ielts essay on gender equality

Sample essay on gender equality

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Welcome to another of our IELTS task 2 essay samples. Students often ask us, how do I write a band 9 essay? Well, writing a band 9 essay task 2 answer is certainly not easy, but the first step is to look at excellent examples and get an idea of appropriate language and layout.

The following is an example of an essay on gender equality which is a common topic for the IELTS essay. This gender equality essay (IELTS task 2) may come up in either the Academic or General IELTS test.

The first step is to read the question carefully. It will often begin with a statement along the lines of, 'the position of women has changed a great deal in recent years' or 'some people feel that equality between the sexes cannot be achieved' . You may get a gender equality IELTS essay where you are focusing on how the sexes are equal (or not) or an essay on gender discrimination where you might be looking more at examples of negative treatment of women, the reasons for this and possible solutions.

A gender equality essay, or gender discrimination essay is somewhat flexible and you can adapt the question to your own knowledge and experience as well as using some global examples that you might be aware of such as the recent demonstrations in Iran.

Sample Gender Equality Question

Women can do everything that men can and they even do it better. They also can do many things that men cannot. But it is a fact that their work is not appreciated as much as men's, although they have to sacrifice a lot for their family and career. It is said: "A woman's place is in the home." What do you think?

IELTS Model Essay on Gender Equality

Women and men have had different roles in the community since the beginning. Under modern pretexts these differences are slowly converging. However, due to the genetic inheritance and socio-demographic components, these differences do exist.

Firstly, men are undoubtedly better adapted genetically to perform physical tasks. Therefore, the assumption that women can match men in everything is clearly flawed. The difference between their physical abilities is clearly demonstrated in the sporting arena. Take, for example, the Olympics or any international sporting event. It can be clearly seen that in these competitions the genders are separated due to inherent differences between the sexes.

Secondly, it has been argued that women are less appreciated in society due to their traditional roles in the home. This statement is true to a certain extent because it largely depends on the society. In certain traditional societies in Africa, females working is frowned upon and is seen as neglecting the family, whereas in Afghanistan, in general, females are allowed to do little else but stay at home, being a housewife.

Consequently, a woman’s value is largely dictated by the society, culture and history. Nevertheless, to state that her place is in the home is widely considered sexist in modern western societies.

To conclude, differences do certainly exist; however, these are largely through nature. Also, the role women may have is usually dictated by other factors, such as, religion or society, not ability.

IELTS Writing Task 2 gender topic common questions

1. Is this model the same as agree or disagree questions about gender? 

Absolutely, yes. 'What do you think?' is the same as asking whether you agree or disagree with the preceding statement.

2. For my gender equality writing task 2, I am worried that I won't have enough facts to support my arguments.

Don't worry about accuracy with places and exact dates, the important thing is your ideas, and if you need to give examples, you can mention different countries. That will be fine. Essay writing on gender equality is not the same as submitting a research paper, you only need to set out your arguments, not reference everything.

3. We didn't study gender equality essay writing in class. Can I still answer the question? 

Of course, you can! It's impossible to study for every potential question in IELTS writing task 2. Gender equality is one of many possibilities and every given subject has scope for flexibility.  Just stay calm, think about your own experiences and knowledge from your own community and the position of women in different professions in your own country, and you will be able to think of some ideas and relevant examples to form your main arguments. These will be the topic sentences for the body paragraphs in your essay. Remember, each paragraph should have one clear topic sentence.

And finally - you may get a gender equality IELTS speaking question in part 3 of the speaking test relating to female students in higher education, women doing military service or women in different professions and how they are treated compared to their male counterparts.

Other possibilities include questions about women in developed countries and whether they have similar rights to men. If so, the vocabulary in the sample answer above will ensure that you are well-prepared to speak about equal opportunity!

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Gender Issues

Advance your IELTS Writing skills on Gender Issues with IELTS24's practice questions, expert feedback, and benchmark model essays.

IELTS24 invites you to delve into the critical discourse of Gender Issues in our IELTS Writing Task 2 section. Explore a wide array of essay prompts examining gender equality, representation, and societal roles. Our model essays provide exemplary responses to these prompts, aiding your understanding and preparation. Utilize our real-time writing practice and expert feedback to hone your essay skills for a superior IELTS performance.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Gender & Study (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)

by Dave | Real Past Tests | 3 Comments

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of gender and study/education from the real IELTS exam.

It features two very common topics – education and gender.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Gender & Study (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)

In many schools and universities today, women have a tendency to study the humanities (such as the arts and languages) while men more often major in science related subjects. Some believe this tendency should be changed. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Real Past IELTS Test/Exam

Today more and more parents and policymakers are concerned with the disproportionate ratio of males studying science relative to females. In my opinion, though there are likely social factors at play here that need addressing, there is little value enforcing this change.

The main reason that many are striving to remedy this imbalance is because they feel it is societal, not natural. For centuries, women have subjugated their careers and education to male siblings and husbands. This has led to a history of mostly male role models in scientific pursuits, with women like Mary Shelly and Frida more likely to shine in the arts. Even today, there is a widespread bias that men are better at science that may discourage girls. There have been a number of famous studies cataloging the gender imbalance in science, with most researchers attributing this to social, rather than genetic, factors.

Nonetheless, heavy-handed efforts to force change are detrimental to both men and women. Women who are helped or strongly encouraged to pursue science rather than the arts will be less self-reliant and more likely to develop self-esteem problems. A corollary example would be the failure of affirmative action to promote racial equality. Individuals prosper when societal barriers to success are removed and they are given the opportunity to help themselves. If overly strong measures are taken, such as a quota of female majors in a given subject, that might place less qualified candidates above more deserving ones and then later manifest itself in reduced self-confidence from the unfairly elevated and resentment from those who were passed over.

In conclusion, though I am in favour of all reforms to provide for equal educational opportunity for the sexes, attempts to reform a tendency rather than allow for its change will bring about more harm than good. Rather, parents and educators should encourage students to pursue their passions.

1. Today more and more parents and policymakers are concerned with the disproportionate ratio of males studying science relative to females. 2. In my opinion, though there are likely social factors at play here that need addressing, there is little value enforcing this change.

• Paraphrase the overall topic.
• Clearly state your opinion.

1. The main reason that many are striving to remedy this imbalance is because they feel it is societal, not natural. 2. For centuries, women have subjugated their careers and education to male siblings and husbands. 3. This has led to a history of mostly male role models in scientific pursuits, with women like Mary Shelly and Frida more likely to shine in the arts. 4. Even today, there is a widespread bias that men are better at science that may discourage girls. 5. There have been a number of famous studies cataloging the gender imbalance in science, with most researchers attributing this to social, rather than genetic, factors.

• Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
• Develop it – here I start with an historical arguments.
• Then I state the result of this history.
• Finally I connect it to the present day.
• And conclude with some research to back up my claim.

1. Nonetheless, heavy-handed efforts to force change are detrimental to both men and women. 2. Women who are helped or strongly encouraged to pursue science rather than the arts will be less self-reliant and more likely to develop self-esteem problems. 3. A corollary example would be the failure of affirmative action to promote racial equality. 4. Individuals prosper when societal barriers to success are removed and they are given the opportunity to help themselves. 5. If overly strong measures are taken, such as a quota of female majors in a given subject, that might place less qualified candidates above more deserving ones and then later manifest itself in reduced self-confidence from the unfairly elevated and resentment from those who were passed over.

• Write another topic sentence with your main idea at the end.
• Begin to support your opinion.
• Use an example – here I argue by analogy.
• Develop your example.
• Finish your development. Vary using long and short sentences.

1. In conclusion, though I am in favour of all reforms to provide for equal educational opportunity for the sexes, attempts to reform a tendency rather than allow for its change will bring about more harm than good. 2. Rather, parents and educators should encourage students to pursue their passions.

• Repeat your opinion.
• Add in a final detail/thought.

What do the words in bold below mean:

Today more and more parents and policymakers are concerned with the disproportionate ratio of males studying science relative to females. In my opinion, though there are likely social factors at play here that need addressing , there is little value enforcing this change .

The main reason that many are striving to remedy this imbalance is because they feel it is societal , not natural . For centuries , women have subjugated their careers and education to male siblings and husbands. This has led to a history of mostly male role models in scientific pursuits , with women like Mary Shelly and Frida more likely to shine in the arts. Even today, there is a widespread bias that men are better at science that may discourage girls. There have been a number of famous studies cataloging the gender imbalance in science, with most researchers attributing this to social, rather than genetic , factors.

Nonetheless, heavy-handed efforts to force change are detrimental to both men and women. Women who are helped or strongly encouraged to pursue science rather than the arts will be less self-reliant and more likely to develop self-esteem problems . A corollary example would be the failure of affirmative action to promote racial equality . Individuals prosper when societal barriers to success are removed and they are given the opportunity to help themselves. If overly strong measures are taken, such as a quota of female majors in a given subject , that might place less qualified candidates above more deserving ones and then later manifest itself in reduced self-confidence from the unfairly elevated and resentment from those who were passed over .

In conclusion, though I am in favour of all reforms to provide for equal educational opportunity for the sexes, attempts to reform a tendency rather than allow for its change will bring about more harm than good . Rather , parents and educators should encourage students to pursue their passions .

policymakers politicians

concerned worried about

disproportionate ratio too many of one group

relative to in comparison to

social factors at play how society influences

need addressing must be dealt with

little value enforcing this change not much to be gained from making this reform

striving trying to

imbalance not equal

societal related to society

natural related to genetic predisposition

centuries hundreds of years

subjugated made less/lower

siblings brothers and sisters

scientific pursuits working in science

Mary Shelly author of Frankenstein

Frida Mexican painter

shine stand out

widespread bias stereotypes

discourage not encourage, dissuade

cataloging keeping track of

gender imbalance unequal in terms of men/women

attributing this

genetic natural

heavy-handed efforts strong attempts

detrimental hurts

self-reliant responsible

self-esteem problems feeling bad about yourself

corollary example analogous instance

affirmative action giving more opportunity to a specific race

promote racial equality make the races more equal

prosper succeed

societal barriers institutional setbacks

removed taken away

overly strong measures too powerful actions

quota set number

in a given subject in a specific major

place less qualified candidates above promote people less deserving

deserving ones those who earned it

manifest become true

reduced self-confidence lower self-esteem

unfairly elevated unjustly promotoed

resentment dislike of

passed over skipped

in favour of preferring

reforms changes

equal educational opportunity same chance for all

attempts tries

reform changes

tendency inclination

bring about more harm than good hurt more than help

rather instead of

pursue their passions strive after their dreams

Pronunciation

Listen and repeat:

ˈpɒlɪsiˈmeɪkəz   kənˈsɜːnd   ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃnɪt ˈreɪʃɪəʊ   ˈrɛlətɪv tuː   ˈsəʊʃəl ˈfæktəz æt pleɪ   niːd əˈdrɛsɪŋ ˈlɪtl ˈvæljuː ɪnˈfɔːsɪŋ ðɪs ʧeɪnʤ ˈstraɪvɪŋ   ˈrɛmɪdi   ɪmˈbæləns   səˈsaɪətl ˈnæʧrəl ˈsɛnʧʊriz ˈsʌbʤʊgeɪtɪd   ˈsɪblɪŋz   ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk pəˈsjuːts ˈmeəri ˈʃɛli   friːdə ʃaɪn   ˈwaɪdsprɛd ˈbaɪəs   dɪsˈkʌrɪʤ   ˈkætəlɒgɪŋ   ˈʤɛndər ɪmˈbæləns   əˈtrɪbjuːtɪŋ ðɪs   ʤɪˈnɛtɪk ˈhɛvɪˈhændɪd ˈɛfəts   ˌdɛtrɪˈmɛntl   sɛlf-rɪˈlaɪənt   sɛlf-ɪsˈtiːm ˈprɒbləmz kəˈrɒləri ɪgˈzɑːmpl   əˈfɜːmətɪv ˈækʃ(ə)n   prəˈməʊt ˈreɪʃəl i(ː)ˈkwɒlɪti ˈprɒspə   səˈsaɪətl ˈbærɪəz rɪˈmuːvd   ˈəʊvəli strɒŋ ˈmɛʒəz   ˈkwəʊtə   ɪn ə ˈgɪvn ˈsʌbʤɪkt pleɪs lɛs ˈkwɒlɪfaɪd ˈkændɪdɪts əˈbʌv   dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ wʌnz   ˈmænɪfɛst   rɪˈdjuːst sɛlf-ˈkɒnfɪdəns   ʌnˈfeəli ˈɛlɪveɪtɪd   rɪˈzɛntmənt   pɑːst ˈəʊvə ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv   ˌriːˈfɔːmz   ˈiːkwəl ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃənl ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti   əˈtɛmpts   ˌriːˈfɔːm   ˈtɛndənsi   brɪŋ əˈbaʊt mɔː hɑːm ðæn gʊd ˈrɑːðə pəˈsjuː ðeə ˈpæʃənz

Vocabulary Practice

What do the words in bold below mean?

The main reason that many are striving to remedy this imbalance is because they feel it is societal , not natural . For centuries , women have subjugated their careers and education to male sibligings and husbands. This has led to a history of mostly male role models in scientific pursuits , with women like Mary Shelly and Frida more likely to shine in the arts. Even today, there is a widespread bias that men are better at science that may discourage girls. There have been a number of famous studies cataloging the gender imbalance in science, with most researchers attributing this to social, rather than genetic , factors.

Listen and check:

Listening Practice

Learn more about gender equality here:

Reading Practice

And read more about this topic from The Atlantic:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/02/the-more-gender-equality-the-fewer-women-in-stem/553592/

Speaking Practice

Answer the related questions about science below from the real speaking exam :

• Were you good at science when you were in school?
• What was your favorite scientific subject?
• How do you use science in your life now?
• Are science majors common in your country?

Writing Practice

Write about the related topic below then check with my sample answer:

Throughout history, male leaders have led us into violence and conflict. If a society is governed by female leaders it will be more peaceful. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Real Past IELTS Exam

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Female Leaders (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)

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It is highly believed that certain subjects in educational institutions belong to specific gender types: humanity studies for women, while scientific courses for men. I completely agree that, in any level of education, this tendency ought to be changed to promote gender equality and diminish the stereotype of gender-related subjects. Each field of study should be equal to all learners regardless of their sex types. Studying a subject in a formal education is related to students’ passion and goal which are not highly related to types of gender. For instance, Marrie Currie, a female scientist who had a great knowledge and skills in chemistry, a science related subject. Another good example, C. S Lewis, who was a well-renowned author in science-fiction and Christian literatures. Those evidences exemplify that not all women and men have the same tendency as the notion states, but everyone has their own potential and interest in different courses. Thus, each course should have balance proportion between female and male students. Moreover, both school and university should eradicate gender tendency stereotype. This view can hinder future students to apply in courses that are suitable to their skills. For example, males are not likely to study nursing since many people believe that it belongs to females. As a result, although men have wide knowledge and skills in caring patients, they prefer to hide their ability to avoid bad perspective from family and friends. Consequently, education might not improve significantly because of the subject stereotype that only prefer for related gender. In conclusion, I believe that, in all educational institutions, the gender tendency towards different subjects should be altered to establish equality and erase any gender stereotype.

Good Carry!

Some mistakes: we don’t say ‘it is highly believed,’ which do not correlate strongly with…. Christian literature, balanced proportion of, gender stereotypes, from applying for, stereotype that currently pervades society, stereotypes.

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IELTS Reading Practice: Gender Equality in the Workplace

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and identify key information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant prominence in recent years: Gender Equality In The Workplace . This subject has appeared frequently in IELTS exams, reflecting its relevance in today’s society. Given its ongoing importance and the global push for workplace equity, it’s highly likely that you’ll encounter similar themes in future IELTS tests.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Gender Equality In The Workplace: Progress and Challenges
• 2.1 Multiple Choice
• 2.2 True/False/Not Given
• 2.3 Matching Headings
• 2.4 Sentence Completion
• 3 Answer Key and Explanations
• 4 Common Mistakes to Avoid
• 5 Key Vocabulary
• 6 Grammar Focus
• 7 Tips for Success in IELTS Reading

Reading Passage

Gender equality in the workplace: progress and challenges.

In recent decades, the push for gender equality in the workplace has gained significant momentum. Organizations worldwide are recognizing the importance of creating diverse and inclusive environments where all employees, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to their full potential. However, despite notable progress, challenges persist, and the journey towards true gender parity in professional settings continues.

One of the most visible indicators of progress has been the increasing number of women in leadership positions. Many companies have implemented policies to promote female talent, resulting in more women occupying executive roles and board positions. This shift not only provides role models for aspiring female professionals but also brings diverse perspectives to decision-making processes, which can lead to more innovative and inclusive business strategies.

Efforts to close the gender pay gap have also gained traction. Numerous countries have passed legislation requiring companies to report on gender pay disparities, putting pressure on organizations to address wage inequalities. Some forward-thinking companies have taken proactive steps, conducting internal audits and implementing corrective measures to ensure equitable compensation across genders.

Work-life balance initiatives have emerged as another crucial aspect of gender equality in the workplace. Recognizing that women often bear a disproportionate share of family responsibilities, many employers now offer flexible working arrangements, parental leave policies, and on-site childcare facilities. These measures not only support working parents but also challenge traditional gender roles by encouraging men to take a more active role in family life.

Despite these positive developments, significant challenges remain. Unconscious bias continues to influence hiring, promotion, and day-to-day interactions in the workplace. Women still face barriers in male-dominated industries and struggle to break through the “glass ceiling” in many organizations. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and, in some cases, exacerbated gender inequalities, with women more likely to have lost jobs or taken on increased caregiving responsibilities.

Looking ahead, achieving true gender equality in the workplace will require ongoing commitment and action from employers, policymakers, and society as a whole. This includes addressing deep-rooted cultural norms, implementing and enforcing robust anti-discrimination policies, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures that value diversity in all its forms.

As we progress towards a more equitable future, it’s clear that gender equality in the workplace is not just a matter of fairness but also a key driver of economic growth and social progress. By harnessing the full potential of all individuals, regardless of gender, organizations and societies can unlock new levels of innovation, productivity, and prosperity.

Multiple Choice

According to the passage, which of the following is a visible indicator of progress in gender equality in the workplace? A) Increased number of women in entry-level positions B) More women in leadership positions C) Equal distribution of men and women in all job roles D) Higher salaries for women compared to men

What is mentioned as a benefit of having more women in executive roles? A) Reduced workplace conflicts B) Increased company profits C) More diverse perspectives in decision-making D) Lower employee turnover rates

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an effort to promote work-life balance? A) Flexible working arrangements B) Parental leave policies C) On-site childcare facilities D) Mandatory overtime for all employees

True/False/Not Given

• All countries now have legislation requiring companies to report on gender pay disparities.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women in the workplace.
• Unconscious bias no longer affects hiring and promotion decisions in most organizations.

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage:

A) Persistent challenges in achieving gender equality B) The importance of work-life balance initiatives C) Progress in female leadership representation D) The economic benefits of gender equality E) Efforts to address the gender pay gap

• Paragraph 2: ____
• Paragraph 3: ____
• Paragraph 4: ____
• Paragraph 5: ____

Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage:

• Many companies have implemented policies to promote __ __ __ .
• Work-life balance initiatives challenge traditional gender roles by encouraging men to take a more __ __ in family life.
• Achieving true gender equality will require ongoing commitment from employers, policymakers, and __ __ __ .

Answer Key and Explanations

B) More women in leadership positions Explanation: The passage states, “One of the most visible indicators of progress has been the increasing number of women in leadership positions.”

C) More diverse perspectives in decision-making Explanation: The text mentions that having more women in executive roles “brings diverse perspectives to decision-making processes.”

D) Mandatory overtime for all employees Explanation: This option is not mentioned in the passage. The text discusses flexible working arrangements, parental leave policies, and on-site childcare as work-life balance initiatives.

False Explanation: The passage states that “Numerous countries have passed legislation,” not all countries.

True Explanation: The text explicitly states that “the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and, in some cases, exacerbated gender inequalities.”

False Explanation: The passage mentions that “Unconscious bias continues to influence hiring, promotion, and day-to-day interactions in the workplace.”

C) Progress in female leadership representation

E) Efforts to address the gender pay gap

B) The importance of work-life balance initiatives

A) Persistent challenges in achieving gender equality

female talent

active role

society as whole

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overlooking specific details: Pay close attention to precise wording in the passage, such as “numerous countries” instead of “all countries.”

Confusing similar concepts: Be careful not to mix up related ideas, like the difference between “more women in leadership” and “equal distribution of men and women in all roles.”

Making assumptions: Avoid inferring information not explicitly stated in the text, especially for True/False/Not Given questions.

Misinterpreting time frames: Be aware of whether the passage is discussing current situations, past progress, or future goals.

Failing to match exact wording: In sentence completion tasks, ensure you use the exact words from the passage, without changing their form.

Key Vocabulary

• Gender equality: (noun) The state of equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for people of all genders
• Diversity: (noun) The practice of including people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds
• Inclusive: (adjective) Aiming to include all types of people and treat them fairly and equally
• Parity: (noun) The state of being equal, especially regarding status or pay
• Glass ceiling: (noun) An unacknowledged barrier to advancement in a profession, especially affecting women and minorities
• Unconscious bias: (noun) Social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in the passage, which is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to have relevance in the present:

• “The push for gender equality in the workplace has gained significant momentum.”
• “Many companies have implemented policies to promote female talent.”

This tense is often used in IELTS Reading passages to discuss ongoing trends or developments. Practice identifying and using this tense correctly in your own writing and speaking.

Tips for Success in IELTS Reading

Time management: Allocate your time wisely across all sections of the Reading test. Spend no more than 20 minutes on each passage.

Skim and scan: Quickly skim the passage for general understanding, then scan for specific information to answer questions.

Read questions carefully: Understand exactly what each question is asking before searching for the answer in the text.

Use context clues: If you encounter unfamiliar vocabulary, try to deduce the meaning from the surrounding context.

Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with various question types and develop strategies for each by practicing with sample IELTS Reading tests .

Improve your vocabulary: Build your knowledge of academic and topic-specific words. This article on gender inequality in the workplace can help expand your relevant vocabulary.

Stay informed: Keep up with current affairs, especially on topics like gender roles in society , as they often appear in IELTS Reading passages.

By following these tips and regularly practicing with high-quality materials, you can improve your performance in the IELTS Reading test and increase your chances of achieving your desired score. Remember, understanding complex texts on topics like gender equality in the workplace not only helps in your IELTS preparation but also enhances your overall English language proficiency and awareness of important global issues.

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IELTS Gender Differences Essay

Do men and women have different strengths and weaknesses?

Women and men are commonly seen as having different strengths and weaknesses. Is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender? The idea that males and females are born with distinct characteristics from each other has been a unanimous consensus for as long as human beings first came into existence. However, in my view, these differences should hold little to no significance when it comes to selecting specific careers for both genders. To start, the exclusion of a gender from particular professions can have a detrimental effect on many groups in society. Clearly, qualifying an applicant based on their gender instead of their abilities will prevent individuals from developing to their full potential. Furthermore, this mode of thinking directly contributes to sexism by reinforcing harmful stereotypes and setting negative examples for younger generations. For example, a young, impressionable girl who witnessed a woman being denied a job simply for being a woman will form biases about which occupation a certain gender can and cannot enter, and will inevitably constrain herself and her potentials inside that false mindset. Advocators of this exclusion present a counter-argument, stating that the unique attributes of males (better physical strength, authoritativeness) and females (sentiment, gentleness) might hinder them from efficiently completing certain tasks at work, but this view is fundamentally flawed. Firstly, these traits are not exclusive to a certain gender. Secondly, individual who receives enough training or possesses adequate qualifications will prove themselves suitable for a job, regardless of their sex. Finally, supposing that this exclusion was implemented, the workplace and job culture would experience a severe lack in diversity, which has been proven to reduce employees’ productivity and negatively impact their attitudes towards work. From the basis of the points mentioned above, it is conclusive to state that leaving out a certain gender from a profession is never a good idea. Companies and employers should always strive for gender equality and offer equivalent work opportunities to all sexes to eliminate harmful, sexist stereotypes and create a welcoming, inclusive work environment for all.

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Essay on Condition of Gender equality Reading Questions and Answers

Ielts reading passage – essay on condition of gender equality.

Gender Equality refers to the form of social differentiation denoting the socio-cultural distinctions created between the male and females. The socially constructed framework created by humans to deal with sex differences is gender in simple words. Sex is the biological difference, whereas gender comes during the process of socialization depending upon the society you grow in.  The gender roles are not universal. There are changes in expected gender roles of a male or a female at present in response to the past and will give a different direction in the future. Gender is a parallel and socially unequal division created based on sex or biological difference of humans.

In addition to this, the condition of gender equality is a dream come correct phase in cities with today’s generation. However, while reaching the rural villages, mistreating girls are still in practice. The image of ancestors and their superstitious beliefs are highly respected. This doesn’t prevail in the concept of equality to flourish. The traditionally patriarchal society is a barrier, and underestimating women’s ability is still not avoided. The current scenarios are advancement in comparison to the previous one. Nevertheless, then this is not the state of gender equality as acts like unequal payment between men and women, sexual harassment to females, racism, and fear of judgments are still in existence. Women always hold the terror of mistreatment. This even affects the unborn baby girls and has been increasing the abortion rate. It is because society is not readily accepting females thinking about their weak gender roles and the benefits of having a so-called healthy human in the form of male.

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Some People Feel that Equality Between the Genders Has Already Been Achieved: Writing Task 2

Some people feel that equality between the genders has already been achieved, while others think considerable progress will be made. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Gone are the days when a woman was considered confined to the house’s four walls, but gender equality has been a hot topic in society since it is a crucial issue and individuals have their perspectives. A few segments of people think that gender coordination does not achieve the desired equal opportunity in the modern world, and they demand to make real progress to fully obtain it. However, both arguments need proper security before forming an opinion.

The supporters deem that equality has been marked in some departments where females have equal rights and positions in major companies compared to men’s workforce. This means there is no discrimination between the two genders and developed countries; as a result, women make an immense contribution to maintaining the economy of the nation’s environment. For instance, some popular beauty companies have an ongoing commitment to support female leaders in the organisation to promote the female workforce and set examples for society about the capabilities of women never being underestimated. In the present scenario, a woman is scaling new heights in every field of life, and they are going hand-in-hand with men in almost every line of work. To cite examples, according to a report in Hindustan Times, its printed article about women’s workforce gradually inclined over the past year and handled every critical situation with their presence of mind.

However, a counterargument is that many communities do not fully support equal opportunities between men and women, such as freedom in the workforce and government organisation. This leads to women being treated as side objects and used according to their benefit. For example, in some Muslim countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, women do not have civil rights and freedom to move freely as their desire. Even the government also neglected the importance of females in their nations. To be clear, women are not able to do work outside without the consent of the government; as a result, women face Oppression in their home country. Moreover, in some locations, female employees work for less money than men, even though they have similar educational backgrounds and work experience.

To conclude, I would like to believe that gender equality plays a significant role in managing the world conveniently. Therefore, females are the future of every country even if they give in infants to make their homeland alive.

Gender equality is a need of society in the current era. The development of society should not only be measured in terms of technology and a comfortable lifestyle. However, it should also impact society’s thinking about gender equality. A specific section of society understands that gender equality has already been achieved in every sector. However, others state that there is much more to do for gender equality. In my opinion, gender equality is already implemented in society, and governments have taken suitable action to ensure that.

As in earlier eras, males dominated the service sector and other parts of society, and females were considered only housewives. This mindset has changed in the last 20 years, and the Government has seriously implemented all its policies to ensure that a suitable sex ratio is maintained in all service sectors. For this, many schemes have been introduced by the Government, including a reservation for female candidates in all government vacancies and free education for female candidates to empower them. There is also reservation of female representatives in government administration so that they can bring the problems being faced by females in various sectors of society.

On the other hand, many people argue that there is much more to do to upgrade the social status of females and more reservations to be provided to female candidates to increase their proportion in the service sector and government administration. Further, they advocate giving female candidates a special right to flexible working hours and a longer lunch duration to manage their house-related work. However, this may adversely affect the sense of gender equality in all people.

To conclude, I firmly believe that enough arrangements have been made by the Government to ensure gender equality in society, and it has been achieved to the full extent.

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🌐 In this ultra-modern world, some people feel that comparability between the genders has already been achieved, while others believe significant progress still needs to be made. I will discuss both views in the upcoming paragraphs before reaching a tangible conclusion.

👩‍💼 On the one hand, ample sectors increase opportunities for women, and they achieve the desired success. For example, governments have allowed women in defense sectors such as police officers, army officers, pilots, and navy departments. In addition, in past years, women were not allowed to choose their hobbies or professions. Moreover, in government jobs, female employees receive equal salaries to their male counterparts. Lastly, many organizations have ongoing commitments to support female leaders in the company, and many women have become vice presidents or directors.

👨‍⚖️ On the other hand, there are still sectors where women do not receive equal opportunities. For example, in the 21st century, women politicians are rarely allowed in politics compared to men because they believe they should only do household chores and care for their children. Furthermore, society often underestimates women’s capabilities, especially when they hold important roles at the government level. For instance, a recent survey by the Times of India found that 79% of gender equality has been achieved.

📚 To recapitulate, although progress has been made, it has not been fully valued by the whole society. Therefore, I believe that we need government support to achieve gender equality in all aspects of life.

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IELTS Writing

A collection of band scale 9 essays, 017 gender equality.

Model Answer

In my country, the United Kingdom, the situation for woman has improved significantly over the last fifty years. You rarely see the sort of casual sexism in the media today that you did in the 1970s. That being said, I believe there is a long way to go before we achieve true gender equality, particular in relation to structural sexism that persists in many institutions.

One noticeable area of improvement is the way women are portrayed on television. Previously, most peak time comedy was based around sexist tropes such as meddling mother-in-laws or buxom secretaries. These shows are no longer commissioned partly because women are more involved in the making of TV shows. There are more female writers, producers and executives who create inclusive comedies that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Nonetheless, I think we are still a long way from achieving gender equality. While many industries are less male dominated than in the past, institutional sexism means women face obstacles not encountered by their male counterparts . To take an example from academia, a recent study found that scientific papers submitted with male names were more likely to be accepted for publication than identical articles authored by women. This is just the tip of the iceberg , however, as issues such as access to healthcare, equal pay, and sexual harassment also need to be addressed.

In conclusion, while the battles that have been fought and won by the previous generation of women should not be forgotten, sadly it will be many years before we can say that men and women are truly on an equal footing .

(267 words)

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« IELTS Advice: how to escape the worry cycle | Main | IELTS Writing Task 1: comparisons »

June 22, 2011

Ielts writing task 2: 'gender and university' essay.

Here's my full essay using last week's plan:

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In my opinion, men and women should have the same educational opportunities. However, I do not agree with the idea of accepting equal proportions of each gender in every university subject.

Having the same number of men and women on all degree courses is simply unrealistic. Student numbers on any course depend on the applications that the institution receives. If a university decided to fill courses with equal numbers of males and females, it would need enough applicants of each gender. In reality, many courses are more popular with one gender than the other, and it would not be practical to aim for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to attract more female applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses if fifty per cent of the places needed to go to males.

Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that it would be unfair to base admission to university courses on gender. Universities should continue to select the best candidates for each course according to their qualifications. In this way, both men and women have the same opportunities, and applicants know that they will be successful if they work hard to achieve good grades at school. If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it is surely wrong to reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications.

In conclusion, the selection of university students should be based on merit, and it would be both impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure based on gender.

(265 words, band 9)

Thanks for your good essay! I studied from your essay that, with these kinds of question, the 2nd paragraph show opinions (agree or disagree) and the 3rd paragraph give advices or suggestions. Is it OK? Please help me to understand it clearly.

Posted by: Tom | June 22, 2011 at 15:01

Thank you very much

Posted by: niam | June 22, 2011 at 17:40

No, it's not really 'opinion' then 'suggestion'.

I just wrote 2 different reasons why I disagree:

Paragraph 2: it's not realistic or practical Paragraph 3: it's not fair

Hope this helps

Posted by: Simon | June 22, 2011 at 18:08

hi Simon your essay is so organized and perfect , i really appreciated for sharing the ideas. One thing can you arrange any essay related to senior citizens(elderly peoples)?

Posted by: shahla | June 22, 2011 at 22:08

hello Simon, Its really a nice easy. Thank you very much for sharing.Would you please tell us which are band 7 vocabularies here.I heard vocabulary helps to get higher band.

Posted by: lubna | June 23, 2011 at 00:06

I've got a list of topic requests from different students, so it might take me a while before I can do a lesson about that. There's a section about 'old people' in my ebook if you want some ideas right now.

Good point. I'll write a list of the band 7 vocabulary in Sunday's lesson here on the site.

Posted by: Simon | June 23, 2011 at 14:57

Hi simon , could please give me a feedback for this essay ? Sohuld empolyers have an equal number of their staff? To what extend you agree or disagrre with this statement?

Some employers are eager to promote the equality in recruiting their staff from male and female. Having given the job opportunities to one gender rather than another is discriminatory and illegal act with probable consequences on the reputation of the workplace. However, being a diverse incorporation or company is a closer step to achieve success in several aspects like wider range of knowledge and skills with encouraging aim of modern and acceptable trend in distributing the job chances for applicants. Many employers face some complicated obstacles to take on the workforce. For example, employment should be based on the qualification and experience rather than sex .If any candidate looks for a specific job; they would fill out an application form, requiring information on sex and marital statue. This could lead to discrimination in the offered job opportunities between male and female. Furthermore, in some countries, it is illegal to accept women instead of men or vice versa, because this could bring discriminatory reputation to the company. On the other hand , however ,experienced managers should take into account some features in their employees such as accuracy, loyalty and practice in specific profession with a high-recorded profile to ensure a promising result in the future of their workplace. It is quite widespread to find some sectors like building projects, engineering and heavy- lift jobs are lacking women , which are frequently at men hands, while nursing ,teaching systems present more chances for women. Due to the nature of each gender, applicants could be distributed accordingly. Thus, successful work leaders should hire a equal, renewable, skilful and knowledgeable workforce. To sum up, it is worth mentioning that employment technique must be based on the skill and experience rather than gender. Personally, I think, it would be better for employers to hire the appropriate person in the right position. Also, they should be paid and treated equally to ensure a certain improvement in the social statue of the workers in their workplaces.

Posted by: Aumda | June 24, 2011 at 00:47

I sat IELTS today. The topic in writing part 2 was: " Early technological developments have brought more benefits and advantages to the lives of ordinary people more than recent developments will ever have."

To what extent do you agree/disagree?

I wanted to share it.

I learnt many from your advices even in a short period.

Posted by: Muzaffer | June 25, 2011 at 14:49

this topic is bit confusing me.As early technical developments are invention of wheel ,invention of telephone.Recent development mean internet penetration and its effect? HI SIMON WOULD YOU SUGGEST BETTER ANSWER FOR THIS?

Posted by: deepika | June 26, 2011 at 03:09

Early technological developments have brought more benefits and advantages to the lives of ordinary people more than recent developments ever will.hi simon ,please,can explain this topic for me. i had exam yesterday.and i could not understand it . thank you for your lessons. i appreciate your work.

Posted by: Rasha | June 26, 2011 at 13:56

Hi Simon Can you please comment on my introduction?

The topic is:Scientists and the news media are presentig even more evidence of climate change. Governments cannot be expected to solve this problem. It is the responsibilities of individuals to change their lifestyle to prevent further damage. What are your views?

The introduction : In our contemporary world the issue regarding the phenomenen known as "climate change” remains as a source of bone of contention among all walks of life. The problem is talked much, however, there is a strong dispute whether individuals or governments should take action in order to solve the upcoming disaster of a global scale. However, before drawing a conclusion all the pros and cons have to be assesed at length.

My questions: 1. Is the use of idiomatic vocablury ok? Especial the "bone of contention" part. 2. Speaking question. There is a chinese web-site and the author is an IELTS examiner as he claims. http://ielts-yasi.englishlab.net/index.htm He says that the cue cards (Speaking part 2) can be predicted though the range of cue cards is 70. Is this true? Hope the answer is positive =) Thanks in advance will wait for your reply.

Posted by: Bekzod | June 27, 2011 at 04:59

I'm afraid I don't give essay feedback or scores. If I did this, everyone would send me their essays.

Thanks Muzaffer.

Hi Deepika and Rasha,

I looked at that question with my students. We decided that both early technologies (e.g. forms of transport like cars or trains, and certain medicines) and recent developments (Internet, new medical technologies) have been equally important in our lives.

'Bone of contention' is ok, but I probably wouldn't use it myself.

One tip: you'll get a better score if you present your opinion in the introduction and then use the rest of the essay to explain and support it. Saving your view for the conclusion is not the best technique.

I'm not sure about the exact number of cue cards, but it's true that they tend to repeat the same ones.

Posted by: Simon | June 27, 2011 at 15:23

Through the information I have read while preparing for the IELTS, I have seen that some people say that one paragraph of the body should be dedicated to give the reasons why the point of view opposed to yours has some importance and truthfulness in it.

Do we have to include that in our essay?

Posted by: Aldo | July 06, 2011 at 18:06

No, it's not necessary to do that. You can if you want, but it's definitely not necessary.

Posted by: Simon | July 06, 2011 at 18:28

hi simon plz give a dscirption essay about the essay"earlier technological developements brought more benifits and changed the lives of ordinary people more than recent development ever will"

Posted by: dpesh | July 07, 2011 at 07:43

Have a look at this lesson:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/07/ielts-writing-task-2-technology-topic.html

Posted by: Simon | July 07, 2011 at 14:39

Respected Simon, I am a new entrant on your site. I am glad to have found your site for ielts preparation. As I am a new comer, I don't know where to start. Would you please guide me. what is the most appropriate way to get maximum benefit from your posted lessons.I am optimistic about a wonderful tip from your side. Thanks a lot. Munir

Posted by: Munir | July 24, 2011 at 05:59

I'm glad you've found the site.

There is no special order, so just have a look around and see what you find. Try to follow the daily lessons, and look back to previous lessons whenever you have time.

Posted by: Simon | July 25, 2011 at 17:13

Hi Simon Im wondering why you in your essay wrote this sentence "If a university decided to fill courses with equal numbers of males and females, it would need enough applicants of each gender" and didnt write If an university...

thank you for your tips which you have written

Posted by: Mh | September 11, 2011 at 08:09

We don't say/write "an" university. We put "an" before a vowel sound, so there are some examples that might seem strange e.g:

We say "an MP" because the sound of "M" is "em" (MP = member of parliament).

We say "a university" and "a unit" because the sound is "y", but "an uncle" because the sound is "u".

Posted by: Simon | September 12, 2011 at 13:01

thanks Simon I didnt know it .Am I right when the letter u has sound "you" it doesn't considered as vowel like " a Utopia" ?? but we have to say " an urgent"

Thank you again Simon

Posted by: Mh | September 12, 2011 at 13:51

That's right Mh.

Posted by: Simon | September 13, 2011 at 10:26

Hi Simon I wrote an essay about this question and I borrowed some phrases from yours such as " if half of them needed to go to males" or "fewer qualifications". I submitted my essay to a writing corection servie, however they crossed them out wrote their recommendations instead such as "are reserved for" instead of"needed to go to"; "less qualifications" instead of "few qualifications" and im really confused and frusted. because of these corrections, my score has been signifcantly impacted.

Posted by: Christina | December 31, 2011 at 11:37

Hi Christina,

I can tell you that "less qualifications" is grammatically wrong. "Less" is used with uncountable nouns e.g. "less money". I'm not sure how reliable that correction service is if they wrote "less qualifications".

All I can say is that everything in my essay is 100% correct.

Posted by: Simon | January 03, 2012 at 12:16

Hi Simon i need help with this IELTS question

Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major influence?

Posted by: amarkhan | January 03, 2012 at 19:39

Hi Amarkhan,

I'd write that both have an equal influence. This allows you to write one main paragraph about the influence of our genes, and another paragraph about the influence of the experiences we have.

Have a look at this lesson for some ideas:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/08/ielts-listening-nature-or-nurture.html

Posted by: Simon | January 04, 2012 at 11:39

I really learn something from your Blog,thanks.

Posted by: Vivian | April 24, 2012 at 11:25

Thanks Vivian. It's always nice to hear that my lessons are helping.

Posted by: Simon | April 24, 2012 at 17:58

hi simon.i do not understand that your good essays are readible,but most essays i saw in ielts cambridge books that they are difficult to explain to a level of understanding.plz write yor advices to me what ways are good.

Posted by: ramin | May 09, 2012 at 07:55

Good writing should always be readable. For example, if you read a good newspaper article, it should be well-organised and easy to follow.

In my opinion, the problem with the Cambridge model answers is that they all follow a different format or method. I think they are probably written by different people, and this makes them confusing. Hopefully, my essays are easier because I always write them according to the same method, and this might make it easier for you to use them as models for your own essays.

Posted by: Simon | May 09, 2012 at 11:38

many thanks.you just encouraged me .

Posted by: ramin | May 12, 2012 at 16:43

Your essay is really helpful, and it gives me hope to achieve band 7 in writing task.

I have a question about a sentence in your essay. "if a female student IS the best candidate, it would be wrong........" In this conditional sentence, i think "was" might be more appropriate with "would", could you explain it?

Posted by: Sam | April 20, 2013 at 15:41

Hello Simon,

I had my IELTS exam on July 27. The topic for writing task 2 was similar to this one and I just wanted to share. "Nowadays some workplaces try to have exact numbers of men and women. Do you think it is a positive development or negative development?"

Thank you for your helpful blog!

Posted by: Burcak | July 29, 2013 at 05:17

Good evening,who said that your essay is eligible to take or score a band 9?first of all you must not put your opinion or your preference at the beginning entirely!you must put at the last paragraph always. Secondly,each paragraph you should start it with s topic sentence then you can discuss it in details! Your ideas are accepted . The vocabulary is not complex, then you should use more complex vocabulary? And you should use more complex sentences. These are my concerns only Thank you

Posted by: Schneider | August 31, 2013 at 17:23

Hi Schneider,

I'm speaking as an ex-examiner. I'm afraid you have the wrong idea about a few things:

First, if you save your opinion until the end, you will get a lower score because the mark scheme states that the "candidate's position should be clear throughout the essay". Examiners want to see a clearly stated position (opinion) which is then supported in the rest of the essay.

Second, both of my main paragraphs DO start with a topic sentence. The main (topic) ideas are: 1) it is unrealistic 2) it is unfair.

Although I like to use 'topic sentences', I should point out that there is nothing in the examiner's mark scheme that says they are compulsory. It is certainly possible to write a band 9 essay without them.

Third, what do you mean by 'complex vocabulary'? Big, strange words that native speakers never use? This is not the key to a high score. The essay above is full of good chunks of vocabulary (collocations and phrases that are relevant to the topic). In terms of grammar, there is plenty of variety in the essay, and I don't think you'll find any mistakes.

Please believe me: the essay above is BETTER than anything an examiner would expect to read - it's EASILY a band 9 essay. IELTS is an exam for learners of English, not for professional writers!

Posted by: Simon | September 02, 2013 at 12:48

Hi simon I am confused by this sentence "it would be wrong to reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications." I think it would be better to be " .. to reject her and be in favour of .." . Can you explain it ? Thank you

Posted by: wzheng | October 30, 2013 at 09:33

Early technological developments have brought more benefits and advantages to the lives of ordinary people more than recent developments ever will.hi simon ,please,give me an essay about this topic for . thank you for your lessons. i appreciate your work.

Posted by: mahshad | March 09, 2014 at 16:32

hey simon i am facing problem in identifying the type of question , please help me out

Posted by: rani | April 17, 2014 at 18:11

Thank you for sharing your essay

Posted by: farah | May 07, 2014 at 22:29

Dear Simon, the essay is really nice not only in the words chosen but also the ideas written. Thank you so much

Posted by: shabnam | August 31, 2014 at 02:14

I have a question regarding conditional sentences that you have used in your above essay.For example this one "If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it would be wrong to reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications". My question is this, shouldnt be "If a female student WAS the best candidate.. ? I appreciate your answer. Thank you.

Posted by: Khalid | September 07, 2014 at 17:27

Hello, Is is required to write both views if the question is about something to agree or disagree?

Posted by: Srijana Timalsina | March 31, 2015 at 13:42

Hi Faheem Here*its very well organized essay ..you did not use complex or complicated so even lay man understand.But u did not use good vocabulary words ??y

Posted by: faheem | May 21, 2015 at 13:44

Posted by: ayesha | June 02, 2015 at 11:27

Posted by: Farhan | June 11, 2015 at 03:42

thank you very much

I have a book for ielts essay examples, it has the same topic, but the example essay in this book is less understandable than yours, and, the ideas are not creditable too.

Posted by: niuxiufeng | September 07, 2015 at 07:09

Hi simon, I wanted to know that in an essay that contains "what are your views on the issue?" should we write it in the argumentative essay style (describing only the side we support)or in a discussion essay (describing both sides)style?

Posted by: Suraj | October 16, 2015 at 10:52

My IELTS exam will be held on 7th of January 2017. I want to know that in writing both the tasks 1 & 2, the word limits are 150 and 250 words respectively. While writing a letter or an essay, if the word limits exceeds a bit, say from 150 to 165 nd from 250 to 265 or 270, Does this going to affect the marking or the bands? Thanks

Posted by: Jessie | January 05, 2017 at 00:39

Great teacher!!!thx,simon,I'm crazy about you!

Posted by: judy | April 29, 2017 at 16:32

Paragraph 3: it is not fair

'If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it is surely wrong to reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications.' I think this sentence might be off the topic .

better say: it is surely wrong to reject her and admit a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications, just in order to reach equal percentage of gender admission.

how do you guys think ?

Posted by: Patrick | May 24, 2017 at 04:45

I think 'Paragraph 3: it is not fair' has something wrong.

Posted by: Patrick | May 24, 2017 at 04:47

Oh good old days . Times you had enough time to reply those comments (even some nasty ones lol). It seems to me that not everyone is able to understand CLARITY comes with SIMPLICITY . I wonder what is behind that crave for complexity ? Personally I would not even read a book or an article which overcomplicates the meaning on purpose by using old Latin or Old Testament vocabulary . We are general public not literary scholar or biblical rabbi . Ok come to the sentence structure . Who told you to design a puzzle ?

Thx God for sending you to teach us how to write otherwise I would never ever learn to write in my own style and bored to death before I get a 7 . You ignited that passion in me .Yes I can write and Yes 9 is possible :)

Stay blessed Simon :)

Posted by: Lala | June 04, 2017 at 00:52

Universities should accept the equal number of male and female students in each subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree.?

There has been a lot of controversy pertaining to the concept of educational institutes should allow the same statistics of men and women in every subject. I am in favor of equal educational opportunities for both genders.However, I disagree with the idea of equal enrolment of both male and female students in every university subject.

In reality, it is almost impossible to have the identical number of students in every subject. There are various professions that require one gender, more than other to cater it’s specific requirements. For example, Civil engineering requires male students, who can perform outdoor activities and heavy physical work at construction sites.Due to the need of greater physical strength in such vocational courses, female students may not be the suitable candidate. Similarly, the Gynecology( a subspecialty of medical field), is heavily dominated by female student doctors because women patients are more comfortable with a doctor of the same gender, especially in the context of sexuality. Apart from the idea expressed above, I also believe that it would be unfair to admit students for tertiary education solely on the basis of gender. Universities should select the best candidate according to their qualification.A gender-based selection may lead to mediocrity. For instance, in a particular university, where there are 50 seats in the economics course and they have to pick an equal number of male and female students. In spite of the fact that university doesn’t have qualified male aspirants, but in name of gender equality, they choose non-deserving male candidates.It causes loss of opportunity for a bright female student, who could have been selected if there was no gender-based selection system.

In conclusion, I believe that selection of university students should be based on their excellence and gender-based enrolment in professional courses should be discouraged as it is both discriminatory and impractical.

P.S:-I have posted this essay to one paid correction service and they have given 6 band. I have actually just tweaked your essay .I would like to know your honest opinion .Is it really a 6 band essay? I was expecting a better score. Thanks in anticipation, Dr.P. Srivastava

Posted by: p | October 23, 2017 at 16:05

The comments to this entry are closed.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic 07: Is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender?

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Updated On Dec 27, 2023

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In IELTS Writing Task 2, students are asked to write a formal essay of at least 250 words, in 4-5 paragraphs based on the given writing task 2 essay topics. The task is similar for both Academic and General Training with regards to the type of questions and the scoring, but the topics given for General Training will be slightly easier than Academic. Given below is an  essay with sample answers on the topic – Is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender? – that will help you to practise and get a good score.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Woman and men are commonly seen as having different strength and weaknesses. Is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender?

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

Write at least 250 words.

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Do you have an essay on this topic? Please post it in the comments section. One of our IELTS trainers will evaluate your essay from an examiner’s point of view and reply to the comment. This service is completely FREE of cost.

Question Analysis

This is quite a difficult question to answer because of the way it is phrased. In order to answer this question correctly we should analyse it carefully.

Keywords – Women and men/strengths and weaknesses

Micro-Key words – right to exclude/certain professions/because of gender

Instruction words – give reasons/relevant examples/own knowledge or experience

The first common mistake many students made was answering the question using the keywords and ignoring the micro-keywords. These students wrote an answer about the difference between men and women in the workplace and how certain jobs are better suited to men or women. This is not what the question asks.

The second thing most students did wrong was either not supporting their ideas with reasons or not, including examples from their own knowledge or experience. These students just listed lots of ideas about the difference between men and women in the workplace without fully explaining what they mean and how this is linked to the question.

A good answer would specifically address the micro-keywords i.e. is it right to exclude men or women from certain professions? The most important words here are right , exclude and certain .

Idea Generation

Reasons why it is right to exclude men or women from certain professions:.

• Most men do not have the skills to work in certain professions, such as a nanny.
• Society does not accept men who work in certain professions, such as a beautician.
• Some women do not have the physical attributes to work in certain professions, such as a soldier.
• Society does not accept women who work in certain professions, such as a construction worker.

 Reasons why it is not right to exclude men or women from certain professions:

• It is unfair.
• People should not be discriminated against because of their gender.
• That view has no place in a modern, free society.
• Excluding women from certain professions harms the economy.

We now need to think about which ideas to choose. I personally believe that women should not be excluded from any profession, but my personal feelings do not matter in an IELTS writing test. I should choose the ideas I feel confident explaining and supporting with examples.

I will therefore write about why I think it is right to exclude men or women from certain professions.

The task is to answer a direct question and it is therefore an opinion (agree/disagree) essay and I will follow this structure:

Paragraph 1- Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Sentence 2- Thesis Statement

Sentence 3- Outline Statement

Paragraph 2- Supporting Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- Topic Sentence

Sentence 2- Explain Topic Sentence

Sentence 3- Example

Sentence 4- Concession Sentence

Paragraph 3- Supporting Paragraph 2

Paragraph 4- conclusion.

Sentence 1- Summary

Model Essay 1 :

Women and men are commonly seen as having different strengths and weaknesses. Is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender?

Males and females are often viewed as having differing skill sets. It is agreed that it is correct to exclude people from certain jobs on the basis of their gender, but only in very limited circumstances. This essay will first discuss how physical attributes prevent women from excelling in particular roles; secondly discuss how society at large rejects men from undertaking certain careers, followed by a reasoned conclusion.

For many years the general consensus in the armed forces is that women should not be allowed to participate in combat missions. This is because most women lack the brute strength required for this particular occupation and it is therefore right to prevent them from joining the ranks. For example, the American Army recently allowed some women to fight on the front line and the Department of Defence deemed the experiment a failure, due to lack of fighting effectiveness. Despite this, many women have fought in many wars, famously on the Eastern Front for Russia and the Viet Cong in Vietnam, so maybe it is men’s’ attitudes that prevent them performing rather than their stature.

Society has yet to accept men in many traditionally female positions, such as nanny or beautician. Businesses feel that it is fine to not hire men for these posts because most of their customers would not be willing to have a man perform that service. I personally know of one example when a friend failed at the interview stage when applying to become kindergarten teacher because he was the wrong sex.

To summarise, in limited circumstances it is just to prohibit people from certain occupations, but only if they cannot physically perform or if the general consensus is that it is a single sex post.

(288 words)

Model Essay 2 :

It is evident that the gender gap is closing in the vast majority of occupations in today’s society. However, some remain with the opinion that females and males are born to have differences in terms of their vocational preferences. Despite this, I would argue in this essay that it is wrong to exclude a certain gender from a certain occupation.

It is undoubtable that a certain gender could be more appreciated in some professions. It is mainly determined by the biological differences between males and females. For example, females are perceived to be more caring and nurturing by nature, so that they could be more suitable working in nurseries and hospitals; whereas, males are more likely to be employed in mining and construction industries because they are physically stronger. In those cases, the gender gap may remain in the short future.

However, for the vast majority of professions, making occupations more open to both genders has significant advantages. Different genders could bring different perspectives into work, which could generate more possibilities for a company’s development. For example, a male nurse could offer his unique experience to a female dominated team in order to promote a more holistic care to patients in both genders. Moreover, there is evidence that a mixed gender working environment is often proven to be more efficient. Therefore, companies could benefit from the different perspectives and efficiency that mixed gender teams bring.

To conclude, although some occupations remain to be female- or male-dominant, there are more advantages to allow both genders having the freedom of their vocational choices. Companies that facilitate this equality could benefit from the increased possibilities and efficiency.

[ Written by – Huan Ruan ]

(274 words)

Model Essay 03 :

There is a truth that the strengths and weaknesses of men and women quite differ due to the disparity in their genders and apparently, it dramatically affects their opportunities to do a specific work. However, I think that this reason is not strong enough to exclude males or females from certain professions just because of their genders and wherever possible, they should be given freedom of choice and gender equality in employment should be encouraged. On the one hand, the argument that supports the jobs’s orientation based on their genders remains commonly dominant because these males or females seem to have an apparent instinct and physical capability to excel other sex in accomplishing their jobs. For example: Women seem to have a predominant role in medical services thanks to their natural instinct of motherhood and feminity. Patients would certainly fancy having female nurses to look after them than male nurses because they enjoy the tenderness and the enthusiastic caring for the patients of these” white blouse fairies” with their miraculous skills of soothing the patients’ pain. Meanwhile, there are some special jobs requiring a great deal of physical strengths and persistence like coal sea-fare sailing and fishing, mineral mining or forest logging which used to be done mainly by men because they have shown their extraordinary abilities to work under high pressure and long-lasting endurance . On the other hand, in some occupations, the matter of making jobs easily accessible to both genders has brought about some practical advantages, not only for them but also the whole society. For instance: Female police officers may better deal with the domestic violence and child abuse in the families thanks to having a greater understanding of gender inequality and its adverse effects on the emotions of every members and better strategies to tackle the conflict than their male counterparts. Whereas, male kindergarten nannies probably have a better understanding of the characters of young boys, leading to helping them form a good dignity and a strong manner. Although these people only account for a little proportion of the whole labour force, we are obliged to respect their freedom of choice in pursuit of a career to bring about their job’s self-satisfaction and respond to various and abundant demands of the society. In conclusion, although the difference in physical abilities and emotional feelings between males and females has a large impact on the choice of jobs and the job assignment of the society, in most of cases, it is possible to allow men to undertake many female-dominated occupations and vice versa so that they can succeed in their chosen careers and serving plentiful requirements of the society..

(442 words)

Model Essay 4 :

Nowadays, when women and men become more equal than those in the past and more and more women are occupying many important positions in society, there is still suggestion that males and females should be excluded from some kinds of job. To a certain extent, I agree with this opinion. First, there are some professions only suitable for men, and one of which is construction work, for example. It is extremely difficult for a woman to climb between girders of Eiffel Tower and paint each of them. Or how can she stand hanging outside a skyscraper for cleaning glass windows? Another example can be found in military duty which probably cause soldiers lose their lives in battle field. It is said that what a woman have to do to serve her country is not sacrificing herself, but rather giving birth for future generation. Second, only women’s personality fit them particularly to nursing profession which requires great patience and sacrifice. It is hardly expected that a man characterized by aggressiveness and decisiveness is willing to pamper the elderly fully erratic. And with strong personality, almost no man accept helping old people with grooming and personal hygiene, which is widely regarded as a humble occupation. However, it is not recommended, in general, to discriminate between men and women in regards to their occupations. They should be equally granted opportunities with the aim of promoting their talent to the limit. As can be seen in practice, we used to witness some exemplary women being successful in science, two of them was Marie Curie awarded 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and Sofia Vasilyevna Kovalevskaya, the first woman appointed to a full professorship in Northern Europe, and we have, at the present time, the most powerful woman politician from Germany, Angela Merkel. In conclusion, we only exclude males or females from a very few exceptional occupations. Otherwise it would be better to encourage equality of job opportunity between men and woman.

(326 words)

Model Essay 5 :

Woman and men are commonly seen as having different strength and weaknesses. Therefore, they might be fit for different kinds of job. But most people have the concept that some certain professions are only for one gender. So is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender?Personally, I think it can be right or be wrong in certain situations. It’s absolutely right to exclude women from some dangerous and very hard works that need a lot of strength and energies such as building, transporting heavy items,…Woman’s body structure is different from man’s, there might be exceptions but I think that most women are weaker than men. Hard works can affect their health if they’re not strong enough, and it’s dangerous if the work causes any lasting injuries to their bodies. Morever, some professions require working late at night or working in secluded places. Women – main victims of violence and sexual harrassment – might be in peril. Unless they’ve prepared carefully to face with any dangers, women should not choose those professions. However, it can be wrong if people exclude males or females from some professions that they are actually good at. What do you think if you see a man making up for others or a woman playing football? Centuries ago, many people thought that women are not fit for intellectual jobs and there were schools for men only, women had to stay at home and do houseworks. Later, people opposed strongly when they saw a team of women played football because they thought that sports were not for females. And men were also criticized and looked down on if they were found sewing or cooking. Nowadays those negative thoughts have decreased but they haven’t totally disappeared. If the work is not very hard for them to do, if they’re interested in it and they have a flair for it, why don’t we let them do it? Only when they do something that they love can they become succcessful in the future. The better the workers are, the better results they bring. I think we should encourage any talented person to do whatever he/she is good at and we shouldn’t consider gender as a problem, it can help developing a nation. Some famous chiefs,make-up artists,… are not females, and some famous engineers, footballers,… are not males, but they can make their own fame and lead a happy, prosperous life. In conclusion, people should consider carefully how the jobs effect men or women before excluding them from certain professions.

(425 words)

Model Essay 6 :

There is no doubt that man and women possess different advantages as well as disadvantages. Thus, some people think that males or females should not be allowed to join several professions because of their gender. I myself disagree with this viewpoint. To begin with, I believe that we should not prohibit males or females from any jobs due to the following reasons. First of all, it is widely admitted that man or woman can now do jobs that has long been for the other sex only. For example, in the past, women were not allowed to join military in a lot of countries. However, nowadays, the percentage of women in the army has significantly increased. Especially, a lot of women are even becoming soldiers in the battle field like several female pilots of Qatar in the fight against the so-called Islamic State militants. Likewise, we are now witnessing more and more men who are taking part in specific professions that require the women’s skills like tailors, house-keepers, teachers at kindergartens, etc. Second of all, people believe that performance in jobs likely to be better with the participation of both men and women. It might be true that men and women effectively support each other as they have different strength and weaknesses. Interestingly, the working environment seems to be more lovely and flexible with the presence of both genders. In addition, it will not be fair if we exclude males or females from any jobs because we are trying to establish the gender equality. People now are getting opener and opener in assessing men and women. Therefore, grouping them in any professions seems to be an act that goes against efforts of building parity between men and women. However, some claim that women are not suitable for several tough jobs that have long been for men only because these professions require standards like strengths, endurance and strong will. I find it hard to agree because it is proved that women can contribute a lot in whatever role they play. They, for instance, might not be part of military fights, but they will be incredibly useful in preparations or assistances that are always essential and men can hardly bring out an equal performance. Therefore, there should not be stereotypes in this case no matter what gender they are. In conclusion, though males and females have different capacities, there is still room for them to show their strengths and assist the other sex. From my perspective, recruiters should keep an open mind toward men and women in order to choose employees that they are looking for.

(433 words)

Model Essay 7 :

Gender equality has always been a hot argument ever. Nowadays, men and women have a larger freedom of choosing their occupation. However, many consider that there are still types of work for males or females dominantly. Therefore, they tend to prevent males or females from certains posts because of their sex. In my opinion, I believe that it is not a sensible attitude. Nobody can argue that men have their own distinctive innate strength. It is often said that men are stronger than women so that men are usually employed in several hardwork such as labourer in construction site, fishman, gold miner, police officer, etc. On the other hand, women also have inborn advantages. They are supposed to be more minute and careful than men, which help them have detailed posts like sewer, fashion designer, nurse, teacher, etc. But this idea seem not to be practical todays. In the modern times, most of the careers, which are supposed to be for males dominantly, are done expertly by females and vice versa. For instance, there are a large number of famous male fashion designer in the world. Their fame and items has claimed that men are completely able to do female-dominated occupations with their passion and efforts. Moreover, men can do a post that is considered only for women – midwife. More and more male midwives are successful in helping mothers give birth to babies. Besides, a female police officer can be more sensitive to comprehend the situation or the motivation of a crime and have right decisions to deal with it. In conclusion, the occupation of a person depends on his liking, passion and fortes, not his inborn characteristics. The difference in terms of sex-based work is gradually fading away.

(289 words)

Model Essay 8 :

There have always been differences in the types of work men and women have done. However, the trend in modern times has been for both men and women to have greater freedom of choice in terms of employment. Some people might say that there is no need to go further. However, in my view, wherever possible, gender equality should be encouraged.

There may indeed be good arguments for allowing certain posts to remain predominantly male or female. Where all-male or all-female groups exist, there may be a need for related posts to be held by men and women respectively. Patients in all-female hospital wards, for example, would probably appreciate having female nurses to look after them. It could also be argued that certain jobs requiring a great deal of physical strength, coal mining or logging, for example, should continue to be done mainly by men.

However, in the vast majority of situations, making occupations more open to both genders has distinct advantages. Men and women can bring slightly different perspectives and approaches to a job. Female police officers, for example, may have a greater understanding of domestic violence and a better range of strategies for dealing with this problem. Male primary school teachers probably have a better understanding of the needs of young boys and can serve as good role models for them.

The changes that result from allowing men into female-dominated occupations and vice versa may be subtle, but they are far-reaching. However, to benefit the most from this development, it is important not to expect males and females to approach work in identical ways.

(266 words)

Model Essay 9 :

Born differently, women and men have their own roles to play in society. It is common for us to see more women in some certain professions, like nurse and teacher, while a larger number of men in other sectors. However, it would never be a wise choice to exclude certain gender in any profession.

To begin with, it is a matter of sex equality. Women have always been depicted as gentle and vulnerable, to the extent that such conventional views often make them be seen as weak or even inferior to men. Nevertheless, the situation has changed in modern society. Women began to appeal for the equal rights, insisting they can also do whatever males can do. Indeed, there is an increasing number in females soldiers, female engineers etc., the results of which turn out to prove that they can perform excellently in these sectors as well. If those woman choose to engage themselves in certain jobs, why should any authority deprive such right of them?

Moreover, the co-operation of women and men in one sector is also conducive to boosting the work efficiency. For instance, those male nurses can help to carry some heavy equipment in the hospitals, which would usually be an arduous task for females. Possessing some different innate natures, men and women can jointly make an achievement by taking advantages of their own strengths.

In fact, men and women working in the same profession can generate much more positive results that we may not expect. A kind of job cannot only be monopolised by one gender without a single person of the opposite sex, as it is not fair nor beneficial.

(275 words)

Model Essay 10 :

It has argued that there are a different pro and con of the male and female people for getting a job based on their physical strength and emotional characterisation. For my point of view, the strengths and weaknesses of gender depend on the particular jobs or works they have been applied to.

Firstly, the men seem to dominate to the work related to the strong physical bodies or movements. This is explained why most of the builders or instructors are the male workers. Furthermore, the male people are also suitable to the job which has a technology and engineering involvement such as electronics, telecommunication and others.

However, there are a lot of job, which women could overtake men in application. The job related to the society or health care of patients. It is agreed that the nurses or child care position might be good for women to apply than men. It might be because the women have stronger emotional and more connection to the child or to the patients. Several jobs which cannot define which gender are better than others. For example, the kitchen works or chefs are the common works of women for everyday life. It seems to advantage for a woman. But actually, most of the professional chefs are the male domination.

In conclusion, it is hard to say that the men are better than the women or the women are better than the men in the professional carriers because of their gender. Some jobs might suitable for the men and others might good for the women. Males and females are equalled in the carrier application.

(268 words)

Model Essay 11 :

Gender has always been an issue for bot men and women in getting a job. Traditionally, men are the ones who went out to work to earn money to support their family, whereas women sat in the home and spent their time more on domestic chores. With time passes, more women have started to get involved almost in every professions that the males are already involved in. But there are certain professions which accept only a gender and exclude other.

Some people would argue that it is more common that men get involved in jobs which require physical strength but this is not the case with women. Because unlike the body system of a male, the female body system is comparatively different and it is unhealthy for the female body system to indulge in physically strenuous activity. The reason is it can cause severe muscular or even chemical changes in the female body system which may lead to certain diseases in their later life.

On the other hand, others would argue that the acceptance of employees should be based on a person’s personal interest, experience and knowledge but not on gender. For instance, form the very beginning, nursing was highly recommended and allowed only for females. But today, more males are interested and qualified in the field, so the superiors are also happy with employing more male nurses than female, particularly for dealing with male patients.

Besides that, there is no much work in the world which specifies only for a certain gender. For almost every job, whether it is high income or low income, both men and women have evenly indulged in it. For instance, there are both males and females who are working as cleaners which is a low income and there are both genders who are qualified in high income jobs such as doctor and engineer.

To sum up, the views support the argument that certain genders should and should not be excluded from certain professions. There are jobs that require hard work such as working on the construction site, doctors and engineers and light work such as graphic designing and office works. But it is more advisable for women to indulge more on light work to avoid physical illness, however, this does not mean that the males are obliged to work in physically demanding jobs while women work in less strenuous jobs. This is preferably depends on the strength and the situation of the job, and most importantly the person’s interest in it.

(417 words)

Model Essay 12 :

There have always been differences in the types of work men and women have done. However. the trend in modern times has been for both men and women to have greater freedom of choice in terms of employment. Some people might say that there is no need to go further. However. in my view, wherever possible, gender equality should be encouraged.

There may indeed be good arguments for allowing certain posts to remain predominantly male or female. Where all-male or all-female groups exist, there may be a need for related posts to be held by men and women respectively. Patients in all-female hospital wards, for example. would probably appreciate having female nurses to look after them. It could also be argued that certain jobs requiring a great deal of physical strength, coal mining or loggingI for example. should continue to be done mainly by men.

However, in the vast majority of situations, making occupations more open to both genders has distinct advantages. Men and women can bring slightty different perspectives and approaches to a job. Female police officers, for example. may have a greater understanding of domestic violence and a better range of strategies for dealing with this problem. Male primary school teachers probably have a better understanding ofthe needs of young boys and can serve as good role models for them.

The changes that result from allowing men into female-dominated occupations and vice versa may be subtle, but they are far-reaching. However, to benefit the most from this development, it is important not to expect males and fernates to appmach work in identical ways.

(265 words)

Model Essay 13 :

Stepping in to the competitive world, women have set their foot in every walk of life. However, in much of the world some areas are still male-dominated. Are men impossibly holding their higher ascendancy above women? I believe that a great many people,especially men hold the answers that “ it is obviously true”. In my perceptions, success is in the hands of those who dare to walk on the path of fire and thorn to claim their talents. In other words, gender equality should be widely promoted in today’society, both males and females can assume their responsibility for any professions. The first point to note is that society does not assign either males or females to do a certain kind of job and gender discrimination is no longer valuable, in comparison with the past. Modern community treats us the same social conditions and the same advanced education. That means we have more and full chances to develop ourselves in every area at highest level. Thus, the most skillful person will be appointed to an important post, no matter whether they are males or females. It is said that the 21st century marks an unmistakable progress in occupational segregation which has cracked many authorities’s brain. Emerging as a typical example of the success, Japanese government makes the best of reviving a crowded female workforce and promulgating the laws of openness in professions. History predicates that Japanese women, especially married have experienced a period of gender discrimination that they did not have any chances of promotion at work. It is extremely unfair and it is the root of commotions in Japanese community. Back up to the issue of occupational segregation, perhaps from now on, no politicians in any countries make the same mistake as Japanese ones in the past. It is crystal clear that politicians value peaceful labour above riots. Secondly, no one has inborn merits that stand them in good stead. Professions in the fields of mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences and technology are for men and not for women. This attitude is far from being valid. According to a newest study, if a man finds himself working in a “female- oriented” job, he ends up earning 12.5 percent less than his male counterparts, whereas a woman who works in a “male-dominated” field earns 25.9 percent more than her female peers. So interestingly women in fact are earning more than men because of their less committing faults and their capacity of dealing with matters with accuracy and caution. Thus, what is the best solution for the thorny problem of making a more equal workforce? There is no way around but the labor pool must be balanced out by drawing from a supply of trained men or women to cover the skill gaps. But it is tough to achieve in reality if gender discrimination is alive. Therefore, it is time to exclude job stereotyping by gender from our community if we want to see men in the maternity ward and day care centers or women in trucking, construction and heavy machinery operations. It would be great to achieve an ideal employment balance on a national scale and we believe in the right direction of our government for a workforce that never sleeps.

(541 words)

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• The Birth Rate In Most Developed Countries Is Predicted To Begin To Fall Over The Next 50 Years
• Many People Think Modern Communication Technology Is Having Some Negative Effects On Social Relationship
• An Increasing Number Of Professionals Such As Doctors and Teachers Are Leaving
• Some People Think That Newspapers Are The Best Way To Learn News

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Task 2 Essay: Gender Equality at Work

Question: Nowadays, some workplaces tend to employ equal numbers of men and women workers. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

Band 8+ Sample Answer:

(Intro) In the 21st century, the roles of women are becoming increasingly crucial with a growing number of females hired by some enterprises. Personally, I feel that this trend is not only beneficial to women and their families, but it also helps lessen the burden on society to support them and narrows the gender gap as well.

(Body 1) Individually, women may have opportunities to excel themselves and improve their living conditions. First, if the domination of men in the workplace is eradicated it may enable females to make use of their talents and pursue their desired occupations. In fact, in some fields like art and design, women are superior to men concerning their attention to detail, while men tend to be more suitable for jobs related to engineering or construction. In addition, a wider selection of careers can better families’ economic conditions, indicating that women can earn a living on their own and become as much the breadwinners as their husbands. Hence, couples can have better living standards and conditions to raise their children.

(Body 2) Socially, the merits of more equal employment are fewer responsibilities for the government and a demonstration of human rights progress. Primarily, more working women means that governments no longer need to provide grants or subsidies to households on low incomes. On the contrary, society could benefit from taxes paid by these female employees to invest in vital infrastructure and essential services As for gender equality, reserving positions for women would definitely be a positive step for the recognition of women’s rights. On a practical level, many females are taking important positions globally and contributing tremendously to the organiSations they commit to. Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube can exemplify this.

(Conclusion) In conclusion, eliminating discrimination against women at work would bring clear social and economic advantages to both society and individuals. Governments and enterprises need to come to an agreement to remove the fixed quota of the number of women working in organiSations for greater benefits in the future. (330 words)

Words: Student essay, corrected & upgraded by Nick Kemp, former IELTS examiner.

Image: Portraitor / Pixabay.

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Ielts essay 1135 - men and women can be equally suited to do any type of work, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, some people think men and women have different natural abilities that make them suitable for different types of work. others, however, believe that both men and women can be equally suited to do any type of work..

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Gender equality has not been achieved in our society. Women still do not have the same rights and opportunities as men. To what extend do you agree or disagree?

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Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

• Paragraph 1 - Introduction
• Sentence 1 - Background statement
• Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
• Sentence 3 - Thesis
• Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
• Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
• Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
• Sentence 2 - Example
• Sentence 3 - Discussion
• Sentence 4 - Conclusion
• Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
• Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
• Sentence 1 - Summary
• Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
• Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

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Gender equality has not been achieved in our society. Women still do not have the same rights and opportunities as men. To what extend do you agree or disagree?

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IELTS and Gender – What You Need to Know

Posted by David S. Wills | May 28, 2020 | IELTS Tips | 0

If you have ever sat the IELTS exam before, there is a good chance that you have had to use the word “gender” or talk about issues relating to men and women. This may come up in the reading or listening test, but it’s more likely that it will occur in speaking or writing.

In this article, I’m going to tell you all about IELTS and gender so that you can be totally prepared for any questions that come your way during the test. Some of the things that I will cover in this lesson are:

• What to expect from the test
• Vocabulary about gender
• Some examples of gender questions
• Some sample answers to questions

Alright, then. Let’s begin!

What does gender mean?

This is actually an increasingly complicated and controversial topic, but I will keep it simple and basic for now.

The dictionary says that gender means:

either of the two sexes (male and female), especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. The term is also used more broadly to denote a range of identities that do not correspond to established ideas of male and female.

Basically, it is the issue of men and women (or boys and girls ). As you can see, it is a topic that is truly worldwide and so it is something that anyone can talk about. Therefore, it could (and does) appear in the IELTS test regularly.

(Note: Gender studies is an area of academia that people think about more and more. There are lots of complex issues relating to biology, society, etc., but for IELTS you are not expected to know all of this. You just need to be aware of some basic things that I will explain to you.)

How would gender appear in IELTS?

As it is a common life issue that every human knows about, the topic of gender may appear in IELTS. It is a little abstract and requires some thought, so you would not often find it in easy parts of the test. It is more likely to occur in:

• Speaking part 3
• Writing task 1
• Writing task 2

It may appear in the reading or listening tests, but it’s such a big and complicated topic that I don’t think you would be expected to know that much. Therefore, in this article I will focus on the speaking and writing test.

IELTS speaking test and the topic of gender

In the IELTS speaking test, there are three parts. The first is a short, easy interview sections with basic and often quite personal questions. The second is when you must talk for two minutes about a subject, and the third part is for more abstract, difficult questions.

To be honest, it is unlikely that you will be asked questions about gender for part one or two. If you did encounter a question about gender for part one, it would probably say something like:

Are there more male or female teachers in your country? Why?

This would be part of a series of questions about teachers (or education) and gender would just be one aspect. You might answer it like this:

Oh, there are definitely more female teachers nowadays. I think that fifty or a hundred years ago, there were more men, but now women have come to dominate the profession.

You see, there really isn’t that much to be said here. Even if you wanted to, you don’t need to go on at length. That is something you can save until part three.

IELTS speaking part 3 – questions about gender/sex

It is much more common that you would encounter these questions in part 3 of the test because these are abstract questions about issues such as:

• Changes over time
• The best way to do something
• Environment
• Complex issues

In IELTS, questions are often picked from a set of topics. Common IELTS speaking topics include:

• Computers/technology
• Food/cooking
• and many more

Let’s say we picked one of those topics: education. Then there may be questions that twist the topic of education according to some abstract ideas: education and gender, education and age, education and environment, education and society, etc.

Example questions

Here are a few sample IELTS speaking part 3 questions about gender:

Q: Do you think that women should be able to do the same sorts of jobs that men do?

A: I think that people should have equal opportunities regardless of gender. There are some things that maybe men are better at or women are better at, but ultimately everyone should be given the chance to prove whether or not they can do something, and this should not be limited by gender, race, religion, or any other such factor.

Q: Should more women be encouraged to work in male-dominated fields such as science and technology?

A: Yes, I think it’s important to let young girls know that they can pursue their interests and goals , then make sure that these pathways are open to them. I am against any sort of mandatory quotas for hiring people , but companies should be blind to gender when choosing employees because it is not a good way to predict whether or not someone will be competent or not.

Final note on gender and IELTS speaking

Remember that gender could actually be incorporated into the answer for almost any question. You could be asked about hobbies and then end up talking about gender roles and preferences. This is fine, as long as you are actually answering the question and not going off topic.

Gender in the IELTS writing test

For the writing test, the issue is largely the same. You will be asked a question that relates to an IELTS writing topic and then you will need to write an essay that answers it.

For this, you should be able to use some basic language relating to gender. You do not have to be an expert, but you should be able to master everyday language about men and women. You can find that in the next section (at the bottom of the page).

Here, however, I am going to show you three sample band 9 answers from task 2 of the IELTS writing test. I hope that you can read these in order to figure out some useful ideas and language. I wrote these essays for the students on my writing correction programme . Check it out if you are in need of assistance.

Sample Answer #1

Some people think that men and women have different qualities. Therefore, some certain jobs are suitable for men and some jobs are suitable for women.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The subject of gender difference is highly controversial nowadays, particularly in regards abilities that would make a person suitable for different kinds of jobs. However, it seems clear that there are quite notable differences and that people may be more inclined to take different jobs due to their gender. This essay will argue that although equality is important, some people will naturally be more suitable for certain jobs.

Firstly, it is important to establish that men and women should be treated equally in terms of opportunities. Traditionally male jobs, such as fire fighter and doctor, should be open to qualified women, while traditionally female jobs, such as teacher and nurse, should be open to qualified men. It is undeniable that in almost any profession the most talented people can belong to either gender.

However, while a particularly strong woman could make an excellent fire fighter or a particularly sensitive man could be a wonderful kindergarten teacher, in general innate gender differences do mean that there will be more male fire fighters and more female kindergarten teachers. There are some qualities that are far more common in men and some that are far more common in women. These account for the reasons why certain genders prefer certain jobs or are better suited to them.

In conclusion, it is important that all jobs are open to both genders, but it seems hard to deny that there are certain jobs that are better suited to men or to women. It is important that equal opportunities are provided, but an imbalance will continue because of innate gender differences.

Sample Answer #2

Nowadays, as women and men have to work full time, household duties should be equally divided.

Do you agree or disagree?

In the modern era, men and women have similar responsibilities and so it is only reasonable that household chores should also be divided equitably. This essay will argue in favour of equal responsibilities in the home.

In the past, gender roles were very different due to the innate abilities possessed by men and women. Men, who were stronger and faster gender, went out to hunt and work while the women typically stayed at home. After countless technological innovations, humans have developed to the point where strength, speed, and dexterity are no longer pre-requisites for entering the workforce; hence, women can do the same jobs that men can do. With this development, it is only reasonable that men take on some of the work that was previously assigned only to women.

It would be unfair if men were not made to make this change because the equitable division of labour is important. If a man and woman both work for ten hours, then it would be totally unreasonable to expect only one of them to come home and do several more hours of work in the house, so couples should find a way to ensure that they split their chores. If one person works more than the other, then they should agree to compensate for this at home. It is a basic sense of fairness and decency that makes such an arrangement the only logical way to cope with the situation.

In conclusion, men and women should share housework duties so that both people in a relationship are doing an approximately equal amount of work overall.

Sample Answer #3

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject.

These days, the issue of gender equality attracts a lot of attention and people argue over how to deal with perceived inequalities in employment and education. Some think that universities should be required to accept equal numbers of male and female students in each subject, but this is a profoundly ignorant stance.

To begin with, for equality to flourish, people should always be chosen based upon their abilities rather than their identity. In education, as in sports or business, people with talent should be given opportunities. It is extremely unfair that someone is chosen because of their race or gender, despite having lower abilities than someone else. If universities were required to split their classes according to gender, there would almost certainly be a few talented people who were not able to attend because some less talented person of the opposite gender was picked instead. This is unfair for the students and detrimental for society.

The fact is that the two genders do have somewhat different preferences and abilities in terms of academic subjects, and while equality of opportunity should exist, it cannot be forced upon people or else it will come at the expense of some others. In teaching, for example, university classes are usually about eighty percent female. If a university was forced to have fifty percent from each gender, there would be a large number of eager young women who could not attend their desired course. This is true in the STEM courses, too, but the opposite way around. If you forced a university to accept more women, then talented men would be declined.

In conclusion, the idea of forcing educational institutions to accept equal numbers of students from either gender is patently absurd. It may sound fair, but it is actually very unfair on the students, and would have negative ramifications for society as a whole.

Other language practice

I said earlier that it is less likely that gender will be an issue in the listening or reading tests. Well, it still might arise, so you should be prepared. You should also make time to study these issues so that you have the right language to use in speaking and writing.

Here is an interesting TED talk about gender.

Here is an excerpt from 04:50:

Now there’s something else that we’ve discovered about social media that’s actually quite surprising. It turns out that women are really driving the social media revolution. If you look at the statistics — these are worldwide statistics — in every single age category, women actually outnumber men in their use of social networking technologies. And then if you look at the amount of time that they spend on these sites, they truly dominate the social media space, which is a space that’s having a huge impact on old media. The question is: what sort of impact is this going to have on our culture, and what’s it going to mean for women? If the case is that social media is dominating old media and women are dominating social media, then does that mean that women are going to take over global media? Are we suddenly going to see a lot more female characters in cartoons and in games and on TV shows? Will the next big-budget blockbuster movies actually be chick flicks? Could this be possible, that suddenly our media landscape will become a feminist landscape?

She raises some interesting ideas and questions, and you should listen to her talk in order to pick up some of the language that she uses, which may be helpful in your IELTS preparation.

Gender/Sex Vocabulary for IELTS

Finally, let’s look at some language. In that passage above, you can see references to “women” and “female,” which are terms you absolutely must know. However, we are going to go a little further than that here.

Let’s look into some gender-related words and phrases that might help you prepare for IELTS:

Don’t forget, also, that in English we have some words that change according to gender, like these ones:

If you are talking about people in general, try to use the neutral term, like “sportsperson,” “firefighter,” and so on. There are many instances where language is gendered for animals (think “bull” vs “cow”; “rooster” vs “chicken” etc) but this is not at all important for IELTS.

Finally, the difference between “gender” and “sex.” These words are often used interchangeably, but they do have a subtle difference that some people like to talk about a lot, but which is probably not important for the majority of people.

The word “sex” can also refer to sexual intercourse, but contextually you can tell the difference. Also, in IELTS they would never ask you about sex in that sense. They are culturally sensitive in that respect.

Sex and English Grammar

Gender refers to whether someone is a man or a woman, but it relates more to the social/cultural constructs than actual biology. On the other hand, sex means whether someone is biologically man or woman. A doctor might ask a pregnant mother, “Do you want to know the sex of the baby?” but they cannot ask “Do you want to know the gender of the baby?”

You may have noticed one thing there. I said “doctor” and then “they.”

Is this right or wrong?

It’s right ! We can use “they” for the third-person singular form when we do not know or do not want to say whether someone is male or female. For example, in that sentence, I said “a doctor” but I did not tell you whether this doctor was male or female. It is sexist to assume that they are one or the other. Therefore, I said “they” as a replacement for he/she.

This is becoming more common in English and some people dislike it, but it’s been around for a long time. If you want to speak correct, modern English, then you should pay attention to this sort of change.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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