IELTS General Writing Task 2 — Model Answer Band 8
Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would have little effect on public health and that other measures are required. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
A Discuss and Opinion Essay
with a Direct Approach Introduction
A problem of modern societies is the declining level of health in the general population, with conflicting views on how to tackle this worrying trend. One possible solution is to provide more sports facilities to encourage a more active lifestyle.
Advocates of this believe that today's sedentary lifestyle and stressful working conditions mean that physical activity is no longer part of either the work or our leisure time. If there were easy-to-reach local sports centres, we would be more likely to make exercise a regular part of our lives, rather than just collapsing in front of a screen every evening. The variety of sports that could be offered would cater for all ages, level of fitness and interests: those with painful memories of PE at school might be happier in the swimming pool than on the football pitch.
However, there may be better ways to tackling this problem. Interest in sports is not universal, and additional facilities might only attract the already fit, not those who most need them. Physical activity could be encouraged relatively cheaply, for example by installing exercise equipment in parks, as my local council has done. This has the added benefit that parents and children often use together just for fun, which develops a positive attitude to exercise at an early age.
As well as physical activity, high tax penalties could be imposed on hight-fat food products, tobacco and alcohol, as excessive consumption of any of these contributes to poor health. Even improving public transport would help: it takes longer to walk to the bus station than to the car.
In my opinion, focusing on sports facilities is too narrow an approach and would not have a desired results. People should be encouraged not only to be more physically active but also to adopt a healthier lifestyle in general.
