IELTS Task 2 Essay Structures

The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:

1. Opinion

2. Advantages and Disadvantages

3. Problem and Solution

4. Discussion

5. Two-part Question

1. Opinion
1.1 Typical Question Words–

a. What is your opinion?

b. Do you agree or disagree?
c. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
1.2 Essay Structure-

Introduction Main Body Paragraph 1

1- Paraphrase 1- Topic Sentence
2- Give your opinion and outline the main ideas. 2- Explain Topic Sentence
3- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2
1- Topic Sentence Conclusions
2- Explain Topic Sentence 1- Summary of main points and opinion
3- Example

Introduction

The introduction is the first part of the essay the examiner will read, and it will give them a good first
impression of what to expect in the rest of the essay.

An IELTS writing task 2 opinion introduction essay should have three elements, and these should be:

 Paraphrase question
 Give opinion
 Support opinion with 2 ideas

1.3 How to Paraphrase in the IELTS Test

Paraphrasing is simply re-writing a phrase or sentence so that it has the same meaning but with
different words.
Let’s look at an example.
Example: Paraphrasing is one of the most important skills to learn before doing your IELTS test.
Paraphrased: Before taking the IELTS test, mastering paraphrasing is one of the most crucial
things to do.
You should use these three main methods in the IELTS test to paraphrase sentences. Ideally, you
should try to use all three, but sometimes two will only be possible.

Method Number 1: Using Synonyms

For example: My car needs petrol. Paraphrased: My vehicle requires fuel.
Violent crime is on the rise among teenagers. Paraphrased: Violent offences are rising among young
people.
Global warming is mostly caused by emissions from internal combustion engines.
Paraphrased: Climate change is mainly caused by the release of fumes from motor vehicles.

Method Number 2: Change the Word Order

Changing the word order also allows us to effectively paraphrase a sentence, but again, we have to be
careful. Don’t change the word order without thinking about how this affects the grammar of the
sentence.
Question: As languages such as Spanish, Chinese and English become more widely used, there is
a fear that many minority languages may die out.
Paraphrased by changing word order: There is a fear that many minority languages may die
out, as languages such as Spanish, Chinese and English become more widely used.
Question: As languages such as Spanish, Chinese and English become more widely used, there is
a fear that many minority languages may die out.
Paraphrased by changing word order: There is a fear that many minority languages may die
out, as languages such as Spanish, Chinese and English become more widely used.

Method Number 3: Change the Form of the Word

There are many different forms of words, including nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. Changing the
form of a word allows us to paraphrase effectively. Again, don’t just change the form of the word; you
also need to check that your changes make grammatical sense.

Question: Longer life spans and improvements in the health of older people suggest that
people over the age of sixty-five can continue to live full and active lives.

Paraphrased by changing word form: Longer life spans and improvements in the
health of older people are suggesting that people over the age of sixty-five can
continue living full and active lives.
Method Number 4: Change from Active to Passive
The passive voice is often used in academic writing and can therefore be used in the IELTS
academic writing test. Only verbs with an object can be turned into passive.
Example active sentence: The property developers invested $20 million in the development of
the shopping centre.

Example passive sentence: $20 million was invested in the development of shopping centres.

We often use the passive voice in academic writing when we don’t want to say it is our opinion.

Example active: People say that global warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

Example passive: Global warming is said to be caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

1.4 Common Problems in writing Introduction

 Talking too generally about the topic.

Most of these essays start off with ‘Nowadays……’ or ‘In modern life….’ followed by general
information about the topic. In my opinion, this is the worst start you can possibly make. Remember that
you are supposed to answer the question, not write generally about the topic.

 Not giving your opinion

This is the most important sentence in the essay. Not including this will lose you marks in several
different ways.

 Not supporting your opinion with main ideas

If you don’t do this, the examiner doesn’t really know what you think about the question. This will also
lose you marks. I’ll show you how to write an outline sentence below.

 Trying to write a ‘hook’ or be entertaining

Remember, this is an IELTS exam, not a university essay. There are no extra points for being interesting;
in fact, being boring will probably help you. This will help you avoid ‘flowery’ language.

 Using an informal style

Know your audience. You are expected to write in an academic style.

 6 Useful Sentence Patterns to Improve
Your IELTS Writing
Sentence Pattern 1: It is + adjective + that.
“It is indisputable that the Internet plays an essential role in people’s lives today.”

“It is undeniable that education offers us opportunities to get higher salaries and a better life.”

“It is clear that modern technology makes our world more connected and entertaining than ever
before.”

Sentence Pattern 2: There is no doubt that/There is no denying that

“There is no denying that the cost of living is rising higher and higher in big cities.”

“There is no doubt that child safety is an important concern for parents.”

Sentence Pattern 3: An increasing number.”/“a growing number….”

“A growing number of experts feel that climate change is the most serious environmental
challenge we face today.”

“An increasing number of people around the world are using smartphones.”

Sentence Pattern 4: “The reason why (effect)…” “… is that (cause).”

“The reason why (something) is that (something).”

“The reason there is so much flooding is that there was a very heavy rainfall.”

Sentence Pattern 5: “There is a hot debate over….”

“hot” doesn’t mean “high temperature” in this case, it means “well known,” and “active.” It’s a
great way to describe debates about the modern social issues that come up in the second IELTS
Writing Task.

There is a hot debate over how much time children should spend playing video games.

Sentence Pattern 6: The + (comparative adjective describing something), the +

(comparative adjective describing something else)

“The younger someone is, the more dependent they will be on their parents.”
1.5 Sample Opinion Essay

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). Do you agree or disagree?

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.
 2. Advantages and Disadvantages
2.1 Typical Question Words

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages. What are the advantages and disadvantages?

2.2 Essay Structure

Introduction Main Body Paragraph 1

1- Paraphrase Question 1- State Two Advantages
2- Outline Main Points 2- Expand/Explain First Advantage
3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage
4- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2 Conclusion
1- State Two Disadvantages 1- Summary of Main Points
2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage
3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage
4- Example

2.3 Example Question Technology is being used more and more in education. Discuss the advantages
and disadvantages.

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 thirdlevel 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.
 3. Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)
3.1 Typical Question Words : Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

3.2 Essay Structure

Introduction Main Body Paragraph 1

1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both 1- State first viewpoint
viewpoints. 2- Discuss first viewpoint
2- Thesis Statement 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with
3- Outline Sentence viewpoint
4- Example to support your view
Main Body Paragraph 2 Conclusion Sentence
1- State second viewpoint 1- Summary Sentence
2- Discuss second viewpoint 2- State which one is better or more important
3- Reason why you agree or disagree with
viewpoint
4- Example to support your view

3.3 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.

Student Sample Answer

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.
 4. Problem and Solution Questions
4.1 Typical Question Words a) Problem and solution. b) Cause and solution.

Essay Structure Main Body Paragraph 1

Introduction 1- State Problems
1- Paraphrase Question 2- Explain First Problem
2- Outline Sentence 3- Explain Second Problem
4- Example of Second Problem
Main Body Paragraph 2 Conclusion
1- State Solutions 1- Summary
2- Explain First Solution
3- Explain Second Solution
4- Example of Second Solution

4.3 Example Question : 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?

Student Sample Answer

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.
 5.Two-Part Questions
5.1 Typical Question Words There will normally be a statement, and they will then ask you to answer
separate questions.

5.2 Essay Structure

Introduction Main Body Paragraph 1

1- Paraphrase Question 1- Answer first question directly
2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions) 2- Explain why
3- Further explain
4- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2 Conclusion
1- Answer second question directly 1- Summary
2- Explain why
3- Further explain
4- Example

5.3 Example Question 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?

Student Sample Answer

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.