1 writing task 2 by ahru

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
You get graded on four criteria. You will be given a band score (1-9) for each of these and
then these will be averaged to give your final task 2 writing score.
Every essay is assessed by a trained examiner according to four assessment criteria:

Criteria Evaluation
Task Response (TR) Your ability to answer the question, support and develop your
(25%) ideas and present a clear position
Coherence and Your ability to logically organize your essay and the ideas within
Cohesion (CC) (25%) the essay, and to use appropriate cohesive devices to do this.
Lexical Resource (LR) Your ability to use a range of vocabulary and your ability to use it
(25%) accurately.
Grammatical Range & Your ability to use a range and variety of sentence structures and
Accuracy (GRA) (25%) the accuracy you have with your grammar.

How should I answer the task?

You’ll get the answer to this when you read the eBook, but here are some general tips
before we begin:

• Spend 40 minutes on task 2. You have one hour for the writing but you are also
required to do task 1. Task 2 is weighted more heavily so you should spend more time
on this, but do not spend more than 40 minutes.
• Make sure you write at least 250 words. Your score may be reduced if you write less.
Aim for about 265 words, but of course the amount you can write will depend on your
writing ability. Someone with better skills may be able to write more in a shorter
space of time as they will have to spend less time thinking about their grammar.
• Don’t write too many words. It does not follow that you get more marks for writing
more. Quality is more important than quantity.
• Don’t try to get carried away and throw as many ideas into your essay as possible.
Fewer ideas that are fully explained are better than lots of ideas that are not explained
properly.
• Make sure you do lots of practice under timed conditions – brainstorming, planning
and writing a 250 word essay in 40 minutes is not easy.
• Make sure you can write a finished essay in the time – a coherent essay has an
introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion.

2 writing task 2 by ahru

 The Structure of an essay
Every essay should have this exact structure:

• Introduction (1 paragraph in 2 or 3 sentences)

• Body Paragraphs (2 or 3 paragraphs each in 5 or 6 sentences)
• Conclusion (1 paragraph in 2 or 3 sentences)
It looks very simple; however, the structure and the paragraphing of your essay are very
important because your grade is affected by them. Remember that practice and hard work
make perfect.

Suggested timing for Task 2

Here is a suggestion of an ideal timing for Task 2. If you cannot make it for the first couple of
your writings, don’t panic. It will take time and practice to reach this plan.
You have 40 minutes for writing Task 2, and I suggest that you:

• Spend the first 10 minutes planning your essay structure and brainstorming ideas
for the two main body paragraphs.
• Spend 5 minutes writing your 2-sentence introduction.
• Spend 20 minutes on the main body (10 minutes for each paragraph).
• Spend the last 5 minutes writing your conclusion and checking everything.
Note: These are suggestions, not rules. Students are often surprised by the 10- minute
planning time. A good plan helps you to write your essay much faster than you think.

3 writing task 2 by ahru

 Understanding IELTS Essay Questions
An IELTS question will have at least one or more of the following:
1. Background Facts
This is factual information about a situation or matter. In other words, it is something that is
generally accepted as being true. (Sometimes, there are no facts in the question. Only
opinions and a task are given).
2. Opinion
This is someone’s view about a situation or issue. As it’s an opinion, it is possible to agree or
disagree with it. (Sometimes, there are no opinions in the question. Only facts and a task are
given).
3. Task instruction
These are words telling you what you should do. There may be more than one task in an
essay question, in which case both would need to be answered.
Knowing the difference between these will help you to analyse essay questions as you need
to know the difference between a fact and an opinion and what the task it.
Now look at this essay question:

Advances in technology and automation have reduced the need

for manual labour. (fact) Therefore, working hours should be
reduced. (opinion) To what extent do you agree? (task instruction)

Exercise 1 - Identifying the Parts of an Essay Question

Look at the following essay questions. Identify what the task is and whether there are any
facts or opinions or write ‘none’ if there are no facts or opinions. There will always be a task
as this is the part that tells you what you need to do.

In many countries the proportion of older people is increasing. Could this

have more positive or negative effects on society?

Fact

Opinion

Task instruction

4 writing task 2 by ahru

 2.
The best way to help developing countries is to give them financial aid.
Write an essay either agreeing or disagreeing with this statement.
Suggest alternatives to this policy

Fact

Opinion

Task instruction

3. Smoking is a habit that claims many lives and is a great drain on health
services. One way to combat smoking would be to make it illegal.
What are the pros and cons of such a government policy?
What alternative strategies can you suggest to combat smoking?

Fact

Opinion

Task instruction

4. The crime rate among teenagers has increased dramatically in many

countries.

Discuss some possible reasons for this increase and suggest solutions.

Fact

Opinion

Task instruction

5 writing task 2 by ahru

 Types of IELTS Essays
There are 5 types of IELTS essays which can appear in IELTS writing task 2. These types of
essays are for both GT and Academic writing task 2. Below you will find sample essay
questions for each type of essay and links to model answers. Please note that IELTS
teachers sometimes divide essays into different categories based on how they teach.
1. IELTS Opinion Essay
This type of essay is where you are presented with someone else’s opinion and you are
asked if you agree or disagree with it. The opinion is often flawed or extreme in its views.
Some teachers call this the Argumentative Essay. The instructions can be written in a
number of ways. Below are a few examples:

• To what extent do you agree?

• Do you agree?
• Do you agree or disagree?
• What is your opinion?
No matter how the instructions are written, you can take any position you want: agree,
disagree or partial agreement (balanced view). Below is an example essay question:

Some people think that only electric cars should be allowed on the road by 2040.
Do you agree?

2. IELTS Discussion Essay

This type of essay presents you with a statement and you must present the two sides.
This might be two sides of the same issue:

Some people think there should be free health care for all people, but others
disagree. Discuss both sides.

Or it might be two separate issues which you need to discuss:

Some people think that urban spaces should be used for parks rather than for
housing. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

6 writing task 2 by ahru

 3. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essays
There are two types of questions in this category.
a. Advantage and Disadvantage Essay
This is similar to a discussion essay where you are given a statement must present the
positive and negative side of the issue:

Some people think it is good for students to take a gap year before going to
university. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?

b. Outweigh Essay
This is by far the most difficult of the two essay types in this category. It requires you
to present an opinion and explain your opinion.

Some people think the world will eventually have only one language. Do you think
the advantages of having one global language outweigh the disadvantages?

4. IELTS Solution Essays

There are a number of types of possible questions in this category:
a. Solution Only

Some children have serious weight problems. What are the possible solutions?

b. Cause Solution

Children in rural areas are being left behind in their academic development. Why is
this is the case? What solutions can you suggest?

c. Problem Solution

More and more people are moving to cities to look for work. What problems does
this cause? What are the possible solutions?

7 writing task 2 by ahru

 5. Direct Questions Essays
Some teachers call these the Two Question Essay. However, these types of essay
questions might contain one, two or three questions for you to answer. Below are some
examples.

Pollution around the world is becoming a serious problem. Do you think this is a
problem that should be solved internationally or on a local level?

In the question above, you are asked one specific question. Your whole essay must tackle
this question only.

Some people spend a lot of money on weddings. Why do they do this? Do you think
it is good to spend a lot of money on weddings?

The question above asks you to present reasons and then to give your opinion by
evaluating if it is good or not.

News editors decide what to print in newspapers and what to broadcast on TV.
What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad
news? Would it be better if more news was reported?

As you can see there are three questions to answer in this essay question. It is not
common to get three questions. If you get three, just tackle them one at a time in a
logical order.

8 writing task 2 by ahru

 PLANNING
In this section we will look at how you can use the planning stage of your essay
effectively. Look at the question about government spending again, and then look at a
candidate’s plan below

Government investment in the arts, such as music and

theatre, is a waste of money. Governments must invest this
money in public services instead.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?

Remember the focus question and how you can brainstorm from this:

Focus Question:
Should the government invest money for the arts into public
services instead?
1. Yes – brainstorm ideas about why spending on public
services is so important
2. No – brainstorm ideas about why it is also important to
spend on the arts

Your brainstorming of the answers to these would then also provide you with your plan
for your essay and your topics of each paragraph, giving you two body paragraphs:

Should the government invest money for the arts into public services instead?
Yes No
Idea: Most money should be spent on Public Idea: Must not neglect the arts
Services
Reason 1: Cannot generate their own
Reason: Includes hospitals etc - Improves profit
quality of life
Exp: May close down
Ex: UK - recent public spending cuts
Reason 2: Impacts quality of life
Eff: hospital waiting lists & teachers Further
adverse affects in the future Exp: People great pleasure in seeing
performances = imp. entertainment
Conc: Spending on public services - v.
important Reason 3: Arts keep our culture alive

9 writing task 2 by ahru

 As you can see, the two sides of the argument presented in the question have made up
the main ideas of each paragraph.
Now take a look at the model answer to see how this has been turned into an essay.

These days, the government spends a large part of its budget not only on public
services, but also the arts. In my opinion, some government money should be spent
on the arts, but most should be spent on public services.
(Idea) It is important that the government spends a significant amount of its budget
on public services (Reason 1) because public services are our hospitals, roads and
schools, and these things determine the quality of life that most of us will have. (Ex)
Taking the UK as an example, the government has recently cut back on public
spending, (Eff) which has resulted in increased waiting lists for hospital treatments
and fewer teachers, and this may eventually lead to a decline in the health of the
nation along with educational standards. (Conc) It is thus clear that ensuring a large
proportion of government money is spent on public service is extremely important.
(Idea) However, this does not mean that the arts should be completely neglected.
(Reason 1) Firstly, it is difficult for many arts institutions to generate much profit
(Exp) because people are not prepared to pay high entrance fees for places such as
art galleries or theatres, so without some help from the government, such places
may have to close. (Reason 2) Also, the arts have an important impact on our
quality of life, (Exp) with many people getting great pleasure in going to see music
and theatre performances. (Reason 3) Not only this, the performing arts and
literary arts such as dance and books help to keep our culture and history alive for
future generations
To conclude, I do not believe spending money on the arts is a waste. A balance
should be achieved to ensure public services are maintained and the arts remain
available to all

10 writing task 2 by ahru

 Topic – to what extent
School uniforms should be abolished in all schools.
Discuss to what extent you agree or disagree with this statement.
For Against
• Uniforms are expensive so not having to • Uniforms reduce inequality, feeling of
buy them saves money jealousy
• Children can be more individual • Uniforms teach discipline

The internet will bring about a new freedom of information and so narrow the
technology gap between developed and developing countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
For Against
• World-wide communication possible • Only the rich can afford to access the
internet
• Greater access to information • Computing skills are necessary to
operate the internet, so a new
technology gap develops

‘Discuss both views ...’ Topics

Example #1:
Some people believe that robots will play an important role in future societies,
while others argue that robots might have negative effects on society.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
First view (Positive effects):

• do manual jobs quickly e.g. factory, packing

• cheap labour, more productive, no breaks (jobs that are boring, difficult for
people)
• create free, extra time for people to spend doing what they want
• make life easier, improve our quality of life
Second view (Negative effects):

• become dependent on robots, we will lose skills e.g. cooking

• less human interaction, lazy, health problems
• unemployment will rise, people will be replaced by machines e.g. self-
service, check-outs in supermarkets e.g. factory robots=fewer workers
• can lead to bigger problems e.g. poverty, crime, etc.

11 writing task 2 by ahru

 Example #2:
Some people think that in the modern world we have become more dependent on
each other, while others think that people are now more independent.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
First view (we have become more dependent):

• Life is more difficult and expensive, and we are less self-sufficient

• Young people rely on their parents for longer
• Unemployed people receive state benefits
• Our jobs are much more specialised, and we need to work in teams
Second view (we are more independent):

• We rely on machines more than we depend on each other

• The Internet allows us to solve problems without needing help
• Families are more dispersed, and therefore provide less support
• Education gives us the freedom to make our own choices

‘Advantages & Disadvantages’ Topics

Example #1:
It has been said that the world is becoming a global village in which there are no
boundaries to trade and communication.
Do the benefits of globalisation outweigh the drawbacks?
Positives (advantages or pros) of globalisation:

• Business is becoming increasingly international.

• A global economy means free trade between countries.
• This can strengthen political relationships.
• Globalisation can also create opportunities for employment.
• It encourages investment in less developed countries.
• It could reduce poverty in the developing world.
Negatives (disadvantages or cons) of globalisation:

• Globalisation can also lead to unemployment and exploitation.

• Companies move to countries where labour is cheap.
• This creates redundancies, or job losses.
• Some companies exploit their employees in developing countries.
• Salaries are low and working conditions are often poor.
• Global trade also creates excessive waste and pollution.

12 writing task 2 by ahru

 Example #2:
There are more cars on the roads these days and more accidents. As a result,
some politicians have suggested that people should take regular driving tests
throughout their lives, rather than one single test.
What do you think the advantages of repeating driving tests are? Do these
outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer.
Advantages (merits or profits):

• Useful in case of older drivers

• Good for people who don’t drive regularly
• Keep drivers up-to-date with road rules
• Raises driving standards
• May prevent young people from driving too fast
• Reduce accidents
Disadvantages (demerits or drawbacks):

• Extra costs
• Learner drivers might have to wait longer for a test
• It may not be possible to include a written test every time
• Difficult to organize

‘Cause/Effect & Solutions’ Topics

Example #1:
Childhood obesity is becoming a serious problem in many countries. Explain the
main causes and effects of this problem, and suggest some possible solutions
Causes:

• eat junk food e.g. hamburgers, chips, McDonald's / drink sugary soft drinks
• lack of exercise / sedentary life style/physical activity contributes to the
obesity problem
• play computer games / chat on the net, rather than playing outside or
doing sport
Effects:

• these problems lead to obesity / children are overweight, unhealthy, unfit

• a higher risk of diseases e.g. diabetes, heart disease, cancer
• put a strain on hospitals / they will be a burden on hospitals in the future
Solution:

• it is the parents', schools', governments' responsibility to ...

13 writing task 2 by ahru

 • give children healthy food, control what they eat, ensure that they have a
healthy diet, limit junk food advertising
• restrict the time they spend playing computer games, encouraging them to
take regular exercise
Example #2:
Many criminals re-offend after they have been punished. Why do some people
continue to commit crimes after they have been punished, and what measures
can be taken to tackle this problem?
Causes of crime and re-offending:

• The main causes of crime are poverty, unemployment and lack of

education.
• People who commit crimes often have no other way of making a living.
• The prison system can make the situation worse.
• Offenders mix with other criminals who can be a negative influence.
• A criminal record makes finding a job more difficult.
• Many prisoners re-offend when they are released.
Possible measures to reduce crime and re-offending:

• Prisons should provide education or vocational training.

• Rehabilitation programmes prepare prisoners for release into society.
• Community service is another way to reform offenders.
• It makes offenders useful in their local communities.
• They might be required to talk to school groups or clean public areas
• Offenders also need help when looking for accommodation and work.

14 writing task 2 by ahru

 Introductions
Some students spend a lot of time writing an introduction to their essay, and then don’t
finish the essay because they run out of time.
You need to write a good introduction in order to have a coherent essay, but most of the
marks on the IELTS grading sheet do not come from the introduction. Most of them focus
on the paragraph e.g. their coherency and whether ideas are extended and supported.
So you need to write your introduction quickly, and here are some tips on doing that.
Have a look at this question:

Fresh water has always been a limited resource in some

parts of the world. Today, however, growing worldwide
demand has made this a global problem.
What are the causes of the increased demand, and what
measures can governments and individuals take to
respond to this problem?

You just need to do two things:

1. Give some background to the topic and refer to the topic of the essay using some
facts (taken from the question if they are included). Reverse some of the information,
paraphrase, and use some synonyms.

2. Tell the reader what will be in your essay.

Example:

Introduction:
In some areas around the world, there has always been a lack of fresh water,
but this is now a global problem due to the growth in worldwide demand.
Several factors have led to this increase, but there are measures that
governments and individuals can take to solve this problem.

15 writing task 2 by ahru

 Here is another example with a different type of question (agree / disagree):

Because many problems we face today affect our whole

planet, good relationships between countries are
becoming more important than ever before
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?

Introduction:
These days, many of the problems that we are experiencing are global problems,
so they have an effect on the whole world. There are therefore several reasons
why I believe that it is of the utmost importance that countries have good
relationships with each other.

For "agree or disagree" questions, do I have to discuss both sides, or should I just support
one side of the argument?
The answer is: it's your decision. If you completely agree, you don't need to mention the
opposite view - just support your side of the argument. If you partly agree, you should
write something about both sides.

Governments should not have to provide care or financial

support for elderly people because it is the responsibility of
each person to prepare for retirement and support him or
herself.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Example introduction (Strong view):

Introduction:
People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior
citizens. I completely disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive
no support from the state.

16 writing task 2 by ahru

 Example Introduction (Balanced view):

Introduction:
People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior
citizens. Although I accept that we all have a responsibility to save money for
retirement, I disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive no
support from the state.

Some people think the main purpose of schools is to turn

children into good citizens and workers, rather than to
benefit them as individuals.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Example introduction (Strong view/Agree):

Introduction:
People have different views about what the main purpose of schools should be.
Personally, I agree that a school's role is to prepare children to be productive
members of society.

Example introduction (Strong view/Disagree):

Introduction:
Many people argue that the main role of schools is to prepare children for their
future jobs. However, I believe that the purpose of education should be to help
children to grow as individuals.

Example introduction (Balanced view):

Introduction:
To a certain extent I agree that the role of schools is to prepare children to be
productive members of society. However, I also believe that the education
process has a positive impact on us as individuals.

17 writing task 2 by ahru

 Exercise 1
Now it’s your turn. Have a practice with the following questions:
1. .
As global trade increases, many goods, including those we
use on a daily basis, are produced in other countries and
have to be transported long distances.
Do the benefits of this trend outweigh the drawbacks?

Your introduction:
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

2. .
In many countries, children are engaged in some kind of
paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong
while others consider it as valuable work experience.
Discuss both opinions and give your opinion.

Your introduction:
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

18 writing task 2 by ahru

 3. .
Unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of
high school programs (for example, working for a charity,
improving the neighbourhood, or teaching sports to
younger children).
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Your introduction:
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

4. .
Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the
world is facing today.
What are the causes of global warming and what
measures can governments and individuals take to tackle
the issue?

Your introduction:
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

19 writing task 2 by ahru

 Conclusions
Like your introductions, your conclusion should be quick and easy to write.
There are three things you need to do:
1. Use a transition to show it is the conclusion (in blue)
2. Repeat your thesis statement (the final sentence of your introduction) in different
words (in red below - underlined)
3. Give some personal opinions, or your hopes, fears, recommendations about the
issue (in green – italics)

Look at the same question as we looked at in the introductions:

Fresh water has always been a limited resource in some

parts of the world. Today, however, growing worldwide
demand has made this a global problem.
What are the causes of the increased demand, and what
measures can governments and individuals take to
respond to this problem?

Introduction:
In some areas around the world, there has always been a lack of fresh water,
but this is now a global problem due to the growth in worldwide demand.
Several factors have led to this increase, but there are measures that
governments and individuals can take to solve this problem.

Conclusion
To sum up, it is evident that although a number of factors are resulting in an
increased demand for water, solutions to tackle the problem are available to
governments and individuals. It is imperative that the issue be resolved as soon
as possible to avoid the potential dangers to mankind that the lack of fresh
water would bring.

20 writing task 2 by ahru

 Exercise 2
Using the same questions for the introductions, have a practice at writing your own
conclusions.
1. .
As global trade increases, many goods, including those we
use on a daily basis, are produced in other countries and
have to be transported long distances.
Do the benefits of this trend outweigh the drawbacks?

Your conclusion:
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

2.
In many countries, children are engaged in some kind of
paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong
while others consider it as valuable work experience.
Discuss both opinions and give your opinion.

Your conclusion:
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

21 writing task 2 by ahru

 3. .
Unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of
high school programs (for example, working for a charity,
improving the neighbourhood, or teaching sports to
younger children).
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Your conclusion:
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

4. .
Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the
world is facing today.
What are the causes of global warming and what
measures can governments and individuals take to tackle
the issue?

Your conclusion:
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

22 writing task 2 by ahru

 Developing body paragraphs quickly
Before we look at these, it is important to remember the key elements of any good
paragraph:

• Unity: A paragraph should focus around one main idea

• Development: This idea should be developed (explained) in the other sentences
• Coherence: The idea should be explained in a clear and logical way
One Idea Paragraph
In this type of paragraph, you present an idea, and the remainder of your paragraph focuses
on explaining this idea. Or for a longer paragraph you may have two ideas.
In this type of paragraph you use these to support your ideas:
Reasons, Examples, Results
Imagine that you have this essay question:

There have been major advances in technology over recent

decades and this has led to significant improvements in
people’s lives.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Solution:

• Give one idea

• Give a reason WHY this idea is true
• Give an example of it
• Say what the implications / effects of this example are
• Conclude the paragraph

Idea People’s lives are much more convenient.

Reason This is because we are able to do many things without having to stay at
the office or home, something which is extremely important given the
busy lifestyles of today.
Example For example, most people now have a mobile phone or laptop, and Wi-Fi
is available in virtually every place.
Result As a result, people are able to do their work, communicate with
colleagues or friends, and check their emails anywhere they choose such
as in coffee shops or while travelling on a train or bus.
Conclusion There is no doubt that this has improved people’s lives in many ways and
this would not have been possible without improved technology.

23 writing task 2 by ahru

 You can use this to ensure you are developing your ideas. Here is an example of how this
has then been turned into the first paragraph of an essay:

The main benefit of modern technology is that people’s lives are

much more convenient. This is because we are able to do many
things without having to stay at the office or home, something which
is extremely important given the busy lifestyles of today. For
example, most people now have a mobile phone or laptop computer,
and Wi-Fi is available in virtually every place. As a result, people are
able to do their work, communicate with colleagues or friends, and
check their emails anywhere they choose such as in coffee shops or
while travelling on a train or bus. There is no doubt that this has
improved people’s lives in many ways and this would not have been
possible without improved technology. (119
words)

The key point is that you MUST explain your ideas.

So how is this connected to writing a paragraph quickly? The advantage behind this method
is that you can use the framework to brainstorm and plan your ideas.
On a piece of paper, you can write out the framework, and brainstorm your ideas around it.
Here is an example of a candidate’s brainstorming in the test:

Brainstorming / Planning notes

How has technology benefitted people?

Idea: more convenience

Why? can do things away from home –

important due to busy lifestyles

Ex: Phones & laptops; Wi-Fi everywhere

Result: can work, talk, email – coffee

shops, while travelling

Conc: not possible without technology

24 writing task 2 by ahru

 Multiple Idea Paragraphs (Listing Paragraphs)
In this type of paragraph, multiple supporting ideas are presented to support the main idea
in the topic sentence.

Brainstorming / Planning notes

How has technology benefitted people?
Idea: benefitted people in many ways
SI: More convenience
Exp: mobile phones – communicate
anywhere
SI: Longer lives
Exp: complicated heart operations
and others possible
SI: Better home life
Exp: save time – microwave, washing
machine etc
Conc: not possible without technology

There is no doubt that modern technology has improved people’s

lives in many ways. Firstly, people’s lives are much more convenient
because we have devices such as mobile phones, meaning that
people can communicate when and where they like, not just in the
office or home. In addition, people are living much longer lives due to
the advances in medical technology, with doctors now able to carry
out complicated heart surgery and other operations that were not
possible many years ago. People’s lives have also improved around
the home. Evidence of this can be seen with all the machines that are
now readily available to people that save time such as washing
machines and dish washers. None of this would have been possible
without advances in technology. (128 words)

25 writing task 2 by ahru

 Exercise
One Idea Paragraph

Brainstorming / Planning notes

Idea:

Reason:

Example:

Result:

Conclusion:

The main benefit of modern technology is that people’s lives are much more
convenient. This is because we are able to do many things without having to stay at
the office or home, something which is extremely important given the busy lifestyles
of today. For example, most people now have a mobile phone or laptop computer,
and Wi-Fi is available in virtually every place. As a result, people are able to do their
work, communicate with colleagues or friends, and check their emails anywhere they
choose such as in coffee shops or while travelling on a train or bus. There is no doubt
that this has improved people’s lives in many ways and this would not have been
possible without improved technology.
However,____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
__________________

26 writing task 2 by ahru

 Multiple Ide Paragraph

Brainstorming / Planning notes

Idea:
SI:
Exp:
SI:
Exp:
SI:
Exp:
Conclusion (*optional):

There is no doubt that modern technology has improved people’s lives in many ways.
Firstly, people’s lives are much more convenient because we have devices such as
mobile phones, meaning that people can communicate when and where they like,
not just in the office or home. In addition, people are living much longer lives due to
the advances in medical technology, with doctors now able to carry out complicated
heart surgery and other operations that were not possible many years ago. People’s
lives have also improved around the home. Evidence of this can be seen with all the
devices that are now readily available to people that save time such as microwaves,
washing machines, and dish washers. None of this would have been possible without
advances in technology.
However,______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________

27 writing task 2 by ahru

 Paraphrasing skills
Paraphrasing is the ability to copy information that we take from articles, books or other
sources and change the information by using our own language without changing its original
meaning. This skill must be mastered by everyone who wants to study abroad. By therefore,
all the questions in IELTS will test our ability to Understand or paraphrase.
Here are some examples of paraphrase techniques:
1. Synonym
Paraphrase can be performed using synonyms (words that have
the same meaning). Example:
Use : used in general
Usage : used in grammar and medic contexts
Utilization : used in contexts related to tools or machines

2. Grammar Structure
Paraphrase can also be done by changing the grammar structure.
a. Active ↔ passive
I write a letter (active) ↔ The letter is written by me (passive).
b. Nominal ↔ verbal sentence
Education plays an important role (verbal) ↔ Education is important (nominal).
c. Simple ↔ compound/complex sentence
This is the process of cooking a cake (simple) ↔ This is how to cook a cake
(complex).
d. Phrase ↔ sentence
The importance of education (phrase) ↔ Education is important (sentence).
The ghost flies in the night (sentence) ↔ The night-flying ghost (phrase).
Cars are made in Japan (sentence) ↔ The Japan-made cars (phrase).

3. Nominalization
This is the change of the class of words, from verbs to nouns, adjectives,
Adverbs and so on.
a. To increase rapidly (verb)
b. Has an increase of (noun)
c. There is an increasing trend (adjective)
d. To be increasingly important (adverb)

4. Incorporating Data
This It is the change of numbers from one form to another.
a. per cent, fraction dan similar expression
80% ↔ 4/5 ↔ a majority
double ↔ a two-fold ↔ a two times

28 writing task 2 by ahru

 b. year dan similar expression
1980 - 1990 ↔ a decade ↔ ten-year period
1981 ↔ early 1980’s
1985 ↔ mid 1980’s
1989 ↔ late 1980’s

5. Change of Order
a. Phrase Order
The importance of education ↔ The education importance
b. Sentence Order
You make me smile ↔ I smile because of you
c. Complex/Compound Sentence Order
I love you because you teach me IELTS ↔ You teach me IELTS so I love you
(complex)
I eat and drink ↔ I drink and eat (compound)
d. Paragraph Order
deduktif ↔ induktif
6. Description
This is done by changing a word into a few words which
Define it.
car ↔ four-wheel vehicle.

7. Classification
This is Combining multiple words into the same classification or group.
America and Canada - North American Countries
England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland ↔ UK

29 writing task 2 by ahru

 Linking words

Listing Points to Show New Ideas: Showing an Example:

Firstly, For example,

First of all, For instance,
To begin, To illustrate,
Secondly, A case in point,
Finally,
Furthermore,
In addition,
Also,
Moreover,
Showing Contrast: Showing a Result:

However, Therefore,
On the other hand, As a result,
In contrast, Consequently,
Thus,
Showing time: (commonly in essay To introduce concluding comments:
introductions)
To conclude,
These days, In conclusion,
Nowadays, In brief,
At present, All in all,

Reasons and Results

We use linking words to show reasons and results (or cause-effect) relationships. It is very
common to discuss how one thing leads to another in essays because the question usually
means that you have to give explanations as to why something is occurring.
Therefore you should ensure you know how to use this language.

REASON Transition / Linking Phrase RESULT

Therefore,
As a consequence,
Consequently,
Children are eating more As a result, obesity is becoming a major
unhealthy food. Hence, problem
Thus,
Because of this,
For this reason,

30 writing task 2 by ahru

 RESULT Subordinating Conjunction REASON
as
Obesity is becoming a major children are eating more
since
problem. unhealthy food.
because
Subordinating Conjunction REASON RESULT
As
children are eating more obesity is becoming a major
Since
unhealthy food, problem.
Because

Verbs can also be used to show cause-effect relationships. If the result is placed first, then
the passive is used.

REASON Verb (active) RESULT

leads to
A high consumption of fast
results in obesity in children.
foods
causes
RESULT Verb (passive) REASON
is a result of
a high consumption of fast
Obesity in children is a consequence of
foods
is caused by

Contrast
You will also need to show how things contrast when you write an IELTS essay, or indeed
graphs in Task 1.
Often we are contrasting positive and negative points. Look at these sentences. How could
you join them to make the ideas coherent?
Genetically modified crops could increase food supplies. People are concerned how
they may affect health.
You could use a coordinating conjunction:
Genetically modified crops could increase food supplies, but people are concerned
about how they may affect health.
You could use a subordinating conjunction:
Although genetically modified crops could increase food supplies, people are
concerned about how they may affect health.
Or a transition:
Genetically modified crops could increase food supplies. However, people are
concerned about how they may affect health.

31 writing task 2 by ahru

 Here are some common examples:

Coordinating Conjunction
GM crops are grown widely but they are less common in
in the US, yet Europe.
Subordinating Conjunction
although
GM crops are grown widely they are less common in
though
in the US Europe.
while
Subordinating Conjunction
Although
(they are) less common in GM crops are grown widely
Though
Europe, in the US,
While
Transition / Linking Phrase
However,
GM crops are grown widely By / In comparison, they are less common in
in the US. Nevertheless, Europe.
On the other hand,

Exercise
Choose which word to place in the gap, or if there are two gaps, choose which two words
you would use:
1. Historic buildings are important to our culture. ....................... , they should be
preserved. (For this reason / Since / Leads to)
2. ..................... AID stigmatises developing countries, other methods should be used.
(Consequently / Since / Therefore)
3. Deforestation is a serious problem ............................ it ............................ flooding
and landslides. (leads to / because / caused by)
4. Diabetes can be .................................. an unhealthy diet. (as / a result of / a cause of)
5. Corporal punishment should be allowed in schools ............................it helps to
control children’s behaviour. (results in / as / thus)

Exercise
1. Having a smaller family is now common in many countries, ...................... some
cultures still view a larger family as more viable. (however / yet / although)
2. Single parent households are now commonplace in the West. .............................,
they are much more unusual in Asian countries. (On the other hand / But / Though)
3. .......................... the age that people can legally drink alcohol has increased to 18,
the age that people can smoke has remained the same. (Although / Nevertheless /
But)

32 writing task 2 by ahru

 Sample Essay Band 7
Sample essay 1:
Some people believe that it is wrong to keep animals in zoos, while others think
that zoos are both entertaining and ecologically important.
Discuss both views.
In this modern world, perspectives of how to keep animals are varied between
people. Some people think about caging them in zoos or forests while others think it
is illogical to limit animals’ movements. I am going to discuss these views according
to environmental, personal and economic perspectives.
Keeping some animals in zoos will protect them against predators, bad weather, and
food availability. Nevertheless, keeping animals free is more logical than isolating
them because if we keep animals caged, they would not be able to have fresh air and
chase other animals. Therefore, it is cruel keeping animals confined in small spaces.
It is advisable to put our efforts into keeping our creatures in their natural habitats,
in order to give them the opportunity to experience normal life.
Keeping animals is essential because some animals are in fact becoming extinct.
Although keeping these animals is costly, the profits made by keeping these animals
are substantial. Take Indian lions for example; a wide range of people travel to India
to see these animals in circuses in India. However, some people think that
governments should invest the money in improving the infrastructure of their
nations instead. Building new electrical power station, for instance, is more
important than spending thousands of pounds to preserve certain creatures from
extinction. Lastly, keeping animals is important for study and research whereas
others think we have no right to use animals for entertainment and in labs.
To conclude, keeping animals in zoos might have many values but it is irrational to
keep these animals away from their natural habitat. The reasons are that besides
they are not vulnerable creatures, they have the right to survive independently
because of having feelings and emotions as human.
(289 Words) Band 9

33 writing task 2 by ahru

 Sample essay 2
Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every
subject.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In my opinion, men and women should have the same educational opportunities.
However, I do not agree with the idea of accepting equal proportions of each gender
in every university subject.
Having the same number of men and women on all degree courses is simply
unrealistic. Student numbers on any course depend on the applications that the
institution receives. If a university decided to fill courses with equal numbers of
males and females, it would need enough applicants of each gender. In reality, many
courses are more popular with one gender than the other, and it would not be
practical to aim for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to attract
more female applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses if fifty per cent
of the places needed to go to males.
Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that it would be
unfair to base admission to university courses on gender. Universities should
continue to select the best candidates for each course according to their
qualifications. In this way, both men and women have the same opportunities, and
applicants know that they will be successful if they work hard to achieve good grades
at school. If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it would
be wrong to reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer
qualifications.
In conclusion, the selection of university students should be based on merit, and it
would be both impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure based on
gender.
(265 Words) Band 9

34 writing task 2 by ahru

 Sample essay 3:
We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only be
concerned with our own communities and countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some people believe that we should not help people in other countries as long as
there are problems in our own society. I disagree with this view because I believe
that we should try to help as many people as possible.
On the one hand, I accept that it is important to help our neighbours and fellow
citizens. In most communities there are people who are impoverished or
disadvantaged in some way. It is possible to find homeless people, for example, in
even the wealthiest of cities, and for those who are concerned about this problem,
there are usually opportunities to volunteer time or give money to support these
people. In the UK, people can help in a variety of ways, from donating clothing to
serving free food in a soup kitchen. As the problems are on our doorstep, and there
are obvious ways to help, I can understand why some people feel that we should
prioritise local charity.
At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live beyond
our national borders. In some countries the problems that people face are much
more serious than those in our own communities, and it is often even easier to help.
For example, when children are dying from curable diseases in African countries,
governments and individuals in richer countries can save lives simply by paying for
vaccines that already exist. A small donation to an international charity might have a
much greater impact than helping in our local area.
In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion national
boundaries should not stop us from helping those who are in need.
(280 Words) Band 9

35 writing task 2 by ahru

 Sample essay 4:
Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?
It is true that happiness is very important in people's life, but some people have
different views about how to be happy. This essay will discuss the reasons that
makes happiness difficult to understand and the things how to attain it.
There are things that can make a person happy, while others do not such as a stable
job, a beautiful house, and winning a lottery. A person will be happy with his life if is
able to feed his family by having a permanent job. Also, if the house is decent, he will
be happy to see how comfortable life is to live in a place with wonderful furniture
and appliances. Finally, winning a huge sum of money is a dream coming true for
most people. However, others do not like to buy lottery tickets because some people
believe that once they have won the lottery, they might put their family's life at risk,
perhaps, they think somebody will try to kidnap their kids and ask for a ransom.
On the other hand, there are simple factors in attaining happiness. For example,
when a family of five could meet the basic needs such as food, clothing and a house,
these could make a family satisfied with what they already have in life as long as they
are together. Another example is being able to pass an English proficiency test to be
qualified to become a registered nurse in Canada. Most foreign workers would be
very glad if they could pursue their career after passing such a test.
In conclusion, people have their own meaning of happiness and there are reasons
why certain things make them happy such as basic needs or passing an examination
test.
(286 Words) Band 9

36 writing task 2 by ahru

 Sample essay 5:
Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people,
while others believe that the purpose of museums is to educate.
Discuss both views and give you own opinion.
People have different views about the role and function of museums. In my opinion,
museums can and should be both entertaining and educational.
On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role of a museum is to entertain.
Museums are tourist attractions, and their aim is to exhibit a collection of interesting
objects that many people want to see. The average visitor may become bored if he
or she has to read or listen to too much educational content, so museums often put
more of an emphasis on enjoyment rather than learning. This type of museums is
designed to be visually spectacular, and it may have interactive activities or even
games as part of its exhibitions.
On the other hand, some people argue that museums should focus on education.
The aim of any exhibition should be to teach visitors something that they did not
previously know. Usually this means that the history behind the museum’s exhibits
needs to be explained, and this can be done in various ways. Some museums employ
professional guides to talk to their visitors, while other museums offer headsets so
that visitors can listen to detailed commentary about the exhibition. This way,
museums can play an important role in teaching people about history, culture,
science and many other aspects of life.
In conclusion, it seems to me that a good museum should be able to offer an
interesting, enjoyable and educational experience so that people can both have fun
and learn something at the same time.
(253 Words) Band 9

37 writing task 2 by ahru