In the IELTS Writing Task 2, one common question type is the advantages and disadvantages essay. In this type, you need to talk about the good and bad sides of a topic. Sometimes, you also need to give your opinion. Understand how to write this kind of essay in simple English and get a good band score.
The IELTS Writing section is considered as the most challenging section in the entire IELTS exam. It is divided into two parts, viz. IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2. The IELTS Writing Task 2 often presents candidates with an "advantages and disadvantages" essay. This IELTS essay type requires a balanced discussion of both the positive and negative aspects of a given topic, and sometimes, your personal opinion on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Understanding the structure and expectations of this essay type in IELTS writing section is crucial for achieving a high band score. The following article will provide you with information about the IELTS writing format, IELTS writing task 2 format, and IELTS essay types, in brief. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay sample as well.
- IELTS Writing Task 2 Format
- IELTS Essay Types
- IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
IELTS Writing Task 2 Format
Now that we have covered the IELTS writing format in brief, it is time to dig a little deeper and uncover the IELTS essay format. The following table will provide you with a broad overview of the same:
| Head |
Details of IELTS Writing Task 2 |
|---|---|
| Writing tone required |
Academic/Semi-formal/Neutral |
| Writing style required |
Discursive |
| Time limit |
None – however, try to complete the task within 40 minutes |
| Word limit |
At least 250 |
| Marks allotted |
2/3 of the final Writing band score |
| Other important points |
|
| Content tips |
|
IELTS Essay Types
In this section, we will discuss the types of essays that are asked in the test. Students must note that IELTS essay questions will be based on broad themes such as business, food, environment, etc.; then, a specific idea will be explored within that theme such as infrastructure, fast foods, air pollution, etc. The IELTS essay prompt will be directly related to that particular idea.
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Once a theme and its specific idea have been chosen, different types of essays can be asked. The following table provides IELTS essay types and their corresponding questions:
| IELTS Essay Types |
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions |
|---|---|
| IELTS Opinion Essays |
|
| IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays |
|
| IELTS Discussion Essays |
|
| IELTS Problem/Causes – Solution Essays |
|
| IELTS Two Part Question Essays |
|
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays provide a statement and, based on that statement, you are expected to mention the advantages and disadvantages of the same. Moreover, IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays are of two types:
- Type 1: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
- Type 2: Do advantages outweigh disadvantages?
Type 1 question requires you to discuss only the advantages and disadvantages of a particular statement. Students are not expected to provide their opinion on the topics. Type 2 question requires you to provide your opinion on whether advantages outweigh disadvantages or not. Since the requirements of both question types are different, students need to follow a different IELTS essay structure for both. IELTS essay structures for both the types of advantages and disadvantages questions are provided below.
Type 1: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
| Type 1: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages |
|---|
| Introduction |
|
| Paragraph 1 (Advantages) |
|
| Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages) |
|
| Conclusion |
|
Type 2: Do advantages outweigh disadvantages?
| Type 2: Do advantages outweigh disadvantages? |
|---|
| Introduction |
|
| Paragraph 1 (Side with more weightage) |
|
| Paragraph 2 (Side with less weightage) |
|
| Conclusion |
|
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay
Here is the advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay sample:
| Question Prompt: Economists are of the opinion that the concept of Universal Basic Income should be introduced globally. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so? Sample Solution: The concept of Universal Basic Income has been pitched by economists around the globe. This essay will suggest that the reduction in income inequality and subsidies are the major advantages of this, but the high cost and reduction in motivation to work are the primary disadvantages. The main advantage of Universal Basic Income is its ability to counter income inequality. As per the World Inequality Report, the wealthiest 10% of the global population account for 52% of the global income. The provision of a monthly basic income for every household will help in the fair distribution of financial resources. Brazil’s Bolsa Familia program, which is based on the concept of Universal Basic Income, has helped reduce inequality. Moreover, governments across the globe tend to provide various subsidies for welfare programmes. Governments can subsume their welfare programmes under one Universal Basic Income scheme and reduce their administrative costs. Despite the above-mentioned advantages, the Universal Basic Income scheme comes with its own shortcomings. One of the disadvantages includes the extremely high cost of its implementation. Cancellation of the existing welfare programmes and introduction of Universal Basic Income would cost more than 50% of governments’ budgets across the globe. Moreover, guaranteed monthly income will reduce the incentive and motivation to work, thereby affecting work productivity. The same has been proven in the Mincome trials. In conclusion, the concept of Universal Basic Income can prove to be advantageous if it promotes a reduction in wealth inequality and help in the reduction of government expenditure. However, the catch is to control an unreasonable increase in administrative costs and the tendency of people to leave work once they start receiving a guaranteed income. |
With practice, you can do really well in IELTS Writing Task 2.
IELTS subject means the 4 component of the test. The IELTS test is divided into four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
The IELTS question paper format remains unchanged in terms of sections. There are four section, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. One can check the number of questions asked in each section of IELTS from below.
- The listening section have 40 questions which need to be done in 30 minutes.
- Reading section is for 1 hour and also have 40 questions.
- Writing section is of 60 minutes where you need to complete 2 tasks (Task 1 report/graph, Task 2 essay).
- Speaking section takes around 11–14 minutes and is a face-to-face interview with examiner.
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There is no most repeated question in IELTS. But some common topics come again and again. In IELTS Speaking, you may talk about family, hobbies, future plans. In IELTS Writing, you may see topics like environment problems or technology.
The question types are also same style: