WRITING TASK 2

Essay writing
TOTAL TIME - 40 MINUTES
Total words - 250 to 280 words
Tips to improve writing task 2
 Read the question carefully.
 Think carefully about the topic. 
 Rephrase the questions by using synonyms and changing the word order
in sentence.
 Ensure that all points are arranged in a logical order.
No. of paragraphs should be 4 or 5.
1st paragraph – Introduction  
2nd paragraph – Body paragraph 1
3rd paragraph – Body paragraph 2
4th paragraph – Body paragraph 3
5th paragraph – Conclusions

The 4 C's of Essay Writing

Cohesion - refers to words and phrases that help link ideas together.
For example:

1. Because of this....
2. It is clear that ...
3. It can be seen ... etc.

Conciseness - Long sentences do not mean more marks. Run-on

sentences will often cause you to lose marks in this area. There are
three sentence structures you should be using:

1. Simple sentence - Contains a subject and a verb and expresses a

complete thought. For example- The teacher returned the
homework.
 2. Complex sentences- Has an independent clause (simple
sentence) joined by one or more dependent clauses (cannot
stand alone as a sentence). For example- The teacher returned
the homework after she noticed the error.
3. Compound sentences- Two simple sentences joined by a
coordinator (like for, and, or, yet, so). For example- The teacher
returned the homework so everyone got to go home early.

Coherence- How easy is your essay to understand? In order to

improve your coherence, proper grammar is a must. You are not
there while the essay is being marked, so your ideas need to be clear
and easy to understand. Using the cohesive phrases mentioned
earlier, can improve the coherence of your essay.

Composition- The structure of your essay (introduction paragraph,

2-3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph). A good
introduction includes a little background on the topic, a thesis
statement, and a preview of the 2-3 main points of your essay. Each
body paragraph should include a topic sentence illustrating your
point, an example of your point and how it ties into your topic
sentence, as well as a concluding sentence that ties this point into
your thesis.

Conclusions should reiterate your two or three main ideas from your
body paragraphs an restate your thesis again using different words
than before. To end your conclusion, you should give a prediction or
recommendation on the essay topic.

Topics for IELTS writing task 2 are usually related to some issue or problem
that is currently affecting society and you need to discuss it. In recent IELTS
exams, topics have mostly dealt with:

[1] Environment
 [2] Educational
[3] Crime
[4] Animal Rights
[5] Health
[6] The internet
[7] Tourism
[8] Jobs

    
                      How to write down introduction;

Opening lines:
 It is an undeniable fact that…
 It is certainly true that…
 There is no doubt that…

After this opening line, write one topic line. Choose topic from statement and
write general statement on topic or rephrase the question by using synonyms
and changing the word order.
The second sentence should be written to support topic line. There are two ways
to support topic. 1) Give evidence- It is obvious from ……For example: if my
topic line is – crime is increasing very fast among people. It is obvious from
crime related news from newspaper which has full the paper almost.               2)
Compare past or present- gone is those days, when…... but now……….
 The third sentence and fourth sentence should be task sentence, means what
you are going to write down in body paragraphs. 
This is all about introduction. It needs 4-5 sentences. Remember that you should
write complex sentences mixed up with simple one.

Body paragraphs:
It includes point in simple sentence. Then, point should be elaborated by
using complex sentences like by giving examples.
Conclusion: 
It restates your opinion and includes further suggestions.

EXAMPLE OF GOOD INTRODUCTION:

Question: There is a good deal of evidence that increasing car use
is contributing to global warming and having other undesirable
effects on people’s health and well-being.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Good Introduction
Rising global temperatures and human health and fitness issues are
often viewed as being caused by the expanding use of automobiles.
This essay agrees that increasing use of motor vehicles is contributing
to rising gl obal temperatures and certain health issues. Firstly, this
essay will discuss the production of greenhouse gases by vehicles and
secondly, it will discuss other toxic chemicals released by internal
combustion engines.

                                   Types of essays:
 Causes and solutions/ problems and solutions/ reasons, effects and
solutions
 Advantages and disadvantages
 Do you agree/ disagree
 At what extent do you agree or disagree
 Discuss both views and give your opinion
                Causes solutions type of essay
Example statement:
Influence of human beings on the world's ecosystem is leading to the
extinction of species and loss of bio-diversity.
                What are the primary causes of loss of bio-diversity?
                What solutions can you suggest?
Despite knowing about biodiversity’s importance for a long
time, human activity has been causing massive extinctions of
different species. This essay will examine the main causes of
loss of biodiversity and possible solutions of this problem.
The two main causes of species extinction are change of their
habitats and overexploitation of natural resources. When
humans artificially transform the environment, they destroy
vegetation and animals’ natural habitat. For instance, to build
new roads people are cutting down the trees and cementing
the soil, altering the environment. Because of that, a lot of
species are dying out. Also, when the activities connected with
capturing and harvesting a natural resource are too intense in
a particular area, the resource becomes exhausted. For
example, too frequent fishing doesn’t leave enough time for
fish to reproduce and makes them disappear. In other words,
human activities often deplete local flora and fauna and cause
loss of bio-diversity.
Some possible solutions to this problem are protecting natural
areas and promoting awareness among people. By protecting
areas where human activity is limited and avoiding
overexploitation of its resources, we can save the untouched
environment and prevent species from dying out. Moreover,
the next step in fighting bio-diversity loss is informing the
general population about the dangers of this problem. This
way, people will be more conscious of the environment and
won’t overuse or destroy its resources.
To conclude, people’s activities that change the environment
have negative impact on the world's ecosystem. However, we
can significantly lessen the extinction of species by protecting
natural areas and enlightening people as to this problem.
Introduction of causes and solutions type of essay:
First after the opening sentence, students should write topic sentence and
elaborate. 
Then, they should write: Therefore, this essay will first analyse the reasons
behind………. However, at the same time some possible solutions of this
problem will also be discussed.

                                 Body paragraph 1: (reasons) 

…………… has variety of causes. The most significant one is………………..
One of the good illustration is………. Hence……….
An equally important reason is…………..
A linked more cause is…………….

                                  Body paragraph 2:
As every lock has key; similarly a solution is always present on the back of
every reason. To begin with…
Moreover,……… Furthermore,…….

                                           Conclusion:
To sum up,/ To conclude……………….
                        ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

                                        Introduction:
Starting is same. First two sentences area same.
Therefore, This essay will first highlight the benefits of …… followed by
drawbacks.
                                   Body paragraphs: 
Flashing light on brighter side, ..… has numerous pros. The most significant one
is that…………………….
An equally important advantage is…….
A linked more positive factor is…………..
                                               BP 2:
Moving towards darker side, as every coin has two faces; similarly,………….
has some cons also.  To begin with,
Moreover,……………
Furthermore ,…………..
                                                 Conclusion:
To conclude ...………. as rose has thorns, whereas still people use it for
worshipping. Thus, one should focus on positive side of …………… by
ignoring negative effects.                      

                                    AGREE/DISAGREE
                                         Introduction:
Starting is same. 1st sentence is about topic after opening line, then compare past
and present.
After that rephrase your statement which is in question and give your opinion
like. The essay agrees that…………….

Body paragraphs will go according to your viewpoint.

                                           Body paragraph 1.
There are numerous reasons to support my viewpoint. The most significant
is……..
An equally important one is………
                                BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Furthermore, I would like to add more points to strengthen my viewpoint. ….
Last but not the least,…………..
                                            Conclusion.
Hammering the last nail,
(restate your opinion)

                              AT extent do you agree or disagree

In this you have to make 5 paragraphs in total
Introduction is same as do you agree or disagree
BP 1 AND BP2 are also same
BP 3.. on the contrary, an opposing view can be made by …..
                                                 Conclusion
Hammering the last nail

                                DISCUSS BOTH VIEWS AND GIVE YOUR OPINION

INTRODUCTION
After opening line describe topic and elaborate that.
THEREFORE, (rephrase first opinion)
However, (rephrase second opinion)
This essay will outline both viewpoints.

        BP 1
ON ONE SIDE OF ARGUMENT, MANY COMMENTATORS assert that……
The most significant reason behind their opinion is……….
An equally important point is……

BP 2.
ON THE CONTRARY, there is another school of thought.

CONCLUSION
Hammering the last nail, after discussing both viewpoints my personal
sentiments are on par with 

                                 LINKING WORDS
SEQUENCING THE FIRST IDEA:
1. The most significant reason is 
2.  The most important consideration is
3.  To begin with
4. In the first place
5.  First and foremost 
SECOND IDEA:
 1. An equally important contributing factor is
2. Another reason is
3. In the same vein 
ADDING SUPPORTING IDEA OR THIRD POINT
1. Furthermore
2. Moreover
3. Additionally
4. A linked more point is
5. Not only…. but also
GIVING EXAMPLE
1. To illustrate
2. To cite an example
3. For instance
4. Such as
HIGHLIGHTING POINTS
1. Particularly
2. In particular
3. Specifically
4. Especially
CLARIFYING AN OPINION
1. To be more precise
2. By this I mean
3. In other words
RESULTS
1. As a result
2. Consequently
3. Therefore
4.  Thus
5. Hence
CONTRAST
1. However
2. Whereas
3. Nevertheless
4. Even though/ although
5. despite
6. on the contrary
REASON
1. because
2. owing to
3. due to
GIVING YOUR OPINION
1. in my opinion
2. I admit
3. I concur/agree
4. From my perspective
OTHERS’ OPINION
1. Many commentators believe that
2. From a political point of view
3. A section of society admits that
                                                   SAMPLE ANSWERS
REASON SOLUTION TYPE OF ESSAY
In general, people do not have such a close relationship with their
neighbours as they did in the past.
Why is this so and what can be done to improve contact between
neighbours?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from
your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model answer
In a world of high-rise apartments, people barely notice their next
door neighbour. Whereas, earlier neighbourhoods were smaller and
consisted of tight-knit communities. Thus, It was common for everyone
to know each other and of course to lend a helping hand if a neighbour
was in need. Therefore, this essay will first analyse main causes for this
distant relationship among neighbours. However, at the same time
possible solutions will also be discussed.
There are a number of reasons why individuals have less contact with
their neighbours. The most significant one is that people’s lifestyles are
more mobile. To be more precise, they are not rooted to single location
anymore. Consequently, this causes their relationships with their
neighbours to be more superficial. An equally important reason is that,
nowadays individuals often live and work in different places. This leads
to people forming closer relationships with work colleagues than the
ones they have with their neighbours. A linked more cause is modern
lifestyles which make one to  spend more time inside houses watching
television. In particular, when they go out, they travel by car not by bus.
Hence, people do not speak to the persons in their neighbourhood so
much.
There are a number of ways in which I think contact between neighbours
can be improved. First of all, local authorities can provide communal
areas such as playgrounds for children and community halls. So that
there are places where neighbours can meet and make friends.
Secondly, I think that when new neighbours come to a street, the people
living there ought to introduce themselves and welcome them. Last but
not the least, people living in a street or small district should form
neighbourhood associations and meet regularly to discuss the things
which affect them.
In conclusion, these suggestions will probably not make neighbours as
important in our lives as they were in the past. However, they will help
our relationships with our neighbours to become more useful and
valuable.
 
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES TYPE OF ESSAY:
SAMPLE 1
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
decide to do this.
In this contemporary world, travelling seems to be an indispensable part
of almost everyone’s life. It helps people broaden their knowledge as
well as improve their living skills. Hence, many people recommend that
students should travel after finishing high school and before entering
university studies. Therefore, this essay will first highlight the pros
followed by cons of this trend.
Flashing light on brighter side, the most significant merit is that it is such
a good chance to attain hands-on experience in employment. Thus, it
can be useful for our future major of students. An equally important merit
is that travelling gives opportunities to explore the world. In particular,
going to different countries, one can study different cultures and how
they are different from each other. consequently, students can broaden
their knowledge. A linked more positive point is that travelling can help
pupils to improve their health. To be more precise, when travelling,
people tend to do more outside activities such as mountain climbing. 

Moving towards darker side, travelling before starting a new degree has
some drawbacks also for students. To begin with, students can forget
their academic knowledge. To illustrate, mathematics involves many
formulas which are very hard to remember if students don’t keep
practicing frequently. Moreover, students who travel like this tend to
have problems in re-adapting in an academic environment again.

To conclude, travelling after finishing high school and before entering

university studies is beneficial even though there are many
disadvantages. The reason is that it’s a requirement for all of us now to
become qualified so that we find a good job. Therefore, people can still
overcome the difficulties that I mentioned. 

SAMPLE 2
International tourism has brought enormous benefit to many
places. At the same time, there is concern about its impact on local
inhabitants and the environment.
Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the
advantages?
It is certainly true that travel industry has experienced a major boom in
the later part of the 20th century and has been a boon in disguise, which
has helped some weaker nations to uplift their failing economies. While
questions have been raised regarding the negative impacts that
accompany the growth in the travel sector, these definitely do not
outweigh the associated benefits.
Flashing light on brighter side, the most significant merit is economic
boost that accompanies a successful travel industry is quite well
recognised and Thailand is the best example. In particular, the entire
Thai economy revolves around tourism and the country had been able to
uplift its socio economic status through its flourishing hospitality sector.
An equally important benefit is that thriving tourist industry implies an
increasing need for a variety of services such as hotels, transport,
restaurants, and entertainment. Hence, this results in a considerable
number of jobs being created for people who lack a college education
and also the development of the infrastructure needed to accommodate
visitors.
Furthermore, a linked more positive factor is that tourism is a "green"
industry that, unlike factories, generates a low level of pollution. In fact,
because beautiful natural landscapes are often places that tourists come
to see, a country will often be sure to maintain the landscape in order to
keep it attractive for tourists. 
On the contrary, the rising influx of holidaymakers is associated with
increased incidences of crimes, and antisocial activities like drugs,
human trafficking and gambling, which affect the values of the
indigenous society. The local population are also affected by the growth
in property value indices. 
To sum up, it can be confidently conveyed that, even though the growth
in travel industry has accompanying negative social impacts, these do
not outweigh the contributions made by this sector towards social
development.