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General English

Staying on topic

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Taking IELTS? Writing and speaking marked by a former examiner

Once you've analysed the question and planned your paragraphs, you're ready to start writing. However, it is very common for IELTS candidates to lose points as they start writing by simply not staying on topic.

A well-written paragraph in Task 2 should be very clear and relevant to the question. If you have stayed on topic when writing your answer, the reader should be able to read your paragraphs and work out what the title of your essay was. Read the paragraph below and the possible titles that follow.

 

There are many potential advantages to learning a foreign language. Primarily, there is the fact that larger businesses often work in an international sphere, meaning that employees who have the ability to communicate with overseas clients will become increasingly valuable. In addition to commercial motives, there is also the personal benefit in that learning a foreign language can also improve a student's understanding of foreign cultures, as language and culture are often mutually dependent. In Japan, for example, the language has many levels of formality, which reflects the hierarchical structure of Japanese society.

Possible title #1:

Many people are unable to speak a second language. What are the solutions to this problem?

The paragraph does not refer to solutions. Instead it talks about the advantages of learning a foreign language. If this was the title, then the paragraph would be off topic.


Possible title #2:

The most important part of successful business is communication. Do you agree?

The paragraph refers to commercial and personal benefits of learning a second language, and does not focus on the important parts of successful business. If this was the title, then the paragraph would be off topic.


Possible title #3:

Many people are studying a second language. There are a number of benefits to this. To what extent do you agree?

The paragraph refers to the advantages of learning a foreign language, so this must be the question the paragraph relates to as it is on the topic.

Practice

Answer the questions, then check your work. Nothing is sent anywhere and there is nothing to sign up for.

  1. Read the paragraphs that follow. Which Task 2 titles do they most closely relate to. Select the correct answers. Although some courses do not link to obvious choices of employment, some arts-related fields of study can have wider benefits for the student. Literature is a good example of this; having no direct link to a specific career, it challenges students to think in less concrete terms than a more conventional career options such as business for some people.

  2. There are a number of factors that detract from the effectiveness of studying overseas. Students can often find that they lack motivation, as they are less pressured to complete tasks once independent from their family. Moreover, language barriers can cause some pupils to feel that they are unable to complete their course. These issues begin to feel insurmountable and may end with the student becoming depressed and failing to complete their studies.

  3. However, there are also disadvantages related to this issue; working and raising a family can be extremely stressful and the mother may find herself losing patience with her child; she may also have inadequate time to do the things she wants to do for her son or daughter, for example cook nutritious meals and have time available for play. A final point is that she would need assistance with childcare.

  4. What are the most likely titles based on the conclusions below? Select the correct answers from the choices given. In brief, there are a significant number of motivating factors to explain why people are likely to consider migrating to another country. One of the most persuasive is if the perceived opportunities abroad are superior to options at home. This has the potential to result in a loss of more educated citizens who have greater freedom to travel.

  5. To summarise, therefore, although it would be humanitarian for more prosperous nations to support those with a higher level of poverty, there should be certain limits, such as relief efforts during times of particular hardship. Too much support has the potential of causing a dependence on richer nations.

  6. To conclude, there are occasions where monitored and limited playing of computer games can be of benefit to a child, yet this should be balanced with some encouragement to follow other pursuits as a varied range of activities will expose the child to important experiences.

Questions about staying on topic

Is staying on topic free on this site?

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Is this suitable for my level?

It is written for general English learners, so it suits anyone working at or near that level.

Which English exam is this for?

This site covers PTE, TOEFL, TOEIC and OET, and general English by CEFR level. IELTS has its own site, IELTSforFREE.

Where free stops

Reading and listening you can mark. Writing and speaking you cannot.

Everything on this site is open, and for reading, listening, grammar and vocabulary that is enough: they have right answers, so you can check them yourself.

Writing and speaking are judged against criteria rather than checked against a key, which is why no free page can score them. If you are taking IELTS, IELTStestONLINE assesses both against the four IELTS criteria, using a system built by a former examiner and examiner trainer.

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