Plan this discussion 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:
Some people believe that team sports are the best for children, while others think individual sports are better.
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.
Parents often disagree about whether children are better off in team sports or in individual ones. I believe that both have real value, but that team sports are slightly more beneficial for young children.
Supporters of team sports emphasise social development. Playing football or basketball requires children to communicate, share responsibility and work towards a common aim, and they learn to accept different roles and to respect the decisions of others. It also helps to create friendships, since team members spend a great deal of time together, and a child who is shy may gain confidence from being part of a group. The experience of winning and losing together teaches cooperation and resilience, skills that are essential at school and in later working life.
On the other hand, individual sports such as swimming, tennis or gymnastics develop other strengths. A child who competes alone learns self-discipline, because progress depends entirely on his or her own effort and practice. Personal improvement is easy to measure, which can build pride and motivation. Individual athletes also learn to rely on themselves rather than on teammates, and they do not feel the pressure of letting others down. Furthermore, these activities may be preferable for children who dislike competition within a group, or who live in areas where it is hard to form a team.
In my opinion, team sports offer a broader range of social skills at an age when children are still learning how to get along with others, so I would encourage them first. However, the ideal is to let children try both and then decide which one suits their personality.
In conclusion, team sports teach cooperation and friendship, while individual sports teach independence, and children gain most from experiencing a mixture.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| teamwork | working together |
| solo sport | activity played alone |
| self-discipline | control of oneself |
| cooperation | working with others |
| personal best | your best performance |
| individual achievement | success by oneself |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
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