You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people think that physical strength is important for success in sport, while other people think that mental strength is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
You should write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer 1
Some people opine that the muscular strength of the player determines success in sports; others insist that mental strength is more critical for performing well on the field. In my opinion, physical stamina is more important than mental agility.
On the one hand, mental strength is undoubtedly crucial while playing a game. Players should be able to focus and never lose sight of their goal. Likewise, they must be able to play without losing their heart when the opposition performs better during the match. If they lose heart and become dejected, it will further affect their performance, and that will cause them to lose the game.
On the other hand, muscle strength is even more critical. Physical sport is not a mind game, and as such, there is not much that a player can achieve by simply being mentally strong. Sportspersons who perform on the field require tremendous physical strength and stamina. For example, in football, a player should be able to perform for 90 minutes or more at a stretch. They have to run, jump, attack and defend and all of these activities are performed by the body. Without a strong body, they cannot continue playing. Of course, mental stability will help them stay focused without feeling dejected; however, having focus alone is not sufficient to win the game.
In conclusion, players need both physical and mental powers to win a game; however, in athletic events, physical strength is a lot more critical than mental ability because success in such sports depends entirely on a player’s ability to play tirelessly for the entire duration of the game.
Sample Answer 2
Opinions regarding the essential factors for triumph in sports have long been divided. While some people attribute sport victory to physical fitness, others claim that the attitude of sportspeople is of greater significance. From my perspective, these two views have their rationales, and we should pay equal attention to two factors.
On the one hand, those who argue that physical strength is pivotal to success in sports are justifiable in many aspects. To commence with, competition results are primarily determined by the wellness of muscles and individuals’ endurance. In such sports as running, boxing and so forth, the fitter a competitor is, the better chance he stands of winning. For team sports, the teams with more physically agile members have an obvious advantage over the others. As a result, football players usually spend a colossal amount of time training in the gym to enhance their fitness before important events.
On the other hand, it is not an exaggeration to maintain that a sportsperson could not gain desirable achievements without willpower. Sportspeople often spend much time on strenuous training to prepare themselves for competitions. Therefore, without perseverance, people can quickly resort to capitulation. Furthermore, when it comes to team sports, there is more emphasis on team spirit than on individual physical strength. To illustrate, a muscular and flexible footballer can also make mistakes and lose, provided that he keeps playing for his own sake and ignores the collaboration with other team members.
Both views mentioned are reasonable for their arguments. To my mind, physical and mental strength are both indispensable parts of success in sports, and people should pay attention to improving these factors if they want to succeed.
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS
1. triumph (n): a very great success, achievement, or victory
2. pivotal (adj): very essential
3. wellness (n): the state of being healthy
4. endurance (n): the ability to keep doing something difficult, unpleasant, or painful for a long time
5. stand a good chance of (v): to have a good chance of success
6. physically agile (adj): able to move your body quickly and easily
7. willpower (n): the ability to control your thoughts and how you behave
8. strenuous (adj): needing or using a lot of physical or mental effort or energy
9. perseverance (n): continued effort and determination
10. capitulation (n): the act of giving up
11. for one’s own sake (adv): to help or bring advantage to someone
12. indispensable (adj): so good or necessary that you could not manage without
Sample Answer 3
Many people think that success in sports is derived from physical strength, while others believe that mental toughness is the key. I think mental toughness is just as important as physical fitness in determining sporting success.
Undoubtedly, success in sports requires extraordinary physical fitness. Firstly, muscular strength and key skills such as stamina, flexibility and agility can enhance the ability to perform general sports skills such as jumping or sprinting in most sports. For example, competitive swimmers or runners must have the brute strength to adjust their pace during different game stages to maintain their position or take the lead. Secondly, most elite athletes are cautious and well-prepared to exercise and eat to build muscle. The reason is that physical toughness helps them avoid injuries during training or competition, or injuries would ruin their sporting career. In other words, being in good physical condition ensures their continuity in athletic performance.
However, those who believe that athletic success is strictly a matter of physical prowess are not seeing the whole picture as mental readiness defines how well athletes perform. Many top sports players such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Michael Phelps devote themselves to willpower and mental preparation to gain a sense of confidence and calm regardless of pressures to keep the best performance during the game while other players might succumb. Another example is endurance sports like long-distance swimming or running, in which mental capacity is a game-changing factor. In such cases, mental prowess is responsible for building up their resistance to boredom and tiredness and keeping themselves motivated while their bodies suffer fatigue.
In conclusion, sports players face physical and mental difficulties on the field. Therefore, they should be trained to be physically fit and mentally resilient.
Sample Answer 4
Essay Plan:
Introduction: refer to the task question. My opinion, physical strength is fundamental for success in sport
Paragraph 2: mental strength is important (1) provides motivation to train hard (2) mental strength helps to overcome failures
Paragraph 3: physical strength is the basis of success. Examples of physically demanding sports, but also all other sports – sailing, horse-riding. Some sports stars take drugs to enhance their physical strength
Conclusion: physical and mental strength are critical for success, but physical strength is the basis.
To achieve success in sports, some people argue that it is more important to be robust mentally than physically. While no sportsperson can reach the top without the mental qualities of determination and dedication, I believe that the basis for success must be physical strength.
On the one hand, all sports trainers recognise the necessity of a strong mental attitude. Firstly, if trainers cannot foster a competitive spirit or even a win-at-all-costs attitude, the sportspeople they train may lack the motivation to work hard and succeed. For example, hours spent training in the gym may be repetitive and boring, and aspiring athletes need to stay focused. Secondly, in any sport, there will be disappointments and failures, and it is essential to be mentally strong to overcome these and achieve one’s goals. In particular, in the world of professional sports, where news coverage places too much value on sports, it is impossible to have a laid-back attitude and succeed.
On the other hand, physical strength must be the basis of all success in sports. While most people take up sports simply to get into shape or to keep fit, those who wish to become successful must be physically strong. Prominent examples are sports such as weightlifting, boxing or judo. Yet all other sports also demand physical strength for stamina and endurance, even sailing or horse-riding. Some sports stars, such as the world-famous professional cyclist Lance Armstrong, have even used illegal substances, like performance-enhancing drugs, to reach and maintain top physical condition, risking their careers.
In conclusion, physical and mental strength are necessary to succeed in sports, but it is impossible to succeed without being physically strong.
VOCABULARY HIGHLIGHTS
a win-at-all-costs attitude: an idea that a match or competition must be won using all possible means
Example: Youth sport is being ruined by a win-at-all-costs attitude, which includes cheating and breaking the rules to achieve victory.
to place too much value on sport: to regard sport as too important
Example: I would argue that schools place too much value on sports in the curriculum, and participation in sports should be an out-of-school activity.
to take up sport/to take up exercise: to start doing a sport, to start doing exercise
Example: Governments should provide sports facilities to encourage more people to take up the sport.
to get into shape: to become fit
Example: If people have a sedentary lifestyle, they must do regular exercise to get into shape.
to keep fit: to stay in good physical condition
Example: A healthy diet and plenty of exercise are essential to keep fit.
to use illegal substances: to use drugs or medicines which are not allowed under the rules of a competition
Example: In professional sports, it has become increasingly common to use illegal substances to win at all costs.
performance-enhancing drugs: drugs that improve the ability of a sportsperson to compete
Example: Athletes who take performance-enhancing drugs are not only cheating, but they also set a bad example for young people.
Sample Answer 5
People often argue whether it is more critical for sportspeople to be mentally or physically fit. In my opinion, both qualities are of great significance in equal measure, and I will clarify this in the essay.
On the one hand, physical fitness presents a key element to success in sports. First, it is of utmost importance for sports players to be physically fit as they need to conquer tough challenges in most games. For instance, to fight in a match of 90 minutes, football players need to exert enormous strength and stamina. Second, in some muscular sports, only athletes with physical strength and agility can win the games. For example, wrestlers often undergo vigorous training to build their muscles, to gain superior advantages over their opponents.
Mental toughness, on the other hand, constitutes an essential factor in virtually every sport. First, under the intense pressure of each match, only strong-minded sportspeople who remain calm during the game can maintain a conscious mindset to make breakthroughs in the games. For example, Rafael Nadal, a world-class tennis player, manages to ensure his championship by staying calm regardless of difficulties. Second, a strong mentality is a deciding factor in the outcomes of games. Mental toughness encourages sportspeople to devise the most appropriate tactics and strategies to defeat their rivals.
In conclusion, in any professional sport, athletes should pay equal attention to physical and mental fitness.
Paraphrase keywords
mental strength = be mentally fit = mental toughness = strong mentality = mental fitness
be strong and fit = be physically fit = physical fitness = physical strength
be of great significance/ importance = present a key element to = be of uttermost importance = constitute an important factor
people in sports = sportspeople = sports players = athletes = sports athletes
Sample Answer 6
In order to achieve success in sport, some people argue that it is more important to be strong mentally than physically. While no sportsperson can reach the top without the mental qualities of determination and dedication, I believe that the basis for success must be physical strength.
On the one hand, all sports trainers recognise the necessity of a strong mental attitude. Firstly, if trainers cannot foster a competitive spirit, or even a win-at-all-costs attitude, the sportspeople they train may lack the motivation to work hard and succeed. For example, hours spent training in the gym may be repetitive and boring, and aspiring athletes need to stay focused. Secondly, in any sport there will be disappointments and failures, and it is essential to be mentally strong to overcome these and achieve one’s goals. In particular, in the world of professional sports, where news coverage places too much value on sport, it is impossible to have a laid-back attitude and still succeed.
On the other hand, physical strength must be the basis of all success in sports. While most people take up sport simply to get into shape or to keep fit, those who wish to become successful must be physically strong. Obvious examples are sports such as weightlifting, boxing or judo. Yet all other sports also demand physical strength for stamina and endurance, even sailing or horse-riding. Some sports stars, such as the world-famous professional cyclist Lance Armstrong, have even used illegal substances, like performance-enhancing drugs, to reach and maintain top physical condition, risking their careers.
In conclusion, physical and mental strength are necessary to succeed in sport, but it is impossible to succeed without being physically strong.
283 words
Vocab Highlights
Vocabulary from sport and exercise: to foster a competitive spirit encourage the desire to beat others in a sports event
Example: The problem with encouraging sport at school is that it fosters a competitive spirit among students, instead of teaching children simply to do the best that they can in all aspects of life.
a win-at-all-costs attitude: an idea that a match or competition must be won, using all possible means
Example: Youth sport is being ruined by a win-at-all-costs attitude, which includes cheating and breaking the rules in order to achieve victory.
to place too much value on sport: to regard sport as too important
Example: I would argue that schools place too much value on sport in the curriculum, and participation in sport should be an out-of-school activity.
to take up sport/to take up exercise: to start doing a sport, to start doing exercise
Example: Governments should provide sports facilities to encourage more people to take up sport.
to get into shape: to become fit
Example: If people have a sedentary lifestyle, they must do regular exercise to get into shape.
to keep fit: to stay in good physical condition
Example: A healthy diet and plenty of exercise are essential for people to keep fit.
to use illegal substances: to use drugs or medicines which are not allowed under the rules of a competition
Example: In professional sport, it has become increasingly common to use illegal substances in order to win at all costs.
performance-enhancing drugs: drugs which improve the ability of a sportsperson to compete
Example: Athletes who take performance-enhancing drugs are not only cheating, but they also set a bad example for young people.
Vocabulary from media and advertising:
news coverage: the reporting of news and sport in newspapers, TV, or radio.
Example: The US presidential election received global news coverage, so that the whole world became interested in the outcome.
Other vocabulary:
to reach the top [expression]: to be successful
Example: He is working hard at his job, because he wants to reach the top.
aspiring [adjective]: wanting to be successful
Example: Aspiring musicians need hours of practice every day.
to stay focused [expression]: with your attention directed to what you want to do
Example: Mary works hard, and if she stays focused she will pass her exams.
stamina [noun]: the physical strength that enables you to do something for a long time
Example: You need a lot of stamina to run a marathon.
endurance [noun]: the ability to continue doing something painful or difficult for a long time without giving up
Example: The marathon tests both physical and mental endurance.