IELTS Writing Task II
Popular hobbies and interests change over time and are more a reflection of trends and fashions than an indication of what individuals really want to do in their spare time.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Several leisure activities become fashionable ephemerally and disappear when a new trend comes along whereas others seem to be perennially popular. Therefore, I can only partly agree with the assertion that well-known hobbies are more a reflection of fashions than true interest.
On the one hand, it is, beyond all dispute, that some recreations are only passing trends. Individuals, especially youngsters, take up these recreations owing to either their current novelty or popularity among their peers. For instance, my younger sibling seems to have a different hobby each month, as he joins in with the latest craze that sweeps through his primary school. For the last year or so, he has been obsessed with Rubik, spinning tops, yo-yo, slime, and puzzles. Similarly, adults' fitness trends change from jogging to doing yoga or going to the gymnasium, and I doubt that these trends' participants will be interested in them in the long term.
On the other hand, several citizens spend their time doing hobbies that are far from trendy. Although some leisure activities such as playing chess, basketball, or football have existed since time immemorial, they are still many people's top-rated pastimes in this day and age. Citizens who take up these interests are inevitably not doing something fashionable or wasting their time on things that they do not like. On the contrary, they are passionate about these recreations because they simply find it absorbing and pleasurable. From my perspective, I would say many people feel the same about reading books, playing sports, and listening to music.
In conclusion, some individuals' recreations change over time to follow the latest hobby trends whereas others do popular leisure activity owing to its exhilarating quality.
Thank you for your reading and opinions in advance.
Holt Educational Consultant - / 14,797 
4780 There is no " partly" in the discussion presentation. When you are asked to what extent you agree or disagree, the correct form for the response is "I agree with this idea only up to the point that (reasoning topic 1) and (reasoning topic 2). This sentence format clearly indicates a measured response (up to the point...) by presenting your reasons for the partial support (or non support) of the discussion. The word "partly" is oftentimes used by students in this type of essay, without realizing that it does not actually help to increase the TA score which is based on a solid opinion regarding a particular discussion instruction. Partly means you are not really making a decision / you do not have a clear opinion regarding the topic. By indicating the actual extent of your discussion, based on the reasons you will be providing, you will be presenting a clearer opinion and discussion outline that will benefit your TA score.
An extent essay limits your discussion to only one point of view. The word "or" requires you to defend one side only. Remember that the discussion requires you to present the "extent" of your support or non support for the topic presented. That is a clear indicator that you have to defend you opinion using 2 strong supporting reasons. You will only receive a score for the paragraph that supports your previously stated opinion (if you clearly stated one, which you did not). That means your essay is now under the minimum 250 word count, and will receive word percentage deductions for the non applicable paragraph.
The conclusion is not an effective summary statement because you wrote less than 40 words. The conclusion must always accomplish the following to help increase your TA score in the form of a reverse paraphrase:
- Discussion topic
- Opinions presented as the reason for the topic
- Restate your opinion
- Restate your reasons
Effectively written, a summary conclusion can help you achieve a passing score in the Task 2 essay. There are no irrelevant paragraphs in the presentation. All the paragraphs have an effect on your individual scoring considerations.
