IELTS TASK2's types of questions and how to write with these questions.

Do the following questions ask for your opinion or not?

1.      To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2.      Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

3.      Discuss both views and give your opinion.

4.      Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

5.      In this a positive or negative development?

6.      What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Answers:

-        Number 2 and 6 are discussion questions. Discuss both sides of the issue, but don’t give an opinion about which side you agree with.

-        Number 1 and 5 are opinion questions. Give your opinion and support it. If you have a strong opinion, you don’t need to mention the other side of the argument.

-        Number 3 and 4 can be called discussion + opinion questions. Discuss both sides and make your opinion clear too.

Discussion question

The population of many countries are increasing rapidly. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

-        General readers  가 이해기 쉬운 ideas 로 서술

-        간결하게 논리적으로 기술

-        Body1- 노동력 늘어남, 생산력 증가

-        Body2 – 자원고갈, housing and pollution problems

Opinion question

Many people believe that it is time to limit population growth. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

-        Can be agree with or disagree and you can also partly agree or disagree with above argument

-        If your opinion is strong, you don’t need to mention opposite opinion.

Problem and solution

The populations of many countries are increasing rapidly. Explain what problems this trend may cause, and suggest some possible solutions.

-body1 – cause of problems

-body2 – its solutions.

IELTS Writing Task 2 : opinion, not discussion

If the question asks whether you agree or disagree, it is asking for your opinion. You should express your opinion in the introduction, and support it in the rest of the essay.

1.      Introduction

2.      Paragraph supporting the opposite opinion

3.      Paragraph supporting my opinion.

4.      Conclusion

The problem with this essay structure is that paragraph 2 is not consistent with my opinion. This is a “discussion” essay structure!

Think of it this way: your task when you answer an “agree or disagree” question is to persuade the reader that your view is right. Each paragraph should defend your opinion.

Note – You can write about both sides of the argument if you say that you “partly agree”.

IELTS Writing Task 2 : agree or disagree?

When the question asks whether you agree or disagree, you can either express a strong opinion (completely agree or disagree) or you can express a balanced opinion (partly agree, or agree to a certain extent).

Let’s look at two ways to answer the following question:

After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career that they love, rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

1)     Introduction for a strong opinion

Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, whereas others place more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I support the view that job satisfaction and a sense of fulfilment are much more important than money.

2)     Introduction for a balanced opinion

Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, whereas others place more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I believe that both criteria should be given equal consideration.