The topic of sports and its influence on national pride and unity is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on an analysis of past exam questions, this subject has appeared with moderate frequency and is likely to continue being relevant in future tests. The influence of sports on national identity is a complex and multifaceted issue that provides ample opportunity for discussion in an IELTS essay. Let’s examine a typical question on this topic and explore sample essays at different band levels.
Some people think that hosting international sports events is good for the country, while others believe it is a waste of money. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the advantages of hosting international sports events
- Discuss the disadvantages or reasons why it might be considered a waste of money
- Provide their own opinion on the matter
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question to achieve a high band score. Let’s look at sample essays for different band levels.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
International sporting events, such as the Olympics or World Cup, often spark debates about their value to host nations. While some argue that these events bring significant benefits, others contend that they are an unnecessary financial burden. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view.
Proponents of hosting international sports events argue that they offer numerous advantages to the host country. Firstly, such events can boost national pride and unity by bringing citizens together to support their country’s athletes and showcase their culture to the world. Additionally, these events often stimulate economic growth through increased tourism, job creation, and infrastructure development. For instance, the 2012 London Olympics led to the regeneration of East London and attracted millions of visitors, contributing significantly to the UK economy.
On the other hand, critics argue that hosting international sports events is a waste of money that could be better spent on more pressing needs. The enormous costs associated with building state-of-the-art stadiums and other facilities often outweigh the short-term economic benefits. Moreover, many of these structures fall into disuse after the event, becoming ‘white elephants’ that drain public resources. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil, for example, left behind several underutilized stadiums that now cost millions to maintain annually.
In my opinion, while hosting international sports events can indeed foster national pride and unity, the financial implications cannot be ignored. I believe that countries should carefully weigh the long-term costs and benefits before bidding to host such events. If a nation can afford the investment and has a clear plan for post-event use of facilities, then hosting can be beneficial. However, for countries with limited resources or more urgent social needs, it may be more prudent to invest in grassroots sports development rather than hosting large-scale international events.
In conclusion, the decision to host international sports events should be based on a thorough cost-benefit analysis, taking into account both the potential for fostering national pride and the long-term economic impact. While these events can unite a nation and showcase its capabilities to the world, they should not come at the expense of more critical social and economic priorities.
(343 words)
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’s just wasting money. In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give my own thoughts.
People who support hosting international sports events say it brings many benefits. First, it can make the country famous and attract tourists. When a country hosts a big event like the World Cup or Olympics, people from all over the world watch it on TV and might want to visit. This can help the country’s economy by bringing in money from tourism. Also, these events can make people feel proud of their country and bring them together. For example, when Vietnam hosted the Southeast Asian Games, many Vietnamese people felt very happy and united.
However, other people think hosting these events is not a good idea. They say it costs too much money to build stadiums and other facilities. This money could be used for more important things like education or healthcare. Sometimes, after the event is over, the new buildings are not used much, which is a waste. For instance, some countries have built big stadiums for the World Cup that are now empty most of the time.
In my opinion, I think hosting international sports events can be good, but only if the country can afford it and has a plan for what to do with the facilities afterward. If a country doesn’t have enough money or has more important problems to solve, then maybe it’s better not to host these events. Instead, they could focus on developing sports at a smaller level in their country.
To conclude, hosting international sports events has both advantages and disadvantages. While it can bring pride and economic benefits, it also requires a lot of money. Countries should think carefully about their situation before deciding to host such events.
(310 words)
The role of sports in promoting national identity is evident in both essays, but the higher band essay provides more specific examples and demonstrates a more nuanced understanding of the topic.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Hosting international sports events is a big topic that people talk about a lot. Some people think it’s good for the country, but others say it’s just wasting money. I will talk about both sides in this essay.
People who like hosting sports events say it’s good because it makes the country look good. When a country has a big event like the World Cup, many people watch it on TV and see the country. This can make people want to visit the country. Also, it can make people in the country feel happy and proud. They can cheer for their country’s team together.
But some people think it’s not good to host these events. They say it costs too much money to build big stadiums and other things for the event. This money could be used for other important things like schools or hospitals. Sometimes, after the event is finished, the new buildings are not used much, which is not good.
I think hosting sports events can be good, but only if the country has enough money. If a country is poor or has other big problems, maybe it’s better not to host these events. They could use the money for other things that help people more.
In conclusion, hosting international sports events has good and bad points. Countries should think carefully before they decide to host one of these events.
(218 words)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the essay
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features
- Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
- Provides well-developed and relevant ideas with clear progression throughout
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, although some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a relevant position, although conclusions may be unclear or repetitive
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary with some errors in word choice
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors
- Presents relevant ideas but may lack focus or clarity at times
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially, with limited development of ideas
- Expresses a position but it may not be clear throughout the essay
- Uses a limited range of vocabulary, adequate for the task but with noticeable errors
- Uses mainly simple sentences with limited accuracy in more complex structures
- Presents some relevant information but may lack coherence and logical progression
89. The influence of sports on national identity. is explored in all three essays, but with varying degrees of depth and sophistication, reflecting the different band scores.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- to foster (verb) /ˈfɒstə(r)/ – to encourage the development of something
- national pride (noun phrase) /ˈnæʃənl praɪd/ – a feeling of honor and satisfaction in one’s country
- unity (noun) /ˈjuːnəti/ – the state of being united or joined as a whole
- to showcase (verb) /ˈʃəʊkeɪs/ – to present or exhibit (something or someone) in an attractive or favorable way
- infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/ – the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
- regeneration (noun) /rɪˌdʒenəˈreɪʃn/ – the action of renewing or improving a place or system
- white elephant (noun phrase) /waɪt ˈelɪfənt/ – a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of
- grassroots (adjective) /ˈɡrɑːsruːts/ – the most basic level of an activity or organization
- cost-benefit analysis (noun phrase) /kɒst ˈbenɪfɪt əˈnæləsɪs/ – a systematic approach to estimating the strengths and weaknesses of alternatives
- to unite (verb) /juːˈnaɪt/ – to come or bring together for a common purpose or action
Conclusion
The role of sports in promoting social cohesion. is a significant aspect of the broader topic of sports’ influence on national identity and unity. As we’ve seen in these sample essays, this subject offers rich opportunities for discussion in IELTS Writing Task 2.
To further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The impact of international sporting success on a nation’s morale
- The role of sports in diplomacy and international relations
- The ethics of investing in elite sports versus grassroots development
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to fully address all parts of the question, provide relevant examples, and express your ideas clearly and coherently. Practice writing essays on this topic and feel free to share your attempts in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam.