Points for IELTS Essay: Some parents grow their children in strict discipline while others leave them free to learn lessons of lives on their own...

Some parents grow their children in strict discipline while others leave them free to learn lessons of lives on their own. Which is one of these is a better approach and why? Give your own opinion in not less than 250 words.

As the Bible tells us: "He who spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him correcteth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:24) and "Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell." (Proverbs 23:13-14)

1. The topic of child discipline causes heated arguments.
2. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 90 percent of U.S. parents spank, and about 59 percent of pediatricians in a 1992 survey said they support the practice. According to the academy, effective discipline has three key components: first, a loving, supportive relationship between parent and child; second, use of positive reinforcement when children behave well; and third, use of punishment when children misbehave.
3. Some professional organizations of physicians and psychologists have suggested that spanking is detrimental and leads to family violence and child abuse. They have suggested that spanking teaches physically aggressive behavior which the child will imitate. But does the research support these assertions? According to the National Institute for Healthcare Research, more than 80 percent of the professional publications attacking spanking were reviews and commentaries, rather than quantitative research.
4. The fact is, child discipline is an important and emotional issue. Parents worry about our child's misbehavior and how to handle it. Parents become angry and frustrated with ongoing behavior problems. Parents dislike having to punish our children.
5. Effective discipline helps our child develop empathy and self-control.
6. A spoiled or harshly-disciplined child is at risk for numerous emotional and behavioral problems.

References:
http://www.tldm.org/news6/child.discipline.htm
http://childparenting.about.com/cs/discipline/a/childdiscipline.htm

Points for IELTS Essay: Computers can easily do all the basic and advanced calculations....

Computers can easily do all the basic and advanced calculations. Do you think your children should spend more time learning basic mathematics or advanced computer technology. Give your views in not less than 250 words.

Originally, the term "computer" referred to a person who performed numerical calculations (a human computer), often with the aid of a mechanical calculating device.

1. Computers are manmade machines; they need logic (program) to be fed to them.
2. Study of mathematics involves study of logic. Basic calculations help a person to develop logic.
3. These basic skills are required in life; man cannot be dependent on machines for these basic skills.
4. All electronic gadget comes at a cost and everyone cannot afford it, neither it will be always accessible.
5. Computer technology is moving at breathtaking pace. The field is too vast and varied; but basic concepts are similar throughout. It is better to learn the basics and then later to move to advanced stage.
6. Previously calculators, now computers, who knows what is in store tomorrow!

Points for IELTS Essay: Working and living abroad helps us to know other cultures well...

Working and living abroad helps us to know other cultures well. How far you think working abroad has good or bad impacts on our cultural lives?

A person goes abroad for better opportunities or in order to explore the world.

Pros

1. A person working and living abroad gains broader perspective of life.
2. He learns to understand and appreciate other cultures.
3. He learns tolerance of different cultures.
4. It also makes him ponder over the strengths and weakness of his culture.
5. He can become a pioneer to eradicate certain social evils.
6. Globalization will be preferred over Nationalism. He may see the world as one nation or global unit.

Cons

1. He may find it difficult to adapt to new culture and thus be under tremendous stress.
2. He may start looking down on his own culture.
3. He may adopt certain features of other cultures that may not be accepted by his own culture.
4. There is a possibility of losing his culture and identity.

Points for IELTS Essay: Most criminals are set free once they finish their jail terms.

Most criminals are set free once they finish their jail terms. Is the re-introduction of criminals in societies is justified? Place your views in no less than 250 words.

A criminal should be given an opportunity to repent and mend his ways.

For

1. Jail term is a punishment that the criminal is given after careful and elaborate process and is what he justly deserves.
2. The purpose of jail terms is to make a person realize his mistakes and give him an opportunity to improve.
3. Many rehabilitation programs are carried out. He learns skills that will be useful to him after he returns back.
4. Society is the place where he belongs.
   

Against

1. Some may not be accepted by society and he may face lot of hardships.
2. He may be tempted to return to his old ways.
3. Some criminals do not change after the jail term and may be threat to society.

Points for IELTS Essay: Some authors believe that urbanization is a ‘Modern Disease’.

Some authors believe that urbanization is a ‘Modern Disease’. In not less than 250 words explain if you agree with this view and give your own opinion.

Urbanization (or urbanisation) is the increase in the population of cities in proportion to the region's rural population

Impacts

1. The urban areas have become concrete jungle.
2. Approximately 10% of the farmers provide for 90% of the population which is huge load on the farmers.
3. Pollution is on the rise and affects global warming.
4. Deforestation(the conversion of forested areas to non-forest land use such as arable land, pasture, urban use, logged area, or wasteland) takes place.
• Deforestation affects the amount of water in the soil and groundwater and the moisture in the atmosphere.
• Shrinking forest cover lessens the landscape's capacity to intercept, retain and transport precipitation. Instead of trapping precipitation, which then percolates to groundwater systems, deforested areas become sources of surface water runoff, which moves much faster than subsurface flows. That quicker transport of surface water can translate into flash flooding and more localized floods than would occur with the forest cover.
  

Points for IELTS Essay: Some people believe that only pupils of similar interests ...

Some people believe that only pupils of similar interests should be given admissions in schools. Others are of the opinions that schools should be open to all children with varied interests. How far you agree or disagree with the above views. Give your opinion in not less than 250 words.

The purpose of education is an all-round development of the child, and schools should cater to it.

Pros

1. When students of similar interests are put together they will become a homogenous mass.
2. Teachers and mentors will find easy to plan the training and the courseware.
3. Competition will be sharper and their skills related to their interests will be highly polished.

Cons

1. Student will not learn to appreciate and respect people with other interests.
2. He will not learn tolerance of people with other interests.
3. His skills related to other interests will not be developed.
4. The environment will be monotonous and boring.
5. It will not favor all-round development.

IELTS Tips

Below are the few tips you can follow in reading and listening section of IELTS.

Reading

1. Scan in seconds (not more than 5 seconds) to get gist of the content.
2. Questions (a minute or two).
• Scan the questions
• Grasp as much as you can
• Underline keywords
3. Skimming
• Skim through the entire section,
• Understand and grasp the content
• Underline keywords
4. Read instructions carefully.
5. Answer the questions that you know quickly.
6. Do not spend more time on tough questions.
7. Check the question numbers when writing the answer.
8. Keep an eye on the time…..
9. Be cool about questions that you cannot answer
• Refer and check passage before answering.
• Do not depend on memory.
• Check the context also.
10. Re read instructions and try to get clue form instructions in question when there is confusion
11. Use $ technique. In questions where you have an 3 or more options eliminate only those that you are sure that they are incorrect and you can bet a few dollars in it.
12. When writing answers for diagram check the question

Listening

1. Read the instructions carefully.
2. In the time given to read questions
• Read the questions
• Grasp the content
• Underline keywords
3. In the 30 seconds, read the questions of the other section
4. Concentrate on present section. Forget about the questions in the previous section.
5. If you miss questions just be cool

An essay for IELTS: Some think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged while others think that cooperation is better

In the present fast moving world, no man can escape competition. Healthy competition pushes a person forward and rise above his limitations. How appropriate is it to encourage it in children! Co-operation builds team spirit and brotherhood. Hence, a healthy competition with co-operation is lesson that every child has to learn.

Competition is a must in every walk of life. Consequently, sports, advertisements, marketing all have the ingredients of competition. Competition propels a person to stretch himself and expand his boundaries. He will know his standing and also, what he needs to do to further his progress. But, competition at times tempts a person to use unfair means; he might easily fall prey to jealousy. This can cause a number of issues like bitterness, guilty conscience which might not serve the purpose of competition. Therefore, a healthy competition needs to be encouraged in children which will not prick their conscience.

Co-operation on the other hand is a virtue which does not come with much negative effect, and if nurtured well will be boon to the society. Co-operation is the essence of brotherhood and team spirit. A society based on this principle is bound to progress and flourish. Major hurdles and issues will be resolved collectively. Hence, children should be taught the virtue of co-operation. Co-operation inculcated in children will go a long way in the progress of the individual and the society as a whole.

Hence, children should be taught both the essential virtues: Healthy competition and co-operation; both cannot be neglected. A child mastering both the virtues will be an asset to the society as a whole.

Disclaimer: This is just a sample essay written while preparing for IELTS and is not essentially my opinion.