IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: The structure of a family and the role of its members are gradually changing
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In IELTS Writing Task 2, students are asked to write a formal essay of at least 250 words, in 4-5 paragraphs based on the given writing task 2 essay topics. The task is similar for both Academic and General Training with regards to the type of questions and the scoring, but the topics given for General Training will be slightly easier than Academic. Given below is a two-part/direct question essay with sample answers that will help you to practise and get a good score.
In recent years, the structure of a family and the role of its members are gradually changing. What kinds of changes can occur? Do you think these changes are positive and negative? OR
In recent years, the family structure has changed, as well as family roles. What are the changes occurring? Do you think these changes are positive or negative?
Band 8.5 Model Essay 1 :
It is true that these days the family structure has considerably shifted, and the changing roles of men and women in the family have become increasingly similar. There are several new forms of family composition, and in my opinion, these developments are not always desirable.
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In the past, nuclear families where parents and their offspring living together under one roof used to be prevalent. However, there is now a huge trend towards single-parent families due to more marriages ending in divorce, while the increase in cohabiting couple families and stepfamilies is probably a result of cohabitation and remarriage becoming much more acceptable. In addition, the number of single-mother families has increased as many mothers want to have children without getting married. In terms of changing parental roles in a family, there has been a rise in the number of stay-at-home dads in recent years when it has become normal for women to gain qualifications and pursue their own career path. This is in sharp contrast to about half a decade ago when men were breadwinners, and women were in charge of household chores in their families.
In my view, the changes described above could have both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, due to the lack of emotional attachment and legal binding, non-traditional households such as stepfamilies and cohabiting parents are more prone to breaking down. Consequently, children of these families are more likely to be involved in antisocial behaviors while their parents may experience feelings of loneliness and worry. On the other hand, the changes in the roles of members in the family could be seen as progress because women are not put under pressure to sacrifice their own careers to assume childcare and domestic responsibilities.
In conclusion, I believe that the changes in the roles of family members and the family structure are both positive and negative.
IELTS Examiner’s Comment :
| This is one of the best essays I have seen. It’s amazing! I don’t know what to suggest to improve this apart from minor improvements to the introduction and the conclusion, which is very short & unclear (positive & negative). All IELTS band scores would be 9 apart from Task Response, which would be 8.0. Overall – 8.5. Did you write this in 40 mins with no help/guidance? John Marks |
Band 8.5 Model Answer 2 :
The changes of family structure and family roles have become a major topic of concern in modem society. Some of the main changes will be identified, before an evaluation on whether this is a positive or negative trend is made.
A few drastic changes could be observed in families today. The most obvious one is the decreased size of an average family in society. In Vietnam, for example, a majority of extended families of three generations or more living under the same roof have been transformed into nuclear families with only parents and children. In addition, there is also a significant change in terms of the roles of the father and the mother in a family. The responsibility of males as the sole breadwinner of the family has now been shared with their partners, and now women have equal working opportunities compared with their male counterparts. Accordingly, household duties are also shared equally between the two sexes.
I contend that this new family structure is without doubt beneficial for all families. As regards the smaller family size, each family member could benefit from an increased sense of freedom. For instance, parents have more time for themselves now, compared with the situation in the past when they had to bear the responsibility of taking care of both grandparents and children. With respect to the change in family roles, women may reap the benefit of having their own career and thus financial freedom. Men also gain from this change since they have been freed from the financial pressure of being the only source of income in the family.
To conclude, the most apparent changes in today’s families include a decreased family size and a shared financial and household responsibility of men and women. All the existing data has provided a concrete foundation that these changes are beneficial for all members of the family.
Model Essay 3
It is true that there have been significant changes in not only the family structure but also family roles. In my opinion, these changes should be regarded as a positive tendency.
To begin with, the structure of a family is relatively different from that of some decades ago. In the past, it was likely that extended families became prevalent among societies when many generations including children, parents and grandparents lived in the same roof. In contrast, these days are witnessing the domination of nuclear families which have only parents and their offspring. Regarding parental roles, in earlier periods, men and women were supposed to be breadwinners and homemakers respectively as fathers tended to earn a living while mothers were supposed to stay at home to fulfill household duties as well as looking after children. However, both men and women currently go to work to support the whole family, whereas household tasks are often divided.
I am of the opinion that these changes would have beneficial effects on family life. First of all, if fewer generations reside together, people seem to have more freedom and privacy to do anything they have interest in without disturbing other members. For instance, in extended families juveniles adoring pop music might have to stop listening to it because their grandparents could find it annoying and noisy. Furthermore, pursuing their own careers can allow women to become financially independent from men and this also provides families with another income to have a higher standard of living. Another benefit when husbands assist their wives with household chores is that women would ease the burden of housework and have more time for themselves which can be spent on recreational activities.
In conclusion, I hold the view that several changes in family pattern and the role of member such as the fact that extended families are gradually replaced by nuclear ones and the fair division of household duties is a positive development.
IELTS Examiner’s Comment :
| Criteria | Grade | Assessment |
| Task Achievement | 7.5 | – 323 words
– addresses all parts of the task – presents a clear position throughout the response – presents, extends and supports main ideas |
| Coherent & Cohesion | 8 | – logically organises information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout
– uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately – presents a clear central topic within each paragraph |
| Lexical Resources | 7.5 | – uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task
– attempts to use less common vocabulary – makes some errors in spelling and/or word formation, but they do not impede communication |
| Grammar Range & Accuracy | 8 | – uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
– produces frequent error-free sentences |
| Overall | 7.5 |
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Janice Thompson
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3 Comments
May Panchi
Posted on Jan 31, 2022
In this contemporary world, there are a plethora of significant modifications in not only family structure but also family role. In this essay, before the evaluation whether adjustments cause positive aspects or detrimental problems is made, the most apparent changes in today’s family will be identified. To begin with, at present, the structure of family is relatively differentiated from the past. In the recent decades, the extended families of three generations or more, including grandparents, parents, children, and so on under the same roof was increasingly prevalent. In contrast, nuclear families which have only parents and their offspring are witnessed these days. Regarding parental roles, in earlier periods, fathers were supposed to be sole breadwinners whilst mothers were likely to fulfill household duties as well as look after children. Nevertheless, both husbands and wives currently earn a living because of today’s jobs which do not invariably guarantee and getting equal privileges in education and work for women. Additionally, men who take responsibility for domestic chores are tremendously common. I strongly believe that these changes would be beneficial for family lives. Firstly, in the respect of smaller family size, each family member could reap a sense of freedom. A case in point is that parents have more time for themselves compared with the past when they had to bear taking care of the burden of their ancestors. As regards the transferences in family positions, women can be financially independent from men and provide another family income for a higher standard of living, pursuing their careers. Moreover, as males share household tasks with their counterparts, females can ease troublesome chores, enjoying recreational activities. To conclude, the significant transformations include a decreased family size and a shared financial and household responsibility. I passionately contend that these changes will have a plethora of positive impacts on all families. words 304
Hello, Sir, I imitated this sample essay.
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Prisha
Posted on Sep 13, 2021
It is indeed true that over the years, the family structure, as well as the family roles, have changed drastically. In my opinion, these changes have both a positive as well as a negative effect.
To begin with, earlier, the roles of men and women were pre-defined; men were supposed to be the bread earners of the house while the women had the sole responsibility of taking care of the household chores and the children. Yet, in today’s times, both parents seem to be the bread earners in every other household.
In the earlier times, all the generations of the family lived under the same roof, but these days the number of nuclear families is increasing extensively.
I contend that these changes are beneficial to a certain extent. They have given equal rights to women; women now possess the freedom of following their dreams and become financially independent. The increasing number of nuclear families is also highly beneficial; with fewer family members under a single roof, the other members have more privacy and freedom to do as they please.
Acknowledging the negative approach towards these changes- with both the parents working, an appropriate time for the children is not given. In the future, it affects their social skills, mental health and, in turn, they become more distant.
While staying in a nuclear family brings in freedom and privacy, it also puts in loneliness. There are times when one feels like spending time with their family, which is hardly spent in the case of nuclear families.
To conclude this essay, I believe that the changes have had their benefits and doubts over the years.
Reply
Janice Thompson
Posted on Sep 14, 2021
Overall band: 6.0
Try to use C2 vocabulary.
Also, please follow the 4 paragraph structure – Introdcution, 2 body paragraphs and conclusion, so that it is easy for the examiner to mark you for coherence.