IELTS preparation materials

  Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship between people.  To what extent do you agree or disagree? Sample answer:  Some have argued that there is no single more important factor in a relationship than honesty. In my opinion, this is untrue though there are situations where telling the truth is a pragmatic choice. Those who argue in favor of unconditional honesty point out how it can create trust. When a person tells the truth, then any problems in a relationship become open and can be potentially fixed. For instance, if a person is annoyed by their partner’s inconsiderate behavior when they are in public settings, by lying about it the situation will only become worse. If they are honest then it will be possible to address the underlying issues and do better in the future. This is the starting point for healthy communication and the quality missing in most toxic relationships.   However, emotional intelligence necessitates...

Some feel that punishment should focus more on rehabilitation instead of long prison terms. Others feel prison terms are important for social stability. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.   Sample Answer Some today have argued that the primary goal of the criminal justice system should be to rehabilitate rather than simply punish offenders. In my opinion, though there are exceptions, reforms prioritizing rehabilitation should be embraced. In particular instances, it is crucial to place the welfare of the majority above the interests of criminals. This most commonly occurs in cases involving violent criminals and repeat offenders. There are individuals who have been identified as sociopaths by trained clinicians and represent a threat to society. Punishing them through lengthy incarcerations serves a dual purpose, at once deterring other criminals and also preventing them from harming innocent citizens. The attempt to rehabilitate such individuals is admirable but likely to...

Some people believe that studying literature is important for individual character building while others think it is a waste of time. Discuss both these views and give your opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.   Today, the question whether literature still plays a major role in one’s character development is more acute than ever. However, while some might consider studying literature a waste of time, I tend to side with those who think of it as an irreplaceable tool in shaping one’s character. On the one hand, some people might find studying literature a fruitless pursuit. This is mainly because a vast majority of literature pieces deemed worth studying deal with issues that would not be considered relevant by a modern reader. For instance, a contemporary student would not be able to gain any practical knowledge from a novel centered around serfdom, as its cultural and historica...

The line graph below gives information about the percentage of women aged 15-64 in employment between 2003 and 2009. Sample answer 1: The line graph shows the percentage of women aged 15 to 64 in employment in Iceland, Canada, Germany, Chile, and Turkey from 2003 to 2009. Overall, more females were employed in the advanced economies of Iceland, Canada, and Germany compared to those in South America Chile and Turkey. Furthermore, during this period, there was a significant increase in the employment of women in Iceland and Turkey. However, Iceland experienced a slight dip in employment percentage. In 2003, Iceland led the five countries with employment women percentage, at 81%, while Canada was second with 70% followed by Germany with slightly below 60%. Until 2007, the employment rate for Icelandic women remained at around 81%, before dropping to 78% by 2009. The Canadian women employment percentage increased during this period, peaking at 70% by the end. The German women employment pe...