IELTS WRITING TASK 2 - STUDENTS NOT CHOOSING SCIENCE SUBJECTS

IELTS WRITING TASK 2 - STUDENTS NOT CHOOSING SCIENCE SUBJECTS

By Ánh Ngọc

Multiple Choice

As of 2023, approximately how many people worldwide were employed in science and engineering occupations?

• A. Around 5 million
  

• B. Around 15 million
  

• C. Around 40 million
  

• D. Over 100 million

Multiple Choice

What is the most prestigious international award for scientists in fields like physics, chemistry, and medicine?

• A. Turing Award
  

• B. Fields Medal
  

• C. Nobel Prize

• D. Lasker Award

Multiple Choice

According to UNESCO, what percentage of researchers worldwide are women (as of 2023)?

• A. About 10%
  

• B. About 30%

• C. About 50%
  

• D. Lasker AwardD. Over 60%

Multiple Choice

Which country produces the largest number of scientific publications annually?

• A. Germany
  

• B. China

• C. United States
  

• D. Japan

Multiple Choice

What is the estimated global investment in research and development (R&D) annually?

• A. $200 billion
  

• B. $500 billion
  

• C. $1 trillion
  

• D. Over $2 trillion

1. Have you ever been inspired by a science subject? What made you like or dislike it?

2. What do you think a society with very few science students will look like in 20–30 years?

3. If your child wanted to study science, would you support them or suggest another path? Why?

4. Why do you think many young people pursue “trendier” majors instead of science? 5. What does this say about our society?

If you were a policymaker, what would you do to inspire more students to choose science?

💡 Brain Starters

Open Ended

📐 require strong mathematical and analytical skills – /rɪˈkwaɪə(r) ... ˌænəˈlɪtɪkəl/ – yêu cầu kỹ năng toán học và phân tích vững
Các môn khoa học yêu cầu kỹ năng toán học và phân tích vững chắc.

📚 overly theoretical – /ˈəʊvəli ˌθɪəˈretɪkl/ – quá thiên về lý thuyết
Các bài học quá thiên về lý thuyết và khó liên hệ với thực tế.

🧪 lacks real-life applications – /læks ˈrɪəlaɪf ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃənz/ – thiếu tính ứng dụng thực tế
Khóa học này thiếu tính ứng dụng thực tế nên học sinh dễ mất hứng thú.

💼 associated with higher status or financial rewards – /əˈsəʊsieɪtɪd wɪð .../ – gắn liền với địa vị cao hoặc phần thưởng tài chính lớn
Ngành luật thường được gắn liền với địa vị xã hội cao và thu nhập tốt.

🚫 hinder technological innovation and economic development – /ˈhɪndə ˌteknəˈlɒdʒɪkl .../ – cản trở đổi mới công nghệ và phát triển kinh tế
Sự thiếu hụt nhà khoa học có thể cản trở đổi mới công nghệ và sự phát triển kinh tế.

🌍 struggle to compete globally – /ˈstrʌɡl tə kəmˈpiːt ˈɡləʊbəli/ – gặp khó khăn trong cạnh tranh toàn cầu
Thiếu lực lượng lao động trong lĩnh vực STEM khiến quốc gia gặp khó khăn trong cạnh tranh toàn cầu.

🔬 scientific literacy – /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈlɪtərəsi/ – hiểu biết về khoa học
Việc nâng cao hiểu biết về khoa học giúp người dân đưa ra quyết định đúng đắn hơn.

📐 require strong mathematical and analytical skills – /rɪˈkwaɪə(r) ... ˌænəˈlɪtɪkəl/ – yêu cầu kỹ năng toán học và phân tích vững
Science subjects require strong mathematical and analytical skills.

📚 overly theoretical – /ˈəʊvəli ˌθɪəˈretɪkl/ – quá thiên về lý thuyết
The lessons are overly theoretical and hard to relate to.

🧪 lacks real-life applications – /læks ˈrɪəlaɪf ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃənz/ – thiếu tính ứng dụng thực tế
This course lacks real-life applications, so students lose interest.

💼 associated with higher status or financial rewards – /əˈsəʊsieɪtɪd wɪð .../ – gắn liền với địa vị cao hoặc phần thưởng tài chính lớn
Law is often associated with higher status or financial rewards.

🚫⚙️ hinder technological innovation and economic development – /ˈhɪndə ˌteknəˈlɒdʒɪkl .../ – cản trở đổi mới công nghệ và phát triển kinh tế
A lack of scientists may hinder technological innovation and economic development.

🌍📉 struggle to compete globally – /ˈstrʌɡl tə kəmˈpiːt ˈɡləʊbəli/ – gặp khó khăn trong cạnh tranh toàn cầu
Without a strong STEM workforce, countries may struggle to compete globally.

🔬🧠 scientific literacy – /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈlɪtərəsi/ – hiểu biết về khoa học
Improving scientific literacy helps citizens make informed decisions.

Open Ended

Choose three key takeaways from the following reading:

https://theinscribermag.com/decoding-the-discontent-understanding-why-some-students-dislike-science/

Open Ended

Read the sample answer and write the outline:

The societal effects of this trend are concerning. Firstly, a shortage of scientists, engineers, and researchers may hinder technological innovation and economic development. Countries with fewer professionals in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields may struggle to compete globally in industries such as renewable energy, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Secondly, the lack of scientific literacy among the general population could lead to poor decision-making on critical issues like climate change, public health, or the ethical use of technology.

Open Ended

Make the outline for the first main body paragraph:

It is observed that in many countries not enough students are choosing to study science as a subject. What are  the causes? And what will be the effects on society?

Open Ended

Write the first main body paragraph:

It is observed that in many countries not enough students are choosing to study science as a subject. What are  the causes? And what will be the effects on society?

Open Ended

Write the first main body paragraph:

It is observed that in many countries not enough students are choosing to study science as a subject. What are  the causes? And what will be the effects on society?