The topic of raising the legal drinking age is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on past exam trends and current societal debates, it’s likely to remain a relevant issue for future tests. Let’s examine a specific question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people think that the legal age for drinking alcohol should be raised to 21 years old. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
This question requires candidates to express their opinion on raising the legal drinking age to 21. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
The question is asking for your personal opinion on whether the legal drinking age should be increased to 21. Key points to consider:
- The current legal drinking age in most countries (usually 18 or 19)
- Reasons for potentially raising the age to 21
- Potential consequences of raising the drinking age
- Your stance on the issue (agree, disagree, or partially agree)
Remember to provide clear reasons and examples to support your position.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In recent years, there has been a growing debate about whether the legal drinking age should be raised to 21. While I understand the concerns that motivate this proposal, I ultimately disagree with this view. I believe that maintaining the current legal drinking age, typically 18 or 19 in most countries, is a more effective approach to addressing alcohol-related issues.
Proponents of raising the drinking age argue that it would reduce alcohol-related problems among young people, such as drunk driving accidents and alcohol poisoning. They contend that at 21, individuals are more mature and better equipped to make responsible decisions about alcohol consumption. However, this argument overlooks the fact that many young adults are already making important life decisions by the age of 18, including voting, joining the military, and living independently. It seems inconsistent to deem them responsible enough for these activities but not for alcohol consumption.
Furthermore, raising the legal drinking age may inadvertently lead to more dangerous drinking behaviors. When alcohol is forbidden, it often becomes more attractive to young people, potentially leading to clandestine and excessive drinking in uncontrolled environments. This could result in more severe health and safety risks than if they were allowed to drink legally in regulated settings. Countries with lower drinking ages, such as many in Europe, often report fewer issues with binge drinking among young people compared to those with higher age limits.
Instead of raising the drinking age, I believe we should focus on more effective strategies to promote responsible alcohol consumption. This could include comprehensive alcohol education in schools, stricter enforcement of existing laws against underage drinking and drunk driving, and public health campaigns targeting all age groups. By fostering a culture of responsibility and moderation from an early age, we can better prepare young adults to make informed decisions about alcohol when they reach the legal drinking age.
In conclusion, while the intention behind raising the drinking age is understandable, I believe it is not the most effective solution to alcohol-related problems among young people. A more holistic approach that combines education, enforcement, and cultural change is likely to yield better results in promoting responsible drinking habits across all age groups.
(Word count: 345)
Band Score Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates the qualities of a high-scoring IELTS response:
- Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with well-developed arguments.
- 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 accurately and appropriately, including less common phrases like “clandestine and excessive drinking” and “foster a culture of responsibility.”
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used accurately, with only minor errors that do not impede communication.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
There is a lot of discussion these days about whether we should increase the legal drinking age to 21. While I can see some benefits to this idea, I don’t completely agree with it. I think there are both advantages and disadvantages to raising the drinking age.
On one hand, increasing the drinking age to 21 could help reduce some problems caused by alcohol. Young people might be less likely to drink and drive, which could lead to fewer accidents on the roads. Also, their brains are still developing until around 25, so waiting until 21 to drink might be better for their health. Some people argue that 21-year-olds are more responsible and can make better decisions about drinking.
However, there are also some drawbacks to raising the drinking age. Many 18-year-olds are considered adults in other ways, like being able to vote or join the military. It seems unfair to say they can’t drink if they can do these other adult things. Also, if the drinking age is 21, some young people might drink illegally anyway, which could be more dangerous because they might do it in secret or without any supervision.
I think a better solution would be to focus on educating young people about the risks of alcohol and teaching them how to drink responsibly. We could have more programs in schools and universities to help students understand the effects of alcohol. Stricter punishments for drunk driving and better enforcement of existing laws could also help reduce alcohol-related problems.
In conclusion, while raising the drinking age to 21 might have some benefits, I believe it’s not the best solution. Education and better enforcement of current laws could be more effective in promoting responsible drinking among young adults.
(Word count: 290)
Band Score Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS response:
- Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task and presents a clear position, though the arguments could be more fully developed.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but some ideas could be linked more effectively.
- Lexical Resource: A sufficient range of vocabulary is used, with some attempts at less common words, though there’s room for more sophisticated language use.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, with generally good control, though there are some errors.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Legal drinking age (noun) – /ˈliːɡəl ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ eɪdʒ/ – The age at which it becomes legal to purchase and consume alcohol
- Clandestine (adjective) – /klænˈdestɪn/ – Done secretly or kept secret
- Binge drinking (noun) – /bɪndʒ ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ/ – The practice of drinking a large quantity of alcohol in a short period
- Comprehensive (adjective) – /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ – Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
- Enforcement (noun) – /ɪnˈfɔːsmənt/ – The act of compelling observance of or compliance with a law, rule, or obligation
- Inadvertently (adverb) – /ˌɪnədˈvɜːtəntli/ – Without intention; accidentally
- Holistic (adjective) – /həˈlɪstɪk/ – Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole
- Moderation (noun) – /ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃn/ – The avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one’s behavior or political opinions
In conclusion, the topic of raising the legal drinking age is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of various factors. When approaching this topic in an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, it’s crucial to present a clear position, support it with well-developed arguments, and demonstrate a good command of English language skills.
For further practice, consider writing an essay on related topics such as:
- The consequences of increasing the minimum legal drinking age
- The effectiveness of alcohol education programs in schools
- Cultural differences in attitudes towards alcohol consumption among young people
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below. This is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and get feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.