Unpaid work for teenagers is a topic that has appeared in IELTS Writing Task 2 several times over the past few years. It’s a relevant and controversial subject that tests candidates’ ability to analyze complex social issues. Based on past exam trends, we can expect this theme to continue appearing in future tests. Let’s examine a recent question on this topic:
Some people think that teenagers should do unpaid work to help their community. Others believe this is unfair and teenagers should be paid for all their work. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss arguments for teenagers doing unpaid community work
- Discuss arguments against unpaid work for teenagers
- Provide their own opinion on the issue
Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, followed by a detailed analysis of each.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
Volunteering and community service have long been considered valuable experiences for young people. While some argue that teenagers should engage in unpaid work to benefit their communities, others contend that all work deserves compensation. In my opinion, a balanced approach combining both paid and unpaid work opportunities for teenagers is ideal.
Those in favor of unpaid work for teenagers argue that it instills important values and skills. Volunteering can foster a sense of social responsibility, empathy, and community engagement. It allows young people to gain work experience, develop new skills, and explore potential career paths without the pressure of a paid position. Moreover, unpaid work can help teenagers appreciate the value of giving back to society and understand the importance of civic duty.
On the other hand, opponents of unpaid teenage work argue that it is exploitative and unfair. They contend that teenagers’ time and effort are valuable and should be compensated accordingly. Unpaid work may disadvantage those from lower-income backgrounds who need to earn money to support themselves or their families. Additionally, some argue that expecting free labor from young people sets a dangerous precedent and may lead to their exploitation in other areas of life.
In my view, a combination of paid and unpaid work opportunities for teenagers is the most beneficial approach. Encouraging short-term volunteering or community service projects can provide valuable learning experiences and foster social consciousness. However, for longer-term or more demanding commitments, teenagers should be offered fair compensation. This balanced approach ensures that young people can gain the benefits of both unpaid and paid work while avoiding potential exploitation.
To implement this effectively, schools and local governments could collaborate to create structured volunteer programs with clear time limits and learning objectives. Part-time jobs for teenagers could be promoted alongside these initiatives, providing a range of experiences for young people to choose from based on their individual circumstances and goals.
In conclusion, while unpaid work can offer valuable experiences for teenagers, it is essential to strike a balance between volunteer opportunities and fair compensation. By providing a mix of paid and unpaid options, we can ensure that young people develop important skills and values while also recognizing the worth of their time and effort.
Teenagers volunteering in a community garden project
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
The topic of whether teenagers should do unpaid work for their community or be paid for all their work is debatable. Both sides have valid points, and I will discuss them before giving my opinion.
Some people think teenagers should do unpaid work to help their community. This can teach them important values like responsibility and caring for others. Volunteering can also give teenagers new skills and experiences that might help them in the future. For example, a teenager who volunteers at a local animal shelter might decide to become a veterinarian later. Unpaid work can also make teenagers feel good about themselves and their contribution to society.
However, others believe it’s unfair for teenagers to work without pay. They argue that teenagers’ time is valuable and they should be compensated for their efforts. Some teenagers need to earn money to help their families or save for college. If they spend time doing unpaid work, they might miss out on paid opportunities. There’s also a risk that some organizations might take advantage of free labor from teenagers.
In my opinion, I think a mix of paid and unpaid work is best for teenagers. Short volunteer projects can be good for learning and helping the community. But for regular or long-term work, teenagers should be paid fairly. This way, they can gain experience from both types of work and learn different lessons.
Schools could organize volunteer days where students help in the community for a few hours. But they should also teach students about workers’ rights and fair pay. Part-time jobs for teenagers should be encouraged too, so they can earn money and learn about managing finances.
In conclusion, while unpaid work can be valuable for teenagers, it’s important to balance this with opportunities for paid work. This approach ensures teenagers can develop various skills and experiences while also recognizing the value of their time and effort.
Band 5-6 Sample Essay
Nowadays, there is a debate about whether teenagers should do unpaid work for their community or if they should always be paid. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Some people think teenagers should do unpaid work. They say it’s good for teenagers to help their community without getting money. It can teach them to be kind and care about others. Unpaid work can also give teenagers new skills and make them feel good about themselves. For example, a teenager might volunteer at a hospital and learn about helping sick people.
But other people think teenagers should always be paid for their work. They say it’s not fair to make teenagers work for free. Teenagers need money too, maybe to help their family or save for school. If they do unpaid work, they might not have time to do paid work. Also, some people might try to use teenagers as free workers, which is not right.
I think both sides have good points. Unpaid work can be good for teenagers sometimes, but not all the time. Maybe teenagers could do some short volunteer work to help their community and learn new things. But if they work regularly or for a long time, they should get paid. This way, teenagers can learn from both types of work.
Schools could help by organizing volunteer days where students help in the community. But they should also teach students about workers’ rights and fair pay. Part-time jobs for teenagers are also important so they can earn money.
In conclusion, I believe a mix of unpaid and paid work is best for teenagers. This helps them learn different skills and also respects their time and effort.
Teenagers working part-time job in a cafe
Analysis of Sample Essays
Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and meets all the criteria for a high band score:
- Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
- Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used with flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items are used with accuracy.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of grammatical structures is used accurately and appropriately.
Key strengths:
- Clear introduction with a thesis statement
- Well-developed arguments for both sides
- Personal opinion clearly stated and supported
- Sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures
- Effective use of examples and explanations
Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but with some limitations:
- Task Response: All parts of the task are addressed, but some aspects are more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but some paragraphs are not as well-linked as in the higher band essay.
- Lexical Resource: A sufficient range of vocabulary is used, with some attempts at less common lexical items.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used, with generally good control and only occasional errors.
Key strengths:
- Addresses all parts of the task
- Presents clear arguments for both sides
- Includes a personal opinion
- Uses some less common vocabulary
Areas for improvement:
- Develop ideas more fully
- Improve paragraph linking
- Use a wider range of complex structures
Band 5-6 Essay
This essay demonstrates adequate writing skills but with noticeable limitations:
- Task Response: The essay addresses the task, but some points are inadequately developed.
- Coherence and Cohesion: There is a basic structure, but paragraphs are not always well-linked.
- Lexical Resource: A limited range of vocabulary is used, with some errors in word choice and spelling.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Simple sentences are used accurately, but there are errors when more complex structures are attempted.
Key strengths:
- Addresses the main points of the task
- Presents arguments for both sides
- Includes a personal opinion
Areas for improvement:
- Develop ideas more fully with specific examples
- Improve paragraph organization and linking
- Use a wider range of vocabulary and complex structures
- Reduce grammatical errors
Vocabulary to Remember
- instill (verb) /ɪnˈstɪl/ – gradually but firmly establish an idea or attitude in a person’s mind
- foster (verb) /ˈfɒstə(r)/ – encourage the development of something, especially something desirable
- civic duty (noun phrase) /ˈsɪvɪk ˈdjuːti/ – the responsibilities of a citizen
- exploitative (adjective) /ɪkˈsplɔɪtətɪv/ – using someone unfairly for your own advantage
- precedent (noun) /ˈpresɪdənt/ – an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances
- compensation (noun) /ˌkɒmpenˈseɪʃn/ – something, typically money, awarded to someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury
- collaborate (verb) /kəˈlæbəreɪt/ – work jointly on an activity or project
- initiative (noun) /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ – the ability to assess and initiate things independently
- structured (adjective) /ˈstrʌktʃəd/ – arranged according to a plan or system
- empathy (noun) /ˈempəθi/ – the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
In conclusion, the topic of unpaid work for teenagers is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of various perspectives. By examining these sample essays, we can see how different approaches and writing skills can lead to varying band scores. To improve your own writing, practice developing well-structured arguments, using a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and providing specific examples to support your points.
For further practice, try writing your own essay on this topic or related subjects such as:
- The benefits and drawbacks of part-time jobs for high school students
- The role of community service in education
- Balancing work experience and academic studies for teenagers
Remember to post your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you refine your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.
