This blog will answer an IELTS essay question from Cambridge IELTS 10 Test 1 Writing Task 2. The Essay response is aimed at an IELTS band 8 and is around 300 words. You will find the IELTS Essay Structure, Essay Question, Understanding of the question and a Sample IELTS Essay below.
Cambridge 10 Test 1 Task 2
Essay Question
It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
What sort of punishment should parents and teachers be allowed to use to teach good behaviour to children?
Understanding the Question
First, let’s look at the main keywords in the question. The question is about the necessity of punishing children. Further, it claims that such a practice (Punishing children) helps children to learn the difference between right and wrong. Later, the question asks you if you agree or disagree, and also wants you to discuss the sort of punishments parents and teachers can use.
The question is in two parts, it wants – your opinion and your suggestion. Hence, it would be better to write one body paragraph on your opinion and another on the kind of punishments allowed.
- My first body paragraph will agree with the statement in the question.
- My second body paragraph will discuss a few types of punishments that parents and teachers can adopt.
- Go through the image below to understand how I frame an essay. It is always recommended that you build a rough frame-up of the main arguments that you would want to include. It helps save time and keeps you in a steady direction.
IELTS Essay Structure
The sample IELTS essay below follows the Argumentative Essay structure. Almost all of the IELTS essay questions require you to write an argumentative essay. Thus, in the essay below, each paragraph is separated into core elements of an argumentative essay. For example, the Introduction paragraph includes two elements – Paraphrase and the Thesis statement. This is done so that you learn the IELTS essay structure and replicate it in your essays. If you want to know more about the IELTS Essay Structure then go ahead and read this blog.
Sample IELTS Essay
Introduction Paragraph
Paraphrase – Learning to distinguish between right and wrong, at a younger age, is a necessity. It is claimed that punishment is the key to imbibing this virtue.
Thesis – Even though disciplining is necessary, being harsh with children, is not an apt course of action. Instead, the need to develop innovative parenting and teaching techniques is a pressing priority.
Body 1 Paragraph
Topic Sentence – Any sentient organism would respond to stimuli, especially pain. Children are not much different and do react to disciplinary actions.
Argument 1 – Firstly, youngsters need to be corrected as they do not innately have self-restraint and orderliness.
Explanation 1 – For instance, when children accompany their parents to a bank, they need to know how to behave. In such cases, disciplining them is more of a necessity than an option.
Argument 2 – Besides, disciplining reminds them of their position within society and institutes modesty in their character.
Explanation 2 – Being young and free-minded, children may act arrogantly and might harm others with their actions or words.
Close – It, therefore, is easily understood that penalising young ones for their wrongdoings would be helpful in their development.
Body 2 Paragraph
Topic Sentence – Nowadays, parents and teachers need to figure out other constructive methods if they need to continue penalising youngsters.
Argument 1 – First, instead of corporal punishments, parents may authoritatively deny their children free time and personal space.
Explanation 1 – For example, in the United States of America, parents adopt this technique wherein a child is not allowed to partake in any leisure activity, and often not allowed to step out of the house.
Argument 2 – Teachers, on the other hand, should be careful not to hurt young learners mentally, while still being able to correct them.
Explanation 2 – As such, they may ask mischievous students to work on extra assignments or help their peers.
Close – Thus, effective disciplining may be practised by both parents and teachers.
Conclusion Paragraph
To conclude, I opine that punishments are required to build a better person. However, parents and teachers should adopt ways which do not harm them physically or mentally.
ESSAY ON PUNISHMENTS
Learning to distinguish between right and wrong, at a younger age, is a necessity. It is claimed that punishment is the key to imbibing this virtue. Even though disciplining is necessary, being harsh with children, is not an apt course of action. Instead, the need to develop innovative parenting and teaching techniques is a pressing priority.
Any sentient organism would respond to stimuli, especially pain. Children are not different and do react to disciplinary actions. Firstly, youngsters need to be corrected as they do not innately have self-restraint and orderliness. For instance, when children accompany their parents to a bank, they need to know how to behave. In such cases, disciplining them is more of a necessity than an option. Besides, disciplining reminds them of their position within the society and institutes modesty in their character. Being young and free-minded, children may act arrogantly and might harm others with their actions or words. It, therefore, is easily understood that penalising youngsters for their wrongdoings would be helpful in their development.
Nowadays, parents and teachers need to figure out other constructive methods if they need to continue penalising youngsters. First, instead of corporal punishments, parents may authoritatively deny their children free time and personal space. For example, in the United States of America, parents adopt this technique wherein a child is not allowed to partake in any leisure activity, and often not allowed to step out of the house. Teachers, on the other hand, should be careful not to hurt young learners mentally, while still being able to correct them. As such, they may ask mischievous students to work on extra assignments or help their peers. Thus, effective disciplining may be practised by both parents and teachers.
To conclude, I opine that punishments are required to build a better person. However, parents and teachers should adopt ways which do not harm them physically or mentally.
P.S. – Knowing the structure of an essay is not enough!
You need to be able to use different grammatical styles, have an apt vocabulary, learn to build coherence and use natural linking between sentences. Let me stop here, the list is exhaustive.
If you do need to score above a band 7 + in IELTS writing, I would suggest you find yourself a trainer. If you wish, you can Join my IELTS Writing Course.
Justus Joseph