IELTS Writing Test Task 2 Essay
You should spend around 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:
The famous American actor John Wayne once said “Tomorrow is the most important thing in our life.”
However, some people think that the present time is more important. How important is it for individuals and countries to think and do something for the future?
What is your own opinion? Provide reasons for your answer and include any examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Tomorrow Is the Most Important Thing in Life Essay
How important is it for individuals and countries to think and do something for the future?
While there may be some debate as to whether the present or the future is more important, it is important to make the most of the opportunities which both offer, at an individual and national level.
The future always holds a lot of promise and potential and many people and countries obviously make plans which they hope will come to fruition in the longer term. Planning for the future is critical in order to take advantage of the opportunities which exist to improve things and achieve what we want. Our future plans, in essence, are what shape many of our daily activities, in other words what we are doing today.
In contrast, the present may command more of our primary attention and focused efforts due to its immediacy and the fact that the present very quickly becomes the past, so in order to not waste or lose time or miss things we need to be conscious of the fact that the present is happening and will not be repeated. People sometimes regret not having enjoyed a particular moment or event more as it was happening because they were too busy or distracted by other things at the time.
Personally, I consider both the present and the future to be equally important. Without planning for the future, for example, next week or month, when the time actually arrives we may find that we are not prepared or in a position to maximize the opportunities which present themselves on a daily basis or take the necessary steps to achieve our longer term goals. However, we also need to be focused and engaged in the present as the consequences of current actions can be immediate. We should value the present for what it is, tomorrow’s yesterday, never to be repeated.
Planning for the future gives us the ability to have some sense of direction and ability to measure our progress towards a goal. Without considering the future in advance, much of our time in the present might be wasted wondering what to focus on or which activities are most important therefore detracting from our ability to simply enjoy the present as it is happening.
How would you answer this essay writing task question?
What is important for individuals to think about and do for the future?
One of the most important is to save enough money. Many people do not save enough for retirement and have to work longer than planned. We have a comparatively limited time to save enough to support us during retirement, so this should be a priority.
Although the retirement age in many countries has remained generally fixed for several decades, there is now a move to extend it - this is something important that the next generation will need to consider.
Another important thing to think about is what you want your life to be like. Do you want to travel? In today's well-connected global village, it is easy for many people to visit new places and experience new cultures.
Health is another thing many individuals need to think about and do something. As we get older, we need to take better care of our bodies. Deteriorating health translates into higher medical bills, and it is always best to prepare for health challenges in the future. The pandemic in the present time shows us that new health challenges can arise without warning.
Another important thing people should think about is their career and family life. Many people do not plan it well and end up in a job they hate or divorce. It is also possible that you do have children in your life. You may decide you want to be child-free and focus on yourself. In the past, one's children were considered essential for survival in old age, but this is no longer the case.
What is important for countries to think about and do for the future?
Forward-looking countries plan wisely for the future. They create education facilities, healthcare systems and even houses for working families. They ensure that there will be people in their countries who can manage these institutions in the future. Other countries fail to plan sufficiently for the future needs of their populations. Unfortunately, it is then the individuals who must deal with the consequences of this shortsightedness by governments.
Most importantly, they encourage individual responsibility by creating government policies that help people help themselves; instead of becoming dependent on the government all the time. Governments must plan more for the future rather than the present, as many public programs require a long time to implement. Changing social trends and needs span decades and future generations. So meeting the anticipated needs of populations requires long-term planning.
Should we focus on the present or the future?
The present
A future-based approach responds to a fear of the unknown, which assumes it's impossible to change what we feel now. It's a tool for survival but also a hindrance. To act on future goals, you have to delay gratification and actual enjoyment.
But when you focus your mindfulness on the present moment, you can see clearly what is happening right at this very minute without any judgment from the past or expectation of how things should be in the future.
If someone were blindly living by focusing just on their future expectations or desires, they would never know when something great happened.
The future
The present moment is constantly in flux. It's beginning and ending as soon as it arrives, and so it can't be relied upon to provide a true perspective.
Tomorrow has more potential for providing a breadth of understanding because anything could happen, but will never happen if we don't move forward, today.
If you are always striving towards achieving your intended goals, then you are living in the future now.
This life orientation enforces an attitude that gratitude is necessary for an individual to fully appreciate each opportunity they have been given. It allows them to make better decisions in the available time until their ultimate goal can manifest itself.
Essay Writing Researching family history
Discussion Questions
- What do you think about people who live with this mentality?
- What is the reason why we should care about the future even if it's not a reality right now?
- Do you have any visions of what your future will look like in 10 years?
- Have you ever thought about leaving hints for yourself or reminders, so that when [insert time] arrives, they'll be there to help prepare for your future success?
- How do you see the future shaping up for our society?
- How would you like to look back on your life ten years from now?
- What do you think about focusing all of your efforts on simply getting by in the present moment?
- Do you find it helpful to live in the present and let go of anxiety related to our uncertain future?
- What are your thoughts on the importance of living in the present rather than thinking about the future?
- Which could be more important, spending time to prepare for something that may happen in the future or going through life with no preparations at all?
- Do you think exploring and creating a plan for an uncertain future is worth it?
- Is it better to live every day as if we don't know what will happen tomorrow or spend days strategizing and planning for situations?