IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Some people think sports are important for society, while others believe they should be taken as leisure activities. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Sample Answer
The existence of sports dates back to 2000 BC. Every country had practised it in some way like gymnastics, javelin, fishing, swimming, etc. It is more organised and structured now. Some people think sports and games are vital for society, whereas others believe they should be treated only as a pastime. I think that sports and games should occupy an important place in society. In the following paragraphs, I shall discuss both the ideas and explain which is beneficial for society.
Sport dissolves barriers and binds people together. For example, in a cricket team, there are players from all the states in my country, and fans from everywhere cheer for them. So a feeling of one-ness builds up. A cricket match between UAE and Australia may be scheduled in Dubai, and a fan from Australia may visit Dubai to watch the game. This way, sports improve the tourism sector and contribute to the economy.
Research shows that sport has a positive impact on people. People who play sports such as football or tennis improve their cardiovascular system and are at less risk of conditions like blood pressure. So it helps in maintaining good health. Also, a person learns how not to get demotivated during failures. So it helps manage stress effectively.
On the flip side, sports has become one of many businesses to make money. So players are under tremendous pressure to win and resort to drugs to get the extra energy. This ruins their health and brings down the image of the nation they represent. Under severe compulsion to win, they treat their opponent as an enemy (Eg: boxing), and sometimes the referee has to penalize a player for harming the other. These may be the reason people argue that sports have to practised only as a leisure activity and not taken seriously.
To recapitulate, sports helps a great deal in creating an ideal society and should be given utmost importance. But we should also be careful not to make it a business.
Structure of IELTS Discussion Essay
Introduction
Question Paraphrased: The existence of sports dates back to 2000 BC. Every country had practised it in some way like gymnastics, javelin, fishing, swimming, etc. It is more organised and structured now. Some people think sports and games are vital for society, whereas others believe they should be treated only as a pastime.
Opinion – I think that sports and games should occupy an important place in society.
A thesis statement – In the following paragraphs, I shall discuss both the ideas and explain which is beneficial for society.
Body Paragraph 1:
Topic: Why sports are important for society?
Supporting points:
- Acts a binding force
- Improves tourism
- Contributes to economic development
- Reduces the risk of diseases
- Teaches stress management
Body Paragraph 2:
Topic: Why should sports be taken only as leisure activity?
Supporting points:
- Professional sports has become a business
- Players are pressured to win
- Players resort to drugs and ruin their health
- In a game, they treat each other as enemies
Conclusion:
Reiterated that sports is important for creating an ideal society and supported the side taken in introduction.
