IELTS Writing Ideas – 4

16.Money

Money and Society

• Society has become increasingly materialistic.
• People aspire to earn more money.
• They want a bigger house or a better car.
• We connect wealth and material possessions with happiness and success.
• Brands like ‘Armani’ or ‘Mercedes’ are status symbols.
• Advertising creates new desires and needs.
• It persuades us to buy the latest styles.

Positives of Consumerism

• Consumerism creates employment.
• It helps to reduce poverty.
• It encourages innovation and creativity in business.
• We live in a global economy.
• We have a better quality of life.

Negatives of Consumerism

• Consumerist societies create more waste.
• They use more natural resources.
• They cause damage to the environment.
• Consumerism creates a “throw-away” culture.
• Advertisers tell us who we are and what we want.
• Wealth does not lead to happiness.
• Materialism causes greed and crime.
• We should return to traditional values like sharing.

17.Personality

Happiness

• Happiness means different things to different people.
• It can be described as a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment.
• People enjoy spending time with family and friends.
• Hobbies, sports and games can be a source of fun and enjoyment.
• Some people see money as a source of happiness.
• Other people define happiness as something deeper.
• In order to be truly happy it is necessary to live a good life.
• We need to feel that we are doing something useful with our lives.
• Some people get a sense of achievement from their work.
• Others find happiness in bringing up their children.
• Religion or a sense of purpose can also be a source of happiness.

Success

• People define success in different ways.
• Some people get a sense of achievement from raising a family.
• For others, success is defined by wealth or status.
• We often think of rich and famous people as being successful in life.
• Millionaires like Bill Gates are considered to be successful.
• They have risen to the top in their chosen professions.
• For some, being successful means achieving personal or professional goals.
• They see success as the result of hard work.
• Success in any field requires long-term planning and effort.

Nature or Nurture

• Some people believe that our personalities are determined mainly by genetics.
• We inherit our abilities and talents from our parents.
• Others think that our education and upbringing are more important.
• ·        We develop according to the influences around us.
• Our personalities and achievements depend more on nurture than nature.
• Many people argue that we control our own destinies.
• We can shape our own personalities.
• By working hard we can achieve any goal that we put our minds to.
• Many successful people are “self-made”.
• We are not limited by our genetic characteristics or upbringing.

18.Sport and Leisure

Arguments against Professional / Competitive Sport

• Sport has become a business.
• Professional sport encourages people to compete for money.
• Many sports stars are only concerned about money and fame.
• Some athletes take drugs in order to win at any cost.
• Competitors are often selfish and rude.
• They are not good role models for children.
• All sports should be amateur.
• Sports should be leisure activities rather than jobs.
• People should do sporting activities for enjoyment and health reasons.
• Taking part is more important than winning.

Arguments for Professional Sport

• Professional sports are the same as any other business.
• Many people are employed in the sports industry.
• People should be able to use their talents to earn a salary.
• Sports stars entertain millions of people.
• Money is necessary to improve facilities and train athletes.
• The level of professional sport is much higher than that of amateur sport.

Arguments for Competitive Sport

• Competition is a natural instinct in humans.
• In daily life we compete to get jobs or the highest grades.
• Sports are a safe form of competition.
• Competition is healthy because it pushes us to give our best.
• Competitors and fans can release energy and aggression.
• Supporters of teams feel a sense of belonging to a community.

Opinion: professional sport salaries are too high

• Sports professionals earn too much money.
• They do not provide a vital service.
• Football players, for example, earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball.
• We could all live happily without professional football.
• Life would be difficult without doctors, engineers and other vital professionals.
• Society does not seem to value these professions as highly as professional sport.
• Sports salaries should be compatible with the wages most people earn.

Opinion: professional sport salaries are fair

• It is fair that the best professionals earn a lot of money.
• Sport is a multi-million-pound industry.
• There is a large audience of sports fans.
• Sports on television attract many viewers.
• Sports stars have dedicated hours of practice to developing their fitness and skills.
• Only the most talented among them will reach the top.
• A sports career may only last 10 years.
• Sports fans are willing to pay to support their teams.

Sport and Politics

• Some people think that sport and politics should remain separate.
• Governments are involved in the hosting of sporting events such as the Olympics.
• These events attract investment and create jobs.
• The Olympic Games are an advertisement for the host nation.
• They attract huge numbers of visitors and sports fans.
• Wealthy countries tend to hold these events.
• Developing countries should be given the chance to become hosts.

19.Television, Internet, Phones

Positives of Television

• Watching television is a good way to relax.
• It is many people’s favourite way to wind down after a hard day at work.
• Television programmes can be entertaining and enjoyable.
• Viewers have access to a huge variety of entertainment channels.
• Television brings the best comedians, musicians and actors into our homes.
• Programmes can also be informative and educational.
• News coverage makes the public aware of events around the world.
• Documentaries can make learning more interesting.

Negatives of Television

• Television is having a negative impact on society.
• Some people link violence on television with crime rates in the real world.
• Children copy the behaviour they see on the screen.
• Children are less healthy because they spend less time playing.
• Advertisers direct their marketing at children.
• Most programmes do not require much thought.
• Watching TV is a waste of time.

Opinions about Television

• Television has many benefits.
• However, it can be addictive.
• ·        Children should play outside rather than sit in front of a screen all day.
• Behaviour shown on TV can influence people.
• Parents should choose carefully what their children watch.
• Children should not be exposed to violence, swearing or sexual images.
• Advertising during children’s programmes should be strictly controlled.
• TV companies should make more positive, educational programmes.

Positives of the Internet

• There are many advantages to using the Internet.
• It gives us instant access to information on almost any subject.
• Shops and other services are now available online.
• People can buy goods and services from the comfort of their homes.
• The Internet is starting to replace other forms of entertainment.
• It has revolutionised communication.
• We can keep in touch by e-mail or instant messenger services.
• Video messaging is becoming common for business meetings.

Negatives of the Internet

• Many websites contain offensive content.
• Some sites show violent or sexual images.
• Parents find it difficult to control what their children see online.
• They do not always know who their children are chatting to.
• With so many websites it is difficult to search for good information.
• Criminals increasingly use the Internet to steal people’s money.

Internet Compared to Newspapers and Books

• Newspapers and books are now published online as well as in print.
• We can read the news in any language from any country in the world.
• It costs nothing to publish or access information on the Internet.
• The Internet allows anybody to publish their own writing.
• Newspaper articles and books are written by professionals.
• Professionals produce better quality writing than amateurs.
• People still buy newspapers and books because they are portable.
• People do not like reading from a screen.

Positives of Mobile Phones

• The mobile phone is the most popular gadget in today’s world.
• Mobile phones have revolutionised the way we communicate.
• We can stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues wherever we are.
• Users can send text messages, surf the Internet, take photos and listen to music.
• Mobiles have also become fashion accessories.

Negatives of Mobile Phones

• Mobile phones can be a problem in some public places.
• Ringing phones cause disturbances in cinemas and school lessons.
• Some people are not aware that others can hear their conversations.
• Mobile phones may also interfere with electronic equipment.
• Their waves could cause damage to our brains.
• Mobile phones can also be a dangerous distraction.
• Using a phone while driving reduces the driver’s concentration.
• Mobile phones are a popular target for thieves.

Opinion about Mobile Phones

• The benefits of mobile phones outweigh the drawbacks.
• We need to use these phones with care.

20.Tourism

Positives of Tourism

• Tourism is a popular leisure activity.
• People go on holiday to relax and have fun.
• Tourists can experience different cultures.
• They can sunbathe on beaches or go sight-seeing.
• Travelling abroad opens our minds.
• We can learn to speak other languages.
• The tourist trade is vital for some economies.
• It creates employment in services like accommodation, transport and entertainment.
• Some areas rely on tourism for their income.
• Tourists spend money.
• Tourism attracts investment from multi-national companies.
• It helps to improve the standard of living.
• Low-cost airlines are making it cheaper to travel abroad.

Negative Effects of Tourism

• Tourism can have a negative effect on the natural environment.
• The building of facilities and infrastructure can destroy the habitat of wild animals.
• Beautiful beaches are spoilt by the building of hotels.
• Tourism creates pollution and waste.
• It puts pressure on local resources.
• Local traditions and cultures may be endangered.
• A rise in the cost of living affects local people.
• The price of goods, services and housing may increase significantly.

The Future of Tourism

• Governments should introduce laws to protect natural environments and local cultures.
• Tourism should have a low impact on wildlife.
• Renewable resources like solar or water power should be used.
• Waste should be recycled.
• Local businesses such as farms should be supported.