Lesson 8

Writing 2
Essay
You will have to write an essay on the given topic with not less than 250+ words. Use formal academic style (that
means NO shortenings, informal vocabulary, and “you”).

You will have about 40 minutes for this task!

Remember that Task 2 is the most important part of IELTS!

There are the following types of essays that are given in Task 2:

1) Opinion (Agree or disagree, To what extent do you agree or disagree…)

2) Advantages and Disadvantages
3) Problem and Solution
4) Discussion (Discuss both views)
5) Two-part question (there will be a statement and you will be asked to answer two different questions)

To write a good essay, follow these rules:

1) Use a combination of simple and complex sentences, do not use only very complicated long sentences (it looks
unnatural).
2) Use at least two linking words per paragraph.
3) Use a variety of grammar (Passive, Conditionals, modal verbs).
4) Always explain your statements.
5) Practice under exam conditions (use a timer when you write, count the words after every paragraph).

Exercise 1

Read the task carefully. Identify the essay type.

Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programs should aim to educate viewers about important social
issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is important to start with paraphrasing the topic of the essay.

- Do not change tenses (if it is present simple, it must stay present simple), do not change modal verbs
- Change the word only for a really good synonym, if you do not know a good synonym, leave the word as
it is
- You can change active to passive
- State what you will do in the essay (This essay will agree/disagree/discuss both views/list advantages and
disadvantages…). DO NOT promise to write something they do not ask you to!

Look at the paraphrased topic.

It is believed that people ought to be informed about the problems which exist in society by popular entertaining TV
programs. This essay will completely disagree with the given statement.
Exercise 2

Paraphrase the given topics.

1. Some people believe the purpose of education should be helping the individual to become useful for society, while
others believe it should help individuals to achieve their ambitions. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

2. Many people believe that a person’s culture is defined by their country of origin, while others believe that it has
only minor influence. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

3. More and more people are finding it increasingly important to wear fashionable clothes. Is this attitude to wearing
clothes a positive development or negative?

4. The movement of people from villages to cities for work can cause serious problems in both places. What are the
serious problems associated with this? What measures can be taken to solve these problems?

5. In the world of the internet, people write product reviews of products and services. Do you think this is a positive
or negative development?

6. Some people prefer to buy local products while others prefer international products. To what extent do you agree
or disagree?

7. Some believe that more action should be taken to prevent crime, while others feel that crime is being tackled
effectively now. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

8. Some scientists think that computers will soon become more intelligent than humans. To what extent do you agree
or disagree with this statement?
The structure of English paragraph. Writing an effective topic sentence and concluding
sentence. Brainstorming techniques. Writing a plan.
A good paragraph follows this pattern:

TOPIC SENTENCE

SUPPORTING SENTENCES

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

 Topic sentence or controlling idea introduces the topic and gives your opinion or idea about it. The
topic sentence is often the first sentence of the paragraph.
 Supporting sentences develop the topic and contain facts, details, or examples.
 Concluding sentence repeats key words from the topic sentence.

Example. Read the following paragraph and discuss the questions with the class.

Global advertisers must also consider differences in laws and customs. For instance, certain countries will not allow
TV advertisements on Sunday, and others will not allow TV advertisements for children’s products on any day of the
week. In some parts of the world, it is forbidden to show dogs on television or certain types of clothing, such as jeans.
The global advertiser who do not understand such laws and customs will have problems.
1. Where is the main idea? Circle it.
2. Where are the examples? Underline them.
3. How many examples are there?
4. What is the concluding sentence?

Exercise 1. Identify each sentence below as follows:

TS = Topic Sentence CS = Concluding Sentence
D1 = Detail 1 D2 = Detail 2
D3 = Detail 3

------- 1. The advertisements give the same message in different languages: “Time with family is priceless”.
------- 2. It is trying to appeal to a new market: the everyday person who values family.
------- 3. MasterCard knows that family values have an international appeal because it has done market research and
proved it.
------- 4. MasterCard is changing its advertising campaign for the global market.
------- 5. As a result, this campaign is working successfully around the world.
Exercise 2. Read the following sentences. Decide if each is an effective topic sentence for a paragraph. For each
effective topic sentence underline the topic and circle the controlling idea. Rewrite the ineffective sentences to make
them good topic sentences, adding or changing words as necessary.

Example:
Effective topic sentence:
Many students attend university to prepare for a career
topic controlling idea

Ineffective topic sentence:

Many students attend university. (A simple fact, no controlling idea)

Example:
Ineffective topic sentence:
Two-year colleges give associate’s degrees. (No controlling idea)

Effective topic sentence:

Two-year colleges have
several advantages
topic controlling

1. My life is very busy because of family, work, and school obligations.

2. Being a responsible student requires time, effort, and confidence.
3. Grants, loans, and scholarships are the three best ways to cut the cost of a university education.
4. Computer networking is a degree program at my university.
5. My friend is majoring in accounting.
6. Students have greater chances to succeed if they form study groups and use teachers and computers as resources.
7. The college computer lab has many computers with Internet access.
8. There are several advantages to having a job and taking classes at the same time.

Exercise 3.
Each group of sentences below can be arranged and written as a paragraph. Circle the letter of the sentence that
would be the best topic sentence.

Example:
a. Speed-walking three times a week is part of my routine.
b. Staying healthy and fit is important for me.
c. Every night, I get at least seven hours of sleep.
d. I eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.
(Sentence b is more general than the other sentences; it would be the best topic sentence.)

1. a. My father looks handsome in his old-fashioned top hat and tails.

b. My mother is seating before him wearing a lacy gown.
c. I will always treasure this wedding picture of my parents.
d. In the background is the old arched gate of my grandparents’ garden.
2. a. Many old toys and household objects are now collectors’ items.
b. A Barbie or Madame Alexander doll from the 1950s can bring more than $1,000.
c. Old baseball cards are worth money to collectors.
d. Fiesta china, made in the 1930s, has become popular again.

3. a. Horses are available for day trip.

b. There are many scenic hiking trails.
c. The Sierra Nevada mountains are a challenge to rock climbers.
d. Yosemite National Park offers a variety of activities to the visitors.
e. Those who like to fish can cast for trout in Yosemite’s lakes and rivers.

Exercise 4. Read the paragraph about a radio advertisement for Benton’s furniture, a furniture store. Write a topic
sentence and a concluding sentence that give the writer’s opinion about the ad. In the topic sentence, include the name
of the product, the type of ad (for example, newspaper), and the writer’s opinion of the ad. In the concluding sentence,
restate the writer’s opinion.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The ad is very annoying for three reasons. First, it is too loud. When the ad comes on the radio, I have to turn the
volume down because it hurts my ears. In addition, the announcer talks extremely fast. I can hardly understand what
he says. I can understand a few words, but I really have no idea what the ad is about. Finally, the ad plays on the radio
all the time. It seems as if I hear it about every ten minutes. I am so tired of hearing the ad that I started listening to a
different radio station. I also decided that I will never stop at Benton’s Furniture because they have such annoying ads.
In conclusion, ………………………………………………………..

ANALYSING THE TASK

The first step in the planning process is to analyse the task. In order to analyse the task, you must first highlight the
topic and task words:
 topic words indicate what needs to be discussed.
 task words indicate what needs to be done.
For example:
Many students these days choose to work abroad after graduating. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.
Topic words: student, work abroad, after graduating
Task words: discuss, advantages, disadvantages

01. Look at these sample tasks and underline the topic and task words in each

1. Some people believe that 2. In order to get a job these 3. Stress caused by work is
entering the workplace after days, many people do becoming a major problem
school is far more beneficial unpaid internships (work worldwide. What are the
than studying at university. experience). What are the reasons for this? How could
To what extent do you agree advantages and this problem be tackled?
or disagree with this disadvantages of these
statement? internships?
BRAINSTORMING YOUR IDEAS

There are several ways of brainstorming. The mind map and linear plan below are just two examples.

Experts believe that, over the next decade, robots will be doing many of the jobs currently done by humans. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of this.

Visual plans/ Mind map

Linear plan

Advantages Disadvantages
Faster, no breaks Unemployment
Do dangerous jobs Cost to maintain

Look at these tasks and brainstorm ideas for each with a partner. Try using both methods to plan your essay and
decide which suits you best.

1. The advantages and disadvantages of wearing a uniform to work.

2. The advantages and disadvantages of working for a big company instead of a small, family-run business.

1. Brainstorm the ideas for the following tasks:

Some people believe that entering the workplace after school is far more beneficial than studying at university.
To what extend do you agree or disagree with this statement?

In order to get a job these days, many people do unpaid internships (work experience). What are the
advantages and disadvantages of these internships?

Stress caused by work is becoming a major problem worldwide. What are the reasons for this? How could this
problem be tackled?

2. Make a plan.
 USING LINKING WORDS

Read the task and sample essay, and complete it with linking words from the box. Words can be used more than
once.

also consequently for example furthermore however whilst in conclusion in

contrast therefore

Experts believe that over the next decade, robots will be doing many of the jobs currently done by humans. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of this.

SAMPLE ESSAY
In the future, experts predict that robots will be doing many of the tasks currently done by humans.
1 ____________, there will be many advantages and disadvantages for society. In this essay, I will discuss both the
positive and negative aspects of this new development.
The biggest advantage robots will bring to the workplace is their ability to work quickly and accurately. 2
______________, they don’t need to take breaks or have holidays. This would 3 _________________ mean that having
a robot worker would be much more economical than employing a human.
Another great advantage of using robots in the workplace is that they can perform tasks that are thought to be
dangerous, 4__________________ , working on busy roads or underground.
They can 5__________________ do the jobs humans don’t want to do, such as cleaning the
house or dealing with rubbish.
6__________________ , there are also many disadvantages to robots entering the workplace.
The most significant disadvantage is that many humans would be left unemployed. 7 ______________, if a robot was
to stop working, this could cause major problems for a company which relied heavily on the technology. A robot which
wasn’t working properly could also be very dangerous in some cases. The cost of maintaining these robots could also
be very expensive.
8____________________ , as can be seen from the points made in this essay, there are both
advantages and disadvantages to having robots enter the workplace. 9________________ there are many advantages
to this, a significant negative impact would be the loss of jobs for humans. If managed in the right way, 10___________
, l feel that overall the advantages
would outweigh the disadvantages.
Exam Task

Answer the following questions. Don't use contractions (can’t, wouldn’t etc.), and try to use long sentences.

Some people feel that education should be provided exclusively by the state, and that private education should be
prohibited.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any examples from your own
knowledge or experience.

A: Write the first paragraph. Introduce the topic. Why is this subject often discussed?
Why do people care about it?

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B: Read the previous paragraph. Continue the composition.

What reasons are there for banning private education? Try to think of at least two.

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C: Read the previous paragraphs. Continue the composition.

What reasons are there for allowing private education? Try to think of at least two.

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D: Read the prevuous paragraphs. Give your own opinion. Perhaps talk about what IS practical and realistic.
You could also mention any experience you have of this matter.

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E: Read the previous paragraphs. Write a short conclusion. This could sum up the previous paragraphs.
Perhaps also mention any changes that might happen in the future.

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