WARING:

Before embarking on doing anything in

writing task 2, decide what type of question
is that, identify the type of the question
whether its:

1. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Flexible Opinion State opinion in the
thesis statement

If your opinion- agree / Reason 1 why

agree/ (main body paragraph 1),
reason2 why agree (main body
paragraph 2)

If your opinion- disagree / Reason 1,

why disagree/(main body paragraph 1),
reason 2,
Why disagree (main body paragraph 2)
 If your opinion- somewhat
agree/disagree / Reason 1 why agree/
(main body paragraph 1), reason 2,
why disagree (main body paragraph 2)

2. Do you agree or disagree? Inflexible

Opinion

If you decide opinion - agree / reason 1

why agree/ (main body paragraph 1),
reason2 why agree (main body
paragraph 2)

If you decide opinion - disagree reason

1, why disagree/ (main body paragraph
1),
reason 2, why disagree (main body
paragraph 2)

3. Is this positive or negative development?

State opinion in the thesis statement
 If you decide opinion (positive) /discuss
positive (main body paragraph 1),
discuss positive side and why positive
(main body paragraph 2).
If you decide opinion (negative) /
discuss negative (main body paragraph
1), discuss negative (main body
paragraph 2).
If you decide opinion (both) / discuss
positive (main body paragraph 1),
discuss positive (main body paragraph
2).

4. What are the benefits and drawbacks? No

opinion but state in your thesis statement
(this essay will discuss both benefits and
drawbacks)

discuss benefits (main body

paragraph 1), discuss drawbacks
(main body paragraph 2)
5. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages. (this question is same as
benefits and drawback question)

6. Discuss both views and give your

opinion. Mention that you will State your
opinion , and then restate it in the conclusion.

In this essay, I will discuss both views and state my own

position.
Discuss view 1 (main body paragraph 1)
Discuss view 2 (main body paragraph 2)
Connect both views using while or however, then give your
opinion (paragraph 4 conclusion)

7. Do the advantages outweigh

disadvantages? State opinion in the thesis
statement and restate in the conclusion
 If your opinion " advantages outweigh disadvantages"
imply that while you discuss the advantages and
disadvantages to make it clear you think there are more
advantages.

If your opinion " disadvantages outweigh advantages"

imply that while you discuss the advantages and
disadvantages to make it clear you think there are more
disadvantages.

example:
here you think the disadvantages more than advantages

main body paragraph 1: On the one hand, I admit there

are some advantages .
Main body paragraph 2: on the other hand, I feel the
disadvantages are more persuasive.

8. What are the problems/reasons/causes? What

solution can you suggest? No opinion
required
9. Which factors contribute to this? (How / is
it) realistic to expect these factors?

After you have decided, then plan your

structure and what are you going to write and
what linking words will be needed to be used
in paragraphs, and also how to write the
introduction and the conclusion. Reason why
we do all that is because every question has
its own approach and tactic to be written.
 1. Positive or negative development
question type?
Questions that ask "Is this a positive or negative
development?" seem to be quite common in the IELTS test
these days. For example, here's a recent question that several
people told me about:
In some countries, many more people are opting to live
alone nowadays than in the past.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Here's my advice:
This type of question is asking for your opinion, so don't
write about the views of other people.
Three different answers are possible: (1) You think it is a
positive development. (2) You think it is a negative
development. (3) You believe that there are some
positives and some negatives.
As usual, make your opinion clear in the introduction,
support it with good ideas in the main body, and repeat /
summarise it in the conclusion.

Answer:
A recent trend in some parts of the world has seen an
increasing number of youths moving out of their family homes
to live on their own. This can be majorly attributed to
their need for independence and privacy. However, I believe
this recent trend has negative effects both on the individual
and society at large.
To start with, when a young person decides to live alone,
they become exposed and vulnerable to various forms of
attack. They tend to lose the security often provided by their
family since they are on their own with no one around to
protect and support them. For instance, a young lady living all
by herself becomes a soft target for rapists and robbers
alike, since she has no one around to see to her safety.

Also, a growing number of singly occupied homes put

much more stress on housing amenities. With the growing
number of people living alone, finding accommodation for
most people has become difficult, as houses being occupied by
four to six people in the past are now occupied by one person.
This means that most houses are under-utilized and
government is under pressure to provide more housing
estates. This could otherwise be avoided if most youths
remained with their families.

In conclusion, though most youths decide to live on their own

for various reasons, it could become dangerous for them
and detrimental to the community in the long run. In
order to avoid this, the government should put up laws to
restrict the number of people who could live on their own.

2. Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks

question type?
Some IELTS writing task 2 questions ask: "Do the advantages
outweigh the disadvantages?" or "Do the benefits outweigh
the drawbacks?"
My advice for these questions is to write a paragraph about
each side, and make it clear in the introduction and conclusion
which side outweighs the other (i.e. your opinion about
whether there are more advantages or disadvantages).
This was a recent exam question:
In some countries, governments are encouraging
industries and businesses to move to regional areas
outside the big cities.
Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the
disadvantages?
Here are some ideas:
1. Introduce the topic by paraphrasing the statement, and
then give a clear opinion about whether there are more
advantages or disadvantages.
2. Advantages - e.g. costs are lower in regional areas;
there is more space; provide jobs to boost deprived
areas; avoid further overcrowding in cities.
3. Disadvantages - e.g. greater availability of skilled
workers in big cities; better transport and infrastructure;
companies based in regional areas are farther from
their clients, providers and other contacts.
4. Conclude by summarising your opinion in a different way.

Answer:
In the past, factories were often built in close proximity to
city areas as the lack of transportation forbade people to do
otherwise. However, this is not exactly the case today,
when industries and businesses are moving from municipal
and into countryside areas in flocks. This essay will elaborate
on both positive and negative effects of this trend.

On the positive side, firstly, this movement makes perfect

environmental sense. Due to industrial activities, residents
of many cities around the world are still breathing in air and
consume water dirty enough to cause numerous health
diseases. Therefore, moving businesses out of the cities will
rid human and other species of pollution. A further advantage
of this trend is reducing the gap between the rich and the poor
in a country, as countryside dwellers can opt to work in
factories with higher pay, rather than agricultural work. This
will eventually bring about peace and harmony to society.

On the negative side, doing business in the countryside also

represents some notable drawbacks. To begin with,
skilled workers are a rarity in rural areas. Most of people
living in small towns and villages do not receive sufficient
education to undertake intellectual jobs. What is also
disadvantageous is based in regional areas, companies risk
distancing themselves further from their customers, their
suppliers and other partners in their business transactions,
which can weaken their profitability.
In conclusion, moving business from cities to rural areas can
be a smart decision. However, there are disadvantages that
should be weighed carefully against the advantages.

Faulty answer: (look at the correction after it)

It is true that some nations encourage companies to transfer

from urban to local areas by the government. Although there
are some drawbacks, I would argue that there are more
benefits.

However, on the other hand the negative side of this

development cannot be overlooked and we should give
enough thought as well. Indeed, relocating industries will have
some positive impact but industries will have to cope with a
number of various factors in less developed areas such as
security, lack of transportation, appropriate infrastructure to
setup an industry and scarcity of communication channel. As a
result companies and government would have to spend a
good amount of money to setup these means even before
starting the business and this is what most companies would
not come to terms with. Besides this connectivity and client
visit will also not be a piece of cake and can cause enough
problems

On the other hand, there are more advantages of moving the

industries and businesses outside of primary cities. Firstly,
industrial plants always produce emissions, which do harm to
individuals' physical health. We can see that some research
institutes have proved that those live close to the industrial
zone within ten kilometers have a much higher risk of getting
cancers. Secondly, workshop building takes up vast areas of
land while its land use efficiency is extremely lower.
Meanwhile, each square in the big cities are as precious as
gold. Thus, it is economic for factories to set up new
workshops in the remote area. It also benefits consumers due
to the decline of production cost. Lastly, labor market in the
regional areas will boost. More job opportunities will be given
to the poor live in the rural thereby improving their living
standards.

In conclusion, it seems to me that the benefits of relocating

huge industrial companies in regional zones such as more
available job opportunities, reduce labor costs and locations to
businesses, and minimizes pollution in the atmosphere do
outweigh the disadvantages.

===============================================
===

IELTS buddy
Feedback

Corrected Version:
It is true that some nations governments encourage
companies to transfer from urban to local outlying areas by
the government (you were repeating yourself here).
Although there are some drawbacks, I would argue that there
are more benefits.

However, on the other hand (You can't use 'however' or 'on

the other hand' here - these are to compare with
something you have mentioned already but you haven't
mentioned anything before this!) The negative side of this
development cannot be overlooked and we should give
enough thought as well (not clear what point you are
making here). Indeed relocating industries will have
some positive impacts but industries will have to cope with a
number of various factors problems in less developed areas
such as security, lack of transportation, inappropriate
infrastructure to set up an industry and a scarcity of
communicationchannel systems. As a result, companies
and the government would have to spend
a good substantial amount of money to set up these
means facilities even before starting the business and this is
what most companies would not come to terms with. Besides
this, connectivity and client visits will also not be a piece of
cake (don't use
idioms) easy and can could cause enough several problems
(This last sentence needs more explanation - what is
'connectivity'?).

You have coherency problems in this paragraph - the

beginning is confusing because it is not clear whether
you are talking about 'advantages' or disadvatages'. In the
first half you switch between both - where I have
underlined.

You need a clear simple topic sentence to explain which

of these you are about to discuss.

On the other hand, there are more advantages of moving the

industries and businesses outside of primary cities. Firstly,
industrial plants always produce emissions, which do harm to
individuals' physical health. We can see that some research
institutes have proved that those living close to the industrial
zones within ten kilometers (you can't say this and 'close',
only one or the other) have a much higher risk of getting
cancers. Secondly, workshop buildings take up vast areas of
land while its land use efficiency is extremely lower (I don't
know what you mean - you need to explain this or re-word
it). Meanwhile, each square meter of land in the big
cities are is as precious as gold. Thus, it is economic for
factories to set up new workshops in the remote areas. It also
benefits consumers due to the decline of production costs.
Lastly, labor markets in the regional areas will be boosted.
More job opportunities will be given to the poor living in the
rural areas thereby improving their living standards.

In conclusion, it seems to me that the benefits of relocating

huge industrial companies in to regional zones such
as are more available job opportunities, reduced labor
costs and locations to businesses, and
less minimizes pollution in the atmosphere do outweigh the
disadvantages.
FURTHER COMMENTS

You have the potential to write a very good answer as you

have some good grammar and good ideas.

But you need to work on the errors I have mentioned above.

Topic Sentences

The topic sentences of each paragraph need to be very

clear at the beginning. There is a problem with this in your first
paragraph.

This would have been better with one sentence identifying that
you are going to discuss the disadvantages of relocating to
rural areas - like the topic sentence in your second body - this
is fine and clear.

Clarity of Ideas

And occasionally it is not clear what you are trying to say - this
may be a problem with the vocabulary you are trying to use.

Always make sure you fully explain ideas as you cannot

assume someone reading it will know what you are talking
about.

This may mean fewer ideas - but is is always better to have

fewer ideas that are fully explained than lots of ideas that
are not explained properly.

Thanks
Traffic and accommodation problems are increasing and
government should encourage business to move from cities to
rural area.

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Band 8.5 Sample Essay

In the past, factories were often built in close proximity to city areas as
the lack of transportation forbade people to do otherwise. However,
this is not exactly the case today, when industries and businesses are
moving from municipal and into countryside areas in flocks. This
essay will elaborate on both positive and negative effects of this trend.

On the positive side, firstly, this movement makes perfect

environmental sense. Due to industrial activities, residents of
many cities around the world are still breathing in air and consume
water dirty enough to cause numerous health diseases. Therefore,
moving businesses out of the cities will rid human and other species
of pollution. A further advantage of this trend is reducing the gap
between the rich and the poor in a country, as countryside dwellers
can opt to work in factories with higher pay, rather than agricultural
work. This will eventually bring about peace and harmony to society.
On the negative side, doing business in the countryside also represents
some notable drawbacks. To begin with, skilled workers are a rarity in
rural areas. Most of people living in small towns and villages do not
receive sufficient education to undertake intellectual jobs. What is also
disadvantageous is based in regional areas, companies risk distancing
themselves further from their customers, their suppliers and other
partners in their business transactions, which can weaken their
profitability.

In conclusion, moving business from cities to rural areas can be a

smart decision. However, there are disadvantages that should be
weighed carefully against the advantages.

Useful words and expressions:

Be in close proximity to: be close to

A flock of: a lot of

To elaborate (v.) to explain further

In flocks: a lot of them.

Rid human and other species of pollution: to make them free of pollution.

To make environmental sense: to be good for the environment

To rid somebody of something: remove that thing from someone.

To undertake: To bear the responsibility of, to carry out

Intellectual jobs (n.) jobs that require mental skills.

Weaken their profitability: make it less profitable

Distance yourself from: to stay away from

3. Discuss both views and give your

opinion.

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. Although there are good arguments in
favour of..., I personally believe that...
2. The first view
3. The second view (I make it clear that I agree with this view)
4. Conclusion: summarise both views and your own opinion

Some people believe that there should be the death

penalty for extremely serious crimes. Others believe
that it is not morally correct to kill criminals

Discuss both these views and give your own

opinion.

One of the most controversial issues today relates to whether

to use capital punishment or not. In this essay, I am going to
examine this question from both points of view and then give
my own perspective on the matter.

On one side of the argument, there are people who argue that
the benefits of killing violent criminals considerably outweigh
its disadvantages. The main reason for believing this is that the
fear of execution acts as a deterrent to commit serious
crimes such as rape and murder. It is also possible to say that
the execution of a criminal may bring relief to the suffering
victims. One good illustration of this is when Sadam Hussein
was executed. Many of the victims who were persecuted
under his rule expressed joy and relief when he was finally
captured and killed.

On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing

case. It is often argued that in fact sentencing criminals to
death is just committing another murder. People often have
this opinion because they think that it is immoral to take
another persons life, no matter what the reason is. A second
point is that many religions are opposed to any form of
murder. A particularly good example here is from the bible,
which lists killing another person as one of the Ten
Commandments that should not be broken.

In my opinion, both arguments have their merits. On balance,

however, I tend to believe that capital punishment is justified
in cases of extreme crime and that deterring violent crime is
more important than taking the moral high ground
espoused in the bible.
[267 words]
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people believe the aim of university education is to
help graduates get better jobs. Others believe there are
much wider benefits of university education for both
individuals and society.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant
examples from your own experience or knowledge.
Write at least 250 words.

This IELTS writing example is on the topic of university

education.
In this essay, two opposing opinions need to be discussed.
This is the first opinion:
The aim of university education is to help graduates get better
jobs.
This is the second opinion:
There are much wider benefits of university education for both
individuals and society.
As the prompt suggests, you MUST talk about both sides of
the issue and include your opinion.

IELTS Writing Example - Model Answer

These days, more and more people are making the choice to
go to university. While some people are of the opinion that
the only purpose of a university education is to improve job
prospects, others think that society and the individual benefit
in much broader ways.
It is certainly true that one of the main aims of university is to
secure a better job. The vast majority of people want to
improve their future career prospects and attending
university is one of the best ways to do this as it increases a
person's marketable skills and attractiveness to potential
employers. In addition, further education is very expensive
for many people, so most would not consider it if it would not
provide them with a more secure future and a higher standard
of living. Thus job prospects are very important.
However, there are other benefits for individuals and society.
Firstly, the independence of living away from home is a benefit
because it helps the students develop better social skills and
improve as a person. A case in point is that many students will
have to leave their families, live in halls of residence and
meet new friends. As a result, their maturity and confidence
will grow enabling them to live more fulfilling lives.
Secondly, society will gain from the contribution that the
graduates can make to the economy. We are living in a very
competitive world, so countries need educated people in
order to compete and prosper.
Therefore, I believe that although a main aim of university
education is to get the best job, there are clearly further
benefits. If we continue to promote and encourage university
attendance, it will lead to/bring about a better future for
individuals and society.
(279 words)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people think the most efficient way to reduce the

industrial pollution is to tax the companies which cause
the pollution. Others think that there are better ways to
reduce the pollution.

Discuss both sides of the argument and give your views.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer:

Pollution is one of the most pressing global issues

nowadays and government of different countries are trying to
battle this heinous issue from different perspectives and
imposing tax to companies who are responsible for creating
pollution is one of the ways. Definitely imposing high tax to
industries that are responsible for polluting environment is a
good way to tackle the pollution but in my opinion this is not
the best way to reduce pollution.

It is true that industries that are in manufacturing sector are

polluting the air, water and sound significantly. The amounts of
CO2 emission by such industries are higher than many other
sectors. So to control the amount of pollution they are
creating, government can impose a really high tax rate. This
would in one hand discourage the expansion and growth of
such industries due to the high tax rate, and on the other
hand would increase the fund the government has for
fighting/combating the environmental pollution. Almost every
government has projects like plantation, green environment
and the high tax would ensure bigger amounts in these funds.

Again, high tax rate in industry level would not be the best way
to reduce the environment pollution. Awareness among
people, taking more initiatives like creating a green
environment, controlling the number of private cars run in the
streets, controlling unfit vehicles, reducing the unnecessary
factories and researching to find out the type of fuels that
create less pollution would be other better solutions. Some
large industries that are polluting the environment would not
reduce the amount of pollution they create even if they are
imposed with high tax. Their earnings are in millions of dollars
per day. Few thousands for tax are insignificant for them. So in
my opinion this is definitely not the best solution to fight
pollution.

In conclusion, high tax imposing to industries is a good way

to increase the government funds for battling the pollution but
this is not the best way to control the environmental pollution.
Individual persons awareness, participation and governments
policy to reduce the private car ownership, plantation and
research for innovation methods would be better avenue.

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.

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 lengththree sentences is
enoughand save your own opinion for the conclusion. You can score highly on
a discuss both views question by following these simple rules. If youd like me
to correct and score your answer to this task, please click on the link below to
take my IELTS writing practice test online.

Model Answer

One of the most controversial

/debatable/contentious/disputable/arguable 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 tradesometimes called
protectionistsclaim that the unrestricted movement of
goods and services causes damage to local communities.
This is owing to the fact that/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/persuasive
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)

WHY DOES THIS TASK 2 ANSWER GET

A BAND 9 SCORE?
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 signaled 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 INTERDEPENDE
NCE. 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.

Scientists agree that people are damaging their

health by eating too much junk food. Some
people think that the answer to this problem is
to educate people. Others think education will
not work. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.

Scientific findings have clearly indicated that the excessive

consumption of fast food is leading the health of people to
deterioration. According to some people, this unhealthy
practice can be stopped by means of education; however,
some others have little faith in this solution. As the
supporters of each view have their own justifications, whether
education is effective remains to be seen in this essay.

On the one hand, raising the awareness of people

towards the dangers of unhealthy food can certainly yield
some promising outcomes. Firstly, many fast food products
provide very little or no information on the nutritional
content in them, deterring the consumers from knowing the
amount of fat, sodium or cholesterol which they take in. By
being informed of how much of these harmful substances are
contained in their favourite hamburgers or chips, as well as
being shown the likely consequences of over-eating these
foods, consumers can be more cautious the next time they
choose their food. Secondly, education at schools can help to
form healthy eating habits for children and parents. For
instance, schools can hold some extracurricular activities
such as growing and selling vegetables with the attendance of
both students and parents, in order to promote the benefits of
healthy diets and warn against the potential risks of junk
food.

On the other hand, some people doubt the effectiveness of

education for certain reasons. To begin with, despite being
aware of the negative effects of fast food, many people who are
too busy persist to eat it due to it is being convenient and
time-saving. In this case, education hardly makes a
difference as they have made a choice. In addition, compared
with the wide range and availability and ubiquitousness of fast
food stores and menus, healthy food is seriously limited.
Furthermore, healthy food is commonly inferior to fast food
in terms of taste and prices as a matter of fact. As a result,
however convincing education is, it is almost impossible for
people to change their eating habit without a ready alternative
to their unhealthy food choices.
 In conclusion, people have different opinions about whether to
support education so as to reduce peoples consumption of fast food.
In my opinion, education can be a viable measure with careful
consideration of other impediments.

faith: trust in somebodys ability or knowledge; trust that somebody/something

will do what has been promised (
==>He has blind faith (= unreasonable trust) in doctors ability to find a cure.
To deter somebody from doing something
==>The high price of the service could deter people from seeking advice.
Extracurricular: not part of the usual course of work or studies at a school or
college
==>She is involved in many extra-curricular activities.
Inferior: not good or not as good as somebody/something else
==>Modern music is often considered inferior to that of the past.
Impediment: something that delays or stops the progress of something
==>The level of inflation is a serious impediment to economic recovery.
 4. IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem/cause/opinion and
solutions:

The internet has transformed the way information is

shared and consumed, but it has also created problems
that did not exist before.
What are the most serious problems associated with the
internet and what solutions can you suggest?

Answer:

There is no doubt that the internet has revolutionized

communication and information-sharing in the same way that
the telegraph and the television did before it. However,
societies have had to cope with unanticipated new problems,
including crimes which traditional laws are powerless to
prevent. This essay will address some of the illegal acts
enabled by the internet and propose solutions.
To begin with, the global scale of the internet means that
national laws are no longer adequate to control what happens
online. Take restrictions on legal reporting, for example. In
some countries, the media is prohibited from revealing details
of a defendants past in case this prejudices a fair trial.
However, such restrictions are no longer enforceable now that
information may be freely published in other countries and
accessed by all. The only solution here, it seems, is to adopt
global standards. Since the internet traverses national
borders, the flow of information can only be controlled if all
nations agree on what can and cannot be shared.
Another problem concerns anonymity, as internet users can
easily conceal their identity and even impersonate others.
Many crimes such as identity theft and child abuse result
from the ease with which criminals can operate anonymously
online. Some have proposed a system of online identification,
similar to a passport, which would allow all internet users to be
verified and traced. I believe this idea should be explored
further, though there are clearly concerns about the security of
those who use the internet to protest against oppressive
regimes.
In conclusion, the only long-term solution to the problem of
internet crime is greater international cooperation. Since the
problem is global in scale, the solution must also be global. A
new agency of the United Nations should be created to
tackle the problems described here.
(298 words, IELTS 8.5)

WHY DOES THIS TASK 2 ANSWER GET

AN IELTS BAND 8 SCORE?
Task response: The model answer fully answers the question
by stating two distinct problems caused by the internet
together with relevant solutions to each problem. Each
problem is illustrated with examples. The style is appropriate
to academic writing and the answer is at least 250 words in
length.
Coherence and cohesion: The introduction to this problem
solution essay ends with a clear thesis statement. Each body
paragraph deals with a different problem and its solution.
Examples are signalled with logical connectives like FOR
EXAMPLE and SUCH AS. The conclusion contains a clear
recommendation which follows from the body.
Lexical resource: There are many instances of higher-level
vocabulary such as PROHIBITED, VERIFIED and
OPPRESSIVE. Examples of good collocation
include PREJUDICES A FAIR TRIAL and TACKLE THE
PROBLEMS. There are no spelling errors and correct word
forms are used throughout.
Grammatical range and accuracy: The candidate uses a
wide range of conjunctions to link ideas into more complex
sentences. Where necessary, the candidate uses a shorter
sentence to emphasise a point more strongly. Verb tenses,
including modals, are always accurate. Punctuation is handled
skillfully throughout.

5. IELTS Writing Task 2: What factors contribute to/

How realistic is the:
AS MOST PEOPLE SPEND A MAJOR PART
OF THEIR ADULT LIFE AT WORK, JOB
SATISFACTION IS AN IMPORTANT
ELEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL WELL-BEING.

WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO JOB

SATISFACTION?
HOW REALISTIC IS THE EXPECTATION OF JOB
SATISFACTION FOR ALL WORKERS?

Give reasons for your answer and give any relevant example or
experience you have to support your answer.

Sample 1
In today's modern world, most of the people spend majority of
their lifetime working. Therefore, some people assert that job
satisfaction plays an important role in molding a wellbeing
individual. In this essay, we will examine what are the factors
that lead to job satisfaction and how realistic is the demand for
job satisfaction for all the employees.

There are several main points that contribute to job

satisfaction. To begin, high income is, undoubtedly, the key
factor towards job satisfaction. People nowadays are
becoming more status conscious and materialistic which
lead them to the desires of buying things including the most
up-to-date electronic gadgets for men and trendy handbags,
shoes and dresses for women. It is due to the reason that they
may want to get self-satisfaction after spending their
precious time working for a company. However, high paid job
is not always available and it is nearly impossible to offer it to
all the workers owing to the reason/fact that the profit of a
company made may not be able to cover all the expenditure of
a company.

In addition, a good welfare system of an organisation is,

admittedly, the major concern of the employees. If every
company is able to guarantee to pay the retirees a huge
amount of pension, it will unquestionably allow every
employee to get satisfied with their jobs. With the well-
organised welfare system, every retired will not be a burden to
their family, in return, they still can help to support their family
financially. Nevertheless, it is not provided by every company
to do pay pensions to every retired of their company as they
may not have extra money as they have to make preparations
for the unanticipated financial problems of their company.

In conclusion, although there are numerous factors that

contribute to one's job satisfaction, not all the companies are
able to fulfill their employees' demands. I believe that every
individual can get satisfied with their jobs one day in the near
future as long as our nation continues to prosper and
flourish.

Sample 2

Sample Answer 6:
In current society, peoples dignity is shown by their
education and job. Most of the people turn to work in office
environment because/owing to the fact that nowadays farms
and agricultural products have less value. People spend their
most of the time in office so job satisfaction is an essential part
in every employees concern. However I believe that
satisfaction at work is everyones dream.

Firstly, there are many factors that influence the job

enjoyment. A good working environment that includes job
security and better salary is the main and most important
thing which helps each employee to be happy. Then
comfortable seating and adequate lighting are other factors.
For instance, if a person works in an information technology
department, his work needs a comfortable seating and lighting
arrangement. Next is about timing, people likes to work in
short time period like eight to ten hours of work.
But according to women they wish to work less than that
because they have household works and need to take care of
their children. Leave and day off is another contributing
factor to provide job happiness. For example, employees who
work as shift duties they have to work in public holidays, so it
leads to unhappiness for them. Some workers wish to have
the food and accommodation facilities near to the office
because it is really difficult to reach the office due to traffic in
the peak time.
When we think about the reality of job satisfaction, it should
come from ourselves. Most of the people have to make their
job environment friendly and balanced. First of all, when we
get a job offer letter, we have to think about the satisfaction
that we might get from that job. Most of the people are looking
for a better salary only. In such cases they may need to
sacrifice some factors, like working at night time and doing on
call duties. If an employee has any difficulties at working
environment, he can raise the concern to the human resource
department, because in all companies they have employee
satisfaction department for their employees.

To conclude, I believe that job pleasure and satisfaction is

important in work places because if there is a good working
environment and employees are happy, there productivity and
enthusiasm to work will be better. Even though there are many
things which makes worker happy, it should be contributed
from ourselves.

Sample 3
It is believed most of the adults lives are spent on their
workplace, therefore many people think that job satisfaction is
an essential matter for them. There are various factors that
affect job satisfaction and the following essay will discuss in
details about some of the factors, and whether that the factors
are realistic or not.

There are some points that influence job satisfaction.

Firstly, many employees believe that they are satisfied with
their careers since the tasks are in accordance with their
passions. They think that the work that they are currently doing
is aligned with their talents and they are performing well.
Secondly, some employees believe that they would be
satisfied with their jobs, if they are paid with the expected
compensation and benefits. They are being realistic that
salary is also a trigger to their work performance. And lastly
but not least, a lot of people believe that conductive working
environment would also influence the job satisfaction.

Some people are idealistic persons and they are willing to

work hard in the task that is in accordance with their talent.
This kind of thought is realistic since working is not just being
paid, but it should also be meaningful and satisfying. As for
the compensation and benefit, it is a fact that human kinds
are never satisfied with their earning. The idea that employees
would be satisfied with their jobs if they are paid high is just
not realistic. Salary would only satisfy them for a certain
amount of time and after that they will ask for more. And as for
the conductive working environment, it would be difficult to find
the ideal environment. Every workplace has its owned unique
culture and style; therefore, the workers should adapt and
adjust themselves to the working environment.

In conclusion, it is true that adults are spending a lot of their

time at work, therefore jobs satisfaction is an important thing.
There are several factors that contribute to job satisfaction, but
some are realistic while others are just not.
 6. IELTS Writing Task 2: How do you think society will
be affected by the growth of telecommuting?

TELECOMMUTING" REFERS TO WORKERS

DOING THEIR JOBS FROM HOME FOR PART OF
EACH WEEK AND COMMUNICATING WITH
THEIR OFFICE USING COMPUTER
TECHNOLOGY. TELECOMMUTING IS GROWING
IN MANY COUNTRIES AND IS EXPECTED TO BE
COMMON FOR MOST OFFICE WORKERS IN THE
COMING DECADES.

How do you think society will be affected by the growth of

telecommuting?
Answer 1
It is true that telecommuting has become a trend in
many countries in that it provides eases for most
office employees. According to this phenomenon, I
think there will be both positive and negative impacts
initiated from telecommuting.
To begin, this new method of working serves eases
and therefore also contributes to further indirect
positive effects. (expand your idea) The main
advantage of telecommuting is that it allows workers
to accomplish works from various places such as their
home, library, or even cafe, and then communicate
them to their office with computer technology aid. This
advanced working style indirectly brings some positive
effects. First, by working in such comfortable places,
the employees will be more creative and therefore be
able to accomplish many more works effectively and
efficiently. Seconds later, with less commuting activity,
individual or company can save money allocated as
transportation cost. It will be very useful for such
company with low capital.
However, telecommuting like the other innovation in
technology also has drawback and weakness.
Obviously, this method, also the user, highly depends
on computer as a media to communicate between
workers and their office, which means that
telecommuting is in danger of computer virus and
hacking. In addition, it also can decrease the
interpersonal skill of a worker due to a low frequency
of face-to-face meeting among office staffs. Moreover,
bosses have less control to their staff accomplishment
personally.
In conclusion, the development of telecommuting will
affect society both in positive and negative ways.
People should know how to use it properly.

Answer 2

The spread of telecommuting is sure to have far-

reaching effects on society. By itself, telecommuting
refers to office workers spending much of their time
working from home and using electronic technologies
to communicate with their employers. The broader
implications of telecommuting, however, may involve
changes to corporate structure, workers' lifestyles and
even urban planning.

The most obvious changes may be apparent in the

`normal' offices of companies, governments and other
organisations. If even half the working week is spent
telecommuting from home, then we would initially
expect many empty desks in the office. As offices grow
smaller, workers coming in for the day would be
expected to share desks with their absent colleagues.
This, in turn, may affect the social atmosphere of an
organisation, however, as less social contact with
one's colleagues could harm morale and loyalty.

For the individual office worker, telecommuting would

mean spending more time at home. For a parent with
young children, this may be a blessing. Moreover,
many telecommuters would be able to work the hours
they wished: having a nap in the afternoon, for
example, but working some hours in the evening. One
substantial benefit for all telecommuting workers is
that there will be no need to travel to work, allowing
more free time.

The structure of urban life is also likely to be

affected by telecommuting. We would expect to
see fewer cars on the road during peak hours and,
eventually, a smaller concentration of offices in cities'
central business districts. In short, people will have
less reason to travel to city centres from outlying
areas. As more people work and live in the same
location, shops and cultural events will likely relocate
themselves out of the city centre.
In summary, telecommuting will serve not only to
change the way we work but also the way we live.

7. IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree or disagree or to what

extent do you agree or disagree:

When you are asked whether you agree (or disagree), you
can look at both sides of the argument if you want.
This shows that you have good academic skills as you are
able to see both sides of the issue.
It can also sometimes be a good idea to look at both sides of
the argument because it may be easier for you to brainstorm
ideas.
If you just look at one side, you may run out of ideas.
In this IELTS sample essay, the writer disagrees overall with
the opinion presented - that alternative medicine is
ineffective and possibly dangerous.
However, in the first body paragraph the writer discusses
what those who agree with this opinion think.
If you are going to put in an opinion that disagrees with your
own, it is common to put this argument first. This makes your
argument stronger as you can then refute it in the following
paragraph.
As you can see, in the second body paragraph, the writer
gives the reasons why he/she disagrees.
In other words:
Body 1 = the disadvantages of alternative medicine
Body 2 = the advantages of alternative medicine
It is then a good balanced conclusion as the writer states that
they are best used together.

Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative

forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are
ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
IELTS SAMPLE ESSAY MODEL ANSWER
Alternative medicine is not new. It is accepted that it pre-
dates conventional medicine and it is still used by many
people all over the world. I am unconvinced that it is
dangerous, and I feel that both alternative and conventional
medicine can be useful.
There are several reasons why the conventional medical
community is often dismissive of alternatives. Firstly, there
has been little scientific research into such medicine, so there
is a scarcity of evidence to support the claims of their
supporters. Furthermore, people often try such treatment
because of recommendations from friends, and therefore
come to the therapist with a very positive attitude, which may
be part of the reason for the cure. Moreover, these therapies
are usually only useful for long-term, chronic conditions.
Acute medical problems, such as accidental injury, often
require more conventional methods.
On the other hand, there remain strong arguments for the use
of alternatives. Despite the lack of scientific proof, there is a
lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest that these therapies
work. In addition, far from being dangerous, they often have
few or no side effects, so the worst outcome would be no
change. One of the strongest arguments for the
effectiveness of alternative therapies in the West is that,
whilst conventional medicine is available without charge,
many people are prepared to pay considerable sums for
alternatives. If they were totally unhelpful, it would be
surprising if this continued.
I strongly believe that conventional medicine and alternative
therapies can and should coexist. They have different
strengths, and can both be used effectively to target
particular medical problems. The best situation would be for
alternative therapies to be used to support and complement
conventional medicine.
(280 words)

In order to solve traffic problems, governments should

tax private car owners heavily and use the money to
improve public transportation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a
solution?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant
examples from your own experience or knowledge.
Write at least 250 words.

This is a traffic problems essay and the specific topic is the

taxing of car drivers in order to reduce these problems.
You are asked to discuss
the advantages and disavantages of introducing such a
policy to tackle the issue.
This question is very clear, and it does not specifically ask you
for an opinion.
You just need to look at both sides of the issue.
The logical way to answer it would be to discuss each side in
a different paragraph.

Traffic Problems Essay - Model Answer

Traffic congestion in many cities around the world is severe.
One possible solution to this problem is to impose heavy taxes
on car drivers and use this money to make public transport
better. This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of
such a measure.
One of the first benefits of such a measure is that the heavy
taxes would discourage car owners from using their cars
because it would become very expensive to drive. This would
mean that they would begin to make use of public transport
instead, thus reducing traffic problems and pollution as well.
Another benefit would be that much more use would be made
of public transport if it was improved. It is often the case that
public transport in cities is very poor. For example, we often
see old buses and trains that people would rather not use.
High taxes would generate enough money to make the
necessary changes.
Nevertheless, there are drawbacks to such a solution. First
and foremost, this would be a heavy burden on the car
drivers. At present, taxes are already high for a lot of people,
and so further taxes would only mean less money at the end
of the month for most people who may have no choice but to
drive every day. In addition, this type of tax would likely be set
at a fixed amount. This would mean that it would hit those with
less money harder, whilst the rich could likely afford it. It is
therefore not a fair tax.
To conclude, this solution is worth considering to improving the
current situation, but there are advantages and disadvantages
of introducing such a policy.
(277 words)

Today, the high sales of popular goods reflect the power of advertising
and not the real need of the society in which they are sold.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

BAND 8.5 SAMPLE ANSWER:
It is widely believed that advertising, not the real need of
consumers, leads to the popularity of a product. Personally, I
strongly agree with such a statement.

Firstly, advertising promotes the sales of products by providing

necessary information for potential customers through the
means of media, particularly TV, with huge coverage. As
a matter of fact, when in possession of a TV or a computer
connected to the Internet, everyone would see advertisements
almost everywhere, which would help them to know
more specifically about their desirable goods. Compared to
the past when the power of advertising would not be enough
to spark attention, people now have closer access to
modern commodities. Without advertising, producers would
not be able to reach out to their buyers owing to a struggle to
introduce or popularize their new lines of product.

Secondly, I would say that under various circumstances,

influential advertisements manipulate people into
purchasing something they have no need for. It is common
that images of sport or entertainment celebrities would be
selected for commercial purposes, inflicting huge impacts on
buyers, especially their fans. For example, if Ronaldo, who is
an international famous football player, participated in a
commercial advertisement on TV about a new product line of
mens perfume, an enormous number of his loyal fans would
buy those goods. This is because they want to be like their
idols or simply it is a way to express their admiration and
support.

In conclusion, I think advertising is factored in boosting the

sales of a product in spite of the insignificance of social needs
for it.