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 believe that important decisions should be made by national governments. Others argue that local authorities should have more power.
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.
Some people believe that important decisions should be made by national governments, while others argue that local authorities should have more power. In my view, the balance should depend on the type of decision, but local authorities deserve a larger role than they often have.
Those who prefer national control have sensible reasons. National governments can see the whole picture and coordinate large projects such as defence, motorways and energy networks, which no single town could manage. They can also ensure equal standards across the country in healthcare and education, so that a child's opportunities do not depend on where they live. Furthermore, national authorities usually have more money and expertise, and they can respond to crises such as pandemics in a unified way.
On the other hand, local authorities understand the needs of their communities far better. A city council knows which roads are congested, which schools are overcrowded and what kind of housing local people want, and it can respond more quickly without waiting for approval from distant officials. Local decision-making also allows citizens to take part more directly, for instance by attending council meetings, which increases accountability and trust in democracy. Different regions can try different solutions and learn from each other's successes; in Switzerland, where cantons have extensive powers, local experiments in areas such as taxation and transport are common. There is also a danger that national leaders, concerned with national politics, will ignore the problems of smaller regions.
Therefore, I believe that national governments should handle issues that affect the whole country, such as defence and basic standards, while decisions about local planning, services and development should be made as close to the people as possible.
In conclusion, both levels have a role, but giving local authorities more power would produce decisions that better reflect real needs.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| central government | national authority |
| local authority | council running a town or region |
| decentralisation | giving power to lower levels |
| accountability | being responsible for actions |
| local needs | requirements of an area |
| decision-making | process of choosing |
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