Voting rights and civic duties have been recurring themes in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing consistently over the past decade. The question of mandatory voting has emerged multiple times, particularly in relation to importance of voting in democratic societies. Let’s examine a common question format that tests candidates’ ability to discuss this complex social issue.
Task Analysis
Some people believe that voting in national elections should be mandatory for all citizens. Others think that people should have the freedom to choose whether to vote or not. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question requires candidates to:
- Examine arguments for and against mandatory voting
- Present balanced analysis of both perspectives
- Express and justify a personal position
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
Understanding should voting be compulsory in democratic societies requires careful consideration of multiple factors. Here’s a high-scoring response:
While some advocate for mandatory voting to ensure complete democratic participation, others argue for maintaining voluntary voting systems. In my opinion, while encouraging civic participation is crucial, mandatory voting may not be the most effective approach.
Proponents of compulsory voting argue that it ensures comprehensive representation of all citizens’ voices. When voting is mandatory, election results more accurately reflect the entire population’s preferences, preventing the dominance of vocal minorities. Additionally, mandatory voting can increase political awareness as citizens feel obligated to understand the issues before casting their ballots.
However, those opposing mandatory voting emphasize that forcing citizens to vote contradicts democratic principles of freedom. They contend that the right to vote inherently includes the right not to vote. Furthermore, mandatory voting might lead to uninformed voting, where citizens cast random votes simply to avoid penalties, potentially diminishing the quality of electoral outcomes.
In my assessment, while increasing voter participation is vital for importance of accessible voting options, mandatory voting isn’t the optimal solution. Instead, governments should focus on improving political education and removing barriers to voting. This approach would naturally enhance participation while preserving democratic freedoms.
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
Here’s a mid-range response discussing should voting be mandatory in democratic countries:
Nowadays, some countries make voting compulsory while others keep it voluntary. This essay will discuss both sides of this issue.
On one hand, mandatory voting has some benefits. First, it makes sure everyone participates in democracy. When all citizens must vote, the government truly represents everyone’s wishes. Second, it helps people become more interested in politics because they have to vote anyway.
However, forcing people to vote has problems too. Many people say it’s against freedom of choice. Also, some voters might not care about politics and just vote randomly to avoid punishment. This could make election results worse.
In my opinion, I think voting should be voluntary but governments should encourage more people to vote. They can do this by making voting easier and teaching people about politics. This is better than forcing people to vote.
Scoring Analysis
Band 8-9 Essay Features:
- Sophisticated vocabulary: “comprehensive representation,” “vocal minorities”
- Complex sentence structures
- Clear organization with cohesive devices
- Nuanced arguments and analysis
Band 6-7 Essay Features:
- Basic but clear vocabulary
- Simple but accurate grammar
- Adequate organization
- Straightforward arguments
Key Vocabulary
- mandatory (adj) /ˈmændətɔri/ – required by law
- civic duty (n) /ˈsɪvɪk ˈdjuːti/ – responsibility of citizens
- electoral (adj) /ɪˈlektərəl/ – relating to elections
- compulsory (adj) /kəmˈpʌlsəri/ – required, obligatory
- franchise (n) /ˈfræntʃaɪz/ – right to vote
Consider practicing with similar topics like should countries implement proportional representation in elections to broaden your understanding of electoral systems and democracy.
For practice, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments. Focus on maintaining a clear structure while incorporating sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures.