The topic of raising the legal drinking age to 21 is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on an analysis of past exam questions and trends, this subject has appeared frequently and is likely to continue being a popular choice for future tests. Let’s examine a real IELTS question on this topic and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Some people think that the legal drinking age should be raised to 21 in all countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Analyzing the Question
This question asks for your opinion on a controversial topic. The key points to address are:
- Your stance on raising the legal drinking age to 21
- Reasons supporting your view
- Potential counterarguments
- Examples or evidence to support your position
Remember to clearly state your opinion and provide a balanced discussion of both sides of the argument.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Alcohol consumption among young adults has long been a contentious issue, with some advocating for a higher legal drinking age to curb potential risks. While I acknowledge the concerns behind this proposal, I disagree that raising the legal drinking age to 21 in all countries is the most effective solution.
Should the legal drinking age be raised to 21? Proponents of this measure argue that it would reduce alcohol-related accidents and health issues among young people. Indeed, research has shown that the brain continues to develop until the mid-20s, and exposure to alcohol during this period can have detrimental effects on cognitive function and decision-making abilities. Furthermore, raising the age limit might decrease binge drinking among college students and potentially lower rates of alcohol addiction in later life.
However, I believe that such a blanket policy fails to address the root causes of alcohol misuse and may even exacerbate the problem. Firstly, prohibition often leads to rebellion, potentially driving underage drinking underground where it becomes more dangerous due to lack of supervision. Instead, a more nuanced approach focusing on education and cultural change would be more effective. For instance, countries like Italy and France, where moderate alcohol consumption is ingrained in the culture from a young age, tend to have lower rates of alcohol abuse despite lower legal drinking ages.
Moreover, raising the drinking age to 21 contradicts other legal rights and responsibilities granted to individuals at 18, such as voting, military service, and entering into contracts. This discrepancy could create confusion and resentment among young adults, potentially undermining respect for the law in general.
A more balanced approach would involve comprehensive alcohol education in schools, stricter enforcement of existing laws, and cultural initiatives promoting responsible drinking. For example, Australia’s “Drink Wise” campaign has been successful in reducing alcohol-related harm through public awareness and education rather than blanket prohibition.
In conclusion, while the intention behind raising the legal drinking age is commendable, I believe it is an oversimplified solution to a complex problem. A more holistic approach that addresses cultural attitudes, education, and responsible consumption would be far more effective in reducing alcohol-related issues among young people.
Debate on legal drinking age
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The legal drinking age is a topic that many people have different opinions about. Some think it should be raised to 21 everywhere, but I don’t fully agree with this idea.
There are some good reasons why people want to make the drinking age higher. First, it could help reduce car accidents caused by drunk young people. Also, it might protect teenagers’ health because alcohol can harm their developing brains. These are important points to consider.
However, I think there are problems with making the drinking age 21 in all countries. One issue is that it’s hard to enforce. Young people might still find ways to drink illegally, which could be more dangerous. Also, in some cultures, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is normal and not seen as bad.
The consequences of increasing the minimum legal drinking age Another problem is that at 18, people can vote and join the army in many countries. It seems unfair to say they can’t drink until 21. Instead of just changing the age, I think it’s better to teach young people about responsible drinking and the dangers of alcohol abuse.
For example, schools could have better alcohol education programs. Governments could also run campaigns to show the bad effects of too much drinking. These methods might work better than just making a new law.
In conclusion, while raising the drinking age to 21 might help in some ways, I don’t think it’s the best solution for all countries. Education and changing attitudes about alcohol are more important than just changing the legal age.
Alcohol education program for teens
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, many people talk about changing the legal drinking age to 21 in all countries. This is an interesting topic with both good and bad points.
Some people think 21 is a good age for drinking alcohol. They say it’s safer because young people’s brains are still growing. Also, they think it will stop many car accidents caused by drunk young drivers. These are important things to think about for everyone’s safety.
But there are also problems with this idea. In many places, people can vote and get married at 18. So it might not be fair to say they can’t drink until 21. Also, some countries have different ideas about drinking. In some places, drinking a little bit of alcohol is normal for young people.
I think instead of just changing the age, we should teach young people about drinking safely. Schools could have classes about alcohol and its dangers. This might help more than just making a new rule.
Another idea is to have stricter punishments for people who drink and drive. This could stop accidents without changing the age for everyone.
In my opinion, changing the drinking age to 21 everywhere might not work well. Different countries have different cultures and laws. It’s better to focus on education and helping young people make good choices about alcohol.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a clear position throughout. Presents fully extended and well-developed ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Skillfully manages paragraphing with a clear central topic in each paragraph. Uses a wide range of cohesive devices appropriately.
- Lexical Resource: Uses a wide range of vocabulary naturally and flexibly. Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’.
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others. Presents relevant main ideas but some may be inadequately developed/unclear.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is a clear overall progression. Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical.
- Lexical Resource: Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. Makes some errors in word choice, but this does not impede communication.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication.
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses the task only partially; the format may be inappropriate in places. Expresses a position but the development is not always clear and there may be no conclusions drawn.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Presents information with some organization but there may be a lack of overall progression. Makes inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Uses a limited range of vocabulary, but this is minimally adequate for the task. May make noticeable errors in spelling and/or word formation that may cause some difficulty for the reader.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses only a limited range of structures. Attempts complex sentences but these tend to be less accurate than simple sentences. May make frequent grammatical errors and punctuation may be faulty; errors can cause some difficulty for the reader.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Contentious (adjective) /kənˈten.ʃəs/ – causing or likely to cause disagreement
- Curb (verb) /kɜːb/ – to control or limit something
- Detrimental (adjective) /ˌdet.rɪˈmen.təl/ – causing harm or damage
- Exacerbate (verb) /ɪɡˈzæs.ər.beɪt/ – to make a problem or bad situation worse
- Nuanced (adjective) /ˈnjuː.ɑːnst/ – characterized by subtle differences
- Ingrained (adjective) /ɪnˈɡreɪnd/ – firmly established; difficult to change
- Discrepancy (noun) /dɪˈskrep.ən.si/ – a difference between two things that should be the same
- Holistic (adjective) /həˈlɪs.tɪk/ – dealing with or treating the whole of something and not just a part
- Comprehensive (adjective) /ˌkɒm.prɪˈhen.sɪv/ – complete and including everything that is necessary
- Blanket (adjective) /ˈblæŋ.kɪt/ – covering or affecting everything or everyone
Conclusion
The topic of raising the legal drinking age to 21 is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires careful consideration. While we’ve explored this specific question, similar topics you might encounter in future IELTS exams could include:
- The effectiveness of alcohol education programs in schools
- The impact of cultural attitudes on alcohol consumption
- Comparing alcohol policies across different countries
- The role of government in regulating personal choices
To improve your IELTS Writing skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or one of the suggested related topics. Feel free to share your essay in the comments section for feedback and discussion. Remember, practice is key to improving your writing skills and achieving a higher band score in IELTS!