Describe a rule that you don’t like

March 21, 2022

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Describe a rule that you don’t like – IELTS speaking part 2 and part 3 example answers with audio

Remember that these are just my example answers, and that once you are on topic there is no right or wrong answer in the IELTS speaking exam.

Describe a rule that you don’t like.

You should say:

What the rule is.

Why don’t you like it.

How others feel about it.

And explain have you always followed this rule or not.

Example 1

“Well, I’m a college student, and there is a rule in my college that actually bans us from taking a mobile phone to any class, or lecture…. And it’s a rule which I am really not too happy about………..in fact this rule drives me crazy. This rule was introduced about 2 years ago, and caused a little controversy on campus, and is still not a popular rule today.

I really don’t like this rule and still find it difficult to get used to, as my mobile phone plays a pretty important part in my study life, and I believe i’m mature and responsible enough to only use my phone in a productive way.

In the past I used my mobile in class to take pictures of the teachers notes on the whiteboard, or even record some lectures, which I could go back over and review later on. I’m not so fast at taking notes, so this was a very useful and convenient way for me to keep up with my studies, and not miss anything important.

As i’m a student i can’t just go out and buy an expensive ipad or laptop, and this has actually made my life and study more difficult.

Most of the other students on campus are in agreement with me on this, and the students union were up in arms over the rule, and are still trying to find a way to have it changed….. And I really hope some sort of compromise or common ground can be reached in the near future.

Of course I follow, and go along with this rule, as I don’t want to get into any trouble with my professors……. And I was brought up to always respect and follow rules. I can understand why this rule exists, and that certain students were playing mobile games or chatting to friends instead of listening to the class…….. However, I think it’s unfair to punish all students for this, and it’s a rule that really cheeses me off.

Thank you”

Idioms

To drive one crazy

This means to make someone very upset, frustrated or angry

“Having to stay home everyday during the covid lockdown really drove me crazy!”

To be up in arms

To be up in arms over somethings means to be upset or angry about it.

“Almost everyone in the country was up in arms when the government decided to raise taxes.”

Common ground

When two or more people share an interest or opinion, or agree on something.

“Finding some common ground in a disagreement is a great way to start and solve the problem.”

Example 2

“As i mentioned earlier i work in a bank, and there is one particular rule for work which really drives me up the wall. As a rule we have to wear a uniform, which can I understand and don’t have a problem with….. But, it’s certain rules related to the uniform that I do have a big problem with……

We’re in Vietnam, which of course you already know is scorching hot all year round, with temperatures getting up to as high as 40 degrees. The thing that drives me crazy about this rule is that it states we not only have to wear a long sleeved shirt, but also a tie!

Now, it’s one thing to have to wear a long sleeved shirt during the hot summers, but to have to wear a tie on top of that makes it….. unbearably uncomfortable, and its absolute torture!

Most of my colleagues are in total agreement with me on this, and it is certainly a very unpopular rule. As I said , of course I understand why a uniform exists, but some considerations must be taken into account, and I believe we could still look professional as bank employees in a formal short sleeved shirt,without the need for a suffocating tie on a hot summer’s day.

Unfortunately I have no choice but to follow this rule, as it is company policy, and is in my contract. I know it’s wishful thinking, but I really hope the bosses will make some form of compromise to make our working day just a little more comfortable.

Thank you..”

Notes

To compromise

A compromise is a way of settling differences by everybody making concessions.

“If you want to stay out until 10 and your friend wants to stay out until midnight, 11 is a good compromise.”

To go along with

This means to support an idea or agree with someone opinion.

“After discussing different ideas on how to best raise money for charity, we decided to go along with John’s idea.”

Wishful thinking

We can use this when we would like the idea of something to come true, but we know it is very unlikely or impossible.

“I always dreamed of going to Harvard to study law, but it was of course wishful thinking.”

Describe a rule that you don’t like – Part 3

Is it important to have rules in society?

“Yes…I believe it’s very important to have rules in society, and furthermore I think it would be utter chaos without rules in place. For example, there is a huge amount of traffic in this city and without strict traffic rules there would be so many more serious accidents.

On top of that people would just park their cars anywhere, which would create even more problems. Unfortunately people can be very selfish and irresponsible, which really creates a need for lots of rules in order to protect society.”

Do you think children should learn to follow rules from a young age?

“In my opinion, yes, most definitely….. I feel its very important for children to understand responsibility from a young age, especially as later in life as adults they will need to follow lots of different rules. Furthermore, I think it’s important for children to understand discipline, which they are going to have to learn in order to succeed in their school life and education.

On top of that, managing technology and kids has become overwhelming, and I think it’s extremely important to have rules in place for all of these new apps, social media and online threats, which can be both dangerous and addictive for children. Too many kids today spend hours upon hours glued to a mobile or ipad screen, and in my opinion children must learn to follow rules to limit their screen time. ”

Do you think we need more rules in the world today?

“Mmmmm, interesting question…. Let me think…..do we need more rules…… well…. I think maybe yes, as the world is always changing, and there are certainly some different kinds of problems than we had in the past…… for example, pollution and global warming are a huge problem in the world today, and in my mind, we do actually need more rules to try and solve these serious problems…….

Furthermore technology is always changing, and I think perhaps we will need to introduce more rules to deal with these changes…. For example, there is a lot of fraud happening on the internet these days, and i think there must be strict rules introduced to deal with this problem……..so, yes, i believe that we do actually need even more rules today.”