IELTS Writing 2 Topic: Some people are very interested in researching their family history

Janet

3 min read

Updated On Dec 11, 2021

IELTS Writing Task 2

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IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend around 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

Some people are very interested in researching their family history. Other people say this is a waste of time and that we should focus instead on the present and future generations. OR

some people argue that we should do research into their family history. Others, agree with the view that we should focus on the present and future generations. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Include reasons for your answer and any examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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Sample Answers

Investing time and effort in genealogy can be fascinating for some people, while others believe current and future generations deserve more attention. While each view has its merits, there is no reason why the two should be mutually exclusive.

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Tracing family roots back in time and compiling a genealogical tree demonstrating ancestors and descendants can be a worthwhile undertaking for a better understanding of family roots and creating a sense of belonging for a family. While this primarily focuses on the past, the implications for current and future generations can be significant.

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Nowadays, younger generations tend to lead a more hectic life and often feel under greater pressure than their ancestors did, they are also generally highly mobile in terms of where they live and work. It is also common for many to experience a sense of disconnect as a result of this mobility as many do not maintain the same strong family ties that previous generations did. As families extend across regions and in some cases borders, extended families may feel a lack of pertaining to a particular place and being able to share and celebrate their family heritage can help them feel connected to their historic roots.

By no means are the two views mutually exclusive. In fact, the pursuit of understanding our past can help ground us in the present and launch a successful future based on a solid knowledge of where we originate from and those who came before us. Genealogy can in fact reconnect us and yet allow us to explore the future safe in the knowledge of who we are.

Useful Expressions & Vocabulary

Invest something in doing something (phrase) to use something such as time or effort for a particular purpose.

Genealogy (noun) family history, is the study of families and the tracing of their history.

Mutually exclusive (phrase) if 2 things are mutual exclusive, it means they cannot exist together at the same time (or each thing makes the other thing impossible)

Trace back (phrase) discover how it started and developed

Family tree or genealogical tree (phrase) a diagram which shows the relationships between people in several generations of a family

Descendant (noun) a relative of a person who lived in the past

A sense of belonging (noun) the need for being accepted as a member or part

Lead a hectic life (phrase) live a busy life

Extended family (phrase) a family with dad, mom, children, grandparents, aunt, uncle, etc >< nuclear family

Pertain to something (phrase) directly related to something