IELTS Writing Sample #65
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people believe that the best way of learning about life is by
listening to the advice of family and friends. Other people believe that the
best way of learning about life is through personal experience. Compare the
advantages of these two different ways of learning about life. Which do you
think is preferable?
Use specific examples to support your preference.
You should write at least 250 words.
model answer:
From my everyday experience and observation I can stand that the best way of
learning about life is through personal experience. However, some people think
that it is wiser to learn about life through listening to the advice of family
and friends. It does not mean I totally disagree with this way of learning.
Moreover, I think that it is wise for a person to take an intermediate position
because each of these ways has its own advantages. Bellow I will give my reasons
to support my point of view.
From the one side, learning through one's personal experience brings many
benefits. First of all, scientists say that personal experience has greater
impact on a person. I have to agree with this. Take for example children. They
will not believe their parents that something can hurt them until they try it
and make sure in it. Furthermore, most likely they will remember this experience
longer. Second of all, people learn how to analyze their mistakes, make
conclusions and next time try to avoid them. So, I think it is a great
experience that makes people stronger, more self-confident and persistent. They
gain more knowledge and experience that will be very helpful and valuable in the
future.
From the other side, listening to the advice of family and friends brings many
benefits too. Parents with great patience pass down their knowledge and
experience to their children. They teach them all they know and they want their
children do not make the same mistakes. In addition to those practical benefits,
learning from someone's advice is painless. For example, parents nowadays very
often talk to their children about drugs. I think it is a great example when one
should not try drugs in order to gain new experience. I think it is a case when
children must trust their parents.
To sum up, I think it is wise to combine both of these ways to learn and try to
analyze personal mistakes as well as not personal. I think together they can
greatly simplify one's life and make the way to success shorter.
(350 words)