IELTS Essay: Responsibilities

Some people believe that children of all ages should have extra responsibilities (for example, helping at home or at work). Others believe that, outside of school, children should be free to enjoy their lives. 

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Analysis

1. Many today have argued for the importance of children having greater responsibility in the home. 2. I am generally in agreement with this position, though it should naturally not be taken to extremes.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion.

1. Critics of such an approach maintain that it can overburden young children. 2. In many societies around the world today, children are under immense pressure at school to perform well academically. 3. In many Asian countries, for example, young children must study at school until the late afternoon, have dinner, and then take additional classes before doing their homework each night. 4. If these students were also tasked with cleaning the house or washing their own clothes, they simply would not have enough time to complete all their responsibilities and rest for the next day.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. You might add a counterpoint here.

1. However, increased responsibility encourages greater maturity and self-reliance. 2. A child who must ensure their room is clean and takes part in either cooking or cleaning up afterwards better understands the importance of time management and how to run a household. 3. In contrast, some parents are overly protective of their children and do not instill traits related to independence. 4. If a child grows up and attends university without a variety of life skills or the maturity that comes from looking after themselves, then they will likely struggle to adjust and may be viewed as childish by their peers.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Continue your development.
6. Finish the paragraph strong.

1. In conclusion, though there must be logical limits to the amount of work that children should do in the home, it is an advisable approach overall to increase a child’s sense of responsibility. 2. The benefits later in life justify any potential fatigue.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought.