IELTS Writing Test (Task 1, 2) In 2017 & Sample Answers

IELTS Writing Task 1

The pie chart below shows the main reasons why students chose to study at a particular UK university in 1987 and in 2007. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparison where relevant.

Sample Answer

The given pie charts gives information about five main reasons for students’ choice of a British university in 1987 and 2007. Overall, it is clear that the largest proportion of students opted for the school for its courses. While the concern about the distance between parents’ house and the school was seen as the least popular reason in 1987, students paid the least attention to sports and social activities when applying for the school in 2007.

Students were more likely to put training programs, teaching quality, and extra-curricular activities into consideration. After 20 years, there was a minimal increase in the percentage of students enrolling at the university due to the two former criteria, from 35% to 37% and from 15% to 18%, respectively. However, 10% of students reached the decision based on the proximity between their parental houses and the university in 1987. This figure then grew twofold to 22% two decades later.

In contrast, the quality of resources and extracurricular activities were less prioritized by students after 20 years. Whilst a 2% decrease was witnessed in the proportion of those caring about teaching quality, other reasons were given by only 6% of students in 2007, one-third the 1987 figure.

IELTS WRITING TASK 2 

Some people say that zoos have no useful purpose. Others believe that zoos are beneficial in many ways. Discuss and give your opinion.

SAMPLE ANSWER

A diversity of animal species from leopards, eagles to lizards have been captured and kept in zoos across the globe for centuries. While this practice is considered pointless to some, I believe there are real advantages of it.

Zoos, according to some, are valueless. There is a common belief that the act of caging animal is already wrong-doing against animal rights. The matter can be even worse when some caged animals are bullied, mistreated and exploited when they are forced to do tricks in zoological games to attract visitors. Zoologists may also argue that these creatures may lose their natural instinct during the course of being captive; therefore, they can be incapable of returning to the wild in the future. For example, a tiger may lose its hunting nature when it is fed on a daily basis.

However, I believe zoological gardens are invaluable not only for human but also for the animals themselves. First, for young children and biology students, these venues can provide a resourceful learning environment, where both the understandings of and the love for nature may easily evolve as physical contact with animals is possible. As a result, even the faunae from the furthest habitats such as penguins from the South Pole can be learnt about and loved. Second, zoos have been offering a home to thousands of endangered species, where they can thrive and breed their offspring. This is crucial when over-hunting, deforestation and climate change have destroy the natural habitats of some wild animals.

To conclude, I firmly believe that the advantages of zoos outweigh the disadvantages. All the aforementioned disadvantages can be lessened if more is invested in zoos to idealise animal’s living space.