family size essay ielts

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Family Essay Titles

IELTS Essay Questions for the topic of Family. All essay questions below are reported by IELTS candidates and most have been repeated over the years. Regardless of the year reported, you could get any question below in your test. You should, therefore, prepare ideas for all questions given below. The topics below could appear in both GT and Academic IELTS Writing Task 2.

Family Essay Questions for IELTS Writing Task 2

Note that IELTS may paraphrase the question or change the task so don’t expect questions to appear the same. In other words, topics are repeated, but questions or tasks are often altered.

Nowadays parents put too much pressure on their children to succeed. What is the reason for doing this? Is this a negative or positive development? (Reported 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021)

Some people think it is better for children to grow up in the city, while others think that life in the countryside is more suitable. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both places? (frequent question)

In many modern societies, grandchildren rarely spend any quality time with their grandparents. What do you think are the consequences of this? (2019, 2021, 2022 – intergenerational topics are common many topics in IELTS)

Nowadays, it seems that different generations within the family spend less time doing activities together. Why is that? Is it a positive or negative development? (2023)

Children can learn effectively by watching television. Therefore they should be encouraged to watch television regularly at home and at school. To what extend do you agree or disagree? (Reported 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023 – the question could also ask about how to control the time children spend watching TV)

Some people think that the role of parents is to discipline their children and teach them about right and wrong. Other people consider that the main responsibility of parents is to nurture their children and provide them with a safe environment to grow up in. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. (2020, 2022 – discipline questions could also be about corporal punishment as a means of discipline, such as hitting children)

Most modern families have both parents working and as a result children spend less and less time with their parents. What is the reason for this? What problems can this cause? (2020)

The nuclear family is well adapted to move geographically due to its size. Do you think children benefit in any way from moving? Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? (2019)

In the past, the older generation were a source of knowledge and experience. Nowadays, the older generation have little understanding or experience of the modern world.

Has this had any negative impact on the way the elderly are treated by society and the family? What could be done to solve this situation? (2020)

In many western countries there is an increasing number of couples choosing to have no children. What are the advantages and disadvantages to couples having no children? (2018, 2020, 2021)

These days people are living into their 90’s and beyond. As a result, there is increasing concern about care for the elderly. Do you think it is the responsibility of the family to care for their elderly members or should the government be held responsible? (frequent question)

Children these days have more freedom than in pervious generations. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (2021, 2023)

The values we gain from our parents and family have more influence over our future success than any skills or knowledge learned in school. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (2023)

Reported essay questions are from students who have taken their IELTS test. That means questions may have appeared more frequently than have been reported. These questions may vary slightly in wording and focus from the original question. Also note that these questions could also appear in IELTS speaking part 3 which is another good reason to prepare all topics thoroughly.

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Essay 253 – There has been a trend towards smaller family sizes

Gt writing task 2 / essay sample # 253.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

As countries have developed there has been a trend towards smaller family sizes.

Why does this happen? How does this affect society?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

Family sizes are shrinking with the development of nations all around the world. This essay will expound first on why this trend emerges, and then discuss how society is affected by it.

As nations develop, the whisper of development echoes loudly throughout every arena: education, health, politics, commerce, architecture and so forth. The states can invest heavily in education, better health care and usually allow women to take part in the wider society. To put it another way, women have education, better contraceptive care, and equal rights. This, in turn, encourages married women to enter the workforce. From empirical evidence, however, it seems that when more women enter the labour market, there is a steep decline in the birth rate. This is because women who work full time are reluctant to devote much time and effort to caring for their children. Consequently, there is a widespread use of effective contraceptives, thereby limiting fertility. This is why household sizes are getting smaller when countries become wealthier.

However, this tendency has both positive and negative implications for society. Smaller households demonstrate the ability to meet adequately the three basic necessities of life: food, clothing, and housing. In other words, smaller family size comes with its implications of good health, ability to provide adequately for the education of offspring, the proper standard of learning, and ability to realize one’s dream in life, thus benefiting society as a whole. This trend, however, also has adverse impacts upon society. The most obvious impact of the trend on society is an ageing population in first-world countries. For instance, the ageing of the population has impacted American society by placing more emphasis on dependency programmes. Both Medicaid and Medicare are being funded by the government for the elderly there.

In conclusion, smaller family size in the modern age is primarily attributed to women’s education, better contraceptive care, and gender equality facilitated by the developmental capacity of the state. However, the tendency is a double-edged sword as it exerts both positive and negative impacts on society.

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Ielts writing task 2 sample 931 - there has been a trend towards smaller family sizes, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, as countries have developed there has been a trend towards smaller family sizes. why does this happen how does this affect society.

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Changes in Family Structure Essay IELTS

In recent years, the family structure has changed, as well as family roles. What are the changes occurring? Do you think these changes are positive or negative?  OR

In recent years, the structure of a family and the role of its members are gradually changing. What kinds of changes can occur? Do you think these changes are positive and negative? 

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.

Family Structure IELTS Essay – Model Answer 1

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In the present context, it is obvious that the families are much different in terms of their structure and gender roles in a family unit as opposed to a family a few decades back. Families today are very small in size since single parenting is not uncommon. In addition roles of parents have changed drastically. Moreover, marriages among same-sex are legalized in many countries in the world now. In my opinion, most of these changes have a positive impact on the family itself and society. Relevant factors regarding this topic will be further elaborated in this essay with examples.

To begin with, family is the backbone of society or in other words family is a reflection of society. When it comes to roles among family members, in most families, both parents support the economical stability of the family and they both share the responsibility of the children. If we consider a family a few decades back, the situation was rather different. For instance, women were supposed to look after the children while men were supposed to take care of financial stability. It is needless to say that this has completely changed by today. From my perspective, this is a positive tendency since family and children are well supported by both parents.

In addition, when it comes to the structure of the family today, same-sex marriages, as well as single parenting, can be seen in many parts of the world. From my point of view, this is a positive trend since having different sexual preferences as opposed to conventional opposite-sex marriages is no longer a reason to be discriminated against.

In conclusion, families play an important role in society. Families have been changed a lot over the last few years in various aspects as aforementioned. As per my view, this can be considered as a positive development of the society.

In recent years, the family structure has changed IELTS Essay – Model Answer 2

In recent times, there has been a number of changes within the structure of families, and the roles that family members play. This essay will discuss those changes, and the impacts these trends are having on families.

Firstly, in a lot of countries, many people are now choosing to live in a nuclear family structure, where only parents and children live together, and grandparents live separately. In the past, however, it was quite common in many countries for three, or even four generations of a family to all live under one roof. There has also been a shift in the roles that various family members play. For example, in the past, it was commonplace for men to have to work to provide for their families, and women to stay at home to cook, clean, and raise the children. However, many women nowadays are choosing to work instead, while some fathers stay at home to help out with family and household duties.

These changes can bring about both positive and negative effects. Nuclear family structures allow more freedom to parents who no longer want to live in their hometown, in order to pursue their careers. Many people need to live in large cities these days to find work, however many older, retired people want to remain living in their hometown. Though, one disadvantage of the nuclear family is that grandparents may not be available to help raise and care for grandchildren. In terms of the changing roles, women have greatly benefited from the opportunity to pursue a career, and become the breadwinner of the family, instead of being housewife. One downside of this trend though might be that some people would argue that women are better at domestic duties than stay-at-home dads.

In conclusion, I believe there are both positive and negative effects from these changes, though the impacts on each individual family will be different.

Family Structure and Roles IELTS  Essay – Model Answer 3

The changes in family structure and family roles have become a major topic of concern in modem society. Some of the main changes will be identified, before an evaluation on whether this is a positive or negative trend is made.

A few drastic changes could be observed in families today. The most obvious one is the decreased size of an average family in society. In Vietnam, for example, a majority of extended families of three generations or more living under the same roof have been transformed into nuclear families with only parents and children. In addition, there is also a significant change in terms of the roles of the father and the mother in a family. The responsibility of males as the sole breadwinner of the family has now been shared with their partners, and now women have equal working opportunities compared with their male counterparts. Accordingly, household duties are also shared equally between the two sexes.

I contend that this new family structure is, without a doubt, beneficial for all families. As regards the smaller family size, each family member could benefit from an increased sense of freedom. For instance, parents have more time for themselves now, compared with the situation in the past when they had to bear the responsibility of taking care of both grandparents and children. With respect to the change in family roles, women may reap the benefit of having their own career and thus financial freedom. Men also gain from this change since they have been freed from the financial pressure of being the only source of income in the family.

To conclude, the most apparent changes in today’s families include a decreased family size and a shared financial and household responsibility of men and women. All the existing data has provided a concrete foundation that these changes are beneficial for all members of the family.

Nuclear Family IELTS Writing Task 2 – Model Answer 4

Until a few decades ago, men were the providers and women were the caregivers. Men would go out to work and earn money. Women would stay at home looking after children and cooking food. This arrangement is disappearing and in my opinion, it is a positive trend.

In many families, now both spouses work and earn money. This is particularly true in developed and developing nations. This trend has changed the structure of families and the role of family members. Men are no longer seen as the only breadwinners. In some families, women earn more than men do. They deserve equal treatment.

Working women expect their partners to share the household responsibilities with them. They want their husbands to help them with the kids and housework. Most men are willing to lend a helping hand. Many of them never saw their dads doing the dishes or dusting the furniture, but now they do it happily because their women are also busy with their careers.

As more and more women become financially independent, the role of family members will change. Modern women have carved a niche for themselves in almost every sector. They now work and earn. Naturally, they deserve equal treatment and respect. Men who still have age-old notions of male supremacy may find it difficult to come to terms with the change of roles. However, those who think practically have certainly changed their attitudes and support their women in their careers and at home. To conclude, women’s empowerment is the reason behind this change in the structure of families. Women no longer want to confine themselves to the four walls of their home. As they have started working outside, traditional definitions of husbands and wives have changed. Men are no longer the only breadwinners and women are no longer the only caregivers. In my opinion, this is a positive trend that has the potential to make our world a better place where both men and women command equal respect.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Family – Model Answer 5

Recently, there has been a gradual transformation in the household structure and the way each member makes a contribution to the family. In this essay, I would like to discuss several possible changes and demonstrate that those changes are totally beneficial.

To begin with, the way a family is organized is far different from that in the past. Firstly, men and women are now sharing the role of breadwinners. A few decades ago, fathers were those who earned money to raise the family, while nurturing progeny was the responsibility shouldered by mothers. Today, as a logical effect of gender equality, professional opportunities are available for people of both sexes, leading to the fact that both men and women should exert effort to make ends meet. Secondly, people now have an inclination to form nuclear families. The escalating competitiveness of the job market accompanied by the higher demands of living standards drives people to work overtime and have fewer children.

From my perspective, the aforementioned changes are totally advantageous. The first benefit is that the financial pressure that parents of medium-sized families have to burden is far less significant than that of large families. This allows them to save money for long-term purposes, such as affording a house or sending their children overseas for tertiary education. Another significant advantage is that the children of such busy parents can learn how to live independently and acquire a diverse mixture of qualities at a young age. For example, many youths today have to prepare meals and arrange the study schedules themselves, which helps to sharpen up their self-reliance.

In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm my position that the household structure and the role of each family member are altering in a positive way.

Family IELTS Essay – Model Answer 6

It is true that there have been significant changes in not only the family structure but also family roles. In my opinion, these changes should be regarded as a positive tendency.

To begin with, the structure of a family is relatively different from that of some decades ago. In the past, it was likely that extended families became prevalent among societies when many generations including children, parents and grandparents lived under the same roof. In contrast, these days are witnessing the domination of nuclear families which have only parents and their offspring. Regarding parental roles, in earlier periods, men and women were supposed to be breadwinners and homemakers respectively as fathers tended to earn a living while mothers were supposed to stay at home to fulfill household duties as well as look after children. However, both men and women currently go to work to support the whole family, whereas household tasks are often divided.

I am of the opinion that these changes would have beneficial effects on family life. First of all, if fewer generations reside together, people seem to have more freedom and privacy to do anything they have an interest in without disturbing other members. For instance, in extended families juveniles adoring pop music might have to stop listening to it because their grandparents could find it annoying and noisy. Furthermore, pursuing their own careers can allow women to become financially independent from men and this also provides families with another income to have a higher standard of living. Another benefit when husbands assist their wives with household chores is that women would ease the burden of housework and have more time for themselves which can be spent on recreational activities.

In conclusion, I hold the view that several changes in family pattern and the role of members such as the fact that extended families are gradually replaced by nuclear ones and the fair division of household duties is a positive development.

Family Changes IELTS Essay

It is true that these days the family structure has considerably shifted, and the changing roles of men and women in the family have become increasingly similar. There are several new forms of family composition, and in my opinion, these developments are not always desirable.

In the past, nuclear families where parents and their offspring lived together under one roof used to be prevalent. However, there is now a huge trend towards single-parent families due to more marriages ending in divorce, while the increase in cohabiting couple families and stepfamilies is probably a result of cohabitation and remarriage becoming much more acceptable. In addition, the number of single-mother families has increased as many mothers want to have children without getting married. In terms of changing parental roles in a family, there has been a rise in the number of stay-at-home dads in recent years when it has become normal for women to gain qualifications and pursue their own career paths. This is in sharp contrast to about half a decade ago when men were breadwinners, and women were in charge of household chores in their families.

In my view, the changes described above could have both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, due to the lack of emotional attachment and legal binding, non-traditional households such as stepfamilies and cohabiting parents are more prone to breaking down. Consequently, children of these families are more likely to be involved in antisocial behaviors while their parents may experience feelings of loneliness and worry. On the other hand, the changes in the roles of members in the family could be seen as progress because women are not put under pressure to sacrifice their own careers to assume childcare and domestic responsibilities.

In conclusion, I believe that the changes in the roles of family members and the family structure are both positive and negative.

Ideas for Family Structure Changes

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: The structure of a family and the role of its members are gradually changing

Updated On Jan 10, 2024

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Effective IELTS Essay Connectors for Writing Task 2 & Task 1

In IELTS Writing Task 2, students are asked to write a formal essay of at least 250 words, in 4-5 paragraphs based on the given writing task 2 essay topics. The task is similar for both Academic and General Training with regards to the type of questions and the scoring, but the topics given for General Training will be slightly easier than Academic. Given below is a two-part/direct question essay with sample answers that will help you to practise and get a good score.

In recent years, the structure of a family and the role of its members are gradually changing. What kinds of changes can occur? Do you think these changes are positive and negative? OR

In recent years, the family structure has changed, as well as family roles. What are the changes occurring? Do you think these changes are positive or negative?

Band 8.5 Model Essay 1 :

It is true that these days the family structure has considerably shifted, and the changing roles of men and women in the family have become increasingly similar. There are several new forms of family composition, and in my opinion, these developments are not always desirable.

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In the past, nuclear families where parents and their offspring living together under one roof used to be prevalent. However, there is now a huge trend towards single-parent families due to more marriages ending in divorce, while the increase in cohabiting couple families and stepfamilies is probably a result of cohabitation and remarriage becoming much more acceptable. In addition, the number of single-mother families has increased as many mothers want to have children without getting married. In terms of changing parental roles in a family, there has been a rise in the number of stay-at-home dads in recent years when it has become normal for women to gain qualifications and pursue their own career path. This is in sharp contrast to about half a decade ago when men were breadwinners, and women were in charge of household chores in their families.

In my view, the changes described above could have both positive and negative consequences. On the one hand, due to the lack of emotional attachment and legal binding, non-traditional households such as stepfamilies and cohabiting parents are more prone to breaking down. Consequently, children of these families are more likely to be involved in antisocial behaviors while their parents may experience feelings of loneliness and worry. On the other hand, the changes in the roles of members in the family could be seen as progress because women are not put under pressure to sacrifice their own careers to assume childcare and domestic responsibilities.

In conclusion, I believe that the changes in the roles of family members and the family structure are both positive and negative.

[do_widget id=custom_html-47]

IELTS Examiner’s Comment :

Band 8.5 model answer 2 :.

The changes of family structure and family roles have become a major topic of concern in modem society. Some of the main changes will be identified, before an evaluation on whether this is a positive or negative trend is made.

A few drastic changes could be observed in families today. The most obvious one is the decreased size of an average family in society. In Vietnam, for example, a majority of extended families of three generations or more living under the same roof have been transformed into nuclear families with only parents and children. In addition, there is also a significant change in terms of the roles of the father and the mother in a family. The responsibility of males as the sole breadwinner of the family has now been shared with their partners, and now women have equal working opportunities compared with their male counterparts. Accordingly, household duties are also shared equally between the two sexes.

I contend that this new family structure is without doubt beneficial for all families. As regards the smaller family size, each family member could benefit from an increased sense of freedom. For instance, parents have more time for themselves now, compared with the situation in the past when they had to bear the responsibility of taking care of both grandparents and children. With respect to the change in family roles, women may reap the benefit of having their own career and thus financial freedom. Men also gain from this change since they have been freed from the financial pressure of being the only source of income in the family.

To conclude, the most apparent changes in today’s families include a decreased family size and a shared financial and household responsibility of men and women. All the existing data has provided a concrete foundation that these changes are beneficial for all members of the family.

Model Essay 3

It is true that there have been significant changes in not only the family structure but also family roles. In my opinion, these changes should be regarded as a positive tendency.

To begin with, the structure of a family is relatively different from that of some decades ago. In the past, it was likely that extended families became prevalent among societies when many generations including children, parents and grandparents lived in the same roof. In contrast, these days are witnessing the domination of nuclear families which have only parents and their offspring. Regarding parental roles, in earlier periods, men and women were supposed to be breadwinners and homemakers respectively as fathers tended to earn a living while mothers were supposed to stay at home to fulfill household duties as well as looking after children. However, both men and women currently go to work to support the whole family, whereas household tasks are often divided.

I am of the opinion that these changes would have beneficial effects on family life. First of all, if fewer generations reside together, people seem to have more freedom and privacy to do anything they have interest in without disturbing other members. For instance, in extended families juveniles adoring pop music might have to stop listening to it because their grandparents could find it annoying and noisy. Furthermore, pursuing their own careers can allow women to become financially independent from men and this also provides families with another income to have a higher standard of living. Another benefit when husbands assist their wives with household chores is that women would ease the burden of housework and have more time for themselves which can be spent on recreational activities.

In conclusion, I hold the view that several changes in family pattern and the role of member such as the fact that extended families are gradually replaced by nuclear ones and the fair division of household duties is a positive development.

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Posted on Jan 31, 2022

In this contemporary world, there are a plethora of significant modifications in not only family structure but also family role. In this essay, before the evaluation whether adjustments cause positive aspects or detrimental problems is made, the most apparent changes in today’s family will be identified. To begin with, at present, the structure of family is relatively differentiated from the past. In the recent decades, the extended families of three generations or more, including grandparents, parents, children, and so on under the same roof was increasingly prevalent. In contrast, nuclear families which have only parents and their offspring are witnessed these days. Regarding parental roles, in earlier periods, fathers were supposed to be sole breadwinners whilst mothers were likely to fulfill household duties as well as look after children. Nevertheless, both husbands and wives currently earn a living because of today’s jobs which do not invariably guarantee and getting equal privileges in education and work for women. Additionally, men who take responsibility for domestic chores are tremendously common. I strongly believe that these changes would be beneficial for family lives. Firstly, in the respect of smaller family size, each family member could reap a sense of freedom. A case in point is that parents have more time for themselves compared with the past when they had to bear taking care of the burden of their ancestors. As regards the transferences in family positions, women can be financially independent from men and provide another family income for a higher standard of living, pursuing their careers. Moreover, as males share household tasks with their counterparts, females can ease troublesome chores, enjoying recreational activities. To conclude, the significant transformations include a decreased family size and a shared financial and household responsibility. I passionately contend that these changes will have a plethora of positive impacts on all families. words 304 Hello, Sir, I imitated this sample essay.

Posted on Sep 13, 2021

It is indeed true that over the years, the family structure, as well as the family roles, have changed drastically. In my opinion, these changes have both a positive as well as a negative effect.

To begin with, earlier, the roles of men and women were pre-defined; men were supposed to be the bread earners of the house while the women had the sole responsibility of taking care of the household chores and the children. Yet, in today’s times, both parents seem to be the bread earners in every other household. In the earlier times, all the generations of the family lived under the same roof, but these days the number of nuclear families is increasing extensively.

I contend that these changes are beneficial to a certain extent. They have given equal rights to women; women now possess the freedom of following their dreams and become financially independent. The increasing number of nuclear families is also highly beneficial; with fewer family members under a single roof, the other members have more privacy and freedom to do as they please. Acknowledging the negative approach towards these changes- with both the parents working, an appropriate time for the children is not given. In the future, it affects their social skills, mental health and, in turn, they become more distant.

While staying in a nuclear family brings in freedom and privacy, it also puts in loneliness. There are times when one feels like spending time with their family, which is hardly spent in the case of nuclear families.

To conclude this essay, I believe that the changes have had their benefits and doubts over the years.

Janice Thompson

Posted on Sep 14, 2021

Overall band: 6.0

Try to use C2 vocabulary.

Also, please follow the 4 paragraph structure – Introdcution, 2 body paragraphs and conclusion, so that it is easy for the examiner to mark you for coherence.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Family

Family is one of the major topics in Ielts Writing Task 2. Your job is to write at least 250 words about different aspects on this topic. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to widen your knowledge about family-related issues as soon as possible. Below is the abstract of the article “10 Negative Effects Of Divorce On Children And Ways To Mitigate Them” written by Rohit Garoo on July 10th, 2018. The abstract only mentions the first part of the article – 10 negative effects of divorce on children.

10 Negative Effects Of Divorce On Children And Ways To Mitigate Them

Things didn’t go right with Sam and Bob. After making repeated attempts to save their marriage for the sake of their two children, they decided to part ways. But the couple was worried about the future of their children, and how their decision to divorce would impact the little souls. Divorce is the most difficult phase of a married couple’s life. As adults, they might eventually get over the tough period, but children become a collateral casualty. Their minds are tender and can slip into a state of shock on seeing parents split forever. The adverse effects of divorce can be long-lasting on children and may impact their own relationships. Studies have shown that in the US, the daughters of divorced parents have a 60% higher divorce rate than those of non-divorced parents. The number is 35% for sons.

In this post, MomJunction explains the ordeal children go through when their parents get divorced.

The Short-Term Effects Of Divorce On Children

Children who witness a divorce could be disturbed by the thought of not seeing their parents together again. following are some of the immediate short-term effects of divorce on children: 1. anxiety.

The aftermath of a divorce causes the child to become tense, nervous, and anxious. Young children are more prone to it than the older ones since they are heavily dependent on both the parents. An anxious child will find it difficult to concentrate on his studies and may lose interest in activities that he once found enticing.

2. Constant stress

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, many children falsely consider themselves the reason behind their parents’ divorce and assume the responsibility to mend the relationship (2). This can lead to immense stress and pressure on the young mind, which can have several repercussions like negative thoughts and nightmares.

3. Mood swings and irritability

Young children may suffer from mood swings and become irritable even when interacting with familiar people. Some children will go into a withdrawal mode, where they stop talking to anyone and shut themselves away. The child will become quiet and prefer spending time alone.

4. Intense sadness

Acute sadness rushes through the heart and mind of the child. Nothing feels good in life, and the child may eventually plunge into depression, which is a long-term manifestation of this sadness.

5. Disillusion and distress

Children of divorce may feel hopeless and disillusioned because they do not have the comprehensive emotional support from their parents. This situation can become worse if the child is looked after by a single parent with no access to the other parent.

Short-term effects of divorce can hamper a child’s psychological and physiological growth, which can have a long-term impact.

Long-Term Effects Of Divorce On Children

Things can get rough for a child, who sees his parents bicker and separate. Their minds are still plastic that is they can easily get affected by the events happening around them. Following are the long-term effects of divorce on children:

6. Behavioral and social problems

A child is at a greater risk of developing violent and antisocial behavior when the parents divorce. He or she may lose temper at the drop of a hat and show no hesitation assaulting someone. In the long run, it may lead to the development of a criminal mindset, especially during the adolescent years. Studies show that most children of divorce display the characteristic traits of aggression and disobedience with varying degree of intensity. Extreme cases of these conditions make the child a social misfit .

7. Trouble with relationships

When children grow seeing a marriage fail, they develop doubts about love and harmony in a relationship. They have trust issues and find it challenging to resolve conflicts in a relationship. Such children, as adults, will start any relationship with a negative mindset.

8. Prone to substance abuse

Drugs and alcohol become the avenues for adolescents to vent out their frustration and anxiety. Research has shown a higher incidence of substance abuse in teens whose parents are divorced (4). Of course, there are other factors like the care provided by the single parent, which determine the adolescent’s tendency to have drugs. However, the probability of an adolescent succumbing to the temptation is considerably high. Long-term substance abuse has damaging effects on the well-being of the child.

9. Depression

The feeling of anguish and heartbreak caused by parents’ divorce can make a child slip into depression. Depression is a mental health problem, and children who witness divorce have a higher incidence of depression and social withdrawal . Researchers note that divorce can be a contributing factor in cases of bipolar disorder observed in children (5).

10. Poor education and socio-economic position

The adverse psychological effects of divorce diminish a child’s interest in education. Children who experience the divorce of their parents show a drastic drop in their school grades (6). It can significantly impede a child’s ability to learn at school and college. A stunted progress in education hampers career prospects of the child as an adult, which make it difficult to have a decent socio-economic status. Divorce can take a toll on the children’s mental and physical health, but sometimes, separated parents are far better than quarreling parents. Don’t be surprised.

(Source: momjunction.com )

• Collinsdictionary
• www.nimh.nih.gov
• Oxfordlearnersdictionaries 
• Dictionary.cambridge 
• Makethconnection

In the article, the negative effects of divorce on children are classified into 2 categories: The Short-Term Effects Of Divorce On Children and Long-Term Effects Of Divorce On Children. These 2 key ideas are then carefully analyzed.

The ideas of the article are summarized and illustrated in the diagram below:

Diagram 1. 10 negative effects of divorce on children

It is definitely crucial for you to explore various issues relating to the topic “Family”, because it will help you not only to prepare for the IELTS Writing Task 2, but also to understand better about your own family. Divorce is a hot topic with innumerable burning questions that need to be answered. Some of its serious consequences have been mentioned in the article above. Hopefully, they will be useful for your preparation for IELTS Writing Task 2.

Now, it’s time for you to practice. You should spend 40 minutes to complete the task below.

Divorce is now one of the most serious modern issues. What are the primary causes and effects of divorce?

Write at least 250 words.

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• Family Vocabulary

It’s important to learn a good range of family vocabulary as there’s a high chance you’ll get questions about your family in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test.

The topic could also come up in Parts 2 and 3 as well as being the subject of the Writing, Listening or Reading tests.

Here are a few things you could be asked about:

• Facts about your family
• Details of family relationships
• Family activities & celebrations
• A family member you admire 
• Changes in family roles
• The generation gap
• Parental responsibility
• The future of the family

This page includes over 100 common words and phrases related to the family. I’ve added an explanation for each one and a sample sentence to show it in context where needed. This will help you to learn how to use this family vocabulary correctly.

Don’t try to learn them all. Look at my suggestions below as to the best way to use this list.

To ensure that you’re well prepared to answer any family-related question, I’ve included four things here:

• IELTS-style questions on the topic of the family
• Sample answers
• A list of common family vocabulary with definitions & sample sentences
• Links to online reading and listening resources

You’ll find PDF downloads of both the questions and sample answers and the family vocabulary list at the bottom of the respective sections.

The questions relate to the Speaking test because this part of the exam offers the broadest range of possible questions on this topic. They give the best opportunity for me to demonstrate the vocabulary and for you to practise using it.

I’ve included IELTS-style questions and answers for all three parts of the Speaking test. I've highlighted keywords and phrases in  bold .

You'll find these words and phrases, and many others, in the vocabulary list beneath. The list also includes the explanations and sample sentences and there’s an audio to listen to the pronunciation.

The vocabulary list contains words and phrases relevant to all parts of the IELTS exam.

Finally, at the bottom of the page, I've added links to topical articles, short videos and podcasts that will help you to improve both your family vocabulary and your reading and listening skills.

IELTS-Style Speaking Test Questions and Answers

Common family vocabulary is highlighted in  bold .

1) How many people are there in your immediate family?

Four people make up my immediate family – my dad, my sister and my two bothers . They all live close to me except for my youngest brother who moved away because of his work.

2) Do you get along well with your family?

Most definitely. I used to argue with my brothers and sister a lot when we were. It was sibling rivalry I guess but we get on really well now.

3) Which member of your family are you closest to?

I’d have to say my sister but we’re a close-knit family and we all get along just great.

4) How much time do you spend with your family?

We used to go to my parent’s house for Sunday tea every few weeks but since my mother died, my oldest brother , my sister and I take turns to spend time supporting our father . This means that we don’t all get together so often. However, we still have family gatherings on special occasions.

5) When did you last have a family party?

Just a few weeks ago. It was for my father’s birthday. We had a get-together at his house and we all took along cakes and snacks to share.

Describe a family celebration that you attended.

You should say:

• where this celebration was held
• why it was held
• what you did at the event

and explain what you enjoyed about the celebration.

One of the most memorable family events of recent years was my father’s 80 th birthday. We wanted to have a special celebration for him but decided to keep it a secret so as to surprise him on the day.

My youngest brother , who lives two and a half hours drive away from the rest of my immediate family , told Dad that he’d come down with his family so we could all go out for a meal together. What we actually did was to invite members of our extended family to come as well without my father knowing. Most of them live a long way away, like in London or Scotland, so we don’t see them very often. They came down the day before and stayed in local hotels.

There was a lot to arrange and it was difficult to sort everything without Dad guessing what we were up to. There were several times when I thought he must know something was going on but was just playing along and pretending he didn’t.

We booked a table at a local restaurant and on the day, my sister decorated it with balloons and other party bits and pieces. It looked amazing. It was a very long table as in the end there were more than twenty family members at the meal. So, as well as my parents and my siblings , there were also nieces , nephews , aunts , uncles and cousins . I think it was probably the biggest family gathering we’d ever had.

We arranged for Dad and Mum to be the last to arrive so that everyone else could be seated at the table waiting for them. I’ll never forget Dad’s face when he walked into the restaurant. He hadn’t guessed what we were arranging and it was a real surprise to him to see everyone there.

We had a lovely meal together but the best thing was spending time with all our relatives . It made me realize what a close-knit family we are even though we don’t see each other very often. I think that Dad enjoyed it too and I hope it showed him how much he means to our whole family .

1) In what ways can people in a family be similar to each other?

Both immediate and extended family members often have a lot of similarities. For example, they can look alike . My brother Steve is the spitting image of our cousin Peter, while my sister takes after our mother in the way she both looks and talks.

Also, relatives may be good at the same things or do similar types of work. Most of my extended family are either teachers or scientists.

Specific interests often run in the family . In my family , we all love the outdoors and nature, particularly the older generation . Younger family members do like to go out walking as well but now that my nieces and nephews are all teenagers , they spend a lot of time on their electronic gadgets.

The final way that people in a family can be alike is in their personality, and especially in their sense of humour.

2) In terms of personality, are people influenced more by their family or by their friends?

In my opinion, personality is mostly hereditary . I think that the main traits of a person’s character are passed down from parents to their offspring . Some people are more like their father , others more like their mother but most of us can recognise characteristics of both parents in our own personality. For example, I’m quiet like my dad and have my mum’s creativity.

How children are raised also affects the way they think, feel and behave as they grow up. Kids from a happy, stable family background generally have a normal personality. However, an unhappy childhood , which may include some form of abuse, will definitely affect a child’s mental development and their character later in life.

This suggests that personality can change so it’s probably true that the people we spend time with as friends and colleagues also influence the way we think, feel and behave. However, I don’t think that they alter our deepest character.

So in conclusion, I’d say that an understanding of personality is quite complex and involves both hereditary and social factors.

3) How has the role of elderly people in the family changed in recent times?

In the past, the older generation was highly respected in most cultures. They were considered to be wise because of all the things they’d learnt in their long lives. Elderly family members would have been family leaders, teachers and spiritual guides to the younger generation . They helped to maintain the structure and stability of the family .

One of their most important roles was to pass on the old traditions and to maintain traditional culture. The other vital job they did, especially the grandmothers , was to provide childcare for their grandchildren . They would certainly have played an important role in their upbringing .

In my country, most of this changed when it became normal for adult children to move away to study and get better jobs. Family ties are no longer so strong and elderly people aren’t respected as they once were. Grandparents aren’t the people we usually go to for advice these days. To be honest, many elderly people don’t have a significant role in most families any more. However, many do still look after the grandchildren if they live close to them.

Click this link to get a PDF download of these practise questions & sample answers.

Download PDF Now

* Important

• Do  not  try and learn this list of family vocabulary.
• Identify the vocabulary you find useful for answering practise questions about the family.
• Record these in your vocabulary notebook and practise using them regularly.

I recommend that you create your own answers to the Speaking questions on this page. You will find many other IELTS-style practise questions by searching online. 

For help on how to learn vocabulary, what to learn and how to record it, visit these pages:

How to Learn Vocabulary for IELTS

Top 6 Types of IELTS Vocabulary & Topic Word Lists

Family Vocabulary – Common Words & Phrases

Family Vocabulary Set 1: Types of Family

family – a group of people who are related to each other

- Mohit was very nervous when he met his girlfriend’s family for the first time.

immediate family – your closest relations, such as your parents, children, husband or wife

- My immediate family are my dad, mum and two sisters.

nuclear family – parents and their children

- The average nuclear family in the US is made up of parents and two children.

extended family – a family unit that includes grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, and uncles, etc. in addition to parents and children

- I have a large extended family with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

dysfunctional family – a family that is not behaving or working normally, where there is conflict, misbehaviour, etc.

- Cynthia came from a dysfunctional family and could often be seen wandering the street on her own when she was young.

Family Vocabulary Pronunciation

Family Vocabulary Set 2: Family Members - General Terms

family member – someone who belongs to a specific family

- I have family members living all over the world.

to be related to – to belong to the same family as

- I’m related to many people in my village as my family has lived here for generations.

a relative   – someone who is part of your family

- We are going to visit relatives who live on the coast for our holiday this year.

blood relative – someone you are related to through birth rather than marriage

- Aunty Sylvia is my blood relative but Uncle George, her husband, is only related to me by marriage.

distant relative – generally, a relative who is a third cousin or greater, or a great aunt or uncle, especially when you have little or no involvement with him or her.

- A member of my family died last week but they were a distant relative and I didn’t know them very well.

next of kin – the person or group of people you are most closely related to

- When you apply for a passport, you have to name your next of kin in case there is an emergency while you are away travelling.

descendants – a person who is related to you and who lives after you, such as your child or grandchild, and all future generations

ancestors – family members from past generations

- I’m writing my autobiography so that my descendants will know what life was like for one of their ancestors .

household – all the people who live in one house

- There are now only three people in my household as my older brother has gone away to university.

Family Vocabulary Set 3: Immediate family

father – a man in relation to his child or children

mother –  a  woman in relation to her child or children

parent – father or mother

husband – the male partner in a marriage; a married man

wife – the female partner in a marriage; a married woman

spouse – a husband or wife

son – a person’s boy child

daughter – a person’s girl child

brother – a male who has the same parents as another person

sister –  a female who has the same parents as another person

big brother / older brother (or sister) – older than you

little sister / younger sister (or brother) – younger than you

- I have two younger sisters but I do wish I had an older brother .

sibling – a brother or sister

- I have three  siblings , two brothers and a sister.

twin – either of two children born to the same mother on the same occasion

- My sister has just given birth to twins , a boy and a girl.

identical twins – twins who look exactly the same

- I have an identical twin brother and even our parents find it difficult to tell us apart.

an only child – a child who doesn’t have any brothers or sisters

- It can be lonely being an only child as you don’t have siblings to play with.

Family Vocabulary Set 4: Extended family

uncle – the brother of your mother or father

aunt – the sister of your mother or father

nephew – the male child of your brother or sister

niece – the female child of your brother or sister

cousin – a child of your uncle or aunt

grandparents – the parents of your parents

grandfather – the father of your mother or father

grandmother – the mother of your father or mother

grandchildren – the children of your children

grandson – the son of your son or daughter

granddaughter – the daughter of your son or daughter

Family Vocabulary Set 5: In-laws

in-laws  – the relatives of your husband or wife

- When we were first married, we couldn’t afford a place of our own so lived with the in-laws .

mother-in-law – mother of your spouse

- Many people don’t get on with their mother-in-law but mine is really nice.

father-in-law – father of your spouse

- My father-in-law offered me a job in the family business so he is also my boss.

son-in-law – the husband of your daughter

- I didn’t like Amir when I first met him but he’s a great son-in-law and helps me out whenever I need it.

daughter-in-law – the wife of your son

- We are very happy that our son has decided to marry Zehra and look forward to her becoming our daughter-in-law .

brother-in-law – the husband of your sister

- My brother-in-law is lazy and not a very good husband to my sister.

sister-in-law – the wife of your brother

- I often help my sister-in-law to look after my baby niece.

Family Vocabulary Set 6: Stepfamilies

step – in the context of family relationships, ‘step’ means that you are related to the person because of one of your parents marries one of their parents

stepmother – the wife of your father, but not your biological mother

stepfather – the husband of your mother, but not your biological father

stepson –  the son of your new wife or husband, but not your biological son

stepdaughter – the daughter of your new wife or husband, but not your biological daughter

stepsister – the daughter of your stepmother or stepfather

stepbrother – t he son of your stepmother or stepfather

half-brother – a brother you have only one parent in common with

half-sister – a sister you have only one parent in common with

Family Vocabulary Set 7: Parenting

parent – a person's father or mother

- I’m glad that my parents live close by as it’s easy to visit them.

motherhood – the state of being a mother

- I’d like to have children one day but I’m not ready for motherhood yet.

fatherhood – the state of being a father

- Sakda is taking the responsibilities of fatherhood seriously and now only goes out drinking with his friends once a month.

to start a family – to have children

- Billy and I are planning to start a family as soon as we get married.

to give birth – to have a baby

- It was a special moment in Cesar’s life when he saw his wife giving birth to their first child.

offspring – a person's child or children

- My two sisters are coming over later with their offspring so the house is going to be very noisy.

family man – a man who enjoys being at home with his wife and children

- Deepak used to love partying but now that he has kids he’s become a real family man .

family life – the kind of life a person normally leads when they are married and have children 

- My husband and I enjoy doing lots of activities with our children and we all have a great family life together.

to raise (a child) – to take ​care of a child until they become an adult 

- It’s a big responsibility raising children but I love being a parent.

to bring up (a child) – to raise a child

- When Jae-min’s husband died, she was left to bring up the children on her own.

upbringing – the way in which you are treated and educated when young, especially by your parents

- I was fortunate to have a good upbringing but not all children have caring parents who look after them well and teach them the right way to behave.

to support (a family) – to have enough money to be able to look after a family

- Egor earned very low wages and had to work two jobs to support his family.

breadwinner – the member of a family who earns most of the money that the family needs

- In many countries, men are expected to be the breadwinner  in a family.

dependant – someone who depends on you for financial support, such as a child or family member who does not work

- I‘m working hard to get a promotion and earn more money now that I’m a husband and a father and have dependants who rely on me.

to adopt – to legally take another person's child into your own family and take care of them as your own child

- Paul and Siri were unable to have children of their own and decided to adopt a baby.

to foster – to take care of someone else’s child, usually for a limited time, without becoming the child's legal parent

- Even though I’m an only child, I always had other boy’s and girl’s to play with when I was growing up as mum and dad often used to foster other children.

over-protective parents – a parent who protect their child too much

- Overprotective parents can prevent their children from building confidence and independence.

spoilt child – a child who shows bad behaviour because they have been allowed to do or have anything they want

- I don’t like playing with the girl next door because she’s a spoilt child and gets in a temper if I don’t let her win all the games.

single parent – a person bringing up a child or children without a partner

- My sister is a single parent now that her husband has left her.

stay at home parent / stay at home mum – a parent who stays at home  to take care of their children rather than going out to work

- These days, it’s far more usual for men to be a stay-at-home parent than when I was young when it was always the mother who looked after the kids.

to look after – to take care of

- I’m going to look after my daughter’s children on Saturday while she has a day out with her friends.

childcare – the care of children, especially by a crèche, nursery or childminder while parents are working

- Childcare is a big problem for many working parents and they are lucky if their own parents can help out.

strict – strongly limiting someone's freedom to behave as they wish, or likely to severely punish someone if they do not obey

- My parents are very  strict  with me and I have to finish all my homework before I’m allowed to play or watch TV.

authoritarian – demanding that people obey completely and refusing to allow them the freedom to act as they wish

- My father was very  authoritarian  when I was growing up and I was terrified of him.

Family Vocabulary Set 8: The Generations

generation – all the people of about the same age within a society or within a particular family

- It’s hard to believe how much everyday life has changed for my grandparent’s generation .

older generation – people of middle-age and older

younger generation – young adults, teenagers and children

- The older generation are often stuck in their ways, while the younger generation welcome change.

generation gap – a difference of opinions between one  generation  and another regarding beliefs and attitudes, often leading to a lack of understanding between them

- It’s a skilled politician who can bridge the generation gap .

teenager – a person aged between 13 and 19 years

- My lovely little boy turned into a rebellious monster when he was a teenager but now he’s a lovely young man.

adolescent – a young person who is developing into an adult

- Many adolescents  develop emotional problems as they try to find their place in the world.

Family Vocabulary Set 9: Other vocabulary

sibling rivalry – the feeling of competitiveness that often exists between brothers and sisters 

- There was huge sibling rivalry between my two brothers and they were always fighting but they are the best of friends now that they’re adults.

run in the family – a common feature in a family; something which is passed from parents to children

- Artistic ability seems to run in the family .

hereditary – passed from the genes of a parent to a child

- Diabetes is hereditary in our family so I make sure that I eat healthily and keep fit to lessen my chances of getting it.

childhood – the time when someone is a child

- Many children in the world do not have a happy childhood .

family background – the details of a person's  family regarding education, social status, etc.

- We want our son to marry a girl from a good family background .

family gathering / family get-together – an informal event where family members meet up

- We’re having a family get-together to celebrate my mother’s birthday.

close-knit – involving groups of people in which everyone supports each other

- We’re a close-knit family and know that we can rely on each other when one of us needs help.

family ties – the sense of connection between family members

- Family ties aren’t as strong as they used to be in my country because relatives often live many miles apart and even in different countries.

to care for – to provide the things someone needs, especially someone who is young, old, or ill

- In my country, sons and daughters are expected to care for their elderly parents.

a widow – a woman whose husband has died

- Her husband died young and she has been a widow for almost thirty years now.

a widower – a man whose wife has died

- My mother died last year so my father is now a widower .

to desert – to leave someone without help or in a difficult situation and not come back

- My father deserted us when I was young and my mother has brought me up on her own.

Family Vocabulary Set 10: Idioms

There are many idioms about the family but I’ve chosen just a few that might prove a useful addition to your family vocabulary. Pick only one or two to learn and make sure that you know how to use them 100% or they won’t make sense.

If you’re unsure about them, give them a miss rather than risking sounding silly.

get on with / get along with – to like someone and have a friendly relationship with them

- I used to fight with my siblings when we were young but I get on with them really well now that we’re adults.

to fall out with / to have a falling out – to have a disagreement which ruins a relationship with that person

- I fell out with my sister when she started dating my boyfriend.

- The two brothers had a falling out over the broken toy.

on speaking terms – friendly enough to talk

- My parents had a big argument and are not on speaking terms at the moment.

to look alike – to look very similar to someone else

- My twin sister and I look alike and people often call us by each other’s names.

to take after (someone) – to be very similar to an older family member

- Mila was excellent at drawing. She took after her mother who was a famous artist.

a chip off the old block – the person is very similar (in character and personality) to one of their parents

- Sanjay is always cracking jokes, just like his father. He’s a real chip off the old block .

to follow in someone’s footsteps – to do the same thing as someone else did previously, especially someone in your family

- I want to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a doctor like he is.

spitting image  – to look extremely similar to someone

- Cher is the spitting image of her mother.

wears the trousers – to be the person in a family who holds the authorit y and makes decisions

- My dad likes to thinks that he’s in charge but it’s my mother who wears the trousers in our house.

black sheep (of the family) – someone who brings shame to their family by being different or doing something wrong

- My brother first started getting into trouble with the police when he was a teenager and he’s become the black sheep of the family.

Click this link to get a PDF download of this list of family vocabulary.

Ways to Improve Your Family Vocabulary

One of the best ways to improve your family vocabulary is through reading. Watching topic related YouTube videos and listening to podcasts is also hugely beneficial.

Here are some online resources I recommend.

Articles About the Family

Australian Institute of Family Studies

Raising Children – The Australian Parenting Website

The Independent - Family

The New York Times - Family

I love TED Talks. They are short videos with a powerful message and are generally very interesting. They’re ideal for improving your vocabulary and give valuable listening skills practise.

Search TED Talks - The Family  & TED Talks - Parenting to help you improve your family vocabulary.

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Family: IELTS speaking part 1 sample questions and answers

IELTS speaking part 1 sample questions and answers: Topic: Family

Content of the post

• The article contains sample questions and answers for IELTS speaking part 1 topic Family .
• It also contains the band 7+ word used in this topic plus words useful for the topic.
• Further the article contains the links of cue card and part 3 related to topic family .

  IELTS speaking part 1 sample  questions.

Topic: Family

How many members are there in your family?

Do your grandparents live with you?

Do your family members get along with each other?

• Do you think family’s support is important for getting ahead in life?

Who is the closest to you among your family members?

Do you think living in a joint family is better than living in a nuclear family?

What are the advantages of living in a nuclear family?

Do you think families in the past were closer than nowadays?

IELTS speaking part 1 sample questions and answers:

There are 4 members in my family. I, mom, dad and one sweet younger sister.

My father is a government employee. He has been doing his job for 20 years. He is a hard worker and honest person. My mother is a housewife with a very compassionate heart and workaholic mind. My sister is studying in 12 th standard.

No, I wish they would live with me. However, they prefer noise free and serene environment of village. So, they live in my hometown. But I visit them whenever I get time in the vacation. Sometimes they come to our place to give us some time. We enjoy their company a lot especially my grandfather.

Yes, definitely. We are very much close to each other. We care for each other.  There is a respect for elders and love for Youngers in my family. My father always respects my grandfather and mother and so do I.

We are emotionally attached to each other. There is a strong sense of responsibility in my family. I feel privileged to have such a family.

Do you think family’s support is important for getting ahead in life?

Certainly, family support is the first thing required in getting ahead in life. Family helps in taking good decision either for study or business. It also fulfills the financial requirements. The most important thing which family gives us the moral support.  We never get tired of fighting the world if our family is in support.

Well, all members of my family are close to my heart. But I feel my mom has same mindset and personality as I. in that sense I am having more conversation and spending more time with my mom as compared to any other members of my family.

Of course, living in joint families is far better than living in a nuclear family . There are numerous reasons. Usually there is more emotional support in a joint family. We can share our problems with other family members. By that way we can feel relaxed, and our problems will also get sorted out.

Well according to me, one should not live in a nuclear family unless and until some circumstances arise. But that’s what I believe.  There are myriad people who are in favor of living in a nuclear family.

There are some benefits of living in a nuclear family. First of which is a privacy. Some people give utmost importance to privacy specifically the people of today’s generation. One more benefit we can enlist here is the less conflict between members. As there are fewer members in nuclear family. The chances of dispute are also less.

It is actually debatable whether the families in the past were closer or todays. As far as I believe families in the past were closer than today’s families. The very first reason I see is the overuse of technology in today’s generation.

Nowadays, every family member is bust in his mobile. He does not get time even to look from his mobile. It is actually an addiction. In the past mobiles were not there so families had plenty of times together. They talked frequently.

Vocabulary: IELTS speaking part 1: topic family

Compassionate: pitiful

Workaholic: Extremely hardworking

Serene: beautiful and calm

Privileged: lucky

Nuclear family: family in which small numbers of people  live.

Circumstances: situations

Myriad: many

Utmost: greatest

Conflict: dispute

IELTS speaking cue card related to family. 

Describe a friend of your family you remember from your childhood.