(Model essay) Academic exam question seen in Western Australia in September 2011

(This question taken with permission from IELTS-blog.com.)

A country’s future depends on its young people. Therefore, a country should invest heavily in its youth. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The youth of a nation play a critical role in a country’s future. Thus, the manner in which young people are raised is intrinsically tied to the capabilities of new generations of workers. I agree that a country should invest considerably in its youth for the sake of its future. This will be shown by analysing how such a practice can lead a nation to international competitiveness and how it can lead people to more charitable lives.

Firstly, a state’s ability to compete in the modern world is only as strong as its citizens’ capabilities. Take the Japanese education system as an example. Despite its weak economic position following the Second World War, Japan’s focus on education and the nurturing of academia helped it grow to become the second largest economy in the world. This phenomenon would never have been possible without investing in the education of its young people. Thus, it is clear that a country’s commitment to its young people has direct ramifications on its future.

Secondly, people who grow up with opportunities for education are more capable of helping others, and this is good for the societal strength of a nation. For instance, Canada is a state that provides young people with government sponsored opportunities to hone several different facets of their education. Such a system allows people of any economic background to become versed in scientific, artistic and linguistic topics, which allows the overall discourse and education level of the country to be heightened. This boost to a country’s collective global understanding makes it clear that nations benefit greatly when they invest in their youth.

After analysing how a country’s focus on its young people can lead to economical strength and domestic social benefits, the link between investment in youth and a nation’s future can clearly be seen.  Thus, the committing of national resources to youths is a practice that should be employed around the world.