phrases for agree disagree essay

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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?

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 - band 9 guide

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 . This type of questions asks you to say whether you agree or disagree with a given statement and justify your opinion .

In this lesson you will see IELTS writing task 2 sample question + model answer and learn

• how to choose an opinion for agree/disagree question
• how to generate ideas
• how to give a band 9 answer for agree/disagree question

IELTS agree/disagree question sample

Let’s look at an example of IELTS writing task 2:

Big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.

Do you agree or disagree?

Provide relevant examples if necessary.

This is a classic example of agree or disagree question that you may get on IELTS Writing task 2.

You can watch our video tutorial on how to tackle agree/disagree questions in IELTS Writing:

Choose your opinion & generate ideas

Agree or disagree question asks you to clearly determine whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Unlike questions that ask you to what extent do you agree or disagree , this question asks you to have a super-clear opinion. After you’ve decided your opinion, generate 2-3 supporting points for it .

For the task above you have two possible options:

• You fully agree that big salary is more important than job satisfaction
• You completely disagree that big salary is more important than job satisfaction

 Now let’s generate supporting points for each of the opinions:

• Big salary is more important
• Having a job with a high salary makes people feel satisfied no matter what kind of job they do
• Money is essential for survival and good living
• Job satisfaction is more important
• Job satisfaction gives you a sense of fulfillment
• Doing what you like keeps you motivated and therefore leads to a career growth
• Money can’t buy happiness and it’s more pleasant to pursue what you’re interested in

For our essay, we’ll choose the second opinion.

Band 9 answer structure

After you’ve decided whether you agree or disagree and generated your supporting points, it’s time to start writing your essay.

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 reason you agree/disagree

Body paragraph 2 - the 2nd reason you agree/disagree

Let’s take a look at each of these sections in detail.

Write your introduction in two sentences:

It is often argued that it is more advantageous to choose a job with high wage, even if it doesn't appeal to you at all.

I completely disagree with this opinion and think that job satisfaction is much more important than salary.

• Sentence 1 - state the first reason you agree/disagree .

First of all, I believe that job satisfaction gives people a sense of fulfillment that no money can guarantee.

To explain the reason effectively, you can imagine that your examiner has no knowledge of this subject at all and you have to explain every detail:

Even if someone is earning a high salary, but feels tensed and compromises with his conscience, this person won’t enjoy his life. While pursuing one’s interests will always bring pleasure and feeling of satisfaction.

For example, a lot of famous researchers made their career choices not because of appealing wages, but because they were passionate about science.

That’s why it’s more important to choose the kind of work that makes you happy than to look only at a high salary.

Secondly, doing what you like keeps you motivated and therefore leads to a career growth.

In other words, there is a strong relation between job satisfaction and productivity. People who love their jobs can easily excel in their fields of work and achieve better results than those, who put salary on the first place.

• Sentence 4 - support your idea with an example :

For instance, Henry Miller decided to leave his everyday job despite a good wage and ventured to become a writer. And after enduring years of ups and downs he became one of the most famous and well-paid authors of the twentieth century.

Thus, advantages of jobs that keep you satisfied outweigh the drawback of a low salary in a long-term perspective.

You can write the conclusion in one sentence that summarizes your opinion + 2 reasons for it :

To conclude, I strongly believe that job satisfaction is more beneficial than high salary because it makes people happy and motivated.

DO NOT write new ideas in the conclusion!

IELTS agree/disagree model answer

This is a full band-9 answer for IELTS agree or disagree question above:

It is often argued that it is more advantageous to choose a job with high wage, even if it doesn't appeal to you at all. I completely disagree with this opinion and think that job satisfaction is much more important than salary.

First of all, I believe that job satisfaction gives people a sense of fulfillment that no money can guarantee. Even if someone is earning a high salary, but feels tensed and compromises with his conscience, this person won’t enjoy his life. While pursuing one’s interests will always bring pleasure and feeling of satisfaction. For example, a lot of famous researchers made their career choices not because of appealing wages, but because they were passionate about science. That’s why it’s more important to choose the kind of work that makes you happy than to look only at a high salary.

Secondly, doing what you like keeps you motivated and therefore leads to a career growth. In other words, there is a strong relation between job satisfaction and productivity. People who love their jobs can easily excel in their fields of work and achieve better results than those, who put salary on the first place. For instance, Henry Miller decided to leave his everyday job despite a good wage and ventured to become a writer. And after enduring years of ups and downs he became one of the most famous and well-paid authors of the twentieth century. Thus, advantages of jobs that keep you satisfied outweigh the drawback of a low salary in a long-term perspective.

(277 words)

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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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. However, this does not mean you can discuss both sides impartially – you must give a clear opinion to get a good score in the criterion of Task Response which is 25% of your marks. Another name for an agree disagree essay is an opinion essay or argumentative essay. 

IELTS Opinion Essay Question

The growing number of overweight  people is putting a strain on the health care system in an effort to deal with the health issues involved. Some people think that the best way to deal with this problem is to introduce more physical education lessons in the school curriculum. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Agree Disagree Model Essay

Below is a model answer for the above Opinion Essay: Agree/Disagree Essay. 

Owing to the problems which a growing population of overweight people cause for the health care system, some people think that the key to solving these issues is to have more sport and exercise in schools. I completely agree that this is the best way to tackle the issue of deteriorating public health in relation to weight.

Firstly, dealing with the issues surrounding obesity and weight problems is best solved by taking a long term approach and introducing more sport and exercise in schools. This method will ensure that the next generation will be healthier and will not have such health problems. At the moment, the average child in the West does sport possibly twice a week, which is not enough to counteract their otherwise sedentary lifestyle. However, by incorporating more sports classes into the curriculum as well as encouraging extracurricular sports activities, they will undoubtedly become fitter and more active.

Another point to consider is that having more sports lessons for children in schools will probably result in children developing an interest in exercise which might filter through to other members of their family and have a longer lasting effect . In other words, parents with sporty children are more likely to get involved in sport as a way of encouraging their ch ildren . By both parents and children being involved, it will ensure that children grow up to incorporate sport into their daily lives. This is certainly a natural and lasting way to improve public health.

In conclusion, to deal with an increasing population of unfit, overweight people, changing the lifestyle of the coming generation by introducing sport in schools is the easiest and most effective method to use.

Download a PDF copy of the model essay below:  IELTS Agree Disagree Model Essay

• Make sure your introduction is not too long. Just paraphrase the essay question and present your opinion.
• Make sure your opinion is consistent from introduction to conclusion.
• Each body paragraph presents a reason for your view.
• Your body paragraphs should explain your views with relevant detail.
• Never miss the conclusion. Keep it short, but make sure you write it!
• It is possible to have a partial agreement for this essay where you think sports lessons are a good solution, but there is another more effective solution.

Advanced IELTS Writing Task 2 Lessons

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IELTS Model Essays

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Hi Liz, thanks for your wonderful website. I’m learning so much.

I want to ask you about the opinion essay. What is the difference between To What Extend Do You Agree and the essay which is Do You Agree? Are they the same or different. I’m confused.

Please advice me.

This is a common concern that people have. An Opinion Essay question might have different instructions. It might be “To what extent do you agree?” or “Do you agree?” or “Do you agree or disagree?” or “What is your opinion?”. Regardless of how the instructions are written, you can use the same approach, the same techniques because it is exactly the same essay task but with paraphrased instructions. You could agree, you could disagree or you could have a partial agreement, which is sometimes called a “balanced view” but does not mean that you convert it into a discussion essay. At no point can you sit on the fence. You are being marked on giving a clear opinion and explaining your opinion.

Please i need clarity in this kind of opinion question. From the available sample, the agreement is always the last sentence in the introduction paragraph. can i start the paragraph with “I agree” and have other parts of the intro coming after it?

Is it possible too to, in restructuring the introduction paragraph to fuse the “I agree” statement and continue with other supposed parts of the introduction ?

Please advise

You’ll find a free video lesson about how to write an introduction for writing task 2 on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Dealing with obesity issues has long been a concern, as it poses a significant burden on health care organizations. Some people argue that introducing more physical education lessons in the school curriculum is the best solution. I completely agree with this opinion because it will motivate individuals to become healthier. First and foremost, introducing physical education lessons in the school curriculum will educate students about the detrimental effects of being overweight. Regular physical exercise has been proven to encourage a healthy lifestyle. For instance, schools that incorporate daily physical activities see lower rates of obesity among students. This demonstrates that the more physical exercise students engage in, the higher their potential to maintain a healthy and well-shaped body. Secondly, more physical education lessons will inspire students to engage in sports and develop lifelong healthy habits. From a young age, students will learn that exercise is fundamental to maintaining good health, which will help build a healthier generation in the future. By fostering a culture of physical activity, we can ensure that individuals grow up understanding the importance of fitness and incorporating it into their daily lives. In conclusion, I believe that incorporating more physical education lessons into the school curriculum is an effective way to combat obesity. Such programs would instill healthy habits in young people and raise awareness about the health risks associated with being overweight.

In past 10 years have seen a dramatic increase in the obesity rate .These numbers are rising day by day ,thereby putting stress on medical system to tackle these issues . It is considered by some people that by providing physcially or sports education in schools this problem can be solved . I partially agree with this idea and in this essay i will support my opinion with examples.

Firstly , long- term approach must be introduced by schools . For example, sport or health care syllabus should introduce in school curriculum because by doing this , students will habitual of playing games in ground ratherthan spending their time leisure time on mobile phones. Consequently , this idea will assists people to keep away from sedentary lifestyle. Moreover,by organisisng monthly sport tournaments, obesity rate is likely to be decrease as well as that will help for their good mental growth as well such as, if people will take part in sports that will assist for decrease the weight also they can relief from the pressure of daily other activities . Futher and even more interesting note that these activites will develop positive attitude towards their health and give solutions to control on obesity .

On other hands, medical system is also responsible for tackle this problem because not all students have same ability to play in ground such as , some students are not physcially strong thus they are unable to play games . Thus , health care assits these people to get rid from overweight . Futhermore , students from low – income families could not pay for extra seesions or games activities resultant they have to suffer with obesity and worse mental health . Therefore , health care department is also considerable for find the solutions regarding obesity .

In conclusion , although school plays important role to decrease this problem , role of medical system can not be given nelson ‘s eyes .

It has been noted that there is an increase in the number of people who are overweight, and this increase has a negative impact on the health care system. Physical activity awareness could be incorporated in schools to counter the problem and help reduce the pressure that the health care system faces.

Healthcare systems are created to help in the recovery and maintenance of health in the human population. In over the years, being overweight has been linked to the cause of many illnesses and sometimes the reason why recovery of health is slow or unsuccessful. I believe that exposure to information about physical health is important and influence the population to engage in more physical activity especially if it is introduced in early ages, for example, in schools as a subject.

Developing a hobby through physical education at schooling age will most certainly improve the populations awareness in maintaining a healthy weight and therefore help the health care system to provide efficient services with ease. I fully agree that physical education is a good intervention that should be implemented globally.

Don’t forget you will definitely get a low score if you fail to write a conclusion. It’s essential.

hello, i’ve noticed that you did not mention your opinion in the introduction.

A large number of people who are overweight, causing different difficulties in the health care system. A group of people think that adding more sports and exercise in the school might be helpful in order to mitigate the issue. However, I do partially agree with this and believe that along with the physical education lessons in the school, education about healthy diet and physical activities outside of the school is also essential to tackle the issue. Gaining weight is 80% depending on what we are eating in a day. the knowledge of the carb, protein, and vegetable intake in a meal can be helpful to maintain a healthy lifestyle and control weight. As a result, schools can arrange sessions for the students and sometimes for the parents to educate what a balanced meal is. In addition to this, educating about the impact of junk foods on our bodies also how it can damage our different organs can be beneficial for individuals at schools. Another key factor for gaining weight is less activity after school. Usually, after a tiring day at school, most student prefers to stay at home, play video games, or be idle. As a result, they do less physical activities and gain weight. Parents can play an important role in the early childhood of students by encouraging them to do outdoor activities like swimming, skiing, and playing badminton during weekends or after school hours. This will be helpful to keep them active throughout the day/week. In conclusion, adding physical activities to the school curriculum can be a good initiative. However, focusing on educating about a balanced diet and ensuring to do after-school activities can be helpful in handling the issue of being overweight.

Your thesis statement states that you agree exercise in school is needed. Then your body paragraphs completely ignore that point and only talk about food education and after-school activities. You’ll get a low score for ignoring the main part of the task, which is your opinion (fully developed) about exercise in schools. I strongly recommend that you get my advanced lessons to learn precisely how to tackle these essays: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . You must learn how to tackle essays for IELTS so that you fulfil the marking criteria. The other issue is grammar. For example, your first sentence: “A large number of people who are overweight” = this is the subject of the sentence. It is a noun phrase. The next word should be a verb, but it isn’t. You ought to write “is causing” which is a present continuous because the problem is happening now. There also shouldn’t be a common between the subject and verb. The more errors you make in grammar and vocabulary, the lower your score. Aim for accuracy in every sentence and with every word. I have a Grammar E-book in my store to help you with your grammar.

As a result of the strain being placed on the healthcare system due to the growing number of overweight people, a number of people think that the best way to deal with this problem is to introduce more physical education lessons in the school curriculum of which I strongly disagree. I believe that providing easy accessibility of healthier foods and provision of foods that are lower in calories, as well as reducing the amount of sugars present in packaged foods and beverages would be a more effective method of tackling the problem of a growing number of overweight people in the society.

According to numerous researches conducted in recent times, the major cause of the growing number of overweight people in this generation is poor diet. An increasing number of people rely on fast foods and packaged foods for their main meals during the day and unfortunately, most of these foods are loaded with an outrageous amount of artificial sugars and are very calorie dense leading to a higher number of obese people in the society. Making healthier foods such as vegetables and whole grains more accessible and affordable by slashing their prices and making them available across all mini marts and supermarkets would go a long way in making it easier for people to make healthier food choices without breaking the bank or going to extreme lengths to access these foods.

In addition to this, the government should make it compulsory for packaged food producing companies to reduce the quantity of artificial sugars in the foods they produce. They should be mandated to make their foods as healthy as possible and made to reduce the quantity of calories present in these foods as much as is possible while retaining all the health benefits of such foods. For example, the Coca-cola company recently reduced the sugar content in their drinks while retaining the same taste, this goes to great lengths to prove that this is indeed a possibility.

In conclusion, I reiterate my stance that rather than introducing physical education lessons in the school curriculum which is a more passive approach to such an urgent matter, a more effective method of tackling the growing number of obese people in the society would be promoting accessibility and affordability of healthier food choices as well as mandating packaged food producing companies to reduce the quantity of sugars in foods they produce.

Try to remember your aim is to write an essay of around 270-290 words. Longer is definitely not the goal for IELTS. See this page with model answers and tips: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

The increased rate of obesity is creating a problem in the health care system. Some people believe that to help solve the crisis it is imperative to present additional physical activities as part of school curriculum. I highly agree that it will be a crucial start to motivate young individuals in making way towards a healthy living.

Nowadays, most schools have a physical education intended for every student as part of their school curriculum. In addition to the said physical education are numerous kinds of extracurricular activities that some active students participate in. For example, football, basketball and running- all these activities are not graded as it is only an optional activity for students. In spite of the encouragement of many educators for young individuals to get engaged in many sports, there are many students who opt not to be involved at all. As a result, physical education only works if there is a grading system for students to follow. Moreover, students will be more motivated if they are constantly reminded that health education is a competitive subject that they need to pass.

Moreover, physical education that will be implemented at school will be a beginning of the young generations’ choices towards a healthy life. If the students know the importance of being in a good shape has a significant effect on their future, it will be a solid foundation for them to continue their healthy lifestyle even after they graduate from school. Through this they will aim not only to have good grades but for a positive and long lasting effect on their life.

In conclusion, physical education that is introduced as part of school curriculum will be a beginning of building a strong motivation to young individuals in making good and healthy choices throughout their lives.

I have a question: in opinion essays, should we present points in favor and points against, or should all points support our opinion? My issue is that I’ve seen some essays uploaded to these websites that have two paragraphs stating why they hold the opinion they have chosen, while others, like this one, list points in favor and against as if it were a discussion and finally state which one carries more weight. The difference is that in this one, it only states whether one agrees, and in the other, it states whether one agrees or disagrees (social media opinion). Can you explain this? Thank you in advance

I’m not fully sure I understand what you mean. So, I’ll try to guess. All Opinion Essays focus on your opinion only, not the opinion of other people. You can agree, you can partly agree (ie agree to some extent but not totally or have a specific view point) or you can disagree. Whatever your opinion, the whole essay is about it. This essay above agrees with the statement that exercise is the best method and the whole essay explains. The essay about social media asked about the effects on individuals and the community. The writer said it was positive for individuals but negative for communities – that was the opinion, the whole essay tackled that opinion. It is not about being in favour or against, it is about having an opinion, stating it and then explaining it. It is not related to other people’s opinions, only your own. See my advanced lessons for more detailed training: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi Liz! I hope you’re doing well. It’s so nice to see you back😊. Liz I have a question I am going to write computer based test so in listening part can I write the answers in capital letters. Please let me know I am going to write my exam this week on April 27th

For the computer based test, handwriting is not an issue so you can use upper or lower case, as you wish.

Can I write examples from my own life? like ” For example, my friend was fit because……….”

All IELTS writing task 2 essays, for both the GT test and Academic test, are formal essays. That means you are not writing about friends, family or yourself. But rather your understanding and knowledge of people and the world in general. See all my model essays to learn the tone and types of essays: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ . For detailed training, get my advanced lessons in my store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

It is true that nowadays, the rise in the ratio of obese patients, are putting a significant amount of pressure on health systems to cater for their deteriorating health needs. A good number of people believe that the best way to deal with this endemic is to incorporate health education in school programs. This essay will completely agree to this statement and give relevant examples.

First and foremost, there are various reasons to this statement. However, the most powerful to this, is the ability to increase the life span of the young adults. This means that when adolecents are being educated enough on the risk of overweight, they are likely to change their habits. Most especially, when they are practiced at school level, this is because children learn better when they are with their colleagues. For example, a result to a research conducted in a montessori school revealed that children aged 4-17 consumed a ton of sugary snacks which was filled with unhealthy calories and they never liked fruits and vegetables as well. All of them had unequal body mass index which was detrimental to their health and if had continued they were continously going to be filled with infirmity and weren’t going to live long. The school changed and incorporated health science in their curriculum. In less than a year after evaluation, the children were all living well, loved healthy snacks. which resulted zero hospital visit.

Furthermore, the second benefit to eradicating obesity is incorporating sporty activities in the routine of their students. By so doing, pupils will always burn off excess calories while engaging in their favourite sports. This will also encourage people around them like their parents to get fit when they see the benefits in their kids. It is proven that parents with sporty children ends up finding interest in sports to encourage their children in doing better. In doing this, they are unconsciously living a healthy lifestyle thereby reducing the risk of obesity in the society.

To sum up, the preferred method to eradicate unhealthy weight is by educating children in schools and instilling exercise in their routine.

Just a quick comment. For an opinion essay, you can’t write “this essay will”. This essay question is asking for your opinion – your personal opinion. If you fail to give it, you will lose marks. Also make sure body paragraphs are equally developed and equally supported. See my advanced lessons to learn how to tackle this essay type: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

I was able to score 7.5 for my Academic Writing with the help of your valuable guidance. Thanks a lot for your genuine effort

That’s a great score! Very well done 🙂

Hii mam, please check the essay below and tell me band score of it and also tell where I did mistakes.

I argued that the people who are heavyweight visiting health care systems to reduce the weight,but few people thought that correct way to solve this issue at school about physical education lessons.I completely agree about the problem think that each and every school should introduce about physical education. first of all, nowadays most of the people are visiting to healthcare to reduce the weight because their is no proper exercises.so,to solve this problem at school education has to introduce about physical education lessons although they have to take care about exercise thrice in a week even though keep more activities about exercise. moreover encourage the children to participate in the physical activities while it should introduce from schooling about the physical exercise so their people donot face any issues about their weight.By using medication people can face health issues.Fir example in an army education they thought about physical activities like running, long jumps, overweight lifts so,in this education they maintain a proper weight however people don’t have any health issues. To conclude every educational institution should have about physical exercise and educate them by keeping the lessons on physical activities so we can avoid overweight problems.

Can you please share your feedback on my essay:

Overweight has always been a great challenge in the past few decades. These days patient list is increasing, not because of serious illness or emergency cases, but because of weight gain problems. Lately, people have started believing that to combat this issue; schools must include physical education as extra course. Although, the idea behind the belief is partially correct, but providing students with only these classes will not address the problem completely.

In a World health survey report of 2019, it was recorded that in Finland, there are least number of cases when it comes to health and fitness related sickness. Finland spends heavily on the health awareness programs at schools, and which, in turn, prepares students right from the very beginning, to be conscious about their body. However, this research doesn’t show the full picture, because Finland’s residents are eating only organic food since last 3 decades. Moreover, the deep cultural and traditional norm of Finland is to have only one meal a day, which automatically keeps people fit and fine.

Adding to the above point, school teachings are not the only way to create health awareness. In a research published by Doctor Prakashmurthy, at IIT Roorkee, it was discovered that hormones and stress levels play a crucial role in fat storage. Hence rather than some exercises, people of India opt for Yoga and meditation as tools to combat body problems related to weight gain.

To conclude, I agree that children should be trained about health and fitiness in schools, but it is also vital to teach them discipline about eating food and involve them in other activities, which are related to calmness of body, as these eventually leads to a healthy and fit body and mind.

It is often argued that the increasing number of obese people is putting a strain on the healthcare system. Some masses believe that the best way to tackle this problem is to introduce more physical education in the school curriculum. I completely agree with this opinion and think that it’s the most important thing that every school should do.

First of all, doing physical exercises daily enhances not only your physical health but also your mental health. Introducing physical education in the school curriculum provides daily basis physical training which helps to remove unnecessary fats and also helps to become free from anxiety, tension, and pressure which ultimately benefits both physical and mental health. For instance, students involved in daily basis physical education can be qualified for jobs related to body physics such as Army. Thus it is better to introduce more physical education.

Secondly, physical activity in schools is one of the best ways to eradicate obesity problems. It helps to form the habit in students on involving in physical activity. Even if the student completes their education in school, they have good knowledge of physical education which they can apply for the rest of their life. That’s why it is important to include physical education in every school, curriculum.

To conclude, I strongly believe that involving physical education in the school curriculum is beneficial because it helps to eradicate the obesity problem in a more holistic way.

there is no doubt that, I contemporary era, the majority of individuals are becoming victims of obesity, hence, it is suggested by few masses that involving the vast information regards physical education in school study, can be proved beneficial to tackle with this issue. I completely agree with this statement. Now I will discuss about this statement in my next sections along with explanation. To commence with, there are numerous reasons for increasing weight related issues. the first and the foremost is unawareness of folks towards balance diet. To clarify it, in modern era, human give high priority to fast food instead of home made, however, junk food has plenty of calories, which is responsible to make people fatty, therefore, it is excellent concept to give possible knowledge about physical education in school to children, because in this age they easily can understand and definitely follow in their future life. furthermore, advancement of technology is second cause fir this problem, To elaborate it, it can be seen that in earliest time, human being needed to move out for work, however, in modern time, it yas become straightforward for them to finish their at home, it means the roberts have been taken replace of human labour, for this reason, people have become lazy and do not anything to keep their body fit and health, and if the knowledge about demerits of enhancing weight will be given in younger age, can be fruitful for adolescence in further life. to conclude, after discussing this statement it is clear that everyone has various thinking, but, in my opinion, this notion is better for every person.

Nowadays, increasing number of obese people is putting a strain on the health care system. Some masses believe that the best way to tackle this problem is to introduce more physical activities lessons in the school curriculum. I completely agree that this is the best way to solve this issue.

to begin with, obesity is become a major problem in the society and adding more physical education lesson in school is the best way to solved this problem. for instance, if more physical lessons are introduced in the schools then children get more time to do physical activities like playing football, cricket and many more physical games, this thing not only make them physically fit but also make them more socialize and mentally happy. hence, adding more physical fitness lessons can change the lifestyle of the students and make them fit physically as well as mentally.

Another point to be consider is that introducing more sports lessons for pupils in school may result in creating more interest of children towards sports and also encourage them to take part in different sports event. Moreover, if a child take part in many sports events then he/she can also encourage their parents to do more physical activities. In other words, parents with more sporty child are more likely to involve in sports as a way of increasing interest of their child towards the sports. Thus, by both parents and children involvement in sports can create a good and healthy society.

In conclusion, to deal with unfit population changing the lifestyle of the coming generation by adding more physical activities in school is the easiest and most effective method.

Very good man

Hello Liz, thank you for making your website a great resource for many of us who are studying for the IELTS!

Essay on obesity topic, any inputs or comments would be greatly appreciated:

Reducing weight can be a challenge for many, and figuring out a solution to this health issue is an important task. Being overweight comes with its own related co-morbidies, such as heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, and osteoarthritis, just to name a few. Consequently, these health issues invariably put a strain on the healthcare system, through the involvement of multidisciplinary teams needed to manage these conditions as well as the cost of medications needed to treat the symptoms. Having said that, physical education lessons implemented at school is a possible solution. However, I disagree with the view that it is necessarily the ‘best way’ to deal with this problem.

Being overweight is defined as having a body mass index greater than 25 kilograms per meter square. Overweight and obesity are becoming an increasingly prevalent condition across the globe, more specifically in first world countries. This is partly because of the surplus in food available (especially fast food) as well as the sedentary lifestyles afforded by the children.

Physical activity in schools is just one way to combat obesity. Evidence-based research has shown that being overweight is not just caused by a sedentary lifestyle, it is a multimodal condition with several etiologies: genetics, diet and lifestyle. Hence, just focussing on one cause will insufficiently address and tackle the issue at hand. There needs to be enough done on all fronts in order to not only tackle the present issue, but also to take preventative measures for future generations.

Besides physical educations classes, governments can direct funds towards preventative campaigns through educational sessions in both school and through advertisements. Moreover, policy changes need to be implemented, which include -but not necessarily limited to – the following: banning sugary drinks and candies from school canteens, reducing junk food availability and providing healthier options such as salads. Parents should also be educated on the need and importance of reducing screen time – a known risk factor for obesity.

In conclusion, there cannot be one “best way” to deal with a complex issue such as overweight. This has to be tackled in a more holistic way in order to attain more statistically signifiant results and outcomes to have an impact on the healthcare system.

I am so grateful for your tutorials. I followed all your lessons, bought some of your e-books for my personal studies and finally wrote my exams this year. I am happy to say that I had Reading 8.0, Listening 7.5, speaking 7.5 and writing 7.0. Now I have informed all my friends about your wonderful website. God richly bless you Liz.

That’s wonderful. Well done to you 🙂 And thanks for sharing my website with others 🙂

It is considered that the best option to mitigate the stress of the health care system in tackling with the increasing overweight population is to make students take more physical education lessons at school. Although I agree that students having more exercise will help to deal with the issue to some extent, more attention should be put on enhancing the health awareness of people from all walks of life to solve the problem thoroughly.

On the one hand, exercise is definitely the best choice to keep fit compared to other improper methods like medicine therapy, especially for younger groups like students who are more energetic and able to refresh themselves at a relatively high speed after a running race. The obesity rates of students who have engaged in a sports club at school are averagely lower than those who have not. Therefore, increasing the number of lessons related to sports at school will have positive impact on tackling with the issue.

On the other hand, the physical education lessons cannot stop the rising trend of the obesity population outside the school, it is necessary to let people of all ages receive the health education. Children at school contributed a part of the population who are overweight, the rest part consist of people with unbalanced lifestyle and people suffered from diseases which are the primary cause of obesity like diabetes. It is inevitable to improve their awareness of staying healthy to deal with the growing number of overweight people. This can be achieved in many ways, health experts can give lectures on prevention of obesity and nutritionists can provide advice on daily diet, which are available for everyone on smartphones or TVs. A great number of people who are out of shape will benefit from the health education, which is the cornerstone of winning the battle with obesity.

To conclude, thought I agree that more sports lessons at school may contribute a part in solving the obesity issue, it is more important to improve the health awareness of people of all ages and only in this way, can we solve the problem thoroughly.

Could someone please give feedback on my essay.

The health care system is struggling to resolve the health problems caused by a number of more and more overweight people. It is addressed that introducing more physical education lessons in the school curriculum is the most efficient method. I totally agree that applying the new classes is the key for public health improvement. One plausible effect of the method is that people will spend more time outside and less time in bed. In fact, overweight and obesity people who are likely to eat quite much are not very active. Additionally, modern technologies contribute a huge impact on the sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, getting them engaged in such outdoor activities will help to improve their body health in a positive way. In other words, they can do frequent exercise and burn more unnecessary fat. Creating a stronger society bond is another feasible consequence of the teaching application. Attending physical lessons at school, people can find new friends, especially when they work in teams, and enhance the mental health. Achieving which, a chain effect on their existing relationships such as parents, siblings and classmates will blast. Gradually, people will get to know each other more and more. Nationwide competitions can be held on a regular basis, producing TV shows which entertain viewers and reducing stress among workers. Therefore, the health care system is no longer restrained. In conclusion, to tackle overweight problems, I consent that people should be active on both their mind and behaviors by emerging themselves in the school curriculum. This is among the easiest and most effective way that is either good for body development and social connection.

You’ve got some grammatical errors and I suggest contracting contractable words…. so instead of saying obesity people, say “obese.”

Overall, good job!

It is thought that some of the problems that the health care system faces due to the growing populations of overweight people can be solved by introducing sport and exercise lessons in the schools’ curriculum. I completely agree that this is the best solution to overcome such some of the health issues, in addition to increasing the awareness of people about healthy diet.

Firstly, I believe that making sport as a mandatory subject in schools will decrease the problems that face the health care system. When children do some exercises at different times in the day, they will get healthier and more fit in the future. Also, this will be reflected to their parents as they watch them. For instance, when parents take their children to a garden and the children start to practice what did they learn in their school, their parents will notice the elasticity of their children and they will start do like their children. This encourages most of people and increases their awareness about the importance of sport to their health.

Secondly, besides sport, an awareness about a healthy diet should be taken into account. Eating a lot of fats and sugar can cause some health problems regardless that someone does some exercises. For example, the government should put some taxes on fast food and reduce the taxes on the healthy food.This will encourage people to buy healthy food and as it becomes a habit to them and their children and they notice the difference in their weight and in turn their health. Thus, I strongly recommend to increase the awareness of people about their healthy food bedsides doing sport.

To conclude, I believe that sport and healthy diet will make a big difference in the health care system when they are introduced to children at schools. This results in increasing the awareness of the next generation about avoiding health problems and following a healthy lifestyle.

I dont think the second point was relevant. If it is being marked for Response point, adding and explaining how diet is helpful seems off-point. I think answering like that will be good for questions that ask you for more ways and solutions to the problem, rather than this type

Hello Respected Madam Liz 💗 Please help me to sort out the problem with the question type * To what extent do you agree or disagree) please i am having so much trouble in this ..

If you need training, please go to my store where you can find an advanced lessons about this essay: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Obesity has become more common in our society due to the busy lifestyle practiced by individuals. This has caused enormous strain on the health care system, which can be avoided by practicing a healthy lifestyle.

It is important to promote awareness among the general public of the health problems that can occur due to obesity.

Increasing the frequency of physical education alone will not effectively solve the issue. That is one of the several other steps to inculcate a healthy lifestyle among people. Exercises have the potential to eliminate the excess calories present in our bodies. Exposing children to a variety of sports can help to identify their interests and sometimes, it can help to create a habit among them. In such cases, it can be taken as a very effective option to prevent the flooding of the health care system due to obesity. According to available statistics, the probability of such an occurrence is negligible.

More than that, a well-balanced, nutritious and healthy diet should be practiced. Governments should step up measures to reduce the accessibility of fast foods rich in Sodium and Sugar. They also can educate their citizens about the healthy diet options, which can be easily substituted for the fast food.

In conclusion, a healthy lifestyle, involving nutritious food, adequate sleep, rest and exercise, when combined in the right proportion, is the only solution to deal with any of the lifestyle abnormalities which overwhelm the health care system.

Hi Liz, Is it correct to write the thesis statement as: “I completely agree with this statement for two reasons which I will elucidate below.” Here, I am not using words related to the prompt because they will be used again in the topic sentences of both the body paragraphs.

That is a learned phrase. Each sentence should be connected to the topic you are given and created uniquely by yourself in the test. Is the topic about family? Is it about education? Each sentence must connect to the specific issues presented in the essay question. However, please note that all my advice is aimed at people aiming for the higher band scores. If you are needing only band 5 or around that score, it would be fine to use such techniques in your essay.

Wow… Liz you are back ..so happy for you ❤

Liz, hi. When they ask to what extent do you agree can I write my thesis statement I completely disagree. What is the difference between to what extent do you agree or disagree question and to what extent do you agree question.

There is no difference at all. IELTS like to paraphrase instructions – it’s still the same essay.

Very magnificaant👍👍👍

Hi Liz, thank you for the tips here, they are really helpful. What is the difference between these two essay types- ‘To what extent do you agree/disagree’ and ‘Do you agree or disagree’

Do i have to answer that ‘I completely agree’ to ‘To what extent do you agree question’ OR should i just answer ‘ I agree’ ( I mean, do i have to state the extent of my agreement or i should just simply say i agree)

They are 100% the same. IELTS like to paraphrase instructions from time to time.

Thank you for the response.

Thank You Liz.

I started my prep using your site, a week before my IELTS exam and I scored an overall 7.5 using your tips. Thanks for uploading such amazing tips and samples. They really helped me a lot in my exam.

Great to hear that you did well. Good for you !! 🙂

Hi. Pleaseeeee answer me if possible. In body paragraphs of agree/disagree essays, the first body paragraph should be assigned to agreement side and the second paragraph should be assigned to disagreement side? Or both paragraphs could be assigned to agreement or disagreement side? Thanks in advance.

Your whole essay is a presentation of your opinion. It is not a discussion essay. If you are unsure, please get my Advanced Lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi, Liz. I’ve seen certain solutions to the writing task 1 and 2 with a heading or title. Is that necessary please?

You definitely do not use headings or titles in any IELTS Writing task.

Hi Liz, I had practiced GT Writing Task 2 recently first time. Please check and tell that how much band score I’ll get if the following question will come. I’ll be thankful to you for this. Q- You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic. Write at least 250 words.

In some countries it is thought advisable that children begin formal education at four years old, while in others they do not have to start school until they are seven or eight.

How far do you agree with either of these views?

Answer- In world, some countries believed that proper education of a child should start at the age of 4. On the other hand, other countries do not want to start the education of child before the age of 7 or 8. In my opinion, children have to start his/her education from the age of 4 so that basic concepts will be clear in coming 3-4 year. Firstly, if we discussed about formal education, it requires a formal schooling with adequate content and materials that create interest and increase knowledge related to the subject in a child. A young child brain is in developing stage up to the age of 5. If any country want to start primary education in formal way, it helps to increase knowledge of the children’s. Additionally, They will catch the new terminologies and content in a different ways e.g., play-way method. Secondly, if a country want to start children’s study from the age of 7-8 in formal school, they have to provide some materials and content before school. In other words, they have to provide them education in play schools and with new techniques e.g., learn and play, visual learning etc. When children join the formal school, an evaluation test needs to be taken to check the knowledge and capability they’ll have. After that, based on the performance, particular actions and classes should be arrange so that they all come at equal level. Lastly, I want to share my view that early education is very important. I would prefer to provide early school from the age of 4 so that kids brainstorming can be done at right time. I am strongly agreed to start education from the age of 3-4 years.

Hello, I just took Ielts indicator test. I really messed up with the writing task 2. What I wrote is off topic. I don’t remember the question clearly. It is about lectures and technology and maybe it means that teaching in the class I wrote about lecture paper and students should find information from internet by their own I didn’t write about teaching in class. Do you think I can get 6. Please, reply my message I really need to know If I can’t get 6 I have to try again on 27. I need all skills at least 6.

For listening, In Sec 4, there are 4 multiple questions so I think questions are not the same. I just wanna share the others.

It is important to understanding the way Writing Task 2 is marked. If your essay is off topic then you might get only band 4 or 5 for Task Response. It will depend on whether some parts of your essay are relevant as to what you get for Task Response. Task Response counts for 25% of your Task 2 marks. The other marking criteria for Task 2 will not be affected. You could get band 4 in TR, but get band 8 in the other three marking criteria. You can do the maths. On top of these considerations, you must also consider that Task 1 counts for about 33% of your final marks for Writing. With all these considerations, your overall score will depend on so many factors. You will need to judge for yourself what score to expect in the three other criteria then calculate your prediction for your score in Task 2. Then you will need to add your prediction for Task 1 on to that as well.

Thank u so much for your reply Tr, Liz. In task 1 they asked for one bar chart and pie chart and I think I did well. And thank you so much for your lessons. These help me a lot I really appreciate all these lessons provided, I really mean it. In speaking part 2, the time you didn’t tell a truth to your friends and in part3 why children lie to parents and why people tell lies and that kinds of questions. (just sharing the other friends ). I can’t use earphones in speaking maybe because I’m under 18 and my father had to sit near me. It is ok to use earphones in listening.

Good luck with your results !! Let me know how you do when they arrive

Yes, teacher, I will. Thank u so much for the lessons. My result will not be good as others but I’m glad to study your lessons.

GOD Bless You Hello Liz very thnx for your help

You’re welcome 🙂

Good afternoon Liz.I should say You are very intelligent and thank you very muuuuuch .Since your tips help improve my writing .Thanks😘

Please Liz I took my ielts today I completely agreed on an opinion in my introduction but ended up discussing on partially agreed in the paragraphs, please how will this affect my score

It will affect your score for Task Achievement which is 25% of your task 2 marks. If you look at this page: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/ielts_task_2_writing_band_descriptors.pdf , you’ll see that presenting a clear position throughout is a requirement for band 7. This means that for this marking criterion, you would struggle to hit band 7 if you alter your opinion in the middle or end of your essay. But luckily. it won’t affect your score for the other three marking criteria for task 2. Hopefully other people reading this comment thread will see the importance of fully planning your essay before you start writing your introduction.

Thank you very much Liz for such a kind support. Your’s blog is the best one which i follow the most in my preparation. Specially i recently bought your Essay ideas e-book, which is also very helpful.

Kind Regards

I’m so glad you are enjoying my Ideas for Topics E-book 🙂

Hello, ma’am, I took my IELTS exam on 11th nov. 2020. and i got only 5.5 band(overall).i am struggling with grammar and lack of confidence. please assist me for that.

This year I released a Grammar E-book. However, the level of the e-book is quite high. It will help you, but make sure you don’t overreach yourself. It is important to only produce English within your level rather than trying to impress. The more errors you make, the lower your score. So, use the e-book to improve your accuracy and reduce your errors: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Thank you liz.।।। Making content accessable

I took the test on 12th of Sept 2020. Here is the Writing Task 2 question: The most important priority of any governments is to provide housing. To what extent do you agree or disagree. I hope it helps.

Dear Liz, Your lessons are really very helpful and easy to understand.Thanks for the useful instructions:) Could you please help in assessing the below essay?

Looking at the eating habits and sedentary lifestyle of people, obesity problem has grown over the years which in turn is increasing pressure on the healthcare systems. In my view, introducing physical exercise lessons alone in the school cannot solve this problem. In addition to this, proper eating habits should be followed by people.

Firstly, there is no doubt that physical education can help people maintain their weight and thereby reduce the health problems arising due to overweight. Making students aware of the importance of body 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 the ways to keep the body fit through exercises. When the students understand the value of physical exercise, they can pass on this information to their families as well. This is the kind of transformation which is possible only by involvement of not only students but also elders .

Secondly, doing exercise alone cannot be a solution to this problem. There are many more factors such as eating habits (junk food) and sleep cycle , which are responsible to this overweight issue.So , along with the physical fitness, people should start working on their eating patterns and the type of food they eat. Taking an average amount of sleep is also required for healthy lifestyle.This can be achieved by introducing healthy-lifestyle specific lessons in the school curriculum and make children implement the healthy eating habits in their life.

In conclusion, adding more physical fitness lessons at the school level will greatly help in improving the health of people. However, eating habits should also be in control to keep oneself fit and active.

Thank you very much for the free lessons. Can I partially agree in agree and disagree essay even when I’m not asked: ”to what extent do you agree”?

Yes, you can.

But, I was told never to have a clear opinion in agree and disagree question. It’s not only in situations of “to what extent” that we can decide our grace.

Do you agree? Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do you agree? To what extent do you agree or disagree? What is your opinion? All the above are the same instructions which are used for an Opinion Essay. They are not different instructions. This means the techniques for an Opinion Essay apply to an Opinion Essay regardless of how the instructions are phrased. They are simply paraphrases of the same instructions. If you are confused, please get my Advanced Lessons so you can learn the right way to tackle an IELTS essay: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

My instructor told me my reasoning behind my opinion was not strong enough. For instance, when the topic was about the advantages of having older people in a country, I discussed my views as “Children need older people at home for supervision as most of them have working parents”, whereas, my instructor thinks, I should’ve discussed it in country’s perspective saying ” older people are experienced in their occupations”.

I described my arguments clearly with supportive lines. But he didn’t like the “argument” itself. Is that a problem? Will I get less marks for this?

Both you and your instructor are thinking about two different points, not the same point. Your instructor is talking about how older people have more experience in their work which is beneficial for a country. Your point is that elderly people provide family support to take care of the grandchildren if their parents are working. Both points are relevant, but they are completely different points. You get a high score to organising your clear points into logical paragraphs and explaining what you mean in detail. As long as your point was well explained, it’s fine.

You are really super and your explanatory techniques and exemplification in addition to how simple you discuss and present the material are awesome. you have a high talent or skill in analyzing all the discussed and handled topics. thank you from the depth of my heart as you are helping me alot Haytham Selim Egyptian in UAE

I’m really pleased you are finding my lessons useful. Good luck in your test!!

hey liz, Thank you so much for your free content. I did my IELTS test today and it was quite fair. My task 2 was “employers should give their employees at least 4 weeks holiday per year. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?”

Thank you so much for the wonderful tips and lessons, I have learned so much in my short time of preparing. I would be taking the test for the first time in Aug. I hope I make it.

I do have a question on paraphrasing. Is it OK to paraphrase only the 1st sentence of the question, as I saw this done on a model essay. The 2nd sentence was used as the thesis statement. Please find Sample question below. I would truly appreciate it if you could give a model answer.

“According to a recent study, the more time people use the Internet, the less time they spend with real human beings. Some people say that instead of seeing the Internet as a way of opening up new communication possibilities world wide, we should be concerned about the effect this is having on social interaction. How far do you agree with this opinion? ”

Thank you for your help ☺️

Learn how to write an introduction and see model essays on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hey Liz, It’s Mr. Jasjit singh here and I am working as an IELTS trainer in a company. Here, my concern is to point you out that you have used “sporty children” in the essay’s body para – 2, even though, the word SPORTY is an informal. According to the parameters of marking, the informal language must not be used basically in the essay writing, otherwise there is a penalty. Do you think it is worthy to be used by the candidates?

Kindly share your perspective asap!!

“sporty” is completely fine. However, to use the word “kids” is too informal.

I have a question, please answer me.

In my IELTS writing, while checking things at last minute, I did a foolish mistake and change all the words next to comma “, ” in a capital letter.

i.e “However, This was…..”

So, the question is how many marks did the checker will cut or how many bands of mine are at risk. I am worried sick.

Please reply.

Well, I still don’t understand how I did that mistake. Time was ticking and something pushes me to do it :@ maybe this was because of C.D test. I am.sure if I were writing on a paper it would not happen. But fate :@

Since childhood, we know that after full stop next letter is Capital and not after the comma :@ but…argh

This would just count as one systematic error. It means you make the same mistake over and over again. It will affect your score for Grammar, but it isn’t possible to predict your overall score. Your Grammar score will depend on how many other errors you made and the range of grammar features you used. Good luck with you results! Try not to worry too much.

Hello Liz and thank you for all the info that you give us!! I would like to ask you. In this type of essay can I add examples from my personal experience? or I just say my opinion at the introduction and nowhere else?

The style of all essays should be formal which means you should avoid writing about your family and friends. Instead share your experience of the people in your country or around the world.

Dear Liz, Please, I am confused; agree/disagree is opinion essay? I mean: both are the same? Regards

Yes, they are the same. Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do you agree? What is your opinion? All the above are Opinion Essays.

Should I write the word count at the end of the writing task 2?

No, definitely don’t waste your time with that. The examiner will count the words himself if necessary.

Hi Liz, First of all thanks a lot for your great website and youtube channel. These are treasure troves of information. Millions of thanks to you.

I took the test couple of days ago. Writing part 2 was a bit confusing for me.” some people agree it is the best way to make detailed plan of activities in their free time”. While others disagree. Discuss both the views and give your opinion. I read this question more than 10 times, meanwhile, I was writing the essay. Whether it is asking about ‘ free time activities plan’ or ‘If we are free and utilize that time to make a plan about upcoming activities’. I hope you can solve my confusion.

However, the remaining questions are:

Writing part 1: write a letter to the manager about an accident you met with? Speaking: part1: about me, my residential area, facilities, whether you like living in an apartment or not? did you write with a pen or pencil as a child? what do you think if you get a pen as a gift? How do you think when it is compulsory to write only using a pencil-like this test? speaking part 2: An incident when you were not allowed to take a phone with you. (No more points to explain). speaking part 3: why the phones are restricted in some areas of the hospital? Importance of politeness, Need of rule for using mobile phones.

You haven’t remembered the essay question correctly – there are English language mistakes in it. For this reason, I can only speculate. Most questions like this are about whether you should make plans for free time activities or not. Many people like to plan each and every activity they do in their free time, whereas others prefer to wake up and decide what to do based on how they feel that day or how the weather is etc – they don’t want to schedule or plan.

I am preparing my IELTS exam and I have written the below eassy all myself can I please have your feedback

Since the 18th Century technological advances have replaced people in the workplace. with today’s technology this process is happening at a greater rate. Technology is increasingly responsible for unemployment.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Since Industrial age technological breakthroughs have taken the place of individuals in many companies. Now a day’s Digital process plays a great role in many organizations due to which a lot of people are jobless. I completely agree that machines have taken place of human beings. Firstly, mobilized process has fasten the work and brings out better results than of humans. Organizations doesn’t have to double check the work as its scientifically proven that computers and machines are not liable to make errors or mistakes. Many firms are trying to replace the employees with robots where possible to reduce the number of workers in their company, save money which can be used to do investments, buy shares and make profit. For instance, I work in a water company, where distribution of water is 24hours. there are many departments were large number of employees are working. In the production department, earlier men’s where used to drive the forklift and load the trucks now they have been replaced with robots to do the same job.

Secondly, Using Scientific advancement can lead to organizational growth in very less time. As the employer doesn’t have to go through the hiring process which is time consuming and sometime leads to failure as the wrong person is hired for the job. A good illustration of this is, Accounts department is the most important section in any huge firm if the employees are not provided with computers the calculations may go wrong and in worst case the firm could face loss.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend especially large organization to save their time, efforts and utilize their money in digitalizing their work which will lead them to huge profit.

Number of overweight people and children are increasing from last 10 years. Some people think that to solve these issues, facilities of sports and exercises should be provided in school. I completely agree that this is the best solution to tackle the issue for improving public health in relation to weight.

Firstly, to deal with increase in number of obesity and weight of people, some steps should be taken by schools and colleges. Easy access and more facility in sports should be introduced for children and people. This will ensure fitness among students and people interested to take part can join with no age barrier. This will result in reducing sadentry lifestyle and will encourage all to take part in competition.

Secondly, the sports lesson for children in school would result in children developing interest in exercise which might encourage the old age or parents to get motivated. In other word parents with sporty children will try to involve themselves with sports to make their children happy. If both of them get interested, they will practice daily. This would be the best and natural way to improve health of people.

In conclusion, to deal with reducing laziness and overweight people, changing the lifestyle and access to more facility will change the body shape with less problems.

Hi Liz, Is this an opinion essay and we need to cover both sides? Or just the side that I support. I am confused.

It is generally accepted exercise is good for children and teenagers. Therefore physical education and sports should be made compulsory for all students in all schools. What do you think ?

IT is asking for your opinion. It is an opinion essay. It is the same as “do you agree or disagree?” or “To what extent do you agree?”. You present your opinion of the issue or issues stated and use the body paragraphs to give reasons and explanation for your opinion.

Thank you so much Liz! I got a score that is very useful (lrsw=8,9,8.5,7.5). I was just 0.5 away from 8 in writing to get a perfect score! It was an opinion question. I agreed in part in other to have ideas to get my body paragraphs. Number of words 330 essay and 190 letter (computer-based IELTS is the best if you enjoy typing but hurrible hand written like me). I looked through all your model essays, and I discovered that my issues were mainly articles and punctuations).

Well done with your results 🙂 I’ve put loads of information about articles in my new Grammar E-book as well as a chapter on punctuation. I hope to have the e-book ready at the end of April or beginning of May 🙂

May I ask could I take both sides on the question like “Do you agree or disagree”?

Sorry, I think I just found the answer in the comments… 100% same. Which is strange. I thought agree or disagree should give only one position; and for “to what extent do you agree or disagree” require two positions.

Thanks for the great community!

They are the same instructions, just paraphrased.

Hi Liz, is “the key to solving these issues is” correct? Shouldn’t it be “the key to solve” ? Thank you

“the key to solving” is 100% correct. The word “to” is used as a preposition in this phrase, not as part of the verb.

Hi, Liz! I’ll have an IELTS test next week, but am still confused about agree-disagree essay.

Here’s the question: Some people think that employers should not care about the way their employees dress, because what matters is the quality of their work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Is that alright if I say on my introduction as follows: In my opinion, dress codes are significant in a working environment, while employees’ competence should matter as well.

My first body paragraph explains the reason why dress codes are important, and my second body paragraph is about why competence should matter.

I do hope you answer my question. Thank you, Liz! Get well soon.

You’ve got the right approach for a partial agreement. However, you need to address your English. “In my opinion, both dress codes and employee competence should be important to any employer.” Try to aim for accuracy and clear meaning in your written English. Don’t try to write in any particular style – just be clear and direct.

Wish me all the best liz!!… I ve covered all your lessons!!…

Thank you very much Liz. Your lessons were of immense help. I got the band score that I wanted.

That’s great to hear. Well done 🙂

Thanks for all time! We truly appreciate your efforts in making IELTS easier to tackle. However I would like to ask about recent questions reported by student for writing task 2. My exam is on the 13th of this month.

Thanks! Don’t forget to get well soon 🙂

I will post Recent Questions for January 2020 soon.

Hi Liz, Thank you soo much for your help.

Should we quote example only if they asked for it in the question or should we give it for all essay questions?

You give examples when you know of a good example to use that will help support and explain the main idea of the body paragraph.

Hi dr liz u r great soul i ever seen wish u a happy happy new year

Thanks 🙂 Happy New Year 🙂

Hi dear liz,wish u a very happy new year ,stay blessed always. U r the great soul i ever seen. I have a doubt regarding essay. If the question was asked about leadership innate or achieved opinion essay shall i write my balanced view lik this, i agree that this skill must be innate for political leadership i bliv this should be achieved for managerial leadership.is this stand ok for partly agree. Thanks in advance for reply

If you want a quantified response which you by you say it is X in this situation and Y in this, make sure your grammar and language are 100% clear. If you make any mistakes with that statement it could have serious consequences. So, make sure you write it clearly without any errors at all.

Its quite evident that the physical structure of humans are mainly measured in terms of average weight and height. This aspect of human body varies based on several factors. Also there are many speculations anticipated especially with respect to the optimal weight of any person. This requires a lot of monitoring and maintenance efforts to predict the health related outcomes of any individual who is known to be overweighted. I totally agree with some of the initiatives incorporated at the school levels in order to mitigate the above factor. School Managements in recent days have implemented diet related programs with the strong vision of maintaining advisable health care system, particularly for stalwarts who are considered be above the average weight. Furthermore, the students have to be encouraged rigorously to participate in sports, games and other outdoor activities. Now a days, we also find a typical gymnasium court with trained experts dedicated to help students who are weighing above the acceptance level. The above attempts can also be recommended to help students to address their depression levels if they are facing any sort of misbehaviour from their fellow mates. There are many real-time scenarious wherein a kid is illtreated or accused by his or her classmates due to their physical appearances pertaining to overweight. It should also be treated as key responsibilities of teachers especially physical fitness trainers in schools. Overall, these kind of programs will always stand as unique and responsive while addressing many health related issues due to overweight. Irrespective of any barriers pertaining to this, the schools shall give atmost importance to motivate students who are observed to be above the normal weight.

You definitely need to realise that an IELTS essay is an essay formed and structured in a particular way for this test to adhere to the band score requirements. You must first learn how to structure your essay. Look at all the differences between my model and your own essay. If you can’t see the differences, please get my advanced lessons which teachin how to write an IELTS essay step by step: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Really you are a very good trainer.

How are you ? Will you please explain the difference between writing task 2 of academic and general? in your website nothing is mentioned like for academic and general for writing task 2. i am preparing for general. please let me know writing task 2 is same for academic and general or different ?

Go to the RED MENU BAR and select “Test Info”. You’ll see an option for GT IELTS information. Always use the MENU BAR to access what you need.

Hi Liz !thanku so much for your topic they are all very useful. I think I got a high band score for writing task 2 thankuuuuu sooo much dear.

That’s really good to hear !! Very well done 🙂

Hi liz, this is the first time I am commenting! Hope you are well. Please tell me where I can find the model answers of writting task 2 provided in your WT – 2 section !

You can find all model essays, tips etc in the main writing task 2 section of the website. Just click on the RED MENU BAR at the top of the page to open the section of the test you want to learn.

That’s is really great for my IELT practice and I’m just 13 and I’m gonna take it when I’m 13 and a half thanks for the information

Good luck 🙂

hi !!! Can we use ‘A LOT OF’ and ‘SO’ in task 2 ? as someone told me that we cannot use it in writing , reason being these both are INFORMAL. Is it true ?

No, that isn’t true. It’s completely fine to use those words.

Hey there!! Can we use “And” and “But” For the beginning of the sentence in between the body paragraphs to add and contrast information respectively ???

PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH AN EXPLAINED INFORMATION ASAP, I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

— Jasjit Singh

No, you can’t. See the linking words page for details: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hi Liz , I sat for my academic test on the 28 of September, 2019. I got an overall score of 7.5. LRWS = 7.5, 8.0,6.0,8.0. For the Speaking questions. Part 1: 1.Tell me your full name please? 2. Do you work or study? 3.How is the weather in your country?. 4.Would you like to live in a place with a different weather from your country? 5. Where do you like to read? 6. Do you like to read in an hot weather or cold weather?. Part 2: Talk about an historical building you visited in your country. Part 3:1. Should the appearance of public buildings be designed ? 2. Do you think people should pay taxes to use public buildings? I can’t remember the other 3 questions she asked. For the reading questions, most of them were Yes, No, and Not given questions. I think I did well because the passages were close to what I studied in school. The listening was easy. I got lost in some places though. Writing Task 1. I was given a table to describe the population of people in Jakarta, Sao Paolo, and Bangkok in 1999 and 2001. There was a column for the projected population in 2001.The numbers were too close. I got confused a bit. Writing task 2: Some people believe that university admissions should only be offered to young people with the highest merits while some believe that admissions should be given to all people without considering their grade. Discuss both views and give your opinion. I didn’t finish my writing to my satisfaction. I think that’s the reason for my low score. Time finished faster than I thought. I just want to say Thank you Liz for everything. I learnt a lot from your lessons. Hopefully,i won’t write this exam again.

Well done with your results and thanks for sharing 🙂

Hi Liz, I love all your content. Thank you so much for helping us through IELTS. I just wan to know is there a difference between “Do you agree or disagree” and “to what extend do you agree or disagree ” also are opinion essays same as agree disagree essays ?

They are 100% the same.

Hi Liz, thanks for all your help to prepare for my IELTS exam. I can’t thank you enough. I have a doubt regarding “To what extent do you agree or disagree” question. Can I just see it as Agree or Disagree question and just take one side or do I need to address both the side? This question type is really confusing. Kindly advise me. Thanks again for all your help and you are indeed my God for IELTS 🙂 🙂

Thanks, Karthik

They are 100% the same essay – no difference at all.

I am also confused about “to what extend do u agree or disagree” and “Do u agree or disagree” Is there any diference in their answer plz explain

No, there is no difference at all.

hello madam I’m Nikhil I have a doubt that crushing my mind since 10days, please madam could you solve it.

my Institute tutor said we must follow this pattern for agree or disagree question Introduction paraphrase question thesis statement ( not mentioning agree or disagree)

para1 (agree|) statement ! example

para2 (agree) sate3ment2 example

para3 statement3 example

conclusion now I must discuss my opinion

Above essay can also write in vise verse with disagree madam, I already comment you, but you didn’t give reply madam please help me out from this problem, I would be ecstatic.

There is no such thing as a fixed content for body paragraphs. Of course you should state your opinion in the introduction – give your answer and then explain it in the body paragraphs. Please see my Advanced Writing Task 2 lessons if you need training: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hi Liz! Thank you for your lessons. They are all very useful.

I would like to ask your opinion regarding examples in body paragraphs.

To get a high band score for writing task 2, it is necessary to support and develop our main ideas. I found some websites recommend providing examples from surveys, polls, government report, etc to support main ideas. Is example really needed? Are there any other ways to support main ideas without using examples?

If we really want to give an example, does it have to be a real example? Can we fabricate false/unreal example?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you, Liz!

Examples with data from sources are definitely not required. You can explain and illustrate your ideas in any way you want. Giving the source of information is a waste of time in IELTS because a) it is written as a learned phrase which doesn’t help your language score b) the examiner doesn’t mark data in task 2 so it won’t help your score either. You decide how to explain your main ideas. You can see most of my essays don’t have examples with data.

Thanks, Liz! It’s so helpful.

Hi Liz, i want to clear my doubts regarding this essay type. There is an essay question in your website which is about the rapid expansion of supermarkets because of which local shops are closing, and some people believe that this is causing death of local communities.

I disagreed with this argument and wrote that supermarkets provide efficacious results for native communities. In body paragraphs i wrote reasons of my opinion, and i hadn’t mentioned local shops in body paragraphs. I just wrote reasons to support my view that this and this are the advantages which benefit local communities. I want to ask is it okay to not mention local shops because i am supporting my view for supermarkets?

You can’t ignore part of the essay question. The fact presented to you is that supermarkets are expanding and local shows are closing. This is the basis of your essay. The opinion you tackle is “do you think this is the death of local communities?”. So, if you think supermarkets are good for local communities – do you also think it is good that local shops are closing?? You need to address the issue or issues in the question.

But if i also acknowledge that local shops are good for local communities then i might be contradicting my own agreed view point that supermarkets are good for local communities, so it means that i have to say that local shops are not good for local communities?

It would mean you have a partial agreement. You don’t have to agree with one side. Think more carefully about why you think supermarkets are good for local communities and then think about what effect local shops closing will have. Once you’ve brainstormed, analyse your ideas and think of exactly what your view is and how to you will express it. After that, plan supporting points. Hopefully you can now see how important planning is 🙂

Hi Liz… Your website is so helpful for me. Thank you much for that. My confusion is…. In this model esssy, there is no discussion about health system. Should we avoid discussion about it? I used to elaborate about helath system in one paragraph . Am I wrong? Please guide.

An opinion essay is not a discussion essay. This essay does not ask you to discuss the health care system. It is asking your opinion about whether you think the problem that obesity is causing on the health care system can be solved by offering more physical education in schools – do you agree with this solution?? Your whole essay from beginning to end is about your opinion of solutions to the problem.

Hi Liz, thank you for all the tips and essay examples. They really help us to achieve better scores on IELTS. Anyway, I was practicing this essay before reading the example, and I wrote it differently. So I want to know your opinion on how I wrote it.

In the first body paragraph, I wrote that including physical activities such as sports in schools’ curriculums is the best way to introduce children to an active and healthier life, giving the example of how US do this.

However, in the second body paragraph I explained that there are other approaches that should be done to countries witness a really dramatic decrease of healthcare use: lowing the taxes of companies that produce natural and organic food, to make these types of food cheaper to people, and making awareness campaigns about having a healthier diet.

I conclude restating that physical activities in schools are essential to create the habit of being physically active, but it should be combined with an awareness of healthy diet.

So the question is: can I agree and also include other aspects to the subject? Thank you!

Yes, of course. It’s called a partial agreement (or balanced approach). It means that you agree to some extent but not 100%. So, you would explain what you agree with and then add what else needs to be considered. I find this approach to be very useful sometimes because it’s easier to find unique ideas for each body paragraph which results in a more focused essay and also a better range of language. See my Advanced Writing Task 2 lessons if you want more training: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Oh nice! That’s a relief. I don’t agree completely sometimes with the affirmation on the question, so I’ll look the page that you recommended. Thank you very much for the answer!

I love this response.

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IELTS Writing: Agree or Disagree Lesson with Sample Answer

Agree or disagree essays: ielts writing task 2 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:

Deciding Opinion

Idea generation.

• Writing an Effective Introduction
• Writing Supporting Paragraphs
• Writing a Conclusion

We will use a question from an IELTS past paper to help us understand the task.

Many students fail to do well in this type of question because they do not have a clear opinion and they do not use an appropriate structure .

The best structure you can use for this type of essay is:

Paragraph 1- Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Sentence 2- Thesis Statement

Sentence 3- Outline Statement

Paragraph 2- Supporting Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- Topic Sentence

Sentence 2/3- Explain Topic Sentence

Sentence 3/4- Example

Paragraph 3- Supporting Paragraph 2

Paragraph 4- Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary and reiteration of your opinion.

That’s it! Four paragraphs.

Note : You don’t have to use this structure; other structures can get you a high score. However, this structure has been approved by IELTS examiners to allow you to write a clear and cohesive essay. This structure will allow you to focus on generating your ideas and then writing an effective essay.

In this essay, IELTS examiners want you to give a clear opinion, so you must decide when you read the question. You will also need to do this to write an effective thesis statement.

Let’s look at an example:

In some countries, many people suffer from health problems due to eating too much fast food. It is, therefore, necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food.

Do you agree or disagree?

  With this type of essay, we have two choices:

• We agree with the statement or;
• We disagree with the statement

Some teachers advise you to partly agree and disagree. However, I would NOT recommend this because it often leads to an essay with NO clear focus and a CONFUSING structure.

Therefore, for this agree or disagree essay, you can say either:

• This essay agrees that governments should tax fast food or;
• This essay disagrees that governments should tax fast food

I think I will have more ideas for A, so I’m choosing that one. Always choose the one you feel comfortable writing about – even if you don’t feel that way. You don’t get extra marks for writing about how you feel; you want to give the examiner what they need to score your essay a Band 7+.

Now we have to think of ideas for why governments should tax fast food.

Here are some:

• Cigarettes and alcohol are taxed in the same way
• The money raised could be used to treat people with health problems
• Fast food companies should be punished for selling unhealthy food to people
• Making the food more expensive would stop people from eating it
• The money raised could be used to educate people about healthy eating

We don’t need to use all of these, just two for our supporting paragraphs. I will pick the first and the fourth ones because I know a little about these two and feel confident I can expand on them with explanations and examples. Remember, the examiner wants you to fully support your arguments, not just list many ideas.

Now we have two supporting ideas; we can move on to our introduction.

Introduction

As previously stated, we will use the following structure:

For a more detailed explanation, please see our post on writing an effective introduction.

To paraphrase  the question, we restate it with a different meaning using synonyms. I will also reorder the question. Here is the question again:

In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems due to eating too much fast food. It is, therefore, necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food.

Paraphrased: It is argued that governments should levy a tariff on junk food because the health risks associated with consuming this kind of food are rising. 

This is our first sentence.

We now need to write our thesis statement. This is our opinion in one sentence. This essay will agree with the above statement and will, therefore, look like this:

This essay agrees that a higher rate of tax should be paid by fast-food companies.

This is our second sentence.

We now need to write our third and final sentence, which is the outline sentence . This sentence outlines what you will write about in the main body paragraphs.

Firstly, alcohol and tobacco companies already pay higher taxes; secondly, higher taxes could raise prices and lower consumption. 

So our full introduction will look like this:

It is argued that governments should levy a tariff on junk food because the number of health risks associated with consuming this kind of food is on the rise. This essay agrees that a higher rate of tax should be paid by fast-food companies. Firstly, alcohol and tobacco companies already pay higher taxes; secondly, higher taxes could raise prices and lower consumption.

We now need to write our supporting paragraphs for our agree or disagree essay:

Supporting Paragraph 1

This paragraph should include:

• Topic Sentence
• Explanation

A topic sentence tells the examiner about the rest of the paragraph. In other words, it is a summary of your first idea. It should look something like this:

Higher excise on liqueur and cigarettes has proven to curb the harm caused by these substances.

We now need to expand on this point a little. A good way of doing this is to assume that the examiner does not know this subject, and you must explain clearly what you mean. Here is what this could look like:

This revenue has been used to treat health problems associated with these products and has proven useful in advertising campaigns warning people about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco abuse. Tax from fast food could be used in the same way.

We should now think of an example to support our point. Think about any recent news stories, studies or adverts. If you can’t think of one, make one up. The examiner won’t check if it is real or not.

The United Kingdom is a prime example, where money from smokers is used to treat lung cancer and heart disease while at the same time, pumped into health campaigns in schools to warn children about the dangers of smoking.     

That’s it. Four sentences. The full paragraph should look like this:

Higher excise on liqueur and cigarettes has proven to curb the harm caused by these substances. This revenue has been used to treat health problems associated with these products and has proven useful in advertising campaigns warning people about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco abuse. Tax from fast food could be used in the same way. The United Kingdom is a prime example, where money from smokers is used to treat lung cancer and heart disease.

Supporting Paragraph 2

We now repeat the same formula with our second supporting point- higher taxes will increase prices and reduce consumption.

Our topic sentence:

Increasing taxes would raise prices and lower consumption.

Explaining this further:

Fast food companies would pass on these taxes to consumers in the form of higher prices, leading to people not being able to afford junk food because it is too expensive. Junk food would soon become a luxury item, and it would only be consumed occasionally, which would be less harmful to the general public’s health.

We now support our point with an example:

For instance, the cost of organic food has proven prohibitively expensive for most people, and that is why only a small percentage of the population buys it regularly.

The full paragraph would look like this:

Increasing taxes would raise prices and lower consumption. Fast food companies would pass on these taxes to consumers in the form of higher prices, leading to people not being able to afford junk food because it is too expensive. Junk food would soon become a luxury item, and it would only be consumed occasionally, which would be less harmful to the general public’s health. For instance, the cost of organic food has proven prohibitively expensive for most people, and that is why only a small percentage of the population buys it regularly.

Four sentences.

Conclusion  

As stated before, a good conclusion for agree or disagree essays should include:

Sentence 1- Summary of main points

Sentence 2- Your opinion

Don’t write any new ideas in this paragraph.

A good conclusion should restate your thesis statement and your main supporting points.

In conclusion, junk food should be taxed at a higher rate because of the good precedent set by alcohol and tobacco and the fact that the increased cost should reduce the number of fast-food people buy.

Agree or Disagree IELTS Sample Essay 

 In conclusion, junk food should be taxed at a higher rate because of the good precedent set by alcohol and tobacco and the fact that the increased cost should reduce the amount of fast-food people buy.

I hope you found this ‘agree or disagree’ essay IELTS lesson useful.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree/Disagree Sample Essay

IELTS Writing Task 2 asks you to give your opinion on an important social issue. In this particular opinion essay IELTS sample, the question type is called “agree/disagree.” Agree/disagree essays want you to take a position on an issue that is stated. From there, it’s your job to say if you agree or disagree with the initial statement, supporting your own opinion with examples and details. For more details on this and other question types for the second part of the IELTS Writing section, check out our complete guide to the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions .

Below, we’ll look at a model essay, based on an example question. The question is original to Magoosh, but is patterned closely off of real IELTS questions. The model essay is based on an excellent IELTS Writing template for Task 2 created by Rachel, one of Magoosh’s top IELTS experts. Note that this essay is at band 9, the highest IELTS Writing score you can receive. More information on why this is a band 9 response can be seen below the essay.

Agree/Disagree Sample Essay

First things first! Let’s look at the sample prompt.

Example Agree/Disagree IELTS Writing Task 2 Prompt

It is now possible to order almost any item over the Internet and have it delivered to one’s home. As a result, people are no longer patient or careful in their shopping habits. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Example Response

Online shopping and home delivery causes concerns that consumers may become more hasty and less cautious. However, I do not believe that online shopping has this effect. In fact, I would say that the opposite is true. In this essay, I will discuss the reasons that online shopping actually helps shoppers make smarter choices.

Internet shopping actually makes people more patient while they shop, not less patient. This is because, even with home delivery, online shopping is actually less “instant” than traditional shopping in stores. After all, if someone goes into a store, they can leave minutes later with the items they purchased. However, even the fastest delivery methods for online goods take at least a day. As a result, people are actually more accustomed to longer waits before they receive something they’ve bought.

Not only does online shopping make buyers more patient, it also facilitates careful, informed choices for buyers. This is because there is more competition between different sellers online than there is in a single store. If someone goes to a store in person, they will see a relatively small range of brand names, and they certainly won’t see the offerings of other stores. In contrast, online customers can compare just about every brand of any given product and browse the websites of multiple stores. This gives customers all the information they need to make the best possible purchases.

When shopping on the Web, customers can learn patience because they must wait for their items to be delivered to them, and even more importantly, customers can access all of the information they need to choose the right items. Ultimately, online shopping is truly a positive development, not a negative one.

Word count: 283

Why This Essay is Band 9

This is a very strong essay because it satisfies the level descriptors in the official IELTS Writing Task 2 rubric . Read that official score guide carefully and compare it to this essay, and you’ll see why the example above scored so well. Also, for a more detailed band 9 level score report from Magoosh, see the scorer commentary immediately below.

Scorer Commentary (agree/Disagree IELTS Essay, Band 9)

This score report is patterned after the official level descriptors for IELTS Writing Task 2 . This report also looks a lot like the Magoosh IELTS essay scoring service .

Overall Band Score: 9

What was done well in the essay:

• This essay is above the 250 word minimum. (This is very important for getting full points!)
• The writer does a good job of meeting the task requirements. They take a clear position where they favor online shopping and disagree with the claim that it makes people less careful or patient.
• The paragraphs are well organized. The introduction and conclusion clearly preview the essay and give good final thoughts, respectively. The body paragraphs each have their own well-organized topics. The first body paragraph provides good explanations and examples to show that online shopping doesn’t make people less patient; the second paragraph provides comparable support to the idea that online shopping allows people to be more careful.
• There are some nice key phrases to tie ideas together. Examples include “however,” “in fact,” “actually,” and “not only.”
• Vocabulary and grammar show no serious errors, and a good variety of word choice and structure.

Magoosh’s Other Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

We have model essays for each of the question types for the second IELTS Writing task. Click the links below to access our other sample essays:

• Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
• Two-Part Question Essay
• Causes/Solutions Essay
• Discussion Essay

Want more sample essays? Magoosh has you covered!

To read out model essays for the other Task 2 IELTS Writing question types, click the links below:

David is a Test Prep Expert for Magoosh TOEFL and IELTS. Additionally, he’s helped students with TOEIC, PET, FCE, BULATS, Eiken, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. David has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. His work at Magoosh has been cited in many scholarly articles , his Master’s Thesis is featured on the Reading with Pictures website, and he’s presented at the WITESOL (link to PDF) and NAFSA conferences. David has taught K-12 ESL in South Korea as well as undergraduate English and MBA-level business English at American universities. He has also trained English teachers in America, Italy, and Peru. Come join David and the Magoosh team on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram , or connect with him via LinkedIn !

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4 responses to “IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree/Disagree Sample Essay”

How many paragraphs are there in to what extent agree or disagree essay as some says that there are 5 para 2 on which we are agree and one Disagree. What is the best structure to get 7 or above for this essay type. Please let me know as my exam in next month.

Hi Sheetal!

Some people might write 3, 4 or even 5 paragraphs–there is no strict requirement. It is important to organize your essay well, however, and ensure that your use of paragraphs makes sense for the content of the essay. Additionally, remember that you need to write at least 250 words for a Task 2 essay, and most students who score the highest are closer to the 300-400 mark. So you should aim for that amount of words if you want a 7+ score. I’d recommend taking a look at more sample Task 2 essays to see how they are structured, and that should help! Best of luck on your test. 😀

in the introduction part, writer mentions his/her own opinion, is it correct we write our own idea in the introduction part?

Yes, that is correct because the IELTS Writing Task 2 asks you to give your opinion on an important social issue. Additionally, note that this question directly asks “To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.”

I recommend reading over several sample Task 2 essays so that you can get a better idea of what they should include/how they should be written. Additionally, be sure to check out our Complete Guide to IELTS Task 2 .

Happy studying! 😀

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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:

MP3 Direct Download | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud |Subscribe: Android | RSS

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

IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Opinion Essays (Agree or Disagree)

by Dave | Understanding Task 2 Writing | 13 Comments

Here I have collected actual IELTS opinion essays (agree or disagree question) from the last several years – enjoy learning about this task type!

Enjoy and consider signing up for my Patreon Ebooks here .

It is important for everyone, including young people, to save money for their future.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Read my essay here.

The working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend.

Do you agree or disagree?

Sports play a significant role in promoting physical and mental well-being.

Read the full EBook on Patreon.

Some people feel that the private lives of celebrities should not be openly shared by the media.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Read my full EBook on Patreon.

Individual greed and selfishness have been the basis of modern society. Some people think that we must return to older more traditional values such as respect for the and the local community in order to create a better world to live in.

Everybody should donate a fixed amount of their income to support charity.

In today’s digital age, anyone with a smartphone can capture and share photographs. this accessibility to photography diminishes the value of professional photographers.

Get the full EBook (and more!) on Patreon.

The demand for coaching services has grown significantly in the digital age, with online coaching platforms becoming prevalent. Some now feel online coaching is a superior option to in-person coach.

Read my EBook essay here.

Financial education should be included as a mandatory subject in schools to prepare students for managing money effectively.

Read my essay here on Patreon.

Some people think that certain old buildings are more worth preserving than other ones.

Some argue that music mainly serves as a way for individuals to reduce their stress and anxiety.

Schools should focus on academic success and passing examinations. Skills such as cookery, dressmaking and woodworking should not be taught at school as it is better to learn these from family.

To that extent do you agree or disagree?

Virtual reality be used as a tool for therapeutic interventions and mental health treatments.

Read the EBook on Patreon.

Schools should use films, computers and games instead of books.

Some people think eating meat is bad for health. 

Friendships that take place online are not as meaningful as those where people meet each other face to face. 

The best way to reduce poverty in developing countries is by giving up to six years of free education, so that they can at least read, write and use numbers.

Some feel that governments should prioritize healthcare instead of other important areas.

To what extent do you agree or disagree

The most important aim of science ought to be to improve people’s lives.

Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship between people.

Read my essay on Patreon.

Many today feel that attention spans are becoming shorter due to the prevalence of social media.

Some feel that students should not have to take standardized tests in school.

My EBook is on Patreon.

Some feel that movies and tv shows are a good way to study history despite their lack of historical accuracy at times.

Get the EBook on Patreon.

Some believe that new science related to criminal forensics should be used to look at old cases.

Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.

Some people say that to prevent illness and disease, governments should focus more on reducing environmental pollution and housing problems.

Doing an enjoyable activity with a child can is better for their overall skills development and creativity than reading.

To what extent do you agree?

Learning at university would be more ffective if men and women were educated separetely.

Some people today have argued that countries should interfere less in the affairs of other nations.

Nowadays, distance-learning programs have gained in popularity, but some people argue that online courses can never be taken as good as those taken at a college or university in person.

People living in the 21st century have a better life quality than people who lived in previous times.

Young people committing crimes should be treated the same as adults by the authorities. 

Although it is generally illegal, physical punishment continues in many countries. Some argue that parents should have the right to punish their children in this way.

Shops should not be allowed to sell any food or drinks that have been scientifically proven to be bad for people’s health.

The best way to make the road transport of goods safer is to ask drivers to take a driving test each year.

Prison is the common way most countries try to solve the problem of crime. However, a more effective solution is to provide the public a better education.

Some people claim that not enough waste from homes is recycled and that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement.

In marriages today, some argue that it is the responsibility of both spouses to earn a living for the family.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?  

Read my sample essay here.

Companies should provide sports facilities for local communities.

The best curriculum is not one based on a static body of knowledge but one which teaches student to cope with change.

Some people claim that too much focus and resources have been spent to protect wild animals and birds.

Educating young people is naturally important. However, some think governments ught to invest more education for adults in need.

Read my Ebook on Patreon.

Some people believe that engaging in an active pastime does more to develop childrens’ life skills than time spent reading.

Some experts say for road safety cyclists should pass a test before being allowed on public roads.

Some people believe that violent media directly results in violent behavior.

My essay for this topic is only available as an Ebook on Patreon here.

Today, many young people spend too much of their free time at shopping malls. This can considered negative for young people and society generally.

Some people think the main purpose of school is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals.

In many countries, children are becoming overweight and unhealthy. Some people think that the government has the responsibility to solve this problem.

Many young people today spend too much time following the latest fashion trends in areas such as clothing and technology.

Some believe that nuclear weapons benefit the world at large.

Read my essay on Patreon only.

Some people believe that students should acquire working experience during their gap year instead of traveling.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The governments should give each citizen a basic income so that they have enough money to live on, even if they are unemployed.

Some people think that enjoying the present is more important than planning for the future for both countries and individuals.

Scientific research should be carried out and controlled by the governments rather than private companies.

Read my sample answer here.

The best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel for cars and other private vehicles.

The tendency of human beings to copy one another is shown in the popularity of areas such as fashion and consumer goods.

Some people believe that it is a good idea that older people continue to work if it is possible for them to do.

Many claim that the fast food industry had a negative effect on the environment, eating habits, and families.

Some people say that it is possible to tell a lot about a person’s culture and character from their choice of clothes.

Read my sample answer essay here.

There are different customs in different countries related to how people eat, dress, and so on. Some think that people visiting a country should behave according to customs of the country they visit.

Because many children are not able to learn foreign languages, schools should not force them to learn foreign languages.

Governments should make people responsible for looking after their own local environment.

Some people say that at all levels of education, from primary school to university, too much time is spent on learning facts and not enough on learning practical skills.

Some claim that men are naturally more competitive than women.

Shopping habits depend more on your age group than anything else.

Smoking is a major cause of serious illness and death throughout the world today. In the interest of the public health, governments should ban cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Everyone should become vegetarian because they do not need to eat meat to have a healthy diet.

Some people think employers should not care about the way their employees dress, but the quality at work.

To what extent you agree or disagree?

In many situations, people who break the law should be warned instead of punished.

Crime rates will fall as advances in technology make it easier to detect and prevent crimes.

Some countries are considering imposing curfews in which teenagers will not be allowed outdoors at night unless they are accompanied by an adult.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this policy?

Some think that fathers should have time off from work after the birth of a child.

Some people think that because children find subjects such as mathematics and philosophy difficult, they ought to be optional instead of compulsory.

Globalization is positive for economies but its negative sides should not be ignored.

Although more and more people read news on the Internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news for the majority of people.

Fast food has become more common in recent years. Some people think that it has a negative effect on lifestyles and diets.

Some people think that there should be a complete ban on all forms of advertising.

Some feel governments, rather than private companies, should be in charge of medical services.

Large companies use sports events to promote their products. Some people think this has a negative impact on sports.

Some feel that good entertainers are as important to society as scientists.

It is a natural process for animal species to become extinct (e.g. dinosaurs, dodos, etc.). There is no reason why people should try to prevent this from happening.

People are annoyed or entertained by advertising but they are not affected by advertisements when making shopping decisions.

Convenience foods will become increasingly prevalent and eventually replace traditional foods and methods of preparation.

Some people believe that wild animals should not be kept in zoos or other man-made environments as there is no longer a need for them in the 21st century.

Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar.

Some people think that children under 18 years old should receive full-time education.

Many believe that reading books is a waste of time and children would be better served doing something more useful.

Traditional ideas from older people about the way to live and behave are not helpful to young people and their futures.

Large companies should pay higher salaries to CEOs and executives compared to other workers.

Many believe that living in a city offers greater benefits compared to life in the countryside.

Some claim that studying abroad has great benefits for a student’s home country.

If a product is good and meets customer needs, then people will buy it and advertising is unnecessary.

It is impossible to help all people around the world in need so governments should focus on people from their own country.

Some people think that the best way to increase road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving cars and riding motorbikes.

Instead of requiring primary school students to do experiments themselves, schools should only alllow them to watch experiments demonstrated by teachers.

All fathers should be entitled to time-off from work when their children are born.

The growth of multinational companies and the resulting rise of globalization creates positive effects for all.

Some people say it is more important to plant trees in the open spaces in towns and cities than to build more housing.

To what extant do you agree or disagree?

Some believe it is important for cities and towns to invest heavily in building large outdoor public spaces.

Nowadays many people travel to foreign countries for pleasure. Some believe this travel has a negative impact on the countries travelled to.

Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues.

To succeed in a business, one needs to know maths.

Computer games are very popular for all ages and nationalities. Parents think this has little educational value and it will be harmful for children.

The first man to walk on the moon claimed it was a step forward for mankind. However, it has made little difference in most people’s lives.

One of the most important issues facing the world today is a shortage of food and some think genetically modified foods are a possible solution.

Society is based on rules and laws. It could not function if individuals were free to do whatever they wanted to do.

Some people think that the most important function of music is to help people relax.

Computers today can quickly and accurately translate languages, therefore, it is a waste of time to learn a foreign language.

Some think that it is more important for children to engage in outdoor activities instead of playing videogames.

To what extent to you agree or disagree?

Whether or not a person achieves their aims in life is mostly related to luck.

Some people believe that family is more important than friends.

To what extent do you agree and disagree?

Some people think that it is a waste of time for high school students to study literature, such as novels and poems.

Parents should take courses in parenting in order to improve the lives of their children.

To what extent do you agree ?

Nowadays nurses should not just be required to do basic training but they must have other qualities as well to do their jobs well.

Studies show that crime rates are lower among those with educational degrees. Therefore, the best way to reduce the crime rate is to educate criminals while they are still in prison.

The internet means people do not need to travel to foreign countries to understand how others live.

Cooking at home is a waste of time because there are so many convenient fast food options that make life less stressful.

Some think the current generation should take steps to protect the environment for the next generation.

In many countries, traditional foods are being replaced by fast food. This has a negative impact on families, individuals and society.

Some educators believe that every child should be taught how to play a musical instrument.

Some people believe that the government should spend more money putting in more works of art like paintings and statues in cities to make them better places to live in.

When a person spends most of his or her time working a job with little job satisfaction, their life loses meaning.

Historical objects should be brought back to their country of origin.

Many people think technological devices such as smart phones, tablets and mobile phones bring more disadvantages than advantages.

It is better for children if the whole family including aunts, uncles and so on are involved in a child’s upbringing, rather than just their parents.

The government should lower the budget on the arts in order to allocate more money to education.

Read my answer here.

Many today feel that most urgent problems can only be solved by international cooperation.

Although families have influence on a children’s development, factors outside the home play a bigger part in their lives nowadays.

It is better to learn the way people lived in the past through films and video records than written documents.

Many people think that mobile phones should be banned in public places such as libraries, shops and public transport.

Some think that students must travel to another country in order to learn its language and customs.

Full-time university students spend a lot of time studying. Some say they should do other activities too.

In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying.

Some feel that countries should produce most of the food that is eaten in their country and import as little as possible.

In the future, people may have to live on other planets. Some think that it is therefore important to spend money researching other planets such as Mars.

Governments should spend more money on medical research and less on researching the environment.

After graduation many students take a year to travel. Some think that it would be more useful to work for a year.

Some feel that it is a waste of time to plan for the future and it is more important to focus on the present.

Some today argue that schools are no longer necessary because children can learn so much from the internet and be educated at home.

In many schools and universities today, women have a tendency to study the humanities (such as the arts and languages) while men more often major in science related subjects. Some believe this tendency should be changed.

Some believe that people will purchase a product based on their needs and advertising is not needed.

Many people believe that film is a less important art than other forms such as literature and painting.

There are severe social consequences to housing shortages in cities and only the government can solve these problems.

Watching a live performance such as a play, concert, or sporting event is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television.

Some people believe that smartphones are destroying social interaction today.

Throughout history, male leaders have led us into violence and conflict. If a society is governed by female leaders it will be more peaceful.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Many feel that students today should learn practical skills at school such as car maintenance and managing a bank account.

Many people think that it is better to get advice from old rather than young people.

Some believe technology has made our lives too complex and the solution is to lead a simpler life without technology.

One good way to promote world peace is through international sporting events.

In the future it will become more difficult to live on Earth so more money should be spent researching how to live on other planets such as Mars.

Some think that governments should tax unhealthy foods to encourage people to eat healthier.

As well as making money, businesses also have a responsibility towards society.

Developing the economy will always damage the environment.

Too much money is wasted on repairing old buildings that should be used to knock them down and build new ones.

Many believe that the best way to ensure a happier society is to reduce the difference in income earnings between the rich and poor.

Extreme sports such as sky diving and skiing are very dangerous and should be banned.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

The crime rate nowadays is decreasing compared to the past due to advances in technology.

Many believe that individuals can do little to improve the environment. Only governments and large companies can make a real difference.

Many people believe that social networking sites (such as Facebook) have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.

Some people think that it is better to build more public parks and sports facilities in new towns rather than shopping malls.

Students should be primarily taught academic subjects so that they can pass exams, and practical skills such as cooking should not be taught.

Some people think that the news media has become much more influential in people’s lives today and it is a negative development. Do you agree or disagree?

Many psychologists recommend that the best way to relieve stress is to do nothing at all for a period of time during the day.

People today often use the internet to learn about the culture of other countries. This means that it is not that important to travel to those countries.

The most common solution for criminal behaviour is prison but many believe education is a better method.

The job market today is very competitive and it is best to choose a career or field of study early in order to get a good job later in life.

Some believe that because everyone needs a place to live, governments should provide houses for those who are too poor to afford their own.

Some countries are struggling with increases in crime rates. Some believe that having more police on the streets is best way to reduce and combat crime.

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together.

Some people believe that the best way to increase the road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving cars..

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices.

Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems.

Traffic and housing problems in major cities could be solved by moving companies, factories and their employees to the countryside.

Museums and art galleries should focus on works that show the history and culture of their own country rather than works of other parts of the world.

Some people say that school children should be mainly taught about the literature (e.g fiction and poetry) of their own country because it is more  important than that of other countries., when designing a building, the most important factor is the intended use of the building rather than its outward appearance., plastic shopping bags are used widely and cause many environmental problems. some people say they should be banned., climate change is a phenomenon that affects countries all over the world. many people strongly believe that it is the responsibility of individuals, rather than corporations and governments, to deal with this problem., recommended for you.

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13 Comments

Thank for your samples

You’re very welcome!

are these questions from Cambridge books?

Some are but most are reported on real IELTS exams.

Hello, can u please tell me the ideas of the following essay? ( From the agree side please)                                             For the married couples nowadays, some people say that it is the responsibilities for both spouses to earn a living for the family. To extent do u agree or disagree?     

hello dave, can u please reply me?

Can u please tell me the ideas of the following essay? ( From the agree side please)                                             For the married couples nowadays, some people say that it is the responsibilities for both spouses to earn a living for the family. To extent do u agree or disagree?   

I think I’ve written about that or a similar topic – if I get a chance, I’ll write a sample answer for that specific one, Eric!

Thank u dave

Can u just give me the ideas of the essay? Just in short notes. Not the whole essay. Thank U.

Hello Mr. Dave. I find that your writing style is amazing but it is quite difficult to imitate, especially the body part of the essay. I see I could have learned from you how to write an introduction and conclusion, but it seems too difficult to learn how to write the body. but I must emphasize that I still learn a lot of good vocabulary and phrases from you. It would be great if you have a detailed tutorial on how to write the body so that it is easiest to follow. dear

To improve writing

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• 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.

How to master IELTS Writing: Task 1 & Task 2

• How to write an answer to ANY type of Essay task
• How to write an answer to ANY type of Graph task
• How to structure your answer
• What to write in each paragraph
• What grammar to use
• How to link your ideas
• What vocabulary to use
• What you should write to get a high score

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)

• You are here:  
• Prepare for IELTS
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• How to check IELTS Results
• IELTS Academic and IELTS General: differences and similarities
• Computer delivered IELTS
• IELTS Band Scores and English levels comparison chart
• IELTS Exam: Test structure and Format
• Detailed Analysis
• Academic Task 1
• Academic Task 2
• IELTS Vocabulary
• IELTS Listening
• IELTS Reading
• IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Writing Course
• Punctuation Guide
• Teacher Training: How to Teach IELTS
• Teacher Training: IELTS Writing for Teachers

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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About Mike I’m Mike Wattie from Australia. I have been teaching IELTS for over 20 years in Asia and Australia.

I have written IELTS books and this enables me to be an effective tutor. This is because I understand the main problems that students have taking the test and also the ways to overcome them.

Maybe you would like me to teach you the necessary skills and strategies to pass your test.

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia and they jointly manage the IELTS test. This website is for test preparation only and has nothing to do with the administration of IELTS tests This website is not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

Useful Academic Expressions & Phrases For Essay Writing

These useful academic expressions , words, vocabulary and phrases will help you to write a top-notch essay. Writing an essay can be a challenging task. However it becomes simpler if it is divided into manageable pieces. There are three main parts in an essay: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. You can easily overcome your essay writing task with these academic phrases and vocabulary for essay writing.

Phrases to Finish an Introduction Paragraph

In this essay, I will look at some of the arguments for This essay will discuss different ways of … This essay outline some of the reasons why… Let us examine both views before reaching a concrete decision. The following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument.

Vocabulary for Opinion Essay 

In my opinion, I strongly agree with the idea that … I strongly disagree with the idea that … I strongly opine that… I strongly believe that… In my view… As far as I am concerned… It seems to me that… However, I strongly believe that… I oppose the view and my reasons will be explained in the following paragraphs. I will support this view with arguments in the following paragraphs. I personally believe that… Thus the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages…

Useful Expressions For Listing Your Ideas

First… First of all… Firstly… First and foremost… Initially… To begin with… To start with… In the first place…

On the one hand… Second(ly)… (do not use ‘Second of all’) Third(ly)… Then… Next… After that… And… Again… Also… Besides… Likewise… In addition… Consequently… What’s more… Furthermore… Moreover… Apart from that…

Finally… Last but not the least…

Check Also: Vocabulary for Starting Your Essay How to Write The Best Essay Ever!

Phrases to Show a Comparison in Your Essay

In the same way… Likewise… Similarly… Like the previous point… Similar to… Also… At the same time… Just as…

Useful Vocabulary and Phrases to Show Contrast

On the other hand… On the contrary… However… Nevertheless…/ Nonetheless… But… Nonetheless/ Nevertheless… Oppositely… Alternatively… Unlike… While… Whilst… Although… Though… Even though… Despite… / In spite of… In spite of the fact that… Alternatively… In contrast to this… Then again… On the other hand… Despite the fact that… Even so… Yet… Meanwhile…

Vocabulary For Expressing Condition

If… Provided that… Because of that… For this reason… Unless… Providing that… So that… In case… Whether…

Phrases for Expressing Certainty in Your Essay

Certainly… Definitely… No doubt… Of course… Doubtlessly… Without any doubt… Undoubtedly…

Vocabulary for Adding Further Information

In addition… And… Moreover… Similarly… Furthermore… Also… As well as… Besides… Even… Too… What’s more… Again… In a similar fashion… Likewise…

Expressions for Agreement & Disagreement in Your Essay

While writing your essay, as a writer you are required to show whether you agree & disagree or partially agree with a given statement or opinion.

Vocabulary for Expressing Agreement

I strongly agree… I completely agree that… I totally agree with the given idea that… I agree with the opinion that… I am quite inclined to the opinion that… I accept that… I accept the fact that… I am in agreement… I consent that…

Vocabulary for Expressing Disagreement

I disagree with the opinion that… I strongly disagree… I completely disagree with… I totally disagree with the given idea that… I disagree with the statement… I quite oppose the opinion that… I disapprove that… I totally do not accept the fact that… My own opinion contradicts… I disagree with the group of people… However, my opinion is different from…

Vocabulary for Expressing Partial Agreement

To some extent… In a way… I agree with the given statement to some extent… Up to a point, I agree… More or less… So to speak…

Essay Writing Expressions PDF

  Essay Expression PDF – (download)

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Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing

This page is about words and phrases that we use when we agree or disagree with someone in English.

Stating an opinion

• In my opinion...
• The way I see it...
• If you want my honest opinion....
• According to Lisa...
• As far as I'm concerned...
• If you ask me...

Asking for an opinion

• What's your idea?
• What are your thoughts on all of this?
• How do you feel about that?
• Do you have anything to say about this?
• What do you think?
• Do you agree?
• Wouldn't you say?

Expressing agreement

• I agree with you 100 percent.
• I couldn't agree with you more.
• That's so true.
• That's for sure.
• (slang) Tell me about it!
• You're absolutely right.
• Absolutely.
• That's exactly how I feel.
• I'm afraid I agree with James.
• I have to side with Dad on this one.
• No doubt about it.
• (agree with negative statement) Me neither.
• (weak) I suppose so./I guess so.
• You have a point there.
• I was just going to say that.

Expressing disagreement

• I don't think so.
• (strong) No way.
• I'm afraid I disagree.
• (strong) I totally disagree.
• I beg to differ.
• (strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
• Not necessarily.
• That's not always true.
• That's not always the case.
• No, I'm not so sure about that.

Interruptions

• Can I add something here?
• Is it okay if I jump in for a second?
• If I might add something...
• Can I throw my two cents in?
• Sorry to interrupt, but...
• (after accidentally interrupting someone) Sorry, go ahead. OR Sorry, you were saying...
• (after being interrupted) You didn't let me finish.

Settling an argument

• Let's just move on, shall we?
• Let's drop it.
• I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.
• (sarcastic) Whatever you say./If you say so.

Speak with Confidence

How to Say “I Agree” and “I Disagree” in an Essay

Expressing agreement or disagreement effectively is important in any essay as it helps you establish a clear stance and engage with the ideas presented. In this guide, we will explore various formal and informal ways of expressing agreement and disagreement. While regional variations exist, we will primarily focus on general guidelines and provide ample tips and examples to help you enhance your essay writing skills. Let’s delve into the art of conveying agreement and disagreement.

Table of Contents

Formal Ways to Say “I Agree”

When writing a formal essay, it is essential to use appropriate language to express agreement. The following phrases can be employed to convey your alignment with the author’s viewpoints:

• I concur: This phrase demonstrates a strong agreement, particularly in academic or professional writing. For instance, “I concur with Smith’s assertion that climate change is a pressing global concern.”
• I agree: A versatile expression suitable for various contexts, such as “I agree with the author’s interpretation of the data.”
• I share the same opinion: This phrase reflects agreement and can be used when you support an author’s perspective. For example, “I share the same opinion as the writer regarding the benefits of renewable energy.”
• I support the argument: Use this phrase when you offer backing to an argument made in the essay. For instance, “I support the argument that stricter gun control laws can reduce crime rates.”
• I endorse this view: This phrase signifies full agreement and approval. For example, “I endorse this view that education should be accessible to all regardless of their socioeconomic background.”
• It is evident that: This phrase can be used to highlight your agreement based on substantial evidence or logical reasoning. For instance, “It is evident that technological advances have revolutionized communication.”

Informal Ways to Say “I Agree”

In less formal essays or when the tone is more conversational, you can employ these expressions to convey agreement:

• I totally agree: This phrase emphasizes your complete alignment with the author’s viewpoint.
• I couldn’t agree more: This expression is an emphatic way of showing agreement and works effectively to engage the reader. For example, “I couldn’t agree more with the author’s perspective on climate change.”
• I’m on the same page: Use this expression to indicate that you share the author’s perspective.
• You’ve hit the nail on the head: This phrase signifies that the author’s point is accurate and well-stated. For instance, “The author has truly hit the nail on the head with their analysis of income inequality.”
• That’s exactly what I think: Use this expression when you completely align with the author’s opinion.
• It seems we’re in agreement: This phrase highlights a mutual understanding and is suitable for essays where consensus is important.

Formal Ways to Say “I Disagree”

In academic or professional writing, expressing disagreement respectfully is crucial. Here are some formal phrases to articulate your differing viewpoint:

• I respectfully disagree: This phrase showcases a polite disagreement, especially when you want to maintain a respectful tone. For example, “I respectfully disagree with the author’s stance on capital punishment.”
• However, I must dissent: Use this expression when you hold a differing view that needs to be addressed. For instance, “However, I must dissent from the author’s suggestion that social media is solely responsible for decreased social interaction.”
• I see things differently: This phrase reflects a difference in perspective without undermining the author’s viewpoint. For example, “I see things differently when it comes to the impact of video games on children’s behavior.”
• I cannot entirely agree: Use this expression when you partially agree but possess reservations about certain aspects of the argument. For instance, “I cannot entirely agree with the author’s perspective on healthcare reform due to the potential economic burden it may impose.”
• I diverge from the author’s opinion: This phrase indicates a clear deviation from the author’s stance, but without denigrating their viewpoint. For example, “I diverge from the author’s opinion on the effectiveness of alternative medicine.”
• I must challenge: Use this phrase to assert an alternative viewpoint backed by evidence or logical reasoning. For instance, “I must challenge the author’s claim that genetically modified foods pose no risks to human health.”

Informal Ways to Say “I Disagree”

For less formal essays or in a conversational tone, the use of the following expressions can effectively convey disagreement:

• I’m afraid I disagree: This phrase is often used to diplomatically express disagreement. For example, “I’m afraid I disagree with the author’s assessment of the current economic situation.”
• I beg to differ: Use this expression to present an alternative opinion respectfully. For instance, “I beg to differ on the author’s characterization of technology as a hindrance in modern society.”
• I see it differently: This phrase indicates a contrasting viewpoint without undermining the author’s argument.
• I’m not convinced by the author’s reasoning: Use this expression to highlight your skepticism towards the author’s argument.
• While I understand the author’s point, I tend to think: This expression allows you to acknowledge the author’s standpoint while presenting your alternative perspective.
• I have a different take on this: Use this expression when you possess an alternative interpretation or opinion.

Tips for Expressing Agreement and Disagreement

Now that we have explored various phrases to convey agreement and disagreement, here are some additional tips to enhance your writing:

1. Use appropriate transition words: Incorporating transitional words and phrases like “furthermore,” “similarly,” “on the contrary,” or “however” can help connect your ideas and reflect your stance in a coherent manner.

2. Provide supporting evidence: Whenever possible, substantiate your agreement or disagreement with evidence, data, expert opinions, or personal experiences to strengthen your argument.

3. Acknowledge counterarguments: Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and address potential counterarguments to showcase your comprehensive understanding of the issue. This will fortify your argument and demonstrate critical thinking.

4. Maintain a respectful tone: Regardless of whether you agree or disagree, maintaining a respectful and professional tone throughout your essay is crucial for constructive engagement with the ideas presented.

By following these tips, you can effectively express your agreement or disagreement while strengthening the overall quality of your essay.

Remember, the phrases and expressions provided here serve as a foundation, but don’t limit yourself to these alone. Adapt your language style and tone to fit the specific requirements of your essay and target audience, ensuring that your expressions of agreement and disagreement align with the overall context.

Happy essay writing!

Related Guides:

• Guide: How to Say Agree and Disagree – Formal and Informal Ways
• How to Say Agree or Disagree: A Complete Guide
• How to Say “Agree to Disagree”: A Comprehensive Guide
• How to Say “Agree to Disagree” Differently: Formal and Informal Ways
• How to Say “Agree to Disagree” in Spanish: A Guide
• Guide: How to say you agree and disagree at the same time
• Guide: How to Say “I Agree” in an Essay
• How to Say You Agree with a Statement in an Essay (Formal and Informal Ways)

About The Author

Kelsey Kaylee

IELTS Writing Agree/Disagree Essay Topics [Task-2]

IELTS agree/disagree essay types are commonly asked topics in Writing Task – 2 . For these type of questions you can either agree or disagree with the statement, or you can adopt a balanced approach.

In this lesson, you will learn how to write a band 7+ answer using THREE sample questions and their model answers. We will adopt the following structure which has proven to be the most suited for agree or disagree essay questions. Practice this structure on the PDF version of the IELTS Writing Task 2 answer sheet .

• INTRODUCTION (Choose an opinion; whether you agree or disagree?)
• BODY PARAGRAPHS (Write relevant ideas with examples to support your viewpoint)
• CONCLUSION (Summarise your writing and provide a logical conclusion)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write at least 250 words.

Essay Topic #1 – Euthanasia

Euthanasia or Mercy Killing is the need of modern life. Do you agree or disagree? Give relevant ideas in support of your point of view.

RELATED: IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Structure With Sample Answers

Essay Topic #2 – Sedentary Lifestyle

Modern lifestyle has become sedentary. Many people believe that sedentary lifestyle is the mother of all diseases. Do you agree or disagree? Write relevant examples to support your position on this.

Essay Topic #3 – Non Violence

Some people say that non-violence has lost its relevance in the modern world. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give examples to strengthen your point of view.

I hope you learnt well about band 7+ structures and vocabulary for these IELTS Writing Task – 2 Agree/Disagree Essay Topics.

All the best !

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Common Phrases for Agreeing and Disagreeing Questions

• Updated on  
• Feb 14, 2024

Common Phrases for Agreeing and Disagreeing Questions: IELTS General Writing Task 2 challenges test takers to write coherent and well-articulated Agree/Disagree essays. Such essays need you to articulate your position on a certain topic in a brief, clear, and accurate manner. 

Essentially, you must strive to communicate your reasoned thoughts clearly and concisely, avoiding redundancy or language and spelling issues. In this case, phrases can play a major role, helping you formulate well-constructed, comprehensible responses. For those who wish to create effective agree/disagree essays for IELTS writing task 2, this thorough list of common phrases will be useful. Have a peek.

This Blog Includes:

20+ common phrases for agreeing and disagreeing questions in ielts writing task 2, useful tips for using phrases in agreeing/disagreeing questions in ielts writing task 2, sample questions for common phrases for ielts agreeing/disagreeing questions.

Given below is a comprehensive list of 20+ most common phrases that you can use in your Agree/Disagree Essays in IELTS writing task 2. Refer to them to create well-structured, coherent and comprehensible essay answers. 

Tips for Using Phrases In Agreeing/Disagreeing Questions: Phrases play an important part in improving one’s chances of success on IELTS Writing Task 2: Agreeing or Disagreeing Questions. However, agreeing and disagreeing questions in IELTS Writing Task 2 might be difficult for students to respond to, as they may struggle to provide solid, clear, and eloquent responses.

This is where phrases for Agreeing and Disagreeing questions come into play. However, phrases in agreeing and disagreeing questions in IELTS Writing Task 2 must be used with caution and discretion. The following are some of the greatest techniques for using phrases in agreeing and disagreeing questions in IELTS Writing Task 2.

• Excessive use of phrases can disrupt the flow of your responses, making them appear incoherent and disconnected. Choose them wisely and only use them when they make an impression.
• Making a habit of writing every day, be it essays, articles or blogs. This will give you a solid idea about how to come up with solid responses. Inculcate a habit of using phrases or phrases while practicing your answers. 
• Doing so will give you a solid idea about their correct implementation or application. Aside from that, you can even read books, articles, and so on to get an idea about how to appropriately construct cohesive sentence structures. 
• While demonstrating your command of irregular verbs may be tempting, prioritise accurate conjugations for a polished response. 
• Avoid using random phrases to sound fancy. Ensure they fit seamlessly into the answer and enhance your point. Misused phrases are like sore thumbs, they stick out awkwardly and create a negative impression.
• Avoid using informal expressions in the test. Aim for expressions that are appropriate for a formal setting and demonstrate your versatility with language.

Refer below to go through the IELTS Agreeing/Disagreeing Sample Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2. These questions are based on your understanding of phrases and phrases. They are designed to assess your overall proficiency in English Writing. Have a look. 

Question 1: You are with friends, trying to decide where to go for dinner They disagree with each other. You have an idea that you think both of them will like. Which Idiom would you use?  

• Can I put my two cents in
• May I express an opinion

Question 2: You are in a formal meeting with several people from different companies. Your boss says something you strongly disagree with. Which Idiom would you use?

• I’d have to take issue with you there
• You have got to be kidding!

Question 3: You are walking out of class after a difficult test. One of your classmates says, “That was a tough test!” You feel the same way. Which idiom would you use?

• You can say that again
• I strongly agree

So that was all about the most common phrases for IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree and Disagree essays. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic. 

Ans: Out of the Blue, Over the Moon, Put all your eggs in one basket, The ‘in’ thing are some of the most common phrases for IELTS speaking. 

Ans: For those undertaking the writing section of the IELTS exam, having a solid grasp of vocabulary and phrases is paramount. Ensure your words reach the examiner with perfect clarity, preventing confusion or disengagement. Remember, clarity and pace are fundamental elements of successful writing in the IELTS writing tasks. Mastering these aspects will not only ensure understanding but also demonstrate your fluency and confidence.

Ans: The IELTS  Writing Task requires individuals to complete the task within 60 minutes. 

Build a plan with Leverage Edu‘s Leverage Live classes and our top trainers and strengthen your English score as well as your application so that you can secure your spot in your dream college. Reach out to Leverage Edu on 1800572000 and schedule a free session today .

Shubham Das

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

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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.

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.

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.

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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How to write IELTS agree disagree essay introductions!

Hey! Today Nick and I are trying a new style of lesson. Instead of giving you lots of information about one topic, we are going to break down one element of essay writing – how to write an introduction to an IELTS agree disagree essay. Join us to learn the three ingredients that you need to write an introduction well (they may not be what you expect) and how you can tackle questions that include “some people” or a background statement.

By the end of the short lesson, you should be able to write an introduction to any agree / disagree essay with ease, which should give you more time to tackle the body of the essay, which is where all of the points are to be gained.

Below, you can find a summary of the episode, which includes all of the links to useful materials and the times of each part of the discussion (so you can go directly to the part you want to listen to)   🚀

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The three ingredients for a great IELTS agree disagree essay introduction

In IELTS writing, there are no real points to be gained in the introduction. If you take a look at the band descriptors, you will see that most points for Task Response come from your paragraphs in the body of the essay, where you need relevant arguments that are well developed (and if you don’t know how to write those, you can take at this recent blog post ).

However, that does not mean that your introduction is not important.

What you write here will be the first thing that the examiner reads and you really do want to make a good first impression. Plus, the introduction will be the place where you first clearly express your opinion, and this really is an important element of Task Response , so you want to make sure that you get it right.

The good news is that there are just three ingredients in a good introduction for an IELTS agree disagree essay, and if you spend as little as 30 minutes practicing them, you will be able to write one in your exam without even thinking! That will give you more time and brain space to focus on the body. So, what are the three ingredients?

1. Introduce the general topic of the essay

Many students write IELTS agree disagree introductions in the following way:

• Paraphrase the task in the first sentence
• Write a memorised sentence such as “I agree with this statement and will explain why in the following paragraphs”

We do NOT recommend that you use this approach. Firstly, the second sentence here is entirely memorised so will be discounted by the examiner as it can be used in any essay. More importantly, no English writer would ever present their opinion in this way. There is no need at all to present your opinion in a separate sentence.

As we will see in a moment, you can easily present your view along with the paraphrase in ONE sentence. 

If you do this, you will have space in your introduction for an opening sentence that introduces the general idea of the essay. There are no “models” for these sentences, but some useful structures are:

• Nowadays, the number of people suffering from obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. = CHANGE STILL IN PROGRESS
• Nowadays, more people than ever  use  social media to keep in touch with family and friends  = FACT
• Recently , the number of electric cars on the road has increased. = CHANGE FINISHED
• Being able to speak a foreign language is one of the most important skills that a person can have in the modern world.

Want to learn how maximise your writing score with an ex-examiner? Then why not find out more about our Gold Writing Package . It contains everything you need to get a 7.0+ in Writing Task One and Task Two.

2. Present your opinion

This should be the easiest sentence that you write in the introduction. If you agree in an IELTS agree disagree essay, you will simply start the sentence by saying “I agree” and then paraphrase the task. If you disagree, you will do the same, but you will start the sentence with “I disagree”.

• I agree that countries should invest in railways instead of roads.
• I disagree that countries should invest in railways instead of roads.

In the episode, Nick and I will discuss how you can paraphrase well by identifying words that CANNOT be paraphrased, and changing the word order. The easiest way to tell if you have paraphrased well is to give your paraphrase to a friend and check that they can understand it. If they cannot, try again.

Remember that it is better to use a word directly from the prompt than to replace it with a word that does not have a clear meaning.

3. Make sure you have good cohesion

The final ingredient in our introduction to an IELTS agree disagree essay will be adding a few words to make sure that you have good coherence and cohesion. Firstly, you will need to add a transition signal between the first and second sentence in your introduction. This will either be “However” or “In fact” depending on the relationship between the first sentence and your opinion.

Take these introductions for example. My opinion is the same (I agree) but the transition is different as in the first introduction, there is contrast between the opening sentence and my opinion sentence, and in the second introduction there is not.

Cleaning is not usually a job that people look forward to. However, I agree with those who feel that having a tidy, well-organised home or workplace is important.   Cleaning is a common chore that most people have to complete on a regular basis. In fact,  I agree with those who feel that having a tidy, well-organised home or workplace is important.

Then, to complete your introduction, you should foreshadow the structure that are going to use by telling the examiner how many paragraphs that they should expect to read. To do this, all you need to do is add “for 2 main reasons” or “for three main reasons” to the end of your introduction (depending on how many reasons you are going to offer!)

Cleaning is not usually a job that people look forward to. However, I agree with those who feel that having a tidy, well-organised home or workplace is important for two main reasons .

Let’s practice writing IELTS agree disagree introductions together!

This week, we want you to work as hard as we do, so we are inviting you to write your own introductions to the following questions as you listen to the lesson.

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

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 

Some people say it is important to keep your home and workplace tidy, with everything organised in the correct place. What is your opinion about this?

Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar. Do you agree or disagree?

Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

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How to Answer Agree Disagree Question in IELTS Writing Task

The first step to writing a good essay in the IELTS writing task 2 is to identify the type of question. The questions asked in this task can be divided into seven types. They are:

1. agree/disagree

2. discuss two opinions

3. advantages and disadvantages

4. causes (reasons) and solutions

5. cause (reasons) and effects

6. problems and solutions, and

7. compare and contrast

In this article, we will discuss and understand how to write an ‘agree disagree’ type of essay. Let’s first understand what this type of question looks like.

What does the question look like?

In the writing task 2 of the IELTS you might be asked a question like the following:

In some countries the number of people suffering from health problems because of excess consumption of junk food, is increasing. It has therefore become imperative for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

For such a question, you need to be clear about whether you agree or disagree to the given statement. Your opinion should come out clearly with the usage of right kind of words.

Structure of the essay: 

The structure of the essay is divided into three parts: Introduction, body and conclusion.

How to write the introduction

Your stance on the statement has to come out in the introduction paragraph itself. Your introduction paragraph has to always start with a paraphrased version of the statement given in the question. This has to be done irrespective of the type of question. The structure of your introduction for the agree/disagree type of questions should be like this

a. statement 1- paraphased statement of the question

b. statement 2- clarify your stance on the statement

c. statement 3 and 4 – support the stance in just two sentences. Remember not to write a lot here as you would need logical points in the body of the essay as well.

Look at these two statements taken from answers written by students:

Introduction:

Sentence 1: The number of people facing health issues due to intake of junk food has increased in some countries.

Sentence 2: Many people think that levying taxes on such consumables will control the consumption rate of such eatables.

Sentence 3 and 4 :  This essay agrees with this notion and supports the belief that the government should impose a high tax on these consumables for curbing the issue. It wil do so by bringing out certain arguments and supoorting it with relevant examples adnd data

Let us look at a sample introduction written by two students. Gauge which introduction is better.

Introduction 1: In my opinion, a country and its government is responsible for the well being of its citizens. 

Introduction 2: I disagree with this statement but also feel that government and the citizens are both responsible for changing the unhealthy lifestyles. 

It is the first statement which makes the writer’s agreement come out clearly. As you can see, it is therfore necessary to use the right kind of words when making a stance.

Now that we have seen how to structure the introduction of the agree/disagree essay let us also understand what to write in its body paragraph.

How to choose content for the main body

In this part of your essay, you need to lay emphasis on your stance. Giving strong arguments supported with examples will make your stance and your essay stronger.

Look at this statement from a sample answer to understand better.

Main body: 

Firstly, I believe that the number of people consuming junk food has increased because of its easy and quick availability. In a recent survey, it was revealed that 78% of the poople residing in urban areas opt for junk food because of time constraints. 

This is an argument well and clearly structured because it not only makes the disagreement clear but it also validates the same with a strong example.

So, your body paragraph needs to have the following structure.

1. statement 1- emphasize your agree/disagreement with a reason

2. statement 2 and more – give relevant examples

This structure is followed in both the body paragraphs. The body paragraph is followed by the concluding paragraph. So, let’s see how to do that too.

How to conclude?

It is here that your argument needs to be the most clear. Look at the example statement below:

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, I would like to say that if the citizens themselves are not vigilant about their health, the government or anyone else will not be able to help or stop them from consuming junk food. it is therefore a person’s own responsibility to consume junk food in a limited quantity.

In this statement, the writer has laid emphasis on the disagreement and has ended by providing a possible solution to the issue at hand. On the basis of this, we can say that the structure of the conclusion can be as follows:

1. statement 1- emphasizing statement on the agreement/disagreement

2. statement 2- a possible solution to the problem or argument

Importance of usage of right vocabulary: 

Even though you might have structured your essay the right way, you are likely to get a lower band than expected if your vocabulary is not appropriate. Let us now have a look at the vocabulary for an agree/disagree essay too.

Useful vocabulary for agree disagree questions 

A. For stating your point of view

In my opinion.

Example question:

Currently there is a developing trend towards usage of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous.

To what extent  do you agree with statement?

Alternative medicine is not new. It is accepted that it pre-dates conventional medicine and it is still used by many people all over the world. I disagree that it is dangerous, and feel that both alternative and conventional medicine can be useful.

The way I see it…

The way I see it , It is more important to consider all factors like the size of the family and the income of the earning members of the family, before deciding what would be an ideal living place for a family.

If you ask me…

If you ask me, I would say that the production of vehicles needs to be controlled too. If this is executed along with increasing the cost price of fuel, I believe that it would be more effective than just one of them being executed.

I believe that…

Example question:refer to previous example

I am of the opinion that…

I am of the opinion that,  children need as much attention and care as possible.

B. For agreeing

When students do research for their class assignments they use both printed and online sources and both types have distinct advantages and disadvantages.  However, I agree that it is better to use printed materials rather than Internet-based resources.  I feel this way for two reasons, which I will explore in the following essay.

There is no doubt about it that…

There is no doubt about it that the crime rates especially in the cities and urban areas has increased to almost triple of what it was a few years back.

I accept the fact that…..

I accept the fact that the rate of consumption of tobacco and alcohol has increased. This is owing to the fact that these are so easily available.

Essay exercise: 

A. Objective: learning to write the introductary paragraph.

Directions: Write the introduction paragraph for the following questions. 

1. A lot of people are are of the belief that the government is responsible for allowing the pollution level to reach at a level that it is now uncontrollable. Do you agree to this view?

2. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. A lot of people do not agree to this and believe that beauty is very important for being accepted ot successful in today’s world. What is your opinion on this?

B. Objective: learning to write the body paragraph

Directions: Write the body paragraph for the following questions

1. Home schooling proves to be a cheaper and better alternative than school and univeristy education. Do you believe so too?

2. The best trips are the ones which are unplanned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

C. Obective : learning to write the conclusion

Directions: Write the concluding paragraph for the following questions.

1. A person needs to have at least two vacations a year in order to be rerfreshed. Do you think a person should take a break from work and routine life once in while?

2. Many people believe that writing with a pencil eliminates the chances of error almost completely whereas some believe that writing with a pen makes one more vigilant and the chanves of error are less. What are your views on the same?

Vocabulary Exercise:

A. Objective: learning to use appropriate phrase to agree/disagree

Directions:  Fill in the gaps in the following sentences with a suitable agree/disagree phrase from the options given in the box.

First of all ,_______ job satisfaction gives people a sense of fulfillment that no money can guarantee. To conclude,  ______________ job satisfaction is more beneficial than high salary because it makes people happy and motivated. _________ , there is now convincing evidence that group activities improve the intelligence of individuals. _____________ with the notion that group activities improve intellectual abilities. ______________ parents and teachers are equally responsible for making sure that the child is exposed to the right kind of information and media. ______________ , the real problem is the way that the media has handled this. B. Objective: learning to state a point of view Directions : Use  the phrases learnt ‘For stating your point of view’ to answer the following questions: The best way to ensure peace is through military strength. It is the duty of doctors to keep people alive for as long as possible. Euthanasia (mercy killing) should be made legal all over the world. C. Objective: learning to agree to a statement or argument Directions: use the phrases learnt ‘For agreeing’ to agree with the following questions: Personality is more important than beauty. Violence is necessary sometimes. Possession of drugs should require jail time. Answer key: Vocabulary exercise 1.I am of the opinion that 2. there is no doubt that 3. I believe that 4. I strongly agree 5. The way i see it 6. If you ask me B. Answer will vary C. Answer will vary Share with friends Scan below qr code to share with your friends, related ielts tips. Relationship and types of the family Here's a lesson on vocabulary related to "Relationship and Types of the... Common Tense Errors in IELTS Common Tense Errors in IELTS Different types of tense mistakes... Writing skills Here are some vocabulary words related to writing skills for the IELTS... 110 IELTS Words, IELTS Vocabulary List Below is 110 common IELTS Words. 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Your answers has been saved successfully. Add Credits You do not have enough iot credits. Your account does not have enough IOT Credits to complete the order. Please purchase IOT Credits to continue. You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience. Agreeing and Disagreeing in English: 20 Useful Expressions There are many ways you can express agreement and disagreement in English. Depending on the situation, some are more appropriate (fitting or correct) than others. “To agree” means to share the same opinion as someone or to accept their suggestion. “To disagree” means to have a different opinion. So agreeing with someone means you’re telling them that you think the same. You’re disagreeing when you tell them you don’t. Almost any English conversation you participate in will include having to agree or disagree. So, let’s learn how to do so like a friendly native English speaker. Agreeing in Conversation: Common Phrases 1. i know, right, 2. that’s so true, 3. absolutely / definitely / of course, 4. i also think so. / i think so, too., 5. i was just going to say that, 6. i agree with you a hundred percent. / i agree with you entirely., 7. tell me about it, 8. you can say that again, 9. you have a point there., 10. i have no objections. / i don’t object., disagreeing in conversation: common phrases, 11. yes, but…, 12. no way, 13. i beg to differ., 14. you can’t be serious, 15. that’s not always true. / that’s not entirely true., 16. to be honest, i don’t agree with that., 17. i think there’s a better explanation., 18. as a matter of fact, i don’t think that’s correct., 19. i respectfully disagree., 20. i think the opposite., some tips about sharing opinions in english, indicate that you’re sharing your opinion, ask for feedback, try to address the thought instead of the person, know when to end the conversation, and one more thing.... Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download) This phrase is used casually and is one of the most common ways to agree in English. This pizza is delicious! Thousands of learner friendly videos (especially beginners) Handpicked, organized, and annotated by FluentU's experts Integrated into courses for beginners I know, right? The pepperoni is my favorite. I can’t believe our exam is tomorrow. I know, right? I’m so nervous! You should treat others how you want to be treated. That’s so true. Interactive subtitles: click any word to see detailed examples and explanations Slow down or loop the tricky parts Show or hide subtitles Review words with our powerful learning engine I read an article that said reading before going to bed helps you fall asleep faster. That’s so true! I’ve tried it before. Do you think that eating less meat is better for the environment? Absolutely! In my opinion, hard work is the key to success. Definitely! Learn words in the context of sentences Swipe left or right to see more examples from other videos Go beyond just a superficial understanding If I ask her on a date, do you think she’ll say yes? Of course! She told my friend that she likes you. I think the meeting room in our office needs more chairs. I also think so. We have more people than we did last month. We need to study more for our exam on Monday. I think so, too. We’ve only reviewed three chapters so far. FluentU builds you up, so you can build sentences on your own Start with multiple-choice questions and advance through sentence building to producing your own output Go from understanding to speaking in a natural progression. I think we should eat dinner before we go to the movies instead of after. I was just going to say that! It’s so cold in here! I was just going to say that! Let’s turn the A/C off. Images, examples, video examples, and tips Covering all the tricky edge cases, eg.: phrases, idioms, collocations, and separable verbs No reliance on volunteers or open source dictionaries 100,000+ hours spent by FluentU's team to create and maintain Nothing can replace the feeling of reading paper books. I agree with you a hundred percent. Honestly, I don’t think we’ve studied enough yet. I agree with you entirely. I don’t feel prepared. This phrase is  considered slang  and is not typically used in formal English. Taking taxis to work is the most convenient, but it’s so expensive when you do it every day. Tell me about it! I spent $100 just on taxi rides last month. That movie was so good! Tell me about it! It’s the best one I’ve ever seen. It’s important to note that this phrase isn’t taken literally. So if you say, “You can say that again,” the other person knows you’re just agreeing with them and don’t actually want them to repeat what they said. That restaurant has the best Mexican food. You can say that again! I’m hungry. Let’s go get some food. You can say that again! I’m starving! I find that when I study my notes with flashcards after I read them again, I remember the terms better. You have a point there. I’m going to try doing that too. I’m most inspired to write when I’m outside in nature. You have a point there. It’s always hard for me to think of new ideas when I’m inside all day. This phrase isn’t as common as the others in English. And people usually say it because they don’t have a strong opinion. It expresses an emotion called indifference —when you don’t really care and have no reason to disagree. I think we should buy pink curtains for our study room. I have no objections. If you think that color fits the room best, let’s buy it. What do you think about meeting up at 2 pm instead of 1 pm? I don’t object. I’m free all day, so whenever works best for you. We use this phrase when we agree with the person’s main point, but there’s something preventing us from being able to take action or fully agree with everything they said. For example: You’ve been working too much. You should take today off. Yes, but  I have a project due in two days, so I’m trying to get it done as fast as possible. We should go on a vacation for Spring Break. Yes, but we don’t really have the money for that right now. “No way” is more like a way to express shock than to disagree. So when you use it, it’s as if you’re saying, “I can’t believe that!”. I’m really sorry, but I can’t help you work on the project tonight. I forgot I had plans. No way! You’re joking with me, right? Kelly says that she can run a mile in five minutes. No way! That would mean she’s faster than Melissa. We usually say “I beg to differ” when we disagree with someone because of past experiences we’ve had. Running is easy. I beg to differ. Every time I run, I get out of breath after only five minutes. Cats are better pets than dogs. I beg to differ . I’ve had cats before, and they were nowhere near as fun as my dog. Like “No way,” this phrase is used to express shock or disbelief. I think we should stop trying to form a band. No one listens to this style of music anymore. You can’t be serious! Buying a house is useless in this economy. I’d rather rent. Exercising is the best way to lose weight. That’s not entirely true. Without a healthy diet, you won’t lose any weight. The CEO has the easiest job in the company. He doesn’t have to come to work like we do. That’s not always true. He’s under a lot of stress trying to make sure the business keeps making money. We should increase the fine for people who leave trash on the ground. To be honest, I don’t agree with that. There’s already a $500 fine, so raising it won’t make a difference. Skateboarding is a lot safer than riding a bike. To be honest, I don’t agree with that. I know more people who have had skateboarding accidents than bike accidents. Our profits are down this year because our employees are taking too many coffee breaks. I think there’s a better explanation. Maybe profits are down because our new website keeps crashing. I don’t think I did well on the test because I’m not very smart. I think there’s a better explanation. Maybe you didn’t do well on the test because you never went to class. This is another formal way of disagreeing with someone. There’s no use in learning new things once you’re old. As a matter of fact, I don’t think that’s correct. It’s been proven a myth that you can’t learn new things after a certain age. Our sales dropped by 18% last month. As a matter of fact, I don’t think that’s correct. I looked at the report, and we actually increased sales last month. This is a good way to politely but firmly voice your opinion. This isn’t a very good strategy. I respectfully disagree. What do you think is wrong with it? This film doesn’t live up to its reputation. I respectfully disagree. I thought it was the best film this director has ever made. This can be a respectful way to show that your opinion is entirely different from the other person’s. I think that romance movies are better than horror movies. I think the opposite. I think Catherine is funnier than Robert. Agreements and disagreements are generally your personal thoughts and feelings about something. Phrases like “I think” or “in my opinion” make it clear that you’re stating an opinion and not a fact. For more phrases like these, take a look at this post:  Expressing your opinion in English is important. It’s how you have meaningful conversations, learn about other people and describe your feelings. Read this post to find 65… FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons. You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app. P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.) Try FluentU for FREE! Using these phrases helps create a friendly environment where both people feel that they can talk openly and share their opinions. Questions like “What do you think?” also helps the other person feel like you’re open to a discussion and care about their opinions. Even if you disagree, you can still be polite and respectful . Phrases like “I might be wrong, but…” or “I am sorry, but I don’t agree” help to maintain politeness and respect. Differences in thought and opinion don’t need to affect your relationship with people. This is especially important in academic and office spaces. Remember, you’re agreeing or disagreeing with the opinion, thought or idea. “I say this with due respect, but…” is a nice way to state a disagreement, especially in a professional or formal setting. Ending a conversation when it becomes too uncomfortable or the other person repeats the same points is a good idea. It indicates that the person isn’t really interested in changing their mind or accepting your different point of view, so continuing the conversation is pointless. In these situations, you should agree to disagree and move on. Agreements and disagreements are a big part of most discussions. Learning some simple ways to agree and disagree in English will help you improve your conservation skills and be able to participate in discussions with native English speakers . If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here: If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it. The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples. FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities. For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this: FluentU lets you tap to look up any word. Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning. FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more. The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience. Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.) Enter your e-mail address to get your free PDF! We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe IELTS Mentor "IELTS Preparation & Sample Answer" Skip to content Jump to main navigation and login Nav view search IELTS Sample Vocabulary for Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 (part 2) Generally...... generally speaking...... in general...... overall...... all in all...... by and large...... basically...... as a rule...... essentially...... on the whole...... all things considered......, if...... provided that...... because of that...... for this reason...... unless...... providing that...... so that...... in case...... whether......., i quite agree that...... i strongly agree...... i completely agree that...... i totally agree with the given idea that...... i agree with the opinion that...... i am quite inclined to the opinion that...... i could not agree more...... i concur with the group who believe that...... i accept that...... i accept the fact that...... i approve of the idea...... i am in agreement...... i consent that......, i disagree with the opinion that...... i strongly disagree....... i completely disagree with....... i totally disagree with the given idea that....... i disagree with the statement....... i quite oppose the opinion that....... i disapprove that....... i totally do not accept the fact that....... my own opinion contradicts....... i disagree with the group of people....... however, my opinion is different......., to some extent…... in a way…... i agree with the given statement to some extent…... up to a point, i agree…... more or less…... so to speak…..., certainly….... definitely….... no doubt….... of course….... doubtlessly….... without any doubt….... undoubtedly…...., in addition….... and….... moreover….... similarly….... furthermore….... also….... as well as….... besides….... even….... too….... what’s more….... again….... in a similar fashion….... likewise…...., first/ firstly….... second/ secondly….... third/ thirdly….... last/ lastly….... then..….. at the same time….... meanwhile….... since….... as soon as….... after this / that….... before….... after…....     afterwards ...... during…....     while….... simultaneously…....     following this….... when…..., «prev vocabulary - writing task 2 (part 1)     next vocabulary - writing task 2 (part 3) ». IELTS Materials IELTS Bar Graph IELTS Line Graph IELTS Table Chart IELTS Flow Chart IELTS Pie Chart IELTS Letter Writing IELTS Essay Academic Reading Useful Links IELTS Secrets Band Score Calculator Exam Specific Tips Useful Websites IELTS Preparation Tips Academic Reading Tips Academic Writing Tips GT Writing Tips Listening Tips Speaking Tips IELTS Grammar Review IELTS Vocabulary IELTS Cue Cards IELTS Life Skills Letter Types Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Copyright Notice HTML Sitemap Study Abroad Increasing The Price of Petrol Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 Updated on Jul 18, 2024, 05:41 The  IELTS Writing section is a fundamental part of the exam, evaluating your English language proficiency through two distinct tasks. Task 1, specific to either the General or Academic modules, asks you to respond differently: for General, it involves tackling everyday scenarios like  writing a letter , while for Academic, it requires interpreting and  describing data from charts or graphs.    Task 2, common to both modules, challenges you to craft a cohesive essay expressing and supporting a clear argument or opinion on a given topic. Mastering this section demonstrates your language skills and ability to structure ideas effectively under exam conditions.   In the realm of environmental policy and urban planning, the debate over whether raising petrol prices is the optimal solution to alleviate traffic congestion and pollution remains contentious. This falls under the " agree-disagree " category in the IELTS Writing section, where articulating a balanced argument supported by examples and logical reasoning is crucial. On This Page 1. Increasing The Price of Petrol: How to Answer? For IELTS Writing Task 2, adhering to general guidelines is essential for a high score. Start by carefully analyzing the prompt to understand the specific question or statement. 2. Increasing The Price of Petrol: Sample Essay Let's explore essay samples for Increasing The Price of Petrol below. More for you Boost your IELTS Writing score See how to score 8+ in Listening. Get proven strategies to ace your IELTS Listening test. Increasing The Price of Petrol: How to Answer? For IELTS Writing Task 2, adhering to general guidelines is essential for a high score. Start by carefully analyzing the prompt to understand the specific question or statement. Plan your essay structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. In the introduction, paraphrase the topic and state your position or the main points you'll discuss. Each body paragraph should focus on a single idea, supported by examples and explanations, ensuring logical coherence and progression of ideas.    Use  linking words and phrases to maintain flow and clarity. In the conclusion, summarize your main points and restate your position concisely. Aim for a balanced argument, addressing different perspectives where relevant. Maintain formal language, avoid contractions, and check for grammatical accuracy and varied vocabulary. Practicing these guidelines will help you present well-structured and persuasive essays, enhancing your overall IELTS writing performance. Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Word limit: Make sure you keep it in 250 words! Here's a breakdown of how to structure and answer an "agree or disagree" type essay on the given topic: Introduction Begin by paraphrasing the given statement to introduce the topic. Clearly state whether you agree, disagree, or partially agree with the idea that increasing petrol prices is the best solution for traffic and pollution problems. Briefly mention that you will also discuss other effective measures. First Paragraph: Present Your Main Argument Start with your main point, whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Explain your reasoning in detail. For instance, if you agree, discuss how higher petrol prices could reduce car usage and thereby decrease traffic and pollution. If you disagree, argue why this measure alone might not be effective. Second Paragraph: Discuss the Limitations or Counterpoints Acknowledge the limitations or potential negative impacts of increasing petrol prices. Discuss why this approach might not be sufficient or could have adverse effects, such as economic implications or limited impact on traffic reduction in certain areas. Third Paragraph: Propose Other Measures Suggest alternative or additional measures that could effectively address traffic and pollution problems. These could include improvements in public transportation, promotion of electric vehicles, or urban planning initiatives. Explain why these measures might be more effective or complement the increase in petrol prices. Summarize your main points, restating your stance on the issue. Emphasize the importance of a multifaceted approach to solving traffic and pollution problems, highlighting the need for a combination of measures rather than relying solely on increasing petrol prices. Increasing The Price of Petrol: Sample Essay Increasing the price of petrol is often proposed as a solution to traffic congestion and pollution problems. While this measure might contribute to alleviating these issues, I believe it is not the best or sole solution. Other measures, when combined with increased petrol prices, could provide a more comprehensive approach. The primary reason for supporting higher petrol prices is the potential reduction in car usage. As petrol becomes more expensive, people might seek alternative modes of transport, such as public transportation or carpooling. This could lead to fewer vehicles on the road, decreasing traffic congestion and lowering pollution levels.  However, relying solely on increasing petrol prices has its limitations. Higher fuel costs could disproportionately affect lower-income individuals who depend on their vehicles for daily commuting. In areas with inadequate public transportation, people may not have viable alternatives to driving, thus rendering the price increase ineffective in reducing traffic and pollution. To address these issues more effectively, other measures should be considered. Enhancing public transportation networks would provide reliable and affordable alternatives to driving. Investment in cycling lanes and pedestrian pathways could encourage non-motorized forms of transport. Furthermore, promoting the use of electric vehicles by offering incentives and developing charging infrastructure could significantly reduce pollution without placing a financial burden on motorists. In conclusion, while increasing the price of petrol may help mitigate traffic and pollution problems, it is not a standalone solution. A multifaceted approach, including improvements in public transportation, promotion of non-motorized transport, and incentives for electric vehicles, is essential. Combining these measures with higher petrol prices will provide a more balanced and effective strategy for tackling traffic and pollution issues. 60+ IELTS Essay Topics 2024: IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples & Tips IELTS Writing Practice Test IELTS Reading Practice Test IELTS Speaking Practice Test IELTS Listening Practice Test IELTS Practice Test IELTS Important Information IELTS Exam Date IELTS Exam Fee IELTS Modules IELTS Test Centres IELTS Results Types of IELTS IELTS Pattern IELTS Exam Eligibilty IELTS Slot Booking IELTS Band Score IELTS Registration IELTS Books IELTS Preparation IELTS Accepting Countries Study In USA Study In Canada Study In UK Study In Australia Study In Ireland IELTS Accepting Universities Massachusetts Institute Of Technology The University Of British Columbia Harvard University University Of Toronto Conestoga College University Of East London Stanford University University Of Alberta Coventry University New York University Read More about IELTS Practice Test IELTS Speaking Cue Card IELTS Speaking Part 1 IELTS Writing Task 1 IELTS Writing Task 2 Task 1 Pie Chart Task 1 Table Chart Task 1 Bar Graph Task 1 Line Graph Task 1 Diagram Top Writing Sample with Answers Advantages and Disadvantages Essay with Sample Answers Agree and Disagree Essay with Sample Answers Problem Solution Essay Topic with Sample Answers Every Year Several Languages Die Out Positive or Negative Development Essay with Sample Answers Honesty is the Best Policy Essay Online Shopping Essay Environment Essay Topics IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Hyderabad IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Bangalore IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Chennai IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Amritsar IELTS Centre and Dates in Ludhiana IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Mumbai IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Ahmedabad IELTS Centre and Dates in Delhi IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Chandigarh IELTS Center and Dates in Pune Related Articles It Is Becoming Increasingly Popular to Have A Year Off Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 Many Working People Get Little or No Exercise Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 In Some Countries a Few People Earn Extremely High Salaries Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 Q. Is it necessary to use complex words in IELTS Writing section? Ans. It is not necessary to use complex words in the IELTS Writing section, but using a range of vocabulary accurately is essential. Your goal should be to use words that precisely convey your meaning and are appropriate for the context. Overusing complex words can lead to errors and may make your writing less clear. Focus on clarity, coherence, and using a variety of vocabulary naturally and correctly to achieve a higher score. Q. How to develop ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 2024? Ans.  Developing ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 involves several steps. Start by understanding the prompt and identifying the main topic and task requirements. Brainstorm relevant ideas and examples from your knowledge and experiences. Organize these ideas into a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Practice writing essays on various topics to enhance your ability to generate ideas quickly and effectively. Reading widely on diverse subjects can also provide fresh insights and examples to use in your essays. Q. How many mistakes are acceptable in IELTS Writing Task 2? Ans.  In IELTS Writing Task 2, a few mistakes are acceptable as long as they do not impede understanding. The key is to minimize errors in grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation to maintain clarity and coherence. The band score considers the frequency and impact of mistakes. Aim for a balance between accuracy and complexity, and proofread your work to catch and correct errors. Practicing regularly and seeking feedback can help you improve accuracy and reduce the number of mistakes in your writing. Share full article Advertisement I Watched the Republican Convention. The Democrats Can Still Win. Ezra klein discusses the anti-system populism on display at the 2024 g.o.p. convention — and what this might mean for the democrats.. [MUSIC PLAYING] From New York Times Opinion, this is “The Ezra Klein Show.” It is Friday, July 19. It is the morning after the final night of the Republican National Convention. And there is a lot to say about who the Republicans are showing themselves to be or showing themselves to want to be, a lot to say about what is about to happen potentially with the Democrats and Joe Biden. And so I’m joined by my great showrunner and senior editor, Claire Gordon, who is going to turn the tables on me a bit and ask the questions today. So, Claire, thank you so much for being here. It is my pleasure. And I’ll just start right there with what stands out to you as different about Trump and the Republican Party’s sales pitch in 2024 compared to last time? What was interesting to me across the Republican Convention and something I see some of my liberal friends honestly grappling with and some of them still trying to deny, is that the Republican Party itself is changing. It is coming into line behind the thing that it thinks Donald Trump is. Whether that’s a thing Donald Trump actually is, is something we should talk about, because I am unconvinced. And I think you saw this on the final night of the convention. For all the talk in the nights leading up to it of economic populism, for all that you had a union president speaking on the first night, for all of J.D. Vance’s attacks on Wall Street in his speech, the night of Donald Trump was not a night of full-throated economic populism. It was a night of full-throated showmanship and entertainment. He was introduced by Dana White, the head of the U.F.C. Hulk Hogan gave, I think, undoubtedly, the night’s best speech. It was campy, and it was strange, and it was entertaining. But it understood that the root of Donald Trump’s politics are as a showman, as a reality television star, as a W.W.E. Hall of Famer. There was a lot of talk about Donald Trump’s golf game. If you didn’t tune in for the early speeches, I think you’d be surprised how much talk there was about Donald Trump’s golf game. The fact that he loves music. I thought it was very funny that Tucker Carlson ended up opening up for the general manager of Donald Trump’s golf club. Kid Rock gave a performance. A friend of mine said to me that it felt like watching Donald Trump’s Vegas residency. And I think that’s right. Once Trump got into his own speech after he moved through the period of talking about the assassination attempt, which was, I would say, an interesting, in some cases, bizarre, way that he opened it up, he sort of spoke about himself like he was like a bard from the future, telling the story of Donald Trump and the sort of, “It was a warm day.” I would say the way Trump spoke about it, it felt to me like a shift had happened in him. Not towards serenity, not towards an expansive perspective or a calmness, but so many people in Trump’s base have told him that he is godly, that he is God-sent, that he is here on a mission of God. And I think Trump enjoyed that support. And now I think Trump shares that perspective. I think his sense of being chosen has settled into him in a different way, which you can imagine that playing out in many ways, some of them dangerous. When he got into his own speech, it was just Trump. It wasn’t even very good Donald Trump. It wasn’t like one of his better rallies, but it was just him. It was rambley. It was long. It was just truly full of bullshit, so much that it feels like it overwhelms the capacity of the fact-checker. There’s so much emphasis, for instance, on energy production, but America is currently producing more crude oil than any country ever has in the history of the entire world. That includes the United States under Donald Trump. And it didn’t feel to me like a speech where they said to themselves, people are tuning in here who are uncertain about Donald Trump, but giving him a second chance. And we’ve got to convince them. Across quite a bit of the Republican National Convention, this felt like base turnout. It felt like an effort to solidify an ideological change that we can talk about that is happening. But it didn’t feel like an effort to persuade, to present a face that somebody who is modestly pro-choice but doesn’t really like Democrats and is upset about inflation and lives in Pennsylvania, it wasn’t aimed at them. It felt to me, for them, like a pretty profound missed opportunity. A lot for Democrats I’m talking to, a lot of the sense of Trump’s inevitability that had begun to take hold among some of the party — shattered. And they watched him, and they remembered, oh, this guy is completely beatable and has actually never won the popular vote in an election ever. That’s interesting to hear you say that. And I just want to spend a moment on the divine intervention, messianic piece of this and just play a moment so folks can hear a taste of it. I’m not supposed to be here tonight. I’m not supposed to be here. (CHANTING) Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Trump! Thank you. But I’m not. And I’ll tell you, I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God. So, in the first part of that speech, you also the camera pans, and people have tears streaming down their face as he’s describing events of that day. America is a religious country. Do you not think that there is power to that message? I don’t think for an election, there is power to that message. I’m a little bit uncomfortable talking about that message in terms of whether or not it will win Trump a point and a half in Michigan, because I think there is an authenticity to what he is going through here. People who go through near-death experiences of that nature do emerge changed. They do emerge with a sense, sometimes, of destiny, a sense of needing to focus on other things in their life. I don’t want to comment or pretend that I know what that has meant to Donald Trump or how he feels about it, but I wouldn’t frame it really as a political message. I mean, we will see. I think the iconography of the image of him with his fist up is obviously going to be a huge dimension of the Trump campaign this year. I’m sure we will see it on a lot of merch and signs and stickers and so on. To the degree it does reflect a message that they are trying to push, you heard this from other speakers, which is that — and this is an odd mythologizing of him to me, but nevertheless, that Donald Trump doesn’t need to be doing any of this. That Donald Trump was rich, he was happy, he was a celebrity. And for your sins and on your behalf, he entered the grime and the difficulty and the challenge of politics. And he was slandered, and he was persecuted. And he was mocked, and he had an election stolen from him. And then he had the Justice Department and the New York prosecutors and the Georgia prosecutors go after him. They tried to throw him in jail, and they’ve tried to impoverish him. And then they tried to kill him. Possibly, some shadowy they is sending lone shooters now. That sense of paranoia, that sense that this is a movement that is under genuine persecution, and if Donald Trump cannot win the election, it might be stamped out — it was odd because it permeated a convention that, at the same time, was completely convinced of its victory, of how many votes it would get, of the fact that it was actually the dominant now force in American politics. But that, I think, is a real message, right? The message is not so much about the shooting. The message is more about, actually, the court cases against Donald Trump and the sense that he has been persecuted. They have been persecuted, but they have withstood it. And that strength shows something fundamental about him, about them, about the way they would govern, about what this movement is made of, and also, the threat, in their minds, that it represents to a corrupt status quo, ruling class, regime — whatever you want to call it. And at the same time, they’re trying to be more inclusive and very explicitly reaching out to parts of what’s traditionally been the Democrats’ coalition, like Black voters. So here’s Vivek Ramaswamy. Our message to Black Americans is this. The media has tried to convince you for decades that Republicans don’t care about your communities. But we do. We want for you what we want for every American — safe neighborhoods, clean streets, good jobs, a better life for your children, and a justice system that treats everyone equally, regardless of your skin color and regardless of your political beliefs. I mean, so you heard themes like that over and over again, people talking about this is a big tent party, and it doesn’t matter what race you are. What’s going on here? Why is it that Trump, of all recent Republican presidential nominees, Trump with his record of racist statements, why does it seem like he can make this play for Black voters? Let me say a couple of things about this, and not just about Black voters, but about something happening across the R.N.C. that I am sincerely in favor of. Across the Republican National Convention, you saw the Republican Party making a genuine effort to appeal to union voters, to Black voters, to Hispanic voters. And I have studied political polarization in incredibly deep detail. I wrote a book on it that came out in 2020, “Why We’re Polarized.” And one of the points of that book is that to say a country is polarized doesn’t actually give you that much information. The question is, what is it polarized over? And one thing we were seeing at this convention is the nature, the locus of American polarization, is changing. So if you go back to the 2012 convention, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, the sort of voter in Mitt Romney’s mind at that convention, I think, is like a small business owner, an entrepreneur, the sort of winners of American life who the rest of us are supposed to look at aspirationally. And the voter in mind at this convention was very different — was not wealthy, I think, was not necessarily white, maybe even joined a union. I think it is good for the politics around organized labor, around race to depolarize. And I do think there was an effort being made in that direction here. Does that take away from the fact that Donald Trump had a deeply anti-union National Labor Relations Board in his first term? No, but maybe it would be somewhat different in his second term. I think it is good what the Teamsters president, Sean O’Brien, did. If I were a union president and my job was to help my members, I would want there to be entry for me in a Republican administration, right? That is the job. I don’t think the fact that organized labor is simply a kind of arm of the Democratic coalition has actually been good for it. Democrats don’t hold power in enough places enough of the time. And Trump splits politics on different lines than it was split under someone like Romney or Ryan. His appeal, the way he shows up to people, it’s a very cultural appeal. He frontloads issues like immigration. He frontloads a way of talking and speaking and a kind of antagonism and sense of resentment that is very class oriented, very — depending on how you frame class, not just about wealth, right? There are many, many wealthy Donald Trump supporters. And it should not go without notice that the scion of the MAGA movement now is a Yale law graduate who went to work immediately in venture capital. J.D. Vance, whatever else you want to say about him, is a convert to the class war. But there are many union members and many Black and Hispanic voters who share this kind of politics, share some of these views on trade, share these views on immigration, right? This is something the Democratic Party, I think, really got wrong for itself. It listened to highly ideological groups claiming to represent Black and Hispanic voters, and it turned out they did not represent nearly the full range of opinion. There was a lot of effort at suppression of support for Republicans. And when suppression breaks, it often kind of breaks all at once. And so, Trump, in offering a much more cultural appeal that replicates itself in nontraditional media, I mean, it’s a sort of very pro-Trumpy world, I think, at this point, in sports talk radio, in a lot of the big YouTube shows. He’s just pulling different people, and he noticed he’s pulling different people, right? He is excited about the fact that he’s pulling different people. And now he is leaning in to the parts of his own movement that he thinks can appeal to them. And for all of the unhealthy things I saw at the Republican National Convention, I think that thing is healthy. I think it would be good for the Republican Party and the Democratic Party to both be competing for organized labor, for Black voters, for Hispanic voters, rather than taking them for granted. At the same time, the locus of polarization itself is changing. It’s not going away. The polarization is over the system itself, right? Are we a democracy? Are American institutions, in any way, trustworthy, right? J.D. Vance has talked about firing every midlevel bureaucrat and replacing them with, as he sometimes puts it, like their people. Donald Trump talked about — offhandedly, but extremely, extremely bluntly, definitively— how he believes the election was stolen from him. They’re going to make it impossible to steal again. We’re never going to let something like that 2020 result happen again. There was no doubt about that at the Republican Party. So in some ways, we’ve slipped down into a deeper form of polarization over the fundamentals of the system itself. Mitt Romney and Barack Obama were not divided over the question of American institutions, over whether or not election results should be or would be considered legitimate. So when you talk about Democrats and Republicans becoming polarized over democracy, Trump and his supporters think that the Democrats are going to try to steal this election. Democrats fear that Trump is going to try to steal this election. Democrats fear that Trump is going to weaponize the D.O.J., and Trump and his supporters feel like the Democrats are weaponizing the D.O.J.. Is it that they’re polarized and that they have different values on these issues, or is it just that they are mirror images of each other? So the thing about Donald Trump is that he acts in ways that force systems to react against him. When you try to fundamentally invalidate elections, the system is going to have to do something about that. And then he says, look, the system is against me. They’re treating me in a way no one has ever been treated before. Doesn’t this just prove what I’ve been saying all along? And it doesn’t, but there are ways in which it looks like that to people. I am not personally a fan of the New York case against Donald Trump. On the letter of the law, he did everything he’s accused of doing. I think that the sort of bankshot theory of law applied there, where you are taking a business documents misdemeanor and elevating it to a felony by attaching it to a campaign finance violation, in terms of the explosiveness of prosecuting an ex-president, I think that was not the strongest case. The sort of profusion of cases created a kind of appearance. Even though it reflects Donald Trump doing a lot of things wrong and a lot of things lawlessly, it did create an appearance of something unusual happening here that I think a lot of people, and certainly, people sympathetic to him, were all too willing to buy into. And it has created, then, this deeper form of polarization. There’s also a thing happening behind Trump himself, which you see in J.D. Vance, you see in a lot of these people, which is that over the last 10-ish years, Republicans, conservatives, particularly sort of populist conservatives, feel that the institutions of American life became biased, arrayed, weaponized against them. The universities, but they had been out of power in the universities for a long time. # But during the sort of post-Ferguson period, the post-George Floyd period, the #MeToo period, a feeling that businesses had become woke, businesses had become an arm of not necessarily the Democratic Party, although they might say that, but I would say more like a liberal, cultural, and institutional dominance. And it also reflects compositional differences in America. We’ve had a lot of educational polarization. So it actually is the case that people with college degrees, post-grad degrees, who are at the top of a lot of these institutions, are more monolithically liberal than they used to be, not actually monolithically liberal. And you certainly find many, many, many rich Republican businessmen, rich Republican or at least powerful Republican faith leaders, right? Churches are still a very powerful institution in American life. So the extent of this can be overstated, but the sense that Republicans have lost their representation in a lot of these institutions is very real on the Republican side. And it’s much more a feeling of being culturally on the outs, right? It’s not a feeling that all these institutions have a strong view about single-payer health care, but that they have strong cultural views about race, about gender. And the things that are more traditionally Christian and conservative views have become almost unsayable, right? I mean, we went in a very short period in American life from gay marriage being an issue that it would be lethal to run on as a national politician — that would have been true in 2000, would have been true in 2004 — Barack Obama believed it to be true in 2008 — to you can’t even really, at a high level in American life, be against gay marriage. Forget running on it or trying to do anything about it, but just to oppose it would put you culturally in a very difficult place. Now, I’m obviously a deep supporter of gay marriage, but that has created a backlash in a sense of persecution. So I think all these things kind of braid together in where Republicans have gone and have also led to this sort of economic populist pressure there, this sense of free speech being a major issue there, right? When people feel like they are losing their footing and their grip on the institutions that wield power, that’s a frightening thing. And I think as much as I disagree on a lot of the particulars, it is worth taking seriously that it has frightened many on the right. So let’s talk about J.D. Vance. The convention started off with the announcement that Trump was picking him as his V.P. And a lot of the liberal conversation after that was sort of focused on the comments that J.D. Vance had made during Trump’s 2016 run for office, calling him “cultural heroin” and that maybe he was America’s Hitler, and just trying to puzzle over the fact that this was now Trump’s running mate. And was this just crass political opportunism on the part of J.D. Vance that he had this wild Trumpian makeover? You have said that you think that’s the wrong way to understand Vance. So, what’s wrong with it? I just don’t think it’s true. I mean, I think the particulars are true in the sense that he did say all those things about Trump, although, remember, he said he might be America’s Hitler. That was one of the possibilities. Look, I interviewed J.D. Vance in his “Hillbilly Elegy” period, and he was a very different guy. And he wasn’t just a different guy in what he thought. He was a different guy in temperament, in openness, right? He was a guy who believed deeply in civility, who believed deeply in what you might call sort of political and civic virtues. And what led Vance to his current level of antagonism and contempt and fury is interesting. And I have my theories on it, as anybody might. But I need extraordinary evidence, and a lot of people disagree with me about this. And that’s totally fine. People are going to find this unconvincing. I need a lot of evidence before I will believe somebody is acting in an extended way insincerely. People have a lot of difficulty maintaining high levels of cognitive dissonance for very long. So what happens is people go through these conversions. I think the way they normally go through it is not by first converting to Trump. It is by converting to a hatred of his enemies. You’re not pro-Trump, you’re anti-anti-Trump. I think that is where J.D. Vance started. Here’s this guy, Donald Trump. The kinds of people Vance grew up with, the kinds of people who he is sort of describing in his book, the kinds of people he understands himself to be politically on the side of, they all love Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the media, the institutions, they hate Donald Trump. They see nothing good in Donald Trump at all. And in fact, they are showering Donald Trump and maybe even the people who back him with contempt, with derision. They’re deplorables. And that opens up a wedge, right? Who are you going to side with? And once you kind of fall into the other side of that, I’m with these people. And yeah, Trump has his flaws, but there’s some reason all these people are turning to him. And this happens to a lot of people. I mean, a lot of these kind of tech billionaires and VCs have gone through this, right? They’ve gone through it, I think, for different reasons. But once you start going into a different group of people and hearing different things, then the conversion process can accelerate. And when people convert, I mean, we have an old saying about this — the zeal of the convert, the zeal of the newly converted. When people convert, they, many times, end up going further than the people who were there all along. Right? I feel this about some of my Never Trumper friends, who were hardcore Republicans just a couple of years ago. And even though I’ve been a liberal my entire life, I feel they are much more down the line Democrats now than I would even think of being. They sort of have the zeal of the convert. They see fully now the Republican Party’s malignancy. They all of a sudden have totally different views on not just Donald Trump, but health care, taxation, foreign policy. Like, all these things they once believed, they’re now just like down the line Biden Democrats. I think this happened to Vance. And I do think that there was opportunism in it. I think that he had political ambitions. And so he became the thing he needed to become to win in Ohio. It is worth noting, by the way, that Vance is not like a political juggernaut in Ohio. He underperformed the state’s Republican governor by a very, very, very significant margin. Vance, I think, in part because he has the zeal of the convert, in part because he is so angry at the people who he once saw as his friends — I mean, Vance said at one point about me and David Brooks, he’s like, they just lost their minds. They changed so much in the Trump administration. And I would say, I didn’t change at all. Everything that I believed when J.D. Vance and I were both talking about the same things and both thought Donald Trump was bad at the same time, I just kept believing, and Vance moved. But I take what Vance — has happened to him. I think the way this happens to people is honest inside of them, and I think it is very hard to understand them if you don’t take that seriously. The other thing I will say about Vance is that the place where his conversion is most stark is cultural, temperamental, the contemptuous way he speaks of the people he disagrees with, that the Democratic Party is just ruled by childless cat ladies who hate their lives. There’s an ugliness that has emerged in him that genuinely saddens me, right? It’s a way of trading away important parts of your soul to be part of the movement you want to be part of, right? When I say it’s sincere, it doesn’t mean I don’t think it — worse than depressing, I think, in a way, cowardly. Like, it is hard to maintain a certain level of political virtue in a time when that has been lost. And there are people in Vance’s movement who do it, and he doesn’t. But that has happened to a lot of people who have bent the knee to Donald Trump, only to find that they actually like being on the floor. So I want to play a clip of J.D. Vance’s speech at the convention. And in this speech, he did something which I don’t think you hear Trump do very often. Like a lot of people, we came from the mountains of Appalachia into the factories of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Now, that’s Kentucky coal country, one of the 10 — Now, it’s one of the 10 poorest counties in the entire United States of America. They are very hard-working people, and they’re very good people. They’re the kind of people who would give you the shirt off their back, even if they can’t afford enough to eat. And our media calls them privileged and looks down on them. But they love this country, not only because it’s a good idea, but because in their bones, they know that this is their home, and it will be their children’s home. And they would die fighting to protect it. And what he was doing there — and he was talking before that about how America isn’t just an idea — it was this clear articulation of just, like, what it means to be an American, which I think Trump has vowed do that a lot, but I don’t think he does it as clearly and explicitly as Vance did in that speech. So I’m curious what you make of that. One thing to understand about Vance is that he’s not just a convert to Trumpism. He’s a convert to something that’s called national conservatism. And that whole back part of the speech, which, if you listen to it, he talks about when he proposed to his wife, he had law school debt and a cemetery plot in Kentucky. And in this town, he’s talking about — who are also buried in this plot he’s talking about — is that, to them, America is not a creedal nation that asks for the whole world’s huddled, hungry, tired, and poor. America is a land. They are its people. It is their land. They own it. And they will die to defend it. The National Conservatism Conference, I believe it was in Washington, DC. And one of the things I did before the convention was I listened to J.D. Vance’s speech at that conference. And that speech is hard-edged, and it’s ideological. And that whole riff he gives, he gives there. This is his riff. And this is the whole point of national conservatism. J.D. Vance in a thing that I think is a somewhat unresolved contradiction in his thought, both the national conservative speech he gives and then, briefly, in the speech he gives here, he talks about how his wife, whose parents are immigrants, how they’ve given so much to the country. But in the speech he gives at the conservative conference, he talks about how it’s indisputable that immigrants make countries poorer, they harm countries. So, the sense of how Vance navigates this is complicated and I think reflects a later in life conversion to the view that immigrants weaken nations. And the way they weaken nations is because they weaken the fundamental identity of the nation. Right now, he wants to talk about how immigrants harm housing prices, how the reason housing prices have gone up is the competition from, as he put it in the speech, “illegal aliens.” I think as somebody who is currently writing a book heavily about housing prices and what has happened to them, the idea that immigrants, undocumented or otherwise, are the reason housing prices have done what they have done is absurd, actually. It’s just like not the right way to think about it and also just reflects a complete absence of taking it seriously. We could just build as many homes as we want. We know how to build apartment buildings. If we’re not building them, the supply is constrained. And the fact that that’s not J.D. Vance’s view, right, that he wants to say, oh, all these problems are really the immigrants, is because what he wants to do is use the problems to have fewer immigrants and to deport people who are here now. But what Vance is, is a national conservative. What national conservatives are, are conservatives who are much more focused on the question of the nation, not as an idea, but the people who exist here now, and what their perceived cultural and material needs are, and the way those and the national identity are threatened by people coming in. And that is the factional fight he is in, in the Republican Party, because the Republican Party traditionally has been very pro-immigrant. They’ve believed in a lot of integration for America all around the world. They’ve believed in a lot of integration of American labor. Some of that did not go well at all, right? That’s some of the Donald Trump trade critique and the J.D. Vance trade critique. But you have to understand there is being something cohesive at the bottom of this. It’s not just like a random assortment of policies. And the thing at the bottom of it is a very different idea of what America is and who it is for. And it’s a movement from the idea that if you think about the ‘04 Republican Convention with George W. Bush, America as this nation of ideas. And it wants to spread those ideas around the world to a much more confined vision of America as the people who are here now. And by the way, only really some of them, right? When Hulk Hogan, in some ways, had the most honest line of the night when he said all the real Americans will be called Trumpites, and there will be all these Trumpites running around, and I was like, wow, he just took the whole subtext of this entire convention and made it text in one line. But this is the ideological movement that Vance has made his name in that he has come out of. And that I think before he was even fully a convert to Donald Trump, given all he had said about him, he was a convert to this way of thinking. And this way of thinking has come to understand Donald Trump as like their mystic leader. Donald Trump might not have every policy view they have. He might not be good at running things in the way they would want him to be. He might not be like the deep religious figure they want him to be, but they sort of see him as like the ayatollah of national conservatism, right? He has this kind of mystical understanding of the common man, the land, the country, its identity, and he has all the right enemies. And so he is their leader. And they’ll do the work, coming up behind him with the notepad and the abacus to turn his poetry into the prose of governance. I mean, you call this a factional fight, but watching the convention, one thing that a person can’t understate is that immigration was the big theme and a lot of emotion, a lot of rage about it. Hasn’t that faction won? Isn’t that the defining identity in the Republican Party? It has definitely won on immigration. There’s no doubt about that. It hasn’t won on everything, though. J.D. Vance is up there talking about how America has been serving Wall Street and the banking class. And Donald Trump is telling Bloomberg, where he very happily sat for an extended interview, about how he thinks Jamie Dimon, the head of JPMorgan Chase, is great and how he’d really like to consider him for Treasury Secretary. And noting that Donald Trump, again, the ayatollah of national conservatism, who did he make his National Economics Council director when he came in, in 2017? Gary Cohn, the former head of Goldman Sachs. There are a lot of places here in terms of what this sort of intuitions and any ideological decisions of this group are that Donald Trump doesn’t agree with. One of the big fights that is coming in the Republican Party — maybe it has already been decided, but a lot of Republicans don’t believe what Donald Trump and J.D. Vance seem to believe about Ukraine and about the world, more broadly. They both emerge out of an isolationist strain in the Republican Party. Like, why spend money elsewhere in the world when we could be spending it here to rebuild our industrial base, to help our people? What are we doing in all these external fights? But a lot of Republicans do want to support Ukraine. They believe that strongly. A lot of Republicans do want a more confrontational and interventionist posture. That fight has not been won in the Republican Party, though naming Vance has certainly given the more isolationist, restrained, whatever you want to call it, faction, an upper hand that they maybe weren’t totally expecting. So, on immigration, I think on rhetoric, I mean, there’s no doubt who is winning. But note, too, that Nikki Haley, who is, I think, the Republican — was the Republican running in the 2024 primaries who most represented the sort of pre-Trump Republican Party, aside from Trump, she did the best, and I think if Trump and Vance lose, would be considered a very potentially significant frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2028. So I wouldn’t be sure that this is done, but I would say that the older version of the Republican Party is very much back on its heels at the moment. In some respects, I will say they are not on their heels at all on taxes, where Donald Trump is still just saying he’s going to use whatever money he can raise from tariffs, not just to extend his own tax cuts, but to cut corporate taxation even more deeply. OK, Ezra, while I have you, in order to beat this, the Democrats need to figure out who their nominee is going to be. You’ve been doing a lot of reporting on this, I know. What can you tell us? We’re talking again on Friday. This has been an enormously fluid situation. The consensus among people I have spoken to who are high up in the Democratic Party and the kinds of people putting pressure on and who are around Joe Biden, the feeling is Biden is starting to recognize that his position may not be recoverable. The key thing here is that over a compressed period of time, Speaker Jeffries went to him and said the Democratic House members believe you should step aside, that that would be the best thing for the party and the country. Chuck Schumer went to him and said the same thing. Nancy Pelosi went to him and said the same thing. It leaked from around Obama into the press that Obama is telling people that Biden’s path has really narrowed to a very, very, very narrow path to re-election. Biden is angry. He feels abandoned by people he felt were his friends. He’s not entirely wrong with that, though I would say this is partially because he has put them all in a very bad position. The idea that he holds no agency here, I think, is not reasonable. And so we’re in a very tricky spot here. There’s been a lot of rumors and thought that he might drop out as early as very early in this coming week. But everything is a rumor. Everything is a anonymous source. Everything right now is also dependent on the decisions he ends up making. Other things I would say is that for all that I’ve been a proponent of an open convention in my talks with the kinds of Democrats who are very involved here, I don’t think there’s appetite or time for that in their view. I will say Kamala Harris has been extremely impressive every day since the debate. She has not misplaced a foot. And if you watch some of the speeches she’s been giving, which I’ve been doing, she’s been extremely good on the stump. And so in the sense that there is a kind of quiet audition happening behind the scenes here, she is showing everybody in the party that she seems good enough for the bet. Maybe she’s not who they would draft out of an open field at this exact moment, but they don’t really have an open draft. If Biden drops out sometime over the following week, the time period until the convention is very, very, very short. And so the pressure to unite around Harris and have her pick a vice presidential nominee is going to be very, very, very strong. That’s what I would now kind of expect to happen would be my modal case. I think the things that Democrats are weighing and Biden is weighing himself is Biden’s outside hope. I think the thing he believes might be possible here is if he just holds on and goes to the Democratic Convention, and the party really has no choice, it will unite behind him. It just can’t do anything else. And then he’ll have the party, and he believes he can win. And he’ll take on Donald Trump, and he’ll win this thing. Problem is his polling is really, really bad. Right now, Donald Trump needs to win Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Those are the only states in play that he really needs to win. Biden, given the polling we have, needs to worry about winning not just those, but Minnesota, New Mexico, Maine. There are a series of states that Biden should not have to think about as competitive that his position has degraded in, Virginia being another, so significantly that, I mean, he could get electorally wiped out. I mean, Arizona, Georgia — out of reach now. Nobody thinks he’s going to win them. North Carolina — out of reach. So this is a problem. The money has dried up. His map is actually huge. He needs to play not in three states, but in a very significant number of quite expensive media markets. And I mean, he also doesn’t want to lose, right? And so there’s a question of how much he understands that he is probably headed for a loss. But there’s strange things happening in the party right now. Who have been Biden’s most ardent backers? Bernie Sanders and A.O.C. And Sanders gave a very damaging, I think, for Biden interview to The New Yorker, to Isaac Chotiner, where he basically says to Chotiner, being pressed, like, look, yeah, Biden keeps forgetting names. He can’t always string three sentences together, but at least his agenda is good. And that’s not a very strong defense. A.O.C.‘s defense is interesting, and I’ve invited her on the show. I haven’t heard back from her people. But A.O.C. went to Instagram and gave this long defense and basically said, look, there’s peril if we do anything here. There isn’t unity on how to replace Biden. If it’d be Harris, it would be an open convention. We could fall into chaos. I genuinely found A.O.C.‘s perspective here surprising, in part because she’s somebody who is typically very comfortable with high levels of risk. She’s somebody who wants to do a very rapid, complete re-industrialisation of the entire energetic base of the American, even global, economy. She supports health care plans that would abolish all private insurance. I mean, she’s somebody who, in a lot of her politics, is willing to court a certain level of political chaos. But people feel different ways about different political questions. The thing I did not hear her make a good argument for that I would like to hear her make a good argument for is that Biden can win. So I think to Democrats who looked at Trump’s kind of rambling speech, they see Trump as beatable. They look at Vance. Vance is very, very, very anti-abortion. He’s talked about wanting a national abortion ban. They see Vance as beatable. They see Vance as a politically weak pick for Trump, right? If Trump had picked Doug Burgum or Marco Rubio, that would have scared Democrats a lot more. And they worry simply that Biden cannot prosecute the case such that he can beat Trump. But Biden also looked at Trump and probably thought he was beatable and wants to be the one to do it. So, it’s tough. The other thing I will say is that if Biden does not drop out early in the week, I think you should expect a lot more Democrats to begin going public. The feeling right now is that they are trying to talk to him privately, but if he does not react to that, they are turning up the pressure publicly because that is what he appears to actually be reacting to. Even Morning Joe has started talking about maybe he needs to drop out, and they’ve been his strongest supporters. So, it’s a pretty ugly and difficult moment in the Democratic Party that I think would cohere into a lot of unity if he stepped aside. He would be treated as like a hero and a patriot who did the kind of country first thing Donald Trump would never do. And I think there’d be a lot of relief uniting around a Harris-Whitmer, Harris-Shapiro, Harris-Beshear, Harris-Cooper ticket. But the Democrats have to get there first. And whether how likely that is, I mean, at this point, I think it is reasonably above 50 percent. But it definitely changes by the hour and by which anonymous sources you’re hearing quoted in which outlet. You just said that the Republicans look beatable. You started the conversation this way. But also, the Republicans have this incredibly strong, emotional, potent message on immigration. And voters say that they trust the Republicans to handle that issue. Republicans have been making gains in these nontraditional voters for them. Do you think that the Democrats really have a message, a clear message that can beat what the Republicans are offering? No. I mean, I will say that they don’t have a clear message. I do they have a message that can beat what the Republicans are offering. And I mean, this is a sort of case that the Democratic optimists have been making for a long time. Democrats beat Trump. I mean, they beat him in the popular vote in 2016, but he won the electoral college. They wrecked Republicans under Trump in 2018. They wrecked Republicans in 2020. In 2022, they, by all accounts, should have lost, but won seats in the Senate. They won governorships. They made gains in states. And they held down their losses in the House in a way nobody really thought likely, given how high inflation was. The message isn’t all that different. The Republican Party believes a lot of things that most Americans don’t believe, and a lot of people feel that the Republican Party is dangerous. Their views on abortion — their immigration views are not popular. A mass deportation effort, when people think about what that might be, like, large internal security forces going house to house. And by the way, there was a big bipartisan immigration deal that Donald Trump killed. There was an effort to make all this better, and Donald Trump stopped it. The Republicans are extremely vulnerable. And it is telling that Donald Trump running against a man, an incumbent president, who has a job approval rating in the 30s, who 80 percent of Americans, in some polls, believe doesn’t have the cognitive capacity to serve as president again, Donald Trump has been two points ahead nationally and about two points ahead, depending on the state you’re looking at, in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin. These two candidates are so weak, they are so weak. They’re like the only two people who could beat the other one. Donald Trump is not a strong candidate. And this Republican convention, it was unified, but not unified in a way that was reaching out to swing voters. It’s unified in a way that was a factional fight within the Republican Party. J.D. Vance is great on Fox News. But the sort of contempt he sprays at his political antagonists is a political problem. Like, one of my lines on Vance is he understands why Trump won in 2016, but he doesn’t understand why he lost in 2020. Somebody like Marco Rubio does. There are other figures in the party who do. Vance has run a political approach, has run a sort of personal political campaign, to become the leader of the MAGA movement. And that worked. That is different than campaigning to win over the people who, in Pennsylvania, love Governor Josh Shapiro and voted for him overwhelmingly against a MAGA opponent. The people in Pennsylvania who voted for John Fetterman, despite he was deeply incapacitated then by a stroke, over Dr. Oz. The people in Michigan who voted for Gretchen Whitmer, the people in Wisconsin who voted for Tony Evers. And we see them in polls because we see Democratic Senate candidates running far ahead of Joe Biden. There is a significant part of the electorate that does not particularly want to vote for Donald Trump again, is very open to voting for a Democrat, but is not going to vote for Joe Biden because they don’t think he’s up to the job, or they blame him for inflation or something else. Democrats should put forward a candidate who appeals to this crucial part of the electorate. Give them a candidate for whom, when they look at that candidate, they think, yeah, that’s a normal, smart, hardworking, decent, compassionate person who is up to the job of the presidency. The Democratic Party has a lot of those people in the party. I think Vice President Harris is one of those people. The Democrats’ theory was that Donald Trump was going to lose the election, not that Joe Biden was going to win it. The thing that they are risking here is that they are going to lose the election, not that Donald Trump is going to win it. It would be nice for them to try to win the election. I just want to play a clip before we end of just Vice President Harris delivering her line on Trump the other day at a speech. In recent days, they’ve been trying to portray themselves as the party of unity. But here’s the thing. Here’s the thing. If you claim to stand for unity, you need to do more than just use the word. You cannot claim you stand for unity if you are pushing an agenda that deprives whole groups of Americans of basic freedoms, opportunity and dignity. You cannot claim you stand for unity if you are intent on taking reproductive freedoms from the people of America and the women of America. Trying to ban abortion nationwide, as they do, and restrict access to I.V.F. and contraception, as their plan calls for. You cannot claim to be for unity if you try to overturn a free and fair election — — and threaten — and threaten to terminate the United States Constitution. And you cannot claim to be for unity when your entire economic agenda is designed to prioritize billionaires and big corporations over the middle class. We’re too busy watching what you’re doing to hear what you’re saying. Look, if Joe Biden could do that, that effectively, I think he could win. The fact that Harris can do that, that effectively, I think she can win. The Republican Party has not put forward a popular strong ticket and agenda. They are looking strong because the Democrats are looking weak. But if the Democrats decide to overhaul this and develop a strong ticket and message, and they have still the time to do that, I think that the overconfidence of the Republican Convention and Party right now is going to prove to be a real mistake. I think the Vance pick can might ultimately prove to be a real mistake. They’re acting like they have won this election, but they have not. This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Elias Isquith. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Mary Marge Locker, Jack McCordick and Kristin Lin. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin and Rollin Hu. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Produced by ‘The Ezra Klein Show’ This year’s Republican National Convention was Donald Trump’s third as the party’s nominee, but it was the first that felt like a full expression of a G.O.P. that has fully fallen in line with Trumpism. And the mood was jubilant. Speakers even made efforts to reach out to unions, Black voters and immigrants — imagining a big-tent Republican Party that could be far more formidable at the ballot box. But if the Democrats were running a strong candidate right now, no Democrat would look at that convention with fear. [You can listen to this episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” on the NYT Audio App , Apple , Spotify , Amazon Music , YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts .] In this conversation, moderated by the show’s senior editor, Claire Gordon, we dissect the themes and undercurrents of the convention and what they might signal about a Republican Party in the midst of change. We discuss how the party is messaging about race, immigration and populism; what JD Vance believes and represents for the party; what all this means for a Democratic Party that is divided about President Biden’s candidacy; and more. This episode contains strong language. You can listen to our whole conversation by following “The Ezra Klein Show” on the NYT Audio App , Apple , Spotify , Google or wherever you get your podcasts . View a list of book recommendations from our guests here . (A full transcript of this episode is available here .) Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads . 339 IMAGES Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing in English Agreement, Disagreement and Partial Agreement Phrases Examples How to Express AGREEMENT and DISAGREEMENT in English How to Express AGREEMENT and DISAGREEMENT in English • 7ESL How To Write An Agree Or Disagree Essay +35 English Phrases with Express Agreement, Partial Agreement and VIDEO IELTS writing task 2 essay IELTS AGREE DISAGREE ESSAY Alternative phrases to "I agree" and "I disagree" || English expressions IELTS writing topics 2024 Agree disagree essay How to generate ideas for IELTS writing task 2 COMMENTS How to Write "Agree or Disagree" Essays for IELTS As such, here are two possibilities for structuring your "agree or disagree" essay: Introduction. Introduce the topic. State your position ( essay outline) Body paragraph #1. Main argument #1. Support with explanation and example. Body paragraph #2. Main argument #2. 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.This type of questions asks you to say whether you agree or disagree with a given statement and justify your opinion.. In this lesson you will see IELTS writing task 2 sample question + model answer and learn IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay 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. IELTS Agree Disagree Essay Sample Answer Below is a model answer for the above Opinion Essay: Agree/Disagree Essay. Owing to the problems which a growing population of overweight people cause for the health care system, some people think that the key to solving these issues is to have more sport and exercise in schools. I completely agree that this is the best way to tackle the issue ... 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 ... 100 Common Phrases For IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 Achieve your desired band score in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 with these 100 common and effective phrases: 1. Agreeing and disagreeing. Phrase. Example Sentence. I strongly agree with…. I strongly agree with the notion that education is crucial. I completely disagree with…. IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree/Disagree Sample Essay IELTS Writing Task 2 asks you to give your opinion on an important social issue. In this particular opinion essay IELTS sample, the question type is called "agree/disagree.". Agree/disagree essays want you to take a position on an issue that is stated. From there, it's your job to say if you agree or disagree with the initial statement ... 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 ... IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Opinion Essays (Agree or Disagree) Here I have collected actual IELTS opinion essays (agree or disagree question) from the last several years - enjoy learning about this task type! ... but I must emphasize that I still learn a lot of good vocabulary and phrases from you. It would be great if you have a detailed tutorial on how to write the body so that it is easiest to follow ... 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 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. Useful Academic Expressions & Phrases For Essay Writing These useful academic expressions, words, vocabulary and phrases will help you to write a top-notch essay. Writing an essay can be a challenging task. However it becomes simpler if it is divided into manageable pieces. There are three main parts in an essay: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. You can easily overcome your essay writing ... Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing I'm afraid I agree with James. I have to side with Dad on this one. No doubt about it. (agree with negative statement) Me neither. (weak) I suppose so./I guess so. You have a point there. I was just going to say that. Expressing disagreement. I don't think so. (strong) No way. I'm afraid I disagree. (strong) I totally disagree. I beg to differ. How to Say "I Agree" and "I Disagree" in an Essay For less formal essays or in a conversational tone, the use of the following expressions can effectively convey disagreement: I'm afraid I disagree: This phrase is often used to diplomatically express disagreement. For example, "I'm afraid I disagree with the author's assessment of the current economic situation.". Opinion essay An "agree or disagree" opinion essay is a type of essay where you are presented with a statement or an opinion and must express your agreement or disagreement with it. The key to writing an effective "agree or disagree" essay is to present a clear opinion and support it with well-developed arguments. It is important to provide evidence ... IELTS Writing Agree/Disagree Essay Topics [Task-2] Last updated: November 20, 2023. IELTS agree/disagree essay types are commonly asked topics in Writing Task - 2. For these type of questions you can either agree or disagree with the statement, or you can adopt a balanced approach. In this lesson, you will learn how to write a band 7+ answer using THREE sample questions and their model answers. IELTS Writing Task 2: Common Phrases for Agreeing and Disagreeing 20+ Common Phrases for Agreeing and Disagreeing Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2. Given below is a comprehensive list of 20+ most common phrases that you can use in your Agree/Disagree Essays in IELTS writing task 2. Refer to them to create well-structured, coherent and comprehensible essay answers. Idiom/ Phrase. How to organize agree/disagree essays on your IELTS exam 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. How to write IELTS agree disagree essay introductions! 2. Present your opinion. This should be the easiest sentence that you write in the introduction. If you agree in an IELTS agree disagree essay, you will simply start the sentence by saying "I agree" and then paraphrase the task. If you disagree, you will do the same, but you will start the sentence with "I disagree". How to Answer Agree Disagree Question in IELTS Writing Task This has to be done irrespective of the type of question. The structure of your introduction for the agree/disagree type of questions should be like this. a. statement 1- paraphased statement of the question. b. statement 2- clarify your stance on the statement. c. statement 3 and 4 - support the stance in just two sentences. Agreeing and Disagreeing in English: 20 Useful Expressions Depending on the situation, some are more appropriate (fitting or correct) than others. "To agree" means to share the same opinion as someone or to accept their suggestion. "To disagree" means to have a different opinion. So agreeing with someone means you're telling them that you think the same. You're disagreeing when you tell ... Vocabulary for Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 (part 2) Essay Writing Vocabulary Index: Part 1 | Part 3 | Vocabulary for generalising a statement: ... In some cases, you will have an opinion or point of view that would not completely agree or disagree with a given opinion or statement. In this case, you should clearly mention that you partially agree with the opinion but to some extent, you also ... Increasing The Price of Petrol Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 Here's a breakdown of how to structure and answer an "agree or disagree" type essay on the given topic: Introduction . Begin by paraphrasing the given statement to introduce the topic. Clearly state whether you agree, disagree, or partially agree with the idea that increasing petrol prices is the best solution for traffic and pollution problems. Opinion To the Editor: Re "Why Medical Students Are Shunning Pediatrics," by Aaron E. Carroll (Opinion guest essay, July 7): The dwindling number of physicians choosing to pursue pediatrics is a grave ... I Watched the Republican Convention. The Democrats Can Still Win This episode of "The Ezra Klein Show" was produced by Elias Isquith. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Mary Marge Locker, Jack McCordick and Kristin Lin. assignment essay homework paper phd resume speech thesis