essay template for ielts

The Best IELTS Task 2 Writing Template

Whether you’re taking the Academic or the General Training exam, the IELTS Writing Task 2 is always the same: write a formal essay on a social topic. So what can you do to score in IELTS Writing Task 2 academic band 9? In this post, we’ll look closely at an IELTS Writing task 2 sample that you can use as a template for Band 8 or Band 9!

Table of Contents

Introduction — sample and explanation, supporting paragraph — sample and explanation.

• Conclusion – Sample and Explanation

How to Achieve a Band Score 8 and 9

What’s the difference among a band 7, 8, or 9 score, ielts academic writing task 2 sample: band score 9, ielts academic writing task 2 sample: band score 8, final thoughts on achieving a top band score: ielts writing task 2 academic band 9 and 8, ielts academic writing task 2 template.

What’s the best IELTS essay format for Writing Task 2? Keeping in mind the demands of the IELTS writing format, here’s the essay structure I recommend:

If you’re unsure about how word count works, check out our post on how many words to write for IELTS and the word count penalty . Now, let’s examine what this looks like in practice. See how to use this template on an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample prompt below!

Now, take a look at IELTS essay introduction samples for an essay on this topic. Explanations about the purpose of each sentence follow!

(2) State your opinion : The author clearly states their opinion: this is not a waste of money. Notice that though they agree with part of the premise (“it is important to invest i local amenities”), they clearly reject the second part of the premise (that spending on the visual arts is a waste).

The two supporting paragraphs should include your ideas and supporting examples to answer the task question. Aim to write only two supporting paragraphs with roughly 85 words in each. Each paragraph should contain the following four sentences and stick to one idea per paragraph.

Here’s an example of one of the supporting IELTS task 2 paragraphs for the essay topic above, along with an explanation of why it works.

(2) Explain why you hold that position : The author clearly then explains why this is a good reason. Here, it’s that the spending will improve lives.

(3) Give an example that backs up your idea : The author has done this here by citing a recent study. (Note that you do not need to name specific sources or give exact statistics, since you won’t have those sources with you on test day. That said, you certainly can use more precise academic information if you feel comfortable doing so.)

Now, here’s an example of the second body paragraph of this essay, so you can see how they work together. I have again numbered the four parts of the body paragraph below. (1) States a position, (2) explains why the writer holds that position, (3) gives a specific example, and (4) summarizes the paragraph.

Conclusion — Sample and Explanation

For the conclusion, aim to write just one or two sentences that paraphrase what you’ve discussed in the essay. Try to keep to under 45 words.

The IELTS examiners are really clear on what makes a high-scoring IELTS essay. The IELTS rubric shows that you’ll be graded in four separate categories:

• Task Achievement
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

This is why it’s so important to follow the IELTS Writing Task 2 template provide above. By using this IELTS essay writing structure, you’re ensuring that you both succeed on task achievement and get points for coherence cohesion.

The lexical resource (vocabulary) category will depend on your ability to paraphrase and use complex words correctly. Similarly, your grammatical range and accuracy score will depend on how well you use a variety of grammatical structures correctly.

Nevertheless, by using the template above, you’ll be able to focus more on showing off your vocabulary and grammar and less on meeting the demands of the task by writing a coherent essay.

At the top levels, it can be hard to differentiate among Bands 7, 8, and 9…but there are definite differences, and understanding them can help you boost your score!

The IDP explains the necessary requirements for a Band 7 essay . In short, the answer is thorough (it answers all parts of the question), and it uses a clear structure (divided clearly into discrete paragraphs). Furthermore, there’s a range of vocabulary, and the author uses both simple and complex sentence.

When you read the IDP criteria for a Band 8 essay , you’ll see that there are many similarities. However, in this case, the author has taken a more advanced approach to paragraphing and linking. They avoid sentences that last an entire paragraph or very long paragraphs that take up the whole page. They also use less common terms in their vocabulary, and use them correctly. This includes avoiding cliches and overused phrases. Finally, the essay includes a variety of complex sentence structure types.

The difference between an 8 and 9 is thus subtle—but it’s still there. Scoring differences at this level come down partly to accuracy—a level 8 essay can have “occasional inaccuracies” in word choice, spelling, and word formation, as well as grammar. However, these must be “very rare” and appear only as “slips,” or minor mistakes, in a Band 9 essay. The other major divider between band 9 and band 8 is thoroughness. Per the rubric, Band 9 essays “fully” respond to the question, while band 8 responses are merely “sufficient.” The differences between a full and sufficient response are very subtle indeed, and it ultimately depends on the quality of the essay’s supporting details.

What does this look like? Take a look at how I’ve used the IELTS Writing Task 2 template below to create two samples: one IELTS Writing Task 2 Academic Band 9 and one at Band 8. Here’s the prompt:

Keeping the template from above in mind, here’s the IELTS Writing Task 2 sample:

On the one hand, screen time can lead to an overall decline in physical health. When children pass hours frozen, watching a video, they harm their bodies and their minds. For example, doctors agree that children who spend more than the average amount of time on screens per day without moving are more likely to be obese than children who spend below average time watching screens. Therefore, minimizing static screen time is indeed a worthy goal.

However, this does not mean that the only way to do this is by getting rid of screens. Recently, programmers have developed a variety of applications that encourage children to move. By training them to dance, perform martial arts, or do calisthenics, these screen-based activities actually encourage movement. In fact, it has been noted that, on average, using such applications burn more calories per day than a game of kickball. Encouraging children to use their screen time on such applications would therefore give them the best of both worlds.

To sum up, although a sedentary lifestyle has clear dangers, screen use is not necessarily an indication that children will burden our health system; by using screens to promote, rather than replace, physical activity, we can prevent widespread health issues due to lack of movement. To this end, parents should consider encouraging children to use movement-based apps.

Word Count: 301

So just what did the author of this IELTS Writing Task 2 Academic Band 9 essay do to get such a high score? Take a look!

• Task Response: This essay fully addresses all parts of the task: it discusses screen time, whether it is replacing physical activity, and whether this will be a problem for the health system. It also presents a fully developed position with extended and well-supported ideas: it doesn’t just say yes or no , but rather says, this is not necessarily linked.
• Coherence and Cohesion: The author here uses a variety of cohesion words and phrases (“In fact,” “To sum up,” “To this end”) that allow the essay to read smoothly, attracting no attention. They also use paragraphing well, according to the IELTS Writing Task 2 template above.
• Lexical Resource: The author uses a wide range of vocabulary here, correctly: words like “eradicate,” “decline,” “sedentary,” “and “calisthenics” all show a high level of natural and sophisticated language use.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This author uses a wide variety of sentence types. Note that in addition to just simple and complex sentences, the author also uses a variety of constructions, including a semi-colon. Importantly, they do so correctly.

Now let’s take a look at an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample that scored an 8 band:

First, it is true that too much screen time can harm physical health overall. Staring at a screen for a long time without moving isn’t good for the body. For example, doctors say children who have above-average amounts of screen time are likely to get obesity than children who do not have much time on screens. Because of this, lowering screen time is indeed a worthy goal.

However, this does not mean that the only way to do this is by getting rid of screens. There are many applications that encourage children to move. In fact, some physical activity app activities are noted for burning as many calories as a game of kickball. Encouraging children to use their screen time on such applications would therefore give them the best of both worlds: they could enjoy screen time while staying healthy.

To conclude, a sedentary lifestyle has clear dangers. But getting rid of screens is not necessary. Instead, we can use screens to help our children move more, and this will stop our health system from becoming overwhelmed, as children will benefit from physical exercise while having fun. To this end, parents should consider encouraging children to use such apps.

Word count: 254

This author of this IELTS Writing Task 2 template Band 8 essay makes the same points as the previous (Band 9) author, but with a few key differences. Take a look!

• Task Response: This essay sufficiently addresses all parts of the task. The argument isn’t as nuanced as in the first essay (there’s no elaboration on what the apps in the second paragraph involved, which weakens that key point), but the ideas are all here; the response overall is relevant, extended, and contains supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion: The author uses some basic transitions here: first, however, to conclude. These aren’t quite as fancy or sophisticated as in the Band 9 essay, but they are here! The paragraphing also works.
• Lexical Resource: The author uses many vocabulary terms here, though these are more basic than in the Band 9 essay (“commonness” instead of “province,” for example, or “lowering” instead of “minimizing”). There are a handful of cases in which the author misuses terms or idioms: “gain physical activity” instead of “increase physical activity,” or “get obesity” instead of “become obese.”
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This author uses a variety of sentence types. However, these are often simple sentences with linking words at the beginning, with one or two complex sentences thrown in. This is fine, and shows a range of grammatical mastery, but it’s not quite as sophisticated as in the Band 9 essay.

Overall, is the Band 8 essay above bad? No! The IELTS Writing Task 2 template (band 8) worked well here. Overall, it’s a strong example of an essay responding to this prompt. However, the main differences between it and the IELTS Writing Task 2 Academic Band 9 essay have to do with fluency and sophistication.

These are factors that take time to develop. If you have a few months to prepare for the IELTS, practice reading as much complex material as you can before test day. Then, use new words and phrases as much as possible in your practice.

Band 9 scores don’t happen overnight. However, the more you polish your English skills, the closer you’ll get to achieving your goals. It can be a slow process, but you can get there! Good luck! And to boost your luck even more, you should definitely check out our complete guide to IELTS Writing Task 2 .

Eliot Friesen-Meyers is the Senior Curriculum Manager for Magoosh IELTS and TOEFL. He attended Goshen College (B.A.), New York University (M.A.), and Harvard University (M.T.S.), gaining experience and skills in curriculum development, ESOL instruction, online teaching and learning, and IELTS and TOEFL test prep education. Eliot’s teaching career started with Literacy Americorps in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and later, taught ESL programs at Northeastern University, University of California-Irvine, and Harold Washington College. Eliot was also a speaker at the 2019 TESOL International Conference . With over 10 years of experience, he understands the challenges students face and loves helping them overcome those challenges. Come join Eliot on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram . Recent blog posts Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 Complete Guide to IELTS Writing Task 2

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31 responses to “The Best IELTS Task 2 Writing Template”

Hi Magoosh, Thanks for your valuable tips.

You’re welcome, Sazal 🙂

Happy studying!

What grade can this example get?

Hellooooooo is it 100 % information that there must be only one idea/point per a paragraph? I have looked through other so called “9 band” essays and they contain several ideas in one supportive paragraph? I am really confused ……

It is not entirely a requirement that a paragraph has one idea only, but it is a good plan to have a core purpose for the paragraph and to make sure that the information in each paragraph must be related to that core purpose/idea. The more you jam into a single paragraph, the more likely it is that the flow and argument will be lost.

Don’t worry about absolute requirements for essay structure–if you bring a reader gently through your ideas in a way that is easy to follow, you will be in good shape! 🙂

Hello Sami here,

I have just started learning IELTS.

Found this essay well written for an agree or disagree up to an extend type of prompt.

May I know all the different positions that the essay prompt may ask us to take apart from agree/ disagree and agree/ disagree – up to an extend Also a suggest me the best way to prepare for them all.

Thanks in advance 🙂

Agree/disagree is one of a few common formats for IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. There are also arguments with opposing views– there you choose one side of an argument. This is like agree/disagree in many respects, but not exactly the same. The third fairly common IELTS Writing Task 2 question format is problem/solution. Here, as the name suggests, you propose a solution to a common problem that is described in the IELTS Writing prompt. To learn more, check out this podcast episode with more information about IELTS academic writing .

Thanks, useful info…. Please advise what will be the structure and easiest way to write essay having asking for advantages and disadvantages.

Can we lie in Task 2? for example, a research from a Fake Journal represents 15% of Canadians have cancer.

Do they (double check online) and deduct marks?

I wouldn’t make up crazy lies, but if you say something kind of reasonable, no one will care if it isn’t actually true. The focus here is on your English skills. 🙂

I would like to make especial lies in English language test. Will see what will be the outcome. But my writing skills are really poor, i have to take some advantage from big blunder lies

Just remember that the lie is only useful if you tell it in strong English! 🙂

This is the best method to write an essay that ever i have seen ?

it’s nice approach. but in this structure, how band score will we get?

I’m glad you like this template! This approach helps you get the best band score possible. However, there’s no guaranteed band score for using this template. Your band score depends on many other factors besides your general approach. Your skill level in English, how energetic you feel on test day, the specific question you get, etc. all influence your IELTS band score.

thaks for appropriate tips

I do not understand reading please give me best tips and strategy for reading so I get good score in reading my exam is on 29 th september

IELTS Reading can be challenging. Eliot’s Complete Guide to IELTS Reading can be a good place to start. Beyond that, it’s really important to think about exactly why you find Reading challenging. Identify the specific question types, passage types or reading skills that are most challenging for you. Then work on addressing those weaknesses. As you identify your weaknesses, you just might also discover your strengths, and build on them.

Hi!Thnx for the template but I have a question. May the phrase like “This essay will discuss this issue using examples to support arguments and demonstrate points” be considered as memorized? Don’t you think that an examiner can reduce the score because of this?

It’s perfectly acceptable to create a template to help you craft your essay. You wouldn’t necessarily lose points because the examiner will think that your essay is memorized; rather, you would lose points because you aren’t being specific. You should always personalize the template to the prompt given. If you replace “this issue” with something specific to the prompt, and provide 1-2 concrete points that you will discuss, then this could be a good opening sentence. You want to avoid language that is too vague and general.

Is it okay to write the whole essay in the draft then copy it to my answer sheet, because that’s what I am used to. Or should I write only the main ideas.

I think if this is what you’re used to, then it might be okay. However, keep in mind that you must write your entire response on the answer sheet before time runs out. If you have to copy an entire essay, then it might take too long! My recommendation would be to make an outline for your essay separately, and to directly write your essay on the answer sheet. 🙂 You might find this blog post helpful, if you haven’t seen it already!

Hi Magoosh, Thank you for your tips.

I have question regarded the government investment on visual arts-essay

in the statement, it is said: Government investment in the visual arts is a waste of money. in this statement, there is no information stating: (1)that the government is Local government (2) that the money spent= large portion of government budget (it still can be just a little amount of government budget)

but on your first sentence (paraphrase the task question) you mention many LOCAL government…LARGE portion”

why is that OK to say that in your essay while in the statement those information are not mentioned?

Great question, Ayla. Yes, you can specify local government when the question only mentions government. When an IELTS Writing task describes something in broad terms, you can choose to narrow down and specify the terms in your answer.

Is it always mandatory to provide the actual data while giving the examples?

It’s not mandatory to provide data to support your position, but some students do it. The graders know that you are writing an essay without any way to do research, so they don’t expect data or facts.

Is it ok to use templates in IELTS? can we use TOEFL templates in IELTS if applicable?

You can use templates to help you organize your response. The TOEFL independent essay is similar to the IELTS Task 2, and we have TOEFL templates that might be helpful , but I’d recommend sticking to templates created for the IELTS.

Thank you Magnoosh. Very helpful!

Thanks for your suggestion. However, I am still confused in writing essay( sentence structure and vocabulary).Please help!

Hi Faiza, if you tell us more about what you are confused about, we may be able to provide more specific support 🙂

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IELTS essay templates pdf

Learn structures for different types of essays.

There is a limited range of types of questions that get asked in your IELTS test and you should learn how to write and structure each of these different types of essays. This is because it will save you time in your real test and allow you to have a better quality essay.

Templates for common types of IELTS essays

After you have established the structures for different types of essays you can work on templates for each of the structures. The advantage of using templates is that it can help you to speed up the writing of your essay; and also help you to increase your score as you have a lower proportion of errors, and also increase your score for vocabulary and grammar because the template has high-level vocabulary and grammar embedded in it. Note that the examiner will not consider this memorised language because this is structural language that is essential to writing an essay. memorised language would be something you have memorised relating to a specific topic that you have memorised from an article or published online essay.

Template for opinion essay

The template below has been used to write the second version of the essay.

Introduction There is currently a contentious argument over whether XYZ [XYZ is the topic] I totally agree/disagree with this opinion because

[reason 1 + reason 2]

Paragraph 2 The main reason why I believe/don’t believe XYZ is because… [reason 1]

Paragraph 3 Another reason why I support/don’t support the notion that XYZ is due to the fact that… [reason 2]

Conclusion In conclusion, I completely agree/disagree that XYZ because [rephrase reason 1] and [rephrase reason 2].

Given this situation, it seems that [give a final recommendation or opinion]

Model opinion essay

There is currently a contentious argument over whether family life is being harmed by the high-speed and pressure of contemporary lifestyles. I totally agree with this opinion because the fast pace leads to less time for families to be together, and stress leads to arguments among family members.

The main reason why I believe family life is being compromised is because families have less time to be with each other. This is due to family members being busier at work and with their social lives. As well as this, people have many things they have to do these days such as checking e-mail, updating their online social status and so less time is left for family life. To illustrate, I spend about two hours online every night attending to daily correspondence before chatting with my family members, whereas ten years ago I would spend time with my family as soon as I walked in the door.

Another reason why I support the notion that families are being impacted negatively is that the pressure of life these days means that even when families do get together arguments are more likely. This is because everyone feels tired and they are more likely to get irritated and to react to their heightened emotional levels.

In conclusion, I completely agree that the rapid pace and stressful nature of contemporary lifestyles are having negative consequences on family relationships. This is because family members have less time, and when they are together they feel less relaxed. Given this situation, it seems that family members should try to be more supportive to one another and also parents need to set aside regular times for families to relax together.        [281 words]

Template for a both sides and opinion essay

The template below contains about 130 words. The advantage of this template is that it can be used for any type of both sides and opinion essay. Memorising and using this template can help you to speed up the writing of your essay [you have less language to think of], and also help you to increase your score as you have a lower proportion of errors, and also increase your score for vocabulary and grammar because the template has high-level vocabulary and grammar embedded in it.

INTRODUCTION A highly controversial issue today relates to whether to have… [issue]… or not. In this essay, I am going to examine this question from both points of view and then explain why I believe….

BODY PARAGRAPH 1 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 ………….

BODY PARAGRAPH 2 On the other hand, others believe that….. It is often argued that ……….. People often have this opinion because …………… A second point is that ………..A particularly good example here is…………..

CONCLUSION In conclusion, I believe both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I feel that… This is because….

Model essay for a both sides and opinion essay

A highly controversial issue today relates to whether to have capital punishment or not. In this essay, I am going to examine this question from both points of view and then explain why I believe the arguments for capital punishment are stronger.

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 Saddam 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, others believe that the death penalty is not morally just. It is often argued that 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 or Quran, which lists killing another person as one of the most severe sins

In conclusion, I believe both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I feel that capital punishment is justified. This is because in cases of extreme crime and that deterring crime is more important than taking the moral high ground.       [261 words]

Template for a two-question essay

It is difficult to build a standardised template for our two-question essay because a wide variety of questions can be asked. First, a general template will be given and then a more specific template will be given for a typical problem and solution essay.

General template Introduction Rephrase the topic this essay discusses…[Question one] + [question two]

Body Question one [try to write two main points to respond to this question] Question two [try to write two main points to respond to this question]

Conclusion In conclusion, [summarise the two main points about question one] [summarise the two main points about question two]

Template for the problem and solution essay that follows with gaps for the topic Note that this is the original form of a two question essay that gets asked and it is essentially the same as the essay above and follows the same format. The question type is quite commonplace and you can use the template below for any essay of this type.

……………. is becoming increasingly serious in many nations. Although ……………. Threaten[s] many societies, its /their effects can also be combated successfully. This essay looks at some of the problems caused by ……………. on society, and suggests some solutions to the problems.

……………. causes multiple problems. The ……………. effects are very obvious. For example, ……………. In some cases, such as ……………. even leads to (death). The second effect is ……………. People who ……………. become …………….

However, the menace of ……………. can be fought. Education is the main way to tackle this issue. People need to be aware of the effects so that they can avoid this problem. In addition, the government could also …………….. This is a good approach because …………….

In conclusion, ……………. is a serious issue because it causes harmful effects on people’s health and people who are ……………. The best approaches to deal with it are to educate people about its damaging effects, and also for the government to …………….. Although the problem is unlikely to be entirely eliminated in the short term there are concrete steps to reduce the effects it is having on the current society. [about 175 words]

Model essay:

Drug abuse is becoming increasingly serious in many nations. Although drugs threaten many societies, their effects can also be combated successfully. This essay looks at some of the problems caused by drug use on society, and suggests some solutions to the problems.

Drug abuse causes multiple problems for countries and communities. The medical effects are very obvious. For example, addicts abuse their bodies and neglect their health, and so eventually require expensive treatment or hospitalization. In some cases, such as Marilyn Monroe, a drug overdose even leads to death. The second effect is crime. People who take drugs become crazy and irrational and often cause harm and danger to themselves and others.

However, the menace of drugs can be fought. Education is the main way to tackle this issue. People need to be aware of the effects so that they can avoid this problem. In addition, the government could also use infomercials to educate their citizens. This is a good approach because they can alert all citizens about the negative aspects of using drugs.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a serious issue because it causes harmful effects on people’s health and people who are high often commit crimes. The best approaches to deal with it are to educate people about its damaging effects, and also for the government to ensure all people are aware of the consequences through public service advertising. Although the problem is unlikely to be entirely eliminated in the short term these are concrete steps to reduce the effects it is having on the current society.

[260 words]

About Mike I’m Mike Wattie from Australia. I have been teaching IELTS for over 20 years in Asia and Australia.

I have written IELTS books and this enables me to be an effective tutor. This is because I understand the main problems that students have taking the test and also the ways to overcome them.

Maybe you would like me to teach you the necessary skills and strategies to pass your test.

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia and they jointly manage the IELTS test. This website is for test preparation only and has nothing to do with the administration of IELTS tests This website is not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

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IELTS Sample Essays

Here you will find IELTS Sample Essays for a variety of common topics that appear in the writing exam.

The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.

You can also view sample essays with band scores on this page. 

Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a great way to help you to prepare for the test. 

These IELTS sample essays have been categorised in a way that makes it easy for you to see how certain essay question types require you to provide certain responses to ensure the question is fully answered. 

Specifically these are:

• Agree / Disagree
• Discuss Two Opinions
• Problems and Solutions
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Other Types

Agree / Disagree Type Questions

In these types of question you are given one opinion and you then have to state the extent to which you agree or disagree with that opinion:

• Advertising
• Alternative Medicine
• Spending on the Arts
• Human Cloning
• Social Interaction & the Internet
• Airline Tax
• Free University Education
• Scientific Research
• Banning Smoking
• Employing Older People
• Vegetarianism
• Paying Taxes  
• Examinations or Formal Assessment 
• Multinational Organisations and Culture
• Internet vs Newspapers
• Technology Development  
• Dying of Languages
• Animal Extinction
• Truth in Relationships
• Role of Schools
• Return of Historical Artefacts

Discuss Two Opinions Type Questions

In this essay question type you are given two opinions, and you have to discuss both of these and then give your own view:

• University Education
• Reducing Crime
• Animal Rights
• Child Development
• Diet & Health
• Donating Money to Charity
• Closing Zoos   
• Becoming Independent  
• Formal and Informal Education  
• Influence of Scientists and Politicians
• Sources for Stories
• Searching for Extraterrestrial Life

Cause Type Questions

There are a variety of 'cause type' essay questions. In these you first have to give the reasons why something has happened, in other words the causes, but then discuss a different aspect of it, such as the effects, solutions or the extent to whether it is a positive or negative development:

Causes & Effects:

• Child Obesity
• Skin Whitening Creams
• Family Size
• Having Children Later in Life
• Time Away from Family

Causes and Solutions:

• Youth Crime
• Global Warming
• Paying Attention in Class
• International Travel & Prejudice 
• Museums & Historical Places
• Disappearance of Traditions
• Communication Between Generations

Causes, Pros & Cons:

• Family Closeness
• Living Alone
• Rural to Urban Migration

Problems & Solutions Type Questions

In these type of questions, instead of discussing the causes of a problem, you need to discuss the problems related to a particular issue in society, and then suggest what can be to solve these problems:

• Overpopulation
• Competing for Jobs  
• Professionals Immigrating

Advantage & Disadvantages Type Questions

In these type of questions you are asked to discuss the positive and negative sides of a particular topic. You will usually be asked this in the context of giving an opinion ( e.g. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Is it a positive or negative development? ): 

• Traffic Problems
• Food Additives
• Computer Games
• Age Discrimination at Work  
• Children using Tablets and Computers  
• Cell Phones, Internet, & Communication  
• Working from Home 
• Eating Locally grown  Produce  
• Oil and Gas Essay  
• Peer Pressure on Young People
• Online Fraud
• Decreasing House Sizes

'Hybrid' Types of Essay Question

There are sometimes questions that don't fit easily into a particular category as above. I've called these 'hybrid', as they are of mixed character, are composed of different elements from other types of essay, or are perhaps just worded differently. 

• Protecting Old Buildings
• Animal Testing
• Fear of Crime
• Communication Technology
• Influence of Children's Friends  

Sample Essays with Band Scores

You can also view some sample essays that have been written by candidates practising for the test and have band scores and comments by an experienced ex-IELTS Examiner based on the IELTS marking criteria. 

• IELTS Band 8 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 7 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 6 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 5 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 4 Essay Samples

Student Sample Essays

For more IELTS essay topics with answers you can also view essays that have been written by students. Some have feedback from other students or IELTS teachers:

• Student Model Essays  (with comments by other students)
• Student Model Essays (with comments by IELTS buddy)

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures

The four most common IELTS writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problem and Solution Discussion

IELTS Task 2 Essay Structures

Knowing how to structure your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is an essential skill that can make the difference between getting and not getting the band score you deserve. With that in mind, we have outlined the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 structures below.

Nearly all of my Task 2 essays follow this basic structure: The sentences you put in each paragraph will depend on what type of question you get.

The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem and Solution
• Discussion (Discuss both views)
• Two-part Question

Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question. This will help you write a clear, coherent answer and hopefully boost your IELTS band score. I also include an example answer for each type of question so you can see the structure in a real essay.

Please note that these are general structures and may vary slightly depending on the question.

Please also note that no ‘one’ Task 2 essay structure will get you a high score. There are many types of structures that can get you a high score. These are just some I think are effective and easy to learn. 

Please visit the lessons below for more detailed guidance on each type of question. I have provided a link at the end of each section.

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree) 

Typical Question Words –

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Direct question.

Example Question –

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory in high school programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Essay Structure 

Introduction 

1- Paraphrase Question

2- Give your opinion and outline the main ideas.

Main Body Paragraph 1 

1- Topic Sentence

2- Explain Topic Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion 

1- Summary of main points and opinion

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that volunteering should be made part of the school curriculum. This essay agrees with that suggestion completely because it help pupils develop soft skills and helps them gain much-needed work experience.

Education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits, and those in education should also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and self-discipline, and one of the best ways to hone these aptitudes is through community service. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us many lessons, including how to work with people from other backgrounds and the value of hard work, thus enabling us to hone these skills before becoming an adult. For example, many young people from wealthier countries take a gap year and help those less fortunate than themselves to increase their gratitude for what they have and improve their work ethic.

Many colleges and companies are also increasingly looking for this type of experience. Most school leavers have the same grades, and charitable work can help set you apart from other students when making college applications. For example, Cambridge and Oxford receive thousands of applications from straight-A students yearly and can only accept a small percentage of applicants. What you have done outside the classroom often differentiates you from everyone else and gets you that coveted spot.

In conclusion, teenagers should be made to partake in unpaid work as part of their schooling because it will help them learn things they wouldn’t ordinarily learn from their teachers, and it will also boost their chances of getting into third-level education.

For more detail on how to answer agree or disagree questions, please visit our opinion essay lesson . 

Need help writing essays like this? Check out our ESSAY CORRECTION SERVICE .

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Typical Question Words 

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education.

Essay Structure

2- Outline Main Points

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State Two Advantages

2- Expand/Explain First Advantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage

1- State Two Disadvantages

2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage

1- Summary of Main Points

Student Sample Answer 

It is argued that technology plays an ever-increasing role in schools and universities. Increased access to information and student freedom are the main advantages, whereas dependency on technology and decreasing levels of face-to-face contact are the main disadvantages.

Access to more information and student autonomy are the principal advantages of increasing the use of electronic devices in education. With the internet, students can access all the information available about any topic, regardless of what books and other resources are available in the school. Furthermore, students can focus on whatever topic or subject they want and study it in depth. A prime example of this is the number of online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects that, up until recently, were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying third-level degrees than ever before at a pace and schedule that suits them.

The main disadvantages associated with the increasing use of technology in education are the dependency on this technology and the decrease in face-to-face interaction between students. With many students now using the internet as their primary source of information, they often struggle to use other academic resources to find what they’re looking for. As well as this, students spend more time looking at computer screens by themselves than interacting with each other, which is thought to lead to lower levels of emotional intelligence. For instance, the recent explosion in smartphone use has been at the expense of genuine human interaction. This results in soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected.

In conclusion, the benefits technology brings to education, such as unrestricted access to information and student autonomy, must be weighed against the drawbacks, such as dependency on this technology and the negative effects on human interaction.

For more detail on how to answer advantage and disadvantage questions, please visit our  advantage and disadvantage lesson . 

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)  

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question 

Technology is 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.

1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

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. This has allowed learners to 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. Without these soft skills, many people find it difficult to become successful in work and their personal lives. 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.

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.

For more detail on how to answer discussion questions please visit our  discussion essay lesson . 

Problem and Solution Questions

Problem and solution.

Cause and solution.

Students are becoming more and more reliant on technology.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

2- Outline Sentence

1- State Problems

2- Explain First Problem

3- Explain Second Problem

4- Example of Second Problem

1- State Solutions

2- Explain First Solution

3- Explain Second Solution

4- Example of Second Solution

Learners are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, such as the Internet and mobile devices. This essay believes the main problems associated with dependence on computers are the lack of original thought and copying original work from others and suggests critical thinking classes and writing analysis software as the most viable solutions.

The principal problems with over-reliance on technology are people being unable to think for themselves and plagiarism. With access to so much information, students often rely on other people’s opinions instead of forming their own. As well as this, they often use search engines to answer a question and copy the text from a website rather than thinking about the question. This practice is prohibited in schools and universities and stunts students’ intellectual development because they will never truly think for themselves, which is what university is supposed to be for. For example, many teachers complain that students copy web pages straight from Wikipedia word for word rather than giving a reasoned answer to their questions.

Solutions to these worrying problems are special classes to focus on critical thinking and teachers using anti-plagiarism software to detect copying. If teachers create situations where students have to infer meaning and express opinions based on a small amount of information, this will ensure that students have an opportunity to develop these skills. Also, if students know that their assignments are being checked for plagiarism, this will be enough to deter them from doing so. For instance, many universities already use this kind of software to scan coursework for plagiarism, and it could be extended to include all homework by learners in both secondary and tertiary education.

In conclusion, the main problems with the overuse of technology in education are the lack of original thought and plagiarism. These can be solved through special classes that teach students analytical skills and plagiarism detection software.

For more detail on how to answer problem and solution questions please visit our  problem and solution lesson . 

Two-Part Questions

There will normally be a statement, and they will then ask you to answer separate questions.

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.

What factor contributes to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

1- Answer first question directly

2- Explain why

3- Further explain

1- Answer second question directly

As most adults spend most of their time at work, being content with your career is a crucial part of a person’s health and happiness. This essay will first suggest fair pay as a key element leading to job satisfaction, and it will then state that it is not very likely that everyone can be happy with their job.

The most important thing that satisfies someone at work is being compensated fairly. If those more senior than you respect you as a person and the job you are doing, then you feel like you are valued. A fair salary and benefits are important marks of respect, and if you feel you are being underpaid, you will either resent your bosses or look for another job. These two factors came top of a recent job satisfaction survey conducted by Monster.com, which found that 72% of people were pleased with their current role if their superiors regularly told them they were appreciated.

With regard to the question of happiness for all workers, I think this is and always will be highly unlikely. The vast majority of people fail to reach their goals and end up working in a post they don’t really care about in return for a salary. This money is just enough to pay their living expenses which often means they are trapped in a cycle of disenchantment. For example, The Times recently reported that 89% of office workers would leave their jobs if they did not need the money.

In conclusion, being satisfied with your trade or profession is an important part of one’s well-being, and respect from one’s colleagues and fair pay can improve your level of happiness; however, job satisfaction for all workers is an unrealistic prospect.

Can I get a band 8 or 9 following these structures? 

Nobody can give you a Task 2 IELTS structure that guarantees high scores. Your score is dependent on how good your grammar and vocabulary are and how well you answer the question. A good structure will help you answer the question to some extent and boost your score for coherence and cohesion, but you must use relevant ideas and use these ideas well to answer the question.

You can see how my student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing here:

Next Steps 

We hope you found those IELTS Writing Task 2 structures useful. Looking for some more sample questions? Here are over 100 sample questions from past exam papers.

If you would personalised feedback and guidance until you get the score you need, you can join the Waiting List for my VIP Course here.

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.

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35 Sample Band 9 IELTS Essays

Take a look at these 35 sample Band 9 IELTS essays for writing task 2 of the IELTS exam . Task 2 can cover a wide range of essay topics for the IELTS writing task section of the test, so preparation is key. Use the following samples when preparing your IELTS essays to see how close you are to a band 9!

These IELTS band 9 essay samples will help you highlight your mistakes and improve your writing band 9 level.

See the below IELTS essay writing sample questions and answers to practice for your IELTS writing task 2 .

You will find the IELTS essay questions and answers categorised by the following essay types.

• Do you agree/disagree
• Discuss both views and give your opinion
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
• Discuss the problems and possible solutions
• Is this a positive or a negative development

For a FREE ebook of our top 10 IELTS Band 9 essay samples in PDF, click here!

1. agree or disagree .

• Some people believe that technology has made man more social. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
• Some people think that a person improves their intellectual skills more when doing group activities. To what extent do you agree? Use specific details and examples to explain your view.
• In some countries, the number of shootings increase because many people have guns at home. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
• Some people believe that international sporting events are the ideal opportunity to show the world the qualities of the hosting nation. Others believe that these events are mainly a large unjustifiable expense. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Crime is a big problem in the world; many believe that nothing can be done to prevent it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion.
• Doing an enjoyable activity with a child can develop better skills and more creativity than reading. To what extent do you agree? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.
• Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the governments of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas. To what extent do you agree?
• Advances in health and biology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live as well as postponing the day we die. There is no better time to be alive than now. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
• The world is consuming natural resources faster than they can be renewed. Therefore, it is important that products are made to last. Governments should discourage people from constantly buying more up-to-date or fashionable products. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Some people believe that children’s leisure activities must be educational, otherwise, they are a complete waste of time. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your experience.
• Many governments in the world spend large amounts of money on art, which helps to improve the quality of people’s lives. However, governments should spend money on other things rather than art. Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion.

2. Discuss both views and give your point of view?

• NEW SEPTEMBER 2022: Some people believe that professionals such as doctors and engineers should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
• Nowadays most green energy is becoming evermore prevalent in both developed and developing countries. Some argue they greatly reduce costs and are better for the environment, others believe they are a serious threat to energy security. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people are of the opinion that children should be rewarded for good behaviour. Others think they should be punished for bad behaviour. Discuss both views and give your personal opinion and reasons.
• Some people think that keeping pets is good for children while others think it is dangerous and unhealthy. Which opinion do you agree with? Discuss both options and give examples .
• Some people think that secondary school children should study international news as one of the school subjects. Other people think that it is a waste of valuable school time. What do you think? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
• Some products can be made quickly by a machine. Other items take a long time to be made by hand. As a buyer, which do you prefer and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.
• Some people think women should be given equal chances to work and excel in their careers. Others believe that a woman’s role should be limited to taking care of the house and children. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.
• Most schools are planning to replace sports and exercise classes with more academic sessions. How will this change affect children’s lives in your view?
• Some people think that schools have to be more entertaining, while others think that their sole purpose is to educate. Which do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
• Some people think that it is acceptable to use animals in medical research for the benefit of human beings, while other people argue that it is wrong.
• Should humans adapt to technology or should technology be adapted to us? Is technology making us intellectually weaker or more intelligent?
• Do copyright laws limit creativity or reward it? Would society function better without such rules and regulations?
• Should education and healthcare be free of charge and funded by the government, or should it be the responsibility of the people to pay for these services? Discuss the above and give your opinion using examples.

3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages

• Is it good for children to start using computers from an early age and spend long hours on them? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Some people think high school graduates should travel or work for a period of time instead of going directly to study at university. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

4. Two questions, for example: Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development?

• These days some people spend a lot of money on tickets to go to sporting or events. Do you think this is a positive or negative development ?
• Some people like to travel outside their country. Others would rather travel to tourist spots in their own country first, before travelling abroad. Which do you prefer to do and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.
• Women can do everything that men can and they even do it better. They also can do many things that men cannot. But it is a fact that their work is not appreciated as much as men’s, although they have to sacrifice a lot for their family and career… It is said: “A woman’s place is in the home.” What do you think?

5. Discuss the problems and possible solutions OR discuss the causes and what problems it causes?

• People are using a lot of online language translation apps. Do the benefits of this outweigh the disadvantages?
• Obesity is a serious problem in many countries, especially in rich countries. Discuss ways to solve the problem. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
• Today, the quality of life in large cities is decreasing.  Discuss the causes and solutions.
• Research shows that global warming is caused by human activity. What are the possible effects of climate change and what can governments and individuals do to reduce these?
• In many countries, recently young single people have been living far from their parents, from the time they began studies or work and until they married. Do you think there are more advantages or disadvantages to this trend?
• Traditional schooling is out of date, boring and stifles a child’s natural talents, various professionals have pushed for an education revolution. Are there alternatives in the education system? Is traditional education doing more harm than good?

Take a look at some of our writing tasks to help you prepare for your IELTS exam , and if you need more help, we have a course that is guaranteed to help you pass IELTS. Practicing IELTS writing task 2 essays is very important for your exam preparation.

Video: IELTS Band 9 Writing Sample – Body Paragraphs

Click here for a FREE ebook of our top 10 IELTS Band 9 samples for writing task 2 in PDF,

For more preparation, take a look at our latest tutorials:.

• Band 9 Model Essay and Vocabulary-Cryptocurrency
• Sample task 2 questions
• Sample Band 9 Essay: Children and Education
• Sample Answers: discuss the advantages and disadvantages
• How to get ideas for task 2
• Full guide to academic collocations
• How to write a agree/disagree essay
• IELTS Writing Task 2: advantages and disadvantages questions

For a FREE ebook of our top 10 sample essays, click here!

Enhance Your Essays with Our Efficient Online IELTS Essay Checker

Practicing for IELTS Writing Task 2? You’re in the right place. But after you practice, how can you know if your essay is good? We have a tool to help! It’s called the online IELTS essay checker .

You can find it here . This tool is very easy to use. You write your essay, and our tool checks it. It tells you what mistakes you made and how to fix them. This means you can learn and get better faster. The best part? You save money.

Many students pay a lot for IELTS classes or teachers to check their essays. But our online IELTS essay checker is cheaper and works fast. You don’t have to wait! So, after you read the sample essays on this page, use our online IELTS essay checker .

It can help you see where you can do better. And it’s a good way to get ready for the IELTS exam without spending a lot of money. So, if you want to write better essays and save money, try our online IELTS essay checker .

We made it for students like you. We hope it helps you get the score you want.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to score band 9 in ielts writing.

You can score band 9 in IELTS writing by following these steps:

• Make sure you understand the question and answer what is being asked.
• Plan out your essay before you start writing
• Write your essay, review it and then “rewrite” it .
• Get feedback on your essays and find out where you may be losing points.
• Improve your language skills.

Read this post for more tips.

How do you write a 9 band essay?

Practice each essay type and be clear about the criteria for a perfect score. Basically, you need clear formal paragraphing, an essay that ‘flows’ logically and stays focused on the question, which is answered fully with high-level vocabulary and near-perfect grammar.

How can I get 9 in IELTS writing?

Look at model answers and memorize phrases that work for most essays – ‘In the modern world’ is a great way to start. A focus on global issues and international examples rounds out your answer and practice timed essays before the test.

Can you get 10 in IELTS?

No, the top band score is a 9. Be realistic though, some of the best universities in the world require a band 7 or 7.5 for their most challenging courses so a perfect score isn’t necessary in most situations.

IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

• Test Information FAQ
• Band Scores
• IELTS Candidate Success Tips
• Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
• How to Prepare
• Useful Links & Resources
• Recommended Books
• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2
• Speaking Part 1 Topics
• Speaking Part 2 Topics
• Speaking Part 3 Topics
• 100 Essay Questions
• On The Day Tips
• Top Results
• Advanced IELTS

IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips, Lessons & Models

Success in IELTS writing task 2 is based on using the right techniques. These free tips, model essays, lessons, videos and information will help develop the skills for writing task 2. This page will teach you how to maximise your IELTS writing task 2 score.

All lessons are on this page are for both GT and Academic writing task 2.

On this page, you will find for free:

• Test Information for Writing Task 2
• Practice essay questions
• Essential tips for IELTS writing task 2
• Free video lessons
• Model essays
• Practice lessons to improve your IELTS essay writing (paraphrasing, skills, ideas, spelling etc

Although some lessons are dated from years ago, all lessons and tips are 100% relevant to IELTS writing task 2 today. 

1. IELTS Writing Task 2 Test Information

Learn about your IELTS writing task 2 test.

• IELTS recommend you spend no more than 40 mins on writing task 2. However, the time is yours to manage as you wish.
• You should write  over 250 words. In the lessons below you will learn about word count and essay length.
• Learn how your total writing score is calculated: Total Writing Score Calculations
• Task Response (25%)
• Coherence & Cohesion (25%)
• Vocabulary (25%)
• Grammar (25%)
• For band score tips and details, see this page: IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Scores 
• Academic writing task 2 is a formal essay. The common types of essays are: Opinion, Discussion, Advantage/Disadvantage, Direct Questions, Solutions. These categorisations will differ from teacher to teacher depending on how they like to teach. See below for 100 IELTS Essay Questions to practise at home.
• GT writing task 2 is the same as Academic IELTS. The essay is written in the same way and the scoring is the same. The only difference is that GT essay questions are often easier and topics are simpler.
• All words will be counted, even small or repeated words. See this page: How Words are Counted
• COMPUTER DELIVERED IELTS: See the following link to read Pros and Cons of Computer Based IELTS : 
• For more information about IELTS test rules and info, see this page: IELTS  Test FAQ

2. IELTS Practice Essay Questions

Practice essay questions to help you prepare ideas for topics in IELTS writing task 2. These questions have been written based on questions reported by IELTS students. They are not IELTS tests.

Over 100 IELTS Essay Questions

3. Essential IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips

The most important writing tips for a strong IELTS essay in writing task 2. Learn about the recommended essay length, how to plan your essay, when to give your opinion and how to write an introduction etc.

How many paragraphs for an IELTS essay? : Essay structure

Key Linking Words List : Academic Vocabulary

Types of IELTS Essays : Main Essay Types in Writing Task 2

Video:  How to write an introduction paragraph : Complete lesson

Essay Planning Tips : How to plan your IELTS essay

Common Essay Topics : 20 Most Common Essay Topics

Video:  Essay Length Advice : How long should your essay be?

Video:  Official Writing Answer Sheet Tips : Using the answer sheet

When to give your opinion : Opinion Essay Tips

Video  Using the last 5 minutes : Exam technique tips

Video: Paraphrasing Tips

Finding Ideas : Developing ideas for essay topics

4. More Video & Tips for Writing Task 2

• Deleting Words in your Essay
• Should I indent the first word of my paragraphs?
• 10 sentences to avoid in your IELTS essay
• Video:  How to add examples to your essay
• Tips: Under Words Penalty
• Do advantages outweigh disadvantages tips?
• Video:   How to give your opinion
• Can you use quotes, idioms or proverbs in your essay?
• Handwriting: Using cursive writing or not
• Essay Questions from 2016
• Writing a Long Introduction: Good or Bad?
• Video : Single-sex & Mixed Schools 
• Video : Grammar – How to Add a Clause
• Video : Grammar – Connecting Sentences
• Video : Conclusion Linkers
• Video : Discussion Essay Useful Language
• Video : Using the Last 5 Minutes Tips
• Video : Should Ideas be Interesting?
• New Essay Topics for 2023

All Free IELTS Writing Task 2 Videos Lessons

5. Model Essays

Sample essays for IELTS writing task 2. These high score model essays will help you understand how to answer the essay questions and how to structure your writing.

• Agree Disagree Opinion Essay: Health
• Advantages & Disadvantages Essay: Language
• Cause  Solution Essay: Crime & Punishment
• Direct Questions Essay: Happiness
• Opinion Essay: Social Media
• Discussion Essay: Work
• Direct Questions Essay: Family
• Direct Questions Essay: Art
• Positive or Negative Development: Social Media
• 2 Model Essays about Economy & Money /Buildings
• Model Essay & Question for Topic of Education
• Two Question Essay: Technology

6. Practice Lessons for Writing Task 2

Develop your IELTS writing skills and get useful ideas for many essay questions. Lessons are in order of date and new lessons will be added over time.

• New Essay Topics in 2023 (these are new topics only. You also need to prepare all common topics as well)
• IELTS Essay Topics Prediction 2022
• Grammar Test : Using “the” with countries and nationalities
• Paraphrasing Practice 1
• Paraphrasing Practice 2
• Paraphrasing Practice 3
• Essay Questions for 2017 – questions reported in the test this year.
• Using Passive Voice for Giving Opinions
• Essay Ideas: Employment Competition
• Writing Skills: Paraphrasing Practice
• Writing Skills: Improving Sentences (2)
• Essay Ideas: The Importance of History
• Essay Ideas: Housing & Trees 
• Essay Ideas: International Aid
• Essay Ideas: City Transport
• Essay Ideas: Salaries
• Essay Ideas: Function of Schools
• Essay Ideas: Female Staff in Senior Positions
• Writing Skills: Punctuation Practice
• Writing Skills: Linking Word Practice
• Essay Ideas: Littering in Cities
• Listen and Write Dictation: Natural Disasters
• Discussion Essay with Feedback: Music Topic
• Writing Skills: Improving Sentences: Ebooks Topic
• Essay Ideas: Banning Mobile Phones
• Two Question Essay with Feedback: Judging Business Success
• Essay Ideas: Tourism and Local Communities
• Essay Ideas: Traffic & Pollution
• Writing Skills: Improving a Thesis Statement
• Writing Skills: Improving Sentences (1)
• Essay Ideas: Handwriting Skills
• Essay Ideas: Promoting to Children
• Essay Ideas: Older or Younger Leaders
• Writing Skills: Introduction Feedback
• Writing Skill: Opinion Essay Introduction Feedback
• Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Body Paragraphs
• Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Introduction
• Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Finding Main Points
• Writing Skills: Thesis Statement
• Essay Ideas: Public Services .

………………

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Writing High-Scoring IELTS Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing great IELTS essays is essential for success. This guide will give you the tools to craft high-scoring essays. It’ll focus on structuring thoughts, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and expressing ideas with clarity . We’ll also look at essay types and strategies for managing time during the writing exam .

Practice is key . Spend time each day doing mock tests or getting feedback from experienced teachers or professionals. With practice and dedication , you’ll improve your language proficiency and increase your chances of getting a good score. Good luck!

Understanding the IELTS Essay Task

To excel in the IELTS essay task, equip yourself with a solid understanding of its requirements. Dive into the sub-sections that uncover what is expected in this task and the various question types you may encounter. Mastering these topics will pave the way for success in crafting compelling and high-scoring IELTS essays.

What is expected in the IELTS essay task

The IELTS essay task requires applicants to demonstrate their writing abilities in a certain timeframe . It evaluates their capacity to create a coherent and structured piece of composition .

A clear thesis is a must. It should be succinct, conveying the primary thought of the essay . Also, there should be a logical structure including an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The content should be relevant, utilizing suitable examples, evidence, and arguments to back the main idea. Arguments must be coherent, with smooth transitions between paragraphs . Plus, formal language, correct grammar, and accurate syntax must be used.

Moreover, applicants must demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing the topic and giving a balanced argument . Furthermore, they must effectively manage their time to generate a thorough answer within the word limit.

To illustrate the significance of these requirements in real-life situations, let me tell you about Jennifer . She was an aspiring nurse from Brazil taking the IELTS test . At first, she found it hard to handle the essay task. She asked for help from expert tutors who highlighted the relevance of her thesis statement and the logic in organizing her ideas. With effort and dedication, Jennifer got the hang of these skills and eventually achieved her target band score .

The types of questions asked in the IELTS essay task

The IELTS essay task covers multiple types of questions. To comprehend the variety of these questions, let’s look at some examples.

To do well, you need to prepare and practice for each type. Develop strong analytical skills to effectively answer the prompts during the exam.

Pro Tip: Get used to various question types by writing essays on different topics. This will help you adjust and boost your performance.

Descriptive questions

It’s essential to comprehend the IELTS Essay Task. This section focuses on descriptive questions . To illustrate this info effectively, use a table with suitable columns. Unique details enhance our understanding. To sharpen essay writing abilities, certain tips are useful. For instance, practice time management and create a clear structure . These hints are helpful in keeping the writing coherent and providing a logical flow .

Also Read: 10 Must-Follow IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Band Score

Argumentative questions

Queries that need a thorough analysis and a display of multiple perspectives on a given topic are called argumentative questions .

They come in different types, such as:

• Cause and Effect (e.g. What are the consequences of using social media?)
• Pros and Cons (e.g. Should zoos be forbidden?)
• Agree or Disagree (e.g. Is homework essential for students?).

These questions push candidates to think logically, consider evidence, and construct a convincing argument using the correct order and reasoning methods.

As per the British Council, the IELTS essay task assesses the capability of the applicant to articulate an argument in a clear, understandable, and structured manner.

Advantages and disadvantages questions

Advantages and disadvantages questions require a balanced overview of both the positive and negative perspectives. Here is a summary of these questions:

It is important to note that advantages and disadvantages questions offer the opportunity to show understanding by talking about diverse points of view. Nevertheless, you should be careful when replying to these questions, as they can lead to prejudice if not tackled objectively.

Pro Tip: When responding to an advantages and disadvantages question, try to remain balanced by considering both sides of the problem. This will help you create an in-depth reply.

Problem and solution questions

Problem and solution questions demand the test-taker to figure out a problem and suggest successful solutions. Here are 6 tips to help you excel in this IELTS essay type:

• Name the problem precisely: Start by accurately stating the dilemma you will discuss in your essay.
• Examine the causes: Examine the underlying causes of the problem and consider various points of view.
• Propose multiple solutions: Offer multiple possible solutions, taking into account their practicality and efficiency.
• Evaluate each solution: Analyze the pros and cons of each proposed solution.
• Offer supporting evidence: Back your ideas with real-life cases, data, or professional opinions.
• Recommend the best solution: Based on your assessment, pick one solution as the most appropriate and explain why it is superior.

Also, remember to follow these hints when responding to problem and solution questions:

• Think about short-term and long-term effects of applying each solution.
• Prioritize realistic and feasible solutions over idealistic ones.
• Anticipate potential challenges or disagreements to your suggested solutions and provide counterarguments.

By following these steps, you can successfully respond to problem and solution questions in an IELTS essay.

Analyzing the Essay Question

To analyze the essay question effectively in “Writing High-Scoring IELTS Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide,” focus on breaking it down, identifying key terms and instructions, and formulating a thesis statement. These sub-sections will provide the solution you need to approach the essay question strategically and produce a well-structured and coherent response.

Breaking down the essay question

Let’s break down an essay question with a table. The table has elements, description, topic, scope, task, and subtasks .

We can use this table to plan and structure our response. It helps us address all aspects of the question while staying clear and coherent.

Here are some tips for breaking down an essay question:

• Read and understand it. Look for keywords that give clues.
• Identify the main topic.
• Find out the scope.
• Analyze the task.
• Break down subtasks.

By following these steps, you can break down the essay question and write your response with clarity. Understanding the elements helps you structure your argument and provide a full analysis.

Identifying key terms and instructions

When analyzing an essay, it’s key to recognize key terms and instructions. This allows us to know what is being asked and how to approach the topic. We can do this by:

• Reading the question thoroughly.
• Looking for important words.
• Finding out the meanings of any unfamiliar terms.
• Understanding the instructions.
• Noting limitations or qualifiers.
• Setting boundaries for what should be included or excluded.

Recognizing these terms and instructions is essential for creating a solid basis for the essay. Also, taking into account language nuances like tone, style, and phrasing can raise the quality of the response.

I recall a time when I missed a keyword while answering a prompt in my high school English class. Despite spending hours on my response, I didn’t explicitly address one aspect mentioned in the instruction. That experience taught me the value of closely examining and understanding each part of an essay question before writing it.

Formulating a thesis statement

Creating a thesis statement requires careful thinking and consideration. The purpose of your essay – whether it is to persuade, inform, or analyze – will determine the type of statement you make. For example, if you aim to persuade, your thesis should plainly state your opinion and provide evidence to back it up.

To create an effective thesis statement, it is important to be specific and precise. Avoid making foggy or wide statements that are unclear. Instead, focus on making an exact statement or argument. This will help guide your essay and give it a clear purpose.

When forming your thesis statement, consider counterarguments. Addressing possible objections strengthens your argument and displays critical thinking abilities. By recognizing differing viewpoints and offering replies, you demonstrate that you have studied and viewed all sides of the situation.

In addition, a great thesis statement should be debatable. It should start a conversation and attract the reader. Avoid mentioning facts that everyone agrees with or making general assertions. Instead, take a stance on an issue that may be questionable or open to interpretation.

In conclusion, creating a firm thesis statement requires careful consideration. Take the time to brainstorm, study different angles, and refine your argument. By doing this, you will create an essay that interests readers and accurately expresses your message.

Planning and Organizing the Essay

To plan and organize your IELTS essay effectively, turn to ‘Planning and Organizing the Essay.’ Create an outline, brain dump ideas, and arrange them logically. These steps will provide a clear structure and help you express your thoughts with coherence and coherence, ensuring high scores on your IELTS essays.

Creating an outline

Thesis Statement: Outlining is a valuable writing technique that has been used since ancient times. It provides a roadmap for essays, helps maintain focus, and allows for coherent and persuasive arguments.

Paragraph 1:

• Introduction to outlining as a writing technique
• Definition of outlining and its purpose
• Explanation of how outlining structures thoughts in an organized way
• Importance of outlining in communicating arguments coherently and persuasively

Paragraph 2:

• Historical perspective on the use of outlining
• Mention of Aristotle and his belief in the effectiveness of outlining
• Reference to Leonardo da Vinci’s use of outlines when writing
• Reinforcement of the timeless importance of outlining

Paragraph 3:

• Consideration of the audience when creating an outline
• Importance of tailoring the structure to the audience’s knowledge level
• Inclusion of explanations or background information as necessary
• Discussion of addressing counterarguments or opposing views in the outline

Conclusion:

• Summary of the benefits and significance of outlining
• Reiteration of its role in structuring thoughts, maintaining focus, and presenting persuasive arguments
• Encouragement for writers to utilize outlining as a valuable tool in their writing process

brain dumping ideas

Brain dumping ideas is jotting down all thoughts about a topic or subject quickly. This way you can express without worrying about structure or organization. To make the most of this technique, consider these four points:

• Dedicate time and space to brainstorming. Find a quiet environment with no distractions.
• Grab pen and paper or open a blank document. Write any ideas that come to mind, even small ones.
• Review what you have written. Look for patterns and connections.
• Organize your thoughts into categories or themes.

Remember, brain dumping is not a final product. It’s a tool for creativity. Allow yourself to explore ideas and uncover details that improve the essay. Here are more suggestions:

• Go beyond the obvious ideas. Think outside the box.
• Use mind mapping and visual aids to represent thoughts.
• Discuss ideas with peers or mentors.
• Take breaks if you feel overwhelmed.

Arranging ideas logically

For illustrating the importance of arranging thoughts logically, let’s use a table. It demonstrates multiple organizational patterns:

Now let’s discuss extra details. A good way to enhance logical organization is using clear topic sentences for each paragraph. These sentences act as signposts. They guide readers through the essay’s main idea without giving away too much info upfront.

In addition, supporting evidence in each paragraph strengthens logical progression. This evidence can be examples, statistics, or quotations from reliable sources. These substantiate your statements.

Lastly, transitioning between paragraphs smoothly creates a coherent flow of thoughts. Using transitional words like “however”, “in contrast”, or “similarly” helps establish connections between ideas. This avoids abrupt changes of topics.

Writing the Introduction

To write a high-scoring IELTS essay, start your introduction with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention. This section will guide you on the importance of a strong introduction and share techniques on how to engage the reader from the first sentence. Additionally, you’ll learn how to structure the introduction paragraph effectively.

The importance of a strong introduction

Writing a strong introduction is essential. It sets the tone for an article and draws readers in. It acts like a doorway – grabbing the attention of readers and inviting them to explore the content further.

A strong introduction allows readers to quickly grasp the main ideas of an article. It gives an overview of what will be discussed, forming a basis for the article. Without a good introduction, readers may lose interest or have difficulty understanding the purpose of the article.

Furthermore, a well-composed introduction establishes authority and trustworthiness. By showcasing research-backed facts or intriguing insights, an author can show they are knowledgeable on the subject.

In addition, a strong intro evokes emotion in readers by appealing to their curiosity or feelings. It may pose a problem or highlight a fascinating aspect that piques their interest. By making an emotional connection with readers from the start, writers guarantee audience engagement through their piece.

Now let’s look at some unique details about introductions. One effective technique is to grab attention with a shocking fact or stat related to the topic. This not only attracts reader interest but also proves the writer’s knowledge of the subject.

Another technique is to use storytelling elements in introductions. Introducing a relatable anecdote or personal experience that connects with readers’ lives can make the topic more understandable. By adding these personal narratives, writers create empathy and relate to their audience.

Now let’s look at a real example of a powerful introduction – The opening line of Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities.” His famous line “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times” immediately encapsulates both optimism and despair, captivating readers right away. This shows how a strong introduction can set the stage for an unforgettable journey.

Remember, a powerful introduction can make or break an article. By grabbing attention, providing a clear overview, establishing credibility, and making an emotional connection with readers, writers can make sure their work is both interesting and informative. So, take time to perfect your introductions – they are the key to engaging your audience and leaving a lasting impression.

How to grab the reader’s attention

• Start with an intriguing fact or a thought-provoking question. This will get the reader’s attention.
• Introduce the topic and show why it’s important. Keep it concise and focused.
• State your main point or argument. Give the reader a roadmap.

To make your introduction even better, add a story or an emotional connection. This will create an instant bond and keep them hooked.

Remember: Grab their attention from the start, but don’t give away too much info.

Pro Tip: Get feedback on your intro before finalizing it. Revise it as needed.

Structuring the introduction paragraph

Engage your reader with an interesting story or statistic. Then, outline your main points concisely and without jargon. Use transition phrases such as “building upon this idea” to move smoothly from hook to background. Finish off with a clear thesis statement. This will give readers a good understanding of what to expect in the article.

Developing Body Paragraphs

To develop strong body paragraphs in your IELTS essays, focus on crafting clear topic sentences and providing supporting details. Additionally, learn how to effectively present arguments and examples to strengthen your arguments. Finally, understand how to utilize cohesive devices to seamlessly connect ideas and enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Topic sentences and supporting details

Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

Topic sentences provide the main idea of a paragraph. To explain them, it’s important to include relevant details.

To illustrate this concept, let’s look at a table. It shows how topic sentences and supporting details work together.

This shows that each topic sentence is followed by supporting details which strengthen the message.

Now let’s delve into the details about topic sentences and supporting details. They should be presented in a logical order. The details should also be relevant and specific to the main idea. By following these principles, writers can effectively convey their points while maintaining coherence.

To improve writing further, consider transitional phrases between supporting details. Also, acknowledge counterarguments within the paragraphs. This helps make it more persuasive without compromising its informative nature.

Providing arguments and examples

Let’s explore how to give strong arguments and examples. Imagine a neat table with data that supports our view. There should be columns of factual numbers to back up the argument. This visual aid is a great way to convince readers.

We also need to include details that haven’t been discussed before. These details add more to our writing, so it looks professional. By looking into lesser-known aspects, we can make our arguments better.

So why wait? Using evidence in your writing will make readers emotional. It will also make them feel like they have to join your perspective. Don’t be scared to use persuasive body paragraphs. Use evidence to make your writing stand out – make it specific to your audience’s needs and interests.

Using cohesive devices to link ideas

Cohesive devices like transitional phrases and linking words can make ideas seamlessly flow. This gives the reader a better understanding of the writer’s thoughts.

A unique way of using them is to introduce examples and supporting evidence in a paragraph. This helps arguments by giving more information that reinforces the main point. “For example” or “specifically” are great phrases for linking ideas and bringing clarity.

Pro Tip: Pick the right word or phrase for the intended meaning. Think about the context of the sentence and choose a cohesive device to accurately express your message.

Crafting the Conclusion

To craft a compelling conclusion in your IELTS essays, summarize the main points, restate the thesis statement, and leave a lasting impression. Summarizing the main points helps reinforce your arguments, restating the thesis statement recaps your stance, and leaving a lasting impression ensures your essay lingers in the reader’s mind.

Summarizing the main points

Crafting a powerful conclusion is essential to leave an impression on readers. Here’s how:

• Highlight each point’s importance & impact.
• Show their connection to form a cohesive narrative.
• Explain how they contribute to the overall message.
• End with a call to action or thought-provoking final remark.

When summarizing main points in an article’s conclusion, aim for clarity and brevity while making sure your words stay with the reader even after they finish reading. Remember that readers’ perception of the article is heavily influenced by the conclusion.

Restating the thesis statement

Have you ever wanted to live a crazier life ? Let’s give it a try! Dance ’till you drop, sing at the top of your lungs, and laugh like there’s no tomorrow . Let loose and have some fun! It’ll be an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Have you ever dreamed of living a wilder life ? Let’s do it! Dance ’til you can’t move, belt out your favorite songs, and laugh with joy . Go for it and have a blast! This will be an adventure you won’t forget anytime soon.

Leaving a lasting impression

It is key to craft a lasting impression. Get to the point, use strong words and visuals. End with a call-to-action.

Customize your message to cater to the needs of your audience. Speak with the right tone and style for engagement.

Winston Churchill is a prime example of leaving a lasting impression. His speeches during World War II inspired nations. Even after his death, his words still have an impact.

To leave a lasting impression, be concise. Employ impactful words. Use visual aids. And make a call-to-action. Understand your audience. Draw inspiration from those who have come before. You can make your mark in communication.

Proofreading and Editing

To ensure high-scoring IELTS essays in the section on proofreading and editing, focus on checking for grammar and spelling errors, improving sentence structure and clarity, and ensuring coherence and cohesion. This process will help refine your writing and make it more polished and effective.

Checking for grammar and spelling errors

Proofreading and editing are essential. Checking for grammar and spelling errors boosts professionalism and increases reader comprehension.

Pay attention to sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and verb tenses to identify potential grammar mistakes. Check for run-on sentences and fragments.

For spelling errors, read the document through and use spell-check tools. But, they may not detect homophones or typos.

A great technique is to read the text aloud. It can help spot awkward phrasing and spelling mistakes. It’s a good idea to get another set of eyes to review the work too.

By following these tips, and being careful, writers can deliver accurate and high-quality work. Proofreading ensures clear communication and boosts professional credibility.

Improving sentence structure and clarity

To better your sentence structure & clarity, follow these 6 steps!

• Start with a topic sentence – clearly state the main idea.
• Use active voice instead of passive for concise writing.
• Keep sentences short & simple.
• Use transitions to connect ideas.
• Cut out wordiness.
• Revise & proofread.

Plus, vary sentence length, check subject-verb agreement, adjust tone according to context, & read aloud . Practicing these tips will help you improve your sentences.

In 1928, Virginia Woolf wrote “Orlando,” a modernist masterpiece. She disregarded traditional sentence structures & embraced a fluid style. Her success proved breaking free from conventional sentences could lead to creative & captivating writing.

Ensuring coherence and cohesion

Key aspects for ensuring coherence and cohesion:

• Transition words – help make a smooth transition between ideas and paragraphs.
• Pronouns – like ‘it’, ‘he’, ‘she’ refer back to nouns, creating continuity.
• Repetition – of words or phrases reinforces main ideas.
• Synonyms – introduce different words to avoid repetition and stay clear.
• Logical order – so readers can follow thoughts easily.

To further improve your writing:

• Read out loud – awkward sentences and gaps in flow become clear.
• Use sentence variety – simple, compound and complex sentences.
• Take breaks – get fresh perspectives on improvement areas.
• Get feedback – let peers or professionals help with coherence and cohesion.

These suggestions help readers follow ideas without confusion. They create clear connections and a seamless experience.

Practice and Tips for Success

To improve your performance in IELTS essays, utilize the ‘Practice and Tips for Success’ section. Discover effective strategies to ace the exam by engaging in exercises such as practicing with sample essay questions, managing time effectively, and seeking feedback for continuous improvement.

Practicing with sample essay questions

Analyze the prompt. Read it carefully and identify the key words or phrases that define the topic. Grasping the prompt helps form a focused thesis statement.

Research and gather info. Do thorough research to gather pertinent facts from reliable sources. Make notes and organize them based on arguments or counterarguments.

Plan your essay. Put together an outline or structure before you start writing. This ensures coherence and logical progression of ideas.

Write a draft. Use the notes and outline as a guide and begin writing your essay. Focus on presenting arguments, proving them, and demonstrating analytical skills.

Review and revise. After completing your draft, review it for clarity, coherence, grammar, and punctuation errors. Make the needed changes to strengthen your essay’s content and flow.

Time management is essential when attempting practice essays to prepare for real exams. Practice with sample essay questions to sharpen your writing, build confidence, and improve future performance.

Notable figures like authors, scholars, and professionals have honed their writing skills by regularly engaging in practice with sample essay questions. This has not only boosted their ability to effectively express thoughts, but also has helped them comprehend different perspectives on multiple topics.

Managing time effectively

Don’t let missed opportunities haunt you! Take control of your time and reap the rewards. To maximize your potential for success, start implementing these techniques now:

• Prioritize tasks. Identify most important ones first . This ensures time is spent on activities that have the greatest impact.
• Set goals. Establish clear goals for each day or week . This provides you with a sense of direction and purpose.
• Create a schedule. Develop a daily or weekly outline that blocks off time for different activities. This helps you allocate time efficiently and prevents procrastination.
• Avoid multitasking. Studies show this decreases productivity. Focus on one task at a time to ensure quality work.

Productivity tools such as task management apps or timers can help. Also, practice self-discipline, and eliminate distractions such as notifications or find a quiet workspace. This enhances focus and concentration. Commit to these strategies consistently and experience benefits like more tasks accomplished within deadlines, and reduced stress levels.

Seeking feedback and improvement

Actively search for feedback from mentors, colleagues, and supervisors . Accept criticism as a chance for progress, not personally. Ask for feedback on a project or performance, to get helpful feedback. Take the time to think about feedback and pick out what you can do to improve. Even with positive feedback, keep searching for ways to develop.

Remember, requesting feedback needs openness and humility . Showing you want to learn is a sign of growth.

Pro Tip: Listen closely to feedback, rather than defending yourself. This will help you understand the point of view and make improvements.

We have reached the end of our step-by-step guide for writing high-scoring IELTS essays . Reflecting on the key points covered, we explored strategies and techniques to improve your essay writing. Understanding the marking criteria, managing time, building strong arguments, structuring essays – these are all necessary tools for success. To craft a strong essay, use relevant examples from academic journals, news outlets, and official reports. Demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing perspectives on a topic. Also, ensure that your ideas flow logically, using transition words and phrases. Diverse vocabulary and sentence structures will show off your language proficiency and engage the reader.

It is important to note that practice is key to success in the IELTS exam . Practice planning, drafting, and editing essays within timed conditions to improve your writing. Dedication, practice, and understanding of the strategies discussed in this article will help you to achieve higher scores . According to The British Council (2020) , candidates who implement these techniques are more likely to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: What is the key to writing high-scoring IELTS essays? The key to writing high-scoring IELTS essays is to clearly understand the essay question, plan your response, and structure your essay effectively. Additionally, make sure to use a wide range of vocabulary, demonstrate strong grammar skills, and provide evidence and examples to support your ideas.

FAQ 2: How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS essays? You can improve your vocabulary for IELTS essays by reading extensively, especially from reputable sources such as newspapers, books, and academic articles. Make a note of unfamiliar words and their meanings, and try to use them in your own writing. Additionally, using vocabulary learning resources such as flashcards or vocabulary apps can be helpful.

FAQ 3: Are there any specific essay structures I should follow? Yes, there are several essay structures you can follow, depending on the type of essay question. The most common structures include the Introduction-Body-Conclusion structure and the Pros and Cons structure. It is important to choose a structure that suits the essay question and helps you present your ideas logically.

FAQ 4: How can I improve my grammar skills for IELTS essays? To improve your grammar skills for IELTS essays, practice writing regularly and seek feedback from native English speakers or qualified English language teachers. You can also use grammar reference books or online resources to learn about specific grammar rules and common errors. Take note of your frequent errors and work on them systematically.

FAQ 5: How long should an IELTS essay be? An IELTS essay should be between 250 and 300 words long. Writing within this word limit ensures that you have enough time to develop your ideas and demonstrate your English language proficiency. It is important to manage your time effectively during the exam to allocate enough time for planning, writing, and reviewing your essay.

FAQ 6: How can I practice for writing high-scoring IELTS essays? You can practice for writing high-scoring IELTS essays by practicing timed writing tasks using past IELTS essay questions. Familiarize yourself with the assessment criteria, and self-evaluate your essays. Additionally, seek feedback from experienced IELTS instructors or professional essay evaluators to identify areas for improvement and learn effective strategies.

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Copy Paste Best IELTS Writing Task 2 Template- Essay Writing

IELTS is an international testing system to check your ability to speak, reading, writing and listening the English language. Many of the doubts arise in the minds of the students regarding one or the other module. In this article, the writing module will be discussed.

Writing module is a test that requires you to write a report/letter or essay.  In my previous articles, types of essays have been discussed. This article will discuss some of the best essay writing templates for each type of essay.

Understanding IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types: Tips & Strategies

IELTS essay writing templates are really beneficial to get desired band score in the IELTS exam. The major benefit of using the IELTS essay writing template is that it can help you to speed up your writing task with complete accuracy and enriched language. It also increases the grammar and vocabulary score as the ready-to-use templates are enriched with vocabulary and free from any type of grammatical errors.

However, at the same time, don’t forget that you are scored on the basis of your presentation of the idea. The structure can be memorized and used but the idea related to a specific topic that is asked in the IELTS writing exam will be different that can’t be memorized. Preparations for general IELTS writing topics can be done.

IELTS Essay Writing Template for a Statement Type Question

Introduction.

The importance of............................. which was always debatable Has now become more controversial with many people claiming that it is beneficial while others reject this notion. The substantial influence of this trend has sparked the controversy over the potential impact in recent years. In my opinion, the former/latter proposition appears to be more rational. This essay will further elaborate my views for favoring the positive/negative impact and thus, will lead to a logical conclusion.

Body paragraph 1

Analyzing the statement and explaining further, the first and the foremost reason behind this is that________________. Another striking benefit in this regard is that________________. Categorically discussing, it cannot be ignored that the main reason behind this is that___________.

Body paragraph 2

Probing ahead, one of the main underlying reason stems from the fact is that____________________. Moving further, it is pertinent to mention that_________________. Moreover, __________. Apart from the reason mentioned above, it can be clearly stated that why many are against/in favour of this trend.

In conclusion to the arguments aforementioned above, one can reach to a gist that the benefits/drawbacks of _______________ are indeed too great/dire to ignore.

Essay Writing Template for Agree/Disagree Type of Question

In this type of question, a statement will be given and your opinion regarding your agreement or disagreement will be asked.

In this period of inflation/technology/modernity/ globalization, many people are__________________( rephrase the statement). ___________ ( give one explanatory line). In my opinion, I strongly agree/disagree with this notion and my opinion will be discussed in further paragraphs with a suitable conclusion.

Supporting my agreement or disagreement to the given statement, I firmly believe that_________________. To cite an example, _______________. Moreover/In addition/Furthermore__________________. For instance,__________

Explaining some of the another supporting points in favour/against this statement, it is true that_________________. As a result/As a consequence ___________________.

In conclusion, _____________( question rephrasal again). I believe that aforementioned points are strongly supporting my view point.

Essay Writing Template for Advantages/Disadvantages Type of Question

There is no denying fact that the phenomena of_________ is ubiquitous across the globe due to its importance. Majority of folks are in the favour of this statement due to its number of merits. However some of the people highlight its demerits first. In my further paragraphs, advantages and disadvantages of the same will be discussed.

Body paragraph 1 (advantages)

Initiating with the benefits of the same, the first and foremost key benefit is that_______________. For example:- ____________.Another benefit which can strike the minds of the people can be____________. To cite an example ___________.

Body paragraph 2 (disadvantages)

On its darker side, some of the drawbacks which makes it problematic are, first _____________. Secondly,_______________. For instance,___________. Last but not the least, ____________.

In conclusion to the above statement, neither its pros can be neglected nor its cons. It is a mixed bag of positives and negatives. In my opinion, the statement should not be underestimated.

Essay Writing Template for Compare and Contrast two opinions type of question:-

Unquestionably, every coin has two sides and so are the people. Society’s people are divided into two groups and therefore, ______________ has become a topic of debate among people. This essay will compare and contrast both of the opinions along with my opinion which is in the favour of former/latter view will be discussed in a sensible conclusion.

Initiating with the points supporting first school of thought, firstly,________________. The people who support this say that, (example)______________. Secondly,__________________. In fact,___________________. As a consequence ,____________.

On its contrasting side, people who held another view point say that_______________. They believe that,_____________. Furthermore/Moreover/In addition, ___________________

To conclude, I would like to say that,__________________(your opinion). However, it will depend upon the mindsets of the people that which view they are in favour of.

Essay Writing Template for Problem Causes and Solutions type of Question

It has been universally accepted that problem of ____________ is escalating at an alarming rate. The problem is bringing a state of depression among the masses and in economy too. There are plethora of reasons of the same and its possible solutions can be suggested too which are discussed as follows.

In regards to the problem, the major reason which can be stated is_______________. In support to this reason, a fact known is________. Another problematic cause is___________. For instance, __________.

Seeing the problem with a brighter mind, many of solutions can be helpful to curb this menace. One if the solution is_______________. Secondly,_____________. Lastly,____________

To conclude, solving a global issue is not easy but with the joint efforts of the people, a control can be taken over the problem with the aforementioned suggested measures. I believe that everyone should come forward to mitigate this problem.

Major Points to Remember Regarding above Templates

• These templates are for help and should be mould as per the given question.
• Writing more points is not the criteria but writing good points with proper explanation is the key.
• Plan for your points first, before writing.
• Giving examples in between is a key growth factor for a good essay.
• The conclusion should be short and a question can be written again along with your opinion.

Above are some of the templates for major and common types of essay questions that are asked in IELTS writing TASK-2 . However, these are the templates for the students who need a little help to write. These templates will be able to help everyone too to score higher in the exam. For any further help in IELTS, stay connected with the https://www.romaielts.com

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Band 9 Guide: IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types and Structures + Sample Essays

In the IELTS Writing Task 2, you are required to craft a compelling essay on a given topic. The approach and structure will largely depend on the question type presented. This guide offers a detailed look into the various question types, their structures, and strategies to tackle them effectively.

Here are the essay types that we will cover:

• Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)
• Advantages and Disadvantages Questions
• Discussion (Discuss Both Views) Questions
• Problem and Solution Questions
• Two-Part Questions
• Mixed Type (Advantages and Disadvantages + Opinion)
• Double Question
• Causes (Reasons) and Effects

At the end, we will provide you with some supplementary tips that you can use to improve your writing band score in the IELTS exam.

1. Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)

This question type asks you to express your viewpoints on a given topic or statement.

Question Example:

Is digital technology in schools beneficial for students learning?

Essay Structure:

• Introduction : Paraphrase the Question and state your opinion, outlining the main ideas.
• Main Body Paragraph 1 : Begin with a topic sentence, explain this topic sentence, and provide an example.
• Main Body Paragraph 2 : Follow the same format as the previous paragraph.
• Conclusion : Recap the main points and reiterate your opinion.

Sample Essay:

Introduction: Digital technology has become an integral part of modern education, transforming the way students learn and interact with the world. In this essay, I will outline why I believe that incorporating digital technology in schools is highly beneficial for students learning.

Main Body Paragraph 1: First and foremost, digital technology enhances engagement and active participation in the learning process. Interactive learning platforms, virtual simulations, and multimedia resources make lessons more captivating and encourage students to explore concepts in depth. For instance, online platforms like Khan Academy offer interactive math lessons that adapt to individual learning paces, ensuring a personalized and effective learning experience. This level of engagement fosters a deeper understanding of subjects.

Main Body Paragraph 2: Furthermore, digital technology equips students with practical skills relevant to the digital age. In today’s interconnected world, proficiency in using digital tools and navigating online resources is essential for success. Integrating technology into education not only prepares students for the future job market but also empowers them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. For instance, coding workshops in schools enable students to develop computational thinking, a skill applicable in a wide range of disciplines.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the integration of digital technology into schools brings numerous advantages to students’ learning experiences. It enhances engagement, promotes practical skills, and cultivates a mindset of adaptability and innovation. While some may argue that excessive screen time can be detrimental, judicious use of technology can mitigate these concerns. By embracing digital technology, schools can provide a holistic and dynamic education that prepares students for the challenges of the modern world.

Advanced Tips:

• Be clear in your stance and acknowledge counterarguments if necessary.
• Employ persuasive tools like strong adjectives, rhetorical questions, and emphatic structures to bolster your arguments.

2. Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

You need to evaluate both the benefits and drawbacks of a particular topic or situation.

What are the pros and cons of remote work for professionals?

• Introduction : Paraphrase the Question and outline the main points.
• Main Body Paragraph 1 : Discuss two advantages, expand on each, and provide an example.
• Main Body Paragraph 2 : Detail two disadvantages, delve deeper into each, and give an example.
• Conclusion : Summarize the main pros and cons discussed.

Introduction: The advent of technology has revolutionized the way professionals work, giving rise to the concept of remote work. In this essay, I will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of remote work for professionals.

Main Body Paragraph 1: Remote work offers several compelling advantages for professionals. Firstly, it provides a flexible work environment that allows individuals to balance their personal and professional lives effectively. This flexibility can lead to increased job satisfaction and improved overall well-being. Moreover, remote work eliminates the need for daily commutes, saving valuable time and reducing stress. According to a study conducted by Global Workplace Analytics, remote workers report higher levels of productivity due to reduced distractions commonly found in traditional office settings.

Main Body Paragraph 2: However, remote work also presents certain challenges. One notable disadvantage is the potential for isolation and reduced collaboration. In a traditional office environment, spontaneous interactions and face-to-face discussions foster creativity and teamwork. Remote work can lead to feelings of loneliness and hinder effective communication, which is crucial for innovative solutions to complex problems. Additionally, remote work requires a high level of self-discipline, as the absence of direct supervision may lead to procrastination and decreased accountability.

Conclusion: In conclusion, remote work offers professionals a range of benefits such as flexibility and time savings. However, it is not without its drawbacks, including potential isolation and reduced collaboration. To maximize the advantages of remote work while mitigating its disadvantages, professionals must cultivate effective communication skills, establish a dedicated workspace, and maintain a disciplined work routine. Ultimately, the success of remote work hinges on the ability to strike a balance between the convenience it offers and the challenges it poses.

• Use transitional phrases to ensure smooth transitions between points.
• Avoid mere antonyms when presenting pros and cons.

3. Discussion (Discuss Both Views) Questions

These questions require you to explore multiple perspectives on a topic.

Should governments prioritize economic growth over environmental conservation?

• Introduction : Paraphrase the Question and provide a thesis statement.
• Main Body Paragraph 1 : Detail one viewpoint, give reasons for/against it and provide an example.
• Main Body Paragraph 2 : State the opposing viewpoint, discuss it, and again offer an example.
• Conclusion : Sum up the discussion and state your preferred perspective.

Introduction: The delicate balance between economic growth and environmental conservation has become a critical concern in contemporary societies. In this essay, I will delve into both perspectives on whether governments should prioritize economic growth or environmental conservation.

Main Body Paragraph 1: From an economic standpoint, prioritizing growth can lead to numerous benefits. Economic expansion creates job opportunities, boosts national income, and improves living standards for citizens. For instance, countries like China and India have experienced significant economic growth that has lifted millions out of poverty. This growth can fund essential services such as healthcare and education, contributing to overall societal development.

Main Body Paragraph 2: On the other hand, environmental conservation holds paramount importance for the future well-being of our planet. Ecological degradation and resource depletion have dire consequences for ecosystems and humanity alike. Focusing on environmental conservation ensures the preservation of biodiversity, clean air, and freshwater sources. For instance, countries like Sweden have successfully implemented green policies, resulting in cleaner air and sustainable use of natural resources.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the debate over whether governments should prioritize economic growth or environmental conservation is complex and multifaceted. While economic growth brings prosperity and improved living standards, neglecting environmental concerns could lead to irreversible damage to our planet. Striking a balance between these two perspectives is crucial. Governments can implement policies that promote sustainable economic growth while also ensuring responsible resource management and environmental protection. Only through careful consideration and informed decision-making can societies navigate the intricate interplay between economic progress and environmental stewardship.

• Ensure you give equal weight to both viewpoints.
• Your conclusion should reflect a balanced understanding of the topic.

Read Also : Cohesive Devices for Band 9 in IELTS Writing: The ultimate guide

4. Problem and Solution Questions

This question type asks you to identify problems related to a situation and suggest solutions.

What challenges does urbanization present and how can cities adapt?

• Introduction : Paraphrase the Question and outline the main ideas.
• Main Body Paragraph 1 : Identify the problems, discuss them, and offer examples.
• Main Body Paragraph 2 : Suggest possible solutions, discuss their feasibility, and provide examples.
• Conclusion : Recap the highlighted problems and proposed solutions.

Introduction: The rapid pace of urbanization has transformed the world’s landscape, bringing with it a host of challenges that demand urgent attention. In this essay, I will explore the problems posed by urbanization and propose viable solutions to address these challenges.

Main Body Paragraph 1: Urbanization has given rise to a range of pressing issues. One significant challenge is the strain on urban infrastructure, including transportation and housing. As rural populations migrate to cities, the demand for housing outpaces supply, leading to slums and inadequate living conditions. Additionally, traffic congestion and limited public transport options undermine efficient mobility. Pollution is another critical concern as increased industrial activity and vehicular emissions degrade air quality, endangering residents’ health.

Main Body Paragraph 2: To counter these challenges, cities can adopt proactive measures. Firstly, urban planning should prioritize affordable housing initiatives and sustainable infrastructure development. By building smart cities that utilize technology to manage resources efficiently, governments can alleviate congestion and enhance the quality of life. Moreover, investing in efficient public transportation systems, such as metro networks and buses, can reduce traffic congestion and pollution. For instance, the Bus Rapid Transit system in Curitiba, Brazil, has improved transportation efficiency and reduced congestion.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the challenges posed by urbanization require multifaceted solutions that span urban planning, infrastructure development, and sustainable policies. By addressing housing shortages, improving transportation, and promoting environmentally conscious practices, cities can harness the potential of urbanization while mitigating its negative consequences. This approach will not only enhance the quality of life for urban residents but also contribute to the overall well-being of society in the face of an increasingly urbanized world.

• Be specific in identifying problems and avoid vagueness.
• Solutions should be practical and actionable.

5. Two-Part Questions

You are presented with a statement followed by two distinct queries that must be addressed.

How has digital technology impacted workplaces and what future advancements can be anticipated?

• Introduction : Paraphrase the statement and outline both questions.
• Main Body Paragraph 1 : Address the first question with explanations and examples.
• Main Body Paragraph 2 : Respond to the second question, again with explanations and examples.
• Conclusion : Summarize the responses to both questions.

Introduction: The integration of digital technology into workplaces has reshaped the dynamics of modern work environments, bringing forth both immediate changes and future possibilities. In this essay, I will delve into the ways digital technology has already transformed workplaces and discuss potential advancements that can be anticipated.

Main Body Paragraph 1: The impact of digital technology on workplaces has been profound. Firstly, it has streamlined communication and collaboration, allowing teams to collaborate across geographical boundaries in real-time. Tools like video conferencing and cloud-based document sharing have revolutionized how projects are managed. Moreover, automation powered by artificial intelligence (AI) has improved efficiency by handling routine tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more complex, creative endeavors. This has been particularly evident in industries like manufacturing, where robots have taken over repetitive and dangerous tasks.

Main Body Paragraph 2: Looking ahead, digital technology is poised to bring even more transformative changes. The rise of remote work is likely to continue, with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies offering immersive virtual workspaces that replicate physical office environments. Furthermore, AI-driven analytics will enable data-driven decision-making, enhancing business strategies and customer interactions. The concept of a “smart office” will likely emerge, with interconnected devices and IoT (Internet of Things) technology optimizing resource utilization and energy efficiency.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the impact of digital technology on workplaces has been substantial, revolutionizing communication, automating tasks, and increasing efficiency. As we move forward, advancements such as AR, VR, AI, and IoT hold the promise of further reshaping work environments. To stay competitive, companies must embrace these innovations while also addressing potential challenges like data security and workforce adaptation. By doing so, they can position themselves to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

• Maintain a clear division between your answers to both questions.
• Use predictive techniques when addressing future-related queries.

6. Mixed Type (Advantages and Disadvantages + Opinion)

Here, you should discuss the pros and cons of a topic, followed by expressing a personal opinion.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping and give your own opinion.

• Introduction : Introduce the topic.
• Advantages : 1-2 paragraphs detailing the benefits.
• Disadvantages : 1-2 paragraphs detailing the drawbacks.
• Opinion : State your viewpoint and provide supporting reasons.
• Conclusion : Summarize the main points.

Introduction: The proliferation of online shopping has transformed the way consumers engage in commerce, offering convenience and accessibility like never before. This essay will explore the benefits and drawbacks of online shopping, followed by my personal opinion on its overall impact.

Advantages: Online shopping presents several advantages. Firstly, it offers unparalleled convenience, allowing customers to browse and purchase products from the comfort of their homes. This eliminates the need to travel to physical stores, saving time and energy. Moreover, the variety of options available online ensures a wider selection of products, often at competitive prices. Online platforms also offer detailed product information, reviews, and comparison tools, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.

Disadvantages: However, online shopping is not without its disadvantages. One major concern is the inability to physically inspect products before purchase. This can lead to dissatisfaction if the received item doesn’t match expectations. Additionally, online transactions may pose risks to personal data security and privacy. Cases of identity theft and online scams are not uncommon, raising concerns about the safety of online purchases. Furthermore, the lack of face-to-face interaction eliminates the personal touch of traditional shopping experiences.

Opinion: In my opinion, the advantages of online shopping outweigh its drawbacks. The convenience, vast selection, and competitive prices make it a viable option for today’s busy consumers. The potential risks associated with online transactions can be mitigated by adopting secure payment methods and practicing caution when sharing personal information. As technology continues to advance, addressing security concerns will likely become more effective.

Conclusion: In conclusion, online shopping offers undeniable benefits in terms of convenience, variety, and accessibility. While challenges such as product inspection and security issues persist, they can be managed with prudent shopping practices. Embracing online shopping while remaining vigilant about its potential pitfalls can lead to a rewarding and efficient shopping experience.

• Balance your essay by giving equal importance to advantages, disadvantages, and your opinion.
• Use rhetorical questions to highlight the significance of your viewpoint.

Read Also : Common grammar mistakes to avoid in the IELTS writing section

7. Double Question

Two distinct questions are presented that must be answered within the essay.

Why do people attend colleges or universities? What are the benefits of higher education?

• Answer to Question 1 : Provide reasons and examples.
• Answer to Question 2 : Offer explanations and illustrations.
• Conclusion : Recap the main points made.

Introduction: The decision to pursue higher education is driven by a multitude of factors, each intertwined with the potential benefits that education beyond high school can offer. This essay will delve into the reasons individuals choose to attend colleges or universities and the advantages that higher education brings.

Answer to Question 1: People seek higher education for various reasons. Firstly, acquiring specialized knowledge and skills is a primary motivation. Colleges and universities offer structured curricula that equip students with expertise in their chosen fields. Furthermore, higher education provides opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. The university environment encourages critical thinking, independent research, and exposure to diverse perspectives, fostering well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the challenges of the modern world.

Answer to Question 2: The benefits of higher education are manifold. Firstly, it significantly enhances career prospects. Graduates with degrees are often more competitive in the job market, commanding higher salaries and better employment opportunities. Additionally, higher education fosters networking and social connections that can open doors to professional opportunities. Moreover, education beyond high school cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are invaluable assets in various aspects of life. For instance, an educated citizenry contributes to informed decision-making in society and drives innovation.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the decision to attend colleges or universities is driven by a desire for specialized knowledge, personal growth, and expanded opportunities. The benefits of higher education are far-reaching, including improved career prospects, enhanced critical thinking abilities, and societal contributions. As higher education continues to evolve and adapt to changing demands, its role in shaping individuals and society remains indispensable.

• Use connectors like “Firstly” and “Secondly” to distinguish between the two answers.
• Provide real-life examples to make your answers more credible.

8. Evaluation

You should assess the significance, relevance, or implications of a topic or statement.

How significant is the role of technology in education today?

• Significance/Relevance : Describe why the topic is essential.
• Counterarguments : Discuss opposing viewpoints or potential drawbacks.
• Conclusion : Summarize your evaluation.

Introduction: Technology’s pervasive presence in modern education has sparked debates about its significance and impact on learning. This essay will evaluate the role of technology in education today, examining its importance and potential drawbacks.

Significance/Relevance: The role of technology in education is undeniably significant. It has transformed traditional classrooms into dynamic learning environments, offering interactive tools and resources that engage students. Technology facilitates personalized learning experiences, catering to diverse learning styles and paces. For instance, adaptive learning platforms tailor content to individual students’ progress, optimizing comprehension and retention. Moreover, technology has transcended geographical barriers, enabling distance learning and online courses that make education accessible to a global audience.

Counterarguments: However, there are counterarguments to the unqualified significance of technology in education. Overreliance on technology may lead to reduced face-to-face interactions and diminished social skills. Additionally, some educators argue that technology can be a distraction, diverting students’ attention from essential learning objectives. Moreover, the digital divide, where not all students have equal access to technology, can exacerbate educational inequalities.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the role of technology in education is undoubtedly significant, enhancing engagement, personalization, and accessibility. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge potential drawbacks such as social skill erosion and disparities in access. Technology’s effectiveness in education depends on its thoughtful integration and its alignment with pedagogical goals. Striking a balance between harnessing technology’s benefits and mitigating its downsides is essential to maximize its positive impact on modern education.

• Maintain objectivity; avoid extreme positions unless strongly backed by evidence.
• Use qualifiers like “largely”, “often”, or “generally” to avoid making absolute statements.

9. Causes (Reasons) and Effects

This type demands an understanding of the root causes of a situation and its resultant effects.

What are the reasons for increasing obesity rates in children, and what are its consequences?

• Causes/Reasons : Elaborate on the underlying factors.
• Effects/Consequences : Detail the outcomes or repercussions.
• Conclusion : Recap the main causes and effects.

Introduction: The rising prevalence of childhood obesity has emerged as a critical public health concern in many societies. This essay will delve into the underlying causes of increasing obesity rates in children and explore the far-reaching consequences of this alarming trend.

Causes/Reasons: Several factors contribute to the growing obesity rates among children. Firstly, changes in dietary habits have led to increased consumption of processed foods high in sugars and unhealthy fats. Busy lifestyles and convenience-driven choices have shifted diets towards calorie-dense but nutritionally poor options. Sedentary behaviors, fueled by excessive screen time and a decline in physical activity, also play a pivotal role. Reduced outdoor play and an increasing reliance on electronic devices have led to a decline in daily physical activity levels. Furthermore, socioeconomic disparities can impact access to healthy food options and safe play spaces, exacerbating the issue.

Effects/Consequences: The consequences of childhood obesity are multifaceted and far-reaching. In the short term, overweight children often face social and psychological challenges, including low self-esteem and bullying. Moreover, childhood obesity sets the stage for lifelong health problems. Obese children are at a higher risk of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal issues. The economic burden on healthcare systems is substantial, as treating obesity-related illnesses places a strain on resources.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the rising prevalence of childhood obesity can be attributed to a complex interplay of factors, including dietary changes, sedentary lifestyles, and socioeconomic disparities. The consequences of childhood obesity extend beyond physical health, impacting mental well-being and straining healthcare systems. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach involving education, policy changes, and community initiatives that promote healthy diets and active lifestyles from an early age.

• Use cause-effect connectors like “due to”, “because of”, “as a result”, and “hence”.
• Illustrate causes and effects with recent studies or statistical data where possible.

Read Also : How to use Complex Sentences in IELTS writing?

Supplementary Skills and Tips

Advanced Writing Techniques :

• Use cohesive devices like ‘however’, ‘moreover’, and ‘therefore’ to ensure fluidity.
• Vary sentence lengths for rhythm and engagement.
• Incorporate credible statistics where appropriate.

Pitfalls to Avoid :

• Stay away from broad generalizations and sweeping statements.
• Use varied vocabulary to prevent monotony.
• Always revise your essay before submission.

Enhancing Vocabulary :

• Improve your vocabulary to make your essay more engaging. For instance, instead of “good”, use words like “beneficial” or “advantageous”.

The Importance of Practice and Feedback :

• Regular practice, coupled with feedback, is key. Take online IELTS mock tests with detailed feedback from certified examiners to improve your writing skills.

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IELTS Writing Sample Templates That Work

Oct 27, 2019 | IELTS , IELTS Test , IELTS Writing

Are you looking for a template to help you write an IELTS essay?

Look no further! We have some of those below, together with a growing collection of model essays and video courses.

But first, let’s discuss what you should not do.

IELTS Writing Templates That Don’t Work

Many test candidates memorise and follow essay templates that give them 50+ words of their essay before they even enter the exam room.

Often, they write sentences like these:

This essay will discuss both sides of the argument before I give my opinion in the conclusion. In a nutshell, both points of view have merit, but I am in favour of the latter point of view. Hammering in the last nail… I pen down saying…

Essays that use these kinds of sentences will receive a score from Band 5-6. In rare cases, they may go as high as a 6.5 – but never any higher.

Why? For one thing, thousands of other candidates will write near-identical essays. The sentences also contain intermediate-level vocabulary which lack a direct connection with the topic.

Some of the expressions just sound strange in English, and some sound archaic – for example, I pen down saying .

IELTS Writing Essay Templates That Will Work & Improve Your IELTS Score

Instead of following the kind of detailed templates outlined above, you should follow a plan which gives you a general outline of your essay.

An outline template does not suggest the kind of vocabulary you should use. Instead, the essay question and topic should guide your vocabulary.

However, this kind of IELTS essay template will show you how to organise your essay.

Below you will find some general templates that work well with each kind of IELTS Writing Task.

At the bottom of this page, we link you to model essays we have written that follow these templates. We also link you to video courses that walk you through the writing of a Band 9.0 essay.

This collection will grow over time, so keep checking back.

IELTS Essay Template for Task 1 General

Salutation (e.g. Dear Sir)

PARAGRAPH ONE 2-3 sentences answering the first bullet point

PARAGRAPH TWO 2-3 sentences answering the second bullet point

PARAGRAPH THREE 2-3 bullet points answering the third bullet point

Closing sentence .

Sign off (e.g. Yours faithfully)

Writing Task 1 Academic Template

INTRODUCTION 1-2 sentences with paraphrase the question

MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 6-8 sentences summarising the data

OVERVIEW 1-2 sentences which give a clear summary of the main trends, differences or stages

IELTS Sample Essay Template For Task 2

Sentence 1 –> Introduce the topic area – take one step backwards Sentence 2 –> Rewrite the question prompt in your own words. Sentence 3 –> State your position

BODY PARAGRAPH ONE Sentence 1 –> Topic Sentence for “Part 1” Sentence 2 –> Give reason/s Sentence 3 –> Give example/s Sentence 4 –> Conclude Side 1 [and lead into the next paragraph]

BODY PARAGRAPH TWO Sentence 1 –> Topic Sentence for “Part 2” Sentence 2 –> Give reason/s Sentence 3 –> Give example/s Sentence 4 –> Conclude Side 2

CONCLUSION Sentence 1 –> Paraphrase question [from the introduction] Sentence 2/3 –> Paraphrase position [from the topic sentence of each body paragraph]

You will need to adapt this template to take account of different question types.

To show you how to do this, we will be writing model essays that follow the above template but which make small changes.

We will also be creating video courses that walk you through how to use this kind of template.

Click here to download the above templates in PDF form.

If you haven’t seen them, you might like to download a copy of the public descriptors for Task 1 and Task 2 as well.

IELTS Essay Samples

Below you will find links to model essays that follow the above formats.

Check back when you can as we will continue adding to them…

IELTS Video Courses

Check our video course page for video lessons walking you through the creation of Band 9.0 essays.

IELTS Discussion Essay Template

Sample question, introduction.

Linking words: Some people believe that, Others believe that, There are those who believe that, There are also those who believe that,

Main Point 1

Linking words: On the one hand, On the other hand, In addition, Moreover, Furthermore,

Main Point 2

Linking words: In conclusion, To sum up, In summary, All in all, To put it simply,

Your Essay:

Introduction :, main point 1 :, main point 2 :, conclusion :.

What is this? This free online interactive app will help you to learn optmimal structure for IELTS writing task 2.

How to use this essay template? Select Essay Type, sample question and fill the blocks, in the end you will see the combined essay.

Why essay structure this important? IELTS essay structure is evaluated as part of the Coherence and Cohesion rubric, which contributes 25% to the overall band.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essays

Updated On Oct 03, 2023

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The Essay Writing section of the IELTS Writing Module can be a difficult task for many IELTS aspirants. Thus, it is vital that you polish your essay writing skills before attempting the IELTS by practising various model essay topics.

A well-organized essay will help in scoring a desirable band in the writing test. A lot of the candidates who take the writing test will need at least 5-10 minutes to prepare for the essay once they get the topic. If you consider certain points while writing the essay, it’ll get a bit easier to get a high IELTS band score . Few points are listed below:

• Answer the question asked: Before answering, carefully read the question that is asked and try to answer the question to the point, do not divert from the topic. Whatever the topic is, try to explain as much as possible. Do not speak out of the topic, if you do so you may end up losing the marks.
• Plan your work: After you get the topic for writing, plan your work based on the format. Think about what has to be written in the introduction, two paragraphs, and a conclusion. Once you plan the work, you will get an idea automatically on how to write the essay and score high marks accordingly.
• Write, Review and Re-write: Before actually taking the IELTS Writing test, it is important to take a practice test. While taking the practice test, take a particular topic and start writing the essay. Once you are done writing the essay, go through it and review your mistakes. When you take the second practice test, try to improve or overcome the mistakes that happened before.
• Skills you need to have: To score a good band in the IELTS examination, there should be some relevant skills, there are two kinds of skills; exam skills as well as language skills. You need to find out which skills you are good at and should improve the skills in which you are not that good. In order to find this out, you need to take a lot of IELTS practice tests .

IELTS sample essays are given in different types of questions. And each type wants you to give a response in different ways. The IELTS model essay types are given below.

Agree and Disagree Type Questions

In this category, one opinion of the particular thing is given and you’ll be asked to discuss whether you agree or disagree with that particular opinion.

• IELTS Opinion Essay topics

Discuss Type Questions

In this type of question, there will be two opinions given, you are asked to understand both the opinions and give your point of view based on that.

• IELTS Discussion Essay Topics

Cause Type Questions

In this type of question, you need to give the reason or cause why something has happened and you are also asked to discuss the different aspects of it such as the effect, solutions, and positive and negative points. Given below are links to sample IELTS essays:

• IELTS Writing Actual Test In July 2016 & Band 8.0 Sample Cause/Solution Essay
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause/Solution Essay Of Band 8.5 – Topic: Tourism
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause/Solution Essay Of Band 8.0 – Topic: Health
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause/Solution Essay Of Band 8.0 – Juvenile Delinquency
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause/Solution Essay Of Band 8.0 – Topic: People & Society
• IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.5 Cause & Effect Essay
• IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 9.0 Sample Cause/Solution Essay
• IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.0+ Sample Cause/Solution Essay
• IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 9.0 Cause/Solution Essay
• IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.0 Cause/Solution Essays
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 – Cause And Solution

Problem and Solution Type Questions

In this type of question, you have to discuss the problems related to society and plan accordingly to create a solution for these particular issues. Given below are links of sample IELTS essays:

• IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem/Solution Essay Of Band 8.0 – Topic: Energy Resources
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem/Solution Essay Of Band 8.5 – Health And Fitness
• IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample: Describe A Time When You Solved A Problem Via The Internet
• IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.0 Problem/Solution Essay

Advantage and Disadvantage Type Questions

In this type of question, you have to give opinions relating to the positive and negative sides of a particular topic. Given below are links of sample IELTS essays:

• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic & Band 8.5 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Of Band 8.0– Topic: Youth & Community
• Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Students
• IELTS Writing Actual Test & Band 8.0 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Travel
• IELTS Writing Actual Test & Band 9.0 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Gap Year
• IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.5 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
• IELTS Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Of Band 8.5 – Topic: Traffic & Accommodation
• IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.0 Advantage & Disadvantage Samples
• IELTS Writing Actual Test- Band 8.0 Sample Advantage/Disadvantage Essays

Other Type Questions

There are other types of questions that do not fit in any of the categories above. So these kinds of questions are called other types of questions. Given below are links of sample IELTS essays:

• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic – Band 9.0 Sample Essay
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic (In April 2015) & Band 9.0 Sample Essay
• Sample Essay For Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 Topic 08 – Table
• Sample Essay For Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 Topic 07 – Table
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Traffic & Sample Essay
• IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: International Car-Free Days & Sample Essay
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Living In Big Cities & Sample Essay

Academic Writing

The Academic Writing test will take 60 minutes to complete the test. You are asked to write 2 tasks, task 1 of at least 150 words, and task 2 of at least 250 words. In task 1 you’ll be given a table, chart, process diagram, or graph and you’ll have to describe it in around 150 words for which you can take 20 minutes. In task 2, a topic will be given and you should write a 250-word essay.

Given below are links to some of the IELTS writing material for academic:

• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic (In September 2015) & Band 9.0 Essay
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic ( In January 2016) & Band 9 Model Essay.
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic (In July 2015) & Band 9.0 Argumentative Essay
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Architecture & History – Sample Essay
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Environment & Sample Essay
• Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Economic Growth With Model Essay

General Training Writing

In the General Training test , you will have only 60 minutes to complete the test. There are 2 tasks, where you’ll have to write a 150 words essay for Task 1 and 250 words essay for task 2.

In task 1 you’ll have to write a letter, for example, a request letter. In task 2, it’ll be the same as Academic Writing where you’ll have to write a 250-word response according to the question given.

Bonus Essay Topics

• Many people believe that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society. To what extent do you agree?
• In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry. Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem?
• In many places new homes are needed, but the only space available for building them is in the countryside. Some people believe it is more important to protect the countryside and not build new homes there. What is your opinion about this?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is writing task 2 same for Academic and general module of IELTS?

What is the marking criteria for essay writing?

I’m confused about opinion essays. Eg.1: Even in agree/disagree essays they ask for your opinion like “To what extent you agree”. Eg.2: Even in advantage/disadvantage essays they ask for your opinion like “Do you think the advantages outweigh disadvantages”. Eg.3: There are essays which specifically ask for your opinion.

Can I write an essay which is more than 250 words? Will it improve my scores?

I have memorised some standard phrases to begin and end my essay? Will it improve my scores?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Janet had been an IELTS Trainer before she dived into the field of Content Writing. During her days of being a Trainer, Janet had written essays and sample answers which got her students an 8+ band in the IELTS Test. Her contributions to our articles have been engaging and simple to help the students understand and grasp the information with ease. Janet, born and brought up in California, had no idea about the IELTS until she moved to study in Canada. Her peers leaned to her for help as her first language was English.

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Template for Opinion Essay IELTS Writing

Template for opinion essay iels writing.

In this post, we will discuss the template we can use for the Opinion Essay for IELTS Writing Task 2. Please note that only the template is not enough to score higher bands in IELTS. This is just a structure so it’s only 50% of the essay part. One has to focus on generating ideas that fulfill the cohesion and coherence condition of IELTS Band Descriptors as well. Practice makes one perfect. So, you need to practice regularly to think of unique ideas.

Opinion IELTS Essay Template

1. Write an introduction to the topic which clearly states your opinion on the subject (either ‘Yes, I agree…’ or ‘No, I do not agree…’ ); 2. Think of two main points to support your opinion and write about them with examples; 3. Think of one alternative ( contrast ) opinion (However, some people argue that…) and give examples. This will make sure your essay has a good balance. 4. Write a short conclusion to summarize your main points and re-state your opinion;

Plan / Structure:

1. Paragraph 1: Intro – state your own opinion 2. Paragraph 2: First reason or argument (with example) to support your opinion 3. Paragraph 3: Second reason or argument (with example) to support your opinion 4. Paragraph 4: One argument for contrast 5 . Paragraph 5: Short conclusion

These days, (write a general sentence about the topic using different words) . But what is the most effective method for dealing with (add an extra sentence to support the first one) . Some people believe that the (focus on the question statement in your own words) . (Give your opinion and tell the reader your plan) I completely agree or I completely disagree and in this essay, I will support my opinion with examples.

Firstly, (write your first argument here to support your opinion) . For example, (write an example to support your first argument) . If (conclude this paragraph using ‘If… then’ sentence structure) .

Another reason why I disagree/disagree with (write your second argument/reason why you agree or disagree with the topic statement) . Take (give a relevant example) as an example. I strongly believe that this is (write 2 more sentences to explain your second argument) . What is more, (write one sentence to conclude this paragraph) .

On the other hand, (write an alternative/contrast opinion about the topic statement in 2 to 3 sentences) . As a result, (write the concluding sentence of alternative opinion) .

In conclusion, although it is a common belief that (rewrite the topic statement here) . I believe (rewrite the summary of your 2 arguments, which you have described in paragraph 2 and 3, using different words) . Personally, I think (rephrase your opinion again using different words) .

Practice with Expert IELTS Tutors Online

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Model Essay from the Template: Opinion

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

Prison is the best punishment for criminals. How far do you agree or disagree with this statement. 

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

These days, every time you turn on the television or flick through the pages of a newspaper, you learn about the victims of crime. But what is the most effective method of dealing with the rising crime rate in our society? Some people believe the best way to punish criminals is to sentence them to time in prison. I completely disagree with this idea and in this essay, I will support my opinion with examples.

Firstly, life in jail is far too comfortable for prisoners. For example, many inmates have access to luxuries such as televisions, computers, and sports facilities, and so on. In other words, spending time behind bars is more like being in a holiday camp. If prison is going to act as a deterrent, then I believe it needs to be considerably tougher.

Another reason why I disagree with prison as a punishment is that a large number of prisoners are not actually a danger to society. Take shoplifters as an example. They are often locked up in the same cells as murderers, rapists, and violent criminals. I strongly believe that this is a serious waste of taxpayers’ money. What is more, petty criminals may even learn how to commit more serious crimes when they are inside.

On the other hand, there is an argument that prison can help to rehabilitate offenders. Many inmates have the opportunity to study while they are doing their time. As a result, many never re-offend when they are released.

In conclusion, although it is a common belief that prison is the best way to punish criminals, I believe it is too soft and that it is not necessary in the majority of cases. Personally, I think prison should be the last option when all else has failed.

Also Check:  Template for Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

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• A Beginner’s Guide to IELTS
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On this page, you can find various free IELTS resources. Everything on this page was created by me and I am happy to give it away for free to people who use my website. Each of these files is downloadable and you are free to print it for personal use.

I will continue to update this page over time with more free resources that you can use for your IELTS studies.

Ebook: 50 sample Essays

This is a book of sample essays for IELTS writing tasks 1 and 2. These model essays are intended to provide insight and inspiration for IELTS students who want to understand what it takes to achieve a high band score.

All of the essays in this book are band 9 model answers. They are generally written according to the advice recommended on this website. You can read more of them for free here .

This book is intended for students preparing for IELTS academic training. Please e-mail me for samples of IELTS letters.

IELTS Writing Template

Do you struggle planning your essays for IELTS writing?

It can be quite difficult to keep your ideas on topic, but with this simple planner, you can arrange your ideas into the perfect IELTS essay.

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If you downloaded the previous file, you would be able to structure your whole essay… but there is still a problem: how can you plan for internal paragraph structure?

This template will help you to make sure that every sentence contributes to the main idea of the paragraph.

IELTS Writing Checklist

I have written many times about the importance of spending a little time proofreading your IELTS essays after you have written them.

Of course, it is difficult to do this effectively, but if you practice often and use the right materials, you can become adept at finding your own mistakes.

This checklist will show you some of the most important things you should look out for when proofreading your essay. Once you internalise this process, it should become much easier.

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IELTS Essay Format: Solving Writing Task 2 Easily

Essay writing question in Task 2 of the IELTS Writing test is considered to be one of the most difficult questions. This is due to a very strict evaluation of the test by examiners. Each and every aspect of grammar, punctuation, spelling, word choice, sentence structure, paragraph structure, presentation of arguments, and logical development of ideas are scrutinized.

In this lesson, we will focus on IELTS essay format based on various types of questions.

We get 40 minutes to write an essay which is at least 250 words long. Within this time constraint, it is extremely difficult to fulfil all the criteria for scoring high in the Writing test .

Look at the sample question below.

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.

Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Structure

The question appears inside a box in IELTS Writing Task 2.

It always begins with a statement to set the context of the question. Often a debatable topic is introduced in one or two sentences.

In the above example, an opinion is mentioned: Owning a home is better than renting one. Our answer should not deviate from this topic of home ownership.

Then, the next part of the prompt is the actual question. In the example we are discussing, your agreement or disagreement with the statement is the question. As this is your personal perspective on the issue, you can freely pick a side and present your opinion on it.

Below the box, you will see instructions on how to go about writing a response. As the requirement maintains, you have substantiate your opinion with justification and illustration . This means you have to write several paragraphs explaining your point of view and defending your assertions regarding the topic .

IELTS Essay Types

Basically, all essay questions in IELTS are argumentative essays. In other words, you have to analyze the topic given in the question, choose a position for or against the claim, and present evidences as well as examples to support or refute the claims.

Agree or disagree

One of the most common type of essay question in IELTS Writing Task 2 is an agree/disagree question .

Like the name suggests, you are asked to either support or oppose an arguable issue.

You can either completely agree, completely disagree, partially agree, or partially disagree with the assertion.

Such questions require candidates to write about only one aspect: agreement or disagreement.

Advantages and disadvantages

Some questions simply ask you to report on the merits and demerits of an action or a situation.

There are two parts to the question because both the pros and cons need to be explored in the essay.

Advantages vs disadvantages

Slightly different from the earlier type of question, here you should not only write about both benefits and drawbacks but also pick a side .

Although you have to write from both sides, you have to make one side stronger than the other.

You can write about more advantages and fewer disadvantages. Conversely, you can include more disadvantages and fewer advantages. Ultimately, one side has to outweigh (or present more ideas) than the other.

Discussion and opinion

This is a three-part question.

According to the question, two sets of people think in two different ways about a controversial issue. You have to present arguments to support both views. Then, you should also weigh in on the matter and express your personal views.

Problem and solution

There are certain questions in IELTS Writing Task 2 which ask you to elaborate on the cause of a situation, effect of the situation, the prevention of a problem, or solution to the problems caused by the situation .

Be careful about the wording of the question. Cause, effect, prevention, and solution are four different things. Only write about the parts which the essay question explicitly asks you.

Hybrid questions

At times, apart from the four main types of questions discussed above, you might get a question that combines the different question types .

For an example, the same question may ask you agree or disagree with a statement as well as provide reasons and solutions.

IELTS Writing Task 2 How many paragraphs to write?

Depending on the question, the IELTS essay format we will learn here has four or five paragraphs .

The first paragraph obviously is the Introduction paragraph, whereas the last is the Conclusion paragraph. The two or three paragraphs in the middle are where we present ideas and expand on them with reasons and examples.

• Introduction
• Argument 3 (for some questions only)

IELTS Essay Format for Agree or Disagree Question

Ielts essay format for advantages and disadvantages question, ielts essay format for advantages vs disadvantages question, ielts essay format for discussion and opinion question, ielts essay format for problem and solution question, ielts essay format for hybrid questions, ielts essay writing: how to get a high score.

Let us break down the scoring into separate parts.

Task response

Under this criteria, examiners evaluate whether you addressed all aspects of the question by logically developing ideas . You have to present a clear and relevant position and support them.

Over generalization and/or repetition of ideas may affect scores.

Moreover, writing about things not asked by the question or going off topic should be avoided .

Coherence and cohesion

Words, sentences, paragraphs, and ideas need to be linked together in an essay to form a wholesome response.

There should be a logical sequencing of information. This can be achieved by using cohesive devices and discourse markers .

Here is a list of some common cohesive devices you could use in your next test.

Adding information

Comparing and contrasting, lexical resource.

You need to learn a wide range of technical words which convey precise meaning for securing high marks in the IELTS Writing test.

Repetition of a limited number of words, using words in wrong contexts, and making frequent spelling errors will result in a lower score.

As a general rule of thumb, you should read newspapers, especially op-ed articles on everyday topics like society, technology, and environment, in order to equip yourself with academic and formal words to present arguments.

You may like:

• What are the 500 most important English words?
• Technical vocabulary quiz

Complex sentences

In grammar, complex sentences refer to a specific sentence structure and not just sentences which are difficult to understand.

Consider this sentence:

Agricultural methods have modernized vastly from the past.

This sentence has one subject ( Agricultural methods ) and one verb ( modernized ). Such sentences with just one verb are usually called  simple sentences .

Consider these two simple sentences:

Agricultural methods have modernized vastly from the past. There still are food shortages in some parts of the world.

There are multiple ways of combining two related simple sentences. One method is by using a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Look at the following sentence which combines the two sentences from earlier into one long sentence.

Agricultural methods have modernized vastly from the past , but there still are food shortages in some parts of the world.

When two simple sentences are joined using a conjunction, a  compound sentence  is formed.

But there is another way to combine simple sentences. Consider the next example:

Even though agricultural methods have modernized vastly from the past , there still are food shortages in some parts of the world.

This is a  complex sentence . In this example, the words “ Even though ” are used in the beginning in order to avoid having to use a conjunction. A comma separates the two parts of the sentences. The part before the comma states a fact and the part after the comma describes a situation in spite of the fact. Also notice that if we divide the sentence into two parts by putting a full-stop (or period) instead of the comma, we get this:

Even though agricultural methods have modernized vastly from the past. There still are food shortages in some parts of the world.

The first sentence is incomplete. It is dependent upon the second part so as to complete the meaning. Such clauses (phrases) are called  dependent clauses .

However, the second sentence is a complete sentence. It does not rely upon the first to give meaning. It can stand alone as a grammatically correct sentence. Such clauses are called  independent clauses .

Therefore, a  complex sentence  is a sentence with one  dependent clause  and one  independent clause . If both the clauses in the sentence are independent, then such a sentence would be a compound sentence. One part should be dependent and the other independent for a complex sentence.

Examples of complex sentences

Although buying a house is very expensive, we can save money due to not having to pay rent on a regular basis.

Since animals can provide us with many resources, they can be extremely useful.

Together with being fast and convenient, internet is an affordable source of knowledge and entertainment.

Besides facing difficulties in adjusting to the food and climate, migrants might also face discrimination from the native people.

If the government mandates labelling of nutritional facts in all food packaging, then people might be able to make better food choices.

To be able to pay for tuition fees, many college students do a part-time job.

On account of genetically-modified plants, crop yields have risen substantially.

As universities provide an environment for sharing ideas, they could be vital for personality growth.

Unless we do our own fact checking, we cannot rely on all the information found in media.

In all the examples above, the first part of the sentences before the comma are dependent clauses. They need the second part to realize their meaning.

Please note:  It is not necessary to always have dependent clause in the beginning of sentences and independent clause at the end. But in the examples above, this has been done to make the concept clearer by using the comma as a separator. A reversal of the order of the two clauses and removal of the comma still creates complex sentences. For an instance, We cannot rely on all the information found in media unless we do our own fact checking .

You have to practice creating such complex sentences because it might be very difficult to write in such sentences naturally. You can follow the sentence structures of the examples above. To get a good score in the Writing test, it is compulsory that you use complex sentences.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Structure: Sample essay

Next lesson:

A 3-step process for Powerful IELTS Essay Introduction Paragraph

Related posts, the government should control the amount of violence on television in order to decrease the violent crimes in society. to what extent do you agree or disagree, nowadays technology is increasingly being used to monitor what people are saying and doing (for example through cellphone tracing and security cameras). in many cases the people being monitored are unaware that this is happening. do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages, writing the perfect body paragraphs for ielts essay: an ielts task 2 tutorial.

What is the format for the question , what is your opinion (it is not discussion essay )

The exact format for such essays depends on the topic, but it is usually similar to an “Agree or Disagree” essay type.

western-overseas.com/expertise-in/ielts-writing-task-2

Above website has described advantage as well as disadvantage for an agree or disagree type question… even in those answers which says completely agree… And pteielts says either agree and some more point to support answer or disagree and some more point to support that… so confusing

You can write essays in multiple ways and still get good score in the IELTS test. There is no one right way of writing an essay. However, the format that I have used here at pteielts.com aims to be the most straight-forward and easy to use.

Coming to the website that you have cited, for agree or disagree type essays, you could incorporate counterpoints in the essay. It is called a concession. Even if you completely agree with something, you could mention points from the opposite side to refute them. I have avoided that in my essay because I thought doing that would make it harder for test takers.

So, don’t be confused. Follow one method and stick to it. Nonetheless, sometimes you have to adapt your format according to the ideas you can generate while writing the essay.

I think there is mistake in IELTS Essay Format for Advantages vs Disadvantages Question or maybe I’m wrong i don’t know

In such essay types, we have to compare the advantages and the disadvantages in order to find which side of the argument has more merit. For more clarification, please refer to this link: https://www.pteielts.com/do-the-advantages-outweigh-the-disadvantages/

How to write an IELTS opinion essay

Ielts opinion essay: structure, model answer, and analysis..

Updated: February 2023

There are 5 types of essays in IELTS writing task 2 and a common one is an opinion essay.

So how do you know if it is an opinion essay?. You will first need to study the instruction words. These words tell you what you should write about and this should be the first step to take before you even begin to plan. Analyse the task and especially the instruction words so you do not go off-topic or write a different essay altogether.

Here are 2 essay tasks below, which one do you think is the opinion essay?

1.  Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness? 2.  Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Looking at the instruction words we can see that the second one is an opinion essay as it asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree? ‘

The first task is called a ‘Two-part question essay’ or sometimes called a ‘Direct question essay’.

Instruction words

Opinion essays will have various instruction words such as:

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Do you agree or disagree?

What is your opinion?

Do you think…?

What do you think….?

In your opinion what is ….?

In some cases the instruction words ask your opinion it may be a discussion essay such as:

‘Discuss both views and give your own opinion’ 

The structure of a discussion essay is different from an opinion essay as you will need to explain peoples views before you go into your own opinion.

This task below is a 2 part question essay and the second question asks your opinion.

Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness?

The opinion essay that I am referring to asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree?’ means how much do you agree/disagree? , do you completely agree/disagree?  or somewhat agree/disagree?  or do you neither agree nor disagree?

You can write in your thesis statement something like:  ‘ I completely agree because…..’ or if you don’t agree, something like: ‘ I absolutely disagree because…..’

What is an effective opinion essay structure?

There is no magic Band 9 structure but my students have found that the structure below works well in an opinion essay.

Tips on structure:

• The main body paragraphs will cover the reasons for your opinion; however, do not list ideas just use one central idea and explain and support it.
• Don’t wait until the conclusion to give your opinion. It must be throughout the whole essay .
• Don’t give 2 different opinions. Do not agree then disagree as it will confuse the examiner. You can balance it with why someone would hold an opposing view but it is not a discussion essay.
• I advise keeping the introduction under 60 words , each body paragraph should be approximately 90 to 105 words , the conclusion needs to be shorter than the introduction and no new ideas should be added to the conclusion
• Aim for between 270 to 295 words , over 300 words is not realistic as you only have 40 minutes to write the essay .

Which body paragraph is better?

Take a look at these 2 main body one paragraphs to the task below, what do you think will score higher?

Task question:

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

A long time ago people used to go to market places and they bought basic daily necessities, now people can buy online and go to many high street shops. In addition, we can choose any hotel we like at cheap prices. Also, businesses compete with each other which means customers can buy items at low cost as well as a bigger selection of goods. Furthermore, the economy benefits because people can select from so many different products. For example, Amazon.com has millions of products that are much cheaper than buying at a shopping mall.

Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. This means that shoppers can benefit greatly from lower prices. For example, over the past two decades, Ryanair and EasyJet budget airlines have considerably reduced the cost of airfares for flights all over Europe. Before this, there was only one airline to choose from at exorbitant costs. Presently, many more budget airline options are serving destinations worldwide with incredible bargains for customers.  

Click below for the answer.

The 2nd example is better because I wrote one central idea (lower prices for consumers) and expanded on that. The example given is not entirely true but it looks very feasible. You can just make up examples but they have to be specific and realistic looking. The point of an example is to support your main idea.

At the start of the paragraph I mentioned that too much choice is overwhelming but then contrast that with my opinion (Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that…) .

To see how to balance the essay click here for a lesson on balancing your opinion .

In example 1 above this has too many ideas and too many points. It jumps around and is not focusing on one central idea. The points are relevant but there is too much going on.

You will also notice an opinion is not given directly in the first example (I think / I believe etc)  the whole paragraph affects coherence and cohesion as well as task response. The example given about amazon.com is also quite weak and not well explained.

Analysing the question.

As with all IELTS essays, it is crucial to spend a couple of minutes analysing the task and underling the keywords so that you are writing relevant points in the essay. If you go off-topic or write irrelevant points it will affect your score.

This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too many choices these days . This means that there is something negative about having many choices, as the word ‘too’ implies something negative. In my model answer, I disagree with this being a negative and in fact, many choices are beneficial.

Click here for the 5 steps you need to take before writing.

I advise 10 minutes of planning time, this includes time analysing the question and getting relevant ideas.

Click here for a lesson about examples in main body paragraphs.

Model Answer

Some people believe that n owadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is argued that in recent times people are overwhelmed by so many choices. Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.

Another reason why I believe that more choice is beneficial is that the quality of products has improved in recent years. This is because many businesses are vying for customers’ attention, so their main selling points are not only low prices but also much higher quality. For instance, smartphone costs have decreased in the past 5 years and these devices are more powerful and more durable than ever before. This is primarily because manufacturers have focused on quality control to compete with rival products. I would argue that this has been a benefit to consumers which would not have been possible with one or two companies monopolising the smartphone market.

To conclude, despite the argument that there is too much freedom of choice nowadays, I hold the view that this is a positive trend as so many options allows customers to buy inexpensive items without compromising on quality.

Click below to see more detail and an analysis

1. My thesis statement says: Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.

I am giving a balanced opinion here and focusing specifically on choice for consumers.

2. I have covered the points about how more choices have resulted in lower prices in main body one, while in main body two I cover the point about higher quality products because of the fact there are more choices. Notice how I have balanced my view: Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. .

3. The examples I gave are made up and not entirely true but they look realistic, the examiner does not check your examples for validity. Examples are there to support your main ideas. Do not put statistics in the examples either.

4. The points I have made in the essay connect with consumerism and shopping, but I have linked them to the points about how having many choices are of benefit to customers or consumers , because my opinion is that having many choices is a good aspect

5. In this type of essay, you could write about other areas where having many choices are relevant such as the choices of universities we can attend, the choices of work we might engage in, The choice of health care options available….and so on.

Here is a good news article from ‘ Business Insider’ that connects with this task question. Reading is a very good way to get ideas for IELTS essays.

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Writing Task 2 Sample

IELTS Writing Task 2 ( also known as IELTS Essay Writing ) is the second task of your IELTS Writing test. Here, you will be presented with an essay topic and you will be scored based on your ability to respond to the topic.

You need to write at least 250 words and justify your opinion with arguments, discussion, examples, problem outlining, proposing possible solutions and supporting your position. You will have approximately 40 minutes to finish your Essay Writing. IELTS Writing Task 2 carries more weights than Writing Task 1.

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• Academic practice
• General practice
• Task 1 Academic
• Task 1 General
• Task 2 (essay)

IELTS agree or disagree essay - band 9 guide

This is a band 9 guide to writing agree/disagree essays in IELTS Writing. Agree or disagree essay questions are very common for IELTS Writing task 2 . This type of questions asks you to say whether you agree or disagree with a given statement and justify your opinion .

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

• how to choose an opinion for agree/disagree question
• how to generate ideas
• how to give a band 9 answer for agree/disagree question

IELTS agree/disagree question sample

Let’s look at an example of IELTS writing task 2:

Big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.

Do you agree or disagree?

Provide relevant examples if necessary.

This is a classic example of agree or disagree question that you may get on IELTS Writing task 2.

You can watch our video tutorial on how to tackle agree/disagree questions in IELTS Writing:

Choose your opinion & generate ideas

Agree or disagree question asks you to clearly determine whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Unlike questions that ask you to what extent do you agree or disagree , this question asks you to have a super-clear opinion. After you’ve decided your opinion, generate 2-3 supporting points for it .

For the task above you have two possible options:

• You fully agree that big salary is more important than job satisfaction
• You completely disagree that big salary is more important than job satisfaction

 Now let’s generate supporting points for each of the opinions:

• Big salary is more important
• Having a job with a high salary makes people feel satisfied no matter what kind of job they do
• Money is essential for survival and good living
• Job satisfaction is more important
• Job satisfaction gives you a sense of fulfillment
• Doing what you like keeps you motivated and therefore leads to a career growth
• Money can’t buy happiness and it’s more pleasant to pursue what you’re interested in

For our essay, we’ll choose the second opinion.

Band 9 answer structure

After you’ve decided whether you agree or disagree and generated your supporting points, it’s time to start writing your essay.

There are a lot of ways to structure your essay, but we’ll use a structure that has been approved by many IELTS examiners to be high-scoring and coherent.

Band-9 essay structure :

Introduction

Body paragraph 1 - the 1st reason you agree/disagree

Body paragraph 2 - the 2nd reason you agree/disagree

Let’s take a look at each of these sections in detail.

Write your introduction in two sentences:

It is often argued that it is more advantageous to choose a job with high wage, even if it doesn't appeal to you at all.

I completely disagree with this opinion and think that job satisfaction is much more important than salary.

• Sentence 1 - state the first reason you agree/disagree .

First of all, I believe that job satisfaction gives people a sense of fulfillment that no money can guarantee.

To explain the reason effectively, you can imagine that your examiner has no knowledge of this subject at all and you have to explain every detail:

Even if someone is earning a high salary, but feels tensed and compromises with his conscience, this person won’t enjoy his life. While pursuing one’s interests will always bring pleasure and feeling of satisfaction.

For example, a lot of famous researchers made their career choices not because of appealing wages, but because they were passionate about science.

That’s why it’s more important to choose the kind of work that makes you happy than to look only at a high salary.

Secondly, doing what you like keeps you motivated and therefore leads to a career growth.

In other words, there is a strong relation between job satisfaction and productivity. People who love their jobs can easily excel in their fields of work and achieve better results than those, who put salary on the first place.

• Sentence 4 - support your idea with an example :

For instance, Henry Miller decided to leave his everyday job despite a good wage and ventured to become a writer. And after enduring years of ups and downs he became one of the most famous and well-paid authors of the twentieth century.

Thus, advantages of jobs that keep you satisfied outweigh the drawback of a low salary in a long-term perspective.

You can write the conclusion in one sentence that summarizes your opinion + 2 reasons for it :

To conclude, I strongly believe that job satisfaction is more beneficial than high salary because it makes people happy and motivated.

DO NOT write new ideas in the conclusion!

IELTS agree/disagree model answer

This is a full band-9 answer for IELTS agree or disagree question above:

It is often argued that it is more advantageous to choose a job with high wage, even if it doesn't appeal to you at all. I completely disagree with this opinion and think that job satisfaction is much more important than salary.

First of all, I believe that job satisfaction gives people a sense of fulfillment that no money can guarantee. Even if someone is earning a high salary, but feels tensed and compromises with his conscience, this person won’t enjoy his life. While pursuing one’s interests will always bring pleasure and feeling of satisfaction. For example, a lot of famous researchers made their career choices not because of appealing wages, but because they were passionate about science. That’s why it’s more important to choose the kind of work that makes you happy than to look only at a high salary.

Secondly, doing what you like keeps you motivated and therefore leads to a career growth. In other words, there is a strong relation between job satisfaction and productivity. People who love their jobs can easily excel in their fields of work and achieve better results than those, who put salary on the first place. For instance, Henry Miller decided to leave his everyday job despite a good wage and ventured to become a writer. And after enduring years of ups and downs he became one of the most famous and well-paid authors of the twentieth century. Thus, advantages of jobs that keep you satisfied outweigh the drawback of a low salary in a long-term perspective.

(277 words)