Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children). Do you agree or disagree?

It is often argued that
students
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should be obliged to participate in unpaid community work as a requirement for graduation.
Although
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such
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programmes can offer valuable life experiences, I believe they should not be made compulsory because genuine volunteering cannot be achieved through force, and
students
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should be allowed to choose how they contribute to society. Mandatory community service can certainly produce several positive outcomes. When teenagers engage in local projects
such
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as cleaning public spaces or supporting elderly residents, they learn responsibility, empathy, and the importance of teamwork. These experiences complement academic knowledge and help young people develop into well-rounded citizens.
Furthermore
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, exposure to real-life social issues at an early age can make
students
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more aware of inequalities and inspire them to become proactive members of their communities.
However
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, compelling
students
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to perform unpaid work may have unintended consequences. Volunteering, by definition, should be a voluntary act. If schools enforce it, some
students
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might treat it as a burden rather than an opportunity to give back, thereby reducing its educational value.
Additionally
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,
students
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already face significant academic pressure, and compulsory service could overwhelm those balancing studies, part-time jobs, or family responsibilities. A more effective approach would be to provide incentives or integrate voluntary programmes into the curriculum in a flexible way, allowing
students
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to participate based on their interests and schedules. In conclusion,
while
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community service can play a crucial role in
students
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’ personal development, it should remain a matter of personal choice. Encouragement and support are likely to foster a more sincere spirit of volunteerism than any mandatory requirement ever could.

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coherence
Use more linking words to show how each idea follows the last.
task response
Add one more opposite view and then give a clear reply.
task response
Give a bit more detail on how schools can carry out the plan in real life.
vocabulary
Keep wording simple and precise; avoid tricky words.
clarity
Clear view and firm stance.
examples
Good use of examples to back points.
structure
Simple and clear structure: intro, body, conclusion.
Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

  • Paragraph 1 - Introduction
    • Sentence 1 - Background statement
    • Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
    • Sentence 3 - Thesis
    • Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
  • Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
    • Sentence 1 - Summary
    • Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
    • Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

Topic Vocabulary:
  • compulsory
  • high school programmes
  • unpaid community service
  • charity
  • improving the neighbourhood
  • teaching sports
  • sense of responsibility
  • empathy
  • broader perspective
  • societal issues
  • college applications
  • job applications
  • positive impact
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