TASK 2: Guidelines

The table below summarises the three different types of essays you will likely encounter in the
IELTS exam. In order to understand each one more fully you should go to the page for each
type of essay which are: IELTS argumentative essay, IELTS Both sides and opinion essay, and
IELTS two question essay.  

 
Opinion [argument] Essay  Both sides + opinion   Two Questions
 
question words What is your opinion? Discuss the advantages Problem and solution
  and disadvantages  
Do you agree or disagree?   Cause and solution
  Discuss the advantages
To what extent do you agree or and disadvantages and Opinion and solution  
disagree? give your own opinion
   
Do the advantages outweigh
the disadvantages?   Discuss both points of
view and give your
opinion       

Example question Computers are being used more Computers are being used  
and more in education and so more and more in Alcohol abuse is becoming
there will soon be no role for education. Some people more and more common in
the teacher in education. say that this is a positive many countries.  
trend, while others argue
To what extent do you agree that it is leading to What are some of the
or disagree? negative consequences.  
problems associated with
Discuss both sides of alcohol abuse, and what are
this argument and then some of the possible
give your own opinion.
solutions?  

  Intro Rephrase question Rephrase question   Rephrase question  

This essay discusses
Position [both sides + opinion] This essay discusses
[problem and solution]  
(how much agree/disagree)
  Body reason 1 Side 1 advantages   Problems  
 
reason 2   Solutions
Side 2 advantages
reason 3/concession
Note: keep your own
self “I think” and opinion
out of the body. It is
only about what people
in general may think.  

  Final paragraph   Summary Opinion   Summary of problems and

State that both are solutions (rephrased)  
  important/has merits Opinion/recommendation 
Opinion/recommendation
State which one is more
important/better