1.

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)

Typical Question Words
What is your opinion?
Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Direct question.
Example Question
For all children, the ability to play a musical instrument is just as important as the ability to
read and write.’
How far do you agree with this suggestion? How important is it for a child to learn to play a
musical instrument, in your view?

Structure
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Thesis Statement (It is agreed…/It is disagreed…/This essay agrees/disagrees…)
Sentence 3- Outline Sentence (This essay will discuss….)
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- Topic Sentence
Sentence 2- Explain Topic Sentence
Sentence 3- Example
Sentence 4- Result
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1- Topic Sentence
Sentence 2- Explain Topic Sentence
Sentence 3- Example
Sentence 4- Result
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary and opinion

Explanation of the Task

This is an Opinion>Personal Viewpoint type task. It does not ask you to debate both sides of a
topic, but to say how much you agree with an idea. You should introduce the topic and give your
opinion in the introduction. The main body should explain your reasons for your view, with two
or three supporting ideas.You should mention the opposing view briefly, and then reject it (this is
called the ‘concession.’) The conclusion should state your opinion again, and summarise some of
the main supporting ideas.
Student’s Plan
Essay type: Opinion>Personal Viewpoint
Intro: I don’t agree for all children

Main Body:
1 Not all children are musically talented
2 Literacy is a guarantee of education and progress; music is not (eg few professional musicians)
3 Music should be one of a range of optional activities (eg with sport, hobbies, reading)
Concession: For some (a few) children music is essential, but not all
Conclusion: Literacy more important than playing music. Music a secondary, optional activity,
can be invaluable for some.

Sample Answer
The question of which skills to prioritise for a child’s early education is important for all
parents and educators, and music can certainly claim to be a key possibility when deciding which
abilities to teach. However, I feel that playing music is actually less important than basic literacy,
and I will explain the reasons here.
Firstly, it seems simplistic to say that music is paramount ‘for all children.’ Certainly, there
are some children who are highly talented or have great interest in music, and when we think of
childhood prodigies such as Beethoven or Yehudi Menuhin we see how this talent can be brought
out. However, such talents are rare, and even the enjoyment and cultural values to be gained from
learning music cannot genuinely be compared to the benefits of becoming literate. Secondly, it is
a fact that literacy is a guarantee of academic progress and the absorption of information, while
playing music does not offer this security. For example, it would be unimaginable to transmit
scientific or mathematical information to children via the medium of music. Finally, it is surely
wiser to regard music as one of a wide range of secondary skills, ranking below literacy and sitting
alongside sports, hobbies, foreign languages and other important but less essential activities. Of
course, those who say that highly talented children must be allowed to develop their talents are
quite correct; it is equally true, though, that few children seem to possess musical ability to the
extent that itshould be prioritised so highly for all pupils.
In conclusion, I would not wish to underestimate the potential benefits of learning to play
music for a minority of children, and it should certainly be available as an option. However, if we
think of all children in a given community, literacy appears to be a far stronger pathway to progress
and independence.
(309 words)
2.Advantage / Disadvantage questions
Typical Question Words
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
Example Question
Computers are being used more and more in education.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
Structure :
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Outline Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- State One Advantage
Sentence 2- Expand/Explain Advantage
Sentence 3- Example
Sentence 4- Result
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1- State One Disadvantage
Sentence 2- Expand/Explain Disadvantage
Sentence 3- Example
Sentence 4- Result
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- Opinion
Sample Answer
It is argued that technology is playing an every increasing role in schools and universities.
This essay will firstly, discuss student freedom as one of the main advantages of this and secondly,
outline decreasing levels of face to face contact as one of the main disadvantages.
One of the principle advantages of an increase in the use electronic devices in education is
the autonomy it provides students. Students have the freedom to focus on whatever topic or subject
they want and study it in depth through the internet. A prime example of this is the amount of
online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects, that up until recently
were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying third level degrees
than ever before, at a pace and schedule that suits them.
 The main disadvantage associated with increasing use of technology in education is the
decrease in face to face interaction between students. Students spend more time looking at
computer screens by themselves than interacting with each other. For instance, the recent
explosion in smartphone use has been at the expense of genuine human interaction. This results in
soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected.
In conclusion, the benefits technology brings to education, such as student autonomy, must
be weighed against the drawbacks, such as negative effects on human interaction. Overall, the
educational benefits outweigh the disadvantages because human beings will always want human
contact and most people will not solely use IT for education.

3.Discussion essay
Typical Question Words

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question

Some commentators feel that grandparents should live together with their children and
grandchildren, while others say that elderly people should be encouraged to live independently.

Consider the possible arguments on both sides of this debate, and reach your own conclusion.

Structure :
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.
Sentence 2- Thesis Statement
Sentence 3- Outline Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- State first viewpoint
Sentence 2- Discuss first viewpoint
Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint
Sentence 4- Example to support your view
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1- State second viewpoint
Sentence 2- Discuss second viewpoint
Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint
Sentence 4- Example to support your view
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

Explanation of the Task

This is an Opinion>Discussion type Task, requiring you to discuss both sides of a topic and then give your
view. You should introduce the topic, make it clear that this will be a Discussion essay, and then give two
or three ideas to support each side in the debate. You should give your own opinion in the conclusion.
Remember that the instruction ‘Consider the possible arguments on both sides of this debate, and reach
your own conclusion’ may be expressed in many different ways in the IELTS test, but the principle for this
Task type will be the same.
Student’s Plan Essay type:
Opinion> Discussion Intro: traditional vs affordable debate
For living with family:
1 Traditional: More emotional support, eg in bereavement
2 More security (against crime and accidents)
3 Cheaper, may increase quality of life
For living independently:
1 Increases self-reliance and independence, self-esteem
2 Family may not have space or time
3 Allows grandparents to have families visiting them, enjoyment
Conclusion: Better to live alone, provided that health/finances allow this.

Sample Answer
The issue of whether grandparents should live with their extended families is partly a
question of the traditions in different cultures or nationalities. However, the question of
affordability also plays an increasing part, and so this debate is rather complex, as we shall see.
On the one hand, those who support the idea of grandparents living with their children point
to the higher level of emotional support which all family members may receive in such situations,
for example in times of crisis such as bereavement. Furthermore, it is also true that personal
security may be increased, offering protection against such problems as accidents or even robbery.
Finally, it seems that extended family life will also be considerably less costly, for instance with
lower food and utility bills, meaning that enjoyment of life may be higher.
By contrast, supporters of grandparents living independently often state that elderly people
should be encouraged to be as self-reliant as possible, as this boosts their self-esteem and may
guard against mental decline in old age. They also say, with some merit, that many younger
families these days do not have the housing space, or indeed the spare time, which is necessary to
care properly for older members. As a last point, it is also true that many grandparents prefer to
see their grandchildren on a less frequent basis (as opposed to every day), making these visits more
special and cherished for all concerned.
Overall, it appears to me that the stronger argument is in favour of grandparents living
independently, with all the advantages of self-reliance and separate space. This is provided that
their health and finances allow them to continue living separately, without risk or the fear of
isolation.
(282 words)

4. Reason and Solution Questions

Typical Question Words
Problem and solution.
Cause and solution.
Example Question
Many people today are worried about the large quantities of waste produced by ordinary
households.
What problems are caused by household waste, and what solutions may be possible in both the
short and the long term?
Structure
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Outline Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- State Problem
Sentence 2- Explain problem
Sentence 3- Result
Sentence 4- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1- State Solution
Sentence 2- Explain Solution
Sentence 3- Example
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- Recommendation or Prediction
Explanation of the Task
This is an Ideas>Problems/solutions type Task. It is not asking for your opinion, but for you to
propose some ideas on this topic. You should introduce the topic and essay, and describe two or
three problems, then two or three solutions, and then summarise. Note that the task asks for ‘both
the short and the long term’ solutions, so you must mention both of these. Also, the topic is only
about household ( = domestic) waste, not industrial waste; remember to check these smaller points
in the instructions, because in the exam it can be easy to miss them!
Student’s Plan
Type: Ideas>problems/solutions
Intro: Back ground: an increasing problem (domestic waste)
Problems
1 Processing & disposal, eg landfill, recycling
2 Cost of recycling/safe disposal is high (taxes etc)
Solutions
1 Short-term: More funds for recycling, increase use of recycled material
2 Long-term: More education/incentives/penalties to change behaviour
Summary:
Problems = environmental & cost; solutions = short & long term

Sample Answer
It is inevitable that modern households will produce some waste, but the increasing
volumes of refuse over recent years present a challenge for us all. There seem to be two main
problems stemming from this situation, and also two steps we could take to address it fully.
Possible the major problem is the huge question of how to collect, process and dispose of
this material. Household waste comprises elements ranging from foodstuffs to metal, paper and
plastics, and local authorities sometimes struggle to handle such a diverse mix of material. The
historical solution has been incineration or landfill, but the problems of pollution and long-term
ground contamination which arise have led to widespread efforts to recycle at least some of the
waste. This leads us to the second concern, which is the high cost of disposing of refuse in an
ecologically sound manner. We would all wish as much as possible of our rubbish to be recycled
(for example by paper pulping or reusing plastics) but the expense involved must be met by higher
taxes and charges for households.
Regarding possible solutions, probably the most immediate short-term solution would be
to divert far more government funds into waste processing and recycling facilities at a local level.
This would reduce the environmental impact of the waste by reducing pollution, and also lower
our demand for raw materials, as more recycled products would consequently be produced. A
further, longer-term solution might be to raise the level of public understanding for the need to
consume less material in households, especially in terms of packaging and wasted food. A
campaign of education along these lines would gradually lessen the volume of waste, especially if
reinforced by incentives for consuming less and penalties for excessive waste, as we see being
trialled in the UK at present.
 Overall, the main problems are both environmental and financial. The possible solutions
involve more immediate investment in facilities, and also encouraging long-term changes in
household behaviour.
(326 words)

5.Two-Part Questions
Typical Question Words
There will normally be a statement and they will then ask you to answer to separate questions.
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)
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- Answer first question directly
Sentence 2- Explain why
Sentence 3- Further explain
Sentence 4- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1- Answer second question directly
Sentence 2- Explain why
Sentence 3- Further explain
Sentence 4- Example
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sample Answer
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. 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.
 The two most important things that lead to someone being satisfied at work are being
treated with respect by managers and being compensated fairly. If those more senior than you
respect you as a person and the job you are doing then you feel like you are valued. A fair salary
and benefits are also important considerations because if you feel you are being underpaid you
will either resent your bosses or look for another job. There two factors came top of a recent job
satisfaction survey conducted by Monster.com, that found that 72% of people were pleased with
their current role if their superiors regularly told them they were appreciated.
With regards to the question of happiness for all workers, I think this is and always will be
highly unlikely. The vast majority of people fail to reach their goals and end up working in a
post they don’t really care about in return for a salary. This money is just enough to pay their
living expenses which often means they are trapped in a cycle of disenchantment. For example,
The Times recently reported that 89% of office workers would leave their jobs if they did not need
the money.
In conclusion, being satisfied with your trade or profession is an important part of one’s
well-being and respect from one’s colleagues and fair pay can improve your level of happiness,
however, job satisfaction of all workers is an unrealistic prospect.
(299 words)

Sample Answer
‘Knowing how to make a group presentation is the most important skill for anyone in the world of
work today.’
How important are presentation and public speaking skills, compared to various other work skills?
Which skill is the most important ability for most people these days?
Explanation of the Task
This is an Ideas>Evaluate type essay, which is the least common type in the IELTS writing test.
The
Task is not asking for your opinion about presentation skills in isolation, but is asking you to
compare the importance of this skill to various other skills, and to decide which is the most
important.
You should introduce the topic and give an outline of your decision in the introduction, then use
the main body to show your ‘ranking’ of what is important. You can simply do this by saying ‘The
most important is . . . the second most important is . . .’ and so on. Three ideas are enough for the
main body (ie a ‘ranking’ of three skills, in this example) with your reasons/evidence for deciding
on this ranking.
The summary should briefly recap on the ranking and your reasons.
Student’s Plan
Essay Type: Ideas>Evaluate
Introduction: A range of skills needed; 2 others more important than presentational
Main Body:
1 (Most important) Time management/prioritising, eg for medicine, conferences less important
2 (2n d important) Team management, public & private sector, social media
replaces public speaking
3 Presentation skills are 3rd most important today, work is changing
Conclusion: Don’t neglect speaking skills, but this is number 3 in work place now

Success at work these days requires a wide range of skills, of which presentational ability
is certainly among the most important. However, there are two other skills which appear to be
more useful, which we will evaluate now.
Possibly the key skill in professional life today is in fact the ability to handle a high
workload, including the methods of prioritising tasks and managing one’s time in an effective way.
In most professions, this skill has grown in importance hugely over recent years, while the need
for public speaking has probably remained static. For example, in the medical field, doctors attend
increasingly fewer conferences and seminars, because these events are perceived as time-
consuming and less productive than they used to be due to the ease of exchanging information
remotely.
The second most important skill is probably the capacity to manage teams of people,
including the techniques of setting and monitoring team objectives. This ability is fundamental to
modern organisations in both business and the public sector, and success in this area virtually
guarantees a person professional advancement, even if their public speaking skills are less
developed. We see this in the way in which finance or consumer goods companies promote
effective team managers, but rarely require them to address large groups of people. The same trend
can be seen in the civil administration and public services, where public speaking has to some
extent been replaced by use of social media.
For these reasons, I would evaluate presentation skills as a tertiary skill, which is important
but increasingly less useful than in the past, due to the radical changes in the way we work together
and communicate with each other professionally.
Overall, it is true that professional people should not neglect or underestimate the
usefulness of speaking skills. However, the skills of workload management and team direction
appear to be more relevant and decisive in today’s rapidly evolving workplace.
(318 words)

6. Outweigh Advantage /Disadvantage

Structure
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
Sentence 7- Topic Sentence
Sentence 8- Explain why it is strong
Sentence 9- 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?

Some authorities think that it is more favorable 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.
The main reason to start kids off with foreign languages early is that this increases the
likelihood they will achieve fluency in adulthood. That is to say that they will have far more years
to perfect their skills and it will seem perfectly normal to speak bilingually. For example, in
countries such as Holland and Norway where English is taught from a very young age, more than
95% of adults speak it at an advanced level. Learning a second language also helps to improve
overall cognitive abilities. In other words it benefits the overall development of a child’s brain. A
recent survey by Cambridge University found that children who studied a new language before the
age of 5 were significantly more likely to score higher in Mathematics and Science.
Those opposed to this say that it causes the child to become confused between their mother
tongue and the other language. However, there is actually no evidence to support this view and
children from bilingual families do just as well in both languages. My own son was brought up
speaking both Vietnamese and English and outperforms most of his classmates in both.
 On balance, the fact that early foreign language learning leads to higher fluency and
improved brain function clearly outweighs the flawed argument that it impairs uptake of native
languages.
(299 words)

7.Cause/effect questions
In many countries, truancy *is a worrying problem for both parents and educators. What are the causes of
truancy, and what may be the effects on the child and the wider community?
(* truancy = the situation when a child pretends to go to school but in fact goes somewhere else, for example
to play unsupervised. The verb is ‘to play truant from school.’)

Explanation of the Task

This is an Ideas>Causes/Effects type Task.
It does not ask you to say if truancy is a good or bad thing, but it asks you to think of ideas about why
truancy happens and the impact on children and the community. You should introduce the topic briefly,
then suggest two or three causes, plus two or three effects, and then summarise in the conclusion, without
expressing a personal judgement.
Sometimes, a Task will give you a definition of a word or phrase; make sure you read this carefully and
use the words accurately in these say, because the meaning might be different from what you initially think.
Student’s Plan
Type: ideas>causes/effects (effects on child & community)
Intro: this is cause/effect essay
Possible causes:
1 Boredom with school, dull lessons
2 Peer pressure, other children do it
Possible effects:
1 Lack of progress, & career problems (child)
2 Tempted into crime (child)
3 Petty crime eg vandalism, litter, anti-social behaviour (community)
Summary: Causes can be academic & from peers; effects are to do with crime & behaviour

Sample Answer
Truancy is an activity which some children regard as amusing or even exciting, but which
can have serious impacts on their future and on society as a whole. I can identify two main causes,
and three broad effects, which we will describe now.
Perhaps the main cause is a sense of boredom or frustration with school itself, for instance
with the content, pace or organisation of the lessons. This can be seen in the way that pupils often
avoid certain lessons but not others, suggesting that specific subjects or teachers are the personal
grievance. Another factor may frequently be peer pressure, meaning that pupils feel obliged to
play truant because some of their peers or friends are doing this. We can see that the child’s desire
to be popular among a peer group may be higher than the motivation to study and progress.
Turning to possible effects, the tendency to underperform academically is probably the
most serious impact on a pupil’s life, leading to poor exam results and weak career progression in
later life. Another effect may be the temptation to participate in petty crime or antisocial behaviour
while the child is unsupervised, potentially opening a pathway into more serious crimes later on.
For example, a child who commits vandalism may progress to theft and robbery, a trend we see in
some major South American cities such as Rio or Buenos Aires. This issue of crime is probably
the third major effect, and one that impacts on the community as a whole. For instance, children
playing truant may cause damage, drop litter, intimidate elderly people and commit other acts
which spread a sense of instability and anxiety, even though the financial impact is low.
To sum up, the causes of truancy generally relate to lack of challenge or peer pressures,
while the effects are seen in individual under-achievement and in minor crime against the
community as a whole.
(315 words)

8.Positive/Negative Development
Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people can study online.
Is this a positive or negative development?
Structure :
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Outline Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- State One Positive/Negative side
Sentence 2- Expand/Explain
Sentence 3- Example
Sentence 4- Result
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1- State other Positive/Negative side
Sentence 2- Expand/Explain
Sentence 3- Example
Sentence 4- Result
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- Opinion

It is true that online courses are becoming a common feature of university education.
Although there are some drawbacks of Internet-based learning, I would argue that there are far
more benefits.
The main drawback of the trend towards online university courses is that there is less direct
interaction. Students may not have the opportunity to engage face-to-face with their teachers, and
will instead have to rely on written forms of communication. Similarly, students who study online
do not come into direct contact with each other, and this could have a negative impact on peer
support, discussion and exchange of ideas. For example, whereas students on traditional courses
can attend seminars and even discuss their subjects over coffee after lessons, online learners are
restricted to chatting through website forum areas. These learners may also lack the motivation
and element of competition that face-to-face group work brings.
Despite the negatives mentioned above, I believe that online university courses are a
positive development for various reasons. Firstly, they allow learners to study in a flexible way,
meaning that they can work whenever and wherever is convenient, and they can cover the material
at their own pace. Secondly, the cost of a university education can be greatly reduced, while
revenues for institutions may increase as more students can be taught. Finally, online learning
offers open access to anybody who is willing to study, regardless of age, location, ability and
background. For example, my uncle, who is 65 years old, has recently enrolled on an online MBA
course in a different country, which would have been impossible in the days before Internet-based
education.
In conclusion, while I recognise the possible disadvantages of online learning, I consider it
to be a positive development overall.
(288 words)