1. Look at the structure of a good example paragraph.
I believe 1the family is one of the mostimportant structures in society. It is 2within
the family that children can learn how to get
on with other people and how to behave.
and these things are important for life in
the wider world. The fam should also be
a stable unit that 3provides love and support to children. Without this love and support,
children might find it difficult to manage
in the wider world. For example, children
without loving, supportive parents could
feel unable to do the things they would like
to do, like go to university.
1. Main idea: the family is important.
2. Supporting idea which explains / adds to main idea: people learn how to get on with others and how to behave in a family
3. Supporting idea: the family gives love and support.
Circled words = use of cautious language
Read these statements and write T (true) or F (false).
1. A paragraph should have more than one main idea.
2. A paragraph should have more than one supporting idea.
3. The first sentence of a paragraph should contain the main idea of the paragraph.
4. The last sentence of a paragraph should contain the main idea of the paragraph.
5. You should mainly use definite modal verbs, e.g. w ill/ must.
6. You should mainly use less definite modal verbs, e.g. can / might / could/ should.
2. Now read the following paragraphs and decide which one follows the rules in Exercise 1. What is wrong with the other two?
Paragraph A: Children should learn rules from their parents. Teachers alone cannot teach a child rules. If a child doesn't have a strict home life, they could ignore the rules of the school and behave badly. Parents should teach a child rules from an early age so that when they reach school age they are more likely to behave and make friends with the other children at school.
Paragraph B: Children will be really terrible if they have terrible parents. For example, some children in my school misbehave and their parents don't care. Although the teacher complains to the parents, the parents don't do anything about it. It is better for children if their parents teach them rules from an early age. Then the child will behave better. Rules must be taught by parents and teachers.
Paragraph C: Rules are important things which must be taught by parents and teachers. Rules need to be taught by parents first because this will help when the child gets into school. If a child has no rules, he will misbehave. Also, beliefs need to be taught by parents. A child needs to learn their belief in things like religion from their parents. Parents should also teach a child some social skills, but a teacher should teach them school subjects.
Model Answer
Paragraph A follows the rules in Exercise 1.
Paragraph B uses definite language, e.g. children
will be really terrible, rules must be taught. The
sentence containing the main idea is at the end
of the paragraph.
Paragraph C contains more than one main idea
(rules, beliefs and social skills) and the ideas
supporting the main idea aren’t clear.
Exam information | Paragraphs
An essay should be made up of separate paragraphs and the points within each
paragraph should follow a logical order: firstly a main idea, followed by supporting ideas which explain or add to the main idea.
3. The first line of each paragraph below is missing. Write a first line which summarizes the main idea of the paragraph. The first one is done for you.
1. Once, the traditional structure of two parents with two children was the most common family type in Western countries like the UK and the USA, but this is changing. New family structures include one-parent families and families with children from more than one marriage. These new family types are becoming increasingly common. Different family structures mean that many children live with a variety of full, step or half brothers and sisters.
2. If more women go out to work, this could affect the children in the family because they are not receiving the attention they need. Many people claim that children are happy when both their parents are working, but someone needs to look after the children and the home, and women are often better at this role.
3. Having brothers and sisters means that a child learns how to socialize with other children from a young age and this is incredibly beneficial for them. They also grow up and grow old with an existing support network around them, which people with no brothers and sisters may not have. An only child can also be very lonely.
4. It is not a child's job to cook, clean or help in the home. Children should be playing and having fun because childhood is the only time when they will be free from work. Children should be developing rather than becoming tired doing housework. Although many argue that helping in the home teaches children to look after their environment and to be clean, children can learn these things in other ways than through housework.
Model Answer
1. Family structures are changing in the West
2. Women should stay at home to care for the children and home.
3. It is important for children to grow up with brothers and sisters. / Parents should have more than one child.
4. Children should not help with housework.
Exam information | Structuring an essay
Structuring an essay is an important part of writing for IELTS. For a Task 2 essay, use a standard essay structure consisting of separate paragraphs: an introduction (one paragraph), followed by the main body of the essay (two or three paragraphs), then a conclusion (one paragraph).
4. Put the paragraphs of this essay in the correct order by matching them to the headings below.
In a family, both men and women should be employed outside the home and share childcare equally. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
a. The economic benefits and the general benefits to children are the reasons why I believe that men should work outside the home and women should not. These traditional roles have worked successfully for a long time, so, in my opinion, they do not need to change now.
b. Also, women should be the main carers for their children. Although some people argue that women should be able to work outside the home, this is hard when there are children. Women give birth to the children and they need to be with them when they are small. It is also better for the children to grow up with a parent who is always at home. Being looked after by a professional carer is not as good for children.
c. Nowadays, the traditional roles of men and women have changed. More men help in the home and more women go out to work. Some people say that this is a good thing, while others say that this is a negative thing. I believe that men should go out to work and women should stay at home. I believe that this is more economically efficient, and it is also better for children.
d. The traditional structure of men working and women staying at home means that the family has more economic benefits. A man working full-time is likely to earn more money than a man and woman both working part-time. Also, it means that the woman can do things at home to save money, like making clothes or growing food.
5. Now match the parts of an essay to their different functions.
a. Gives some general information about the essay topic, may put forward some differing opinions and gives an answer to the essay question.
b. Summarizes all the arguments and restates your answer / opinion.
c. Describes and explains different viewpoints, arguments, advantages and disadvantages, supported by examples.
Exam tip | Introductions
The introduction to a Task 2 essay can describe the topic of the essay, give background information to it and list various opinions about it. You should also briefly state your own view, which you then go on to explain and support in the main body of the essay.
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