IELTS Prep.

COURSE
Outlines
01 Writing Task 2- Understanding The questions
The 6 Question Types

There are 6 different types of IELTS Writing Task 2 essays

that you could be asked to write:

1. Opinion Essays – Agree or Disagree
2. Discussion Essays
3. Problem Solution Essays + Causes & Solutions
4. Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
5. Double Question Essays
6. Positive and negative Development
Opinion Essay
 WRITING INTRODUCTION
COMMONLY USE EXPRESSION

It is believe that…..
Many people believe that…..
It is argued that….
Lots of people think that….
Many argued that….
Some argued that….
 Paraphrasing the Question
Common way to paraphrase

Using Synonyms

Synonyms are different words that have the same meaning. For example,
‘humans’ is a synonym of ‘people’ and ‘attractive’ is a synonym of
‘beautiful’. This method simply replaces words with the same meaning in
order to produce a new sentence.

For example:
Source : My car needs petrol.
Synonym : My vehicle requires fuel.
 Paraphrasing the Question
Common way to paraphrase

Change the Word Order

Source:
As languages such as Spanish, Chinese and English become more widely used,
there is a fear that 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.

Paraphrased with changing word order AND synonyms:

There is dismay that many lesser used languages may pass away, as languages
such as Chinese, English and Spanish become more broadly spoken.
 Paraphrasing the Question
Common way to paraphrase

Change the Form of the Word

There are many different forms of words including nouns, verbs,
adjectives and adverbs.

Source:
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.
 Example Question
Let’s look at an example:
In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health
problems as a result of eating too much fast food. It is, therefore, necessary for
governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Therefore, for this agree or disagree essay you can say either:
This essay agrees that governments should tax fast food or;
This essay disagrees that governments should tax fast food
 STRUCTURE
Paragraph 1- Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Thesis Statement
Sentence 3- Outline Statement
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Paraphrased: It is argued that governments should levy a tariff on junk food because the number of
health risks associated with consuming this kind of food is on the rise.
Sentence 2- Thesis Statement

This essay agrees that a higher rate of tax should be paid by fast-food companies.
Sentence 2- Outline Statement

This issue will be discussed in the following essay…

Discussion Essay
 Sample Answer

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.
 Sample Answer

Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- State Both Points of View
Sentence 2- Thesis Statement
Sentence 3- Outline Sentence

There is an ever increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in a 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. This essay will discuss both points of view.
Advantage and Disadvantage
Essay
 Example Question
Advantages and Disadvantages (Type 1)
Sample Question
In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between
finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.

Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase question Sentence 2- Outline sentence

Supporting Paragraph 1 (Advantages) Sentence 3- Topic sentence (Advantage 1) Sentence 4- Explain how this is an advantage
Sentence 5- Example

Supporting Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages) Sentence 6- Topic sentence (Disadvantage 1) Sentence 7- Explain how this is a
disadvantage Sentence 8- Example

Conclusion
Sentence 9- Summary of main points
 Sample Answer

“In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between
finishing high school and starting university studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.”
 Sample Answer

Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase question
Sentence 2- Outline sentence

Before embarking on college many young people are advised that a year working or travelling
may be a good option. This essay will suggest that saving money is the biggest advantage of
this and a reduced motivation to study is the primary disadvantage.
 Example Question
Advantages and Disadvantages (Type 2)
Sample Question
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a
foreign language at primary schools rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase question
Sentence 2- Thesis statement (state which one outweighs the other)
Sentence 3- Outline sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1 (Stronger Side)
Sentence 4- Topic Sentence Sentence 5- Explain why it is strong Sentence 6- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2 (Weaker Side)
Sentence 10- Topic Sentence
Sentence 11- Explain why it is not strong Sentence 12- Example
Conclusion
Sentence 13- Summary of main points and restate position.
 Sample Answer

“Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at
primary schools rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?”
 Sample Answer

Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase question
Sentence 2- Thesis statement (state which one outweighs the other)
Sentence 3- Outline sentence
Some authorities think that it is more favourable for pupils to begin studying languages at
primary school instead of secondary school. This essay will argue that the advantages of this
outweigh the drawbacks. The essay will first demonstrate that the earlier someone learns an
additional language the more likely they are to master it and that it brings added cognitive
benefits, followed by an analysis of how the primary disadvantage, namely confusion with
their native tongue, is not valid.
 Example Question

Advantages and Disadvantages (Type 3)

Sample Question
Computers are becoming an essential part of school lessons.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase question
Sentence 2- Thesis statement (your opinion)
Sentence 3- Outline sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1 (Advantages)
Sentence 4- Topic Sentence Sentence 5- Explain Sentence 6- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)
Sentence 7- Topic Sentence Sentence 8- Explain Sentence 9- Example
Main Body Paragraph 3 (Opinion) Sentence 10- Explain opinion Sentence 11- Explain or give
example
Conclusion
Sentence 12 – Summary of main points
 Sample Answer

“Computers are becoming an essential part of education.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.”
 Sample Answer

Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase question
Sentence 2- Thesis statement (your opinion)
Sentence 3- Outline sentence

Information technology is becoming a ubiquitous part of learning. This essay will show that
this is a welcome development and can enhance educational practice. It will first suggest
that the instant availability of huge amounts of information is the primary advantage,
followed by a discussion of how it can sometimes lead to plagiarism.
Double Question Essay
 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 factors contribute to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?
 STRUCTURE
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

As the majority of adults spend most of their time at work, being content with your career
is a crucial part of a person’s health and happiness.

Sentence 2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

This essay will first discuss which elements lead to job satisfaction, and it will then
address the question of how likely it is that everyone can be happy with their job.
Positive or Negative
Development
 Sample Answer

Nowadays, more people are choosing to socialize online rather than face to face.

Is this a positive or negative development?

 Sample Answer

Paragraph 1- Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Thesis Statement
Sentence 3- Outline Statement

Modern society favours online conversation more than direct interaction. For its
long-term hazardous effect on human communication and phycology as well as
its possible risk regarding criminality, the author considers that such a
contemporary habit is a negative establishment.
Problem and Solution Essay
 Sample Answer
Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st Century and sea levels
are continuing to rise at alarming rates.

What problems are associated with this and what are some possible solutions.
 Sample Answer
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase question
Sentence 2- Outline sentence

Climate change is among the principal dangers facing people this century and ocean levels are
increasing dramatically. This essay will first suggest that the biggest problem caused by this
phenomenon is the flooding of homes and then submit building flood protection as the most
viable solution.
Practice
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