[ACE THE EXAM] Solve the IELTS Writing test on 16/09/2023

IELTS Writing task 1

The line graph shows the past and projected finances for a local authority in New Zealand. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Step 1: Create an outline 

Overview: The local authority has undergone a relatively healthy financial situation with a significant increase in both taxes and service fees from citizens, where taxes remain the main revenue source, while borrowing and financial assistance and support remain at low levels.

Step 2: Complete the essay

A line graph illustrates the financial status of a local government in New Zealand over a decade from 2012 to 2022.

In summary, the local authority saw a robust financial growth with noticeable rises in tax revenues and service charges, primarily driven by tax collections, while loans and financial aids remained limited.

Regarding the two revenue sources, initially, the authority earned approximately $1500 million, and despite a stable first year in 2003, its tax revenue increased significantly, reaching almost $2400 million by 2022. The fees required to access authority services mirrored these revenue patterns, albeit at a slightly lower rate. Starting at the second-highest position ($1000 million), they reached around $2000 million by the end.

For the remaining areas, borrowing fluctuated over the decade, hitting a low of nearly $600 million in 2016 and peaking at approximately $1500 million in 2020. On the other hand, grants and subsidies were consistently the lowest, rising from under $500 million in 2012 to a peak of about $800 million four years later. However, from 2016 onward, this funding declined steadily, ending at $500 million by the last year.

Step 3: Vocabulary

Now, let's practice using these words/phrases in gap-fill exercises:

1. The local authority ______________ retained its top position in terms of revenues.

Response: consistently

2. For a company to maintain its financial health, it's vital to vary its ________________.

Response: revenue sources

3. The organization's capacity to ________________ through diverse investments contributed to its financial triumph.

Response: generate income

4. Following a period of expansion, the stock market witnessed a significant ________________ in 2020.

Answer: decline

5. The income from user fees appeared to ________________ the trends of tax revenue shown in the chart.

Answer: reflect

Step 4: Grammar Structure

“However, starting from 2016, there was a gradual decrease in this funding, reaching $500 million by the final year.”

In the phrase “had fallen,” the grammar “had” is a form of the verb have used to create the past perfect tense in English. This tense is often used to indicate an event that occurred before a specific point in the past.

In your sentence, “had fallen” is used to denote the gradual decline of funding over time, starting in 2016 and continuing until the final year. This means that at a point in the past (the final year), funding had decreased to $500 million, and there had been a gradual decline since 2016. The past perfect tense helps establish the chronological order of these events in the past.

IELTS Writing task 2

Nowadays celebrities earn more money than politicians. What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative development?

Step 1: Analyze the prompt 

• Từ khoá: celebrities, more money, politicians 
• Câu hỏi: Đây là dạng câu hỏi yêu cầu đưa ra nguyên nhân, và đưa ra ý kiến cá nhân đây là khuynh hướng phát triển tích cực hay tiêu cực. 

Bước 2: Chuẩn bị kế hoạch cho bài luận

Bước 3: Hoàn thành bài luận

Sample Essay 1 (Band 6.0)

In xã hội ngày nay, có một xu hướng đáng chú ý là những người nổi tiếng kiếm được nhiều tiền hơn so với những người trong chính trị. Sự chênh lệch thu nhập này có nhiều lý do và, theo quan điểm của tôi, mang lại cả lợi ích và bất lợi.

Lý do chính cho sự chênh lệch thu nhập giữa các ngôi sao và các nhà chính trị là hệ thống lương của họ. Các nhà chính trị thường nhận mức lương cố định do chính phủ quy định, trong khi thu nhập của các ngôi sao biến đổi lớn dựa trên ảnh hưởng của họ. Các ngôi sao có thể kiếm tiền thông qua thương hiệu cá nhân, sự hiện diện trên mạng xã hội và sự ủng hộ, cả trong nước lẫn quốc tế. Họ thường làm việc trong các ngành như phim ảnh, thể thao và thời trang, nơi có nhu cầu cao từ người hâm mộ sẵn lòng chi tiêu cho giải trí và hàng hóa. Ngược lại, các vấn đề chính trị phức tạp và ít hấp dẫn đối với công chúng, vì vậy các nhà chính trị phải dựa vào mức lương cố định của họ.

Sự chênh lệch thu nhập này có tác động tích cực và tiêu cực đối với xã hội. Ở mặt tích cực, các ngôi sao giàu có thường góp phần vào các hoạt động từ thiện, tạo ra tác động tích cực. Ngoài ra, ngành giải trí tạo ra việc làm và doanh thu, có lợi cho nền kinh tế. Mặt tiêu cực, sự chênh lệch này có thể làm giảm khích lệ của người ta để theo đuổi sự nghiệp chính trị, có thể ảnh hưởng đến việc quản lý hiệu quả. Nó cũng có thể thúc đẩy chủ nghĩa vật chất và sự ngưỡng mộ đối với lối sống xa xỉ của các ngôi sao.

In conclusion, the salary gap between famous personalities and politicians mainly stems from their different salary systems, celebrity branding, and the demand in the entertainment industry. While this benefits the financially disadvantaged and the economy, it could discourage political involvement and promote materialism.

Sample Essay (Band 8.0)

In our modern society, there's a noticeable trend where famous individuals earn significantly more money compared to those in politics. This substantial income gap can be attributed to various reasons and, in my opinion, has its pros and cons.

The fundamental reason behind the income inequality between celebrities and politicians lies in their salary structures, which are fundamentally dissimilar. Essentially, individuals in politics often receive fixed salaries governed by governmental regulations, whereas celebrities' incomes vary widely based on their level of influence.

Indeed, famous individuals can utilize their personal brand, social media presence, and fan base to launch businesses or engage in profitable celebrity endorsements, both domestically and internationally. This significant income gap may also arise from the fact that public figures frequently operate within sectors such as film, sports, and fashion, all of which are driven by consumer demand.

Consumers are willing to spend significant amounts on entertainment involving their idols, whether it's for movie or concert tickets, merchandise, or endorsements, allowing celebrities to earn substantial incomes. In contrast, political and social issues often lack public interest due to their complexity, which is why few citizens know the names of any politicians, and as a result, they cannot earn additional income apart from their fixed monthly salaries.

The difference in earnings between famous personalities and politicians would have both positive and negative impacts on society. On one side, many affluent celebrities tend to allocate some of their earnings towards supporting charitable causes or engaging in philanthropic activities, thereby contributing to a positive social impact. Furthermore, from an economic standpoint, the entertainment industry, by creating employment opportunities and generating revenue, would significantly contribute to economic progress.

Conversely, one could infer from this significant contrast that pursuing a career in politics may not be as rewarding. Consequently, this could lead to fewer individuals opting for a political career, while also fostering an unhealthy admiration for the lavish lifestyles of celebrities. The former consequence might impede governmental effectiveness and governance, while the latter could promote a materialistic culture.

In summary, what underlies the vast difference between famous individuals and politicians are their salary structures, the commercialization of celebrities' personal brands, and the market demand within the entertainment industry. This phenomenon would benefit financially disadvantaged individuals and the economy, while also dampening interest in pursuing a political career and fostering a materialistic mindset.

Bước 4: Từ vựng

Now, here are some fill-in-the-blank exercises utilizing these words/phrases:

1. The ______________  between the wealthy and the less fortunate in the nation remains a significant societal concern.

Answer: wealth gap 

2. Having ample free time can be a ______________ as it provides more leisure but can also result in ennui.

Answer:  double-edged sword

3. She knows how to ______________ her talents to seize the best opportunities in her career.

Answer: utilize

4. The entertainment industry can be highly ______________ for individuals who achieve fame.

Answer: profitable 

5. The actor’s ______________ of the product significantly increased its sales.

Answer: promotion by a famous person

6. The matter at hand is ______________, encompassing various elements that require examination.

Answer: multi-faceted

7. The magnate’s ______________ endeavors have positively impacted the lives of numerous disadvantaged individuals.

Answer: humanitarian

8. Embarking on a medical career can be a ______________ if you possess a fervor for aiding others.

Answer: a meaningful endeavor 

9. Certain individuals exhibit such ______________ that they value possessions over connections and experiences.

Answer: materialistic

Complete the gaps with the appropriate terms/phrases from the box.

Step 5: Grammar structure

Such an enormous income gap could also stem from the fact that public figures frequently operate within sectors such as movies, sports, and fashion, all of which are driven by consumer demand.

The phrase “all of which” in this sentence is used to clarify and expand on the areas in which famous personalities often operate. In this case, this phrase is commonly used to list or provide additional information about a fact or situation mentioned earlier in the sentence.

In your sentence, “all of which” lists the areas in which famous people typically engage, including “movies, sports, and fashion.” It helps readers understand that all these areas share a commonality, which is being driven by consumer demand.

This phrase is often used to create clarity and comprehensiveness in a sentence, especially when there are multiple components or factors to be listed.