idea for ielts - Simon - 2

13. Health

Diet

1.      The human body requires a balanced diet

2.      An unhealthy diet can cause various health problems

3.      Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are on the increase

4.      Many people nowadays rely on fast food or pre-prepared meals

5.      These foods often contain too much fat, salt and sugar

6.      They are cheap to buy and very easy to prepare

7.      Many young people have grown up on a diet of convenience foods

8.      Populations in developed countries are increasingly overweight

Exercise

1.      Regular exercise is essential in maintaining a healthy body

2.      Exercise burns calories and helps to build healthy bones and muscles

3.      Doctors advise exercising at least three times a week for 20 minutes

4.      Most people nowadays lead a sedentary lifestyle

5.      We tend to walk less and do desk jobs

6.      Most adults relax by watching television

7.      Children play video games rather than doing outdoor sports

8.      In the past, people were more active in their jobs and at home

Government’s Role

1.      Governments have a significant role to play in reducing obesity

2.      More and more people, including young children are seriously overweight

3.      They are at risk of heart disease and diabetes

4.      This situation will increase the burden on hospitals and taxpayers

5.      Hospitals rely on the government for money and resources

6.      Governments should promote a healthy diet and regular exercise

7.      There should be more time for sports on school timetables

8.      Unhealthy junk food should be banned from school menus

9.      People need information about what foods contain

10. Food packaging must show the food’s nutritional content

11. The British Government recommends eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day

State Health system: advantages

1.      Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free

2.      State healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes

3.      Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment

4.      Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it

5.      The National Health Service in the UK provides free healthcare for every resident

Private Healthcare: advantages

1.      State hospitals are often very large and difficult to run

2.      Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments

3.      Patients can benefit from faster treatment

4.      Many people prefer to pay for more a personal service

5.      Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities

Alternative medicine: Positives

1.      People are increasingly using alternative medicines to treat illnesses.

2.      For example, acupuncture can be used to treat backache

3.      Herbal medicines can be used to treat allergies or viruses

4.      Many patients report positive experiences with these treatments

5.      Some traditional cures have been used for hundreds of years

Alternative medicine: Negatives

1.      Many alternative medicines have not been tested scientifically

2.      They may have no beneficial effect at all

3.      They may cause unknown side effects

4.      People should trust the opinions of qualified doctors

5.      An illness could get worse without treatment from a doctor

6.      Stress

7.      Modern lifestyles are increasingly stressful

8.      People work long hours with strict deadlines

9.      Our busy lifestyles mean we have less time to relax

10. Unemployment is a major cause of stress

11. Children may be affected by their parents’ relationship problems

12. Tests and exams can also cause stress

How to reduce stress

1.      Stress can be reduced by taking regular exercise and eating a healthy diet

2.      It is also important to get sufficient sleep and make leisure time a priority

3.      People should work less overtime and take regular holidays

4.      Schools have started to employ psychologists

5.      They can offer emotional support to students

6.      They can help students to cope with exam stress

14. Housing and Architecture

State/council housing

1.      In some countries the government provides state or council housing

2.      This helps people who cannot afford to buy their own house

3.      It can be argued that state housing creates dependence on the government

4.      People should be rely on the government to look after them

5.      People have no incentive to earn money and buy their own home

6.      Council properties are often made with cheap, poor-quality materials.

Old Buildings

1.      Historic buildings are part of a country’s heritage

2.      They should be protected

3.      Old buildings are often considered to be works or art

4.      They give character to cities and attract tourists

5.      They show us how people lived in the past

6.      We identify countries by architectural symbols like the pyramids in Egypt

7.      Governments should spend money on looking after historic buildings

8.      They need regular repairs and maintenance

9.      New buildings should be designed to complement them

Modern/green buildings

1.      Modern buildings should be designed to be environmentally friendly

2.      They should use less energy and produce less waste

3.      Modern insulation can make houses more energy-efficient

4.      Solar and wind power can be used to generate electricity

5.      Rainwater and waste water can be recycled and used to flush toilets.

6.      Modern glass buildings take advantage if natural light

15. Language

1.      English as an international language

2.      English is widely used around the world

3.      It is becoming a global second language

4.      It is the dominant language of technology, science and international business

5.      International business meetings are regularly held in English

6.      The most important textbooks and journals are published in English

7.      The ability to speak English is a necessary skill in the modern world

Negative of English as an International Language

1.      If one language is dominant, other languages may disappear

2.      The dominant language brings its own culture

3.      American culture has become popular around the world

4.      Other cultures may be damaged

5.      As an alternative to English, a new global language could be invented

6.      It would have no nationality or culture attached to it

7.      This could help to promote international peace and understanding

8.      Esperanto is an example of a language that was invented with this aim

16. Money

Money and Society

1.      Society has become increasingly materialistic

2.      People aspire to earn more money

3.      They want a bigger house or a better car

4.      We connect wealth and material possessions with happiness and success

5.      Brands like “Armani” or ”Mercedes” are status symbols

6.      Advertising creates new desires and needs

7.      It persuades us to buy the latest styles

Positives of Consumerism

1.      Consumerism creates employment It helps to reduce poverty

2.      It encourages innovation and creativity in business

3.      We live in a global economy

4.      We have a better quality of life

Negatives of Consumerism

1.      Consumerist societies create more waste

2.      They use more natural resources

3.      They cause damage to the environment

4.      Consumerism creates a “throw-away” culture

5.      Advertisers tell us who we are and what we want

6.      Wealth does not lead to happiness

7.      Materialism causes greed and crime

8.      We should return to traditional values like sharing

17. Personality

Happiness

1.      Happiness means different things to different people

2.      It can be described as a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment

3.      People enjoy spending time with family and friends

4.      Hobbies, sports and games can be a source of fun and enjoyment

5.      Some people see money as a source of happiness

6.      Other people define happiness as something deeper

7.      In order to be truly happy it is necessary to live a good life

8.      We need to feel that we are doing something useful with our lives

9.      Some people get a sense of achievement from their work

10. Others find happiness in bringing up their children

11. Religion or a sense of purpose can also be a source of happiness

Success

1.      People define success in different ways

2.      Some people get a sense of achievement from raising a family

3.      For others, success is defined by wealth or status

4.      We often think of rich and famous people as being successful in life

5.      Millionaires like Bill Gates are considered to be successful

6.      They have risen to the top in their chosen professions

7.      For some, being successful means achieving personal or professional goals

8.      They see success as the result of hard work

9.      Success in any field requires long-term planning and effort

Nature or Nurture

1.      Some people believe that our personalities are determined mainly by genetics

2.      We inherit our abilities and talents from our parents

3.      Others think that our education and upbringing are more important

4.      We develop according to the influences around us

5.      Our personalities and achievements depend more on nurture than nature

6.      Many people argue that we control our own destinies

7.      We can shape our own personalities

8.      By working hard we can achieve and goal that we put our minds to

9.      Many successful people are “self-made”

10. We are not limited by our genetic characteristic or upbringing

18. Sport and Leisure

1.      Arguments against Professional/competitive sport

2.      Sport has become a business

3.      Professional sport encourages people to compete for money

4.      Many sports stars are only concerned about money and fame

5.      Some athletes take drugs in order to win at any cost

6.      Competitors are often selfish and rude

7.      They are not good role models for children

8.      All sports should be amateur

9.      Sports should be leisure activities rather than jobs

10. People should do sporting activities for enjoyment and health reasons

11. Taking part is more important than winning

Arguments for Professional sport

1.      Professional sports are the same as any other business

2.      Many people are employed in the sports industry

3.      People should be able to use their talents to earn a salary

4.      Sports stars entertain millions of people

5.      Money is necessary to improve facilities and train athletes

6.      The level of professional sport is much higher than that of amateur sport

Arguments for Competitive sport

1.      Competition is a natural instinct in humans

2.      In daily life we compete to get jobs or the highest grades

3.      Sports are a safe form of competition

4.      Competition is healthy because it pushes us to give our best

5.      Competitors and fans can release energy and aggression

6.      Supporters of teams feel a sense of belonging to a community

Opinion: professional sport salaries are too high

1.      Sports professionals earn too much money

2.      They do not provide a vital service

3.      Football players, for example, earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball

4.      We could all live happily without professional football

5.      Life would be difficult without doctors, engineers and other vital professionals.

6.      Society does not seem to value these professions as highly as professional sport

7.      Sports salaries should be compatible with the wages most people earn

Opinion: professional sport salaries are fair

1.      It is fair that the best professional earn a lot of money

2.      Sport is a multi-million-pound industry

3.      There is a large audience of sports fans

4.      Sports on television attract many viewers

5.      Sports stars have dedicated hours of practice to developing their fitness and skills

6.      Only the most talented among them will reach the top

7.      A sports career many only last 10 years

8.      Sports fans are willing to pay to support their teams

Sports and Politics

1.      Some people think that sport and politics should remain separate

2.      Governments are involved in the hosting of sporting events such as the Olympics.

3.      These events attract investment and create jobs.

4.      The Olympic Games are an advertisement for the host nation

5.      They attract huge numbers of visitors and sports fans

6.      Wealthy countries tend to hold these events

7.      Developing countries should be given the chance to become hosts

19. Television, Internet, Phones

Positives of television

1.      Watching television is a good way to relax

2.      It is many people’s favorite way to wind down after a hard day at work

3.      Television programs can be entertaining and enjoyable

4.      Viewers have access to a huge variety of entertainment channels

5.      Television brings the best comedians, musicians and actors into our homes

6.      Programmers can also be informative and educational

7.      News coverage makes the public aware of events around the world

8.      Documentaries can make learning more interesting

Negatives of Television

1.      Television is having a negative impact on society

2.      Some people link violence on television with crime rates in the real world

3.      Children copy the behavior they see on the screen

4.      Children are less healthy because they spend less time playing

5.      Advertisers direct their marketing at children

6.      Most programs do not require much thought Watching TV is a waste of time

Opinions about Television

1.      Television has many benefits

2.      However, it can be addictive

3.      Children should play outside rather than sit in front of a screen all day

4.      Behavior shown on TV can influence  people

5.      Parents should choose carefully what their children watch

6.      Children should not be exposed to violence, swearing or sexual images

7.      Advertising during children’s programs should be strictly controlled

8.      TV companies should make more positive, educational programs

Positives of the Internet

1.      There are many advantages to using the Internet

2.      It gives us instant access to information on almost any subject

3.      Shops and other services are now available online

4.      People can buy goods and services from the comfort of their homes

5.      The Internet is starting to replace other forms of entertainment

6.      It has revolutionized communication

7.      We can keep in touch by email or instant messenger services

8.      Video messaging is becoming common for business meetings

Negatives of the internet

1.      Many websites contain offensive content

2.      Some sites show violent or sexual images

3.      Parents find it difficult to control what their children see online

4.      They do not always know who their children are chatting to

5.      With so many websites it is difficult to search for good information

6.      Criminals increasingly use the Internet to steal people’s money

Internet compared to newspaper and books

1.      Newspapers and books are now published online as well as in print

2.      We can read the news in any language from any country in the world

3.      It costs nothing to publish or access information on the Internet

4.      The Internet allows anybody to publish their own writing

5.      Newspaper articles and books are written by professionals

6.      Professionals produce better quality writing than amateur

7.      People still buy newspapers and books because they are portable

8.      People do not like reading from a screen

Positives of Mobile Phones

1.      The mobile phone is the most popular gadget in today’s world

2.      Mobile phones have revolutionized the way we communicate

3.      We can stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues wherever we are

4.      Users can send text messages, surf the Internet, take photos and listen to music

5.      Mobiles have also become fashion accessories

Negatives of Mobile Phones

1.      Mobiles phones can be a problem in some public places

2.      Ringing phones cause disturbance in cinemas and school lessons

3.      Some people are not aware that others can hear their conversations

4.      Mobile phones may also interfere with electronic equipment

5.      Their waves could cause damage to our brains

6.      Mobile phones can also be a dangerous distraction

7.      Using a phone while driving reduces the driver’s concentration

8.      Mobile phones are a popular target for thieves

Opinion about Mobile Phones

1.      The benefits of mobile phones outweigh the drawbacks

2.      We need to use these phones with care

20. Tourism

Positives of Tourism

1.      Tourism is a popular leisure activity

2.      People go on holiday to relax and have fun

3.      Tourists can experience different cultures

4.      They can sunbathe on beaches or go sight-seeing

5.      Travelling abroad opens our minds

6.      We can learn to speak other languages

7.      The tourist trade is vital for some economies

8.      It creates employment in services like accommodation, transport and entertainment

9.      Some areas rely on tourism for their income

10. Tourists spend money

11. Tourism attracts investment from multi-national companies

12. It helps to improve the standard of living

13. Low-cost airlines are making it cheaper to travel abroad

Negative effects of tourism

1.      Tourism can have a negative effect on the natural environment

2.      The building of facilities and infrastructure can destroy the habitat of wild animals

3.      Beautiful beaches are spoilt by the building of hotels

4.      Tourism creates pollution and waste

5.      It puts pressure on local resources

6.      Local traditional and cultures may be endangered

7.      A rise in the cost of living affects local people

8.      The price of goods, services and housing may increase significantly

The future of tourism

1.      Government should introduce laws to protect natural environments and local cultures

2.      Tourism should have a low impact on wildlife

3.      Renewable resources like solar or water power should be used

4.      Waste should be recycled

5.      Local businesses such as farms should be supported

21. Traditional vs Modern

Losing traditional skills

1.      Because of industrialization and global trade, many traditions have disappeared

2.      Global advertising encourages everyone to buy the same products

3.      Most products are now made in factories

4.      Machinery has replaced skilled human labour

5.      Factory work is boring and leaves people feeling unfulfilled

6.      Goods are produced very quickly and in large numbers

7.      Products are cheaper, which means that more people can buy them

Examples

1.      Clothes are mass produced in standard sizes

2.      People wear similar clothes, rather than traditional costumes

3.      Jeans and T-shirt are now worn throughout the world

4.      Historic buildings took skilled craftsmen years to build

5.      Modern concrete, steel and glass buildings are built in only weeks or months

6.      There are fewer people who can create hand-made goods

Traditional customs

1.      Traditional customs are still important during weddings and religious festivals

2.      People wear traditional costumers and eat special foods

3.      It is important to maintain our different cultural identities

4.      We should celebrate festivals, teach traditional skills and protect historic places

22. Transport

Traffic problems

1.      Traffic congestion is caused by commuters travelling to work

2.      Most people live in the suburbs outside city centre

3.      Commuters tend to travel at the same time of day

4.      They tend to travel alone

5.      Cars and road space are not used efficiently

6.      This causes traffic jams during the rush hour

Traffic solutions

1.      In order to reduce traffic we should change our working habits

2.      The internet can now be used to connect people

3.      More people could work from home

4.      Meetings can be held as video conferences

5.      Workers could be given flexible timetables

6.      Another solution would be to tax drivers

7.      Workers should share their cars and travel together

8.      In London, for example, there is a congestion charge

9.      This helps to raise money for better public transport

10. Public transport needs to be reliable and efficient

Positives of Public transport

1.      We need to reduce our dependence on cars

2.      Parking a car can be extremely difficult in big cities

3.      Well-designed transport systems are comfortable and convenient

4.      Modern public transport can be fast and cheap

5.      Public transport can help to reduce pollution in cities

6.      Investment in buses and trains will ease traffic congestion

7.      Buses can be given special lands to avoid traffic

Negatives of public transport

1.      Public transport if often slow and unreliable

2.      Metro systems and trains are often dirty and crowded

3.      People feel like “sardines in a can”

4.      Cars are much more comfortable

Road safety

1.      Driving while tired or drunk is extremely dangerous

2.      Mobile phones can be a dangerous distraction for drivers

3.      They draw the driver’s attention away from the road

4.      The use of phones while driving has been banned in many countries

5.      Punishments are becoming stricter

6.      Television campaigns are used to remind people to drive safely

7.      Speed cameras have become more common

8.      Speed bumps are another form of traffic calming

9.      Many streets are designed with the aim of slowing traffic down

23. Water

Importance of clean water

1.      Water is as necessary natural resource

2.      Humans need access to clean, safe drinking water in order to live

3.      Poor water quality is a major cause of disease and death in some countries

4.      Water usually needs to be treated before we can drink it

5.      Developing countries often lack the means to treat and supply water to citizens

6.      Developed countries tend to have much better sanitation

7.      Citizens have access to clean tap water

8.      Drinking water is not contaminated by sewage or waste water

9.      The supply of clean water would improve public health in many developing countries

Water supply

1.      Urban life would be impossible without water supply systems

2.      These systems are massive engineering projects

3.      Many professionals are involved in their planning, construction and maintenance

4.      The supply and distribution of water are major concerns

5.      Water is becoming scarce in some countries

6.      Areas that suffer droughts often need to import water

7.      As populations grow, there is more pressure on water supplies

8.      This could lead to a water crisis

Water and politics

1.      The supply of water is also an important political issue

2.      Huge amount of water are needed for agriculture and industry

3.      The irrigation of crops accounts for a large proportions of water use

4.      A water crisis could lead to political conflicts or even wars

Argument: water should be free

1.      Some people believe that water should be free for everyone

2.      Governments should supply water to all homes at no cost

3.      Private companies should not be allowed to profit from this natural resource

4.      Money from taxes can be used to pay for water supply systems

Argument: water should not be free

1.      If water is free, people take it for granted

2.      They do not think about how much water they waste

3.      They leave taps running while washing or brushing their teeth

4.      If we have to pay for water, we will use it more responsibly

5.      Water supply systems are extremely expensive

6.      Investment is needed to maintain and improve them

7.      Private companies may provide a better service than governments

8.      If they provide an efficient service, they will make more money

9.      They will repair leaks to avoid losing money

Bottled Water: Opinions

1.      Some people carry bottles of water wherever they go

2.      For example, they take bottles of water to work or to the gym

3.      They believe that bottled water is healthier than tap water

4.      They also argue that it tastes better

5.      However, other people believe that we should consume less bottled water

6.      Plastic water bottles add to litter and waste problems

7.      Companies should not be able to make a profit from water

8.      It is unethical to make money by selling packaged water

9.      There is no difference in quality between bottled and tap water

24. Work

The benefits of staying in the same job for life

1.      Employees have a stable career with one employer

2.      They have a good pension and health insurance

3.      Their salaries gradually increase

4.      They may be promoted within the organization

5.      They demonstrate loyalty

6.      Experienced staff can be trusted with more responsibility

7.      They become part of a team

8.      There is a clearly defined path for development

The benefits of not staying in the same job

1.      People often change jobs in order to further their career

2.      Another company may offer a promotion or a higher salary

3.      People who change jobs can gain experience

4.      They can learn different skills

5.      Changing jobs is interesting and challenging

6.      People can retrain in a different occupation

7.      In a fast-changing world workers need to be flexible

8.      People need to develop a range of experience and skills

Self-employment

1.      Nowadays, it is easy to set up a company

2.      The Internet provides a global marketplace

3.      Self-employment offers greater freedom than working for a company

4.      However, there are risks to starting a new business

5.      Self-employed people may face financial difficulties

6.      Many businesses fail to make a profit

7.      There is less stability in self-employment

8.      There are no benefits like pensions, sick pay and holiday pay

9.      Self-employment involved hard work, long hours and total responsibility

Unemployment

1.      Unemployment is a big problem for individuals, communities and society

2.      Some people are unable to find a job

3.      They may not have the sufficient level of education or qualifications

4.      They may find themselves homeless

5.      Unemployment causes frustration and stress

6.      Jobless people may become involved in crime as a means to get money

7.      The unemployed need careers advice

8.      Governments need to provide vocational courses and retraining

Unemployment benefits: positives

1.      Some governments pay unemployment benefits in order to help jobless people

2.      Unemployed people need financial support until they find a new job

3.      By claiming benefits they can continue to pay for their homes

4.      The benefits system helps to reduce poverty, homelessness and crime

Unemployment benefits: negatives

1.      Some people claim benefits rather than working

2.      They become dependent on the government

3.      They are not motivated to find a job

4.      The benefits system is a burden on taxpayers

5.      All citizens should work to earn a living and support themselves

6.      Receiving benefits affects people’s self esteem

Work/Life Balance

1.      It is important to achieve a balance between work time and leisure or family time

2.      Too much work can result in stress and poor health “workaholics” may neglect their families and friends

3.      People need to take regular holidays

4.      Companies should be expect employees to work overtime

5.      Nowadays, many people work part-time or have flexible working hours

6.      Technology allow people to work from home

7.      Many companies provide childcare facilities

8.      A good work/ life balance can raise job satisfaction

9.      Happy, healthy workers are more productive

Technology and work

1.      Internet, fax and mobile phone technologies have revolutionized working life

2.      Workers can communicate via email, online networks and video conferencing

3.      Technology can connect workers in different countries

4.      It gives people more freedom

5.      It can also save time and money

6.      Some people believe that offices could disappear in the future

7.      Virtual online offices may replace them

Child labour

1.      In some countries, children are exploited

2.      They do repetitive jobs for very low pay

3.      Children are often used in agriculture and factory work

4.      The employment of children is prohibited in other countries

5.      Many people think that children should be free to enjoy their childhood

6.      Governments should make education a priority

7.      They should build new schools

8.      They should supply the resources to educate children

9.      Children need to be given the knowledge and skills for adult life