GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 229
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people say that dangerous sports should be banned since they are deadly and life-threatening.
Do you agree or disagree with this viewpoint?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer:
The growing popularity of dangerous sports has sparked a heated debate and many people insist on prohibiting life-threatening sports. I think otherwise and believe that it is the right of an individual to choose whatever sporting activity she or he wants.
The reason why a ban on adventurous yet risky sports is warranted is that these sports contain the potential hazard to athletes. Even a slight fault can ruin one’s life. An athlete can die if the parachute fails to open, for example, when he or she takes part in skydiving. A case in point is a 17-year-old US skydiver named John Nikola, whose parachute failed to open, plummeted 2000 metre to the ground and got killed instantaneously. In addition to the grave risk, these sports also encourage violent behaviour, thereby desensitizing society to dangerous activities. Therefore, opponents of dangerous sports urge the government to ban these sports.
The proponents of extreme sports have some valid arguments. Human rights and freedom, according to them, are violated by imposing such a ban on dangerous sports. They go on arguing that since athletes are keenly aware of menace from adventure sports, they should have the liberty to choose any activity or sport they find suitable for them. Besides, almost every sport possesses a risk to an extent. If the government prohibits all potentially risky sports, then there will be limited opportunity for individual’s choice and freedom, which ultimately undermines democratic values. Therefore, extreme sports should not be banned so as to exercise players’ democratic rights.
In conclusion, I believe that preventing individuals from participating in extreme sports due to the potential of inflicting fatal wounds is unjustifiable. People should have the freedom of choice to pursue their favourite adventurous sports. If an act does not cross others’ rights, a person has the rights to do it.