IELTS WRITING TASK 2

Juni 17, 2023

IELTS WRITING TASK 2

It is common to feel overwhelmed when you read an IELTS Writing Task 2 question and not know how to even begin to approach it. Hence, it’s essential to have an effective strategy to tackle any question you might get. Fortunately, because the question format is the same for all questions, you can use the same basic technique to write any Task 2 essay.

For Task 2 essays, you must use formal language. Many candidates make the mistake of trying to use clever or complex language to add interest or to show off their high-level language skills. Keep tight control of your language. This is a very short essay and you don’t have the time or space to get carried away with elaborate words and phrases.

Get the information across quickly and succinctly using everyday language that includes topic words and their synonyms. Most importantly, use the language correctly. The more complex you make it, the more errors you’re likely to make.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay

Here is my recommended 5 step approach:

1) Analyse the question

The format of IELTS Writing Task 2 questions is always the same:

You will be given a statement on a topic of general interest.
The statement will be a specific point of view, problem or argument related to the topic.
You will be asked to respond to that statement.

There is a quick and easy way to analyse and understand Task 2 IELTS essay questions. You just need to identify 3 different types of words and find some synonims

# 1 Topic words
# 2 Other keywords
# 3 Instruction words

Sample question:

In some poorer areas of large cities people are too afraid to leave their houses at night time due to a fear of crime. What are the causes of crime in those areas and what can be done to tackle those problems?

Topic words

The topics words (in blue) are the ones that identify the general subject of the question.
So, this question is about ‘fear of crime’. We now need to know what aspect of ‘fear of crime’ we are required to write about. For this information, we look at the other key words.

Other keywords

The other keywords (in red) in the question tell you the specific topic you must write about. They define the opinion stated in the statement.
These are the only aspects of ‘fear of crime’ that you should write about. Do not write about ‘crime’ or ‘fear of crime’ in general or you will be given a low mark for task achievement.

Instruction words

The instruction words are all the words that come after the question statement. They tell you exactly what the examiner wants you to do.
Our sample question is a ‘causes and solutions’ question. It requires you to give clear ideas on both the causes of crime in poor areas of large cities and some possible solutions.
A common mistake is to write about just one side of the issue, e.g. just the causes, or to not fully develop both sides, resulting in an unbalanced essay.
You need to cover as much as possible in the planning stage and this includes vocabulary. You don’t want to be searching your brain for the right words while you’re writing your essay. The writing stage is the time for focusing on grammar and linking your ideas.
You don’t need to use complex, high level words and phrases to get a high mark but you do need to use appropriate, topic-related vocabulary and to avoid repeating the same words many times over. This is particularly true of the vocabulary included in the question. So, you need to think about possible synonyms you could use.

Find some synonyms

poor area – deprived neighbourhood, impoverished locality
city – metropolis, urban area
night time – after dark
cause – reason for, source of, origin of
what can be done – solution, answer to the problem

2) Plan your answer

With only a few minutes to come up with the ideas to write about, you need an idea generation strategy that works well for you and that you have practiced beforehand.

We all think in slightly different ways so what works for one person might be completely the wrong method for someone else. Different techniques can also work well for different question types so it’s worth having two methods that you can use confidently. You’ll then be ready for whatever type of question you get.

There are 4 main techniques for generating ideas for your Task 2 IELTS essay:

Brainstorming: Analyse the question and quickly jot down as many related ideas as come into your head as possible. The drawback with this method is that you can end up with lots of ideas but not enough time to sort them and pick out the most relevant ones before you have to start writing.
Mind-mapping: similar to brainstorming but will help you to organise your thoughts as they come to you by relating each though to a specific part of the question. You can still have the problem of too many ideas but many students use this method successfully, especially those who already have experience of creating mind maps.
Friends Technique: Imagine you are chatting with a friend and they ask you the question in a casual conversation. What answers would you give them off the top of your head? Plan your essay around these ideas. Doing this will help you to come up with simple answers in everyday language rather than straining your brain to think of amazing ideas using high level language, which isn’t necessary.
Example method: This method that will help you generate ideas to support the main points in your IELTS essay. Examiners love relevant examples. All you do is to think of specific examples related to the question. These can come from your own experience or be something you’ve read or heard about. You can even make up examples or tweak real examples to better fit the question. The examiner isn’t going to check your facts but they must, of course, be plausible.

The final step in the process of planning your Task 2 IELTS essay is to set out the structure, that is, to organise your ideas so that they flow logically from one to the next and answer all parts of the question.

Most essays should have 4 paragraphs. Each of the 5 types of question requires a slightly different structure which I go into in detail on their individual pages. Here, I’m going to give you a general overview.

1) Introduction: Paraphrase the question, state your opinion
2) Body paragraph 1: Main idea, Explanation, Example

3) Body paragraph 2: Main idea, Explanation, Example

4) Conclusion: Summary of main ideas, If required, restate your opinion/ give prediction or recommendations

This structure is easy to memorise. Once it’s fixed in your mind, all you need to do is to fill in each part with your ideas. With all this planning done, the actual writing of your essay will be fairly straightforward.

This may seem a lot to do in the 5 minutes planning time you should allow for it but it’s very doable if you get in lots of practice before exam day. Start slowly as you learn how to plan your IELTS essay and gradually speed up until you can complete all the steps in around 5 minutes.

3) Write the introduction

Here’s 3 part structure you should use for all task 2 IELTS writing tasks.

Paraphrased question: Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question.
Thesis statement: states your opinion on the topic. In most instances, you simply need to decide whether to agree or disagree with it and to reiterate the main idea of the statement.
Outline statement: you must outline the two main points that you’ll cover in the rest of the essay. This acts as a guide to the examiner and also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write. Do it in one sentence, or you can add them onto the end of the thesis statement if appropriate.

Question: Some young people are leaving the countryside to live in cities and towns, leaving only old people in the countryside. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

Note the use of synonyms for many of the keywords. For example,

young people – younger generation
countryside – rural locations
cities and towns – urban areas
leaving – migration
old people – the elderly

--------------------------------------

Paraphrased question:

The migration of the younger generation to urban areas is leaving many rural locations populated predominantly by the elderly.

Thesis statement:
This essay argues that the loss of young people from the rural landscape has problematic consequences.

Outline statement:
The two most serious are, the depletion of the rural workforce and the loss of local education facilities.

These two ideas will become your two main body paragraphs.
Main body paragraph 1 – the depletion of the rural workforce.
Main body paragraph 2 – the loss of local education facilities.

Final introduction:
The migration of the younger generation to urban areas is leaving many rural locations populated predominantly by the elderly. This essay argues that the loss of young people from the rural landscape has problematic consequences. The two most serious are, the depletion of the rural workforce and the loss of local education facilities.

4) Write 2 main body paragraphs

Before we move on to writing these two main body paragraphs, you need to be aware of three common errors that students make. Knowing these will help you to avoid making them yourself.

Having too many ideas
Having undeveloped ideas
Not including explanations or examples

All you need is 1 or 2 ideas for each paragraph and to fully develop them.
So, how do you fully develop your ideas? You simply: explain what they mean, support them with good examples

--------------------------------------

Main body paragraph 1 – the depletion of the rural workforce.
Topic sentence 1 – When 18-30 year olds move to towns and cities in search of new opportunities, they leave behind an ageing population to do all the work.
Explanation 1 – Most employment in the countryside involves manual labour. This can be difficult for older people to manage as it far more suited to fit and healthy young adults.
Example 1 – A government survey carried out over the past decade, reveals that the number of family farms being sold off to developers is increasing year by year. The main reason given for this is that the parents can no longer manage to do all the hard work themselves and their sons and daughters have moved to urban areas to seek new opportunities.

Main body paragraph 2 – the loss of local education facilities.

I am gonna add the word ‘furthermore’ to the beginning of the second paragraph as a cohesive device to link the two ideas.

Topic sentence 2 – Furthermore, In many rural areas, there is no longer a village school for the local children to attend.

Explanation 2 – With fewer young families living on the farms and in the villages, there are not enough kids to keep the local primary schools open. This is a big loss to rural communities as it means that children still living in the countryside often have to travel a long way to school each day.

Example 2 – In the region of Devon where I live, every village had its own school just forty years ago. Now only a handful of them still exist. Most have been converted into houses or holiday cottages.

--------------------------------------

The topic sentence plays an important role here. It states the main idea, acting as a signpost for what is to come next, that is, what the paragraph will be about. Then, we need to write a couple on sentences containing extra information to support the main idea and an example

Examples can come from many sources including personal experience, news reports and articles or academic studies you’ve read. Don’t worry if you can’t think of a real example. It’s fine to make one up, as this one is, as long as it’s believable. If you really can’t think of an example, add another piece of information to support your idea instead.

5) Write the conclusion

A good conclusion will:

Neatly end the essay
Link all your ideas together
Sum up your argument or opinion
Answer the question

You should not:

Introduce new ideas.
Introduce new evidence or examples.
Write too much.
Be too general

The ideal conclusion has 1 or 2 sentences:

Sentence 1 – a summary of your main ideas.
Sentence 2 – a prediction or recommendation statement (optional).

This second sentence is optional but perfectly acceptable if you do want to add one. It is useful if you find that you’re just below the word limit when you finish your essay and need just one more sentence to get you over the minimum 250 words.

The first few words of a summary sentence are extremely important. The good news is that you can use the same phrase for almost any Task 2 IELTS writing essay. I recommend that you use:

In conclusion
To conclude

There’s another piece of good news. If you followed my instructions on how to write a good introduction to your essay, your introduction will be a summary of what your essay is going to include.

Since your conclusion is about what the essay did include(your opinion and the main points), all you need to do now is to paraphrase this same information.

--------------------------------------

Introduction:
The migration of the younger generation to urban areas is leaving many rural locations populated predominantly by the elderly. This essay argues that the loss of young people from the rural landscape has problematic consequences. The two most serious are, the depletion of the rural workforce and the loss of local education facilities.

Summary:

In conclusion, the significant rise in the average age of people living in rural areas has resulted in a lack of suitable people to fill the workforce and the closure of the majority of village schools, causing hardship to local communities.

Question: Some young people are leaving the countryside to live in cities and towns, leaving only old people in the countryside. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

young people – younger generation
countryside – rural locations
cities and towns – urban areas
leaving – migration
old people – the elderly

The migration of the younger generation to urban areas is leaving many rural locations populated predominantly by the elderly. This essay argues that the loss of young people from the rural landscape has problematic consequences. The two most serious are, the depletion of the rural workforce and the loss of local education facilities.

When 18-30 year olds move to towns and cities in search of new opportunities, they leave behind an ageing population to do all the work. Most employment in the countryside involves manual labour. This can be difficult for older people to manage as it far more suited to fit and healthy young adults. A government survey carried out over the past decade, reveals that the number of family farms being sold off to developers is increasing year by year. The main reason given for this is that the parents can no longer manage to do all the hard work themselves and their sons and daughters have moved to urban areas to seek new opportunities.

Furthermore, In many rural areas, there is no longer a village school for the local children to attend. With fewer young families living on the farms and in the villages, there are not enough kids to keep the local primary schools open. This is a big loss to rural communities as it means that children still living in the countryside often have to travel a long way to school each day. In the region of Devon where I live, every village had its own school just forty years ago. Now only a handful of them still exist. Most have been converted into houses or holiday cottages.

Finally, let’s consider the optional prediction or recommendation sentence. What do these two words mean?

A prediction is a statement about what you think will happen in the future: It is predicted that there will be a steady increase in young families moving to country locations in the coming decade as parents seek a more relaxed lifestyle for themselves and their children.

A recommendation is a statement about what you think should happen in the future: It is recommended that governments should improve public transport and provide affordable village housing to encourage young people back to rural areas.

The 5 Question Types

1) Analyse the question

Question: A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction. Do you agree or disagree?

In an IELTS essay, it’s important to be able to say the same things in different ways, either by paraphrasing and/or using synonyms.

satisfaction – fulfilment, achievement, sense of accomplishment, content, sense of well-being
salary – income, wages, pay, earnings
important – significant, valued, has more meaning
job – work, employment, position

2) Plan your answer

The second task is to generate some ideas to write about.

Examples:

Uncle Barry – boasted about high salary but hated his job. Nervous breakdown – lost job & can’t work.
Me – gave up teaching. Now enjoy my work and am much more relaxed and happy even though I earn much less money.

Ideas:

High-salary jobs are generally more stressful
Stress leads to ill health, both mental and physical
40 hours a week at work – a third of the day
Money doesn’t bring happiness
Better quality of life
Sense of fulfilment
Less stressed – healthier and happier

I’ve got more ideas here than I need so I’m going to pick two to develop in the essay – one for each of the main body paragraphs.

--------------------------------------
Idea 1 – High-salary jobs are generally more stressful and can lead to ill health.
Idea 2 – Job satisfaction gives a sense of fulfilment.

--------------------------------------

Now let’s look at a simple structure you can use to write opinion essays.

1) Introduction

Paraphrase the question
Give your opinion
State two supporting reasons

2) Main body paragraph 1

Topic sentence – outline 1st reason for supporting this view
Explanation – explain this idea
Example – give an example or expand the idea

3) Main body paragraph 2

Topic sentence – outline 2nd reason for supporting this view
Explanation – explain this idea
Example – give an example or expand the idea

4) Conclusion

Summarise opinion and key reasons

--------------------------------------

3) Write the introduction

Question: A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction. Do you agree or disagree?

satisfaction – fulfilment, achievement, sense of accomplishment, content, sense of well-being
salary – income, wages, pay, earnings
important – significant, valued, has more meaning
job – work, employment, position

Idea 1 – High-salary jobs are generally more stressful and can lead to ill health.
Idea 2 – Job satisfaction gives a sense of fulfilment.

Paraphrased question:
It is argued that earning lots of money has more significance to people than being content in their work.

Thesis statement:
This essay totally disagrees with that statement.

Outline statement:
I believe that people are increasingly concerned about the risk of stress-related ill-health frequently experienced by people in highly paid positions and they care more about feeling fulfilled at work.

Complete Introduction:
It is argued that earning lots of money has more significance to people than being content in their work. This essay totally disagrees with that statement. I believe that people are increasingly concerned about the risk of stress-related ill-health frequently experienced by people in highly paid positions and they care more about feeling fulfilled at work.

4) Write 2 main body paragraphs

Main idea 1 – concerns about the risk of stress-related ill-health

Topic sentence:
Employees earning a large income are generally under significant mental and emotional pressure to perform well and achieve targets.

Explanation sentence:
This causes many individuals to suffer high levels of stress which can result in both mental and physical health problems.

Example sentence:
This happened to my uncle. He used to boast about his huge salary but the boss kept increasing his sales targets and in the end, the stress became too great and he had a nervous breakdown. Now he regrets being driven by the money.

Main idea 2 – Job satisfaction gives a sense of fulfilment.

Topic sentence:
Having a job that they enjoy doing, and in which they feel valued, is a major concern for most of the modern workforce.

Explanation sentence:
A significant number of people are giving up well-paid positions to do jobs which pay less but that they find more enjoyable and less stressful.

Example sentence:
I am an example of this myself. A year ago I left the teaching profession because the workload had become too great and I am now a gardener. I feel really fulfilled in this work and I am much more relaxed and happy even though I earn far less money.

5) Write the conclusion

Introduction:
It is argued that earning lots of money has more significance to people than being content in their work. This essay totally disagrees with that statement. I believe that people are increasingly concerned about the risk of stress-related ill-health frequently experienced by people in highly paid positions and they care more about feeling fulfilled at work.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, for a high percentage of the population, earning a substantial wage is less important than job satisfaction because of the negative effects of work-related stress and the desire to feel happy and fulfilled at work

5) Finished Essay

Question: A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction. Do you agree or disagree?

satisfaction – fulfilment, achievement, sense of accomplishment, content, sense of well-being
salary – income, wages, pay, earnings
important – significant, valued, has more meaning
job – work, employment, position

It is argued that earning lots of money has more significance to people than being content in their work. This essay totally disagrees with that statement. I believe that people are increasingly concerned about the risk of stress-related ill-health frequently experienced by people in highly paid positions and they care more about feeling fulfilled at work.

Employees earning a large income are generally under significant mental and emotional pressure to perform well and achieve targets. This causes many individuals to suffer high levels of stress which can result in both mental and physical health problems. This happened to my uncle. He used to boast about his huge salary but the boss kept increasing his sales targets and in the end, the stress became too great and he had a nervous breakdown. Now he regrets being driven by the money.

Having a job that they enjoy doing, and in which they feel valued, is a major concern for most of the modern workforce. A significant number of people are giving up well-paid positions to do jobs which pay less but that they find more enjoyable and less stressful. I am an example of this myself. A year ago I left the teaching profession because the workload had become too great and I am now a gardener. I feel really fulfilled in this work and I am much more relaxed and happy even though I earn far less money.

In conclusion, for a high percentage of the population, earning a substantial wage is less important than job satisfaction because of the negative effects of work-related stress and the desire to feel happy and fulfilled at work

1) Analyse the question

Question: Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In an IELTS essay, it’s important to be able to say the same things in different ways, either by paraphrasing and/or using synonyms.

zoos – animals in captivity, collections of wild animals, menagerie, wildlife park
cruel – to cause suffering, inhumane
protect – safeguard, preserve
animals – creatures, species

2) Plan your answer

The second task is to generate some ideas to write about.

Cruel – closed down:

Cramped cages – animals distressed
Unnatural environments
Most animals not endangered
Animals become a public spectacle for entertainment

Useful – protect wild animals:

Research work to learn more about wild animals
Breeding programmes for endangered species
Some species saved from extinction
Seeing wild animals close up inspires people to want to help protect them

I’ve got more ideas here than I need so I’m going to pick two to develop in the essay – one for each of the main body paragraphs.

--------------------------------------
Idea 1 – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animal distressed.
Idea 2 – Breeding programs for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.

--------------------------------------

Now let’s look at a simple structure you can use to write opinion essays.

1) Introduction

Paraphrase the question
State two supporting reasons
Give your opinion

2) Main body paragraph 1

Topic sentence – outline the view you dont agree with
Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people
Example – give an example

3) Main body paragraph 2

Topic sentence – outline outline the view you do agree with
Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people
Example – give an example

4) Conclusion

Summarise the key points and state your opinion

--------------------------------------

3) Write the introduction

There are various phrases you can use to do this. Here are three examples. They all say the same thing using different language.

Some people argue that… while others say that…
It is considered by some…. while there are others who think….
It is often argued that... whilst others disagree and think...

Choose one and add the details in the question statement in a paraphrased form. I recommend putting the view you don’t agree with first.

--------------------------------------

zoos – animals in captivity, collections of wild animals, menagerie, wildlife park
cruel – to cause suffering, inhumane
protect – safeguard, preserve
animals – creatures, species

Idea 1 – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animal distressed.
Idea 2 – Breeding programs for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.

Paraphrased question:
Some people argue that zoos help to preserve wild creatures, while others say that they are inhumane and should be abolished.

Outline & thesis statement:
While the development of breeding programmes contributes to the preservation of endangered species, I believe that the poor conditions that many animals held in captivity are kept in make the existence of zoos unacceptable.

Complete Introduction:
Some people argue that zoos help to preserve wild creatures, while others say that they are inhumane and should be abolished. While the development of breeding programmes contributes to the preservation of endangered species, I believe that the poor conditions that many animals held in captivity are kept in make the existence of zoos unacceptable.

4) Write 2 main body paragraphs

Main idea 1 – Breeding programmes for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.

Topic sentence:
On the one hand, there are many projects in existence in zoological parks around the world where species facing extinction have been successfully bred in captivity and their numbers increased substantially.

Explanation sentence:
This is important for ensuring the survival of animals under threat from poaching and the destruction of their natural environments.

Example sentence:
A good example of this is the golden lion tamarin from Brazil which nearly died out because of logging and mining activities which are destroying its habitat. Today, a third of wild golden lion tamarins were raised in captivity.

Main idea 2 – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animal distressed.

Topic sentence:
On the other hand, a significant percentage of zoos house their animals in cramped cages with very little space to move around or behave naturally.

Explanation sentence:
This can lead to them becoming distressed and depressed as well as suffering physically through lack of exercise.

Example sentence:
A friend of mine recently visited a wildlife park while on holiday abroad and was very upset to see the lions pacing up and down in a narrow, bare pen and eagles in enclosures so small that they were unable to fly.

5) Write the conclusion

Introduction:
Some people argue that zoos help to preserve wild creatures, while others say that they are inhumane and should be abolished. While the development of breeding programmes contributes to the preservation of endangered species, I believe that the poor conditions that many animals held in captivity are kept in make the existence of zoos unacceptable.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, although zoos do help to safeguard dwindling populations of particular species, the suffering experienced by many captive creatures due to unsuitable living conditions amounts to cruelty and they should not be allowed to exist.

6) Finished Essay

zoos – animals in captivity, collections of wild animals, menagerie, wildlife park
cruel – to cause suffering, inhumane
protect – safeguard, preserve
animals – creatures, species

Some people argue that zoos help to preserve wild creatures, while others say that they are inhumane and should be abolished. While the development of breeding programmes contributes to the preservation of endangered species, I believe that the poor conditions that many animals held in captivity are kept in make the existence of zoos unacceptable.

On the one hand, there are many projects in existence in zoological parks around the world where species facing extinction have been successfully bred in captivity and their numbers increased substantially. This is important for ensuring the survival of animals under threat from poaching and the destruction of their natural environments. A good example of this is the golden lion tamarin from Brazil which nearly died out because of logging and mining activities which are destroying its habitat. Today, a third of wild golden lion tamarins were raised in captivity.

On the other hand, a significant percentage of zoos house their animals in cramped cages with very little space to move around or behave naturally.This can lead to them becoming distressed and depressed as well as suffering physically through lack of exercise. A friend of mine recently visited a wildlife park while on holiday abroad and was very upset to see the lions pacing up and down in a narrow, bare pen and eagles in enclosures so small that they were unable to fly.

In conclusion, although zoos do help to safeguard dwindling populations of particular species, the suffering experienced by many captive creatures due to unsuitable living conditions amounts to cruelty and they should not be allowed to exist.

IELTS problem solution essays are the most challenging essay type for many people. Generally, you’ll be asked to write about both the problem, or cause, and the solution to a specific issue. Sometimes, however, you will only be required to write about possible solutions.

Here is a typical IELTS problem solution essay questions. They consist of a statement followed by the question or instruction.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the number of endangered species has increased significantly and we have witnessed more mass extinctions in this period than in any other period of time. State some reasons for this and provide possible solutions.

These are some examples of different ways in which questions can be phrased.

What issues does this cause and how can they be addressed?
What are some resulting social problems and how can we deal with them?
What problems arise from this and how can they be tackled?
Why is this? How might it be remedied?
What are the reasons for this, and how can the situation be improved?
Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

And here are a few questions where you only have to write about the solution.

How can this situation be improved?
What solutions can you suggest to deal with this problem?
How can this problem be solved?
What measures could be taken to prevent this?

--------------------------------------

1) Analyse the question

Question: One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion. What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?

In an IELTS essay, it’s important to be able to say the same things in different ways, either by paraphrasing and/or using synonyms.

Problem – issues, resulting, situation
Cause – reasons, why
Solution – deal with, addressed, tackled, remedied, improved, measures taken, solved, prevent

traffic jam

heavy traffic

queue

vehicles

commute

rush hour

private transport

infrastruct

2) Plan your answer

Cause:

Too many cars on the roads – increasing numbers of people own cars, more convenient than buses & trains
Inadequate public transport – crowded, old & dirty
Poor road layout
Rush hour traffic – most people travel to & from work at the same times each day

Solution:

Car sharing, park-and-ride scheme, congestion charge
Improve public transport – more frequent and better quality
Improve infrastructure – bus lanes, cycle lanes will make it safer for people to cycle
Flexible working hours

I’ve got more ideas here than I need so I’m going to pick two to develop in the essay – one for each of the main body paragraphs.

--------------------------------------

Cause – Too many cars on the roads. Why? – increasing numbers of people own cars, more convenient than buses & trains

Solution – Park-and-ride schemes

--------------------------------------

Now let’s look at a simple structure you can use to write opinion essays.

1) Introduction

Paraphrase the question
State 1 key problem/cause and related solution

2) Main body paragraph 1

Topic sentence – state the problem or cause
Explanation – give detail explaining the problem or cause
Example – give an example

3) Main body paragraph 2

Topic sentence – state the solution
Explanation – give detail explaining the solution
Example – give an example

4) Conclusion

Summarise the key points

--------------------------------------

3) Write the introduction

Question: One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion. What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?

Problem – issues, resulting, situation
Cause – reasons, why
Solution – deal with, addressed, tackled, remedied, improved, measures taken, solved, prevent

traffic jam

heavy traffic

queue

vehicles

commute

rush hour

private transport

infrastruct

Cause – Too many cars on the roads. Why? – increasing numbers of people own cars, more convenient than buses & trains
Solution – Park-and-ride schemes

Paraphrased question:
One of the most serious issues facing the majority of large urban areas is traffic jams.

Outline statement:
The main reason for this is that there are too many private cars on the roads these days and a viable solution is to introduce more park-and-ride schemes.

Complete Introduction:
One of the most serious issues facing the majority of large urban areas is traffic jams. The main reason for this is that there are too many private cars on the roads these days and a viable solution is to introduce more park-and-ride schemes.

4) Write 2 main body paragraphs

Main idea 1 – Too many cars on the roads

Topic sentence:
The number of people owning cars increases year on year, with most families now having more than one car.

Explanation sentence:
Most people like the convenience of travelling at the time they want to rather than being restricted to public transport timetables, so they prefer to drive themselves around rather than taking the bus or train. This is despite the fact that they frequently have to sit in long traffic queues as they near the city centre.

Example sentence:
Whenever I have to attend a meeting in the city, I always drive because it means that I can leave home when I want to rather than getting stressed about getting to the station in time to catch the train.

Main idea 2 – Park-and-ride schemes

Topic sentence:
A solution that is proving successful in many areas is park-and-ride schemes.

Explanation sentence:
This is where you park your car for free in a large car park on the outskirts of the city and take a bus for the final part of your journey. The fee you have to pay for the bus trip is usually very small and this public transport system is generally very regular, running every ten minutes or so.

Example sentence:
A survey carried out in the city of Exeter showed that the rush hour congestion decreased by 10% when the council set up a park-and-ride scheme to the north of the city. There was an additional drop of another 10% in traffic volume when a second scheme began operating to the south.

5) Write the conclusion

Introduction:
One of the most serious issues facing the majority of large urban areas is traffic jams. The main reason for this is that there are too many private cars on the roads these days and a viable solution is to introduce more park-and-ride schemes.

Conclusion:
To conclude, the major urban problem of traffic congestion caused by the excessive number of private cars on the city roads can be partly alleviated by the introduction of park-and-ride systems on the city fringes. I would certainly use one if it was introduced in my area.

6) Finished Essay

Question: One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion. What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?

Problem – issues, resulting, situation
Cause – reasons, why
Solution – deal with, addressed, tackled, remedied, improved, measures taken, solved, prevent

traffic jam

heavy traffic

queue

vehicles

commute

rush hour

private transport

infrastruct

One of the most serious issues facing the majority of large urban areas is traffic jams. The main reason for this is that there are too many private cars on the roads these days and a viable solution is to introduce more park-and-ride schemes.

The number of people owning cars increases year on year, with most families now having more than one car. Most people like the convenience of travelling at the time they want to rather than being restricted to public transport timetables, so they prefer to drive themselves around rather than taking the bus or train. This is despite the fact that they frequently have to sit in long traffic queues as they near the city centre. Whenever I have to attend a meeting in the city, I always drive because it means that I can leave home when I want to rather than getting stressed about getting to the station in time to catch the train.

A solution that is proving successful in many areas is park-and-ride schemes. This is where you park your car for free in a large car park on the outskirts of the city and take a bus for the final part of your journey. The fee you have to pay for the bus trip is usually very small and this public transport system is generally very regular, running every ten minutes or so. A survey carried out in the city of Exeter showed that the rush hour congestion decreased by 10% when the council set up a park-and-ride scheme to the north of the city. There was an additional drop of another 10% in traffic volume when a second scheme began operating to the south.

To conclude, the major urban problem of traffic congestion caused by the excessive number of private cars on the city roads can be partly alleviated by the introduction of park-and-ride systems on the city fringes. I would certainly use one if it was introduced in my area.

Questions for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays can be worded in several different ways. Here is some typical wording that might be used:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay questions fall into two main categories:

Questions that ask for your opinion.
Questions that do not require you to state your opinion.

The first part of the question will always be a statement. You will then be asked to write about both the advantages and disadvantages of the idea stated. You may also be required to state your opinion.

Small businesses are disappearing and being replaced by large multinational companies. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Most career choices demand vocational skills or specialist knowledge. However, despite this, most schools still teach academic subjects such as history or social studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this?

--------------------------------------

1) Analyse the question

Question: A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world? Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?

Here, we are required to write about:

The advantages of tourism in relation to income generation.
The disadvantage of tourism in relation to problems it can cause.
Our opinion as to whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Note the use of the synonyms ‘benefits’ and ‘drawback’ in the second sentence of the question.

2) Plan your answer

With the 'example method', on the other hand, you start by thinking of specific examples related to the question.

Thailand:

Poor fishing villages now prosperous tourist resort
Provides jibs for locals
Tourist income spent on improving transport systems, electricity supply, telecommunications & medical facilities
Creation of national parks, where wildlife is protected

Venice:

Homes replaced with tourist accommodation & shops
Crowded street: too narrow for volume of people
Lost sense of community - too many tourist
Pollution from huge cruise ships
Damaging high tides caused by hundreds of tourist boats

--------------------------------------

Advantage – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts;

Disadvantage – Displacement of local people

--------------------------------------

Now let’s look at two simple structures you can use to write IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays.

Essay Structure 1

1) Introduction

Paraphrase the question
Outline main ideas
State your opinion (if required)

2) Main body paragraph 1 - Advantage

Topic sentence - give an example
Explanation - explain the benefits/advantages
Consequence - state the result

3) Main body paragraph 2 - Disadvantage

Topic sentence - give an example
Explanation - explain the problems/disadvantages
Consequence - state the result

4) Conclusion

Summarise the key points
State your opinion (if required)

--------------------------------------

3) Write the introduction

Note the use of the synonyms ‘benefits’ and ‘drawback’ in the second sentence of the question.

Advantage – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts;
Disadvantage – Displacement of local people

Paraphrased question:
Although holidaymakers contribute hugely to the economies of many popular destinations, the influx of tourists can also cause serious issues.

Outline statement: This essay will demonstrate how tourism can transform the economy of poor areas but will also show that this can lead to such problems as the displacement of local people.

Opinion statement:
Whilst acknowledging that there are drawbacks, the essay will argue that the advantages of the tourist industry outweigh the disadvantages.

Complete Introduction:
Although holidaymakers contribute hugely to the economies of many popular destinations, the influx of tourists can also cause serious issues. This essay will demonstrate how tourism can transform the economy of poor areas but will also show that this can lead to such problems as the displacement of local people. Whilst acknowledging that there are drawbacks, the essay will argue that the advantages of the tourist industry outweigh the disadvantages.

4) Write 2 main body paragraphs

Main idea 1 – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts

Topic sentence:
One country that has experienced a significant economic boost from tourism is Thailand.

Explanation sentence:
Over the past 50 years, many of its small fishing villages, where people often struggled to make a living, have been developed into thriving holiday destinations.

Consequence sentence:
With all the hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities that have been developed, there are now enough jobs for everyone and the general standard of living has greatly increased. Many local people have spotted new business opportunities and become entrepreneurs which has further diversified the economy.

Main idea 2 – Displacement of local people

Topic sentence:
In Venice, on the other hand, the huge popularity of the beautiful canals and stunning architecture with visitors from around the world has had a negative impact on local residents.

Explanation sentence:
The growing need for tourist accommodation, places to eat and shops has forced many people from their homes to make way for this new development.

Consequence sentence:
Not only have these people suffered by having to move away from their family and friends but the situation has also resulted in a lost sense of community in the worst affected areas.

5) Write the conclusion

Introduction:
Although holidaymakers contribute hugely to the economies of many popular destinations, the influx of tourists can also cause serious issues. This essay will demonstrate how tourism can transform the economy of poor areas but will also show that this can lead to such problems as the displacement of local people. Whilst acknowledging that there are drawbacks, the essay will argue that the advantages of the tourist industry outweigh the disadvantages.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, although mass tourism can sometimes result in local residents having to be relocated, it greatly improves the lives of most people as well as contributing significantly to the national economy. Hence, the positive effects of developing a tourist industry definitely outweigh the drawbacks.

6) Finished Essay

Note the use of the synonyms ‘benefits’ and ‘drawback’ in the second sentence of the question.

Although holidaymakers contribute hugely to the economies of many popular destinations, the influx of tourists can also cause serious issues. This essay will demonstrate how tourism can transform the economy of poor areas but will also show that this can lead to such problems as the displacement of local people. Whilst acknowledging that there are drawbacks, the essay will argue that the advantages of the tourist industry outweigh the disadvantages.

One country that has experienced a significant economic boost from tourism is Thailand. Over the past 50 years, many of its small fishing villages, where people often struggled to make a living, have been developed into thriving holiday destinations. With all the hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities that have been developed, there are now enough jobs for everyone and the general standard of living has greatly increased. Many local people have spotted new business opportunities and become entrepreneurs which has further diversified the economy.

In Venice, on the other hand, the huge popularity of the beautiful canals and stunning architecture with visitors from around the world has had a negative impact on local residents. The growing need for tourist accommodation, places to eat and shops has forced many people from their homes to make way for this new development. Not only have these people suffered by having to move away from their family and friends but the situation has also resulted in a lost sense of community in the worst affected areas.

In conclusion, although mass tourism can sometimes result in local residents having to be relocated, it greatly improves the lives of most people as well as contributing significantly to the national economy. Hence, the positive effects of developing a tourist industry definitely outweigh the drawbacks.

7). Another Alternative Answer

Here are my ideas using the friends technique:

Advantage of tourism - source of income:

provides jobs for local people
opportunities for local entrepreneurs
Touris spending boosts both national & local economy
Brings improvement in local infrastructure & facilities which benefit whole community
Helps maintain traditions & culture

Disadvantages of tourism - the problems:

money goes to wealthy business owners not local people
Increased crime
illegal activities, e.g. drugs
More pubs & clubs - changes the local; culture increase in property values
Destruction of the natural environment to build hotels, airports & other facilities
Displacement of indigenous people

Think up a few then pick one advantage and one disadvantage that you think you can develop well.

--------------------------------------

Advantage – Provides jobs for local people; Touris spending boosts both national & local economy
Disadvantage – Increased crime

--------------------------------------

Essay Structure 2

1) Introduction

Paraphrase the question
Outline the views stated in the statement
State your opinion (if required)

2) Main body paragraph 1 - Advantage

Topic sentence - state 1 advantage
Explanation - give detail explaining the advantage
Example - give an example

3) Main body paragraph 2 - Disadvantage

Topic sentence - state 1 disadvantage
Explanation - give detail explaining the disadvantage
Example - give an example

4) Conclusion

Summarise the key points
State your opinion (if required)

--------------------------------------

Finished Essay

Note the use of the synonyms ‘benefits’ and ‘drawback’ in the second sentence of the question.

Although holidaymakers contribute hugely to the economies of many popular destinations, the influx of tourists can also cause serious issues. This essay will demonstrate how tourism can transform the economy of poor areas but will also show that this can lead to such problems as the displacement of local people. Whilst acknowledging that there are drawbacks, the essay will argue that the advantages of the tourist industry outweigh the disadvantages.

One of the main advantages is the number of jobs the tourist industry creates for local people. The many hotels, restaurants, shops and other facilities provide employment for the residents. A good example of a country that is taking full advantage of a booming tourist industry is Thailand. Regions that were once dominated by poor fishing villages are now full of thriving holiday resorts. With everyone now having a job, the general standard of living has greatly increased. The economic boost to these local communities has also had a massive impact on the national economy which is growing year on year, largely due to tourism.

However, an increase in holidaymakers can lead to some worrying issues. One of the most serious of these is an escalation in the local crime rate. This is a particular problem in popular party destinations such as Ibiza where illegal drug taking and the excessive consumption of alcohol, which leads to unruly behaviour, are an important part of the holiday experience for many visitors. The affected areas, which were once quiet coastal towns and villages with very little crime, now require a large police presence to tackle these problems.

In conclusion, although mass tourism can result in a rise in criminality activity, it greatly improves the lives of most local inhabitants as well as contributing significantly to the national economy. Hence, the positive effects of developing a tourist industry definitely outweigh the drawbacks.

1) Analyse the question

Question: Fossil fuels are essential for producing electricity, powering industry and fueling transportation. However, one day we will reach a point when all the world’s fossil fuels have been depleted. How can we conserve these resources? What are some alternatives to fossil fuels?

During the planning stage, quickly jot down some vocabulary that comes to mind as you decide which ideas you are going to write about, especially synonyms of key words. For the ideas I’ve chosen, useful words will include:

sustainable
renewable energy
energy-efficient

2) Plan your answer

We’re going to use the ‘friends technique’. This is the method I prefer as it allows you to take a step back from the stress of the exam situation and think more calmly.

Here’s how it works. Imagine that you are in a casual conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee and they ask you this question. What are the first thoughts to come into your head? Plan your essay around these ideas.

How can we conserve these resources?

Become more energy conscious & more energy efficient
Use more renewable energy sources – solar panels
All new homes should be built with solar panels on
Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport, only travel when really necessary
Energy-efficient light bulbs

What are some alternatives to fossil fuels?

Solar power
Wind power
Wave energy
Tidal energy
Biomass energy
Geothermal energy

Don’t spend long on this as you only need one or two ideas. Choose one main idea for each part of the question. My advice on making your selection is to choose ideas that you can quickly think of examples for.

--------------------------------------

How can we conserve these resources? Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport
What are some alternatives to fossil fuels? Natural forces – solar & wind power, wave & tidal energy

--------------------------------------

Let’s look at this essay structure straight away.

1) Introduction

Paraphrase the question
Outline sentence – state your answer to both questions

2) Main body paragraph 1 – Answer question 1

Topic sentence – state your answer
Explanation – develop the idea
Example – give an example

3) Main body paragraph 2 – Answer question 2

Topic sentence – state your answer
Explanation – develop the idea
Example – give an example

4) Conclusion

Summarise both questions and answers

--------------------------------------

3) Write the introduction

Question: Fossil fuels are essential for producing electricity, powering industry and fueling transportation. However, one day we will reach a point when all the world’s fossil fuels have been depleted. How can we conserve these resources? What are some alternatives to fossil fuels?

sustainable
renewable energy
energy-efficient

How can we conserve these resources? Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport
What are some alternatives to fossil fuels? Natural forces – solar & wind power, wave & tidal energy

Paraphrased question:
The world is currently reliant on oil, coal and natural gas for the majority of its energy requirements but there will come a time when these run out.

Outline statement: This essay will discuss how we can help to prevent our non-renewable resources from becoming depleted by using our cars less frequently and it will name some natural forces that can be harnessed to generate power.

Complete Introduction:
The world is currently reliant on oil, coal and natural gas for the majority of its energy requirements but there will come a time when these run out. This essay will discuss how we can help to prevent our non-renewable resources from becoming depleted by using our cars less frequently and it will name some natural forces that can be harnessed to generate power.

4) Write 2 main body paragraphs

Main idea 1 – Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport

Topic sentence:
Conserving energy is a responsibility of every individual and an important way in which we can all do our bit is to use more energy-efficient means of transport.

Explanation sentence:
The easiest way to do this is to leave the car at home and walk or cycle to our destination if it isn’t too far away, or take public transport for longer journeys. Another way to reduce our fuel consumption is to car share.

Example sentence:
Whenever my friends and I get together for coffee, we agree to meet up at a café that we can each get to without having to drive our cars there. We usually go on foot or ride our bikes. If everyone made small decisions like this, it would make a real difference.

Main idea 2 – Renewable energy / natural forces – solar & wind power, wave & tidal energy

Topic sentence:
The most sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels are the generation of power from natural forces such as the sun, wind and oceans.

Explanation sentence:
Solar and wind power are already widely used across the world but it is wave power and tidal energy that have the greatest untapped potential to provide for our energy needs in the future.

Example sentence:
A report recently commissioned in the United Kingdom estimates that tidal energy could meet as much as 20% of the UK’s current electricity demandsonce the technology being developed is operational. Wave energy converters are expected to prove equally successful in the long-term.

5) Write the conclusion

Introduction:
The world is currently reliant on oil, coal and natural gas for the majority of its energy requirements but there will come a time when these run out. This essay will discuss how we can help to prevent our non-renewable resources from becoming depleted by using our cars less frequently and it will name some natural forces that can be harnessed to generate power.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, our earth's reserves of fossil fuels will not last forever and we need to be continually developing new technologies to enable us to produce energy from renewable sources such as the sun, wind and water. In the meantime, we can help to slow the rate of depletion by leaving the car at home and using more energy-efficient forms of transport whenever possible.

6) Finished Essay

sustainable
renewable energy
energy-efficient

The world is currently reliant on oil, coal and natural gas for the majority of its energy requirements but there will come a time when these run out. This essay will discuss how we can help to prevent our non-renewable resources from becoming depleted by using our cars less frequently and it will name some natural forces that can be harnessed to generate power.

Conserving energy is a responsibility of every individual and an important way in which we can all do our bit is to use more energy-efficient means of transport. The easiest way to do this is to leave the car at home and walk or cycle to our destination if it isn’t too far away, or take public transport for longer journeys. Another way to reduce our fuel consumption is to car share. Whenever my friends and I get together for coffee, we agree to meet up at a café that we can each get to without having to drive our cars there. We usually go on foot or ride our bikes. If everyone made small decisions like this, it would make a real difference.

The most sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels are the generation of power from natural forces such as the sun, wind and oceans. Solar and wind power are already widely used across the world but it is wave power and tidal energy that have the greatest untapped potential to provide for our energy needs in the future. A report recently commissioned in the United Kingdom estimates that tidal energy could meet as much as 20% of the UK’s current electricity demandsonce the technology being developed is operational. Wave energy converters are expected to prove equally successful in the long-term.

In conclusion, our earth's reserves of fossil fuels will not last forever and we need to be continually developing new technologies to enable us to produce energy from renewable sources such as the sun, wind and water. In the meantime, we can help to slow the rate of depletion by leaving the car at home and using more energy-efficient forms of transport whenever possible.

Cari Blog Ini

Belajar Bahasa Inggris

IELTS WRITING TASK 2

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay

Topic words

Other keywords

Instruction words

Find some synonyms

The 5 Question Types

Komentar

Posting Komentar