Introduction

Understanding the Rubric

WRITING TASK 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that television programmes are of no real value for
children.
How far do you agree or disagree?

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

Write at least 250 words.

The Task
Task 2 involves writing an essay on the given topic. You have to
• answer the question(s) clearly and completely;
• give reasons for your answer; • include relevant example
▪ from your knowledge
▪ from your experience
• spend about 40 minutes on the task
• write at least 250 words → 260-265 words

Note: Finish task 2 first before addressing task 1. Task 2 has twice as
many marks as task 1 and is less flexible, so if you do not get around to finishing
it, you may lose more marks than when you leave task 1 unfinished.

Focus on Academic Register

• Use longer sentences (about 20-30 words)
• Use subordinate clauses (dependent clause)-(after,since,before,who,which)
• Use academic words
• Avoid contractions like doesn’t, can’t or they’ll
• Avoid “get” phrases where possible
• Avoid a personal tone except when giving personal opinions or talking of
personal experiences
• Avoid phrasal verbs where possible
• Avoid over-generalisation by avoiding absolute statements and Introducing
probability/possibility
Assessment Criteria
Every essay is assessed by a trained examiner according to four assessment
criteria:
• Task Response (TR)
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC)
• Lexical Resource (LR)
• Grammatical range and accuracy

1. Opinion Essays: Express your viewpoint on a statement (e.g., "Do you agree or
disagree?").
2. Discussion Essays: Discuss both sides of an argument (e.g., "Discuss the advantages
and disadvantages").
3. Problem-Solution Essays: Identify a problem and suggest solutions (e.g., "What are
the main problems? What solutions can you propose?").
4. Advantages-Disadvantages Essays: Explore the pros and cons of a particular topic
(e.g., "What are the advantages and disadvantages of...?").
5. Double Question Essays: Answer two related questions (e.g., "What are the benefits
of... and how can we can improve...?").
6. Mixed Essays: Combine elements of different types, such as discussing a problem
and providing an opinion.

Task 2 Writing Structure:

• Introduction:

• Paraphrase the question to show understanding.

• State your position or main argument clearly.

• Body Paragraphs:

• Paragraph 1: Present your first main point. Include examples and explanations.
• Paragraph 2: Present your second main point. Again, support it with examples.
• (Optional) Paragraph 3: If relevant, discuss a third point or counterargument.
• Conclusion:
 Summarize the key points made in the essay.
 Restate your position or provide a final thought on the topic.
This clear structure helps ensure coherence and allows examiners to follow your argument
easily.

When to give your opinion?

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. Is this a positive or negative
development? 6. What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Answers:- Numbers 2 and 6 are discussion questions. Discuss both sides of the issue, but
don't give an opinion about which side you agree with. - Numbers 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. - Numbers 3 and 4 can be called discussion +
opinion questions. Discuss both sides and make your opinion clear too.

How to write an introduction?

For IELTS Writing Task 2, keep your introduction short and simple.

Don't waste time writing a long introduction; the main body paragraphs are more
important.

A good IELTS Writing introduction needs only 2 things:

1. A sentence that introduces the topic

2. Thesis: A sentence that gives a short, general answer to the question.

Thesis Statement mistakes:

-I agree with this idea/I agree that higher education should be free ( limited,not clear)

-I agree that university education ought to be free for everyone as it will greatly benefit
both individuals and society.( it provides a clear opinion and connects to the task)

Body paragraphs:
 It should start with a topic sentence
 All the sentences in one body must develop the topic in
the topic sentence
 It must be easy to follow
 It should be neither to general nor too specific
A good topic sentence should contain:
 Connector
 Restricting idea
 Reminder of the topic

Prompt #1
Some people think that students who finished high school need to
have a year of break or a holiday before continuing their study in a
university. Do you agree or disagree?
Topic sentence for body #1
To begin with,(connector) taking a year off (reminder) could help
teenagers to figure out what they want(restricting idea).
Topic sentence for body #2
Regaining one’s lost energy and enthusiasm (idea) is another
reason(connector) why I support a gap year( reminder).

When writing main body paragraphs for IELTS writing task 2, try to aim for five sentences.
For example:

1. Topic sentence (e.g. There are several reasons why I believe...) 2. First reason
3. Example 4. Second reason 5. Third reason

2.Another example: 1. Topic sentence (e.g. Many people believe that...) 2. Explain
why 3. Explain in more detail 4. Example 5. Explain why they disagree with the opposite
view
Agree/Disagree(Opininon)

Different introductions:
Some people think the main purpose of schools is to turn children into good citizens and
workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?

Here are 3 different introductions. Notice that the opinion is clear in each one.

Agree: People have different views about what the main purpose of schools should be.
Personally, I agree that a school's role is to prepare children to be productive members of
society.

Disagree: Many people argue that the main role of schools is to prepare children for their
future jobs. However, I believe that the purpose of education should be to help children to
grow as individuals.

Balanced view: To a certain extent I agree that the role of schools is to prepare children to
be productive members of society. However, I also believe that the education process has a
positive impact on us as individuals.

One view or both views?

This is the most common question that students ask me: For "agree or disagree" questions,
do I have to discuss both sides, or should I just support one side of the argument?

The answer is: it's your decision. If you completely agree, you don't need to mention the
opposite view - just support your side of the argument. If you partly agree, you should write
something about both sides.

If the question asks whether you agree or disagree, it's often easier to have a strong opinion
(completely agree or completely disagree) rather than trying to be "in the middle". Here's
an example question:

Families who do not send their children to public schools should not be required to pay
taxes that support universal education. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
I don't think there is a "middle answer" to this question: either you think that the parents
should not pay tax (agree), or you think they should pay tax (disagree). When you have a
strong opinion, you don't need to mention the opposite view.

In the last century, the first man to walk on the moon said it was "a giant leap for mankind”.
However, some people think it has made little difference to our daily lives.To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
For this question, I would be partly agree.
1. Introduction: I partly agree.
Make it clear that you have a balanced opinion.

2. One side: In practical terms, sending a man to the moon has not changed most
people's lives. We have not benefited in terms of our standard of living, health etc. In fact,
governments have wasted a lot of money that could have been spent on public services.

3. Other side: On the other hand, putting a man on the moon was a huge achievement
that still inspires and interests people today. It showed us that we can achieve anything we
put our minds to.

4. Conclusion: The fact that man has walked on the moon might not have had a direct
effect on our daily lives, but it was an inspiring achievement

Here is an example of an IELTS Task 2 question:

As computers are being used more and more in education, there will soon be no role for the
teacher in the classroom. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here is my introduction:

It is true that computers have become an essential tool for teachers and students in all
areas of education. However, while computers are extremely useful, I do not agree with the
idea that they could soon replace teachers completely.

1. In the first sentence I introduce the topic of computers in education.

2. In the second sentence I answer the question and make my opinion clear.

Don't wait until the conclusion to give your opinion. Remember, do a simple introduction,
then you can focus on the main paragraphs.

IELTS Essay Question

The growing number of overweight people is putting a strain on the

health care system in an effort to deal with the health issues involved.
Some people think that the best way to deal with this problem is to
introduce more physical education lessons in the school curriculum. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?

Agree Disagree Model Essay

Owing to the problems which a growing population of overweight people

cause for the health care system, some people think that the key to
solving these issues is to have more sport and exercise in schools. In my
opinion, I completely agree that this is the best way to tackle the issue of
deteriorating public health in relation to weight.

Firstly, dealing with the issues surrounding obesity and weight problems
is best solved by taking a long term approach and introducing more sport
and exercise in schools. This method will ensure that the next generation
will be healthier and will not have such health problems. At the moment,
the average child in the West does sport possibly twice a week, which is
not enough to counteract their otherwise sedentary lifestyle. However,
by incorporating more sports classes into the curriculum as well as
encouraging extracurricular sports activities, they will undoubtedly
become fitter and more active.

Another point to consider is that having more sports lessons for children
in schools will probably result in children developing an interest in
exercise which might filter through to other members of their family and
have a longer lasting effect. In other words, parents with sporty children
are more likely to get involved in sport as a way of encouraging their
children. By both parents and children being involved, it will ensure that
children grow up to incorporate sport into their daily lives. This is
certainly a natural and lasting way to improve public health.

In conclusion, to deal with an increasing population of unfit, overweight

people, changing the lifestyle of the coming generation by introducing
sport in schools is the easiest and most effective method to use.

Words = 282