Practice › Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion (discuss both views and give your opinion)
How to recognise it
- "Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
- "Discuss both these views."
What the examiner looks for
Both views explained fairly, and (if asked) your own opinion stated clearly. Missing either view or your opinion means a main part of the prompt is not fully addressed, which keeps Task Response at Band 5–6.
Plan (40 minutes)
| Paragraph | What to write |
|---|---|
| Introduction (~40 words) | Paraphrase both views in one sentence, then give your opinion in one sentence. |
| Body 1 (~90 words) | View A: why some people hold it, with a reason and example. |
| Body 2 (~90 words) | View B: why others hold it. Many writers put the view they agree with here and say so. |
| Conclusion (~40 words) | Summarise both views briefly and restate your own opinion clearly. |
How to start
- Both views: "While some people think that [view A], others argue that [view B]."
- Your view: "Personally, I side with the latter view because…"
- Opening body 1: "On the one hand, those who support [view A] point out that…"
- Avoid: hiding your opinion until the last sentence. State it early and keep it the same.
These are frames to adapt to the question, not sentences to memorise. Examiners can recognise memorised language, and it lowers Lexical Resource.
Think before you write
- Underline the topic and the instruction words. How many parts must you answer?
- Decide your answer or position in one sentence before planning anything else.
- Choose two main ideas that support it and a specific example for each (a country, a group of people, a situation, not "many people say").
- Note 3-4 topic words you want to use (e.g. for education: curriculum, tuition fees, graduates).
Useful language
- Supporters of … argue that…
- Those in favour of … point out that…
- From this perspective, …
- On the other hand, …
- By contrast, …
- However, this view overlooks the fact that…
- Having considered both sides, I believe…
- In my opinion, the second view is more convincing because…
- This argument is persuasive because…
- This view has some merit, but…
Mistakes that cost bands
- Forgetting your own opinion when the question asks for it.
- Spending three paragraphs on one view and one sentence on the other.
- Using 'some people say' with no reason or example behind it.
11 practice questions
Original questions written for upband.ai in the style of the exam. Write your answer in 40 minutes, then score it.
Some people think that schools should focus on academic subjects, while others believe they should teach practical life skills such as cooking and managing money. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some people prefer to work for a large company, while others prefer to work for a small business. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some people believe that artificial intelligence will create more jobs than it destroys, while others think it will lead to mass unemployment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some people think individuals can do little to protect the environment, while others believe individual action is essential. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some people believe that health is mainly an individual's responsibility, while others think governments should take the lead in improving people's health. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some people think that children should be raised mainly by their parents, while others believe that grandparents and the wider family should play an equal role. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some people believe that young offenders should be punished in the same way as adults, while others think they should be treated differently. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some people prefer to live in a big city, while others prefer to live in the countryside. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some people think that news should be free for everyone, while others believe people should pay for high-quality journalism. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some people think that professional athletes are paid too much, while others believe their high salaries are deserved. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →Some believe that university students should study whatever subject they like, while others think they should study subjects that lead to jobs. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Practise this question →