IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer (band score 8-9)
IELTS Essay # 1188 - Your first impressions when you meet someone are always right
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people say that your first impressions when you meet someone are always right.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer 1: [Disagreement]
First impressions, without a doubt, have great importance, but they do not always reveal the real characteristics of a person, and I believe that first impressions are not always accurate. This essay discusses why first impressions may often be deceptive and less important in judging someone.
To begin with, first impressions may reveal some information about a person, but this is not a solid testament to someone's personality and character. We can judge others from the way they dress, speak, start a conversation and express their views, but this can often be ambiguous or even deceptive. For instance, my experience has taught me that people who become friends very quickly are less serious about a long-term friendship though they give an opposite impression on their first meeting. I have also learned that people try to show compassion and helpfulness on their first counter with others even if they are truly not compassionate and helpful enough.
Moreover, people try to behave modestly, act friendly, show compassion and exhibit their positive sides when they meet someone for the first time. Only a long-term observation can express their true nature and intention. So, I would not agree with the view that my initial impressions about someone are always right. I believe we can learn about a person only when we spend time with the person and can understand their true colour when we observe them closely for a long time.
To conclude, people are one of the greatest mysteries in the world and judging someone at the first meeting is kind of irrational. No doubt some information about someone could be learned from the first encounter, but this is not always right, at least not in my experience.
Sample Answer 2: [Agree to some extent]
Two lines of thought exist when it comes to the significance of first impressions, and for many, they form the basis for judging someone’s personality and background. I believe that first impressions are important to some extent; however, my support is in the favour of knowing the person better instead of establishing judgments just on looks and items of clothing as I support the more holistic way of getting to know people.
To begin with, I believe that first impressions give just a glimpse of somebody’s character and not the whole picture. There could be a variety of underlying factors and reasons for which a person might behave in a particular way. If someone, for example, does not initiate a conversation and does not smile at a party where it is required to mingle, it could be because the person is ill or has some sort of personal crisis going on. Judging by first impressions, that person can be easily labelled as arrogant and unfriendly. However, if someone makes an effort to know the person and the reason behind being a recluse in the party, the former judgment is entirely reversed. In addition, outer appearances change and evolve but the inner personality remains almost the same. People who form their perceptions on the basis of fleeting outer appearances are often mistaken.
On the contrary, in some instances, for example, a job interview, first impressions are of foremost importance. Recruiters are specifically trained to sort potential employees based on the first impression. The initial impression not only includes the way of dressing but also the way a person speaks and carries himself. In such a case, judging someone from the first impression is justified.
To conclude, although there are instances where first impressions matter, and need to be taken into account, I strongly believe that it is always prudent to get to know a person better before jumping to a conclusion.
[Written by - Neha]
Sample Answer 3: [Disgreement]
In the modern world, people often form their opinions about others based on their initial impressions. While some individuals believe that these first impressions are always accurate, I am more sceptical about this idea. In this essay, I will explain why I believe that our first impressions when we meet someone are not always accurate.
To begin with, initial impressions can frequently be deceptive and may not offer a precise reflection of an individual's authentic character. The inaugural encounter between people is often accompanied by a heightened sense of nervousness or anxiety, inducing behaviours that diverge from one's inherent disposition. This divergence can result in misinterpretations, as the external demeanour displayed during the first meeting may not align with the individual's intrinsic qualities. For instance, an individual who appears reserved and reticent in an initial encounter may, upon further interaction, unveil qualities of warmth and affability, dispelling the initial misconception formed solely based on the first impression.
Furthermore, many individuals are skilled at presenting a false image of themselves during their first meeting, which can lead to inaccurate first impressions. People, adept at concealing their true selves, often employ a veneer of social conformity or affability during the preliminary stages of interaction. This veneer may obscure genuine character traits and motivations, contributing to a discrepancy between the perceived image and the authentic self. For instance, a job interviewee might strategically emphasize certain qualities to align with the expectations of the interviewer, creating a disparity between the presented facade and their genuine nature.
To conclude, while first impressions can be used for forming initial opinions about others, they should not be viewed as infallible as they are often inaccurate. People are complex and multi-faceted, and it is only through prolonged interaction that we can truly understand someone's character and personality.
“Your first impressions when you meet someone are always right.”
Do you agree with this statement?
It is evident that 'what comes from inside goes outside', and under this shared perception, people often judge others which remains for a long time. However, some disagree with this particular belief and claim that it is not right to hastily categorise an individual, for it takes time to truly know a person. Personally, I am on the proposition that it is superficial to single out a person based primarily on looks and initial assessments.
The community nowadays is very diverse and we do not know about all the heterogeneity of people who we meet in our life. Many new characteristics have emerged - a very unique trait for a human - and it is seemly difficult to identify an individual to be bad or good just from their appearance and initial interactions. If initial impressions had always been right, we would have been surrounded by people who are always good and never deceive us. Sadly, this is not always the case as we are often fooled by people we trust. Ideally, striking up many deep conversations and practical experiences help reveal the real personality of an individual.
Aside from establishing connections to someone, one consideration that disagrees with the common perception is the fact that some genuinely kind individuals are dreaded by social interactions. Introverts and shy type of persons tend to take time in order to blend in and when we judge these people with the first impression they make, we will surely be mistaken. For example, a close friend of mine hates meeting new people, and thus displays a strict and unnameable mood just to elude friendly encounter. But if you know him closely, you will find him to be a very considerate and generous person.
To conclude, our initial assessment of a person can often be just the opposite to their true nature, and this is why we should take time to characterise someone.
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