culture.

                        Word Count: 288 

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.

(Sample IELTS Essays)

Google: drive, docs, pub

Discuss with your partner:

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?

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

Discuss with your partner:

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?

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

Discuss with your partner:

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?

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

Discuss with your partner:

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?

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

Discuss with your partner:

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?

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

Discuss with your partner:

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?

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

Discuss with your partner:

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?

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

Task 2 Writing Skills: Coherence and Cohesion

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?

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

Numerous expressions can be used to make texts more cohesive and coherent. These include:

• Logical links (addition / cause / result / contrast / concession / purpose / order / etc.)

• Grammatical links (personal pronouns / relative pronouns / articles / substitution words).
• Quantifiers (some / most / all / many)
• Modifiers (should / must / can / could / might / etc)

Fill in the gaps with suitable expressions to make this answer coherent and cohesive.

Watching television is an important part of children’s leisure time. Teenagers spend a considerable amount of time watching programs and playing video games on TV. (1.____________) people feel that television offers many benefits for children, ( 2.__________ ___________) believe that TV is harmful and young people would be better to spend their time doing other activities.

Watching television (3._________ be) a good way for young people to spend their free time. (4.______ ____________), watching news and current affairs programs makes children more politically aware. It also helps stimulate their interest in history, geography and other subjects (5.________) have to study at school. (6._____), children who watch these types of programs have an advantage over (7.____________) that don’t. (8._________________), TV viewing (9. ________ have) social benefits. Children can watch their favourite programs at night and then discuss them with their classmates the next day. Video games can (10._______) be social activities that young people can enjoy together.

(11.________________), many children spend far too much time in front of the TV. Because watching TV is a sedentary activity, (12.______) can lead to obesity, (13.____________) is a growing problem in western countries (14. ___________ ____) the US and Australia. (15. _____________) consideration is the particular programs that children watch. Over the past few years, reality TV has become popular. (16.___________) high school students regularly tune in to shows, such as Big Brother, (17.__________) promote bad language and behaviour. Violent movies and video games are (18.________) worrying because they (19.________ lead to) violence in society.

Young people have (20._________) alternatives to watching TV. Playing some kind of sport, (21. ______ ______________) , would help (22._________) to keep fit and also give (23.________) social contact. Reading books is (24._______________) positive activity because (25.______) helps children to become more creative and (26.__________) improves their vocabulary.

In conclusion, although TV (27. ______ have) social and educational benefits, it seems that (28. _________) young people waste too much time watching inappropriate programs. They (29.___________) spend (30.____________) of this time playing sport with their friends and reading books instead.

Task 2 Writing Skills: Coherence and Cohesion

Answer:

Watching television is an important part of children’s leisure time. Teenagers spend a considerable amount of time watching programs and playing video games on TV. (1. Some) people feel that television offers many benefits for children, (2. while others ) believe that TV is harmful and young people would be better to spend their time doing other activities.

Watching television (3.can be) a good way for young people to spend their free time. (4. For example), watching news and current affairs programs makes children more politically aware. It also helps stimulate their interest in history, geography and other subjects (5. they) have to study at school. (6.So), children who watch these types of programs have an advantage over (7. those) that don’t. (8. Furthermore), TV viewing (9. can have) social benefits. Children can watch their favourite programs at night and then discuss them with their classmates the next day. Video games can (10. also) be social activities that young people can enjoy together.

(11. However), many children spend far too much time in front of the TV. Because watching TV is a sedentary activity, (12. it) can lead to obesity, (13. which) is a growing problem in western countries (14. such as) the US and Australia. (15. Another) consideration is the particular programs that children watch. Over the past few years, reality TV has become popular. (16. Many) high school students regularly tune in to shows, such as Big Brother, (17. which) promote bad language and behaviour. Violent movies and video games are (18. also) worrying because they (19. may lead to) violence in society.

Young people have (20. many) alternatives to watching TV. Playing some kind of sport, (21. for example) , would help (22.them) to keep fit and also give (23.them) social contact. Reading books is (24. another) positive activity because (25. it) helps children to become more creative and (26. also) improves their vocabulary.

In conclusion, although TV (27. can have) social and educational benefits, it seems that (28. many) young people waste too much time watching inappropriate programs. They (29. should) spend (30. some) of this time playing sport with their friends and reading books instead.

Do young people today make good use of their leisure time? Or do they spend too much time watching television and playing video games, instead of taking part in more productive activities?

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

Paragraph 1: Background info Topic Sentence: Positive/ negative/ other activities Paragraph 2: Good way to spend time Paragraph 3: Too much time Paragraph 4: Other activities Conclusion: Can be good, but…………. harmful // other activities better

Watching television is an important part of children’s leisure time. Teenagers spend a considerable amount of time watching programs and playing video games on TV. Some people feel that television offers many benefits for children, while others feel that TV is harmful and young people would be better to spend their time doing other activities. Watching television can be a good way for young people to spend their free time. For example, watching news and current affairs programs makes children more politically aware. It also helps stimulate their interest in history, geography and other subjects they have to study at school. So, children who watch these types of programs have an advantage over those that don’t. Furthermore, TV viewing can have social benefits. Children can watch their favourite programs at night and then discuss them with their classmates the next day. Video games can also be social activities that young people can enjoy together. However, many children spend far too much time in front of the TV. Because watching TV is a sedentary activity, it can lead to obesity, which is a growing problem in western countries such as the US and Australia. Another consideration is the particular programs that children watch. Over the past few years, reality TV has become popular. Many high school students regularly tune in to shows, such as Big Brother, which promote bad language and behaviour. Violent movies and video games are also worrying because they may lead to violence in society. Young people have many alternatives to watching TV. Playing some kind of sport, for example, will keep them fit and also give them social contact. Reading books is another positive activity because it helps children to become more creative and also improves their vocabulary. In conclusion, although TV can have social and educational benefits, it seems that many young people waste too much time watching inappropriate programs. They should spend some of this time playing sport with their friends and reading books instead.

Word Count: 330