Plan this opinion 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:
Most political leaders are older people, but younger people should be given more positions in government.
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.
Most political leaders are older people, but some argue that younger people should be given more positions in government. I largely agree with this view, although experience should still be valued.
The first reason is representation. Young people make up a large part of the population, yet they have few voices in parliament, so their concerns, such as housing costs, education fees and climate change, may receive less attention. Younger politicians understand these issues from personal experience and are more likely to propose practical solutions. They are also generally more familiar with new technology, which is increasingly important for areas such as digital services, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, young leaders often bring energy and fresh ideas and are less attached to outdated methods. Examples such as New Zealand's former prime minister Jacinda Ardern, who took office in her thirties, show that younger people can lead effectively. Having them in government also inspires others of their age to take an interest in politics and to vote.
On the other hand, experience matters. Older politicians have usually spent decades dealing with complex issues, building relationships and learning from mistakes, and these skills are valuable in negotiating, managing crises and understanding the long-term effects of policy. Inexperienced leaders may make errors that cost the country dearly.
The ideal solution is therefore balance. Parties should recruit and promote talented young people, perhaps by encouraging youth wings and mentoring programmes, while keeping experienced figures as advisers.
In conclusion, increasing the number of younger people in government would improve representation and bring fresh thinking, provided that it is combined with the wisdom of experienced colleagues. For these reasons, I agree with the statement.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| political experience | time spent in politics |
| new perspective | different way of seeing |
| represent young voters | speak for younger citizens |
| career politician | person who spends whole life in politics |
| qualified | having the right skills |
| age limit | highest or lowest age allowed |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
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