Some people think that it is important to use leisure time for activities that improve the mind, such as reading and doing word puzzles. Other people feel that it is important to rest the mind during leisure time. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Over many thousands of years, humans have used the
time
when they are not working in different ways. These days, there are two main views as to how our
leisure
time
should be employed, either actively or for rest. In
this
essay, I will discuss
both
perspectives and give my opinion, which is that
both
views are valid. Many feel that cognitively stimulating activities should be pursued during
leisure
time
. The idea behind
this
, which is well-supported by scientific research, is that when we use our minds, we keep the synapses or connections in our brains in good condition. Games like sudoku, crosswords, puzzles or more high-tech activities on apps or websites have indeed been proven to keep our minds alert and sharp, and even ward off dementia.
Although
the claims some of the creators of these make that they can change the very structure of our brains or enlarge
its
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their
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capacity may well be exaggerated, there is enough reliable evidence that they can benefit our minds. The other view,
however
, is that
leisure
time
ought to be devoted to mental rest. Given the overwhelmingly long work hours expected nowadays,
along with
the stress of being eternal contactable, thanks to our phones, there is good reason for people to advocate switching off. Indeed, there is plenty of research to show how healing and beneficial a walk in nature can be or how calming and renewing it is to simply sit quietly in meditation or contemplation using our mental faculties as little as possible. A study of Buddhist monks too showed that when they were deep in meditation, their cells regenerated more rapidly and their bodies’ ageing processes slowed down. Personally, I see the value in
both
uses of
leisure
time
. Following periods of extreme stress, problem-solving, or meetings with lots of people, spending
time
alone doing nothing can be hugely re-energising.
Similarly
, after spending a day doing monotonous work or without much mental stimulation, a good book or challenging puzzle can have the same impact. There is no point, in my view, in declaring one form of
leisure
better than another. In conclusion, I think that it is true to say that
both
an
Correct article usage
apply
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active
leisure
time
and
one
Correct pronoun usage
apply
show examples
of
Change preposition
apply
show examples
relaxation are good for us. In the former, the mind benefits from stimulation and in the latter from
being
Wrong verb form
is
show examples
used very little.
Submitted by ramavathmutyalunaik2562 on

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Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately

Linking words are very important in your essay.

To score effectively on your IELTS exam, you should make an effort to implement short concise sentences coupled with linking words.

Almost every sentence in your essay should have a linking word of some sort.

In fact, the only sentences that can omit linking words are your background sentence and thesis.

Linking word examples:

  • firstly
  • secondly
  • thirdly
  • in additional
  • moreover
  • also
  • for example
  • for instance
  • therefore
  • however
  • although
  • even though
  • despite

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Topic Vocabulary:
  • cognitive abilities
  • mental stagnation
  • intellectually stimulating
  • relaxation
  • meditation
  • stress reduction
  • overall well-being
  • personal development
  • life satisfaction
  • sense of achievement
  • emotional balance
  • peace of mind
  • scientific evidence
  • memory
  • learning
  • creativity
  • emotional regulation
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