IELTS Writing Ideas – 5

21.Traditional vs. Modern

Losing Traditional Skills

• Because of industrialisation and global trade, many traditions have disappeared.
• Global advertising encourages everyone to buy the same products.
• Most products are now made in factories.
• Machinery has replaced skilled human labour.
• Factory work is boring and leaves people feeling unfulfilled.
• Goods are produced very quickly and in large numbers.
• Products are cheaper, which means that more people can buy them.

Examples

• Clothes are mass produced in standard sizes.
• People wear similar clothes, rather than traditional costumes.
• Jeans and T-shirts are now worn throughout the world.
• Historic buildings took skilled craftsmen years to build.
• Modern concrete, steel and glass buildings are built in only weeks or months.
• There are fewer people who can create hand-made goods.

Traditional Customs

• Traditional customs are still important during weddings and religious festivals.
• People wear traditional costumes and eat special foods.
• It is important to maintain our different cultural identities.
• We should celebrate festivals, teach traditional skills and protect historic places.

22.Transport

Traffic Problems

• Traffic congestion is caused by commuters travelling to work.
• Most people live in the suburbs outside city centres.
• Commuters tend to travel at the same time of day.
• They tend to travel alone.
• Cars and road space are not used efficiently.
• This causes traffic jams during the rush hour.

Traffic Solutions

• In order to reduce traffic we should change our working habits.
• The Internet can now be used to connect people.
• More people could work from home.
• Meetings can be held as video conferences.
• Workers could be given flexible timetables.
• Another solution would be to tax drivers.
• Workers should share their cars and travel together.
• In London, for example, there is a congestion charge.
• This helps to raise money for better public transport.
• Public transport needs to be reliable and efficient.

Positives of Public Transport

• We need to reduce our dependence on cars.
• Parking a car can be extremely difficult in big cities.
• Well-designed transport systems are comfortable and convenient.
• Modern public transport can be fast and cheap.
• Public transport can help to reduce pollution in cities.
• Investment in buses and trains will ease traffic congestion.
• Buses can be given special lanes to avoid traffic.

Negatives of Public Transport

• Public transport is often slow and unreliable.
• Metro systems and trains are often dirty and crowded.
• People feel like “sardines in a can”.
• Cars are much more comfortable.

Road Safety

• Driving while tired or drunk is extremely dangerous.
• Mobile phones can be a dangerous distraction for drivers.
• They draw the driver’s attention away from the road.
• The use of phones while driving has been banned in many countries.
• Punishments are becoming stricter.
• Television campaigns are used to remind people to drive safely.
• Speed cameras have become more common.
• Speed bumps are another form of traffic calming.
• Many streets are designed with the aim of slowing traffic down.

23. Water

Importance of Clean Water

• Water is an essential natural resource.
• Humans need access to clean, safe drinking water in order to live.
• Poor water quality is a major cause of disease and death in some countries.
• Water usually needs to be treated before we can drink it.
• Developing countries often lack the means to treat and supply water to citizens.
• Developed countries tend to have much better sanitation.
• Citizens have access to clean tap water.
• Drinking water is not contaminated by sewage or waste water.
• The supply of clean water would improve public health in many developing countries.

Water Supply

• Urban life would be impossible without water supply systems.
• These systems are massive engineering projects.
• Many professionals are involved in their planning, construction and maintenance.
• The supply and distribution of water are major concerns.
• Water is becoming scarce in some countries.
• Areas that suffer droughts often need to import water.
• As populations grow, there is more pressure on water supplies.
• This could lead to a water crisis.

Water and Politics

• The supply of water is also an important political issue.
• Huge amounts of water are needed for agriculture and industry.
• The irrigation of crops accounts for a large proportion of water use.
• A water crisis could lead to political conflicts or even wars.

Argument: water should be free

• Some people believe that water should be free for everyone.
• Governments should supply water to all homes at no cost.
• Private companies should not be allowed to profit from this natural resource.
• Money from taxes can be used to pay for water supply systems.

Argument: water should not be free

• If water is free, people take it for granted.
• They do not think about how much water they waste.
• They leave taps running while washing or brushing their teeth.
• If we have to pay for water, we will use it more responsibly.
• Water supply systems are extremely expensive.
• Investment is needed to maintain and improve them.
• Private companies may provide a better service than governments.
• If they provide an efficient service, they will make more money.
• They will repair leaks to avoid losing money.

Bottled Water: Opinions

• Some people carry bottles of water wherever they go.
• For example, they take bottles of water to work or to the gym.
• They believe that bottled water is healthier than tap water.
• They also argue that it tastes better.
• However, other people believe that we should consume less bottled water.
• Plastic water bottles add to litter and waste problems.
• Companies should not be able to make a profit from water.
• It is unethical to make money by selling packaged water.
• There is no difference in quality between bottled and tap water.

24. Work

The benefits of staying in the same job for life:

• Employees have a stable career with one employer.
• They have a good pension and health insurance.
• Their salaries gradually increase.
• They may be promoted within the organisation.
• They demonstrate loyalty.
• Experienced staff can be trusted with more responsibility.
• They become part of a team.
• There is a clearly defined path for development.

The benefits of not staying in the same job:

• People often change jobs in order to further their career.
• Another company may offer a promotion or a higher salary.
• People who change jobs can gain experience.
• They can learn different skills.
• Changing jobs is interesting and challenging.
• People can retrain in a different occupation.
• In a fast-changing world workers need to be flexible.
• People need to develop a range of experience and skills.

Self-employment

• Nowadays, it is easy to set up a company.
• The Internet provides a global marketplace.
• Self-employment offers greater freedom than working for a company.
• However, there are risks to starting a new business.
• Self-employed people may face financial difficulties.
• Many businesses fail to make a profit.
• There is less stability in self-employment.
• There are no benefits like pensions, sick pay and holiday pay.
• Self-employment involves hard work, long hours and total responsibility.

Unemployment

• Unemployment is a big problem for individuals, communities and society.
• Some people are unable to find a job.
• They may not have the sufficient level of education or qualifications.
• They may find themselves homeless.
• Unemployment causes frustration and stress.
• Jobless people may become involved in crime as a means to get money.
• The unemployed need careers advice.
• Governments need to provide vocational courses and retraining.

Unemployment Benefits: Positives

• Some governments pay unemployment benefits in order to help jobless people.
• Unemployed people need financial support until they find a new job.
• By claiming benefits they can continue to pay for their homes.
• The benefits system helps to reduce poverty, homelessness and crime.

Unemployment Benefits: Negatives

• Some people claim benefits rather than working.
• They become dependent on the government.
• They are not motivated to find a job.
• The benefits system is a burden on taxpayers.
• All citizens should work to earn a living and support themselves.
• Receiving benefits affects people’s self esteem.

Work / Life Balance

• It is important to achieve a balance between work time and leisure or family time.
• Too much work can result in stress and poor health.
• “Workaholics” may neglect their families and friends.
• People need to take regular holidays.
• Companies should not expect employees to work overtime.
• Nowadays, many people work part-time or have flexible working hours.
• Technology allows people to work from home.
• Many companies provide childcare facilities.
• A good work/life balance can raise job satisfaction.
• Happy, healthy workers are more productive.

Technology and Work

• Internet, fax and mobile phone technologies have revolutionised working life.
• Workers can communicate via e-mail, online networks and video conferencing.
• Technology can connect workers in different countries.
• It gives people more freedom.
• It can also save time and money.
• Some people believe that offices could disappear in the future.
• Virtual online offices may replace them.

Child Labour

• In some countries, children are exploited.
• They do repetitive jobs for very low pay.
• Children are often used in agriculture and factory work.
• The employment of children is prohibited in other countries.
• Many people think that children should be free to enjoy their childhood.
• Governments should make education a priority.
• They should build new schools.
• They should supply the resources to educate children.
• Children need to be given the knowledge and skills for adult life.