In recent years, the topic of instant services and immediate task completion has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This trend reflects the growing importance of efficiency and immediacy in our fast-paced world. Based on analysis of past IELTS exams and current societal trends, we can expect this theme to continue appearing in future tests. Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
In today’s world, people expect to get things done instantly and get annoyed when they have to wait. Why do you think people have become so impatient? Is this a positive or negative development?
Analyzing the Question
This question consists of two parts:
- Explain why people have become impatient and expect instant results.
- Evaluate whether this trend is positive or negative.
To effectively answer this question, candidates should address both parts, providing reasons for the rise in impatience and critically assessing its impact on society.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In the digital age, people have grown accustomed to immediate gratification, leading to increased impatience when faced with delays. This essay will explore the reasons behind this shift in attitude and evaluate its implications for society.
The primary driver of this impatience is undoubtedly the rapid advancement of technology. Smartphones, high-speed internet, and on-demand services have conditioned individuals to expect instant results in all aspects of life. For instance, the ability to order food, book transportation, or access information with just a few taps on a screen has created an expectation of immediacy that extends beyond the digital realm. Moreover, the constant connectivity facilitated by social media platforms has accelerated the pace of communication, further reinforcing the desire for quick responses and instant feedback.
Another contributing factor is the intensifying competition in both professional and personal spheres. In a world where time is increasingly viewed as a precious commodity, people feel pressured to maximize productivity and efficiency. This mindset leads to frustration when faced with processes or tasks that require waiting, as these are perceived as obstacles to progress and success.
Assessing whether this development is positive or negative requires a nuanced approach. On the positive side, the demand for instant services has driven innovation and improvements in various industries, leading to more efficient systems and enhanced customer experiences. Additionally, the ability to accomplish tasks quickly can increase overall productivity and allow individuals to focus on more meaningful activities.
However, the negative implications of this trend are significant. The constant need for immediate gratification can lead to decreased patience, reduced attention spans, and an inability to engage in deep, time-consuming work. This may result in a decline in the quality of output across various fields, from academic research to creative endeavors. Furthermore, the expectation of instant results can contribute to increased stress levels and dissatisfaction when reality fails to meet these unrealistic expectations.
In conclusion, while the desire for instant services and immediate task completion has driven technological progress and efficiency, it has also fostered a culture of impatience with potentially detrimental effects on individual well-being and societal development. Striking a balance between leveraging the benefits of immediacy and cultivating patience and long-term thinking is crucial for addressing the challenges posed by this trend.
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, providing a well-developed explanation for the rise in impatience and a balanced evaluation of its positive and negative aspects.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is logically organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph focuses on a specific point, and ideas are linked effectively using cohesive devices.
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Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. Complex expressions such as “conditioned individuals,” “intensifying competition,” and “nuanced approach” demonstrate a sophisticated command of English.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a variety of complex sentence structures with a high degree of accuracy. It effectively uses different grammatical forms, including conditionals and passive voice.
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Critical Thinking: The response demonstrates in-depth analysis of the issue, providing specific examples and considering multiple perspectives.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In today’s fast-paced world, people are becoming more impatient and expect things to be done quickly. This essay will discuss the reasons for this trend and whether it is good or bad for society.
One main reason why people are impatient is because of technology. Smartphones and the internet have made everything faster, so we are used to getting what we want right away. For example, we can order food or call a taxi with just a few clicks on our phones. This makes us frustrated when we have to wait for things in real life.
Another reason is that life is more competitive now. People feel they need to do everything quickly to keep up with others at work or in their personal lives. This creates pressure to always be busy and efficient, which makes waiting seem like a waste of time.
There are both good and bad points about this development. On the positive side, it has made many services better and faster. Companies have to improve their speed to keep customers happy, which can be good for everyone. Also, being able to do things quickly can help us save time for other important activities.
However, there are also negative effects. People might lose the ability to be patient, which is important for many things in life. For example, learning a new skill or building relationships takes time and can’t be rushed. Also, always wanting things instantly can make people stressed and unhappy when they can’t get what they want immediately.
In conclusion, while the desire for instant results has some benefits, it also has drawbacks that could be harmful to society. It’s important to find a balance between efficiency and patience to avoid the negative effects of this trend.
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, providing reasons for impatience and discussing both positive and negative aspects. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear paragraphing. Some cohesive devices are used, but they could be more varied.
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Lexical Resource: A sufficient range of vocabulary is used appropriately, with some attempts at less common words. However, there is less precision and sophistication compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are fewer complex structures compared to the higher band essay.
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Critical Thinking: The response shows some analysis of the issue, but the ideas could be explored in more depth and with more specific examples.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Instant gratification (noun) – /ˌɪnstənt ˌɡrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ – The desire to experience pleasure or fulfillment without delay or deferment.
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Impatience (noun) – /ɪmˈpeɪʃns/ – The tendency to be irritable or short-tempered, especially when faced with delay.
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On-demand (adjective) – /ˌɒn dɪˈmænd/ – Available whenever wanted or needed.
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Productivity (noun) – /ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/ – The effectiveness of productive effort, especially in industry, as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input.
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Immediacy (noun) – /ɪˈmiːdiəsi/ – The quality of bringing one into direct and instant involvement with something.
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Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression.
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Detrimental (adjective) – /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ – Tending to cause harm.
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Cultivate (verb) – /ˈkʌltɪveɪt/ – Try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill).
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Efficiency (noun) – /ɪˈfɪʃnsi/ – The state or quality of being efficient.
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Fast-paced (adjective) – /fɑːst peɪst/ – Moving or happening very quickly.
Conclusion
The topic of instant gratification and impatience in modern society is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The impact of technology on human patience and attention spans
- The balance between efficiency and quality in various industries
- The role of delayed gratification in personal and professional success
- The effects of instant communication on relationships and social interactions
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide specific examples to support your arguments. Feel free to practice by writing your own essay on this topic and sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.