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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

How to Write “Agree or Disagree” Essays for IELTS

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 .

agree or disagree

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.

agree and disagree essay ielts structure

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 .

agree or disagree essays

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:

IntroductionIntroduce the topic
State your position ( )
Body paragraph #1Main argument #1
Support with explanation and example
Body paragraph #2Main argument #2
Support with explanation and example
ConclusionSummarise the essay and reaffirm position
IntroductionIntroduce the topic
State your position
Body paragraph #1Discuss the first position
Mention any weaknesses or counterpoints
Body paragraph #2Discuss the second position
Mention any weaknesses or counterpoints
ConclusionSummarise the essay and give your position

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:

Introduce the topic
Say it is a good idea but not the best idea
Body paragraph #1State why is a good idea – help with finding jobs
Counterpoint: phones are not ideal
Recommendation: computers instead of phones
Body paragraph #2State why it is not a good idea – not realistic
People already have phones, so this wouldn’t help much
Suggest other methods of investment
Reiterate main idea: it is a good idea but flawed and therefore not the best idea

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.”

agree with or agree to?

Language for Structuring your Ideas

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

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

Some other useful phrases are:

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

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

The first reason why [summarise view] is…

Here are two examples:

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

Should You Totally Avoid Personal Pronouns?

personal pronouns for agree/disagree essays

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

Take a look at this question:

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

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

To give my opinion, I will say:

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

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

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

Here is the full essay:

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

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

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

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

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

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills

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

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

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

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

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

Below is an excellent Agreement / Disagree Essay structure.

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

1) IF YOU AGREE (STRONG POSITION)

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

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

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

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

2) IF YOU AGREE (BALANCED POSITION)

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

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

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

3) IF YOU DISAGREE (STRONG POSITION)

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

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

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

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

4) IF YOU DISAGREE (BALANCED POSITION)

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

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

5) IF YOU AGREE AND DISAGREE AT THE SAME TIME

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

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

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

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

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

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

Date Published

01 February 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Partially agree - Both needs funding Why?

  • Safety reasons
  • Taxpayers expect government investment in both

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

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

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

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

Introduction

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

Two main paragraphs

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

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

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

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

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

Hope this helps you with your writing. Good luck!

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agree and disagree essay ielts structure

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.

Content Tags

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paragraph One - Introduction

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

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

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

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

Sentence 2 :  States your opinion on the matter.

I strongly agree with this notion.

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

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

Paragraph Two - Body

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paragraph Three - Body – Repeat the above

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paragraph Four – Conclusion

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

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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IELTS Agree or Disagree Essay

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: How to Write, Structure, Tips, Sample Answers 

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  • Updated on  
  • Jan 2, 2024

agree and disagree essay ielts

IELTS General Writing Task 2 presents a challenge for test takers to craft comprehensive essays. One of the most recurring topics in this segment is the agree/disagree essays. Such essays prompt you to articulate your stance on a given topic, demanding concise, clear, and precise expression. Essentially, you aim to present your reasoned opinions with clarity and avoid redundancy or errors in grammar and spelling. For those seeking to delve deeper into the art of crafting impactful agree/disagree essays for IELTS writing task 2, this comprehensive article offers invaluable insights and guidance. Read the article to know more. 

This Blog Includes:

Ielts agree/disagree essay structure , how to write an agree/disagree essay for ielts writing task 2 , ielts agree/disagree essay: do’s and don’ts, ielts agree/disagree essay: sample questions with answers .

Mastery of structure is paramount for acing the IELTS agree/disagree essays. A thorough understanding of this format facilitates clear organisation and articulation of your opinions and arguments, leading to a more comprehensive and coherent response. That being said, have a look below to go through the IELTS agree/disagree essay structure. 

IELTS writing task 2 frequently features agree/disagree essays. Mastering this format is crucial for success, as these essays offer significant scoring potential. A strong understanding of structure and effective argumentation can pave the way for high band scores. In IELTS Writing Task 2, some essay prompts present a statement and require you to express your level of agreement or disagreement. With that in mind, let’s explore the key elements of crafting a successful agree/disagree essay for this task.

Introduction

This is the most crucial segment of any essay. You must ensure that your introduction is short, crisp and conveys your message. Two sentences are enough here. Whilst writing an agree/disagree essay, always start your introduction by paraphrasing the task question. Once you have paraphrased the task question, you must state your opinion on the topic, i.e., whether you agree or disagree with the given statement. This will let your reader know what you think immediately. 

Body Paragraphs 

Strong paragraphs play a critical role in structuring, articulating, and ensuring the coherence and comprehension of your agree/disagree essays in IELTS Writing Task 2. Fundamentally, three approaches exist:

  • Full Agreement: In the first paragraph, present your compelling arguments supporting the statement. The second paragraph can further reinforce your position with additional justifications.
  • Full Disagreement: Dedicate the first paragraph to clearly outline your counter-arguments against the statement. The second paragraph can strengthen your stance by introducing further dissenting points.
  • Partial Agreement : The first paragraph should encompass reasons for aligning with certain aspects of the statement. The second paragraph then transitions to explore reasons for disagreeing with other aspects, ultimately presenting a nuanced perspective.

Your conclusion should be crisp and to the point. Brevity can be your ally in this case. One golden rule for writing impactful conclusions is to keep them one to two sentences long. Your conclusion should summarise the entirety of your essay in just a few sentences. Apart from that, you should avoid introducing new information in conclusions. Therefore, it is ideal to not introduce other reasons or topics at the end of your text.

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts that you must keep in mind while writing an IELTS agree/disagree essay. 

Here are the best practices for writing an impactful agree/disagree essay in IELTS writing task 2. 

  • In your introduction, leave no ambiguity concerning your level of agreement or disagreement with the prompt.
  • Structure your arguments logically. Organise your supporting points into distinct paragraphs, ensuring a coherent flow of ideas.
  • Back up your arguments with relevant examples, statistics, or research findings to bolster your credibility.
  • Engage in nuanced analysis. Beyond simply stating your stance, explore potential counter-arguments or exceptions to strengthen your overall position.
  • Employ a range of sentence structures to maintain reader engagement and showcase your language skills .
  • Maintain strong grammar and vocabulary. Demonstrate proficiency in English language mechanics to avoid detracting from your content.
  • Limit yourself to writing only four paragraphs.
  • Write a short conclusion.

  Here are the things you must avoid whilst writing an agree/disagree essay in IELTS writing. 

  • Avoid ambiguity in your introduction. Ensure to make them as concise as possible.  
  • Avoid jumping between points or omitting transitions. Doing so can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.
  • Assertions without supporting evidence appear unsupported and undermine your credibility.
  • Monotonous writing can bore the reader and limit your ability to showcase language proficiency.
  • Grammatical errors or vocabulary mistakes can significantly lower your band score, regardless of the strength of your arguments.
  • Avoid including too many different ideas. 

Sample IELTS Agree/Disagree Essays: Here are some sample IELTS agree/disagree essays that you can refer to whilst attempting the IELTS Writing Task 2. 

Question : When new towns are planned, it is important to build more public parks or sports facilities than shopping centres for people to spend their free time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Ans: The discussion that governments must spend more money on railways rather than roads is a complex one. While railways do have certain advantages, I feel that roads should be given more priority because of several reasons. 

Roads serve as the backbone of any nation’s transportation system by helping them interconnect cities, towns, and remote areas to ensure accessibility. On the other hand, railways have limited reach and mostly cater to urban and semi-urban regions. Take India as an example where a significant amount of the population resides in rural areas where roads are vital, for commuting, transporting goods, and accessing essential services like healthcare and education. In addition to this, roads accommodate a range of vehicles ranging from bicycles and cars to buses and trucks. This versatility is not replicated by railways that primarily focus on long-distance travel and bulk transportation of goods. Therefore, roads play a crucial role in both city and inter-city transportation. 

Finally, the construction and upkeep of roads typically demand lower costs and shorter timeframes in comparison to the development of railways. This inherent efficiency in road infrastructure allows governments to establish and maintain a more expansive network with the same financial resources. The flexibility and adaptability of road systems contribute to their cost-effectiveness, enabling quicker implementation of projects and more immediate responses to changing transportation needs. This advantage becomes particularly crucial in regions where swift infrastructure development is essential for economic growth and accessibility.

In conclusion, while railways hold importance in a country’s infrastructure and overall development, the advantages and adaptability of roads make them more deserving recipients of government funding. Hence, I respectfully disagree with the notion that governments should prioritise spending on railways over roads.

Question: Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads.

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

Ans : The discussion that governments must spend more money on railways rather than roads is a complex one. While railways do have certain advantages, I feel that roads should be given more priority because of several reasons. 

So that was all about IELTS Agree/Disagree Essays. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic. 

Ans. You can write a formal letter by including an introduction (Dear Sir/Madam), body paragraphs (1, 2,3 and more), and a signoff (I hope to hear from you, Yours faithfully). 

Ans. Test takers can use a range of linkers, adverbial phrases, references, and punctuations to bolster their overall scores in IELTS writing. 

Ans. The IELTS General Writing Task 1 (Letter Writing) requires individuals to complete the task within 20 minutes. 

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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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Ultimate IELTS Band 7+ Structure for Agree or Disagree Essay

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

General Structure For Agree Or Disagree

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

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

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

Fill In The Blanks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Example Essay: Impact Of Social Media On Mental Health

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Agree Disagree Essays in IELTS

Janet

Updated On Oct 13, 2023

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Agree or Disagree Essay

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

Tips to write Agree Disagree Essays

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

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

IELTS Agree Disagree Essay Structure

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

Paragraph 1: Introduction

How to start an agree disagree essay?

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

Paragraph 2: Body paragraph

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

Paragraph 3: Body paragraph

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

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

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

Sample Checklist for Agree/Disagree essays:

Paraphrasing
Opinion statement
Thesis statement
Central idea
Explanation of the central idea
Illustration with examples
Central idea
Explanation of the central idea
  Illustration with examples
 Summarizing your opinion

Agree Disagree Essay Topics:

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

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

Also check :

  • IELTS Writing tips
  • IELTS Writing recent actual test
  • IELTS Writing Answer sheet
  • IELTS map vocabulary
  • IELTS Writing Task 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Can agree/disagree essays be called as opinion essays?

Can I partially agree?

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

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

What is the structure of Agree/Disagree essays?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Janet

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

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Academic Writing Task 2 - Agree & Disagree Essays: Arts vs Science

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IELTS Agree-Disagree Essay / Opinion Essay Writing Tips and Strategies

IELTS Agree-Disagree Essay / Opinion Essay Writing Tips and Strategies

Are you gearing up to tackle the IELTS Writing test? If so, you know that one of the task types you'll encounter is the Opinion Essay / Agree-Disagree essay. This task requires you to take a stand on a given topic and support it with reasons and examples.

It may sound straightforward, but writing a strong Agree-Disagree essay can be challenging. However, don't let that discourage you - with the right approach, you can master this task type and impress the IELTS examiners.

In this article, we'll provide you with tips and strategies to help you craft an effective Agree-Disagree essay. We understand that writing can be a daunting task, which is why we'll break down the process into manageable steps. You'll learn how to structure a high band IELTS essay.

But before we dive into the details, we want to remind you that practice and feedback are crucial to improving your writing skills. That's why we offer a range of resources to help you prepare for the IELTS Writing test, including our downloadable IELTS Writing eBooks and IELTS Essay Correction Service .

How to Achieve a High Band Score in IELTS Academic Task 1 Report - eBook by IELTS Luminary

The eBooks are not just any study materials, they are the result of the collective expertise of our team of highly experienced IELTS examiners. Packed with insider tips and secrets on how to produce impressive writing, providing comprehensive coverage of all the task types you'll encounter on the exam.

And if you're looking for personalized feedback to take your writing to the next level, our Essay Correction Service is exactly what you need. Our team of examiners will provide you with detailed guidance towards your desired band score, so you can identify your strengths and weaknesses and work on improving them. You should not settle for mediocre writing when you can achieve excellence with our eBooks and Essay Correction Service.

Now, let's get started with an effective strategy for writing a high band IELTS Agree-Disagree essay / opinion essay.

How to Write a High Band Scoring Task 2 Essay - eBook by IELTS Luminary (IELTS Essay eBook)

IELTS Opinion / Agree-Disagree Essay

An Opinion Essay or Agree-Disagree Essay in IELTS is a type of Task 2 essay where you will be asked to present you opinion on a specific topic.

The question will begin with a statement. After that, you'll be invited to share your own perspective on the statement. Here is an example of typical language that might be used in this question type:

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here's a question from a past exam.

Group or team activities can teach more important skills for life than those activities which are done alone. Do you agree or disagree?

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

Write at least 250 words.

We are going to use this question to show how to organize and write an IELTS opinion/Agree-Disagree essay.

IELTS Vocabulary List with Meanings and Examples

3 Common Mistakes

These three errors are common in IELTS opinion/agree-disagree essays.

Not stating an opinion clearly is the most common mistake that test takers make in an IELTS Opinion essay. The question will clearly state that you need to choose one side of the argument and present your opinion on it. If you fail to do this, you will receive a low score in the Task Achievement criterion.

The second common mistake is giving arguments for both views. If you do so, the essay will fail to show a clear stance on the issue. Remember, it is important to take a clear position and stick to it throughout the essay.

The third common mistake is not supporting your opinion with clear reasons. It's important to provide specific examples and reasons to back up your opinion, this will help you to score higher marks in 'coherence and cohesion'.

Remember, a well-structured essay that is well-supported with clear reasons and examples is key to getting a good score in IELTS Task 2 opinion essay. You should also be mindful of the word count (at least 250 words) and time (about 40 minutes in total) management during the test.

IELTS Reading Tips and Strategies eBooks - IELTS Luminary

Let's give you a simple structure that you can use to write opinion/agree-disagree essays.

1) Introduction

Paraphrasing the question

Thesis statement (your opinion and the discussion points)

2) Main body paragraph 1

Topic sentence – outline 1st reason for supporting this view

Explanation – explain this idea

Example – give an example or expand the idea

3) Main body paragraph 2

Topic sentence – outline 2nd reason for supporting this view

4) Conclusion

Summary sentence

Well, this is not the only structure that can be used, you can use different structures if you are comfortable with. Any structure is good if it can convey the answer properly.

However. we recommend for using the structure that we are giving in this eBook, because these structures are proven effective, easy to understand, and they are designed to help you rapidly organize and write a quality essay.

IELTS Speaking eBook - How to Achieve a High Band Score in IELTS Speaking - IELTS Luminary

Introduction

Paraphrasing the Que stion

Start your introduct ion by paraphr asing the question.

Actual Question

“Group or team activities can teach more important skills for life than those activities which are done alone.

Do you agree or disagree?”

Paraphrased question

"The notion that group or team activities are superior to solitary pursuits for imparting valuable life skills is a matter of debate."

We h ave used some of the synonyms that we listed above, however it’s fine to repeat one or two words if you need to. Just make sure your language sounds natural and paraphrased at yo ur level best.

Thesis statement

"However, this essay firmly opposes this idea because working alone can actually help us develop better self-reliance and self-discipline, which are indispensable life skills that cannot be acquired through group work."

Notice, we have written a comprehensive thesis statement, covering our straightforward opinion and the key discussion points. This part is crucial because the quality of your entire essay depends largely on how well you craft the language in  the thesis statement. By following the strategy detailed in the eBo ok , we have written this sentence and handpicked the two points ( self-reliance and self-discipline ) to explore in this essay.

Remember, if you want to write an impressive essay, you should start by selecting a couple of key discussion points or ideas. The  eBook   provides a comprehensive guide on how to do this perfectly. Not only for this part, for your high band Writing preparation, you must walk through so many areas which is simply beyond the scope of some blog posts.

That’s why, we felt obliged to give you the eBo ok   with step-by-step detailed demonstration how to craft top-notch any IELTS essay from scratch. Our team of former IELTS examiners has shared their powerful tips and strategies in the eBook   to help you ace the exam.

Introdu ction

"The no tion that group or team activities are superior to solitary pursuits for imparting valuable life skills is a matter of debate. However, this essay firmly opposes this idea because working alone c an actually help us develop better self-reliance and self-discipline, which are indispensable life skills that cannot be acquired through group work."

Body Paragraph 1

Having an effective topic sentence can greatly improve the overall coherence and cohesiveness of your essay, leading to better grades for task achievement and organization.

Let's use our first main idea to craft the topic sentence of the first body paragraph.

Applying the strategy illustrated in the eBook , we have selected these two points to explain in this essay:

Main point 1: Working alone teaches us self-reliance.

Main point 2: Solitary job teaches us self-discipline.

The main point 1 will be the topic sentence of the first body paragraph, and the main point 2 will be the topic sentence of the second body paragraph. Let's get started with the the first body paragraph.

Topic sentence:  " When working in solitude, individuals are solely accountable for their own work."

Next, we need to explain t he topic sentence with supporting logic and example. Let’s do this.

Explanation: "They do not have the support or direction of a team, and must rely solely on their own abilities to accomplish the task at hand. This can foster self-reliance, as they learn to have confidence in their own capabilities and take responsibility for their work. Conversely, in a group setting, individuals may depend on others to complete the job and may not cultivate the same level of self-reliance. "

Example:  " For instance, a writer who opts to work from an isolated cabin in the forest without access to the internet or phone. This absence of technology and diversions enables the writer to completely focus on their work and enhance their productivity."

That’s the 3-part structure  of the first body paragraph.

Here’s the finished paragraph

"When working in solitude, individuals are solely accountable for their own work. They do not have the support or direction of a team, and must rely solely on their own abilities to accomplish the task at hand. This can foster self-reliance, as they learn to have confidence in their own capabilities and take responsibility for their work. Conversely, in a group setting, individuals may depend on others to complete the job and may not cultivate the same level of self-reliance. For instance, a writer who opts to work from an isolated cabin in the forest without access to the internet or phone. This absence of technology and diversions enables the writer to completely focus on their work and enhance their productivity."

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

Body Paragraph 2

Main point 2: Solitary work teaches us self-discipline.

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

Topic sentence:  "In addition, dur ing self-directed work, individuals have the freedom to set their own pace and schedule, which can help them develop self-discipline by adhering to their plan and avoiding distractions."

Now we mus t explain the idea stated in the topic sentence.

Explanation: " When there are no interruptions, individuals can easily resist the urge to procrastinate, which can aid in enhancing their self-discipline and ability to concentrate on their goals. In essence, working alone can help individuals cultivate the skill of staying on track and managing their time eff ectively."

Let’s give an example supporting the discussion above.

Example: " For ex ample, a freelance graphic designer who establishes a daily routine for themselves an d follows it religiously, even without a boss or colleague to keep them accountable. This self-motivation and time management skills can help them develop self-discipline and improve their work quality."

That’s the 3-part structure of the second body paragraph.

"In addition, during self-directed work, individuals have the freedom to set their own pace and schedule, which can help them develop self-discipline by adhering to their plan and avoiding distractions. When there are no interrup tions, individuals can easily resist the urge to procrastinat e, which can aid in enhancing their self-discipline and ability to concentrate on their goals. In essence, working alone can help individuals cultivate the skill of staying on track and managing their time effectively. For example, a freelance graphic designer who establishes a daily routine for themselves and follows it religiously, even without a boss or colleague to keep them accountable. This self-motivation and time management skills can help them develop self-discipline and improve their work quality."

Now we need a conclusion and our IELTS opinion essay is done.

Conclusions to IELTS Opinion/Agree-Disagree essays should do two things:

Summarise the main points

State your opinion

You can use two sentences for covering these areas, or you can do it in a single sentence. It depends on how you write the summary language.  

Remember, the conclusion of an essay is often considered the simplest sentence to write, yet it is very important.

When crafting the final paragraph of an IELTS essay, a common and effective way to begin is by using phrases such as "In conclusion" or "To conclude." This signals to the reader that the essay is coming to an end.

To write a strong conclusion, it is essential to concisely summarize the main ideas of the essay in one sentence.

A powerful technique is to re-read the introduction of the essay, because it serves as a summary of the main points that will be discussed in the essay. By paraphrasing the introduction, you can create a cohesive and effective conclusion that wraps up the essay.

Remember this great strategy for conclusion writing. It will save your time and release you from stress.

So, let’s check what we had in the introduction

  Introduction:  

"The notion that group or team activities are superior to solitary pursuits for imparting valuable life skills is a matter of debate. However, this essay firmly opposes this idea because working alone can actually help us develop better self-reliance and self-discipline, which are indispensable life skills that cannot be acquired through group work."

Here is the same information formed into the conclusion:

"To conclude, solitary pursuits off er the freedom to determine one's own pace and schedule, help individuals develop self-discipline, an d foster self-motivation. These are all crucial life skills that can only be cultivated through individual efforts."

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

The Complete IELTS Opinion / Agree-Disagree Essay

"The notion that group or team activities are superior to solitary pursuits for imparting valuable life skills is a matter of debate. However, this essay firmly opposes this idea because working alone can actually help us develop better self-reliance and self-discipline, which are indispensable life skills that cannot be acquired through group work.

When working in solitude, individuals are solely accountable for their own work. They do not have the support or direction of a team, and must rely solely on their own abilities to accomplish the task at hand. This can foster self-reliance, as they learn to have confidence in their own capabilities and take responsibility for their work. Conversely, in a group setting, individuals may depend on others to complete the job and may not cultivate the same level of self-reliance. For instance, a writer who opts to work from an isolated cabin in the forest without access to the internet or phone. This absence of technology and diversions enables the writer to completely focus on their work and enhance their productivity.

Moreover, during self-directed work, individuals have the freedom to set their own pace and schedule, which can help them develop self-discipline by adhering to their plan and avoiding distractions. When there are no interruptions, individuals can easily resist the urge to procrastinate, which can aid in enhancing their self-discipline and ability to concentrate on their goals. In essence, working alone can help individuals cultivate the skill of staying on track and managing their time effectively. For example, a freelance graphic designer who establishes a daily routine for themselves and follows it religiously, even without a boss or colleague to keep them accountable. This self-motivation and time management skills can help them develop self-discipline and improve their work quality.

To conclude, solitary pursuits offer the freedom to determine one's own pace and schedule, help individuals develop self-discipline, and foster self-motivation. These are all crucial life skills that can only be cultivated through individual efforts."

Check the following resources:

Download High Band IELTS eBooks

Get Detailed IELTS Essay Feedback from An Examiner

How to do IELTS

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

by Dave | Understanding Task 2 Writing | 13 Comments

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!

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

Anonymous

Thank for your samples

Dave

You’re very welcome!

Anonymous

are these questions from Cambridge books?

Some are but most are reported on real IELTS exams.

Anonymous

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?     

Eric

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!

Eric

Thank u dave

Eric

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

Tom

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

Gulrux

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IELTS Preparation

IELTS Writing Task 2  Agree or Disagree: Sample Answer

Watch the video on how to answer the agree or disagree essay type.

Requirements

The task requires you to give your opinion (level of agreement) about a statement.

IELTS Writing Agree Disagree

The questions “Do you agree or disagree?” and “To what extent do you agree?” are exactly the same and can be answered in the same way.

When you approach this question, first decide on your position or opinion. There are 2 positions that are advisable to take in order to write a balanced answer. Your position should be stated clearly in your introduction and expanded in your body paragraphs.

A. 100% agree or disagree

B.   Equally agree and disagree. 50-50

If you take the position of “partly” or “mostly” agree (disagree) it becomes more difficult to write since you will need to give more reasons for one side than the other and your answer will be unbalanced.

Always chose position A or B

IIELTS Writing Essay Structure

Sample Answer: 100% disagree

Agree Disagree IELTS Writing

It is claimed by many that the contemporary practice of students interacting with teachers in actual classrooms is forecast to disappear by 2050.  I strongly disagree with this statement and this essay will detail the reasons why.  

While it is incontrovertible that remote learning has become an increasingly popular and convenient method of learning especially for adults and college students, I believe that this approach is not effective when it comes to children and adolescents. This is because, these groups of pupils lack the concentration levels for distance learning where it is necessary to sit in front of a screen for long periods, usually at home where there are too many distractions. For instance, in my country in 2018, political leaders implemented a pilot scheme of studying remotely with several secondary schools. The result was that 80% of pupils had worse academic results when compared to other institutions that did not employ such a system.  

Another drawback is that many courses are not practically suited to digital teaching, especially courses that involve a high degree of hands on practice, supervised by a tutor. Science subjects such as physics and chemistry require students to conduct experiments in a lab setting, which would be impossible with online class. It is simply not realistic to expect students to have access to the necessary equipment and, obviously, there are health and safety issues associated with youngsters conducting hazardous experiments without guidance.  

In conclusion, classroom tuition, with tutors and pupils in the same room, will never be completely replaced because remote learning not a suitable approach for youngsters and, what is more, it is impractical for subjects requiring explicit practice.

Sample: Agree or Disagree 1 PDF

Essay Structure IELTS Writing

  Sample Answer: 50-50 agree/ disagree

IELTS Writing Topic Food

An increased awareness of how a meat free diet can benefit our health and the environment has resulted in the widely held belief that everyone should become vegetarian. I equally agree and disagree with this proposal and this essay will outline the reasons why.

On the one hand, there are several benefits to becoming a vegetarian. Specifically, medical research has proved conclusively that vegetarians are less likely to develop health-related issues such as obesity or cardio-vascular diseases. High cholesterol levels, moreover, can be reduced and controlled by eliminating meat from our diet. Additionally, sourcing food from alternatives to meat can reduce the negative environmental impact of industrial meat farming where huge swathes of natural habitat are lost every year to deforestation.   

Meat consumption, however, is considered to be a reliable and essential source of vitamins and minerals that are crucial in maintaining physical health. A vegetarian diet lacks the important nutrients which are vital, for example, when it comes to the healthy development of children. As a result, these deficiencies need to be addressed by a high intake of supplements. One more consideration is that meat production is a billion-dollar industry on which millions of people rely upon for employment and switching to a vegetarian culture would result in the loss of their livelihood.   

To conclude, I believe a balance of meat and vegetables in one’s diet is the healthiest option that would have the advantage of safeguarding peoples’ jobs. However, consumption of meat ought to be reduced for health and environmental reasons and alternatives should be considered.

Sample: Agree or Disagree 2. PDF

The Magoosh logo is the word Magoosh spelled with each letter o replaced with a check mark in a circle.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree/Disagree Sample Essay

Person holding 2 thumbs up to represent IELTS agree disagree 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.

Get a higher IELTS score? Start your online IELTS prep today with Magoosh.

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

CATEGORY Task Achievement/Response Coherence and Cohesion Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy
SCORE 9 9 9 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:

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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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agree and disagree essay ielts structure

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

Sheetal more Avatar

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.

Magoosh Expert

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. 😀

Adel Avatar

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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To what extent you agree or disagree essay

This lesson will guide you how to write essays in IELTS Writing that ask you to what extent you agree/disagree . Such questions are very common for IELTS Writing task 2 . In such essays your task is to say whether you:

  • completely agree with a given statement 
  • completely disagree with a given statement 
  • partly agree / disagree

and  justify your opinion .

In this lesson you will see IELTS writing task 2 sample question + model answer . Also, you will learn the following points:

  • how to decide on your opinion
  • how to generate ideas to justify your opinion
  • how to give a band 9 answer for agree/disagree question

To what extent you agree/disagree question sample

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

The government's investment in arts, music and theatre is a waste of money. Governments should invest these funds in public services instead.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Choose your opinion & generate ideas

agree and disagree essay ielts structure

Unlike classic agree/disagree questions, to what extent you agree or disagree questions do NOT ask you to clearly determine whether you agree or disagree with the given statement.

In fact, you have 3 major options for your opinion :

   AA : You completely agree (provide 2 ideas that strengthen the statement)    DD : You completely disagree (provide 2 ideas that weaken the statement)    AD : You agree or disagree partly (provide 1 idea that strengthens the statement and 1 idea that weakens it)

After you’ve decided your opinion,  generate 2-3 supporting points for it .

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

AA: Investment in arts, music and theatre is a waste of money

  • Art, music and theatre don’t help to solve urgent problems of the society
  • Art and music can develop as hobbies, and saved money can be directed towards urgent needs of the society
  • If artists and musicians were employed at more traditional jobs, there would be a great benefit for science and industry

DD: Investment in arts, music and theatre is NOT a waste of money

  • The arts and music preserve unique culture and heritage, passing nation’s cultural character and traditions to future generations
  • Arts, music and theatre are an integral part of the society’s cultural and intellectual development and amusement
  • A strong arts, music and theatre sector is an economic asset that creates new jobs and attracts tourism revenue

For this opinion, just combine ideas from the previous points.

For our essay, we’ll choose the last opinion - partially agree / disagree (AD).

Band 9 answer structure

There are a lot of ways to structure your essay, but we’ll use a structure that has been approved by many IELTS examiners to be high-scoring and coherent. Band-9 essay structure :

  • Introduction

Body paragraph 1 - the 1st supporting point

  • Body paragraph 2 - the 2nd supporting point

As you already know, you can write the supporting points of your body paragraphs in the following ways: agree + agree, disagree + disagree, agree + disagree. We’ll use the last option as our opinion is partially agree / disagree .

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

  • Sentence 1 - paraphrase the statement  (you can use ‘ it is argued/considered/thought that ’ to start):

It is often argued that the government should finance public services instead of spending its budget on arts, music and theatre. 

  • Sentence 2 - give your opinion :

Although I agree that government’s investments in public services play a very important role, I think that proper funding of arts sector is also crucial for the society.

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

This sentence should contain the main idea of the whole 1st paragraph. In our case we’ll use the reason A: why it is important to finance public services. As we’ll be considering opposite opinions, it is a good idea to use a collocation on the one hand to introduce the first reason:

On the one hand, the government should definitely allocate a large part of its budget on public services.

  • Sentences 2-3 - explain the reason .

To explain the reason effectively, you can imagine that your examiner didn’t understand what you were talking about and you have to explain every detail:

This economic sector determines the overall quality of life, ensuring that some basic services, like schools, hospitals and roads, are available to all citizens irrespective of their income or social status. Public services satisfy the primary needs of the society and thus need a proper funding, while artists and musicians are not curing diseases or building houses, so their role is secondary.

  • Sentence 4 - example .

It’s always good to give examples in your body paragraphs, even if you’re not asked to do it (like in our case):

For example, any country can live without music concerts, but absence of medicine will create significant problems.

  • Sentence 5 - a short summary of your ideas in this paragraph :

That’s why the government should adequately finance public services in the first place.

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

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

This statement should contain the main idea of the whole 2nd paragraph. This time we’ll use the reason D: why it is important to finance public services. As we are considering opposite opinions, it is a good idea to use a phrase on the other hand to introduce the second reason:

On the other hand, arts, music and theatre are not a waste of money, since they are an integral part of the society’s cultural and intellectual development and amusement.

  • Sentences 2-3 - explain the reason  (assume that your examiner doesn’t understand the topic at all):

Firstly, art and music draw people’s attention to diverse phenomena and represent the inward significance of things. Quite often a single drawing, piece or song can exhort myriads of people to reconsider their attitude towards some situation. This way, art serves as a major source of nation’s personal and intellectual development. Moreover, visiting museums, watching movies and listening to music are common ways of relaxation and entertainment.

  • Sentence 4 - support your idea with an example :

The question doesn’t ask us to give examples, plus we’ve already written a lot in this paragraph, so we’ll skip this point. 

  • Sentence 5 - a short summary of your thoughts in the 2nd paragraph .

Thus, art sector is also important for the society and should not be neglected.

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

To conclude, though I agree that the government should allocate a large part of its budget on such urgent needs of the society like public services, I think that arts, music and theatre should also be financed since they play an important role in people’s development and entertainment.

DO NOT write new ideas in the conclusion!

Model answer

This is a full band-9 answer for to what extent you agree or disagree IELTS Writing question above:

It is often argued that the government should finance public services instead of spending its budget on arts, music and theatre. Although I agree that government’s investments in public services play a very important role, I think that proper funding of arts sector is also crucial for the society.

On the one hand, the government should definitely allocate a large part of its budget on public services. This economic sector determines the overall quality of life, ensuring that some basic services, like schools, hospitals and roads, are available to all citizens irrespective of their income or social status. Public services satisfy the primary needs of the society and thus need a proper funding, while artists and musicians are not curing diseases or building houses, so their role is secondary. For example, any country can live without music concerts, but absence of medicine will create significant problems. That’s why the government should adequately finance public services in the first place.

On the other hand, arts, music and theatre are not a waste of money, since they are an integral part of the society’s cultural and intellectual development and amusement. Firstly, art and music draw people’s attention to diverse phenomena and represent the inward significance of things. Quite often a single drawing, piece or song can exhort myriads of people to reconsider their attitude towards some situation. This way, art serves as a major source of nation’s personal and intellectual development. Moreover, visiting museums, watching movies and listening to music are common ways of relaxation and entertainment. Thus, art sector is also important for the society and should not be neglected.

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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.

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IELTS Model Essays

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  • How to write an introduction: Video Tutorial
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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 .

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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/

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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.

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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/

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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.

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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/

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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/

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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 🙂

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Very good man

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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.

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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 🙂

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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.

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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.

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

Overall, good job!

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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.

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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

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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/

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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Very magnificaant👍👍👍

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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.

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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 !! 🙂

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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/

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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.

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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.

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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.

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GOD Bless You Hello Liz very thnx for your help

You’re welcome 🙂

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

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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.

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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 🙂

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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/

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Thank you liz.।।। Making content accessable

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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/

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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.

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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!!

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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?”

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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/

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 🙂

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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 🙂

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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.

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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.

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

Thanks 🙂 Happy New Year 🙂

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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.

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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/

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Really you are a very good trainer.

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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.

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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 🙂

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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.

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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/

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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 🙂

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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/

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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.

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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 🙂

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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.

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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!

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I love this response.

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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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Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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.

agree and disagree essay ielts structure

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.

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Task Two Agree or Disagree Sample Essays

agree and disagree essay ielts structure

This article will help you answer task 2 opinion essays and give you two sample answers.

This will focus on essays on IELTS task 2 opinion (agree or disagree). It will recommend a sentence by sentence structure to help you in the exam and two sample answers.

The two example questions are:

Governments should spend more money on education than on recreation and sports. Do you agree or disagree?

Most high-level positions in companies are filled by men even though the workforce in many developed countries is more than 50 per cent female. Companies should be required to allocate a certain percentage of these positions to women. Do you agree?

I recommend that students completely agree or disagree with the statement in these questions. This will lead to a clear argument and a more coherent essay. You can show the other side of the argument in concession statements, but these should be only one or two sentences. Concession statements are used to briefly show the other side of the argument. Also, don’t let personal feelings get involved. The examiner does not have to agree with your opinion, and you do not have to write about how you actually feel about the issue. Pick the side you feel most comfortable writing about, i.e. the one you can back up with explanations and examples.

I recommend a simple four-paragraph structure .

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- Explain Topic Sentence
  • Sentence 3- Example
  • Sentence 4- Concession Sentence

Paragraph 3- Supporting Paragraph 2

Paragraph 4- Conclusion

  • Sentence 1- Summary
  • Sentence 2- Prediction or Recommendation

Question One

Idea Generation

Reasons why governments should spend more money on education than on recreation and sports:

  • Education benefits an economy in the long term
  • Education has social benefits
  • Education is a human right
  • Education is more costly than recreation and sports

Reasons why governments should spend more money on recreation and sports:

  • Sports and recreation have health benefits
  • Sports and recreation can promote learning too
  • Education always receives a higher budget, and sports are overlooked

I agree with this statement, and I will, therefore, use the ideas in the first list. I am working on a four-paragraph structure; therefore, I only need two supporting ideas for my two main body paragraphs. I can also use ideas in the second list, but these will only be concession statements.

It is argued that countries should allocate more funds to education than to leisure and competitive games. It is agreed that national budgets should prioritise schools and universities over sports and play. First, I will discuss the economic benefits that education can bring to a nation and, secondly, its social benefits.

Investment in its education system is one of the best ways to improve a country’s economy in the long term. The more students entering third-level education, the more skilled a workforce will be, leading to higher innovation and productivity. For example, South Korea and Finland decided to invest a large proportion of their budget in education, and this has reaped benefits in the form of high-tech companies such as Samsung and Nokia. However, people cannot always work hard, and these companies provide leisure facilities for their workers.

Education is not just about improving the economy; it also has many social benefits. Well-educated people tend to be more aware of social evils such as drugs, alcohol and sexual health. For example, Singapore educates all of its citizens on the dangers of drugs, resulting in one of the lowest levels of drug abuse in the world. Despite this, sports can also teach children valuable soft skills, such as teamwork and work ethic, which also help curb social ills.

In conclusion, education should take precedence over sports when it comes to funding due to the many socio-economic benefits it brings. It is recommended that governments continue to pump money into schools and universities to realise long-term goals.

Question Two

Reasons why companies should be required to allocate a certain percentage of high-level positions to women:

  • Equal pay for equal performance
  • Women can bring qualities to the workplace that men do not have
  • Women currently outperform men at university
  • A balance of genders leads to higher productivity and a more harmonious workplace

Reasons why companies should not be required to allocate a certain percentage of high-level positions to women:

  • Certain jobs require skills only men have
  • Positions should be allocated to people on merit, not gender
  • Women can take large amounts of time off to have children

It is argued that corporations should be compelled to give a certain proportion of their executive-level roles to females, given that over half of the workforce is female in the West.  It is agreed that businesses should be obliged to assign a significant percentage of top-level posts to women. In this essay, I will discuss why women should be paid an equal amount of money for doing the same job as a man, and secondly, the fact that girls are currently outperforming boys on many university courses.

Despite years of so-called ‘equal rights’ for women in the workplace, they continue to be underpaid. Many women who do the same job as their male colleagues earn less money, which is unfair. For example, a recent survey of accountancy and legal firms in the United Kingdom found that women earn, on average 17% less than men with identical roles. However, this may be due to women taking maternity leave and falling behind their male counterparts.

This unfairness is compounded by the fact that females are currently getting higher grades in most university courses. Even previously male-dominated fields, such as law and medicine, now see women ascending, and they should be rewarded with top roles. For example, females recently outperformed males for the first time in law at U.K. universities. Despite this, employers should remember that roles should be handed out on merit, not gender alone.

In conclusion, women deserve an equal share of the good jobs available because they are capable of doing an equally good job as men and are achieving higher academic standards than men at university. It is recommended that companies heed the advice in this essay and make their hiring practices fairer.

agree and disagree essay ielts structure

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IELTS Compositions

IELTS Compositions

Approaches to achieve higher band score in IELTS Writing

Essay Structure for “Agree or Disagree”

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

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

Typical Question Words :

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

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

Introduction

Sentence 1 – paraphrase the statement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sentence 2 – Write a thesis statement

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

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

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

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

Sentence 3 – Write an Outline Sentence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1 – state your reason.

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

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

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

Sentence 2 – Explain your reason

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

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

Sentence 3 – Provide an example

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

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

Sentence 4 – Add a minor point

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

You start your minor point with cohesive devices such as:

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

Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1 – provide another reason.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some ways to start your conclusion:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Word Count – 256 words

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

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agree and disagree essay ielts structure

Agree-Disagree Essay Structure in IELTS

Collegedunia Team

Dec 20, 2021

The IELTS writing task 2 features the essay questions which are based on the Agree-Disagree format and in these questions, there will be two sides offered and you can either agree with the first or the second one which will automatically mean that you are disagreeing with the other side. While it’s important to clearly state in the IELTS essay which side you are agreeing with and a reason for doing so, it’s equally important to clearly state which side you are disagreeing with and record reasons for the same regardless of the fact that disagreement for one side is implied within your arguments for agreeing with the other side.

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Service sector is more important than the Industrial Sector. Do you agree or disagree?

The structure is better understood with an example –

To tackle an essay question like there are three steps that one must follow:

  • Formulate your Opinion i.e., Pick a side
  • Generate arguments/ideas to back your claims
  • Use a Band 9 format for answering the question.

Formulate your Opinion

You must have a very clear position about the choice of sides. An element of ambiguity about your position regarding the sides would ruin your chances of getting a good score.

So, there are two possible options –

Strongly Agree : in the context of the sample question above, strongly agree would mean that service is more important. So, you pick the side of the service sector and discuss that by putting arguments in favor of the service sector and for the sake of highlighting the value of your arguments, a comparison with the industrial sector can be made wherever relevant.

Strongly Disagree: if you strongly disagree with the statement given in the sample question, it means that in your opinion the industrial sector is more important than the service sector. So, it’s important for you to collect arguments in favor of the industrial sector and a comparison with the service sector, if necessary, can be drawn to drive the point further home.

Generate Arguments/Ideas

The formulation of arguments will depend upon the side that you have picked from the first step. So, this also generates two possibilities –

If you strongly agree – this means you think Service Sector is more important and to support this you can use arguments like:

  • Service Sector encourages education among the masses
  • Service Sector is largely responsible for skill development
  • Service Sector ensures better quality of life and workers are less likely to be exploited here which is a regular occurrence in the Industrial Sector.
  • For example, India has a thriving Service Sector and it has benefitted India greatly as one of the country's major exports is skilled personnel who are achieving new heights every day.

If you strongly disagree – this means you think Industrial Sector is more important and to support this you can use arguments like:

  • The Industrial Sector is labor intensive which is why it has the capacity to resolve mass unemployment issues.
  • The masses can’t be equipped with education/skills at the drop of hat as it’s a gradual process until then Industrial Sector can absorb unskilled and semi-skilled labor while Service Sector can’t.
  • For example, China has a thriving Industrial Sector and they are the biggest exporters of commodities around the world which has made them the second richest economy.

To move further towards the third step, we will choose the second option [strongly disagree] and incorporate that into a Band 9 essay structure.

Band 9 Essay Answer Structure

This is where the actual essay writing begins. At this stage you have a clear idea about which side you are on [the industrial sector is more important] and arguments to back your claims.

The Agree-Disagree essay can be written using many different formats but the band 9 structure is widely approved by IELTS examiners so it's highly scoring.

A Band 9 essay structure involves the following –

  • Introduction

Assign two sentences for the introduction –

Sentence 1 : This sentence is used to make a comment on the topic of the essay. For example,

It is considered that the Service Sector is more important than the Industrial Sector due to the high wages and employee benefits that come with it.

Sentence 2 : this sentence can be used to express agreement/disagreement with the given topic, this is the sentence where you have to clarify your stand for the rest of the essay. For example,

I disagree with the given statement and in my opinion, the Industrial Sector is more important when compared to the Service Sector.

  • Body paragraph 1 – the first reason for agreement/disagreement

This paragraph discusses the first reason for agreement/disagreement in detail and it’s composed of the following –

Sentence 1 : this sentence is used for writing the first reason for your agreement/disagreement with the topic as a statement. For example,

To begin with, I am of the opinion that the Industrial Sector tackles the problem of widespread unemployment which the Service Sector is incapable of.

Sentence 2-3 : about 2 sentences shall be used to explain the statement made in Sentence 1. For example,

The Industrial Sector is labor-intensive so it can create a lot more jobs than the Service Sector and the Industrial Sector has the capacity to absorb unskilled and semi-skilled labor which forms the major part of the labor force. Due to both these characteristics, the Industrial Sector is the solution that is required for Unemployment problems.

Sentence 4 : after the reason has been explained, this sentence is ideal to give an example to further justify the first reason given; examples must be given even if the question hasn’t specifically asked you to provide any. For example,

The unemployment rate in China is about 3% due to its robust network of manufacturing industries which are labor intensive.

Sentence 5 : in this sentence, conclude your first reason for agreement/disagreement. For example,

That is the reason why the Industrial Sector is crucial to solving the problems of unemployment.

  • Body paragraph 2 – the second reason for agreement/disagreement

In this paragraph, the second reason for agreement/disagreement shall be recorded and its is structurally distributed as follows –

Sentence 1 : make a statement of your second reason as to why you have chosen to agree/disagree. Make sure that this reason is not something which could have been explained under the first reason and it has its own identity as a claim. For example,

Moreover, the Industrial Sector benefits all other sectors greatly by adding value to their outputs or inputs.

Sentence 2-3 : herein, explain why you made the statement in sentence 1. For example,

Industrial Sector adds value to outputs from Primary Sector increasing their monetary worth and making their trade even more profitable. Similarly, the Industrial Sector produces goods that are used within the Service Sector so that it can continue providing services.

Sentence 4 : this sentence is to be used for citing examples that justify the explanation made above. For example,

For instance, the Food Processing Industry adds value to agricultural produce, a network of industries operates to produce goods that can be fitted in a Hotel so that the hospitality industry [service sector] can provide facilities of accommodation.

Sentence 5 : Finally, conclude all you wanted to convey in the paragraph for the second reason. For example,

Thus, the industrial sector forms the backbone of all the other sectors in an economy making it important.

This is the part where the whole essay has to be summarized. Include a short summary of your stand and both the reasons that you have given for taking that stand. Make sure the conclusion does not include anything which you have not discussed above i.e., the conclusion should not contain any brand-new points. For example,

In conclusion, I disagree that the service sector is more important than the industrial sector because the industrial sector can solve unemployment problems and is the backbone of all the other sectors of the economy making it crucial for the development of any economy.

IMAGES

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