Cambridge IELTS 12 Test 4 Writing Task 2: Children's Choices
Cambridge IELTS 12 · Test 4 · Academic Writing Task 2Discuss both viewsSociety
The question presents two views: that letting children make their own choices about everyday matters such as food, clothes and entertainment will create a society of self-centred individuals, and that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that affect them. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
The question
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices on everyday matters (such as food, clothes and entertainment) is likely to result in a society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Other people believe that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that affect them. Discuss both these view and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
Free and timed, with a live word count, just like the computer-delivered test. Then get an instant AI band score.
The exam simulator runs on a computer. Open this page on a laptop or desktop to practise.
How to read the question
- This is a discussion essay: you must explain both views and give your own opinion clearly, ideally in the introduction and conclusion.
- The first view makes a specific claim about consequences: allowing choice leads to a society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Address this selfishness argument directly, not just whether children make good or bad choices.
- The scope is everyday matters, and the question gives food, clothes and entertainment as examples. Use these rather than major decisions such as which school to attend or medical treatment.
- The second view focuses on matters that affect them, so you can argue that decision-making is a skill that develops responsibility and independence.
- A conditional position works well, for example that children should make choices within limits set by parents, because it lets you accept part of each view.
- Avoid writing a general essay about strict versus permissive parenting or about children's rights without linking it to the claim about selfishness.
Suggested position
In my view, allowing children to make everyday decisions within sensible limits does not make them selfish; on the contrary, it teaches them the responsibility and judgement they will need as adults.
Paragraph plan
- 1
Introduction
Paraphrase the two views on giving children control over everyday choices such as food, clothing and entertainment, then state your opinion: such choices are valuable, provided parents set limits and explain the effects on others.
- 2
Body paragraph 1: the selfishness argument
Explain why some people fear that children who always get their own way become self-centred: they may expect their wishes to come first, struggle to accept the word no and ignore the needs of the family. Give an example such as a child who refuses family meals and eats only snacks.
- 3
Body paragraph 2: the value of decision-making
Argue that making small decisions teaches children to weigh options, accept consequences and develop confidence, for instance choosing what to wear and learning from feeling cold. Add that children who never decide anything may become dependent or rebel later, and that parents can teach consideration for others alongside choice.
- 4
Conclusion
Restate your view: choice within clear boundaries builds responsible adults rather than selfish ones, as long as parents guide children to consider other people.
Ideas and arguments
- Selfishness view: children who always get what they want may come to believe their wishes matter more than other people's.
- Selfishness view: a child allowed to choose unhealthy food or unlimited screen time may put immediate pleasure before family routines and long-term well-being.
- Selfishness view: if children are never told no, they may find it hard to accept rules at school or compromise with others.
- Choice view: deciding what to wear or which book to read gives children practice in making decisions and accepting consequences.
- Choice view: making choices builds confidence and independence, which are essential in adulthood.
- Choice view: children who never decide anything may become passive, overly dependent on adults, or rebel strongly as teenagers.
- Middle ground: parents can offer limited options, such as two healthy dinners, so that children choose without harming themselves or others.
- Middle ground: selfishness depends more on whether parents teach empathy and fairness than on whether children make choices.
Band 8+ model answer
284 words · An original model answer written for ieltswrites, not an official answer. It stays in English, as in the exam.
Some people worry that letting children decide everyday matters, such as what they eat, wear or watch, will produce a generation concerned only with their own desires. Others argue that children should be involved in decisions that affect them. In my view, choice within sensible limits does not make children selfish but helps them become responsible adults.
Those who hold the first view argue that children who always get their own way may come to believe that their wishes outweigh everyone else's. A child who can refuse family meals in favour of snacks, or watch whatever they like for as long as they like, learns to expect instant gratification rather than to compromise. If this pattern continues into adulthood, such individuals might struggle to accept rules at work or to consider the needs of their community.
However, I find the opposing view more convincing. Making decisions is a skill, and like any skill it develops through practice. A child who chooses a coat and then feels cold has learned something about consequences that no lecture could teach as effectively. Small choices of this kind build confidence and judgement, whereas children who are never allowed to decide anything may become overly dependent on adults or rebel strongly as teenagers. Furthermore, selfishness seems to depend less on whether children make choices than on whether parents teach them empathy and fairness.
In conclusion, although unlimited freedom could encourage self-centred behaviour, the solution is not to deny children choices altogether. Parents can offer options within clear boundaries, such as two healthy dinners or a fixed amount of screen time, and explain how decisions affect others. In this way, children can foster independence while still learning consideration for others.
Why this answer scores highly
- Task Response
- Both views are discussed with relevant everyday examples, the selfishness claim is addressed directly rather than ignored, and a clear conditional opinion, choice within limits, is maintained from introduction to conclusion.
- Coherence and Cohesion
- The answer moves logically from the concern about selfishness to the benefits of choice and then to a reasoned middle position, with clear topic sentences and accurate referencing such as this view and such choices.
- Lexical Resource
- Precise vocabulary such as self-centred, instant gratification, autonomy, set boundaries and foster independence is used naturally, and key words are paraphrased to avoid repetition.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Conditionals, relative clauses, gerund phrases and concessive structures are used accurately, producing complex sentences that read fluently.
Useful vocabulary
- self-centred
- thinking only about yourself and your own needs
- get their own way
- always get what they want
- autonomy
- the ability to make your own decisions
- decision-making skills
- the ability to compare options and choose sensibly
- accept the consequences
- deal with the results of your choices
- within reasonable limits
- inside boundaries that are sensible and fair
- set boundaries
- establish rules about what is and is not allowed
- instant gratification
- the wish to have pleasure immediately rather than wait
- consideration for others
- thinking about other people's feelings and needs
- empathy
- the ability to understand how other people feel
- overprotective parents
- parents who try too hard to control and protect their children
- foster independence
- help someone become able to manage on their own
- well-rounded
- having a good balance of skills and qualities
Common mistakes
- Discussing whether children can make good choices but never addressing the claim that choice leads to a selfish society.
- Writing about major decisions, such as choosing a university or a career, instead of everyday matters like food, clothes and entertainment.
- Giving no clear opinion, or an opinion only in the final sentence, in a discussion essay that asks for your view.
- Using extreme examples such as letting children eat sweets for every meal as if this were what the second view proposes.
- Writing generally about parenting styles in different countries without linking the ideas to the question.
- Repeating the words children, choices and decisions in every sentence instead of paraphrasing.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Cambridge book is this question from?
- This essay question about allowing children to make their own everyday choices is Writing Task 2 of Test 4 in Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic, published in 2017.
- Can I take a middle position?
- Yes. Arguing that children should make choices within limits set by parents is a strong position, as long as you state it clearly and support it.
- Do I have to use the examples of food, clothes and entertainment?
- You do not have to use all three, but your examples should be everyday matters like these, because that is the scope of the question.
- How many words should I write?
- Write at least 250 words; about 270 to 310 words lets you discuss both views and explain your opinion fully.
Free and timed, with a live word count, just like the computer-delivered test. Then get an instant AI band score.
The exam simulator runs on a computer. Open this page on a laptop or desktop to practise.