Plan this opinion essay about family with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Weddings and other family celebrations have become too extravagant and expensive, and families should spend less on them.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Weddings and other family celebrations have become extremely extravagant, and some people argue that families should spend less on them. I agree with this view for several reasons.
The first reason is financial. Large weddings, with hundreds of guests, expensive venues and designer clothing, can cost as much as a deposit on a house. Many families borrow money or use their savings to pay for a single day, and young couples sometimes begin married life in debt. This is particularly hard for poorer families, who may feel obliged to match the standards of their neighbours in order to avoid shame. Social pressure and competition have turned celebrations into displays of status rather than expressions of joy. Social media intensifies this, as people compare their events with photographs of other lavish parties.
The second reason concerns the meaning of the occasion. The purpose of a wedding or birthday is to mark an important moment with the people closest to you, and this can be done without enormous spending. A smaller gathering allows the hosts to spend time with each guest and creates a more personal, relaxed atmosphere. Money that is saved could be used for something more lasting, such as education, a home or travel. Some countries have even introduced limits on the number of guests or the amount that can be spent, in order to protect families from financial strain.
Admittedly, celebrations are important parts of culture, and there is nothing wrong with spending a reasonable amount to honour tradition and to make memories.
In conclusion, extravagant celebrations create debt, social pressure and waste, while simpler events can be just as meaningful. I therefore agree that families should spend less.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| lavish | very rich and expensive |
| get into debt | owe money |
| social expectations | what society thinks people should do |
| keep up appearances | show a good image to others |
| cultural heritage | traditions passed down in a society |
| modest ceremony | simple, low-cost event |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
Average your four skill bands, rounded the way IELTS rounds them.
Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for, with the source.