advantages and disadvantages essay tips

Welcome Guest!

IELTS Listening
IELTS Reading
IELTS Writing
IELTS Writing Task 1
IELTS Writing Task 2
IELTS Speaking
IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Speaking Part 2
IELTS Speaking Part 3
IELTS Practice Tests
IELTS Listening Practice Tests
IELTS Reading Practice Tests
IELTS Writing Practice Tests
IELTS Speaking Practice Tests
All Courses
IELTS Online Classes
OET Online Classes
PTE Online Classes
CELPIP Online Classes
Free Live Classes
Australia PR
Germany Job Seeker Visa
Austria Job Seeker Visa
Sweden Job Seeker Visa
Study Abroad
Student Testimonials
Our Trainers
IELTS Webinar
Immigration Webinar

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays 2024 – Samples, Model Essays and Topics

Updated On Mar 14, 2024

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays 2024 – Samples, Model Essays and Topics

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

In the writing task 2 advantage and disadvantages essay of IELTS, you will be asked to write the benefits and drawbacks of the topic given. Here, you have to be careful that you write the advantages and disadvantages of the topic given and NOT your opinion about the topic!

While explaining these kinds of essays, you can divide the content into 2 paragraphs.Paragraph 1 for Positive points and Paragraph 2 for negative points.

To help you understand this advantage and disadvantages essay of IELTS better, given below are some tips and a sample essay with a detailed outline. Along with this, there are numerous advantages and disadvantages of essays to help you practise during your preparation.

Tips to Crack Writing Task 2 Advantage and Disadvantages Essay of IELTS

Given below are some points which you can refer to master this question type!

When the topic statement is given, you need to spend at least 5-10 minutes in understanding the benefits and the drawbacks related to the topic.
Make sure that you have relevant points, supporting the topic. Do not deviate from the topic.
Make sure whatever you write is structured.
Put the advantages of the topic in one paragraph and the disadvantages in a separate paragraph.

Structure of an Advantage and Disadvantages Essay of IELTS

The IELTS Writing Task 2 is considered one of the most dreaded tasks among all other tasks by IELTS aspirants. This task requires writing an essay encompassing various topics from all walks of life, from social issues to workplace issues. These essays are of various types, including opinion essays, discussion essays, advantage-disadvantage essays, etc.

Now, we will see the structure of advantage disadvantage essays and what should be the approach of writing one!

Introduction

Now, the first thing that you have to do is to write an introduction. Your introduction should paraphrase the topic of the essay and try to use different vocabulary/synonyms for the words in the topic, wherever possible.

Then, give a brief idea about what could be expected in the essay, i.e. the advantages and the disadvantages of the concerned topic and state which side you think weighs the most (when asked for an opinion.)

Body paragraphs

Body paragraph 1: This should state the advantages of the topic. This should be backed by practical points, and the examples would be even better. Day-to-day incidents and instances can be brought to notice.

Body paragraph 2: This should state the disadvantages of the topic. This as well, should be supported by valid points, and the daily incidents and examples can be highlighted to back your points.

Conclusion: Conclude the topic by providing a summary of the points put forth in the entire essay and how the advantages or disadvantages of the topic outweigh the other (if applicable).

Wondering the Trick to Score a Band 8 in Writing Task 2? Know the Secret!

Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay Questions and Sample Answers

Given below are some sample questions for the advantages and disadvantages type of essay and band 9 methodologies of answering them.

Sample Question 1

More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country. Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?

Given below is a brief outline of what to write in the essay after identifying the essay type.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Paraphrase the topic of the essay
Mention the contents of the subsequent paragraphs

Body Paragraph 1

Foreign education has various advantages like better educational facilities, gaining valuable experience and international exposure. Studying abroad also opens up several high paying employment opportunities.

Body Paragraph 2

Travelling abroad for educational purposes also has some disadvantages like increased tuition fees and living expenses. Other disadvantages include learning to live in a foreign society and prolonged periods of time away from home.
Summarize the essay and mention the final view on the topic.

Sample Answer

Foreign education has become one of the most sought-after ventures in this day and age. A majority of students plan on pursuing higher education in a foreign nation, especially when it comes to a master’s degree. One of the reasons why studying abroad has become such a popular phenomenon is the relaxation of travel laws and procedures across the world. However, there are pros and cons to studying abroad and the following paragraphs, will explore the topic and elaborate on why the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

One of the primary reasons for studying abroad is the presence of a more refined and sophisticated education system in several first-world countries. It is common for students from underdeveloped or developing countries like Brazil, China, India, Argentina and other countries to look for better opportunities than the ones available in their native country in terms of academics. Also, residing in a foreign country helps individuals to gain international exposure and also helps them develop social and interpersonal skills, which are extremely important for being eligible for lucrative job opportunities..

Nevertheless, there are numerous drawbacks to travelling abroad for education. First of all, from the beginning of applying to a foreign university to staying in the host country for the entire duration of your degree, it is an exorbitant affair. Such a costly endeavour is often unaffordable for the household of many people. That being said, becoming accustomed to the norms and conventions of an unfamiliar country can be a tough ordeal for many due to differences in culture and social traditions.

Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that foreign education can be a blessing if it is financially feasible for aspiring students. That being said, the benefits of studying abroad surpass the drawbacks for the same.

Sample Question 2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Paraphrase the essay topic using synonyms for the words used in the question.
Mention the contents of the following paragraphs.
Globalisation has led to a lot of positive changes, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. There has been an increase in employment opportunities, products and services are easily available to people around the world.
Globalisation also has various disadvantages like the exploitation of cheap labour from developing countries and also the decline in quality of products and services.
Summarize the topic and state the final view.

Globalisation has been one of the most significant phenomena in the last few decades, and it has changed several aspects of human society both economically and socially. There has been remarkable progress in terms of economic and financial development for developing countries due to the expansion of global organizations. However, there are several drawbacks to this rapid progress that need to be addressed. Evidently, globalization has more advantages than disadvantages and the following paragraphs, will elaborate on the topic and justify these views.

First of all, the most advantageous aspect of globalization is the advent of numerous international companies and franchises in developing countries. Ever since global brands and corporations have expanded their operations in countries such as India, China, Sri Lanka and many more, there has been a notable increase in employment in these countries. Additionally, due to the remarkable rise in the number of imports and exports, people from third world countries now have access to a vast catalogue of products and services that were previously unattainable.

That being said, there are drawbacks to globalization that create concerning issues for a sizeable portion of the global population. One of the most disturbing consequences faced is the exploitation of labour. Many corporations are known to outsource their operations to developing countries due to cheap labour costs. This enables them to accomplish their manufacturing operations without having to provide proper remuneration. Also, due to the use of inexpensive labour, the quality of products is diminished, and customers receive inferior products.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the effects of globalization are not entirely positive or negative. Nonetheless, the benefits brought by this occupation outweigh the drawbacks.

Bonus Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay Topics

Is it good for children to start using computers from an early age and spend long hours on them? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
What are the pros and cons for children of watching television? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example from your knowledge or experience.
The internet has brought about many changes into our day-to-day life. Nowadays we are doing things such as mailing, contacting, banking and communication much faster. Do these developments have more advantages than disadvantages?
The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?
At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?
These days, many people have their own computer and telephone, so it is quite easy for them to do their job at home. Does working at home have more advantages or more disadvantages?
A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not managed correctly. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world. Do you think that benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?
Tests and examinations are a central feature of school systems in many countries. Do you think the educational benefits of testing outweigh any disadvantages. Give reasons for your answer.
What do you think are the strengths and weakness of the education system in your country. Use your own experience to support your idea.
In the last decade, there has been a great increase in the number and variety of online courses available to adults. This has been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, however, other students see these courses as less effective than classroom teaching. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course?
Some parents buy their children a large number of toys to play with. What are the advantages and disadvantages for the child of having a large number of toys?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones in our daily lives.
In some countries, more and more adults are living with their parents after graduating from college , University or even after finding a job. Do the advantages of this outweigh disadvantages?
Every year large numbers of people migrate from one country to another for different reasons. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of migration for the individual and for society as a whole.
Nowadays online shopping becomes more popular than in-store shopping. Is it a positive or a negative development? Give your reasons and examples.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of living in a large city.
Some companies and organizations require their employees to wear uniform. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing uniform?

Do you have an essay on any of these topics? Post yours in the comment section so that, One of our expert IELTS trainers can evaluate it and reply!

Get Evaluated for FREE!

More Related Advantage Disadvantage IELTS Essay Writing Topics:

Advantages and disadvantages of online shopping essay
Advantages and disadvantages of technology essay
Globalisation advantages and disadvantages essay
Advantages and disadvantages of online education essay
Advertisement advantages and disadvantages ielts essay
IELTS Writing Actual Test & Band 8.0 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Travel
IELTS Writing Actual Test In 2016 & Band 8.0 Sample Advantage/Disadvantage Essays
IELTS Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Of Band 8.5 – Topic: Traffic & Accommodation
IELTS Writing Actual Test & Band 9.0 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Gap Year
IELTS Writing Actual Test In April 2016 – Band 8.5 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic & Band 8.5 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
IELTS Writing Task 2 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Of Band 8.0– Topic: Youth & Community
IELTS Writing Actual Test In March 2016 & Band 8.0 Advantage & Disadvantage Samples
Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Students
IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic in 2018 – advantages and disadvantages of modern Technology with Model Essay
IELTS Writing tips
IELTS Writing recent actual test
IELTS Writing Answer sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an advantage/disadvantage essay? How do you identify that the essay falls under this category?

What is the structure of an advantage/disadvantage essay?

Is it mandatory to put advantages and disadvantages separately in two paragraphs or can I club them?

In case of questions where advantages outweigh disadvantages, I might have to write disadvantages first? Will it affect my score?

In the conclusion part of the advantage/disadvantage essay, is it ok to support one side?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

Start Preparing for IELTS: Get Your 10-Day Study Plan Today!

Janet had been an IELTS Trainer before she dived into the field of Content Writing. During her days of being a Trainer, Janet had written essays and sample answers which got her students an 8+ band in the IELTS Test. Her contributions to our articles have been engaging and simple to help the students understand and grasp the information with ease. Janet, born and brought up in California, had no idea about the IELTS until she moved to study in Canada. Her peers leaned to her for help as her first language was English.

Explore other Advantage Disadvantage Essays

Children Are Often Told that They Can Achieve Anything if They Try Hard Enough – IELTS Writing

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

A Company Has Announced that it Wishes to Build a Large Factory Near Your Locality – IELTS Writing Task 2

Janice Thompson

In Some Countries People Prefer to Rent a House than Buy One – IELTS Writing Task 2

Post your Comments

Ashlin Devi

Posted on Oct 5, 2023

Nowdays, technologies are in high demand. People are possessed with their own computers and cell phones, so it is quite easy for them to do their job at home. Even though it is acknowledged with several points that working from home is quite easier, the essay will argue that the drawbacks of working from home will outweigh its strength. The main disadvantages are ineffective communication and the relationship amongst people becoming distant. First of all, people need internet to communicate. The internet connectivity is very poor at times, especially in the remote areas. Furthermore, during virtual meetings, discussion gets difficult due to connection issues where meeting is not worthwhile since no voice or no video. Moreover, working from home gives distance amongst people where you will not be able to have interact with colleague. Face-to-face discussion is very important where you get to work more effectively and efficiently. On the other hand, working from home is indeed benefit. People do not have to travel to reach work. The time which are spend on travelling, can be utilized on other activities such as house cores, leisure activities or even can work extra hours to meet the given deadline. Furthermore, people get flexibility in working hours, since there are no superior workers supervising employee. To conclude, there are some strengths on working from home but drawbacks overweigh strengths since working from home is not as easy task as people think since ineffective communication and people interaction is very important.

ria mahajan

Posted on Oct 6, 2023

Overall Band 5.5 Main ideas are relevant, but some are insufficiently developed and lack clarity, while some supporting arguments and evidences are missing for the question.Simple vocabulary is used accurately but the range does not permit much variation in expression.A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used but flexibility is limited. For detailed analysis,you can avail a Free trial class Find the link below: https://ieltsmaterial.com/signup-1/ or you may reach out to us: +91 8929053019

Posted on May 29, 2022

Nowadays, studying abroad is a new trend among students. Undoubtedly, there are positive and negative aspects of studying in a foreign country. However, the benefits of attending colleges and universities in a foreign country outweigh the drawbacks. The next couple of paragraphs will explain the topic and justify these viewpoints.

To begin with, studying abroad has several advantages for students. For instance, a student who is studying in a foreign country will probably improve language skills better than others. Learning a foreign language is extremely significant in a global environment. Moreover, living outside of a home country will enhance students’ worldview thanks to the culture of the host country. Therefore, it can be said that studying abroad paws the way for great career options.

However, there are undesired sides to education in a foreign state. One of them is education expenditure. Studying abroad might be expensive. Thus, it might lead to a huge economic burden for both student and his family. When a student moves to another country for education, he must face several challenges caused by living alone. For instance, some students might have some psychological problems during the first couple of weeks following their move. It can be claimed that being homesick is a common problem among young students.

In conclusion, having a graduate degree from a foreign country has both negative and positive sides. Although there are significant advantages, the benefits of studying abroad surpass the drawbacks for the same.

Posted on May 30, 2022

Band Score – 6

Concentrate on the correct usage of quantifiers and subject-verb agreement.

In some places words are used incorrectly, pay attention to them.

Use C2 level of words.

Purnima Koli

Posted on Oct 25, 2021

Parents tend to give the children better resources as compared to their own childhood. This way they also feel compensated in the process while bringing up their own child. While having a huge collection of toys to play with is not all that bad, at the same time can lead to some issues.

Firstly, having a diversity in the range of toys have multiple benefits. The child can learn how to manage or organize better. Varied exposure to different themes of toys makes one more aware.

Secondly, sharing can also develop social skills among the child’s friend circle. To get hands-on-experience with toys such as Rubix’s cube, puzzles hone mental capacity of the kid. Similarly, educational and infotainment toys help shape likes and dislikes, opinions, communication skills. Thus, caters to holistic development which is often a cause of worry for parents.

On the other hand, if the child is given more and more, this may result in losing the value of individual toy. Not only is this expenditure wasteful but also teaching consumerist tendencies to the child. Perhaps unconsciously the child stops valuing his toys and takes them for granted in desire for more.

To have enough needs to be inculcated rather than frivolous costs being incurred. The parents need to be also mindful of teaching holistic habits like outdoor games, reading, painting apart from playing with toys for all round development.

Having many toys is also burdensome when it comes to maintenance. If that could be sorted then it’s much easier to assemble and play as per the child’s convenience. Gifting once in a while is a good option to keep the spirits of the child happy.

Posted on Nov 13, 2021

If you would have presented this same as a 4 paragraph structure and added the conclusion you would have score 7 easily.

Overall band: 5

Coherence: It is better to follow a 4 paragraph structure so that it is easy for the examiner to mark you for coherence. Conclusion is missing in your essay. Conclusion is where you sum up and restate points.

Recent Articles

Crime Novels and TV Crime Dramas are Becoming Popular – IELTS Writing Task 2

Kasturika Samanta

Friends who Always Have the Same Opinions – IELTS Writing Task 2

Raajdeep Saha

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Step 1 of 3

Great going .

Get a free session from trainer

Have you taken test before?

Please select any option

Get free eBook to excel in test

Please enter Email ID

Get support from an Band 9 trainer

Please enter phone number

Already Registered?

Select a date

Please select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Please select a time

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

Which exam are you preparing?

Great Going!

Press ESC to close

Advantage Disadvantage Essay: Tips and Strategies for IELTS

IELTS writing task 2 consists of a wide variety of essays. While you are preparing, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the different types and understand how to approach them. One of the most popular choices of the IELTS examiners is the advantage-disadvantage essay .

For this you are given a topic and asked to discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Although it is a fairly straightforward essay, you still need to have a proper understanding of how to structure this kind of essays. Let us look at this in details.

Skills tested in IELTS Writing Task 2

This task is about assessing your ability to follow English discursive writing conventions (i.e. what order to put information in, what style to use, how to start and finish discursive writing, how to paragraph), to organise and link information coherently and cohesively and to use language accurately and appropriately.

It requires you to formulate and develop a position in relation to a question or statement. Your ideas should be supported by evidence, and examples may be drawn from your own experience. The essay should be at least 250 words in length and the ones under the required minimum word limit will be penalised.

Strategies for Advantage-Disadvantage Essays

The first strategy to write a Band 9 advantage-disadvantage essay is to know what the question asks of you. When you have this type of essay it is important to distinguish between the one that asks for your opinion and one that asks you to discuss advantages and disadvantages but does not ask your opinion.

If you are asked “What are the advantages and disadvantages of…..” you are not being asked your opinion. You simply have to discuss the benefits and drawbacks.

You could do this in two body paragraphs as mentioned above. However, if you have the word “outweigh” or “Will this trend have more positive or negative effects?” then you are being asked for your opinion and you must say whether there mostly positive impact or mostly negative impact.

The following structure illustrates how you should structure the essay that specifically asked you to write about the advantage and disadvantage of a particular situation. For Example:

People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the development of communication technology and transportation. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

This advantage disadvantage essay is not asking for your opinion. You could simply write one paragraph on the advantages and another on the disadvantages.

Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase question

Sentence 2- Outline sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1 (Advantages)

Sentence 3- Topic sentence (Advantage 1)

Sentence 4- Explain how this is an advantage

Sentence 5- Example

Main Body Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)

Sentence 6- Topic sentence (Disadvantage 1)

Sentence 7- Explain how this is a disadvantage

Sentence 8- Example

Sentence 9- Summary of main points

On the other hand, the following question asks about what your opinion is:

People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the development of communication technology and transportation. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Will this have more positive or negative impacts?

For this kind of questions, the structure will be as follows:

Sentence 2- Thesis statement (state which one outweighs the other)

Sentence 3- Outline sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1 (Stronger Side)

Sentence 4- Topic Sentence

Sentence 5- Explain why it is strong

Sentence 6- Example

Sentence 7- Topic Sentence

Sentence 8- Explain why it is strong

Sentence 9- Example

Main Body Paragraph 2 (Weaker Side)

Sentence 10- Topic Sentence

Sentence 11- Explain why it is not strong

Sentence 12- Example

Sentence 13- Summary of main points and restate position.

Additionally, it will also help if you look at several past papers and try to determine the language that are used to ask a particular type of question.

Understanding the question and having a proper structure for your essay, along with a range of contextual vocabulary is all that you need to achieve a high band.

Tips for Advantage-Disadvantage Essays

Here are some practical tips that will help you consolidating your ideas:

Before you start writing your essay, you should always spend 1-2 minutes on producing ideas for your answer. This way, you’ll know what to write about and your answer will be more coherent and well-structured.
In case of advantages & disadvantages essay , you need to think of 2-3 advantages and 2-3 disadvantages of the given issue.
In case of the essays asking for your opinion, you must decide what you think, before starting to write your essay.
Always time yourself while you practice.
Remember you will have to write slightly more than 250 words, so make sure you keep a tab of the word count.
Familiarise yourself with vocabulary that is particular to a specific topic.

The most important thing about an advantage-disadvantage type essay is, understanding the question; Whether you are asked to write about your own opinion or just point out the established advantages and disadvantages. If you figure this out all that is left for you to do is, arrange your points in a proper structure and use a range of grammatical structures and relevant vocabulary to establish your point.

About the Author

Indulekha prabha.

My name is Indulekha Prabha. I am an English teacher and a content writer by profession. When I'm not working you can find me writing fiction, reading poetry and painting.

Describe Something Important that has been Kept in Your Family: A Cue Card Sample Topic for IELTS Speaking

How to Use an IELTS Calculator? Calculate Your Overall IELTS Exam Score

What is a Good IELTS Score? Is 7.5 a Good IELTS Score? Here’s All You Need to Know

Other stories, ielts writing task 1 table, tips for writing task 2 vocabulary – environment.

IELTS Scores
Life Skills Test
Find a Test Centre
Alternatives to IELTS
Find Student Housing
General Training
Academic Word List
Topic Vocabulary
Collocation
Phrasal Verbs
Writing eBooks
Reading eBook
All eBooks & Courses
IELTS Writing Task 2
Advantage Disadvantage Essay

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Lesson

This lesson is about IELTS advantage disadvantage essay questions when you are told to assess whether the benefits of something outweigh the drawbacks.

The topic of the essay which is used as an example is about the trend to live and work abroad.

Take a look at the essay question we are going to analyse:

People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the development of communication technology and transportation.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Understanding the Task

When you have this type of advantage disadvantage essay it is important to distinguish between this and one that asks you to discuss advantages and disadvantages but does not ask your opinion.

If you are asked “ What are the advantages and disadvantages of….. ” you are not being asked your opinion. You simply have to discuss the benefits and drawbacks.

You could do this in two body paragraphs:

Body One: The positive points
Body Two: The negative points

However, if you have the word “ outweigh ” or “ Will this trend have more positive or negative effects? ” then you are being asked for your opinion and you must say which there are the most of – positive or negative impacts.

If you do not do this then you may get your score reduced on ‘ Task Response ’ for not fully addressing the question.

If you look at the IELTS public band descriptors (available to download if you do an internet search or available from your local IELTS centre), you will see that this could reduce your band to a 5 for this criteria (it would not necessarily affect the other three criteria).

(Check this lesson on IELTS Band 7 for an overview of the criteria for getting a band 7 if you are unsure of what the criteria are).

Take a look at these examples:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

This advantage disadvantage essay is not asking for your opinion. You could simply write one paragraph on the advantages and another on the disadvantages.

However, this one does:

Will this have more positive or negative impacts?

What does 'Outweigh' mean?

Another point to be careful of is using the word ‘ outweigh ’. It is common for IELTS students to get mixed up when they write the thesis statement, and actually say the opposite to what they write in the essay!

For example, they will say the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, but then give more benefits in the essay. This makes no sense.

So if you are not sure you can use the word correctly, I would recommend not using it in this type of IELTS advantage disadvantage essay. You can just say what your opinion is, as in the thesis in the model answer:

I believe that this has more benefits than drawbacks.

This will avoid any mistakes.

Writing your Thesis

You then need to think of 3 supporting ideas . One for one side and two for the other side.

So you will then have three body paragraphs, one with the drawback / benefit and two with the advantages / disadvantages.

It is common academic practice to start with the opposing opinion to yours, so you can start with the point that you have one idea for.

As explained above, it is very important, especially if you are looking for a band 7 or higher, that your opinion reflects what is in your essay. So if you have said there are more benefits, then you would have two benefits and one drawback.

Now take a look at the advantage disadvantage essay model answer.

Model Advantage Disadvantage Essay

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

Advantage Disadvantage Essay Model Answer

These days many people choose to live or work in other countries, which has been made possible because of the convenience of air travel and modern communications. I believe that this has more benefits than drawbacks.

The disadvantage of this development is the distance that is put between family members. If a person moves away it is true that air travel and devices such as skype mean that communication and contact can be maintained. However, it is likely that a person will only be able to return one or two times a year during holidays, and speaking on skype or via email is not the same as face-to-face contact.

Despite this, there are significant advantages it can bring to people’s lives. Firstly, it means that people have the opportunity to see other parts of the world and the way people live. For example, people from the West often go to work in Asia or the Middle East and visa-versa. This enriches many people’s lives as they get to learn about other languages, traditions, cultures and different ways of working from their own country.

In addition to this, on a wider level it may also benefit other countries. If someone moves abroad for work, it is usually because their skill is required there. To illustrate, nurses and Doctors often move to work in hospitals in other countries when there is a shortage, so this is very valuable to the place they move to.

I would therefore argue that although there are disadvantages of the current trend to live and work abroad, they are outweighed by the advantages. It can enrich people’s lives and lives of the people in the countries that they move to.

( 283 Words )

As you can see in the essay, the writer believes there are more benefits so the essay is biased towards this opinion, giving more advantages than disadvantages.

The opinion is very clear, and repeated in the conclusion, and the body of the essay reflects this opinion so there will be no confusion when someone reads it.

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

Transitional Phrases for Essays

Learn transitional phrases for essays to get a band 7 or higher in your IELTS writing for coherence and cohesion.

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

You can use substitution in your IELTS essays in order to improve coherency and coherence.

How to Identify the Task in an IELTS Essay

Learn how to identify the task in an IELTS task 2 essay question. This is one of the most important steps in responding to an essay question.

How to use brainstorming and planning to generate essay ideas.

Brainstorming and planning is a key step in developing your IELTS essay. This lesson has tips on how to coming up with ideas and organising them.

Writing an IELTS Essay Conclusion

The IELTS essay conclusion is the final part of your IELTS essay. This lesson guides you on how to write a conclusion quickly but effectively.

IELTS Task Response - 25% of your essay grade

The IELTS Task Response criteria in the scoring makes up 25% of your band score for your essay.

Requirements for IELTS Band 7 in Writing

Getting to an IELTS Band 7 is a struggle for many candidates. This lesson explains exactly what you have to do to reach this band score.

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

Find out how to use pronouns to improve your coherency for IELTS task 2 essays.

How to Identify the Topic of an IELTS Essay Question

In IELTS you must identify the topic of your essay as this is a key to making sure your essay is on topic.

The 3 Types of IELTS Opinion Essays in IELTS

IELTS opinion essays in IELTS can be placed into three types. This lesson explains the different types and how to analyse these essay questions.

Improving Writing Coherence for IELTS essays

25% of the writing grade is on how you organise your essay so this lesson shows you how to improve your writing coherence.

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2 can be difficult but complex ideas are not expected.

Tips on How to Score IELTS Band 8 in Writing and Speaking

To score IELTS Band 8 you need to understand exactly what is in the IELTS Band Descriptors for an 8 for writing and speaking first.

Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

Tips on how to write an introduction for an IELTS essay introduction in a quick and easy way.

How to Write an IELTS Essay: The key steps

Learn key steps on how to write an IELTS Essay. This guides you on how to write a great essay plus other lessons to improve your writing skills.

Thesis Statement Tips for IELTS Essays

Your thesis statement in an IELTS essay should be written quickly and concisely. Use these tips to do that.

Can you use Personal Pronouns in Essays for IELTS?

Learn how to use personal pronouns in essays for IELTS correctly. Can you use "I", "we" and "you"?

IELTS Music Essay: Understanding a Complex Question

An IELTS essay about music is used to show you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a clear 'task' given to you.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Strategies and Tips

In IELTS problem solution essays you have to discuss a particular issue and present ideas to solve that problem.

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

This paragraph writing lesson provides tips on constructing the best paragraphs for your IELTS essay.

Any comments or questions about this page or about IELTS? Post them here. Your email will not be published or shared.

Before you go...

Check out the ielts buddy band 7+ ebooks & courses.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

Click on the HTML link code below.
Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Band 7+ eBooks

"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

IELTS Modules:

Other resources:.

All Lessons
Band Score Calculator
Writing Feedback
Speaking Feedback
Teacher Resources
Free Downloads
Recent Essay Exam Questions
Books for IELTS Prep
Student Housing
Useful Links

Recent Articles

Decreasing House Sizes Essay

Apr 06, 24 10:22 AM

Latest IELTS Writing Topics - Recent Exam Questions

Apr 04, 24 02:36 AM

IELTS Essay: English as a Global Language

Apr 03, 24 03:49 PM

Important pages

IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking IELTS Listening IELTS Reading All Lessons Vocabulary Academic Task 1 Academic Task 2 Practice Tests

Connect with us

IELTS is a registered trademark of 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.

TOEFL Writing Correction Topics
OET Course & Mock Test
Writing Correction
Speaking Mock Test
Reading Course
Listening Practice Tests
FREE Practice Tests
OET Writing Correction
OET Reading Course
OET Speaking Mock Test
TOEFL Writing Correction
PTE Writing Correction
OET Listening Practice Tests
OET (Occupational English Test)
PTE (Pearson Test of English)
Essay Task 2

Guide to Advantage Disadvantage IELTS Essay Type

Essay Types
Double Question
Advantage Disadvantage
Problem Solution
Essay Length

IELTS advantage/disadvantage essays ask you to write about the benefits and drawbacks of a topic as well as (sometimes) asking for your opinion. This guide covers everything you need to know to complete an Academic IELTS advantage/ disadvantage essay. Let’s start preparing with Benchmark IELTS!

1.1 understanding the question, 1.2 example advantage/disadvantage questions, 2.1 essay structure 1, 2.2 essay structure 2.

3.1 Identify key words and phrases

3.2 Organise your ideas

3.3 identify vocabulary, 4.1 introduction, 4.2 main body paragraphs, 4.3 conclusion, 5.1 complete the sample advantage/disadvantage essay, 5.2 advantage/disadvantage sample essay, 1. advantage/ disadvantage essay overview.

This section of the guide will show you how to identify an IELTS advantage/disadvantage question.

Remember, there are five main types of writing task 2 questions:

Advantage/disadvantage
Double question
Problem/solution

It is very important to understand what type of question you are given in the exam so you can respond in an appropriate way: different question types will require different responses.

Advantage/disadvantage essay questions can be presented in several different ways.

Here are some examples of the way an advantage/disadvantage question may be worded:

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of _____ and give your opinion.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of _____?

You may also see questions using synonyms for advantage and disadvantage, for example:

What are the benefits and drawbacks of…?

Be careful, the question itself might not always use words or phrases relating to advantage/disadvantage and they could be hidden in the statement, as seen here:

Some people believe that using a bicycle as your main form of transport has a lot of advantages , whereas others believe that it has many disadvantages . Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Here is another example of a question where you are asked to give your opinion:

Do the advantages of … outweigh the disadvantages

After you have identified the essay type , you need to understand what you are being asked to do. To do well in the Task achievement marking component, you need to ‘ address all parts of the task’ .

This type of essay question will always be split into two parts:

The IELTS statement
The question

You must always write about both the advantages and disadvantages of the given topic. As we can see in example questions 1-6, sometimes you are asked to give your opinion on the question, and sometimes you are not. Let’s compare the following questions:

You are not being asked to give your opinion

Here are some example advantage/disadvantage essay questions:

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have more of an opportunity to study abroad.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Today children spend a lot of their free time watching TV.

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of this practice?

Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides

IELTS Discussion Type Questions
Double Question IELTS Essay Topics
Opinion-based Task 2 IELTS Guide
Problem Solution IELTS Writing Task Statement

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy.

The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have the opportunity to study abroad.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

More and more people prefer to read news online rather than on paper.

Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.

2. Essay Structures for Advantage/Disadvantage Essays

There is more than one way to structure your advantage/disadvantage essay. You could take a thesis-led (opinion in the introduction) or an evidence-led (opinion in your conclusion).

You could also choose to focus on one or more than one advantage/disadvantage in each of your main body paragraphs.

The next two sections will give you two possible ways that you could structure your essay using four clearly organized paragraphs.

Thesis-led approach

Evidence-led approach

3. Planning your Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

Before you start writing your essay, you should give yourself 5 minutes to analyze the question and organize your ideas . Follow the tips below to create a well-planned essay!

3.1 Identify keywords and phrases

It sounds simple, but it is very important that you read the question carefully and understand what you are being asked to write about. To analyze the question, first, identify any keywords and phrases .

You should first identify the topic of the essay. If you do not write about the correct topic, you will score poorly in Task achievement . The general topic can always be found in the IELTS statement.

Let’s take a look at one of the previous examples:

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace . Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy .

The topic words are underlined and show the general topic of this essay question in nuclear weapons/power/technology .

After you have identified the general topic, you need to locate other keywords that give you more detail about the topic. In this question, the words world peace and cheap and clean energy in bold give you more information about the general topic. Therefore, your essay should only relate to these aspects of nuclear weapons/power/technology .

Now take a look at the question for our model answer at the end of this guide. Can you identify the general topic?

This is an important step that is often skipped by test-takers. By quickly writing down your key ideas, you will avoid repeating or missing any points and improve your score in both Task achievement and Coherence and cohesion .

You could use bullet points , columns , or another preferred method of writing down ideas . Here is an example for our sample essay:

Take a look at our Master Guide for a more in-depth look at idea generation and organizing your ideas.

Taking a moment to write down more uncommon vocabulary related to the essay topic will not only make you feel more relaxed in the exam but will also help you to improve your score in Lexical resources .

This doesn’t have to be a long list, just a few ideas that come into your mind. Here are some examples of the topic of studying abroad:

Culture shock
Language barrier
Broaden one’s horizons

4. Writing your Advantages/Disadvantages Essay

Your introduction should be the shortest paragraph in your essay (about 40-60 words is perfect).

You need to rephrase the IELTS statement in your own words. This is known as paraphrasing (a key skill to develop for the IELTS exam).

Take a look at our example:

You can also briefly state what your essay will be about in one clear sentence. For instance:

This essay will discuss both points of view and then I will give my opinion.

If you are taking a thesis-led approach, you can use one of the following sentence starters to briefly give your opinion:

I believe that…
It is my belief that…
In my opinion,…

A note on the use of the first person ‘I’: Unlike writing task 1, it is appropriate to use the first person in your writing task 2 essay. In fact, it is unavoidable when giving your opinion. But , you should not overuse ‘I’ in your essay and we recommend you limit your use to your introduction and conclusion.

Topic sentences Usually, the first sentence of your main body paragraph will be a topic sentence . The purpose of your topic sentence is to introduce the main idea of your paragraph .

You should include one topic sentence for each advantage/disadvantage . This means that, if your main body paragraphs focus on two advantages/disadvantages , then you should have two topic sentences per paragraph.

Here’s an example: One advantage of studying abroad is that students can improve their language skills.

Here are some other sentence starters you can use for your essays (you can replace the underlined words with vocabulary linked to your topic):

One advantage of studying abroad is that ….
Another benefit of studying abroad is that…
One downside of studying abroad is that…
Another downside of studying abroad is that…

Supporting sentences You should then expand on your topic sentence with a supporting sentence/sentences . Your sentence(s) could either describe a result of the advantage/disadvantage, go into more detail , or explain the reason(s) why these benefits/drawbacks occur.

Our example supporting sentence describes a result of the advantage given in the topic sentence.

Topic sentence – One advantage of studying abroad is that students can improve their language skills.

Supporting sentence – This means that when the students return to their home countries, they will have more employment opportunities.

Here are some sentences starters you can use to begin your supporting sentences:

This is because…
The result/consequence/reason is that…
This means that…
As a result/consequence,…
In other words,…

Giving examples For all writing task 2 essay types , you must support your response with examples. Do not personalize your examples and link them to your life instead, Keep your examples more general . Also, do not refer to made-up statistics .

Here are some instances of suitable and non-suitable examples:

Suitable For example, many young people who study in an English-speaking country for a few years develop strong communication skills and have the confidence to work in an international company when they return home.

Not suitable My cousin spent three years in an English-speaking country and they got an excellent job with an international country when they came back to Spain. ( this example is too personal as it refers to the writer’s family ) ❌

According to statistics, international students are 30% more likely to get a job in an international company when they study overseas. ( this example contains a made-up statistic )

You must include a conclusion to achieve a good score in Task achievement . Your conclusion does not have to be very long, but it needs to be clear and do two main things:

Paraphrase yourself : summarise the key points in your body paragraphs
Give your opinion : It depends if you have taken an evidence-led or thesis-led approach, you will either be re-stating the opinion given in your introduction or giving your opinion for the first time.

Make your conclusion easy to identify for the examiner by starting with linking phrases such as:

To sum up,…
To summarise,…
In conclusion,…

When you are paraphrasing the main points of your essay, you need to state that you have examined both sides of the argument (as that is what the question has asked you to do). To do this, consider using a phrase like:

In conclusion, having looked at this topic in detail, it is clear that there are both advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad .

You would need to replace the underlined section with your essay topic.

To give your opinion, you need to use a range of cohesive devices to introduce each example such as:

From my perspective,…
In my view,…

You then need to clearly state which side of the argument you agree with (advantage or disadvantage). Remember, your actual opinion does not matter, it is how you present your opinion using English that is important.

Here are some example sentences to do this effectively:

In my opinion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
From my perspective, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits .

5. Example Advantage/Disadvantage Essay and Exercise

Now you’ve taken a look at how to write an advantage/disadvantage essay, let’s look at a model answer.

We have removed some of the words so you can put your knowledge to the test.

Select the correct missing words and complete the model answer.

In recent years, it has become much more common for students to complete their degree overseas instead of their house country. Many persons believe that there are significant benefits of doing this, while others argue that there are also drawbacks connected to studying abroad. This essay will discuss both points of mind and then I will give my opinion.

One advantage of study abroad is that students can improve their employee skills. This means that when the students return to their home countries, they will have more employment opportunities. An example, many young people who study in an English-speaking country for a few years develop strong communication skills and have the confidence to work in an international company when they return home. On the other hand benefit of studying abroad is that you can develop a better understanding of other cultures, Example , learning about a country’s customs, traditions and cuisines. The consequence of this is that people become more open-minded.

In the other hand, there are some disadvantages of studying abroad. One backdraw is that students may miss their friends and family and feel homesad. They may also find it difficult to connect with other students and make friends due to a language barrier . Another disadvantage is that students can experience a real culture shock when moving to another country. This is because the culture and language may be different which could lead to frustration for the student and dissatisfaction with their study experience.

To overall , it is clear that there are both advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad. In my thought, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Although it is true that the experience may be challenging at first, on balance , if you study abroad you will have an enriching experience that will broaden your horizons and increase your future prospects.

Exam Updates & Tips!

Signup for preparation and special offers!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

IELTS Charlie

Your Guide to IELTS Band 7

IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay: tips, mistakes, questions & essays

In this lesson we are going to look at how to answer an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages 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!

What Is Your Task?

In this IELTS question type, you are presented with a situation, a development or a trend. Your task is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages related to this situation, development or trend.

In some tasks, you may also be asked to give an opinion on whether the advantages are more significant than the disadvantages. These “outweigh” questions are more common in the IELTS Academic Writing Test, but they can also appear in the IELTS General Training Writing Test.

In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone (cellphone) apps is becoming increasingly common.

Does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages?

Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Test 4

How To Plan An IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

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 .

Step 1: Understand The Task

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!

Think about these three questions:

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:

The topic is about mobile phone payments, such as digital wallets, payment apps like Google Pay and Apple Pay, and QR code payments.

The task is NOT about mobile phone apps in general, so don’t discuss the advantages of mobile phones or mobile apps. The task is specific to payment apps.

The question “does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages?” tells you how to respond to the topic. You simply need to answer that question.

Step 2: Decide Your Position

Next, you need to decide your position. In other words, you need to decide what you think.

In an advantages disadvantages essay, your position is your answer to the question .

So in the example question above, your position is your answer to the question: “does this development (i.e. paying for things using mobile phone apps) have more advantages or more disadvantages?”

Step 3: Extend Your Ideas

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:

giving explanations of what you mean
giving specific examples which illustrate what you mean

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.

Read more about how to develop your ideas in an IELTS essay.

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.

I suggest you use almost exactly the same structure, regardless of whether you are taking the Academic or General Training Test:

Paragraph 1: introduction
Paragraph 2: discuss what you think are the advantages
Paragraph 3: discuss what you think are the disadvantages
Paragraph 4 (Ac): explain if you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages
Paragraph 4 (GT): summarise your views

IELTS advantages disadvantages essay questions are usually on topics where there are both advantages AND disadvantages. In other words, if you argue that there are only advantages, the IELTS examiner might decide your essay lacks balance, and this could limit your band score for Task Response.

How To Write Your IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

Let’s go through how to write the different parts of the essay.

How To Write The Introduction To an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

In the introduction to an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages essay, you need to do one or two things.

If you are asked “what are the advantages and disadvantages?” , then just briefly introduce the topic of the essay.

If you are asked for an opinion – e.g. “ do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages”, or “does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages?”, then also add a second sentence where you present your answer to this question.

Introduce The Topic

You should begin with a background sentence which introduces your reader to the topic of the essay. The best way to do this is to paraphrase the topic statement.

How To Paraphrase

Think about the meaning of the topic statement, and briefly rewrite it 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 topic statement said:

“In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone (cellphone) apps is becoming increasingly common.”

Here is one way of paraphrasing this:

“Purchasing goods with apps on mobile phones has grown in popularity over recent years.”

This sentence has the same general meaning as the original sentence, but uses different vocabulary and different grammatical structures.

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.

“In a lot of nations, buying items using portable communication software is becoming more customary.”

DON’T DO THIS! It sounds unnatural and can be confusing for your reader.

Give Your Opinion

If you are asked questions like:

“do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages”, or
“does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages?”

then you are being asked for your opinion, in addition to a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages.

So write a 2nd sentence in which you clearly answer this question. e.g.

“In my view, this development has significant drawbacks overall.”

There’s little point in adding a scope sentence: “This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this development.” This kind of sentence doesn’t add much to your essay and the language is quite basic.

Just start writing the body.

How To Write The Body Paragraphs

In an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages essay, you need to present the advantages and disadvantages in the body paragraphs.

Write the advantages and disadvantages in separate paragraphs.

Each main body paragraph should contain:

An advantage (or disadvantage) – your main idea
A more detailed explanation of this
An example which illustrates this
You can also include a 2nd advantage or 2nd disadvantage in the same paragraph.

This structure is what is meant by developing your ideas, and it is essential for a Band 7.

You can read more about developing your ideas here .

How To Write The Conclusion

In the conclusion to an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages essay, what you write depends on the question.

If you are asked “what are the advantages and disadvantages?” then just write a summary of your ideas.

If you are asked for your opinion – e.g. “do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?” – then answer this question in the conclusion.

Do NOT write any new ideas in your conclusion. If you think of new ideas while writing your conclusion, forget them! It’s too late

Common Mistakes in an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

These are the most common mistakes made by Test Takers when writing an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages essay:

presenting too many advantages and disadvantages: you MUST develop ALL of your ideas to get a high band score, so it’s best to present 3 or 4 advantages / disadvantages in total and explain them all
not answering the “do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?” question. This question does not appear in all advantages disadvantages essays, but when it does, you must answer it
writing an overly general statement about the topic in the introduction (e.g. Education is a topic of hot debate)
The advantages / disadvantages are not explained and illustrated in enough detail. You need to develop all of your points to get a Band 7.
Not fully understanding the essay question. This is often caused by reading the question quickly, not carefully.
Using memorised phrases (e.g. “a hot topic”, “in a nutshell”, “pros and cons”)
Using “research studies” as examples: examples should illustrate your ideas, not prove them. Read about how to use examples in IELTS essays .
Trying to use rare or “novel” language: examiners are looking for groups of words used naturally, not rare words.

Sample IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Questions

In the future all cars, buses and trucks will be driverless. The only people travelling inside these vehicles will be passengers. Do you think the advantages of driverless vehicles outweigh the disadvantages?

(Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Test 4)

In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?

( Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Test 4 )

Today more and more tourists are visiting places where conditions are difficult, such as the Sahara desert or the Antarctic. What are the benefits and disadvantages for tourists who visit such places?

(Cambridge IELTS 12 General Training Test 5)

At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

(Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Test 6)

Model IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essays

Privacy Overview

Discover the 7 STEPS to BAND 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay: Overview, Structure And Tips

1. ielts advantage disadvantage essay overview.

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay raises a problem or an opinion and asks you to point out the benefits as well as drawbacks on that issue or point of view.

Typically, an IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay question can be divided into three parts:

1st part: a specific problem or opinion (e.g. The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally.)
2nd part: requirement to give the advantages & disadvantages of the problem or opinion (e.g. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?)
3rd part: requirement for the time limit and word count (e.g. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write at least 250 words.)

There are normally 2 types of requirements to list the advantages & disadvantages of a problem or opinion:

Indicate pros and cons only
Indicate pros and cons & Explicate whether pros outweigh cons

Here are some examples of how an IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage question can be worded:

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

If you are planning to take the IELTS, let’s start practicing with our free IELTS online test to get ready for your exam.

2. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Structure

The three-part structure is also used for IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay. However, as the IELTS Advantage Disadvantage questions can be either indicating pros and cons only or indicating pros and cons & explicating whether pros outweigh cons, you can refer to two types of structure below:

2.1 Indicating Pros and Cons Only

2.1.1 Introduction

– Paraphrase the question: (e.g. It is thought by some people that English, which is now the most widely spoken language in the world, may one day predominate over all other languages and result in their eventual disappearance.)

– Thesis statement / Outline sentence: (e.g. Having one language would certainly aid understanding and economic growth but there will also be some drawbacks.)

2.2.2. Body

– Body paragraph 1: Advantages

Topic sentence: state the advantages
State and explain the first advantage: give the first advantage of the problem/opinion and elaborate the first advantage (e.g. One evident benefit to having one global language is that it would enable greater understanding between countries.In other words, if everyone spoke one language, there would be complete understanding between not only countries but all people throughout the world which would promote learning, the flow of information and ideas.)
Example: support the first advantage with an example (optional)
State and explain the second advantage: give the second advantage of the problem/opinion and elaborate the second advantage (e.g. Another reason that one language would be advantageous is that it would help economic growth. With all people speaking the same language, there would be fewer barriers and therefore trade would flourish between countries, resulting in a healthier world economy.)
Example: support the second advantage with an example (optional)

– Body paragraph 2: Disadvantages

Topic sentence: state the disadvantages (e.g. On the other hand, there are obvious disadvantages to having only one global language.)
State and explain the first disadvantage: give the first disadvantage of the problem/opinion and elaborate the first disadvantage (e.g. Firstly, it would mean that all other languages would eventually disappear and, along with them, their cultures. The diversity of cultures is one of the joys this world has to offer. Each culture is unique with its own way of life and own perspectives of the world which would all be lost if there were only one language.)
Example: support the first disadvantage with an example (optional)
State and explain the second disadvantage: give the second disadvantage of the problem/opinionand elaborate the second disadvantage (e.g. Secondly, it would result in the collapse of tourism because there would be no reason to travel for pleasure and interest if all countries had the same language and similar cultures. This would devastate many countries economically that rely on tourism as a source of income.)
Example: support the second disadvantage with an example (optional)

2.2.3. Conclusion

– Summarize advantages and disadvantages:

(e.g. In conclusion, while there are plus points to having one global language, too much would be lost as a result. )

– Give recommendations (optional) (e.g. Maintaining local languages and cultures should be prioritised to ensure a rich world heritage for future generations.)

>>> Practice now: IELTS Writing Practice Test

2.2. Indicating Pros and Cons & Explicating Whether Pros outweigh Cons

2.2.1. Introduction

– Paraphrase the question: (e.g. Globalisation has been one of the most significant phenomena in the last few decades, and it has changed several aspects of human society both economically and socially. There has been remarkable progress in terms of economic and financial development for developing countries due to the expansion of global organizations. However, there are several drawbacks to this rapid progress that need to be addressed.)

– Thesis statement / Outline sentence: (e.g. Evidently, globalization has more advantages than disadvantages and the following paragraphs, will elaborate on the topic and justify these views.)

– Body paragraph 1: Stronger side

Topic sentence: state the stronger side
State and explain the first reason: give the first reason why it is the stronger side (e.g. First of all, the most advantageous aspect of globalization is the advent of numerous international companies and franchises in developing countries.)
Example: support the first reason with an example (optional) (e.g. Ever since global brands and corporations have expanded their operations in countries such as India, China, Sri Lanka and many more, there has been a notable increase in employment in these countries.)
State and explain the second reason : give the second reason why it is the stronger side (e.g. Additionally, due to the remarkable rise in the number of imports and exports, people from third world countries now have access to a vast catalogue of products and services that were previously unattainable.)
Example: support the second reason with an example (optional)

– Body paragraph 2: Weaker side

Topic sentence: state the weaker side (e.g. That being said, there are drawbacks to globalization that create concerning issues for a sizeable portion of the global population.)
State and explain the first reason: give the first reason why it is the weaker side (e.g. One of the most disturbing consequences faced is the exploitation of labour. Many corporations are known to outsource their operations to developing countries due to cheap labour costs. This enables them to accomplish their manufacturing operations without having to provide proper remuneration.)
Example: support the first reason with an example (optional)
State and explain the second reason: give the second reason why it is the weaker side (e.g. Also, due to the use of inexpensive labour, the quality of products is diminished, and customers receive inferior products.)

(e.g. In conclusion, there is no doubt that the effects of globalization are not entirely positive or negative.)

– Restate the position of each side: (e.g. Nonetheless, the benefits brought by this occupation outweigh the drawbacks.)

*** Note: For the IELTS Advantage Disadvantage question asking you to state your opinion (e.g. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.), you should add another Body paragraph to give your point of view on the issue with clarification and example (if any)

note what your point of view is towards the issue in the Conclusion part).

3. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Strategy

3.1. analyse ielts advantage disadvantage essay questions.

The very first step you should do with IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay is not to write your essay immediately but analyze the questions in details so that you can deeply understand what the judges want you to perform. You had better highlight or underline keywords based on these criteria:

ielts advantage disadvantage essay strategy

Main topic (e.g. The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally.)
Requirements: (e.g. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?)
Instructions (e.g. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write at least 250 words.)

3.2. Make an outline

Your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay had better be both coherent and cohesive simultaneously, so an outline should be your next step to write your essay. Your outline can be created in the form of a mindmap, a table, or a list of bullet points.

3.3. Write a complete IELTS problem solution essay

Once you’ve had your own outline and know well how to organize your writing, it’s time to write your IELTS problem solution essay using your grammar and vocabulary range related to the topic given.

3.4. Double-check your IELTS problem solution essay

Don’t forget to check your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay in terms of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, etc. at least once before handing in the final paper.

4. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips

Your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage should be written within the time limit of about 40 minutes with 250-290 words.
Try not to go off the topic but give the relevant ideas to illustrate each point in your essay.
Utilize linking words in order to make connections among sentences as well as paragraphs.
Don’t forget to quickly draft an outline with the main points for each part.
Elaborate your advantages, disadvantages, and/or your opinion with explanation and examples.
Enhance your grammar and vocabulary range on diverse topics before taking an IELTS Writing test .
Do as many online IELTS practice tests of Advantage Disadvantage essay as possible and you can score high in the real test.

IELTS Luminary - Free Tips, Strategies, eBooks and Detailed Essay Feedback . Overall, this is the best free IELTS and other test prep website.

How to Write An IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

How to Write and IELTS Advantages - Disadvantages Essay - IELTS Luminary

Are you aiming to achieve a high band score in the IELTS exam? Do you find yourself puzzled by the task of writing an 'IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay'? Then you've landed in the perfect place!

In this comprehensive guide, we'll unlock the secrets to acing this challenging yet rewarding part of the IELTS writing exam. We'll take you step-by-step through understanding the structure of an 'IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay', crafting an effective outline, and using a practical template to write a well-balanced essay.

Whether you're a seasoned IELTS test-taker or new to the game, our guide is packed with actionable tips and examples to help you shine in the exam. Our aim is to make your IELTS preparation journey as smooth as possible.

So, sit back, grab your notepad, and let's dive into the world of IELTS writing. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to write an outstanding IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay. Let's start the journey towards IELTS success together!

IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Structure

Introdu ction

An effective introduction is vital for setting the tone of your essay. It should introduce the topic in a clear and concise manner, provide some context, and outline the structure of the essay. The intr oduction should be designed to pique the reader's interest, prompting them to read on. Here's a sample introduction for an essay on "The Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning":

"With the rapid advancement of technology, online learning has become a prevalent mode of education. This essa y will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this modern educational approach."

Advantages and Disadvantages

The body of your essay will consist of two main sections: the advantages and the disadvantages. Each of these sections should contain one or two paragraphs explaining the relevant points.

For each advantage or disadvantage, start with a topic sentence that clearly states the point. This should be followed by supporting details and examples. A balanced view is crucial here; try to give equal attention and depth to both sides of the argument.

Here's an example for the aforementioned topic:

Advantages:

"One significant advantage of online learning is its flexibility. Unlike traditional classroom settings, online courses allow students to learn at their own pace, making education more accessible for people with busy sc hedules. For instance, working professionals can take up online courses to upskill themselves without compromising their job commitments."

"Another benefit is the vast amount of resources available online. Students have access to a plethora of learning materials like videos, eBooks, and online forums, thereby diversifying their learning experience."

Disadvantag es:

"Despite its numerous benefits, online learning also has its drawbacks. One major disadvantage is the lack of face-to-face interaction. This can lead to feelings of isolation and can also hinder the development of essential social skills."

"Additionally, not everyone has reliable internet access or the necessary technological devices, which can exclude some individuals from accessing online education, thus widening the digital divide."

The conclusion is the final section of your essay. It should not introduce any new information but rather summarise the main points discussed in the essay. It should also reiterate the significance of the topic and provide a clear and compelling concluding statement.

Here's a sample conclusion for our example:

"In conclusion, online learning presents numerous advantages, including flexibility and vast learning resources. However, it also has its pitfalls such as lack of personal interaction and potential exclusion of those without adequate technology or internet access. Thus, while online education is a powerful tool in the modern world, these considerations should be addressed to make it more effective and inclusive."

Remember that the structure outlined here serves as a general guide. The specific requirements might vary depending on the given essay prompt, so it's essential to read the instructions carefully. Keep practicing, and soon you'll master the art of writing an excellent IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay.

Exploring the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Outline

An effective outline is your roadmap to a successful essay. It helps organise your thoughts, ensuring a logical flow of ideas from start to finish.

Introduction

Introduce the topic: Your introduction should set the stage for your essay. Begin with a general statement about the topic, then narrow it down to the specific issue you'll be discussing. For example, if you're writing about online learning, you might start by discussing the role of technology in education.

Give a brief overview of what will be discussed in the essay: Following the topic introduction, your next sentence should preview the points you'll discuss - the advantages and disadvantages of the issue. Using our online learning example: "This essay will explore the advantages, such as flexibility and access to vast resources, along with disadvantages like potential isolation and technology disparities, of online learning."

Topic sentence outlining the first advantage: The first sentence of this paragraph should clearly state the advantage you're discussing. For instance: "A key advantage of online learning is its unprecedented flexibility."

Explanation and examples supporting the advantage: Next, explain this advantage in more detail, providing relevant examples or evidence. You could say, "Online courses allow learners to engage with materials at their convenience. For example, a working professional might study after work hours, something not possible with traditional, scheduled classes."

Disadvantages

Topic sentence outlining the first disadvantag e: Like the advantages section, begin with a clear topic sentence stating the disadvantage. Example: "Despite its benefits, online learning also presents challenges, notably a lack of personal interaction."

Explanation and examples supporting the disadvantage: Explain this disadvantage further, again providing examples or evide nce. You could explain, "In online classes, students miss out on face-to-face engagement with peers and teachers, which can lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of essential communication skills."

Summarize the main points: The first part of your conclusion should briefly recap the main points of your essay. Avoid introducing new information here. Using our example, "Online learning, while offering flexibility and a wealth of resources, also presents challenges in terms of personal interaction and technological disparities."

Restate the significance of the topic: Reiterate why your topic is important. You might say, "As technology continues to evolve, understanding the pros and cons of online learning is crucial for educators and students alike."

Provide a clear and compelling concluding statement: Finally, end with a powerful statement that ties your essay together. For instance: "Thus, while online education is a powerful tool in the modern era, its challenges must be addressed to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive learning experience."

Remember, an outline is a flexible tool. It should guide your writing, but don't be afraid to deviate from it if your essay's flow requires it. Use it as a roadmap, not a strict rulebook.

Utilizing the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template

The IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template is a powerful tool for shaping your thoughts and ideas into a coherent and persuasive piece of writing. Let's delve into the specifics using an example topic: "The rise of electric vehicles".

Your introduction should succinctly introduce your topic and provide an overview of what the essay will cover. For our example, this might look like:

"The increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) is a significant trend in today's automotive industry. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this growing shift towards electric transportation."

Now it's time to discuss the benefits. Each advantage should be addressed in its own paragraph, beginning with a topic sentence, followed by an explanation, and then an example.

Advantage 1:

Topic sentence: "One notable advantage of EVs is their contribution to environmental sustainability."

Explanation: "Unlike traditional vehicles, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing the amount of harmful pollutants released into the environment."

Example: "For instance, replacing a conventional car with an electric one can save approximately 1.5 million grams of CO2 per year."

Advantage 2:

Topic sentence: "Another b enefit of EVs is their potential for cost savings in the long run."

Explanation: "Although the upfront cost of EVs can be higher, their lower operating costs over time can offset this initial investment."

Example: "Research shows that EVs can be 2-3 times cheaper to run per mile compared to petrol or diesel vehicles, depending on electricity prices and driving habits."

Next, outline the drawback s of th e topic, again devoting one paragraph to each point.

Disadvantage 1:

Topic sentence: "Despite their benefits, EVs also have drawbacks, including the current limitation s of battery technology."

Explanation: "EV batteries often have a limited range and can take a considerable amount of time to charge, which can be inconvenient for users."

Example: "For instance, a typical EV may need to be recharged after 150-200 miles, and full charging can take up to 12 hours, depending on the charger type and battery size."

Disadvantage 2:

Topic sentence: "Another disadvantage is the insufficient charging infrastructure, particularly in remote or rural areas."

Explanation: "The lack of widespread, accessible charging stations can make long-distance travel with EVs more challenging."

Example: "In certain rural regions, charging points can be over 100 miles apart, making EV usage less feasible."

Conc lusion

The conclusion shou ld recap the main points, restate the topic's significance, and provide a clear concluding statement.

"In conclusion, the rise of electric vehicles brings substantial benefits, including environmental sustainability and potential long-term cost savings. However, challenges such as battery limitations and insufficient charging infrastructure remain. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, addressing these challenges will be crucial to fully realize the potential of electric transportation."

Remember, the template provided here is a guide, and should be adapted based on the specifics of your essay prompt and the ideas you want to convey. With understanding, practice, and perseverance, you'll be well-equipped to master the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay.

10 key tips How to write a High Band Advantages Disadvantages Essay

Understand the Structure: Familiarize yourself with the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Structure. Your essay should have an introduction, two body paragraphs (one for advantages, one for disadvantages), and a conclusion.

Create an Outline: Before you start writing, make an outline. This will help you organize your thoughts, ensure a logical flow of ideas, and make sure you don't miss any crucial points.

Use the Right Template: Use the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template as a guide to structure your essay appropriately. This template ensures you don't miss any crucial elements in your essay.

Balance Your Arguments: Make sure to present a balanced view. You should provide an equal amount of information for both the advantages and disadvantages. This shows the examiner that you can objectively discuss a topic.

Use Examples: Include relevant examples to support your points. Examples make your points more concrete and persuasive.

Mind Your Language: Use clear, precise, and formal language. Avoid slang and contractions, and make sure your grammar and punctuation are correct.

Stay on Topic: Stick to the topic throughout the essay. It's easy to go off on tangents, but staying focused on the topic ensures you address the question effectively.

Use Transition Words: Transition words like "However", "Moreover", "Additionally", and "On the other hand" can help your essay flow better. They guide the reader through your thoughts, making your essay easier to follow.

Practice and Review: Regular practice is key to improving your essay writing skills. After each practice, review your essay to identify areas where you can improve.

Manage Your Time: You will have a limited amount of time to write your essay during the IELTS exam. Practice writing essays within a set time frame to ensure you can effectively manage your time during the actual test.

Remember, writing a compelling essay takes practice and patience. Keep refining your writing skills, and you'll be well on your way to achieving a high score on the IELTS exam. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

An IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay is a type of essay that appears in the writing section of the IELTS exam. It requires candidates to discuss both the pros and cons of a given topic, displaying a balanced and objective understanding.

2. How do I use the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template?

The IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template is a guide to help structure your essay. It typically includes an introduction, separate paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence, followed by explanation and examples.

3. What is the best way to structure an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

The best way to structure an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay is by following the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Structure, which includes four main sections: introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion. Ensure to maintain balance in your arguments, providing equal attention to both pros and cons.

4. How can I create an effective IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Outline?

To create an effective IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Outline, start by listing the main points you plan to discuss in your essay. Break down each section into smaller parts, including topic sentences, explanations, and examples for each advantage and disadvantage.

5. How important is it to use examples in an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

Using examples in an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay is very important. Examples provide solid evidence to support your points, making your arguments more persuasive and relatable.

6. What are some tips for writing an excellent IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

Key tips for writing an excellent IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay include understanding the structure, creating an outline, using the right template, balancing your arguments, using examples, sticking to the topic, using transition words, practicing regularly, and managing your time effectively.

7. What are the common mistakes to avoid while writing an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

Common mistakes to avoid include straying off-topic, presenting unbalanced arguments, skipping the conclusion, failing to use examples, and not using transition words to link ideas. Additionally, using informal language, not managing time effectively, and not reviewing your work for errors can negatively impact your score.

Please note, if you want to boost your IELTS Writing score, check these comprehensive eBooks and personalised Essay Feedback by an experienced IELTS examiner.

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

Study Abroad Test Prep /

‘Advantage & Disadvantage’ Essay in IELTS: Tips, Structure and Samples

Updated on
Dec 16, 2023

The advantage/disadvantage essays in IELTS writing require students to critically evaluate a topic and formulate cohesive answers that weigh both advantages and disadvantages. Want to ace the advantages/disadvantages section of IELTS writing? Here’s a pro tip: make a mental note of five to ten drawbacks and benefits right off the bat to get a head start for your answer. This approach will help you save a lot of your time and even aid you in crafting cohesive and comprehensible arguments, ultimately bolstering your score. In this blog, we will talk about the IELTS advantage disadvantage in essay.

This Blog Includes:

Best tips for advantages and disadvantages ielts essay in 2024, what is the structure of an advantage disadvantage ielts essay , top 10 most common ‘advantages & disadvantages’ essay topics in ielts writing, ielts advantage disadvantage essay sample answers .

Here are some of the best tips for writing well-articulated, coherent and cohesive essay answers for the much-dreaded advantages and disadvantages questions in IELTS writing. Have a look.

Dedicate at least ten minutes to comprehend all the advantages and disadvantages about the given topic.
After making a mental note of all the advantages/disadvantages, ensure that your points are supporting the topic. A quick advice would be to stick to the topic and not digress further.
Everything you write should be structured in a well-articulated and cohesive manner that is comprehensible for the readers. It is necessary that you keep your advantages and disadvantages separate. For example, if you are enlisting the advantages in one paragraph, then ensure to put your disadvantages in another paragraph.

The structure of the advantages and disadvantages essays in IELTS writing comprises two primary segments, i.e., the introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Let us delve deeper into the structure of the answer below.

Introduction

The introduction part requires you to paraphrase the topic of the essay by using different vocabulary and synonyms. Once you are done paraphrasing the topic, you’ll need to give the readers an idea about the gist of the essay and what to expect.

Body Paragraphs

In your first body paragraph, i.e., Body paragraph 1, you’ll be required to state the advantages of the topic. You must back your answer by providing legitimate reasons, points and examples. You can even state some anecdotal experiences to support your opinion. On the contrary, you must state the disadvantages in the body paragraph 2. You can support this by providing examples and valid points.

In the end, you’ll need to conclude the topic by summing up the entire essay in a sentence or two.

The “advantages and disadvantages” question is predominantly asked in IELTS writing task 2. One must have a good understanding of such questions to score well in the writing section of the IELTS exam. Mastering these high-scoring questions can significantly improve your overall IELTS score. To familiarise yourself with these examples, refer to the following sample questions covering various topics. By practising with these and similar questions, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle such types of questions on your actual test. Here are some sample questions for the IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay.

Many believe that the goal of one’s career should be to pursue a passion. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a passion in this day and age.
Nowadays, most countries can improve the standard of living through economic development, but some social values are lost as a result. Do you think the advantages of this phenomenon outweigh the disadvantages?
Schools should use films, computers and games instead of books. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using such a medium of education.
Virtual reality can be used for therapeutic interventions and mental health treatments. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Young people are often influenced in their behaviours by others in the same age group. Some argue that peer pressure is important, while others feel it has distinct disadvantages. Do the disadvantages of peer pressure outweigh the advantages?
Many People Believe that countries should produce food for the whole population and import as little food as possible. Explain the advantages and disadvantages.
Some people feel that the media should not openly share the private lives of celebrities. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of being active on social media as a celebrity.
These days, many people like to watch live performances (like shows or concerts) at home, either on TV or on a computer, instead of attending in person. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh its disadvantages?
Government money should be used to support children in school for sports rather than to support professional sports and arts that perform for the general public. Explain the advantages and disadvantages.
Fossil fuels are the main source of energy around the world today. In some countries, the use of alternative sources of energy is replacing fossil fuels. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the scenario.

If you’re an IELTS test-taker worried about the writing section, especially the advantage/disadvantage questions, going through some of the sample answers given below can be a great help! It won’t just give you a clear understanding of the answer structure, but it will also equip you with valuable skills to develop coherent and cohesive responses. So, let’s dive into some sample answers and see how to tackle these questions effectively.

Sample 1

Question: These days, many people like to watch live performances (like shows or concerts) at home, either on TV or on a computer, instead of attending in person. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh its disadvantages?

Ans: The advent of technology has revolutionised the way we consume entertainment with a growing trend of watching live performances, such as concerts and shows, at home through TV or computer, instead of attending in person.This essay will explore the advantages and disadvantages of this trend and evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

To begin with, the most significant advantage of watching live performances at home is convenience. With busy schedules and geographical constraints, attending a live performance in person can be challenging for many. Watching these performances at home eliminates travel time and costs, and allows viewers to enjoy the show at their own pace. Moreover, it provides an opportunity for people living in remote areas or those with mobility issues to experience performances they might otherwise miss. Another advantage is the potential for a larger audience. Performances broadcasted on TV or streamed online can reach millions of viewers worldwide, far exceeding the capacity of any physical venue. This not only benefits viewers who get to enjoy a wider variety of performances but also performers who gain increased exposure and potential revenue.

However, this trend is not without its disadvantages. The most notable one is the lack of atmosphere and communal experience that attending a live performance offers. The energy of the crowd, the immediacy of the performance, and the shared experience with fellow attendees are unique aspects that cannot be replicated in a home setting. Furthermore, there is a risk that this trend could lead to a decline in traditional performing arts venues. If more people choose to watch performances at home, these venues might struggle to survive, leading to potential job losses in the industry and a loss of cultural heritage.

In conclusion, while watching live performances at home offers numerous advantages such as convenience and accessibility, it also has its drawbacks including a diminished atmosphere and potential harm to traditional venues. However, considering the increasing globalisation and digitalization of our world, it seems that the advantages do outweigh the disadvantages. The key lies in finding a balance – leveraging technology to make performances more accessible while still preserving and supporting traditional venues.

Question: In many cities, problems related to overpopulation are becoming more common. Some governments are now encouraging businesses and individuals to move out of cities to rural areas. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Ans: In recent years, the issue of overpopulation has become a pressing concern in many cities around the world. As a result, some governments are encouraging businesses and individuals to move to rural areas. While there are some benefits to this trend, it also has its drawbacks. In this essay, I will discuss how the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages.

On the one hand, there are several advantages to encouraging businesses and individuals to move to rural areas. First and foremost, it can help to alleviate the problem of overpopulation in cities. With fewer people living in urban areas, there will be less strain on infrastructure and resources such as housing, transportation, and water. Moreover, moving to rural areas can lead to a lower cost of living. Land, property, and goods tend to be cheaper in rural areas, which can save people money in the long run.

Additionally, moving to a rural area can offer a more peaceful and tranquil way of life, away from the noise, pollution, and stresses of city living.

On the other hand, there are also several disadvantages to this trend. One of the biggest drawbacks is the lack of infrastructure and services in rural areas. Many rural areas do not have the same level of access to healthcare, education, and other essential services as urban areas do.

This can make it difficult for businesses and individuals to thrive and succeed. Furthermore, moving to a rural area can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially for those who are used to the hustle and bustle of city life. Finally, for those who depend on urban jobs or have family ties in cities, moving to a rural area may not be a feasible option.

In conclusion, while there are some benefits to encouraging businesses and individuals to move to rural areas, the disadvantages should not be overlooked. It is essential to consider the lack of infrastructure and services in rural areas, as well as the potential feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Therefore, governments need to strike a balance between encouraging people to move to rural areas and ensuring that there are adequate resources and services available to support them.

So that was all about IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages essays. Hope the blog could have covered all your queries regarding the topic.

Ans: These essays require students to state the negatives and positives of the given topic.

Ans: These essays are segregated into three segments, i.e., introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Ans: The IELTS writing section takes around 60 minutes to complete.

Visit the Leverage Live page of Leverage edu or contact our study abroad experts at 1800-57-2000 to strengthen your scores and application to secure your spot in your dream college.

Shubham Das

Shubham Das has been working as an educational content writer for the past two years and has a background in filmmaking & screenplay/ teleplay writing. He is fascinated by the human psyche, literature and cinema.

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

Ebooks & Courses
Practice Tests

How to Plan & Write IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

Questions for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays can be worded in several different ways. Here is some typical wording that might be used:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

It is also common for synonyms of ‘advantages’ and ‘disadvantages’ to be used, such as ‘benefits’ and ‘drawbacks’, as can be seen in this sample question.

A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world? Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?

I’ll be using this question to guide you through the process of planning and writing an IELTS advantage and disadvantages essay later on in this lesson.

Here’s what the lesson covers:

Understanding IELTS advantages & disadvantages essay questions
Essay structures
How to plan
How to write an introduction
How to write main body paragraphs
How to write a conclusion

Want to watch and listen? 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 Question

IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay questions fall into two main categories:

Questions that ask for your opinion.
Questions that do not require you to state your opinion.

The first part of the question will always be a statement. You will then be asked to write about both the advantages and disadvantages of the idea stated. You may also be required to state your opinion.

Here are two more sample questions for illustration. For the first one, you must give your opinion but in the second, you should not.

1. Small businesses are disappearing and being replaced by large multinational companies.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

2. Most career choices demand vocational skills or specialist knowledge. However, despite this, most schools still teach academic subjects such as history or social studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Essay Structures

Now let’s look at two simple structures you can use to write IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays. They're not the only possible structures but are ones I recommend because they are easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.

I’ll explain later why I’m giving you two slightly different structures.

These structures will give you a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.

One Advantage and Disadvantage or Two?

The question will state 'advantages' and 'disadvantages' in the plural, that is, more than one. However, it is acceptable to write about just one.

This should give you an essay of just over the minimum 250 words. To write about two advantages and disadvantages will require you to write nearer 400 words which are a lot to plan and write in the 40 minutes allowed.

It is better to fully develop one advantage and one disadvantage than ending up with your second idea missing an explanation or an example because you run out of time, but you can write about two if you feel able to or more comfortable doing so.

Having said that, using essay structure 2, where you start with the examples, will enable you to easily add more than one advantage and disadvantage without having to write many more words.

It will be more suitable for some questions than others so bear this in mind when you're writing practice essays and try out both structures.

I’m going to use essay structure 2 to show you step-by-step how to write an IELTS advantage and disadvantages essay. I’ll also give you a model answer using essay structure 1 so that you can compare the two.

How To Plan IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

The planning process only takes around 5 minutes but it is essential as it will save you time overall and will result in a far better essay and thus, higher marks. Th ere are the 3 things you need to do:

Analyse the question
Generate ideas
Identify vocabulary

# 1 Analyse the question

Analysing the question will ensure that you answer it fully. It’s quick and easy to do. You just need to identify 3 different types of words:

Topic words
Other keywords
Instruction words

Topics words are the ones that identify the general subject of the question and will be found in the statement part of the question.

Here is the question we’re going to be working on. I’ve highlighted the topic words in blue.

So, this question is about ‘ tourism’ .

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 tourism we're being asked to write about.

The other keywords in the question tell you the specific topic your essay must be about.

A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income . Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed.

By highlighting these words, it’s easy to see that you are being asked to write about the conflicting issues of tourism being ‘a main source of income’ in many places, yet also being ‘a source of problems’.

Your essay must only include ideas relevant to this aspect of tourism.

The instruction words are the question itself. They tell you exactly what to include in your essay.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world? Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks ?

Here, we are required to write about:

The advantages of tourism in relation to income generation.
The disadvantage of tourism in relation to problems it can cause.
Our opinion as to whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Note the use of the synonyms ‘ benefits ’ and ‘ drawback ’ in the second sentence of the question.

# 2 Generate ideas

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.

I’m going to demonstrate two of them for you here – the ‘friends technique’, which is suitable for most IELTS essays, and the ‘example method’, which perfectly fits essay structure 2.

The ‘ friends technique ’ is the method I generally prefer 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 that you are chatting with a friend over a cup of coffee and they ask you this question. What are the first thoughts to come into 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.

Here are my ideas using the friends technique:

There are far too many ideas here to include in an essay of just over 250 words. Think up a few then pick one advantage and one disadvantage that you think you can develop well.

With the ' example method ', on the other hand, you start by thinking of specific examples related to the question. They can come from your own experience or be something you’ve read or heard about. These examples will generate ideas that will become the main points of your essay.

It works particularly well for the model question I’ve selected for this lesson which is why I’ve included the second essay structure.

Here are my ideas using the examples technique:

Now that we have some ideas, we’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay, but first, we have one more task to do.

# 3 Vocabulary

During the planning stage, quickly jot down some vocabulary that comes to mind as you decide what you're going to write about, especially synonyms of key words. This will save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing.

Writing an IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

We’re ready to begin writing our essay. For the first model answer, I’m going to take you step-by-step through essay structure 2. I’ll then give you a model answer for essay structure 1.

Here’s a reminder of the question and the essay structure.

We’ll now start work on the introduction.

How To Write an Introduction

The introduction to an IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay should have a simple 2 or 3 part structure:

Paraphrase the question
Outline the main ideas
State your opinion (if required)

Our tourism question asks for our opinion so our introduction will have 3 parts.

1) Paraphrase the question

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question statement.

Question: A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income.

Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed.

Paraphrased question:

Although holidaymakers contribute hugely to the economies of many popular destinations, the influx of tourists can also cause serious issues.

Note my use of synonyms for some of the key words. It’s fine to repeat one or two words if you can't think of suitable synonyms. Above all, your language must sound natural.

2) Outline statement

Now we need to add a statement where we outline the main points that we’ll be covering in the rest of the essay, that is, an advantage of tourism and a disadvantage of tourism.

Here are the two main ideas I’ve chosen to write about:

Advantage – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts
Disadvantage – Displacement of local people

Outline statement:

This essay will demonstrate how tourism can transform the economy of poor areas but will also show that this can lead to such problems as the displacement of local people.

3) Opinion statement

The question also asks for our opinion and it’s essential that we include it in the introduction.

Opinion statement:

Whilst acknowledging that there are drawbacks, the essay will argue that the advantages of the tourist industry outweigh the disadvantages.

So, let’s bring the three elements of our introduction together.

Introduction

This introduction achieves three important functions:

It shows the examiner that you understand the question.
It acts as a guide to the examiner as to what your essay is about.
It also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write.

The two ideas in your introduction will become your two main body paragraphs.

Main body paragraph 1 – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts

Main body paragraph 2 – Displacement of local people

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main body paragraphs in IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays written using structure 2, should contain 3 things:

Topic sentence – give an example
Explanation – explain the benefits/advantages
Consequence – state the result

Main Body Paragraph 1

The topic sentence summarises the main idea of the paragraph. 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.

In this instance, the topic sentence will introduce our first example, for which I’ve chosen Thailand.

Main idea – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts
Example – Thailand

Topic sentence:

One country that has experienced a significant economic boost from tourism is Thailand.

Next, we must write an explanation sentence that states the main point of our example.

Explanation sentence:

Over the past 50 years, many of its small fishing villages, where people often struggled to make a living, have been developed into thriving holiday destinations.

Finally, we explain the consequence or result of the situation. This is where we give an example of one specific advantage. It is better to pick one and develop it than to just add a long list.

Consequence:

With all the hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities that have been developed, there are now enough jobs for everyone and the general standard of living has greatly increased. Many local people have spotted new business opportunities and become entrepreneurs which has further diversified the economy.

That’s the 3 parts of our first main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

We’ll now follow the same process for our second main body paragraph.

Main Body Paragraph 2

Main idea – Displacement of local people

Example – Venice

First, we write the topic sentence to summarise the main idea.

Topic sentence:

In Venice, on the other hand, the huge popularity of the beautiful canals and stunning architecture with visitors from around the world has had a negative impact on local residents.

Now for the explanation sentence that states the main point of our example.

Explanation sentence:

The growing need for tourist accommodation, places to eat and shops has forced many people from their homes to make way for this new development.

Finally, a specific example to explain the consequence .

Not only have these people suffered by having to move away from their family and friends but the situation has also resulted in a lost sense of community in the worst affected areas.

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 advantages and disadvantages essay is done.

How To Write a Conclusion

The conclusion is a summary of the main points in your essay and can generally be done in a single sentence. It should never introduce new ideas.

If you're below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add a prediction or recommendation statement.

Our essay is already near the minimum word limit so we don’t need this extra sentence but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS advantages and disadvantages 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:

Neatly end the essay
Link all your ideas together
Sum up your argument or opinion
Answer the question

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 a dvantages and disadvantages essay with the words:

In conclusion

To conclude

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.

Introduction:

Here's the same information formed into a conclusion:

That’s it. We’ve completed our advantages and disadvantages essay. Here it is with the 4 paragraphs put together.

Finished IELTS advantages and disadvantages 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 advantages and disadvantages essays from past exam questions. Practice is the only way to improve your skills.

Example IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay for Structure 1

Now, here’s a model answer for essay structure 1. First, a reminder of the structure and the ideas I generated using the friends technique.

Ideas generation - Friends technique

I’ve underline the ideas I’ve chosen to write about in this second essay:

Advantages of tourism – source of income:

Provides jobs for local people
Opportunities for local entrepreneurs
Tourist spending boosts both national & local economy
Brings improvement in local infrastructure & facilities which benefit whole community
Helps maintain traditions & culture

Disadvantages of tourism – the problems:

Money goes to wealthy business owners not local people
Increased crime
Illegal activities, e.g. drugs
More pubs & clubs – changes the local culture
Increase in property values
Destruction of the natural environment to build hotels, airports & other facilities
Displacement of indigenous people

See if you can identify the different parts of the essay and how I have developed them.

That's it. Now it's time for you to get practicing.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

Click on the HTML link code below.
Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Like this page?

More help with ielts advantages and disadvantages 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

Other Related Pages

IELTS Writing Test – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

IELTS Writing
Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
Back To Top

* New * Grammar For IELTS Ebooks

$9.99 each Full Set Just $ 23.97

Find Out More >>

IELTS Courses

Full details...

IELTS Writing Ebook

Discount Offer

$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

Disclaimer

IELTS changes lives.

Let's work together so it changes yours too.

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.

Study Abroad

Scholarships

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated on Apr 02, 2024, 12:10

Did you know that the Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS is one of the most common questions asked in the test? Preparing for it is essential to secure a good score.

The Advantages and Disadvantages Essay the IELTS writing task requires you to discuss a particular topic's pros and cons or advantages and disadvantages. You need to present your ideas in a clear and organised manner and support them with relevant examples and evidence.

This task assesses your ability to express your opinion, analyse information, and use various vocabulary and grammatical structures. Understanding the question, brainstorming ideas, planning your essay, and proofreading your work before submitting it is important. With the right preparation and practice, you can master this task and achieve a high score on the IELTS exam.

On This Page

1. Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS: How to Answer?

Advantages and Disadvantages essay topics are some of the most commonly asked question types in IELTS.

2. Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS: Sample Answer

Below is a sample essay to help you understand the IELTS Writing Task 2, advantages and disadvantages essay type.

More for you

Boost your IELTS Writing score

See how to score 8+ in Listening.

Get proven strategies to ace your IELTS Listening test.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS: How to Answer?

While you’re answering the advantages and disadvantages essay in IELTS writing, you should ensure your essay provides attention to either advantages or disadvantages, avoiding bias or one-sided arguments. Maintain a formal tone, adhere to grammatical rules throughout your essay and use a mix of vocabulary.

The task typically presents a topic or statement requiring you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
The word limit for the task is 250 words.
Your aim should be to examine the topic's positive and negative aspects.
Use cohesive devices and appropriate linking words to connect ideas within paragraphs and between sections.

When tackling an advantages and disadvantages essay in the IELTS exam, it's essential to structure your response effectively and present a balanced argument. Here's how to answer:

Introduction:

Start with a clear topic statement.
Provide a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages you'll discuss in your essay.
Finish with a thesis statement that outlines your overall opinion or stance on the topic.

For Example, “ The exponential growth of the e-commerce industry has revolutionised the way we shop, work, and interact with businesses. While it brings numerous benefits, it also presents certain drawbacks that impact our society in various ways.”

Advantages Paragraphs:

Begin with a topic sentence introducing one advantage.
Provide specific examples or explanations to support your point.
Use linking words and phrases to connect your ideas logically.
Conclude the paragraph by summarising the advantage and its significance.

For Example, “ One of the primary advantages of e-commerce is its unparalleled convenience. Online shopping allows consumers to browse and purchase products from the comfort of their homes or on-the-go, eliminating the need to visit physical stores. This convenience particularly benefits individuals with busy lifestyles or limited mobility, enhancing access to a wide range of goods and services.

E-commerce also fosters competition and innovation in the marketplace. With numerous online retailers vying for customers' attention, businesses are incentivised to offer competitive prices, diverse product selections, and superior customer service. This competition drives continuous improvement and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers with better-quality products and services.

Disadvantages Paragraphs:

Follow the same structure as the advantages paragraphs.
Start with a topic sentence introducing one disadvantage.
Support your argument with relevant examples or explanations.
Use cohesive devices to maintain coherence in your essay.
Conclude the paragraph by summarising the disadvantage and its implications.

For Example , “ Despite its advantages, e-commerce presents several challenges, including privacy and security concerns. Online transactions involve exchanging sensitive personal and financial information, making consumers vulnerable to identity theft, fraud, and cyberattacks. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures and protecting consumer data are critical for maintaining trust and confidence in e-commerce platforms.

Another drawback is the impact of e-commerce on traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. The rise of online shopping has led to the decline of physical stores, particularly small businesses that struggle to compete with large e-commerce giants. This shift in consumer behaviour can result in job losses, economic disparities, and the decline of local communities.”

Conclusion:

Summarise the main points discussed in the essay.
Restate your thesis statement, highlighting your opinion on the topic.
Provide a balanced final thought that considers both the advantages and disadvantages.

For Example , “ In conclusion, while e-commerce offers unparalleled convenience, promotes competition and globalisation, and drives economic growth, it also raises concerns related to privacy and security, disrupts traditional retail models, and poses environmental challenges. Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach that harnesses the benefits of e-commerce while mitigating its negative impacts on society and the environment.”

Tips for Success:

Maintain a balanced approach throughout your essay, acknowledging both sides.
Use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures to demonstrate language proficiency.
Ensure coherence and cohesion by using appropriate transition words and phrases.
Proofread your essay carefully to correct any grammatical or spelling errors.

Following these guidelines, you can effectively structure and answer an advantages and disadvantages essay in the IELTS exam. Practice writing essays on various topics to improve your skills and confidence.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS: Sample Answer

Question: The growth in technology has made things accessible for everyone. What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of technology in our lives?

Sample Answer: Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Our Lives

Technology's rapid growth has revolutionised how we live, work, and interact with the world around us. While technology brings many benefits, it also introduces certain challenges and drawbacks that impact individuals and society.

One of the most significant advantages of technology is its ability to enhance communication and connectivity. With the advent of smartphones, social media, and instant messaging platforms, individuals can easily stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues regardless of geographical barriers. This increased connectivity fosters collaboration strengthens relationships, and facilitates the exchange of ideas on a global scale.

Moreover, technology has transformed education by making learning more accessible and interactive. Online resources, e-books, and educational apps provide students with opportunities for self-paced learning, personalised instruction, and access to a wealth of information beyond traditional classroom settings.

Despite its numerous advantages, technology also presents several challenges and drawbacks. One of the most pressing concerns is the impact of technology on mental health and well-being. Excessive use of digital devices, social media addiction, and constant connectivity have been linked to increased stress, anxiety, and depression among individuals, particularly young adults and adolescents.

Moreover, technology-driven automation and artificial intelligence (AI) pose job displacement and economic inequality challenges. Automating routine tasks and adopting AI-driven technologies in various industries threaten to eliminate traditional jobs, exacerbate unemployment, and widen the gap between skilled and unskilled workers. Addressing these challenges requires proactive measures to reskill workers, promote job creation in emerging sectors, and ensure equitable access to opportunities in the digital economy.

In conclusion, while technology offers numerous advantages, such as enhanced communication, improved education, and better healthcare outcomes, it also introduces mental health, privacy, data security, and socioeconomic inequality challenges.

IELTS Writing Practice Test

IELTS Listening Practice Test

IELTS Speaking Practice Test

IELTS Reading Practice Test

IELTS Practice Test

IELTS Important Information

IELTS Exam Date

IELTS Exam Fee

IELTS Modules

IELTS Test Centres

IELTS Results

Types of IELTS

IELTS Pattern

IELTS Exam Eligibilty

IELTS Slot Booking

IELTS Band Score

IELTS Registration

IELTS Books

IELTS Preparation

IELTS Accepting Countries

Study In USA

Study In Canada

Study In UK

Study In Australia

Study In Ireland

IELTS Accepting Universities

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

The University Of British Columbia

Harvard University

University Of Toronto

Conestoga College

University Of East London

Stanford University

University Of Alberta

Coventry University

New York University

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Hyderabad

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Bangalore

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Chennai

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Amritsar

IELTS Centre and Dates in Ludhiana

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Mumbai

IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Ahmedabad

IELTS Centre and Dates in Delhi

IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Chandigarh

IELTS Center and Dates in Pune

Every Year Several Language Die Out: IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample

Honesty is the best policy: IELTS Writing Task 2

Environment Essay Topics with Samples: Writing Task 2

Q. What is essay writing for the IELTS?

A. Essay is a part of the Writing section of the IELTS exam. Here, you will be given academic topics on which you must write an impactful essay. You need to structure your essay correctly, which makes the user walk through the core concept and then give some valuable outcomes as a conclusion.

Q. How do you write an essay in IELTS?

A. There are some of the things you should mind to write an essay in IELTS:

You should gather your ideas and thoughts around the topic. Do not deviate from the essential subject of your essay.
Follow a standard format that can be meaningful for the audience.
Enrich your essay with examples that can make valid points.
Always give your own opinions and end the essay with a valid conclusion.

Q. How do I get more 7.5 in IELTS Writing?

A. Practice is more important in getting good marks in IELTS writing. You should start practising different question types to develop ideas quickly and complete your task within the timeframe. Remember there is a limited time to complete tasks like the advantage and disadvantage writing task 2, which is 40 minutes only!

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of essays in IELTS?

A. It is one of the question forms asked in the Writing Task 2 of the IELTS exam. Here, various questions are covered around academic topics like education, economy, health, technology, etc. In all these topics, you need to focus on the benefits and the drawbacks of the particular situation and then give your concluding opinion.

Q. Are IELTS essay questions repeated?

A. The IELTS essay questions are not repeated. But yes, the topics are usually repeated in many tests. For example, there have been many questions in the past about education, technology, etc. These topics are so vast that so many questions can come around them. But each has a different question, which has to be written with a different perspective.

Q. What should I do if I run out of time during the exam?

A. Practising time management to tackle the questions better is highly advisable. However, if you feel you are running out of time, write the conclusion part of writing task 2 because the point of essay writing will be meaningless without a valid conclusion. For Task 1, try to cover the central key theme of the visuals if unable to cover the full.

Q. Why is IELTS writing difficult?

A. The IELTS Writing task is not difficult, if you prepare for it. It consists of simple writing tasks such as writing a report or an essay. The writing section of IELTS may seem complex as a wide range of topics might be asked in the question and because of the time constraints while dealing with the questions. But there’s nothing to panic about. With continuous practice, it's possible to overcome the difficulties and become efficient in dealing with them.

Q. What are the writing tasks for IELTS?

A. The writing section includes the 2 tasks:

Task 1 is based on visual representation, which you must describe in 150 words and within 20 minutes.

Task 2 will ask you to write an essay on a particular topic, requiring you to give your opinions, discussion, arguments, and problems/solutions approach. You can also get advantages and disadvantages essay topics that will require you to focus on the positive and negative aspects of the particular topic.

Q. Can I write Task 2 first in IELTS writing?

A. Yes, you can choose to write the Task 2 first. It’s totally up to you how you want to write the whole test. But always consider that there is always a limited time to cover the questions. So, only do that if you can complete them before the timeline. And remember that writing Task 2 is double the marks of Task 1.

Q. How can I succeed in IELTS writing?

A. Practice and direction are integral to the success of IELTS writing tasks. You need to do continuous practice in dealing with questions like the advantages and disadvantages writing task 2, opinions-based essays, etc. The right mentorship will provide guidance and feedback to improve your writing skills and achieve better results.

Q. Are all the modules of the IELTS test held on the same day?

A. No, the IELTS test is conducted in two parts. The first part includes the Listening, Reading, and Writing section, which is done on the same day. The second part includes the Speaking section. It can occur the same day or 7 days before/after the examination. As it is an uncertain aspect, you should prepare the speaking modules together with the other three.

Q. Should I prioritise one task over the other in IELTS Writing?

A. Yes, you can. And always give priority to Task 2 as it has double the weightage of Task 1. You need to cover Task 2 in 250 words, which should not take more than 40 minutes. So always take care of these limitations. And don’t forget to allocate some time to proofreading and handling the spelling and grammar issues. Because these aspects carry more marks, it becomes essential to take care of them.

EnglishVista | Free IELTS Test Prep | Learn English

Writing Task 2: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

General information.

Write a formal essay .
Write at least 250 words.
The task is the same for both the General and the Academic Path. However, the topic of the essay question in the General Path is sometimes more straightforward than in the Academic Path.
Depending on the question, you will need to either provide and justify your opinion, discuss a topic, outline problems and provide possible solutions, or summarise key details.
The ideas you provide should be supported with clear reasons and examples based on your knowledge and experience.
Spend 40 minutes on this task.

Scoring of Writing Task 2

This writing task is worth two-thirds of the total marks for the writing test . There are four areas that you will be marked on in writing task 2, and each area is worth 25% of the overall mark for this task.

Task Response: This gives marks for your ideas, how well you address the topic, and the extent to which you develop ideas and form a conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion: This gives marks for the effective use of paragraphs, linking paragraphs and ideas, and referencing.
Lexical Resource: This gives marks for the range of vocabulary used, the inclusion of collocations, and accurate spelling.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This gives marks for the use of varied sentence structures, accurate tense, and accurate punctuation.

Structure of the Essay

The essay for task 2 must be 4-5 paragraphs long to show enough skill and evidence to score well for coherence and cohesion. The structure we suggest includes:

Introduction
Body 3 (optional)

Linking Words for Coherence and Cohesion

A quarter of your overall score depends on your ability to show cohesion across the essay. Linking words will help you to do this. The words in the table below provide a range of linking words with different functions for you to use in the task 2 essay.

If you use the first 5 minutes for planning, you will have 35 minutes to complete the writing task. I recommend using approximately 30 minutes of this time to write your essay and the remaining 5 minutes to check your work.

During this time, look specifically for spelling mistakes, misused words, grammatical errors, and punctuation mistakes.

Top Tips for Writing an Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

You must explore both sides of the issue – the advantages (the positives) and the disadvantages (the drawbacks).
Separate your arguments; one main body paragraph should focus on the advantages, and a separate main body paragraph should focus on the negatives.
Be sure to give clear points to support your arguments

Planning for the Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

You must take the time to plan for writing task 2. You will already have completed two full tests and writing task 1. Your brain is likely to be fatigued at this point, so you need to take a few minutes to ensure you respond correctly to the task, generate some ideas, and sequence the essay logically.

The plan does not need to be complicated. I recommend spending up to 5 minutes on this. You can use space on the question paper to write the plan.

The plan used for an advantages and disadvantages essay requires four paragraphs only; the introduction, main body paragraph (advantages), main body paragraph (disadvantages), and conclusion. We suggest the following format:

Sample Question: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

As China grows in size and economic stature, many people think that Mandarin will one day take over as the only language spoken in the world.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having one world language?

Model Plan: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Model answer: solutions essay.

Many people think that as China becomes an increasingly powerful nation, and Mandarin becomes the predominant language for business activities in the world, other world languages may, one day, cease to exist. Having just one language spoken globally would certainly simplify communication across the globe, but there are some definite disadvantages of this happening.

On the one hand, a world with a single language would certainly simplify communication between people of different nations. It is evident that this would increase global connections and open doors for people to travel more confidently and comfortably globally. In addition, the ability of countries to communicate directly with one another would also be advantageous. Many conflicts exist between countries, and can often be caused by misunderstandings or poor relationships. With all countries speaking the same language, issues can be discussed and resolved face-to-face by world leaders.

On the other hand, there are some clear disadvantages to the use of just one global language. Firstly, there is the risk of countries losing their unique culture and identity. Language is a key component of cultural identity and, by taking it away, countries could lose their individuality. In this case, if all countries became too similar, there would be less desire for people to travel and the tourism industry could collapse. Furthermore, the range of languages spoken across the world has developed over hundreds of thousands of years. Specifying that just one language should be spoken globally eliminates an essential part of world history – the development of language in cultures around the world.

Overall, it is clear that, while there are substantial advantages to having a single world language, the risk of losing cultural identity outweighs this. Ensuring the continued individuality of nations is paramount to maintaining a rich world heritage for years to come.

Key Words and Phrases for the Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Many people think that
Some people say that
there are clear advantages/disadvantages
On the one hand…
It is evident that…
In addition, …
On the other hand…
there is the risk of
Furthermore, …
it is clear that

Practice Test: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Many people are becoming vegans and are eating fewer or no animal products.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Practice Test: Model Plan

practice test: model advantages and disadvantages essay.

As plant-based diets become increasingly popular, people are consuming fewer animal products than ever before. While this has been proven to have numerous health benefits, there are also some clear disadvantages to this.

On the one hand, plant-based diets are scientifically proven to be beneficial to human health. Many scientists and doctors talk of its positive impact on the wellbeing of the human body, and there are stories of patients with life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, overcoming these through eliminating animal products from their diet. In addition, consuming less meat also helps the environment. Meat from countries such as the UK, Australia and the USA has often flown thousands of miles around the globe to reach consumers. However, plant-based products can be more locally sourced, reducing the carbon footprint of the food we consume.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to the elimination of meat and other animal products from our diet. Firstly, it is challenging to obtain high levels of protein with little or no meat consumption. The human body requires a higher intake of protein for weight management and to build muscle and meat is naturally very high in protein, while vegetable products are low. Furthermore, a reduction in the demand for meat products will put a significant strain on farmers whose livelihoods rely on the purchase of such products. A continued decline in this demand could put many farmers out of work.

Overall, it is clear that, while there are disadvantages to less consumption of animal products, the advantages outweigh these. The benefits to the health of humans and the environment are key factors for moving towards a vegan diet. Rather than being forced out of work, farmers should focus on the growth and harvesting of the plant-based products that are becoming increasingly high in demand.

Advantages and disadvantages essay IELTS | 5 tips for perfection!

Do you have to take the ielts are you dreading the essay section if yes, we’re pretty sure you’re not the only one the advantages and disadvantages essay ielts can be a little complex. keep reading for the best tips to ace it, table of contents, advantages and disadvantages essay ielts | an introduction, introduction, body paragraphs, 1. start with a robust introductory paragraph, 2. plan your answer, 3. use specific details to support your points, 4. structured writing, 5. avoid repetition of words and phrases, key takeaways.

The advantages and disadvantages essay IELTS requires you to discuss the positive and negative aspects of a specific issue and express your viewpoint. This article talks about this type of essay question in more detail.

Structure of advantages and disadvantage essay IELTS

The structure of an advantage and disadvantage essay is as follows-

Advantages and disadvantages essay IELTS

The introduction should contain an attention-grabbing statement that can be used as the first sentence of your essay. The introduction should also have a clear purpose statement , which tells the reader what you will discuss in your writing.

The body paragraphs should each focus on one idea from your topic sentence and explain it in more detail. Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence, followed by 3-4 supporting details (which could be reasons or examples), and then conclude with a summary sentence.

The conclusion should summarize what you have said in your essay and restate its main points. It should not include any extra information not covered in the body paragraphs.

Tips for attempting advantages and disadvantages essay IELTS

When you are asked to write an essay on the topic of advantages and disadvantages, you need to consider both the positive and negative aspects and ensure that your argument is balanced. Here are seven tips you can use to do so:

You need to ensure your introductory paragraph grabs the examiner’s attention and gives them enough information about the topic and its context so they can understand your opinion. This can be hard for many people because it means you have to take control of the essay from the beginning. However, it’s worth spending time on this part if you want to score well .

Plan your answer before you attempt to answer the question, as this can help you organize your points. If there are more than two points, it’s best to organize them into headings. These headings will make it easier for your examiner to understand your points and follow your argument. Furthermore, you must ensure that each paragraph talks about only one idea or opinion, along with an example.

The examiner will look for details supporting both sides of the argument. For example, suppose you are discussing whether or not people should have pets. In that case, you could mention that people often enjoy having animals around because they provide companionship. Still, at the same time, there are disadvantages as well because they can cause problems such as allergies.

Advantages and disadvantages essay IELTS | 5 tips for perfection!

IELTS essay is like a good story. It has to have a beginning, middle, and end. The introduction should be short but make the reader want to read more. The body of your essay should be well-structured, with clear points and examples. The conclusion should sum up what has been said in the body of your essay and leave the reader with a positive feeling about it.

Make sure whatever you write is structured. Write clearly and concisely – avoid long sentences and complex words. Use simple language that your examiner will understand.

This is one of the most common errors people make when writing IELTS essays . They tend to repeat words and phrases such as ”firstly”, ”in other words”, ”in conclusion” etc., which can make their writing sound repetitive.

Avoid repetition of words and phrases like “the first point” or “the second point” – instead, use more specific language such as “the first advantage” or “the second disadvantage.” This will make your essay sound more natural when read out loud.

In this type of essay, you have to write about the advantages and disadvantages. You should not just list things; instead, you need to explain the reasons for both sides of the issue.
You should write about the topic in the direction required in the question. Your essay will be assessed in terms of your ability to use language correctly, fluently, and coherently to express yourself clearly and appropriately.
You will be asked to use language that is appropriate to the topic, as well as being grammatically correct, well structured, and coherent.
Wrapping it up, the advantages and Disadvantages essay is a common task you will encounter in the IELTS Academic Writing Test.
This type of essay question requires you to compare and contrast two things, such as two methods, two points of view, two products or services, etc.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries or assistance with IELTS preparation , reach out to us or drop a comment below!

Like this blog? Read: IELTS speaking topics 2021 | Score 8+ using these 5 answering tips

Q1. What is an advantage and disadvantage essay?

Answer- An advantage and disadvantage essay is an essay where you write about the pros and cons of something.

Q2. How do you write advantages outweigh disadvantages essay in IELTS?

Answer- Writing advantages outweigh disadvantages essay in IELTS is about showing that you understand the topic and can provide insightful observations about it.

Q3. How do you explain the advantages and disadvantages?

Answer- Advantages are the benefits that you get from something, while disadvantages are the drawbacks or downsides. For example, if you’re considering buying a car, the advantages might be that it’s cheap to buy and maintain, but the disadvantages might be that it breaks down often and is uncomfortable to drive.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4.5 / 5. Vote count: 2

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

People also liked

IELTS success| Tips to master each section

Importance of IELTS grammar | Tips and tricks

TOEFL and IELTS | Role of contextual & academic words

Simulated tests | Opportunity to overcome challenges

TOEFL, IELTS, & GRE exam structure | Key differences 2024!

Ace the GMAT exam | Navigate quant & verbal difficulties!

Start your journey with iSchoolPrep

Need help with your Test Preparations? Contact Us for more details

Inquire Now

Get e-books, expert guidance, live classes and more....

The Classroom | Empowering Students in Their College Journey

How to Write an Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Why Write An Advantages and Disadvantages Essay?

Tips for writing an advantage and disadvantage essay:, how to write an advantages and disadvantages essay:, why this essay is important:, the ielts exam:, other ways to say "advantages and disadvantages", what you will be evaluated on.

There are many different types of essays that students will be expected to write throughout their academic career. The same goes for students that are learning English as a second language or foreign language.

Teachers assign certain essays to students because they feel it gives the student a chance to practice their writing skills to the fullest, while it gives teachers a great medium through which they can evaluate their students' learning.

Out of all the different essays that are possible for a teacher to assign, one that serves both native English speakers and English learners well is an advantages and disadvantages essay .

With this essay writing process there can be advantages to essay writing and disadvantages of essay writing for different levels of writers with different experience and knowledge on the whole process.

Advantages of Essay Writing:

While essay writing can have its difficulties, it also shows certain advantages to the writer. Here are some possible advantages of essay writing:

It allows for critical thinking
It pushed writers to make different arguments
Writers learn to observe different perspectives and topic points

Disadvantages of Essay Writing:

Essay writing can also be a daunting task. Here are some possible disadvantages of essay writing:

Writers need to have a clear organizational plan
Structure and placement are essential to the flow of the essay's points and topics
Writers will need to have a clear conclusion and thesis statement outlining the entire essay's topics and thoughts

1. Understand an Advantage and Disadvantage

Before you can write an advantages and disadvantages essay, you must first understand what these two words mean.

Native English speakers are likely already familiar with these definitions, however, students in primary school may need some explanation.
Your teacher should explain what an advantage is and what a disadvantage is by giving an example that's age-appropriate and level-appropriate.

For example:

Younger students may understand an example like, "An advantage of doing my homework when I get home from school is that I have the entire evening to play. A disadvantage is that I cannot watch my favorite show as soon as I get home from school."

After this, the teacher can give less explicit examples and see if students can come up with some ideas on their own.

College students should already have experience with this kind of essay and they will, therefore, get a much more complicated question that requires research, planning and thought.

In addition to this, English learners who are university students should also be given an example by their teacher that's appropriate for their age and level.

For instance:

International students might respond well to something like "What's an advantage and disadvantage of studying abroad during college?"

It's also a good idea to look up synonyms of "advantages and disadvantages" to have the best understanding of the term possible.

"Pros and cons" is quite similar and might be easier for some students to digest since it's a term they've most likely heard before.

2. Think About Advantages and Disadvantages in Your Own Life

A great exercise to help you prepare yourself for writing an advantages and disadvantages essay is to think about your own experiences with the topic.

Think of a time you wanted to make a decision about something, but you had voices in your head telling you to do the opposite.
Or you had a discussion with your parents and they were trying to convince you to do things differently.
Whatever it was, there's a chance that you had to write your own version of an advantages and disadvantages essay in your mind, without even realizing it.
This will not only help you to get in the right mindset for writing this essay, but it will maybe even inspire you to choose a topic that you've already had personal experience with.
Of course, anything you've had personal experience with is a good place to start.

3. Choose a Topic

If you weren't able to think of any intriguing topics to write about in your walk down memory lane, you'll have to look elsewhere to find something else to base your essay on.

There are tons of places you can go online
You can take the time to visit the library to find ideas about advantages and disadvantages topics
You can also talk to your family and friends to see if they have any ideas that are worth writing about
It will also, of course, be easier to write your essay overall.

That being said, there will also be instances in which you won't be able to choose your topic.

Advantages and disadvantages writing prompts are very common on English exams.
This has both its own advantages and disadvantages to it.
An advantage is that you don't have to think of a topic yourself.
But a disadvantage is that if you're not familiar with the topic given or you're unsure about what it's asking, it can be difficult to write a strong advantages and disadvantages essay that will get you the points you need on the test.

3.1 List of Example Topics

Unless you're given the topic directly on your test, you will otherwise have to think of your own topic, especially if it's just for a regular assignment. Luckily, there are many topic examples out there you can use to help you get started, or that will at least help you find inspiration for a similar topic:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using technology in the classroom?
Many people are able to work online and can, therefore, live anywhere. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a home instead of renting one?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a car?
E-readers have become extremely popular in recent years. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Many products you use are imported from other countries. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Today, recent graduates are choosing to live at home. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

4. Brainstorm Advantages vs. Disadvantages

Once you've decided on a topic that intrigues you, or you know what topic you're being assigned on your exam, it's time to get down the meat of the essay, which is the actual advantages and disadvantages you'll need to write about.

The best and easiest way to do this is by simply folding a paper in half vertically, or creating a box with two side-by-side sections.
Label one as "advantages" and the other as "disadvantages" and write all the ideas that come to mind beneath each section.
You should then add some details and examples under each idea, and ideally, you should decide on which advantages and disadvantages are the most crucial to your argument.

5. Choose a Side

Although an advantages and disadvantages essay should be rather unbiased, it's okay to be leaning toward one side more so than the other.

This will help you to gain more perspective when writing your essay, and also leave the reader with your own thoughts in your conclusion.
However, sometimes your teacher will request that you completely leave your own opinions out of the essay.
Therefore, just be sure of what's required on the assignment because every teacher and every class is different.

The next thing you will need to do is outline your essay and eventually write it.

What will need to be included in your essay will be different depending on your level.
For instance, young students may only be required to have two body paragraphs, whereas college students will be required to have more than that unless it's a short answer response.
Nevertheless, there is ultimately a widely accepted standard when it comes to writing an advantages and disadvantages essay:
Introduction: Paraphrase the question/topic and briefly mention some of the advantages and disadvantages you will discuss in the paper.
Body Paragraph One: Introduce the main advantage. Give supporting details and examples.
Body Paragraph Two: Introduce the main disadvantage. Give supporting details and examples.
Conclusion: Re-iterate the topic question. Summarize the main points and if applicable, say whether you think there are more advantages or disadvantages.

For your outline, you can create headlines and write what you plan on saying beneath each one.

If you have to write more body paragraphs, do the same.
When it comes time to write the essay, drag your points from your outline to your paper, and make sure you use transitions in order to connect each point together.

Knowing how to write an advantages and disadvantages essay is part of perfecting your skills in English proficiency.

People need to understand how to think about the advantages and disadvantages of the choices they make in life every day.
Learning how to write an essay like this will help you feel calmer when making important decisions.
This type of work is one of the best ways to really practice writing a solid essay
This will help you out in your future when your assignments are more difficult

For students studying English as an international language, at some point, it's very likely that you'll have to take the IELTS exam.

The IELTS exam, or the International English Language Testing System exam, is required for people of non-English speaking countries that want to study or work in a country where English is the main language for communication.

For Instance:

A student who's from a country where English is not the native language will have to pass this test in order to get accepted into a U.K. university or universities in other English-speaking countries that require the same test.

Although you'll be writing an advantages and disadvantages essay, you'll want to try and find other vocabulary words to describe this.

There are plenty of other ways to say "advantages and disadvantages," and it's a good idea if you can use these other terms as much as possible in your essay in order to add some variety:

Pros and cons
Benefits and drawbacks
Nice parts and not-so-nice parts
Good and bad aspects
Pluses and Minuses
This outweighs this

Hopefully, you had no problem with writing your advantages and disadvantages essay, and you won't be too worried as you wait for your grade.

This in itself is a major advantage of essay writing because you can get feedback on how you're progressing as a student.
Teachers will have different criteria for grading different students, and this all depends on a lot of different factors.
For instance, English language learners will be graded on their use of vocabulary, their grammatical accuracy and the coherence and cohesion between the paragraphs.
Therefore, it's a good idea to brush up on these things and ask your teacher if you need any clarification on any aspect of the essay.

If you aren't an English language learner, then there are many different reasons you'd be required to write an advantages and disadvantages essay.

Because of this, your evaluation will be unique in many ways, too.
In the case of younger students who are just learning how to exercise their writing muscles, teachers may grade a bit more generously, but will really be checking for how well the students have followed directions, made their points and worked their way through the writing process.
It's also important to keep in mind that while most advantages and disadvantages essays can be written based on experience and common knowledge, college students may really have to do some research to support the content in their essay.

How to Start a Critique Paper

10 Good Transitions for a Conclusion Paragraph

How to Choose Titles for Literature Reviews

How to Write a Fifth-Grade Essay

Simple Topics for Research Papers

How to Make a Portfolio for School

How to Write a Chapter Summary Template

How to Write an Anecdotal Essay

IELTS Advantage: IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Lesson
IELTS Buddy: IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Lesson
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages
Why is essay writing very useful for students?

I am a current senior studying at the University of Missouri - Columbia with a major in Journalism and a minor in Sociology. I have interests in photojournalism, documentary journalism and design fields.

Register for IELTS

Ielts writing task – advantage and disadvantage essay.

One of the essential components of the IELTS Writing module is tackling the advantages and disadvantages of essay questions. These types of essays require you to analyse the pros and cons of a particular subject, providing a balanced argument while showcasing your language proficiency.

To help you excel in this task, we have compiled a collection of sample essay questions that explore various topics. Let’s explore the advantage and disadvantages of essays, providing you with valuable insights, useful tips, and sample essay prompts to enhance your IELTS preparation . Whether you're a beginner or an IELTS retake test taker, this guide will assist you in mastering this writing style and achieving success in your exam.

How to approach the advantage versus disadvantage question?

Let's explore an IELTS Task 2 question and analyse how you should approach it.

The rise of international tourism has undeniably brought significant benefits to numerous destinations. However, concerns have also been raised regarding its effects on local communities and the environment. Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages?

The key inquiry here is whether the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages. This question demands a comprehensive discussion of both sides, emphasising which one holds greater weight. Simply stating that "the advantages of international tourism unquestionably surpass the disadvantages" and solely elaborating on the benefits in your response would be insufficient. The reader must gain insights into both perspectives and understand the rationale behind your stance on one side outweighing the other.

Common errors to avoid with this question type:

Solely enumerating the advantages
Solely listing the disadvantages
Presenting both sides without making a conclusive judgment on their relative significance
Failing to express your own opinion

Approach to addressing this question:

Determine your position—do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? (In this case, there are more advantages)
Present the advantages (three points)
Present the disadvantages (two points), reinforcing your decision that the advantages carry greater weight
Restate your position in the conclusion to ensure the reader understands that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks

IELTS sample advantage and disadvantage essay questions

You can easily achieve your desired score by practicing the IELTS sample test. Here are some sample IELTS advantage and disadvantage essay questions:

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in a multicultural society.
Analyse the benefits and drawbacks of using social media platforms for personal and professional purposes.
Examine the positive and negative effects of technology on education.
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of globalization in terms of economic growth and cultural diversity.
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of online shopping for consumers and businesses.
Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources compared to traditional fossil fuels.
Examine the positive and negative impacts of tourism on local communities and the environment.
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of remote work for both employees and employers.
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of genetic engineering in agriculture and its impact on food production.
Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of owning a car versus using public transportation.

10 tips to answer advantage and disadvantage essay questions

When it comes to tackling advantage and disadvantage sample essay questions in the IELTS exam, there are several tips and strategies you can follow to maximise your score. Below are a few essential factors to remember:

1. Understand the question

Read the question carefully and make sure you understand the topic and the specific instructions. Identify the advantages and disadvantages that need to be discussed.

2. Plan your essay

Spend a few minutes brainstorming ideas and organizing your thoughts before you start writing. Create a clear and logical essay structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

3. Introduction

Begin your essay with a concise introduction that provides background information on the topic and presents a clear thesis statement. Provide a clear statement indicating your opinion on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa.

4. Body paragraphs

Dedicate each body paragraph to a specific advantage or disadvantage. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea, followed by supporting details, examples, and explanations. Use cohesive devices such as linking words and phrases to connect your ideas and make your essay flow smoothly.

5. Balanced approach

Even if you believe that the advantages or disadvantages outweigh the other, it's important to present a balanced view. Acknowledge the opposing perspective and provide counterarguments or limitations to your main points. This demonstrates your ability to analyse the topic from multiple angles.

6. Use specific examples

Support your arguments with relevant and specific examples to make your essay more convincing. These examples could be from your personal experience, current events, or general knowledge. Make sure to explain how each example relates to the advantage or disadvantage you are discussing.

7. Vocabulary and grammar

Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures to demonstrate your language proficiency. Avoid repetition and aim for variety in your word choices. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation to ensure your essay is clear and error-free.

8. Conclusion

Summarise the main points of your essay in the conclusion and restate your opinion on whether the advantages or disadvantages are more significant. End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

9. Time management

Manage your time effectively during the exam. Ensure that you dedicate sufficient time to the planning, writing, and reviewing stages of your essay. It's crucial to leave a few minutes at the end to proofread your work and make any necessary corrections.

10. Practice as much as you can

Familiarise yourself with various advantages and disadvantages of essay topics and practice writing essays within the time limits. This will help you develop your skills in analysing the topic, organising your thoughts, and expressing your ideas effectively.

Remember to follow these tips and strategies while adapting them to your personal writing style. Consistent practice and constructive feedback will improve your essay writing abilities and enhance your chances of achieving a high score in the IELTS exam .

Helpful resources

IELTS preparation videos
IELTS preparation guide
Join IELTS webinar Series

Book your IELTS test

Book your IELTS test today

Ielts on computer.

Book IELTS on computer

Related blogs.

List of universities accepting IELTS in the USA

If you're planning to take the IELTS exam this year, you're in the right place. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a globally recognised English language proficiency test.

Minimum IELTS score for Canada student visa

If you're planning to study in Canada as an international student, it's essential to understand the language proficiency requirements for obtaining a study permit.

Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking

Know everything about Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore a wide range of essential vocabulary that will help you excel in the IELTS Speaking test.

Password Changed successfully

How to answer advantages and disadvantages essay questions in writing task 2 IELTS exam
IELTS Writing Task 2

Among different kinds of essay questions asked in the IELTS exam, students commonly come across the “advantages/disadvantages” essay questions. Here, in this article we are going to understand the concept of these essay questions, figure out a way to answer them in a logical manner and understand the intricacies related to them.

Understanding the meaning of Advantage/Disadvantage essay questions

The Advantage/Disadvantage question usually begins with a statement, further seeking your comment on what according to you are the advantages and disadvantages of the same.

There are three different kinds of advantages and disadvantages essay questions that are asked by the examiner in the IELTS exam.

They can look like the following: In order to solve traffic problems, the Government should tax private vehicle owners heavily and use the money to improve public transportation. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution? Do the dangers d erived from the use of chemicals in food production and preservation outweigh the advantages? These days, many people have their own computers and telephones, making it quite easy for them to work from home. Does working from home have more advantages than disadvantages?

The phrases highlighted above are a true representation of the different types of questions that can be categorised under Advantages/Disadvantages questions. Your examiner can ask your opinion about the advantages and disadvantages of certain things in any of the abovementioned ways.

Recognizing that it is indeed an advantages/disadvantages question is the first step to learning how to answer these questions.

Marking criteria

The marketing criteria for all the answers in any writing task in your IELTS exam, including the problem/solution essay will be based on the following four basis:

1. Task response

Your score under this criterion will depend on how well you are in terms of paying attention to the requirements of the question. It will also depend on your skills being relevant in terms of the questions. Going off topic and not making sense will only lead you to a lower score spectrum.

2. Cohesion and coherence

Concisely crafted pieces, written in not more than four paragraphs with a logically central idea is what your examiner is looking for. Your score in this criterion depends on your ability to present your ideas in a structured manner, with the right linking words supporting the body of the written piece and having a central topic flowing in a particular paragraph.

3. Lexical resources and vocabulary

You can score well in this particular section by keeping in mind just three things:

Your ability to use appropriate words
Your ability to use the words in their right collocative manner
And, your ability to spell those words right.

These three tips will go a long way as far as this particular section is concerned.

4. Grammar range and accuracy

Errors must not be made in the most common grammar rules. You must avoid using the wrong tenses and the wrong verbs as much as possible. Also, you must not forget to focus on the sentence structure and syntax, word order in the sentence, as well as the correct punctuation marks.

Each criterion carries a 25% weightage in order to determine your final score for that answer.

Advantage/Disadvantage essay framework

The basic structure of an Advantage/Disadvantage essay answer can be explained with a simple approach. You have to introduce, explain and then close.

Introduction

Start by giving a background statement first. Introduce what you are trying to say throughout the essay and paraphrase the question in this paragraph. You should always end this introductory paragraph with a thesis statement, with the help of such phrases: “This essay discusses…”. This thesis statement will act as a transition statement between the introduction and the body paragraph 1.

Body paragraphs

Once you are through with your introduction, you are now going to jump to the body paragraphs. Your body paragraphs can be divided into two sections, or three (if there is something else you would want to add or simply add the third paragraph due to the requirements of a word limit).

Begin your body paragraph 1 by talking about the first side. Explain why you think whatever you think. Support your explanations with proper examples and illustrations. And then end the first body paragraph with an ending statement. This ending statement will be a transition statement between the first body paragraph and the second one.

The second body paragraph should focus on the second side you want to talk about. Again, start explaining the main point for the second side. If you have discussed advantages or positive aspects in the first body paragraph, discuss the disadvantages or negative effects in this second body paragraph. Support your arguments with valid illustrations and examples. End this paragraph with a closing statement as well.

Conclusion

End your essay with a proper conclusion, beginning with phrases like “ To conclude…” or “To sum up…” . Write briefly about the things you discussed in your body paragraphs. Sum up your arguments in a sentence and end the essay with phrases like “This essay discussed…”.

Planning an advantage/disadvantage essay

It is extremely important that you are planning out your answers in advance when writing down “advantages and disadvantages” essay in your IELTS exam.

1. Analysing the question

Ensure you understand the question first before you begin writing your answers. Understand what the question demands from you. Do not confuse the “Advantage/Disadvantage” essay question with an opinion essay question. The “Advantage/Disadvantage” essay question does not seek your personal belief or opinions to be answered. It only seeks valid and logical statements and facts from you. Do not confuse the two when writing down the answers to this type of an essay question.

Identify the question before you begin writing. The phrases in an “Advantage/Disadvantage” essay questions will be as follows: What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution? Do the dangers … outweigh the advantages? …. have more advantages than disadvantages?

2. Highlighting the keywords

There is no denying the fact that highlighting keywords is one of the most important tasks you can undertake while writing any essay answer. This requires your focus and attention, along with you understanding the art of proofreading. Always proofread your answer before submitting your answer book to the examiner. Once you have proofread everything, ensure you are highlighting all the essential keywords. It gives you an edge over the others.

3. Brainstorming the ideas, structure and explanations

Spare a few minutes, at all times, after you have identified and analysed the question. Map out the structure of your answer, brainstorm your opinions and viewpoints that are needed to be added in your answer, the kind of words you are going to be using and then begin writing.

Writing is a secondary task, what is primary is you brainstorming the points you need to cover. If you do this properly, there is no stopping you from getting into that 7+ band score.

Common mistakes to avoid

No matter where you are at your preparation stage for the upcoming IELTS exam, always ensure you are not making the following mistakes as far as the “Advantage/Disadvantage” essay questions are concerned.

Giving out your opinions

Make sure you are not presenting your personal beliefs as a part of your answer in the “Advantage/Disadvantage” essay answers. Your personal beliefs and opinions form a part of the “Opinion” essay based questions in the IELTS exam and not this answer. You are only required to state facts and statements that have already been proven. Stating your personal beliefs in this essay answer will only land you in the wrong spots with the examiner.

Not supporting your explanations with examples

Ensure you are putting in the right examples at the right places. Most people do not understand the importance of examples and illustrations in an essay. It is imperative that you are supporting your facts and arguments with the right examples. It could be just a simple example, however, it is important that you state it in the right place.

Repeating the same words

Avoid repeating the same word over and over again. Using the same word can put you in a troublesome spot altogether. Try and broaden your vocabulary horizon, and use different synonyms instead of that particular word.

Exceeding the word limit

Try not exceeding your word limit. Usually, the answers are supposed to be answered in about 250 words. However, when required and deemed extremely necessary, try not to go over 280 words. Stick to a healthy word limit of 250-280 words. Sticking to this word limit will spare you a few minutes in the end to proofread your essay again and highlight all the necessary phrases and keywords.

Illogical essay structure

Sparing a few minutes to plan your answer in advance is very important. The lack of planning can lead you to start writing your answer in a haphazard manner and ruin the basic framework of your answer. Think of all the necessary phrases and the structure to be used before you begin writing your essay. Take a breath. Give yourself that one minute, or two and then jump to writing. If you are not planning, you are going to lose grip right in the middle of your essay and forget all the arguments that could have led you to that spot in the 7+ band score.

Follow our YouTube channel “ Unlock IELTS with Richa ” for more such great tips and tricks to crack your upcoming IELTS exam in an easy way. All the best!

Get Free Ebook

Enroll for Free Last Day Strategies

How to write double question essay in IELTS writing task 2

IELTS writing task 2 - To Do Checklist

IELTS Task Response: A Quick Guide to IELTS Writing Marking Criteria Part 1

Grammar Range and Accuracy Marking Criteria in IELTS Writing Section (Writing Task 2)

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Improve Lexical Resource Score in IELTS Writing

Essays: The Mighty Five

UnlockIelts- Designed for Your Success

Unlock your inner potential – How ‘Unlockielts’ makes it happen for you.

'Crushing The Curve': A Study Plan For Spectacular Results In Unlickielts Courses

'UnlockIELTS' Partner Program - Helping Others Meet Their English Language Goals!

Top 10 Myths About Preparing for the ILETS Exam Debunked

'Unlock' Your Score Today - Access Latest Tools and Techniques for Aceing IELTS Exam!

of , how would you rate this course overall, write a public review.

- Richa Raj

IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

Test Information FAQ
Band Scores
IELTS Candidate Success Tips
Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
How to Prepare
Useful Links & Resources
Recommended Books
Writing Task 1
Writing Task 2
Speaking Part 1 Topics
Speaking Part 2 Topics
Speaking Part 3 Topics
100 Essay Questions
On The Day Tips
Top Results
Advanced IELTS

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions

Below is a list of IELTS sample essay questions for advantage / disadvantage essays in writing task 2. These essay types are often taught together with discussion essays but I think it is worth studying them separately to be better prepared.

Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Tips

spend time planning the benefits and drawbacks of the statement given
make sure you have relevant supporting points
put your advantages together in one body paragraph and the same with the disadvantages
follow a safe advantage disadvantage essay model

Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Questions

It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Some people think that it would be better for large companies and industry to move to regional areas outside large urban centers. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

With the rise of e-books comes the decline in paper books. Some people see this as a good step forward while others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

The rise of convenience foods has helped people keep up with the speed of the modern life style. What are the advantages of this trend? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

There seems to be an increasing trend towards assessing students through exams rather than continual assessment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of exams as a form of assessment?

Space exploration costs tax payers an exorbitant amount of money each year. What are the advantages and disadvantage of spending money on space exploration?

Many elderly people are no long looked after by their families but are put in care homes or nursing homes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

It is often considered that change is more beneficial to people than trying to avoid it and have everything remain the same. Do you think the advantages of change outweigh the disadvantages?

Advanced IELTS Lessons & E-books

Recent Lessons

Ielts model essay -two questions essay type, ielts bar chart of age groups 2024, ielts topic: urban planning, ielts listening transcripts: when and how to use them, 2024 ielts speaking part 1 topics, vocabulary for government topic.

Click Below to Learn:

IELTS Test Information

Copyright Notice

Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

Click here: Privacy Policy
Click here: Disclaimer

Return to top of page

Template for Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

In this post, we will explore the template that can be utilized for the Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay. It’s important to emphasize that merely having the template isn’t sufficient to achieve high bands in IELTS. This template serves as a basic structure, covering only 50% of the essay aspect. Generating ideas that meet the cohesion and coherence criteria outlined in the IELTS Band Descriptors is equally vital. Remember, practice is key to perfection. Regular practice will help you cultivate unique and cohesive ideas.

Below, you’ll find explanations for some key writing terminology.

Topic Sentence: A sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in which it occurs.

Practice with Expert IELTS Tutors Online

Apply Code "IELTSXPRESS20" To Get 20% off on IELTS Mock Test

Supporting Sentences: The supporting sentences, also called the body of the paragraph, are used to support, explain, illustrate, or provide evidence for the idea expressed in the topic sentence. Supporting sentences should focus on the following:

They should provide the main supporting points for the paragraph’s main idea (topic sentence)
There are usually 2 – 4 supporting sentences in a paragraph.
They should be arranged in a logical order.
They should NOT begin a new topic or introduce a new idea.

Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay Template

1. Write an introduction to the topic 2. Think of two advantages to the situation and provide clear examples 3. Think of two disadvantages and write about these with good support 4. Write a short conclusion giving your overall opinion

Plan / Structure:

1. Paragraph 1: Introduction 2. Paragraph 2: 1 Advantage with example 3. Paragraph 3: 1 Advantage with example 4. Paragraph 4: 1 Disadvantage with example 5. Paragraph 5: 1 Disadvantage with example 6. Paragraph 6: Conclusion + Your Opinion

Nowadays, (Write a general sentence about the topic) . For many people, (Write an extra sentence to support the first sentence) . However, there are both pros and cons to deciding to do this. In this essay, I will discuss some of the reasons why (reword the topic sentence) and some of the challenges to be overcome.

Let’s begin by looking at the advantages of (topic sentence). One of the main positives of (write the first advantage here). What I mean by this is that (explain the advantage further) . For instance, (give an example related to the advantage) . This can make you (conclude the advantage) .

Secondly, (write the second advantage here) . Take (write what your example is about) for an example. In addition, (write a concluding sentence about the advantage) .

Turning to the other side of the argument, (write the first disadvantage in a sentence). To be more precise, (write some more sentences about the first disadvantage) . Let’s use (write what your example is about) as an example. This often leads to (write a concluding sentence about the disadvantage).

Another issue is that (write the second disadvantage here) . In other words, (write one or two sentences to explain the second disadvantage) . This process takes time and can be especially challenging if (write a concluding sentence about the second disadvantage).

All things considered, (Write a general one-sentence summary of the topic) . You need to weigh up the pros of (write two advantages here which you wrote in the second and third paragraph) , and the cons of (write two disadvantages here which you wrote in the third and fourth paragraph). Personally, I believe the benefits in terms of (write the same 2 advantages using different words) eventually outweigh any negatives. IELTSXpress.com

Model Essay Advantages and Disadvantages

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

These days, more and more people are going to other countries for significant periods of time, either to find a job or to study. There are clearly many benefits to doing this, but people who live abroad can also face some difficulties. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living and working in a foreign country. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Nowadays, taking a here out to live or study abroad is becoming increasingly popular. For many people, especially young adults, the chance to spend an extended period of time overseas is an attractive one. However, there are both pros and cons to deciding to do this. In this essay, I will discuss some of the reasons why moving abroad is so popular and some of the challenges to be overcome.

Let’s begin by looking at the advantages of moving away. One of the main positives of heading overseas is that it broadens your horizons. What I mean by this is that you have the chance to meet people from different cultural backgrounds and learn to cope with foreign customs and food. This can make you more rounded as a person.

Secondly, moving abroad can lead to a better quality of life. Take British people for an example. Thousands of people from the UK move to Spain and Australia every year. These countries have warmer climates and encourage a better work-life balance. In addition, by living Overseas, you can gain qualifications and language skills, which may improve promotion prospects on your return.

Turning to the other side of the argument, culture shock is a major problem. Many people who take a year out find it hard to cope with the language barrier, the food, and general cultural differences. This often leads to homesickness and in some cases a sense of isolation.

Another issue is that it can be difficult to start a new life from scratch. In other words, when you move abroad, you have to make new friends and find your place in the community. This process takes time and can be especially challenging if there is also a language barrier to deal with.

All things considered, starting life in a foreign country is never easy. You need to weigh up the pros of the better lifestyle, weather, and so on, and the cons of culture shock and language barrier. Personally, I believe the benefits in terms of personal growth eventually outweigh any negatives.

Also Check: Gap Year Advantages Disadvantages IELTS Essay

Oh hi there! It’s nice to meet you.

We promise not to spam you or share your Data. 🙂

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Template for Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Oh Hi there! It’s nice to meet you.

We promise not to Spam or Share your Data. 🙂

From Grading to Guidance: Leveraging Paraphrase Tools for Teacher Support

Some Countries Spend a lot of Money to Make Bicycle Usage Easier

Mastering IELTS Academic Task 1: Proven Tips to Boost Your Score

Start typing and press enter to search

Search for Colleges, Exams, Blogs and more.....

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions

6 mins read 219 Views

By Pallika Abrol | Updated On - 2024-02-01 06:33:52

Explore IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay questions and learn valuable tips for approaching the writing task. Get ready to ace the IELTS writing section with this comprehensive guide.

Topics Covered:

Common Errors While Attempting Advantages And Disadvantages IELTS Essay

How to write an advantages and disadvantages ielts essay, sample advantage/disadvantage essay questions.

IELTS exam writing task 2 i.e. an essay is the same for both Academic and General Training. When it comes to IELTS essays, there are 5 different types of essays, and candidates are asked to write an essay worth 250 words. Let’s say in the exam there are advantages and disadvantages ielts essay , it requires you to emphasize on pros and cons as per the topic.

In this blog, check out some of the advantages and disadvantages of essay questions. Let’s understand the approach to attempting IELTS writing section task 2. Stay tuned!

Focus on writing only advantages
Focus on writing only disadvantages
Wring both advantages and disadvantages without making a conclusive judgment on their relative significance.
Not expressing personal opinion.

Candidates must write an essay considering the structure in mind as it can help them get high scores. Check out the structure that a candidate can implement while writing on IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay topics as the questions are vast and each question requires the proper structure to answer all the topics mentioned in the question.

Introduction: The introduction paragraph will consist of a thesis line. In the second line provide a clear statement with your opinion on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa.
1st Paragraph: In the first paragraph write the advantages of the given topic. Finally, in the concluding sentence of the paragraph, you must write an example of the 2nd advantage.
2nd Paragraph: In the first paragraph, write the disadvantages of the given topic. Finally, in the concluding sentence of the paragraph, you must write an example of the 2nd disadvantage.
Conclusion: In the concluding paragraph, the topic summarization is done. Summarise the advantages and disadvantages ielts essay mentioned above in paraphrased words.

Now, there are furthermore 2 different types of advantages and disadvantages essay.

Type 1: What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Type 2: do advantages outweigh disadvantages .

Interested in studying abroad? Our Experts will evaluate your profile for FREE Know More!

Question 1: In some countries, young people are motivated to travel or work for a year between the end of high school and starting their university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages if young people decide to do this.

Question 2: Some parents prefer their children to have a large number of toys to play with. List some of the advantages and disadvantages of the child having many toys.

Question 3: Jobs these days demand vocational skills or specialist knowledge. However, most schools teach academic subjects to students such as history or social studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Question 4: Nowadays, online shopping has become more popular than in-store shopping. Is it a positive or negative development? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Question 5: As per experts children must begin learning a foreign language at primary schools rather than secondary schools. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 6: As people prefer e-books these days which results in the decline of paper books. Some people see it as a positive change while others do not. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

Question 7: Many people argue that restaurants should be required to disclose the nutritional information of the dishes they serve. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 8: People these days work long hours, leaving very little time for leisure activities. Does this situation have more advantages or disadvantages?

Question 9: Nowadays people go out away from their friends and family to find jobs. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 10: In some countries, people started to follow a vegetarian diet. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 11: People nowadays prefer having children at older ages. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 12: A large number of students are going abroad for further studies. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 13: There is an increasing trend of buying products from supermarkets rather than small shops. Discuss both advantages and disadvantages.

Question 14: The advancement of new technologies has changed the way children spend their free time. Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 15: Nowadays, business shifts towards having an open-space design in offices rather than separate rooms for work. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 16: An increasing number of people buy daily needs online. What should be done to motivate people to buy local products? What are the advantages and disadvantages for both individuals and companies to shop online?

Question 17: People are inclined towards consuming ready-made food instead of freshly cooked food. Does this practice have more advantages than disadvantages? Discuss

Question 18: Fewer children these days look after their parents as they get older these days. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 19: Experts say that primary school children should learn how to grow vegetables and keep animals. Do you think that the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 20: Online communication is now more common than face-to-face meetings in workplaces. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 21: Fast food is becoming cheaper and more widely available in many countries. Do the disadvantages of this outweigh the advantages?

Question 22: Schools these days require students to work without pay for companies as part of their internship. Is this more advantageous to students or companies?

Question 23: Buying things online such as clothes, makeup products, air tickets, and groceries is becoming more and more popular. Do the advantages of shopping in this way outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 24: Mobile phones have many advantages, but at the same time have negative effects. Do the disadvantages of having mobile phones outweigh the advantages?

Question 25: In some countries, adults live with their parents after graduating from college or even after finding a job. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 26: Some companies prefer their employees must wear uniforms at all times. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

Question 27: Some people prefer living in a house, while others feel living in an apartment brings more advantages. Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a house as compared to living in an apartment?

Question 28: Married couples are deciding not to have children these days and it has become an increasing trend around the world. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for couples who decide to do this.

The advantages and disadvantages of an IELTS essay will have both pros and cons and you need to clearly describe both sides. Hopefully, by following the IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay topics structure you can achieve your desired scores in IELTS.

Best of luck!

The Edmissions team is here to help you throughout the college application process. Before you submit your application to your desired college or university, it is recommended that you get in touch with a Edmissions specialist by registering on the website edmissions.com .

To learn more about application processing, contact our Edmissions specialists at [email protected] .

For a quick overview related to study abroad, click here

Latest Blog Posts

2024-02-13 17:06:56

440000 Views

CGPA Calculator - How to Convert CGPA to Percentage?

2024-01-23 13:50:52

135636 Views

Spring Intake in USA 2024: Deadline & Universities

2024-01-11 08:28:23

189686 Views

IELTS Speaking Cue Cards Topics & Samples with Answers 2024

Top Study Abroad Exams

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is a necessary and popular enteryway exam that learners must pass in order to be acc.. Red More

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a well-know evaluation for being accepted into MBA programs. Per... Read More

The SAT is a Standardized evaluation that is necessary for enrolling in underaduate cur... Read More

Pearson PLC. developed the globally recognized computer-based standardized language assessment, known as the Pearson Test of English...

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOELF) is an internationally recognized exam designed to evaluated the English language... Read More

What is IELTS Exams? The IELTS, or international English Language Testing System, assesses people's proficiency in ...Read More

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

San Francisco

Birminghame

Palmerston North

Greater Noida

Ras Al Khaimah

Universities

Study Abroad Exams

Search, Shortlist, Apply and get accepted! It’s that Simple to pursue your dream to Study abroad with Edmissions. Our team of experts provide you the right guidance that helps you to take admission in your dream college in countries like Canada, the USA, the UK

TALK TO OUR EXPERTS

256 Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics [2024 Update]

Is globalization a beneficial process? What are the pros and cons of a religious upbringing? Do the drawbacks of immigration outweigh the benefits? These questions can become a foundation for your advantages and disadvantages essay. And we have even more ideas to offer!

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

The picture shows the definition of an advantages and disadvantages essay.

There is nothing complicated about writing this kind of essay. Arguably the hardest part is choosing a topic. This article by our custom-writing team will help you with that. Here, you will find:

great pros and cons essay topics for high school, middle school, and college;
essay prompts and writing tips.
🔝 Top 10 Advantages & Disadvantages Topics
👍 Other Advantages & Disadvantages Topics
⭐ Top 10 Pros & Cons Topics
🆚 Other Pros & Cons Topics
💡 Essay Prompts
✍️ Writing Tips & Outline

🔍 References

🔝 top 10 advantages and disadvantages topics.

Benefits of vaccination. 
Is living abroad worth it? 
Plastic surgery: for and against. 
Vegetarianism: benefits and pitfalls. 
Pros and cons of extreme sports. 
Disadvantages of having tattoos. 
Is a Master’s degree a good investment? 
Negative and positive aspects of animal testing. 
Are motorcycles convenient or dangerous? 
Learning a foreign language: pros and cons.

👍 List of Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics

Here’s a list of topics that touch on subjects such as education, work, traveling, living conditions, family, politics, technology, and more.

Advantages and disadvantages of computers . You can probably think of many positive aspects of using computers. They make communication easier, they can be helpful for your studies, and you get access to a wealth of information. Yet, if you think about it, you will find plenty of disadvantages. For example, computers can break down, or they may be hacked or infected.
Write about the advantages and disadvantages of the New Year’s Day celebration. New Year’s Day is primarily associated with family gatherings and new beginnings. However, preparation for the party often requires too much effort. Moreover, celebrating all night can have problematic consequences for one’s health.
Write all arguments for and against Christmas celebrations. During the Christmas holidays, we celebrate family traditions and hold fun meetings. All this is accompanied by delicious food and gift sharing. But sometimes, these events bring no joy. The expenses are too high, and dinner preparation is energy-consuming.
Advantages and disadvantages of couch surfing. Staying for free at places registered online is becoming increasingly popular among travelers. New friends and authentic communication are additional benefits of couch surfing. However, they don’t guarantee safety and comfort.
What are the pleasant and unpleasant aspects of gift exchange? Gifts are a crucial part of celebrations such as birthdays or wedding anniversaries. Most people enjoy receiving presents, but not everyone enjoys looking for them. The difficulties of choosing a gift can spoil the holiday mood.
Pros and cons of buying an artificial Christmas tree. A beautiful Christmas tree decorated with lights instantly creates the holiday atmosphere. If you have an artificial tree, you don’t need to get a new one each year. However, a real Christmas tree is unique and has a pleasant odor.
What are the pros and cons of school uniforms ? Standard uniforms can save students time while dressing up in the morning. Moreover, it prevents clothes-related bullying and contributes to the discipline necessary for studying. However, such standards impose certain restrictions on children’s individuality.
Is an official dress code at work a benefit or an obstacle? Almost every company and organization has its requirements for the employees’ appearance. On the one hand, a dress code disciplines workers and demonstrates the company’s seriousness. On the other hand, employees can resist suppressing their self-expression.
Keeping an online blog : for and against. The Internet provides people with colossal opportunities for finding new hobbies and occupations. For example, everyone can become a blogger: all you need to do is choose a topic and a platform. However, unflattering comments, lack of interest, or extreme popularity can become a serious problem for a blogger.
A hitchhiking journey: an enjoyable adventure or a dangerous undertaking? Hitchhiking can be a budget option for travelers. This way, people can learn more about the place they’re traveling to and make friends. However, some drivers can turn out to be dangerous.
What are the strengths and shortcomings of intellectual property rights ? Valuable and original ideas are essential to the success of a person or a company. Intellectual property rights protect data from being stolen by competitors. Opponents of such measures believe that nobody should own ideas and that the information sphere is too vulnerable to manipulations.
Describe the pros and cons of learning a language with a native speaker. Modern technologies make it possible to communicate with people from all around the world. This ability provides additional opportunities to learn a foreign language with native speakers. A potential downside is the difficulty of finding good teachers or understanding their accents.
Talk about the benefits and disadvantages of alternative voting methods. Voting by mail or online is convenient for those who find it challenging to come to polling stations. Moreover, this way, people can save time. Nevertheless, the reliability of such methods is still in question.
Being successful: what are the benefits and pitfalls? Achieving success is the goal of millions of people. It is usually associated with wealth and happiness, but there is also the other side. Successful people often feel more pressure and responsibility and make sacrifices.
For and against family businesses . Perfect mutual understanding is what people typically expect from a family business. However, this description is more of an idea rather than a reality.
Being creative: a gift or a curse? Society admires inspiring and mysterious artists. The creative process seems to be an easy activity, but some artists may disagree with this statement. Creativity crisis, procrastination, and lack of understanding from the public are only a few of the shortcomings they have to face.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of managing your own business. In search of professional freedom, some people start a business. This way, they can have complete control and be their own boss. At the same time, entrepreneurship requires talent and significant effort. Moreover, some businesses may turn out to be unprofitable.
What are the possible advantages and drawbacks of being a professional athlete? Sport allows people to discover the hidden capabilities of their bodies. Such activities make them stronger and more disciplined, but doing sports full-time requires many sacrifices. Professional athletes endure significant stress and injuries, so this lifestyle is not for everyone.
Is having young parents a benefit or an obstacle?
Advantages and disadvantages of being married
For and against working part-time after school
What are the pros and cons of writing essays?
Positive and negative aspects of returning to school as an adult
Is it better to be living in a small town or a big city ?
The benefits and shortcomings of living in a large country
Do the positive aspects of living in the countryside outweigh the negative ones?
Is working on a rotational basis beneficial or harmful?
Is it better to be working remotely or in an office?
Is working with the help of technology beneficial or risky?
Advantages and drawbacks of physical labor
Working with customers: perks and shortcomings
What are the beneficial aspects of working with animals?
Pros and cons of working with children
Is making your hobby into a job profitable or disadvantageous?
What are the pros and cons of changing jobs?
Quitting a job or being fired: which option is better?
Working in a multilingual setting: benefits and drawbacks
Is having a job that requires a lot of traveling exciting or challenging?
Choosing to pursue a creative profession: pros and cons
Is hiring older or younger employees more beneficial?
Privately-owned companies : benefits and pitfalls
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working for the government?
Business competition vs. monopoly
What is better: owning a business with other people or partnership business models?
Owning a car vs. other modes of transportation
What are the benefits and shortcomings of using public transportation ?
Is being self-employed better than working for somebody else?
Describe the pros and cons of knowing or learning multiple languages
Choosing to pursue a technical profession : for and against
What are the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a humanitarian career?
Is receiving an education online a waste of time or a good investment?
Perks and disadvantages of studying on Saturdays
What are the pros and cons of reducing the length of the summer vacation?
Completing online courses , classes, or training: arguments for and against
Learning foreign languages online vs. in class
What is more effective: private tutoring or group learning?
Open group discussions during class: for and against
Is it more beneficial to work in groups or alone?
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of studying with textbooks
What are the pros and cons of learning with interactive media?
Using traditional vs. new methods of teaching
Is taking tests better than answering questions in a free form?
Advantages and disadvantages of using exams as a primary source of knowledge assessment
Giving students different tasks according to their grades: pros and cons
Is separating students according to their behavior and performance efficient or harmful?
Strengths and weaknesses of using  multilingual online dictionaries
Extracurricular activities: pros and cons
Studying and having a part-time job : benefits and obstacles
Going to a university in your town vs. moving to another town
Is living in a dormitory preferable to living at home while studying in college?
Entering a fraternity or a sorority during college years: arguments for and against
Living with parents vs. living separately from them
Is living alone burdensome or delightful?
What are the obstacles and benefits of having a long-distance relationship?
Having friends that live abroad or in other cities: advantages and disadvantages
Being in a relationship vs. being single
Pros and cons of early marriages
Visiting the most popular places for tourists: for and against
What hardships and benefits come with living in the most visited places in the world?
What positive and negative outcomes do countries and cities that encourage tourism face?
Pros and cons of visiting unexplored places
Is it better to travel on your own or with friends?
Having a tour guide vs. traveling without anyone’s help
Traveling by car: advantages and disadvantages
What is better: hiking alone or with other people?
Short vs. long hiking trips
Is it better to be tall or short?
Being a foreigner in a country where you live: benefits and pitfalls
Listening to music at home vs. live
Watching movies at home vs. seeing them in theaters
Is it better to have children early or later in life?
Being the only child: advantages and disadvantages
Perks and drawbacks of having siblings
Being the oldest vs. the youngest sibling
Describe the pros and cons of sharing items with other people
Is it better to be living together or apart while being in a relationship ?
Living in a small apartment: pros and cons
What are the arguments for and against living in a big house?
Renting or purchasing a house vs. an apartment
What are the pros and cons of having a small pet?
Living in the city center vs. the suburbs
What benefits and pitfalls come with having a diverse cultural background ?
Is being a famous actor or musician a positive or negative experience?
Being a leader or taking up a position of leadership : positive and negative sides
Going to a private school vs. a public school
Is it better to have a big or small family?
Having many friends vs. having few friends
What is more efficient: being a night owl or an early riser?
Is waking up early more burdensome than waking up late?
What are the dangers and benefits of dieting ?
Does fast food have any advantages?
Arguments for and against cooking at home
Bringing food to work or school vs. eating at a cafeteria
Positive and negative outcomes of regular physical activity
Rapid technological progress: arguments for and against
Is it preferable to live in a cold or hot climate?
Living close to the water (river, lake, sea, or ocean): pros and cons
What are the positive and negative aspects of countries that have rainy or windy weather?
Is direct democracy more efficient than representative democracy?
Pros and cons of various types of government ( democracy , autocracy, monarchy)

The picture shows a quote by W. Clement Stone.

⭐ Top 10 Pros and Cons Essay Topics

Advantages of ecotourism
Pros and cons of facial fillers
Instant foods: good or bad?
Is international marriage worth it?
Classroom debates: pros and cons
Student loans: benefits and pitfalls
Working with friends: for and against
Drawbacks of having a double major
Arguments for and against quitting social media
Is working abroad a good or bad experience?

🆚 Pros and Cons Topics for Essays

Write about the advantages and disadvantages of the United Nations . The UN is a well-known international organization. Its activities aim to support human rights, establish friendly relations between countries, and promote peace. These goals are admirable, but is the organization effective enough in achieving them?
Is consuming sugar beneficial or harmful? Recently, the media started promoting the idea that sugar is the leading cause of many diseases. On the one hand, we are discouraged from consuming it. On the other hand, carbons are necessary for the human body to receive essential microelements, such as glucose.
Pros and cons of using Wikipedia . Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia. It’s a popular source of information on countless subjects, from cosmology to literature. It often reveals various aspects of a topic that are interesting to the reader. However, since anyone can edit it, you can never be sure of the information’s accuracy.
Benefits and drawbacks of living in a multicultural society. Society is becoming more diverse, and immigration is commonplace. Moreover, freedom of choice allows people to adhere to any traditions that are attractive to them. Such conditions help us develop multifaceted humanity but can potentially lead to conflicts.
Write about the pros and cons of urbanization . In cities, the population is continuously growing, while in rural areas, it decreases. In a metropolis, people have a greater choice for their activities, and their social circle is wider. However, urbanization leads to overpopulation and an increase in stress levels.
What are the pros and cons of online therapy? Therapy can be a powerful source of motivation and emotional balance. Some people may find it challenging to visit mental health specialists, which makes online consultations a practical option. However, insufficient understanding of facial expressions or faulty Internet connection are some of the obstacles to using this format.
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of business investments . Investing is a popular way to receive additional passive income. Such activities don’t require too much effort and can be very promising. However, they also have disadvantages, including high risks and the need to have significant starting capital.
Arguments for and against watching TV shows. Watching TV shows is a trendy pastime. A good plot and interesting characters can be great entertainment. However, some TV shows take too much time to watch, and some plot twists can be disappointing.
Discuss the pros and cons of freelanc ing. The advantages include an opportunity to decide where and when to work and choose the tasks. At the same time, a freelancer needs to communicate more with customers, and the income can be uneven.
The ubiquitous use of surveillance cameras: guaranteed security or loss of privacy? We can see security cameras everywhere, including stores, banks, and houses. They are designed to contribute to our security. However, many believe that in this way, people are losing privacy. Moreover, surveillance technology is quite expensive, and its effectiveness is doubtful.
Advantages and disadvantages of an authoritarian teaching style . Representatives of the teaching profession often choose a specific model of behavior. For example, an authoritarian teacher is good at motivating and disciplining students. At the same time, this behavioral model can discourage children and cause resistance.
What are the pros and cons of clinical trials? Clinical trials are created to prove the effectiveness of a specific cure. Patients can get unique medical treatment, which may help other patients in the future. Trials are also associated with risks since unexpected side effects are possible.
Kindergartens : beneficial social interaction or stress for a child? Preschool is the first step in education for children. In kindergartens, kids form social skills and acquire basic knowledge. Nevertheless, some parents doubt whether it is worth it.
Write about the advantages and disadvantages of referendums. Referendums can be used to solve political problems. They help governments understand the public’s attitude towards possible changes. However, the conduct of a referendum can be subject to manipulation.
For and against women’s military service . Gender equality is becoming a part of various spheres of activity. However, in some fields, transformations are occurring slower. Women have already demonstrated their ability to be soldiers and continue to do so. Nevertheless, some army units still question their effectiveness.
Gun ownership : advantages and disadvantages. The issue of weapons ownership causes serious disputes between politicians. Those who advocate for this idea are sure that people need protection. The opponents of gun ownership believe that gun-related accidents need to be prevented.
Pros and cons of being optimistic . People who are positive worry less and achieve their goals easily. But optimism can also be an obstacle. For instance, an optimist can underestimate a threat and fail to take cautionary measures.
What are the pros and cons of being selfish? Selfishness is often perceived negatively in society. Individuals who are showing this quality risk becoming outcasts. However, people may misunderstand selfishness because it sometimes manifests as self-care.
Benefits of different societal classes
Market economy vs. free market
Outline the advantages and disadvantages of a planned economy
Pros and cons of party systems : one, two, or multiple parties?
Different  voting systems  (choice voting, Electoral College): which one is more efficient?
Different economic systems (capitalism, socialism, and mixed economy)
Is having a  parliament a benefit or an obstacle?
Pros and cons of advertising  and its  different mediums
Having a laptop vs. having a desktop computer
Is the development of artificial intelligence (AI) beneficial or harmful?
Cloning  and genetic modifications: dangers and advantages
What are the pros and cons of using old research for new studies?
Is scientific advancement in medicine beneficial or dangerous?
The growing use of the  Internet of Things  (IoT) in people’s daily lives: pros and cons
Storing files in the cloud vs. on physical storage devices
Is having one full-time job more efficient than multiple part-time jobs?
Networking to build more connections: pros and cons
Advantages and disadvantages of volunteering
Having a fixed vs. a flexible schedule
Being a vegetarian  or  vegan  vs. eating everything
What are the strengths and weaknesses of having multiple jobs?
Are hot or cold climates more beneficial for farmers?
Choosing to pursue a rare profession: benefits and pitfalls
What are the possible benefits and obstacles of pursuing a trendy job?
Technical advancement in society: a threat or a welcome change?
Arguments for and against pursuing extreme sports as a hobby
Going to a music festival: an unforgettable experience or a nightmare?
Pros and cons of having access to the Internet
Are Internet regulations a safety measure or an infringement of rights?
The positive and negative  effects of globalization
What are the advantages and downsides of popular culture ?
Are stereotypes productive in any way?
Positive and negative outcomes of the rising population on the planet
The increasing lifespan of people: pros and cons
The ability to obtain a driver’s license at sixteen vs. eighteen years old
The right to work without parents’ permission at sixteen years old: pros and cons
Dangers and possible advantages of global warming  
Space travel and exploration: a good idea or waste of money?
Arguments for and against television
Is open access to books and movies beneficial or damaging?
Is oral communication better than written communication?
Nonverbal communication : positive and negative sides
What are the positive and negative aspects of Facebook  (and other social platforms)?
Is online dating dangerous or advantageous?
Having a pen pal: advantages and disadvantages
What is more efficient: using digital or film cameras?
Arguments for and against using email as the primary source of conversation
Is calling better than  texting ?
Describe the pros and cons of online communication
Is being open and active on social media dangerous or profitable?
Pros and cons of different sources of power (gas, oil, wind, solar, nuclear, and others)
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy
Recycling  and upcycling: benefits and pitfalls
Pros and cons of organic materials and products
Plastic and other synthetic materials : life saver or toxic waste?
Possible benefits and obstacles of using  credit cards
Arguments for and against different types of  financial aid
What are the advantages and downsides of having  health insurance ?
Life insurance : advantages and disadvantages
Free health care: a longer life expectancy or more logistical challenges?
Would a free introductory course in higher education improve academic performance or worsen it?
Describe the pros and cons of taxes
Is demonetization a success or failure?
Arguments for and against vaccines
Are plastic surgeries ethical or not?
Shopping online vs. in brick-and-mortar stores
What is more convenient: reading paper books or electronic books?
Using DVDs vs. streaming platforms for watching movies
What are the benefits and obstacles of buying music online?
Storing medical records and other important information online: pros and cons
Is online banking safe or not?
Possible risks and benefits of making investments
Video games  and online games: good pastime or waste of time?
Making movies based on source materials in other media: pros and cons
Getting news from online sources vs. reading  print media
Hourly wages and salaries: what is more beneficial?
Can having a competitive working environment improve or decrease productivity?
Arguments for and against irregular working shifts : working at night, on weekends, or on holidays
Pros and cons of services with paid memberships and subscriptions
Sales, special offers, and coupons: a marketing tool or a real opportunity to save money?
Positive and negative effects of businesses outsourcing to different countries
Arguments for and against moving businesses from the city center to the outskirts
Recruiting one’s employees for new positions vs. hiring new people
Finding work through connections and relatives: benefits and downsides
Pros and cons of seeking a job online
Care facilities  and nursing homes for elderly: advantages and disadvantages
What are the possible beneficial and harmful effects of having a routine?
Small business or a big organization: which one has more benefits?
Buying locally manufactured and grown products vs. buying imported goods
What are the possible pros and cons of spending more time with teachers than with parents?
Arguments for and against process automation
Are robots that replace humans at work dangerous or effective?
Is reducing the working week beneficial or harmful?
What are the major benefits and drawbacks of having many national holidays?
College: to go or not to go?
Working after high school: advantages and disadvantages
Taking a gap year before continuing education: is it worth it?
What benefits and obstacles come with continuing your education ( master’s and Ph.D. degrees)?

Need more essay ideas? Feel free to use our topic generator !

The picture shows the fact that advantages and disadvantages essays are commonly used in IELTS.

💡 Pros and Cons Essay Prompts

Pros and cons of living in a big city essay.

For your essay, you can consider the following benefits of living in a big city:

There are many employment opportunities. Since big cities are places with many companies of different industries, it might be easier to find a job.
Big cities have better infrastructure. It includes international airports, various dining options, and other opportunities.

The main downsides of living in a big city include the following:

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

Higher living costs. Although you can find a job that suits you, living in a big city requires more money.
High crime rates. The statistics say that big cities usually have higher crime rates than smaller ones.

Pros and Cons of Abortion Essay

Here are some examples of the procedure’s benefits:

Abortions give women control over their bodies. The choice of whether or not to have children is a right of every woman.
Every child should be a wanted child. Having children is an enormous responsibility that requires time, money, and energy. Unwanted pregnancies might result in child abuse and maternal depression and have other negative consequences.

You can also write about the following disadvantages of abortions:

Abortion may lead to future medical problems for the mother. Negative consequences for a woman may include health complications such as infection or heavy bleeding.
Abortion might result in psychological trauma. Women who undergo an abortion have a high chance of having depression.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media Essay

Consider these arguments in favor of social media for your essay:

Social media is an excellent place for online marketing. Nowadays, every big and small company promotes its services online.
Information spreads online instantly. Thanks to social media, we can immediately receive and share all the urgent news.

And these are the cons you might want to write about:

Lack of privacy. Location and personal information can be easily shared online and used against you.
Lack of intimacy. Whether it is a family or friends’ reunion, everyone tends to be less engaged in conversations, instead preferring to scroll on the phone.

Federalism Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Here are some advantages of federalism for you to write about:

Receive a plagiarism-free paper tailored to your instructions. Cut 20% off your first order!

Federalism supports political participation and policy innovation. Thanks to federalism, we have benefits such as child labor laws and women’s right to vote.
Federalism encourages groups, individuals, and social movements to help shape public policy and participate in it. It is possible because of the two levels of government that federalism creates.

Now, have a look at the cons of federalism:

Federalism creates economic disparities across states. It leads to competition between states to attract businesses by lowering regulations and taxes.
Federalism cuts off federal efforts to address national problems. For example, health care insurance could not be made more accessible to Americans due to legal challenges.

Pros and Cons of Immigration Essay

Immigration has benefits as well as pitfalls. Take a look at the positive aspects first:

Immigration stimulates economic growth. Immigrants contribute to the labor force, which results in economic development.
Immigration builds a multicultural society. Because of the immigrants, one country can be more diverse.

And here are the cons that you may consider writing about:

Immigration might result in a higher unemployment rate. Since immigrants are often willing to work for a lower wage, native-born workers might be displaced.
Immigration might lead to higher housing costs. Immigrants in limited housing stock areas might contribute to reducing living standards and increasing housing prices.

Pros and Cons of Working in a School Cafeteria Essay

Here are some of the arguments in favor of working in a cafeteria:

Free lunches for workers. Working with the food, you get to have lunches at your workplace for free.
Flexible shifts. You can work short hours to keep up with your studies.

However, there are also plenty of downsides, including the following:

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

Low wages. The school cafeteria pays minimum wage, which is often not enough.
Reduced working hours. In a cafeteria, there’s no opportunity to work and earn more.

Essay on Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet

The Internet has plenty of advantages you can cover, including the following:

You can learn about virtually anything you want online. There are countless resources on the Internet, and it’s possible to access them from any part of the world.
Unlimited communication. You can reach out to anyone from any part of the globe.

It also has many drawbacks, such as:

There is a lot of spam on the Internet. We receive advertisements and other unimportant information through emails. Besides, there are many unconfirmed facts online.
Leaking of personal information. We regularly upload a lot of personal information online. Unfortunately, it might be easily leaked or stolen.

✍️ How to Write a Pros and Cons Essay

Even if you do not have the necessary writing experience, your chances of getting an A+ for this task are relatively high. All you need to do is:

Think of a good pros and cons topic. Keep reading to find the best topic for your paper.
Make a list of all advantages and disadvantages and give details about each item. It can help you make a template for your future essay. Make sure to have enough points to cover.
Draw conclusions on whether something is overall good or bad. Show the results of your research and answer the question your essay asks.
Check out our article on essay writing to learn how to complete your assignment successfully.

Pros and Cons Essay Outline

The advantages and disadvantages essay should have the following structure:

Introduction. Briefly introduce your topic, give some background information, and write your thesis statement that covers both sides of the issue.

Studying abroad might be a great experience filled with unforgettable memories, but it also has some financial and psychological pitfalls.

Main Body. This part introduces both sides of the argument, starting with the positive aspects.
Pros: introduce the advantages.

Being an international student, you get to meet people from all over the world and experience a new culture first-hand.

Cons: introduce the disadvantages.

However, you might feel homesick and experience culture shock while studying in another country.

Conclusion. Summarize your essay by restating your thesis and illustrating your most important arguments for and against the thing in question. If necessary, state whether the pros outweigh the cons. Finish your paper with a strong statement connecting all of your ideas.

Although being an international student has both positive and negative sides, it can bring you many unforgettable memories.

We hope you found the best topic for your pros and cons essay. Let us know what topic you’ve chosen, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends!

IMAGES

Advantages and Disadvantages of Essay Writing Services Infographic by
How to Write an Advantages-Disadvantages Essay
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
Writing Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Aims and Objectives
How To Write An Advantages Or Disadvantages Essay
How To Write An Advantages Or Disadvantages Essay

VIDEO

WRITING: Advantages & Disadvantages Essay
IELTS Writing Task 2 || Exploring Advantages & Disadvantages Essay || Rao Kashif Jalil
IELTS Writing Task 2: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay (Expository Version)
HOW TO WRITE ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES ESSAY IN WRITING TASK 2
Video 2: Type 1
advantages and disadvantages of social media essay 🌟 #shorts #essaywriting #essayonsocialmedia

COMMENTS

Advantage and Disadvantages Essay IELTS 2023
Body paragraph 1: This should state the advantages of the topic. This should be backed by practical points, and the examples would be even better. Day-to-day incidents and instances can be brought to notice. Body paragraph 2: This should state the disadvantages of the topic.
Tips for writing advantages and disadvantages essays
There are at least two different ways to write an advantages and disadvantages essay. However, we suggest the best and the easiest ones to complete the task if you get in your IELTS exam. Step 1. Analyse the task. Do not start writing immediately. First, read the statement and underline key information.
Advantage Disadvantage Essay: Tips and Strategies for IELTS
In case of advantages & disadvantages essay, you need to think of 2-3 advantages and 2-3 disadvantages of the given issue. In case of the essays asking for your opinion, you must decide what you think, before starting to write your essay. Always time yourself while you practice. Remember you will have to write slightly more than 250 words, so ...
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips and Strategies
Advantage Disadvantage Essay Model Answer. These days many people choose to live or work in other countries, which has been made possible because of the convenience of air travel and modern communications. I believe that this has more benefits than drawbacks. The disadvantage of this development is the distance that is put between family members.
IELTS Essay Structure
2. Essay Structures for Advantage/Disadvantage Essays . There is more than one way to structure your advantage/disadvantage essay. You could take a thesis-led (opinion in the introduction) or an evidence-led (opinion in your conclusion).. You could also choose to focus on one or more than one advantage/disadvantage in each of your main body paragraphs.. The next two sections will give you two ...
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages with Sample Answer
Sample topic sentences. (paragraph 1) There are numerous advantages to internet-based learning. (paragraph 2) Readily available knowledge is not without its disadvantages, however. Tip: It is a good idea to memorise some topic sentences such as these, as you can apply them to most advantage/disadvantage essays. e.g.
IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay: tips, mistakes, questions
In an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages essay, you need to present the advantages and disadvantages in the body paragraphs. Write the advantages and disadvantages in separate paragraphs. Each main body paragraph should contain: An advantage (or disadvantage) - your main idea. A more detailed explanation of this. An example which illustrates this.
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay: Overview, Structure And Tips
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay raises a problem or an opinion and asks you to point out the benefits as well as drawbacks on that issue or point of view. Typically, an IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay question can be divided into three parts: 1st part: a specific problem or opinion(e.g. The development of tourism contributed to English ...
How to Write An IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?
Key tips for writing an excellent IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay include understanding the structure, creating an outline, using the right template, balancing your arguments, using examples, sticking to the topic, using transition words, practicing regularly, and managing your time effectively. 7.
'Advantage & Disadvantage' Essay in IELTS: Tips ...
Here are some of the best tips for writing well-articulated, coherent and cohesive essay answers for the much-dreaded advantages and disadvantages questions in IELTS writing. Have a look. Dedicate at least ten minutes to comprehend all the advantages and disadvantages about the given topic.
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays
Example IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essayfor Structure 1. Now, here's a model answer for essay structure 1. First, a reminder of the structure and the ideas I generated using the friends technique. Ideas generation - Friends technique. I've underline the ideas I've chosen to write about in this second essay:
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2
The task typically presents a topic or statement requiring you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. The word limit for the task is 250 words. Your aim should be to examine the topic's positive and negative aspects. Use cohesive devices and appropriate linking words to connect ideas within paragraphs and between sections.
Tips for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay
Make a note to use your advantage disadvantage paraphrases in your essay. Structure: four paragraphs (intro, advantage, disadvantage, conclusion) The introduction paraphrases the essay question and states your opinion clearly. You will need to use "In my opinion" or, "I think" or both.
Writing Task 2: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
Top Tips for Writing an Advantages and Disadvantages Essay. You must explore both sides of the issue - the advantages (the positives) and the disadvantages (the drawbacks). Separate your arguments; one main body paragraph should focus on the advantages, and a separate main body paragraph should focus on the negatives.
Advantages and disadvantages essay IELTS
5. Avoid repetition of words and phrases. This is one of the most common errors people make when writing IELTS essays. They tend to repeat words and phrases such as "firstly", "in other words", "in conclusion" etc., which can make their writing sound repetitive. Avoid repetition of words and phrases like "the first point" or ...
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Model Essay
Below is an IELTS advantage / disadvantage model essay about having one language in the world. The essay is estimated at band score 9. The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally.
How to Write an Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
Label one as "advantages" and the other as "disadvantages" and write all the ideas that come to mind beneath each section. You should then add some details and examples under each idea, and ideally, you should decide on which advantages and disadvantages are the most crucial to your argument. 5. Choose a Side.
IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage essay questions
Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of owning a car versus using public transportation. 10 tips to answer advantage and disadvantage essay questions. When it comes to tackling advantage and disadvantage sample essay questions in the IELTS exam, there are several tips and strategies you can follow to maximise your score.
How to answer advantages and disadvantages essay questions in writing
End your essay with a proper conclusion, beginning with phrases like " To conclude…" or "To sum up…". Write briefly about the things you discussed in your body paragraphs. Sum up your arguments in a sentence and end the essay with phrases like "This essay discussed…". Planning an advantage/disadvantage essay.
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions
Below is a list of IELTS sample essay questions for advantage / disadvantage essays in writing task 2. These essay types are often taught together with discussion essays but I think it is worth studying them separately to be better prepared. Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Tips. spend time planning the benefits and drawbacks of the statement given.
Template for Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
1. Write an introduction to the topic. 2. Think of two advantages to the situation and provide clear examples. 3. Think of two disadvantages and write about these with good support. 4. Write a short conclusion giving your overall opinion.
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions
Sample Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Questions. Question 1: In some countries, young people are motivated to travel or work for a year between the end of high school and starting their university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages if young people decide to do this. Question 2: Some parents prefer their children to have a large ...
256 Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics [2024 Update]
The expenses are too high, and dinner preparation is energy-consuming. Advantages and disadvantages of couch surfing. Staying for free at places registered online is becoming increasingly popular among travelers. New friends and authentic communication are additional benefits of couch surfing.

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays 2024 – Samples, Model Essays and Topics

Tips to Crack Writing Task 2 Advantage and Disadvantages Essay of IELTS

Structure of an Advantage and Disadvantages Essay of IELTS

Body paragraphs

Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay Questions and Sample Answers

Sample Question 1

Sample Answer

Sample Question 2

Bonus Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay Topics

More Related Advantage Disadvantage IELTS Essay Writing Topics:

Frequently Asked Questions

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

Explore other Advantage Disadvantage Essays

Post your Comments

Recent Articles

Our Offices

Step 1 of 3

Great Going!

Press ESC to close

Advantage Disadvantage Essay: Tips and Strategies for IELTS

Skills tested in IELTS Writing Task 2

Strategies for Advantage-Disadvantage Essays

Tips for Advantage-Disadvantage Essays

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

About the Author

You might also like

Describe Something Important that has been Kept in Your Family: A Cue Card Sample Topic for IELTS Speaking

How to Use an IELTS Calculator? Calculate Your Overall IELTS Exam Score

What is a Good IELTS Score? Is 7.5 a Good IELTS Score? Here’s All You Need to Know

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Lesson

Understanding the Task

What does 'Outweigh' mean?

Writing your Thesis

Model Advantage Disadvantage Essay

Advantage Disadvantage Essay Model Answer

Other Ways to Answer the Question

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

Transitional Phrases for Essays

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

How to Identify the Task in an IELTS Essay

How to use brainstorming and planning to generate essay ideas.

Writing an IELTS Essay Conclusion

IELTS Task Response - 25% of your essay grade

Requirements for IELTS Band 7 in Writing

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

How to Identify the Topic of an IELTS Essay Question

The 3 Types of IELTS Opinion Essays in IELTS

Improving Writing Coherence for IELTS essays

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2

Tips on How to Score IELTS Band 8 in Writing and Speaking

Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

How to Write an IELTS Essay: The key steps

Thesis Statement Tips for IELTS Essays

Can you use Personal Pronouns in Essays for IELTS?

IELTS Music Essay: Understanding a Complex Question

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Strategies and Tips

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

Before you go...

Band 7+ eBooks

IELTS Modules:

Recent Articles

Decreasing House Sizes Essay

Latest IELTS Writing Topics - Recent Exam Questions

IELTS Essay: English as a Global Language

Important pages

Connect with us

Guide to Advantage Disadvantage IELTS Essay Type

Table of Contents

3.2 Organise your ideas

2. Essay Structures for Advantage/Disadvantage Essays

3. Planning your Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

3.1 Identify keywords and phrases

4. Writing your Advantages/Disadvantages Essay

5. Example Advantage/Disadvantage Essay and Exercise

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Exam Updates & Tips!

IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay: tips, mistakes, questions & essays

What Is Your Task?

How To Plan An IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

Step 1: Understand The Task