CAMBRIDGE 20 ESSAYS MODEL ANSWERS

Model answers for Cambridge IELTS Book 20 Task 2 Essays Academic Test. Learn from my model answers so that you can get the score you need. Written by Mike Wattie, ex-IELTS examiner and author.

Read model answers to prepare for the sort of questions you might get in your test and see some ways of answering them. I suggest you can use these model answers as follows:

1. Read the task instructions
2. Think about how YOU would respond to them
3. Read my model answer and see if you were RIGHT!
4. Reread the models and learn from the paraphrasing of keywords, the structure of the tasks, and the use of language to develop main ideas.

Access to clean water is a basic human right. Therefore, every home should have a water supply that is provided free of charge. Do you agree or disagree?
[Examiner’s Note: With this topic, you can take the first sentence as a fact, and the second sentence is the opinion for you to agree or disagree with].

Some people argue that because access to clean water is a fundamental human right, governments should provide it to all households free of charge. I completely agree with this view because water is essential for survival and public health, and charging for it can create serious social inequality.

The main reason why clean water should be supplied free to every home is that it is necessary for human survival. Unlike luxury goods or entertainment services, water is not optional because people need it for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and sanitation. Without access to safe water, individuals can suffer from dehydration and extremely poor living conditions. Since governments are responsible for protecting the wellbeing of their citizens, they should ensure that everyone can access this basic necessity regardless of their financial situation. For example, low-income families may struggle to pay utility bills, and if water supplies are disconnected, they may be forced to reduce water consumption for drinking and sanitation, creating serious health risks.

Another important reason is that free access to clean water promotes public health and social equality. When people cannot afford clean water, they may use polluted sources instead, which can spread diseases such as cholera and dysentery. As a result, healthcare systems become overloaded, and governments may eventually spend far more money treating illnesses than they would providing water in the first place. In addition, charging high prices for water can widen the gap between rich and poor because wealthy households can easily afford safe supplies while disadvantaged people may struggle to meet their basic needs. By guaranteeing free water to all homes, governments can create a fairer society and improve overall public health.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that every household should receive free access to clean water because it is essential for survival and because universal access improves both public health and social equality. Therefore, governments should ensure that all citizens have free access to this basic human necessity.

In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more in the summer holidays.
What is the value of long school holidays?
What are the arguments in favour of shorter school holidays?

In many nations, elementary and high schools have summer holidays that last for two months or even longer. This essay discusses the benefits these extended breaks provide and arguments supporting the idea of reducing their length.

There are several important benefits associated with long school holidays. One major value of long school holidays is that they allow students to rest and recover from academic pressure. During the school year, many children experience stress from exams, homework, and extracurricular activities, so a lengthy break gives them time to relax mentally and physically. As a result, students may return to school feeling more motivated and refreshed. Another important advantage is that long holidays provide opportunities for personal development outside the classroom. Children can spend more time with their families, travel, participate in sports, or learn practical skills that are not taught at school.

There are also several reasons to support shorter school holidays. One reason is that long breaks can negatively affect students’ academic progress because children may forget knowledge and study habits during extended periods away from school. This problem is particularly serious for younger students who require regular practice in subjects such as mathematics and reading. Another argument is that long school holidays create difficulties for working parents. In many families, both parents work full-time and may struggle to find childcare during extended vacations. This can create financial pressure and stress, especially for lower-income households.

In conclusion, long school holidays are valuable because they allow students to recover from academic stress and develop life experiences outside school. Nevertheless, supporters of shorter holidays argue that they help students maintain academic progress and reduce childcare problems for working families.

Some people have decided to reduce the number of times they fly every year or to stop flying altogether.
Do you think the environmental benefits of this development outweigh the disadvantages for individuals and businesses?

Some people have chosen to reduce the amount of air travel they undertake or to stop flying completely due to environmental concerns. Although this development may help reduce environmental damage, I believe the disadvantages for individuals and businesses are greater.

The main environmental benefit of reducing air travel is that it can slow climate change. Airplanes produce large amounts of greenhouse gases, particularly on long-distance flights, and these emissions contribute significantly to global warming. Therefore, if fewer people travel by air, the aviation industry may consume less fuel and release fewer emissions into the atmosphere. As a result, reducing air travel could help limit the environmental damage associated with climate change.

A major disadvantage for individuals is that reducing air travel limits their ability to travel efficiently. Air travel allows individuals to visit family members living overseas, experience different cultures, and access international job or study opportunities. Without affordable and convenient flights, international travel becomes far more difficult and time-consuming, particularly for people living in isolated countries or regions. As a result, reducing flying may negatively affect personal relationships, career development, and cultural understanding.

For businesses, tourism and hospitality depend heavily on-air travel. Airlines, hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions may suffer financially if passenger numbers decline substantially. This could lead to lower revenues, reduced investment, and even job losses in regions that rely heavily on tourism. Consequently, a significant reduction in air travel could have a negative impact on economic growth and business activity.

In conclusion, although reducing air travel may benefit the environment by lowering carbon emissions, the negative effects on individuals ability to travel easily and for businesses to generate revenue are more significant and therefore outweigh the environmental benefits. Therefore, people should not reduce their travel by air for altruistic reasons.

Many aspects of the way people dress today are influenced by global fashion trends.
How has global fashion become such a strong influence on people’s lives? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Global fashion trends now influence the way many people dress in different parts of the world. This essay will discuss why international fashion has become so influential and explain why I believe this is a positive development.

There are several reasons why global fashion has become such a powerful influence on people’s lives. One major reason is the growth of social media and international entertainment. People are constantly exposed to celebrities, influencers, and fashion brands through platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and television. As a result, individuals can quickly adopt styles that become popular in other countries. This is a positive development because it allows people to express themselves more creatively and experiment with different styles rather than being restricted by local traditions or limited clothing choices. Another reason is that international companies now operate in many countries and make fashionable clothing more widely available. Global brands can produce clothing cheaply and distribute it worldwide, meaning consumers have access to a much wider range of styles than in the past. This can be beneficial because it gives people more affordable fashion options and allows trends to spread quickly between cultures.

I believe the influence of global fashion is largely positive for society. One advantage is that it encourages cultural exchange and helps people become more aware of international styles and ideas. For example, clothing inspired by different countries can help individuals appreciate other cultures and create a greater sense of global connection. Another benefit is that the global fashion industry creates significant economic opportunities. International fashion brands provide employment for designers, factory workers, advertisers, and retail staff in many countries. In addition, fashion-related industries contribute large amounts of revenue to national economies through manufacturing and sales.

In conclusion, global fashion has become highly influential because of social media, entertainment, and the worldwide expansion of international clothing companies. I believe this is a positive development because it promotes self-expression, cultural exchange, consumer choice, and economic growth.

IELTS WRITING CORRECTION SERVICE by a trained examiner to increase your score. I check your writing tasks and give you feedback on errors and ways to improve your writing. I will also give you a score for each of the four grading criteria.