IELTS Essays Questions About Business, Media And Advertising
Opinion Essays
Some people think that employers should ensure a pleasant working environment so that workers feel valued and will therefore work hard. Others feel that employers should be more strict with employees and monitor them closely to ensure they work hard.
What is your opinion?
Certain groups of people are of the opinion that employers ought to create a work space that is comfortable and pleasing for the workforce. There are also those who feel that a more disciplinarian approach and more scrutiny of employees is essential to improve productivity. Personally, I believe that a positive environment where everybody is relaxed and comfortable produces the most productive working environment. This essay shall offer reasons and examples to support this point of view.
First of all, a relaxed and comfortable working environment enables employees to focus on their job rather than worry about being constantly monitored. Most people find it distracting and even annoying when they are constantly watched. It can create an unhealthy atmosphere of mistrust and resentment towards the managers which is highly unlikely to improve productivity. A 1997 study by the University of Manchester investigated the effect of workplace monitoring and came to the conclusion that this not only had no positive impact on performance but actually increased labour turnover.
In addition to the above, levels of creativity are likely to drop if there are many strict rules to obey. When an employee is focusing on what they can and cannot do then they are likely to feel restricted and therefore be less creative. For example, Gortex Ltd are aware of this fact and allow their employees a great deal of freedom as this enables them to constantly keep innovating and producing cutting edge materials for their rain proof garments. Furthermore, if employees are allowed to be creative they are more likely to be motivated by their work which can equate to additional profits for the company in the long term.
Overall, the increased focus, motivation and innovation that an enjoyable working environment brings should not be ignored by managers and business owners. It is their responsibility to develop this either by trial and error, or through their own expertise.
317 words
In the last few decades there have been more and more cases of famous people being chased and harassed by newspaper journalists. Some people think that famous people in the media should not expect to have a private life.
To what extent do you agree?
Celebrities in the public eye have been increasingly harassed and pursued by media paparazzi over the last ten to twenty years. Certain groups of people believe that famous people should expect and accept this type of attention regardless of whether they wish to have a private life or not. Personally, I completely agree with this view point and this essay shall attempt to explain reasons supporting this position.
In recent years many people deliberately try to become famous and by making that choice they need to accept the loss of a private life. Fame often brings with it wealth and a lifestyle that most people can only dream of. However, nothing in life should come for free and fame has its own price to pay, which is that of the loss of personal privacy. No celebrity can escape this scrutiny and has been a major cause of depression and even suicides among celebrities. For instance, one of the most famous musicians of all time Michael Jackson was well know to struggle with depression, as too was Heath Ledger who also suffered fro depression before overdosing on a cocktail of drugs.
Furthermore, when a person becomes famous they also automatically become a role model to other members of society so naturally they cannot expect to be have a private life. The moment they engaged with the benefits of being a celebrity is the moment they decided to give up their personal life. It is up to them how well they deal with this fact and whether they allow it to effect their lives or not. For example, David Beckham is one of the most famous people in the world and although he has at times suffered from overly zealous members of the press he has managed to manage this and remain a happily married family man.
In conclusion, becoming a celebrity is a choice and if you choose fame then you should accept the fact that this may have a negative impact on your private life. Becoming a role model and gaining easy access to money quite rightly comes with consequences that need considering before accepting them.
356 words
Companies should avoid recruiting young women who have not started a family yet as they may be required to pay for their maternity leave later on.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sales companies often try to recruit people who are motivated by money, as they believe that it will make them work harder.
Do you believe people are motivated to work hard by money and what other factors should be considered when searching for new sales staff?
Some people are of the opinion that giving a good first impression at an interview is the key to securing a good job.
To what extent do you agree?
Some people feel that they should not have to pay any tax and should be able to keep all of the money that they earn.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Attaining a job which provides job satisfaction is difficult to do in many developing countries.
Why do you think that is the case and do you think Job satisfaction is important?
Sales companies often try to recruit people who are motivated by money, as they believe that it will make them work harder.
Do you believe people are motivated to work hard by money and what other factors should be considered when searching for new sales staff?
Some people believe international sports events aid world peace.
Do you agree or disagree?
In many countries around the world it is common for families to run their own business. Some people think that keeping the business within the family is the best approach whilst other believe this could lead to problems.
What is your opinion?
The majority of news that is reported is very upsetting news; such as wars, famine, accidents and crime.
Why do you think that is the case and do you think the news should be a balance of both positive and negative news?
Some people believe that the most effective way to judge someone’s success in business is by the amount of profit they create.
Is money an accurate reflection of the success of a business, and how else could the success of a business be judged?
Most people believe everything they read in newspapers even when no evidence is supplied.
Do you think all news is true and what is the function of a newspaper?
One of the prime times for advertising on TV is when children return home from school. Some people believe that targeting advertisements directly at children should be banned.
What is your opinion?
Discussion Essays
Some companies have uniforms for their employees which must be worn when they are at work.
What are the advantages for a business of having a uniform and are there any advantages of having uniform for their staff?
More and more people are buying what they need on the internet.
What are the advantages and disadvantages for both individuals and businesses to shopping online?
Some employers want their employees to be contactable for work purposes at all times.
Does this attitude have more advantages than disadvantages?
Some people are of the opinion that the best way to operate a business is within the family.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of a family run company?
Some people are of the opinion that the best way to operate a business is within the family.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of a family run company?
Discussion and Opinion Essays
Some people believe that when recruiting new staff, businesses should try to attract people who can work independently on their own, while others believe that they should recruit people who are able to work in a team.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people are of the opinion that children’s behaviour is influenced by what they see on television; where as others say that the role their parents play is more influential.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
One of the biggest motivators for people at work is to gain a promotion.
Why do you think people are so motivated to attain promotion and what other factors increase worker motivation?
Situation Essays
IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic)
Discover how to describe all types of visual data that you may see in this part of the test.
Sshhhhh! Listen closely, here are some valuable tips, techniques and strategies for maximising your listening band score.
IELTS Writing Task 1 (General)
Discover how to write in the correct format and tone for this part of the test.
Learn 'what' to say and 'how' to say it in each part of the test to impress the examiner.
"Grab Your IELTS Writing Task 2 Cheat Sheet Here!"
Tired of wasting time and money trying to write a band 7 essay? Then let the ‘Cheat Sheet’ do the work!
We value your privacy and would never spam you
- Opinion essay structure
- Step-by-step instructions
- Common topic areas
- Practice questions
- Sentence by sentence guide
- The 6 Golden rules for success