IELTS 5 Kinds of Writing Task 2

Collected by Truong Van Anh

 IELTS Writing Task 2
Advantages-Disadvantages
Structure 1
1/ Introduction
Paraphrase the question
Outline the views stated in the statement
State your opinion (if required)
2/ Main body paragraph 1 – Advantages
Topic sentence –state 1 advantage
Explanation – give detail explaining the
advantage
Give an example
3/ Main body paragraph 2 – disadvantages
Topic sentence –state 1 disadvantage
Explanation – give detail explaining
disadvantage
Give an example
4/ Conclusion
Summarize the key points
State your opinion (if required)
Structure 2
1/ Introduction
Paraphrase the question
Outline the main ideas
State your opinion (if required)
2/ Main body paragraph 1 – Advantages
Topic sentence –give an example
Explanation – explain the benefits/ advantages
Consequence – state the result
3/ Main body paragraph 2 – disadvantages
Topic sentence –give an example
Explanation –explain the
problems/disadvantages
Consequence – state the result
4/ Conclusion
Summarize the key points
State your opinion (if required)
Topic 1: Modern societies need specialists
in certain fields, but not others. Some
people, therefore, think that governments
should pay university fees for students who
study subjects that are needed by society.
Those who choose to
study less relevant subjects should not
receive the government funding.
Would the advantages of such an
educational policy outweigh the
disadvantages?
In every country, there are fashions among
students about which subjects are the best to
the study at university. Sometimes the
popularity of a subject is determined by how
much money a graduate could subsequently
earn in that field. Or subjects that are
perceived as relatively ‘easy’ may also become
popular, in spite of later difficulties of finding
appropriate employment. It is up to
governments to give incentives to students to
choose subjects that match the needs of their
society.
Obviously one way to do this would be for the
government to pay the fees of those choosing
such subjects. The advantage would certainly
be that higher number of students would enroll
and would later fill the employment gaps.
However, the disadvantages of such a policy
would be considerable. For example, the
students attracted by the funding may not have
any real
interest in or aptitude for that subject. Such
students may drop out before graduation or
after working only a short time in a related job.
Furthermore, funding one group of students but
not other would penalize those with a genuine
interest and ability for another field. Such
discrimination would certainly affect the whole of
higher education of the country, and students
would develop very negative attitudes towards
going to university altogether.
This would be very counter-productive for any
country.
In conclusion, I think there are many other
incentives for students that could be considered,
such as making courses more interesting to take,
or the job rewards greater after graduation. The
education policy proposed above, however,
would certainly have more long-term
disadvantages than benefits for society. (267
IELTS Writing Task 2
Argumentative
 ARGUMENTATIVE (Bình luận)
AGREE OR DISAGREE?
- You are given an idea to discuss. (Bạn được cho 1 ý
để thảo luận)
- You have to be for or against the idea. (Bạn phải
ủng hộ hoặc chống lại ý đó)
- In the introduction, you brainstorm the field,
restate the topic and brainstorm some main
ideas. (trong phần nhập đề, bạn phải nghĩ ra lĩnh
vực của ý, phát biểu lại ý và nghĩ ra vài ý chính)
- In the body, you present ideas for and against.
- In the conclusion, you confirm your idea.
 AGREE OR DISAGREE?
• There is an increasingly growing popular idea that
… I believe in the truth of the statement that … This
essay will tackle the most important reasons,
considering …
• First and foremost, …
• What is more,…
• Admittedly, it could also be said that …
• Still, I would like to emphasize that …
• Considering all the arguments put forward, I have
arrived at the conclusion that …
Topic 3: It is much easier to learn in a small class
than in a large one.
To what extend do you agree or disagree?
There is an increasingly growing popular idea
that we should pay more attention to
education. I believe in the truth of the
statement that it is much easier to learn in a
small class than in a large one. This essay will
tackle the most important reasons,
considering the advantages of learning in a
small class and the disadvantages of learning
in a large one.
 First and foremost, learning in a small class,
students can get more practice because
teachers can contact everyone and help them
to learn. Then they can learn better.
What is more, in a small class it is not noisy,
and students can focus on their learning
better. Therefore, they can learn the subjects
effectively.
Admittedly, it could also be said that learning
in a large class, students easily lose their
attention, and they can talk to their friends.
 Moreover, teachers have to work harder and
they cannot help all the students to practice.
As a result, the students learn the subjects
worse.
Considering all the arguments put forward, I
have arrived at the conclusion that it is much
easier to learn in a small class than in a large
one. We should keep the considerable
number of the students in the class so that
students can learn the subjects effectively.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Both Sides
 BOTH SIDES (Hai ý)
- You are given two sides to discuss. (Bạn được cho
hai ý)
- You have to discuss both. (Thảo luận cả hai)
- You have to choose only one. (Phải chọn một ý)
- You have to give enough reasons for your choice.
(Nêu đủ lý do để chọn)
 BOTH SIDES
• There are some people in society who argue that
(1)… In contrast, other individuals espouse the idea
that (2)… It is a controversial issue, but I believe
that both sides have their own merits; however, I
think that the former/latter view is more
reasonable. This essay aims to prove my claim.
• On the one hand,…
• On the other hand, …
• In conclusion, although there are valid reasons why
…, it is still more reasonable to conclude that …
TOPIC 3: Some believe that students should
begin learning a language very early in school
while others think these subjects should be
taught later.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

There are some people in society who argue that

students should begin learning a language very
early in school. In contrast, other individuals
espouse the idea that these subjects should be
taught later. It is a controversial issue, but I believe
that both sides have their own merits; however, I
think that the former view is more reasonable. This
essay aims to prove my claim.
On the one hand, nowadays, children contact
foreign language, especially English very early
in their life, almost when they are still in their
mother bellies. They contact English via daily
conversations and media. They listen to their
relatives speaking English, or English broadcast
from televisions, radios, laptops, computers,
ipads, etc. If at school they can be taught
English, then their English will be reinforced and
increased more and more. Then their ability to
master English will be sure in the future.
Mastering English, students can find good jobs
when they graduate from their colleges or
universities.
On the other hand, those against early foreign
language courses contend that it is not always
practical. In many school systems, the cost of
such courses can be big. More specifically, in
more remote areas, teachers will often not have
the ability to teach another language and it may
be difficult to recruit foreign native language
speakers. Anyway, if children cannot be taught
English at their early age, they will get
disadvantages in the future.
In conclusion, although there are valid
reasons why a language should be
taught later, it is still more reasonable to
conclude that students should begin
learning a language very early in
school. Then students can get more
knowledge directly from reading
English books, widen and improve their
profession.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Cause-Effect-Solution
 Problem > Causes > Solutions
- You are given a problem and you are asked to
present some causes and solutions.
Problem > Effects > Solutions
- You are given a problem and you are asked to
present some causes and effects of it as well as
some measures to it.
Notes: You have to identify causes (reasons), effects
(consequences) and solutions (measures).
 CAUSE - SOLUTION
… have/has faced with a wide range of problems and
one of the most concerning is… [Cause+ Solution]
The following essay will attempt to present the
reasons and then offer some potential ways to
address them.
One rationale that can be given to explain this is …
Further more …
One vital consequence of this is …
There are several concrete steps we can take to
solve this. …
Considering all the causes and effects put forward,
we have arrived at the conclusion that …
Topic 4: One problem faced by almost every large
city is traffic congestion. What do you think are
the causes of this? What solutions can you
suggest?
 Today transportation has faced with a wide range of
problems and one of the most concerning is traffic
congestion happens in almost every large city. The
following essay will attempt to present the reasons
and then offer some potential ways to address them.
One rationale that can be given to explain this
problem is there are few public means of transport
such as bus, metro, tram, etc. and there are a lot of
individual means of transport such as bikes,
motorbikes, cars, trucks, etc.
Further more the roads and streets are so small
 and in bad condition. Besides, there are high tides
twice every month and the streets are flooded when
it rains. In addition people attending transport have
very poor awareness.
There are several concrete steps we can take to
solve this. First, governments should reduce
individual means of transport and encourage people
to use public means of transport. Second, they
should build modern and large streets as well as
upgrade them. Finally, there should be a good
system of drainage and people attending transport
should be well-educated.
 Considering all the causes and effects put
forward, we have arrived at the conclusion that
traffic congestion in almost every large city can
be solved if governments pay more attention to
transport via conducting the above solutions.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Double Questions
 Two-part Question Essay
Introduction
Background statement:
· Some people say/claim/opine/believe that...
· There is no denying that...
· These days, .../ In this day and age, … / In
today’s world,...
· It goes without saying that...
· It is universally accepted that...
· .... is one of the most important / imminent /
alarming issues.
· People have divided / diverse opinions
about …
Thesis statement:
· In my opinion,...
· I strongly opine / agree / believe that...
· Personally speaking,...
· In my view, ...
· Apparently, ...
· From my point of view, ...
· As far as I am concerned, ...
· From my perspective, ...
· I concur with ...
· To my way of thinking,...
· My own view on the matter is...
· This essay will examine both views before reaching a concrete decision.
· The following paragraphs discuss whether ...... or ...... and reach an
appropriate conclusion.
· The following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument.
· I oppose / support the view and my reasons will be explained in the
following paragraphs.
· To discuss this issue, this essay will both … and …
Body
Body 1:
· It is true that...
· First / Firstly / First and foremost / First of all, ...
· Initially...
· To begin / start with...
· Some people think / believe that...
· Many support the view that...
· On the one hand…
Body 2:
· Second(ly)... (Không dùng 'Second of all' hay ‘Third
of all’)
· Then / Next / Besides, ...
· In addition / Additionally, ...
· Consequently...
· What’s more, ...
· Furthermore / Moreover, ...
· Other people think / believe / opine that...
· On the other hand...
· Last but not least…
· Another point worth noting / considering is that ...
Examples for supporting ideas:
· As an example / illustration / instance, ...
· For example / instance,
· To show / give / cite an example...
· Take … as an example, …
· … is a prime example / evidence
· As a piece of evidence...
· … is a testament…
Conclusion
· In conclusion / summary, ...
· To conclude / sum up / summarize / elucidate , ...
· In general / Generally, ...
· Overall, …
· To draw the conclusion...
· In a nutshell...
· All things considered, ...
· By and large, ...
· Taking everything into account / consideration...
· Weighing up both sides of the argument…
Topic 5: Nowadays the way many people
interact with each other has changed
because of technology.
In what ways has technology affected the
types of relationships that people make?
Has this been a positive or negative
development?

It is true that new technologies have had an

influence on communication between people.
Technology has affected relationships in
various ways, and in my opinion there are both
positive and negative effects.
Technology has had an impact on relationships
in business, education and social life. Firstly,
telephones and the Internet allow business
people in different countries to interact without
ever meeting each other. Secondly, services
like Skype create new possibilities for
relationships between students and teachers.
For example, a student can now take video
lessons with a teacher in a different city or
country. Finally, many people use social
networks, like Facebook, to make new friends
and find people who share common interests,
and they interact through their computers
On the one hand, these developments can be
extremely positive. Cooperation between
people in different countries was much more
difficult when communication was limited to
written letters or telegrams. Nowadays,
interactions by email, phone or video are almost
as good as face-to-face meetings, and many of
us benefit from these interactions, either in work
or social contexts. On the other hand, the
availability of new communication technologies
can also have the result of isolating people and
discouraging real interaction. For example,
many young people choose to make friends
online rather than mixing
with their peers in the real world, and these
‘virtual’ relationships are a poor substitute for
real friendships.
In conclusion, technology has certainly
revolutionized communication between
people, but not all of the outcomes of this
revolution have been positive.
(257 words)
Good luck!