IELTS WRITING TASK 2

1. Some people think that the only way to be successful in business is to have a unique product.
Discuss if you agree or disagree.

A. Introduction

(a) Paraphrase the statement)
Some individuals argue that the key to achieving success in business lies solely in offering a product that is unlike anything else available in the market.

(b) Thesis statement)
I completely disagree with this belief.

(c) Outline statement)
While having a unique product can certainly be an advantage, several other factors such as effective marketing strategies and exceptional customer service also play a crucial role in determining business success.

B. Body Paragraph 1

(a) 1st reason)
To begin with, a unique product alone does not guarantee commercial success without strategic marketing and brand positioning.

(b) Explanation)
Even if a company develops something original, consumers may remain unaware of it without proper promotion. Marketing helps build brand recognition, trust, and demand, which are essential components of business growth.

(c) Example)
For example, Coca-Cola does not offer a completely unique beverage today, yet it remains one of the most successful brands in the world due to powerful advertising and consistent marketing campaigns.

C. Body Paragraph 2

(a) 2nd reason)
Furthermore, customer service and user experience are often more important than product uniqueness.

(b) Explanation)
A business may offer a novel product, but if customers do not feel valued or supported, they are unlikely to return. Companies that prioritise customer satisfaction create long-term loyalty, which contributes significantly to sustained success.

(c) Example)
For instance, Amazon became a global leader not because it offered a unique product, but because of its reliable service, fast delivery, and hassle-free return policies, which built strong trust among consumers.

D. Conclusion

In conclusion, although a unique product can offer a competitive edge, it is not the only factor that determines business success. Effective marketing and excellent customer service are equally—if not more—important. Therefore, I strongly believe that business success results from a combination of various strategies rather than relying solely on product uniqueness.

Reading and comprehension : The weight of regret.

Riya was a bright 20-year-old girl, full of dreams and ambition. She planned to study abroad, start a business, and make her parents proud. But despite her big goals, she had one habit that constantly stopped her: procrastination.

Whenever she had assignments or important work, she would think, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Instead, she spent hours scrolling on social media, watching videos, and chatting with friends. She convinced herself that she still had time.

One day, her professor announced a competition where the best business idea would get a scholarship to study in Canada. Riya was thrilled. She had been waiting for such an opportunity. She started working on her idea—but after a few hours, her phone buzzed. Her friend sent her a meme, then a funny video, then a voice message.

“What’s the harm in taking a short break?” she thought. That short break turned into hours. Days passed, and she kept postponing the project.

Finally, the submission deadline arrived. Riya stayed awake the whole night and finished the project just minutes before the deadline. She knew it wasn’t her best work, but she hoped for the best.

A week later, the results were announced. Her friend Sarah, who spent weeks preparing, won the scholarship.

Riya congratulated her, but deep inside, she felt a heavy weight — a mix of regret and guilt.

Later, she asked her professor, “Do you think my idea wasn’t strong enough?”

The professor smiled gently and replied, “Your idea was strong — but your preparation was weak. Success doesn’t come from dreams alone. It comes from disciplined action.”

That night, Riya reflected deeply. She realized she had lost an opportunity not because she was incapable, but because she delayed what mattered.

From that day forward, she made a decision:

Whenever her mind said, “I’ll do it later,” she would answer,

“No. I’ll do it now.”

With time, consistency, and discipline, Riya changed her habits. Within a year, she applied again—this time confidently—and achieved her scholarship.

Moral:

Dreams need discipline. Today’s decisions shape tomorrow’s opportunities.

Delay turns potential into regret. Action turns potential into achievements.

Comprehension and Reflection Questions

A. Factual & Understanding Questions (Literal)

1. What habit stopped Riya from achieving her goals?

2. What opportunity did the professor announce?

3. Who won the scholarship and why?

4. What was the main reason Riya failed to win the opportunity?

5. What decision did Riya make after reflecting on her actions?

B. Inferential Questions (Between the lines)

6. Why do you think Riya kept procrastinating even though she had big goals?

7. How did social media affect her productivity?

8. What does the professor’s statement suggest about success and effort?

9. What emotions did Riya feel after losing the opportunity?

C. Critical Thinking Questions (Beyond the text)

10. Have you ever lost an opportunity because of procrastination? What did you learn?

11. Do you think technology makes procrastination easier? Explain.

12. In what ways can someone build discipline in their daily life?

13. If you were Riya, what strategy would you use to avoid procrastination?

D. Vocabulary in Context

Write the meaning of the following words based on how they are used in the story:

14. Ambition

15. Procrastination

16. Opportunity

17. Regret

18. Disciplined action

Reading and comprehension: The weight of the glass.

One evening, a psychology professor entered her classroom carrying a glass filled halfway with water. The students expected the classic question: “Is it half empty or half full?”

But she surprised them.

She raised the glass and asked,

“How heavy do you think this glass is?”

Students gave answers ranging from 100 grams to 500 grams.

The professor smiled and said,

“The actual weight doesn’t matter. What matters is how long I hold it.”

She continued,

“If I hold this glass for a minute, it feels light.

If I hold it for an hour, my arm will ache.

If I hold it all day, my arm will go numb and I’ll feel paralyzed. But the weight of the glass never changes.”

The students listened silently.

The professor gently placed the glass on the table and said:

“The stresses and worries in life are like this glass. Think about them for a short time, nothing happens. Think about them longer, they start hurting you. Think about them all day, and they paralyze your ability to live.”

She concluded,

“Put the glass down. Learn to let go. Rest. Reset. You’ll be able to pick it up again with new strength.”

The entire class fell silent, absorbing the truth of her words.

That day, students didn’t just learn psychology.

They learned one of life’s most important lessons:

You cannot control everything, but you can control how long you carry it.

Moral

Don’t hold on to worries for too long. Let things go.

Resting your mind is not a weakness—it is wisdom.

Comprehension Questions

A. Basic Understanding

1. Who entered the classroom at the beginning of the story?

2. What did she bring with her?

3. What question did the students expect?

4. What actually happened when she asked about the glass?

5. What does the glass represent in the story?

B. Deep Thinking Questions

6. Why does the professor say the weight of the glass does not matter?

7. How is holding the glass similar to holding stress in life?

8. What lesson did the students learn from this demonstration?

9. How can this story be applied to your own life?

10. Why is letting go sometimes the best solution?

Deforestation: A comprehensive analysis.

Deforestation: A threat to environment.

Deforestation means cutting down trees on a large scale. It is one of the biggest environmental problems in the world today. Forests are important because they give us oxygen, improve air quality, protect soil, support wildlife, control climate, and maintain ecological balance. When we destroy forests, we disturb the balance of nature.

Q. What are the major causes of deforestation?

There are many reasons.

Agriculture is the biggest cause because people clear forests for farming.

Urbanization and industrialization also require land, so trees are cut to build roads, buildings, and factories.

Logging (timber cutting) for furniture and paper causes huge forest loss.

Mining also requires clearing large areas.

Sometimes, forest fires—both natural and man-made—destroy huge forest areas.

Q. What are the effects of deforestation?

The impact is very serious.

It leads to global warming because fewer trees means more carbon dioxide.

It causes climate change, irregular rainfall, and higher temperatures.

It also leads to loss of biodiversity because many animals lose their homes and die.

Deforestation causes soil erosion, which reduces soil fertility and affects farming.

It also increases the chances of floods and droughts.

Q. How does deforestation affect wildlife?

Animals depend on forests for food, shelter, and protection. When forests disappear, animals are left with no place to live. Many species become endangered or extinct, and the whole food chain gets disturbed.

Q. How does deforestation affect humans?

Humans suffer from poor air quality, water scarcity, higher heat, and natural disasters. Farmers face low crop production due to soil erosion and climate change. People living in forest areas lose their livelihood.

Q. What are the economic effects?

In the short term, deforestation provides land for farming, wood for industries, and minerals from mining. But in the long term, it damages the environment and leads to **huge economic losses** due to floods, droughts, and loss of fertile land.

Q. What are the solutions to deforestation?

We must take strong steps.

Afforestation and reforestation—planting more trees.

Sustainable farming to reduce pressure on forests.

Using recycled products to reduce timber demand.

Strict laws against illegal logging.

Awareness programs to educate people.

Promoting renewable energy to reduce dependence on wood.

Q. What is the role of government?

Government should create and enforce laws to protect forests. It must encourage tree plantation drives, sustainable development, and eco-friendly industries. It should also support tribal communities and protect wildlife.

Q. What is the role of individuals?

Every person can help. We can reduce paper use, recycle products, plant trees, stop burning waste, and spread awareness about forest protection. Small actions lead to big changes.

Q. How can technology help?

Technology can monitor forests through satellites, stop illegal logging, and help farmers use land efficiently. Drones, GPS, and AI tools can track deforestation in real time.

Q. What is the global impact?

Deforestation affects the entire world. It increases global warming and destroys natural ecosystems. Countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and India face major forest loss, which affects global climate patterns.

Conclusion

Deforestation is a serious problem that affects the environment, animals, humans, and the economy. If we do not act today, the future will be unsafe for the next generation. Protecting forests is not the responsibility of one person—it is the responsibility of every human on Earth. With strong laws, responsible behavior, and global cooperation, we can save our forests and restore the balance of nature.

Some more simple questions:

1. What is deforestation?

Answer:

Deforestation is the process of cutting down or clearing forests for human activities such as farming, construction, mining, or urban development.

2. What are the main causes of deforestation?

Answer:

The main causes are agriculture, logging, mining, infrastructure development, forest fires, and population growth.

3. How does deforestation affect the environment?

Answer:

It leads to loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, climate change, habitat destruction, and imbalance in the ecosystem.

4. How does deforestation contribute to global warming?

Answer:

Trees absorb carbon dioxide. When forests are cut, CO₂ levels increase, contributing to global warming.

5. What are the effects of deforestation on wildlife?

Answer:

Animals lose their homes and food sources, leading to endangerment and extinction of many species.

6. How does deforestation affect humans?

Answer:

It reduces clean air, increases natural disasters like floods, affects rainfall patterns, and impacts farmers’ livelihoods.

7. What are the economic reasons behind deforestation?

Answer:

Demand for timber, agricultural land, mining profits, real estate development, and job creation.

8. What are the social effects of deforestation?

Answer:

Tribal communities lose their homes, migration increases, and conflicts over land and resources occur.

9. How does deforestation lead to soil erosion?

Answer:

Roots of trees hold soil together. When trees are removed, soil becomes loose and easily washed away by rain and wind.

10. How does deforestation affect rainfall patterns?

Answer:

Trees release moisture into the air. With fewer trees, the area receives less rainfall, causing drought.

11. How can we control deforestation?

Answer:

Through afforestation, strict laws, sustainable farming, recycling wood products, and awareness programs.

12. What is afforestation?

Answer:

Afforestation means planting new trees where there were no forests before.

13. What is reforestation?

Answer:

Reforestation means planting trees in areas where forests were cut down.

14. What can individuals do to reduce deforestation?

Answer:

Use less paper, avoid single-use products, support eco-friendly brands, and plant more trees.

15. What role can the government play?

Answer:

The government can enforce strict laws, promote sustainable development, and encourage the use of alternative materials.

16. What role do industries play in deforestation?

Answer:

Industries clear forests for timber, farming, mining, and construction, contributing heavily to forest loss.

17. What is the impact of deforestation on climate change?

Answer:

It increases greenhouse gases, raises global temperatures, and causes extreme weather conditions.

18. How does deforestation cause floods?

Answer:

Trees absorb water and reduce runoff. Without trees, water flows freely, causing floods.

19. How does deforestation create deserts?

Answer:

Loss of forests results in less rainfall, dry soil, and eventually desert-like conditions.

20. Why is the Amazon rainforest important?

Answer:

It produces 20% of the world’s oxygen and is home to thousands of species. Deforestation here affects the entire planet.

21. How does population growth cause deforestation?

Answer:

More people need more land, food, and housing, so forests are cleared.

22. What are the long-term consequences of deforestation?

Answer:

Loss of biodiversity, climate imbalance, food shortage, and increased natural disasters.

23. What are some alternatives to cutting down trees?

Answer:

Using recycled materials, bamboo, metal, and promoting digital documents instead of paper.

24. Why is biodiversity important?

Answer:

It maintains balance in the ecosystem and supports life by providing food, medicine, and clean air.

25. How do forest fires contribute to deforestation?

Answer:

Forest fires destroy huge areas of land, and recovery takes years.

26. Should deforestation ever be allowed?

Answer:

It should only be allowed when absolutely necessary and followed by proper reforestation.

27. Why are forests called the “lungs of the Earth”?

Answer:

Because they absorb CO₂ and release oxygen, just like lungs help us breathe.

28. What are the advantages of sustainable forestry?

Answer:

It allows controlled cutting while ensuring forests regenerate and stay healthy.

29. What is the role of NGOs in stopping deforestation?

Answer:

NGOs spread awareness, plant trees, and fight against illegal logging.

30. What message would you like to give on deforestation?

Answer:

We need to protect forests for our future, as without them life on Earth cannot survive.

Reading Test: The Price of Two Hours.

🌿 The Price of Two Hours

Arjun was a hardworking 20-year-old boy who lived in a small town. He was talented, full of dreams, and determined to build a successful future. Every day after college, he worked part-time at a café to earn money for his expenses. He wanted to reduce the financial burden on his parents.

One evening, after finishing his shift, Arjun noticed an elderly man sitting alone at a table. His clothes were old, and his hands trembled slightly. Arjun walked up to him and asked, “Sir, would you like some water?”

The old man smiled and said, “I’m fine, son. I’m just waiting for someone.”

Hours passed, customers left, and the café was about to close. But the old man still sat there—alone, silent, patient.

Arjun approached him again. “Sir, it’s getting late. Would you like to call someone?”

The old man nodded slowly. “Actually, I’m waiting for my son. He told me he would meet me today. I came two hours early because I didn’t want to keep him waiting.”

Arjun felt a sudden heaviness in his heart. He brought the old man a cup of tea from his own pocket. As they talked, the old man shared how he had spent his entire life working for his family, but now his son barely had time to visit him.

“People run so fast in life,” the old man said softly, “that they forget the ones who taught them how to walk.”

Just then, a message popped up on the old man’s phone.

“Sorry, Dad. I can’t come today. Maybe next week.”

The old man’s smile faded for a moment, but he quickly hid his sadness and whispered, “He must be busy.”

Arjun felt a deep ache witnessing this. He accompanied the old man to the bus stop and waited with him until the bus came.

Before leaving, the old man held Arjun’s hand and said,

“Son, remember this: Success is important, but never become too busy to give time to the people who gave time to you.”

Those words stayed with Arjun forever.

⭐ Moral:

Give time to your loved ones. Money returns, time never does.

📝 Questions for Reflection:

Comprehension Questions.

1. Why did Arjun work part-time at a café?

2. Why was the old man sitting alone in the café?

3. What message did the old man receive?

4. How did the old man react to his son’s cancellation?

5. What did the old man teach Arjun before leaving?

Deep Reflective Questions

6. Why do young adults often become too busy for family?

7. Do you think success is more important than relationships? Why or why not?

8. Have you ever ignored someone who cared for you because you were busy?

9. What is one small way you can give more time to your family starting today?

10. What lesson from the story do you personally connect with the most?

Questions on ban on plastic.

Basic questions:

1. What is plastic, and why is it widely used?

2. What do we mean by a “ban on plastic”?

3. Which types of plastics are usually banned?

Need for the Ban

4. Why do governments consider banning plastic?

5. What are the major problems caused by plastic?

6. How does plastic pollution affect humans?

7. How does plastic harm animals and marine life?

8. How does plastic affect soil and agriculture?

9. How does plastic impact climate change?

Environmental Impact

10. Why is plastic considered non-biodegradable?

11. How long does plastic take to decompose?

12. How does plastic enter oceans and rivers?

13. What is microplastic, and why is it dangerous?

Economic and Social Impact

14. How would a plastic ban affect businesses?

15. Will a ban impact small vendors and shopkeepers?

16. What will be the impact on the packaging industry?

17. How does plastic waste management cost the government?

18. Can the economy handle a full ban on plastic?

Alternatives

19. What are the best alternatives to plastic?

20. Are alternatives affordable and practical?

21. How can we promote eco-friendly products?

22. Can recycling be a better option than banning?

Implementation

23. How effective are plastic bans in India?

24. Why do plastic bans fail in many places?

25. How can the government enforce a plastic ban?

26. What role should industries play in reducing plastic?

27. Should the ban be partial or complete?

Individual Role

28. What can citizens do to reduce plastic use?

29. Why do people still use plastic bags despite the ban?

30. How can awareness and education help?

Global Scenario

31. Which countries have successfully banned plastics?

32. What can India learn from other countries?

33. Is a global plastic ban possible?

Debate-Oriented Questions

34. Is banning plastic a practical solution?

35. Should we focus more on recycling instead of banning?

36. Does a plastic ban hurt more than it helps?

37. Are biodegradable plastics a real solution?

38. Is the government responsible or citizens?

Future Outlook

39. What will happen if we do not ban or reduce plastic?

40. What is the future of plastic alternatives?

GD Topic: Ban on Plastic.

Ban on Plastic.

Plastic has become an essential part of our daily life. From carry bags to packaged food, from bottles to household items—plastic is everywhere. However, the same plastic has now turned into one of the biggest environmental threats. Because of its harmful impact, many countries, including India, have introduced a ban on single-use plastic. This topic is common in group discussions, interviews, and speaking tests, so it is important to understand it from all angles.

What Is Plastic and Why Is It a Problem?

Plastic is a synthetic material made from chemicals derived from petroleum. It is strong, lightweight, cheap, and easy to produce. These qualities made it extremely popular. However, plastic has one major problem: it does not decompose for hundreds of years.

A plastic bottle takes around 450 years to break down. A plastic bag takes 10–1000 years. As a result, plastic keeps accumulating on land, in rivers, and in oceans, harming the environment, animals, and even humans.

Why Was the Ban on Plastic Introduced? (Causes)

1. Pollution: Plastic waste clogs drains, pollutes rivers, and destroys soil fertility.

2. Harm to Animals: Cows, birds, turtles, and fish die after eating plastic waste.

3. Threat to Marine Life: Oceans are filled with tons of plastic. Sea creatures often get trapped or poisoned.

4. Human Health Impact: Plastic contains chemicals like BPA and microplastics that enter the food chain and can cause diseases.

5. Global Warming: Plastic production releases greenhouse gases.

6. Waste Management Crisis: Cities are unable to manage the huge amount of plastic waste.

Types of Plastic That Are Banned

Most countries have banned single-use plastic items, such as:

• Plastic carry bags

• Plastic straws

• Cups and plates

• Cutlery

• Small sachets

• Thin packaging materials

These items are used once and thrown away, adding to pollution.

Benefits of the Plastic Ban

1. Cleaner Environment: Less plastic waste means cleaner streets, rivers, and oceans.

2. Protection of Wildlife: Fewer animals die due to plastic.

3. Better Human Health: Reduces microplastic consumption.

4. Encourages Eco-friendly Alternatives: Cloth bags, paper bags, jute bags, bamboo items, steel bottles, etc.

5. Improves Waste Management: Less burden on landfills and drainage systems.

6. Supports Sustainable Living: Helps fight climate change.

Challenges in Implementing the Plastic Ban

1. Public Awareness is Low: Many people still use plastic bags out of habit.

2. Cheap Availability: Plastic is cheaper than eco-friendly alternatives.

3. Lack of Strict Enforcement: Rules exist but are not always followed.

4. Dependence of Small Vendors: Small shopkeepers depend on cheap plastic packaging.

5. Limited Availability of Alternatives: In some places, cloth or paper bags are not easily available.

6. Recycling System is Weak: Only a small percentage of plastic is properly recycled.

Impact on the Economy

Positive Impact:

• New industries for eco-friendly products create jobs.

• Reduces waste management costs.

Negative Impact:

• Plastic manufacturing industries face losses.

• Small vendors struggle to shift to costlier alternatives.

What Are the Possible Solutions?

1. Strict Implementation of Laws – Heavy fines for using banned items.

2. Public Awareness Campaigns – Schools, colleges, and media can educate people.

3. Encourage Alternatives – Promote cloth, jute, bamboo, biodegradable materials.

4. Improve Recycling Units – Modern recycling plants can reduce plastic waste.

5. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – Companies must take back and recycle their plastic waste.

6. Research and Innovation – Develop cheap biodegradable plastics.

7. Community Participation – Every citizen must take responsibility.

Arguments For the Plastic Ban (If asked in GD)

• Protects the environment

• Saves marine life

• Reduces pollution

• Improves public health

• Encourages innovation and sustainability

Arguments Against the Plastic Ban (To balance the GD)

• Can affect small businesses

• Higher cost of alternatives

• Plastic is sometimes more durable than paper

• Complete ban is unrealistic; gradual reduction is better

• Industries and workers may lose jobs

What Should Be the Middle Path?

Rather than a complete ban, the best solution is:

• Ban single-use plastics

• Improve recycling of other types

• Reduce plastic usage

• Promote reusable products

• Encourage companies to adopt eco-friendly packaging

Current Scenario (India + Global)

• India banned 19 categories of single-use plastics in 2022.

• Many Indian states have strict laws now.

• Countries like Rwanda, France, and Canada have already imposed strict bans and are successfully controlling plastic waste.

Conclusion (Strong GD Closing Statement)

The ban on plastic is not just a rule; it is a necessary step to protect our environment and future generations. Plastic itself is not the enemy—our careless use and disposal of it is the problem. A successful ban requires cooperation from governments, industries, and citizens. With awareness, responsibility, and sustainable alternatives, we can create a cleaner, healthier, and greener planet.

For more knowledge read the following article:

Ban on Plastic: Problems, Consequences, and Unusual Solutions

Plastic has received a lot of bad press in recent years—and deservedly so. Our careless use of it has covered the earth and filled the oceans with almost eight trillion tons of plastic garbage. The dark side of plastic waste often overshadows its importance, because plastic undoubtedly revolutionized life in the 20th century.

Today, 12.7 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans every year. The consequences for sea life are tragic—choking turtles, poisoning whales, and harming countless other species. The main solution must be reducing the amount of plastic we use at the source. However, people are also turning to technology, lateral thinking, and even other species to combat the monstrous behemoth of plastic on planet Earth.

Below are five of the strangest and most interesting solutions:

1. Mushrooms

A fungus called Aspergillus tubingensis is a darkly pigmented species that thrives in warm habitats. Although it looks ordinary, it has one remarkable property: the ability to degrade polyurethane (PU), a common type of plastic.

One of the biggest problems with plastic is that it does not break down or degrade, which is why we probably have plastic inside our bodies today. Finding agents capable of breaking down polymers would be extremely useful.

Microbiologists at Quaid-i-Azam University in Pakistan discovered that Aspergillus tubingensis secretes enzymes that break down plastics. In return, the fungus gets food by dissolving the plastic. This fungus could potentially be used to degrade plastic in landfills.

2. The Ocean Cleanup

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between California and Hawaii, is the largest accumulation of plastic in the oceans. It is three times the size of France and contains 80,000 tonnes of plastic.

Engineers from the Netherlands, led by 24-year-old Dutch inventor Boyan Slat, launched an ocean cleanup system known as System 001. It is a 600m long floating rubbish collector with a 3m deep skirt that gathers plastic. A garbage truck ship will collect the plastic every few months.

Using computer simulations and scale models, the team has tested and trialed the system, which is now moving toward the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Slat has received both praise and criticism, and no one yet knows what the result will be. As Slat said, “The moment I am looking forward most to is when we are taking the first plastic back and it’s a proven technology.”

3. Roads Made from Plastic?

Another innovative idea from the Netherlands is PlasticRoad, a project that created a bike path in the Dutch city of Zwolle using recycled plastic. It is the first of its kind.

Instead of burning plastic bottles, cups, and packaging or sending them to landfill, this method reuses them in road construction. Currently, the road uses 70% recycled plastic, with plans to reach 100% in the future.

The company states that this plastic road is more durable than asphalt, requires less heavy equipment, takes less time to install, and creates a smaller carbon footprint.

The first road in Zwolle is 30m long and contains the recycled plastic equivalent of 218,000 plastic cups or 500,000 bottle caps. A second PlasticRoad will be built in Overijssel.

4. Seaweed Instead of Plastic

The fight against plastic pollution has pushed designers to look for new materials for packaging. Bioplastics, usually made from vegetable fats, oils, cassava starch, woodchips, or food waste, are one answer.

But Indonesian start-up Evoware uses seaweed to create innovative packaging. They work with local seaweed farmers to make sandwich and burger wraps, sachets for flavouring and coffee, and soap packaging, all from seaweed. This packaging dissolves in hot water and is even edible, leaving zero waste. It is both sustainable and nutritious.

5. Social Plastic

One of the biggest problems plastic creates is its devastating effect on ocean life. By 2050, there may be more pieces of plastic than fish in the sea.

A unique idea to stop plastic from reaching the oceans is The Plastic Bank, a social enterprise that pays an above-market rate for plastic waste. Collectors can trade plastic for money, items such as fuel or cookstoves, or services like paying school fees.

This project encourages people to collect ocean-bound plastic before it enters waterways. It helps fight poverty, cleans the streets, and reduces the amount of waste reaching the oceans. The goal of Plastic Bank is to make plastic too valuable to throw away and turn it into a kind of currency.

The company sells this collected plastic to corporate clients who pay nearly three times more than the usual cost. The Plastic Bank currently operates in Haiti, Brazil, and the Philippines, and plans to expand to South Africa, India, Panama, and even the Vatican.

Good luck!

                                                                                                                                          By: Asmit Kumar

Reading and Comprehension

 

Exercise-2

🏰 Title: Emperor Ashoka and the Kalinga War

Long ago, India was ruled by the great emperor Ashoka, who belonged to the Mauryan dynasty. When he was young, Ashoka was brave, ambitious, and determined to make his empire the most powerful in the world.

After becoming the emperor, he decided to conquer a region called Kalinga (present-day Odisha). Kalinga was a rich and independent kingdom, and its people loved their freedom. When Ashoka’s army attacked, the war was fierce and terrible. Thousands of soldiers and innocent people lost their lives.

After the victory, Ashoka went to the battlefield. When he saw the land covered with dead bodies and heard the cries of the wounded, his heart was filled with pain and sorrow. For the first time, he realized that war brings only destruction, not glory.

Deeply moved by the suffering, Ashoka decided never to fight again. He gave up violence and became a follower of Buddhism, a religion that teaches peace, kindness, and compassion.

He started spreading the message of love and non-violence across his empire and even to foreign lands. He built schools, hospitals, and roads, and placed stone pillars inscribed with his teachings so people could learn the values of truth and harmony.

From a fierce warrior, Ashoka became a peaceful ruler, remembered today as “Ashoka the Great.”

📘 Comprehension Questions

A. Answer the following:

1. Who was Ashoka, and which dynasty did he belong to?

2. Why did Ashoka fight the Kalinga war?

3. What did Ashoka see after the war that changed his heart?

4. What religion did Ashoka follow after the war?

5. What steps did Ashoka take to spread peace and kindness?

6. What is Ashoka remembered for today?

B. True or False:

1. Ashoka belonged to the Mauryan dynasty.

2. The Kalinga war brought happiness to Ashoka.

3. After the war, Ashoka became cruel and violent.

4. Ashoka spread the message of peace and non-violence.

C. Vocabulary Check:

Find the meanings of these words from the story:

1. Ambitious

2. Sorrow

3. Compassion

4. Harmony

D. Think and Answer:

1. What do you learn from Ashoka’s change after the Kalinga war?

2. Do you think kindness is more powerful than war? Why?

3. How can we follow Ashoka’s message in our daily lives?

Reading and Comprehension.

Chanakya and the Rise of Chandragupta Maurya.

More than 2,000 years ago, in ancient India, there lived a wise teacher named Chanakya, also known as Kautilya. He was a brilliant scholar and an expert in politics and strategy. During that time, northern India was ruled by the Nanda dynasty, whose king was rich but very arrogant and unfair to his people.

One day, Chanakya visited the Nanda court, but the proud king insulted him in front of everyone. Angered and humiliated, Chanakya took a vow — he would not tie his hair until he overthrew the Nanda king and established a new ruler who would bring justice to the people.

While wandering through the villages, Chanakya met a bright and courageous boy named Chandragupta. He saw great leadership qualities in him and decided to train him in warfare, administration, and diplomacy. Under Chanakya’s strict guidance, Chandragupta grew into a wise and powerful young man.

Together, Chanakya and Chandragupta gathered an army and fought bravely against the Nanda dynasty. After many struggles, they finally succeeded. Chandragupta Maurya became the first emperor of the Mauryan Empire, one of the greatest empires in Indian history.

Chanakya served as his chief advisor and helped him rule wisely. His teachings on governance, found in the book Arthashastra, are still admired today. The partnership between Chanakya and Chandragupta became a symbol of intelligence, determination, and good leadership.

Comprehension Questions

A. Answer the following:

1. Who was Chanakya, and what was he known for?

2. Why did Chanakya take a vow against the Nanda king?

3. How did Chanakya and Chandragupta meet?

4. What qualities did Chanakya see in Chandragupta?

5. What was the name of the empire that Chandragupta founded?

6. What is the Arthashastra?

B. True or False:

1. The Nanda king treated Chanakya with great respect.

2. Chandragupta was trained by Chanakya in warfare and politics.

3. The Mauryan Empire became one of the strongest empires in ancient India.

4. Chanakya’s teachings are forgotten today.

C. Vocabulary Check:

Find the meanings of these words from the story:

1. Scholar

2. Diplomacy

3. Empire

4. Determination

D. Think and Answer:

1. Why do you think Chanakya chose Chandragupta as the future ruler?

2. What qualities make a good leader according to this story?

3. How can students learn from the relationship between Chanakya and Chandragupta?

IELTS Speaking questions (India) – June 2023

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

1.  What is your full name?
2.  Do you work or study?
3.  Where do you live?
4.  Why do you like the area where you live?
5.  How could your area be improved?
6.  Do you still remember your primary school teachers?
7.  Did you like any teacher more than others? Why?
8.  Did you like learning languages in school? Why or why not?
9.  What language would you learn in school, if you could choose?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a popular / well-known person in your country. You should say

•  who the person is
•  what he/she has done
•  why he/she is popular
•  and explain how you feel about this person.

Part 3 (Discussion)

1.  Do you want to be famous?
2.  Do you think that famous people are generally happier than ordinary people?
3.  What qualities does a person need to have in order to become famous?
4.  In what ways do famous people influence the public?
5.  What types of people become famous in your country?
6.  Do you think more is expected from famous people than from ordinary citizens?

IELTS FEBRUARY QUESTIONS.

 

Writing test Writing task 1 (Letter): You accidentally left an important item while checking out of a hotel. Write a letter to the hotel manager and ask to send the item back to you.  In your letter: -     Provide the details of your stay. -     Describe the item you left behind. -     Tell the hotel manager how to return it to you. Writing task 2 (an essay) People are not exercising regularly, even though they know it is beneficial for their health. Why is this a problem? What can be done to tackle it? Speaking test Part 1 (Interview) - Can I see your ID? - What is your name? - Do you live in a house or an apartment? - Do you like the people in your area? Why/why not? - Did you play sports when you were young? - What was your favourite sport? - Did you know someone who was good at sports? - Do you have small businesses in your area? - Do you prefer buying from a small business? - Why do you support small businesses? - How can people support small businesses? Part 2 (Cue Card) Describe an area in your home where you feel relaxed. You should say: - what area or room it is - when you spend time in it - why you feel relaxed there - and explain what you do to relax. Follow up question: Do you have much time to relax? Part 3 (Discussion) - How do people relax? - Can people relax in their homes? - Should the government encourage relaxation activities? - Do you think there should be classes for teaching young people and children how to relax? - How can schools include these activities in their schedule? - Are school trips a good way to relax?

Listening Exercise-2 (The issue of waste).

Listening Exercise-1 (Customer Order Form).

Listening Exercise -3 (Growing bananas).

IELTS SPEAKING DECEMBER, 2021.

Speaking

2021-12-14: Part 1

What is your favorite color?

Do you prefer bright colors or dark colors?

Are there any colors that you dislike?

Are colors important to you?

What is the color of your room?

What are your friends' favorite colors? Why?

Part2-

Describe a difficult decision that you once made

You should say:

what the decision was

when you made the decision

how long you take to make the decision

and explain why it was a difficult decision to make.

Part3-

What decisions do people generally make in their daily life?

Should essential decisions be made by a single person or a group of people?

Why is it important to consider the consequences of your decisions?

Why are many young people unwilling to listen to their parent's advice?

Why do middle-aged people tend to second-guess their decision?

Set2-

Do you like looking at yourself in the mirror? How often?

Have you ever bought mirrors?

Do you usually take a mirror with you?

Would you use mirrors to decorate your room?

Part2-

Describe something that you are interested to learn or improve

You should say:

what it is

how you will learn or improve it

why you are interested in it

and explain how you feel about learning it

Part3-

Is it hard for adults to continue learning?

Why don't adults usually like to learn something new?

Is it the government's responsibility to assist people in learning?

What are the differences between education in the past and now?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning?

IELTS SPEAKING NOVEMBER, 2021.

Speaking

Set1

2021-12-11: Part 1

How often do you write an email or cards?

Do you like texting or emails?

Do you prefer to have an email or a card for your birthday? Why?

Do you think in the future, the email will replace the letter?

Part 2

Describe a time you were friendly to someone you didn't like

You should say:

when and where it happened

who the person was

why you have to be friendly

and explain how you felt about it later.

Part3

Do you think it is essential to be friendly?

What kinds of people are usually friendly?

What are the differences between being friendly and being polite?

Why are people friendly with the person they do not like?

What do you think of people who are always straightforward?

Is it necessary to behave in a friendly way in professional life?

Do friendly people achieve more, in your opinion?

Some people can pretend to be friendly when they are not. Does it feel familiar to you?

Is it a good idea to ask a person directly for something you want?

Set 2- 16- 11-2021

What was your first mobile phone?

Do you often use your mobile phone for texting or calls?

Will you buy a new one in the future?

How has your mobile phone changed your life?

Part2-

Describe a time when you moved to a new home or school

You should say:

when you moved

where you moved to

why you moved

and how you felt about it.

Part3

Why do people move to a new home?

What problems will people face after moving to a new place? How do people solve these problems?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the same place?

Is it reasonable to move to a new place frequently? Why?