Plan this opinion essay about sport 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:
Governments should provide free sports facilities such as pools, tracks and courts for all citizens.
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.
Some people think governments should provide swimming pools, running tracks and courts that all citizens can use without paying. I agree with this to a large extent, since the benefits to society are considerable.
The strongest argument is public health. Physical inactivity contributes to heart disease, diabetes and obesity, and these conditions place a heavy burden on hospitals. If free facilities encourage people to exercise, the savings in healthcare may be greater than the cost of building and maintaining them. Free access also matters for fairness. Private clubs and gyms charge fees that many low-income families cannot afford, so children from poorer backgrounds may never have the chance to learn to swim or play tennis. In addition, public sports centres can bring communities together and keep teenagers occupied in positive activities, which may reduce crime. The success of free outdoor gyms in parks in cities such as Almaty shows how popular such schemes can be, and they are used by pensioners and teenagers alike.
Opponents argue that the money comes from taxpayers, including those who never use the facilities, and that private gyms already exist for those who want them. They also point out that publicly owned facilities are sometimes badly maintained and become dirty or unsafe, which wastes the investment.
These concerns are reasonable, but they can be addressed. Local authorities can reserve part of the budget for regular maintenance and allow small charges for extras like equipment hire, rather than entry. Compared with the long-term savings in health costs, the expense is modest, and the return is a healthier, more active population.
In conclusion, free public sports facilities improve health, promote equality and strengthen communities, so governments should provide them, provided they are well managed.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sports facilities | places for exercise |
| public health | health of the population |
| healthcare costs | money spent on medical care |
| community centre | building for local activities |
| fitness | being physically strong and healthy |
| subsidised | partly paid by public money |
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