Plan this opinion essay about economy 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 financial support to encourage young people to start their own businesses.
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 believe that governments should provide financial support to encourage young people to start their own businesses. I agree with this idea to a large extent, although the support must be targeted carefully.
The benefits of such a policy are considerable. New businesses create jobs, introduce innovative products and add to tax revenue, so a successful start-up can boost the whole economy. Young people often have fresh ideas and technical skills, but they lack savings and are considered too risky by banks, so without help many promising projects never begin. Grants, low-interest loans or tax relief can remove this barrier and reduce youth unemployment at the same time. Several countries, including Israel and Singapore, have developed successful start-up sectors partly through government funding and training schemes, and some of these companies have grown into major exporters.
Nevertheless, there are risks. Many new firms fail within a few years, which means that some public money will inevitably be wasted, and young people who borrow heavily may end up in debt. Funds might also be misused or go to projects that would have succeeded anyway, while other worthy areas, such as healthcare and education, receive less. Not everyone has the temperament to run a business, and pressure to become an entrepreneur could lead people away from careers for which they are better suited.
For this reason, support should be well designed. Governments could combine small grants with training in management, mentoring from experienced business owners and access to shared office space. Funding should be given in stages, according to progress, and focused on viable plans.
In conclusion, supporting young entrepreneurs can stimulate innovation and employment, and with careful selection and guidance, the benefits outweigh the risks, so I largely agree with the proposal.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| entrepreneurship | starting and running businesses |
| start-up capital | money to launch a business |
| financial incentive | money reward to encourage |
| job creation | producing new jobs |
| small business | company with few staff |
| risk-taking | willingness to face danger |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
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Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
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