IELTS Writing Ideas – 3

11.Government and Society

·        What governments can do

• Governments provide public services like healthcare and education.
• They support people who are living in poverty or unable to work.
• Governments raise money by taxing working people.
• They can spend money on resources and campaigns.
• They can introduce new laws.
• They can impose taxes.
• They can raise people’s awareness of issues (e.g. climate change/healthy eating).
• They can influence people’s habits and opinions.
• They can create jobs.
• They can regulate the activities of companies such as banks.
• They can provide resources for schools.
• They are also responsible for the security and well-being of their citizens.
• They control armed forces and police forces.

Public Services

• Governments pay the salaries of public sector workers like police officers and teachers.
• The necessary money is raised by taxing people’s income.
• Free education and healthcare may be provided by the state.
• Some governments control public transport systems and even TV channels.
• In other countries, these services are provided by private companies.
• Some people believe that competition between private companies is good.
• It helps to improve quality while bringing prices down.
• Other people think that essential services should be free.
• Governments should pay for them.

Censorship: Opinion

• Governments can censor what the public sees or reads in the media.
• To a certain extent censorship is necessary.
• We should use censorship to protect children from violent images.
• Some computer games involve killing people or committing crimes.
• The Internet also needs to be controlled.
• Many websites show pornography and violence.
• There should be age limits for websites and computer games.
• Parents need to take responsibility for checking what their children watch.
• It is impossible for governments to control everything we see.

Video Cameras in Public Places

• The use of CCTV is becoming widespread.
• Video cameras have been installed in many public places.
• They are supposed to protect us and deter criminals.
• Many people think that this surveillance violates our privacy.
• The authorities could build databases with our pictures and identities.
• We should not be treated like criminals.

Smart Cards: Positives

• Governments will probably introduce a digital identification card system.
• Smart cards will have benefits and drawbacks.
• They could help to reduce crime.
• They could hold personal information, such as DNA.
• Digital bank cards could contain fingerprint information.
• It would be very difficult for criminals to use a stolen card.
• It would be easier for police to identify people and catch criminals.

Smart Cards: Negatives

• Many people are worried about losing their privacy.
• Governments could store all our personal and medical information.
• This information could be used by insurance companies.
• Employers could check our health records.

 

People with Disabilities

• People with disabilities should be treated the same as everybody else.
• They should have the same rights as other people.
• They should have access to the same jobs as other citizens.
• Discrimination against disabled people is illegal in many countries.
• Ramps and lifts for wheelchairs should be installed in public buildings.
• Support teachers can be employed to help children with learning difficulties.

12.Guns and Weapons

Why guns should be legal:

• In some countries, people are allowed to own firearms.
• Individuals have the right to protect themselves.
• People can use guns in self defence.
• This deters criminals.

Why gun ownership should be illegal:

• There is a risk of accidents with guns.
• The number of violent crimes increases when guns are available.
• Criminals may be armed.
• The police then need to use guns.
• Suicide rates have been shown to rise when guns are available.
• Guns create violent societies with high murder rates.

Why police should use guns:

• Many criminals use weapons.
• The threat of a gun can deter criminals.
• Police officers can force a criminal to surrender.
• It is easier to arrest someone and avoid physical violence.
• There is a danger of nuclear weapons being obtained by terrorists.
• Nuclear weapons cannot be used against terrorist organisations.

Armed Forces: Positives

• Armed forces provide security and protection.
• They deter military attack by another country.
• They can also be used to maintain peace within countries.
• They can be used to give the police extra support.
• Soldiers are also used to help in emergency situations, such as after a natural disaster.

Armed Forces: Negatives

• Armies require a lot of funding from governments.
• Too much money is spent on weapons and military technology.
• This money could be spent on schools, hospitals and other public services.

13.Health

Diet

• The human body requires a balanced diet.
• An unhealthy diet can cause various health problems.
• Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are on the increase.
• Many people nowadays rely on fast food or pre-prepared meals.
• These foods often contain too much fat, salt and sugar.
• They are cheap to buy and very easy to prepare.
• Many young people have grown up on a diet of convenience foods.
• Populations in developed countries are increasingly overweight.

Exercise

• Regular exercise is essential in maintaining a healthy body.
• Exercise burns calories and helps to build healthy bones and muscles.
• Doctors advise exercising at least three times a week for 20 minutes.
• Most people nowadays lead a sedentary lifestyle.
• We tend to walk less and do desk jobs.
• Most adults relax by watching television.
• Children play video games rather than doing outdoor sports.
• In the past, people were more active in their jobs and at home.

Governments’ Role

• Governments have a significant role to play in reducing obesity.
• More and more people, including young children, are seriously overweight.
• They are at risk of heart disease and diabetes.
• This situation will increase the burden on hospitals and taxpayers.
• Hospitals rely on the government for money and resources.
• Governments should promote a healthy diet and regular exercise.
• There should be more time for sport on school timetables.
• Unhealthy junk food should be banned from school menus.
• People need information about what foods contain.
• Food packaging must show the food’s nutritional content.
• The British Government recommends eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.

State Health Systems: Advantages

• Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free.
• State healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes.
• Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment.
• Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it.
• The National Health Service in the UK provides free healthcare for every resident.

Private Healthcare: Advantages

• State hospitals are often very large and difficult to run.
• Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments.
• Patients can benefit from faster treatment.
• ·        Many people prefer to pay for a more personal service.
• Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities.

Alternative Medicine: Positives

• People are increasingly using alternative medicines to treat illnesses.
• For example, acupuncture can be used to treat backache.
• Herbal medicines can be used to treat allergies or viruses.
• Many patients report positive experiences with these treatments.
• Some traditional cures have been used for hundreds of years.

Alternative Medicine: Negatives

• Many alternative medicines have not been tested scientifically.
• They may have no beneficial effects at all.
• They may cause unknown side effects.
• People should trust the opinions of qualified doctors.
• An illness could get worse without treatment from a doctor.

Stress

• Modern lifestyles are increasingly stressful.
• People work long hours with strict deadlines.
• Our busy lifestyles mean we have less time to relax.
• Unemployment is a major cause of stress.
• Children may be affected by their parents’ relationship problems.
• Tests and exams can also cause stress.

How to Reduce Stress

• Stress can be reduced by taking regular exercise and eating a healthy diet.
• It is also important to get sufficient sleep and make leisure time a priority.
• People should work less overtime and take regular holidays.
• Schools have started to employ psychologists.
• They can offer emotional support to students.
• ·        They can help students to cope with exam stress.

14.Housing and Architecture

State / Council Housing

• In some countries the government provides state or council housing.
• This helps people who cannot afford to buy their own house.
• It can be argued that state housing creates dependence on the government.
• People should not rely on the government to look after them.
• People have no incentive to earn money and buy their own home.
• Council properties are often made with cheap, poor-quality materials.

Old Buildings

• Historic buildings are part of a country’s heritage.
• They should be protected.
• Old buildings are often considered to be works of art.
• They give character to cities and attract tourists.
• They show us how people lived in the past.
• We identify countries by architectural symbols like the pyramids in Egypt.
• Governments should spend money on looking after historic buildings.
• They need regular repairs and maintenance.
• New buildings should be designed to complement them.

Modern / Green Buildings

• Modern buildings should be designed to be environmentally friendly.
• They should use less energy and produce less waste.
• Modern insulation can make houses more energy-efficient.
• Solar and wind power can be used to generate electricity.
• Rainwater and waste water can be recycled and used to flush toilets.
• ·        Modern glass buildings take advantage of natural light.

15.Language

English as an International Language

• English is widely used around the world.
• It is becoming a global second language.
• It is the dominant language of technology, science and international business.
• International business meetings are regularly held in English.
• The most important textbooks and journals are published in English.
• The ability to speak English is a necessary skill in the modern world.

Negatives of English as an International Language

• If one language is dominant, other languages may disappear.
• The dominant language brings its own culture.
• American culture has become popular around the world.
• Other cultures may be damaged.
• As an alternative to English, a new global language could be invented.
• It would have no nationality or culture attached to it.
• This could help to promote international peace and understanding.
• Esperanto is an example of a language that was invented with this aim.