IELTS IDEAS 100 Hot topics Amin Borhani S. Zahra Hashemi CONTENTS Preface ............................................................................................................................................................ vi 1.Zoos ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 2.Vegetarianism .............................................................................................................................................. 2 3.Online Education ......................................................................................................................................... 3 4.Home-schooling ........................................................................................................................................... 4 5.Organic Food .............................................................................................................................................. 5 6.Recycling ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 7.Job Hopping ................................................................................................................................................ 7 8.Adoption ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 9.Old Buildings ............................................................................................................................................... 9 10.Gun Ownership ........................................................................................................................................ 10 11.Cloning .................................................................................................................................................... 11 12.English ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 13.Cell Phones / Smartphones ...................................................................................................................... 13 14.Health ...................................................................................................................................................... 14 15.Fat and Happy ......................................................................................................................................... 16 16.Celebrities ................................................................................................................................................ 17 17.Fashion .................................................................................................................................................... 18 18.Nuclear Energy ........................................................................................................................................ 19 19.Global Warming ...................................................................................................................................... 20 20.Waste / Garbage / Landfills ..................................................................................................................... 21 21.The Internet .............................................................................................................................................. 22 22.Tourism .................................................................................................................................................... 23 23.Traveling .................................................................................................................................................. 25 24.Military Service ....................................................................................................................................... 26 25.Cars in City Centers ................................................................................................................................ 27 26.Road Accidents ........................................................................................................................................ 28 27.Happiest Stage ......................................................................................................................................... 29 28.Exams ...................................................................................................................................................... 31 29.Vicious Sports .......................................................................................................................................... 33 30.City Life ................................................................................................................................................... 34 31.Capital Punishment ................................................................................................................................. 35 32.Humor ...................................................................................................................................................... 36 33.Computers and Artificial Intelligence ...................................................................................................... 37 34.Studying Abroad ...................................................................................................................................... 38 35.School Uniforms ...................................................................................................................................... 39 [iii] 36.Volunteer Work ........................................................................................................................................ 40 37.Xenotransplantation ................................................................................................................................ 41 38.Credit Cards ............................................................................................................................................ 42 39.Working Mothers ..................................................................................................................................... 43 40.Paternity Leave ........................................................................................................................................ 44 41.Foreign Workers ...................................................................................................................................... 45 42.Temporary Workers ................................................................................................................................. 46 43.Genetically Modified Food ...................................................................................................................... 47 44.Welfare State ............................................................................................................................................ 49 45.Advertising ............................................................................................................................................... 50 46.Smoking ................................................................................................................................................... 51 47.Animal Testing ......................................................................................................................................... 53 48.Space Exploration .................................................................................................................................... 54 49.Internship ................................................................................................................................................. 55 50.Extracurricular Activities ........................................................................................................................ 56 51.Entrepreneurship ..................................................................................................................................... 57 52.Crime (1) ................................................................................................................................................. 58 53.Crime (2) ................................................................................................................................................. 59 54.3D Printing .............................................................................................................................................. 60 55.Solar Energy ............................................................................................................................................ 61 56.Automation............................................................................................................................................... 62 57.Oil ............................................................................................................................................................ 63 58.Electric Cars ............................................................................................................................................ 64 59.Desalination............................................................................................................................................. 65 60.Telecommuting ......................................................................................................................................... 66 61.Standardized Testing ............................................................................................................................... 68 62.Television ................................................................................................................................................. 69 63.Fast Food ................................................................................................................................................. 70 64.Internet Censorship ................................................................................................................................. 71 65.Foreign Aid .............................................................................................................................................. 72 66.Illegal Immigration .................................................................................................................................. 73 67.Video Games ............................................................................................................................................ 74 68.Social Networking .................................................................................................................................... 75 69.Technology in Education ......................................................................................................................... 77 70.Globalization ........................................................................................................................................... 78 71.Corporal Punishment .............................................................................................................................. 80 72.Art ............................................................................................................................................................ 81 73.History ..................................................................................................................................................... 82 [iv] 74.Fame ........................................................................................................................................................ 83 75.Surveillance Cameras .............................................................................................................................. 85 76.Men and Women ...................................................................................................................................... 86 77.Apartments ............................................................................................................................................... 87 78.Success (1) ............................................................................................................................................... 88 79.Success (2) ............................................................................................................................................... 89 80.Hunting .................................................................................................................................................... 90 81.Higher Education (1) ............................................................................................................................... 91 82.Higher Education (2) ............................................................................................................................... 92 83.Class Attendance ..................................................................................................................................... 93 84.Armed Police ........................................................................................................................................... 94 85.Traffic Jams ............................................................................................................................................. 95 86.Professional Sports .................................................................................................................................. 96 87.The Olympics ........................................................................................................................................... 97 88.Drug Testing in The Olympics ................................................................................................................. 98 89.Community Service .................................................................................................................................. 99 90.Juvenile Delinquency (1) ....................................................................................................................... 100 91.Juvenile Delinquency (2) ....................................................................................................................... 101 92.International Marriage .......................................................................................................................... 102 93.Early Marriage ...................................................................................................................................... 103 94.Divorce .................................................................................................................................................. 104 95.Elderly Care (1) ..................................................................................................................................... 105 96.Elderly Care (2) ..................................................................................................................................... 106 97.Teen Curfews ......................................................................................................................................... 107 98.Treasure ................................................................................................................................................. 108 99.Acupuncture ........................................................................................................................................... 109 100. Blood Donation .................................................................................................................................... 110 [v] Preface The majority of learners have been reported to suffer from a profound lack of ideas when they want to speak or write, which could prevent them from reaching their full potential. This book has been written to address this problem through providing ideas about 100 controversial topics. These ideas will enable them to look at different issues from multiple perspectives and exploit what they have learnt in numerous other topics. The writers have attempted to present the views of both the advocates and opponents of the issues discussed, and let the readers decide for themselves. Please NOTE that the ideas in this book do not necessarily reflect the personal views of the authors. [vi] 1 Zoos … Do their advantages exceed their disadvantages? … YES NO 1.By bringing people and animals together, 1.We do not have the right to breed, capture zoos foster an appreciation of animals. This and confine animals, even if they are could motivate people to protect them. endangered. Being a member of an endangered species does not mean the 2.Zoos save endangered species by bringing individual animals have fewer rights. them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, 2.Animals suffer from stress and boredom in starvation, and predators. captivity. 3.Many zoos also have breeding programs for 3.Removing animals from the wild will further endangered species. In the wild, these endanger the wild population because the individuals might have trouble finding mates remaining ones will have more difficulty and breeding. finding mates. 4.In a good zoo, animals are never bored, are 4.If people want to see wild animals in person, well cared-for, and have plenty of space. they can observe them in the wild or visit a sanctuary. 5.A visit to a zoo is a wholesome family activity. 5.Sanctuaries also rehabilitate animals and take in unwanted exotic pets, without 6.Seeing an animal in person is a much more breeding, buying and selling animals like personal and memorable experience than zoos do. seeing it in a wildlife documentary. 6.If zoos are teaching children anything, it is 7.Some zoos help rehabilitate animals and that imprisoning animals for our own take in exotic pets that people no longer entertainment is acceptable. want or are no longer able to care for. 7.Studies have shown that animals kept in 8.They allow researchers and scientists to zoos do not live as long as those in the wild. obtain a better understanding of the way animals live. This could be helpful in saving 8.Animals sometimes escape their more of them. enclosures, endangering themselves as well as people. 9.Having zoos means that all animals are cared for and do not suffer from illness or 9.If zoo-born animals are released into the malnutrition. wild, they will have a very difficult time adapting to the environment. 10.Zoos can be educational, teaching children and adults about animals and the way they live. [1] 2 Vegetarianism … Should we all become vegetarian? … YES NO 1. Eating a vegetarian diet could be a good 1.There are some types of vitamins and way to treat high blood pressure without minerals that can only be obtained through medication. animal meat, such as vitamin B-12, omega-3 and other omega fatty acids, 2.Vegetarians tend to be healthier overall, and all of which are vital to good health. even live longer. 2.Vegetarian diets are not well-balanced. 3.If you are trying to lose weight, being a vegetarian can be a good part of your 3.Eating out as a vegetarian can sometimes program. be a real challenge as most restaurant menus are geared towards meat eaters. 4.It is unethical to kill innocent animals for food when there are plenty of other options 4.Meal choices are very limited for available to give us nutrition. vegetarians. 5.Things like beans, nuts, and soy can all 5.Animals kill in order to feed themselves, and provide a vegetarian with the protein that humans are no exception. Eating meat is a they need to function. natural part of life. 6.Raising livestock requires enormous 6.Protein is what gives us the energy that we quantities of water. Being a vegetarian need to move, breathe, and do just about conserves a great deal of water, which is anything. Trying to find alternatives to beneficial to the entire planet. protein can be time consuming, expensive, and unappetizing. Meat, however, is readily 7.Meat food products are the most expensive available, cost effective, and quite tasty. forms of food items. 8.Vegetarian eating usually increases intake of wholesome foods such as vegetables, fruit, beans, legumes and whole grains, which is a great opportunity to get plenty of antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. 9. The self-control needed to eat in a vegetarian way can be extended to other situations requiring self-control, commitment and dedication. 10.Meat industry is a huge producer of waste and pollution. [2] 3 Online Education … Is online education a good substitute for face-to-face education? … YES NO 1. There is no need for commuting to campus, 1. It would be difficult to develop relationships which not only reduces traffic and air with classmates. pollution, but also allows the students to 2. There is no personalized attention and save time and money. feedback from the instructors. 2. There are no geographic location 3. There is no campus atmosphere to create constraints. social interaction. 3. You can learn at your preferred pace and 4. Students may be required to learn new or study at your convenience. advanced computer skills. 4. Students can work full-time or part-time 5. Additional cost of high-speed Internet would while taking classes. have to be paid. 5. There is no accommodation cost, and tuition 6. Traditional instructors, who believe in fees are often lower. lectures and handouts, may find it tough 6. You could work with students from all over to adapt to the new system. the world. 7. The assessments are only knowledge- 7. There is no discrimination among students based, not practicality-based. due to race, nationality, age, clothes, etc. 8. It would not be suitable for those who are 8. It is better for those who are introverted not organized and self-disciplined. as well as those who require more time to 9. Though you will be communicating understand the points and learn the lessons. regularly with faculty, nothing can replace 9. The video and audio instructions that are face-to-face interaction and team work. provided can be rewound and seen and 10. E-learning requires using a computer and heard again and again if you do not other such devices. This means that happen to understand the topic the first eyestrain, bad posture and other physical time around. problems may affect the learners. 10. You do not have to depend on anyone for anything. 11. Through discussion boards, you are able to interact with others and clear your doubts, if any. [3]