ACADEMIC/GENERAL TRAINING WRITING TASK 2: PERSONAL OPINION TIME ‘You will have 60 minutes to complete the writing part of the test. You should allow 40 minutes for Task 2. Divide your time as follows: Totaltime 40 minutes. c= Plan 10 minutes aera) ‘Write 25 minutes rer) Revise 5 minutes LENGTH ‘You must write at least 250 words. You can write more. TIPS: = Read the task carefully, and make sure you understand what it is asking for. ‘= You can make planning notes on the question paper; they will not be scored. SCORE To receive a good score address all parts of the task use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation write in complete sentences use your own words; do not copy exact sentences from the task explain your own opinion STEP 1: PLAN Take 10 minutes to plan before you write. A good essay is a well-planned essay. Address the Task In Task 2, you will read a statement and a question asking your opinion. The question may be stated in one of several ways. You may be asked to A Agree or disagree B Describe advantages and disadvantages © Discuss two points of view and give your own, D Suggest solutions to a problem E Answer two questions ‘TASK ACHIEVEMENT/TASK RESPONSE 121PRACTICE 1 Read the following tasks. Determine what the question asks you to do, Write the corresponding letter from the above list next to each task. 1 sssssnsee Obesity is an increasing public health problem in some parts of the world. Explain some possible reasons for this problem, and suggest some solutions. 2 People should never eat meat because raising animals for human consump- tion is cruel. ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? 3 sussnen Some people say that physical education classes are an important part of a child's education, Others believe that it is more important to focus on aca- demics during school time, Discuss both these views, and give your opinion, 4 sssunnn Insome educational systems, children are required to study one ormore for- eign languages. In others, foreign language study is not a requirement. ‘What are the potential benefits of foreign language study? Do you think foreign language study is an important part of education? 5 ‘A growing number of people rely on restaurants and convenience food {frozen food and packaged meals) rather than home-cooked food to supply most of their meals. What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating this way? Write a Thesis Statement ‘The thesis statement for your Task 2 essay should do two things: = Address the task—tt should do what the task asks for—agree or disagree, describe advan- tages and disadvantages, etc. = Present the topic of the essay—It should tell the reader what the essay is about. ‘There is more than one way to write a thesis statement for any one question, as longasitdoes the above two things. WRITING FOR THE IELTS.Look at these example questions and thesis statements, 1 | Some parents send their children to preschool when they are three or four years old. (Other parents wait until their children are old enough for primary school before they send them to school. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of sending children to preschool at 2 young age. Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge orexperience. Write at least 250 words. Thesis Statement A While many children start preschool when they are only three or four years old, there are both advantages and disadvantages to this situation. Thesis Statement B Sending children to school at an early age has both advantages and disadvantages. Discussion Both thesis statements address the task: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages... These thesis statements both mention the topic: young children attending preschool. They tell the reader that the essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of young children attend- ing preschool. 2 | some people say that the best way to discourage smoking is to make smoking ‘ifegal in public places. Other people say that this is not enough and that other ‘measures are needed. Discuss both these views, and give your opinion. fe reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. ‘Write at least 250 words. ‘Thesis Statement A In my opinion, laws against smoking are an important part of discouraging this bad habit, but lagree that more needs ta be done. ‘TAS ACHIEVEMENT/TASK RESPONSE 123Thesis Statement B In my opinion, itis unpleasant to be in public places where people are smoking. Discussion ‘Thesis Statement A addresses the task. It mentions both points of view laid out in the ques- tion as well as the writer's opinion. It also mentions the topic: discouraging smoking. It tells the reader that the essay will discuss the two points of view about discouraging smoking and explain the writer's opinion on this topic. Thesis Statement B does NOT address the task. It does mention the writer's opinion, butit does not mention the two points of view that should be discussed. It also does not correctly describe the topic. The topic is about discouraging smoking, not about whether or not the writer feels that smoking is unpleasant. ‘A more appropriate Thesis Statement B would be: Inmy opinion, laws against smoking in public places will doa lot to discourage this unpleasant and unhealthy habit, and I don't believe any further measures are needed. From this thesis statement, the reader knows that the essay will discuss the two points of view laid out in the task and defend the writer’ opinion. PRACTICE 2 Choose the thesis statements that are appropriate for each task. There can be more than one possible answer. 1 [Obesity is an increasing public health problem in some parts of the world. Explain some possible reasons for this problem, and suggest some solutions. Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words. A. Obesity is a big problem in many places because it can cause serious health problems. B There are several reasons why obesity has become such a widespread issue, but there are also ways we can solve this problem. © Obesity has become a serious public health issue for a variety of reasons, but, fortu- nately, there are ways we can deal with this problem, 124 WRITING FOR THE IELTS2 | People should never eat meat because raising animals for human consumption is cruel. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words, A. There are people who believe that we should not eat meat because it involves cruelty to animals, but | completely disagree with this point of view. BI never eat meat because I believe that itis bad for my health, but I don't mind if other people eat meat. © Some people feel that raising animals for meat is cruel, and I am of the same opinion. 3 [Some people say that physical education classes are an important part of a child's ‘education, Others believe that it is more important to focus on academics during schoo! time. Discuss both these 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, A While there are people who think that school should only be about academics, others believe that physical education is also important, and I agree with this point of view. B__ Inmyopinion, a child's education should focus on academics. C The best schools are the ones that havea strong physical education program. ‘TASK ACHIEVEMENT/TASK RESPONSE 1254 | in some educational systems, children are required to study one or more foreign languages. In others, foreign language study is not a requirement. What are the potential benefits of foreign language study? 0 you think foreign language study is an important part of education? Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge orexperience. Write at least 250 words. ‘A Foreign languages can be difficult to learn well, but my opinion is that ct study them. B Foreign language study improves children’s minds as well as their understanding of the ‘world, and I believe it should be a requirement in all schools. € Studying foreign languages has some benefits for children; however, I dont believe itis an essential part of education. A growing number of people rely on restaurants and convenience food (frozen food and packaged meals) rather than home-cooked food to supply most of their meals. What are the advantages and disadvantages of eating this way? Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words. ‘A Home-cooked food is much cheaper than convenience food, and it is also better for your health. B Convenience food has become very popular, but it has disadvantages as well as advantages. Many people don't know how to cook or they dontt enjoy it, so they prefer to eat their meals in restaurants.PRACTICE 3 Write your own thesis statements for the five tasks in Practice 2 (page 124). ‘TASK ACHIEVEMENT/TASK RESPONSE 7@ Make Notes About Main Ideas and Supporting Details When you write Your thesis statement tells what your essay will be about. Now you will write notes about main oortasis eaten Sere acs Re ora aces tees er oi eer ese eee ont worrytoo —_ your thesis. The supporting details explain each main idea acetal ‘You should have two or three main ideas per essay and at least two supporting details per fepresente your main idea true opinion. The ‘A clear and easy way to organize your ideas is to make notes in outline form. Your outline xtminers ar gnould show your thesis andthe main ea and supporting deta fo each paragraph. Here Seelnghow well” isablankoutline. ‘you can develop Ideas In wrttten, English. itdoesn't Thesis matter what the ‘actual ideas are, Paragraph Mainidea Supporting details Paragraph Main idea ‘Supporting details Paragraph Mainidea Supporting details Look at the following example outline for a specific task. Task {In some parts of the world, the rate of divorce has increased dramatically over the past Few decades. Explain some possible reasons for this problem and suggest some solutions. Thesis The divorce rate isa problem, but it. can be solved, Paragraph Main idea Breakdown of the extended family ‘Supporting details Past-—family help with child care Fast— family help with expenses Now—people don't, have thie support. 128 ING FOR THE IELTS