IELTS WRITING TASK INTRODUCTION TYPES OF IELTS QUESTIONS Agree or Disagree Advantages/Benefits outweigh Disadvantages/Drawbacks Discuss two views plus your opinion Discuss two views only (no opinion) Causes/Problem and Solution Two questions/ two-part questions Opinion AGREE OR DISAGREE Some people think that scientists experimenting with animals in a laboratory is the only way we can guarantee new products will be safe for human use To what extent you agree or disagree with this opinion? Fatherhood ought to be emphasized as much as motherhood The idea that women are solely responsible for deciding whether or not to have babies leads on to the idea that they are also responsible for bringing the children up To what extent you agree or disagree? Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous To what extent you ADVANTAGES/BENEFITS VS DISADVANTAGES/DRAWBACKS In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to move to regional areas outside the big cities Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Unemployment is one of the most serious problems facing developed nations today What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of reducing the working week to thirty five hours? DISCUSS VIEWS PLUS YOUR OPINIONS Some people say children no longer need to develop handwriting skills Others believe that handwriting is still important Discuss both these views and give your opinion Some people think children in secondary school should study international news as part of the curriculum Others think that this would be a waste of time as there are already too many subjects for children to concentrate on Discuss both views and give your own opinion DISCUSS TWO VIEWS ONLY (NO OPINION) Many people believe that an effective public transport system is a key component of a modern city Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of public transport In some countries people pay different rates of tax depending on their salary, in other countries everyone pays the same rate Which you believe is the best system? CAUSE/PROBLEMS AND SOLUTION Crime rates tend to be higher in cities than in smaller towns Explain some possible reasons for this problem and suggest some solutions TWO QUESTIONS OR TWO-PART QUESTIONS To some people studying the past has little value in the modern world.  Why you think it is important to so? What will be the effect if children are not taught history? OPINION Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than other experiences we may have in life Which you consider to be the major influence? HOW TO WRITE IELTS WRITING TASK INSTRUCTIONS SAMPLE PARAGRAPH A strong argument can of course be made from the opposite position Part of this argument is that countries and nations need to preserve old buildings in order to preserve their heritage In addition, however, to this cultural argument, there are positive economic benefits in preserving old buildings An illustration here is Egypt once again, a country which depends on tourism for much of its national income simply because visitors pay to come from other countries to visit its ancient sites There are several reasons why it can be argued that television has a negative effect on cultural development Perhaps the principle argument is the lowbrow nature of many programmes, particularly sitcoms and soap operas People who watch these programmes not learn anything, they are simply entertained The other major argument is that because people watch so much television, they no longer take part in more traditional forms of cultural entertainment An example here is how traditional dancing and music is becoming much less popular because people are staying at home to watch the television HOW TO DEVELOP A TOPIC SENTENCE INTO A PARAGRAPH STEP 1: WRITE A TOPIC SENTENCE Many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called "forget sauce" to their foods STEP 2: If this sentence controls the paragraph that follows, then all sentences in the paragraph must relate in some way to fast food, profit, and "forget sauce": Made largely from edible oil products, this condiment is never listed on the menu STEP 3: This sentence fits in with the topic sentence because it is a description of the composition of "forget sauce." In addition, this well-kept industry secret is the reason why ingredients are never listed on the packaging of victuals sold by these restaurants HOW TO DEVELOP A TOPIC SENTENCE INTO A PARAGRAPH STEP 4: The transitional phrase "In addition" relates the composition of "forget sauce" to secret fastfood industry practices "Forget sauce" has a chemical property which causes temporary amnesia in consumers STEP 5: Now the paragraph moves on to the short-term effect on consumers: After spending too much money on barely edible food bereft of any nutritional value, most consumers swear they will never repeat such a disagreeable experience STEP 6: This sentence describes its longer-term effects: Within a short period, however, the chemical in "forget sauce" takes effect, and they can be depended upon to return and spend, older but no wiser Finally, I finish the paragraph by "proving" the claim contained in the topic sentence, that many fastfood chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called "forget sauce" to their foods ORGANIZING SUPPORTING DETAILS IN PARAGRAPHS Once you have written your catchy topic sentence, its time to add some supporting details to it   Supporting details can include  descriptions  facts  examples Supporting details are sentences that back up what the topic sentence is saying A good paragraph may contain   • three supporting details • each detail may be followed up with a comment to further elaborate on your detail.  The more advanced your paragraph writing becomes, the more extras you can add HELPFUL WORDS FOR ORDERING YOUR SUPPORTING DETAILS Supporting sentences should all begin differently — using a variety of vocabulary to specify word order This is called sentence variety   All paragraphs should contain at least three supporting detail sentences they can (but don't have to) start with (especially at more advanced levels): first, initially, in the beginning2 second, next, then3 last, finally, in the end EXAMPLE Topic Sentence: "My hometown is known for several amazing and natural features."   Supporting Details: "First, Fort Lauderdale is noted for its beautiful beaches Just west of town is the Florida Everglades, a unique national park The third stunning feature is the natural coral reef located just off the coast." INGREDIENTS Even though not all of the supporting details were numbered, all the necessary ingredients were there: • examples were about the three places in Fort Lauderdale o beaches, the Everglades, and coral reefs • facts were about their location in Fort Lauderdale o west and off the coast • descriptions were about each location:  o beautiful and unique STAYING ON TOPIC •The supporting detail sentences should all refer back to the topic sentence.  •They should not contain any extra, unnecessary information •Summarize the supporting detail sentences with a conclusion like, "These three landmarks are magnificent and make my hometown a famous place."   Keep your writing organized so your readers don't get confused! SAMPLE Marriages are bigger and more expensive nowadays than in the past Why is this the case? Is it a positive or negative development? Marriages have become bigger and more expensive for three main reasons Firstly, people in developed countries are wealthier than their ancestors were in the past They therefore have more money to spend on weddings, which are seen as one of life’s most important and unforgettable occasions Secondly, in today’s globalized world, people see photos of celebrity weddings and want to copy them For example, when Prince William got married here in England, the ceremony was shown on television and many people were influenced by what they saw Finally, the wedding industry has grown, and many companies have an interest in selling products and services to us, using persuasive EXPLANATION sentences topic sentence(three reasons) first reason (people are wealthier) Explain second reason (influnced by celebrity's wedding) example (Prince William) third reason ( wedding industry's development) Less common words Ancestor, unforgettable occasion, persuasive WRITING TASK Nowadays, most of the people believe that individuals cannot something to improve the environment But governments and large companies can make a difference To what extent you agree or disagree? BRAINSTORMING What individuals can do: They can reduce the quantity of waste Reduce using private cars which will reduce gas emissions Use public transportation Planting Recycling as much as possible Choose products with less packaging • What governments and large companies can do: Government can introduce strict laws to limit emissions Impose taxes on taxi drivers and private vehicles Improve the public transportation system Big companies can provide reusable bags for shoppers Big companies can introduce awareness programs for individuals Large companies can promote the use of renewable energy resources such as solar ESSAY PLAN • Introduction: I partially agree It is a shared responsibility between all parties • Body paragraph 1: environmental damages caused by individuals • Body paragraph 2: role of the individuals • Body paragraph 3: role of the government and large companies • Conclusion: summarize the introduction and restate my opinion again SAMPLE ANSWER It is widely believed that people have nothing to to improve the environment and it is the role of the government and large companies only I partially agree with this statement and In my opinion, I believe that it is a shared responsibility between all concerned groups No one can deny the fact that individuals are the main cause for air pollution and waste as a result of using private cars and buying consumer products which contains a lot of packaging the increase of the pollution number is another reason for producing gas emissions through operating a huge number of buses and trains which considered as the main reason of global warming On the one hand, I believe that individuals can a lot to improve the environment such as reducing the use of their own private cars and use public transportation instead This will definitely diminish the gas emissions and reduce the global warming threat Individuals can also choose products with less packaging and can be taught several ways of recycling as much as possible They also can launch community planting projects to promote the Green Environment concept among their neighborhood On the other hand, governments and large companies can take several steps to manage the environment and keep it as uncontaminated as possible Governments can introduce strict laws to limits emissions such as imposing taxes on private vehicles and taxi drivers to reduce the use of them The state also has a great rule to improve the public transportation system for individuals so people are encouraged to use it frequently The state can provide a regular free of charge car maintenance services for new cars and a affordable replacement options for old ones Large companies have an effective part to help the environment, such as introducing awareness programs to promote the use of renewable resources such as solar Another role is to provide shoppers with reusable bags as part of their social responsibility towards the society and the environment [...]... and most influential to each child ( 28 7 words) HOW TO WRITE THE INTRODUCTION • The introduction should be clear and concise It doesn’t need to be very long and grand since this is a short 25 0-word essay Here’s what it should include: • a paraphrase (use of different words but same meaning) of the topic and issue presented in the task question Write a sentence introducing the topic and giving some.. .HOW TO WRITE THE AGREE OR DISAGREE ESSAY NOTICE • For the agree/disagree essay, I think it’s probably easiest to just completely agree or completely disagree because you just need to have 2 reasons to support why • Remember, the examiner is marking you on how you express, organize and support your ideas They aren’t judging you... opinion (if it is asked, please see the different types of Task 2 questions) Tell the reader what you are going to be writing about • It should be 2 -3 sentences THESIS STATEMENT • A thesis statement is a sentence (or two) that states what you are going to do in your essay It is a kind of asignpost – something that tells you where to go- or a map that shows the reader what direction your essay will take... restate your opinion (this is a very short paragraph – probably 1 to 2 sentences) SAMPLE WRITING TASK Many children these days have an unhealthy lifestyle Both schools and parents are equally responsible for solving this problem To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? SAMPLE OUTLINE 1 Introduction – Write a sentence about the topic, paraphrase the claim and give my opinion E.g.: I completely... cohesive (your argument is supported and your ideas stick together) and written clearly, you will get a higher mark OUTLINE 1 Introduction - introduce topic and give your clear answer to the task question (I fully agree or disagree with the claim) 2 Main Reason #1 why you agree or disagree - give examples and supporting details 3 Main Reason #2 why you agree or disagree - give examples and supporting... businesses to move to regional areas outside the big cities Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Modal answer: As  business growth becomes a priority worldwide, industries and businesses in some countries are  being encouraged to relocate away from the big cities to regional areas While this may have some disadvantages, I feel there are more advantages to benefit everyone 3 DISCUSS 2. .. or more in a classroom, teachers already have a relatively small amount of time with each child to actually influence their decisions on what to eat and what to do In short, schools would be the least effective because they have no control or means over what each child eats or how they spend their free time To sum up, I believe that only parents, rather than parents and schools equally, are responsible... changing the unhealthy lifestyles of their children As the main caregiver and educator, parents spend the most time with their children and therefore are the biggest influence on the way their child eats and acts The best way to solve this is to be a role model for their child, by making healthy choices on what to eat and how much activity or sports they take part in If a child sees their parent eating... activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed Blood sports should be banned To what extent to you agree or disagree? Model answer Despite the fact that killing animals for sport is popular in modern society, it remains a contentious issue I believe that blood sports are cruel and uncivilized and so should be banned as soon as possible OTHER SAMPLE Currently there is a trend towards the use... parents in control of providing the child’s day -to- day food and organizing their child’s free time activities, they are the most effective ones to tackle this problem Because the primary purpose of school is to focus on academics and learning development, schools should not be responsible for solving the problem of children’s unhealthy lifestyles Moreover, with 20 students or more in a classroom, teachers