IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion (agree or disagree)

How to recognise it

• "To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
• "Do you agree or disagree?"
• "What is your opinion?"

What the examiner looks for

A clear position that stays the same from introduction to conclusion, with every main idea supporting it. Band 7 Task Response asks for 'a clear and developed position'; Band 5 says 'the development is not always clear'.

Plan (40 minutes)

How to start

• Background: "It is often argued that [paraphrase of the statement]."
• Position (fully agree): "I completely agree with this view because [reason 1] and [reason 2]."
• Position (partly agree): "While this is true to some extent, I believe [your limit]."
• Avoid: "This essay will discuss…" with no position. You must answer the question in the introduction.

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

1. Underline the topic and the instruction words. How many parts must you answer?
2. Decide your answer or position in one sentence before planning anything else.
3. 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").
4. Note 3-4 topic words you want to use (e.g. for education: curriculum, tuition fees, graduates).

Useful language

Mistakes that cost bands

• Changing position halfway (agreeing in the introduction, disagreeing in the conclusion).
• Writing a 'both sides' discussion when the question only asks for your opinion.
• Ideas listed but not explained: each body paragraph needs one idea developed with an example.

Some people believe that university education should be free for all students, regardless of their family income. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Social media platforms should be legally responsible for the false information that users share on them. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The best way to reduce air pollution in cities is to ban private cars from city centres. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Employees who work from home are more productive than those who work in an office. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Governments should tax unhealthy foods, such as sugary drinks and fast food, to improve public health. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Longer prison sentences are the most effective way to reduce crime. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Older people have more to teach young people than young people have to teach older people. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Museums and art galleries should be free for everyone to visit. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Learning English is more important today than learning one's own national language. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Money spent on space exploration would be better spent on solving problems on Earth. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Children should start learning a foreign language at primary school rather than at secondary school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Advertising aimed at children should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?