Parents Are The Best Teachers – IELTS Writing Task 2

Parents are the best teachers. Do you agree or disagree?

Outline

Essay Type

Opinion Essay (Agree/Disagree)

Introduction

Sentences 1, 2 & 3: Introduce the topic.

Sentence 4 – I agree with the notion of the essay.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph 1- Parents teach their children the basic ways of life.

Paragraph 2 – Parents guide and shape the personality of their children.

Conclusion

Sum up and state the final opinion.

Sample Essay

In the words of Matthew L. Jacobson, “Behind every child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first.” This statement throws light on a popular belief that parents are the best teachers a child can have. Out of twenty-four hours in a day, a child stays in close touch with the parents longer than his/her teacher or peers. In my opinion, the notion in the essay holds true.

When a child is born, his/her first nurturing contact is from the mother. As one grows up, parents and very close relationships like siblings and grandparents are the ones who take part in their all-round development. It is the parents who teach them their first words, how to sit, walk, basic etiquette and, in this way, they lay the foundation to education. Parents prepare their wards to face the “real world” as they cross the threshold from an infant to a young boy with patience and love that no one in the whole world can offer.

Adolescence is a very difficult time in the life of an individual. Most people tend to get deflected from their course of action as they are confused and easily influenced. During this time, parents play a very substantial role in their lives. They not only mentor their child but also act as role models for them. It is their responsibility to assist the youngster if they go astray and bring them back on the right track without punishing and demotivating them. Apart from this, a child imitates their parents from a very young age. This makes them the true reflection of their parents and their characters are shaped by the personality and behaviour of their parents. For example, if the parents are sober, educated people, the child will mostly become steady and informed. On the other hand, children of criminals bear the burden of their parents as society considers them corrupt even if they are well-behaved. As a result, they tend to become disillusioned and cynical.

However, when it comes to specialized education, teachers are more imperative than parents. Although parents can guide them, they need their teacher to explain concepts. Moreover, some parents tend to become biased towards their children and provide them unnecessary advantages. Fortunately, this number is few.

In the end, although teachers play an essential role in the life of a child, parents are the first and best teachers for their child as they are present by their side and observe as an individual evolves from an infant to a mature adult.

Vocabulary

• Throws light on

Meaning:  to reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something
Eg: Her speech throws light on how knowledgeable and modest she is.

• Nurturing

Meaning: providing food, protection, comfort, or support
Eg: The mother bird is busy nurturing her newborns.

• Etiquette

Meaning:  the set of rules or customs that control accepted behaviour in particular social groups or social situations
Eg: “Have you forgotten your etiquette?”

• Threshold

Meaning:  the level or point at which you start to experience something, or at which something starts to happen
Eg: When the little girl crossed the threshold into adulthood, her parents began to have a lot of expectations from her.

• Adolescence

Meaning: the period of time in a person’s life when they are developing into an adult
Eg: During adolescence, you have to be attentive towards your child.

• Substantial 

Meaning: large in amount, size, or number
Eg: The group had eaten a substantial amount of the food stored for the winter.

• Sober

Meaning:  having or showing a serious attitude
Eg: The sober man bought great news for the organization.

• Disillusioned 

Meaning: having lost faith or trust in something formerly regarded as good or valuable
Eg: The prince was disillusioned by the truth he came to know about his father.

• Cynical

Meaning: believing that most people are not sincere; expecting most things to fail; harming other people to get an advantage
Eg: When Scrooge became cynical, everyone left his side.

• Imperative

Meaning: something that is extremely important and must be done
Eg: Travelling became imperative to her as she worked in the tourism industry.

More Writing Task 2 Essay Topics

• Environmental Protection is The Responsibility of Politicians, Not Individuals As Individuals Can Do Too Little 
• When a Country Develops its Technology the Traditional Skills and Ways of Life Die Out 
• The Crime Rate Nowadays is Decreasing Compared to the Past Due to Advances in Technology
• Many Governments Think that Economic Progress is Their Most Important Goal
• Some People Think That a Sense of Competition in Children Should be Encouraged