IELTS Podcast

Student Debt: IELTS Topic ideas, Grammar, Vocabulary and Sample Answers

06.19.2023 - By Ben WorthingtonPlay

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In this tutorial, we discuss student debt IELTS Topic ideas, grammar, vocabulary and sample answers.

Table of Contents

* Introduction

* Grammar Point Covered

* Pros and Cons Regarding Student Debt

* Topic Specific Vocabulary Collocations and Phrases

* Model Sentences Using the Student Debt Phrases and Conditionals

* Model Essay About Student Debt

* Speaking Part 3 Questions and Model Answers

* Further Reading

* Joke

Introduction

Student debt is a pressing issue that affects millions of individuals and society as a whole. This article will explore the topic in depth, providing vocabulary, grammar points, and sample answers for IELTS preparation.

Grammar Point Covered

The grammar point covered in this article is conditionals. Conditionals are sentences expressing hypothetical situations and their consequences. They are usually constructed using if to identify the conditions that must be met. There are four types of conditionals: zero, first, second, and third.

* Zero Conditional: If students accumulate large amounts of debt, they often struggle to repay it after graduation.

* First Conditional: If students don’t manage their finances wisely, they may find themselves burdened with student debt for a long time.

* Second Conditional: If students had received more financial support, they would have been able to graduate debt-free.

* Third Conditional: If students had chosen a more affordable college, they wouldn’t have ended up with such significant student debt after graduation.

Note: The third conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations that are contrary to reality in the past.

Pros and Cons Regarding Student Debt

Pros:

* Enables access to higher education for those who might not otherwise afford it.

* Can lead to higher earning potential in the long run.

* May encourage financial responsibility and budgeting skills in students.

* Allows for the pursuit of careers that require advanced degrees.

* Government student loans often have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans.

* Can provide an opportunity to build credit history.

* Some professions offer student loan forgiveness programs.

* Investment in education contributes to a more educated workforce and society.

* Encourages economic mobility and social progress.

* Student loans can cover expenses beyond tuition, like housing and books.

Cons:

* Can lead to long-term financial burden and stress.

* May delay major life milestones like buying a home or starting a family.

* High default rates can have negative impacts on the economy.

* Can limit career choices, as graduates may feel pressured to take higher-paying jobs to repay loans.

* Interest rates can result in borrowers paying significantly more than the original loan amount.

* Not all degrees lead to high-paying jobs, making loan repayment difficult.

* Student debt can contribute to wealth inequality.

* Loan repayments can take a significant portion of monthly income, limiting spending in other areas.

* Bankruptcy laws make it difficult to discharge student debt.

* Can create a cycle of debt, especially for those pursuing multiple degrees.

Topic Specific Vocabulary Collocations and Phrases

Here are some topic-specific collocations related to student debt:

* Accumulate debt

* Repay a loan

* Financial burden

* Tuition fees

* Loan forgiveness

* Interest rate

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