IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.
IELTS Essay # 218 - Unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).
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.
Model Answer 1: [Agreement]
Some argue that compulsory volunteer work is beneficial for both students and society and therefore, should be a mandatory part of high-school curriculum. I agree with this opinion, and in this essay, I will explain why unpaid community service should be a compulsory component of high school programmes.
To commence with, community service offers valuable opportunities for personal development and instils a sense of civic responsibility in young individuals. Engaging in community service exposes students to real-world issues and challenges, helping them develop empathy and compassion for others. Research indicates that, by actively participating in initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of their communities, high-school students can develop essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. If this is made mandatory, all students would participate in such activities and reap the benefit it offers.
Another compelling argument for mandatory community service in high school programmes is the positive impact it can have on bridging social divides and building stronger community bonds. Compulsory community service projects often bring together students from diverse backgrounds and cultures, encouraging interaction and understanding among peers who may not otherwise have the opportunity to collaborate. This can help break down stereotypes and promote social cohesion within the school and the wider community. For instance, when students work together towards a common goal, they can develop a shared sense of purpose and belonging, which can contribute to a more harmonious and inclusive society.
In conclusion, making unpaid community service a required part of high school programmes offers numerous benefits in terms of personal development, fostering civic responsibility, and building stronger communities. By providing opportunities for students to actively engage with their communities and contribute to meaningful causes, compulsory community service can play a pivotal role in shaping well-rounded and socially conscious individuals.
Model Answer 2: [Disagreement]
Some people suggest making unpaid community service mandatory in high school programmes. But there are valid reasons to oppose this idea. This essay will argue against the notion that unpaid community service should be a mandatory part of high school programmes because when it is made mandatory, it deters learners from concentrating on their education and does not make them genuinely passionate about such work.
One compelling reason to oppose mandatory community service in high school is the need to prioritize academic curriculum and ensure that students have sufficient time to excel in their studies. High school is a critical period for academic preparation, and students must focus on acquiring essential knowledge and skills that will prepare them for higher education or future careers. It is evident from numerous studies that when learners have the opportunity to do community work, they focus less on developing skills and a deeper understanding of academic subjects.
Another crucial consideration is the importance of voluntary and meaningful engagement in community service. Forcing students to participate in unpaid community service may lead to resentment and superficial contributions. True community service should arise from genuine interest and passion for a cause, which is more likely to occur when students have the freedom to choose projects aligned with their interests and values. For instance, a recent study proves that voluntary involvement allows students to explore their passions and develop a deeper understanding of community issues, while compulsory involvement makes them apathetic to such work.
In conclusion, while community service is undoubtedly a valuable and enriching experience, making it mandatory in high school programmes is not the most effective approach. Instead, schools should focus on providing voluntary and meaningful opportunities for students to engage with their communities.
Sample Answer 3: [Agreement]
In the last few decades, many new ideas and beliefs emerged aiming to improve society and reinforce the relationship between members of society. One of the proposed ideas, yet under observation, is to make it compulsory for high school students to do some community service to assist their community. I agree that it should be made mandatory, and this essay will explain why.
Firstly, involving all learners in voluntary and charitable works help them become responsible and helpful individuals. One of the main objectives of education is to create an enlighted generation who would help others and become responsible. In this regard, making community service a mandatory part of the high-school curriculum is an excellent idea. Research indicates that empathy, responsibility, and sensibility are qualities that take shape in our teenage time. Therefore, it is a great idea to nurture those qualities of our young learners when they are in high school.
Moreover, mandatory community service for young learners provides an invaluable opportunity for personal growth and skill development. Engaging in various community service activities allows them to develop essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. For instance, working as a volunteer tutor for younger children can enhance students' communication skills and patience, as they learn to explain complex concepts in a way that is easily understandable to others. These skills are transferable to their academic pursuits, future careers, and personal relationships, making them more well-rounded individuals.
In conclusion, community service is essential for nurturing good quality among young learners, and developing important soft skills while also serving the community members. Considering all the benefits it can bring, it is suggested that community service should be a compulsory part of the high-school curriculum.
(by Abdallah Hassan)
Sample Answer 4: [Disagreement]
"What would be the likely outcome if unpaid community services are made a mandatory part of high school programmes and whether it should be implemented for a greater good" is a question that needs to be answered. In the following paragraphs, I will try to explain why I do not support the idea of making unpaid community service a mandatory part of high school education.
To begin with, there should be no compulsory social unpaid work because such activities will hinder students' studies and academic performance. Many students will have to take time out of their studies cutting study time to complete mandatory social work. Many parents feel that young learners can be distracted from their studies when they would use community service as an excuse to spend time outdoors with friends. This will have a serious negative impact on their academic progress. For instance, more than 40% of high school learners spend time with their friends during their crucial study time which already worries their parents. If they can use mandatory unpaid community service as an excuse, the percentage would increase significantly.
Moreover, making unpaid community service a compulsory part of high school programmes may hinder students from pursuing their personal interests and passions. High school is a critical time for students to explore their talents and discover their potential career paths. Forcing them to engage in community service that may not align with their interests or goals could result in disengagement and a lack of enthusiasm. For example, a student who aspires to become a computer programmer may feel demotivated if they are required to spend their time volunteering at a local animal shelter, which might not contribute to their career aspirations.
In conclusion, while community service is a noble endeavour, making it a mandatory part of high school programmes can have severe drawbacks that need careful consideration.
(Written by - Touseef Rana)
To begin with, increasing the cognitive development of learners and helping them become empathetic is considerably an important task for high schools. Since school is a place for creating enlighted generation, it must be targeted not only to improve knowledge but also to give effective insights to students. One of the ways to achieve this is by involving them in social and voluntary work. It can help enhance students’ willingness in understanding social needs and administering the prompt way to overcome the social problem. Unpaid school internship, for example, has been imposed by several schools and as a consequence, the pupils of those schools are more active in assisting social events without any command from school than those who are from the school where the same program is not applied. They tend to become more interested in helping others and having empathy for others.
Furthermore, the idea of involving students in free social services as part of school activities can help students set their perception about volunteerism. It goes as a systematic way of thinking. Knowledge can affect attitude and lead to behaviour subsequently. Adult volunteers in the food bank, for instance, tend to work without earning money because they are accustomed to volunteering since it was a part of after school programme they attended.
All in all, as an educational agent, the school has to optimise student life skills, academic performance, attitude, and behaviour or learners, by involving social activities in the school programme.
To begin with, it helps learners develop excellent interpersonal skills. Admittedly, it is more valuable to do unpaid social work than staying home or playing video games. Community service offers young students an avenue to socialise with others and encourages them to exchange their thoughts with others while also helping people in need. This way, they will be benefited by learning how to communicate with people around them and respect others' opinions.
In addition, participating in community service can help young learners develop perseverance. This keeps their minds and time occupied with positive pursuits and helps them learn important skills like patience and tolerance. For instance, a group of high school students volunteered at a local animal shelter, where they patiently cared for and trained rescued dogs. Through this experience, they learned to remain calm and composed in challenging situations, and their ability to handle the dogs' different temperaments improved significantly. This demonstrated how community service can instil important qualities like patience and resilience in young learners.
In conclusion, I think that community service should be implemented in high school programmes as there are numerous advantages of carrying out community service. Our nation will continue to prosper and flourish if there are more well-educated individuals being raised.
Unpaid community services should not be made mandatory in high school programmes because it would put extra pressure on learners. Those students already have many different subjects to study within a limited time and it would become even harder in case the community programmes are made compulsory for them. For example, in India, most of the schools have added many subjects recently in the curriculum of high schools. Besides, if they are to perform such community activities, they would definitely face challenges in the academic area and sometimes, they may fail in the examinations.
Moreover, during high school, many students are not mature enough. Since they are not capable of handling such programmes effectively, they may feel difficulties and dissatisfaction while implementing such activities. Therefore, it would develop a negative attitude towards unpaid community services from the tender age. Consequently, they may lose interest in doing such community services later in their life.
In conclusion, I think that students should be more focused on education and should not be forced to do unpaid community service as this can deter them from taking up voluntary work in their adult life. Therefore, Despite some advantages, unpaid community services should not be promoted in high school education.
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