positive negative development essay format

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How to Write a Positive or Negative Development IELTS Essay

Posted by David S. Wills | Nov 22, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

In task 2 of the IELTS writing test, you could be asked to write a positive or negative development essay . This article will explain how to analyse the question, plan your answer, and then write an essay that can score you at least band 7.

What is a Positive or Negative Development IELTS Essay?

There are different kinds of question in task 2 of the IELTS writing test, but one of them will give you a statement and then say something like “Is this a positive or negative development?” In a sense, then, it is a form of opinion essay.

Here is an example:

Today, more people are waiting until their thirties to get married and have children. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

This kind of question is quite simple because you are given a development (that more people now wait to have children) and you must decide whether that is positive or negative . There is nothing tricky about this.

Still, it is worth mentioning a few things because people often make mistakes with this sort of question:

This is not a discussion essay , so you do not have to give a balanced answer
If you say “this is a very negative development,” then don’t explain the positives
Once you have given your answer, you should try to justify your perspective

positive negative development essay format

Analysing the Question

Let’s consider the above question a little more closely. You must decide whether it is a positive or negative development that people now wait until their thirties to get married and have children. Thus, we can essentially have three possible answers:

It is a positive development.
It is a negative development.
It is neither wholly positive nor negative.

I strongly recommend that you choose an approach that allows you to develop your answers clearly and convincingly. By that, I mean you should decide to give the answer that allows you to present good ideas and then justify them. Take a minute or two to figure this out before you begin properly planning and writing your essay.

For example:

When you look at these ideas, which ones do you think would be the easiest to develop? There is no correct answer here – it is totally up to you .

Remember that for a good score in Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion , you must develop your ideas and sequence them logically. Thus, choose carefully at this stage.

If you have trouble generating ideas , then you can research different topics in preparation for your essay by looking online. For example, here we are discussing having babies at an older age, so we might look for news articles and then take ideas and vocabulary from there. Here is an article from Forbes about why millennial women are waiting longer to have children. Here is one from The Guardian about waiting until you’re in your fifties! Remember: Good writers read a lot.

How to Structure a Positive or Negative Development IELTS Essay

There is no perfect way to structure an IELTS essay, but there are good ways and bad ways. I strongly recommend writing four paragraphs and making sure that each paragraph has a single focus. For a positive/negative development essay, it would be a good idea to pick two main arguments in support of your view, then provide them as the focus of each body paragraph.

That’s pretty simple, right?

Mistakes that people make here include:

Putting too many ideas into each paragraph
Feeling that they have to give balance
Providing an unclear position

The best approach to IELTS is keeping things simple. I cannot stress enough that overcomplicating an issue is a bad idea . Thus, using the above structures is a really effective way to produce a great essay that is capable of achieving at least band 7.

Keep in mind that approach #3 (neither wholly positive nor negative) is naturally going to be a little more complicated than the others. If you are not confident in your ability to structure an essay, you might want to avoid this one.

Personally, I feel that this issue is not purely positive or negative, so I would choose the third option. Here is my sample answer.

Sample Band 9 Answer

While in previous generations it was normal for people to get married and start a family at a very young age, nowadays people tend to wait until they are in their thirties. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this development, and so this essay will explain why it is neither a wholly positive nor negative trend.

Traditionally, people would get married and settle down at a very young age because life expectancies were short and there were also few other options available to most people. Nowadays, with people expected to live into their seventies or eighties, it is reasonable to wait until later to get married and have children. This allows people to develop more prior to starting a serious relationship or embarking on the journey of parenthood. They can gain an education, see the world, find out more about themselves, and even have the sort of fun experiences that are difficult in the midst of parental responsibility.

However, it could also be argued that people are naturally inclined to settle down earlier. The human body has evolved over millions of years to reproduce at an early age and, when people try to have children later, it often ends in failure or even with birth defects. Therefore, perhaps it is more reasonable to settle down and do this at an earlier age, and then the parents can enjoy more freedom once their children have grown up and left home. In terms of love, people who meet later might also feel a sense of regret that they did not share their younger years as this is a special time when life can be more eventful and passionate.

In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages to settling down early, and it is really just a personal choice that will suit different people in different ways.

Notes on the Answer

You may look at this and think, “But that’s an advantages and disadvantages essay …” Well, it certainly looks like it because I have used the phrase “advantages and disadvantages” twice! However, I have made it clear that it is about the positive vs negative issue and that my position is that it cannot be said to be either of them.

For me, this allows an in-depth discussion that gives nuance and allows me to show my critical thinking skills to the examiner. One thing to avoid, though, is cramming too many ideas into each paragraph, which can be a big problem with balanced essays like this.

Another Sample Essay

Ok, let’s take another look so that we can get an idea of how to give a straightforward answer.

Here’s the question:

Nowadays, more people are choosing to socialise online rather than face to face. Is this a positive or negative development?

And here’s my answer:

In the twenty-first century, the internet is changing the way that people socialise. Where we used to talk face-to-face, now we tend to use different types of technology to communicate. This essay will argue that it is a positive development.

The first reason why this is positive is that humans have always adapted in order to communicate more efficiently. In fact, our ability to communicate well has led us to be the most sophisticated and powerful animal on the planet. We have developed thousands of complex languages, then learned to write them down, and in the last few hundred years we have discovered printing and telephones. Now that we have the internet, our communication skills are becoming even greater as a species, and it is hard to see why that could be a negative development.

Furthermore, the internet has allowed people from all over the world to interact with each other. Rather than speak only with our immediate friends and family, or our social or national group, we can now speak with people from anywhere, and the communication is instant. This allows us to break down traditional cultural barriers and will hopefully lead to a worldwide decline in prejudice and hatred. This is an unprecedented development in world history, and one that I think is going to make largely positive changes for all humankind.

In conclusion, the switch from face-to-face to online communication is not a negative development in human history; instead, it allows us to communicate better and interact with other people from different backgrounds.

My position was clear throughout the essay, which is really important. I started by using this easy phrase:

This essay will argue that it is a positive development.

I then transitioned nicely into the next paragraph by saying:

The first reason why this is positive is that…

I built up my argument convincingly throughout that paragraph, then switched to my second argument with:

Furthermore…

Again, that paragraph built up a nice argument, and this time is reached a sort of summary sentence:

This is an unprecedented development in world history, and one that I think is going to make largely positive changes for all humankind.

That led naturally into the conclusion, which reaffirmed my position.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay: Structure, Common Questions, Sample Answers

Updated on
Jan 5, 2024

positive or negative development ielts model essay

The IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 includes the challenging “positive or negative development” essay. Such questions pose a unique challenge for test takers, demanding they analyse a given topic’s negative or positive implications and articulate a clear stance. Students must demonstrate both critical thinking and linguistic prowess, judging whether the topic presents positive or negative implications overall. That said, read the entire article to learn more about the positive or negative development of IELTS model essays .

This Blog Includes:

Frequently asked ielts ‘positive or negative development’ questions in ielts essay , positive or negative development essay structure , best tips for ielts positive or negative development essays, ielts positive or negative development essay sample model answer.

Success in IELTS Writing Task 2’s Positive/Negative Development essays transcends mere English proficiency. Beyond grammatical accuracy and stylistic flair, these essays demand insightful evaluation, discerning judgement, and the courage to advocate a stance.

Such essays require students to showcase their linguistic mastery, critical thinking and analytical prowess. While the intriguing nature of these prompts entices many, they can simultaneously pose a significant challenge for others. To excel, one must move beyond superficial analysis and embrace a multi-faceted approach.

For students tackling the IELTS exam , familiarity with frequently encountered positive/negative development prompts proves highly advantageous. This preparedness offers a twofold benefit: it grants valuable insight into potential test topics and empowers you to hone your essay-writing skills for optimal scoring.

By acquainting yourself with these recurring themes, you gain a solid foundation upon which to build your analytical and argumentative skills. You can anticipate the types of scenarios and challenges you might face, allowing you to pre-emptively develop effective solution-oriented approaches and articulate well-reasoned stances. Here are some of the most commonly asked Positive or Negative Development questions in IELTS Essay.

The government has transformed numerous parks and playgrounds into residential complexes. Is this a positive or negative development?
Today, children tend to devote more time scrolling through their social media handles rather than spending time with family. Is this a positive or negative development?
Nowadays, singers use auto-tune to refine their songs. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?
Today, the younger generation believes in changing their jobs every once in a while rather than sticking to one company. Is this a positive or negative development?
Many people put their personal information online (address, telephone number, and so on) for purposes such as signing up for social media or online banking. Is this a positive or negative development?
Today, cigarette smoking has become the new norm among youngsters. To what extent is this a positive or negative trend?

While the initial prospect of attempting a Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 might appear challenging to some, thorough preparation and strategic study can transform it into a manageable, even achievable, task. By equipping yourself with knowledge of the essay structure and familiarising yourself with sample questions, you can approach this essay type with confidence and significantly improve your chances of success.

Here is the basic structure of a Positive/Negative Development Essay. Adhere to the following structure whenever attempting such essays in IELTS writing task 2.

Introduction

You must paraphrase your topic into a coherent and concise sentence in your introduction. Once done paraphrasing the questions, take a clear stance on what you think. Give your viewpoint and never take a moderate position. Taking neutral stances in such essays can lead to a loss of scores.

Main Body Paragraph 1

Provide a solid explanation of your viewpoint in the body paragraph 1. Take a clear stance on your opinion. Provide examples and anecdotes to add weight to your content. Brevity can be your ally in such essays. To put it simply, be as concise and articulate as possible. Meandering through the topic will only result in a waste of time and energy.

Main Body Paragraph 2

Try explaining your argument with the help of more in-depth insights. Use examples to add gravitas to your voice. A good hold in vocabulary can help you land better scores in such essays. Ensure to use a diverse array of words to make your essay more impactful. The final sentence of your body paragraph 2 can add to your previous developments.

In the end, conclude your essay by summarising your viewpoint and the major justifications.

Here are the best tips for writing Positive or Negative Development Essays in IELTS Writing Task 2:

A thorough understanding of the topic lies at the very heart of crafting a successful Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2. Yet, overlooking this crucial step is a common misstep among test takers. Unfortunately, attempting to write without fully comprehending and evaluating the issue will inevitably lead to incoherent responses and muddled stances.
When tackling a Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2, test takers must comprehensively evaluate both the potential benefits and drawbacks of the given topic, not simply focusing on one aspect while neglecting the other.
Providing examples can help you add weight and gravitas to your answers. You can add examples that are anecdotal to make your essay more readable and relatable.
Clarity and conviction are hallmarks of a successful Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2. While presenting a balanced analysis of both sides is crucial, your essay hinges on adopting a distinct viewpoint and consistently advocating for it throughout. This unwavering stance demonstrates intellectual confidence and persuasiveness to the examiner.

Refer to the sample essay answers below to learn how to tackle IELTS Positive or Negative Development essays in IELTS writing task 2.

Question 1: Some children spend hours every day on smartphones. Why is this the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Ans: Ans- In recent years, the usage of smartphones among children has increased significantly. Many children spend hours daily on smartphones, engaging in various activities like social media, gaming, and streaming videos. There are several reasons why this trend is gaining momentum, and opinions are divided on whether this development is positive or negative. In this essay, I will discuss the reasons behind the increasing usage of smartphones among children and present my view on how this is a negative development.

One reason for children’s excessive use of smartphones is the increased availability and affordability of these devices. With technological advancement, smartphones have become cheaper and more accessible, and children are more likely to have access to them. Moreover, the popularity of social media platforms among children, such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, has contributed to this trend. Children need to stay connected with their friends and peers, which leads them to spend more time on these platforms. Another reason for the growing usage of smartphones among children is the convenience factor. Smartphones provide an easy and quick way to access information, communicate, and entertain oneself. Children find it easier to use a smartphone to research or get information on a topic than to go through books or other sources. Similarly, smartphones provide a quick and convenient way to communicate with friends and family.

In my view, the excessive usage of smartphones among children is a negative development. Spending hours every day on a smartphone can adversely affect children’s physical and mental health. Excessive usage of smartphones can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, increasing the risk of obesity and other health-related issues. Moreover, the blue light emitted by the screens of smartphones can cause eye strain and headaches. Apart from the physical health effects, excessive usage of smartphones can also hurt the mental health of children. Children spending hours on smartphones daily are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Social media platforms can contribute to this by exposing children to cyberbullying and negative comments.

In conclusion, the increasing usage of smartphones among children is a concerning trend. While smartphones offer many benefits, like easy access to information and communication, excessive usage can adversely affect children’s physical and mental health. It is crucial to limit the usage of smartphones and encourage children to engage in other physical and social activities. Parents and caregivers must be aware of the harmful effects of excessive smartphone usage and take steps to protect their children’s well-being.

Question 2: In some countries today, children are taught from a young age that competition is important and that winning is everything. Is this a positive or a negative development?

Ans: In contemporary societies, children are often instructed that competition is paramount and that winning is the ultimate goal. I firmly believe that this trend is detrimental as it imposes significant pressure on children, fosters unethical behaviour, impedes the development of crucial social skills, and instils a pervasive sense of failure in students.

The persistent emphasis on winning can result in elevated levels of stress and anxiety, significantly affecting a child’s mental health. Children may find themselves overwhelmed by the continual pressure to outperform their peers, leading to burnout and a diminished interest in learning. Furthermore, this emphasis on winning may contribute to a decline in ethical behaviour, as children might resort to dishonest means such as cheating to achieve victory. This not only diminishes the principles of fair play but also poses risks to their future development.

Moreover, this approach can contribute to a deficiency in empathy and understanding among students. They may become so self-centred that they neglect to consider the feelings of others, creating a barrier to the development of their social skills and impeding the cultivation of emotional intelligence. In addition to this, an excessive focus on winning can instil a fear of failure. A child may become so apprehensive about losing that they refrain from taking risks or trying new things, thereby constraining their potential for personal growth and development.

In conclusion, while competition can have some benefits, the current trend of teaching children that winning is everything is a negative development. We must foster a more balanced approach, where children are taught the value of effort, learning, and personal growth rather than focusing solely on victory.

That was a wrap on the topic of IELTS Positive or Negative Development Essays. Having said that, we hope the blog has covered all your major queries about the topic. If you still have any questions or have any suggestions, drop them in the box below.

Ans. Positive or Negative Development essays are segmented into different components such as the introduction, main body paragraph 1, main body paragraph 2 and conclusion.

Ans. Individuals must intricately evaluate their topic before attempting such essays. When tackling a Positive/Negative Development essay in IELTS Writing Task 2, test takers must comprehensively evaluate both the potential benefits and drawbacks of the given topic, not simply focusing on one aspect while neglecting the other. Furthermore, one must provide examples to add weight to their argument.

Ans. The scoring range of IELTS writing is 0-9.

Shubham Das

Shubham Das has been working as an educational content writer for the past two years and has a background in filmmaking & screenplay/ teleplay writing. He is fascinated by the human psyche, literature and cinema.

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Examples of such essays:

In some cities, the government has tried to reduce traffic. For instance, they imposed a congestion tax during rush hours. Do you think this development is positive or negative?

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are the main sources in many countries, but in some countries the use of alternative sources of energy (wind energy and solar energy) are encouraged. To what extent do you think it is a positive or negative development?

Nowadays young people are admiring media and sports stars, even though they do not set a good example. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Positive Negative Development – is one of the opinion essays like Agree/Disagree Like Agree/Disagree – the student has 2 options.

Let’s take the one of the examples we discussed earlier and discuss how to attempt these essays.

Completely One-Sided Essay

Writing the introduction – 2 sentences.

Sentence1: Paraphrase the topic It is commonly observed that the youth of today admire and follow celebrities like media and sports stars despite them not acting as good role models. Sentence 2: Write your opinion. First, think of your points. How Negative

When youth see celebrities involved in bad habits alcohol or drugs either in real life or on the big screen/TV, they also feel like trying it.
Impossible standards of beauty like zero figure. It lowers the confidence of youth and many of them go through eating disorders
Overspending, as they feel like buying expensive products like the latest fashions, clothes promoted by celebrities. Might also lead to crime as youth sometimes commit small crimes like thefts and stealing to obtain such products.

No positive points, all negative – one-sided Opinion : I strongly believe that this is a negative development. Complete Introduction: It is commonly observed that the youth of today admire and follow celebrities like media and sports stars despite them not acting as good role models. I strongly believe that this is a negative development.

Writing the Body Paragraphs

Step 1: Write 3 body paragraphs with each paragraph representing different points. Para 1: Point 1 Para 2: Point 2 Para 3: Point 3 and 4 Step 2: Begin Para 1 with a sentence telling the examiner that you are discussing the negatives. Step 3: Use connectors between each point. For example, in this case For point 1: Firstly, For point 2: The second negative is that For point 3: Finally,

Body Paragraph 1: Media and sports stars have a lot of negative effects on youth. Firstly, celebrities are often portrayed drinking or smoking in advertisements, TV shows and movies. Some stars post pictures of themselves partying and drinking on social media platforms. This normalizes and glamorizes behavior like smoking, binge drinking and illicit drug use, making youth feel that it’s appropriate to do the same. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol affects their health, behavior and grades. Body Paragraph 2: Secondly, some celebrities create impossible standards of beauty, as a result of which more and more young adults feel less confident and more dissatisfied with their looks. Teenagers are at a phase of their life where they undergo massive changes physically, mentally, and emotionally. As celebrities are becoming thinner and thinner, the self-confidence of their fans is lost, and they suffer from body displeasure. This causes young fans to strive to be unhealthily thin and stop eating altogether, which may prove fatal at times. Body Paragraph 3: Finally, sometimes celebrities ignore the public interest while endorsing the latest fashions and products. Thus, in a way, they promote trends that might be harmful to youth and society. For example, many celebrities promote sugary drinks or fast foods, even though they themselves don’t consume them. Sometimes, they promote costly fashions and gadgets and teenagers force their parents to buy these products. Some teens or youth also resort to petty crimes like stealing just to acquire these products and consequently destroy their whole life.

Step 1: Repeat your opinion, using different words. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the increasing influence of celebrities on youth has several adverse consequences for them as well as the society.

Having negatives but overall positive (Partial Essay)

Sentence 1: Paraphrase the topic It is irrefutable that most of the countries depend on fossil fuels for energy generation, but it is also true that many countries are shifting towards renewable sources like wind, solar and tidal energy. Sentence 2: Write your opinion. First, think of your points.

How Positive

Renewable last forever, fossils overuse.
Non-polluting
Decrease imports as can be produced locally
Less maintenance or operation costs.

How Negative

High upfront cost
Not as reliable- For example- Solar not at night

Opinion : Although there are few drawbacks of renewable energy, I believe the lowering dependence on fossil fuels is a positive development. Complete Introduction: It is irrefutable that most of the countries depend on fossil fuels for energy generation, but it is also true that many countries are shifting towards renewable sources like wind, solar and tidal energy. Although there are few drawbacks of renewable energy, I believe the lowering dependence on fossil fuels is a positive development.

Step 1: Write 3 body paragraphs with each paragraph representing different points. 2 Paragraphs: Main side – Positive 1 Paragraph: Opposite side – Negative The order doesn’t matter. Para 1: Point 1 & 2 (Positive) Para 2: Point 3 & 4 (Negative) Para 3: Point 1 & 2 (Negative) Step 2: Begin Para 1 with a sentence telling the examiner that you are discussing the positives. Begin Para 3 with a sentence telling the examiner that you are discussing the negatives. Step 3: Use connectors between each point. For example, in this case For point 1: Firstly, For point 2: The second positive is that For point 3: In addition For point 4: Finally, Step 4: Use connector – like However, On the other hand when the tone changes from Positive to Negative – So beginning of Para 3 Step 5: Use connectors to connect negative points For point 1: The main drawback For point 2: Another drawback

Body Paragraph 1: Firstly, alternate sources are renewable, while conventional sources like coal and oil are non-renewable. Fossils take millions of years to make and countries are using them at an alarming rate. This means that if people continue using them at the same rate, there will be nothing left for our future generations. The second advantage is that these non-conventional sources do not pollute the environment. It is well known that fossil fuels are a major contributor to greenhouse gases and consequently global warming. Body Paragraph 2: In addition, renewable energy sources reduce dependence on foreign energy imports as they can be produced locally. Thus, these sources can not only increase energy independence but also save valuable foreign exchange. Finally, these sources require less maintenance because they have fewer movable parts as compared to conventional energy sources. Body Paragraph 3: On the other hand, there are also a few drawbacks of renewable energy. The main drawback is the high upfront cost, which is considerably higher than conventional energy sources. Another major issue with them is that they are not as reliable as fossil fuel-based energy generation as they depend upon wind speed and hours of sunshine, which varies from day to day and season to season.

Step 1: Repeat your opinion, using different words. Summing up, despite the problems associated with renewable energy, I consider the shift towards it to be beneficial on the whole.

More examples of discuss essays can be found here

Makkar ielts academic essay book can be purchase here, 6 thoughts on “positive negative development essay”.

Honestly saying this is a good format and easy to understand 😃👍

can we write all positive ideas in two paragraphs?ie.,(pos idea 1+pos idea 2)–paragraph 1 pos idea 3+pos idea 4)–paragraph 3 conclusion

Thank you so much for all the efforts that you have putted in this essay.and also you made it very easy to understand . i would say it was incredible overall.

Nice teaching

I feel that they are very much helpful…watched the essay writing process of few more other educators but your method is the best & easy.It is helping me to write an essay with ease rather than frightening as I would earlier.Now I’m interested in writing more &more essays.Thank you very much mam…

Absolutely helpful. The structure to write different essays is clearly outlined with techniques and tips. Thanks, Makkar mam!!

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Positive or negative development essay – Structure and template

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Positive or negative development essay – Structure and template

A few years ago a new question was added to IELTS Essay task: - Is this a positive or negative development?

It is very similar to Agree / Disagree Essay.

For example:

Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people can study online. Is this a positive or negative development?

Here is a simple structure for this type of essay

1) IF YOU THINK IT IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

1§ Introduction (2 SENTENCES): Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: positive development

2§ Why is it positive? + Explanation + Example

3§ Why is it positive? + Explanation + Example OR result

4§ On the other hand, + Why negative? + Explanation + Example OR result

5§ Conclusion: sum up + My Opinion: positive development (2 SENTENCES)

2) IF YOU THINK IT IS A NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT

1§ Introduction (2 SENTENCES): Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: negative development

2§ Why is it negative?+ Explanation + Example

3§ Why is it negative? + Explanation + Example OR result

4§ On the other hand, + Why is it positive?+ Explanation + Example OR result

5§ Conclusion: sum up + My Opinion: negative development (2 SENTENCES)

4§ You can skip the opposite point of view part but your essay will look better if you write about it. This way it comes out as a balanced answer.

Bonus: IELTS Punctuation PDF Guide Everything you want to know to have correct punctuation in your IELTS Writing for 7.0-9.0 Score (31 pages, .PDF)

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Model answers to Negative / Positive Development IELTS essay questions in 2021!

Your IELTS task 2 can require you to answer a "negative/positive development" question.

You will need to discuss whether something is a positive or negative trend and provide reasons to support your answer.

You may also be interested in this tutorial explaining the different IELTS Task 2 essay structures .

In this tutorial we will:

answer a recent IELTS essay question seen in the exam
look at how to generate ideas for task 2
show you how to plan and organize your ideas to build coherent paragraphs that score high for task response AND cohesion and coherence.

Plan – the prewriting stage

Analyze the question – make sure you totally understand what you are supposed to answer. Understand the essay types, whether it is argumentative or descriptive and then decide the approach to it.

Do you want to give an objective one sided opinion?

Or do you want to give a balanced view of opinions?

Plan the structure of the essay - a good IELTS writing essay will ideally have three parts : Introduction, Body Paragraph, Conclusion. The body paragraphs will have at least two arguments. The main drawback of any IELTS writing task is a lack of proper structure. A model essay will always have a defined form.

Jot down some keywords that you will include in the answer.

Nowadays many students are participating in international exchange trips. Is this a positive or a negative development?

Determine your position

The “or” in the IELTS writing question leads some people to think that you MUST choose one side or the other, but it is completely fine to in fact to 100% agree, 100% disagree or partially agree, as long as you are on the topic.

Position:

Brainstorm for ideas – aim for at least one well-developed idea for each paragraph.

Paragraph 1 central idea

The first paragraph should introduce the topic and your stand on the topic. Keep it clear and concise.

International exchanges are not just travel but educational for students.

Paragraph 2 is the main body of the essay. It highlights the central idea. Argue for or against the statement or give a balanced view. Discuss the reasons that support your standpoints.

International exchanges provide opportunities students might otherwise not have.

Brainstorm for support for your ideas. Support can be an example, further explanation, a definition, or any statement explaining why or how your main idea is true. A support or an additional comment increases the credibility of your argument.

Support: Students learn a variety of necessary skills while navigating daily life in a new country.

Introduction

Start by rephrasing the prompt. Make sure that you are writing all the sides of the topic that the prompt addresses.

State your position. If you partially agree you can use a “while” statement: While it is true students can learn a good deal about another culture on these trips, I believe that on the whole this is a negative trend as they are little more than extended vacations.

You can also start with an observation, for example, "In recent years, it has been observed that students from many countries are interested in international exchange trips". Your introduction should be 3 or 4 sentences. Do not discuss the details in the introduction – save these for your body paragraphs.

Example introduction:

In our increasingly global world, great attention is being paid to students' ability to interact with other cultures and be interculturally aware. This has brought about a trend in international exchange programs for students where students from one country spend a period in another country studying. I believe that these exchange programs are wonderful growth opportunities for students and should be encouraged fully.

The body paragraphs consist of the main part of the essay where the development of arguments take place.

Start with a topic sentence that introduces the central idea of the paragraph.

The opportunity to study in a foreign country is undoubtedly a rich educational experience.

Introduce your first main idea.

Despite being away from home, they allow students to continue their course of study.

Follow this with support.

This lets them enjoy a foreign culture while not falling behind on their coursework.

Develop this with further support or an additional main idea and support.

Students gain more than merely academic education, however. They develop intercultural competences honed through daily interactions with people from a different culture.

Create a summary statement that is essentially a rephrasing of your topic sentence. Begin this with Therefore, thus, or Consequently.

Thus, international exchanges can be mind-expanding experiences for students.

The body paragraphs must have a detailed discussion on the topic, for instance - negative development or positive development of the trend of international exchange trip.

Task achievement

Essays that score well on task response answer the question directly and develop the topic fully. A Band 9 answer leaves no further questions for the reader. It is a clear answer with optimum usage of vocabulary.

Support is critical to a good Task Achievement score. The better supported your ideas are, the better your TA score will be. A good way to check if you have supported well is to ask the question why and/or how after each idea.

If there is an answer to why/how, then you should try to incorporate that into your answer. Sometimes you may need more than one sentence to build a relevant comment.

Students gain more than merely academic education, however. They develop intercultural competences honed through daily interactions with people from a different culture. (HOW?) Each of these interactions, whether with professors, classmates, shopkeepers, or taxi drivers, must consider different societal norms, beliefs and customs. Learning to successfully navigate these scenarios in a foreign setting teaches young people how to problem solve, respect differences and arms them with skills they can transfer to people from different backgrounds.

Coherence and cohesion

Any high scoring IELTS writing task is filled with a logical flow and precision. Arrange your paragraphs logically. While some some might want to write their strongest points in the first argument, other people might leave it for the last.

When writing task 2, it is best to leave your strongest arguments for last. If you are discussing both sides of an issue, save the side you support more till just before your conclusion.

On the other hand, if you are discussing one side only, leave your stronger point, better arguments for last as well. This gives them weight and lets them stay in the mind of the reader better.

If you discuss only one side, for instance, the negative effects of foreign exchange trip for students, ensure that you write enough arguments to establish why it is a negative trend. Your focus should be on the negative development essay in that case. Do not give many points highlighting the positive trend and create a confusing impact.

Hence, do not overlap the arguments. Remember, maintaining clarity is key to for an IELTS writing test.

Lexical resource

An IELTS writing task will test you on your use of English words. A model essay will have a wide range of vocabulary. Try to avoid repeating the same vocabulary. For example, instead of 'student' use 'undergraduate' or 'learner' occasionally. In this essay, even 'young person' is appropriate. Instead of exchange trip, use study abroad, education abroad or international exchange. In other words, use synonyms to portray your knowledge of words but avoid using jargons.

While topic vocabulary and key words are appreciated, points are scored for the surrounding language you use, like uncommon lexical items.

Interculturally aware

Another way to demonstrate a good range of vocabulary to is to use 'linking devices'. Linking devices help to connect or contrast different ideas in a paragraph. Use words like

For instance

Furthermore

In addition to

Linking devices help in structuring the answer, especially if it is a one body paragraph. It gives more compactness and enhances readability.

When you study online, try picking up relevant words and maintain a vocabulary list. Different websites (for example, the British Council website) will have different stock of words.

Grammatical range and accuracy

The writing test requires you to showcase your knowledge of grammar. For example:

Participles

Participles can take on various functions in English. Below are some examples.

Students learn a variety of skills while navigating daily life in a new country.

Thus, international exchanges can be mind-expanding experiences for students.

Learning to successfully navigate these scenarios in a foreign setting teaches young people how to problem solve, respect differences and arms them with skills they can transfer to people from different backgrounds.

Familiarize yourself with the different ways these can be used.

Phrasal verbs are a great way to play with grammar and vocabulary and demonstrate your hold over the language. Phrasal verb is the combination of two or more words to form a single meaning - for example: a verb and an adverb or preposition.

Examples of phrasal verbs in a sentence would be as follows:

Students want to check out different options on the college website and test them before finally choosing one

Without proper research, students sometimes end up choosing unnecessary courses and waste their time

Sometimes students around the world chip in to help an underprivileged learner.

Not just students, but more people from different sections of the society need to come forward in the fight to right to education for all.

While the introduction builds the momentum of the essay question, the conclusion needs to be powerful to create an impact. Unlike the body paragraph, it is necessary to keep make the concluding paragraph extremely brief – two sentences should be enough.

Start by restating your position. Leave your reader with a general, thought-provoking statement.

Education abroad in the form of student exchanges provides endless opportunities for students to learn not only academics and culture but also about themselves and the world they interact with. In our ever-increasing global world, such knowledge is invaluable.

The conclusion paragraph is also a great space to include some good variations of words. You can use phrases like "In my opinion" or "People prefer" or "Recent comments and observations about the topic is evidence of..." You can build your own opinion and state it or write an universal comment. While many students prefer to write their own opinion, on the other hand, it might sound like you are starting another new argument. So be careful when you state your opinion, keep it simple and reinstate the point that that your were trying to make instead of writing a new point altogether.

The essay question carries a high percentage of marks so it is crucial for the test candidates to score well. Write daily! Practice daily! Do not be nervous! Remember - Perseverance is the key to success! Good luck with IELTS writing task 2 !

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Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay

by CANAM Group

By: CANAM Group
Updated On: May 29,2023 04:47 PM IST

The blog here lists out the positive or negative development type IELTS essay titles. It further moves on to present a positive or negative type of essay question with its model answer. Finally, the blog gives a paragraph-wise analysis of the model answer.

• Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay Question
• Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay Answer
• Analysis of the Model Answer

From the actual IELTS test, we have gathered a range of positive and negative development question task types below.

Many cities are now turning parks and farmland into new housing developments. Is this a positive or negative development?
Today, many people use the internet and smartphones to transfer money to friends, family, and businesses. Is this a positive or negative development?
Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?
Nowadays some older people choose to live in retirement communities and centers with other people, rather than living with their adult children. Is this a positive or negative development?
Many people put their personal information online (address, telephone number, and so on) for purposes such as signing up for social networks or online banking. Is this a positive or negative development?
Some countries import a large amount of food from other parts of the world. To what extent is this a positive or negative trend?
Film stars and celebrities often share their views on public matters that have little to do with their profession. Is this a positive or negative development?
Some countries invest in specialized sports facilities for top athletes but not for the average people. Is this a positive or negative development?
Many people nowadays tend to marry and have children in their thirties rather than at a younger age. Is this a positive or negative development?
Many local languages today are dying out due to the rise of languages like English. Is this a positive or negative development?
The number of people who are interested in and wearing fashionable clothes is increasing. Is this a positive or negative development?
More and more people today are becoming overly dependent on the internet and phones. Is this a positive or negative development?
Due to television and the internet, it is easier today for a large number of people to become famous. Is this a positive or negative development?
Nowadays more tasks at home and work are being performed by robots. Is this a negative or positive development?

Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay Question

Nowadays because of digital technology, it is possible for not only studios but also individuals to produce their films.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay Answer

Greater opportunities as well as concerns about the future of filmmaking have resulted from the democratization of the film industry. This, in my perspective, is a mainly positive development because it allows for a wider variety of socioeconomic voices to be heard in the medium.

Film purists oppose the digital revolution mostly because it degrades the caliber of movies. A notable illustration of this was the time around the turn of the century when digital films first appeared and began to displace other films. The first objections from spectators were that movies shot on film appear more professional and that movies shot digitally have a shoddy style akin to a soap opera. Amateur films have multiplied enormously in number as digital cinema has spread beyond studios wanting to minimize expenses. This inevitably results in films with subpar acting, awkwardly written language, and subpar production standards in general.

Despite the acknowledged drawbacks mentioned above, digital film has offered a voice to the less well-off, usually those of a different class and race filmmakers. Numerous instances exist of pupils who digitally record their video, upload it to YouTube, and get viral online. Many of these fresh viewpoints come from places other than Hollywood's largely white, male, heterosexual homogeneity. Ethnic minorities from all over the world and LGBT themes are becoming more and more likely to appear in these short films. The most eye-catching proof is as simple as contrasting the main motion pictures produced 50 years ago with the wide variety of films available now.

In conclusion, despite some quality issues, they are offset by fresh concepts that focus on underserved demographics. Studios must take note and let go of some of their control over a constantly expanding sector.

Analysis of the Model Answer

Introduction.

Your opening line merely paraphrases the subject. If you feel confident, you can write it simply or try to brag a little.
Give your viewpoint; never take a moderate position.

Main Body Paragraph 1

Your topic line in the opening paragraph should express your core idea, which for me is the caliber of the films.
Don't wait to start your example; get to it right away!
Try to be as precise and thorough as you can. The better, the more specific.
Don't change to a new major idea; instead, keep developing the previous one.
Summarise the outcome.

Main Body Paragraph 2

Similar to the last paragraph, this one has a distinct topic sentence.
Once more, get your example started fast before expanding on it in the following sentences.
You can use incredibly powerful words.
The more specific and in-depth you can be, the higher your score.
The final sentence can provide some more development. Please don't introduce a new main idea here!
Summarize your viewpoint and the major justification for it in your opening line.
Finish with a final idea or further detail.

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TASK TWO MODEL ESSAY: POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE

This type of essay question describes a change and asks the test-taker to write about whether the change (development) is good or bad.

In this model essay, a strong position in favour of the development is expressed. Usually, it is easier (for this question type) to choose a more definite position.

Remember, the golden rule of high IELTS grades is ‘develop every idea’. In this essay, only two main ideas are expressed (body paragraph 1 and 2) because it is better to use a few ideas but develop them fully than to list ideas and quickly move on to the next one.

Remember, all the model essays shown on this website follow structures that can be learned and practised by taking the writing courses available. There is no better way to learn how to write high-scoring IELTS essays.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words

Model essay

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Positive or Negative Development: Sample Answer

Watch the video on IELTS Writing Task 2: Positive or Negative Development.

Requirements

The task requires you to give your opinion in response to a statement. There are 2 possible positions that are advisable to take which you should state clearly in your introduction and expand in your body paragraphs.

Position A. The situation is completely/totally positive (or negative). In other words, 100% positive or negative.

Position B. The positives and negatives are equally important. In other words, you chose both are equally valid. 50 - 50.

If you take the position of “partly” or “mostly” positive or negative, it becomes more difficult to write since you will need to give more reasons for one side than the other and your answer will be unbalanced.

Always chose position A or B .

Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Positive Negative Development

The advances in technology have provided a lot of workers with the option of doing their jobs remotely rather than in a traditional workplace. This essay will discuss the reasons why this trend has equal positive and negative effects.

The main benefit of remote working is the flexibility it affords the employee in terms of working hours. Traditionally work hours are fixed, usually from 9 to 5, which means employees are severely restricted in the time they can devote to essential non-work activities. For instance, if an employee needs to have medical treatment such as dental work, they invariably can only schedule it during work time. Consequently, it is at the discretion of the employer whether they can leave the workplace and if their salary will be deducted during this time. Working from home, however, means that workers can schedule time for non-work activities as they do not have to adhere to rigid working hours.

The major drawbacks of working from home are domestic distractions and the absence of camaraderie. Employees who have young families, for example, often get distracted by the demands of taking care of their children and even though they employ babysitters and have family members to assist them, they cannot stop themselves from getting involved. Additionally, research amongst office workers who work remotely has identified isolation from colleagues as their greatest challenge. These workers miss the human contact and the friendly office atmosphere where they can bond with their co-workers.

To conclude, the major upside of working from one’s own home is the flexible hours whereas, the downsides include feelings of isolation and the challenge of keeping focused on work because of their domestic environment.

Sample: Positive or Negative Development. PDF

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Reading well-written examples of General Task 2 essays and practicing aspects of language will help you understand how to produce a good model for the IELTS test.

Activities like these also help you better understand progression, coherence and cohesion and you’ll learn about vocabulary and grammar on the way, so that’s a real bonus to your IELTS preparation.

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Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

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Positive or Negative Development: IELTS Model Essay

An IELTS model essay for positive or negative development questions. It is common in IELTS writing task 2 to be asked to choose either something is a positive or negative development/trend. Your task is to answer the question in the introduction and explain your answer in the body paragraphs.

These instructions are asking for your opinion so it is important that you give it clearly. If you fail to present a position of your own (a view point), you will have failed to complete the task and that will affect your score.

IELTS Positive Negative Essay Question

Nowadays, more people are choosing to socialise online rather than face to face. Is this a positive or negative development?

IELTS Model Essay: Positive or Negative Development?

An increasing number of people meet and talk to their friends online instead of in person. In my opinion, this is a negative development which can lead to isolation, potentially harmful situations and also problems later on in life.

One serious problem that can arise from people socialising online is that it can lead to isolation. Before the internet, people would frequently go out to meet friends, for example in cafes, bars or restaurants, whereas now people prefer to stay at home alone, chatting online. As a result, people are starting to spend the majority of their time alone at home in their room without meeting others. Isolation of this kind is not healthy and can sometimes lead to depression and other issues.

Another issue is that meeting people online can be risky. In other words, people can assume fake identities online as well as hide their true characteristics. This is particularly concerning for teenagers who are impressionable and can easily be led into dangerous situations. Furthermore, as this interaction is online, parents have no way of monitoring it and protecting their children.

Finally, socialising online can end in difficulties years later as conversations and shared photos that had been forgotten reappear. This situation is currently critical for many people, again especially for teenagers who do not think carefully before posting online. That is to say, information which is put online can remain there forever and while people may share intimate communications with close friends, these words can then resurface later on leading to much embarrassment.

In conclusion, although it has become more popular for people to socialise through the internet, it has brought about too many problems for this to be considered a positive trend.

Examiner’s Comments: This essay provides a clear answer to the essay question. The position is clearly presented in the introduction and also explained and supported throughout the essay. Linking devices are well used and ideas are organised logically. Language is flexible and accurate. This would reach band 9. (Word count = 286)

More IELTS Model Essays:

IELTS Agree Disagree Essay (Opinion Essay)

IELTS Discussion Essay

IELTS Direct Question Essay

IELTS Solution Essay

All IELTS Model Essays, Tips & Free Videos for Task 2

Dear Liz, Thank you for your outstanding Tips and Tricks. I have taken CD-IELTS today. I feel that it went good. In writing Task-II, the Question was: In some societies, fashion is more and more changing many people’s choice. Why is this? Do you think it is a negative or positive development?

I planned it in the following way.

Intro=Background statement+ reason+my opinion BP1= Reasons (Why?) BP2= ideas supporting my points-(negative opinion) Conclusion= restatement of background and reasons along with my opinion. (272 words)

Now I just want to know, what do you think? Was my approach right? Thanks in Advance Best Regards

All sounds fine. However, Task Response is more than just a brief outline of ideas. It’s about how you write topic sentences, how you explain yourself, how you connect ideas to the many task to make them 100% relevant. Good luck with your results 🙂

Your samples are really helpful and thanks to your work, I find it more easier from now.

Hmm, is it really correct sample? I mean there is no opinion or view written. What do you think? If I am wrong, please let me know why. And also I should mention that I am not professional like you 🙂

I’m a bit confused by your comment. The opinion is presented in the introduction: In my opinion, this is a negative development which can lead to isolation, potentially harmful situations and also problems later on in life. It is then explained in the body paragraphs. The thesis statement of the introduction always presents the opinion if the instructions ask for it.

If question asks for do the topic has more positives than negatives than the format to follow is same as advantages outweigh disadvantages?

We should try to use “phrasal verb” in writing or not?

You should use appropriate language and that might include phrasal verbs.

Dear Liz, I am a big fan of you and I appreciate your lessons and blog. Unfortunately, when I read your model essay about positive and negative developments I saw in the conclusion paragraph there is a big mistake because at the beginning you supported it is a negative development but later at the end, you said that is a positive trend. So, please read the essay again and correct it otherwise it could be confusing for us.

All the best for your future…

There is no error. The introduction and conclusion match You’ll need to review your understanding of this phrase in the conclusion “it has brought about too many problems for this to be considered a positive trend.”. It means – this cannot be positive because there are too many problems.

I am really sorry, that was my mistake because I couldn’t understand the inner meaning of this phrase. I am extremely sorry, I shouldn’t say that way before a clear review. Anyway, I wish you good luck and want more lessons from you…

All the best

No need to apologise. This is the kind of language that comes in the reading or listening test to check your understanding. The more familiar you are with such language, the better 🙂

Thank you so much for your kind information.

Dear mam, “Discuss it’s positive or negative sides”. In this types of question, is it mandatory to write our opinion? e.g. In my opinion………………..

And should we discuss only one side or we have to discuss its both side? Plz mam guide me how to write this types of question.Thanks❤️

I have never seen such instructions. You either get “discuss both sides” or “Is this a positive or negative development”. It isn’t actually possible in English to have “Discuss its X or Y” – it should be “and” when you have “Discuss it’s …”.

Plz mam tell me that i have discuss both postive and negative in the essay in which or was given if this will be wrong or not as i have attempted it partially

It is completely fine to have a partial approach – present both sides with your opinion clearly favouring one side.

Dear liz, In your above example task 2 can we write negative in para 2 and positive in para 2 or we have to justify any one of it in a complete essay. Thank u

I’m not sure why you would put negative first. You should keep a logical order when it comes to paragraphs. The examiner should never feel confused about the order.

Hi Liz, firstly, thank you so much for sharing your expertise and knowledge freely. my question is: some teachers categorize Task 2 questions into only 4 primary types, the so called “Opinion” / “Discussion” / “Opinion-Discussion” / “Situational (Direct Question)” and then suggest paragraph and content planning based on those. For example, it is recommended to NOT discuss both views in the “Opinion” type, which includes what you’d usually call “positive or negative” questions as well as the plain “what is your opinion” questions, and so on.

What is your take on this kind of classification? is it too broad? or just broad enough? (this might or might not be relevant, but I’m aiming to improve my band score from 7 to 8, so I tend to be extra vigilant when it comes to these types of guides/tips)

It makes no difference how a teacher categorises essays. The key aspect is if you feel fully prepared for all essay types. I break it down into five essay types, but within those five there are more variations. But again, there is no right or wrong – there is only full preparation or not enough preparation from a candidates perspective.

Hi Liz, Please if you don’t mind, can you summarily help to suggest how to go about this kind of question if we meet it in the exam. It seems to be a bit confusing in the approach expected.

“People born today can expect to live longer than people in the previous generation. What are some of the positive and negative implication of this phenomenon”

This is a simple advantage and disadvantage essay. It is asking for both sides = one body paragraph for each side.

Mam my local teacher has taught me that positive negative and adv outweigh disadv essays can be written with same style. Is it a right approach?

Yes, it is possible to do that – it would be a partial agreement where you admit one side and favour the other.

Sorry, I forgot to mention what my teacher writes in the outline of positive negative essay— In this essay advantage outweigh disadvantage

If it is still right then can a person score a 8 band with partial agreement?

You don’t get a particular band score because you chose a particular approach. Your score is based on other marking criteria. Even within Task Response it is about how you present ideas, how you use them, how you support them, much development you give them etc. Scores are not so simple to predict or estimate.

Thanks mam for your guidance I’ll keep that in mind

Dear Liz, I want to say a big THANK YOU for all your work. Your website is really helpful .I followed your tips many times and the explanations you give is so easy to be understood by everyone (even for those who have poor english😉).Keep going and don’t listen to those persons who are too frustated to understand the actually meaning of this website.By the way, tomorrow I have the second atempt for the IELTS test.The last one was overall 7 ,but W=6😕.Hopefully this time I will take it with at least 6.5.😁Many thanks again and hope you are feeling better now.😘😘

Fingers crossed tomorrow!! Remember that you need to take time to plan your task 1 and task 2. Then writing will be easier. Also keep your eye on the clock so that you manage your time properly. See this page for last minute tips on each section of the test: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-exam-tips-on-the-day/ . I’m really glad you found my site useful 🙂

thank u a lot mamm you are so nice 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

Can we consider this kind of essay (Is this a positive or negative development) as an opinion essay when answering? I am asking just because I need to be clear on when planning this type of essay.

IT is asking for your opinion. Yes, you can consider it similar to an Opinion Essay.

Hello mam Can i apply a balanced opinion approach to a negative or positive development essay Like you have done in the advanced video of the opinion essay

Q- more and more measures to improve security in urban areas have been introduced in many countries because of the increased crime rate Is it a positive or negative development?

Intro Increasing level of crime rate have promoted authorities in many countries to strengthen their security through a variety of measures. While Some of these measures pose potential risk to individual privacy, I feel that their benefits to city residents and cities as a whole make these changes a positive development overall.

BP1– POSITIVE EFFECTS lowering of crime rate Which has increased sense of safety Attract more investments

BP2 NEGATIVE privacy intruded Agencies can access call details However this concern is undue, authorities have no self vested interest So chances of this is extremely low.

In conclusion, although some of the security measures have been introduced infringe on people’s right to privacy, it is largely a positive development as the improved security makes city dwellers’ lives more secure and cities more desirable place to live, work and invest in.

Could u please clear my doubt? Is this a right approach

Thanks mam for helping me again☺ Now I can apply it. I feared that it would lower my band scores

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In some parts of the world it is becoming popular to research the history of one’s own family. Why might people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development?

Exploring one’s family background and history is becoming increasingly popular in numerous countries around the world. In my opinion, through research and knowing more about one’s family, people can see common trends passed through generations and useful information which can only be seen as beneficial for people’s future.

Firstly, some people look into their family history in order to discover any common trends with family members of a previous generation. This can be especially so with people who have particular skills, gifts or interests in uncommon fields. In other words, as some gifts and skills are hereditary, it can be interesting for people to learn how many others in their family shared these talents from previous generations.

Another reason for the popularity of finding out about one’s family history is often due to general curiosity of one’s geographical origins. That is to say, some families moved abroad, away from their own country, generations ago which resulted in them losing their original culture and adopting the culture of the country they moved to. Therefore, through research, people can learn more about their country of origin and understand more about the culture that their family originally came from.

Finally, the trend of researching family history is certainly beneficial and can help people find their place in the world. Some people feel a lack of direction in life or are dislocated from others but by learning more about their past family history, it can help them relate to the world and feel more comfortable about who they are. Take, for example, a person who feels nervous about making a certain choice in life, they may feel comforted by knowing that others in their family made the same choice many generations ago.

In conclusion, it can be advantageous for people to learn more about the family’s background and origins. It would be useful for children to learn about their own family history, if this was incorporated into the school curriculum.

There are two questions to this essay. Make sure you answer each question clearly and explain your ideas sufficiently if you want to get band score 6 or above.

There is no doubt that many people around the world spending time to research the history of their family. In my opinion, knowing family history and culture is beneficial. There are multiple reasons why people want to know their family history, for example, few people would be interested to know their family history out of curiosity. Knowing their family background and history makes them to make decision easily, for example if someone knows that their forefathers were artist, they can easily opt art as their career. Recently one article published in one of major new paper about a man who started learning music after knowing his great grand parent was great musician and to surprise, he also became very successful in music industry. In last two centuries, many people migrated from their own country to some other countries and slowly their original culture was lost. These people adopted the culture of their current country and felt like they lost their identity. Now if people could track down their family history, they would be able to know from where they belong and what was their culture. Many of these people would like to go back to their original country and this could provide them inner satisfaction. It is believed that people feel more secure when they are tied to their root. In conclusion, people have right to know the history of their family to restore their lost culture, language and many more things. Knowing family history enables them to find their identity. Government should start creating some databases where the family records can be kept forever.

Hello Liz, Thank you for this wonderful site. It’s been very helpful. I came across your website 6 years ago and I scored my desired band in writing. I recently wrote the test again and it turned out well.

You’re an exceptional teacher. More power!

Great news!! With such a huge gap between exams, it’s great to hear you aced it again 🙂

Nowadays, in some areas around the world, it is becoming common to explore the past of one’s own family. People tend to do this for many different reasons, such as knowing about their origin and history. However, I believe this act has many adverse effects on both individuals and society. People are searching about their family origin and history for several reasons. Firstly, the nature of the human race is characterised by curiosity which might encourage people to start a self-discovery. In other words, knowing about your ancestors and the way they lived might reveal an explanation for many things in a person’s behaviour. Secondly, When a person knows more about the hereditary disease, such as some sort of cancer that could be common among his family members, he can start to take preventive measures to ensure a healthier life. In my opinion, it is better to focus on the present family members and not to search about the family’s past as it might bring a serious and hugely negative impact on individuals as well as the local communities. One of the main side effects that could arise from doing this, sometimes it reveals some secrets that must be forgotten and could affect or damage the relationships between people in the same family. Another possible issue is that not all hereditary diseases are passed through generations. Excessive thinking about illness might lead people into depression and anxiety, and as a result, they could end up spending a large amount of money doing unnecessary lab tests and checks to ensure they are not affected. To conclude, people are exploring and searching for their own family history for various reasons. However, searching for the history of one’s ancestors has a dangerous and serious impact on society.

People searching for their own family history became a growing trend in some countries, putting globalization under the microscope, linking it this phenomenon and stating it as the main reason for the present identity crisis which resulted in a social regression, having negative effects on overall development.

It’s quite clear in nowadays society, how much people lost their sense of belonging leading them to dig in their family history in order to fill the void caused by globalization, which resulted in a gradual disappearance of most traditions, dispersing communities and spreading a culture of individualism, pushing people to a state of disorientation as they can’t belong to something as vague as humanity. A clear example of that, is the popularity of DNA test in developed western nations in contrast with third world countries where nations are still trying to and relatively succeeding at preserving their culture in the face of globalization.

This appearance of such phenomenon is considered negative, due to dissatisfaction being it’s core motive, as having people spending money on unneeded services, will pave the road to the birth of other industries that will exploit human vulnerabilities to generate interest, which is, for instance, the case in most of western countries, facing a huge growth in industries that consider costumers wellbeing as their last concern.

To conclude, the research people do to learn about their history is an indication of a bigger underlying problem, proving the inefficiency of globalization as a global policy, owing to the negative effect it had on human development.

Recently, curiosity leads people to explore the historical background of their families. In my perspective, the reason why this activity becomes popular nowadays is that acknowledging the history of their families can raise their dignity, self-esteem, and sense of belonging to their families. As the awareness of historical background rises, this activity can also give positive impacts on the preservation of cultures.

People often underestimate their family background, as they do not know how great their family is. Even sometimes this can bring anxiety to some people from different backgrounds, especially in younger generations. For instance, students from Asia countries in western schools often feel unconfident because of their distinctive backgrounds. Fortunately, people are recently interested to research their family history. By exploring history, people might find out that their grandparents were great influential figures in the past. Hence, they become proud of their families as it raises their self-esteem and dignity.

Secondly, in modern days, people tend to try hard to fit themselves into modern lifestyles. . As a result, they often forget their cultural backgrounds which might lead to cultural extinction. Family history exploration might lead them to acknowledge that they have amazing cultures from their roots. Therefore, the awareness of the conservation of their culture can raise significantly.

In conclusion, family history research can be seen as a positive development as it brings a lot of benefits to individuals and communities, especially in terms of self-dignity and culture preservation.

In recent year people are so busy with their work thus almost forgot about to know their family more. While there are few country where to know the family deeply become famous in trend. Such trend had both negative and positive effect which will be discuss further in ensuring paragraph.

On the one side of the trend, it is beneficial for the nation as a whole. If individual study properly about their culture of own family give them more knowledge about the history of it,which help to improve the identity of the nation. To know more about the root of the join family allow people to respect the value as well as it encourages them to follow it. Many families in India belong to royal families in past and today also they now carry forward the ritual as it used to before.

In addtion, people are more aware of their culture and origin make them more enthusiastic to sustain the same value. Moreover, it enhance the culture of the nation and value addition to it.

On the other hand, there are a few negative aspects of the trend. Firstly, exploring their own family make them more family-oriented person in result they almost forgot to explore the new advanced world. Secondly, it make people more stubborn to follow the other culture.

Overall, it is a positive development if people search about their families. As a whole it help both individuals as well as the nation.

Exploring one’s family ancestry is gaining popularity among the people from across geographic locations. The interest in history can be attributed as a mechanism to identify the person’s roots as well as in understanding their culture at deeper levels. In my opinion, this is certainly a positive development towards a better relationship with their loved ones while sometimes reconnecting with a long lost member of the group. Although in recent times, nuclear families have inadvertently taken over the traditional structure, this has also induced curiosity, among the younger generations, in associating to one’s history and past culture. As a result, most parents are increasingly being questioned about their family traditions which are then inculcated slowly by the youngsters. For instance, In Japan, most children refer to old photographs to recognize different members of the clan, while dressing up in traditional Kimono during role-playing and game. But, Does knowing their ancestral principles help the people in the long term? In my view, it has been seen to have advantageous effects on one’s life. First of all, due to the society essentially leading a singular life with workplace as the primary nucleus, family is the one thing which brings the people together. Higher knowledge of one’s history will prove to be vital in such cases, as more collaboration between the members will be demanded, which will lead to contentment in individuals. Furthermore, occasionally, extended family members namely uncles or cousins are often found by people, who are residing in the same or nearby cities, that enables them for reconnecting and be celebrating important family events. In conclusion, investigating one’s previous generation has been favorable as it reintegrates a person back into the family principles and specific traditions, if avoided, would be on the verge of extinction. Moreover, this also aids in meeting and connecting with your loved ones where special occasions are celebrated to the fullest.

I am confused bout why the word “curriculum” was mentioned in the conclusion. May you please clarify is it is alright to introduce a new idea in the conclusion?

The last sentence in the conclusion in this essay is a final comment. It is not a new point. You should not write final comments in such a way unless you have been trained by a professional how to do that. There is a big difference between a final comment and a new idea.

Hi Liz, I hope you are doing well! I purchased your Grammar E-book. I am going through the book and have a few doubts. Can you please share your email address so that I can ask my doubts there?

Best regards, Suryash

Sorry, I don’t provide additional tuition or private support for e-books. It is not possible for my to provide such services.

Studying one person’s own family history is gaining traction these days. This essay will discuss the main reason persuading people to do this and explain why it is a positive development in general.

The major driving force behind this phenomenon is that more and more families migrate to new places and their offsprings want to know their family’s origin. The populations of countries such as America and Australia are largely formed by immigrants from all over the world. As a result, children from a migrant family have the common urge to discover their parents’ or grandparents’ lives since they lived in a different world. For example, there was an influx of Italian migrants in the U.S. after the WWII and their second generation looked into their family lineages and realize how different the life was for their parents and relatives. In sum, researching the family history is largely propelled by the offsprings of immigrants.

In terms of the impact of this trend, people overall receive positive outcome as they develop researching skills. Uncovering the past history of a family is not an easy job since there is few first hand materials. A learner has to resort to various ways such as checking history documents from a library and interviewing relatives. The process of collecting information, raising questions, and applying knowledge to solve problems will greatly train one person’s researching skill. I personally studied my family history as part of a research study and the experience assisted my college study later on. Therefore, this positive learning outcome means that family history studying is worth the effort.

In conclusion, the popularity of understanding family history is strongly boosted by the people who want to know more about their families coming from the foreign lands. As people gain valuable researching skill during the process, this phenomenon should be treated positively.

Oh my God, I hope I won’t get any topic like that on the exam, it seems so difficult to discuss it properly in just 40 mins 🙁

Nevertheless, thank you very much for this wonderful web-site, Liz! Especially for Writing Task 2 section. The most important thing here is that you help to understand the logic of the writing task, so now I feel more confident. Even if I get an unusual topic or question, I know now how to tackle it!

I’m glad my website is helping you. If you struggle with topics and ideas, make sure you get my Ideas for Essay Topics E-book which you can purchase on this page: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

This sounds great

This essay appears to be more than 300 words. I’ve heard that there will be penalties if someone exceed more than 10% of the word limit (27-280). I’m from Sri Lanka, but I’m willing to know whether the marking regulations are different to different parts of the world.

Cheers, Ayodya Karunanayake

There are no upper word limits for IELTS – not in any part of the world. It is advisable to keep your essay under 300 words to avoid too many language errors and to keep the essay more focused with less irrelevant information. However, it is possible to write over 300 words and get band 9. But I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have flawless English and you are 100% familiar with the marking criteria and band score requirements.

Hello Ma’am, Words cannot actually describe my appreciation for your immense contribution towards my IELTS prep. May God continue to strengthen your efforts and bless your family. Pls ma’am, can I write my introduction as below, and is it allowed to have 3 full stops, I mean 3 sentences in the introduction. “Research on the history of a person’s own background is becoming more common in some regions around the globe. In my opinion, people do this in order to keep track of their family lineage, as well as to safeguard it, and it is certainly a positive development that can help reduce some communal clashes. ”

There are no rules about how many sentences an introduction can contain. However, it should be short and concise without too much detail. When you have two questions to answer, it is possible to have to sentences to create the thesis (the answer). Most other essay types have only one sentence for the thesis.

Ma’am you are just superb, thanks infinite and I believe, I have grasped the concept.

Your book ‘Ideas For IELTS Essay Topics’ is a great help. It’s concise and very useful to get familiar with the language appropriate for each topic.

I have a question about that book: Are all the words and phrases in the book appropriate to be used in IELTS writing task 2? I’ve faced some phrasal verbs and idiomatic language such as “They get off very lightly. On the beat. Foot the bill.” in the book. Is it ok if I use them in my essay?

Regards, Mojtaba

All phrases that are found in the book are suitable for formal essays.

I Just took the computer-based ielts today. This is exactly the question I received for Task 2.

I hope your test went well 🙂

The result came out yesterday. I got 7 in writing and 8 overall. Your blog is a big help.

That’s great. It isn’t easy to get band 7 in writing 🙂

Hi Liz, Your blog is indeed a big help for those who are sincere but need direction. Great work. I would like to ask a generic question. For writing task 2, is it okay to write ‘his/her’ for referring to the people/person in general, or is it not recommended? Thank you!

It is best to refer to people in general and write about “they” or “them”. You definitely never write “his/her” it would be considered grammatically incorrect to write in such a way.

Thanks a lot!

Hi Liz, Is it possible to answer this question type with a less strong position? For example, can I say “whereas this may have some benefits, I think that, overall, it is a negative development” In this case, can I plan to write the first paragraph about the positives and a second one that explains why I think it is a negative development?

Be more precise – in what way is it positive and in what way negative? Be exact, not vague. Try the thesis again.

Thanks for the essay. My question is that you mentioned that it is not recommended to use “Firstly,Secondly,thirdly” in the beginning of paragraphs. is that true also in the same paragraph ? because I thought that it is good thing to use them in one paragraph when I ‘m listing the reasons or the causes for example ??

It is fine to use them inside one paragraph to highlight each supporting point.

There has been a tendency among people to conduct numerous researches on their family backgrounds. This trend has caught on of late, and more and more people are trying to follow suit. I believe that searching in family history will be to the benefit of the whole family and one can benefit from the outcomes in varieties of fields, such as decision-making and medics.

One reason to explain why people are inclined to learn about the history of their families is that they are curious to know the people of their acquaintances and examine how they were like and what they did. There is even a chance, though a little, to find ancestors who are still alive. Numerous stories have been told in which a family chanced upon the father or mother of their grandparents via their determined searches in history. Furthermore, with the growth of genetics-based knowledge, people tend to perceive of the origins of their behaviors and understand how their grandparents have formed their demeanor and habits. A man, for instance, can search for his family history and unexpectedly realize that his unpleasant habit of being untidy around house comes from his father’s attitude, who always had uncluttered room.

Even though some people believe that searching in history is futile, there can be numerous benefits in it. For one, by searching in the history of their families, people can learn about their families’ decisions and opinions about life and events. They can pick up how to react to current issues and tackle problems by carrying out a simple search in the history and weigh up the pros and cons of each course of action. Secondly, doctors can benefit greatly from the history and origin of diseases in people who have conducted researches on their forefathers. For example, if a person finds out that his grandfather has been suffering from diabetes for quite a long time in the past, he will keep a wary eye on his own health and take safety measures into consideration in order to avoid being infected.

All summed up, people are believed to be enthusiastic in finding about their history due to their curiosity and their own good in rooting out their habits and attributing them to their relatives. I think this is a worthwhile and beneficial approach and should be encouraged.

A perfect essay I would appreciate you if you could provide me some tips for effective writing.

Excellent answer. I wish i would write exactly like this .

” take safety measures into consideration in order to avoid being infected” being infected is wrong usage i believe, as diabetes is a non communicable diseaase; one cannot be infected with diabetes. i think it would be more appropriate to say “in order to avoid developing diabetes”

In many parts of the world ,children have more freedom than in the past. Is this positive or negative development

Hi Liz, Your tips and model essays are really good and useful. Thanks a ton.

In the model essay, you have mentioned ‘previous generation’ twice in the second paragraph. Similarly, in paragraph 3, you have used the word origin in different forms (geographical origins, original culture, country of origin, originally) and in paragraph 4, family history has been used twice. Is it okay to repeat words within a paragraph and also in an essay or do we need to paraphrase them?

There is a limit to paraphrasing. If you try to paraphrase all words, all the time, you will produce more errors and lower your score.

Mam,This essay does not mention about negative developments of such research like inferiority complex development,increase in disparity and like- heritage groupism.Will it be better if this is added with opinion a positive development,however a word caution that we as human beings stand together. In conclusion,proud heritage,satisfaction of curiosity and formation of a subgroup for coherence are attractive developments everyone must cherish this research.

You don’t get better marks because you add more ideas. Brainstorm ideas, choose your opinion and then select your best ideas. Don’t flood your essay with lots of ideas – choose two or three and no more.

I have gained enoug knowledge from your tips and models. Thank you

Hello Liz, Can I use the term “genealogy” in this essay ? Regards, Sadia.

Yes – it’s great! Good choice of vocabulary.

hi in conclousin could i write (from what we has been discussed above might we can draw the conclousion )

conclusion sorry

No, just write “In conclusion, …”.

Dear mam, thank you for providing the great knowledge related IELTS I have a doubt to clear that in the case of task 2 positive or negative development essay,1st person and second person(I and we) can be used?

We avoid using “we” is all IELTS essays.

Good afternoon Liz! Thank you very much for your help! I have a question. In IELTS book 7, in the third test, in writing task 2 (direct questions essay) where prompt asks “How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?”, do they ask for our opinion? Thank you in advance!

Yes, it’s your opinion. Do you think job satisfaction is realistic or do you think it is unrealistic? Always try to rephrase the essay question so that you answer it fully.

Miss, are we allowed to add extra words to the introduction, while paraphrasing it, so to get the our introduction more precise for example; adding (People think or people believe etc ) ” when it’s not available in the question itself ?

Yes. This is normal in paraphrasing as long as you don’t change the meaning of the sentence.

hello Liz, This is the first time i m writing to u. You r my only IELTS teacher as I m not admitted to any other IELTS couching. I have a question to ask. Often I don’t get time to write 5 para in task 2 as above mentioned.Is this important to write 5 para (including “Finally”) for getting above 7? and how much I need to write for getting band score 7 to 8?

You can have either four or five paragraphs for writing task 2. See how the band scores are marked here: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-band-scores-5-to-8/ . For advanced writing task 2 lessons, see this page: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore

I am gratitude to thank for your posts , I have seen several videos in the blog and task 2 essay written samples One of the video you are suggested to avoid to use this kind of words ” Firstly” &” Finally”, but i noticed that the same word used in the name of essay “The history of one’s own family” is that correct way to wrote academic language.

Usually we avoid “Firstly, Secondly, Finally” being used together to start paragraphs in one essay because they don’t show flexibility. But you can certainly use one or two of them – just not all three together.

Amazing stuff. One query though , wouldn’t it be better to write “This can be especially true with people … ” rather than ““This can be especially so with people … ” . Use of word ‘so’ seems unnatural to me. Please comment. Thanks

Both ways are fine. It’s certainly good to use “true”. All the best Liz

I feel glad to read your easy model.. Your blog/tips/ideas are really helpful. I hope it will help me in my upcoming G test after 10 days

My bad, I visited your site lately. Hence, I am keep reading comments etc now. Hope it will help me.

Thanks Sandy

How to plan your essay effectively before you start writing it ? In other words, how to choose your topic sentence (idea) in your body paragraph ?

Thank you All best

See this link: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-essay-planning-tips/ . The topic sentence is the main idea. All the best Liz

Are all the essays shown in the “Model essays” have 9 band score ? I estimated that it is but when I read this essay’s comment , I felt that it is not true ? I will be glad if you give information about this situation. Thank you.

Sure, they are estimated at band 9. Liz

Hello Thanks a lot for usefull information

Sometimes it is difficult or hard to find some ideas about the topic in writting task 2, especially in uninteresting one , which leads to waste a lot of time during the exam Do you suggest any hepfull way or tip for this problem ? Thank you.

It is part of your preparation. You need to prepare a lot of ideas that cover the main topics. If you look at the 100 essay questions, it is useful to plan ideas rather than only writing full essays. Liz

Thank you so much for your advice

Hope you are well. Firstly thanks a bunch for your massive effort in making all these videos and model essays. I really appreciate your help.

I was wondering if you could clarify me on something.

Can I use ” To recapitulate, ………” instead of ” To conclude or To summarize ..”?

If I can, can you please let me know the correct syntax for this.

Yes, it’s fine to use that. All the best Liz

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POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES

Ielts writing task 2 – how to write a positive-negative essay.

21-page PDF download will tell you how to write a positive/negative essay for IELTS Writing Task 2.

How To Write An IELTS Positive Or Negative Essay

Do you want to learn how to create a positive/negative essay worthy of a high band score in writing task 2? Learn the structure needed, and useful vocabulary, and take a look at the sample answer.

Take a look

IELTS Positive/Negative Essay Sample: Music

Young people prefer listening to music rather than listening to the news on the radio. Is this a positive or a negative trend? Provide reasons and examples for your opinion.

Take a look at the sample answer.

IELTS Positive/Negative Essay Sample: Economics

Companies spend millions each year on advertising online, in magazines and on billboards. These adverts can encourage people to buy goods that they do not really need. What are the positive and negative effects of consumerism?

IELTS Positive/Negative Essay Sample: Technology

Some car manufacturing companies have stated that there is a possibility that we will see flying cars in the future. Why is this going to happen? Will it be a positive or negative development?

IELTS Positive/Negative Essay Sample: Fashion

More and more people are finding it increasingly important to wear fashionable clothes. Is this attitude to wearing clothes a positive or negative development?

Many people prefer to spend money and not save it. What are the reasons? Is this a positive or negative development?

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Education and Teaching: IELTS Writing Task 2 Direct Question Essay Band 8 sample answer. The…

IELTS Discussion Essay Sample 1 – Education

IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion essay example that is a band score 8. The question…

positive negative development essay format

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How to Write a Positive or Negative Development IELTS Essay

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Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay: Structure, Common Questions, Sample Answers

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1) IF YOU THINK IT IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

2) IF YOU THINK IT IS A NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT

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Model answers to Negative / Positive Development IELTS essay questions in 2021!

Plan – the prewriting stage

Determine your position

Task achievement

Coherence and cohesion

Lexical resource

Grammatical range and accuracy

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Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay

Table of Contents

Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay Question

Positive or Negative Development IELTS Model Essay Answer

Analysis of the Model Answer

Main Body Paragraph 1

Main Body Paragraph 2

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TASK TWO MODEL ESSAY: POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Positive or Negative Development: Sample Answer

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IELTS Model Essay: Positive or Negative Development?

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