IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.
IELTS Essay # 1233 - Keeping pets is good for children
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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 think that keeping pets is good for children while others think it is dangerous and unhealthy for them.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [Opinion: Keeping pets is good for children]
Some individuals support keeping pets around young children as they think it is beneficial while others oppose the idea citing pet-related injuries and fatalities in recent times. In this essay, I shall discuss both these views and argue that dangers that stem from young children having pets are overemphasised, sometimes even exaggerated, and children receive substantive psychological benefits from having pets.
Those who believe that keeping pets could be unhealthful and hazardous for children say that many pets are wild in nature and can hurt children. So, they believe that such pets could be a physical danger to children. For instance, allowing a child to play with a raccoon, snake, fox or bobcat could be dangerous as those pets are wild and often behave unpredictably. Moreover, friendly cats and dogs can be infected with viruses and can spread dangerous diseases to children. So this group of people recommend not allowing pets to young children considering their health and safety.
On the contrary, others who support allowing pets to young children say that it has favourable effects on children's psychology and growth. Young pet owners frequently empathise with their pets and perform a diverse range of activities to maintain their well-being. The Cambridge Developmental Psychology Unit found that children who had grown up with pets were 30% less likely to bully others and show aggression. Pets are also conducive to young children's mental growth, and they get involved in interesting activities with their pets that help them realise empathy more deeply. So, my opinion on that matter is that a child’s prosociality and mental health can be improved through exposure to pets.
In conclusion, letting young children possess and interact with friendly pets has important benefits. It is not a threat to children, but rather beneficial to nurture some important good qualities in them. So, it is expected that parents who wish to have pets for their children would consider those benefits and finally select one of the friendly pets for their children.
[Written and submitted by - Sakura]
Model Answer 2: [Opinion: Keeping pets is good for children]
While some people prefer to keep their children at a distance from pets because of health and safety reasons, others choose to do just the opposite. In this essay, I will discuss both perspectives and argue that pets are actually good for the overall well-being of children for some obvious reasons.
On the one hand, those who oppose allowing pets for children say that there is a risk of injury or accidents involving pets, especially if they are not properly trained or supervised. Many recent incidents that were reported in the newspapers also affiliate these claims. Young children may unintentionally provoke or mishandle pets, resulting in bites, scratches, or other injuries. While such incidents can be minimized through responsible pet ownership and appropriate education, the potential for accidents remains a concern.
On the other hand, proponents of allowing pets to children say that pets offer many benefits to young children. First, pets provide children with comfort and company, especially when nobody else is accompanying them. Children feel a sense of comfort in the company of their pets, mainly because those pets are usually more “passive” and “loyal” to them. And that is probably why, as some researchers have found, a very significant percentage of parents allow their youngsters to have pets in developed countries. Besides, researchers have also monitored that the stress level of youngsters goes significantly down when they are with their pets.
So, based on these findings, I am quite convinced that pets actually help children's development, rather than harming them.
In conclusion, pets offer significant benefits to young children and the risks associated with keeping them could be minimised by vaccinating pets and teaching children how to handle them. So it is undeniable that allowing friendly pets is beneficial for young children.
Model Answer 3: [Opinion: Keeping pets is bad for children]
Allowing children to have pets has been a topic of debate for many years, with some people arguing that it is highly beneficial for children, while others opining that it is detrimental and unhealthy for them. This essay explores both perspectives and gives reasons why this could be harmful to children.
According to some, pets can provide many benefits for children. They can provide companionship and teach compassion. This is particularly true for children who have developmental issues or have working parents with no siblings. For instance, working parents often choose a friendly pet for their children, and this pet acts as a constant companion for the children. This helps them enjoy their time and learn social skills like compassion, sensibility and responsibility.
On the contrary, allowing pets, according to a group of people, has more harmful effects on young children. They believe that pets can be a distraction from important activities such as homework and study. Children may become so focused on playing with or taking care of their pets that they neglect their schoolwork. Additionally, some pets can be dangerous to children, especially if they are not properly trained or supervised. For example, dogs can bite and scratch, and cats can scratch and transmit diseases such as toxoplasmosis. Another reason why keeping pets can be detrimental to children is that they can be unhealthy. Pets can carry germs and parasites that can make children sick, especially if they have weakened immune systems. Additionally, some pets can trigger allergies and asthma, which can have serious health consequences.
In conclusion, while keeping pets can provide some benefits for children, it is ultimately a flawed idea due to the potential distractions, dangers, and health risks they pose. Instead, children should be encouraged to engage in other activities that promote responsibility and compassion, such as volunteering or participating in community service.
Sample Answer 4: [Opinion: Keeping pets is good for children]
The topic of whether keeping pets is beneficial or detrimental to children has long been a subject of debate. While some argue that having pets can bring numerous advantages to a child's life, others express concerns about the potential risks and negative impacts. This essay will explore both perspectives and provide an opinion that allowing children to have pets have significant benefits.
There are several reasons why keeping pets can be advantageous for children. Firstly, having a pet can teach children important life skills, such as responsibility and empathy. Caring for a living creature requires consistent feeding, grooming, and attention, instilling a sense of duty and compassion in children. For instance, a child responsible for walking and feeding a dog learns to prioritize the needs of another living being. Pets can also provide emotional support and companionship. Many children develop strong bonds with their pets, confiding in them and finding solace in their presence. The unconditional love and loyalty of a pet can enhance a child's emotional well-being and help them navigate through challenging times.
While there are benefits, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with keeping pets. One concern is the risk of allergies and infections. Some children may be allergic to pet dander, which can lead to respiratory issues and discomfort. Additionally, pets can transmit certain diseases or parasites if proper hygiene practices are not maintained. For example, contact with animal faeces can result in the transmission of parasites like roundworms. Furthermore, there is a concern about the potential for accidents or injuries involving pets. Young children may unknowingly provoke or mishandle animals, leading to bites, scratches, or falls.
In my opinion, the benefits of keeping pets for children are substantial. Pets offer companionship, emotional support, and opportunities for learning valuable life skills.
In conclusion, by promoting responsible pet ownership and implementing appropriate safety measures, the potential risks can be minimized, allowing children to enjoy the numerous advantages that come with keeping pets.
Proponents of keeping pets argue that it can have numerous positive effects on children. Caring for an animal can help develop a child’s sense of responsibility, as they must feed, groom, and exercise their pet. Additionally, playing with and caring for an animal can help children learn empathy, as they learn to understand and respond to the needs of their pet. Moreover, children can learn to express and receive unconditional love from their pets, which can help them form a stronger bond and build a sense of security.
Opponents of keeping pets, however, contend that it can be dangerous and unhealthy for children. Animal bites and scratches can cause serious infections. Furthermore, animals may be carriers of parasites, bacteria, and viruses, which can spread to humans. Additionally, some people fear that children may become overly attached to their pets, leading to emotional trauma when the pet dies or is given away.
To conclude, having pets for children have great benefits as well as some demerits. The decision should be made by the parents and based on the children's age, circumstances and needs.
For centuries animals have cohabited with us. They are used for various purposes and keeping a pet is one of them. It is very good especially for the kids as it helps to make a bond with the animal. The children develop a sense of caring and learn to respect other living creatures when they have a pet. Taking care of an animal also brings out the noble quality of kindness among children. For instance, most of the children I remember from school with pets were kind to other animals and classmates.
Furthermore, giving the responsibility of taking care of the animal to the kid brings maturity at a young age. Nowadays a cat or a dog are used as special companions especially when the child has anxiety issues as it helps to give them confidence when the animal gives unconditional love to them. I strongly believe that having an animal like a dog or a cat as a companion for the child is very beneficial for the overall development of a child.
On the other hand, some people feel that pets are unhealthy as they carry germs and can cause diseases. In my opinion, this is a very myopic way of thinking. For example, children catch an infection from their friends in school, but we do not stop them from going to school. All that is needed is taking care of general hygiene.
In conclusion, pets are great companions for children and help them develop into good caring individuals. For their benefit, we should allow our kids to have a pet.
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