The topic of teaching children about the importance of giving back is increasingly relevant in today’s society and has appeared in various forms in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. As educators and parents strive to raise socially responsible individuals, this theme is likely to continue featuring in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a sample question and analyze how to approach this topic effectively.

Analyzing the Question

Some people believe that children should be taught about the importance of giving back to society from an early age. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

This question asks for your opinion on whether children should learn about social responsibility early in life. It’s an agree/disagree type question, which means you need to clearly state your position and support it with well-developed arguments.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

In my opinion, instilling the value of social contribution in children from a young age is crucial for developing well-rounded, empathetic individuals. This essay will explore the reasons why I strongly agree with this perspective.

Firstly, teaching children about giving back helps cultivate empathy and social awareness. When children are exposed to the concept of helping others and contributing to their community, they develop a broader understanding of the world around them. This awareness can lead to increased compassion and a stronger sense of social responsibility as they grow older. For instance, children who participate in volunteer activities at school or in their neighborhood often develop a lifelong commitment to community service.

Moreover, early exposure to the importance of giving back can foster a sense of purpose and self-worth in children. By engaging in acts of kindness and community service, children can experience the positive impact of their actions on others. This reinforces their sense of agency and helps them recognize their potential to make a difference in the world. A study by the University of California found that teenagers who volunteered regularly reported higher levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction compared to their peers who did not engage in such activities.

Furthermore, teaching children about social responsibility from an early age can contribute to creating a more cohesive and supportive society in the long term. As these children grow into adults, they are more likely to actively participate in community initiatives, support charitable causes, and even influence policy-making to address social issues. This ripple effect can lead to stronger communities and a more equitable society overall.

However, it is essential to approach this teaching in an age-appropriate manner, ensuring that children are not overwhelmed or burdened with adult concerns. Educators and parents should focus on simple, tangible ways for children to contribute, gradually introducing more complex concepts as they mature.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that educating children about the importance of giving back to society from an early age is invaluable. It not only benefits the individual child’s personal growth but also contributes to the creation of a more compassionate and socially responsible future generation.

(Word count: 329)

Children learning about giving back

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

I agree that it is important to teach children about giving back to society from a young age. This essay will discuss the reasons why I think this is a good idea.

Firstly, teaching children about helping others can make them more kind and caring. When kids learn to do things for other people, they start to understand how their actions can affect others. For example, if a child helps to collect food for a food bank, they might realize that some people don’t have enough to eat. This can make them more thankful for what they have and want to help others more.

Secondly, learning about giving back can help children feel good about themselves. When they do something nice for someone else, it can make them feel happy and proud. This good feeling can make them want to help more in the future. For instance, a child who helps an elderly neighbor might feel very good about making someone’s day better.

Another reason why teaching children about giving back is important is that it can help make society better in the future. If children grow up thinking it’s normal to help others, they will probably keep doing it when they are adults. This could lead to more people volunteering and helping in their communities when they grow up.

However, it’s important to remember that children are still young and shouldn’t be given too much responsibility. Adults should guide them and show them simple ways to help that are right for their age.

In conclusion, I believe that teaching children about the importance of giving back to society from an early age is a very good idea. It can help children become kinder, feel better about themselves, and create a better society in the future.

(Word count: 287)

Key Points to Remember When Writing

1. Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The Band 8-9 essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced conclusion.

2. Vocabulary: The Band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases such as “cultivate empathy,” “social awareness,” and “sense of agency.” The Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language but still effectively conveys the main ideas.

3. Grammar: The higher band essay demonstrates a wider range of complex sentence structures, while the Band 6-7 essay uses simpler constructions but maintains grammatical accuracy.

4. Development of Ideas: The Band 8-9 essay provides more detailed examples and even references a study to support its points. The Band 6-7 essay gives simpler examples but still supports each main idea.

5. Coherence and Cohesion: Both essays use linking words and phrases to connect ideas, but the Band 8-9 essay does this more sophisticatedly.

Challenging Vocabulary to Remember

1. To cultivate (verb) /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ – to develop or improve through care and effort
2. Empathy (noun) /ˈempəθi/ – the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
3. Social responsibility (noun phrase) /ˈsəʊʃl rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ – the duty to act for the benefit of society at large
4. To foster (verb) /ˈfɒstə(r)/ – to encourage or promote the development of something
5. Cohesive (adjective) /kəʊˈhiːsɪv/ – characterized by or causing cohesion; unified
6. Tangible (adjective) /ˈtændʒəbl/ – clear and definite; real
7. To overwhelm (verb) /ˌəʊvəˈwelm/ – to give too much of something to someone; to overpower
8. Ripple effect (noun phrase) /ˈrɪpl ɪˌfekt/ – the continuing and spreading results of an event or action

Conclusion

Writing about teaching children the importance of giving back requires a balanced approach, discussing both the benefits and potential challenges. Practice writing essays on this topic, considering different perspectives and using varied vocabulary and sentence structures. You might also encounter related topics such as the role of schools in promoting social responsibility or the impact of volunteer work on youth development. Keep practicing and refining your writing skills to improve your IELTS Writing Task 2 performance.

We encourage you to try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you apply the strategies and vocabulary discussed in this article, further enhancing your IELTS writing skills.