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How to Write “Agree or Disagree” Essays for IELTS

Posted by David S. Wills | Jan 15, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 1

There are various types of essay that you may be asked to write in task 2 of the IELTS writing test, but one of the most common ones is the “agree or disagree” question. This will provide some kind of statement and then ask you whether (or to what extent) you agree or disagree.

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about writing an agree or disagree essay .

What is an “Agree or Disagree” IELTS Question?

There are various kinds of questions in IELTS writing task 2, and one of them is called “agree or disagree” because that is precisely what you are asked to do. The question will normally contain those words although there are slight variations:

Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This question will follow a statement and your task is to give your reaction to that statement. As long as you can understand the precise nature of the statement, this question is quite to understand.

Note that some people would call this an “opinion essay” but I would disagree with that label. Whilst it is certainly a type of opinion essay, there are other question types that require your opinion, so this is a problematic label. Here’s my guide to opinion essays.

How Should I Answer an “Agree or Disagree” Question?

The important thing about this sort of IELTS question is that you answer the question directly . In other words, you should state whether you agree , disagree , or neither agree nor disagree .

Some people wonder whether it is possible to give a balanced answer and others seem to think that you must always give a balanced answer, but the truth is simple:

You can agree, disagree, or neither agree nor disagree. Any of these is acceptable.

Just pay attention to the exact wording of the question. If it asks “to what extent…?” then you should clearly state the extent to which you agree/disagree:

Completely agree
Partially agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Partially disagree
Completely disagree

If it just says “Do you agree or disagree?” then you don’t necessarily need to give the degree and you could just say “I agree” or “I disagree.” However, it is better to provide more explanation and detail.

If you want a more in-depth discussion of the issue of balanced answers, you can read this article .

Structuring “Agree or Disagree” Essays

Some kinds of IELTS essay are easy to structure. For example, “ Discuss both views ” and “ Advantages and disadvantages ” questions can easily be answered with a predictable four-paragraph structure. However, “agree or disagree” questions require a little more thought. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to find the right structure.

Generally, I recommend writing four or five paragraphs and preferably just four. As such, here are two possibilities for structuring your “agree or disagree” essay:

As you can tell, the second structure is more complicated and thus there is more scope for mistakes in terms of Task Response or Coherence and Cohesion . However, if you do this right it can provide a more interesting and developed answer.

In any case, the important thing to know is that your structure should be coherent and logical. Your reader should never feel confused. If you make a plan before writing, this will really help you to stay on topic and deliver your views effectively.

Let’s look at an example:

Some people argue that the government should give every unemployed person a mobile phone and should make sure they have access to the Internet. They believe this is the best way of using public money to reduce the problem of unemployment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

To answer this question, I would firstly decide the extent to which I agree or disagree. I disagree that it is the best use of public money, so I would structure my essay thusly:

Now let’s look at how I would write that essay:

Sample Band 9 Answer

It has been suggested that governments should give jobless people phones and internet access to alleviate the unemployment problem. This essay will argue that, whilst this may be a good idea, it is certainly not the best way of using public money to solve the problem.

To begin with, it could be seen as a positive step to give unemployed people phones and internet access. This would certainly help improve their lives in a small way and may give them the ability to hunt down job leads. However, it is not a guaranteed method of finding employment. For one thing, phones are severely limited in comparison with computers, which would be far more useful for jobseekers. A computer is more appropriate for writing CVs and scrolling through lists of adverts. As such, perhaps public funds would be better spent on computers rather than phones.

In addition, the idea of just giving unemployed people technology in order to solve their problems seems a little wishful. The fact is that most people have phones and internet access in 2021, suggesting that this is not what prevents them from finding work. Perhaps the money would be better spent on job fairs, counselling, benefits, or even investment in local businesses to spur the hiring process. Indeed, whilst none of these is a perfect solution, they all seem rather more realistic and preferential than buying thousands of phones and internet contracts.

In conclusion, while it may be a good idea to give all jobless people a phone and internet access, it is almost certainly not the best use of public funds in terms of tackling unemployment.

Language for Agreeing and Disagreeing

Once you have figured out the structure for your essay, you need to have the right language to accurately and effectively express your ideas. Most of the grammar and vocabulary you need will be dependent upon the topic , but there are some useful words and phrases to know for all “agree or disagree” essays.

Giving Purpose and Position

In your introduction, you need to clearly state your position vis-à-vis the question. You can also state what you will do in this essay.

Here are some great phrases:

This essay will…

To avoid being overly personal or informal, you can speak as though your essay is writing itself. This might seem a little strange, but it is perfectly normal. It is a great idea to use this for the overview section of your introduction to say “This essay will argue that…” or “This essay will agree with the idea that…”

Alternatively, you can include yourself:

In this essay, I will…

The use of the personal pronoun is a little informal but these questions are directly asking for your opinion and so there is nothing really wrong with it. This is a good way of stating your intentions clearly from the offset.

Just be careful to avoid redundant phrasing here, like “In my opinion, I think that…” It is not necessary to say both “In my opinion” and “I think” because they both express the same basic meaning.

It is also worth making sure that you completely understand how to use the words “agree” and “disagree.” This probably sounds very easy, but many people make mistakes. I have a full article on it here .

One of the biggest mistakes is saying, “I agree to the idea.” Instead, you need to say “I agree with the idea.” The preposition here is a huge difference and completely changes the meaning of “agree.”

Language for Structuring your Ideas

You can use some cohesive devices when explaining your ideas but be careful not to over-use them and make sure that each one is used accurately. For example, the phrases “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” are really useful here but many people make mistakes by saying “On one hand” or “One the other hand.”

You can also use words like “Firstly” and “Finally” to order your ideas but remember that having every sentence start with the same sort of word sounds repetitive, so don’t use these too much.

Some other useful phrases are:

The first reason why I think/believe that [summarise view] is…”

In this case, we are directly communicating to the reader that this is the first (and therefore most important) reason to support our opinion. To remove the personal pronoun, simply change to:

The first reason why [summarise view] is…

Here are two examples:

The first reason why I think that families should take care of their elderly relatives is that it allows more freedom for the individual.
The first reason why families should take care of their elderly relatives is that it allows more freedom for the individual.

Should You Totally Avoid Personal Pronouns?

personal pronouns for agree/disagree essays

For IELTS, some people say that you should always avoid personal pronouns but other people suggest that they are acceptable. It is true that they are acceptable because some questions directly ask for your opinion and experiences. However, it is also true that an advanced writer can answer these questions without personal pronouns, thereby increasing the level of formality .

Take a look at this question:

Rich countries often give money to poorer countries, but it does not solve poverty. Therefore, developed countries should give other types of help to the poor countries rather than financial aid. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is clearly asking for your personal opinion, so it would be fine to say “I think…” or “I believe…” However, we could definitely answer it in a more detached, formal sense.

To give my opinion, I will say:

this essay will argue that giving money is not simply enough and that more nuanced, long-term solutions are necessary

Later, in the conclusion, I will use similar language to affirm my view:

whilst it may seem reasonable to donate money to poor countries, it would be far better to help them through education

Here is the full essay:

The topic of international aid is incredibly controversial and there are no simple solutions. However, this essay will argue that giving money is not simply enough and that more nuanced, long-term solutions are necessary.

To begin with, it is important to acknowledge that poor countries need some form of aid and that money is better than nothing. Wealthy countries give vast sums of money, but there are numerous problems that emerge. Firstly, this money usually has strings attached, meaning that the poor countries often end up owing favours or debts, which exacerbates their problems. Secondly, poor countries are typically poor because of endemic corruption, and money donated is usually embezzled immediately after receipt. As such, giving money is understandable but problematic, and other forms of aid are thus preferable.

Nowadays, many people realise that it is better to provide poor countries with the means to help themselves. This can be done in various ways, including education. As such, perhaps the best way to help these nations is to provide them with teachers and educational facilities. This can allow them to raise a generation of intelligent, motivated people who will shape the future. It can clearly be seen that the education of women is of particular importance, as this lowers the fertility rate, further stopping other problems that contribute to poverty. Therefore, the education of young women should be made a top priority.

In conclusion, whilst it may seem reasonable to donate money to poor countries, it would be far better to help them through education.

Writing an essay for an IELTS “agree or disagree” question is probably a little more difficult than writing one for other question types. However, it is not much more difficult and if you follow the advice above, you can definitely create a wonderful essay that will get a high score. Just remember to answer the question directly and also to use appropriate language throughout.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay

Opinion Essays
Discussion Essays
Problem Solution Essays
Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
Double Question Essays

Example of IETS Opinion essay

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write at least 250 words.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

Structure of IELTS Opinion Essay

Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paraphrase the Essay Topic
Thesis Statement
Paragraph 2: Supporting Paragraph #1
Topic Sentence
Support (Example or Experience)
Explanation
Paragraph 3: Supporting Paragraph #2
Paragraph 4: Conclusion
Restate Thesis/Summarize your ideas

To what extent..

Example vocabulary and phrases: stating your opinion.

In my opinion I believe that education should be free because it helps move society forward.
As far as paying for education is concerned, I believe that you should have to pay because it creates competition which helps to develop stronger institutions.
My impression is that education should require a cost whether it be through tax payer money or private institutions.
Most institutions require tuition to attend. However. I believe that education should be free because it helps move society forward.

Example Vocabulary and Phrases: Arguing Your Point

This proves that free education can provide many opportunities for those who cannot afford it.
According to this, it can be argued that financial aid is a way to support students who cannot afford to pay for education.

Example Vocabulary and Phrases: Adding Adverb

Beginning of the sentence, middle of the sentence.

Clearly, this is an example of numerous afford a proper education.
This is definitely true because there are many students who are unable to attend school because they cannot afford it.
Deciding whether education should be free is absolutely a major challenge to consider.
The right to receive an education is substantially more important than earning money.

Example Vocabulary and Phrases: Verbs

I disagree that education should cost students.
I believe that education should be free.
I have no doubt that society will benefit with free education.
I think that education should be free.
It cannot be denied that education costs money because teachers, faculty, and staff all need to be paid.
As I see it, education has costs, so someone needs to pay for it.

Before You Start

Think about how you will plan to write your essay.
Brainstorm and generate ideas.

Outline structure for IELTS Essay

________________________________

Outline structure for IELTS Opinion Essay

Paragraph I: Introduction
Paraphrase the Essay Topic - I believe that everyone should have access to free education without limitations.
Thesis Statement - Education is a valuable resource and it advances society.
Education is tool that helps us succeed
Germany - Free education
Same philosophy - society advances
Paying for education helps drive competition between institutions, but I believe this restricts social mobility.
Student cannot afford education
If every person of society is allowed to move forward, then all of society will benefit.
In conclusion education is essential to any society
By restricting access to it because of tuition limits societal advancements, it is important that we eliminate sort of barriers to education, Including costs.

Example Essay

Thesis Statement - Education is a valuable resource and it advances society. If there are certain barriers to receiving education like costs, many students would lose the opportunity to pursue an education because of this.
Education is a tool and it advances society and with free universal access to education, there are no limits to what a country and what a society can obtain.
A perfect example of this Is Germany, where universities are now tuition-free.
If all countries developed the same philosophy towards education as German. I have no doubt that society will benefit.
Some may argue that paying for education helps drive competition between institutions and helps to develop stronger schools. However. 1 completely disagree because I believe this restricts social mobility.
In other words, if a student who would like to pursue a degree In higher education, but cannot afford the high tuition rates then he or she will be unable to further their education.
On the other hand, If every person of society is allowed to move forward, then all of society will benefit.
In conclusion education is essential to any society.

Example Essay in color

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Ultimate IELTS Band 7+ Structure for Agree or Disagree Essay

The ultimate answer format that guarantees a 7+ Band in Agree or Disagree Essay

General Structure For Agree Or Disagree

When it comes to writing an agree or disagree essay in the IELTS exam, it is important to structure your essay effectively to present a clear and coherent argument. Here's a suggested structure to follow:

Paraphrase the question.
Begin with a captivating opening statement to engage the reader.
Clearly state your position on the given statement, indicating whether you agree or disagree.
Provide a brief overview of the main points you will discuss in the essay.
Start with a strong topic sentence that presents the main reason supporting your agreement or disagreement.
Provide supporting evidence, examples, or data to justify your position.
Elaborate on the implications or consequences of your viewpoint.
Address any potential counterarguments or opposing perspectives.
Begin with a clear topic sentence that introduces another reason supporting your agreement or disagreement.
Present supporting evidence, examples, or data to reinforce your stance.
Analyze the implications or consequences of this perspective.
Respond to any counterarguments or opposing viewpoints.
Summarize the main points discussed in the essay without introducing new information.
Restate your position clearly, emphasizing the strength of your argument.
Provide a concluding statement that reinforces your stance and highlights the broader significance or implications of the topic.

Remember to use appropriate vocabulary and linking words to express agreement or disagreement effectively. Examples of words and phrases for agreement include "indeed," "undoubtedly," "clearly," and "it is evident that." For disagreement, you can use words and phrases such as "however," "on the contrary," "it can be argued that," and "despite." Additionally, maintain a balanced and logical approach, supporting your position with well-reasoned arguments and evidence.

Fill In The Blanks

Here's a fill-in-the-blank structure for a Band 7+ Agree or Disagree essay to memorize as a backup.

Introduction: In today's complex society, the topic of ___________ has sparked intense debate. While some individuals espouse the view that ___________, others staunchly disagree, positing that ___________. This essay will meticulously examine both perspectives, evaluating their merits and demerits, in order to arrive at a well-founded position.

Body Paragraph 1: Proponents of the statement argue that ___________. They contend that ___________ because ___________. For instance, ___________. This exemplifies how ___________.

Body Paragraph 2: Conversely, critics maintain that ___________. They assert that ___________ due to ___________. Additionally, ___________. This highlights the viewpoint that ___________.

Body Paragraph 3: In my considered opinion, I (agree/disagree) with the statement. I firmly believe that ___________. Firstly, ___________. Moreover, ___________. Additionally, ___________. Thus, based on these cogent reasons, I (agree/disagree) with the statement.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the multifaceted debate surrounding ___________ embodies robust arguments from opposing perspectives. While proponents emphasize the advantages of ___________, critics raise pertinent concerns about ___________. After meticulous evaluation, I am inclined to (agree/disagree) with the statement. It is crucial to (support/oppose) ___________ in order to ___________.

Remember to fill in the blanks with relevant points and provide supporting evidence or examples for each argument you present. Incorporate advanced linking words and phrases to establish strong connections between your ideas. This structure, combined with comprehensive analysis and a well-reasoned position, can help achieve a Band 8-level essay.

Example Essay: Impact Of Social Media On Mental Health

Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Social media has a negative impact on mental health"?

In today's society, the topic of social media's impact on mental health has sparked significant discussion. While some argue that social media enhances connectivity and provides a platform for self-expression, others contend that it contributes to detrimental effects on mental well-being. This essay will delve into both perspectives, examining the potential benefits and drawbacks of social media on mental health.

Supporters of social media argue that it fosters connectivity and community. They contend that platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow individuals to stay connected with friends and family, especially over long distances. Moreover, social media provides a space for marginalized communities to find support and representation. For instance, individuals struggling with mental health issues can connect with others who share similar experiences, offering a sense of belonging and understanding. This highlights the positive impact of social media on mental health.

Conversely, critics assert that social media contributes to various negative effects on mental well-being. They argue that excessive use of social media can lead to feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, and anxiety. The constant exposure to carefully curated and filtered versions of others' lives can create unrealistic expectations and trigger feelings of social comparison. Furthermore, cyberbullying and online harassment are prevalent issues that can significantly impact individuals' mental health. These concerns highlight the potential harm that social media can inflict.

In my perspective, it is essential to recognize both the benefits and drawbacks of social media on mental health. While social media has the potential to foster connection and support, it is crucial to use it mindfully and with awareness of its impact. Firstly, individuals should curate their online experiences by following accounts that promote positivity and well-being. Moreover, setting boundaries on social media usage, such as limiting screen time and taking breaks, can help maintain a healthy relationship with these platforms. Additionally, promoting digital literacy and educating users about responsible online behavior can mitigate the negative effects of social media.

In conclusion, the impact of social media on mental health is a complex issue with compelling arguments from both perspectives. While proponents emphasize the connectivity and support social media can offer, detractors raise valid concerns about its detrimental effects. It is crucial to approach social media use mindfully, curating positive online experiences, setting boundaries, and promoting digital literacy. By doing so, we can maximize the potential benefits of social media while safeguarding our mental well-being.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Agree or Disagree Essay – Structure and template

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Agree or Disagree Essay – Structure and template

One of the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS of an IELTS essay. “To what extent do you agree or disagree? You can FULLY agree, agree BY HALF, or disagree.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? OR Do you agree or disagree?

For instance: After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career that they love, rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Below is an excellent Agreement / Disagree Essay structure.

There are 5 options – choose the one which suits your ideas:

1) IF YOU AGREE (STRONG POSITION)

1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: I agree that … (2 SENTENCES!)

2§ The first reason why I agree + Explanation + Example

3§ The second reason why I agree+ Explanation + Example OR result

4§ Conclusion: sum up the reasons + My Opinion: I agree ... (PARAPHRASE THE INTRO) (2 SENTENCES!)

2) IF YOU AGREE (BALANCED POSITION)

3§ The second reason why I agree + Explanation + Example OR result

4§ On the other hand, + why people disagree? + Explanation + Example

5§ Conclusion: sum up the reasons + My Opinion: I agree … (PARAPHRASE THE INTRO) (2 SENTENCES!)

3) IF YOU DISAGREE (STRONG POSITION)

1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: I disagree that … (2 SENTENCES!!)

2§ The first reason why I disagree + Explanation + Example

3§ The second reason why I disagree + Explanation + Example OR result

5§ Conclusion: sum up the reasons + My Opinion: I disagree (PARAPHRASE THE INTRO) (2 SENTENCES!)

4) IF YOU DISAGREE (BALANCED POSITION)

1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: I disagree that …(2 SENTENCES!!)

4§ On the other hand, + why people agree? + Explanation + Example

5) IF YOU AGREE AND DISAGREE AT THE SAME TIME

1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Balanced Opinion: I accept that … , but I disagree that…(2 SENTENCES!)

2§: What I agree with +The reason(s) why I agree + Explanation + Example

3§ What I disagree with +The reason(s) why I disagree + Explanation + Example OR result

4§ Conclusion: Sum up + My Opinion: why I agree and disagree (2 -3 SENTENCES!)

Some IELTS examiners may prefer, when after your point of view, you also give the opposite - option 2) and 4). Here you will definitely write 250 words and will satisfy the examiner by stating different positions. Your point in the first and last paragraph should be as clear as a daylight. Choose a structure to suit your ideas and topic + what is easier to write personally for you. All 5 options are good. The best are 2 and 4.

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How to Plan & Write IELTS Opinion Essays

IELTS opinion essays, also known as ‘agree or disagree’ essays, come up frequently in the writing exam. In this lesson, I’m going to show you how to plan and write them step-by-step.

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

3 Common mistakes
Essay structure
How to plan
How to write an introduction
How to write main body paragraphs
How to write a conclusion

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

The first part of the question for an IELTS opinion essay will be a statement. You will then be asked to give your own opinion about the statement. Here is some typical wording that might be used:

What is your opinion?
Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Want to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

Here's a question from a past test paper.

A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.

Do you agree or disagree?

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

Write at least 250 words.

I’ll be using this question to guide you through the process of planning and writing an IELTS opinion essay.

3 Common Mistakes

These three errors are common in IELTS opinion essays.

Not stating an opinion.
Giving arguments for both views.
Not supporting your opinion with clear reasons.

The most common mistake that students make is not giving an opinion. The question will clearly state that you must choose one side of the argument. If you fail to do this, you will get a low score for task achievement.

It doesn’t matter which side of the argument you take or even, that you agree with it. Choose the one you can develop the best argument for.

Make sure that you don’t change your opinion part way through the essay, and don’t give reasons for the opposing view.

Essay Structure

Now let’s look at a simple structure you can use to write opinion essays. It’s not the only possible structure but it’s the one I recommend because it’s easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.

1) Introduction

Paraphrase the question
Give your opinion
State two supporting reasons

2) Main body paragraph 1

Topic sentence – outline 1st reason for supporting this view
Explanation – explain this idea
Example – give an example or expand the idea

3) Main body paragraph 2

Topic sentence – outline 2nd reason for supporting this view
Example – give an example or expand the idea

4) Conclusion

Summarise opinion and key reasons

This structure will give us a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.

We now need some ideas to add into the structure and we’ll have everything we need for our essay.

How To Plan IELTS Opinion Essays

# 1 decide on your opinion.

The question I've chosen to work on is quite straightforward and easy to understand so we don’t need to spend time analysing it. The first task, then, is to decide on our opinion.

Here’s the question again:

A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.

Do you agree or disagree?

For this essay, I’m going to disagree with the statement and argue that job satisfaction is more important than a big salary.

# 2 Generate ideas

The second task is to generate some ideas to write about.

Since I‘m going to argue that job satisfaction is more important than a large salary, I need ideas to support this view.

There are several different ways to think up ideas. I cover them fully on the IELTS Essay Planning page.

With this particular question, I immediately thought of a couple of examples of situations where job satisfaction did prove to be more important than a high salary, so I’m going to use the ‘example method’ of generating ideas.

Once you’ve thought of an example or two, ideas to include in your essay should come to you easily.

You might want to try this yourself before reading on for my ideas.

Here are my examples and some ideas they generated.

Both the examples are partly true but I've adapted them to better fit the essay. It's fine to do this as the examiner won't check your facts.

Uncle Barry – boasted about high salary but hated his job. Nervous breakdown – lost job & can’t work.
Me – gave up teaching. Now enjoy my work and am much more relaxed and happy even though I earn much less money.
High-salary jobs are generally more stressful
Stress leads to ill health, both mental and physical
40 hours a week at work – a third of the day
Money doesn’t bring happiness
Better quality of life
Sense of fulfilment
Less stressed – healthier and happier

I’ve got more ideas here than I need so I’m going to pick two to develop in the essay – one for each of the main body paragraphs.

Idea 1 – High-salary jobs are generally more stressful and can lead to ill health.

Idea 2 – Job satisfaction gives a sense of fulfilment.

We’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS opinion essay but first, we have one other small task to do.

# 3 Vocabulary

In an IELTS essay, it’s important to be able to say the same things in different ways, either by paraphrasing and/or using synonyms. During the planning stage, quickly jot down a few synonyms of key words you could use to save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing.

For example:

satisfaction – fulfilment, achievement, sense of accomplishment, content, sense of well-being

salary – income, wages, pay, earnings

important – significant, valued, has more meaning

job – work, employment, position

With that done, we can focus on the first paragraph of the essay – the introduction.

How To Write an Introduction

A good introduction has a simple 3 part structure:

1) Paraphrased question

2) Thesis statement

3) outline statement.

An introduction should:

Have 2-3 sentences
Be 40-60 words long
Take 5 minutes to write

1) Paraphrase the question

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question.

Question: A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.

Do you agree or disagree?

Paraphrased question:

It is argued that earning lots of money has more significance to people than being content in their work.

Note that I’ve used some of the synonyms I listed, although it’s fine to repeat one or two words if you need to. Above all, your language must sound natural.

In IELTS opinion essays, the thesis statement is where you state your opinion. For example,

Thesis statement:

This essay totally disagrees with that statement.

That’s all you need to say.

If you decided to agree with the statement, you would write:

'This essay completely agrees with that statement.'

Finally in the introduction, you must outline the two main points (ideas 1 and 2 above) that you’ll cover in the rest of the essay. Do it in one sentence, or you can add them onto the end of the thesis statement if appropriate.

Outl ine statement:

I believe that people are increasingly concerned about the risk of stress-related ill-health frequently experienced by people in highly paid positions and they care more about feeling fulfilled at work.

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 – concerns about the risk of stress-related ill-health

Main body paragraph 2 – a sense of fulfilment at work

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

The structure of a good main body paragraph has 3 parts:

Topic sentence
Explanation

If you can’t think of an example, you can add further supporting ideas but we already have our two examples so that’s not an issue here.

A common problem when writing main body paragraphs for IELTS opinion essays is having too many ideas. Again, we have already chosen the two ideas we are going to develop, so we are all set to start writing.

You can see how important the planning stage is and how it makes the actual writing of the essay far quicker and easier.

Main Body Paragraph 1

The topic sentence summarises the main idea of the paragraph. That’s all it needs to do so it doesn’t have to be complicated.

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.

We’ll now take the idea for our first main body paragraph and create our topic sentence.

Main idea 1 – concerns about the risk of stress-related ill-health

Topic sentence:

Employees earning a large income are generally under significant mental and emotional pressure to perform well and achieve targets.

Next, we must write an explanation sentence . This explains to the examiner what we mean. It expands on our first idea.

Explanation sentence:

This causes many individuals to suffer high levels of stress which can result in both mental and physical health problems.

Finally, we add an example to support our main point. I thought of this in the planning stage so I have it ready to use.

If you can’t think of a real example, it’s fine to make one up, as long as it’s believable. The examiner isn’t going to check your facts.

Example sentence:

This happened to my uncle. He used to boast about his huge salary but the boss kept increasing his sales targets and in the end, the stress became too great and he had a nervous breakdown. Now he regrets being driven by the money.

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

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

Main Body Paragraph 2

Main idea 2 – Job satisfaction gives a sense of fulfilment.

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

Topic sentence:

Having a job that they enjoy doing, and in which they feel valued, is a major concern for most of the modern workforce.

Now for the explanation sentence to explain this idea.

Explanation sentence:

A significant number of people are giving up well-paid positions to do jobs which pay less but that they find more enjoyable and less stressful.

Finally, an example to support our main point. As before, I thought of this in the planning stage so just need to form it into a couple of sentences.

I am an example of this myself. A year ago I left the teaching profession because the workload had become too great and I am now a gardener. I feel really fulfilled in this work and I am much more relaxed and happy even though I earn far less money.

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 opinion essay is done.

How To Write a Conclusion

Conclusions to IELTS opinion essays should do two things:

Summarise the main points
State your opinion

This can generally be done in a single sentence.

If you are below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add an additional prediction or recommendation statement.

Our essay currently has 233 words so we’re on target and don’t need this extra sentence but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS opinion 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 opinion 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. Let’s give it a go.

Introduction:

Here is the same information formed into a conclusion:

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

Question:

A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.

Do you agree or disagree?

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

5 More Model IELTS Opinion Essays

This pack contains another step-by-step lesson and model essay. P lus 4 additional opinion essay questions with model answers.

Carefully created to help you achieve 7+ in your Writing test.

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More help with ielts opinion 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.

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How to organize agree/disagree essays on your IELTS exam

We're going to show you a simple structure for an IELTS agree/disagree essay that will enable examiners to make their way through your writing with ease.

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When you get to the essay writing component of the IELTS exam, the clock is ticking, and the pressure is on. You have about 40 minutes to determine the key question to address, think of your response, come up with relevant examples and then write the essay.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew how you were going to organize your ideas before you went into the exam? In this blog, I’m going to show you a formula that can be modified to fit most IELTS tasks and will save you valuable time. Most importantly, it will ensure that the message in your essay is easy to follow (one of the key criteria for higher-level scores).

There really isn’t any mystery about it. Here, I’m going to show you a simple structure for an IELTS agree/disagree essay that will enable examiners to make their way through your writing with ease – as if they have a roadmap to follow.

Article - How to organize agree/disagree essays on your IELTS exam - Image 1 - map-cyclists

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children). To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Today it is a popular belief that students attending high school should volunteer in the community as part of their schooling. I strongly agree with this notion. Volunteer work can provide young people with the experiences they need for paying jobs, and it can also help them see themselves as valuable contributors to society.

When completing compulsory work activities with charitable organizations or community organizations, students gain skills that they can add to their resumes and use in future jobs. Working out in the real world quickly teaches young people the importance of time management, clear communication and teamwork. Employers like McDonald’s restaurants, which provide many young people with their first paying jobs, look for volunteer work on resumes as evidence of having developed some relevant work skills. So, although students are not paid for their time, they are building valuable abilities for future employment.

Perhaps even more importantly, when students volunteer, they are more likely to realize that their actions have a positive impact on the world around them. Often the problems of our world can seem overwhelming, but if students are given the opportunity to help others, even in a small way, they will see that they can make a difference. In schools that have been running these programs, there has been an incredible boost in student morale, and the community has benefitted from the talent and time that young people have contributed to the many programs that need support. It’s true that studying for academics is time-consuming, and students already have a lot to do in a day, but if we teach them how to step up and help others, we create a better future for us all.

In conclusion, it is a great idea to have unpaid community service as part of a high school program because it will help the next generation prepare for employment, and it will build a caring community that is willing and able to make our world a better place. It’s my hope to see this in every school.

Paragraph One - Introduction

Now, let’s look at the underlying structure sentence by sentence.

AGREE/DISAGREE ESSAY - 4-PARAGRAPH FORMULA Paragraph One - Introduction

Sentence 1 : States the premise that the essay will address (you can simply rephrase the words in the task).

Today it is a popular belief that students attending high school should volunteer in the community as part of their schooling.

Sentence 2 : States your opinion on the matter.

I strongly agree with this notion.

Sentence 3 : Briefly outlines what you are going to write in the next two paragraphs to support your opinion.

Volunteer work can provide young people with the experiences they need for paying jobs, and it can also help them see themselves as valuable contributors to society.

Paragraph Two - Body

Sentence 1 (topic sentence): Tells the reader what this paragraph is about by introducing your first point .

When completing compulsory work activities with charitable organizations or community organizations, students gain skills that they can add to their resumes and use in future jobs.

Sentence 2 : Assumes that the reader doesn’t know anything about this topic, and explains your point clearly.

Working out in the real world quickly teaches young people the importance of time management, clear communication and teamwork.

Sentence 3 : Gives a real-life or made-up example that illustrates and supports this point.

Employers like McDonald’s restaurants, which provide many young people with their first paying jobs, look for volunteer work on resumes as evidence of having developed some relevant work skills.

Sentence 4 : Concedes to a relevant opposing position but redirects to yours.

So, although students are not paid for their time, they are building valuable abilities for future employment.

Paragraph Three - Body – Repeat the above

Sentence 1 (topic sentence): Tells the reader what this paragraph is about by introducing the second point .

Perhaps even more importantly, when students volunteer, they are more likely to realize that their actions have a positive impact on the world around them.

Often the problems of our world can seem overwhelming, but if students are given the opportunity to help others, even in a small way, they will see that they can make a difference.

Sentence 3 : Gives a real-life or made-up example that illustrates and supports this point .

In schools that have been running these programs, there has been an incredible boost in student morale, and the community has benefitted from the talent and time that young people have contributed to the many programs that need support.

It’s true that studying for academics is time-consuming, and students already have a lot to do in a day, but if we teach them how to step up and help others, we create a better future for us all.

Paragraph Four – Conclusion

Sentence 1 : Rephrase your opinion and sum up your two supporting points.

Sentence 2 : Make a prediction or a recommendation based on what you have said.

It’s my hope to see this in every school.

What I hope you see from this example is that when you pay attention to how you organize your essay, it’s easier to read. I also want you to realize that it isn’t difficult to accomplish this clarity when you have a reliable structure in mind.

Check back for future blogs that will show you how to modify this formula for other kinds of IELTS essay tasks.

Blank template for you

In the meantime, here is a blank template for you to use when you write your next agree/disagree essay.

AGREE/DISAGREE 4-PARAGRAPH FORMULA

Paragraph One -Introduction

Sentence 1:

___________________________________________________________________________

State the premise that the essay will address (you can simply rephrase the words in the task).

Sentence 2:

State your opinion on the matter.

Sentence 3:

Briefly outline what you are going to write in the next two paragraphs to support your opinion.

Paragraphs Two and Three – the Body of Support

Sentence 1 (topic sentence):

Tell the reader what this paragraph is about by introducing your first point .

Assume that the reader doesn’t know anything about this topic and explain your point clearly.

Give a real-life or made-up example that illustrates and supports this point.

Sentence 4:

Concede to a relevant opposing position but redirect to yours.

Paragraph Three – Repeat the above

Sentence 1 (topic sentence)

Tell the reader what this paragraph is about by introducing second point .

Give a real-life or made-up example that illustrates and supports this point .

Rephrase your opinion and sum up your two supporting points.

Make a prediction or a recommendation based on what you have said.

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Agree Disagree Essays in IELTS

Updated On Oct 13, 2023

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Agree or Disagree Essay

The agree or disagree essay questions are the most commonly asked in the IELTS examination . They are also called as argumentative essays. In this type of essays, you are asked to give your opinion, whether you agree or disagree on the particular sentence that is given. You are given 40 minutes to complete the 250-word essay. Most of the students find it easy because you only have to agree and disagree with the sentence given. You have to support only one opinion.

Tips to write Agree Disagree Essays

There are few tips which will help you to write about IELTS agree disagree essay questions, which are as follows:

When you get these type of questions, it is advisable to completely agree or completely disagree with it. You have to support only one point of view and not both.
By doing this, the essay will be more clear and structured and can be easily understood by the examiner.
You can support the other side of the statement if you want to, but make sure that you do it in a positive way and also say it, only in one or two sentences.
While writing the essay, make sure that the explanation given doesn’t hurt the feelings of the other person.
The choice of agreement or disagreement has to be made carefully. You need to choose the side which has more supporting points and which you can illustrate with examples so that the answer that you write is voluminous. Please note that you have to either agree or disagree and cannot do both.
Also, ensure that the introduction of the topic is not too long. The question should be paraphrased to form the introduction.
The explanation that you give regarding the topic should match with the introduction and the conclusion given.
There will be two or three body paragraphs, make sure that each paragraph has a central topic.
The body paragraphs should include the main features that have to be explained and also your overview and an in-depth explanation of your opinion.
You have to compulsorily write the conclusion. If you do not have time to complete the essay, make sure you at least write 2 or 3 sentences of conclusion, but the conclusion should be included.

IELTS Agree Disagree Essay Structure

In all the sections of the IELTS examination, structure plays a very important role because it will be easy for the test taker to write the answer. Also, the examiner will find it easy to evaluate the answer. So here is the structure that you can follow while writing an agree/disagree essay:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

How to start an agree disagree essay?

First of all, like any other section, the first sentence must be a paraphrase of the question that is given. In the second sentence, you can state your opinion regarding the topic. In the third sentence, you can write on what you are going to explain in the forthcoming paragraphs.

Paragraph 2: Body paragraph

In the second paragraph, the first sentence should be explaining the central idea. In the second sentence, explain in detail, assuming that the examiner doesn’t know anything about the topic. In the third sentence, you can give examples which support the sentence. In the last sentence, you can give the opposing point of view, but in a positive manner.

Paragraph 3: Body paragraph

The third paragraph is very similar to the second paragraph. The first sentence should explain the central idea. The second sentence, should include supporting details and the third sentence, examples which support the idea.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

In the last paragraph, you have to write a summary of the essay. In the first sentence, you can sum up the body paragraphs and rephrase your opinion.

Sample Checklist for Agree/Disagree essays:

Agree disagree essay topics:.

Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later. Some people think that inviting these people to talk to school students is the best way to tell them about dangers of committing a crime. Do you agree or disagree?
The only way to improve road safety is to give much stricter punishments on driving offenses. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is generally accepted that exercise is good for children and teenagers. Therefore, physical education and sport should be compulsory for all students in all schools. What do you think?

Take a look at some IELTS Agree/Disagree Essay sample answer

Also check :

IELTS Writing tips
IELTS Writing recent actual test
IELTS Writing Answer sheet
IELTS map vocabulary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can agree/disagree essays be called as opinion essays?

Can I partially agree?

Can I skip the conclusion part if I’m running out of time. What weightage does that one liner consist of?

Can I use the word “I” such as ” I agree” or “I disagree”?

What is the structure of Agree/Disagree essays?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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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.

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IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay format: Works 100%. Guaranteed

In Writing Task 2 of IELTS , an agree or disagree essay is the most common type of essay. Essentially, a debatable opinion will be presented to you, and you have to propound a discourse either supporting or opposing it .

two girls showing agree or disagree hand gesture

There are multiple ways of going about with agree or disagree essay questions. You can agree with the statements whole-heartedly or totally disagree with the claims. Likewise, you may decide to agree or disagree to a certain degree. All this depends on your perspective as well as the arguments you can think of during the test.

Examples of IELTS Agree or Disagree essay questions

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

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

Write at least 250 words.

Structure of IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay

Even though we can lean on one side of the argument partially or fully, I recommend to either completely agree or completely disagree with the opinion in agree or disagree essays in the IELTS test.

This is because regardless of what your personal beliefs are on the matter, scoring high in the IELTS Writing Test involves writing in a tightly-structured format with a clear position on the subject matter.

So, during the test, brainstorm for ideas regarding the topic, and choose to agree or disagree depending on how many arguments you can think of on either side. You need to write about two to four separate ideas in support of your position based on the following format:

If you have only two arguments, then develop them into two separate paragraphs with explanations and examples.

When you come up with three arguments, include two of them in one body paragraph and the other in the next.

Similarly, with four arguments, the two body paragraphs should consist of two ideas each.

You do not need more than four arguments for an agree or disagree essay in IELTS Writing Task 2. More is not always better. Too many ideas may make your essay disorganized and lacking focus.

Questions which ask “Do you think this is positive or negative?” can also be answered in the same format as the agree or disagree essay.

Introduction

As we have seen before, an Introduction paragraph in essays has three components.

Paraphrase the statements from the question
Pick a side: choose between agree or disagree
Mention your arguments

The above paragraph is a good Introduction for IELTS agree or disagree essay question. The first sentence paraphrases the statement given in the prompt. The second sentence asserts that the essay agrees with the opinion as well as provides an argument. The third sentence adds more ideas which will be developed in the body paragraphs.

Body paragraphs

The ideas mentioned in the Introduction paragraph of agree or disagree questions should be extended in the paragraphs that follow. For this, clarification, logical reasoning, and evidences are needed . In Writing Task 2 of IELTS, two body paragraphs work best for an agree or disagree essay.

Just like the Introduction paragraph, the body paragraph also has a three-part structure:

State your point
Explain what you mean by providing reasons
Give examples

Conclusion for Agree or Disagree essay

Like all other essay questions, the IELTS agree or disagree essay also ends with a Conclusion paragraph . It is here in this last paragraph that we summarize the points made in the body .

Reiterate your thesis

Next lesson:

Advantages and Disadvantages essay in IELTS Writing Task 2

The government should control the amount of violence on television in order to decrease the violent crimes in society. to what extent do you agree or disagree, nowadays technology is increasingly being used to monitor what people are saying and doing (for example through cellphone tracing and security cameras). in many cases the people being monitored are unaware that this is happening. do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages, ielts essay format: solving writing task 2 easily, a 3-step process for powerful ielts essay introduction paragraph.

sir is there difference between – to what extend do you agree or disagree vs do you agree or disagree questions?

The two questions are identical. “To what extent” means you can partially or completely agree or disagree with the prompt. Even when the “to what extent” phrase is missing from the question, you can still partially or fully take a side to argue for in the essay.

For practical purposes, there is no difference.

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Agree or disagree essay for IELTS writing task 2

Home » IELTS academic task 2 » Agree or disagree essay for IELTS writing task 2

What is an “agree or disagree” essay?

An “agree or disagree” essay offers a statement and invites you either to agree or disagree with it.
For this type of task 2 essay, you are expected (1) to state your opinion clearly (2) to address all parts of the statement with which you are agreeing or disagreeing (3) fully to support your opinion with reference to further knowledge or experience

Sample “agree or disagree” questions

Here are some examples of agree or disagree essay questions.

1. “Modern life is increasingly chaotic.” Do you agree or disagree?

2. “The death penalty is barbaric and should not be legal anywhere.” Do you agree or disagree?

3. “Libraries are irrelevant in the age of the internet and should not be publicly funded.” Do you agree or disagree?

As an illustration, I’m going to discuss the third of these examples.

I’m going to argue that libraries are not irrelevant in the age of the internet, partly because (as a scholar and teacher of English) that’s what I believe.

It is possible to argue a case opposite to your own real opinion, but you are more likely to argue convincingly if you argue for a case in which you yourself believe.

Always read the question carefully!

Remember our cardinal rule: always read the question carefully. This is a vital point and expanded on in the online IELTS course .

“Libraries are irrelevant in the age of the internet and should not be publicly funded.” Do you agree or disagree?

Here, it’s essential to note that the view with which you’re being asked to agree or disagree actually consists of two views:

“Libraries are irrelevant in the age of the internet”;

“Libraries should not be publicly funded.”

The two questions are linked, but not identical.

Stating your opinion clearly and decisively

Let’s consider an unclear statement of opinion.

“I suppose libraries are in some ways irrelevant, you can find most things you need on the internet, but after all it is good to have a place to go and study, and many libraries also offer other facilities like cafes etc.”

What is the problem with this way of stating an opinion?

First, the statement of opinion is indecisive, because it is prefaced with “I suppose”.

It is usually a bad idea to preface your statement of opinion with “I suppose”, or “it is my opinion that”, or even “I think that”.

The reader already knows that it is your opinion, because you are stating it!

Every time you are tempted to write “I think that” or “It’s my opinion that”, try simply deleting those words.

The sentence will usually be greatly improved without them.

The other problem with this way of opening your argument is that it is unclear which side you are on.

After the reader has finished reading the opening sentence, it is not fully clear whether the writer agrees or disagrees with the statement offered.

This is not to say that there is no room for subtlety or qualifications to an argument in your essay.

But the main line of your argument needs to be clear because you don’t have much space. Let’s try to find a better opening for the essay.

“Libraries are very far from irrelevant. The experience of reading a printed book is very different from that of reading a text on a screen, and much more is lost than is sometimes supposed when reading electronically.”

This is clear and decisive statement of opinion. A single line of argument is given, followed by a single main supporting reason for it.

Addressing all parts of the question

Let’s move on to the second main criterion, addressing all parts of the question.

Remember that you’re being asked not only whether libraries are irrelevant, but also whether they should receive public funding (vocabulary like this is great for your essay) .

Obviously, these two questions are linked: if libraries were irrelevant, there really would be no point in funding them.

Yet it does not follow that, if relevant, they must be funded. It’s good to demonstrate your awareness that the question has more than one aspect to it.

Here is an example of how you might do this.

“We have seen that libraries are very far from irrelevant. Clearly, this fact does not, by itself, show that they deserve public funding. Nevertheless, a good case can, in fact, be made for public financial support for libraries.”

With this transition between the first and second aspects of the question, you have done a number of things.

You have shown that you have read the question attentively, and have understood that it consists of two distinct parts.

You have also shown that you understand the need to provide support for your opinion on each part of the statement asked about.

Supporting your argument

Finally, let’s move on to the third criterion, the need fully to support your opinion.

Evidently, you are not expected to be an expert on any topic about which you might be asked to give your opinion.

You are not expected, for example, to have precise facts and figures about library use at your fingertips!

But you are being asked to show that you understand the general principle of the need to support opinions with reasons , with evidence of some kind.

Let’s consider what might count as supporting the argument that libraries are not irrelevant in the internet age. You would need to be able to show what it is that libraries provide that a computer screen can’t.

Here, “supporting” your argument might simply mean describing some of the valuable features of reading a book which can’t be reproduced by a computer.

Let’s consider an example of how this might be done.

“Not all the merits of books are replicable on a computer screen. Not only are books one of the simplest technologies ever invented, and therefore extremely easy to use, but they are also physical sites of memory. Many readers remember what they have read in a book by remembering the look, feel and even smell of a book as they have read it.”

Watch this tutorial on how to give examples, then click here to subscribe to the Youtube Channel.

This series of supporting arguments has a number of virtues. It points to a number of different specific ways in which books do things which can’t be done by computers; each of these features of books constitutes an implicit reason for valuing libraries.

It draws on the experiences of readers to support a more abstract general point about libraries.

In this tutorial, we have considered some of the main criteria for success in an “agree or disagree” essay.

We have understood the importance of:

addressing all aspects of the question;
stating one’s opinion clearly and decisively
offering full support for all aspects of one’s opinion.

More resources

Take a look at some more IELTS task 2 essay questions to help you practice for your IELTS exam .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to write agree disagree essay in ielts.

Rephrase the question in the introduction, say whether you agree or disagree and will explain why in the following paragraphs. Then you need 2 body paragraphs with a main reason for your view and supporting arguments in each, and a conclusion which summarizes these main reasons.

Is an opinion essay the same as an Agree Disagree essay?

Yes, generally it is although the question might be phrased differently. You need to say clearly whether you agree or disagree with the statement and give at least two reasons why (that’s the opinion part).

Audio tutorial

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

Tutorials and Tips to Prepare for Task 2

How to Get Ideas for Task 2
Extremely Useful Sentences for Task 2
Five Powerful Sentence Structures to use in your IELTS Writing test
How to use comparisons in Task 2
Concession Paragraphs for “do I agree/disagree essays”
How to write an IELTS Essay Conclusion
IELTS Cohesion and Coherence
3 ways to paraphrase for your Task 2 introduction
Marking Criteria for IELTS Writing
Topics Sentences for Your Essays
7 Ways to Improve your Sentences in Your IELTS Essays
Grammar for IELTS Writing
Academic Collocations for Task 2

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

How To Write An Agree Or Disagree Essay?

In writing task 2 you will be asked to write a discursive essay ( 250 words minimum ). You will be given a question asking you to give your opinion and discuss a problem or issue. You could also be asked to provide solutions, evaluate a problem, compare and contrast different ideas or challenge an idea. In this post, we will be focussing on how to write an agree/disagree/opinion essay .

One of the first things you should do is read the marking criteria to see what the examiners expect. This is really important, as you need to know what they are looking for in the band 7+ boxes.

You should be able to give the examiners exactly what they want, in order to get a 7+ band score.

If you would like to purchase a 31 page PDF download that is easy to read and print out please take a look at the bookshop >

Writing Task 2 Agree/Disagree Essay Structure

The structure that I advise my students to use, will be sure to get you a band score of 7+. You need to practice using this structure, with as many questions as you can, before sitting your IELTS test. This writing task 2 structure has been proven to be successful for my students and when perfected, can easily help you to achieve a high band score.

TIP >> Before you start writing, plan your ideas so that you can organise the information clearly. You must decide how much you agree or disagree and why. Take 5 minutes and plan out your ideas, opinions and examples.

TIP >> It is very important that spend a full 40 minutes on this task as the score you get for writing task 2 is two-thirds of your total writing score. You also need to write a minimum of 250 words and use your own ideas.

TIP >> Remember to write in a formal tone, this is an academic essay, and therefore your writing should be formal.

IT IS A 4-PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

Paragraph 1 – The Introduction

This is the introduction to the essay and where you should start off by paraphrasing the question.

Do you understand what I mean, when I say ‘paraphrase’ the question?

This means that you rewrite the question in your own words using synonyms. You can’t just copy the question again or use the same words in the question. Paraphrase and show off your vocabulary knowledge by using synonyms. When practising your essay writing, use an online thesaurus to help you. This is a great tool and can help you to learn many new words.

Then your next sentence should give your view/opinion on the issue. A good way to say this is to start with…I agree…. or I disagree…… or In my opinion, I believe that……..

The third sentence in the introduction should outline for the examiner exactly what you will discuss in the main body paragraphs. For example, Firstly this essay will discuss……… Secondly, this essay will discuss…….

There are three sentences you need in the introduction >>

Paraphrase the question
Give your view/opinion
Outline the specific topics that will be discussed in the main body paragraphs.

Paragraph 2 – Main Body Paragraph 1

In this paragraph, you should write about your first main idea (opinion A) that supports your opinion on the issue from the question. You should give specific information and only write about one main idea in each main body paragraph.

Start the paragraph by introducing the topic. This is where you need to have a topic sentence. The next sentence(s) should explain the topic, going into detail. The third sentence should give an example that supports the view.

The example you give could be something from your own experience or made up – it is ok to make up something as the examiners will not fact check your information. They want to see your ability to use English at a certain level. You could make up an example from a report, journal, newspaper or University study to support your view.

This is how the paragraph should look >>

Introduce the topic (topic sentence – opinion A)
Explain/give detail

Paragraph 3 – Main Body Paragraph 2

In this paragraph, you should write about your second main idea (opinion B) that supports your opinion on the issue from the question. You should give specific information and only write about one main idea in each main body paragraph.

Introduce the topic (topic sentence- opinion B)

Paragraph 4 – The Conclusion

In the fourth paragraph, you write the conclusion giving a summary of your main points and restate your opinion/views and justify them. You should not enter any new information or ideas in this paragraph.

Summary of the main points
Restate own views/opinion/justify

Expressing your opinion

To get a high score in IELTS academic writing task 2, you should use as many different structures, collocations and idioms as you can.

Sequencing ideas

You can use phrases like these to make statements, for example; On the one hand sunbathing can give your body vitamin D, on the other hand, it can also be very dangerous for your health.

Sample Agree/Disagree essay

**All questions have been reported by students who have taken the IELTS exam.**

Obesity has become a huge concern as an increasing percentage of the population have become overweight and this has put a tremendous strain on the healthcare authorities, leading to increased costs. One solution that is being implemented is the introduction of more sports lessons in the school curriculum. In my opinion, I strongly agree that the integration of active lessons will greatly assist in kerbing obesity. Firstly, this essay will discuss how sports lessons will increase awareness of the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. Secondly, this essay will discuss, the importance of combining exercise with a healthy diet.

On the one hand, I believe that the best way to fight health care problems is by utilising health education. By integrating physical education classes into the curriculum, impressionable young children and adults will be exposed to healthy lifestyle practices of sport and exercise, whereas they will also learn about teamwork and see their self-confidence grow. For example, at Westminster primary school in the UK, 10-minute exercise intervals were introduced between classes. The children must run laps around the playground before going to their next lesson. This formed part of a study by Cambridge University, where it reported that 85% of the children performed better on tests and obesity records were at an all-time low.

On the other hand, in my view having more physical education classes in the curriculum is not the only way to teach young people how to have a healthy lifestyle. The children should be educated how to balance exercise with a healthy diet, so that this could extend, not only to the students in the schools but also to the parents. For instance, the NHS in the UK regularly hold talks in schools for both parents and students to educate communities on how to have a balanced diet. They also promote proper exercise, involvement in sports, and having an active lifestyle. As a result of this program, in some areas, they saw a decrease in the number of overweight health issues.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that having more sports lessons in schools will help to fight the growing number of overweight people. By combining this with a healthy diet, the students will be encouraged to be healthy, from a young age, right through into adulthood.

(Word Count = 385 / Band Score 9)

Task Achievement – The answer provides a paraphrased question, to begin with, followed by a clear opinion. The opinion is fully supported in the main body paragraphs in the essay, with fully extended and well-supported ideas
Coherence and Cohesion – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs and each main body paragraph only has one main idea. There are cohesive links between the main body paragraphs and between most sentences.
Lexical Resource – There is evidence of a wide range of vocabulary, with no errors in the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences have a wide range of structures.

TIP >> Remember to give your opinion, state your opinion in the introduction clearly and develop your main body paragraphs around it. Use each of the main body paragraphs to support your opinion, giving examples that are relevant. In the conclusion, summarise your main points and restate your opinion.

Writing Task 2 Band Score 9 Criteria

If you would like to view more high band score agree or disagree essay examples please click the button below >

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures

The four most common IELTS writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problem and Solution Discussion

IELTS Task 2 Essay Structures

Knowing how to structure your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is an essential skill that can make the difference between getting and not getting the band score you deserve. With that in mind, we have outlined the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 structures below.

Nearly all of my Task 2 essays follow this basic structure: The sentences you put in each paragraph will depend on what type of question you get.

The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:

Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
Advantages and Disadvantages
Problem and Solution
Discussion (Discuss both views)
Two-part Question

Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question. This will help you write a clear, coherent answer and hopefully boost your IELTS band score. I also include an example answer for each type of question so you can see the structure in a real essay.

Please note that these are general structures and may vary slightly depending on the question.

Please also note that no ‘one’ Task 2 essay structure will get you a high score. There are many types of structures that can get you a high score. These are just some I think are effective and easy to learn.

Please visit the lessons below for more detailed guidance on each type of question. I have provided a link at the end of each section.

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)

Typical Question Words –

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Direct question.

Example Question –

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory in high school programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Essay Structure

Introduction

1- Paraphrase Question

2- Give your opinion and outline the main ideas.

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- Topic Sentence

2- Explain Topic Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion

1- Summary of main points and opinion

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that volunteering should be made part of the school curriculum. This essay agrees with that suggestion completely because it help pupils develop soft skills and helps them gain much-needed work experience.

Education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits, and those in education should also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and self-discipline, and one of the best ways to hone these aptitudes is through community service. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us many lessons, including how to work with people from other backgrounds and the value of hard work, thus enabling us to hone these skills before becoming an adult. For example, many young people from wealthier countries take a gap year and help those less fortunate than themselves to increase their gratitude for what they have and improve their work ethic.

Many colleges and companies are also increasingly looking for this type of experience. Most school leavers have the same grades, and charitable work can help set you apart from other students when making college applications. For example, Cambridge and Oxford receive thousands of applications from straight-A students yearly and can only accept a small percentage of applicants. What you have done outside the classroom often differentiates you from everyone else and gets you that coveted spot.

In conclusion, teenagers should be made to partake in unpaid work as part of their schooling because it will help them learn things they wouldn’t ordinarily learn from their teachers, and it will also boost their chances of getting into third-level education.

For more detail on how to answer agree or disagree questions, please visit our opinion essay lesson .

Need help writing essays like this? Check out our ESSAY CORRECTION SERVICE .

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Typical Question Words

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education.

Essay Structure

2- Outline Main Points

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State Two Advantages

2- Expand/Explain First Advantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage

1- State Two Disadvantages

2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage

1- Summary of Main Points

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that technology plays an ever-increasing role in schools and universities. Increased access to information and student freedom are the main advantages, whereas dependency on technology and decreasing levels of face-to-face contact are the main disadvantages.

Access to more information and student autonomy are the principal advantages of increasing the use of electronic devices in education. With the internet, students can access all the information available about any topic, regardless of what books and other resources are available in the school. Furthermore, students can focus on whatever topic or subject they want and study it in depth. A prime example of this is the number of online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects that, up until recently, were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying third-level degrees than ever before at a pace and schedule that suits them.

The main disadvantages associated with the increasing use of technology in education are the dependency on this technology and the decrease in face-to-face interaction between students. With many students now using the internet as their primary source of information, they often struggle to use other academic resources to find what they’re looking for. As well as this, students spend more time looking at computer screens by themselves than interacting with each other, which is thought to lead to lower levels of emotional intelligence. For instance, the recent explosion in smartphone use has been at the expense of genuine human interaction. This results in soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected.

In conclusion, the benefits technology brings to education, such as unrestricted access to information and student autonomy, must be weighed against the drawbacks, such as dependency on this technology and the negative effects on human interaction.

For more detail on how to answer advantage and disadvantage questions, please visit our advantage and disadvantage lesson .

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

The Internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. This has allowed learners to research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Without these soft skills, many people find it difficult to become successful in work and their personal lives. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

While the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

For more detail on how to answer discussion questions please visit our discussion essay lesson .

Problem and Solution Questions

Problem and solution.

Cause and solution.

Students are becoming more and more reliant on technology.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

2- Outline Sentence

1- State Problems

2- Explain First Problem

3- Explain Second Problem

4- Example of Second Problem

1- State Solutions

2- Explain First Solution

3- Explain Second Solution

4- Example of Second Solution

Learners are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, such as the Internet and mobile devices. This essay believes the main problems associated with dependence on computers are the lack of original thought and copying original work from others and suggests critical thinking classes and writing analysis software as the most viable solutions.

The principal problems with over-reliance on technology are people being unable to think for themselves and plagiarism. With access to so much information, students often rely on other people’s opinions instead of forming their own. As well as this, they often use search engines to answer a question and copy the text from a website rather than thinking about the question. This practice is prohibited in schools and universities and stunts students’ intellectual development because they will never truly think for themselves, which is what university is supposed to be for. For example, many teachers complain that students copy web pages straight from Wikipedia word for word rather than giving a reasoned answer to their questions.

Solutions to these worrying problems are special classes to focus on critical thinking and teachers using anti-plagiarism software to detect copying. If teachers create situations where students have to infer meaning and express opinions based on a small amount of information, this will ensure that students have an opportunity to develop these skills. Also, if students know that their assignments are being checked for plagiarism, this will be enough to deter them from doing so. For instance, many universities already use this kind of software to scan coursework for plagiarism, and it could be extended to include all homework by learners in both secondary and tertiary education.

In conclusion, the main problems with the overuse of technology in education are the lack of original thought and plagiarism. These can be solved through special classes that teach students analytical skills and plagiarism detection software.

For more detail on how to answer problem and solution questions please visit our problem and solution lesson .

Two-Part Questions

There will normally be a statement, and they will then ask you to answer separate questions.

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.

What factor contributes to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

1- Answer first question directly

2- Explain why

3- Further explain

1- Answer second question directly

As most adults spend most of their time at work, being content with your career is a crucial part of a person’s health and happiness. This essay will first suggest fair pay as a key element leading to job satisfaction, and it will then state that it is not very likely that everyone can be happy with their job.

The most important thing that satisfies someone at work is being compensated fairly. If those more senior than you respect you as a person and the job you are doing, then you feel like you are valued. A fair salary and benefits are important marks of respect, and if you feel you are being underpaid, you will either resent your bosses or look for another job. These two factors came top of a recent job satisfaction survey conducted by Monster.com, which found that 72% of people were pleased with their current role if their superiors regularly told them they were appreciated.

With regard to the question of happiness for all workers, I think this is and always will be highly unlikely. The vast majority of people fail to reach their goals and end up working in a post they don’t really care about in return for a salary. This money is just enough to pay their living expenses which often means they are trapped in a cycle of disenchantment. For example, The Times recently reported that 89% of office workers would leave their jobs if they did not need the money.

In conclusion, being satisfied with your trade or profession is an important part of one’s well-being, and respect from one’s colleagues and fair pay can improve your level of happiness; however, job satisfaction for all workers is an unrealistic prospect.

Can I get a band 8 or 9 following these structures?

Nobody can give you a Task 2 IELTS structure that guarantees high scores. Your score is dependent on how good your grammar and vocabulary are and how well you answer the question. A good structure will help you answer the question to some extent and boost your score for coherence and cohesion, but you must use relevant ideas and use these ideas well to answer the question.

You can see how my student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing here:

Next Steps

We hope you found those IELTS Writing Task 2 structures useful. Looking for some more sample questions? Here are over 100 sample questions from past exam papers.

If you would personalised feedback and guidance until you get the score you need, you can join the Waiting List for my VIP Course here.

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

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A Simple Formula for Organizing Agree/Disagree Essays

When you get to the essay writing component of the IELTS exam, the clock is ticking and the pressure is on. You have about 40 minutes to determine the key question to address, think of your response, come up with relevant examples and then write the essay.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew how you were going to organize your ideas before you went into the exam? In this blog, I’m going to show you a formula that can be modified to fit most IELTS tasks and will save you valuable time. Most importantly it will ensure that the message in your essay is easy to follow (one of the key criteria for higher level scores).

Today it is a popular belief that students attending high school should volunteer in the community as part of their schooling. I strongly agree with this notion. Volunteer work can provide young people with the experiences they need for paying jobs and it can also help them see themselves as valuable contributors to society.

When completing compulsory work activities with charitable organizations or community organizations, students gain skills that they can add to their resumes and use in future jobs. Working out in the real world quickly teaches young people the importance of time management, clear communication and teamwork. Employers like McDonald’s restaurants, who provide many young people with their first paying jobs, look for volunteer work on resumes as evidence of having developed some relevant work skills. So, although students are not paid for their time, they are building valuable abilities for future employment.

Perhaps even more importantly, when students volunteer, they are more likely to realize that their actions have a positive impact on the world around them. Often the problems of our world can seem overwhelming but if students are given the opportunity to help others, even in a small way, they will see that they can make a difference. In schools that have been running these programs, there has been an incredible boost in student morale and the community has benefitted from the talent and time that young people have contributed to the many programs that need support. It’s true that studying for academics is time-consuming and students already have a lot to do in a day but if we teach them how to step up and help others, we create a better future for us all.

In conclusion, it is a great idea to have unpaid community service as part of a high school program because it will help the next generation prepare for employment and it will build a caring community that is willing and able to make our world a better place. It’s my hope to see this in every school.

Now, let’s look at the underlying structure sentence by sentence.

AGREE/DISAGREE ESSAY - 4 PARAGRAPH FORMULA Paragraph One - Introduction

Paragraph Two - Body

Paragraph Three - Body – Repeat the above

Paragraph Four – Conclusion

Check back for future blogs that will show you how to modify this formula for other kinds of IELTS essay tasks.

In the meantime, here is a blank template for you to use when you write your next agree/disagree essay.

AGREE/DISAGREE 4 PARAGRAPH FORMULA

Paragraph One -Introduction

Sentence 1:

___________________________________________________________________________

State the premise that the essay will address (you can simply rephrase the words in the task).

Sentence 2:

State your opinion in the matter.

Sentence 3:

Briefly outline what you are going to write in the next two paragraphs to support your opinion.

Paragraph Two and Three – the Body of Support

Sentence 1 (topic sentence):

Tell the reader what this paragraph is about by introducing your first point .

Assume that the reader doesn’t know anything about this topic and explain your point clearly.

Give a real life or made up example that illustrates and supports this point.

Sentence 4:

Concede to a relevant opposing position but redirect to yours.

Paragraph Three – Repeat the above

Sentence 1 (topic sentence)

Tell the reader what this paragraph is about by introducing second point .

Give a real life or made up example that illustrates and supports this point .

Rephrase your opinion and sum up your two supporting points.

Make a prediction or a recommendation based on what you have said.

By Angela Rutherford

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IELTS Compositions

Approaches to achieve higher band score in IELTS Writing

Essay Structure for “Agree or Disagree”

Not only will this page provide a structure but also templates that you can use when writing your own essay.

NOTE: An IELTS Task 2 essay will always have four paragraphs : Introduction, Body Paragraph 1, Body Paragraph 2, and Conclusion.

Typical Question Words :

Is this a positive or a negative development?
What is your view?
What is your opinion?
Do you think it is a good or a bad thing?
How far do you agree or disagree?

Sample Question: Wild animals have no place in the 21 st century. Some people think that preventing these wild animals from dying out is a waste of resource. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Introduction

Sentence 1 – paraphrase the statement.

It is best if you try to choose which words are easy to be paraphrased.

Wild animals have no place in the 21 st century . Some people think that preventing these wild animals from dying out is a waste of resource.

wild – untamed, undomesticated, feral
animals – creatures
have no place – serve no purpose
in the 21st century – nowadays, in this modern world
some – several
people – individuals
think – assert, believe, argue, contend, assume, insist
dying out – extinction
waste – squander

So if we attempt to paraphrase, it would be like this:

“Nowadays, it is argued that undomesticated creatures serve no purpose. Several individuals believe that preventing them from extinction is a squander of resources.”

The phrase “it is argued that” is quite important here because in IELTS, the technique hedging is necessary to indicate that you, as a writer, should not sound know-it-all and that the statement is not entirely a fact.

Sentence 2 – Write a thesis statement

The next sentence will now be your answer to the question “Do you agree or disagree?” So how will you answer you answer this question?

In the last sentence, the questions is “ To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion “. To answer this, you need to specify:

“This essay totally agrees to the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay completely agrees to the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay strongly agrees to the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay is strongly in favor to the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay firmly agrees to the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay totally disagrees to the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay completely disagrees to the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay strongly disagrees to the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay is strongly against the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay firmly disagrees to the given statement due to (reason 1) + (reason 2).”
“This essay partially agrees to the given statement since (reason 1) + (reason 2).”

NOTE: As for (reason 1) and (reason 2), these should only be brief.

Sentence 3 – Write an Outline Sentence

This is basically what you plan to do for your essay. You may use this template:

“In this essay, I shall elaborate the reasons provided.”

Quite simple right? Again, what are you planning to do? To elaborate the Reason 1 and Reason 2.

However, some students cannot provide a brief explanation for their reason. Hence, it will be easier to write both the thesis statement and the outline sentence.

“This essay [totally/partially] [agrees/disagrees] to the given statement and I shall provide the reasons in the following paragraphs.”

As you can see, the sentence above can still answer the question “Do you agree or disagree?” and “What are you planning to do with your essay?”

NOTE: Before writing anything on your answer sheet, it is best to plan everything. But for this to be easily understood, the planning process will only show templates.

Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1 – state your reason.

Writing your reason first will serve as the main topic which needs to be elaborated. Begin by writing:

“The [major/primary] reason as to why I [agree/disagree] is that (reason 1).”
“One of the significant reasons why I [agree/disagree] is (reason 1).

NOTE: This is only a simple template. There will be more complex phrases on model answers.

Sentence 2 – Explain your reason

Your main reason might need to be elaborated further to be understood by your readers. You may write:

“This is because of…”
“This is due to…”

Sentence 3 – Provide an example

You have to provide a specific example that could further support the aforementioned statements. It may be in a form of a survey, statistics, research, or a specific happening in the past. You may start by writing:

“For instance, …”
“To exemplify, …”
“To illustrate, …”
“For example, …”

Sentence 4 – Add a minor point

In most cases, when writing for task 2, test-takers might not reach the minimum word count. By adding a minor point, if necessary, you might reach more than 250 words. In other words, this is just an optional part of the body paragraph.

You start your minor point with cohesive devices such as:

“Furthermore, …”
“In addition, …”
“Moreover, …”
“On top of that, …”

Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1 – provide another reason.

The structure for Body Paragraph 1 and 2 is quite similar. The only difference will only be how you will begin your 2nd body paragraph.

If you strongly agree or strongly disagree, you are supposed to provide another reason under the same opinion.

These are some of the ways to begin your 2nd body paragraph:

“Another reason is… (reason 2).”
Furthermore, … (reason 2).”

But if you want to provide another valid point opposed to your first opinion, begin with:

“Nevertheless, … (reason 1 of the opposed opinion).”
“It cannot be denied… (reason 1 of the opposed opinion).”
“On the other hand, … (reason 1 of the opposed opinion).”

This part is the last paragraph where you need to give summary of the main point in the body paragraphs. So what are these main points? The main reasons which are written in the first part of your body paragraphs. However, there are times that writers also summarize some parts of their explanation.

Here are some ways to start your conclusion:

“In conclusion, …”
“To sum up, …”
“To recapitulate, …”
‘To encapsulate, …”

Now that we are done discussing the structure of the agree/disagree essay, let’s go back to the sample question above with its model answer.

Wild animals have no place in the 21 st century. Some people think that preventing these wild animals from dying out is a waste of resource. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Undomesticated creatures serve no purpose in this contemporary era. Several individuals believe that saving them from extinction is a squander of resources. This essay is completely against the given statement due to its impact on the ecological balance. In this essay, I shall elaborate on the reason provided.

One of the main factors for disagreeing is due to the importance of wildlife’s existence in maintaining the balance of nature. This is because the disappearance or the decline of the population of one creature may either result in the complete extermination or an alarming increase of another. To illustrate, if the amphibian population are to decrease in a certain area, insects would probably increase in number, thus increasing the chances of insect-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

Another factor to consider is that the natural environment significantly relies on the animal kingdom. Animal defecation is essential for the earth to act as a natural fertilizer which in turn can help grow fruit-bearing trees for herbivores and humans as well. Moreover, birds and insects play a significant role in pollination. Hence, diverse flora could grow along with an adequate number of pollen-carrying animals. To exemplify, nearly half of Bhutan is protected by the law, stating that it is should remain under forest cover. Citizens of the said country rely on agroforestry, all the while, having one of the most diverse wildlife throughout Asia.

To recapitulate, wild animals provide a significant purpose in maintaining the balance of nature as well as allowing the environment to naturally flourish.

Word Count – 256 words

This time, try to go back to the structure and match the parts in the essay to the templates.

agree disagree essay

Learn how to structure and respond to IELTS writing questions that ask whether you 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 with a topic. This will increase your score for Task Response and Cohesion & Coherence. The following are included in this post:

video explaining how to write this type of essay
identifying an agree/disagree question type question
essay structure
model answer
homework activity

Identifying this Type of Question Typical question words include: What is your opinion? Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do you agree or disagree? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

Sample task instructions Many people believe working from home is better than going to an office. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Responding to the Question I suggest that you totally agree or totally disagree. If you wish to understand the logic behind this watch the video above. A plan for the task instructions above is as follows: totally agree reason one saves time reason two leads to higher productivity Structure Paragraph 1: Introduction Paragraph 2: Reason 1 to agree/disagree Paragraph 3: Reason 2 to agree/disagree Paragraph 4: Conclusion

Model Answer Many people prefer working from their house or apartment instead of an office. I totally agree that it is better to work from home because it saves time and increases productivity. The main reason I support working from home is that it leads to saving time. In particular, it eliminates the need for a daily commute to an office, which saves most people many hours per week. For example, due to covid lockdowns, I am now working from home and I save at least ten hours each week that would otherwise be spent travelling. I also save time on dressing and grooming myself for work as I can dress more casually when I work from home unlike when I go to an office and need to put on a suit and tie. Furthermore, working from one’s residence can also lead to higher productivity. This is because it eliminates the distractions that come with working in an office environment like noise, and colleagues interrupting. For instance, since I started working from home, I no longer get distracted by my co-workers chatting or stopping by my desk to ask me unnecessary questions and this enables me to not only get more done but also have higher quality outcomes on my projects. In conclusion, I completely believe that working from home is better. This is because it saves time traveling to and from an office and leads to higher levels of efficiency. Therefore, employers should try to offer their workers this option whenever possible. [the last sentence is for band 8 writers and can be left out] Homework Activity Many people say that cooking and eating at home is better for the individual and the family than eating out in restaurants. Do you agree or disagree?

Get your homework corrected to find out the band score and how to increase it.

6 thoughts on “agree disagree essay”

Hi Mike, which score should I receive from this essay?

Some people feel that individuals who eat and cook at home have more benefits than the ones who prefer to eat at restaurants. I tend to agree because by doing that they can not only improve their quality time with their family, but also acquire healthier eating habits. The main reason I support cooking at home is that it is possible to have a quality time with the loved ones. Nowadays, in a society where everyone is on rush it is hard to find a moment to be with the family. However, if people chose cooking instead of buying ready-made food, they would experience unforgettable moments with their families. For instance, when cooking you can demonstrate your love through food because cook require love, time and desire. Furthermore, home-made food is lead to a healthier diet. A plethora of studies have shown that individuals who cook their own food have a better diet comparing to the ones who don’t do it. This is because restaurants meals have an excessive amount of sodium, satured fat when comparing to home-made food. Moreover, a home cook chose carefully his ingredients before cooking. In conclusion, I completely believe that eating and cooking at home are lead to a better life. This is because it allows quality time with the family and leads to a healthier life. Therefore, individuals should adhere to culinary habits to have a healthy life.

Around a band 6.5 to 7 overall. A few errors of note 1. everyone is on rush = everyone is in a rush 2. because cook require love = because cooking requires love 3. home-made food is lead to a healthier diet = home-made food leads to a healthier diet

An increasing concern for many people around the world cooking and eating at home have more benifits than the other person prefer to eat restaurants.In this eassy i will examine both side of the argument and provide my overall opinion.

Generally speaking, there is a number of reason why people believe that cooking and eating at home. Perhaps the main reason why people are in favour of cook and eat is because by doing that they can not only improve their quality time with their family, but also acquire healthier eating habits.For example, home-made food leads to a healthier diet.

Despite these arguments, there is also a case of the idea that cooking and eating at home better restaurants.A further point in favour against restaurants are that home-made food. In addition, restaurants meals have an expensive amount of sodium, satured fat when comparing to home-made food.

In conclusion, Cooking and eating at home better than restaurants is a topic which raisen strong passion on both sides of the argument. Having considered both sides of the issue, i would argue that cooking and eating at home is better who ones eating out in restaurants.

Thank you for this insights.

You’re welcome!

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IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay : Format and Sample Essays

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Updated on 02 February, 2024

Mrinal Mandal

Study abroad expert.

If you are already in the middle of your IELTS preparation, you must have observed that the writing section involves attempting an essay. The most common type is an agree or disagree essay in IELTS Writing Task 2. This type contains a question with the following phrases or their variations-

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The question will come after a specific statement outlining something. The aspirant’s job is to write in response to the same. Directly answering the question is always advisable, i.e., stating whether you agree or disagree with the question. You can also clearly express your opinion if you neither agree nor disagree. Paying attention to the words in the statement is necessary. If the question has to what extent , you should clearly say to what degree you agree or disagree, i.e., completely, neither, or partially. If it only asks to agree or disagree, then you need not give the extent.

The usual practice is to follow this format for the IELTS agree or disagree essay questions :

Introduction
Supporting Paragraph 1
Supporting Paragraph 2
Conclusion

Agree or Disagree Essay Samples

Here are some examples of the agree-disagree essay IELTS questions that you will answer. These are only illustrative, and it is advised to check other practice questions and model answers as well.

The agree or disagree essay introduction will paraphrase the question, followed by a statement expressing your opinion. You will then have to go with the two supporting paragraphs and end with a brief conclusion.

Download e-books for ielts preparation, popular study abroad destinations, here are two samples for your consideration.

Earning a high salary is better than satisfied with your job.

Do you agree or disagree ?

Many people believe that having a big salary package is more important and gratifying than satisfaction from a job. However, in my opinion, I strongly disagree with the statement.

What do we understand by job satisfaction? It is a sense of contentment or fulfillment with the job. It involves not just financial but several other considerations. People experience job satisfaction when they are happy with their working environments. They feel motivated when they have supportive colleagues and managers. They feel satisfied when they love the projects assigned to them. They feel satisfied when they are contributing actively towards the progress of the organization while being entrusted with responsibility simultaneously. They feel satisfied when they have more opportunities for growth, advancement, and learning along with supportive employers who listen to their needs and help them achieve work-life balance as well.

Multiple considerations go into creating what we call job satisfaction. It is not just the financial rewards alone that motivate people to step up, take responsibility, and assume ownership for organizational tasks, projects, and assignments. A relative of mine got a rather low-paying entry-level position at a financial services firm. Everyone ticked him off for not applying to bigger firms that were showing interest in hiring him at higher salaries. However, he stuck to his guns, stating that the smaller firm gave him more responsibility and ownership for projects, along with sizably more freedom to experiment, take risks, and grow. Today, after slogging it out at a considerably lower salary, he is the managing director of the organization and has taken it to unimaginable heights in a shorter period. People are motivated to automatically perform better and strive for excellence when they experience all-around satisfaction and fulfillment. Simply paying someone a hefty salary and then expecting the individual to blaze a trail does not work all the time.

To conclude, I will state that job satisfaction is always more important than earning a big package. People need intrinsic motivation to succeed and stay committed to any cause. Financial rewards are a vital but small piece of the entire pie. We are human beings after all.

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How to write an agree/disagree essay for IELTS Writing Task 2

Date Published

01 February 2023

This article was first published on WeLoveIELTS.org (this website is now closed)

Knowing how to write an agree or disagree essay is very important because if you get this type of task question in the test and you don't know how to approach it, you might not get a very high score. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

An agree/disagree question is very similar to the one above. Let’s look at two typical agree/disagree essay questions:

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Can you see how these are similar to my question at the beginning? Both include a statement (= a sentence expressing an opinion) and ask you to what extent (= how much) you agree or disagree with it.

OK, so what are you going to do first? Start writing? Absolutely not .

After you’ve carefully read the task question and understood the topic, the first thing to do is to ask yourself to what extent you agree or disagree with the statement. There are three possible cases:

You agree completely
You disagree completely
You partially agree (which means you also partially disagree)

Next, ask yourself: ‘ Why do I think that?’ This is a very useful question because by answering it you will start generating ideas that you will then include in your essay.

How many ideas should you come up with? In all three cases the secret is that less is more, so I recommend having no more than four in total.

Let’s have a look at an example from Cambridge IELTS 11:

Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

I’ve read the question and now I’m going to make some notes before I start writing. Here are my notes:

Partially agree - Both needs funding Why?

Safety reasons
Taxpayers expect government investment in both

Two main ideas. Now we have some direction and know where we are going with our essay. Should you now start writing? Not yet. You’ll need to develop these ideas, and the best way to do this is to give explanations, details, reasons and examples. Let’s add these to the notes.

Safety reasons - Both roads and trains are widely used / all ages / need to be kept in good condition / if not, risk of crashes / example: Ponte Morandi collapse 2018 – Italy / lots of casualties / could have been avoided with more funding - maintenance / Trains are crowded at rush hour -> a railroad accident might be a terrible tragedy
Taxpayers expect government investment in both - governments need to provide good services / citizens pay tax for this / example: train commuters pay to have efficient trains / if not – disruptions - late for work / same is true for road users / example: opening a new highway -> less traffic

Notice that I didn’t write full sentences but notes. Keep your full sentences for the essay! If you don’t do this brainstorming exercise before you start writing, the risk is that you’ll write whatever comes to your mind, and your essay will probably be confusing to read.

Top Tip: Think of how you’re going to structure your text. Keep life simple and always aim at four paragraphs: introduction, two body paragraphs and conclusion.

Introduction

Two sentences are enough here. In the first sentence you should paraphrase the task question. In the second sentence say if you (partially) agree/disagree so you immediately let the reader know what you think.

Two main paragraphs

Why these paragraphs? A paragraph contains ideas about a single subject and using them will make your essay organised, structured and easy to read. When writing an agree/disagree essay there are, again, three possible options:

You completely agree - First paragraph: reasons why you agree. 2nd paragraph: other reasons why you agree.
You completely disagree - First paragraph: reasons why you disagree. 2nd paragraph: other reasons why you disagree.
You partially agree - First paragraph: reasons why you agree. 2nd paragraph: reasons why you disagree.

Remember: it’s much better to have few well-developed ideas than a lot of poorly developed ones , so when you write the paragraphs make sure to give reasons, examples and details. All these must be relevant to the reason you agree/disagree.

Again, keep life simple and write one or two sentences only. You should briefly repeat and summarise your answer to the question. Don’t introduce information that you didn’t mention in your paragraphs before. We need a conclusion to conclude right? So, don’t introduce other reasons or topics at the end of your text.

Read the topic of the question and make sure you understand it
Ask yourself if you agree or not with the statement in the question
Brainstorm ideas before you start righting
State your opinion in the introduction
Use four paragraphs
Logically organise the main paragraphs (for example, one for reasons why you agree and the other for reasons why you disagree)
Extend and develop your ideas with reasons, examples and explanations
Write a short conclusion.
Start writing immediately
Include too many different ideas. Less is more!
Introduce more information in the conclusion.

Hope this helps you with your writing. Good luck!

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IELTS Opinion Essay: Choosing one side or partially agreeing?

In an IELTS opinion essay, you can either agree, disagree or take a balanced approach which means to partially agree. However, you need to learn more so that you fulfil the requirements of the higher band scores.

See the answers to the 4 questions below. Also see useful links for writing task 2 below. All tips are for GT and Academic students.

1. Is it better to choose one side?

It won’t alter your score if you choose to support one side or partially agree. As long as you give a clear opinion, the examiner will be happy.

If you don’t understand a partial agreement essay, then choose one side. It’s easier to choose one side for most students and you can still get band score 9 by choosing one side.

Sometimes it might be hard to find enough ideas to support one side. In this case, go for a partial agreement. BUT if you need training to learn how to do this correctly.

2. Will you get a higher score if you partially agree?

No. It’s doesn’t matter what your opinion is – one side or partial. The only thing the examiner wants is a relevant opinion which is fully explained.

3. Can you write a discussion essay instead?

NO. Let me repeat that – NO !!! An opinion essay is only about your opinion. It is not about what other people think. You can’t change the type of essay you have been given. Look at the instructions below:

You must explain both sides of what other people think and also give your opinion
You must present your opinion and nothing else. Your opinion must cover all aspects of the essay question.

4. Can you use “I” or “my” in an opinion essay?

Yes. Of course. You MUST use “i” or “my” – it’s the only way to give your own personal opinion. Look at the language below:

it is believed / it is considered / it seems – This language does not express your own individual opinion. It is perfect for discussion essays but it can’t be used for your own views.
I think / I agree / I disagree / In my opinion – This is how you clearly express your view. The examiner wants to see this language when you give your opinion.

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Would this essay work on the opinion essay:

Q.) Public celebrations (such as national days, festivals etc) are held in most countries. These are often quite expensive and some people say that governments should spend money on more useful things. Do you agree or disagree?

Ans: The public display of culture through celebrations has been a matter of debate for years as most people argue for its necessity as it contributes to a huge loss in the nation’s capital. In the meantime, certain groups of people often express their dissatisfaction to the government cutting funds to such events, debating in support of large public celebrations, with the argument that those public celebrations are the sole identity of the nation. Both the arguments are much compelling as there doesn’t exist a harsh dark and light in the situations, but it lies in the gray area in actuality.

Public celebrations including festivals, jatras(cultural rallys popular in Nepal), national days, ets are unique to a culture,group or a place, and are the markers for their identity. So, cutting funds to those celebrations for sparing some bucks for the government might risk these unique heritages to go to extinction as we move throughout the years. Moreover, it may risk the extinction of an entire culture which for a country with a diverse heritage like Nepal, based predominantly on cultural tourism might be a much bigger problem in the future. The government cutting corners in some public celebrations while not in others, might also come off as discriminatory to the people of different cultures having their faith attached to those events.

On the other hand, in the time of an economic crisis like the one we are currently in, the government spending their funds off lavish displays and events could be debated as an unwise decision. People can debate how those funds can be utilized in works of social reforms and development rather than a lavish display. Furthermore, as the government has its own limitations for the sources of revenue, spending it off for events which might bring profit to the nation through tourism rather than on solid projects and developments works that are guaranteed to bring back the investment would be a better decision if taking things logically.

Taking all those things in consideration, it is fairly a matter dependent upon the situation and the economic state of the nation. If I were the one to decide, considering the current situation of the government, I would probably choose to mobilize the funds to development projects rather than extravagant public displays.

“Parents should encourage children to spend less time on studying and more on doing physical activities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

For this kind of question, can I say I think studying and physical activities are equally important?

Similarly, “Some people think the government should not spend on international aid because there are disadvantaged people in their country, such as the unemployed and homeless. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Can I say I think solving issues in their country and spending money on international aid are both important?

Do I have to say which one is more important than the other one?

When you have an opinion essay with two issues, you must address them both. But you don’t want to sit on the fence. You need to think more deeply about your opinion. You will usually find that you feel more strongly about one side than the other. Or you might find that you agree with A in a certain situation and B in another situation. Looking at the first question. Are you really trying to say that study and physical activities should have equal time spend on each? At the moment, school children study for about 7 hours a day and have one hour homework. They do physical activities for no more than about 1 hour a day. So, are you saying that schools should completely alter their curriculum and have 50% study and 50% physical activity? Really? I doubt you think this. Do you really want children playing games outside for four hours a day and only studying for four days? This is a common example of not analysing your thoughts enough. IELTS writing is about thinking more deeply and presenting a well thought out point of view. Think very carefully about how you express your opinion and explain it. For example, you could say studying should take priority but at the same time physical activity should be increased in schools and made available as extra curricular activities. Also note, the essay question is not about which is more important, it is about how much time should be spent on each. Pay very close attention to the wording in the question so that you address the issue directly. Hopefully, now you can apply these principles to the second question.

It was the what extend do you agree question.. Instead of writing “I partially agree” I wrote “as per my view.. And stated both points about my partial agreement with the statement but I didn’t write I partially agree.. Will this make me suffer a huge loss..? Please reply Thank you

There are no specific words that must be used in IELTS. If you agree with the statement, you don’t need to write “I agree” specifically. If you partially agree, you don’t need to use those particular words. IELTS is about meaning and clarity, not rules about using one or two words.

Hi Liz, I have an opinion essay of my own to write and I am quite confused as to what approach I should take with the topic. “Traditions can be found all over the world, some of them ancient and some of them recent. They often serve to bring communities together, but can also be the subject of heated debate and controversy. To what extent do you believe traditions can be harmful?” If I choose partially agree, how should my essay be structured? Should I write about how traditions could be harmful in one paragraph, and list out how it might not be the case in other situations in another paragraph? Wouldn’t that seem more like a for and against essay instead? Thanks a lot!

Where did you get this essay question? Did you get it from an Official IELTS website or an Official IELTS test book, if so which one?

Hi liz, I am confused on how to write an essay being agree partially. Essay- Today, the life expectancy of people is much higher than before. Some people think that older people should continue to be involved in the workforce.

I hope for your reply 🙏

In that essay question there is only one issue – do you think older people should continue to be involved in the workforce? If you partially agree, it means you do not fully agree. In other words, there might be one or two reasons why you do not fully agree with it. You therefore have to state what those reasons are and in what cases you do actually agree.

In this case (To what extent do you…), If I take one side and explain it further, isn’t it similar to an Agree or Disagree essay? (Here I am assuming that in an Agree or Disagree essay we have to take one position.)

There is no difference at all between “to what extent..” and “do you agree/disagree”. They are the same instructions paraphrased.

Thank you Liz.

For this essay – paying all workers the same salary in a company promotes harmony and respect amongst colleagues. To what extent do you agree or disagree. Can I write an essay like this: I strongly disagree with the above statement and in this essay will discuss the reasons as to why first of fall its impractical to pay the same salary and then will elucidate the reasons as to why paying all the employees the same salary will in fact result in a less harmonious work environment.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Sounds like you have been learning phrases to put in your essay. Do NOT use learned phrases “this will essay discuss the reasons…” / “then elucidate the reasons as to why…” The examiner is not stupid. The examiner knows these are not your own language. Each sentence must be uniquely created by yourself. Why don’t you just write normally: “I strongly disagree with the above statement because it is impractical to pay the same salary and cause friction in the work environment.”. Be clear. Be direct. Safe the details for the body paragraphs.

Hi Liz! Thank you so much for your reply. English is kind of my first language and I am used to using those phrases. Should I tone down my English for IELTS? Thanks again for your great help!

If English is your first language, you should write naturally. This is not an academic essay, it is a formal essay. You don’t use academic phrases. You write naturally and avoid informal tones or language. The title “academic ielts” is given because the test is often taken for entry onto educational courses. The essay itself is only formal in nature.

Thank you! This is really helpful.

I myself am an IELTS trainer (for the past year after being in the BPO sector for 20 years) and am a fan of yours and your IELTS tips, lessons, and videos that you have generously posted for free have been immensely helpful to me and my students. In continuation to the above hot discussion on opinion essays, I would like your say on the below situation.

One of my students had written an essay on the below question.

“Modern technology products such as smartphones and wearables are very addictive and should be banned. To what extent do you agree or degree with this view?”

He took an one-sided view (like many students would prefer to do or were taught to do) that “I completely disagree with the statement.” and wrote about the necessity of smartphones, advantages of the industry generating employment to many and revenue to government in the form of taxes, etc. (He did not mention about the addictive part whether he agrees it is addictive or not). I felt the task is not met like you rightly pointed out in one of the comments above(do you concur).

However, I feel there are two parts in the statement a) smart phones are addictive and b) it should be banned.

So shouldn’t we address both parts, that is, whether I agree if they are addictive and if so whether banning it is the solution for the same.

In that case there cannot be an answer which says I completely disagree with the statement unless you mean to say they are not addictive and hence need not be banned.

Are the below options correct: OPTION I: I partially agree with the statement a) it is addictive however disagree with b) should be banned, probably use can be restricted or limited.

OPTION II: One-sided, I agree they are addictive and hence need to be banned.

OPTION III: One-sided, I disagree, they are not addictive and hence need not be(should not be) banned.

Are there any other variations possible. Thanks for taking your valuable time to read/respond to this lengthy post, which in my humble opinion will be of great help to all other millions of IELTS aspirants worldwide who visit your web page.

You have hit the nail on the head. Your understanding of the question is correct. Your understanding of a one-sided view when there are two issues to address is correct. The only other option you haven’t tackled is a specific view point: I agree they are addictive, however I think banning them is not the right solution – a better solution would be X. It is a great way to fully address and expand the topic given. I hope that helps.

Thank you Liz for your clarification. I’m doubly happy. God bless you for your wonderful work and big/kind heart.

Hello Liz! I am really worried about opinion essays! I ordered the advanced lesson but it says ‘not supported’. I don’t know what to do. Please help me .My exam is on saturday.

Please email me with more details about your problem: [email protected] . Do this immediately. Thanks

Hii Liz what can we write to give a partial view ?

Hi liz, Does it affects my TR score if I only discuss about “Benefits of planting tress” and do not talk about “building houses” in the following essay:- My thesis statement is: I completely agree that planting trees is more significant to solve many problems confronted by urban dewellers than constructing infrastructure.

Some people think that planting trees in open spaces in cities and towns is more important than building houses. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It would negatively affect your score. Your opinion is “I believe planting trees is more important than housing”. You must explain why planting trees is important and why housing is not so important. Answer fully!

Hi Liz! How can I improve doing T/F/NG reading questions?

See this tips on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/

Hi Liz, I just recently took my IELTS exam last Saturday.I may say thay I am blessed with my writing task 1 and 2 topics. In writing task 1, I need to write a letter from a complaints that turns a commendation for the staff. Writing task 2, is need to give my opinion from the suggestion that suggestion that all ages of students to join in same class. I hope this will help. Now, I’l pray that all my exam ,reading and listening will have a good results. God is good I know! 🙂 from Mhae

Thanks for sharing and good luck with your results 🙂

I pray for best,thank you for helping us to our review.God bless Us!

That test I had it on the 26th! I said that I believe that children should learn both of them. I don’t know why they gave me only 6…I’m struggling with the writing and I don’t know where I’m doing so many mistakes…I sit this exam for 4th times and I am quite desperate because I don’t know what I should change…I watched your videos, I worked a few books…and nothing….only 6. Thank you!

If u agree you cannot explain about world history. Throughout your essay should be about local history and supporting sentences. Watch her advanced ielts videos. She is explaining more in detail.

Your opinion must answer the all issues. If you agree, then your opinion is that local history should be taught and world history should not be taught. That is your full opinion.

If you agree – then you need to explain why you think money shouldn’t be spent protecting wildlife and also what other problems should be solved with the money.

Hello Liz, How can I buy all three advanced writing videos together? As each purchase cost can extra fee for international transaction, buying together would be beneficial, if that is possible.

I’m sorry but I haven’t put them in a package yet.

Dear LIZ I get more motivated when I read your texts. Although my handwriting is not much more qualified, but I’m preparing for IELTS test.Actually, I live in Finland as an asylum seeker, considerd to my teacher’s opinion I am not ready to take ILETS test yet. Would you please share me some links for improving my writing and listening? Thank you so much

I would be happy if I could submit, but because I live here illegally without any Bank account. That’s made me crazy.

Check your email – I just sent you a present 🙂

You’re not only the best teacher ever, you’re the model of human being. Thanks for inspiring me!

Hi Liz, Can i use words such as ‘what is more ‘OR ‘ to be more clear’ to explain my points between paragraphs? Thanks in advance

See my list of linking words: https://ieltsliz.com/linking-words-for-writing/ . Then see my main writing task 2 page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hi mam, 7 years back I took ielts exam & I got 6.5 overall . Later I stopped thinking of exam as it finds difficult for me to reach the required score.But after watching all your lessons I am planning to take exam again .Really impressed by all ur videos . Thanks you so much .

My exam is tomorrow I have one question please help me

In any questions like agree or disagree, advantages or disadvantages, to what extent do you agree or disagree??? In such OR questions…can we partially agree or disagree?? Can we fully go for disagree or agree??

Can we write for example in body paragraph(if we agree) writing 4 positive points and in next paragraph 3 points showing its negative side and in conclusion going with agree one

please reply

Hi my best ielts teacher,kindly tell me if it is correct to write your opinion as ,”This essay agrees with the statement or should i always write, “In my opinion.Thanks in advance

If you want to give YOUR opinion, you need to use “I”. The words “this essay …” does not express your opinion.

In the partially agree,is it possible to write 2 body paragraphs on agree and 3rd one on disagree. I am little confuse about it.

Thanks in advance

For the Partial Agreement/Disagreement Essay (Balanced View) is it possible to still write 4 Paragraphs with such essay or it must be 5 paragraphs?

You can have either four or five paragraphs in writing task 2. It depends on your main points.

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Agree or disagree IELTS Writing Essay

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IELTS agree or disagree essay
This is a band 9 guide to writing agree/disagree essays in IELTS Writing. Agree or disagree essay questions are very common for IELTS Writing task 2. ... There are a lot of ways to structure your essay, but we'll use a structure that has been approved by many IELTS examiners to be high-scoring and coherent. Band-9 essay structure:
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Structure an 'Agree or Disagree' Essay
Paragraph 2 (body 1) Explain and support your first reason why rail is more important. Paragraph 3 (body 2) Explain and support your second reason why rail is more important. Paragraph 4 (conclusion) Re-state your overall opinion (rail is more important) and summarise your main reasons. 2.
How to Write "Agree or Disagree" Essays for IELTS
Structuring "Agree or Disagree" Essays. Some kinds of IELTS essay are easy to structure. For example, "Discuss both views" and "Advantages and disadvantages" questions can easily be answered with a predictable four-paragraph structure. However, "agree or disagree" questions require a little more thought.
IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay
IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay. For IELTS Writing Task 2 you can receive one of five different essay types. Much of the structure for each type is similar, but there are some differences that you need to pay attention to and learn if you want to succeed on the writing section of the exam.
Ultimate IELTS Band 7+ Structure for Agree or Disagree Essay
Provide a brief overview of the main points you will discuss in the essay. Body Paragraph 1: Start with a strong topic sentence that presents the main reason supporting your agreement or disagreement. Provide supporting evidence, examples, or data to justify your position. Elaborate on the implications or consequences of your viewpoint.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Agree or Disagree Essay
5) IF YOU AGREE AND DISAGREE AT THE SAME TIME. 1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Balanced Opinion: I accept that … , but I disagree that… (2 SENTENCES!) 2§: What I agree with +The reason (s) why I agree + Explanation + Example. 3§ What I disagree with +The reason (s) why I disagree + Explanation + Example OR result.
Agree or Disagree Essay- Complete 2023 IELTS Lesson
This lesson will teach you how to write 'agree or disagree' or 'opinion' IELTS task 2 essays that could score a Band 7, 8 or 9. Agree or disagree question types are among the most common on the IELTS writing paper, so you must learn how to write them properly. In this post, we will look at: We will use a question from an IELTS past ...
IELTS Agree Disagree Essay Sample Answer
For an IELTS agree disagree essay you can either agree with the statement, disagree with the statement or give your opinion which contains a balanced approach to the issues in the statement. ... stretching on a regular basis is the initial step towards solving this problem .Students can learn a lot about the body structure , its functioning and ...
IELTS Opinion Essays
IELTS opinion essays, also known as 'agree or disagree' essays, come up frequently in the writing exam. In this lesson, I'm going to show you how to plan and write them step-by-step. Here's what we'll be covering: 3 Common mistakes. Essay structure. How to plan. How to write an introduction. How to write main body paragraphs.
How to organize agree/disagree essays on your IELTS exam
We're going to show you a simple structure for an IELTS agree/disagree essay that will enable examiners to make their way through your writing with ease. When you get to the essay writing component of the IELTS exam, the clock is ticking, and the pressure is on. You have about 40 minutes to determine the key question to address, think of your ...
Mastering the IELTS Agree Disagree Essay: Tips for Success
The agree or disagree essay questions are the most commonly asked in the IELTS examination. They are also called as argumentative essays. In this type of essays, you are asked to give your opinion, whether you agree or disagree on the particular sentence that is given. You are given 40 minutes to complete the 250-word essay.
IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay format: Works 100%. Guaranteed
Guaranteed. In Writing Task 2 of IELTS, an agree or disagree essay is the most common type of essay. Essentially, a debatable opinion will be presented to you, and you have to propound a discourse either supporting or opposing it. There are multiple ways of going about with agree or disagree essay questions.
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'agree or disagree' essay samples
Here are links to four of my essays, each of which demonstrates one of the four "systems" that I recommended in last week's lesson. 1. Click here to see a strong answer with two supporting ideas. 2. Click here to see a strong answer in which I refute the opposite view. 3. Click here to see a balanced answer. 4. Click here to see an "almost balanced" answer, favouring one side. Remember: All ...
To what extent you agree or disagree essay
For our essay, we'll choose the last opinion - partially agree / disagree (AD). Band 9 answer structure. There are a lot of ways to structure your essay, but we'll use a structure that has been approved by many IELTS examiners to be high-scoring and coherent. Band-9 essay structure: Introduction; Body paragraph 1 - the 1st supporting point
How to Start your Agree / Disagree Essay in Writing Task 2
An "agree or disagree" essay offers a statement and invites you either to agree or disagree with it. For this type of task 2 essay, you are expected (1) to state your opinion clearly (2) to address all parts of the statement with which you are agreeing or disagreeing (3) fully to support your opinion with reference to further knowledge or ...
How To Write An Agree Or Disagree Essay?
Writing Task 2 Agree/Disagree Essay Structure. The structure that I advise my students to use, will be sure to get you a band score of 7+. ... You need to practice using this structure, with as many questions as you can, before sitting your IELTS test. This writing task 2 structure has been proven to be successful for my students and when ...
IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures + Band 9 Essays
The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion (Agree or Disagree) Advantages and Disadvantages. Problem and Solution. Discussion (Discuss both views) Two-part Question. Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question.
A Simple Formula for Organizing Agree/Disagree Essays
Here, I'm going to show you a simple structure for an IELTS agree/disagree essay that will enable examiners to make their way through your writing with ease - as if they have a roadmap to follow. Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs (for example working for a charity ...
Essay Structure for "Agree or Disagree"
Sentence 1 - State your reason. Writing your reason first will serve as the main topic which needs to be elaborated. Begin by writing: "The [major/primary] reason as to why I [agree/disagree] is that (reason 1).". "One of the significant reasons why I [agree/disagree] is (reason 1). NOTE: This is only a simple template.
agree disagree essay
Structure. Paragraph 1: Introduction. Paragraph 2: Reason 1 to agree/disagree. Paragraph 3: Reason 2 to agree/disagree. Paragraph 4: Conclusion. Model Answer. Many people prefer working from their house or apartment instead of an office. I totally agree that it is better to work from home because it saves time and increases productivity.
How to Write the Agree or Disagree Essay for IELTS
If the question has to what extent, you should clearly say to what degree you agree or disagree, i.e., completely, neither, or partially. If it only asks to agree or disagree, then you need not give the extent. The usual practice is to follow this format for the IELTS agree or disagree essay questions : Introduction. Supporting Paragraph 1.
How to write an agree/disagree essay for…
You partially agree - First paragraph: reasons why you agree. 2nd paragraph: reasons why you disagree. Remember: it's much better to have few well-developed ideas than a lot of poorly developed ones, so when you write the paragraphs make sure to give reasons, examples and details. All these must be relevant to the reason you agree/disagree.
IELTS Opinion Essay: Choosing one side or partially agreeing?
In an IELTS opinion essay, you can either agree, disagree or take a balanced approach which means to partially agree. However, you need to learn more so that you fulfil the requirements of the higher band scores. See the answers to the 4 questions below. Also see useful links for writing task 2 below. All tips are for GT and Academic students. 1.

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Structuring “Agree or Disagree” Essays

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Language for Agreeing and Disagreeing

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IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay

Example of IETS Opinion essay

Structure of IELTS Opinion Essay

To what extent..

Example Vocabulary and Phrases: Arguing Your Point

Example Vocabulary and Phrases: Adding Adverb

Example Vocabulary and Phrases: Verbs

Before You Start

Outline structure for IELTS Essay

Outline structure for IELTS Opinion Essay

Example Essay

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Ultimate IELTS Band 7+ Structure for Agree or Disagree Essay

General Structure For Agree Or Disagree

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Example Essay: Impact Of Social Media On Mental Health

1) IF YOU AGREE (STRONG POSITION)

2) IF YOU AGREE (BALANCED POSITION)

3) IF YOU DISAGREE (STRONG POSITION)

4) IF YOU DISAGREE (BALANCED POSITION)

5) IF YOU AGREE AND DISAGREE AT THE SAME TIME

Bonus: IELTS Punctuation PDF Guide Everything you want to know to have correct punctuation in your IELTS Writing for 7.0-9.0 Score (31 pages, .PDF)

How to Plan & Write IELTS Opinion Essays

The Question

3 Common Mistakes

Essay Structure

How To Plan IELTS Opinion Essays

# 2 Generate ideas

# 3 Vocabulary

How To Write an Introduction

2) Thesis statement

1) Paraphrase the question

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main Body Paragraph 1

Main Body Paragraph 2

How To Write a Conclusion

5 More Model IELTS Opinion Essays

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How to organize agree/disagree essays on your IELTS exam

Content Tags

Paragraph One - Introduction

Paragraph Two - Body

Paragraph Three - Body – Repeat the above

Blank template for you

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Agree Disagree Essays in IELTS

IELTS Writing Task 2 Agree or Disagree Essay

Tips to write Agree Disagree Essays

IELTS Agree Disagree Essay Structure

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Body paragraph