Literature has long been a powerful force in shaping societal values and cultural norms. This topic frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, often asking candidates to explore the impact of books, stories, and literary works on individuals and communities. Based on past exam trends and the current relevance of this subject, we can expect to see similar questions in future IELTS tests. Let’s examine a recent question that aligns closely with this theme:
Some people think that reading literature is important for individual development and society, while others think it is a waste of time. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question presents two contrasting viewpoints on the importance of reading literature. It requires candidates to:
- Discuss the perspective that reading literature is crucial for personal growth and societal development.
- Explore the opposing view that reading literature is not a valuable use of time.
- Provide a personal opinion on the matter.
To effectively answer this question, candidates should:
- Present balanced arguments for both sides
- Use specific examples to support each point
- Clearly state their own stance in the conclusion
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Literature has been a cornerstone of human civilization for millennia, yet its value in modern society is sometimes questioned. While some argue that reading literary works is essential for personal and societal growth, others contend that it is an unproductive use of time. In my opinion, the benefits of engaging with literature far outweigh any perceived drawbacks.
Proponents of literature emphasize its transformative power on individuals and communities. Reading diverse literary works exposes people to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, fostering empathy and broadening horizons. For instance, novels like “To Kill a Mockingbird” have played a crucial role in shaping public opinion on racial inequality in the United States. Moreover, literature serves as a vehicle for critical thinking and self-reflection, enabling readers to question societal norms and develop their own values.
Conversely, critics argue that time spent reading literature could be better utilized on more practical pursuits. In an increasingly competitive and technologically-driven world, they contend that focusing on non-fiction, technical manuals, or skill-based learning might yield more tangible benefits. Additionally, some believe that the themes explored in literature are often outdated or irrelevant to modern life, making it a less valuable source of knowledge compared to contemporary media.
However, I firmly believe that the importance of literature cannot be overstated. While practical skills are undoubtedly valuable, literature provides a unique avenue for developing emotional intelligence, creativity, and communication skills – attributes that are increasingly sought after in the modern workplace. Furthermore, great literary works often tackle timeless human experiences and moral dilemmas, making them perpetually relevant regardless of the era.
In conclusion, although some may view literature as dispensable in today’s fast-paced world, its role in fostering personal growth and societal progress is irreplaceable. By encouraging empathy, critical thinking, and cultural understanding, literature continues to be a vital force in shaping well-rounded individuals and progressive societies.
(Word count: 309)
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a comprehensive understanding of the topic, warranting a Band 8-9 score. Here’s why:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating a personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a central topic, and ideas are logically linked using a range of cohesive devices.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is sophisticated and precise (e.g., “transformative power,” “fostering empathy,” “tangible benefits”). There is evidence of idiomatic language use and awareness of collocation.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a wide range of complex structures used accurately. There is a good mix of simple and complex sentences, with no noticeable errors.
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Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations. The argument is balanced and leads logically to the conclusion.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
There are different opinions about the importance of reading literature. Some people think it’s very important for individuals and society, while others believe it’s not a good use of time. I will discuss both views and give my own opinion.
People who support reading literature say it has many benefits. First, it can help us understand different cultures and ways of thinking. When we read stories from other countries, we learn about their traditions and values. This can make us more open-minded. Second, literature can teach us important life lessons. Many classic books deal with universal themes like love, friendship, and courage. Reading these stories can help us grow as people.
On the other hand, some people think reading literature is not very useful. They argue that in today’s world, we need practical skills more than knowledge from old books. For example, learning computer programming or a new language might be more helpful for getting a job. Also, some people find literature boring or hard to understand, so they prefer to spend their time on other activities.
In my opinion, reading literature is valuable and should not be considered a waste of time. While practical skills are important, literature helps us develop creativity and critical thinking. These skills are useful in many areas of life, including work. Also, reading good books can be enjoyable and relaxing, which is important for our mental health.
To conclude, I believe that reading literature has more advantages than disadvantages. It helps us understand others, teaches us important lessons, and develops useful skills. While it’s true that we need practical knowledge, literature should still be an important part of our lives and education.
(Word count: 287)
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but has some areas for improvement, placing it in the Band 6-7 range. Here’s a breakdown:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and providing a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Ideas are generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is generally appropriate, but lacks the sophistication and precision of higher band scores. There are some good attempts at less common vocabulary (e.g., “open-minded,” “universal themes”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control. There are no major errors, but the range of structures is not as wide as in higher band essays.
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Development of Ideas: Ideas are relevant and supported with some explanation. However, the examples and elaboration could be more specific and detailed to achieve a higher score.
Key Vocabulary
- Cornerstone (noun) – /ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/ – a fundamental or essential part
- Transformative (adjective) – /trænsˈfɔːmətɪv/ – causing a marked change in someone or something
- Empathy (noun) – /ˈempəθi/ – the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
- Tangible (adjective) – /ˈtændʒəbl/ – clear and definite; real
- Irreplaceable (adjective) – /ˌɪrɪˈpleɪsəbl/ – impossible to replace; unique
- Dispensable (adjective) – /dɪˈspensəbl/ – able to be replaced or done without; not essential
- Perpetually (adverb) – /pəˈpetʃuəli/ – in a way that never ends or changes; constantly
- Timeless (adjective) – /ˈtaɪmləs/ – not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion
- Well-rounded (adjective) – /ˌwel ˈraʊndɪd/ – having a personality that is fully developed in all aspects
- Progressive (adjective) – /prəˈɡresɪv/ – happening or developing gradually or in stages
Conclusion
The influence of literature on shaping societal values remains a relevant and thought-provoking topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. As demonstrated in the sample essays, this subject allows candidates to explore various perspectives on personal development, cultural understanding, and the role of literature in modern society.
For future practice, consider these potential questions:
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Some people believe that classic literature should be a mandatory part of education, while others think modern texts are more relevant. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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To what extent do you agree or disagree that literature has the power to bring about social change?
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Some argue that in the digital age, traditional forms of literature are becoming obsolete. Do you agree or disagree?
We encourage you to practice writing essays on these topics and share your work in the comments section below. This active engagement will help improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in the IELTS Writing Task 2.