Some people belive that enagiging in an active pastime does more to develop children's life skills than time spent reading. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people contend that active pastimes are more effective than reading in cultivating children’s life skills, a claim
that is
Linking Words
not without justification. Physical and experiential activities
such
Linking Words
as
organized
Change the spelling
organised
show examples
sports, collaborative games, and outdoor challenges place children in dynamic social environments where abstract values are transformed into lived experiences. In
such
Linking Words
contexts, young people acquire transferable skills including leadership, perseverance, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution. Crucially, these activities demand immediate decision-making and accountability, thereby equipping children with practical competencies that are directly applicable to real-world situations. Despite these advantages, I firmly disagree with the assertion that active pursuits outweigh reading in their contribution to life-skill development. Reading forms the intellectual foundation upon which all higher-order skills are built, fostering analytical reasoning, linguistic precision, and emotional depth. Through sustained engagement with texts, children encounter diverse viewpoints and complex moral frameworks, enabling them to develop empathy, critical judgement, and reflective thinking.
Moreover
Linking Words
, the discipline required for reading cultivates concentration and autonomy—skills that are indispensable in both academic and professional contexts and cannot be fully replicated through physical activity alone. In conclusion,
while
Linking Words
active pastimes undeniably enhance children’s social and practical abilities, reading plays a more profound role in shaping cognitive and emotional competencies that underpin lifelong success.
Therefore
Linking Words
, rather than elevating physical engagement above literacy, it is imperative to recognise that reading is not merely complementary but foundational, and that an integrated approach offers the most comprehensive pathway to children’s holistic development.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

task response
Your view is clear and you give both sides. To be stronger, add real life examples or data.
coherence
Link your ideas with clear link words and signposts so the flow stays smooth.
coherence
Make the intro a short map of the points and end with your clear stand in the conclusion.
task response
Clear stance and good start to show you know the topic.
coherence
Good use of examples like sports and reading to back points.
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:
  • active pastime
  • life skills
  • teamwork
  • cooperation
  • interpersonal skills
  • resilience
  • perseverance
  • creativity
  • problem-solving
  • innovation
  • time management
  • goal setting
  • social skills
  • emotional intelligence
  • critical thinking
  • comprehension
What to do next:
Look at other essays: