PTE Academic Write Essay · Opinion (agree or disagree) · beginner

Should Household Chores Be Shared Equally Among Family

The prompt

In some households, one person does most of the cleaning and cooking. Do you think all family members should share household chores equally?

20 minutes. Write 200 to 300 words. A BandLadder practice prompt, not a recalled exam question.

Plan before you write

Position:
All family members should contribute to household chores to foster responsibility and ensure fairness within the home.
Paragraph 2:
Equitable distribution of labor prevents resentment and promotes essential life skills for all individuals.
Paragraph 3:
Sharing domestic duties strengthens familial bonds and teaches children the value of cooperation and autonomy.
  1. State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.
  2. Two body paragraphs that each give one reason for that position, with an example.
  3. A partial position is fine if it is stated precisely; a position that drifts is what caps task response at 6.

Sample essay

The traditional model of a single person bearing the burden of domestic labor is increasingly viewed as outdated. I firmly believe that every family member should participate in household chores to cultivate a sense of shared responsibility and to maintain a harmonious living environment.

Distributing domestic tasks equitably is crucial for preventing burnout and resentment. When one individual is solely responsible for cooking and cleaning, they are often overwhelmed, which can lead to friction within the family unit. By delegating specific tasks, such as laundry or meal preparation, to each person based on their capacity, the workload becomes manageable. For instance, a household where teenagers are tasked with grocery shopping and dishwashing not only lightens the load for parents but also equips these young individuals with practical skills necessary for their future independence.

Beyond the functional benefits, shared responsibility fosters a stronger sense of cooperation and mutual respect. Engaging in collective effort transforms chores from a tedious obligation into a collaborative process that reinforces family cohesion. For example, families that dedicate time to cleaning the house together on weekends often find this time to be an opportunity for bonding and communication. This practice effectively demonstrates to children that contributing to the home is a collective duty rather than an individual burden, thereby instilling core values of fairness and teamwork.

In conclusion, the practice of sharing household chores is essential for promoting domestic stability and personal development. By moving away from the paradigm of a single primary caregiver, families can ensure a more equitable distribution of labor that benefits every member. Ultimately, encouraging active participation from all residents creates a supportive atmosphere built on shared effort and responsibility.

277 words. Use the structure and vocabulary, not the sentences: PTE flags memorised templates.

Why this scores well

This essay scores highly on linguistic range and development by using sophisticated transitions and clear, logical examples. The most common mistake on this prompt is failing to provide a clear position or drifting into irrelevant discussions about gender roles rather than focusing on the practicality of sharing chores.

Vocabulary from the essay

Equitable
Fair and impartial treatment of all people
Resentment
Bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly
Domestic labor
Work performed to maintain a household environment
Cohesion
The action of forming a united whole
Autonomy
The right or condition of self-government
Paradigm
A typical example or pattern of something
Cultivate
To try to acquire or develop a quality
Collaborative
Produced by two or more parties working together

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Frequently asked questions

How long should a PTE essay be?

Between 200 and 300 words; outside that range the form score drops to zero. This sample is 277 words, written for the 20-minute limit.

What type of essay is this?

Opinion (agree or disagree). State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.

What does PTE reward in the essay?

This essay scores highly on linguistic range and development by using sophisticated transitions and clear, logical examples. The most common mistake on this prompt is failing to provide a clear position or drifting into irrelevant discussions about gender roles rather than focusing on the practicality of sharing chores.

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