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This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of family and friends from the general training exam.
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IELTS Essay: Family & Friends
Some people believe that family is more important than friends.
To what extent do you agree and disagree?
Many believe that family obligations outweigh those towards friends. In my opinion, though this varies by individual to some extent, family holds the stronger claim.
Those who feel friends are more important argue that as an adult, friends are more influential. While still living at home, there is little doubt that one’s family has more sway; this reverses after university when a person lives on their own. They will probably end up spending more time with friends from work or school, especially if they are living far from home. Additionally, friends are chosen and family is not. This autonomy in selecting a circle of friends means that they are more likely to, relative to one’s family, share similar beliefs and personal qualities.
Nonetheless, friends pass in and out of life and family lasts forever. Family has, naturally, the greatest influence in the developmental years of life when researchers believe the majority of identity formation takes place. Coupled with genetic factors, this is why family members have similar attitudes and beliefs, in general. Unlike friends, a person’s relationship with their family, assuming they are not estranged, will span their entire life. At various points throughout adulthood, most people will turn to their immediate or extended family for critical advice or support, strengthening familial bonds. This enduring link makes family a more powerful force than friends.
In conclusion, though friends can take on increasing value, family have the greatest importance taken as a whole. It is therefore key that families stay in touch and maintain friendly relations.
Analysis
1. Many believe that family obligations outweigh those towards friends. 2. In my opinion, though this varies by individual to some extent, family holds the stronger claim.
- Paraphrase the essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who feel friends are more important argue that as an adult, friends are more influential. 2. While still living at home, there is little doubt that one’s family has more sway; this reverses after university when a person lives on their own. 3. They will probably end up spending more time with friends from work or school, especially if they are living far from home. 4. Additionally, friends are chosen and family is not. 5. This autonomy in selecting a circle of friends means that they are more likely to, relative to one’s family, share similar beliefs and personal qualities.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Write about it specifically.
- Add more support for the same main idea.
- Conclude with a strong statement.
1. Nonetheless, friends pass in and out of life and family lasts forever. 2. Family has, naturally, the greatest influence in the developmental years of life when researchers believe the majority of identity formation takes place. 3. Coupled with genetic factors, this is why family members have similar attitudes and beliefs, in general. 4. Unlike friends, a person’s relationship with their family, assuming they are not estranged, will span their entire life. 5. At various points throughout adulthood, most people will turn to their immediate or extended family for critical advice or support, strengthening familial bonds. 6. This enduring link makes family a more powerful force than friends.
- Write a new topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
- Begin to explain your main idea.
- Continue developing it.
- Make sure your arguments are specific.
- Your arguments should be nuanced.
- Relate it back to your main idea and the overall question.
1. In conclusion, though friends can take on increasing value, family have the greatest importance taken as a whole. 2. It is therefore key that families stay in touch and maintain friendly relations.
- Summarise your main ideas and repeat your opinion.
- Add a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many believe that family obligations outweigh those towards friends. In my opinion, though this varies by individual to some extent, family holds the stronger claim.
Those who feel friends are more important argue that as an adult, friends are more influential. While still living at home, there is little doubt that one’s family has more sway; this reverses after university when a person lives on their own. They will probably end up spending more time with friends from work or school, especially if they are living far from home. Additionally, friends are chosen and family is not. This autonomy in selecting a circle of friends means that they are more likely to, relative to one’s family, share similar beliefs and personal qualities.
Nonetheless, friends pass in and out of life and family lasts forever. Family has, naturally, the greatest influence in the developmental years of life when researchers believe the majority of identity formation takes place. Coupled with genetic factors, this is why family members have similar attitudes and beliefs, in general. Unlike friends, a person’s relationship with their family, assuming they are not estranged, will span their entire life. At various points throughout adulthood, most people will turn to their immediate or extended family for critical advice or support, strengthening familial bonds. This enduring link makes family a more powerful force than friends.
In conclusion, though friends can take on increasing value, family have the greatest importance taken as a whole. It is therefore key that families stay in touch and maintain friendly relations.
Answers
obligations duties
outweigh stronger than
varies there is difference
to some extent to a degree
holds has
stronger claim better belief
argue feel
influential shape/sway
there is little doubt not much question
sway influence
reverses changes course
lives on their own not living at home
end up finally
especially in particular
far from distantly
additionally also
autonomy freedom
selecting choosing
circle of friends closest friends
relative to related to
share give
personal qualities characteristics, personality
pass in and out of life not permanent fixtures
lasts stays
naturally of course
greatest influence biggest force
developmental years when growing up
researchers scientists
majority most of
identity formation takes place personalities begin to form
coupled with genetic factors combined with natural elements
attitudes views
beliefs opinions
in general overall
unlike friends in contrast to friends
estranged no longer have a relationship with, became strangers
span entire width
entire life whole life
various points different parts
throughout adulthood as an adult
turn to seek help from
immediate or extended family close family and more distant relatives
critical advice good suggestions
support help
strengthening familial bonds making families closer
enduring link strong relationship
more powerful force influential
take on increasing value becoming more important
taken as a whole overall
therefore thus
stay in touch keep in contact
maintain friendly relations still on good terms with
Pronunciation
ˌɒblɪˈgeɪʃənz
aʊtˈweɪ
ˈveəriz
tuːsʌmɪksˈtɛnt
həʊldz
ˈstrɒŋgəkleɪm
ˈɑːgjuː
ˌɪnflʊˈɛnʃəl
ðeərɪzˈlɪtldaʊt
sweɪ
rɪˈvɜːsɪz
lɪvzɒnðeərəʊn
ɛndʌp
ɪsˈpɛʃəli
fɑːfrɒm
əˈdɪʃənli
ɔːˈtɒnəmi
sɪˈlɛktɪŋ
ˈsɜːklɒvfrɛndz
ˈrɛlətɪvtuː
ʃeə
ˈpɜːsnlˈkwɒlɪtiz
pɑːsɪnændaʊtɒvlaɪf
lɑːsts
ˈnæʧrəli,
ˈgreɪtɪstˈɪnflʊəns
dɪˌvɛləpˈmɛntljɪəz
rɪˈsɜːʧəz
məˈʤɒrɪti
aɪˈdɛntɪtifɔːˈmeɪʃənteɪkspleɪs
ˈkʌpldwɪðʤɪˈnɛtɪkˈfæktəz
ˈætɪtjuːdz
bɪˈliːfs
ɪnˈʤɛnərəl
ʌnˈlaɪkfrɛndz
ɪsˈtreɪnʤd
spæn
ɪnˈtaɪəlaɪf
ˈveərɪəspɔɪnts
θru(ː)ˈaʊtəˈdʌlthʊd
tɜːntuː
ɪˈmiːdiətɔːrɪksˈtɛndɪdˈfæmɪli
ˈkrɪtɪkələdˈvaɪs
səˈpɔːt
ˈstrɛŋθənɪŋˈfæmɪliəlbɒndz
ɪnˈdjʊərɪŋlɪŋk
mɔːˈpaʊəfʊlfɔːs
teɪkɒnɪnˈkriːsɪŋˈvæljuː
ˈteɪkənæzəhəʊl
ˈðeəfɔː
steɪɪntʌʧ
meɪnˈteɪnˈfrɛndlirɪˈleɪʃənz
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Many believe that family o_______________s o___________h those towards friends. In my opinion, though this v_______s by individual t_____________t, family h______s the s______________m.
Those who feel friends are more important a_______e that as an adult, friends are more i______________l. While still living at home, t____________________t that one’s family has more s_____y; this r__________s after university when a person l____________________n. They will probably e_______p spending more time with friends from work or school, e____________y if they are living f___________m home. A________________y, friends are chosen and family is not. This a___________y in s___________g a c________________s means that they are more likely to, r________________o one’s family, s___________e similar beliefs and p_____________________s.
Nonetheless, friends p________________________e and family l______s forever. Family has, n______________y, the g________________e in the d_____________________s of life when r_________________s believe the m_____________y of i_______________________n t_____________e. C__________________________s, this is why family members have similar a_____________s and b_________s, i________________l. U_______________s, a person’s relationship with their family, assuming they are not e______________d, will s_____n their e____________e. At v__________________________________d, most people will t________o their i_____________________________________y for c__________________e or s__________t, s______________________________s. This e____________k makes family a m____________________e than friends.
In conclusion, though friends can t_________n i____________________e, family have the greatest importance t____________________e. It is t_____________e key that families s______________h and m_________________________s.
Listening Practice
Listen below and use the activities in here to practice:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and practice with these ideas:
https://www.wired.com/gallery/long-distance-gear-to-stay-connected/
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Friends
- Do you talk about yourself to your friends?
- Do you like to listen or talk with your friends?
- Do you often change your mind about your friends?
- Is it important to have friends?
Writing Practice
Write about the related question below and then check with my sample answer:
It is better for children if the whole family including aunts, uncles and so on are involved in a child’s upbringing, rather than just their parents.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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