Writing Feedback / IELTS: some actions should be taken to preserve the endangered languages [7]

Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

It is not uncommon to see that several languages become extinct every year. There has been much discussion as to whether it is essential to prevent the trend. Some people argue that the preservation of endangered languages is not important since fewer languages can make life easier.

Advocates of this believe that if language barriers were removed, it would be easier for people to interact with each other in terms of academic communication, diplomacy, trade, education, etc. Thus the efficiency of communication would be facilitated significantly. Misunderstanding would be less likely to occur and some unnecessary conflicts could be avoided.

However, others disagree by saying that language is closely bound up with culture. When a language disappears, it is impossible that the culture related to it can survive. As a result, with some languages dying out, the cultural diversity will be reduced. For example, Mayan civilization is on the brink of extinction simply because virtually no experts can decipher the language carved on the sculptures accurately. Consequently, it is difficult for us to explore such a mysterious culture which reveals the wisdom of our ancestors.

More importantly, giving up speaking a language deprives us of different ways of looking at the world. Anybody who speaks two languages knows that some things are just untranslatable from one language to another. People will experience a gap or a loss of certain concepts, certain ways of thinking about the world when translating directly between two languages.

In conclusion, although fewer languages bring much convenience to our daily life, yet the negative effects, which include diminishing cultural diversity and losing different ways of thinking, can by no means be neglected. I strongly recommend some actions should be taken to preserve the endangered languages.

Writing Feedback / IELTS Being a volunteer in the community is not rare among high school students [5]

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Being a volunteer in the community is not rare among high school students. It is recommended by some experts that it should be a mandatory part of the high school curriculum. There has been much discussion as to the issue.

The first argument in its favor is that unpaid community service can be beneficial to high school students. It can foster their sense of responsibility for the society where they live and teach them to be a caring and loving person. When the students make a contribution and see how they can make a difference to their neighborhood, they can accomplish a sense of fulfillment as well.

Another argument the supporters give is that the recommendation matches the purpose of education. Education should not just focus on the acquisition of knowledge from the textbooks. Instead, it should teach children how to be an all-rounded citizen. Volunteering in a community can help achieve this ultimate goal. A variety of skills can be honed during this process, such as leadership, communication skills, team spirit, time management etc. Thus, it is necessary for students to be obliged to do unpaid community service.

In addition, the involvement of some charity work alike can somehow improve the fitness level of the students. Since the computer emerged, many people have lived a sedentary lifestyle. High school students are no exceptions. Volunteering in the community can prevent them from sitting in front of the little screen all day long, which definitely will do good to their health .

Admittedly, considering the tight timetable high school students normally have, doing voluntary work may increase their workload and cause some stress. However, in the long term, this experience can be rewarding for them. It is worth the time and the efforts they invest in .