Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.
Write at least 250 words.
|
As we have learned about the format for different types of essays in IELTS , most essays require four paragraphs. However, a 3-part question like “Discuss both views and give your opinion” requires five paragraphs in order to adequately cover all facets of the question.
Paragraph | Format |
---|---|
1 | Introduction |
2 | Arguments for the first view |
3 | Arguments for the second view |
4 | Your opinion |
5 | Conclusion |
Our task is to explain the two views separately in two different paragraphs . While elaborating these views, we have to present them objectively from the perspective of the supporters of these views, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with them.
Then, it is best to write our view on the matter in a separate paragraph . Here, we can support one of the two views, or partially support both views. We can even write about a different view distinct from the two given in the question. Since it is our opinion, we can choose to write about anything provided that we are on the topic and explaining the opinion with logical and factual evidence.
Caution: On rare occasions, such questions only ask you “Discuss both views.” The “give your opinion” part maybe absent from the prompt. In such cases, only write four paragraphs and omit the opinion part from the essay.
An Introduction paragraph for IELTS “Discuss both views and give your opinion” essay should ideally have the following properties:
Two sentences presenting a debate are given in a “Discuss both views and give your opinion” question. In the first paragraph of the essay, it would be best to begin with this debate so that the reader gets a sense of the central question the essay is going to tackle. It is also a good practice to announce our opinion at the very beginning rather than keeping the reader under suspense.
Introduction: |
---|
Whether adverts influence our purchasing habits or not is a debatable topic. In my opinion, irrespective of age, education, or awareness, advertisements manipulate all of us because of the vast resources that go into marketing these days. |
Body paragraphs are the meat of our essay. The three body paragraphs we write for a “Discuss both views and give your opinion” essay contain explanation of the two statements given to us by the question as well as our own point of view.
Each of the three paragraph should begin with the argument, and then go on to expand the argument into logically-consistent paragraphs with facts and examples .
Remember to write the second and the third paragraph from other people’s perspective . Only insert yourself into the debate in the fourth (opinion) paragraph.
Example: |
---|
Whether adverts influence our purchasing habits or not is a debatable topic. In my opinion, irrespective of age, education, or awareness, advertisements manipulate all of us because of the vast resources that go into marketing these days. On the one hand, it is often claimed that ads are so effective that they make us buy things. This is because most people are bombarded with advertisements of one sort or another, ranging from tv commercials and billboards to blurbs on Facebook and Instagram, on a daily basis. Even if the individuals do not actively seek such promotions or pay much attention to them, the brands and the products become imprinted on our brains. Consequently, the next time we want to buy something, the products which are marketed the most seem more familiar leading us to choose them over the ones which lack similar promotion. On the other hand, some people are of the opinion that the ubiquity of advertisements in the modern age has led to their ineffectiveness. They argue as most people grow up seeing tons of adverts everyday, they turn out to be indifferent towards the message. This argument can be backed up by the examples of products which we see the advertisements of but never act on them. In my own life, even though I see a plethora of online gambling commercials while watching football on tv, I have never bet my money on sports. In fact, people of the current generation make their purchases based more on their preference than on advertising. In my point of view, nobody is immune to the effects of advertising. As marketing has become a serious academic discipline, university departments apply social, psychological, and evolutionary principles so as to perfect the techniques of influencing human behavior. Hence, the people who create commercials or ad campaigns are armed with this knowledge of coaxing potential consumers into buying. Furthermore, businesses are able to target all demographics and niches in the market with several different types of advertisements due to the amount of money involved in this field. It is therefore unsurprising that a harmful product like Coca Cola is drunk all over the world due to its brand awareness rather than its quality. |
The Conclusion paragraph for a “Discuss both views and give your opinion” essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 is similar to the Introduction paragraph.
The controversy or debate highlighted in the question should be briefly revisited in the Conclusion paragraph . For this paraphrasing the statements from the point will suffice.
Then, we can conclude by restating our opinion .
Conclusion |
---|
In conclusion, while some individuals might have learned to be apathetic towards advertisements, most people are swayed by them anyway because there is no escape from them. On top of that, the extent of money and effort invested in designing ads has me convinced that almost everybody is affected by the appeal of marketing wittingly or unwittingly. |
Example: |
---|
It is argued that the extinction of flora and fauna is the greatest threat to our environment. However, some individuals, who are more concerned about matters like climate change, dismiss extinction as being a secondary issue. From my point of view, environmental problems do not deserve much attention from humanity as there are bigger dangers out there. It is said that the endangerment of different species of living things is a grave problem requiring immediate consideration. This is because the absence of a particular plant or animal from an ecosystem is detrimental to the survival of all other species in that system. For an instance, if the Bengal tigers, which are on the verge of extinction, disappear from the forests of Nepal, the forests will be overrun by deer and other ungulates due to the absence of predators. This will give rise to overgrazing by animals, thereby bringing about other issues like soil erosion and land degradation. The knock on or multiplier effect of extinction of flora and fauna is therefore a reason that warrants prompt action. Nevertheless, there is a camp of people who place more importance on issues like global warming and carbon pollution instead of the extinction of species. According to this point of view, anthropogenic climate change has the potential to disrupt life on the earth as a whole as compared to the loss of some plants or animals from certain parts of the world. The effects of climate change such as high temperatures, droughts, weather swings, melting glaciers, and flooding pose a danger to the way of life as we know it. Not only will many species vanish from the globe, but billions of people will be displaced resulting in a humanitarian crisis. Contrary to these views, I am unconvinced by the doomsday predictions made by some environmentalists. Firstly, the emergence of new species and the disappearance of existing ones is a natural phenomena in a biosphere. Species unfit for an environment are weeded out by nature as only the fittest survive to the next generation. Secondly, climate change is a long-term phenomena, and its effects will take decades if not centuries to realize. By then, scientists might come up with innovative solutions for the possible problems. In the meantime, other dangers like a global nuclear war, an asteroid impact, or a pandemic outbreak might wipe out the living creatures from the earth. To summarize, despite of the bleak pictures painted by environmental activists regarding the annihilation of certain plants and animals from the world or the vast climatic shifts in the planet, I do not believe environmental problems are catastrophic. Rather than worrying about the future of the environment, human effort should be geared towards science and technology so that we can combat negative consequences with ingenuity. |
Next lesson:
IELTS Hybrid Essay questions: How to solve Double Question essay in IELTS Writing Task 2?
The government should control the amount of violence on television in order to decrease the violent crimes in society. to what extent do you agree or disagree, nowadays technology is increasingly being used to monitor what people are saying and doing (for example through cellphone tracing and security cameras). in many cases the people being monitored are unaware that this is happening. do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages, ielts essay format: solving writing task 2 easily, a 3-step process for powerful ielts essay introduction paragraph.
In this lesson we are going to look at how to answer an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay, also known as a 2 sided discussion essay.
You will learn about this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, using authentic IELTS essay questions, plus the most common mistakes. And I will finish with an IELTS model essay written by me in response to a sample IELTS essay question. So let’s get started!
In this IELTS question type, you are presented with 2 contrasting opinions on a particular topic. Your task is to discuss these two views AND give your own opinion on the topic.
Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like Science and Technology are more important than History.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Test 3
In this task, you are presented with two contrasting views on the topic of education, specifically, what are the most important school subjects.
You need to do two things in this task:
Let’s look at this task in more detail.
Firstly, you need to present the REASONS for each view.
To get a Band 7 or higher, you should try to present the reasons for each view in an objective way. i.e. you need to think about the argument from the viewpoint of the people who think this. What are the reasons for their view that History is one of the most important school subjects?
Here are a few reasons why these people may think this:
I don’t necessarily agree with these reasons. I just think these may be the reasons why some people think History is so important.
And why do some people think that subjects like Science and Technology are more important that History? Here are a couple of possible reasons:
It’s important to understand that the 2 views given in an IELTS test question are going to be sensible, reasonable views. They won’t be crazy ones, such as “some people think that playing computer games is one of the most important school subjects”! So there WILL be good reasons for these views. You just need to think about and explain what they are.
Secondly, you need to present your OWN view. Your opinion. You need to say what YOU think.
For a high band score, it’s a good idea to base your view on your discussion of the 2 views . You could point out the weaknesses or limitations of the view you disagree with, and suggest which view is stronger.
“Studying History can certainly boost literacy skills, but then so can any other subject requiring lots of reading and writing.”
“S cientific and technological subjects should be given priority in the curriculum because they help young people get well-paid jobs in modern companies.”
You can write sentences like these either at the end of each body paragraph, or in your final paragraph, where you present your own opinion.
If you are aiming for a high band score (band 7 and above) it is absolutely vital that you plan your essay. A good plan will help you to see if you have answered the question, developed your ideas and organised them BEFORE you start writing.
We’re going to plan an essay using my 4 Step Planning Process.
First, you need to make sure you understand exactly what you need to write about. So you need to read the question carefully, not quickly!
These three questions will help you to get a really clear understanding of your task:
What is the topic about?
What is the topic NOT about?
How should you respond to the topic?
Let’s go back to this essay question, and answer those 3 questions:
In a discuss both views essay, you have 2 contrasting ideas…but what OVERALL issue are both groups thinking about? In this task, it’s the most important school subjects . Some people think History is one of those important school subjects, but other people think that Science and Technology are the most important school subjects.
It’s also a good idea to quickly think about what the topic is NOT about, so you don’t start writing about those things. The task is NOT about university, it’s about school (so students aged between 5 and 18).
The instruction, “discuss both these views and give your own opinion” tells you how to respond to the topic. Make sure you do that! Don’t write an essay that only argues why History is important – that would be an opinion essay and this will limit your band score for Task Response to Band 5 at best.
Next, you need to decide your position. In other words, you need to decide what you think.
In a discuss both views essay, your position is your discussion of the two views, plus your own view , so it’s a little more complicated than for other tasks.
When you discuss the two views, you need to present the reasons for the views. Why do these people take this view? But it’s also a good idea to point out any strengths or weaknesses in the 2 views, so that your own view comes through.
When you decided your position, you may have started thinking about the reasons for your position, the reasons for your answer. In other words, WHY are you taking this view?
Giving reasons for your view is essential in an IELTS essay. In fact, all IELTS questions tell you to “give reasons for your answer”. So in Step 3, you need to think about your reasons a little more.
However, just presenting your reasons is not enough. You need to develop them.
The two best ways of developing your ideas is by:
Together, these add more detail to your answer.
You MUST do this to get Band 7. If you fail to develop your ideas in detail, your band score for Task Response may be limited to Band 6.
The final step in the planning process is to structure your essay. This simply means deciding which main ideas to put in which paragraphs.
In a discuss both views essay, here’s the structure I would recommend:
Let’s go through how to write the different parts of the essay.
In the introduction to an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay, you can do two things: introduce the main topic and the two views. (You can also present your opinion in a third sentence, but it is not essential.)
You can begin with a background sentence which introduces your reader to the topic of the essay. This is not absolutely essential, but it helps to show the examiner that you understand the task.
In our example question above, the task presented us with 2 views:
“Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like Science and Technology are more important than History.”
But what is the wider topic? What big topic are the 2 groups of people discussing?
It’s the most important school subjects.
So you could introduce the first sentence like this:
“There is often a lot of debate on the topic of the most important school subjects.”
or you could even write a question:
“What are the most important school subjects?”
If you find identifying the wider topic difficult, then don’t write this sentence. Just present the two views instead.
Next, you need to introduce the two views.
The best way to do this is to paraphrase the two views in one sentence.
How To Paraphrase
Think about the meaning of the two views, and briefly rewrite them using your own words. Try not to use the same grammatical structures as in the essay question, and try to move language around. In other words, be flexible. This is important if you are aiming for a Band 7 or higher.
In the example essay question above, the two views are:
Here is one way of paraphrasing these views:
“Some people argue that one of the most essential subjects is History, while others disagree and want to see Science and Technology prioritised.”
or you could write about the “argument” rather than the “people”:
“One argument is that one of the most essential subjects is History, while another takes the view that Science and Technology should be prioritised instead.”
How NOT To Paraphrase
When you paraphrase, do NOT just change individual words with synonyms, or you will get some very strange sentences, e.g.
“Many citizens say the study of the past is among the most crucial educational topics. Other individuals ponder that, in nowadays earth, areas like scientific knowledge and technological skills are more essential than the past.”
DON’T DO THIS! It sounds unnatural and can be confusing.
You could also add your own opinion as a third sentence, but I don’t think this is necessary. It’s better to get straight to the body.
Just start writing the body.
In an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay, you need to present the arguments for the two different views, plus your own opinion.
Write the arguments for each view in a separate paragraph.
When discussing the arguments for each view, the body paragraph should contain:
You can include a second reason for each view in the same paragraph.
In the conclusion to an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay, you need to do one thing:
The best way to do this is by pointing out the weaknesses in the view you disagree with, and the strengths of the view you agree with.
You do not need an additional paragraph which summarises your points again.
These are the most common mistakes made by Test Takers when writing an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay:
Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.
Cambridge IELTS 8 Academic Test 1
Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives. Others think that adult life brings more happiness, in spite of greater responsibilities.
Cambridge IELTS 9 GT Test B
Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations.
Cambridge IELTS 14 Test 1
Some people like to try new things, for example, places to visit and types of food. Other people prefer to keep doing things they are familiar with.
Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.
Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Test 2
Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it,
Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Test 3
Here is an IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay that I wrote in response to this task:
Some people say that now we can see films on our phones or tablets there is no need to go to the cinema. Others say that to be fully enjoyed, films need to be seen in a cinema.
Cambridge IELTS Book 13 General Training Test 3
Now that mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have become more powerful and affordable, there is some debate as to whether there is a need any longer to go to the cinema to watch movies.
It’s certainly true that going to the cinema is not essential. The versatility and portability of these devices mean you can easily watch films while lying on your bed at home, sitting in a cafe or commuting to work or college. Moreover, online services such as Netflix provide low-cost and rapid access to a vast catalogue of movies, whereas cinemas only screen a handful of films at any one time.
However, there are strong arguments in favour of going to the cinema, foremost of which is that modern cinemas, such as IMAX, offer surround sound systems and huge screens, meaning that moviegoers are immersed in a movie, an experience that cannot be replicated by mobile devices. In addition, new movie releases tend to be exclusive to cinema chains, so if you want to watch the latest Bond or Batman movie on your tablet, you may have a long wait.
Personally, I think that while there are clear arguments for both views, someone’s preferences are likely to be influenced by the kind of movie they want to watch. Sci-fi and action movies, for example, are far more enjoyable in a cinema because of the special effects they include, whereas gentle romantic comedies or biopics can easily be enjoyed on a tablet or phone. It also depends on whether you want to watch movies with friends: it’s simply much easier to watch them together in a cinema rather than huddled over a small screen with a tiny speaker.
(282 words)
© 2024 IELTS Charlie
Want to stay up-to-date on industry trends?
Try this IELTS Writing question which requires you to discuss both views of an issue. It’s basically the same as an argument essay that we studied previously. The wording of the question is different, that’s all.
The free movement of goods across national borders has long been a controversial issue. Some people argue that it is necessary for economic growth, while others claim that it damages local industries. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. You should write at least 250 words.
One of the most debatable issues of the last century has been the extent to which international trade benefits or harms national economies. Many arguments have been made for and against free trade between nations. In this essay, I will discuss both views and state my own position.
Those who support the expansion of global free trade claim that economies grow faster when they can specialise in just a few industries in which they have a strong advantage. As a result, each region or country produces something of value to the world economy. For example, East Asia manufactures electronic goods, the Middle East exports energy, and the EU produces luxury items. Free trade proponents claim that dependence on global trade helps to strengthen international cooperation and prevent wars.
Meanwhile, opponents of free trade—sometimes called ‘protectionists’—claim that the unrestricted movement of goods and services causes damage to local communities. This is because jobs are lost when it becomes cheaper to import a product than to produce it domestically. They also argue that the vast distances travelled by food, oil, and consumer goods is harming the environment and making our lives unsustainable. Protectionists are in favour of tighter controls on the movement of goods and services in order to protect jobs and livelihoods.
In conclusion, while there are convincing arguments on both sides of the debate, a return to protectionist policies would surely be a mistake. I believe that global trade is inevitable and should not be restricted. It is no longer realistic for nations to source all of their energy, food, and manufactured goods within their own borders.
(267 words; IELTS 9.0)
Task response: The model answer discusses both sides of the argument in equal measure and ends with a clear opinion. The writer includes background information and examples. The essay meets the word requirement.
Coherence and cohesion: The model answer is clearly structured, with each body paragraph discussing a different side of the argument. The relationship between paragraphs is clearly signalled by words like Meanwhile and In conclusion . Ideas are developed further with logical links such as For example , because and also .
Lexical resource: The writer uses higher-level vocabulary relevant to the topic such as opponents, domestically, unsustainable, and interdependence . The core concept of ‘free movement of goods across national borders’ is repeatedly paraphrased. Spelling is correct throughout the model answer.
Grammatical range and accuracy: The writer uses a wide variety of grammatical features including concessive clauses ( while… ), relative clauses ( in which… ), and other complex forms ( It is no longer realistic for nations to… ). There are no grammatical errors in the model essay.
Comments are closed.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).
For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:
Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.
Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ » — a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.
Some individuals argue that governments should allocate more funding to railways rather than roads due to the former's higher capacity for transporting goods and passengers. discuss both views, some people think that children are having too much free time and this time should be used to study more. to what extent do you agree with this statement, in many countries government are investing new technology to deal with the public. why this is happening do you think this is an appropriate use of government money, some people argue the government should support the funds for arts, while others argue that the money should be used for public health and education. discuss both those views and give your opinion..
Discussion essays are a common type of IELTS writing task 2 essay question where you are given two sides of an argument to discuss and give your opinion. This guide is full of writing tips, useful language and a sample essay to help you produce a high-level IELTS writing task 2 discussion essay. Read on to learn more!
1.1 understanding the question, 1.2 example discussion essay questions, 2.1 essay structure 1.
3.3 identify vocabulary, 4.1 introduction, 4.2 main body paragraphs, 4.3 conclusion.
1. discussion essay overview.
As with all IELTS writing task 2 essay questions, you will have 40 minutes to produce a formal essay ( at least 250 words in length).
With a discussion essay, you will be presented with two sides of an argument and then asked to give your opinion .
Remember, there are five main types of writing task 2 questions:
A discussion question should be easy to identify: You will first be given an IELTS statement and then a question that will usually be worded something like:
With this type of essay question, you can choose to either take a thesis-led approach where you give your opinion in the i ntroduction and conclusion , or an evidence-led approach where you give your opinion in the conclusion .
We will show you both structures later in this guide and a sample essay that takes an evidence-led approach.
Here are some example discussion essay questions. Pay attention to the question words so you quickly identify a discussion essay question:
Some people say that governments are responsible for dealing with environmental issues. Other people believe that it is the individual’s responsibility to take action to protect the environment.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people think that environmental problems should be solved on a global scale while others believe it is better to deal with them nationally.
There seems to be an increasing number of serious crimes committed each year. While some think the best way is to use the death penalty as a deterrent, many people believe that other measures will be needed.
Discuss both sides.
Some people feel that it is better to live in a city while others believe that life is better in the countryside.
Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides
Many people think governments should fund art, while others believe that artists should be responsible for funding their work.
Discuss both views.
Ielts writing correction & grading.
Introduction | |
---|---|
Main body paragraph 1 | |
Main body paragraph 2 | |
Conclusion |
Evidence-led
Note that we have suggested giving two topic sentences per body paragraph . However, it is perfectly fine to spend more time writing one topic sentence and developing that idea fully .
The best way to see what structure works best is to complete an essay under timed conditions.
Ielts speaking practice.
Planning your essay should only take 5 minutes but could make a real difference to your overall score.
We’ve put together some useful tips to plan a discussion essay.
You should always make sure you understand exactly what topic you have been asked to write about by locating the topic words in the IELTS statement.
Take a look at the statement for our model answer. We’ve underlined the topic words for you:
Some people think that environmental problems should be solved on a global scale while others believe it is better to deal with them nationally .
The topic of this essay is environmental problems . We have also put some other keywords in bold that give more information about the topic, in this case, the question is not just about environmental problems but about dealing with these problems on a global scale or nationally .
If you want to score well in Coherence and Cohesion, then you need to create a logical and well organised essay. You could organise your ideas using notes, bullet points, columns, or whatever method you like. For a discussion essay, you could consider arranging your ideas by argument and supporting examples:
Argument 1:
Argument 2:
Although it is not essential, it is a great idea to note down any unusual or useful vocabulary during the planning process to increase your score in Lexical resource .
Here are some ideas we came up with for our sample essay linked to the topic of environmental problems :
The first thing you need to do is rewrite the given IELTS statement in your own words. This is called paraphrasing and it is a key skill needed for the writing section of the IELTS exam.
Look at the example of our paraphrase statement, can you see what’s changed?
Some people think that environmental problems should be solved on a global scale while others believe it is better to deal with them nationally.
| There is no doubt that the modern world is facing many serious environmental problems, such as climate change, an increase in natural disasters and air pollution. It is often argued that these environmental issues should be tackled globally. However, there are also those that argue that these problems can only be dealt with at a regional level. |
Notice that we have taken an evidence-led approach where we do not give our opinion in the introduction and instead put this in the conclusion.
We suggest also adding an outline sentence to briefly explain what our easy will do:
This essay will examine both points of view .
For both of your main body paragraphs, you will need language to introduce the two discussion points given in the statement.
Each body paragraph should focus on one side of the argument .
Here’s a reminder of our recommended essay structure for the body paragraphs (remember, you do not have to write about two points in each paragraph, you can stick to one ):
Main body paragraph 1 | |
---|---|
Main body paragraph 2 |
Impersonal Passive: The impersonal passive is useful for this type of essay when introducing ideas. Here are some example sentence starters:
Here is another example taken from our sample essay:
It is often argued that these environmental issues should be tackled globally.
Relative clauses: Relative clauses are an efficient way of providing more information about the main idea of your sentence as well as a way of increasing your Grammatical range and accuracy .
Here is a reminder of the relative pronouns needed to form a relative clause:
And here are some example relative clauses linked to the topic of our sample essay:
Your conclusion is an essential part of your writing tasks 2 essay and you will find it difficult to score over a band score 6.0 in Task achievement if you do not include one .
There are two main things you need to do for a successful conclusion:
Take a look at our conclusion for the sample answer and identify the opinion:
In conclusion, although it is clear that environmental issues need to be addressed at a global level, it is my view that national efforts can make the biggest difference. Communities can work together to implement policies quickly and effectively and enact meaningful environmental change.
Here is the discussion essay that we have been using in this guide.
We have removed some keywords so you can test your knowledge on discussion essays by selecting the correct missing word.
that the modern world is facing many serious problems, such as climate change, an increase in natural and air pollution. It is often that these environmental issues should be tackled globally. , there are also those that argue that these problems can only be dealt with at a regional level. This essay will examine both points of . One that people believe environmental issues should be addressed at a global level is that richer, more developed nations have the financial ability and power to do so. World leaders make laws to promote the use of renewable energy and reduce the use of finite resources. , they also have the resources to develop and invest in green technology that could drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Another that can be put forward is that, to make major environmental changes, international cooperation is necessary worldwide. For instance, different nations need to work in unison to agree on their reduction in carbon emissions. On the other , there are many people who believe that environmental change is only possible at a more local level and that only individual nations can make the biggest difference. It is that there should be national laws that rules such as recycling quotas and waste reduction. Additionally, it is argued that regional and community action is more effective than global efforts. , communities can coordinate direct action such as litter picking campaigns. In , although it is clear that environmental issues need to be addressed at a global level, it is my that national efforts can make the biggest difference. Communities can work together to implement policies quickly and effectively and enact meaningful environmental change. / 16 |
There is no doubt that the modern world is facing many serious environmental problems, such as climate change, an increase in natural disasters and air pollution. It is often argued that these environmental issues should be tackled globally. However, there are also those that argue that these problems can only be dealt with at a regional level. This essay will examine both points of view.
One reason that people believe environmental issues should be addressed at a global level is that richer, more developed nations have the financial ability and power to do so. World leaders can make laws to promote the use of renewable energy and reduce the use of finite resources. Furthermore, they also have the resources to develop and invest in green technology that could drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Another argument that can be put forward is that, to make major environmental changes, international cooperation is necessary worldwide. For instance, different nations need to work in unison to agree on their reduction in carbon emissions.
On the other hand, there are many people who believe that environmental change is only possible at a more local level and that only individual nations can make the biggest difference. It is believed that there should be national laws that impose rules such as recycling quotas and waste reduction. Additionally, it is argued that regional and community action is more effective than global efforts. For example, communities can coordinate direct action such as litter picking campaigns.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Signup for preparation and special offers!
You have successfully joined our subscriber list.
IELTS Advantage
IELTS Preparation Courses
How to write a Task 2 discussion essay:
This lesson will help you answer IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion (or discuss both views and give your opinion) questions.
These particular questions require a different approach to opinion essays because you have to discuss both sides rather than argue in favour of one side.
This post will look at:
Task Achievement
Coherence and Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Many students fail to do well in these questions because they do not do what the question asks them to do and do not use an appropriate structure . This post will help you overcome these problems and give you a sample answer.
We will also look at ‘lexical resource’ and ‘coherence and cohesion’; two of the IELTS examiners’ marking criteria when marking your essays. Understanding the marking scheme will help you get inside an IELTS examiner’s head and give them exactly what they want.
Identifying the Question
Look at the three questions below and choose the one you think is a discussion question.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.
The first question is an opinion question, and we can tell this from the instructions ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree?’.
The second question is obviously an advantages and disadvantages question.
The third question is the discussion question. We can tell this from the typical instructions in the question, ‘Discuss both sides of the argument and then give your opinion’.
You may also be asked to ‘Discuss both views and give your opinion’ or ‘Discuss both sides of the argument and give your opinion’.
Each of these questions is asking us to do different things, and we, therefore, need a different structure for each question .
Here are a few other typical discussion questions:
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.
As you can see, they typically state two opinions and then ask you to discuss both and give your opinion. Make sure you do these things in the essay. If you only discuss both views and fail to give your opinion you will lose marks.
For discussion questions, I suggest you use the following four-paragraph structure.
Introduction
1- Paraphrase Question
2- State Both Points of View
2- Thesis Statement
3- Outline Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1
1- State first viewpoint
2- Discuss first viewpoint
3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint
4- Example to support your view
Main Body Paragraph 2
1- State second viewpoint
2- Discuss second viewpoint
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important
Here is a sample answer, but I have mixed up the sentences. Can you match the sentences below to the structure above?
This exercise will help you understand the structure.
Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say this is a positive trend, while others argue that it leads to negative consequences.
There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.
The internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. Moreover, learners can research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.
In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
This is one of the four areas you will be assessed on in the IELTS writing test.
Task achievement refers to your ability to address all parts of the question and present a fully developed answer. By following the structure above, we have fully discussed both sides of the argument and given our opinion. This is exactly what the question asked us to do, no more, no less.
Discourse markers (words like ‘however’, ‘despite this’ and ‘In conclusion’) are also referred to as ‘linking words’ and ‘linking phrases’, or ‘sentence connectors’. They are quite formal and are used more in academic writing than informal speech.
You gain marks for using these under the ‘coherence and cohesion’ section of the marking scheme. These words ‘stick’ the other words together and lend continuity to sentences and paragraphs.
If you do not include discourse markers in your IELTS writing, your answer will appear illogical and more difficult to understand.
However, this does not mean that you should try to insert as many of these words into your writing as possible. This is a common mistake in IELTS writing. Using too many of them, or using them inappropriately, can make your writing sound too heavy and unnatural. They are important but must only be used at the appropriate time.
Try to identify any discourse markers in the essay above . Don’t look at the essay below yet. How many can you find?
Here is the sample answer again with the discourse markers in bold .
There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.
The internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. Moreover , learners can research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example , where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
However , many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite this , human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance , Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.
In conclusion , while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However , as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
This is also one of the four criteria you will be marked on, and it refers to your ability to use a wide range of accurate vocabulary.
A common mistake is to repeat the same words over and over again. You will lose marks if you do this. A solution to this problem is to use synonyms. You can either think of synonyms as you are writing or leave time, in the end, to add them in.
Can you identify any synonyms in the essay above?
Here are some examples:
Computers- technology
Computers- the internet
Education- in the classroom
Education- students and teachers
Positive trend- positive development
Negative Consequences- adverse ramifications
By varying your vocabulary this way, you are demonstrating that you have a wide vocabulary, which will boost your band score. However, like discourse markers, be careful not to use inappropriate/inaccurate words. Only use words you are confident about. Mistakes will lead to fewer marks.
Do you need me to correct your essays and give you feedback on them? Check out our essay correction service .
I hope this post helps you with discussion questions, and if you have any questions, please comment below.
My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.
I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.
If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.
You should be able to give the examiners exactly what they want, in order to get a 7+ band score.
The structure that I advise my students to use, will be sure to get you a band score of 7+. You need to practice using this structure, with as many questions as you can, before sitting your IELTS test. This writing task 2 structure has been proven to be successful for my students and when perfected, can easily help you to achieve a high band score.
TIP >> It is very important that spend a full 40 minutes on this task as the score you get for writing task 2 is two-thirds of your total writing score. You also need to write a minimum of 250 words and use your own ideas.
Paragraph 1 – The Introduction
Do you understand what I mean, when I say ‘paraphrase’ the question?
After that, give your view/opinion on the issue. A good way to say this is to start with… ‘In my opinion, I believe that……..’
The example you give could be something from your own experience or made up – it is ok to make up something as the examiners will not fact check your information. They want to see your ability to use English at a certain level. You could make up an example from a report, journal, newspaper or University study to support your view.
The example you give could be something from your own experience or made up – it is ok to make up something as the examiners will not fact check your information. They want to see your ability to use English at a certain level. You could make up an example from a report, journal, newspaper or University study to support your view.
Sequencing ideas >>, sample discuss both points of view and give your own opinion essay >>, writing task 2 band score 9 criteria >>, related posts, ielts discussion essay sample 4 – family and children, ielts discussion essay sample 1 – education, leave a comment cancel reply.
Discussion essays usually present you with two sides and ask you to discuss them. Some of them even ask for your opinion.
In this article, I’m going to go through an example and write a high-scoring sample. I will walk you through all the steps so that you can write a high-quality essay. The question is from IELTS past papers.
Here is the essay question we’re going to work on:
Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
In this kind of essay, you need to choose a side , talk about both sides equally , and give your opinion .
Therefore, you’ll have two options to choose from when structuring your essay:
1. You agree with one side and disagree with the other:
If you choose this option, you should have 4 paragraphs (introduction, body 1, body 2, and conclusion). You should discuss the side you don’t agree with in the first paragraph and be clear at the same time that you disagree with it. Then discuss the side you agree with in the second body paragraph. This is what I recommend because it’s easier and faster to write. In this article, I’ll be using this option to develop my essay.
2. You don’t completely agree with either side:
This option usually requires you to have a third body paragraph. The first two will discuss the two sides, and the third will be about your own opinion. The reason you need this third body paragraph is that you should have one main idea per each body paragraph. It requires more time to think, plan, write, and edit an essay with this option. So unless you are sure that you can make it, go with the first option.
As discussed in our guide to writing task 2 here , you should start with thinking and planning, which should take about 10 minutes.
First, analyze the question and fully understand what it wants you to do. This should take no more than 2 minutes.
Side 1: University students must only be allowed to study certain key subject areas like medicine, agricultural sciences, engineering, etc.
Side 2: University students should be free to choose their majors.
Question: Why did you switch the places of the two sides in the question?
Answer: I want to discuss the side that I agree with in the second paragraph, just before the conclusion. This way, my argument will be stronger. Save the best for the last!
My opinion: I agree with side 2.
What am I supposed to do? I need to discuss both sides equally and clearly state my opinion .
Second, develop your thesis statement, main ideas, and supporting sentences. They must be relevant to the main topic. This step should take about 8 minutes.
Here’s my plan:
Note: You may not understand some parts of my plan until you’ve read my full essay. That’s because my planning is my thinking process written fast using signs. It’s just to remind me what to write in my essay. I have included it just to show you how you can plan. You can also make yours even shorter by using more signs of your own.
Introduction:
Paraphrase the question and write the thesis statement:
Body Paragraph 1:
Main idea: Two main reasons why people believe this:
Reason 1: personal aspect→occupational prestige and higher income→ better quality of life
Reason 2: Industrial point of view: population growing→need better tech to produce more food faster→ better machinery and fertilizers that speed things up
Body paragraph 2:
Main idea: Freedom of choice is important because A: Higher job quality B: Key subject areas will always be attractive to many with or without the freedom of choice
Support 1: People do things better when they are passionate about them → if forced→ unsatisfied workers→ low job quality.
Passionate students → motivated graduates → work hard → faster advancement in all fields
Support 2: population growing → more people available for all subject areas: different people, different interests→ will eventually attract enough people.
Conclusion: Summarize everything in one complex sentence or two sentences. No new ideas!!!
Now that I have done my planning, I can finally start writing. You should complete this step in under 25 minutes.
Here’s the full essay:
People have different opinions when it comes to whether university students should have the freedom to choose their majors. While some believe that only certain key subject areas such as agricultural sciences and engineering should be allowed to study at university, I believe that giving students the freedom to choose what they want to study is a better option.
It is believed by some that focusing only on science and technology has two main benefits. First, graduates of such fields have a higher occupational prestige and income level compared with those of arts and humanitarian subject areas. Second, from an industrial perspective, the ever-growing population of the world requires us to come up with better technologies that will enable us to produce more food in a shorter span of time. This can only be achieved by better machinery and more efficient fertilizers. Therefore, those people assert that forcing people to study such subjects is essential for the survival of humanity.
Despite the above argument, I whole-heartedly believe that we not only don’t need to use force in this regard but will also benefit from the freedom of choice. In my opinion, if students are forced to study a subject, they will never apply themselves to improve in their studies. However, allowing them to choose what they are passionate about will result in having motivated graduates ready to work hard in their jobs, which leads to faster advancement in all fields, including farming, engineering, and so on. Furthermore, with the population of the world growing rapidly, it seems unlikely that science-related fields will not attract anyone. In other words, different people come with different desires, so it is safe to assume that there will be enough students for all fields of study.
In conclusion, I believe that the reasons behind forcing students to only study particular fields are not well-justified. In fact, giving people the freedom to choose their majors at university would bring about a brighter future for the world.
(327 words)
Read your writing and correct all your mistakes within 5 minutes.
This is the final step. You should allocate about 5 minutes to this so that you can spot your mistakes and correct them; therwise, it will be hard for you to get to high band scores.
You can find the checklist that will help you review your work efficiently at the end of this article .
Here’s the summary of all the steps:
Esl fluency on facebook.
Share this post with your friends
Students can find it difficult to identify IELTS discussion essays and often confuse them with either opinion essays or advantage and disadvantage essays.
This is one of the issues I’ll be covering in this lesson. I’m also going to show you how to plan and write discussion essays step-by-step.
Here’s what we’ll be covering:
Want to watch and listen to this lesson?
Click on this video.
Click the links to see lessons on each of these Task 2 essay writing topics.
Once you understand the process, practice on past questions. Take your time at first and gradually speed up until you can plan and write an essay of at least 250 words in the 40 minutes allowed in the exam.
The first part of the question for an IELTS discussion essay will be a statement containing two opposing views.
You will then be asked to discuss both sides of the argument and give your own opinion. Here is some typical wording that might be used:
Here's a question from a past test paper.
Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
I’ll be using this question to guide you through the process of planning and writing an IELTS discussion essay.
The key to identifying this type of question is the fact that you are required to discuss BOTH views. This is different to opinion questions where you must decide between two opposing views and make an argument to support your own opinion.
Opinion essays , also known as ‘agree or disagree’ essays, a generally worded in one of these ways:
What is your opinion? / Do you agree or disagree? / To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The other essay type that students mistake for discussion essays is advantages and disadvantages essays . With these, the statement will contain just one view and the question will typically be written as shown in this sample question.
School children are using computers in school more than ever.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this and give your own opinion.
The consequence of incorrectly identifying the question type is that you will use the wrong structure for your essay. This is a major reason why people make the mistakes we’ll now look at.
These three errors are common in IELTS discussion essays.
The most common mistake that students make is not giving their opinion. The question will clearly state that you must choose one side of the argument to agree with. If you fail to do this, you will get a low score for task achievement.
It doesn’t matter which side of the argument you take or even, that you actually agree with it.
However, you must give equal attention to both sides. A common error is to provide a stronger argument for the view you favour. This leads to an unbalanced essay and a low score for task achievement.
Now let’s look at a simple structure you can use to write IELTS discussion essays. It’s not the only possible structure but it’s the one I recommend because it’s easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.
1) Introduction
2) Main body paragraph 1
3 ) Main body paragraph 2
4) Conclusion
This structure will give us a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.
We now need some ideas to add into the structure and we’ll have everything we need for our essay.
# 1 analyse the question.
This is an essential step in the planning process and will ensure that you answer the question fully. It’s quick and easy to do. You just need to identify 3 different types of words:
1. Topic words
2. Other keywords
3. Instruction words
We’ve already considered the instruction words (the actual question) so we’ll focus on the first two.
Topics words are the ones that identify the general subject of the question.
Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.
So, this question is about ‘ zoos ’.
Many people do this first step of the process and then write about the topic in general. This is a serious mistake and leads to low marks for task achievement.
What we need to do now that we know the general topic, is to understand exactly what aspect of zoos we're being asked to write about.
The other keywords in the question tell you the specific topic you must write about. They define the opinions stated in the statement.
Some people think tha t zoos are cruel and should be closed down . Others, however, believe that zoos c an be useful in protecting wild animals .
By highlighting these words, it’s easy to see that you are being asked to write about the opposing views that zoos are cruel and should be closed down and that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals. Your essay must only include ideas relevant to these ideas.
As already mentioned, it doesn’t matter if you genuinely agree with the view you take in your essay or not. IELTS discussion essays are about your ability to write a well-structured essay in the English language and you will not be assessed on any opinion you might hold.
So, choose one view and make sure that your opinion is clear throughout the essay.
For this model essay, I’m going to agree with the statement that zoos are cruel and should be closed down.
The next task is to generate some ideas to write about.
There are several different ways to think up ideas. I cover them fully on the IELTS Essay Planning page.
We’re going to use the ‘friends technique’. This is my preferred method as it allows you to take a step back from the stress of the exam situation and think more calmly.
Here’s how it works. Imagine you are chatting with a friend and they ask you the question in a casual conversation. What answers would you give them off the top of your head? Plan your essay around these ideas.
Doing this will help you to come up with simple answers in everyday language rather than straining your brain to think of amazing ideas using high level-language, which isn’t necessary.
You might want to try this yourself before reading on for my ideas.
Here are my ideas:
Cruel – closed down:
Useful – protect wild animals:
I’ve got more ideas here than I need so I’m going to pick two to develop in the essay – one for each of the main body paragraphs.
Idea 1 – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.
Idea 2 – Breeding programmes for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.
We’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS discussion essay but first, we have one other small task to do.
In an IELTS essay, it’s important to be able to say the same things in different ways, either by paraphrasing and/or using synonyms. During the planning stage, quickly jot down a few synonyms of key words you could use to save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing.
For example:
zoos – animals in captivity, collections of wild animals, menagerie, wildlife park
cruel – to cause suffering, inhumane
protect – safeguard, preserve
animals – creatures, species
With that done, we can focus on the first paragraph of the essay – the introduction.
Good introductions to IELTS discussion essays have a simple 3 part structure:
2) State two supporting reasons (outline statement)
3) Give your opinion (thesis statement)
Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question.
Question: Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.
There are various phrases you can use to do this. Here are three examples. They all say the same thing using different language.
Choose one and add the details in the question statement in a paraphrased form. I recommend putting the view you don’t agree with first.
Paraphrased question:
Some people argue that zoos help to preserve wild creatures, while others say that they are inhumane and should be abolished.
Note my use of synonyms. You don’t have to replace every key word but do so where possible whilst ensuring that your language sounds natural. There aren’t any suitable synonyms of ‘zoo’ that I can think of, so I've repeated this word from the statement.
Now we need to add an outline statement where you outline the two main points that you’ll cover in the rest of the essay (ideas 1 and 2 above) and a thesis statement where you state your opinion.
Outline & thesis statements:
While the development of breeding programmes contributes to the preservation of endangered species, I believe that the poor conditions that many animals held in captivity are kept in make the existence of zoos unacceptable.
So, let’s bring the three elements of our introduction together.
Introduction
This introduction achieves three important functions:
The two ideas in your introduction will become your two main body paragraphs.
Main body paragraph 1 – Breeding programmes for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.
Main body paragraph 2 – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.
Main body paragraphs in IELTS discussion essays should contain 3 things:
It is easier to begin by discussing the opinion you don’t agree with and then present the reasons for the opposing view that you support. So, we’ll start with idea 1.
The topic sentence summarises the main idea of the paragraph. That’s all it needs to do so it doesn’t have to be complicated.
It plays an important role in ensuring that your ideas flow logically from one to another. It does this by acting as a signpost for what is to come next, that is, what the paragraph will be about.
If you maintain a clear development of ideas throughout your essay, you will get high marks for task achievement and cohesion and coherence.
We’ll now take the idea for our first main body paragraph and create our topic sentence.
Topic sentence:
On the one hand, there are many projects in existence in zoological parks around the world where species facing extinction have been successfully bred in captivity and their numbers increased substantially.
Next, we must write an explanation sentence that expands on the idea. This explains to the examiner what we mean or why this is the case.
Explanation sentence:
This is important for ensuring the survival of animals under threat from poaching and the destruction of their natural environments.
Finally, we add an example to support our main point. If you can’t think of a real example, it’s fine to make one up, as long as it’s believable. The examiner isn’t going to check your facts.
Example sentence:
A good example of this is the golden lion tamarin from Brazil which nearly died out because of logging and mining activities which are destroying its habitat. Today, a third of wild golden lion tamarins were raised in captivity.
That’s the 3 parts of our first main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.
We now follow the same process for our second main body paragraph.
Main idea 2 – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.
First, we write the topic sentence to summarise the main idea. I started main body paragraph 1 with the phrase ‘On the one hand...’, so main body paragraph 2 will naturally begin, ‘On the other hand... .
These are great cohesive devices to use when making a direct contrast between two opposing views and they link the ideas together well. They can be used in most IELTS discussion essays and will help to earn you a good score for cohesion and coherence.
Topic sentence:
On the other hand, a significant percentage of zoos house their animals in cramped cages with very little space to move around or behave naturally.
Now for the explanation sentence where we expand on this idea.
Explanation sentence:
This can lead to them becoming distressed and depressed as well as suffering physically through lack of exercise.
Finally, an example to support this point.
A friend of mine recently visited a wildlife park while on holiday abroad and was very upset to see the lions pacing up and down in a narrow, bare pen and eagles in enclosures so small that they were unable to fly.
That’s the 3 parts of our second main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.
Now we need a conclusion and our IELTS discussion essay is done.
Conclusions to IELTS discussion essays should do two things:
This can generally be done in a single sentence.
If you're below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add a prediction or recommendation statement.
Our essay currently has 231 words so we’re on target and don’t need this extra sentence but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS discussion essays on the Task 2 Conclusions page.
The conclusion is the easiest sentence in the essay to write but one of the most important.
A good conclusion will:
If you achieve this, you’ll improve your score for both task achievement and cohesion and coherence which together make up 50% of the overall marks. Without a conclusion, you’ll score below band 6 for task achievement.
You can start almost any final paragraph of an IELTS discussion essay with the words:
or
Now all you need to do is briefly summarise the main ideas into one sentence.
Here’s a top tip . Go back and read the introduction to the essay because this is also a summary of the essay. It outlines what you are going to write about.
To create a great conclusion, you simply have to paraphrase the introduction. Let’s give it a go.
Introduction:
Here is the same information formed into a conclusion:
That’s it. We’ve completed our essay. Here it is with the 4 paragraphs put together.
Finished IELTS discussion essay.
Go through this lesson as many times as you need to in order to fully understand it and put in lots of practice writing IELTS discussion essays from past exam questions. Practice is the only way to improve your skills.
Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?
More help with ielts discussion essays & other task 2 essays.
IELTS Writing Task 2 – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.
The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.
Understanding Task 2 Questions – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.
How To Plan a Task 2 Essay – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.
How To Write a Task 2 Introduction – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.
How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid.
How To Write Task 2 Conclusions – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.
Task 2 Marking Criteria – Find out how to meet the marking criteria in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.
The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:
Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.
Opinion Essays
Discussion Essays
Problem Solution Essays
Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
Double Question Essays
IELTS Writing Test – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.
$9.99 each Full Set Just $ 23.97
Find Out More >>
Full details...
$7 each Full Set Just $ 21
Find out more >>
Testimonials
“I am very excited to have found such fabulous and detailed content. I commend your good work.” Jose M.
“Thanks for the amazing videos. These are ‘to the point’, short videos, beautifully explained with practical examples." Adari J.
"Hi Jacky, I bought a listening book from you this morning. You know what? I’m 100% satisfied. It’s super helpful. If I’d had the chance to read this book 7 years ago, my job would be very different now." Loi H.
"Hi Jacky, I recently got my IELTS results and I was pleased to discover that I got an 8.5 score. I'm firmly convinced your website and your videos played a strategic role in my preparation. I was able to improve my writing skills thanks to the effective method you provide. I also only relied on your tips regarding the reading section and I was able to get a 9! Thank you very much." Giano
“After listening to your videos, I knew I had to ditch every other IELTS tutor I'd been listening to. Your explanations are clear and easy to understand. Anyways, I took the test a few weeks ago and my result came back: Speaking 7, listening 9, Reading 8.5 and Writing 7 with an average band score of 8. Thanks, IELTS Jacky." Laide Z.
Contact
About Me
Site Map
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
IELTS changes lives.
Let's work together so it changes yours too.
Copyright © 2024 IELT Jacky
All Right Reserved
IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.
Select Page
Posted by David S. Wills | Feb 7, 2020 | Model Essays | 0
A few days ago, I was given an essay to correct by one of my writing students . The question was quite interesting and I had never seen it before. When I wrote her a sample answer, I decided that I would use it on this website to illustrate how to write a good answer for this sort of question.
As such, I am going to show you some ideas about writing a good answer for “discuss both views…” questions and then give you my band 9 sample answer.
Here is the question that she gave me. It is, of course, an IELTS writing task 2 question:
In order to be successful in sport, some people think you have to be physically strong. Others say that mental strength is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
I think that it is pretty straightforward. In other words, there is nothing very complicated about it. There are essentially two issues:
What do you need to do here? You need to discuss both views and then state what your opinion is . That means you should choose either #1 or #2 or say that both are equally important.
Once you understand the question, you need to think of ideas. In a question like this, there isn’t much brainstorming to do because you already have the two main ideas. However, you need to think of:
For me, this was quite easy. I decided that I wanted to give a balanced answer because, in my opinion, you cannot succeed at sports without a mixture of these qualities. So I made some notes that looked like this:
Physical Strength | Mental Strength |
Strong people can win physical contests They can last longer in races Strength triumphs over weakness Strong people have better stamina They can endure more pain Sports require strong athletes | Strong minds keep the body going You must endure some failure Stamina is partly mental Mind is more important than body Visualizing success is essential Your brain can overcome physical weakness |
It is important to note that not all of these ideas are equal and that you should not say too much. This second point is important. For IELTS, it is better to take one or two ideas and expand upon them logically rather than just list many ideas. This will help you score highly for Task Achievement and Coherence and Cohesion.
Considering those last points, it is important that you take your ideas and develop them appropriately. I decided to include just one idea in each paragraph, but to expand upon it logically. This is a risk for some IELTS students, but as a native speaker and professional writer , I was not worried. I am confident in my skills.
I decided to say that both a strong body and strong mind are necessary. I would put that as my topic sentence for each paragraph and then develop the idea with explanation and examples. Here is how I would organize my thoughts:
Physical Strength | Mental Strength |
A strong body is essential It can come from genetics or training For example, runners with long legs or cyclists with strong hearts | Determination is essential Perseverance works in addition to strength and talent Even strong people feel pain, so they need mental strength to go further Tenacity pushes you through necessary training |
In terms of paragraphing , I would structure my essay like this:
It is possible to write more than 4 paragraphs. Some people would choose to write 5 paragraphs in this sort of essay, but I personally think that writing 4 paragraphs is better. You can read more about that discussion here .
Anyway, let’s move on to my sample answer so that you can see how I would personally approach this topic.
Traditionally, people believed that sports were in the domain of those who were bigger, faster, or stronger than their peers; however, nowadays people value mental strength and believe that this is the most important factor in attaining sporting prowess . This essay will look at both sides of the argument before concluding that a successful sportsperson needs both.
To begin with, it is nearly impossible to become a talented sportsperson without some degree of physical superiority over your fellow athletes . This could be either a genetic predisposition or the result of intensive training , but it is undoubtedly of massive importance. A runner with short legs could not win a race against his long-legged competitors regardless of his tenacity and a Tour de France cyclist with a weak heart and poorly developed leg muscles would stand no chance of winning the yellow jersey even if he was extremely determined.
Despite that, mental strength is also tremendously important and thus cannot be overlooked in measuring the prerequisites for sporting achievements . In the aforementioned examples of running and cycling, physical strength and attributes are incredibly important, but without the motivation to win and the perseverance to push through pain and adversity , there would be little chance that those people could succeed. In addition, mental strength is required to endure the brutal training regimes necessary for modern athletes, and these are responsible for at least part of the physical capabilities that they develop.
In conclusion, it is impossible to say whether physical or mental strength is more important for sportspeople because they are both utterly indispensable .
In terms of language, you may notice that I have used some advanced vocabulary. You don’t need to use lots of difficult words. The most important thing is avoiding mistakes. This video will explain why that is the case:
Anyway, I have put some of that language in bold for you to review. These words and phrases are suitable for this topic and added some value that would help me get band 9 for Lexical Resource.
Perhaps more importantly, I have varied my language. Notice that there is little repetition! Look how I added an example in paragraph 2:
A runner with short legs could not win a race against his long-legged competitors regardless of his tenacity and a Tour de France cyclist with a weak heart and poorly developed leg muscles would stand no chance of winning the yellow jersey even if he was extremely determined.
I have not repeated “win” as I used the phrase “winning the yellow jersey.” This made it specific to the sport and avoided a boring piece of language. Instead of repeating “strong” and “strength,” I talked about specific features: legs and hearts. Also, notice that I used the negative forms: short legs could not win… and weak hearts would not get the yellow jersey.
In terms of Coherence and Cohesion, I have linked my paragraphs very well. I started the second one with “Despite that” and then later said “In the aforementioned examples …” This clearly tells the examiner that I am capable of connecting my ideas across a whole answer.
Overall, with no mistakes and some quite advanced techniques for language and linking, I have produced an excellent essay that would surely score a band 9.
If you liked this sample answer, you may find my books on IELTS writing to be useful. Check them out here .
David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.
June 17, 2021
January 8, 2024
June 11, 2017
March 25, 2022
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
This essay will discuss both these points of view and argue in favour of the latter. Body paragraph 1 For this essay, it is good to write three body paragraphs. In the first paragraph, you can dissect the first argument. On the one hand, the books children read and the music they listen to form their belief system. In other words, children tend ...
This essay will look at both sides and then argue that… This essay will discuss both views but ultimately side with… Just make sure to avoid being overly vague. You are required to give your opinion consistently throughout the essay, so don't say "This essay will look at both sides and then give my opinion." It is not really the best ...
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Many university students want to learn about different subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others feel it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for their qualification. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
There are hundreds of ways to structure a Discuss both views essay in the writing part. However, we'll use this 4-paragraph foolproof band 7+ structure: INTRODUCTION. Paraphrase the question statement or use a general statement relevant to the topic. Write your opinion statement (only if specified in the statement).
Instructions: Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Note: the discussion is not more important than the opinion. All parts of the instructions are important to fulfil. Identify both sides of the discussion in the essay question and prepare ideas (reasons why each side is valid) each side is about why other people support that side.
IELTS Writing Task 2 - Topic: DISCUSS BOTH VIEWS. 1. In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high salaries. Some people believe that this is good for the country, but others think that governments should not allow salaries above a certain level. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Introduction. This lesson will help you answer IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion (or discuss both views and give your opinion) questions. These particular questions require a different approach to opinion essays because you have to discuss both sides rather than just argue in favour of one side. This post will look at:
A "Discuss both views and give your opinion" essay is a three-part essay type commonly asked in the IELTS Writing test. It is a three-part essay because our answer has to cover three aspects of the question (2 views and 1 opinion), unlike most IELTS Writing Task 2 questions which only require writing about two things.. Discuss both views and give your opinion question presents two ...
Step 4: Structure Your Essay. The final step in the planning process is to structure your essay. This simply means deciding which main ideas to put in which paragraphs. In a discuss both views essay, here's the structure I would recommend: Paragraph 1: introduce essay. Paragraph 2: present the reasons for the 1st view.
In opinion essays, you just need to say what YOU think. In IELTS discuss both views essays, you also need to write about the views of other people. This is a particular challenge if you are aiming for a Band 7 or higher in IELTS Writing, because to get a Band 7 for Task Response, you must make your position clear throughout the essay.
Teacher's Note. 'Discuss both views' is a common type of IELTS essay question in which the examiner will pay particular attention to paragraphing. Make your essay structure very clear by writing two body paragraphs that each discuss a different view. Try to make these two paragraphs similar in length—three sentences is enough—and save ...
The time allowed for answering the IELTS writing task 2 discussion essays is 40 minutes. IELTS writing task 2 will contribute to two-thirds of the score in IELTS Writing. You have to answer the IELTS writing task 2 question types using 250-300 words. The challenge will be to discuss the essay within the given time limit and the expected word count.
In some places old age is valued, while in other cultures youth is considered more important. Dicuss both views and give your opinion. In modern days some arguments that some places have long lifespans are valued while in other cultures youth has become more virtual.The writer of this essay disagreed with the importance of cultures is larger ...
5.1 Complete the sample Discussion essay. 5.2 Discussion Sample Essay. 1. Discussion Essay Overview. As with all IELTS writing task 2 essay questions, you will have 40 minutes to produce a formal essay (at least 250 words in length). With a discussion essay, you will be presented with two sides of an argument and then asked to give your opinion ...
Introduction: paraphrase the question, state both points of view, make a thesis statement and outline your sentence. Main body paragraph 1: state the first viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or disagree and give an example to support your view. Main body paragraph 2: state the second viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or ...
For example, ' this essay will discuss both views and state my own position'. There are three sentences you need in the introduction >>. Paraphrase the question / State both views. Give your view/opinion. Outline what is going to be discussed in the essay. Paragraph 2 - Main Body Paragraph 1.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. In this kind of essay, you need to choose a side, talk about both sides equally, and give your opinion. Therefore, you'll have two options to choose from when structuring your essay: 1. You agree with one side and disagree with the other: If you choose this option, you should have 4 ...
Task 2 questions often ask you to Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Here's how I structure a 4-paragraph essay for this kind of question: 1. Introduction (2 sentences): First introduce the topic. I often begin with the phrase "People have different views about...". In the second sentence, mention both views and your own opinion. I often use the word "although" in this sentence e.g ...
The first part of the question for an IELTS discussion essay will be a statement containing two opposing views. You will then be asked to discuss both sides of the argument and give your own opinion. Here is some typical wording that might be used: Discuss both views and give your opinion. Discuss both these views and then give your own opinion ...
Others say that mental strength is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion. I think that it is pretty straightforward. In other words, there is nothing very complicated about it. There are essentially two issues: physical strength is the most important factor in sports. mental strength is the most important factor in sports.
The following essay will discuss about both views but I personally believe that both opinions are important and the government should find some ways to provide the budget for both ideas. For a number of reasons, some people believe that city authorities should focus and spend more money on promoting bicycle commuting in their areas. Firstly, it ...
Always stick to the 4-paragraph structure; you don't need an extra paragraph for your own view because you agree with elements of the two views stated in the question. Finally we're ready to write the essay. Keep your introduction and conclusion short. Spend most of your time on the main body paragraphs.
Here's an example of how I write a 4-paragraph essay for "discuss and give your opinion" questions. Notice that I give my opinion in 3 places (introduction, paragraph 3, conclusion). Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your ...