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BEST IELTS Writing Task 2, 11th December
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
Hosting a major sporting event such as the Olympics or the football World Cup offers significant benefits to the country concerned, yet the costs involved can be excessive and may divert funds from other important areas. What are the benefits of being a host, and do these outweigh the financial implications? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Huge efforts are made by national bodies to be selected as the host of a sporting event like the Olympics as this is seen by many as an opportunity for economic growth. However, opponents argue that this can be a waste of money that could be better spent on much needed public services.
Hosting a major sporting event certainly offers the chance for huge investment in the transport and general infrastructure that large-scale events require, and these can have real long-term benefits for the country concerned. In addition, there are significant opportunities for job creation, and in the case of the 2012 london Olympics, for example, a deprived area of the city was regenerated. It is also claimed that hosting an event can lead to increased tourism and can give the country the chance to show off its organisational and creative talent, which in turn may lead to future business and investment opportunities.
owever, opponents argue that similar outcomes could be achieved for far less cost. They argue that investment in infrastructure should not depend on whether or not the country hosts a major event, and improvements should be carried out as and where needed. They also point to the huge costs of laying on security as well as the disruption such an event can cause to businesses. Moreover, opponents also question the benefits to tourism, arguing that people uninterested in the event can actually be put off from visiting the country.
In my opinion, hosting an event of this size does seem to be very popular with local people, and if long-term benefits can be gained, then it would appear to be a project worth participating in.
IELTS Writing Task 2