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IELTS Discussion Essays [Discuss Both Views/Sides]

Posted by David S. Wills | Jun 14, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 3

In this lesson, I’m going to explain what an IELTS discussion essay is and how you can write a good one. I will talk about structure and content, as well as looking briefly at discussion essay thesis statements, which many people find tricky. I’ve also written a sample essay, which you can find at the bottom of this page.

What is a Discussion Essay?

As the name suggests, a discussion essay is an essay that discusses things! More specifically, it is a type of IELTS writing task 2 essay that requires you to look at two different points of view . You can easily recognise these essays by the following phrase:

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sometimes it is phrased a little differently. It might say:

Discuss both sides and give your opinion

Discuss both points view and give your opinion

The important thing is that these all mean the same. When you see any of these, you know that you need to write a discussion essay. Importantly, this instruction tells you that you need to do two things:

Discuss both views (there will have been 2 views mentioned in the previous sentence(s))
Give your opinion (i.e. state which view you agree with)

If you failed to do either of these things, you would not have satisfied the basic criteria for Task Achievement .

Example Discussion Essay Questions

Here is a list of 5 discussion essay questions either from the IELTS exam, reportedly from the IELTS exam, or from reputable publications that have copied the IELTS question style. (Not that you absolutely should avoid fake IELTS questions when practising.)

Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time. Others say that is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods. Others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that higher education should be funded by the government. Others, however, argue that it is the responsibility of individuals to fund their higher education. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that it is important for children to attend extra classes outside school, while others believe that they should be allowed to play after school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

You can see in these questions that there is a similar pattern. In each case, the question phrase (“Discuss both views and give your own opinion”) is the same and in the previous sentence or sentences, there are two opposing views. This, then, makes “discuss both views” questions a sort of opinion essay .

How to Answer IELTS Discussion Questions

First of all, it is important when answering any IELTS task 2 question that you read the question carefully so that you understand it, then provide an answer that directly responds to the question, following its instructions carefully.

As discussed above, you are required to do two things: 1) Discuss both views, and 2) Give your own opinion. You absolutely must do both of those. It doesn’t really matter what your opinion is or whether you give equal weighting to both sides of the argument. Instead, you must cover both sides and also give some sort of opinion. (It is important, though, according to the marking rubric , that you are consistent in your opinion.)

Your answer of course should be structured carefully so as to present your ideas in a thoroughly logical way that is easy for your reader to interpret. I almost always use a four-paragraph structure in my essays, but some people prefer to use five paragraphs in this sort of essay. The difference would look like this:

You might be wondering why I have given my opinion in the body of the five-paragraph essay but not in the four-paragraph essay. Well, actually I would give my opinion in the body of both. However, my opinion would be more subtly woven into the text of the four-paragraph essay. I personally find this to be a better method, but it is equally possible that you could write an amazing five-paragraph essay. That issue is discussed further in this video:

Discussion Essay Thesis Statement

In academic writing, a thesis statement (sometimes called an essay outline ) is the part of the essay where you insert your opinion. It typically comes at the end of the introduction and guides the reader by explaining your opinion on the issues that have been introduced.

But do you really need to provide one in such a short essay? Well, a 2018 study into successful IELTS essays concluded that thesis statements were “obligatory” – i.e. you absolutely do need one. In fact, that study found that thesis statements appeared in 100% of successful IELTS discussion essays! Therefore, we can conclude they are very important.

Because a discussion essay will tell you to “Discuss both views and give your opinion,” you must introduce the two views and then give your opinion in the introduction. Here is an example:

Introductory paragraph:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair.

My first sentence clearly introduces two different ideas:

Children should do extra classes
Children should not do extra classes

Note how I have successfully used synonyms to avoid repeating anything from the question. I have also framed the issue in a new way so that I am not just paraphrasing. (You can learn why paraphrasing is not always helpful here .)

My second sentence is the thesis statement. In this sentence, I outline what the essay will do (“look at both perspectives”) and then give my opinion (“it is unfair”). This is a simple but effective thesis statement.

Thesis Statement Advice

Your IELTS discussion essay thesis statement should do two things:

Tell the reader what the essay will do
Present your opinion

Because this is a formal essay, it is best not to be too personal. Instead of saying “I will…” or “I think…” it is better to say “This essay will…” Here are some simple templates that you can follow most of the time:

This essay will look at both sides and then argue that…
This essay will discuss both views but ultimately side with…

Just make sure to avoid being overly vague. You are required to give your opinion consistently throughout the essay, so don’t say “This essay will look at both sides and then give my opinion .” It is not really the best approach because the examiner wants to see that you can be consistent in presenting an opinion. That is clearly stated in the marking rubric. For band 7, it says:

presents a clear position throughout the response

It could be concluded, then, that your opinion is not clear from the start and so you have not done enough to warrant a band 7 for Task Achievement.

Body Paragraphs

As I mentioned above, there are really two main approaches you could take to the body paragraphs:

Discuss one view per paragraph and incorporate your opinion into each.
Discuss one view per paragraph and then have another for your opinion.

I suppose there is also a third option:

Compare and contrast the two viewpoints in each paragraph.

This last one may be a little harder to do successfully without jeopardising your score for Task Achievement or Coherence and Cohesion , but advanced candidates may find it useful.

Remember that there is no single perfect formula for an IELTS essay. That’s not how languages work and that’s not how IELTS works. Different people could come up with different ways to present a successful essay. The most common essay structures are mere guidelines for particularly useful methods of approaching an essay.

Does a Discussion Essay Have to be Balanced?

Because the question says “Discuss both views,” it is quite logical to think that you must provide some degree of balance, but you certainly don’t need to give equal weighting to both sides. Remember that you are also going to give your opinion, so if you come down strongly on one side of the issue, it might be odd to give equal attention to both.

If you do feel very strongly about one side, you might want to present your discussion of the other side as quite negative. However, IELTS is a thinking exam as well as an English exam and an intelligent person can always look at both sides of an issue and explain – at the very least – why someone might believe a thing that is different to his own view. This seems quite important, but there is nothing explicitly mentioned in the marking rubric.

I would suggest that if you think a two-sided issue is basically one-sided (i.e. you strongly disagree with the other view), you should still write one or two sentences about why people believe that and then devote the rest of your essay to disputing their view.

Another approach is to write BP1 as a very short paragraph that explains why people might think one thing, but then have BP2 as a very long paragraph that debunks the opposing view and then explains why the other is correct.

(You can read more about IELTS essays and balance here .)

Sample Answer

Here is my full sample answer to the above question about whether or not children should be made to do extracurricular activities:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair. In countries like South Korea, most children are made to go to an array of cram schools outside of regular school hours. Their parents do this in order to give their child a better future because it helps the child to learn more and thus gives them the academic advantages needed to apply to the best universities or jobs in future. These schools often provide children with an advantage over their peers because they improve their foreign language or math skills more quickly, and thus the children who do not attend these schools might have comparatively poor grades. However, whilst this attitude may result in better academic performance, it is certainly not good for the mental health of these children. It is no coincidence that places like South Korea have the highest rates of suicide among their young populations. The fact is that children are not equipped to spend fourteen or sixteen hours per day in classrooms, memorising facts and figures. In a sense, it is a form of child abuse. Children should be allowed to go home and spend time with friends and family to build social skills. They should be allowed to occupy themselves in order to become more creative and learn how to understand their own mind instead of being trained to repeat what they are told. In conclusion, it is understandable that some parents want their children to go to extra classes, but this is damaging to children and they should be given the freedom to play and socialise outside of regular school hours.

In BP1, I have looked at the topic of cram schools (ie the side of the argument in favour of extra lessons). I explored why parents might want their kids to do this and show the supposed benefits. Note that I never embraced any of these benefits. I was careful to use language that distanced these ideas from my own opinion, which was the opposite, so I said “Their parents do this in order to…”

In BP2, I looked at the opposite side. I was careful to make sure that my first sentence linked to the previous paragraph, highlighting that the benefits are quite minor compared to the drawbacks. All of my sentences here justify my position, which is that it is cruel to force these extra lessons on children.

My conclusion ties all of this together. The first clause references BP1 and the second summarises the main argument in BP2.

You can find two more sample essays here:

A discussion essay about sports facilities
A discussion essay about sports abilities

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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It is sometimes debatable whether asking children to get extra education after school or letting them play that is actually beneficial for them. Even though both viewpoints have benefits and drawbacks but I believe ,in the childhood age, children have to take rough and discipline education after school to be succeed in the future.

To begin with, many educational experts believe that playing is one of the essential aspects that have to be gotten by children to grow and happy. By using the playing approach, children can have a good mental and psychic health. Besides, letting children play after school can also support them to increase their emotional stimuli and get a positive social interaction. With this way, experts believe children can grow as a better adult in the future and have a freedom to get a better life in the upcoming times.

However, I completely contra with the first idea because I believe childhood is a better time to train children about academic or other skills that benefits them in the future. Based on scientific journal that I read, the ability of children in learning new things are more spectacular compared to adults. A lot of artists, scientist, and even football player who currently becoming a superstar in this era is a string of process that is began since their in the childhood. For instance, nowadays, I am working in the field of election supervision, it because since in my childhood my father love to force me learning about social and political issues by getting additional class. Thus, making children to get extra class after school is an appropriate preference if parents desire to see their son getting a good future.

To conclude, based on experts children have to get a freedom to play after schools but in my viewpoint it will be more advantages if they utilize the playing time with joining additional class after school.

VERY GOOD MR DIRWAN But actually you mixed both of the ideas , you need to take one side for this sort of essay writting, as it is mentioned in the above instruction. By the way WELL DONE . love from Pakistan to my sweet brother.

I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are really great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend. ??

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay: Explanation & Breakdown With Sample Answers

Updated On Nov 23, 2023

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay: Explanation & Breakdown With Sample Answers

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The IELTS Writing Task 2 is a 250-word essay that tests your ability to communicate your ideas in a clear, concise, and well-organized way. One of the most common question types for this task is the discussion essay.

In an IELTS discussion essay, you will be presented with a statement that contains two opposing views. Your task is to discuss both sides of the argument, and then to give your own opinion on the matter.

How to Write a Discussion Essay?

There are a few key things to keep in mind when writing a discussion essay:

Identify the two opposing views. The first step is to carefully read the statement and identify the two opposing views. Once you have identified the two views, you can start to think about how you can support each one.
Gather evidence to support both sides. Once you know what the two opposing views are, you need to gather evidence to support each one. This evidence can come from your own knowledge, experience, or research.
Write a clear and organized essay. Your essay should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. In the introduction, you should paraphrase the statement and state your own opinion on the matter. In the body paragraphs, you should discuss each of the two opposing views, and provide evidence to support each one. In the conclusion, you should restate your opinion and summarize the main points of your essay.

Tips to Write a Discussion Essay

There are certain tips that you can follow to improve your understanding of Discussion essays and how you can approach them. Read the tips given below and implement the same in your essays:

Use neutral language – When discussing two opposing views, it is essential to use neutral language. This means avoiding language that expresses your own opinion or that could be seen as favoring one side over the other.
Be objective – It is also important to be objective when discussing two opposing views. This means presenting both sides of the argument fairly and without bias.
Use evidence to support your claims – When making a claim in your essay, be sure to provide evidence to support it. This evidence can come from your own knowledge, experience, or research.
Use transition words and phrases – Transition words and phrases can help to make your essay flow smoothly and signal to the reader when you are moving from one point to another.
Proofread your essay carefully – Before submitting your essay, be sure to proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

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Discussion Essay Sample Questions with Sample Answer

Here are a few sample questions for discussion essays. Now before you start learning about discussion essays through the given example questions, watch this video for a better understanding. Check the samples below:

Sample Answer With Breakdown

Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for the essay by presenting the topic and highlighting the opposing viewpoints.

Body Paragraph 1: This paragraph discusses the advantages of learning a foreign language, including cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits.

Body Paragraph 2: The second paragraph presents the counterargument that learning a foreign language is unnecessary due to technology and the prominence of English.

Conclusion: The conclusion provides a clear personal opinion that acknowledges the counterarguments but asserts that the benefits of foreign language learning are more significant.

Final Compilation

Learning a foreign language has been a topic of debate in educational circles, with proponents arguing its importance and opponents asserting its insignificance. Those who advocate for learning a foreign language in school argue that it has numerous cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits. Firstly, mastering another language enhances cognitive abilities, as it requires learners to think critically and adapt to different linguistic structures. Moreover, it promotes cultural understanding by allowing individuals to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering tolerance and open-mindedness. From a practical standpoint, in today’s globalized world, proficiency in a foreign language can boost job prospects and facilitate international interactions.

On the other hand, there are those who contend that learning a foreign language is unnecessary in the modern age due to the prevalence of translation tools and the predominance of English as a global lingua franca. They argue that the time spent on language acquisition could be better utilized for other subjects that are more directly applicable to students’ future careers. Additionally, some assert that the difficulty of becoming truly proficient in a foreign language often discourages students and leads to frustration.

In my view, while the concerns raised against learning a foreign language hold some validity, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. The cognitive and cultural benefits of language learning are substantial and contribute not only to personal growth but also to building a more interconnected and harmonious society. Moreover, even though technology can aid in translation, it cannot replace the nuanced understanding and genuine human connections that result from speaking someone’s native language. Therefore, incorporating foreign language learning into the curriculum remains a valuable investment in students’ holistic development.

For IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips: Click Here

Introduction: Introduces the topic and mentions the opposing views regarding city and countryside living.

Body Paragraph 1: Discusses the advantages of living in a city, including access to amenities, job opportunities, and cultural activities.

Body Paragraph 2: Presents the benefits of living in the countryside, such as tranquility, connection to nature, and strong communities.

Conclusion: Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges the strengths of both options and suggests that the choice should be based on individual preferences.

Living preferences between urban and rural areas have long been a subject of debate. Supporters of city living argue that it offers greater access to amenities, career opportunities, and cultural activities. Cities are often hubs of economic activity, providing a wide range of job options and higher earning potential. Additionally, urban dwellers can enjoy a plethora of entertainment choices, from theaters and museums to restaurants and shopping centers.

On the other hand, proponents of rural living emphasize the tranquility and connection to nature that the countryside provides. They contend that life in the countryside is less stressful, offering cleaner air, less noise pollution, and a slower pace of life. Moreover, the close-knit communities in rural areas foster a sense of belonging and interpersonal relationships that can be harder to find in bustling cities.

In my opinion, both living environments have their merits, and the choice depends on individual preferences and priorities. While cities offer convenience and a vibrant social scene, they can also be overwhelming and stressful. On the contrary, the countryside provides a peaceful and close-to-nature existence, but it might lack the opportunities and amenities that cities offer. Therefore, the ideal choice should be based on a person’s lifestyle, values, and career aspirations.

Introduction: Introduces the topic and states that social media’s impact on society is debated.

Body Paragraph 1: Discusses the negative effects of social media, including impacts on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships.

Body Paragraph 2: Presents the positive aspects of social media, focusing on connectivity, activism, information sharing, and education.

Conclusion: Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges both sides of the argument but emphasizes the potential positive impact of responsible social media use.

The influence of social media on society is a topic of ongoing debate. Detractors argue that social media has detrimental effects on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships. They claim that the constant comparison to curated online personas can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Furthermore, the erosion of privacy due to the widespread sharing of personal information and the rise of cyberbullying are serious concerns. Critics also point out that excessive screen time detracts from face-to-face interactions, potentially weakening real-life connections.

On the other hand, proponents of social media contend that it fosters global connectivity, information sharing, and activism. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram enable individuals to voice their opinions, raise awareness about important issues, and create positive change. Social media has played a pivotal role in various social movements and humanitarian efforts, mobilizing people on a scale previously unattainable. Additionally, it allows easy access to a wide range of educational content and facilitates networking opportunities.

In my view, while social media has its drawbacks, its potential positive impact is significant. The power of social media to amplify voices, disseminate information, and drive social change cannot be overlooked. However, its usage should be balanced and responsible, with individuals and society collectively addressing its negative aspects, such as online toxicity and privacy concerns.

Here are the 10 examples for the Discussion Essay:

Also, check:

IELTS Writing tips
IELTS Writing recent actual test
Band 9 essays
Advantage and Disadvantage Essays
IELTS Writing Answer sheet
IELTS map vocabulary
IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I give my opinion in an IELTS discussion essay?

Are Opinion essays and Discussion essays the same?

How do you discuss both views and give your opinion?

What are the major mistakes test takers do in the IELTS Discussion essays?

How to write the IELTS Discussion Essay?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Courtney Miller

Courtney is one of our star content writers as she plays multiple roles. She is a phenomenal researcher and provides extensive articles to students. She is also an IELTS Trainer and an extremely good content writer. Courtney completed her English Masters at Kings College London, and has been a part of our team for more than 3 years. She has worked with the British Council and knows the tricks and tips of IELTS.

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Post your Comments

Blessing Nzekwe

Posted on May 20, 2022

Prison is the common way in most countries to solve the problem of crime. However, a more effective solution is to provide people with a better education. Do you agree of disagree.

Correctional centre is the most popular facility used by majority of the countries to tackle criminal activities. While I believe that the most probable action of ultmost benefit is to make accessible standard education for the masses, as this will make them to be well informed and be more responsible citizens, in this regard I agree with the latter statement.

To begin with, paving way for education of top notch quality will create an avenue to gain knowledge and understanding of information about rules and regulations governing a certain sect as well as how to uphold good moral values and living righteously. For instance, research shows that in Finland, there are negligible number of penitentiary institutions due to the high quality education system being operated in the country. Thus having a consequential high valued institution of learning plays a significant role in cubbing criminal activities.

Furthermore, an impeccable academic world will inculcate the act of being accountable citizens, this will make them to take responsibility of any action they perform and thereafter face whatever consequence that may arise from such weather it is pleasant or unpleasant. For example, in Nigeria, civic studies was incorporated into the school curriculum in a bid to boost the educational standard for the masses at large. Therefore, having a feasible academic environment will help create individuals of high moral standard who will stare clear of any form of unholy act.

To conclude, I want to reaffirm the fact that having quality educational facility that will teach high moral life values to gain the act of responsibility, out weighs the adoption of correctional centres to mitigate criminal activities. I recommend that the governing body should devote their strength to enhancing good learning facilities rather than prison services.

Posted on May 21, 2022

Band Score – 5.5

Concentrate on the correct usage of articles, verb forms, prepositions, subject-verb agreement and punctuation.

Since it is an opinion essay, you are required to write about one line of contrast in a separate body after presenting two body paragraphs supporting your views.

Pay attention to spellings and word order in a sentence.

Use C2 level of words.

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Writing Task 2 Discuss Both Views Lesson

How to write a Task 2 discussion essay:

Introduction: paraphrase the question, state both points of view, make a thesis statement and outline your sentence.
Main body paragraph 1: state the first viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or disagree and give an example to support your view.
Main body paragraph 2: state the second viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or disagree and give an example to support your view.
Conclusion: summarise and state which viewpoint is better or more important.
Remember that each Task 2 essay requires a different structure. It is important to learn each structure and practise your writing at home.

Introduction

This lesson will help you answer IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion (or discuss both views and give your opinion) questions.

These particular questions require a different approach to opinion essays because you have to discuss both sides rather than argue in favour of one side.

This post will look at:

Identifying the question

Example Questions

Sample Answer

Task Achievement

Coherence and Cohesion

Lexical Resource

Many students fail to do well in these questions because they do not do what the question asks them to do and do not use an appropriate structure . This post will help you overcome these problems and give you a sample answer.

We will also look at ‘lexical resource’ and ‘coherence and cohesion’; two of the IELTS examiners’ marking criteria when marking your essays. Understanding the marking scheme will help you get inside an IELTS examiner’s head and give them exactly what they want.

Identifying the Question

Look at the three questions below and choose the one you think is a discussion question.

Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will soon be no role for the teacher in education.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Computers are being used more and more in education.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

The first question is an opinion question, and we can tell this from the instructions ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree?’.

The second question is obviously an advantages and disadvantages question.

The third question is the discussion question. We can tell this from the typical instructions in the question, ‘Discuss both sides of the argument and then give your opinion’.

You may also be asked to ‘Discuss both views and give your opinion’ or ‘Discuss both sides of the argument and give your opinion’.

Each of these questions is asking us to do different things, and we, therefore, need a different structure for each question .

Here are a few other typical discussion questions:

A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Bloodsports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. All blood sports should be banned.

Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.

Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime.

As you can see, they typically state two opinions and then ask you to discuss both and give your opinion. Make sure you do these things in the essay. If you only discuss both views and fail to give your opinion you will lose marks.

For discussion questions, I suggest you use the following four-paragraph structure.

Introduction

1- Paraphrase Question

2- State Both Points of View

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

Main Body Paragraph 2

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

Practice

Here is a sample answer, but I have mixed up the sentences. Can you match the sentences below to the structure above?

This exercise will help you understand the structure.

In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction.
There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom.
The internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before.
Moreover, learners can research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education.
However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction.
Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy.
Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason.
This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers. This essay will discuss both points of view.
For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.
Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications.

Example Answer

Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say this is a positive trend, while others argue that it leads to negative consequences.

There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

The internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. Moreover, learners can research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

This is one of the four areas you will be assessed on in the IELTS writing test.

Task achievement refers to your ability to address all parts of the question and present a fully developed answer. By following the structure above, we have fully discussed both sides of the argument and given our opinion. This is exactly what the question asked us to do, no more, no less.

Discourse markers (words like ‘however’, ‘despite this’ and ‘In conclusion’) are also referred to as ‘linking words’ and ‘linking phrases’, or ‘sentence connectors’. They are quite formal and are used more in academic writing than informal speech.

You gain marks for using these under the ‘coherence and cohesion’ section of the marking scheme. These words ‘stick’ the other words together and lend continuity to sentences and paragraphs.

If you do not include discourse markers in your IELTS writing, your answer will appear illogical and more difficult to understand.

However, this does not mean that you should try to insert as many of these words into your writing as possible. This is a common mistake in IELTS writing. Using too many of them, or using them inappropriately, can make your writing sound too heavy and unnatural. They are important but must only be used at the appropriate time.

Try to identify any discourse markers in the essay above . Don’t look at the essay below yet. How many can you find?

Student Sample Answer with Discourse Markers

Here is the sample answer again with the discourse markers in bold .

The internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. Moreover , learners can research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example , where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However , many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite this , human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance , Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

In conclusion , while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However , as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

This is also one of the four criteria you will be marked on, and it refers to your ability to use a wide range of accurate vocabulary.

A common mistake is to repeat the same words over and over again. You will lose marks if you do this. A solution to this problem is to use synonyms. You can either think of synonyms as you are writing or leave time, in the end, to add them in.

Can you identify any synonyms in the essay above?

Here are some examples:

Computers- technology

Computers- the internet

Education- in the classroom

Education- students and teachers

Positive trend- positive development

Negative Consequences- adverse ramifications

By varying your vocabulary this way, you are demonstrating that you have a wide vocabulary, which will boost your band score. However, like discourse markers, be careful not to use inappropriate/inaccurate words. Only use words you are confident about. Mistakes will lead to fewer marks.

Do you need me to correct your essays and give you feedback on them? Check out our essay correction service .

I hope this post helps you with discussion questions, and if you have any questions, please comment below.

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay: tips, common mistakes, questions & essays

In this lesson we are going to look at how to answer an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay, also known as a 2 sided discussion essay.

You will learn about this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, using authentic IELTS essay questions, plus the most common mistakes. And I will finish with an IELTS model essay written by me in response to a sample IELTS essay question. So let’s get started!

What Is Your Task?

In this IELTS question type, you are presented with 2 contrasting opinions on a particular topic. Your task is to discuss these two views AND give your own opinion on the topic.

Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like Science and Technology are more important than History.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Test 3

In this task, you are presented with two contrasting views on the topic of education, specifically, what are the most important school subjects.

View 1: History is one of the most important school subjects
View 2: “Subjects like” Science and Technology are more important than History

You need to do two things in this task:

Present the reasons for each view
Present your own view. (This can include saying what you think about each of the two views)

Let’s look at this task in more detail.

Firstly, you need to present the REASONS for each view.

WHY do some people think that History is one of the most important school subjects?
WHY do some people think that subjects like Science and Technology are more important than History?

To get a Band 7 or higher, you should try to present the reasons for each view in an objective way. i.e. you need to think about the argument from the viewpoint of the people who think this. What are the reasons for their view that History is one of the most important school subjects?

Here are a few reasons why these people may think this:

You need to understand your country’s past if you can really understand your country today
Understanding History gives you a shared cultural understanding with other people
Because the study of History may require a lot of reading and writing, it helps you to develop literacy skills

I don’t necessarily agree with these reasons. I just think these may be the reasons why some people think History is so important.

And why do some people think that subjects like Science and Technology are more important that History? Here are a couple of possible reasons:

the study of science and technology helps you to develop skills that are important in getting a job in today’s world
it’s useful to have a good understanding of science to help you navigate the modern world (e.g. advanced in health and electronics)

It’s important to understand that the 2 views given in an IELTS test question are going to be sensible, reasonable views. They won’t be crazy ones, such as “some people think that playing computer games is one of the most important school subjects”! So there WILL be good reasons for these views. You just need to think about and explain what they are.

Secondly, you need to present your OWN view. Your opinion. You need to say what YOU think.

For a high band score, it’s a good idea to base your view on your discussion of the 2 views . You could point out the weaknesses or limitations of the view you disagree with, and suggest which view is stronger.

“Studying History can certainly boost literacy skills, but then so can any other subject requiring lots of reading and writing.”

“S cientific and technological subjects should be given priority in the curriculum because they help young people get well-paid jobs in modern companies.”

You can write sentences like these either at the end of each body paragraph, or in your final paragraph, where you present your own opinion.

How To Plan An IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay

If you are aiming for a high band score (band 7 and above) it is absolutely vital that you plan your essay. A good plan will help you to see if you have answered the question, developed your ideas and organised them BEFORE you start writing.

We’re going to plan an essay using my 4 Step Planning Process.

Step 1: Understand The Task

First, you need to make sure you understand exactly what you need to write about. So you need to read the question carefully, not quickly!

These three questions will help you to get a really clear understanding of your task:

What is the topic about?

What is the topic NOT about?

How should you respond to the topic?

Let’s go back to this essay question, and answer those 3 questions:

In a discuss both views essay, you have 2 contrasting ideas…but what OVERALL issue are both groups thinking about? In this task, it’s the most important school subjects . Some people think History is one of those important school subjects, but other people think that Science and Technology are the most important school subjects.

It’s also a good idea to quickly think about what the topic is NOT about, so you don’t start writing about those things. The task is NOT about university, it’s about school (so students aged between 5 and 18).

The instruction, “discuss both these views and give your own opinion” tells you how to respond to the topic. Make sure you do that! Don’t write an essay that only argues why History is important – that would be an opinion essay and this will limit your band score for Task Response to Band 5 at best.

Step 2: Decide Your Position

Next, you need to decide your position. In other words, you need to decide what you think.

In a discuss both views essay, your position is your discussion of the two views, plus your own view , so it’s a little more complicated than for other tasks.

When you discuss the two views, you need to present the reasons for the views. Why do these people take this view? But it’s also a good idea to point out any strengths or weaknesses in the 2 views, so that your own view comes through.

Step 3: Extend Your Ideas

When you decided your position, you may have started thinking about the reasons for your position, the reasons for your answer. In other words, WHY are you taking this view?

Giving reasons for your view is essential in an IELTS essay. In fact, all IELTS questions tell you to “give reasons for your answer”. So in Step 3, you need to think about your reasons a little more.

However, just presenting your reasons is not enough. You need to develop them.

The two best ways of developing your ideas is by:

giving explanations of what you mean
giving specific examples which illustrate what you mean

Together, these add more detail to your answer.

You MUST do this to get Band 7. If you fail to develop your ideas in detail, your band score for Task Response may be limited to Band 6.

Step 4: Structure Your Essay

The final step in the planning process is to structure your essay. This simply means deciding which main ideas to put in which paragraphs.

In a discuss both views essay, here’s the structure I would recommend:

Paragraph 1: introduce essay
Paragraph 2: present the reasons for the 1st view
Paragraph 3: present the reasons for the 2nd view
Paragraph 4: present your opinion

How To Write Your IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay

Let’s go through how to write the different parts of the essay.

How To Write The Introduction

In the introduction to an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay, you can do two things: introduce the main topic and the two views. (You can also present your opinion in a third sentence, but it is not essential.)

Introduce The Topic

You can begin with a background sentence which introduces your reader to the topic of the essay. This is not absolutely essential, but it helps to show the examiner that you understand the task.

In our example question above, the task presented us with 2 views:

“Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like Science and Technology are more important than History.”

But what is the wider topic? What big topic are the 2 groups of people discussing?

It’s the most important school subjects.

So you could introduce the first sentence like this:

“There is often a lot of debate on the topic of the most important school subjects.”

or you could even write a question:

“What are the most important school subjects?”

If you find identifying the wider topic difficult, then don’t write this sentence. Just present the two views instead.

Introduce The 2 Views

Next, you need to introduce the two views.

The best way to do this is to paraphrase the two views in one sentence.

How To Paraphrase

Think about the meaning of the two views, and briefly rewrite them using your own words. Try not to use the same grammatical structures as in the essay question, and try to move language around. In other words, be flexible. This is important if you are aiming for a Band 7 or higher.

In the example essay question above, the two views are:

Here is one way of paraphrasing these views:

“Some people argue that one of the most essential subjects is History, while others disagree and want to see Science and Technology prioritised.”

or you could write about the “argument” rather than the “people”:

“One argument is that one of the most essential subjects is History, while another takes the view that Science and Technology should be prioritised instead.”

How NOT To Paraphrase

When you paraphrase, do NOT just change individual words with synonyms, or you will get some very strange sentences, e.g.

“Many citizens say the study of the past is among the most crucial educational topics. Other individuals ponder that, in nowadays earth, areas like scientific knowledge and technological skills are more essential than the past.”

DON’T DO THIS! It sounds unnatural and can be confusing.

Present Your Opinion

You could also add your own opinion as a third sentence, but I don’t think this is necessary. It’s better to get straight to the body.

Just start writing the body.

How To Write The Body Paragraphs

In an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay, you need to present the arguments for the two different views, plus your own opinion.

Write the arguments for each view in a separate paragraph.

When discussing the arguments for each view, the body paragraph should contain:

A reason for the view (your main idea)
A more detailed explanation of this reason
An example which illustrates this reason

You can include a second reason for each view in the same paragraph.

How To Write The Conclusion (Opinion Paragraph)

In the conclusion to an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay, you need to do one thing:

state your own opinion

The best way to do this is by pointing out the weaknesses in the view you disagree with, and the strengths of the view you agree with.

You do not need an additional paragraph which summarises your points again.

Common Mistakes in an IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay

These are the most common mistakes made by Test Takers when writing an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay:

presenting too many reasons for each view: you MUST develop ALL of your ideas to get a high band score, so it’s best to present 1-2 reasons for each view and explain them all
not giving your own opinion
not writing your opinion in much detail. You should try to give some reasons for your view
Writing an overly general statement about the topic in the introduction (e.g. “Healthcare is a topic of hot debate.”)
Your main ideas are not explained and illustrated enough. You need to develop all of your ideas to get a band 7 and higher.
Including ideas and information that does not directly answer the essay question
Not fully understanding the essay question(s). This is often caused by reading the question quickly, not carefully.
Using memorised phrases (e.g. “a hot topic”, “in a nutshell”, “my considered opinion”)
Using “research studies” as examples: examples should illustrate your ideas, not prove them.
Trying to use rare or “novel” language: examiners are looking for groups of words used naturally, not rare words.

Sample IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Questions

Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.

Cambridge IELTS 8 Academic Test 1

Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives. Others think that adult life brings more happiness, in spite of greater responsibilities.

Cambridge IELTS 9 GT Test B

Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations.

Cambridge IELTS 14 Test 1

Some people like to try new things, for example, places to visit and types of food. Other people prefer to keep doing things they are familiar with.

Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.

Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Test 2

Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it,

Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Test 3

Model IELTS Discuss Both Views Essays

Here is an IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay that I wrote in response to this task:

Some people say that now we can see films on our phones or tablets there is no need to go to the cinema. Others say that to be fully enjoyed, films need to be seen in a cinema.

Cambridge IELTS Book 13 General Training Test 3

Now that mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have become more powerful and affordable, there is some debate as to whether there is a need any longer to go to the cinema to watch movies.

It’s certainly true that going to the cinema is not essential. The versatility and portability of these devices mean you can easily watch films while lying on your bed at home, sitting in a cafe or commuting to work or college. Moreover, online services such as Netflix provide low-cost and rapid access to a vast catalogue of movies, whereas cinemas only screen a handful of films at any one time.

However, there are strong arguments in favour of going to the cinema, foremost of which is that modern cinemas, such as IMAX, offer surround sound systems and huge screens, meaning that moviegoers are immersed in a movie, an experience that cannot be replicated by mobile devices. In addition, new movie releases tend to be exclusive to cinema chains, so if you want to watch the latest Bond or Batman movie on your tablet, you may have a long wait.

Personally, I think that while there are clear arguments for both views, someone’s preferences are likely to be influenced by the kind of movie they want to watch. Sci-fi and action movies, for example, are far more enjoyable in a cinema because of the special effects they include, whereas gentle romantic comedies or biopics can easily be enjoyed on a tablet or phone. It also depends on whether you want to watch movies with friends: it’s simply much easier to watch them together in a cinema rather than huddled over a small screen with a tiny speaker.

(282 words)

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Task 1 Academic
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Task 2 (essay)

IELTS Writing Task 2: discuss both views + give your opinion

In this guide, you'll learn how to answer IELTS writing task 2 questions that ask you to discuss both points of view before giving your opinion . This type of question is often confused with an agree/disagree question or a give your opinion question. In the latter types of questions, you can choose an opinion and generate your arguments. However, for a discuss both views + give opinion question, you have to discuss both points of view impartially before giving your own view.

In this lesson you will see IELTS writing task 2 sample question + model answer and learn:

how to impartially discuss the points of view
how to present your own point of view
how to give a band 9 answer

IELTS question - discuss both views + give opinion

Let's look at an example of IELTS writing task 2 question that asks you to discuss both views and give your opinion:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

It is commonly believed that nowadays main factors that affect a child's development are media, pop culture and friends. A different point of view is that family plays the most significant role.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

Generate arguments for each point of view:

First of all, you have to identify the two opinions . These are:

External factors have more considerable influence on a child's development.
The family has a greater influence on a child's development.

Next, let's brainstorm for arguments that support each side:

External factors have a more considerable influence on a child's development.
Children tend to copy the behaviour of their favourite fictional characters.
Children spend a lot of time with their peers.
Technology has an all-pervasive impact on children.
Parents are always present in the life of a child.
The younger the children are, the more malleable their character is.
Parents can set boundaries and have more control over their children.

Choose your point of view:

For our essay, we will agree that although external factors influence the development of a child, parents and family still have the upper hand.

Our reason: A child's choice of friends, books or music depends on the values instilled in them by their parents.

Band 9 answer structure for discuss both views + give opinion essay

Though there are many ways to structure your IELTS essay, we’ll use this time-tested band 9 essay structure:

Introduction
Body paragraph 1 – discuss the first opinion
Body paragraph 2 – discuss the second opinion
Body paragraph 3 – give your own opinion

It is often held that teachers, peers and the media have a significant influence on the life of children. While some people argue that these factors are predominant in shaping a child's future, others believe that parents impact their offspring in more critical ways. This essay will discuss both these points of view and argue in favour of the latter.

On the one hand, the books children read and the music they listen to form their belief system. In other words, children tend to copy the behaviour of their favourite personality or fictional character. Moreover, when little ones work and play in groups, they are influenced by their peers. Finally, other factors, like the media, prompt children to want things regarded as fashionable. For instance, children demand toys that they see on television.

On the other hand, a child's personality is malleable at a very young age, and parents are always present in their life at this stage. Also, very young children love to imitate. For example, children who come from a dysfunctional family often exhibit behavioural problems at school. An emotionally secure environment at home is critical for the child's confidence. Moreover, parents also teach children about setting boundaries.

In my opinion, children's choice of friends, books or music depends on the values instilled in them by their parents. Therefore, parents hold more substantial sway over their offspring than media, pop culture and friends circle.

In conclusion, the outside world influences the intellectual and social development of children. However, I believe that it is parents who set the stage for these developments by laying a strong foundation from a very young age.

Band 9 answer sample

(273 words)

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How to Plan & Write IELTS Double Question Essays

IELTS double question essays are also known as ‘direct question’ or ‘two questions’ essays. They are distinguished by two characteristics:

They have one statement with two different questions after it.
The questions may or may not be linked.

Here are 3 examples:

1) 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?

2) Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for, and allow their children to do whatever they want.

Is this a good way to raise children?

What consequences could this style of parenting have for children as they get older?

3) The arts, including art, music and theatre are considered to be important in society.

Do you think the arts still have a place amongst our modern lifestyles?

Should the arts be included in the school curriculum?

In this lesson, I’m going to demonstrate step-by-step how to plan and write IELTS double question essays.

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

3 Common mistakes
Essay structure
How to plan
How to write an introduction
How to write main body paragraphs
How to write a conclusion

Want to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

Click the links to see lessons on each of these Task 2 essay writing topics.

Once you understand the process, practice on past questions. Take your time at first and gradually speed up until you can plan and write an essay of at least 250 words in the 40 minutes allowed in the exam.

3 Common Mistakes

These three errors are common in IELTS double question essays.

Not answering both questions fully.
Not outlining both answers in the introduction.
Mistaking it for one of the other essay types.

Many students make the mistake of only answering one of the questions, or focusing more on one question than the other which leads to an unbalanced essay. Both these errors will seriously affect your score for task achievement.

You must outline everything you are going to write about in the introduction. This is your blueprint for the whole essay. I’ll show you how to do this and get your essay off to a great start.

It’s easy to mistake IELTS double question essays for one of the other four types of Task 2 essays, especially opinion or discussion essays. Each should be answered in a slightly different way.

Analysing the question properly is essential to avoiding this error. I’ll also show you how to do this and give you a simple 4 part structure for planning your essay.

Essay Structure

Let’s look at this essay structure straight away. You can use it to write any IELTS double question essay. It’s easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.

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

4) Conclusion Summarise both questions and answers

This structure will give us a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.

We now need some ideas to add to the structure and we’ll have everything we need for our essay.

How To Plan IELTS Double Question Essays

Here’s the question we’re going to be answering in our model essay followed by the 3 steps of the planning process.

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.

Analyse the question
Generate ideas
Identify vocabulary

# 1 Analyse the question

This is an essential step in the planning process and will ensure that you answer the question fully. It’s quick and easy to do. You just need to identify 3 different types of words:

Topic words
Other keywords
Instruction words

Topics words are the ones that identify the general subject of the question and will be found in the statement part of the 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.

So, this question is about ‘ fossil fuels ’.

Many people will do this first step of the process and then write about the topic in general. This is a serious mistake and leads to low marks for task achievement.

Now that we know what the general topic is, we need to understand exactly what aspect of fossil fuels we're being asked to write about.

The other keywords in the question tell you the specific things you must write about. For IELTS double question essays, these will often be in the instructions, that is, the actual questions.

How can we conserve these resources?

What are some alternatives to fossil fuels?

By highlighting these words, it’s easy to identify the topics. Your essay must only include ideas relevant to these ideas.

The instruction words are the questions themselves. These tell you exactly what type of information is required and each will become the topic for one of the two main body paragraphs.

The first body paragraph will answer the first question (How?) and the second body paragraph will answer the second question (What?).

# 2 Generate ideas

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

There are several different ways to think up ideas. I cover them fully on the IELTS Essay Planning page.

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.

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.

You might want to try this yourself before reading on for my ideas.

Here are my ideas as I thought of them:

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
Solar power
Wave energy
Tidal energy
Biomass energy
Geothermal energy

Don’t spend long on this as you only need one or two ideas.

There is so much to write about this topic that we have to be very careful we don’t try to include too many different ideas and just end up with a list for each question rather than a well-developed essay.

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.

Here are my choices:

Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport
Natural forces – solar & wind power, wave & tidal energy

We’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS double question essay but first, we have one other small task to do.

# 3 Vocabulary

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. This will save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing.

For the ideas I’ve chosen, useful words will include:

sustainable
renewable energy
energy-efficient

With that done, we can focus on the first paragraph of the essay – the introduction.

How To Write an Introduction

The best introductions to IELTS double question essays have a simple 2 part structure:

1) Paraphrase the question

2) Outline sentence – state your answer to both questions

Have 2-3 sentences
Be 40-60 words long
Take 5 minutes to write

1) Paraphrase the question

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the statement part of the question.

Question statement:

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.

We are simply saying the same thing in a different way and using different vocabulary.

2) Outline statement

Now we need to add an outline statement where we outline the two main points that we’ll cover in the rest of the essay, that is, the answers to the two questions.

We need to be very specific about what we are going to write about.

Here's a reminder of the ideas I’ve chosen to answer the two questions:

Natural forces –solar & wind power, wave & tidal energy

Outl ine 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.

Note my use of synonyms to replace key words in the question. You don’t have to replace every key word but do so where possible whilst ensuring that your language sounds natural.

So, let’s bring the two elements of our introduction together.

Introduction

This introduction achieves three important functions:

It shows the examiner that you understand the question.
It acts as a guide to the examiner as to what your essay is about.
It also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write.

The two ideas in your introduction will become your two main body paragraphs.

Main body paragraph 1 – Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport

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

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main body paragraphs in IELTS double question essays should contain 3 things:

Explanation – develop the idea

Main Body Paragraph 1 – Answer question 1

The topic sentence summarises the main idea of the paragraph. That’s all it needs to do so it doesn’t have to be complicated.

It plays an important role in ensuring that your ideas flow logically from one to another. It does this by acting as a signpost for what is to come next, that is, what the paragraph will be about.

If you maintain a clear development of ideas throughout your essay, you will get high marks for task achievement and cohesion and coherence.

We’ll now take the idea for our first main body paragraph and create our topic sentence.

Main body paragraph 1 – Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport, only travel when really necessary

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.

Next, we must write an explanation sentence that develops the idea.

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.

Finally, we add an example to support our main point. If you can’t think of a real example, it’s fine to make one up, as long as it’s believable. The examiner isn’t going to check your facts. Alternative, you could add another piece of information to support your idea but an example is better.

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.

That’s the 3 parts of our first main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

We now follow the same process for our second main body paragraph.

Main Body Paragraph 2 – Answer question 2

Again, we’ll now take the idea I’ve chosen for this paragraph and create our topic sentence.

Main body paragraph 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.

Now for the explanation where we expand on this idea.

Explanation sentence:

S olar 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.

Finally, an example to support our main point.

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

That’s the 3 parts of our second main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

Now we need a conclusion and our IELTS double question essay is done.

How To Write a Conclusion

The conclusion is a summary of the main points in your essay and can often be done in a single sentence. It should never introduce new ideas.

If you're below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add a prediction or recommendation statement.

Our essay is already over the minimum word limit so we don’t need this extra sentence but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS double question essays on the Task 2 Conclusions page.

The conclusion is the easiest sentence in the essay to write but one of the most important.

A good conclusion to an IELTS double question essay will:

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

If you achieve this, you’ll improve your score for both task achievement and cohesion and coherence which together make up 50% of the overall marks. Without a conclusion, you’ll score below band 6 for task achievement.

You can start almost any final paragraph of an IELTS double question essay with the words:

In conclusion

To conclude

Now all you need to do is briefly summarise the main ideas into one or two sentences.

Here’s a top tip . Go back and read the introduction to the essay because this is also a summary of the essay. It outlines what you are going to write about.

To create a great conclusion, you simply have to paraphrase the introduction.

Introduction:

Here is the same information formed into a conclusion:

That’s it. We’ve completed our essay. Here it is with the 4 paragraphs put together.

Finished IELTS double question essay.

(351 words)

Go through this lesson as many times as you need to in order to fully understand it and put in lots of practice writing IELTS double question essays from past exam questions. Practice is the only way to improve your skills.

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More help with ielts double question essays & other task 2 essays.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.

Understanding Task 2 Questions – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write a Task 2 Introduction – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria – Find out how to meet the marking criteria in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

Opinion Essays

Discussion Essays

Problem Solution Essays

Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

Double Question Essays

Other Related Pages

IELTS Writing Test – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

IELTS Writing
Double Question Essays
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II. Clear essay structure

I always recommend to my students that they give their opinion in the introduction as well as the conclusion (for all IELTS Task 2 questions).

Technically, it’s OK to write a very general introduction and leave your opinion to the end.

But I strongly suggest that you don’t do this because it’s not as clear.

Also, you might run out of time before you’ve got to your conclusion, so overall it’s a risky strategy. If you don’t choose a side and support that ‘position’ clearly, you will lose marks for your task response.

Therefore my suggested IELTS Task 2 essay structure is four paragraphs – an introduction, two main (or body) paragraphs and a conclusion.

The opinion is presented in the introduction and re-stated in the conclusion.

Ideally each body paragraph should discuss one main idea.

Now let’s look at the options in more detail.

III. Possible Essay structures

1) Agree – you feel it’s a positive development that governments are spending more money on public transport.

You need at least one good reason why it’s happening and one good reason why it’s a positive development.

2) Disagree – you feel it’s a negative development that governments are spending more money on public transport.

You need at least one good reason why it’s happening and one good reason why it’s a negative development.

Only the parts highlighted below are different from the first essay

writing task 2

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Essay Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2: Double Question Essays Types

Essay Types
Double Question
Advantage Disadvantage
Problem Solution
Essay Length

A double-question also known as a two-part IELTS essay has low occurrence as compared to other IELTS Task 2 Essay types. However, you must learn to identify this question type and how to deal with it accurately in the real IELTS exam.

We have created this guide to help you produce a high-level response to an IELTS writing task 2 double essay question. Read on for tips, useful language, and a sample double-question essay.

1.1 understanding the question.

1.2 Example double question essay questions
Essay Structure for Double Question Essays
3.1 Identify key words and phrases

3.2 Organise your ideas

3.3 identify vocabulary, 4.1 introduction, 4.2 main body paragraphs, 4.3 conclusion.

5.1 Complete the sample double question essay

5.2 Double Question Sample Essay

1. double question essay overview.

Double question essays, often referred to as two-part essay questions , are exactly what they say: instead of dealing with one IELTS question, you have to answer two .

Remember, there are five main types of writing task 2 questions:

Advantage/disadvantage
Double question
Problem/solution

When answering a double question , you still have the same minimum word count ( 250 words ) and the usual time limit for IELTS writing task 2 ( 40 minutes ). You will just have to organise your essay in a slightly different way to other essay types.

It is essential that you address both questions in your introduction and conclusion and you should separate your main body paragraphs logically: focus on the first question in the first body paragraph and the second question in the second body paragraph.

One of the most common mistakes test takers make is that they only answer one question because they have not understood the question type. Make sure you take your time to identify the question type before writing your answer.

1.2 Example Double Question Essay Questions

Take a look at these example IELTS double question essay writing task 2 questions for a range of topics:

The internet is a good source of information and has opened up opportunities for people all over the world.

Is all the information reliable online?

What could be done to control information online?

Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides

IELTS Discussion Type Questions
Opinion-based Task 2 IELTS Guide
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Type
Problem Solution IELTS Writing Task Statement

Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films.

Why could this be?

Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

Nowadays, many people have easy access to computers and a large number of children play computer games.

What are the negative impacts of playing computer games?

What can be done to minimise these effects?

In spite of the advances in medicine, many people around the world still die from preventable diseases.

Why is this the case?

What can be done about this problem?

2. Essay Structure for Double Question Essays

Here is a clear and simple structure you can follow for any double-question IELTS writing task 2:

3. Planning your Double Question Essay

Read on for some useful essay planning tips and techniques.

3.1 Identify keywords and phrases

By this point, you should have identified that you have been given a double question by looking at the instruction words in the question (the clue here is there are two sets of questions ).

The next step is to identify the topic words in the statement that will tell you the general topic of the essay and any other keywords that give you additional information.

Here is an example for our sample question where we have underlined the topic words and put other keywords in bold:

So the general topic here is the internet being a good source of information . Other keywords let us know we need to focus on the reliability of that information and whether controls need to be put in place.

Part of a good essay plan is writing down your ideas. You could do this as we have have done below using the essay structure:

Introduction – Opinion = Some information on the internet can be unreliable/ need some process of control (e.g. fact checking)

Main body paragraph 1 – Majority of information is reliable/ can be verified/ media outlets carry out fact checking

Main body paragraph 2 – Not all information is trustworthy/ misinformation can influence people/ elections can be swayed

Conclusion – Balanced view/ information can be trusted but organisations should be accountable/ government should intervene too much

Notice how we have not used full sentences to save time. You might also write down ideas that you do not use in your actual essay. Make sure to cross through any notes you make before the end of a paper based exam (so they will not be marked by the examiner).

While you are creating your plan, take a note of any useful vocabulary that comes to mind. Here is some that we thought of for the model double question answer:

Misinformation
Media outlets
Accountability
Fact checking

4. Writing your Double Question Essay

You should start your introduction to a double-question essay in the same way as all other IELTS task 2 essay types : Paraphrase the given IELTS statement .

Let’s look at the example from our sample essay:

Notice that we have mentioned both sides of the argument .

For a double-essay question, you should always include your opinion in the introduction. Here’s our opinion:

In my view, the majority of the information that can be found on the internet is reliable. However, some of this information may be unreliable and therefore, it is important to have some processes in place to carry out fact checking.

And lastly, you can give a brief outline statement that explains what your essay will do, for example:

This essay will explain my opinion in more detail.

Let’s remind ourselves of the suggested structure for your main body paragraphs:

One way of addressing each question, as well as increasing the grammatical range shown in your essay, is to use noun phrases . Using a noun phrase instead of a more standard verb phrase also makes your writing more academic and interesting. Compare the following sentence:

Verb phrase – One advancement in the internet is that t he amount of information available has increased .

Noun phrase – One advancement in recent years is the amount of information available .

You could also noun phrases to describe developments over time . Here is an example:

In the last few years there has been (a rise/a fall/ an increase/ a decrease) in _____

Your supporting sentences should provide reasons for the opinions given in your topic sentences. You can also use noun phrases to do this.

Here are some sentence starters:

As a consequence of…
As a result of…
Because of…

And here’s an example:

As a result of the wide availability of the internet, there has been an increase in the number of fake news stories.

You must always include a conclusion for any IELTS writing task 2 essay. For a double-question essay conclusion, you should do the following:

Start with a linking phrase such as In conclusion,…,In summary,…or To sum up,…
Mention both question from the IELTS statement/question
Rephrase the opinion given in your introduction

Take a look at our example and try to identify each point:

In conclusion, my view is that although a lot of internet sources can be trusted, there should also be measures put in place to ensure organisations take accountability for spreading misinformation. However, I do not believe that governments should have complete autonomy and control over what adults read on the internet.

5. Example Double Question Essay and Exercise

Time to practise ! Here is the discussion essay that we have been using in this guide. We have removed some keywords so you can test your knowledge on discussion essays by selecting the correct missing word.

5.1 Complete the Sample Double Question Essay

As a result of the development of the internet, people can now access any information they need at the click of a button from anywhere in the world. In my view, the majority of the information that can be found on the internet is reliable. However, some of this information may be unreliable and therefore, it is important to have some processes in place to carry out fact checking. This essay will explain my opinion in more detail.

One reason why the majority of information on the internet can be deemed reliable is that it can be verified by various sources and people also have the opportunity to freely contest information they believe is fake news or untrue. To take one example, large media outlets not only fact check sources they find on the internet, but they also show this to the public and will issue a retraction if anything is found to be untrue.

On the other hand, not all information found online is trustworthy and, as a result, measures need to be put in place to control this misinformation. The biggest downside of this misinformation is that it can be easier for groups to unfairly influence people in situations such as political elections. Therefore, I believe that there should be certain measures put in place to control internet sites. One way to do this is to implement fines to companies consistently spreading untrue information.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 essay structures

By ieltsetc on October 8, 2018 8

This lesson will show you two IELTS Writing Task 2 essay structures that you can use for any question type .

I recommend

a 4-paragraph structure
a two-sided (balanced) essay
stating your opinion in the introduction
using PEEL paragraphs

In the 2 examples below, you can see how this structure works for most essays.

This structure will help you meet the Band Criteria for Band 7 according to the IELTS Band Descriptors

presents a clear position throughout the response
logically organises information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout
presents a clear central topic within each paragraph

Learn how to write a perfect PEEL paragraph here.

Structures for ANY IELTS essay

Introduction

General Statement (No opinion, just a neutral observation)
What’s the issue? (What do some people think – show awareness of both sides)
What’s your opinion? (What do you think?)

Paragraph 1:

Topic sentence

Point 1 (e.g. an advantage, a reason to agree)
Point 2 (another advantage or reason to agree)

Link back to question

Paragraph 2:

Point 1 (e.g. a disadvantage, a reason to disagree)
Point 2 (e.g. another disadvantage or reason to disagree)
Summary of the issue.
Summary of your opinion.
A final thought, recommendation or consequence.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Structures: Example 1

‘Using animals to test the safety of cosmetics or drugs used for medical reasons is never acceptable’.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Before any new product is put on the market, the manufacturers have to ensure that it is safe for humans to use. Some people argue that testing products on animals is the only reliable method of doing this. Although I can see strong arguments in favour of testing drugs on animals for medical purposes, I am strongly opposed to the practice of using animals to test the safety of cosmetics, and I will outline my reasons below.

Paragraph 1 (in favour) :

Animal testing has helped scientists to make great discoveries in the field of medicine, providing effective drugs against cancer, heart disease and other potentially fatal illnesses. As a result, m any lives have been saved and prolonged. However, there are new ways of testing products, using cell cultures, which need not involve animals at all. Therefore I would prefer such testing to be kept to a minimum wherever possible.

Paragraph 2 (against) :

On the other hand, when it comes to the cosmetic industry it is difficult to see why it is necessary to test these types of products on animals. For example , several well-known brands such as The Body Shop have always used human ‘guinea pigs’ to test their products without any detrimental effects. So in my view , we no longer need to exploit animals for the sake of human vanity, and this kind of testing is now completely unacceptable .

In conclusion, though testing on animals has undoubtedly brought advances in medical treatments, I believe it must be reserved for essential scientific work and to help end human suffering, and never for enhancing our appearance.

Task 2 Essay structures: Example 2

Advances in technology have meant that they increasingly use machines to do jobs that were previously done by humans. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Introduction:

We are living in an age of fast-paced development, and machines are often chosen over humans as they are more efficient and cost-effective. Despite some undesirable outcomes such as physical inactivity and loss of jobs, I believe that there are more advantages than drawbacks and I will outline my reasons below.

Paragraph 1 (disadvantages):

The main argument against using machines is that they have made people redundant. In factories, for example, fewer people are required as the production line becomes more mechanised. This has led to unemployment and hardship for many people who relied on this type of job. Increased technology and mechanization have also affected our general levels of activity. For instance , in the past, most people would work in the fields, and manual labour kept people fit, whereas nowadays people are more like to invest in a labour-saving device to do the work for them. As a result , we have become less active and problems linked to this, such as obesity, are on the increase.

Paragraph 2 (advantages):

However, this development has brought with it some benefits. First of all , we have been liberated from certain household chores thanks to labour-saving devices like washing machines, vacuum cleaners and dishwashers. This means we have more time available for leisure activities and seeing friends and family. Furthermore , technology has actually created many jobs, from design to production and sales. In order to do these jobs, people need training which has led to more jobs in education and people having more highly specialised careers.

Conclusion

To conclude , although technology has had both desirable and negative effects, it has given us the potential to reach new heights that would not have previously been possible. I believe we should focus on ensuring that we receive a higher level of specialization in the workplace whilst not letting ourselves become less healthy and active.

To conclude

There are many ways to write a good essay, but using 4 paragraphs with 2 PEEL points inside each Main Body Paragraph will help your provide a balanced answer in 40 minutes.

Remember to always

write a plan
have a topic sentence for each paragraph
make the opening sentence a general statement about the issue – no opinion, just facts.
put your opinion clearly in the first paragraph and then throughout the rest of the answer
expand your points – give an example or say why it is important (see PEEL Paragraphs )
end with a final thought, recommendation or consequence

5-paragraph IELTS Writing Task 2 structures

The examples of Task 2 essay structures in this blog are intended to give you very general guidance.

There are many other ways to structure essays, using 5 or sometimes 6 paragraphs (especially if you are a strong writer).

A 5-paragraph structure is often effective if you are writing a one-sided argument and you have 3 main arguments (one Main Body Paragraph per argument).

The one-sided argument is often in response to questions like:

To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Do you agree or disagree?

In these situations, you do NOT need to show both sides, and you can simply give 3 strong points to persuade the reader that your opinion is valid and correct (but I always recommend you show awareness of the other point of view).

Get more Writing Task 2 tips here.

How to write a Band 9 essay (Charity topic).
Features of a Band 9 essay: PEEL paragraphs (CEO topic).
Features of a Band 9 essay: Organisation (Human impact on the environment)
How to hedge in a Task 2 essay.
How to use ‘despite’ and ‘in spite of’ in Task 2.
How to use a formal tone in Task 2.
How to use concession (‘although’) in Task 2.
How to write a Task 2 introduction. (Bicycles vs Cars)
How to answer ‘To what extent?’ questions (School uniform)
Coherence and Cohesion for Task 2 (zoos)
A simple 4-paragraph structure (Prisons)
Option: 5-paragraph structures (Vivisection, Machines)
For and Against: brainstorming ideas (Dress codes at work)
Cause and Effect essays (Public transport)
‘Discuss both views’ essays (Fixed punishments)
Categorising Task 2 arguments (Should education be free? Distance learning vs face to face)
An alternative essay structure for Task 2 (zoos)

Do you need motivation, high-quality materials, a roadmap, feedback, guidance and an IELTS specialist teacher?

Join the Members Academy today.

Get instant access to all courses, challenges, boot camps, live classes, interactive and engaging classes, 1:1 support, and a friendly tight-knit community of like-minded learners to get you to Band 7+ .

Reader Interactions

March 17, 2023 at 5:31 pm

Fina, this has really given me a great insight on how to go about my task 2 in writing.

This is very helpful.

March 18, 2023 at 1:14 pm

Many thanks for your comment Oladigbolu. I hope the blog helps you with your Task 2, Best wishes Fiona

December 6, 2020 at 9:53 pm

This article is very educative. I have learned new information about how to structure IELTS writing task 2 essay from your article, you are doing a great job. Keep it up. Thanks.

August 26, 2022 at 8:30 am

I’m so sorry I didn’t see your comment – thank you for posting, Best wishes Fiona

December 6, 2020 at 9:52 pm

I am really happy to say it’s an interesting post to read. I have learned new information about how to structure IELTS writing task 2 essay from your article, you are doing a great job. Keep it up. Thanks.

Thank you Anna!

August 11, 2023 at 1:07 am

This is truly a superb article. The depth of the writing shows the time you’ve put into the topic yourself in an effort to understand.

Thank you so much..

August 11, 2023 at 5:27 pm

Thank you so much for your comment. I’m really happy that you found the article useful.

Best wishes Fiona

IELTS Opinion Essay: Choosing one side or partially agreeing?

In an IELTS opinion essay, you can either agree, disagree or take a balanced approach which means to partially agree. However, you need to learn more so that you fulfil the requirements of the higher band scores.

See the answers to the 4 questions below. Also see useful links for writing task 2 below. All tips are for GT and Academic students.

1. Is it better to choose one side?

It won’t alter your score if you choose to support one side or partially agree. As long as you give a clear opinion, the examiner will be happy.

If you don’t understand a partial agreement essay, then choose one side. It’s easier to choose one side for most students and you can still get band score 9 by choosing one side.

Sometimes it might be hard to find enough ideas to support one side. In this case, go for a partial agreement. BUT if you need training to learn how to do this correctly.

2. Will you get a higher score if you partially agree?

No. It’s doesn’t matter what your opinion is – one side or partial. The only thing the examiner wants is a relevant opinion which is fully explained.

3. Can you write a discussion essay instead?

NO. Let me repeat that – NO !!! An opinion essay is only about your opinion. It is not about what other people think. You can’t change the type of essay you have been given. Look at the instructions below:

You must explain both sides of what other people think and also give your opinion
You must present your opinion and nothing else. Your opinion must cover all aspects of the essay question.

4. Can you use “I” or “my” in an opinion essay?

Yes. Of course. You MUST use “i” or “my” – it’s the only way to give your own personal opinion. Look at the language below:

it is believed / it is considered / it seems – This language does not express your own individual opinion. It is perfect for discussion essays but it can’t be used for your own views.
I think / I agree / I disagree / In my opinion – This is how you clearly express your view. The examiner wants to see this language when you give your opinion.

Useful Links for IELTS Writing Task 2

Click below to open useful links for IELTS writing task 2:

When to give your opinion

How to write an introduction

Using “I” or “my”: Free Video

Using quotes and idioms

All Writing Task 2 Tips & Model Essays

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Would this essay work on the opinion essay:

Q.) Public celebrations (such as national days, festivals etc) are held in most countries. These are often quite expensive and some people say that governments should spend money on more useful things. Do you agree or disagree?

Ans: The public display of culture through celebrations has been a matter of debate for years as most people argue for its necessity as it contributes to a huge loss in the nation’s capital. In the meantime, certain groups of people often express their dissatisfaction to the government cutting funds to such events, debating in support of large public celebrations, with the argument that those public celebrations are the sole identity of the nation. Both the arguments are much compelling as there doesn’t exist a harsh dark and light in the situations, but it lies in the gray area in actuality.

Public celebrations including festivals, jatras(cultural rallys popular in Nepal), national days, ets are unique to a culture,group or a place, and are the markers for their identity. So, cutting funds to those celebrations for sparing some bucks for the government might risk these unique heritages to go to extinction as we move throughout the years. Moreover, it may risk the extinction of an entire culture which for a country with a diverse heritage like Nepal, based predominantly on cultural tourism might be a much bigger problem in the future. The government cutting corners in some public celebrations while not in others, might also come off as discriminatory to the people of different cultures having their faith attached to those events.

On the other hand, in the time of an economic crisis like the one we are currently in, the government spending their funds off lavish displays and events could be debated as an unwise decision. People can debate how those funds can be utilized in works of social reforms and development rather than a lavish display. Furthermore, as the government has its own limitations for the sources of revenue, spending it off for events which might bring profit to the nation through tourism rather than on solid projects and developments works that are guaranteed to bring back the investment would be a better decision if taking things logically.

Taking all those things in consideration, it is fairly a matter dependent upon the situation and the economic state of the nation. If I were the one to decide, considering the current situation of the government, I would probably choose to mobilize the funds to development projects rather than extravagant public displays.

“Parents should encourage children to spend less time on studying and more on doing physical activities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

For this kind of question, can I say I think studying and physical activities are equally important?

Similarly, “Some people think the government should not spend on international aid because there are disadvantaged people in their country, such as the unemployed and homeless. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Can I say I think solving issues in their country and spending money on international aid are both important?

Do I have to say which one is more important than the other one?

When you have an opinion essay with two issues, you must address them both. But you don’t want to sit on the fence. You need to think more deeply about your opinion. You will usually find that you feel more strongly about one side than the other. Or you might find that you agree with A in a certain situation and B in another situation. Looking at the first question. Are you really trying to say that study and physical activities should have equal time spend on each? At the moment, school children study for about 7 hours a day and have one hour homework. They do physical activities for no more than about 1 hour a day. So, are you saying that schools should completely alter their curriculum and have 50% study and 50% physical activity? Really? I doubt you think this. Do you really want children playing games outside for four hours a day and only studying for four days? This is a common example of not analysing your thoughts enough. IELTS writing is about thinking more deeply and presenting a well thought out point of view. Think very carefully about how you express your opinion and explain it. For example, you could say studying should take priority but at the same time physical activity should be increased in schools and made available as extra curricular activities. Also note, the essay question is not about which is more important, it is about how much time should be spent on each. Pay very close attention to the wording in the question so that you address the issue directly. Hopefully, now you can apply these principles to the second question.

It was the what extend do you agree question.. Instead of writing “I partially agree” I wrote “as per my view.. And stated both points about my partial agreement with the statement but I didn’t write I partially agree.. Will this make me suffer a huge loss..? Please reply Thank you

There are no specific words that must be used in IELTS. If you agree with the statement, you don’t need to write “I agree” specifically. If you partially agree, you don’t need to use those particular words. IELTS is about meaning and clarity, not rules about using one or two words.

Hi Liz, I have an opinion essay of my own to write and I am quite confused as to what approach I should take with the topic. “Traditions can be found all over the world, some of them ancient and some of them recent. They often serve to bring communities together, but can also be the subject of heated debate and controversy. To what extent do you believe traditions can be harmful?” If I choose partially agree, how should my essay be structured? Should I write about how traditions could be harmful in one paragraph, and list out how it might not be the case in other situations in another paragraph? Wouldn’t that seem more like a for and against essay instead? Thanks a lot!

Where did you get this essay question? Did you get it from an Official IELTS website or an Official IELTS test book, if so which one?

Hi liz, I am confused on how to write an essay being agree partially. Essay- Today, the life expectancy of people is much higher than before. Some people think that older people should continue to be involved in the workforce.

I hope for your reply 🙏

In that essay question there is only one issue – do you think older people should continue to be involved in the workforce? If you partially agree, it means you do not fully agree. In other words, there might be one or two reasons why you do not fully agree with it. You therefore have to state what those reasons are and in what cases you do actually agree.

In this case (To what extent do you…), If I take one side and explain it further, isn’t it similar to an Agree or Disagree essay? (Here I am assuming that in an Agree or Disagree essay we have to take one position.)

There is no difference at all between “to what extent..” and “do you agree/disagree”. They are the same instructions paraphrased.

Thank you Liz.

For this essay – paying all workers the same salary in a company promotes harmony and respect amongst colleagues. To what extent do you agree or disagree. Can I write an essay like this: I strongly disagree with the above statement and in this essay will discuss the reasons as to why first of fall its impractical to pay the same salary and then will elucidate the reasons as to why paying all the employees the same salary will in fact result in a less harmonious work environment.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Sounds like you have been learning phrases to put in your essay. Do NOT use learned phrases “this will essay discuss the reasons…” / “then elucidate the reasons as to why…” The examiner is not stupid. The examiner knows these are not your own language. Each sentence must be uniquely created by yourself. Why don’t you just write normally: “I strongly disagree with the above statement because it is impractical to pay the same salary and cause friction in the work environment.”. Be clear. Be direct. Safe the details for the body paragraphs.

Hi Liz! Thank you so much for your reply. English is kind of my first language and I am used to using those phrases. Should I tone down my English for IELTS? Thanks again for your great help!

If English is your first language, you should write naturally. This is not an academic essay, it is a formal essay. You don’t use academic phrases. You write naturally and avoid informal tones or language. The title “academic ielts” is given because the test is often taken for entry onto educational courses. The essay itself is only formal in nature.

Thank you! This is really helpful.

I myself am an IELTS trainer (for the past year after being in the BPO sector for 20 years) and am a fan of yours and your IELTS tips, lessons, and videos that you have generously posted for free have been immensely helpful to me and my students. In continuation to the above hot discussion on opinion essays, I would like your say on the below situation.

One of my students had written an essay on the below question.

“Modern technology products such as smartphones and wearables are very addictive and should be banned. To what extent do you agree or degree with this view?”

He took an one-sided view (like many students would prefer to do or were taught to do) that “I completely disagree with the statement.” and wrote about the necessity of smartphones, advantages of the industry generating employment to many and revenue to government in the form of taxes, etc. (He did not mention about the addictive part whether he agrees it is addictive or not). I felt the task is not met like you rightly pointed out in one of the comments above(do you concur).

However, I feel there are two parts in the statement a) smart phones are addictive and b) it should be banned.

So shouldn’t we address both parts, that is, whether I agree if they are addictive and if so whether banning it is the solution for the same.

In that case there cannot be an answer which says I completely disagree with the statement unless you mean to say they are not addictive and hence need not be banned.

Are the below options correct: OPTION I: I partially agree with the statement a) it is addictive however disagree with b) should be banned, probably use can be restricted or limited.

OPTION II: One-sided, I agree they are addictive and hence need to be banned.

OPTION III: One-sided, I disagree, they are not addictive and hence need not be(should not be) banned.

Are there any other variations possible. Thanks for taking your valuable time to read/respond to this lengthy post, which in my humble opinion will be of great help to all other millions of IELTS aspirants worldwide who visit your web page.

You have hit the nail on the head. Your understanding of the question is correct. Your understanding of a one-sided view when there are two issues to address is correct. The only other option you haven’t tackled is a specific view point: I agree they are addictive, however I think banning them is not the right solution – a better solution would be X. It is a great way to fully address and expand the topic given. I hope that helps.

Thank you Liz for your clarification. I’m doubly happy. God bless you for your wonderful work and big/kind heart.

Hello Liz! I am really worried about opinion essays! I ordered the advanced lesson but it says ‘not supported’. I don’t know what to do. Please help me .My exam is on saturday.

Please email me with more details about your problem: [email protected] . Do this immediately. Thanks

Hii Liz what can we write to give a partial view ?

Hi liz, Does it affects my TR score if I only discuss about “Benefits of planting tress” and do not talk about “building houses” in the following essay:- My thesis statement is: I completely agree that planting trees is more significant to solve many problems confronted by urban dewellers than constructing infrastructure.

Some people think that planting trees in open spaces in cities and towns is more important than building houses. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It would negatively affect your score. Your opinion is “I believe planting trees is more important than housing”. You must explain why planting trees is important and why housing is not so important. Answer fully!

Hi Liz! How can I improve doing T/F/NG reading questions?

See this tips on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/

Hi Liz, I just recently took my IELTS exam last Saturday.I may say thay I am blessed with my writing task 1 and 2 topics. In writing task 1, I need to write a letter from a complaints that turns a commendation for the staff. Writing task 2, is need to give my opinion from the suggestion that suggestion that all ages of students to join in same class. I hope this will help. Now, I’l pray that all my exam ,reading and listening will have a good results. God is good I know! 🙂 from Mhae

Thanks for sharing and good luck with your results 🙂

I pray for best,thank you for helping us to our review.God bless Us!

That test I had it on the 26th! I said that I believe that children should learn both of them. I don’t know why they gave me only 6…I’m struggling with the writing and I don’t know where I’m doing so many mistakes…I sit this exam for 4th times and I am quite desperate because I don’t know what I should change…I watched your videos, I worked a few books…and nothing….only 6. Thank you!

If u agree you cannot explain about world history. Throughout your essay should be about local history and supporting sentences. Watch her advanced ielts videos. She is explaining more in detail.

Your opinion must answer the all issues. If you agree, then your opinion is that local history should be taught and world history should not be taught. That is your full opinion.

If you agree – then you need to explain why you think money shouldn’t be spent protecting wildlife and also what other problems should be solved with the money.

Hello Liz, How can I buy all three advanced writing videos together? As each purchase cost can extra fee for international transaction, buying together would be beneficial, if that is possible.

I’m sorry but I haven’t put them in a package yet.

Dear LIZ I get more motivated when I read your texts. Although my handwriting is not much more qualified, but I’m preparing for IELTS test.Actually, I live in Finland as an asylum seeker, considerd to my teacher’s opinion I am not ready to take ILETS test yet. Would you please share me some links for improving my writing and listening? Thank you so much

I would be happy if I could submit, but because I live here illegally without any Bank account. That’s made me crazy.

Check your email – I just sent you a present 🙂

You’re not only the best teacher ever, you’re the model of human being. Thanks for inspiring me!

Hi Liz, Can i use words such as ‘what is more ‘OR ‘ to be more clear’ to explain my points between paragraphs? Thanks in advance

See my list of linking words: https://ieltsliz.com/linking-words-for-writing/ . Then see my main writing task 2 page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hi mam, 7 years back I took ielts exam & I got 6.5 overall . Later I stopped thinking of exam as it finds difficult for me to reach the required score.But after watching all your lessons I am planning to take exam again .Really impressed by all ur videos . Thanks you so much .

My exam is tomorrow I have one question please help me

In any questions like agree or disagree, advantages or disadvantages, to what extent do you agree or disagree??? In such OR questions…can we partially agree or disagree?? Can we fully go for disagree or agree??

Can we write for example in body paragraph(if we agree) writing 4 positive points and in next paragraph 3 points showing its negative side and in conclusion going with agree one

please reply

Hi my best ielts teacher,kindly tell me if it is correct to write your opinion as ,”This essay agrees with the statement or should i always write, “In my opinion.Thanks in advance

If you want to give YOUR opinion, you need to use “I”. The words “this essay …” does not express your opinion.

In the partially agree,is it possible to write 2 body paragraphs on agree and 3rd one on disagree. I am little confuse about it.

Thanks in advance

For the Partial Agreement/Disagreement Essay (Balanced View) is it possible to still write 4 Paragraphs with such essay or it must be 5 paragraphs?

You can have either four or five paragraphs in writing task 2. It depends on your main points.

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both sides essay

In an IELTS both sides and opinion essay you need to discuss each side of an argument using the third person (people believe). You should save your opinion and use the first person (I think) in the final paragraph.A typical question is shown below Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that learning online is the best way to learn, whereas some claim that it is still better to attend a class with a teacher .

Example question:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic .

Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. You should write at least 250 words. You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence .

Steps in Planning your Essay : 1.Underline key vocabulary in the question and write words with the same or related meaning. 2.Decide what kind of response is needed. 3.Brainstorm key points for the answer. 4.Decide on the structure of the essay.

Steps in writing your Essay INTRODUCTION: 1.Paraphrase the question 2.This essay discusses [SIDE A], and [SIDE B], and then I will give my own opinion.

BODY: 3.Write topic sentences for each body paragraph [SIDE A] On one side of the argument there are people who argue that….. [SIDE B] On the other hand,…..

CONCLUSION: 4.SIGNAL OPINION: “In conclusion, I believe that…” 5.Usually you can say that both sides have merits 6.State which side is stronger and the reason Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

One of the highly controversial issues today relates to whether to use standardised penalties or flexible ones. This essay examines this question from both points of view and then I will give my own perspective on the matter.

On one side of the argument there are people who argue that the benefits of standardised punishments considerably outweigh its disadvantages. The main reason for believing this is that it is more efficient and cheaper to manage. One good illustration of this is parking tickets. If every one of these had to go to court and be ruled upon by a judge and jury this would be very expensive and waste a lot of people’s time. It is also possible to say that this system is fairer because every person is treated the same regardless of race or gender.

On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing case. It is often argued that in fact it is better to consider the situation and reason of a crime. People often have this opinion because sometimes people are forced to commit a crime such as murder due to reasons like self-defence. Clearly, this should be considered in sentencing for the crime. A second point is that the reason for a crime should be taken into account. A particularly good example here is that someone who steals food to feed their family shouldn’t be punished as someone who steals a watch because they want to look wealthy.

In conclusion, I believe both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I tend to feel that it is better to decide the penalty on a case-by-case basis, as getting the right decision is more important than the justice system saving money. [288 words]

Structuring an IELTS essay using key vocabulary The template below contains about 130 words for an IELTS essay! One of the highly controversial issues today relates to whether A or B [A + B =both sides of the argument]. ……………. In this essay, I am going to examine this question from both points of view and then give my own opinion on the matter. On one side of the argument there are people who argue that the benefits of ……………. considerably outweigh its disadvantages. The main reason for believing this is that …………………. It is also possible to say that …….One good illustration of this is …………. On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing case. It is often argued that in fact ……….. People often have this opinion because …………… A second point is that ………..A particularly good example here is………….. In conclusion, I believe that both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I tend to feel that …………….. The language from this template is used in the essay below:

Some people believe that there should be the death penalty for extremely serious crimes. Others believe that it is not morally correct to kill criminals Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

One of the most controversial issues today relates to whether to use capital punishment or not . In this essay, I am going to examine this question from both points of view and then give my own perspective on the matter.

On one side of the argument there are people who argue that the benefits of killing violent criminals considerably outweigh its disadvantages. The main reason for believing this is that the fear of execution acts as a deterrent to commit serious crimes such as rape and murder . It is also possible to say that the execution of a criminal may bring relief to the suffering victims. One good illustration of this is when Sadam Hussein was executed. Many of the victims who were persecuted under his rule expressed joy and relief when he was finally captured and killed.

On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing case. It is often argued that in fact sentencing criminals to death is just committing another murder. People often have this opinion because they think that it is immoral to take another person’s life, no matter what the reason is. A second point is that many religions are opposed to any form of murder. A particularly good example here is from the bible, which lists killing another person as one of the Ten Commandments that should not be broken.

In conclusion, I believe that both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I tend to believe that capital punishment is justified in cases of extreme crime and that deterring violent crime is more important than taking the moral high ground espoused in the bible.

[267 words]

27 thoughts on “both sides essay”

Does this essay qualifies in light of grammar esp with range of complex sentences.A timely reply would be really appreciated

Yes. There are plenty of complex sentences.

Hello, is this form also useful for the IELTS Academic?

This type of question is asked for the academic and general test and so it’s relevant for both. There aren’t a lot of differences between task two for the academic and general test. The key point for the academic test is that you need to write a report.

Hello Mike, in the “Task Analysis for a Both Sides and Opinion Essay” section on your website, you’ve said that “A typical error students make is to not say sufficient about their opinion. One sentence is clearly not enough to get to 7”. In writings on this section, you pointed your own opinion just in the last sentence of conclusion. I want to ask you an explanation of what exactly you mean by “one sentence”. Thanks a lot !

Yes Ok, I have changed it. Now, it is two sentences.

Does the examiners will understand that the examinees used a template, and give a low score? Please contact me, for I need to know more about your specific guidance.

I understand your concern and let me make a few key points and then if you still have some questions please ask me 1. Examiners will penalise for memorised language, but not for language used for structural purposes. “This essay discusses” is okay to use. “The world has become one big global village” is not okay to use because it’s an obvious memorise phrase that examiners have seen over and over again. 2. Templates work really well, but if you’re aiming for a score of eight or more you’re going to have to highly customise these to the specific task instructions. This is important. Getting to 8 requires a high degree of precision.

excuse me. “alot”

Sorry, I do not get the point of your message…please explain.

HI,thanks a late for your videos and useful tips. do you have temple for other type of question?

2 question essay: https://youtu.be/NIiLu8OUQKA

opinion essay: https://youtu.be/zXe6FyP6T_Q

Hi, Mr. Wattie. I just have a question about the question type in writing task 2. I’ve seen some topics with the question like “what are the advantages and disadvantages of it” or ” Do the advantages outweigh its disadvantages?” So what type of essay should it be and what structure should we use? Thank you ~

“what are the advantages and disadvantages of it” Best to use a two-question approach. Imagine advantages as one question and disadvantages as the other https://www.ieltsanswers.com/two-question-essay.html Do the advantages outweigh its disadvantages? This is best answered using the opinion essay approach. State in the introduction, which side outweighs the other. Have a body the has 2 main ideas for the side you support more strongly and 1 main idea for the other https://www.ieltsanswers.com/ielts-opinion-essay.html

Very well defined structure with ease in everything. I am a teacher and I have been following the same criteria for 7 months and it is amazing. Thank you Mike.

Thanks, and good luck with your teaching. Let me know if you ever need any IELTS specific guidance.

Excellent article, well organised structured. 140 words of standardized template. student now can focus on just 110+ Words, consisting of good vocabulary and sentence for the given topic(both-side-essay).

Thanks for your appreciation.

Hello sir, what template should we use for advantages and disadvantages essay? And also for Discuss both views essay???? Plz reply

If it’s it’s just both views without your opinion then use two question structure and if it’s both views and your opinion use a both sides and opinion essay… It might help you to see my video on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VgBZB-0Juw&t=142s

But IELTS is a scam ND THEY will give 6.5 based on your profile. Racial profiling! They send all papers to India these days and no writing has been checked in Australia. In India, the remote robot will give you 6.5 straight or 6.0. Or they just give you the same what you had in the past. Dr Jay Jericho from Sydney has some good videos on youtube regarding this. One Australian Journalist ( a native speaker) sat the test by giving false info such as his first language code is XX ( not English). What a shock! He scored 6.5. He knows TR, CC, GR and Lex. He was also an ex examiner in China. Try PTE and forget IELTS. It is a money spinner. Many students studied smart and hard and worked on errors plus topic specific vocabulary ( given by Cambridge authors Pauline Cullen). Yet, the score remained the same.

Sorry, I don’t agree with your opinions. How do YOU know all the papers are marked in India? I have been marking paper recently and I have friends that are currently doing so and none of us are in India!

There is an ambiguity regarding the structure of this type of essays. The majority of websites assert that you should include your own opinion in the introduction also. I read the band 7 description which reveal that you should show your opinion (throuhout) the all essay .. I feel alert as i cannot decide which is the most appropriate approach. I wonder if you could possibly advice us on that matter. Thanks a lot

I hear what you are saying! The range of views, even amongst examiners, on this causes a problem. One solution is to modify the last sentence I propose for the introduction to “This essay discusses both sides of this argument and why I believe that [your opinion].” Now back to some other points. If the grading criteria do require your opinion in the introduction for every essay then this means you MUST also give your opinion when you are given a problem and solution essay. Doesn’t this seem ridiculous? You will give your opinion even though you’re not asked for it… and even though giving an opinion doesn’t fit with the task instructions. Absurd! Band seven says that your “position must be clear throughout” and not your opinion. These words have different meanings. A position can be more of a point of focus rather than an actual opinion.

Great ideas. Thanks a lot for sharing them with us. 🙂

Thank you Amr!

Always welcome. 🙂

IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essay Guide

Having a clear knowledge of how you structure your IELTS Opinion Essay Task is an essential skill that will make you attain your desired band score and eventually move to the country you are aiming for.

Since the IELTS Opinion Essay Task is one of the most challenging parts of the IELTS Writing Test , we have outlined for you everything there is to know about this part of the test, so read on.

What is IELTS Writing Task 2?

What is the ielts writing opinion essay task , what are some essential tips for writing the ielts opinion essay, how to structure your opinion essay answer, planning tips for the ielts opinion essay task , good or bad: writing a long introduction, how to use the last 5 minutes of the ielts writing task 2 test, what are some useful phrases in writing opinion essay, helpful ways to improve your ielts writing for a band 7, model essays for ielts opinion essay task, additional faqs – ielts writing task 2 – opinion essays.

The second and final task of the IELTS Writing Test is IELTS Writing Task 2 . It is similar for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training modules.

You must write at least 250 words and should spend at least 40 minutes (out of the 60 minutes) on this task because it carries more weight.

You must write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem in IELTS Writing Task 2. It assesses your ability to:

present a logical, relevant, and well-structured argument
provide facts or examples to back up ideas
use appropriate language

There are five types of questions that are posed in the IELTS Writing Task 2 and you will only find out the type of test you should answer on the day of the test itself. That is why prior to taking the IELTS Test , you should make yourself familiar with them.

The IELTS opinion essay task is also known as ‘agree or disagree’ or argumentative essay and is one of the most widely used types of IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. This type of query necessitates an answer.

A factual statement will nearly always precede the opinion to provide context. The next question will usually be something along the lines of ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree with…’ or anything along those lines.

One of the most common types of essays in the IELTS Writing Task 2 portion is the opinion essay. Usually, this question asks if you agree or disagree with the given topic.

As a result, rather than remaining neutral, you must choose a side. You are not correctly answering the question if you do not express whether you agree or disagree with the given topic.

Here are the most proven tips to help you get high marks in the IELTS opinion essay task.

Make the most of your time:

You have an hour (60 minutes) to finish the IELTS Writing Test. Because the IELTS Writing Task 2 is more important for your overall band score , we recommend devoting no more than 20 minutes to Task 1 and 40 minutes to task two. Allow time for planning and double-checking your work. When taking practice examinations, it’s a good idea to stick to a 60-minute time limit.

Answer the question directly:

Answer the question in a straightforward manner. Avoid writing an essay on a topic you have already prepared ahead of time. Ensure that your examples and ideas are valid. If you simplify too much and are not particular enough, it will alter how the examiner perceives your ideas.

Answer all the questions:

You must carefully evaluate the question to estimate the number of components it contains. To obtain a band 6 or higher, you must answer all portions of the question. Remember that it is critical to take a clear stance in response to the statement to demonstrate that you understand the subject and to maintain that position throughout the essay.

Use linking phrases:

You need to begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion. Your ideas must be clearly defined and structured. If you are expected to present both points of view and your viewpoint, begin with your perspective and then move on to the other points of view. The essay might then be finished by returning to your own point of view. This is the most logical order in which these thoughts should be presented.

Have your essay in paragraphs:

To separate your writing into various pieces, use paragraphs. The examiner should be able to read your essay easier as a result of this. Make sure each paragraph is well-organized and contains a well-developed topic of at least three sentences. It also shows that you can logically arrange and articulate your thoughts and ideas.

Make use of unusual vocabulary:

Avoid using old-fashioned words that are not used in everyday language. If you use a synonym, be sure it has the same meaning as the original and does not alter the meaning of the issue. When studying a language, use both common and uncommon words. You may also use phrasal verbs when discussing certain topics or using idiomatic language.

Avoid using memorized words, phrases, or examples:

Avoid using any memorized words, phrases, or examples in your writing. They do not show off your eloquence in writing. Examiners are well aware of this. Furthermore, because they are vague and do not sufficiently handle a task, they should not be utilized in writing. You should always utilize straightforward language and appropriate word choices to communicate your thoughts properly.

Make use of a variety of advanced sentence structures:

Using several frameworks, you should accurately explain your ideas and beliefs. Prove to the examiner that you can employ a variety of structures and that your sentences are error-free. In your writing, use a combination of smart and basic sentences.

However, keep in mind that your complicated sentences should not be excessively long or intricate. With perfect capitalization, commas, and full stops, your punctuation should likewise be perfect.

In writing essays, paragraphs are vital because they divide your thoughts into manageable pieces that a reader can grasp. Imagine reading a 250-word IELTS opinion essay in just one long block of text?!

As a result, many basic writing standards such as introductions and conclusions and the premise that each paragraph should contain only one idea apply. This makes it easier for a writer to provide clear information that a reader can comprehend.

Generally, you need to have at least four paragraphs in the IELTS opinion essay task. However, you may opt to have a five-paragraph essay, which is completely fine.

First Paragraph — Introduction

This paragraph gives the reader a sense of the essay as a whole and leaves an impression on the examiners. The first sentence is the question statement’s paraphrasing. The examiner should be able to recognize if you have fully understood the question by reading this sentence.

As a result, we recommend that you compose this paragraph so that examiners can acquire a clear picture of the essay.

Second Paragraph — 1st Body Paragraph

When composing your body paragraphs, you can choose one of these two options to construct each one: You can either submit two reasons for agreeing or disagreeing or write a single rationale with an example.

The side with which you disagree is discussed in the first body paragraph of the IELTS opinion essay task. Always remember to layout the first body paragraph’s structure before you start writing.

Third Paragraph — 2 nd Body Paragraph

You make an argument for the viewpoint with which you agree in the third paragraph. As a result, always consider either four or two reasons to support your position, each with an example.

Fourth Paragraph — Conclusion

This paragraph sums up your essay and wraps up your supporting points. To create an effective ending, include the thesis from the introduction, but in a paraphrased form to avoid using the same terms twice. Then, summarize the points from your second and third body paragraphs that support your argument.

Complete IELTS Opinion Essay Task:

How you plan and draft your IELTS opinion essay task will dictate the structure of your output. Remember that you only have 40 minutes for this task, and once you start writing, there is no going back. Hence, it is important that you follow the tips below to produce a quality essay.

Read and Understand the Question:

You will be asked if you agree or disagree with the question stated. That implies you will have to choose a side. Examiners will not evaluate what you are thinking or what you genuinely believe. They will simply look at the content of your essay.

As a result, after giving the question statement some thought, choose the side on which you have more strong points to discuss, even if you do not favor that side in real life.

Pick the Important Points :

You may have various points to discuss. However, you will not be able to write all of them. Examiners want you to clearly communicate your point of view, backed up with logic and examples.

Draft the Structure of your Essay :

Your IELTS opinion essay is finished by composing 14 sentences in four paragraphs. It is as easy as that. This is how we write a 4/14 essay.

The structure is simple to remember and apply in the IELTS Writing Test:

Introduction – 3 sentences

1 st Sentence: Paraphrase the given topic.

2 nd Sentence: Write a thesis statement.

3 rd Sentence: Write an outline sentence.

1st Body Paragraph – 4 sentences

1 st Sent ence: Topic Sentence 1

2 nd Sentence: Explain Topic Sentence 1.

3 rd Sentence: Present logic for Topic Sentence 1, including drawbacks.

4 th Sentence: Give a supportive example for Topic Sentence 1.

2nd Body Paragraph – 4 sentences

1 st Sentence: Topic Sentence 2

2 nd Sentence: Explain Topic Sentence 2.

3 rd S entence: Present logic for Topic Sentence 2, including drawbacks.

4 th Sentence: Give a supportive example for Topic Sentence 2.

Conclusion – 3 sentences

1 st Sentence: Summarize the body paragraph 1.

2 nd Sentence: Summarize the body paragraph 2.

3 rd Sentence: Give a final remark summarizing both body paragraphs.

As mentioned earlier, your introductory paragraph should be clear and concise. You are advised to have a maximum of 3 sentences. Do not elaborate too much so that you would not have anything to write in the succeeding paragraphs anymore. Moreover, it is also not recommended that you write your introduction in only one sentence.

The IELTS opinion essay task requires you to give your opinion in the introduction and conclusion paragraphs.

Opinion in the Introduction

Which side do you favor when you write your opinion in the initial paragraph of your essay?

Let us imagine you are an ordinary writer who does not show your point of view in the first paragraph. The examiner may interpret your points as they see fit in this situation. The reader also may be perplexed when they read in the last line which side you favor. This may cause you to lose points unnecessarily.

Opinion in the Conclusion

It is critical to write your viewpoint in the conclusion as well, as this is the final pronouncement. Finally, it persuades the examiner that your thinking is valid. However, remember that you should not repeat the terms you have already used in the introduction.

The last 5 minutes of the IELTS Writing Test could mean the difference between a 5 and a 6.5 band score. Utilize it well.

Ensure that by this time, you have finished writing your IELTS Writing Test and that you have enough time to double-check the following:

Punctuations
Number of Words
Sentence Structures

These may seem minor details, but you would not believe the number of candidates who have failed to recheck their essay and got a low band score. Do not commit the same mistake.

The use of appropriate words is an important component of effective essay writing. To explain thoughts more effectively, one should continually grow and strengthen one’s vocabulary.

The following are the top words and phrases to know to produce excellent IELTS opinion essays:

Expressing Opinions

I’d argue that…
In my opinion…
Personally, I believe…
It appears to me that…
I have to admit that…
As far as I can tell…
As for me, I believe…
That is something I cannot deny…
I’d like to emphasize that…
In my personal experience…

Proving Arguments

This is testified by…
This is evidenced by…
This establishes that…
This is attested/proven by…

Expressing General Point of View

It is commonly stated that…
According to popular belief…
It is commonly assumed that…
It is generally assumed that…
It is largely agreed upon that…
It’s a widely held assumption that…

Outlining Facts

It is evident that …
The truth is that …
It is obvious that …
This shows that …
There is no doubt that …

Giving Examples

As an example…
Take for instance…
We can see this in…
A good illustration of this is…
Evidence for this is manifested in…
To summarize…
In conclusion…
In general…
Taking everything into account…

Preparing for the IELTS Writing Test is not as difficult as you would imagine. It just takes enough practice and preparation.

The good news is that this is not the first time you are writing, and for sure, you already have the knowledge and skills for it. You just need to review and apply them when you take the IELTS Writing Test.

Make sure you understand the concepts you are discussing :

“If you won’t be able to make a six-year-old understand it, you don’t comprehend it yourself,” Albert Einstein once stated.

Take time to mentally explain the notion to a six-year-old who lives inside your head before you begin writing. If you want to attain a specific outcome with your writing, consider what that result should be. Have a clear objective in mind before you start writing. Then stay with it.

Learn how to brainstorm ideas and create an outline:

Unfortunately, having good English grammar and vocabulary is not enough. Because the IELTS examiner is evaluating your ability to generate cohesive and orderly responses, you should practice thinking of themes to write about. As a result, you should practice brainstorming and outlining ideas for your IELTS Writing Task 2 responses.

Do not go overboard with your explanations:

You should keep things simple if you have taken the effort to organize your thoughts ahead of time.

The goal is to provide readers with just enough information to understand what you are saying without overwhelming them with unnecessary information. If you are getting bogged down with unnecessary details, consider whether each piece of information is necessary to help your reader understand your point. Otherwise, get rid of it.

Avoid using too many prepositional phrases:

Prepositional phrases make your work overly wordy and difficult. It is a fact. Although prepositions are not difficult to grasp, they do necessitate some explanation. You should get clever about prepositions and strive to simplify them whenever possible. Your writing will gain a much-needed boost in clarity.

Know your strategy:

Each IELTS Writing task necessitates a distinct strategy.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

You need to determine the major patterns and characteristics and rewrite the material from the task in the introduction using synonyms and grammar transformations. Describe only the facts that are relevant to the inquiry, not all of it. In conclusion, summarize the main themes from your body paragraphs.

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1

You need to analyze the question and brainstorm ideas using bullet points. Design paragraphs by addressing your bullet points, and write the letter.

IELTS Writing Task 2

Rephrase the question in the introduction and construct a thesis statement based on your viewpoint. Write topic sentences outlining your essential points – one for each theme – and use one of them to begin each body paragraph. Use explanations and examples to support the main sentence in the rest of the paragraph; in conclusion, summarize your points.

Improve your grammatical range and vocabulary:

Spend time reading different materials, such as commercials, articles, manuals, magazines, reports, and sample models from practice exams, in the weeks leading up to test day to learn new vocabulary in varied situations.

Practice making sentences with new words and difficult structures.

Keep your sentences short and simple:

Long, complex sentences can be written with style by literary experts. It is easier to read shorter, less convoluted sentences. Keep things simple.

However, vary the length of your sentences to create a smooth flow in your writing.

Practice, practice, practice:

The best way to enhance your writing is to figure out what makes it weak in the first place and then work on addressing (and eventually preventing) the flaws. You will improve your writing, editing, and proofreading skills as you write, edit, and proofread more. Practice as often as you can.

Before taking the IELTS Writing Test, you are advised to spend time reading the sample and model responses that receive high marks from the examiner. This will help you strategize and choose which technique to employ when you finally have to take the IELTS Writing Test.

How Do I Write an Opinion Essay for IELTS?

To write an IELTS opinion essay task, you first need to read and understand the question. Then, you have to plan and draft what you need to include in the essay.

Next, you will write the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion of your essay. Make sure you meet the required number of words, at least 250 words.

Can You Use Quotes, Idioms, or Proverbs in Your Essay?

In the IELTS Writing Test Task 2, you get a high score when you employ appropriate, natural language in the proper context.

As a result, avoid using quotes, idioms, or proverbs in your essays. Because these are not your own words, they are not appropriate for the IELTS Opinion Essay Task. Utilizing them in your essay will lead to low marks.

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Clarification of Discuss Two Opinion Type Essays

by Joyce (Nigeria )

Am going to write my IELTS in two weeks time, I have read and practiced with materials but I still don't feel confident when it comes to some types of task 2 essay, especially discuss both view and give your opinion. I believe each paragraph should have a single idea & I prefer writing 2 body paragraphs. Then where will I give my opinion, as the second paragraph will contain the second view?

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 Forum .

How do I answer an IELTS essay question where I have to discuss my view?

by Medu (India)

If a question is asked to discuss my view... Is it right to discuss both sides equally and stating my view? Or some extra weight should be given to my view?

Answering Opinion Essay Questions

Hello, If we are asked in a task 2 writing question to discuss both views of a topic and to give our opinion, should we tackle our opinion first and then discuss both views after or the opposite. The information seems to be contradictory in the different tools that are provided for preparation. Thank you

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IELTS Two-part Question Essay Sample (Corrected)

Millions of people every year move to english speaking countries such as australia, britain or america, in order to study at school, college or university..

Why do so many people want to study English?

Why is English such an important international language?

English speaking countries like Australia, the USA and Britain are becoming a more popular destination destinations for students to study English. In this essay, I will discuss why English is such a n important language and why so many people want to study this language it .

English is a door - opener to well - paid jobs and the most used language among travellers, that's which is why so many students desire to study English as a second language. Many international companies require English skills as a minimum requirement for a job. A lot of people are studying English just to have a better change chance to get a well - paid job. Travelling is another reason why many people study English ; to travel without English skills can be very challenging, especially with customs on in airports. English is quite handy in a globalised world where English is the standard.

But However , English is not just important for individuals . it It is also a very important language for since and worldwide operating companies . For example, scientific research is done in English, so that the research can be published easier more easily to a global audience. Without a global audience, only a fraction of scientists would be able to finance themself themselves .

To sum up, without English the world would be running less smoothly from applying for a n international job to travelling : everything would be much harder. Scientific progress and international companies would be almost not possible impossible . I think English is irreplaceable for our society irreplaceable .

(233 words)

Band Score Estimate (prior to corrections)

Brief comments:

You must write at least 250 words.
The task asks two questions and wants reasons. Not just one reason.

"I have 7+ years of IELTS teaching experience . I will correct your grammar and give suggestions for more appropriate word use. I will give you tips on how to answer the question in the way the IELTS examiners expect." — Claudia, IELTS teacher from the UK

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IELTS Discussion Essays [Discuss Both Views/Sides]
As the name suggests, a discussion essay is an essay that discusses things! More specifically, it is a type of IELTS writing task 2 essay that requires you to look at two different points of view. You can easily recognise these essays by the following phrase: Discuss both views and give your opinion. Sometimes it is phrased a little differently.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay: Explanation & Breakdown With
Download Study Plan. The IELTS Writing Task 2 is a 250-word essay that tests your ability to communicate your ideas in a clear, concise, and well-organized way. One of the most common question types for this task is the discussion essay. In an IELTS discussion essay, you will be presented with a statement that contains two opposing views.
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Structure a 'Discuss Both Sides' Essay
Therefore my suggested Task 2 essay structure is four paragraphs - an introduction, two main (or body) paragraphs and a conclusion. The opinion is presented in the introduction and re-stated in the conclusion. Ideally each body paragraph should discuss one main idea. Example Essay Structure Now let's look at the essay structure in more detail.
2023 IELTS Discuss Both Views and Give Your Opinion Lesson
Introduction: paraphrase the question, state both points of view, make a thesis statement and outline your sentence. Main body paragraph 1: state the first viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or disagree and give an example to support your view. Main body paragraph 2: state the second viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or ...
IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay: tips, common mistakes, questions & essays
Step 4: Structure Your Essay. The final step in the planning process is to structure your essay. This simply means deciding which main ideas to put in which paragraphs. In a discuss both views essay, here's the structure I would recommend: Paragraph 1: introduce essay. Paragraph 2: present the reasons for the 1st view.
IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay: tips, common mistakes, questions & essays
Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Test 3. In this task, you are presented with two contrasting views on the topic of education, specifically, what are the most important school subjects. View 1: History is one of the most important school subjects. View 2: "Subjects like" Science and Technology are more important than History.
IELTS Discussion Essay Sample Questions
Below is a list of IELTS discussion essay sample questions for IELTS writing task 2. These are also known as two sided essays. Discussion Essay Tips. identify both sides. find supporting points for both side. only give your opinion if the task asks for it. use discussion essay language. follow a safe discussion essay model.
IELTS discuss both views essay
Band 9 answer structure for discuss both views + give opinion essay. Though there are many ways to structure your IELTS essay, we'll use this time-tested band 9 essay structure: Introduction. Body paragraph 1 - discuss the first opinion. Body paragraph 2 - discuss the second opinion.
IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Discussion Essay ...
Read my essay here on Patreon. Some think newspapers are the best method for reading the news while others think other media is better. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. As the number of cars increases, more money has to be spent on road systems. Some people think the government should pay for this.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Question Types
There are 5 main question types that appear in the IELTS Writing Test: Two-sided discussion. Agree or disagree. Advantages and disadvantages. Problems and Solutions. Direct questions. I'll explain how you should respond to each of these question types. Note that I talk about "IELTS question types", not "IELTS essay types".
Two-Sided Discussion Essays
Two-Sided Discussion Essays. Writing Task 2 Essay Types Writing Task 2 Essay Types Two-Sided Discussion Essays. This lesson is a sample from our Complete Writing Task 2 course. Previous Lesson. Back to Module. Next Lesson. Subscribe. Login. Notify of . Please login to comment. 0 ...
IELTS Model Essay -Two Questions Essay Type
The IELTS Writing Task 2 Two Questions Essay: ... The easiest approach is a positive or negative one (a one-sided approach). The "it depends" approach is harder and requires stronger language skills. ... This can often be the case with IELTS essays that require an opinion. You do not have to choose positive or negative and be 100% on one ...
IELTS Double Question Essays
It's easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay. 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.
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Structure a 'Two Question' Essay
Therefore my suggested IELTS Task 2 essay structure is four paragraphs - an introduction, two main (or body) paragraphs and a conclusion. The opinion is presented in the introduction and re-stated in the conclusion. Ideally each body paragraph should discuss one main idea. Now let's look at the options in more detail. III. Possible Essay ...
IELTS WRITING TASK-2
BDS Educomp is English Speaking and IELTS Training Institute. This channel will help you to get good bands in the IELTS examination. Dr. Roma is teaching for...
Double Question Essay IELTS Writing Task 2
A double-question also known as a two-part IELTS essay has low occurrence as compared to other IELTS Task 2 Essay types. However, you must learn to identify this question type and how to deal with it accurately in the real IELTS exam. We have created this guide to help you produce a high-level response to an IELTS writing task 2 double essay ...
Easy IELTS Writing Task 2 essay structures for any question
a 4-paragraph structure. a two-sided (balanced) essay. stating your opinion in the introduction. using PEEL paragraphs. In the 2 examples below, you can see how this structure works for most essays. This structure will help you meet the Band Criteria for Band 7 according to the IELTS Band Descriptors.
IELTS Discussion Essay Model Answer
This IELTS discussion essay sample answer is estimated at band 9. See comments below the essay for advice and tips. Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important.
IELTS Opinion Essay: Choosing one side or partially agreeing?
In an IELTS opinion essay, you can either agree, disagree or take a balanced approach which means to partially agree. However, you need to learn more so that you fulfil the requirements of the higher band scores. ... Your understanding of a one-sided view when there are two issues to address is correct. The only other option you haven't ...
both sides essay
Steps in Planning your Essay : 1.Underline key vocabulary in the question and write words with the same or related meaning. 2.Decide what kind of response is needed. 3.Brainstorm key points for the answer. 4.Decide on the structure of the essay. Steps in writing your Essay. INTRODUCTION: 1.Paraphrase the question.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essay Guide
Because the IELTS Writing Task 2 is more important for your overall band score, we recommend devoting no more than 20 minutes to Task 1 and 40 minutes to task two. Allow time for planning and double-checking your work. When taking practice examinations, it's a good idea to stick to a 60-minute time limit.
Discuss Two Opinions Type IELTS Essay Questions
The normal way to answer those types of questions is to tackle it as the question asks it i.e. discuss both the opinions first, then give yours (either as a final body paragraph or in the conclusion). But some people may put their opinion in the thesis statement for example, and also place it at the end of the essay.
IELTS Two-part Question Essay Sample
I will give you tips on how to answer the question in the way the IELTS examiners expect." — Claudia, IELTS teacher from the UK. See the IELTS Writing Task 2 Two-part Question (Direct Question) Essay Sample that has been corrected and assessed by an IELTS examiner. You can also see and learn from the mistakes!

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IELTS Discussion Essays [Discuss Both Views/Sides]

What is a Discussion Essay?

Example Discussion Essay Questions

How to Answer IELTS Discussion Questions

Discussion Essay Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement Advice

Body Paragraphs

Does a Discussion Essay Have to be Balanced?

Sample Answer

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay: Explanation & Breakdown With Sample Answers

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Writing Task 2 Discuss Both Views Lesson

Introduction

Example Questions

Practice

Example Answer

Student Sample Answer with Discourse Markers

About Christopher Pell

IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay: tips, common mistakes, questions & essays

What Is Your Task?

How To Plan An IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay

Step 1: Understand The Task

Step 2: Decide Your Position

Step 3: Extend Your Ideas

Step 4: Structure Your Essay

How To Write Your IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay

How To Write The Introduction

Introduce The Topic

Introduce The 2 Views

Present Your Opinion

How To Write The Body Paragraphs

How To Write The Conclusion (Opinion Paragraph)

Common Mistakes in an IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay

Sample IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Questions

Model IELTS Discuss Both Views Essays

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IELTS Writing Task 2: discuss both views + give your opinion

IELTS question - discuss both views + give opinion

Band 9 answer structure for discuss both views + give opinion essay

Band 9 answer sample

How to Plan & Write IELTS Double Question Essays

3 Common Mistakes

Essay Structure

How To Plan IELTS Double Question Essays

# 1 Analyse the question

# 2 Generate ideas

# 3 Vocabulary

How To Write an Introduction

1) Paraphrase the question

2) Outline statement

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main Body Paragraph 1 – Answer question 1

Main Body Paragraph 2 – Answer question 2

How To Write a Conclusion

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