The role of sports in bridging cultural gaps is a captivating topic that has appeared in IELTS Writing Task 2 with moderate frequency. Based on analysis of past exams and current trends, this theme is likely to remain relevant in future tests. Let’s explore a real IELTS question related to this subject and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Some people think that hosting international sports events is good for the country, while some people think it is bad. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the positive aspects of hosting international sports events
- Explore the negative impacts of such events
- Present their personal opinion on the matter
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question to achieve a high band score. Let’s examine sample essays for different band levels.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
International sporting events, such as the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup, have long been a source of national pride and global unity. While some argue that hosting these events brings numerous benefits to the host country, others contend that the drawbacks outweigh the advantages. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of hosting international sports events highlight several positive outcomes. Firstly, these events can significantly boost a country’s economy through increased tourism and infrastructure development. For instance, when London hosted the 2012 Olympics, it saw a surge in visitors and substantial improvements to its transport system, which continue to benefit the city today. Secondly, such events provide a unique platform for cultural exchange and diplomacy, fostering better international relations. Athletes and spectators from diverse backgrounds come together, promoting mutual understanding and breaking down cultural barriers.
However, critics argue that the costs of hosting these events often outweigh the benefits. The enormous financial burden of constructing stadiums and other facilities can lead to long-term debt for the host nation. Greece’s economic crisis, exacerbated by the expenses of the 2004 Athens Olympics, serves as a cautionary tale. Furthermore, there are concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale construction and the influx of tourists. Additionally, some argue that the funds could be better allocated to address pressing social issues such as healthcare or education.
In my opinion, while the challenges of hosting international sports events are significant, the potential for positive impact is equally substantial. The key lies in careful planning and sustainable approaches. Host countries should focus on repurposing existing infrastructure where possible and ensuring that new developments align with long-term urban planning goals. Moreover, the unique opportunity for cultural exchange and global unity that these events provide is invaluable in our increasingly divided world.
In conclusion, hosting international sports events presents both opportunities and challenges. While the financial and environmental costs are considerable, the potential for economic growth, improved infrastructure, and fostering global understanding is immense. With thoughtful planning and execution, these events can indeed be a force for positive change in the host country and beyond.
(Word count: 345)
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the question, discussing both views and clearly stating a personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphs are well-linked using a variety of cohesive devices.
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Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. For example, “fostering global understanding,” “cautionary tale,” “repurposing existing infrastructure.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used accurately. For instance, “While some argue that hosting these events brings numerous benefits to the host country, others contend that the drawbacks outweigh the advantages.”
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Examples and Elaboration: The essay provides specific examples (London 2012 Olympics, Greece’s economic crisis) to support arguments.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Hosting international sports events is a topic that many people have different opinions about. Some think it’s good for the country, while others believe it has more negative effects. In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give my own opinion.
On the positive side, hosting big sports events can bring many benefits to a country. First, it can help the economy by bringing in more tourists. When people come to watch the sports, they spend money on hotels, restaurants, and shopping. This can create jobs and boost local businesses. Second, these events can improve a country’s image in the world. For example, when a country hosts the Olympics, it gets a lot of attention from the media, which can show its culture and achievements to the world.
However, there are also some drawbacks to hosting such events. The main problem is the high cost. Building new stadiums and improving infrastructure requires a lot of money. Sometimes, this can lead to debt for the country. Another issue is that after the event is over, these expensive facilities might not be used much. This can be seen as a waste of resources. Additionally, large crowds of visitors can cause problems like traffic jams and increased pollution.
In my opinion, while there are both advantages and disadvantages, I believe that hosting international sports events can be good for a country if it’s done carefully. The key is to plan well and use the opportunity to make long-lasting improvements to the country. For example, new transport systems built for the event can benefit citizens for many years after.
To conclude, hosting international sports events has both positive and negative aspects. While it can boost the economy and improve a country’s image, it also comes with high costs and potential problems. I think that with good planning, the benefits can outweigh the drawbacks, making it a worthwhile endeavor for many countries.
(Word count: 309)
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates good control of language but lacks some of the sophistication of a higher band score:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and offering a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but lacks the precision and sophistication of higher band scores. For example, “big sports events” instead of “international sporting events.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but with less variety compared to the Band 8-9 essay. There are no significant grammatical errors, but the structures are less complex.
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Examples and Elaboration: The essay provides some examples, but they are more general and less specific compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Cultural exchange (noun) – /ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/ – The sharing of ideas, customs, and social behaviors between different cultures.
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Infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ – The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
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Diplomacy (noun) – /dɪˈpləʊməsi/ – The art of conducting international relations, typically by country representatives.
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Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources or causing ecological damage.
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Repurpose (verb) – /riːˈpɜːpəs/ – Adapt for use in a different purpose.
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Boost (verb) – /buːst/ – Help or encourage to increase or improve.
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Drawback (noun) – /ˈdrɔːbæk/ – A feature that renders something less acceptable; a disadvantage or problem.
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Allocation (noun) – /ˌæləˈkeɪʃn/ – The action or process of distributing resources or funds for a particular purpose.
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Exacerbate (verb) – /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ – Make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.
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Cohesion (noun) – /kəʊˈhiːʒn/ – The action or fact of forming a united whole.
How social media promotes cultural awareness and exchange can complement the role of sports in bridging cultural gaps. Both platforms provide unique opportunities for people from different backgrounds to connect and understand each other better.
Conclusion
The role of sports in bridging cultural gaps is a multifaceted topic that offers rich opportunities for discussion in IELTS Writing Task 2. As we’ve seen from the sample essays, this theme allows candidates to explore various aspects such as economic impact, cultural exchange, and global unity.
For future practice, consider these potential questions:
- Some people believe that international sports competitions contribute to world peace. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of countries investing heavily in sports programs versus other areas of development.
- In your opinion, do international sporting events do more to divide or unite people from different countries?
We encourage you to practice writing essays on these topics and share them in the comments section below. This active engagement will help you refine your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about language proficiency, but also about presenting well-structured arguments and relevant examples. Keep practicing, and you’ll see improvement in your writing skills and confidence in tackling various IELTS topics.