Full IELTS Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people encourage watching sports as a way of learning about teamwork and strategy, while others believe that one can learn these skills only through playing sports.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Paraphrase topic (learning teamwork/strategy via watching vs. playing). State two views. State author's opinion (prefers playing).
View: Watching sports teaches skills. Points: Analyze detailed pro strategies (masterclass); gain wider perspective for adaptability.
View/Opinion: Playing sports is best for learning. Points: Get direct, hands-on experience using skills (e.g., football strategy in real-time); improve adaptability handling unexpected situations/quick decisions.
Opinion integrated into Body Paragraph 2.
Summarize: watching offers some learning, playing offers deeper understanding. Restate opinion: playing is better due to practical experience, direct strategy, and adaptability.
There are two main views on how to best learn teamwork and strategy skills. Some people believe you can learn these skills by watching sports, while others think you need to actively participate in sports to truly understand them. I personally agree with the latter.
Those who support learning through watching sports have some strong arguments. They say that by watching professional sports, you can see and analyze the detailed strategies used by top athletes. They believe this is like a masterclass in strategy and teamwork, as you can break down each move, understand why it was made, and then use it in your own life. They also argue that watching different sports teams and strategies gives you a wider perspective, which can help you be more adaptable and flexible in your own strategic thinking.
However, I agree with those who say that the best way to learn teamwork and strategy is by actively participating in sports. When you play sports, you have to directly use these skills, which gives you a hands-on learning experience that you can't get from just watching. For example, being on a football team means you have to understand and use complex strategies in real-time, which helps develop your strategic thinking and teamwork skills. Also, playing sports often involves dealing with unexpected situations and making quick decisions, which can improve your ability to adapt strategies quickly, a skill that's very useful in sports and in life.
In conclusion, while you can learn some things about teamwork and strategy from watching sports, I believe that the practical experience you get from playing sports gives you a deeper understanding of these skills. This is mainly because playing sports involves direct strategic thinking and helps develop adaptability.
There exists a dichotomy of perspectives regarding the acquisition of teamwork and strategy skills; some advocate for learning through sports viewership, while others posit that only active participation in sports can truly impart these skills. My inclination leans towards the latter view.
Those who champion learning via sports viewership do so with compelling reasons. They argue that watching sports, particularly professional ones, provides an opportunity to observe and analyze the intricate strategies employed by top-tier athletes. This observation, they contend, is akin to a masterclass in strategy and teamwork, as viewers can dissect each move, understand the rationale behind it, and subsequently apply it to their own situations. Furthermore, they suggest that viewing sports allows for the study of a variety of teams and strategies, thereby offering a broader perspective. This exposure to diverse approaches, they argue, can foster adaptability and flexibility in one's own strategic thinking.
However, I align myself with those who assert that active participation in sports is the superior method for learning teamwork and strategy. Participating in sports necessitates direct engagement with these skills, offering an experiential learning opportunity that mere observation cannot match. For instance, being part of a football team requires one to understand and execute complex strategies in real-time, thereby fostering strategic thinking and teamwork. Moreover, active participation in sports often involves dealing with unexpected situations and making split-second decisions. This, in turn, enhances one's ability to adapt strategies on the fly, a skill that is invaluable in both sports and life.
In conclusion, while watching sports can offer insights into teamwork and strategy, I believe that the hands-on experience gained through active participation in sports provides a more profound understanding of these skills. This is primarily due to the direct engagement with strategic thinking and the development of adaptability that active sports participation necessitates.