Some People Say That Sports Play an Important Role in Society- IELTS Writing Task 2

Some people say that sports play an important role in society. Others, however, think that it is nothing more than a leisure activity. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Outline

Essay Type

Discussion essay

Introduction

Sentences 1&2 – Sports are acknowledged as being of much import to our lives on a societal scale. While some concur with this statement, several others disagree and opine that it should only hold personal importance.

Sentence 3 – I agree with the former in my opinion and in the following paragraphs, I will examine both sides pertaining to this issue.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Sports teach people how to compete in a healthy way, be disciplined, have team spirit, and channel their aggression in a socially acceptable form.

Paragraph 2 – However, due to the high costs involved and short careers of sportspersons, some say that sports should just be regarded as a recreational activity.

Conclusion

Wrap up discussion and state opinion.

Sample Essay

Sports are acknowledged as being of much import to our lives on a societal scale. While some concur with this statement, several others disagree and opine that it should only hold personal importance. I agree with the former and in the following paragraphs, I will examine both sides pertaining to this issue.

Sports can offer exponential benefits to society. Firstly, they imbue people with values such as healthy competition, team spirit, discipline, collective responsibility, and channelling one’s aggression in a socially acceptable way. Secondly, sports galvanise people to be prudent about how they treat their bodies and inculcate the desire to stay fit and active, creating a healthy society in the long run. Further, in terms of fiscal benefits, countries or cities hosting sports events may also profit from sports-related tourism. Sports allow people of different backgrounds to coalesce in a common purpose of playing a sport. In doing so, sports offer a unique advantage in removing social differences and encourage people to be tolerant of each other and show acceptance. Lastly, the manifold advantages offered by sports are of no better use as they mould the youth of society into better citizens for the future. Sports help in shaping them into physically adept and socially responsible individuals.

However, in contrast to the aforementioned points, people have stated that sports hold limited significance in a society depending on individuals’ personal preferences and interests. Sports equipment is also extortionate, which may discourage people from participating. Others have suggested that pursuing sports professionally is not feasible as the players only have a thriving career for a brief period before retiring. Hence, they believe it is better to regard sports as recreational activities.

Therefore, in conclusion, I would like to reiterate that while certain people might opine that sports should be merely regarded as pastimes, the numerous advantages it offers necessitates that they should be regarded as a pivotal activity in society.

Vocabulary

• Import

Meaning – Significance
Example – The party faced a problem of great import when they were informed about the prime minister’s resignation.

• Concur

Meaning – Agree
Example – I concur with the statement that mental health should be considered as important as physical health.

• Galvanise

Meaning – Encourage or motivate
Example – The players went into the second half of the match galvanised by their coach’s inspiring words.

• Prudent

Meaning – Wise or cautious
Example – Chandrika has always been very prudent about her finances.

• Fiscal

Meaning – Pertaining to finances
Example – The pandemic caused a fiscal crisis in numerous countries which they initially struggled to recover from.

• Exponential

Meaning – Increasing rapidly by large amounts
Example – Regular practice of meditation can offer exponential benefits for your mental health.

• Pivotal

Meaning – Vital or crucia
Example – The signing of the treaty of Versailles was a pivotal moment in history.

• Extortionate

Meaning – Pricey or expensive
Example – The extortionate costs of purchasing property in the current economic conditions have made it difficult for the youth to own homes.

• Feasible

Meaning – Possible
Example – It is simply not feasible to reschedule my plans on such short notice.

• Manifold

Meaning – Various or multifarious
Example – The best thing about that jacket is that it can be worn in manifold ways.