You should spend about 40 minutes on IELTS writing task 2.
Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always good. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer
Change is inevitable and comes into our lives at every phase. Many people feel that change should be embraced without hesitation, while others believe it is better to avoid new situations. In my opinion, though change can be positive in specific contexts, it should not be pursued as valuable in itself. In the forthcoming paragraphs, I shall discuss both views and later give reasons to support a personal point of view.
Those in favor of change argue it is nearly always positive. Examples of good changes might include moving to a new city, starting a new job, finding a new life companion, or even something as simple as getting a pet. Each of these decisions is a means of addressing a desire or feeling of dissatisfaction. One change that has become prevalent in recent decades relates to nutrition and exercise. Such lifestyle changes are based on research showing the importance of a healthy diet and identified foods low in certain kinds of fats and carbohydrates. Combined with weekly exercise, the results are superior fitness and improved longevity.
However, change is, more often than not, a means of disregarding one’s responsibilities. Many individuals change jobs or leave relationships simply because they have lost their passion. This effort to re-energize is typically unsuccessful because outward changes do little to alleviate internal problems. Therefore, change is either an excuse to justify selfish behavior or a temporary and superficial solution in most cases. The best-known example of this would be the classic ‘mid-life crisis’ that mainly affects men as they age and decide their life is not fulfilling their most basic desires.
Ultimately, I believe that most people would be better served by focusing on improving their current situation rather than seeking transitory and exaggerated new experiences. Thus, in conclusion, change should not be sought to escape one’s primary duties. Change should be an organic process, and individuals shouldn’t pursue it as a goal. Thus, in conclusion, change should not be sought to escape one’s primary duties. Change should be an organic process, and individuals shouldn’t pursue it as a goal.
Structure of the essay
You were given a discussion essay for which you had to give an opinion. So, pick a side and discuss your opinion on it.
General Statement – Change is inevitable and comes into our lives at every phase.
Question Paraphrased – Many people feel that change should be embraced without hesitation, while others believe it is better to avoid new situations.
A thesis statement – In my opinion, though change can be positive in specific contexts, it should not be pursued as valuable in itself.
Outline of the essay – In the forthcoming paragraphs, I shall discuss both views and give reasons to support my point of view.
Body Paragraph 1:
Central Idea: Change is nearly always positive. Supporting points:
- Good changes include moving to a new city, finding a new life companion, starting a new job, or getting a pet.
- Position decisions are a means of addressing a desire or feeling of dissatisfaction.
- For example, one recent change is related to nutrition and exercise.
Body Paragraph 2:
Central Idea: Change is, more often than not, a means of disregarding one’s responsibilities. Supporting points:
- Many individuals change jobs or leave relationships because they have lost their passion
- Outward changes do little to alleviate internal problems
- Change is either an excuse to justify selfish behavior or a temporary solution
- For example, mid-life crisis mainly affects men as they age and decide their life is not fulfilling their most basic desires.
Conclusion:
Presented a supporting view and reiterated that change should not be sought to escape one’s primary duties and supported the side taken in the introduction.