Writing Task 2: Online learning and real school

Some people say that online learning is the most effective and convenient way to learn. Others say that online learning will never be as effective as learning at a real school, in person. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Children learn in many ways. Nowadays, parents seem to question themselves on whether to enroll their young ones in an online computer for learning or in a real school where actual teacher is available. Both of these ways can have certain advantages but its drawbacks should also be considered. These ways of learning will be analyzed.

Firstly, majority of the young population these days prefer to learn online. The lessons here are updated and can be repeatedly read anytime or anywhere until they understand the topics. Furthermore, parents can save more money and time as they will no longer prepare packed foods for their children’s lunch or even spending for the fares in traveling to and from the school. For the same reason, children also no longer need to dress up as they will just be confined inside their home. As a result, they will develop sedentary lifestyle which can be a problem later on. Also, children in this way of learning will not have the opportunity to interact with the other children and can potentially develop depression at an early age or even in the later years. Nevertheless, some parents still choose this kind of learning for their children.

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Writing Task 2 : Home schooling or education at school

A very nice example of writing task-2 sent by Nina

Every picture tells a story, so do with people who have studied at home or school. They will have their own thought. In my view, it is certainly better to have a formal education system at school instead of at home due to many disadvantages of home schooling.

Getting education at school will instil students to be more disciplined. They will be taught on how to manage their time wisely, the importance of mutual respect among students and teachers or among themselves, and the importance of team-building in groups of a community. Education at school that packed with activities will inculcate the students to have their own commitment to certain things. They manage to balance their own time wisely eitheir on their studies or other responsibilties. Be it, to respect each other. As people will only respect us if we do respect others. Instead, people who favours home schooling will never get close with all these aspects. They will take it as a single thing that just can be ignored easily. Perhaps, they will have a bulk of leisure time that will be wasted on the dot if there is no stern supervision by parents. In addition, students will be exposed to many kind of other activities that have no benefit for themselves. For example, facebook, the social-network service which is widely used by youngsters to connect themselves to another.

Besides, student who studies at school may experience the worth of friendship. They will be encountered to many people who is different to each other. They will face many kind of behaviours and this will make their life become mature days by days. Differ in people who spend their time at home, they will have problem to start a conversation, and having difficulty in their surrounding environment.

To sum it up, getting education at school is much better than home schooling based on the reasons above. By that, I conclude that school will be the first place for students to gain their knowledge.

(343 words)-nina-

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Writing Task 2: Home schooling

An example of writing task 2 in IELTS test that tries to respond to a question as to which one is better home schooling or formal education at school.

There are many arguments for and against school as the best place for education. Some people believe that education at home is more effective in many ways. On the other hand, education practitioners think that school is the most suitable place to educate children. I certainly agree that formal education at school is better due to its advantages and some limitations of home schooling.
Firstly, it is hard to make a good control in home education in view of the fact that parents mostly spend their time at workplace. Children tend to waste their time to leisure activity that is not useful or inappropriate to the aims of their study if there is not an adequate control. In contrast, school can organize student’s need in study as well as their extra curricular or outdoor activities. Moreover, school always have a rule for students to keep them on the right track of the study.
Secondly, school provide a fixed curriculum to set up student’s objectives. Furthermore, the curriculum has been regularly examined to fit into student’s necessity, including how to relate theory to the real life. It follows that school give more balance between theory and practice than home education.
Another reason to consider would be that the study approach at school has changed. Parents are too likely to blame schools for the creativity limitations of their children. In fact, the learning methods that are adopted from modern education and recently used have applied to develop student’s creativity and independence.
Finally, education at school can assist students to reach a maximum achievement. School can give many advantages to students that can insure their future. It is indeed what parents need to educate their children.
(283 words)

Submitted by Riska C, ADS 2005

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Writing Task 2: Computer a Hindrance?

Below is an example of IELTS writing task 2. The question is about whether computer is a hindrance or a help.

It is frequently asserted that computer is more a hindrance than a help, while some people still contend that these modern tools are indispensable. It is my contention that in some ways computers are unhelpful. However, the advantages of computers, in my view, largely outweigh the drawbacks.

There are a number of presumptions that computers are a hindrance, yet some of them are true. It should be noted that the advance of technology not only develop the positive sides but also the negative ones. For many, computer viruses are created to make difficulties to users. As a result, the important data will be lost if the users cannot manage well. Another example is that there are lots of hackers that are eager to take advantages in this field. Consequently, if companies who have online systems, such as banks, etc, do not aware of this problem, a number of financial frauds will be occurred.

Along with these disadvantages, however, computers can provide effectiveness in many ways. People can enhance their productivity in daily work because computers can quicken their work instead of using manual methods. Moreover, many online systems, such as banks, to continue the example from the previous paragraph, are reliant on these tools. The Internet, in addition, indeed needs computers to be applied and developed. This necessarily follows that without computers the improvement in technology will level off.

To conclude, in spite of having many drawbacks, I certainly believe that computers have taken a profoundly important part, and hence these tools play a crucial role in human lives.

(258 words)
Submitted by Roni Wahyudi, Canberra

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Writing Task 2: Creative Artists

This is an example of IELTS writing Task 2, which tries to answer the following question:

Creative artists should always be given the freedom to express their own ideas (in words, pictures, music or film) in whichever way they wish. There should be no government restrictions on what they do. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

There are some who argue that giving freedom in expressing ideas can create harmful effects, while others contend that this is somewhat questionable. It is my contention that the freedom to express ideas should be given due to the fact that creative arts are generally created in situations without pressure. Moreover, the government should not impose limitations because this is against human right to express ideas.
It is undoubtedly accepted that inspiration and imagination will naturally flow if there is lots of space to think and work. In other words, no restriction on what people do will create something new, innovative, and interesting, which people call creative arts. As a result, this will produce more attractive arts in the form of music, film, poetry, pictures, etc, which people can enjoy in their leisure time to relieve their boredom and tension.
In addition, it makes little sense if the government applies restrictions on what artists do. I tend to think that this is against the human right to express ideas. The fact of the matter is that many countries, nowadays, make an effort to show that they are democratic countries. Furthermore, arts can be one way to criticise many social issues as well as government policies. It follows that imposing limitations on such things will reduce the value of democracy.
On the other hand, I can accept that such freedom can create harmful effects. Sometimes, artists lose their control – take pornography, racial songs and provocative caricature, for examples. However, it seems to me that professional and creative artists know what should they do to maintain their image.
To conclude, although the freedom to express ideas can create some negative effects, I certainly believe that there will be many wonderful and attractive arts due to the freedom to express ideas. Therefore, there should be no restrictions on arts.
(306 words)

This work was corrected by my EAP teacher at IALF Bali.

Submitted by Ady Wirawan, ADS6ME, 2006

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Writing Task 2: Traditional vs International Music

This is an example of IELTS writing task 2, and tries to answer question:

...why music is important and which one is more important, traditional or international music

In many countries, music has become a part of human lives. There are many kinds of music from traditional music to international music. This essay seeks to show the reasons why people need music and that music is a universal art so that traditional music is as important as international music.

There are a number of reasons why people indeed need music. First, music is a part of entertainment. Hearing music can make people more relaxed as well as relieve their tension and boredom. Furthermore music can affect our emotion. In other words, it can influence our feelings. Therefore, it can be one way to retain happy or sad stories.

It is undoubtedly accepted that music is a universal art. This means that traditional music is as important as international music. However, both types of music have positive and negative sides. On one hand, the traditional music of the country can show an identity of that country. The fact of the matter is that traditional music is a part culture and can show the uniqueness of the country – take Balinese traditional music, for example. However, young people sometimes think that traditional music is less interesting due to the influence of modernization. On the other hand, international music is widely known due to the fact that it uses international language that can be understood in many countries. In addition, it offers a simple and attractive type of music. However, this music cannot show the uniqueness or identity of a country.

To conclude, there are many reasons to explain why we need music. Moreover, all types of music have their positive and negative aspects, thus the importance is the same.

(278 words)
This writing was corrected by my EAP teacher at IALF Bali.

Submitted by Ady Wirawan, ADS6ME, 2006

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Writing Task 2: Alternatives to Fossil Fuels

This is an example of IELTS writing Task 2, which tries to answer the question:

...to what extent do you agree that exploring and finding safe alternatives to fossil fuels should be the most important global priotity ?

There are some who argue that using coal and oil to generate electricity is undoubtedly an effective method. However, others still contend that burning these fuels has many harmful effects on the environment. This essay seeks to show that exploring and developing safe alternatives to fossil fuels should be the first global priority today due to many benefits especially for the future.

Nowadays, fossil fuels have been exploited widely as sources of energy especially in generating electricity. Fortunately, these sources are still available, in which some countries even have abundant supplies. In addition, these sources have already been used for a long time and thus the processes and procedures are well known. Economically, this technique is more effective because it is not necessary to develop new technology. It has also created many industries and involves lots of employees.

Along with these benefits, however, using fossil fuels as a source of energy has caused many negative consequences for the environment. The burning of these fuels has increased greenhouse gases that have contributed to global warming. This means that we need safe alternatives to fossil fuels to save our future. For instance, the exploration of hydropower and solar power as a source of energy has been applied in some countries. This is an eco-friendly method and can provide lots of energy. Another method to consider is nuclear power. Although it was preceded by some accidents, nuclear power is by far safer and cheaper as well as able to provide unlimited energy. It necessarily follows that the exploration and development of safe alternatives to fossil fuels is the most important thing today.

In conclusion, although the supplies of fossil fuels are still enough in many countries, I believe that using safe alternatives to fossil fuels can insure the sustainability of our environment and rescue our next generations.
(304 words)

This work was corrected by my EAP teacher at IALF Bali.
Submitted by Ady Wirawan, ADS6ME, 2006

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