IELTS Aug Sep 5 new Essay and band 7 samples:
1. AI-powered systems in cities
Using artificial intelligence to manage urban services is becoming increasingly common worldwide. Although this development can create privacy and reliability concerns, this essay will examine its main benefits and drawbacks before explaining why I believe the advantages are greater.
Improving traffic management is one major benefit of intelligent technology, as computer systems can process enormous amounts of information within seconds. Reducing congestion becomes easier when signals automatically respond to changing traffic conditions rather than following fixed schedules. For example, Singapore has introduced intelligent transport systems that monitor road conditions and adjust traffic management accordingly, helping authorities deal with congestion more efficiently. Saving fuel and reducing unnecessary emissions can also result when vehicles spend less time waiting in traffic.
Creating smarter public services, however, can raise serious concerns because large quantities of personal information may be collected and processed. Protecting citizens’ privacy becomes particularly important when surveillance systems are used extensively, while technical errors could disrupt essential services. For instance, a malfunction in an automated waste-management system could cause collection vehicles to miss entire neighbourhoods, creating sanitation problems. Maintaining human supervision is therefore essential because technology cannot always distinguish unusual circumstances from ordinary patterns.
In conclusion, adopting intelligent urban systems with strict safeguards can deliver greater long-term benefits than drawbacks.
2. Renting goods instead of owning them
Choosing to rent cars, clothing and household products rather than purchase them is becoming increasingly popular. Although this approach has certain limitations, this essay will examine its financial and environmental benefits before explaining why I largely support this shift.
Reducing initial expenditure is one significant advantage of this arrangement, as consumers can access expensive products without paying their full purchase price. Avoiding large financial commitments becomes particularly useful when people have unstable incomes or frequently relocate. For example, a young professional moving from Chennai to Bengaluru for a two-year assignment could lease furniture and appliances rather than purchasing them and later paying to transport or sell everything. Saving storage space can also make temporary possession attractive to people living in small apartments.
Reducing unnecessary consumption provides another benefit because one product can serve several users instead of remaining unused for long periods. Sharing equipment becomes especially sensible when an item is required only occasionally. For instance, renting a power washer for one weekend every year would be more practical for many homeowners than purchasing a machine that remains in a garage for most of its lifetime. Choosing permanent ownership, nevertheless, remains sensible when an item is used regularly.
In conclusion, embracing temporary ownership can be beneficial when consumers choose it selectively and consider long-term costs.
3. Continuous assessment instead of final examinations
Replacing final examinations with regular evaluation is becoming increasingly common in modern education. Although ongoing assessment offers several benefits, this essay will discuss the strengths of both approaches before explaining why I favour a balanced system.
Reducing examination pressure is one major advantage of frequent evaluation, as students are able to demonstrate their abilities on several occasions. Allowing learners to recover from one weak performance can provide a more balanced picture of their progress because a temporary illness or personal problem will not determine the entire grade. For example, a student who performs poorly in a mathematics test after being ill could compensate through later assignments, presentations and classroom assessments. Identifying weaknesses earlier can also allow teachers to provide targeted support.
Providing standardised testing, however, offers important benefits because every candidate completes the same assessment under controlled conditions. Measuring independent performance becomes easier when students have identical time limits and similar examination conditions. For instance, university applicants sitting a national entrance examination can be compared using a common score, whereas classroom projects may vary considerably according to teachers and available resources. Developing concentration and time-management skills can also prepare learners for demanding academic environments.
In conclusion, combining continuous evaluation with a final examination would provide students with the most balanced form of assessment.
4. Workations
Combining employment with travelling has become increasingly feasible as remote-working technology continues to develop. Although this lifestyle offers greater flexibility, this essay will examine the main reasons behind its growth and the difficulties it can create.
Increasing access to remote-working technology is one major reason for this trend, as cloud platforms and video-conferencing applications allow employees to complete many duties from almost anywhere. Offering greater flexibility can also improve job satisfaction because workers can explore new places without taking lengthy periods of leave. For example, a software developer employed by a Toronto-based company could spend three weeks working from Lisbon while attending online meetings and completing projects from a rented apartment. Reducing commuting time can provide another benefit when employees work remotely.
Creating a blurred boundary between professional and personal life, however, can cause difficulties because travelling workers may feel pressure to remain available throughout the day. Managing different time zones can become particularly challenging when colleagues need to attend meetings simultaneously. For instance, an employee travelling in Japan while working for a company in Canada might have to join team meetings late at night, eventually affecting sleep and productivity. Protecting confidential information can also become harder when public networks are used. Establishing clear organisational rules can therefore make this arrangement more sustainable. Limiting working hours and requiring secure connections can reduce many risks, while flexible scheduling can preserve the main advantages.
In conclusion, allowing workations can be beneficial when employers establish clear rules concerning availability, security and working hours.
5. Limiting children’s online time
Reducing excessive online activity among children has become an important concern for families and policymakers. This essay will examine practical ways of addressing the issue and assess whether greater restrictions would ultimately be beneficial or harmful.
Introducing stronger parental controls could be one effective measure, as digital platforms can automatically restrict certain content and notify adults about excessive usage. Encouraging age-verification systems can also make it harder for children to access unsuitable material because platforms would have greater responsibility for checking users’ ages. For example, requiring social-media companies to activate default safety settings for users under sixteen could reduce their exposure to harmful content. Promoting digital-literacy lessons in schools could further help children develop healthier habits.
Reducing unrestricted screen exposure could produce several positive outcomes because excessive online activity may interfere with sleep, exercise and face-to-face interaction. Protecting regular sleep becomes particularly important when children use phones late at night, as constant notifications can encourage them to remain awake. For instance, a twelve-year-old who spends several hours playing online games after dinner may begin sleeping later and struggle to concentrate during morning classes. Maintaining reasonable access nevertheless remains necessary because educational websites and communication platforms can be valuable learning tools.
In conclusion, carefully designed restrictions can protect young users while allowing them to benefit from responsible digital access.
6. Practical life skills in education
Teaching everyday abilities alongside conventional academic subjects is receiving increasing attention in modern education. Although practical knowledge deserves a stronger place in schools, this essay will examine the value of both areas before explaining why I believe they should complement rather than replace one another.
Teaching financial management can help teenagers make responsible decisions because many young adults leave school without understanding budgeting, saving or borrowing. Developing these abilities before entering adulthood can prevent avoidable financial mistakes. For example, a student who learns to prepare a monthly budget could understand how rent, food, transport and savings should be balanced before moving into a university residence. Introducing basic cooking and household management can similarly increase independence because young people become capable of looking after themselves.
Strengthening traditional academic knowledge, however, remains essential because subjects such as mathematics, science and languages develop transferable intellectual abilities. Building logical reasoning becomes possible through mathematics, while studying science encourages learners to evaluate evidence rather than accept unsupported claims. For instance, a student who studies statistics can later use numerical information to assess whether a financial investment or health claim is credible. Developing communication skills through language education can also improve employment prospects.
Integrating practical modules into existing curricula would therefore be more effective than replacing academic subjects. Combining financial literacy, nutrition and digital safety with established disciplines could prepare students for real responsibilities while preserving intellectual development.
In conclusion, combining practical competence with academic knowledge would prepare students most effectively for both education and adult life.
