Some People Think It Is Better To Choose Friends Who Always Have The Same Opinions As Them | Band 8 IELTS Essay Sample
Some people think it’s better to choose friends who always have the same opinions as them. Others believe that it’s good to have friends who sometimes disagree with them. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Here is a band 8 essay sample on this topic written by one of our students. Need help with IELTS writing? Get your IELTS essays, letters and reports corrected by me.
Band 8 IELTS essay sample
Friends are wonderful companions and people share their emotions and thoughts with them. Many believe that friends should accord with them, whereas others think that it is better to have diverse opinions in a friendship. I believe that it is up to a person to decide whether they want likeminded friends or not.
On the one hand, while making friends, some people are looking for likeminded individuals who share common interests such as choices related to fashion, sports, education, food and so on. As they mostly have a common direction and goals, their compatibilities are much stronger. Hence, they understand each other very well and they could make better choices together. For example, when one goes shopping with these types of friends, together they can buy things in less time. However, in certain scenarios, such friends are reluctant to share honest opinions as they are afraid that by making any contradictory statements, they might risk their friendship.
On the other hand, some people believe that friends with diverse opinions are required to make better decisions in their lives. For example, while buying a home, if friends suggest multiple options then together they can list down the pros and cons of every site and choose the right home. Moreover, one can get ample ideas and suggestions when one’s friends have different viewpoints. However, sometimes conflict might arise when the opinions do not match. For instance, amongst friends, if one person tries to supersede others with his thoughts then the friendship will not last long.
To recapitulate, making friends with people who have similar opinions and different opinions has its own merits and demerits. Hence, I believe, it is an individual’s responsibility to choose friends who are loyal and truthful to him.
Here is a band 7.5 essay on the same topic written by another student.
Band 7.5 IELTS essay sample
Some would argue that choosing friends who have similar opinions is always a good option, while others believe it is beneficial to have friends with a diverse opinion. Although disagreement on some matters with friends may bring a new perspective to life, I strongly believe that having friends with similar values and beliefs can help build long term relationships.
Diverse opinions among friends may help an individual see things differently. A social circle with different value systems can broaden one’s viewpoint towards life, and may bring in new opportunities as well. To illustrate, if one friend is a materialist and the other has a spiritual view, both of them can benefit from different outlook towards life and can bring a balance to their individual lives. However, having a difference in opinion with friends may also cause unwanted conflict and spoil relationship.
On the other hand, friends whose value and belief systems are similar can build stronger rapport for a long life. A person can feel a strong sense of connection with their friends if they have a similar way of looking at life. Consequently, some connections may turn into marriage or business partnership for life. For example, in 2019 a psychology report by Harvard stated that people with similar opinions build connection easily and has 70% more chances to build friendship for life than people with difference in opinions. Therefore, it is implied that having friends who agree with each other’s opinions is much more beneficial.
In conclusion, to some extent it helps an individual to have friends who differ on some opinions, but I strongly think that we all look for connections that can last for life, so having friends with similar thought process and values can go long way.
Here is a band 7 essay sample on the same topic written by another student.
Band 7 essay sample
While some opine that choosing friends having the same opinions as themselves is a good idea, whereas others believe that having friends who differ from their ideas sometimes is way better. In my opinion, it is nicer to have friends who disagree with us occasionally.
On one side of the argument, there are people who hold the opinion that having friends who think in the exact same way as us is good in many ways. The most compelling reason for believing this is that friends form the major source of support for many people. When a person takes decisions that the world would despise, friends with similar opinions are their biggest resort. Thus, similarity of opinions strengthens their bonds. Another reason is that friends like these can make a person feel understood. An article in the psychology section of the Times newspaper had mentioned how feeling understood by peers was the top-most reason to keep friendships for over 70% of people. This does make it clear how feeling understood may translate into a language of love for most people.
Despite all the arguments mentioned above / all the aforementioned arguments, I still believe that friends should oppose occasionally as it will prove to be beneficial. Firstly, the reason is that constant reassurance and support do not help all the time. There needs to be a balance of agreement and disagreement in a relationship. When a friend opposes an idea, it provides a different perspective which indeed brings in a fresher approach towards life. This will facilitate better understanding.
In conclusion, I believe that having a friend who sometimes disagrees with us is crucial. This is because more than support an alliance needs different approaches for self-growth and understanding does not mean that bad traits should be ignored. Given this situation, I think that people should opt for friends who disagree sometimes.
Band 7 IELTS essay sample
A section of society believes in finding those friends who agree with the viewpoint of each other whereas many people insist that it is better to have friends who can express their disagreement sometimes. While both views are worth discussing, in my opinion, friends with a different perspective on a subject can sometimes help us make better decisions. I will discuss the merits of having friends who always agree with us and who sometimes disagree with us in the following paragraphs.
To begin with, some people like friends who have the same opinion as them because it is beneficial for their relationship. To elaborate on, friendships between the people who respect and agree with each other’s decisions regardless of their profits and lose are stronger as it reduces the chances of arguments between them. Additionally, friends always agreeing with each other can develop a lifelong relation since always showing agreement to the decisions of a person is a sign of respect in many countries. For example, many studies have shown that a relationship becomes beautiful if there are fewer quarrels and disagreements. Thus, having friends with the same opinion always brings joy and satisfaction in a relationship.
On the contrary, a few people think that friends should have different opinions sometimes as it maintains honesty in the friendship. To substantiate, if two friends have different opinion on a situation, it is useful to analyse the other point of view resulting in better decisions. Also, two distinct solutions to one problem are advantageous because it is a chief principle to receive fruitful outcomes. To cite an example, recent research conducted by Cambridge University stated that when people are aware of negative and positive sides of something, they tend to be in a win-win situation.
To conclude, having friends with similar opinions leads to fewer conflicts in a relationship; even so, in my opinion, it is sometimes better to have friends who occasionally differs from us because they help us to see things from a different perspective.
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Many people consider it best to have friends in their life who have similar thought process, yet many others prefer to be surrounded by people who sometime do not agree with them and provide a different view point. In my opinion it is sometimes good to have companions in our life who have the courage to go against our views and provide a different perspective.
It is commonly believed by many that, it is good to be friends with people who share the same perspective to life and other things in general. As humans, it is an important factor to have a feeling of belonging, be comfortable and accepted by like-minded people, so that one can behave the way they are and not being questioned or judged. For instance, after work, people are usually stressed out and like to go out and spend their evenings chatting with someone who can empathize with them and their issues and not with someone who argues and then feel even more drained afterwards.
On the other hand, many want to spend time with mates who, occasionally, can have a different way of understanding situations. Although it is required to feel comfortable and relaxed in the company of similar opiniated companions, but as humans we have an innate need to learn new things and progress. The company of such people, not only provides an opportunity to have a healthy discussion, but also paves the way for learning a new perspective on the same situation, thereby ensuring personal growth.
In conclusion, we need people support us in our ideas and behaviors but we also want to keep the companions who sometimes can challenge us and helps us grow in every aspect.
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Human Relationships are the basic fundamentals in one’s life. Some say connections with like minded people is better than having friends who have dissimilar opinions. In my view, life may be easier with such people however, difficult people can bring out the different shades of ourselves.
First of all every human need is to be understood and so you need friends who can easily connect and talk to you about anything and everything. This is the reason individuals prefer to have company with similar minded people. For instance, introverts like to be in a circle of other introverts which allows them to feel comfortable and so to socialise and communicate freely. A recent study conducted by the behavioural sciences of harvard university proves that nearly 60% of people preferred to be in the room of people who had the same interests and point of view like them. To feel understood is the joyful thing in the world and therefore ourselves unknowingly search for the shadows of ourselves.
On the other hand, there are a million people with extraordinary mindsets and being friends with them not only improves our knowledge, also helps us grow. By interacting with these people ignites a different way of thinking which leads to better problem solving and understanding various personalities. This has been revealed by a survey conducted among 50000 students of the top colleges in America proving that there was a significant amount of change in the behaviours of people who have friends from unlike mindset than the other group. Life gets harder if we refuse to change and so to embrace the difficulties and also happiness we need to engage in making friends of all types.
Therefore, Friends are mostly a necessity than a good to have. The more diverse it is the more we experience it throughout our life experiences.
This seems band 6.5 to me.
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It is argued that it is good to have friends with the same interest, while others think that they should against the opinion occasionally is best. In my opinion, both views of friendship play a vital to stay strong as close friends in life.
On the one hand, people who have buddies with the same perspective prevent them from conflicts. As a consequence, they can work together as a team to strive to achieve a goal without any difficulty and also this can make their relationship stronger. In Mexico, for instance, Cambridge University found in a recent study that 90% of the population’s childhood friends become family friends in their old age because they had the same likes and it made them feel comfortable to extend the contact with friends very often, longer.
However, on the other hand, the friends with some disagreements are assist the people to avoid making wrong decision in life, so they can consult with them before proceed with the plan. Moreover, they can suggest the negative side of the idea and it is an opportunity to save from costly mistakes. For example, in 2011, it was reported in the New York Times that 50% of plan which was discussed with the peers returned demerits and solutions were protected the time, effort. Therefore, friends with disagreement always make friendship healthier.
In conclusion, personally I think, the friends with the same and different interest always help to maintain the relationship bond stronger and life longer.
This seems band 6 to me.
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It is argued that some want to be friends with like-minded people whereas others like their friends to have different opinions than themselves. In the coming paragraphs, I’ll discuss both the arguments and at the end will share my view.
People want to have the same opinion as to their friends because getting along is easier with a person having the same ideas and there is a sense of mutual understanding in a relationship. As a result, fights and arguments are much less which means people don’t have to spend their valuable time explaining things in their busy lifestyle. A number of scientific studies have proven that a person connects to others with the same personality much faster. Also, they can share their secrets with a friend more comfortably without having a fear of being judged.
On the other hand, having a friend who disagrees can help a person look at a particular situation in a different perspective therefore a person can become more open to new ideas and beliefs. This can lead to development as an individual and open more space for feedback. Moreover, a person can build a habit of being an active listener. In case of a difficult situation, they can count on their friend who can help them by looking at the problem in a different way, hence find a better solution.
In the end, I think it depends from person to person when it comes to choosing a friend. Everybody should know that their opinion is not always the best so they should be more open to other people’s point of views Therefore, I believe choosing a friend with a different thinking pattern can lead to growth as an individual.
This seems band 6.5 to me.
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A friend is one with whom we can share our thoughts and ideas freely. Some people believe that one should be friends with people who are like-minded, whereas, others believe that a group of friends should have a diverse school of thought.
On one hand most individuals want to have a group of friends where they all agree to the same ideas and thoughts. The age old saying “Birds of a feather flock together”, holds true for people with this opinion. As they believe it ensures that everyone is on the same page and there is no room for friction due to the same thought process. People with the same thought process would have to face a challenge of boredom as the conversations can get dull due to similar interests and taste in everything. For instance, if two friends have the same taste in food they would always hang out at the same restaurant and not explore anything new, which might get repetitive and boring after a while.
On the other hand, there are individuals who feel that there should be a healthy mix of people with different opinions and thoughts in a group in order to grow on an intellectual level and help in shaping one’s personality. They believe that no two people are alike and everyone is entitled to have a different opinion, which makes conversations and discussions more interesting. For example, two friends with differing car preference would have a plethora of information to share with each other in regards to the cars that they like, resulting in broadening their intellectual horizons. Albeit, there will be times when a normal conversation may turn into a heated argument and may lead to tension among the individuals.
In the end I would like to conclude, that everyone has the right to choose whom they wish to befriend. But I believe that out of the above mentioned arguments I would choose the latter as it helps in having a healthy discussion as well as in understanding everyone’s perception to know more about something.
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Some consider that selecting friends who have identical viewpoints as them is always more beneficial, while others feel that it is beneficial to choose friends who do not concur with them at times. This essay will discuss both the arguments, and in my opinion, I believe that there should be tiny differences of opinions between friends.
On the one hand, many think that having same perspectives as friends is necessary. It is vital due to the fact that it becomes easier for individuals to live with their friends under the same roof as they can make similar decisions as their friends for fixing some issues in the apartments. Furthermore, with similar points of view, friends can make quick decisions. For instance, there are four students in the class who are close associates and have been assigned to design and develop a web-based database software, which is a huge task requiring teamwork, and regarding the project, if two people are serious and their friends are lethargic, then they will not produce a good project as their way of thinking is diverse.
On the other hand, a number of people believe that sometimes, there should be differences of opinions between friends. It is necessary as not all people can make wise decisions. They need guidance, and parents cannot always help them owing to the fact that they do not understand the minds of their children, which close friends can fathom. For example, individuals might think that taking drugs is a good habit by mixing with bad people, although they know that it is deleterious for their health. In that case, only good friends can convince them to stay away from taking it but not the parents, as nowadays, most of the time, it can be observed that there is a communication gap between children and parents as parents are quite strict nowadays.
Finally, I believe that sometimes, it is good to have disagreements between friends. It is because opinions cannot be a hundred percent correct. Instead, there can be some mistakes. For instance, if all friends think in a similar fashion and voice incorrect points of view regarding a particular topic in a course project at university, they will fail in their course.
In conclusion, there can be dissent between friends, but the differences of viewpoints should not be extremely large if people want to maintain a relationship with others.
This seems band 7 or close to it.
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A good number of persons are of the view that it is best to choose friends who think as they do, while others disagree. Although, staying around like minds improves mental health, most individual development are brought about by a conglomerate of diverse opinions. This essay will discuss both views and my opinion, why mental health is the ultimate for the well being of any person.
When one stays around like minded people , he is rarely bothered. There is a mutual understanding and respect amongst themselves which brings about peace of mind. For instance, when I attended Nigerian Youth Service orientation camp, I stayed with a lot of people from different cultural backgrounds and I was not comfortable with most conversations discussed as well as behaviors exhibited. This issues seriously bothered me in camp. The more people of the same views stay around each other the more at peace, they will feel.
Without diverse views, a person cannot make progress. Young persons surrounded by different opinions tend to make better choices later in life when they grow. It is obvious that most successful people for example; Presidents and well known entrepreneurs , came to be by incorporating other peoples views in their decision from their youth. The more diverse views one is exposed to, the more development he could attain later in life.
To conclude, although the popular opinion of having friends with diverse views brings about the growth of an individual, mental health is sacrosanct and should not be joked with. Without peace of mind, one is not stable enough to carryout daily activities effectively and this affects productivity.
Grammar needs improvement. Ideas seemed okay. This seems band 6.5 to me.
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In today modern society ,people would tend to spend time with friends after their hectic work days and talk about some common issues . There is an opinion asserting that some individuals tend to make friends with those who have a lot in common. I personally agree with this issue and believe that having like-minded friends have numerous advantages.
on the one hand, those people who are in favour of this belief argue that long-lasting relationships will establish among people if they have the same opinion. It means that it will be possible to keep their relationships and have close-friends if they can make friends with people who think like them at least some issues in order that they would continue their connection for years . For instance, the young people accepted by university they will persuade the students who think like them so that to be able to have the teamwork for their assignments at university. After a while they would realize that have a lot in common, and it can lead to become the roommate or the workmate in the future.
On the other hand, people that are oppose believe that the friend groups that have the same opinion can’t have a progression in their beliefs because they don’t tend to listen to the different views while listening to opposite opinions can be an eye-opener. Although these friendships may not be a stable friendship, it can broaden their mind and put them in a right way. For example, they may have been in a wrong way in their career path due to constantly get the advice from like-minded people, and it affects their progress. As a result, establishing connection with individuals are at oppose opinion can affect their choices.
In conclusion, I personally tend to agree with having like-minded friend . I think that while there may be negative impact on rewarding friendship ,overall, they present more potential benefits. Their impact could be durable and long-lasting.
This seems band 6 to me. Grammar needs a lot of improvement.
The ups and downs of life always require good companionship, who can help in times of crisis. Every person defines friendship as per its own criteria, hence makes it subjective. Some people opine that it is better to have friends of similar thought, others consider conversely. This essay will consider the friendship from both perspectives to reach a conclusion.
The first category of friendship is quite appealing. Nowadays, it is difficult to gather same minded people who always back each other in their every act, whether good or bad. From my school days, there was a group of 5 friends who were very familiar to each other and remained like a first in the whole period. They were reminded as a role model to friendship; although unfortunately, not on good terms now because of certain disagreements.
The second category of friends are a bit blunt but honest. They do not unnecessarily support the wrong choices of their beloved ones. In this materialistic world, where everyone is dumping the other after getting personal gains, it is hard to find a sincere companion. Studies show, truthfulness is a major characteristic of an objective friendship and a major contributor to providing a strong base.
In summary, considering the example of above friends, we can say that if they had a habit to listen to the criticism of each other, might have their friendship lasted for a longer period. It is not every time possible to have similar view point, therfore one needs to have the capacity to listen to the differing thoughts of others. I would conclude by saying that, in my dictionary, a good friend is a person who can guide you towards the righteous path.
This seems band 6 to me. There are several grammar mistakes.
Hello, Dear Ms. Manjusha Nambiar. Would you please kindly rate my sloppy writing?
There is an opinion, that the choice of a friend should be based on whether they agree with one all the time. However, another point of view states that the practice of having friends who do not tend to agree sometimes is good. In this essay, I will discuss both opinions and will advocate for having friends who disagree with their partners on some occasions.
There is a common belief, that a choice of a friend should be based on whether a friend agrees with one’s opinion or not. While the choice can bring positive moments like raising the confidence level of both counterparts, I think it mostly leads to the lack of development of critical thinking. When people always agree with each other and avoid argumentation, it deprives them of the ability to stand for their point and make it relevant in the eyes of an opponent. According to recent researches, a lack of skills where one should prove their point of view, leads to the low position of a person in society, simply because they can not make their way up the career ladder.
On the other hand, different people are convinced, that the choice of a friend should not be based on whether they agree with one all the time or not. Having a friend who tends to argue and shows viewpoints different from one’s own, makes the relationships more alive and contributes to the future wellbeing of both individuals. For instance, I feel invigorated when my closest friend disagrees with me and we argue because having come to the common ground we both feel that our friendship bonds are becoming stronger.
In conclusion, some people are convinced, that absence of a contradiction from a friend’s side is what makes them a good friend, and others are sure, that a good friend is the one who expresses their thoughts openly. While both approaches bring their positive aspects like increased level of confidence and making friendship ties stronger, I, for one, fully support the view that a positive aspect of a friendship is the presence of a friend who disagrees with their counterpart from time to time.
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You may not always get what you want likewise it is not necessary to always have a friend who agrees to your every thought. It is absolutely normal to have a variety of friends who have different views and opinions than yours.
Human behaviour vary from person to person, although it has been proven that people with same zodiac sign may have most of their quality and character in common yet there will be differences. Friendship is based on the bond of love and support be it just two people. There can be best friends who lives miles apart, who may not catch-up too often, yet are always available for each other not physically but emotionally.
Friends may fight on certain issue, argue over for a long hour, ending up agreeing or disagreeing, it’s just the matter of time. Others may see this as a fight but as a real friend one may had some bad experience in the past who do not want his friend to suffer like he did. Good friends always bounce back and would never let his friend to take a wrong decision especially in the realm of happiness or anger.
On the other hand, there are people who pretend to be your best buddy and encourage you for everything, later you may find yourself stuck in an awful situation all by yourself. Thays when you know you don’t have reliable friend. Mean friends will only show up when they need a favour or when they are broke but when they are affluent they are nowhere to be seen. One should be aware of such friends.
In conclusion I would say that one should be wise enough to choose a friend and brave enough to cut-off mean and selfish friend. Opinion is not what matters but how are they getting along is the journey of life. A true companion will always stand by.
Your understanding of the topic is flawed. This seems band 6 to me.
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Friends are confidants with whom you can share your thoughts and feelings. Many consider viewpoints can differ whereas others think agreeing is the essence of friendship. In my opinion, in some scenarios, it is useful to present an outlook that is different from oneself.
Friends who are like-minded can agree on things and pass a judgment that is not necessarily a positive outcome. It is commonly believed that sharing similar views results in a long-term friendship. However, at the same point if there is one small disagreement, voicing it out is usually avoided so as to not hamper the friendship. On occasions, if one is taking a wrong stance in a rift of friends, should be expressed with opposing viewpoints to make a fair judgement.
Moreover, showcasing a different perspective can help in decision-making. For instance, if a friend suggests dissimilar options to a car model, it turns to be one’s advantage in having multiple choices. On the contrary, disagreements can be fruitful in certain scenarios yielding alternatives that you are unaware of. However, friends should understand not every stance against oneself will be appreciated; rather every viewpoint should be presented in a manner that can be respectfully considered not leading to any dispute.
In conclusion, friends should share their outlooks on the matter even if they are not in consensus with ours. Also, every conception need not be considered both right or wrong instead they could be different and one can choose to agree to disagree.
This seems band 6.5 to me.
A few persons want to select familiar people who have mostly similar thinking on their topics as them. Other than these understand having companions who would argue with them is best. While it’s fine to pick familiar persons who almost have the similar thinking as them this approach can be proved beneficial for some masses, this approach have some disadvantages consequently few other makes friends who would not always agree with them.
There are two main reasons for selecting companions who have similar thought on the same ideas as them would fruitful. Firstly, the same work has been easily done by those who have the similar point of views for doing it. For example, if you would be working with those people in your organization who have similar perspectives to do it without any argument. Then they definitely have achieved their task within timeline. Secondly, the working efficiency of doing any task by those masses with similar thinking capacities is more due to this fact that most of these people would enjoy their work environment and life with these persons who have always connected positively therefore those person would be healthy and enthusiastic. These may be factors that choosing familiar persons who have same perspective toward doing somethings is more reliable.
However, other masses know very well that it’s positive for them to have soul mates who do not always agree with their thinking because they will be taught more & more in their life to achieve their goal by those persons who would not always take stand for their thinking which will not good for their future. For example, two best friends were talking to each other. First one said that exercise is not necessary for us then immediately second one said that he was totally wrong. Exercise is good for human life and it will be beneficial in his older life.
In conclusion, this essay highlighted that having both types of familiar person in our life is always acceptable by us.
This seems band 6 to me.
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It is opined by many that it is better to have like-minded friends whereas few others believe that friends with a diverse school of thought are better. Although companion with similar opinion strengthens their bond, I believe that friends with different thoughts occasionally helps to grow a personality, which is a crucial adult skill.
Many choose friends with similar interests for stronger compatibility. There will be better understanding between people having similar thought processes and being able to empathize with each other. Thus, similar thoughts in friends are good in many ways like fewer clashes, good social partners. For example, after stressful work, a person can hang out with like-minded peers, which helps to get relax and raise confidence level. However, I believe that a friend with a different opinion helps you to grow as a human being.
Friends, who do not always agree with you, help you to develop your personality. Constant reassurance and support are not always helpful, but a different perspective can do so. A peer with a different opinion can give you ample ideas and suggestions. It helps you in personality development and decision-making. For example, if a person wants to buy a property, a friend can help him note the pros and cons rather than agree with him. Thus, it is always better to have a companion who brings a fresh approach.
To recapitulate, even though friends with similar thoughts are good for harmonious friendship, I firmly believe that friends who disagree on some occasions are vital for self-growth.
This is close to band 7.