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Discussion (Discuss both views) Family and children Task 2

Some people say that children should spend their free time on clubs and extra classes. Other, however, believe they should spend their leisure time doing activities with their families. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

A full IELTS Writing Task 2 answer to this question, with a paragraph plan and what this question type is asking you to do.

The question

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people say that children should spend their free time on clubs and extra classes. Other, however, believe they should spend their leisure time doing activities with their families. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

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

Write at least 250 words.

How to read this question

You are given two opposing views and asked to discuss both before giving your own. The single most common Band 6 cause here is discussing both sides but never stating your own opinion, or stating it only in the conclusion.

Paragraph plan

Introduction — Paraphrase + both views + balanced opinion

Body 1 — First view with specific examples

Body 2 — Second view with specific examples

Body 3 — Balanced opinion with clear explanation

Conclusion — Summarize both views and restate opinion

Model answer

Model answer

331 words

The question of how children should utilize their leisure hours has sparked considerable debate. While some advocate for structured extracurricular programs and educational clubs, others emphasize the irreplaceable value of family bonding time. In my view, both approaches offer distinct benefits that complement each other in fostering comprehensive child development.

Proponents of organized activities highlight their role in skill development and social growth. Participation in debate clubs, for instance, enhances critical thinking and public speaking abilities, while coding workshops prepare children for an increasingly digital future. These structured environments also expose children to diverse peer groups, fostering cultural awareness and collaborative skills that extend beyond their immediate social circles. Moreover, such activities often provide professional guidance from trained instructors who can identify and nurture specific talents that might otherwise remain undiscovered.

Conversely, advocates for family-centered leisure emphasize its fundamental role in emotional and moral development. Regular family activities, such as weekend hiking or cooking traditional recipes together, create meaningful traditions while transmitting cultural values across generations. Parents serve as primary role models during these interactions, demonstrating problem-solving techniques and ethical decision-making in real-world contexts. Additionally, unstructured family time allows children to decompress from academic pressures and develop authentic relationships within their most supportive environment.

I believe both approaches are essential, with their relative importance varying according to individual circumstances and developmental stages. Younger children may benefit more from family-centered activities that establish security and basic values, while adolescents might gain greater advantage from structured programs that build independence and specialized skills. Furthermore, family financial resources and cultural backgrounds inevitably influence the availability and appropriateness of various options, suggesting that flexibility rather than rigid adherence to either approach serves children's interests most effectively.

In conclusion, while organized clubs and classes provide valuable skill development and social opportunities, family time offers irreplaceable emotional support and value formation. Rather than viewing these options as competing alternatives, parents should strive to create a thoughtful balance that addresses their children's evolving developmental needs and individual circumstances.

Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.

This is a discussion (discuss both views) question. The model answer above shows you what a strong answer looks like when it is finished. What it cannot show you is how to get there from a blank page in forty minutes.

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