Young People Find it Difficult to Communicate With Older People- IELTS Writing Task 2

In some places, young people find it difficult to communicate with older people. Why is this? What are the solutions?

Outline

Essay Type

Cause/solution

Introduction

Sentences 1&2 – Communication is widely considered to be one of the key tools in one’s repertoire as it pertains to understanding and building connections with others. However, it is also known that younger generations often struggle when communicating with the elderly.

Sentence 3 – The reason for this, in my opinion, is generation gap and this can be resolved by finding ways to bridge this gap and draw generations closer.

Body Paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 – The differences between younger and older generations have always existed throughout history.

Paragraph 2 – Various solutions are discussed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be said that finding serviceable ways for paring down the generational chasm will help younger people to fathom how to better communicate with their elders.

Sample Essay

Communication is extensively considered to be one of the key tools in one’s repertoire as it pertains to understanding and building connections with others. However, it is also known that younger people often struggle when communicating with the elderly. The reason for this, in my opinion, is the generation gap and this can be resolved by finding ways to bridge this gap and draw people closer.

Firstly, throughout history, it can be seen that differences between the attitudes and behaviours of younger and older generations have existed since time immemorial. This results from rapid social changes, greater life expectancy, and social mobility. The youth find that they share hardly any common interests or beliefs with older people, which leaves them at a loss when it comes to communicating. Some older people might also be unyielding and unwilling to communicate with their juniors due to their relative lack of experience, which further leaves young people perplexed and clueless when trying to reach out to older people.

It can be remediated by opening up more channels of communication. Inculcating a willingness to learn and receptiveness for both younger and older people can be beneficial in improving their communication. In workplaces, two-way mentorship programs can be implemented allowing young people to cross the hurdle of generational differences. Finding common interests or shifting the focus onto characteristics that unite them instead of their differences can also reduce the generation gap and facilitate better inter-generational communication. Lastly, having both young and old people respect each other and the difference in their values can help them communicate better with each other.

In conclusion, it can be said that finding serviceable ways to paring down the generational chasm will help younger people to fathom how to better communicate with their elders.

Vocabulary

• Extensively

Meaning – Vastly or immensely
Example – The museum was extensively restored by the authorities.

• Repertoire

Meaning – Collection or reserve
Example – The library held a vast repertoire of books of varied genres.

• Mobility

Meaning – The ability to move easily or the ability to move from one social strata to another
Example – She had limited mobility in her arm following the accident.

• Unyielding

Meaning – Holding strong opinions and unlikely to change one’s mind about them
Example – The college authorities were unyielding towards the demands of the protesting students.

5. Remediate

Meaning – To lessen the effect of something
Example – The government offered financial help to the victims of the flood in order to remediate its devastating effects.

• Mentorship

Meaning – Guidance or assistance provided over a period of time by an experienced person who is considered to be a mentor
Example – Priyanka decided to start a mentorship programme for children in her neighbourhood to teach them tennis and dance.

• Hurdle

Meaning – Barrier or obstacle
Example – Her financial situation was the first in a series of hurdles on her path to attaining education.

• Facilitate

Meaning – Make something easy or easier
Example – The teacher provided typed notes to facilitate her students’ understanding.

• Serviceable

Meaning – Helpful or useful
Example – Repairing the old lifts in the building will make them serviceable.

• Chasm

Meaning – Gap
Example – There was a wide chasm on the cliffs near the beach.