cause and effect essay topics ielts

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Academic practice
General practice
Task 1 Academic
Task 1 General
Task 2 (essay)

How to write cause/effect essays in IELTS?

Cause and effect essay questions in IELTS Writing task 2 give you a problem and ask you to state the main causes of this problem and discuss its possible effects .

In this lesson you will see:

how to generate ideas for causes and effects
band 9 answer structure for causes/effects essay
cause/effect model essay

This is an example of cause/effect IELTS writing task 2 question:

Today more people are overweight than ever before.

What in your opinion are the primary causes of this?

What are the main effects of this epidemic?

Generating ideas

After you’ve read the question, you can clearly determine the problem: growing number of overweight people .

But before you start to write your essay, it’s a good idea to think of 2-3 causes and 2-3 possible effects of the problem.

Causes of obesity :

inactive lifestyle (relying on cars instead of walking, fewer physical demands at work, inactive leisure activities)
unhealthy eating habits (eating fast-food, drinking high-calorie beverages, consuming large portions of food, eating irregularly)

Effects of obesity :

physical health problems
loss of productivity
depressions and mental disorders

Now, after we’ve generated the main ideas for causes and effects, it’s time to use these ideas in our essay.

Band 9 answer structure

As you know, there are many ways to structure your essay, but we’ll use a structure that has been approved by many IELTS examiners to be high-scoring and coherent .

Band-9 essay structure :

Introduction

Body paragraph 1 - causes

Body paragraph 2 - effects

Let’s take a look at each of these sections in detail.

Write your introduction in two sentences:

Nowadays the number of overweight people is constantly growing.

This essay will discuss the main reasons of this epidemic and then describe the possible effects of the problem.

In my opinion, the foremost causes of obesity are inactive lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits.

Today more and more people rely on cars instead of walking, have less physical demands at work and prefer inactive leisure activities. This results in burning less calories and gaining weight.

Moreover, the problem is accentuated by the growing number of people, who eat irregularly and consume large portions of high-calorie food. For example, about 50% of the adult population in Europe with so-called disordered eating suffer from obesity.

The possible effects of this problem include physical health problems and loss of productivity.

First of all, obesity results in incorrect functioning of the human body and contributes to the risk of developing some chronic illnesses. For example, as body fat percentage increases, the person’s metabolism worsens, which in turn may result in diabetes or heart diseases.

Secondly, overweight people are very unhealthy and often suffer from stress and tiredness. This lessens their work capacity and results in lower productivity. For example, it has been proven that an obese person needs to put more effort to complete some task than a person with normal weight.

For the conclusion you need simply to restate the problem and sum up the causes and effects that you described in your body paragraphs:

To sum up, obesity is a big problem that affects a lot of people nowadays. It’s mainly caused by inactive lifestyle and eating disorders and results in severe health problems and loss of productivity.

Model essay

Nowadays the number of overweight people is constantly increasing. This essay will discuss the main reasons of this epidemic and then describe the possible effects of the problem.

In my opinion, the foremost causes of obesity are inactive lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. Today more and more people rely on cars instead of walking, have less physical demands at work and prefer inactive leisure activities. This results in burning less calories and gaining weight. Moreover, the problem is accentuated by the growing number of people, who eat irregularly and consume large portions of high-calorie food. For example, about 50% of the adult population in Europe with so-called disordered eating suffer from obesity.

The possible effects of this problem include physical health problems and loss of productivity. First of all, obesity results in incorrect functioning of the human body and contributes to the risk of developing some chronic illnesses. For example, as body fat percentage increases, the person’s metabolism worsens, which in turn may result in diabetes or heart diseases. Secondly, overweight people are very unhealthy and often suffer from stress and tiredness. This lessens their work capacity and results in lower productivity. For example, it has been proven that an obese person needs to put more effort to complete some task than a person with normal weight.

(251 words)

Mastering Cause and Effect Essays in IELTS: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by: IELTS Mentor

Published on: October 21, 2024

Cause and effect essays are a common task in IELTS Writing, challenging test-takers to analyze relationships between events or phenomena. Approaching these essays effectively can significantly boost your score. This guide will provide you with valuable strategies to excel in cause and effect essays, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the IELTS Writing task.

Understanding Cause and Effect Essays

Before diving into the strategies, it’s crucial to grasp what cause and effect essays entail in the IELTS context. These essays require you to:

Identify causes and their resulting effects
Analyze the relationships between events or phenomena
Present a clear, logical argument supported by evidence

Using logical structure in task 2 is paramount when tackling cause and effect essays. A well-organized essay demonstrates your ability to think critically and communicate effectively.

Key Strategies for Approaching Cause and Effect Essays

1. analyze the question carefully.

The first step in mastering cause and effect essays is to thoroughly analyze the question. Pay close attention to:

Key words indicating cause and effect (e.g., “leads to,” “results in,” “due to”)
The specific aspect you’re asked to focus on (causes, effects, or both)
Any limitations or specific contexts mentioned in the prompt

Dr. Emma Thompson, a renowned IELTS expert, emphasizes: “Many students rush into writing without fully understanding the question. Take a moment to break down the prompt and identify exactly what’s being asked.”

2. Plan Your Essay Structure

Once you’ve analyzed the question, plan your essay structure. A typical cause and effect essay should include:

Introduction: Present the topic and your thesis statement
Body paragraph 1: Discuss the first cause/effect
Body paragraph 2: Explore the second cause/effect
Body paragraph 3: Examine the third cause/effect (if applicable)
Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis

How to use linking phrases in IELTS writing task 2 can greatly enhance the flow and coherence of your essay, guiding the reader through your argument seamlessly.

3. Use Clear Topic Sentences

Begin each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the cause or effect you’ll be discussing. This helps the examiner follow your argument and demonstrates your ability to organize ideas logically.

Clear topic sentences in IELTS cause and effect essays

4. Provide Specific Examples

Support your causes and effects with concrete examples. This not only strengthens your argument but also showcases your ability to apply abstract concepts to real-world situations.

Professor Michael Chen, an IELTS writing specialist, advises: “Don’t just state causes and effects; illustrate them with relevant examples. This demonstrates depth of understanding and critical thinking skills.”

5. Use Appropriate Cause and Effect Language

Incorporate a range of cause and effect vocabulary to articulate your ideas clearly:

Cause indicators: “due to,” “because of,” “as a result of”
Effect indicators: “consequently,” “therefore,” “thus,” “as a result”

Using cohesive devices in task 2 can significantly improve the flow and coherence of your essay, making it easier for the examiner to follow your argument.

6. Balance Causes and Effects

Depending on the essay prompt, ensure you give equal weight to both causes and effects. If asked to focus on one aspect, make sure your essay reflects this emphasis while still acknowledging the other side of the relationship.

7. Consider Multiple Perspectives

When discussing causes and effects, consider different viewpoints or factors. This demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic and showcases your critical thinking skills.

How to analyze IELTS writing task 2 essay prompts can help you identify different angles to explore in your essay, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the topic.

8. Practice Time Management

Effective time management is crucial in the IELTS Writing test. Allocate your time wisely:

5 minutes for analyzing the question and planning
30 minutes for writing
5 minutes for reviewing and editing

How to manage time for long passages offers valuable insights that can be applied to essay writing as well, helping you pace yourself effectively throughout the task.

Time management for IELTS cause and effect essays

9. Review and Edit Your Essay

Always leave time to review your essay. Check for:

Logical flow of ideas
Proper use of cause and effect language
Grammar and spelling errors
Adherence to the word count (minimum 250 words)

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Misinterpreting the question
Focusing solely on causes or effects when both are required
Providing insufficient examples or explanations
Using overly simplistic cause-effect relationships
Neglecting to use appropriate linking words and phrases

Dr. Sarah Williams, IELTS examiner, notes: “A common mistake I see is students presenting a list of causes and effects without properly explaining the relationships between them. Remember, the ‘why’ and ‘how’ are just as important as the ‘what’.”

Mastering cause and effect essays in IELTS requires practice, careful analysis, and strategic writing. By following these strategies and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle this essay type confidently. Remember to analyze the question thoroughly, plan your structure, use clear language, and support your points with specific examples. With consistent practice and application of these techniques, you’ll see improvement in your IELTS Writing scores for cause and effect essays.

How long should a cause and effect essay be in IELTS?

Your essay should be at least 250 words. Aim for 280-300 words to ensure you’ve fully developed your ideas without exceeding the time limit.

Can I use personal examples in a cause and effect essay?

Yes, personal examples can be effective if they’re relevant and illustrate your point clearly. However, mix them with more general examples for a balanced approach.

How many causes or effects should I discuss in my essay?

Typically, discussing 2-3 main causes or effects allows for sufficient depth. The exact number may depend on the complexity of your chosen points and the essay prompt.

Is it necessary to discuss both causes and effects in every essay?

Not always. Carefully read the prompt – sometimes you’ll be asked to focus on either causes or effects, while other times you’ll need to address both.

How can I improve my cause and effect vocabulary for IELTS?

Read widely on various topics, noting cause and effect language. Practice using these phrases in your writing, and consider creating a vocabulary list specifically for cause and effect expressions.

How to Use Grammar Checkers Effectively for IELTS Success

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CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY EXAMPLES

IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause And Effect Essay Examples

View High Band Score Examples Of IELTS Cause And Effect Essays.

IELTS Cause/Effect Essay Sample 2 – Health

IELTS Writing Task 2 cause/effect essay example that is a band score 8. The question is: Doctors recommend that older people should exercise regularly. However many of them do not exercise enough. What are the causes? What can be done to encourage them to exercise? Take a look at the sample answer

IELTS Cause/Effect Essay Sample 1 – Crime

IELTS Writing Task 2 cause/effect essay example that is a band score 8. The question is: Many criminals commit further crimes as soon as they are released from prison. What do you think are the causes of this? What effects will this have on society? Take a look at the sample answer

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IELTS Direct Question Essay Sample 3 - Economics

IELTS Direct Question Essay Model Answer: Economics

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2 thoughts on “CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY EXAMPLES”

Thanks for reenabling the links for essay section. I was just checking the same and found that the links to agree/disagree and discussion essay is no longer live. Could you please check the same?

The list page have been disabled individual essay exist. Will make more changes so you can navigate better. We are adding more essay and practice materials for our students so we had to make this change.