High School IELTS Intensive

Essay Types

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)

Some people believe that computers, including smartphones and iPads, should not be used in the
classroom.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Do you agree or disagree?
What is your opinion?

GENERAL NOTE Decide: Do you agree or disagree (you can sit on the fence also, but it’s often
easier to present a clear opinion). Mostly this essay is about what YOU think,
so you do not need to include the opinions of others, though you could make
occasional reference to them.
Introduction Paraphrase topic
This lets the reader know
what the topic of the
essay is
Indicate essay content
State your opinion and
summarise reasons.
Main Body One First reason for your
opinion
State the first reason in
clear, simple language.
Explain
Expand on the idea,
giving more information
and detail
Example
Provide an example
Main Body Two Second reason /
explain / example.
Conclusion Summarise the ideas in
new language

© The British Council, 2021

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
 High School IELTS Intensive
Essay Types

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Computers are being used more and more in education.

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this situation?

n.b. Sometimes you are also asked to give your own opinion.

GENERAL NOTE Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

You must decide: Is the situation generally positive or generally negative?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this situation?
No decision required. Just describe 1-3 advantages and 1-3 disadvantages. 2 is
probably ideal.

Introduction Paraphrase topic

This lets the reader know
what the topic of the
essay is
Indicate essay content
EITHER: give summary
of advantages /
disadvantages.
OR: state which is more
serious, advantages or
disadvantages.
Main Body One Describe first advantage
State the first adv in
clear, simple language.
Explain
Expand on the idea,
giving more information
and detail
Example
Provide an example
Describe second
advantage / explain /
example
Main Body Two Describe first
disadvantage / explain /
example
Describe second
disadvantage / explain /
example
Conclusion EITHER: Summarise

© The British Council, 2021

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
 High School IELTS Intensive
Essay Types

the advantages /
disadvantages in new
language
OR: Give your opinion
about whether the
advantages outweigh the
disadvantages

© The British Council, 2021

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
 High School IELTS Intensive
Essay Types

Problems and Solutions

Some students have greater access to the internet and technology than others, giving them an
unfair advantage.

What is the cause of the this problem? What solutions do you suggest?
What problems does this cause? What solutions do you suggest?

GENERAL NOTE Ensure you understand the difference between a question that asks for
“causes of a problem” (e.g. traffic causes air pollution) and one that asks
for “problems caused by a situation” (e.g. air pollution causes illness).
For problems / solutions: You may want to keep problem and its solution
together (in each body paragraph), as problems and solutions should be closely
linked.
For causes / solutions: You may want to do causes in Main Body One and
Solutions in Main body Two, as cause to X and solution to X do not need to be
mentioned side by side.
Introduction Paraphrase topic
This lets the reader know
what the topic of the
essay is
Indicate essay content
Give brief summary of
problems / causes and
solutions
Main Body One First problem
(PROBLEMS State the first problem in
essay) clear, simple language.
Explain
Expand on the idea,
giving more information
and detail
Example
Provide an example
Solution to this problem
Describe the solution in
clear, simple language
Explain
Give more detail
Predict
Say what will happen if
this solution is used.
Main Body Two Second problem /
(PROBLEMS explain / example
essay) Solution / explain /

© The British Council, 2021

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
 High School IELTS Intensive
Essay Types

predict
Conclusion Summarise the ideas in
new language
Main Body One First cause
(CAUSES essay) State the first cause in
clear, simple language.
Explain
Expand on the idea,
giving more information
and detail
Example
Provide an example
Second cause / explain /
predict
Main Body Two First solution
(CAUSES essay) Describe the solution in
clear, simple language.
Explain
Give more detail
Predict
Say what will happen if
this solution is used.
Second solution /
explain / predict
Conclusion Summarise the ideas in
new language

© The British Council, 2021

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
 High School IELTS Intensive
Essay Types

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)

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

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

When you “discuss each side” you should try to do so objectively. Do not
refer to your own opinions or beliefs except in the introduction and
conclusion.
Introduction Paraphrase topic
This lets the reader know
what the topic of the
essay is
Indicate essay content
Paraphrase each
viewpoint. Give your
own.
Main Body One Paraphrase first
viewpoint
State the first viewpoint
in clear, simple language.
Explain
Expand on the idea,
giving more information
and detail
Example
Provide an example
Main Body Two Paraphrase second
viewpoint / explain /
example
Conclusion Give your own opinion

© The British Council, 2021

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.
 High School IELTS Intensive
Essay Types

Two-Part Questions
Schools and other educational institutions are under pressure to use technology more and more in
the classroom.

What changes has this caused to the way in which lessons are taught?

How realistic is it to expect older teachers / students to use new technology?

GENERAL NOTE The structure is rather simple. Students often find the introduction is the
hardest feature. You don’t need to paraphrase both questions in the
introduction.
Introduction Paraphrase topic
This lets the reader know
what the topic of the
essay is
Outline answers
Give brief summary of
answers to both questions
Main Body One State first answer
State the first viewpoint
in clear, simple language.
Explain
Expand on the idea,
giving more information
and detail
Example
Provide an example
Main Body Two State second answer /
explain / example
Conclusion Summarise the answers
in new language

© The British Council, 2021

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Registered in England as a charity.