How to write ielts writing task 2

IELTS WRITING TASK 2
INTRODUCTION


TYPES OF IELTS QUESTIONS
1. Agree or Disagree
2. Advantages/Benefits outweigh Disadvantages/Drawbacks
3. Discuss two views plus your opinion
4. Discuss two views only (no opinion)
5. Causes/Problem and Solution
6. Two questions/ two-part questions
7. Opinion


1. AGREE OR DISAGREE
1. Some people think that scientists experimenting with animals
in a laboratory is the only way we can guarantee new
products will be safe for human use. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this opinion?
2. Fatherhood ought to be emphasized as much as motherhood.
The idea that women are solely responsible for deciding
whether or not to have babies leads on to the idea that they
are also responsible for bringing the children up. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?
3. Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms
of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective,
and at worst they may be dangerous. To what extent do you


2. ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS VS.
DISADVANTAGES/DRAWBACKS

1. In some countries, governments are encouraging
industries and businesses to move to regional areas
outside the big cities. Do the advantages of this trend
outweigh the disadvantages?
2. Unemployment is one of the most serious problems
facing developed nations today. What are the
advantages and/or disadvantages of reducing the
working week to thirty five hours?


3. DISCUSS 2 VIEWS PLUS YOUR OPINIONS
1. Some people say children no longer need to develop
handwriting skills. Others believe that handwriting is still
important. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
2. Some people think children in secondary school should study
international news as part of the curriculum. Others think
that this would be a waste of time as there are already too
many subjects for children to concentrate on. Discuss both
views and give your own opinion.


4. DISCUSS TWO VIEWS ONLY (NO OPINION)
1. Many people believe that an effective public transport
system is a key component of a modern city. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of public transport.
2. In some countries people pay different rates of tax
depending on their salary, in other countries everyone pays
the same rate. Which do you believe is the best system?

5. CAUSE/PROBLEMS AND SOLUTION

1. Crime rates tend to be higher in cities than in smaller towns.
Explain some possible reasons for this problem and suggest
some solutions.


6. TWO QUESTIONS OR TWO-PART QUESTIONS
1. To some people studying the past has little value in the
modern world.  Why do you think it is important to do so?
What will be the effect if children are not taught history?


7. OPINION
1. Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with
have much more influence on our personality and
development than other experiences we may have in life.
Which do you consider to be the major influence?


HOW TO WRITE IELTS
WRITING TASK 2
INSTRUCTIONS


HOW TO WRITE THE AGREE OR
DISAGREE ESSAY


NOTICE

• For the agree/disagree essay, I think it’s probably easiest to just
completely agree or completely disagree because you just need to
have 2 reasons to support why.
• Remember, the examiner is marking you on how you express,
organize and support your ideas. They aren’t judging you on your
opinion. As long as it’s logical and cohesive (your argument is
supported and your ideas stick together) and written clearly,
you will get a higher mark.


OUTLINE
1. Introduction - introduce topic and give your clear answer to
the task question (I fully agree or disagree with the claim)
2. Main Reason #1 why you agree or disagree - give examples and
supporting details
3. Main Reason #2 why you agree or disagree - give examples and
supporting details
4. Conclusion - restate your opinion (this is a very short
paragraph – probably 1 to 2 sentences)


SAMPLE WRITING TASK
Many children these days have an unhealthy lifestyle.
Both schools and parents are equally responsible for
solving this problem.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?


SAMPLE OUTLINE

1. Introduction – Write a sentence about the topic,
paraphrase the claim and give my opinion.
E.g.:
I completely disagree. I think only parents are fully
responsible for solving this problem.


SAMPLE OUTLINE
2. Main Reason #1
I believe parents are fully responsible for solving this problem.
•main caregiver and spend the most time with their kids
•should be the primary role model of living a healthy lifestyle
•most effective because parents provide child’s food/meals
and guidelines for child’s free time and activities


SAMPLE OUTLINE
3. Main Reason #2
Schools should not be responsible for solving this problem.
•Schools should focus on academics – reading/writing/maths
and science
•Teachers have a relatively small amount of time with each
child – they have to worry about a classroom full of 30+
children
•least effective because they don’t provide for the child’s
regular diet


SAMPLE OUTLINE

4. Conclusion – restate my opinion that I completely disagree
and believe that only parents, rather than parents and
schools equally, are responsible for changing children’s
unhealthy lifestyles.


SAMPLE ANSWER
In the media we often hear or read about the rising trend of children leading unhealthy lifestyles. While
many believe both schools and parents share equal responsibility for solving this problem, I disagree and
feel that parents are fully responsible for changing the unhealthy lifestyles of their children.
As the main caregiver and educator, parents spend the most time with their children and therefore are
the biggest influence on the way their child eats and acts. The best way to solve this is to be a role model
for their child, by making healthy choices on what to eat and how much activity or sports they take part
in. If a child sees their parent eating vegetables or goes for a walk with them after dinner, their habits will
change for the better. Besides, with parents in control of providing the child’s day-to-day food and
organizing their child’s free time activities, they are the most effective ones to tackle this problem.
Because the primary purpose of school is to focus on academics and learning development, schools
should not be responsible for solving the problem of children’s unhealthy lifestyles. Moreover, with 20
students or more in a classroom, teachers already have a relatively small amount of time with each child
to actually influence their decisions on what to eat and what to do. In short, schools would be the least
effective because they have no control or means over what each child eats or how they spend their free
time.
To sum up, I believe that only parents, rather than parents and schools equally, are responsible for
changing children’s unhealthy lifestyles. As primary caregivers and role-models, parents, rather than
schools, are closest and most influential to each child.
( 287 words)


HOW TO WRITE THE

INTRODUCTION


• The introduction should be clear and concise. It doesn’t
need to be very long and grand since this is a short
250-word essay. Here’s what it should include:
• a paraphrase (use of different words but same
meaning) of the topic and issue presented in the task
question. Write a sentence introducing the topic and giving some
background facts about it.
• your opinion (if it is asked, please see the different
types of Task 2 questions). Tell the reader what you are going
to be writing about
• It should be 2 -3 sentences.


THESIS STATEMENT
• A thesis statement is a sentence (or two) that states
what you are going to do in your essay. It is a kind of
asignpost – something that tells you where to go- or a
map that shows the reader what direction your essay
will take. It usually comes at the end of the Introduction.


THESIS STATEMENT
• E.g.
In this essay, I will outline the arguments for and against sex
education in schools.
In this essay, I will examine some reasons for the growth of the
tourism industry.

• Or
This essay looks at ideas in favour of and against early
marriage.
This essay will discuss the benefits of having universal free
health care.


THESIS STATEMENT


OTHER SAMPLE
Many children these days have an unhealthy lifestyle. Both schools and
parents are equally responsible for solving this problem.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Model answer
In the media we often hear or read about the rising trend of
children leading unhealthy lifestyles. While many believe both
schools and parents share equal responsibility for solving this
problem, I disagree and feel that parents are fully responsible
for changing the unhealthy lifestyles of their children.