IELTS Writing Task 2: 'unpaid work' essay
Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?
Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for both the individual and society as a whole. However, I do not agree that we should therefore force all teenagers to do unpaid work.
Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without being given the added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is just as demanding as a full-time job, and teachers expect their students to do homework and exam revision on top of attending lessons every day. When young people do have some free time, we should encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or to spend it doing sports and other leisure activities. They have many years of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.
At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obliging young people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that it goes against the values of a free and fair society to force a group of people to do something against their will. Doing this can only lead to resentment amongst young people, who would feel that they were being used, and parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their children. Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.
In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in my opinion we should not make this compulsory.
(250 words, band 9)
1) on top of Informal
1. In control of.
2. Fully informed about: a senator who is always on top of the issues.
3. In addition to; besides: On top of this, several other benefits are being offered.
4. Following closely on; coming immediately after: Hail came on top of a violent thunderstorm.
2)“do” để nhấn mạnh
Ở thời Hiện tại đơn, ta để động từ dotrước động từ muốn nhấn mạnh. Ví dụ:
You’re so right. I do agree with you.
Your hair is much too long. You do need a haircut.
We do hope you can come to our barbecue.
I’m getting fed up with those dogs. They do make such a noise.
3) a‧head S1 W2 / əˈhed / adverb
in the future
ahead of
You have a long trip ahead of you.
go against somebody/something phrasal verb
1 if something goes against your beliefs, principles etc, it is opposite to them :
This goes against everything I’ve been brought up to believe in.
I often have to make decisions that go against the grain (= are not what I would normally choose to do ) .
