Many Believe That Reading Books Is A Waste

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write at least 250 words.

Many believe that reading books is a waste of time and children would be better served doing something more useful

To what extent do you agree or disagree?


Sample Answer:

Reading books has long been considered a pastime activity for both adults and children alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing sentiment that reading books is a waste of time, and that children would be better served doing something more useful. In this essay, I will discuss both sides of this argument before making a conclusion.

On the one hand, it can be argued that reading books is a waste of time as it is an activity that does not help children develop any meaningful skill or knowledge. For example, unless a child reads a book such as a biography or history book, they are unlikely to learn anything new. Also, the time spent reading could be used for more productive endeavours such as studying for school or engaging in extra-curricular activities. Furthermore, there is the potential for reading to become an addiction, whereby a child is so enthralled in a book that they are unable to focus on other important activities.

On the other hand, there is a strong case to suggest that reading books is beneficial for children. Firstly, it can help to develop their imagination and creativity as reading a book often requires the reader to form mental images in their head. Secondly, reading is a great source of relaxation and can help to reduce stress levels. Thirdly, reading can help to expand a child’s knowledge of the world around them. For example, a child may read a book about a different culture or country and gain valuable insights into the world. Finally, reading books can also help to improve a child’s academic performance. This is because reading increases a child’s vocabulary and reading comprehension skills, which are critical for success in school.

In conclusion, while there are arguments to suggest that reading books is a waste of time, there are also numerous benefits that reading can provide to children. Therefore, I believe that reading books should be encouraged, but only if it is done in moderation and not to the detriment of other important activities.