Practice › Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 2: Positive or negative development
How to recognise it
- "Is this a positive or negative development?"
- "Is this a positive or negative trend?"
What the examiner looks for
A clear judgement (positive, negative, or mainly one with a limit) supported by developed reasons. It is an opinion question in disguise: stay consistent.
Plan (40 minutes)
| Paragraph | What to write |
|---|---|
| Introduction (~40 words) | Paraphrase the trend and state clearly whether it is mainly positive or negative. |
| Body 1 (~90 words) | The main reason for your judgement, with an example. |
| Body 2 (~90 words) | A second reason, or the other side and why it is less important. |
| Conclusion (~40 words) | Restate your judgement and the main reason. |
How to start
- Judgement: "I believe this is largely a positive development, as…"
- Balanced judgement: "Although this trend has some drawbacks, its benefits are far greater."
- Avoid: 'it has both positive and negative sides' with no final judgement.
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
- This is beneficial because…
- This trend is welcome, as…
- This opens up opportunities for…
- This is a cause for concern because…
- This could undermine…
- The danger is that…
- That said, …
- This is only true if…
- The main exception is…
- Overall, this trend is…
- On balance, I would say…
Mistakes that cost bands
- Sitting on the fence with no final judgement.
- Describing the trend instead of evaluating it.
- Judgement in the conclusion that contradicts the introduction.
11 practice questions
Original questions written for upband.ai in the style of the exam. Write your answer in 40 minutes, then score it.
In many companies, robots and computers now do jobs that people used to do. Is this a positive or negative development?
Practise this question →More and more people are choosing not to have children. Is this a positive or negative development?
Practise this question →Many people now do their banking, shopping and socialising entirely online. Is this a positive or negative trend?
Practise this question →In some countries, more students are studying at universities abroad than ever before. Is this a positive or negative development?
Practise this question →Many cities are replacing car lanes with cycle paths and pedestrian areas. Is this a positive or negative development?
Practise this question →Films and TV series from a few countries are now watched all over the world. Is this a positive or negative development?
Practise this question →Many people now look for medical advice online before visiting a doctor. Is this a positive or negative trend?
Practise this question →More people are retiring later in life than in the past. Is this a positive or negative development?
Practise this question →Some governments are giving money to people who buy electric cars. Is this a positive or negative development?
Practise this question →In many families, both parents now work full-time. Is this a positive or negative development?
Practise this question →Many people now buy second-hand clothes instead of new ones. Is this a positive or negative trend?
Practise this question →