Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports – IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 is a part of the General Training and Academic examinations that assesses the ability to structure and organize an essay on a specific topic. Direct Question Essays, like ‘Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports’, are part of Task 2 and so, you need to acquaint yourself with the purpose of the question and framework of the answer.

Usually, Direct Question essays have two questions and are also called Two Part Question essays. Unlike the classic type, the essay topic, Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports, asks you one direct question and you need to understand the question and figure out what is being asked. After you have decoded the question correctly, you must answer it clearly and support your argument with appropriate examples.

It is common for IELTS candidates to encounter difficulties when it comes to the Essay Writing section. Therefore, you need to practise more essays to master this task and for that, you can check out the IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice Tests.

Now, let’s have a look at the Direct Question essay – Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports – with three sample answers.

Question

Outline

Check Out – Cohesive Devices – Types, Tips and Examples

Band 7 Sample Answer for Writing Task 2 Question – Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports

Sports are an essential part of life for everyone. But, in many countries, cricket is more popular than other sports among the public. There are several reasons for this trend, which are covered in the following paragraphs.

First of all, compared to other games, cricket tournaments are more competitive. It is clear that the organizers host several cricket tournaments each year, including Twenty20, Test Match, IPL, and many more, which draw large crowds and therefore gain popularity. Secondly, it’s common knowledge that businesses pay cricket players to promote their goods. So, young people look up to cricket players as role models, and their interest in watching the game grows. For example, Virat Kohli’s endorsement of energy drinks has developed his fan base and elevated cricket’s reputation.

Thirdly, cricket is played on more playgrounds worldwide than other sports, which has lowered the value of other games. It not only makes this well-known to the citizens of various countries but also attracts the attention of people all over the world. Lastly, sports networks and newspapers cover every cricket match, irrespective of its importance. As a result, this game is becoming more and more significant, unlike other sports like badminton, football, and hockey, which are not covered by media houses.

To sum it up, various factors like promotion by the media, popularity of the sportspeople, continuous series, etc., are responsible for the fame of cricket. (232 words)

Vocabulary 

• Tournament (Noun)

Meaning: (in a sport or game) a series of contests between a number of competitors, competing for an overall prize

E.g.: India won the tournament against Sri Lanka.

• Popularity (Noun)

Meaning: the fact that something or someone is liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people

E.g.: Amit’s popularity reached the place before he arrived there.

• Elevate (Past Tense – Elevated)

Meaning: to make someone or something more important or to improve something

E.g.: The addition of the new decor elevated the atmosphere of the restaurant.

• Reputation (Noun)

Meaning: the opinion that people in general have about someone or something

E.g.: The shop’s reputation is because of their customer service.

• Lower (Past Tense – Lowered)

Meaning: to move something into a low position; to reduce something

E.g.: The recession lowered the demand for certain products in the global market.

• Irrespective (Adverb)

Meaning: without considering; not needing to allow for

E.g.: Irrespective of many warnings, Tibu left home, never to return.

• Fame (Noun)

Meaning: the state of being known for having or doing something important

E.g.: It is true that fame turned him into an unkind person.

Band 8 Sample Answer for Writing Task 2 Question – Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports

Cricket has become a dominant force, outranking the national sports in many sub continental countries. Several reasons that contribute to this widespread popularity, making cricket a cultural phenomenon, will be discussed in this essay.

To begin with, cricket has a massive global fan base, and major tournaments attract viewers from around the world. This international demand contributes to the sport’s popularity and provides a platform for players from sub continental countries to gain global recognition. Also, global tournaments, particularly the ICC Cricket World Cup, contribute significantly to cricket’s popularity. These events bring nations together, encouraging a sense of unity and national pride. For example, memorable moments from these tournaments, like India’s World Cup win in 1983, have become an essential part of the national identity.

Next, cricket’s popularity is also due to the presence of cricket legends who became national heroes. Icons like Sachin Tendulkar in India, Imran Khan in Pakistan, and Kumar Sangakkara in Sri Lanka have achieved legendary status. In contrast to many national and traditional sports on the subcontinent, cricket enjoys significantly greater media coverage and is the subject of international events and championships. Cricket players in these nations have become superstars and public figures due to the media attention they receive.

To conclude, I believe cricket’s popularity in subcontinental countries can be associated with a large fan base, media coverage, cricketing legends, and global tournaments. Since other sports, like hockey, badminton, or swimming, lack this attention and support, they are left behind, and cricket has become a global sensation. (251 words)

Vocabulary 

• Dominant (Adjective)

Meaning: liking to take control in a group and having natural authority

E.g.: Tina is the dominant one and makes the other kids cry.

• Widespread (Adjective)

Meaning: found or distributed over a large area or number of people

E.g.: Dengue has become widespread fear even among people in the metropolitan area.

• Massive (Adjective)

Meaning: large and heavy or solid

E.g.: After she joined the company, there was a massive increase in the sales.

• Recognition (Noun)

Meaning: the fact of knowing who a person is or what a thing is because of having seen or experienced that person or thing before

E.g.: Regular recognition from the management motivates employees to work harder.

• Legendary (Adjective)

Meaning: very famous and admired or spoken about

E.g.: Legendary singer Lata Mangeshwar passed away.

• Superstar (Noun)

Meaning: an extremely famous person, esp. esp someone who performs or plays a sport

E.g.: Virat Kohli, M.S. Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar are superstars in the field of cricket.

• Sensation (Noun)

Meaning:  a state of excited interest or feeling

E.g.: The news of his quitting the position created a sensation in the company.

Band 9 Sample Answer for Writing Task 2 Question – Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports

Vocabulary 

• Extraordinary (Adjective)

Meaning: very unusual and special

E.g.: Shami’s extraordinary performance in the World Cup is really worthy of praise.

• Exceeding (Verb)

Meaning: to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree

E.g.: The biker was caught by the police as he was exceeding the speed limit.

• Accessible (Adjective)

Meaning: able to be reached or easily obtained

E.g.: The government has made the remote lands accessible by cutting down the forests.

• Transcending (Verb)

Meaning: be or go beyond the range or limits of

E.g.: The opera was transcending all the previous records of the year.

• Extensive (Adjective)

Meaning: covering a large area; having or being a large amount

E.g.: The professor did an extensive research on this incident and brought out the truth.

• Broadcast (Noun)

Meaning: the act of sending out a programme on television or radio

E.g.: Everyone was waiting for the television broadcast of the Ramayana.

• Ascent (Noun)

Meaning: the act of climbing or moving upwards

E.g.: The ascent of the singer’s career was quite sudden.

• Cementing (Verb)

Meaning: to settle or establish firmly

E.g.: They made a blood promise, thereby cementing their friendship for the years to come.

More Reasons Why Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports

Given below are some additional reasons for cricket becoming the most popular sports overshadowing the national sports of various countries.

• In the course of British colonization, cricket was introduced to numerous subcontinental nations. The popularity of the sport has persisted even after winning independence as it became deeply rooted in the culture.
• Subcontinental nations have made significant infrastructure investments in cricket, constructing academies, training centers, and stadiums. This has raised the bar for the game as a whole and produced an atmosphere that is ideal for the sport to flourish in.
• Corporate endorsement and sponsorship agreements have significantly increased cricket’s financial support. Corporate engagement has aided in the sport’s expansion and commercialization.
• Subcontinental nations have a passionate and deeply committed fan base for cricket. The fervor and backing for the national teams is unmatched, fostering a feeling of cohesion and individuality among supporters.
• Cricket’s standing has been strengthened by its incorporation into popular culture. For example, the relationship between Bollywood and cricket in India has increased the sport’s popularity.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Connectors for Gaining Bonus Points in the Sample Answers for Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports

Connectors or Linking words helps to bring coherence to your writing and increase your chances of scoring a high band. So, check out the list of connectors/linking words used in the sample responses for the IELTS Writing Task 2 – ‘Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports’ given below.

• But
• First of all
• Secondly
• Thirdly
• Lastly
• To sum it up
• To begin with
• Also
• For example
• Next
• In contrast to
• To conclude
• I think
• One of the key factors is
• Additionally
• Moreover
• Furthermore
• In conclusion

After reading the sample answers on the topic – Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports – it is time to write your own. Feel free to leave your answers in the comments below or take advantage of our FREE evaluation service and get evaluated by IELTS experts!

Additional Resources

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