It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family - IELTS Writing Task 2

Prity Mallick

7 min read

Updated On May 13, 2025

Practice writing the IELTS Direct Question essay, It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family with the help of the sample answers here. Master crafting a band 9 response using the given essay structure and high-level vocabulary.

Essay Question for It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family
Outline for IELTS Direct Question Essay
Sample Answers for It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family IELTS Writing Task 2
Vocabulary to Use for It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family

IELTS Writing Prediction Questions for 2024

IELTS Direct Question essays, also known as two-part question essays, are part of IELTS Writing Task 2 and consist of two questions. One example of this type of essay is 'It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family'. Once you have decoded the question, you must respond to it and support your arguments with relevant examples.

In this article, we will check out samples for the IELTS Direct Question essay, ‘It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family’, along with the essay outline and vocabulary to guide you to write your own Band 9 essay.

Essay Question for It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In some parts of the world, it is increasingly popular to research the history of one’s own family. Why do people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Outline for IELTS Direct Question Essay

Introduction

Briefly explain the question in your own words in one-two sentences.
Add 1-2 sentences to state what you’re going to discuss in the body paragraphs.

Body Paragraph 1

Present the first main point in 1-2 sentences.
Explain the point with examples in 2-3 sentences.

Body Paragraph 2

Present the second main point in 1-2 sentences.
Explain the point with examples in 2-3 sentences.

Conclusion

Summarize the main points discussed in the essay.

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Sample Answers for It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family IELTS Writing Task 2

Go through the IELTS Band 9 essay samples on 'It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family’ IELTS Writing Task 2 given below and they will guide you on how to write a band 8+ answer.

It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family - Sample Answer 1

The study of family history or genealogy has gained enormous popularity, particularly after the coming of the internet. People are indulging themselves into this study for various reasons which I shall highlight in the following paragraphs. I believe that this trend has both positives and negatives.

The most popular reason for tracing the roots of one’s family history is that it can just be plain fascinating. It is considered by most to be the fastest-growing hobby in North America, with many surveys and media sources proclaiming that it has surpassed quilting, stamp collecting and even gardening in popularity. Another reason is the potential to trace living relatives. This then opens up the possibility of finding out about and regaining contact with long-lost cousins or relatives. The ability to trace living relatives can also be important in tracing an heir or beneficiary. Finally, the most significant reason is that studying family history is an important tool in maintaining good physical health. Studying family history helps to predict risk for a range of health concerns and diseases, including heart disease, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. Once a person’s family medical history has been established, it is far easier for physicians to advise patients on how to keep healthy.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of tracking family history. Genealogy which begins as a curiosity, a hobby may become an obsession. Then people waste too much time and money on it. One should not forget that it is the present which influences the future more and not the past. Often knowledge of family history is disastrous, leading people to keep old enmities alive. It may also reveal unpleasant facts that one would regret knowing.

In conclusion, it can be said that there are many motivations for studying family history, from developing a sense of belonging to maintaining good health. However, one should not develop an obsession for it and squander too much time and money on it.

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It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family - Sample Answer 2

In many countries, people are showing a growing interest in discovering the history of their own families. This trend reflects a deeper curiosity about personal identity and cultural roots. In this essay, I will explore the reasons why individuals are motivated to trace their ancestry and discuss whether this development is beneficial or not.

One major reason for researching family history is the desire to better understand one’s identity. People often feel a strong need to connect with their roots, especially in an increasingly globalized world where traditional cultural ties may be fading.
For instance, immigrants or individuals from multicultural backgrounds may research their genealogy to reconnect with their heritage, learn about family traditions, or understand the struggles and achievements of their ancestors. This can foster a sense of pride, belonging, and continuity across generations.

Additionally, learning about family history can provide practical benefits, such as insights into inherited health conditions or traits. Knowing the medical history of ancestors can help individuals take preventive health measures. For example, if a person learns that heart disease or diabetes runs in their family, they may be more motivated to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Beyond health, some may discover lost family connections or inheritance claims, making the process not only meaningful but also materially rewarding.

In conclusion, the rising popularity of exploring family history is driven by the desire to understand personal identity and gain practical benefits. This is a positive development, as it strengthens one’s sense of self, promotes cultural awareness, and can even contribute to improved well-being.

Vocabulary to Use for It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family

Below is some key IELTS Vocabulary for the topic, ‘It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family’, useful for this and similar topics.

Word/Phrase	Meaning	Usage
Genealogy	the study of family history and the tracing of family lineages	She became interested in genealogy after discovering an old family photograph album.
Ancestry	one’s family or ethnic descent	Learning about his African ancestry gave him a stronger sense of identity.
Heritage	the traditions, achievements, and beliefs that are part of a nation or family's history	Many people research their heritage to reconnect with lost customs and values.
Lineage	the line of descent from an ancestor; family line	The document detailed the royal lineage going back over ten generations.
Roots	the place or culture that someone comes from originally	Tracing her roots led her to visit a remote village in Eastern Europe.
Identity	the characteristics or background that make a person who they are	Exploring family history can help individuals develop a clearer sense of identity.
Cultural awareness	understanding and appreciation of one’s own and others' cultural backgrounds	Studying his ancestors' way of life boosted his cultural awareness.
Self-discovery	the process of gaining insight into one's own character and values	Investigating her family's past became a journey of self-discovery.
Inheritance	money, property, or traits passed down from previous generations	While researching his genealogy, he learned about an unclaimed inheritance.
Globalized	affected by international influence or involving the whole world	In a globalized society, people often seek family history to stay connected to their origins.
Preservation	the act of maintaining something in its original or existing state	Researching family history plays a key role in the preservation of cultural traditions.
Tradition	a belief or custom passed down through generations	Discovering a long-lost family tradition made her feel more connected to her relatives.
Document	to record details about something officially or systematically	He carefully documented each detail he uncovered about his great-grandparents.
Historical records	documents from the past that provide information about people and events	Accessing historical records helped her confirm her family's migration story.
Multicultural	consisting of or relating to people of many different nationalities and cultures	Growing up in a multicultural family, he used genealogy to explore each side of his background.

Having read example answers on ‘It is Becoming Popular to Research the History of One's Own Family’, you can now write your own. Leave your answers in the comments, or use our FREE evaluation service for expert feedback. Also, to improve your IELTS Writing Task 2 score, study the marking criteria and apply them while practicing the IELTS Writing practice tests.

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