Plan this opinion essay about globalisation 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:
English has become the global language, and this is mostly a positive development.
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.
English is now used for business, science, aviation and the internet in almost every part of the world. I agree that this is mostly a positive development, although it has some costs that should not be ignored.
The greatest benefit is easier communication. Researchers from different countries publish and share findings in English, which speeds up scientific progress, and companies can negotiate across borders without hiring a translator for every language. Travellers also find it simpler to get around, since signs, menus and hotel staff in most tourist areas can manage a basic level of English. In addition, a huge amount of information, from university lectures to software documentation, is available in English, so those who learn it gain access to knowledge and job opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. A young engineer in Kazakhstan, for example, can follow free online courses from leading universities.
Nevertheless, the spread of English has drawbacks. Many minority languages are declining as parents decide that English will give their children better prospects, and when a language disappears, a whole way of thinking and a body of stories are lost. Native speakers also hold an unfair advantage in international meetings, exams and publishing, because everyone else must study for years to reach their level. There is a further concern that cultural diversity may suffer if people everywhere watch the same films and use the same expressions.
These problems are real, but they can be reduced. Governments can protect local languages through schools and media, while people continue to learn English as an additional tool rather than a replacement for their mother tongue.
In conclusion, a shared language promotes cooperation and opportunity, so the overall effect of English as a global language is positive, provided that other languages are protected.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| lingua franca | common language between different groups |
| minority language | language spoken by a small group |
| international communication | contact between countries |
| native speaker | person who spoke the language since childhood |
| linguistic diversity | variety of languages |
| global village | world seen as one connected place |
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