I.

Template Writing Task 2 – Dạng bài Advantages vs disadvantages

Template Writing Task 2 – Dạng bài Advantages vs disadvantages

1. Introduction

General statement about the topic

Thesis statement

While there are a few benefits of something, the drawbacks are greater/ more significant.
Although there are some downsides to something, they are outweighed by the benefits.
While something (topic) is advantageous in some aspects/ ways, the drawbacks are more significant.

Structure Note: Normally the introduction would contain two above sentences. For a better IELTS Writing
Task 2 Essay, candidates should write a 3-sentence introduction.

General background statement (broader/ more general idea) (e.g if the essay question is about air pollution,
then this sentence would be about pollution in general)
Paraphrase the given topic
Answer the question

Language Note: Each IELTS Examiner has their own preferences in terms of language use. Mr. Paul Varah
(IELTS Elite) hates students using “nowadays” “in modern society/ world”. Therefore, students should
use “in today’s world, in contemporary society/ world, currently, presently” and “in recent years/
decades” which is an acceptable paraphrase.

2. Body

Template 1 Body 1: There are some advantages to (the topic)

Body 2: However, the disadvantages are serious, far outweighing the advantages.

Template 2 Body 1: On the one hand, there are some reasons to believe (the topic) is unbeneficial.
Body 2: On the other hand, there are significant benefits to (the topic)

Body 1: There are several drawbacks to (the topic).

Template 3
Body 2: Despite the negatives mentioned above, (the topic) is a positive development for
various reasons.

3. Conclusion

Template: Although something is beneficial in a few aspects such as A, I firmly believe that the
shortcomings/ drawbacks, including B, are more significant – A and B are the key ideas of the body and are
often noun phrases.

Note: A good conclusion should include a second sentence. This sentence should be a recommendation/
suggestion or prediction. If candidates do not write a second sentence in the conclusion paragraph, they will
lose marks in terms of CC and TR also.

Structure: It is recommended/ suggested/ predicted that S+V.

II. Template Writing Task 2 – Dạng bài Causes – Problems/ Solutions
1. Introduction

General statement (Write a sentence about the background of the topic)

Thesis statement

Causes – Solutions

Some explanations for this problem will be put forward, before a few possible solutions are
Template 1
proposed.

Some causes for/ of the problem will be identified/ discovered/ revealed/ examined/
investigated before some viable solutions will be proposed/ suggested in the following
Template 2
essay.
problem -> trend/ situation/ practice/ problem/ issue.

Problems – Solutions

Template 1 This problem poses many threats to society and must be addressed by a number of solutions.
This situation exerts several impacts on society and must be addressed/ controlled by some
Template 2
measures.
The subject of the sentence (problem/ situation/ trend) must be collocated with the verbs
Note
used afterwards. Make students check collocations carefully before writing.

2. Body

Problems – Solutions
Something may produce some adverse effects on something.
Body 1
Something may pose some major problems to something.
Body 2 A number of solutions could be adopted/ actions could be taken to tackle something.

Causes – Solutions
Body 1: There are two significant causes why something happens.
Template 1
Body 2: Some measures could be implemented to do something.
Body 1:There are two significant causes of something.
Template 2
Body 2: Several solutions could be adopted to tackle the problem.
In this kind of essay, students will make many mistakes in terms of language use, the most
Language
common of which is using wrong collocations. Please check the collocation dictionary
note
carefully before writing.

Causes:
Adjectives (Causes) Verbs (Causes)
real, root, true, underlying, the root cause of the problem, determine, discover, find, identify,
deeper, biggest, chief, clear, fundamental, important, leading, pinpoint, reveal
main, major, number-one, primary, prime, principal, examine, investigate, study
significant, common, likely, possible, probable
Reasons:
Verbs (Reasons)
Adjectives (Reasons)
cite, give (somebody/something), outline,
cogent, good, sound, strong, compelling, convincing, plausible,
provide, set out, state
big, chief, key, main, major, primary, principal
3. Conclusion

Causes – Solutions: In conclusion, (the problem) can be ascribed/ attributed to a few factors, including A. To
address/ tackle this problem, there are some effective measures such as B.

Problems – Solutions: In conclusion, (the topic) has exerted a number of adverse impacts on society
including A. Strong measures, such as B, must be adopted to handle/ control/ ameliorate/ address this
situation.

III. Template Writing Task 2 – Dạng bài Discuss both views and give your opinion
1. Introduction
General statement:

People have different views about…

Opinions differ as to why…
Thesis statement (mention both views and your own opinion): Although there are good arguments in favour
of…, I personally believe that…

2. Body

There are several reasons why some believe that/ hold the view that S+V
Body 1: Discuss the first
The idea that S+V is attractive for several reasons.
view
The belief that S+V is reasonable for several reasons.
Body 2: Discuss the second On the other hand, I believe that (S+V) (e.g it is more beneficial/ advantageous
view (make it clear that for somebody to do something).
you agree with this view) However, I am firmly convinced that S+V.

3. Conclusion (Summarise both views and your own opinion)

Template: While some hold the view that S+V, I strongly believe/ argue that S+V. It is recommended that/
suggested that/ predicted that S+V.

IV. Template Writing Task 2 – Dạng bài Opinion essay

Strong opinion
Balanced Opinion
Template Writing Task 2 – Dạng bài Opinion essay
1. Strong Opinion with 2 supporting points

1.1. Introduction

General statement (Paraphrase the question topic)

Thesis statement: I strongly/ firmly/ completely agree with this opinion/ policy/ action/ solution (because
hint 1 and hint 2)

1.2. Note

Adding hints in the thesis statement is not required, but students aiming for a high band score in Writing
should do so. This will help increase score in Coherence and Cohesion (as long as students fully extend and
develop ideas in the body paragraphs and summarize main ideas in the Conclusion) and Grammatical Range
and Accuracy (writing complex sentences, having a variety of them is the basic requirement of GRA 7.0).
A three-sentence introduction paragraph would be also highly recommended for a better band score in
Writing.
1.3. Body
Template 1 Template 2
Body 1: The primary reason why I believe Body 1: From the X perspective, I think that …
S+V is that… Body 2: From the Y perspective, I believe that …
Body 2: Another reason for my belief is X and Y would be adjectives. The most common
that… perspectives (personal, economic, social, environmental)

1.4. Conclusion

Restate your opinion: I strongly agree/ disagree with this opinion -> I firmly believe/ strongly argue that.
Summarise the key points: Because hint 1 and hint 2 -> Because of -> Since/ As

Note: If students restate their opinion and summarise key points in the same sentence, they should add
another sentence stating their recommendation/ suggestion/ prediction. Writing a one-sentence conclusion,
students would be punished.

2. Almost balanced opinion, but favoring one side

2.1. Introduction

General Statement

Paraphrase the question topic

Write a general sentence of your own words about the topic
Thesis statement: Mention two opposing ideas, the weak opinion is mentioned first, followed by the stronger
one.

While I agree that S1+V1 in a few aspects, I would argue that S2+V2.
While I accept that S1+V1, I would contend that S2+V2.

2.2. Body

Template 1: Template 2:
Topic sentence 1: There are a few/ several Topic sentence 1: On the one hand, there are some
reasons why I believe that S1+V1. reasons why S1+V1.
Topic sentence 2: However, I am firmly Topic sentence 2: On the other hand, I firmly believe that
convinced that S2+V2. S2+V2.

2.3. Conclusion

Paraphrase the thesis statement

Summarize the key ideas

In conclusion/ To conclude, although I agree / accept that S1 + V1 because of a few reasons

Template
such as A, I am strongly convinced that S2+V2 since/ because + clause.
A good conclusion should include a second sentence. This sentence should be a
Note recommendation/ suggestion or prediction. If candidates do not write a second sentence in
the conclusion paragraph, they will lose marks in terms of CC and TR also.
Structure It is recommended/ suggested/ predicted that S+V