Plan this discussion essay about science 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 that satellites and space technology have little benefit for ordinary people. Others argue that they improve everyday life in many ways.
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
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.
Some people believe that satellites and space technology offer little to ordinary citizens, while others argue that they improve daily life in many ways. I will discuss both views and explain why I agree with the second.
The sceptical view is understandable. Space programmes cost billions, and their achievements, such as sending probes to distant planets, can seem remote from daily worries like rent or healthcare. Critics argue that public money would be better spent on schools or hospitals, and that most people never notice the satellites above them. The knowledge gained may also take decades to produce any practical results.
However, the reality is that modern life depends heavily on space technology. Satellite navigation systems guide drivers, delivery vehicles, aeroplanes and ships, and they are used to synchronise mobile networks and banking transactions. Weather satellites allow forecasters to predict storms and floods, giving communities time to evacuate and saving many lives; the warning of a hurricane days ahead is a clear example. Communication satellites bring television, internet access and emergency communication to remote areas, and observation satellites monitor crops, deforestation, pollution and glaciers, helping farmers and governments make better decisions. Many technologies developed for space, from water purification systems to scratch-resistant lenses and medical scanners, have also found their way into households.
In my opinion, the invisible nature of these benefits explains why people underestimate them. If satellites suddenly stopped working, phones, cash machines and transport would be disrupted within hours. Space research therefore supports everyday comfort and safety, even if its effects are indirect.
In conclusion, although space programmes are expensive and seem distant, satellites and related technologies underpin communication, navigation, weather forecasting and environmental protection, and I believe they make a significant contribution to ordinary people's lives.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| satellite navigation | guidance by space signals |
| weather forecast | prediction of weather |
| remote sensing | gathering data from far away |
| communications network | systems for contact |
| disaster relief | help after a catastrophe |
| daily life | everyday living |
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