Plan this discussion essay about government 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:
Some people think governments should strictly limit the number of immigrants. Others say that countries benefit from immigration.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
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
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Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
People disagree about whether governments should impose strict limits on immigration or welcome newcomers because of the benefits they bring. I will consider both positions before explaining why I favour a managed, rather than restrictive, approach.
Supporters of tight controls usually point to pressure on public resources. When a large number of people arrive in a short time, housing becomes more expensive and schools and hospitals may struggle to cope. Some also argue that employers can pay lower wages if migrants accept less, which hurts local workers in low-skilled jobs. In addition, integration takes time, and rapid change can create tension between communities that do not share a language or customs.
On the other hand, many countries gain a great deal from immigration. Migrants often fill vacancies that local people cannot or will not take, from hospital nurses to farm labourers and software engineers. Most pay taxes, and many start businesses that create further jobs; a large proportion of successful technology companies in the United States were founded by immigrants or their children. Immigration also brings new food, music and ideas, which makes societies more interesting places to live. For ageing nations such as Japan and Germany, newcomers help to support the pension system by keeping the workforce large enough.
In my view, neither complete openness nor strict limits is the best answer. Governments should set numbers according to labour needs and the capacity of public services, and invest in language classes and housing so that newcomers can settle quickly. This protects local people's concerns while still allowing the economy to benefit.
To sum up, strict quotas can ease short-term pressure, but countries gain more from carefully planned immigration supported by good integration policies.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| immigration policy | rules on people moving into a country |
| skilled workers | trained employees |
| integrate | become part of a society |
| labour market | the supply of workers and jobs |
| cultural diversity | variety of cultures |
| public services | healthcare, schools etc. |
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