GT Writing Task 2 (Essay Writing) Sample # 34
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that children are given too much free time. They feel that this time should be used to do more school work.
How do you think children should spend their free time?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1:
Children, in this modern era, are already under constant stress from their school, parents and peers. So when people advocate for more school work and academic pressure on those children during their free time, I feel that their option is misguided as children should enjoy their childhood rather than become machines.
To begin with, parents want their offspring to be the top scorer at school besides being excellent in extracurricular activities while schools expect students to be punctual, talented and hard-working pupils. Since competition is high everywhere, younger children take extra pressure to do good in the academic arena. Thus they have fewer leisure hours and higher expectations from their parents. So the well-deserved and hard-earned leisure hours must be enjoyable, and beneficial for children’s health.
Children should be allowed to enjoy the outdoors whenever they are free. This is specifically true in this modern era when most children are confined within buildings. This can be arranged by the parents and schools so that free time spent by students refreshes them and prepare them to study properly. Outdoor activities benefit children to socialise and play with other children which ultimately teaches them important soft skills. Moreover, outdoor activities keep children healthy which is a prerequisite to good academic performance.
I also believe that parents should take their children to museums, libraries, theatres, zoological gardens, stadiums, parks and amusement parks in their free time so that children can enjoy and learn on one hand and enhance their bond with their parents on the other hand. This way children will become motivated to read and learn or take some physical activities or sports as hobbies. They will also become closer to their parents and grow a positive mentality about the world which in my opinion is vital for future success.
To conclude, as parents our expectations are high from our children but we should also let them enjoy their childhood and grow as healthy and positive human beings which would ultimately help them succeed in life.
Model Answer 2:
Many people now think that children are having a considerable amount of leisure time. They go on to argue that this time ought to be utilized productively by doing more homework. This essay will suggest that children should be allowed to do leisure pursuits, such as sports, in their spare time because these activities play a major role in children’s all-round development.
First of all, children develop life skills through sports. Through sports, children can learn how to accept and cope with the highs and lows of life. When children are playing, they learn to defeat. Defeat teaches them how to bounce back from failure and cope with unpleasant experiences, which in turn plays a major role in becoming resilient. A recent study has discovered that executives who played sports are more resilient than their counterparts. Secondly, playing sports helps children develop several crucial social skills set. It teaches them about cooperating with others and teamwork. Besides, it also develops a sense of belonging and provides them with an excellent opportunity to make new friends and build their social circle. Most importantly, it helps to hone their communication skills, which will help them to have the edge over their competitors in their future careers and relationships.
Last but not least, like sports, unstructured plays also enhance cognitive functions while boosting social and emotional development. It allows children to make their own games and rules of play. The opportunity to utilize imagination plays a vital role in cognitive development. Similarly, playing in their free time also sharpens their problem-solving skills. A good example here is the childhood of many scientists from my country. Their childhood stories show that they had enough free time and scope to play and thus they learned to solve problems.
It seems reasonable to draw the conclusion that children should be allowed to spend their leisure time playing or doing fun activities. This is because it fosters the overall well-being of a child and prepares them for future challenges.
Model Answer 3:
In today’s fast-paced world, children have increasingly busy schedules, with school, extracurricular activities, and homework taking up most of their time. However, some people believe that children are given too much free time, and it should be used to do more school work. In my opinion, while it is essential for children to focus on their studies, they should also be allowed to enjoy their free time and engage in activities that promote their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Firstly, physical activity is crucial for children’s development, and it is important that they engage in sports or other physical activities during their free time. This not only helps in keeping them fit but also provides a healthy outlet for their energy and helps them develop essential motor skills. For instance, playing outdoor games such as football or basketball promotes teamwork and teaches children important life skills such as perseverance, resilience, and communication.
Secondly, children should be encouraged to pursue their hobbies and interests in their free time. This allows them to explore their creativity and develop a passion for things that they enjoy. For example, children interested in music or art can use their free time to learn new skills, practice and improve their techniques, and perhaps even perform or showcase their work.
However, it is also important to strike a balance between free time and academics. Children should be encouraged to complete their homework and engage in learning activities that help them grow intellectually. In conclusion, while it is crucial to emphasize the importance of academics, it is equally important to allow children to spend their free time engaging in activities that promote their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.