exam essay 2

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What is a well written answer to an essay question?

Well Focused

Be sure to answer the question completely, that is, answer all parts of the question. Avoid "padding." A lot of rambling and ranting is a sure sign that the writer doesn't really know what the right answer is and hopes that somehow, something in that overgrown jungle of words was the correct answer.

Well Organized

Don't write in a haphazard "think-as-you-go" manner. Do some planning and be sure that what you write has a clearly marked introduction which both states the point(s) you are going to make and also, if possible, how you are going to proceed. In addition, the essay should have a clearly indicated conclusion which summarizes the material covered and emphasizes your thesis or main point.

Well Supported

Do not just assert something is true, prove it. What facts, figures, examples, tests, etc. prove your point? In many cases, the difference between an A and a B as a grade is due to the effective use of supporting evidence.

Well Packaged

People who do not use conventions of language are thought of by their readers as less competent and less educated. If you need help with these or other writing skills, come to the Writing Lab

How do you write an effective essay exam?

Read through all the questions carefully.
Budget your time and decide which question(s) you will answer first.
Underline the key word(s) which tell you what to do for each question.
Choose an organizational pattern appropriate for each key word and plan your answers on scratch paper or in the margins.
Write your answers as quickly and as legibly as you can; do not take the time to recopy.
Begin each answer with one or two sentence thesis which summarizes your answer. If possible, phrase the statement so that it rephrases the question's essential terms into a statement (which therefore directly answers the essay question).
Support your thesis with specific references to the material you have studied.
Proofread your answer and correct errors in spelling and mechanics.

Specific organizational patterns and "key words"

Most essay questions will have one or more "key words" that indicate which organizational pattern you should use in your answer. The six most common organizational patterns for essay exams are definition, analysis, cause and effect, comparison/contrast, process analysis, and thesis-support.

Typical questions

"Define X."
"What is an X?"
"Choose N terms from the following list and define them."

Q: "What is a fanzine?"

A: A fanzine is a magazine written, mimeographed, and distributed by and for science fiction or comic strip enthusiasts.

Avoid constructions such as "An encounter group is where ..." and "General semantics is when ... ."

State the term to be defined.
State the class of objects or concepts to which the term belongs.
Differentiate the term from other members of the class by listing the term's distinguishing characteristics.

Tools you can use

Details which describe the term
Examples and incidents
Comparisons to familiar terms
Negation to state what the term is not
Classification (i.e., break it down into parts)
Examination of origins or causes
Examination of results, effects, or uses

Analysis involves breaking something down into its components and discovering the parts that make up the whole.

"Analyze X."
"What are the components of X?"
"What are the five different kinds of X?"
"Discuss the different types of X."

Q: "Discuss the different services a junior college offers a community."

A: Thesis: A junior college offers the community at least three main types of educational services: vocational education for young people, continuing education for older people, and personal development for all individuals.

Outline for supporting details and examples. For example, if you were answering the example question, an outline might include:

Vocational education
Continuing education
Personal development

Write the essay, describing each part or component and making transitions between each of your descriptions. Some useful transition words include:

first, second, third, etc.
in addition

Conclude the essay by emphasizing how each part you have described makes up the whole you have been asked to analyze.

Cause and Effect

Cause and effect involves tracing probable or known effects of a certain cause or examining one or more effects and discussing the reasonable or known cause(s).

Typical questions:

"What are the causes of X?"
"What led to X?"
"Why did X occur?"
"Why does X happen?"
"What would be the effects of X?"

Q: "Define recession and discuss the probable effects a recession would have on today's society."

A: Thesis: A recession, which is a nationwide lull in business activity, would be detrimental to society in the following ways: it would .......A......., it would .......B......., and it would .......C....... .

The rest of the answer would explain, in some detail, the three effects: A, B, and C.

Useful transition words:

consequently
for this reason
as a result

Comparison-Contrast

"How does X differ from Y?"
"Compare X and Y."
"What are the advantages and disadvantages of X and Y?"

Q: "Which would you rather own—a compact car or a full-sized car?"

A: Thesis: I would own a compact car rather than a full-sized car for the following reasons: .......A......., .......B......., .......C......., and .......D....... .

Two patterns of development:

Full-sized car

Disadvantages

Compact car

Useful transition words

on the other hand
unlike A, B ...
in the same way
while both A and B are ..., only B ..
nevertheless
on the contrary
while A is ..., B is ...
"Describe how X is accomplished."
"List the steps involved in X."
"Explain what happened in X."
"What is the procedure involved in X?"

Process (sometimes called process analysis)

This involves giving directions or telling the reader how to do something. It may involve discussing some complex procedure as a series of discrete steps. The organization is almost always chronological.

Q: "According to Richard Bolles' What Color Is Your Parachute?, what is the best procedure for finding a job?"

A: In What Color Is Your Parachute?, Richard Bolles lists seven steps that all job-hunters should follow: .....A....., .....B....., .....C....., .....D....., .....E....., .....F....., and .....G..... .

The remainder of the answer should discuss each of these seven steps in some detail.

following this
after, afterwards, after this
subsequently
simultaneously, concurrently

Thesis and Support

"Discuss X."
"A noted authority has said X. Do you agree or disagree?"
"Defend or refute X."
"Do you think that X is valid? Defend your position."

Thesis and support involves stating a clearly worded opinion or interpretation and then defending it with all the data, examples, facts, and so on that you can draw from the material you have studied.

Q: "Despite criticism, television is useful because it aids in the socializing process of our children."

A: Television hinders rather than helps in the socializing process of our children because .......A......., .......B......., and .......C....... .

The rest of the answer is devoted to developing arguments A, B, and C.

it follows that

A. Which of the following two answers is the better one? Why?

Question: Discuss the contribution of William Morris to book design, using as an example his edition of the works of Chaucer.

a. William Morris's Chaucer was his masterpiece. It shows his interest in the Middle Ages. The type is based on medieval manuscript writing, and the decoration around the edges of the pages is like that used in medieval books. The large initial letters are typical of medieval design. Those letters were printed from woodcuts, which was the medieval way of printing. The illustrations were by Burn-Jones, one of the best artists in England at the time. Morris was able to get the most competent people to help him because he was so famous as a poet and a designer (the Morris chair) and wallpaper and other decorative items for the home. He designed the furnishings for his own home, which was widely admired among the sort of people he associated with. In this way he started the arts and crafts movement.

b. Morris's contribution to book design was to approach the problem as an artist or fine craftsman, rather than a mere printer who reproduced texts. He wanted to raise the standards of printing, which had fallen to a low point, by showing that truly beautiful books could be produced. His Chaucer was designed as a unified work of art or high craft. Since Chaucer lived in the Middle Ages, Morris decided to design a new type based on medieval script and to imitate the format of a medieval manuscript. This involved elaborate letters and large initials at the beginnings of verses, as well as wide borders of intertwined vines with leaves, fruit, and flowers in strong colors. The effect was so unusual that the book caused great excitement and inspired other printers to design beautiful rather than purely utilitarian books.

From James M. McCrimmon, Writing with a Purpose , 7th ed. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980), pp. 261-263.

B. How would you plan the structure of the answers to these essay exam questions?

1. Was the X Act a continuation of earlier government policies or did it represent a departure from prior philosophies?

2. What seems to be the source of aggression in human beings? What can be done to lower the level of aggression in our society?

3. Choose one character from Novel X and, with specific references to the work, show how he or she functions as an "existential hero."

4. Define briefly the systems approach to business management. Illustrate how this differs from the traditional approach.

5. What is the cosmological argument? Does it prove that God exists?

6. Civil War historian Andy Bellum once wrote, "Blahblahblah blahed a blahblah, but of course if blahblah blahblahblahed the blah, then blahblahs are not blah but blahblah." To what extent and in what ways is the statement true? How is it false?

For more information on writing exam essays for the GED, please visit our Engagement area and go to the Community Writing and Education Station (CWEST) resources.

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IELTS Sample

IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.

Ielts academic and gt essay/ writing task 2 sample.

IELTS Writing Task 2 ( also known as IELTS Essay Writing ) is the second task of your IELTS Writing test. Here, you will be presented with an essay topic and you will be scored based on your ability to respond to the topic.

You need to write at least 250 words and justify your opinion with arguments, discussion, examples, problem outlining, proposing possible solutions and supporting your position. You will have approximately 40 minutes to finish your Essay Writing. IELTS Writing Task 2 carries more weights than Writing Task 1.

Are you planning to take your IELTS Exam soon? Take an online course and achieve your dream score on your IELTS test.


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IELTS Writing Topics August & September 2024

The collection of writing topics that were reported by IELTS student in 2024 . These questions could be repeated from previous months. Keep in mind that the provided questions are not predictions.

Pick one of the topics and improve your writing skills every day. If you can't come up with ideas for a topic just click the "Answers" button and you will see the different ideas.

Unlimited Task 1 checks Get all the feedback you need to keep improving your charts and letters.
Unlimited Task 2 checks Practice and perfect your skills with essays.
Personalized suggestions Know how to boost your score.
Detailed mistakes analysis Get instant feedback. Spot every mistake.
Topic ideas generator Get topic-specific ideas to enhance your writing.
Vocabulary helper Get the right words for any topic.
Progress tracking Track your writing improvements.

IELTS General Writing Task 2: Essay Sample Answers

IELTS General Writing Task 2: Essay Sample Answers

The 2nd task in IELTS General Writing is to write an essay. Here are the examples of successful responses for a high score. Pay attention to the structure of the answer and how paragraphs composition; main ideas and the examples they are supported with.

IELTS General Writing Task 2 looks like this (part in bold changes).

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people's lives. Others think that adult life brings more happiness, in spite of greater responsibilities. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

In this task you should: Explain the first point of view Explain the second point of view Add your opinion

Sample answer:

What's the happiest time in people's lives: youth or old age; school, career or retirement? All of these have been suggested, but teenage years and adulthood both have many supporters.

Those who believe teenagers are the happiest people cite their lack of responsibilities as a significant factor. They are supported financially and emotionally by their parents, and although they may be included in family decisions, they're not ultimately responsible. However, adolescents are on the threshold of adult life: they're old enough to get a part-time job, so they can enjoy their first taste of financial independence, and their future study and career lie ahead.

Away from these serious concerns, young people have an active social life with their friends, often simply by hanging out with them. And of course, there’s the excitement of first love and first heartbreak. With all this to experience, teenagers see their parents' lives as boring and stressful.

However, the reverse is also true. Adults see anxious, self-dramatising adolescents, and appreciate the joys of maturity. These may include a contented family life, long-lasting friendships and a career. Long-term relationships may not have the fireworks of adolescence, but are stronger for it, because of the wealth of shared experience. At work, many of us are challenged and stimulated by the increasing, professional skills we acquire, which ensures that our jobs remain interesting.

The greatest benefit, though, is that maturity gives you greater confidence in your own judgement, in all areas of life. You’re not afraid to express your opinion when others disagree and, unlike a teenager, you know when to let things go.

Both these periods can be happy times, but I look back at my own teenage years, with no desire to go back. Adult life may be less dramatic, but fireworks don’t keep you warm

In cities and towns all over the world the high volume of traffic is a problem.

What are the causes of this and what actions can be taken to solve this problem?

It is undoubtedly the case that urban areas around the world increasingly suffer from congestion. In this essay, I examine the reasons for this trend and suggest some practical policies the authorities could implement to reduce the level of traffic in our cities.

The first step is to understand why traffic has increased in towns and cities. Broadly speaking, there are three main reasons for this. One is that cars have become more affordable for the average consumer and they are no longer a luxury item, but something that most families expect to own. A second reason is that public transport has become increasingly unreliable in recent years, not least because many bus and train services have been reduced because of the difficulty in funding them. The third reason is that society has in general become more mobile and this means more people are prepared to commute to work by car than they were before.

There is almost certainly no one solution to this problem given the complexity of its causes. However, one option has to be to improve the reliability of public transport to encourage people to take the bus or the train rather than get in the car. It would also be possible to discourage people from driving to work by introducing special tariffs for using the roads, especially during peak periods. A successful example of this is the congestion charge scheme in London which has certainly reduced the level of trafficin inner-city areas.

In conclusion, there are a variety of different factors that have led to rising levels of traffic in urban areas. While it may not be possible to find a complete solution, any action should probably involve encouraging greater use of public transport and making it more expensive for the motorist to drive in urban areas.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people believe that children should be allowed to stay at home and play until they are six or seven years old. Others believe that it is important for young children to go to school as soon as possible. What do you think are the advantages of attending school from a young age? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Here we write about the benefits. Remember: 1 advantage = 1 paragraph.

In many places today, children start primary school at around the age of six or seven. However, because it is more likely now that both parents work, there is little opportunity for children to stay in their own home up to that age. Instead, they will probably go to a nursery school when they are much younger. While some people think this may be damaging to a child’s development, or to a child’s relationship with his or her parents, in fact there are many advantages to having school experience at a young age. Firstly, a child will learn to interact with a lot of different people and some children learn to communicate very early because of this. They are generally more confident and independent than children who stay at home with their parents and who are not used to strangers or new situations. Such children find their first day at school at the age of six very frightening and this may have a negative effect on how they learn. Another advantage of going to school at an early age is that children develop faster socially. They make friends and learn how to get on with other children of a similar age. This is often not possible at home because they are the only child, or because their brothers or sisters are older or younger. So overall, I believe that, attending school from a young age is good for most children. They still spend plenty of time at home with their parents, so they can benefit from both environments.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips, Lessons & Models

Success in IELTS writing task 2 is based on using the right techniques. These free tips, model essays, lessons, videos and information will help develop the skills for writing task 2. This page will teach you how to maximise your IELTS writing task 2 score. All lessons are on this page are for both GT and Academic writing task 2.

On this page, you will find for free:

IELTS WRITING TASK 2 TEST INFORMATION
PRACTICE ESSAY QUESTIONS
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR IELTS ESSAYS
MODEL ESSAYS
PRACTICE LESSONS (writing skills, topic ideas etc)

1. IELTS Writing Task 2 Test Information

Learn about your IELTS writing task 2 test. All lessons and tips on this page are for both Academic and GT writing task 2.

IELTS Writing has two tasks: Task 1 (a report) and Task 2 (an essay).
The total time is one hour for both tasks. You should spend only 40 mins on task 2.
The time is yourself to manage. No one will tell you when to move from task 1 to task 2.
The essay if a formal essay. You should not use informal language in your essay.
The instructions say “write at least 250 words”. This means you need to write over 250 words.
Writing task 2 is worth about 66% of your total writing score. Click here: Total Writing Score Calculations
There are four marking criteria which you must learn about. Click here: WRITING T2 BAND SCORES & MARKING WITH TIPS

The Essay Task

Below is an example task you will be given in IELTS Writing Task 2.

You will be given a topic.
Topics contain specific issues or opinions that you must address.
You are given a task, such as to discuss and give an opinion.
Examples are based on your experience of the world in general, not your personal life.
There are FIVE ESSAY TYPES .

2. IELTS Practice Essay Questions

Practice essay questions to help you prepare ideas for topics in IELTS writing task 2. These questions have been written based on questions reported by IELTS students.

Over 100 IELTS Essay Questions (repeated topics)

3. Essential IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips

The most important writing tips for a strong IELTS essay in writing task 2. Learn about the recommended essay length, how to plan your essay, when to give your opinion and how to write an introduction etc. Some videos linked below are old, but still 100% relevant today. Click below:

Essay Structure & Paragraphing

Key Linking Words List

Types of IELTS Essays

Essay Planning Tips

Paraphrasing Tips & Examples

Common Essay Topics

When & How to give your opinion

Video Using the last 5 minutes

4. IELTS Model Essays

IELTS Essays have a specific format, structure, style and band score requirements. These model essays are at band 9 and illustrate how an IELTS writing task 2 essay should be written. Use them as a guide to creating an essay suitable for a high band score in IELTS. Remember, language only counts for about 50% of your marks, the rest is IELTS essay techniques.

Agree Disagree Opinion Essay: Health
Advantages & Disadvantages Essay: Language
Cause Solution Essay: Crime & Punishment
Direct Questions Essay: Happiness
Opinion Essay: Social Media
Discussion Essay: Work
Do Advs Outweigh Disavs Essay: Reading
Direct Questions Essay: Family
Direct Questions Essay: Art
Positive or Negative Development: Social Media
2 Model Essays about Economy & Money /Buildings
Model Essay & Question for Topic of Education
Two Question Essay: Technology
IELTS ESSAY TOPICS FOR 2024

More Writing Task 2 Tips

Deleting Words in your Essay
Should I indent the first word of my paragraphs?
10 sentences to avoid in your IELTS essay
Video: How to add examples to your essay
Tips: Under Words Penalty
Finding idea for topics
Can you use quotes, idioms or proverbs in your essay?
Handwriting: Using cursive writing or not
Video : Grammar – How to Add a Clause
Video : Grammar – Connecting Sentences

5. Practice Lessons for Writing Task 2

Various lessons for: IELTS Essay Writing Skills, Topics, Language

Improving Sentences for a Higher Score
Essay Topics for 2024
New Topics in 2023
IELTS Essay Topics Prediction 2022
Grammar Test : Using “the” with countries and nationalities
Paraphrasing Practice
Using Passive Voice for Giving Opinions
Essay Ideas: Employment Competition
Essay Ideas: The Importance of History
Essay Ideas: Housing & Trees
Essay Ideas: International Aid
Essay Ideas: City Transport
Essay Ideas: Salaries
Essay Ideas: Function of Schools
Essay Ideas: Female Staff in Senior Positions
Writing Skills: Punctuation Practice
Writing Skills: Linking Word Practice
Essay Ideas: Littering in Cities
Listen and Write Dictation: Natural Disasters
Discussion Essay with Feedback: Music Topic
Writing Skills: Improving Sentences: Ebooks Topic
Essay Ideas: Banning Mobile Phones
Two Question Essay with Feedback: Judging Business Success
Essay Ideas: Tourism and Local Communities
Essay Ideas: Traffic & Pollution
Writing Skills: Improving a Thesis Statement
Writing Skills: Improving Sentences (1)
Essay Ideas: Handwriting Skills
Essay Ideas: Promoting to Children
Essay Ideas: Older or Younger Leaders
Writing Skills: Introduction Feedback
Writing Skill: Opinion Essay Introduction Feedback
Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Body Paragraphs
Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Introduction
Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Finding Main Points
Writing Skills: Thesis Statement
Essay Ideas: Public Services .

………………

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IELTS Task 2 Essays Understand the 5 Different Types

There are 5 main types of IELTS Task 2 essays:

1) Opinion Essays

2) Discussion Essays

3) Problem Solution Essays

4) Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

5) Double Question Essays

Most questions fit one of these categories. However, questions can be written in many different ways, which can make it difficult to determine which type they are.

On this page, I want to give you an overview of all 5 IELTS Task 2 essay types, with samples questions to help you recognise some of the different wording often used. I’ve also included a basic structure for each that you can use to as a guide for essay planning, a vital step in the writing process.

I go into each type of question in more detail on its own page. Click the links above or at the bottom of this page to see these.

First, here’s the basic 4 part structure I recommend that you use for Task 2 essays:

1) Introduction

2) Main Body Paragraph 1

3) Main Body Paragraph 2

4) Conclusion

Want to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

The sort of information you include in each of the 4 sections will vary depending on the question type and that’s what I’m now going to outline for you.

These easy to learn structures will enable you to quickly plan and write any IELTS Task 2 essay.

The structures below are not the only ones you could use but they are the ones I recommend because they’re simple and give proven results.

1) Opinion Essays

These are sometimes called ‘agree or disagree’ or ‘argumentative’ essays and are one of the most common types of IELTS Task 2 question.

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

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

Here is an example of each:

Choose one side of the argument.
State your opinion clearly in the introduction.
Keep the same opinion throughout the essay.
Give reasons why you hold this view.

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

Don’t change your opinion part way through the essay and don’t give reasons for the opposing idea.

Essay Structure

1) Introduction

Paraphrase the question
Give your opinion
State two supporting reasons

2) Main body paragraph 1

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

3) Main body paragraph 2

Topic sentence – outline 2nd reason for supporting this view
Summarise opinion and key reasons

2) Discussion Essays

In discussion essays, you have to discuss both sides of an argument. Usually, you will be asked for your own opinion as well.

The easiest way to approach this type of IELTS Task 2 question is to choose one point of view to agree with and one side to disagree with.

Here are 3 examples of discussion essay questions:

Develop both sides of the argument.
Talk about the view you don’t agree with first.

A big mistake many students make is to fully develop only one point of view. This leads to an unbalanced essay and a low score for task achievement.

It is easier to begin by discussing the opinion you don’t agree with and then present the reasons for your opposing view.

2) Main body paragraph 1 – Negative Viewpoint

Topic sentence – outline the view you don’t agree with
Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people

3) Main body paragraph 2 – Positive Viewpoint

Topic sentence – outline the view you do agree with
Summarise the key points and state your opinion

3) Problem Essays

These are sometimes called ‘causes and solutions’ or ‘problems and solutions’ essays. This type of IELTS Task 2 question starts with a statement, then asks you to discuss the problems or causes and the solutions.

Don’t list lots of causes and solutions.
Choose just one or two and develop them fully.
Be sure to link each problem/cause and its solution.

A common mistake is for candidates to list all the problems/causes and solutions they can think of, not necessarily linking them together. They also fail to explain any of them in detail and don’t include any examples.

The wording of this type of essay question can vary considerably. Here are 3 examples of problem essay questions:

State 1 key problem/cause and related solution

2) Main body paragraph 1 – Problem or Cause

Topic sentence – state the problem or cause
Explanation – give detail explaining the problem or cause

3) Main body paragraph 2 – Solution

Topic sentence – state the solution
Explanation – give detail explaining the solution

4) Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

The first part of the question will be a statement. You will be asked to write about both the advantages and disadvantages of the idea stated.

Here is some typical wording that might be used:

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

Here are 3 examples of advantages and disadvantages essay questions:

Each of these different types of questions fits into one of two slightly different essay structures. We’ll look at these in detail on the main IELTS Task 2 Advantages & Disadvantages Essays page. For now, I’ll give you the basic structure.

Outline the view or views stated the statement

2) Main body paragraph 1 – Advantage

Topic sentence – state 1 advantage
Explanation – give detail explaining the advantage
Result – state the result

3) Main body paragraph 2 – Disadvantage

Topic sentence – state 1 disadvantage
Explanation – give detail explaining the disadvantage
Summarise the key points
State your opinion if required

5) Double Question Essays

This type of IELTS Task 2 question is sometimes called a ‘direct question’ or ‘two questions’ essay. It has one statement with two different questions after it. The questions may or may not be linked.

You must answer both questions fully.
Don’t confuse it with an opinion or a discussion essay.
Be careful that you don’t end up with too many ideas to write about.

Here are 3 examples of double question essay questions:

Outline sentence – state your answer to both questions

2) Main body paragraph 1 – Answer question 1

Topic sentence – state your answer
Explanation – explain why you think this

3) Main body paragraph 2 – Answer question 2

Summarise both questions and answers

I hope you’ve found this information useful. You can learn lots more about writing the 5 different types of IELTS Task 2 essay and see sample answers on these pages:

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

Opinion Essays

Discussion Essays

Problem Solution Essays

Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

Double Question Essays

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More help with ielts task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

Understanding Task 2 Questions – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write a Task 2 Introduction – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria – Find out how to meet the marking criteria for IELTS Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

Other related pages:

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

IELTS Writing
Task 2 Essay Types
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IELTS Writing Task 2: ✍️ Everything You Need to Know

When helping students prepare for the IELTS test, one of the biggest fears is how to do well in IELTS Writing Task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the second part of the writing test, where you are presented with a point of view, argument or problem and asked to write an essay in response. Your essay should be in a formal style, at least 250 words in length and you should aim to complete it in under 40 minutes.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Everything You Need to Know

In this video, I’ll outline exactly what you must do to create an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay that could score a Band 7, 8 or 9.

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to IELTS or if you’ve failed the exam before – I’ve broken everything down into a simple 3-step process that anyone can use to improve their scores! Watch the video above to find out what they are.

5 Steps to a Band 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Understand the question.

You must understand the question before you attempt to answer it. This way, you’ll know exactly what the examiner is looking for. One of the biggest mistakes students make is not answering the question fully, which stops them from getting a score higher than a Band 5.

To analyse the question , you must first identify the question type, then identify the keywords in the question and finally identify the instructions words. This will help you understand exactly what the examiner wants you to do with the question.

2. Plan your answer.

The students who get the highest marks in Writing Task 2 always plan their answers for up to 10 minutes. Planning helps you organise your ideas and structure your essay before you write it, saving you time and helping you produce a clear and coherent essay.

3. Write an introduction.

The introduction should answer the question directly. This tells the examiner that you know what you are doing straight away and helps you write your main body paragraphs.

4. Write the main body paragraphs.

This is where you give the examiner more detail . You do this by stating your main points and supporting these with explanations and relevant examples.

5. Write a conclusion.

In your conclusion , you should provide a summary of what you already said in the rest of your essay.

4 Ways to Improve your Score in IELTS Writing Task 2

Many people know they need to improve their writing skills but don’t know how to do it. Here are 4 ways you can boost your score in Writing Task 2:

1. Understand the exam.

You must first understand what IELTS Writing Task 2 is, what you are expected to do and how to give the examiners what they want. This is the first stage and one that is often overlooked.

There are many online resources, often with conflicting and poor-quality information, so finding a reliable source of information is key.

2. Identify your weak areas.

If your car breaks down, you would try and identify which part caused the problem. If you get sick, your doctor will run tests to determine the exact cause of your symptoms.

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the same. We must first identify WHY you are not getting the score you need before we can help you improve.

However, be very careful! You wouldn’t ask the average man on the street for medical advice, so make sure you find someone who knows what they are doing and has the expertise to help you with this.

3. Fix the problems.

Now that we know what the problems are, we must fix them.

If your grammar needs work, fix those issues. If your vocabulary is lacking, work on fixing this issue.

Just as a good doctor can help you fix a medical problem, a good IELTS teacher can help you fix your specific issues.

4. Practice and get feedback.

Practice alone will not help you. It is an essential part of your preparation, but you must also get feedback on your work if you are really going to improve.

You wouldn’t try to teach yourself how to drive without an instructor, would you?

Find someone who will give you accurate and helpful feedback on your work. Otherwise, you will not be able to move to the last stage.

Now that you have understood what you need to do, identified the exact areas you need to work on, improved those areas, and received feedback on your work, you are now ready to get the IELTS Writing Task 2 score you deserve.

Writing Task 2 Structures

I want to warn you about structures because they are not a magic wand that will help you automatically get a higher score. They WILL help you, but please realise that they are just a small part of your overall score.

These structures provide a sentence-by-sentence template for all the main Task 2 question types, making your job much easier on exam day.

Task 2 Essay Structures

Essential Writing Task 2 Skills

No matter how good your English is, you must still learn IELTS writing skills before taking the Writing Task 2 test. These helpful guides will take you through each of these skills step-by-step:

How to Plan an Essay

Making a good plan actually saves you time when you write your essay. This guide will show you how to plan and write a clear essay every time.

How to Think of Relevant Ideas

This guide provides 5 different methods to help you quickly think of relevant ideas that are directly linked to the question.

How to Write a Complex Sentence

Complex sentences help you boost your score for grammar. They are actually very simple to write and are not complex at all.

How to Paraphrase

Paraphrasing is one of the essential IELTS skills for all parts of the IELTS test. You should paraphrase the question in the very first sentence of your essay to help boost your vocabulary score in Writing Task 2.

How to Write a Supporting Paragraph

Supporting paragraphs are the main body paragraphs and are the meat in the sandwich. This is where you provide the detail the examiner is looking for in the form of explanations and examples.

How to Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement tells the examiner your opinion. Many IELTS Writing Task 2 questions specifically ask for your opinion, and if you don’t write it clearly, you have not answered the question properly. This article shows you how, where and when to give your opinion.

How many words should I write?

Around 250 words? Exactly 250 words or over 250 words? How many words over? How do I know how many words I have? Will I lose marks if I write too many words? This article answers all those questions.

How to Understand and Analyse Any Question

A critical part of answering any question. This article shows you how to break down any Task 2 question and identify the keywords, micro-keywords and instruction words to help you answer the question effectively.

How to Write a Great Introduction

The introduction is the first thing the examiner reads; therefore, we must give them a good first impression. I share a very specific sentence-by-sentence structure in this article to help you write introductions quickly and effectively.

Task 2 Marking Criteria

Do you know how Task 2 is marked? What is the difference between a Band 5 and a Band 8 answer? This article breaks down the marking criteria and explains it in simple language so you can give the IELTS examiners exactly what they want.

How to Write a Conclusion

A good conclusion should be a summary of your main points. The conclusion is the last thing the examiner reads, and if you can write a good one, you will leave them with a very good impression.

Using Examples

Each of your supporting paragraphs should have a specific example that supports and illustrates your main point. This is an essential skill to learn if you want to get one of the higher band scores.

Cohesive Devices

Cohesive devices (sometimes called linking words) are one of the most misunderstood and misused elements of writing. Therefore, you must learn how to use them and when to use them.

The Danger of Synonyms

While synonyms are very important, they can also really reduce your mark if used incorrectly.

Paragraphing and Editing

This article will show you how to make your writing as clear and as easy to read as possible. It will also advise you on whether to use a pen or pencil.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 Steps to Success

Read this blog now to access our 61-page Task 2 strategy.

IELTS Writing Tips

I have compiled these tips after years of teaching IELTS, and all of them have been approved by IELTS examiners.

Coherence and Cohesion

This is a video lesson that shows you in practical terms how to improve your coherence and cohesion score.

Writing Task 2 Common Topics

Knowing the common topics can help you prepare for the test more efficiently. Here are the 10 most common topics over the last few years. Studying hard is great, but don’t forget to study smart.

The article below will show you the top 10 most common IELTS topics.

Most Common Task 2 Topics

Full IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice Lessons

Here are some lessons that I have used when teaching students about IELTS Writing Task 2. I have changed them so that you can easily learn from home. They are very long but contain all the necessary information combined with the skills above.

Agree or Disagree (Opinion) Lesson

In this lesson, we look at how to tackle an ‘agree or disagree’ question. Many people worry about whether to take one side of the other or discuss both sides. Additionally, people also worry about how to deal with ‘To what extent’ question types. We allay all of these fears in this lesson.

Discussion Essay Lesson

‘Discuss both views’ questions often confuse people because you are asked to do many things in one essay. As such, it is very important to remember that the question asks you to discuss BOTH views AND give YOUR opinion.

Problem and Solution Essay Lesson

These questions are much easier than you think. You probably discuss problems and solutions in your day-to-day life all the time. Keep it simple.

Advantages and Disadvantages Lesson

There are a couple of different types of advantages and disadvantages questions. This lesson will show you how to answer them.

Writing Task 2 Exercise with Video

Writing is a skill, and just like any other skill, it is important to practice to improve.

From Band 6.5 to 8 Demo Lesson

This is my most comprehensive free lesson on IELTS Writing Task 2. We show you how we took one VIP student from Band 6.5 to an amazing 8.

Sample Answers

You must have some good examples to compare your writing and see if you are on the right track. Click the link below for lots of sample answers and over 100 questions.

Task 2 Sample Answers

Agree or Disagree Sample Essays
Task 2 Band 9 Sample Essay
Latest Real Task 2 Questions
Official Sample Test Questions
Cambridge Sample Questions
Free Practice Test
How To Use Task 2 Samples
Recent Confusing Questions
IELTS Writing Practice Guide

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essential Information

You must write an essay in response to a question.
You must write 250 words or more.
Task 2 is worth 2/3 of your total mark on the Writing test.
You should spend around 40 minutes on this part of the test.
General Training and Academic are essentially the same for Task 2. However, they are different for Task 1.
There are certain types of questions that you will be asked, for example, opinion, discussion etc. See below for more detail on these.
Task Achievement (25%)
Coherence and Cohesion (25%)
Lexical Resource (25%)
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)

Grammar and Vocabulary

Grammar is one of the four things you will be marked on in the Writing Task 2 test. Finding out what your common grammar mistakes are and then fixing them is a very powerful way to boost your score in this area. Here are some common grammar mistakes I have found after making hundreds of tests.

Top 10 Grammar Mistakes

For most IELTS students, the problem is not grammar in general. In fact, it is usually just 1-2 problem areas. Therefore, when you fix these main weaknesses, you’ll be able to improve your grammar and your writing score dramatically.

Using Personal Pronouns

Hint- They aren’t as big of a deal as you think.

See the interactive tool below for the answers to the most commonly asked questions we receive about IELTS Writing Task 2:

IELTS Writing Task 2 FAQs

How can i improve my writing.

You will find all the resources you need on our Writing Task 2 page. Click the link below:

Writing Task 2

We also have two Task 2 courses for those that need to improve their Task 2 skills and strategy. They are both based online and completely free of charge. Learn more about them below:

Task 2 5 Day Challenge

Task 2 Essay Builder

If you need serious help or personalised feedback, you should check out our VIP Course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name here:

How can I get a Band 7, 8 or 9?

The answer to this question is different for every individual IELTS student, as it depends on a number of factors, including your work ethic, English skills and exam strategy. You'll find a guide to answering this question in this article

If you need serious help with improving your IELTS scores, you should check out our online writing course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name by clicking the link below:

Can you correct my writing?

Please click the link below and it will give you all the information you need about our writing correction service:

Writing Correction Service

Do you have any sample answers?

Yes, you will find them at the link below:

Will using 'high level' or 'academic' words help me improve my score?

Probably not.

Read my recent article about IELTS vocabulary here:

5 Things You Need to Know about IELTS Vocabulary

Can I use idioms?

No, you should not write idioms for Task 2.

Can I use personal pronouns?

You should avoid using personal pronouns, but it is fine to use them when giving your personal opinion.

Do you write a conclusion for Task 2?

Yes, it is very difficult to get a good score in Task 2 if you haven't finished your essay with a conclusion. You will find an in-depth lesson on conclusions here:

How to Write an Effective Task 2 Conclusion

How many paragraphs should I write?

Most IELTS task 2 essays follow the same basic four paragraph structure:

Introduction
Supporting Paragraph 1
Supporting Paragraph 2

However, you can find more comprehensive help with structuring your Task 2 essays here:

5 Day Challenge

Do I need to plan my essay?

I would highly recommend planning your essay. A good plan acts like a map that guides you through the essay, ensuring that you give the examiner exactly what they need to award you the score you need. You can find help with planning your essays here: How to Plan an IELTS Essay

You must write at least 250 words in Writing Task 2.

I would suggest that you aim to write around 270-280 words in total. Aiming for 20-30 words more than the required amount makes you more likely to reach the word limit without setting an unrealistic goal.

Will I lose marks if I don't write enough words?

Yes, if you don't write the required number of words, you will lose marks in 'Task Achievement' for not answering the question fully. Read more here .

Can I use contractions?

No, should not use contractions when you are writing an academic essay.

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Sample Essays

IELTS Sample Essays

Here you will find IELTS Sample Essays for a variety of common topics that appear in the writing exam.

The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.

You can also view sample essays with band scores on this page.

Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a great way to help you to prepare for the test.

These IELTS sample essays have been categorised in a way that makes it easy for you to see how certain essay question types require you to provide certain responses to ensure the question is fully answered.

Specifically these are:

Agree / Disagree
Discuss Two Opinions
Problems and Solutions
Advantages and Disadvantages
Other Types

Agree / Disagree Type Questions

In these types of question you are given one opinion and you then have to state the extent to which you agree or disagree with that opinion:

Advertising
Alternative Medicine
Spending on the Arts
Human Cloning
Social Interaction & the Internet
Airline Tax
Free University Education
Scientific Research
Banning Smoking
Employing Older People
Vegetarianism
Paying Taxes
Examinations or Formal Assessment
Multinational Organisations and Culture
Internet vs Newspapers
Technology Development
Dying of Languages
Animal Extinction
Truth in Relationships
Role of Schools
Return of Historical Artefacts

Discuss Two Opinions Type Questions

In this essay question type you are given two opinions, and you have to discuss both of these and then give your own view:

University Education
Reducing Crime
Animal Rights
Child Development
Diet & Health
Donating Money to Charity
Closing Zoos
Becoming Independent
Formal and Informal Education
Influence of Scientists and Politicians
Sources for Stories
Searching for Extraterrestrial Life

Cause Type Questions

There are a variety of 'cause type' essay questions. In these you first have to give the reasons why something has happened, in other words the causes, but then discuss a different aspect of it, such as the effects, solutions or the extent to whether it is a positive or negative development:

Causes & Effects:

Child Obesity
Skin Whitening Creams
Family Size
Having Children Later in Life
Time Away from Family

Causes and Solutions:

Youth Crime
Global Warming
Paying Attention in Class
International Travel & Prejudice
Museums & Historical Places
Disappearance of Traditions
Communication Between Generations

Causes, Pros & Cons:

Family Closeness
Living Alone
Rural to Urban Migration

Problems & Solutions Type Questions

In these type of questions, instead of discussing the causes of a problem, you need to discuss the problems related to a particular issue in society, and then suggest what can be to solve these problems:

Overpopulation
Competing for Jobs
Professionals Immigrating

Advantage & Disadvantages Type Questions

In these type of questions you are asked to discuss the positive and negative sides of a particular topic. You will usually be asked this in the context of giving an opinion ( e.g. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Is it a positive or negative development? ):

Traffic Problems
Food Additives
Computer Games
Age Discrimination at Work
Children using Tablets and Computers
Cell Phones, Internet, & Communication
Working from Home
Eating Locally grown Produce
Oil and Gas Essay
Peer Pressure on Young People
Online Fraud
Decreasing House Sizes

'Hybrid' Types of Essay Question

There are sometimes questions that don't fit easily into a particular category as above. I've called these 'hybrid', as they are of mixed character, are composed of different elements from other types of essay, or are perhaps just worded differently.

Protecting Old Buildings
Animal Testing
Fear of Crime
Communication Technology
Influence of Children's Friends

Sample Essays with Band Scores

You can also view some sample essays that have been written by candidates practising for the test and have band scores and comments by an experienced ex-IELTS Examiner based on the IELTS marking criteria.

IELTS Band 8 Essay Samples
IELTS Band 7 Essay Samples
IELTS Band 6 Essay Samples
IELTS Band 5 Essay Samples
IELTS Band 4 Essay Samples

Student Sample Essays

For more IELTS essay topics with answers you can also view essays that have been written by students. Some have feedback from other students or IELTS teachers:

Student Model Essays (with comments by other students)
Student Model Essays (with comments by IELTS buddy)

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Exam essay techniques: planning under time pressure

It’s that time of year again; exams are looming and revision is your highest priority. But don’t forget, just learning the facts isn’t enough to score you the high marks you deserve. It’s also crucial to spend some time brushing up your exam essay writing technique , to save valuable minutes when you are under time pressure and stop you from panicking when you get into the exam room.

Many students coming to me for essay help tell me that in the highly pressurised exam situation, the hardest thing of all is working out how to structure their exam essay plan and putting the pen to paper to actually begin. Follow the simple exam essay technique steps below to plan and write a clear, structured essay, even under time pressure.

Your exam essay plan

Your exam essay plan is a key first step is to give your essay a clear structure and arrange your main points into a logical order, but it is important not to spend more than 10 minutes on it as it ultimately isn’t gaining you any marks. Working out the balance between planning time and the time you leave yourself for writing is a skill that comes best from practice – try timing yourself to work out exactly what works best for you.

To write a speedy but effective plan, first work out how the question breaks down into the main areas of argument. If it’s a ‘compare’ question, your plan might have two main sections, ‘similarities’ and ‘differences’. If it’s a ‘do you agree’ or ‘how far is it true’ question, you will have a ‘yes’ and a ‘no’ section. If a question asks you to ‘explain how’ or ‘list the ways’, your plan will have more sections, each dealing with one specific aspect or method.

Once you have identified these main sections, write them out on your planning sheet, underlined, spacing them evenly and leaving room for notes in between.

Completing your essay plan

Next very briefly write notes under each section title to remind you of the different ideas that belong in that section. This is the part of your plan where you brainstorm all the different ideas and arguments from your revision that you could bring to bear on this question, and organise them into a clear structure by placing them in the sections you have already defined.

For example:

For a question asking you to compare two poems, under ‘similarities’ you might jot down ‘language’, ‘punctuation’, ‘themes’, whilst under ‘differences’, you might put ‘rhyme scheme’, ‘structure’ and ‘tone’.

Once you have summarised your main points and got the min order, you may like to briefly jot key quotes down alongside the relevant sections where they will be most powerfully included – this will help you remember to include them in the right places as you go along and avoid the all too common exam essay writing pitfall of forgetting to include quotes evenly throughout the essay and having to put them all in at the end.

Exam essay technique: getting started

Always start your exam essay with a clear introduction . Once you’ve written your exam essay plan, this will be easy to do quickly, because the purpose of your introduction is to clearly lay out the way in which you plan to answer the question, very briefly mentioning what your key points will be. So use your plan to write your introduction; first describe how your plan has divided up the question, then use the notes to summarise what your main arguments will be.

“The poems ‘Half Caste’ and ‘Search for my Tongue’ both deal with the key issue of culture clashes and differences between people. There are many similarities in the way they portray these issues, from language to punctuation and themes. However there are also several important differences between the poems, particularly in their use of rhyme, structure and tone.”

This introduction clearly indicates to the examiner that you will answer the question first by comparing the similarities of the poems and then by considering their differences. You have also made it clear that you are able to identify all the key areas of the poems that are relevant to the question. Immediately you pick up those crucial exam essay writing marks for a clear structure and a direct, relevant introduction, and for making the examiner aware of the intended structure of your argument. So remember, your exam essay technique is never complete without a clear, structured exam essay plan to clearly set out your main points and help you to order them correctly.

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Essay Test Preparation Tips and Strategies

Essay test questions can be very intimidating, but they can also be very rewarding. Unlike other types of exams (i.e., multiple choice, true or false, etc.) essay tests allow you develop an answer based on your understanding or knowledge.

If you’ve studied all semester, understand the course concepts, and have reviewed prior to the test, the following strategies can help you improve your performance on essay tests and exams.

Strategies to Help You Improve Your Performance on Essay Tests and Exams

Read the directions.

Reading the directions seems so obvious. Unfortunately, it’s still one of the biggest test taking mistakes students make. Before answering an essay question, thoroughly read the instructions. Do not jump to the answer without being sure of what exactly the question is asking. In many cases, the teacher is looking for specific types of responses. Never assume you know what is being asked, or what is required, until you’ve read the entire question.

Ask for clarification

Read essay questions in their entirety before preparing an answer. If the instructions are unclear, or you simply don’t understand a question, ask the teacher for clarification. Chances are if you’re confused so is someone else. Never be scared to ask for clarification from your teacher or instructor.

Provide detail

Provide as many details and specific examples when answering an essay question as you can. Teachers are usually looking for very specific responses to see whether or not you’ve learned the material. The more relevant detail you provide, the higher grade is likely to be. However, only include correct, accurate and relevant information. Including irrelevant “filler” that doesn’t support your answer will likely lower your grade.

Budget your time

Manage your time wisely when answering essay questions so you are able answer all the questions, not just the easy or hard ones. If you finish your test before time is up, go back and review your answers and provide additional details.

We recommend answering those essay questions you’re most familiar with first and then tackling more challenging questions after. It’s also not uncommon on essay tests for some questions to be worth more than others. When budgeting your time, make sure to allocate more time to those questions that are worth the most.

Follow the instructions

When a question is only requiring facts, be sure to avoid sharing opinions. Only provide the information the instructions request. It’s important to provide an answer that matches the type of essay question being asked. You’ll find a list of common types of essay questions at the bottom of this page.

In your answers, get to the point and be very clear. It is generally best to be as concise as possible. If you provide numerous facts or details, be sure they’re related to the question. A typical essay answer should be between 200 and 800 words (2-8 paragraphs) but more isn’t necessarily better. Focus on substance over quantity.

Write clearly and legibly

Be sure your essays are legible and easy to understand. If a teacher has a difficult time reading or understanding what you’ve written, you could receive a lower score.

Get organized

Organize your thoughts before answering your essay question. We even recommend developing a short outline before preparing your answer. This strategy will help you save time and keep your essay organized. Organizing your thoughts and preparing a short outline will allow you to write more clearly and concisely.

Get to the point – Focus on substance

Only spend time answering the question and keep your essays focused. An overly long introduction and conclusion can be unnecessary. If your essay does not thoroughly answer the question and provide substance, a well developed introduction or conclusion will do you no good.

Use paragraphs to separate ideas

When developing your essay, keep main ideas and other important details separated with paragraphs. An essay response should have three parts: the introduction; the body; and the conclusion. The introduction is typically one paragraph, as is the conclusion. The body of the essay usually consists of 2 to 6 paragraphs depending on the type of essay and the information being presented.

Go back and review

If time permits, review your answers and make changes if necessary. Make sure you employed correct grammar and that your essays are well written. It’s not uncommon to make silly mistakes your first time through your essay. Reviewing your work is always a good idea.

Approximate

When you are unsure of specific dates, just approximate dates. For example, if you know an event occurred sometime during the 1820’s, then just write, “in the early 1800’s.”

Common Question Types on Essay Exams

Being able to identify and becoming familiar with the most common types of essay test questions is key to improving performance on essay exams. The following are 5 of the most common question types you’ll find on essay exams.

1. Identify

Identify essay questions ask for short, concise answers and typically do not require a fully developed essay.

Ask yourself: “What is the idea or concept in question?”, “What are the main characteristics?”, “What does this mean?”
Keywords to look for: Summarize, List, Describe, Define, Enumerate, State
Example question: “Define what is meant by ‘separation of church and state.'”

Explain essay questions require a full-length essay with a fully developed response that provides ample supporting detail.

Ask yourself: “What are the main points?”, “Why is this the case?”
Keywords to look for: Discuss, Explain, Analyze, Illustrate
Example question: “Discuss the differences between the political views of democrats and republicans. Use specific examples from each party’s 2017 presidential campaign to argue which views are more in line with U.S. national interests.”

Compare essay questions require an analysis in essay form which focuses on similarities, differences, and connections between specific ideas or concepts.

Ask yourself: “What are the main concepts or ideas?”, “What are the similarities?”, “What are the differences?”
Keywords to look for: Compare, Contrast, Relate
Example question: “Compare the value of attending a community college to the value of attending a 4-year university. Which would you rather attend?”

Argue essay questions require you to form an opinion or take a position on an issue and defend your position against alternative positions using arguments backed by analysis and information.

Ask yourself: “Is this position correct?”, “Why is this issue true?”
Keywords to look for: Prove, Justify
Example question: “Argue whether robotics will replace blue collar manufacturing jobs in the next ten years.”

Assess essay questions involve assessing an issue, idea or question by describing acceptable criteria and defending a position/judgment on the issue.

Ask yourself: “What is the main idea/issue and what does it mean?”, “Why is the issue important?”, “What are its strengths?”, “What are the weaknesses?”
Keywords to look for: Evaluate, Criticize, Evaluate, Interpret
Example question: “With respect to U.S. national security, evaluate the benefit of constructing a wall along the southern border of the United States of America.”

How to Prepare for an Essay Exam

Last Updated: April 20, 2023

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. This article has been viewed 137,861 times.

The dreaded essay exam. Whether you like it or not, at some point in your life you are certain to encounter an exam composed entirely of essays. In the days leading up to the exam you may feel anxious or downright sick to your stomach. Fortunately, with a little bit of preparation and practice, you can turn any pre-exam jitters into a feeling of confidence, which will allow you to successfully tackle any essay exam.

Participating in Class

Actively participate. It’s important to find a participation method that works for you, whether that’s asking thought-provoking questions or commenting on the reading. Active participation just means involving yourself in some way, so even if you don’t feel comfortable speaking at length in front of your peers, try to ask a question every now and then.
Free yourself from distractions. Put away your cell phone or tablet and concentrate on listening and taking good notes. Now is not the time to work on homework for another class or to catch up with friends on Facebook.

Always have a notebook on hand. It is helpful to use one notebook per subject or course, so that you don’t confuse yourself when looking back.
Be sure to date your notes so that you can quickly reference or find the subject material covered on the exam.
If you struggle with taking notes, ask the instructor if you can record the lecture. You can then go back and listen to the recording and either take notes at your own pace or review any parts of the lecture, which will be relevant for the exam.

Take notes on what you’ve read and have questions ready for class.
Follow the schedule for reading assignments. Typically readings are broken out in a way that is both manageable and topical. If, however, you find yourself unable to keep up with the readings, speak with your instructor about a schedule that suits your particular needs. For example, if readings are assigned for every other day of class, you may need to break it out such that you are reading a portion every day.

Reviewing the Material

In addition to having one notebook per course, it may be helpful to also have an individual course binder or folder, which contains all course materials.
Take your organization to the next level by categorizing according to exams. Don’t throw away previous notes or materials from past exams. They may come in handy for midterm or final exams. Instead, organize the materials as if they were chapters, with chapter one being the first exam and so forth and so on.

Limit phone calls and any other distractions such as texting. It might help to turn your phone and other devices to silent mode while you’re studying.
The TV should always be off while you’re preparing for an exam.
If you want to listen to music, be sure it’s something that is relaxing or peaceful. Also, keep the music at a low level. Otherwise, music can easily become a distraction.

Get into the habit of reviewing class materials after each course. This will help to ease anxiety leading up to the exam, as you won’t have as much to review and will be able to clear up any questions that arise, prior to the big day.
Cramming doesn’t work. Multiple studies have shown that spacing out learning was more effective than cramming. [2] X Research source What’s more, cramming only increases the feeling of desperation which leads to panic, and then to test anxiety.

Creating an outline will also come in handy when drafting essay responses, so give yourself some practice and start with your class materials.

Practicing Ahead of Time

Step 1 Understand the structure of an essay.

Don’t wait until the night before to outline answers. As you’re studying and organizing your class materials, come up with potential questions along the way. You can then go back and review and revise as necessary.
Some instructors do specify a word count for essays. Don’t focus on counting words though. Write what you can and look for opportunities to flesh out your answers without being overly wordy.

Step 3 Recognize different types of questions.

Identify - typically short and direct answers will do.
Explain - requires a more detailed answer.
Compare - look for connections.
Argue - address this from your own perspective.

This is a good opportunity to proofread your work and to look for any grammatical errors as well.
Have a friend, parent or peer look over your essay as well. It is often helpful to have a fresh set of eyes review your work and provide feedback.

Community Q&A

For open-notes or open-book tests, study thoroughly anyway. This will prepare you for other exams or tests where you're not allowed to use notes, and will allow for you to complete the test faster and easier because you won't need to search for everything in the book or your notes. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Be positive. If you are negative and believe you will not do well, chances are that you will perform the way you expect to. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Practice writing. Be sure you can write fairly well in other situations so that you can express your ideas clearly. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/essay-exams/
↑ http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140917-the-worst-way-to-learn

About this article

If you’re worried about an upcoming essay exam, start reviewing your class notes by topic. One helpful way to prepare for your essay exam is to create a potential outline for each theme. For example, if you’re studying Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, you might come up with an essay outline about the themes of the play. Once you have a few of these outlines, do practice essays at home under timed conditions, using old exams or questions you can see from your outline. Additionally, make it easier to prepare for future exams by attending all classes, doing the assigned readings and taking clear notes. Keep reading for more tips, including how to understand what the essay questions are asking of you. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Essay Exams

What this handout is about.

At some time in your undergraduate career, you’re going to have to write an essay exam. This thought can inspire a fair amount of fear: we struggle enough with essays when they aren’t timed events based on unknown questions. The goal of this handout is to give you some easy and effective strategies that will help you take control of the situation and do your best.

Why do instructors give essay exams?

Essay exams are a useful tool for finding out if you can sort through a large body of information, figure out what is important, and explain why it is important. Essay exams challenge you to come up with key course ideas and put them in your own words and to use the interpretive or analytical skills you’ve practiced in the course. Instructors want to see whether:

You understand concepts that provide the basis for the course
You can use those concepts to interpret specific materials
You can make connections, see relationships, draw comparisons and contrasts
You can synthesize diverse information in support of an original assertion
You can justify your own evaluations based on appropriate criteria
You can argue your own opinions with convincing evidence
You can think critically and analytically about a subject

What essay questions require

Exam questions can reach pretty far into the course materials, so you cannot hope to do well on them if you do not keep up with the readings and assignments from the beginning of the course. The most successful essay exam takers are prepared for anything reasonable, and they probably have some intelligent guesses about the content of the exam before they take it. How can you be a prepared exam taker? Try some of the following suggestions during the semester:

Do the reading as the syllabus dictates; keeping up with the reading while the related concepts are being discussed in class saves you double the effort later.
Go to lectures (and put away your phone, the newspaper, and that crossword puzzle!).
Take careful notes that you’ll understand months later. If this is not your strong suit or the conventions for a particular discipline are different from what you are used to, ask your TA or the Learning Center for advice.
Participate in your discussion sections; this will help you absorb the material better so you don’t have to study as hard.
Organize small study groups with classmates to explore and review course materials throughout the semester. Others will catch things you might miss even when paying attention. This is not cheating. As long as what you write on the essay is your own work, formulating ideas and sharing notes is okay. In fact, it is a big part of the learning process.
As an exam approaches, find out what you can about the form it will take. This will help you forecast the questions that will be on the exam, and prepare for them.

These suggestions will save you lots of time and misery later. Remember that you can’t cram weeks of information into a single day or night of study. So why put yourself in that position?

Now let’s focus on studying for the exam. You’ll notice the following suggestions are all based on organizing your study materials into manageable chunks of related material. If you have a plan of attack, you’ll feel more confident and your answers will be more clear. Here are some tips:

Don’t just memorize aimlessly; clarify the important issues of the course and use these issues to focus your understanding of specific facts and particular readings.
Try to organize and prioritize the information into a thematic pattern. Look at what you’ve studied and find a way to put things into related groups. Find the fundamental ideas that have been emphasized throughout the course and organize your notes into broad categories. Think about how different categories relate to each other.
Find out what you don’t know, but need to know, by making up test questions and trying to answer them. Studying in groups helps as well.

Taking the exam

Read the exam carefully.

If you are given the entire exam at once and can determine your approach on your own, read the entire exam before you get started.
Look at how many points each part earns you, and find hints for how long your answers should be.
Figure out how much time you have and how best to use it. Write down the actual clock time that you expect to take in each section, and stick to it. This will help you avoid spending all your time on only one section. One strategy is to divide the available time according to percentage worth of the question. You don’t want to spend half of your time on something that is only worth one tenth of the total points.
As you read, make tentative choices of the questions you will answer (if you have a choice). Don’t just answer the first essay question you encounter. Instead, read through all of the options. Jot down really brief ideas for each question before deciding.
Remember that the easiest-looking question is not always as easy as it looks. Focus your attention on questions for which you can explain your answer most thoroughly, rather than settle on questions where you know the answer but can’t say why.

Analyze the questions

Decide what you are being asked to do. If you skim the question to find the main “topic” and then rush to grasp any related ideas you can recall, you may become flustered, lose concentration, and even go blank. Try looking closely at what the question is directing you to do, and try to understand the sort of writing that will be required.
Focus on what you do know about the question, not on what you don’t.
Look at the active verbs in the assignment—they tell you what you should be doing. We’ve included some of these below, with some suggestions on what they might mean. (For help with this sort of detective work, see the Writing Center handout titled Reading Assignments.)

Information words, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject. Information words may include:

define—give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning.
explain why/how—give reasons why or examples of how something happened.
illustrate—give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject.
summarize—briefly cover the important ideas you learned about the subject.
trace—outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form.
research—gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you’ve found.

Relation words ask you to demonstrate how things are connected. Relation words may include:

compare—show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different).
contrast—show how two or more things are dissimilar.
apply—use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation.
cause—show how one event or series of events made something else happen.
relate—show or describe the connections between things.

Interpretation words ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Don’t see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation. Interpretation words may include:

prove, justify—give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth.
evaluate, respond, assess—state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons (you may want to compare your subject to something else).
support—give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe).
synthesize—put two or more things together that haven’t been put together before; don’t just summarize one and then the other, and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together (as opposed to compare and contrast—see above).
analyze—look closely at the components of something to figure out how it works, what it might mean, or why it is important.
argue—take a side and defend it (with proof) against the other side.

Plan your answers

Think about your time again. How much planning time you should take depends on how much time you have for each question and how many points each question is worth. Here are some general guidelines:

For short-answer definitions and identifications, just take a few seconds. Skip over any you don’t recognize fairly quickly, and come back to them when another question jogs your memory.
For answers that require a paragraph or two, jot down several important ideas or specific examples that help to focus your thoughts.
For longer answers, you will need to develop a much more definite strategy of organization. You only have time for one draft, so allow a reasonable amount of time—as much as a quarter of the time you’ve allotted for the question—for making notes, determining a thesis, and developing an outline.
For questions with several parts (different requests or directions, a sequence of questions), make a list of the parts so that you do not miss or minimize one part. One way to be sure you answer them all is to number them in the question and in your outline.
You may have to try two or three outlines or clusters before you hit on a workable plan. But be realistic—you want a plan you can develop within the limited time allotted for your answer. Your outline will have to be selective—not everything you know, but what you know that you can state clearly and keep to the point in the time available.

Again, focus on what you do know about the question, not on what you don’t.

Writing your answers

As with planning, your strategy for writing depends on the length of your answer:

For short identifications and definitions, it is usually best to start with a general identifying statement and then move on to describe specific applications or explanations. Two sentences will almost always suffice, but make sure they are complete sentences. Find out whether the instructor wants definition alone, or definition and significance. Why is the identification term or object important?
For longer answers, begin by stating your forecasting statement or thesis clearly and explicitly. Strive for focus, simplicity, and clarity. In stating your point and developing your answers, you may want to use important course vocabulary words from the question. For example, if the question is, “How does wisteria function as a representation of memory in Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom?” you may want to use the words wisteria, representation, memory, and Faulkner) in your thesis statement and answer. Use these important words or concepts throughout the answer.
If you have devised a promising outline for your answer, then you will be able to forecast your overall plan and its subpoints in your opening sentence. Forecasting impresses readers and has the very practical advantage of making your answer easier to read. Also, if you don’t finish writing, it tells your reader what you would have said if you had finished (and may get you partial points).
You might want to use briefer paragraphs than you ordinarily do and signal clear relations between paragraphs with transition phrases or sentences.
As you move ahead with the writing, you may think of new subpoints or ideas to include in the essay. Stop briefly to make a note of these on your original outline. If they are most appropriately inserted in a section you’ve already written, write them neatly in the margin, at the top of the page, or on the last page, with arrows or marks to alert the reader to where they fit in your answer. Be as neat and clear as possible.
Don’t pad your answer with irrelevancies and repetitions just to fill up space. Within the time available, write a comprehensive, specific answer.
Watch the clock carefully to ensure that you do not spend too much time on one answer. You must be realistic about the time constraints of an essay exam. If you write one dazzling answer on an exam with three equally-weighted required questions, you earn only 33 points—not enough to pass at most colleges. This may seem unfair, but keep in mind that instructors plan exams to be reasonably comprehensive. They want you to write about the course materials in two or three or more ways, not just one way. Hint: if you finish a half-hour essay in 10 minutes, you may need to develop some of your ideas more fully.
If you run out of time when you are writing an answer, jot down the remaining main ideas from your outline, just to show that you know the material and with more time could have continued your exposition.
Double-space to leave room for additions, and strike through errors or changes with one straight line (avoid erasing or scribbling over). Keep things as clean as possible. You never know what will earn you partial credit.
Write legibly and proofread. Remember that your instructor will likely be reading a large pile of exams. The more difficult they are to read, the more exasperated the instructor might become. Your instructor also cannot give you credit for what they cannot understand. A few minutes of careful proofreading can improve your grade.

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind in writing essay exams is that you have a limited amount of time and space in which to get across the knowledge you have acquired and your ability to use it. Essay exams are not the place to be subtle or vague. It’s okay to have an obvious structure, even the five-paragraph essay format you may have been taught in high school. Introduce your main idea, have several paragraphs of support—each with a single point defended by specific examples, and conclude with a restatement of your main point and its significance.

Some physiological tips

Just think—we expect athletes to practice constantly and use everything in their abilities and situations in order to achieve success. Yet, somehow many students are convinced that one day’s worth of studying, no sleep, and some well-placed compliments (“Gee, Dr. So-and-so, I really enjoyed your last lecture”) are good preparation for a test. Essay exams are like any other testing situation in life: you’ll do best if you are prepared for what is expected of you, have practiced doing it before, and have arrived in the best shape to do it. You may not want to believe this, but it’s true: a good night’s sleep and a relaxed mind and body can do as much or more for you as any last-minute cram session. Colleges abound with tales of woe about students who slept through exams because they stayed up all night, wrote an essay on the wrong topic, forgot everything they studied, or freaked out in the exam and hyperventilated. If you are rested, breathing normally, and have brought along some healthy, energy-boosting snacks that you can eat or drink quietly, you are in a much better position to do a good job on the test. You aren’t going to write a good essay on something you figured out at 4 a.m. that morning. If you prepare yourself well throughout the semester, you don’t risk your whole grade on an overloaded, undernourished brain.

If for some reason you get yourself into this situation, take a minute every once in a while during the test to breathe deeply, stretch, and clear your brain. You need to be especially aware of the likelihood of errors, so check your essays thoroughly before you hand them in to make sure they answer the right questions and don’t have big oversights or mistakes (like saying “Hitler” when you really mean “Churchill”).

If you tend to go blank during exams, try studying in the same classroom in which the test will be given. Some research suggests that people attach ideas to their surroundings, so it might jog your memory to see the same things you were looking at while you studied.

Try good luck charms. Bring in something you associate with success or the support of your loved ones, and use it as a psychological boost.

Take all of the time you’ve been allotted. Reread, rework, and rethink your answers if you have extra time at the end, rather than giving up and handing the exam in the minute you’ve written your last sentence. Use every advantage you are given.

Remember that instructors do not want to see you trip up—they want to see you do well. With this in mind, try to relax and just do the best you can. The more you panic, the more mistakes you are liable to make. Put the test in perspective: will you die from a poor performance? Will you lose all of your friends? Will your entire future be destroyed? Remember: it’s just a test.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Axelrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. 2016. The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing , 11th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Fowler, Ramsay H., and Jane E. Aaron. 2016. The Little, Brown Handbook , 13th ed. Boston: Pearson.

Gefvert, Constance J. 1988. The Confident Writer: A Norton Handbook , 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Kirszner, Laurie G. 1988. Writing: A College Rhetoric , 2nd ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Woodman, Leonara, and Thomas P. Adler. 1988. The Writer’s Choices , 2nd ed. Northbrook, Illinois: Scott Foresman.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Essay – examples & model answers | B2 First (FCE)

FCE Essay Examples: Topic (Environment)

Example exam task:.

In your English class you have been talking about the environment. Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.

Example Answer (Grade: 3)

Example answer:.

I think that my country has problems with pollution to the environment like all other countries. This problem is normal for Russia. We have big problems with transport because there are too much cars in our country. And because of that we have problems with atmospeer, air in my city and in all Russia is really dirty and sometimes I can’t make a sigh because it smells around me and of course around that cars on the road. I’ve heard about tradition of one country. They don’t go anywhere by car one day a month or a year, they just use bycicle or their feet. I think it could be very good if we had a tradition like that.

So, what about the rivers and the seas? Yeah, there are some really good and clean rivers and seas where you can go, but there are not many of them. Once I saw the river OB in my city, it was about two years ago but I stil remember that in some places it was not blue, it was green or purple I didn’t really understand because it had different colours.

I don’t know what should we do. Maybe we should just open our eyes and look what we did. But Russian people don’t care about the world around them many people care only about themselves an that’s all.

So, the best idea is look around and try to do something good for our planet and for us and our children.

FCE, CAE, CPE

Practice, write & improve, examiners comments & grade:.


	3	All content is relevant to the task but the target reader is on the whole informed rather than fully informed as, the central question as to whether or not the problems can be solved has not really been addressed. The candidate discusses the environmental impact of transport and the cleanliness of rivers, and provides one suggested solution for the problem of transport (They don’t go anywhere by car one day a month). The writer’s opinion is clear in I think it could be very good if we had a tradition like that. No solutions are discussed for rivers and seas, and no third aspect of environmental damage is provided.
	3	The conventions of essay writing are used; there is an opening statement and a development of the subject matter, with a conclusion at the end. The register is suitably neutral for the most part, although the use of a colloquial yeah is not consistent with the rest of the essay. The essay is written for the most part in an objective way, but there is use of personal, subjective examples (Once I saw the river; I can’t make a sigh), which lessen the impact of the bigger problems. The target reader’s attention is held and straightforward ideas are communicated
	3	The text is generally well organised and coherent. It is separated into paragraphs and the punctuation is generally used effectively, although there are some long sentences (And because of that we have problems with atmospeer, air in my city and in all Russia is really dirty and sometimes I can’t make a sigh because it smells around me and of course around that cars on the road). There is a variety of linking words (because; and; So; because of that) and some cohesive devices such as referencing pronouns, relative clauses and rhetorical questions to connect the ideas within the text.
	3	There is a range of everyday vocabulary used appropriately, and although there are errors, they do not impede communication (atmospeer; bycicle; sigh). There is a range of simple and some more complex grammatical forms: past and present verb forms are used with a good degree of control.

Example Answer (Grade: 3-4)

To begin with pollution and damage to the environment is the most serious and difficult problem for countries of all over the world. Scientists of different countries predict a global ecocatastrophe if people won’t change their attitude to our planet.

First of all a huge damage to the environment brings a transport. People can’t imagine their living without cars, buses, trains, ships and planes. But it’s an open secret that one of disadvantage of these accustomed things is harmful exhaust. Needless to say that use of environment friendly engines helps us to save atmosphere from pollution.

In addition to this our rivers and seas are in not less danger situation. It’s a fact of common knowledge that numerous factories and plants pour off their waste to ponds. Obviously that cleaning manufacturing water helps to avoid extinction of ocean residents.

Apart from this I’m inclined to believe that every person can and must contribute to solving this important problem. Doing a little steps for protection our environment every day we will be able to save our Earth. And it’s a task of each of us.


	4	All content is relevant to the task. However, the target reader is on the whole informed, rather than being fully informed. Both numbered points (transport; rivers and seas) are referred to with some discussion of the problems caused (harmful exhaust; factories which pour off their waste to ponds) and some limited mention of solutions. No tangible 3rd aspect of environmental damage is discussed. While the writer does conclude with a strong statement of opinion (every person can and must) the reader is not fully informed on the solutions proposed (Doing a little steps for protection our environment every day we will be able to save our Earth)
	3	The essay is written in a consistently neutral register and the format is appropriate for the communicative task, using more formal language to introduce the ideas within the text (To begin with; First of all; It’s a fact of common knowledge). There is a clear essay structure with an opening statement, topic paragraphs and a conclusion which sums up the writer’s point of view. Straightforward ideas are communicated to the target reader but when more complex ideas are attempted these are sometimes not as successful (Obviously that cleaning manufacturing water helps to avoid extinction of ocean residents).
	3	The text is generally well organised and coherent, using a variety of linking words and cohesive devices, particularly to introduce the ideas throughout the text (To begin with; In addition to this; Needless to say; Apart from this). The essay is clearly organised into paragraphs, which each deal with one idea. Occasionally the followup examples are not as clearly connected as they could be. For example, they discuss how factories pollute pond water and then offer a solution which would help ocean residents
	3	There is a range of everyday vocabulary used appropriately with some attempt to use more sophisticated lexis (a global ecocatastrophe; atmosphere; common knowledge; factories and plants; inclined to believe; must contribute to solving). There is a range of simple and some more complex grammatical forms used, and although there are errors, these do not impede communication (a huge damage; People can’t imagine their living without cars; one of disadvantage; in not less danger situation).

Model Answer (Grade: 5)

DEVELOPMENT VS ENVIRONMENT

If we surf the web looking for pollution and environmental catastrophes, we will find out that every country in the world suffers them. This is a natural consequence of the struggle between development and environment.

If a country decided to live isolated from the rest of the world, living on what it can naturally grow and produce, it surely wouldn’t be highly polluted. But we all want exotic food and technological items from all over the world, so we have to pay the price.

Investing on electrical transport would benefit the environment a lot. Even more if this electricity came from a natural source of energy like wind, rivers and solar boards. It’s difficult to achieve this because petrol companies will fight against these actions.

We also have to take care of our rivers and seas. We all have heard about factories throwing highly toxic substances to rivers, without minimizing their poisoning effects. A really strict law should be applied to fine these factories and make them change their policy.

But what about ourselves? We also can do a lot! If, when possible, we bought larger packs of food, we would be producing less rubbish. And this is only an example!


	5	All content is relevant to the task and the target reader is fully informed. Transport is discussed with suggestions of how using different forms of transport would help the environment (Investing on electrical transport would benefit the environment a lot). The candidate then evaluates the suggestion (It’s difficult to achieve this …). Water pollution is described and a solution is offered (A really strict law should be applied to fine these factories). The writer’s opinion is clear in the choice of modal should. A third aspect (waste reduction) is introduced in the final paragraph with a suggestion about how to achieve this (If, when possible, we bought larger packs of food …). The writer’s opinion is expressed clearly (We also can do a lot!).
	5	The conventions of the essay format are used effectively to hold the target reader’s attention. There is an introductory paragraph which outlines the issues in general terms, and the concluding paragraph sums up in more concrete terms, what we, the readers can do to help. The register is consistently appropriate and the subject matter is dealt with in an objective manner, for example Investing on electrical transport; If a country decided. Straightforward and complex ideas are communicated (It’s difficult to achieve this because petrol companies will fight against these actions).
	4	The essay is well organised and coherent, using a variety of cohesive devices. The paragraphs are introduced in a variety of ways, using grammatical structures rather than obvious linkers (If we surf the web; If a country decided; Investing on; We also have to; But what about). More could be done to link across the paragraphs, to make them less independent, but the overall effect is of a cohesive text.
	5	There is a wide range of vocabulary, including less common lexis used appropriately (environmental catastrophes; highly polluted; exotic food; highly toxic substances; minimizing their poisoning effects; change their policy). There is a range of simple and complex grammatical forms used with a good degree of control and flexibility to convey certain ideas succinctly. There are minimal errors which do not impede communication.

FCE Essay Examples: Topic (Fashion)

In your English class you have been talking about the fashion industry. Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.

In today’s world, the fashion industry has a strong importance in people’s lives. The fashion industry say to the society what to wear and creates new types of clothes all the time.

Some people claim that the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives, they say that the fashion industry creates clothes that the society has to wear. Furthermore, the clothes’ price is extremely high and people, who can’t afford it, should not be in the society.

In the other hand, the fashion industry guide the people to be in a good appearance, because, nowadays, the appearance of the person is more important than the person itself.

In my opinion, the fashion industry doesn’t has a bad influence on people’s lives. It’s something which was created to help people what to wear.


	5	All content is relevant and the target reader is fully informed. The essay discusses the role of the fashion industry and expresses some negative aspects (nowadays, the appearance of the person is more important than the person itself) and also cost (the clothes’ price is extremely high). The candidate also expresses their own idea, suggesting that the fashion industry has a lot of influence on people (say to the society what to wear). The candidate concludes the essay with an opinion, which sums up the main points made.
	2	Some of the conventions of essay writing are used appropriately. The register and tone are consistently formal and there are some expressions which are appropriate for an essay (In today’s world; Some people claim; Furthermore; In my opinion). There is also an introduction and a conclusion. Although straightforward ideas are communicated, the target reader’s attention is not always held. For example, the final paragraph attempts to sum up the main points, but the ideas are not clearly expressed.
	2	The text is generally well organised and coherent. There is a clear structure to the text with an introduction, main body and conclusion. Paragraphs are used for the development of ideas. The text is connected using linking words and a limited number of cohesive devices, some of which are misused. More use of pronouns would limit the repetition of key phrases.
	2	There is a range of everyday, topic-specific vocabulary, which is used appropriately (creates new types of clothes; Some people claim; extremely high; is more important than). Simple grammatical forms are used with a good degree of control, although the use of verbs in the third person is not consistent. There are attempts to express ideas using a range of grammatical forms, passives and modals for example, but these are less successful (people, who can’t afford it, should not be in the society; the fashion industry guide the people to be in a good appearance; It’s something which was created to help people what to wear). Errors are noticeable but meaning can still be determined.

Example Answer (Grade: 4)

Fashion industry is very a discussed subject nowadays: they create and design new clothes everyday in order to satisfy some people needs.

There are many people who claim that the fashion industry is important and good for society. According to them, this industry design beautiful clothes and thanks to that every person can wear shirts, trousers or any acessory which is on today’s fashion.

On the other hand, the fashion industry in some people opinion, controls the market of clothes and because of that they can’t wear what they want to. In addition, the industry can increase the price of clothes, forcing people who don’t want to be “oldfashioned” to buy and pay a large amount of money to keep “beautiful”.

In my opinion, we can’t let the fashion industry decide what we must or musn’t wear. We shouldn’t judge people for its appearance,because that is not important. We must wear whatever we like, want and feel confortable with.


	5	All content is relevant to the task and the target reader is fully informed. The candidate discusses the importance of appearance in terms of fashion (this industry design beautiful clothes and thanks to that …) and concludes that We shouldn’t judge people for its appearance. The negative aspect of the price of clothes is mentioned and an opinion given on how this affects people’s choice (forcing people … to buy and pay a large amount of money to keep “beautiful”). A third aspect states how choice for consumers is limited due to the fashion industry’s control over design and the market (the fashion industry in some people opinion, controls the market of clothes)
	3	The conventions of essay writing are used appropriately. There is an introduction, topic paragraph and a conclusion. The register is appropriate for the task, using generally neutral language to discuss both positive and negative aspects of the question. Straightforward ideas are communicated, using some appropriate language (in order to; According to them; the industry can increase) to introduce the ideas, and to hold the target reader’s attention.
	4	The essay is well organised and coherent. There is a clear overall structure and the ideas are linked across sentences and paragraphs using referencing, substitution and paraphrasing to avoid repetition. There are a variety of appropriate linking words and cohesive devices (many people who; According to them; this industry; thanks to that; On the other hand; In addition; In my opinion).
	3	A range of everyday, topic-specific vocabulary is used appropriately (to satisfy some people needs; good for society; controls the market; forcing people) but some errors do occur with less common lexis and expressions (on today’s fashion). A range of simple and some complex grammatical forms is used with a good degree of control (can increase the price of clothes, forcing people who don’t want to be). There are some repeated errors with prepositions and third person verbs, but these do not impede communication.

The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant development, fast speed processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink of an eye and a complex web of social networking. In this context, the fashion industry is becoming increasingly important and having a more and more paramount role in our lives.

On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires millions of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year. Furthermore, such profitable business is also believed to be able to spread and make known the culture of a people, encouraging and enhancing a better understanding of each other.

Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and figures, the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who not fit their laws and commands. It is stated that people place too much importance on appearance and the material, world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on such situation. Moreover, not only are the costs of fashion item unrealistically high, it is thought to be a money better spent on more pressing issues, such as poverty and hunger.

I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it values a minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide reach that, it put into a good use, it can save lives.


	5	All content is relevant to the task and the target reader is fully informed. The candidate presents a balanced argument, discussing their own idea first that the fashion industry is important as it provides jobs and income for a huge number of people. The essay then discusses the negative aspect of the fashion industry in relation to appearance (the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people; people place too much importance on appearance). Finally, the high cost of fashion is mentioned in relation to the price of clothes and it is suggested that money could be better spent on social issues rather than on fashion.
	5	The conventions of essay writing are used effectively to hold the target reader’s attention. The register and tone are consistently appropriate and there is a range of suitable expressions which introduce both positive and negative aspects of the question, which are balanced throughout the essay. Straightforward and more complex ideas are communicated, making links between the importance of fashion in consumers’ lives and how the fashion industry affects people, communities and wider society (the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires millions of people all over the world; it values a minority of people in detriment to the majority).
	5	The essay is well organised and coherent. There is a clear overall structure and the ideas are linked effectively across paragraphs and sentences through the use of paraphrasing, substitution, ellipsis and referencing (In this context; It hires; such profitable business is also believed; Nevertheless, for those who; sadly true; such situation; not only are). Organisational patterns are used to generally good effect, for example links are made between fashion and industry, fashion and finance and fashion and society throughout the text, making clear connections between the separate aspects.
	5	There is a range of vocabulary, including less common lexis which is used appropriately in most cases (is characterised by; at a blink of an eye; paramount role; undeniably; the culture of a people; enhancing; neither impressed nor motivated; segregates; isolating; in detriment to). A range of simple and complex grammatical forms is used with control and flexibility to express more complex ideas. Although there are some errors, these mainly occur when more ambitious language is attempted and do not impede communication.

FCE Essay Examples: Topic (Languages)

In your English class, you have been talking about learning languages. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay for homework.

Write an essay using the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.

“There are more reasons to learn a foreign language than to pass a test”

Everything around us revolves around language(s), it is the most important thing in our lives. Society would just not function without it. They are It is our future and I would personaly love to learn as many as I possibly can.

Not everything in life is done because it is necessary. Learning a new language can be a lot of fun. Many people only do it as a hoby, or their knowledge is something that brings them pride and pleasure.

Secondly, we have people who do it simply to challenge themselves. Truly I believe that having a great outcome that stems from your hard work and dedication to learn something new is a wonderful way to challenge prove your ability to yourself and others. Then there is travelling. It is very important to be able to understand and have a conversation with someone abroad, unless you would like to get lost or worse.

To conclude, I think that learning a new language is an amazing thing no matter why you do it. It is always better to do things out of enjoyment, but even if you do it for a test, that knowledge will always be useful.


	5	All of the content is relevant to the task. The candidate has discussed pleasure, personal challenge and travel as different motivations for learning a language, so the target reader is fully informed.
	5	The conventions of the essay genre have been used effectively to hold the target reader’s attention. Straightforward and complex ideas have been communicated:
	4	The text is well organised and coherent, using a variety of linking words and cohesive devices:
	4	A range of vocabulary, including less common lexis, is used appropriately: A range of simple and some complex grammatical forms has been used with control and some fexibility: The errors do not impede communication: …

Learning a a foreign languages is very important nowadays. English, in particular, is essential because it allows is spoken all over the world. That’s the reason why we start studying it from the age of six years old. Going abroad and being able to speak to native people is very satisfying and that’s why I want to improve my knowledge about foreign languages.

I decided to take this exam to know how high my level of English is, but also because I need this certification to go abroad next summer. I really want to come back to Cornwall, an amazing region in the South-West of England. I’ve been there twice with my family, but now I want to go alone. Only being there to England I can really improve my English comprehension and speaking skills.

Fortunately I can will have some English lessons which taught in English at university and I can’t wait for it because it will be an interesting challenge for me. Studying foreign languages is essential to live and to travel. It isn’t simple and I surely have to challenge myself everyday, but the result is so satisfying that we I can’t do without it.


	3	There is some minor irrelevance here, since the focus of the discussion seems to be the candidate’s personal experience and motivation, and the points about learning for pleasure and personal challenge are only incidentally addressed. The target reader is on the whole informed.
	4	The conventions of the essay genre have been used to hold the target reader’s attention. Straightforward and some complex ideas have been communicated:
	3	The text is generally well organised and coherent, using a variety of linking words and cohesive devices:
	4	A range of vocabulary, including less common lexis, has been used appropriately: A range of simple and complex grammatical forms has been used with a good degree of control: The errors do not impede communication:

FCE Essay Example: Topic (History)

In your English class you have been talking about learning history at school. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.

A very common topic that is being discussed nowadays is wether schools should teach subjects that some may consider useless later in life. A clear example is history, since it is quite difficult to learn and does not help us in day-to-day activities.

However, many people do not realize the importance of it or that it affects our lives today. For example, our political system would not be this way if it weren’t for the Ancient Greeks, numerous politicians and wars who helped shape democracy and our constitution. Yet it is still thought that it’s useless.

In addition, it is very important that we never forget about our past since we must know where we were standing years ago. Moreover, there are some things, such as World War II, that we have to remember to prevent them from happening again. We should also know where we we were standing a century ago: our origins, our identity. The more you learn about your ethnicity, the better.

All in all, I think that it is extremely important to learn about one’s own country’s history. Anyone who gets the chance to do this should not waste it, since they are very fortunate to have this opportunity


	5	All content is relevant to the task and the target reader is fully informed. The first two points have been discussed together in detail and a third point, about origins and identity, has been included.
	5	The conventions of essay writing have been used effectively to discuss the issues in an informed manner. Straightforward and some more complex ideas, for example the point about the Ancient Greeks and the closing statement, are communicated using an engaging tone which is suitable for a wide audience and which holds the reader’s attention throughout.
	5	The text is well organised and coherent and makes effective use of a variety of cohesive devices to skilfully connect ideas both within and across sentences and paragraphs. Some organisational patterns are used to good effect, for example the parallel short statements ending the third and fourth paragraphs.
	5	There is a range of vocabulary, including less common lexis (numerous politicians; shape democracy and our constitution; our origins, our identity; your ethnicity) used appropriately. There is a range of simple and complex grammatical forms used with control and flexibility. Errors, mainly related to less common lexis, are minimal.

What is your level of English?

College Composition

The College Composition exam covers material usually taught in a one-semester college course in composition and features essays graded by the College Board.

Register for $95.00

The College Composition exam uses multiple-choice questions and essays to assess writing skills taught in most first-year college composition courses. Those skills include analysis, argumentation, synthesis, usage, ability to recognize logical development, and research.

The College Composition exam has a total testing time of 125 minutes and contains:

50 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 55 minutes
2 essays to be written in 70 minutes

Essays are scored twice a month by college English faculty from throughout the country via an online scoring system. Each essay is scored by at least two different readers, and the scores are then combined.

This combined score is weighted equally with the score from the multiple-choice section. These scores are then combined to yield the test taker's score. The resulting combined score is reported as a single scaled score between 20 and 80. Separate scores are not reported for the multiple-choice and essay sections.

Note: Although scores are provided immediately upon completion for other CLEP exams, scores for the College Composition exam are available to test takers one to two weeks after the test date. View the complete College Composition Scoring and Score Availability Dates .

The exam includes some pretest multiple-choice questions that won't be counted toward the test taker's score.

Colleges set their own credit-granting policies and therefore differ with regard to their acceptance of the College Composition exam. Most colleges will grant course credit for a first-year composition or English course that emphasizes expository writing; others will grant credit toward satisfying a liberal arts or distribution requirement in English.

Knowledge and Skills Required

The exam measures test takers' knowledge of the fundamental principles of rhetoric and composition and their ability to apply Standard Written English principles. In addition, the exam requires a familiarity with research and reference skills. In one of the two essays, test takers must develop a position by building an argument in which they synthesize information from two provided sources, which they must cite. The requirement that test takers cite the sources they use reflects the recognition of source attribution as an essential skill in college writing courses.

The skills assessed in the College Composition exam follow. The numbers in parentheses indicate the approximate percentages of exam questions on those topics. The bulleted lists under each topic are meant to be representative rather than prescriptive.

Conventions of Standard Written English (10%)

This section measures test takers' awareness of a variety of logical, structural, and grammatical relationships within sentences. The questions test recognition of acceptable usage relating to the items below:

Syntax (parallelism, coordination, subordination)
Sentence boundaries (comma splices, run-ons, sentence fragments)
Recognition of correct sentences
Concord/agreement (pronoun reference, case shift, and number; subject-verb; verb tense)
Active/passive voice
Lack of subject in modifying word group
Logical comparison
Logical agreement
Punctuation

Revision Skills (40%)

This section measures test takers' revision skills in the context of works in progress (early drafts of essays):

Organization
Evaluation of evidence
Awareness of audience, tone, and purpose
Level of detail
Coherence between sentences and paragraphs
Sentence variety and structure
Main idea, thesis statements, and topic sentences
Rhetorical effects and emphasis
Use of language
Evaluation of author's authority and appeal
Evaluation of reasoning
Consistency of point of view
Transitions
Sentence-level errors primarily relating to the conventions of Standard Written English

Ability to Use Source Materials (25%)

This section measures test takers' familiarity with elements of the following basic reference and research skills, which are tested primarily in sets but may also be tested through stand-alone questions. In the passage-based sets, the elements listed under Revision Skills and Rhetorical Analysis may also be tested. In addition, this section will cover the following skills:

Use of reference materials
Evaluation of sources
Integration of resource material
Documentation of sources (including, but not limited to, MLA, APA, and Chicago manuals of style)

Rhetorical Analysis (25%)

This section measures test takers' ability to analyze writing. This skill is tested primarily in passage-based questions pertaining to critical thinking, style, purpose, audience, and situation:

Organization/structure
Rhetorical effects

In addition to the multiple-choice section, the College Composition exam includes a mandatory essay section that tests skills of argumentation, analysis, and synthesis. This section of the exam consists of two essays, both of which measure a test taker's ability to write clearly and effectively. The first essay is based on the test taker's reading, observation, or experience, while the second requires test takers to synthesize and cite two sources that are provided. Test takers have 30 minutes to write the first essay and 40 minutes to read the two sources and write the second essay. The essays must be typed on the computer.

First Essay: Directions

Write an essay in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement provided. Support your discussion with specific reasons and examples from your reading, experience, or observations.

Second Essay: Directions

This assignment requires you to write a coherent essay in which you synthesize the two sources provided. Synthesis refers to combining the sources and your position to form a cohesive, supported argument. You must develop a position and incorporate both sources. You must cite the sources whether you are paraphrasing or quoting. Refer to each source by the author’s last name, the title, or by any other means that adequately identifies it.

Essay Scoring Guidelines

Readers will assign scores based on the following scoring guide.

Score of 6

Essays that score a 6 demonstrate a high degree of competence and sustained control, although it may have a few minor errors.

A typical essay in this category:

addresses the writing task very effectively
develops ideas thoroughly, using well-chosen reasons, examples, or details for support
is clearly focused and well-organized
demonstrates superior facility with language, using effective vocabulary and sentence variety
demonstrates strong control of the standard conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics, though it may contain minor errors

Score of 5

Essays that score a 5 demonstrate a generally high degree of competence, although it will have occasional lapses in quality.

addresses the writing task effectively
develops ideas consistently, using appropriate reasons, examples, or details for support
is focused and organized
demonstrates facility with language, using appropriate vocabulary and some sentence variety
demonstrates consistent control of the standard conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics, though it may contain minor errors

Score of 4

Essays that score a 4 demonstrate competence with some errors and lapses in quality.

addresses the writing task adequately
develops ideas adequately, using generally relevant reasons, examples, or details for support
is generally focused and organized
demonstrates competence with language, using adequate vocabulary and minimal sentence variety
demonstrates adequate control of the standard conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics; errors do not interfere with meaning

Score of 3

Essays that score a 3 demonstrate limited competence.

A typical essay in this category exhibits one or more of the following weaknesses:

addresses the writing task, but may fail to sustain a focus or viewpoint
develops ideas unevenly, often using assertions rather than relevant reasons, examples, or details for support
is poorly focused and/or poorly organized
displays frequent problems in the use of language, using unvaried diction and syntax
demonstrates some control of grammar, usage, and mechanics, but with occasional shifts and inconsistencies

Score of 2

Essays that score a 2 are seriously flawed.

addresses the writing task in a seriously limited or unclear manner
develops ideas thinly, providing few or no relevant reasons, examples, or details for support
is unfocused and/or disorganized
displays frequent serious language errors that may interfere with meaning
demonstrates a lack of control of standard grammar, usage, and mechanics

Score of 1

Essays that score a 1 are fundamentally deficient.

does not address the writing task in a meaningful way
does not develop ideas with relevant reasons, examples, or details
displays a fundamental lack of control of language that may seriously interfere with meaning

Score of 0

Essays that score a 0 are off-topic.

Provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the assigned topic, is written in a language other than English, merely copies the prompt, or consists of only keystroke characters.

Note: For the purposes of scoring, synthesis refers to combining the sources and the writer’s position to form a cohesive, supported argument.

Score Information

Ace recommendation for college composition.

Credit-granting Score	50
Semester Hours	6

Note: Each institution reserves the right to set its own credit-granting policy, which may differ from the American Council on Education (ACE) . Contact your college to find out the score required for credit and the number of credit hours granted.

Study Resources: College Composition

A study plan and list of online resources.

College Composition Resource Guide and Sample Questions

Details about the exam breakdown, credit recommendations, and free sample questions.

CLEP Practice App

Official CLEP eguides from examIam.

Go to examIam

College Composition Scoring and Score Availability Dates

Access scoring dates for the current academic year as well as dates for when scores will be made available to students and mailed to institutions.

What Your CLEP Score Means

Guide to understanding how CLEP scores are calculated and credit-granting recommendations for all exams.

ACE Credit Recommendations

Recommendations for credit-granting scores from the American Council on Education.

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Add study guides, clep college composition and college composition modular examination guide.

This guide provides practice questions for the CLEP College Composition and College Composition Modular Exams.

Recent IELTS Writing Topics and Questions 2024

by Dave | Sample Answers | 342 Comments

Read here all the newest IELTS questions and topics from 2024 and previous years with sample answers/essays.

Be sure to check out my Patreon here so you don’t miss out on my exclusive Ebooks!

Cambridge 19!

In many countries nowadays, consumers can go to a supermarket and buy food produced all over the world.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Read my essay here.

Reported in IELTS Cambridge 19

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?

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

Do you agree or disagree?

Reported on IELTS Cambridge 19

Some people think that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing. Others believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

August 2024

In numerous nations, there is a growing trend for individuals to frequently discuss financial matters, such as their earnings or expenditures, in everyday conversation.

What are the reasons behind this phenomenon?

Is it advantageous or detrimental?

Reported on IELTS August 21st

Some people choose to have their first child at an older age.

What are the reasons?

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Reported on IELTS July 29th

Some feel that individuals today spend too much time following political news while others feel politics deserves greater attention.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

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

Reported on IELTS July 27th

Some people think technology development decreases crime, while others believe it actually encourages crime.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Reported on IELTS July 26th

Health services are a basic necessity. However, private companies have made them quite costly for ordinary individuals.

Do the advantages of private health care outweigh its disadvantages?

Reported on IELTS July 16th

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

Read the full EBook on Patreon.

Reported on IELTS June 7th

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.

Reported on IELTS May 20th

In many cities, planners tend to arrange shops, schools, offices and homes in specific areas and separate them from each other.

Do you think the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages?

Read my full essay here.

Reported on IELTS April 25th

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.

Reported on IELTS April 17th

The world has many towns and cities constructed in previous centuries that were more suitable and livable for people in those times than they are now.

What problems will this cause?

What can be done to solve these problems?

Reported on IELTS March 2nd

February 2024

Innovation is often driven by the pursuit of profit and economic growth. However, some argue that it should prioritize addressing social and environmental issues.

Read my essay here on Patreon.

Reported on IELTS February 29th

Fewer and fewer people today write by hand using a pen or pencil.

What are the reasons for this?

Is this a positive or a negative development?

Reported on IELTS February 11th

Eco-tourism often involves visiting remote and fragile ecosystems, which raises concerns about the impact on local cultures and indigenous communities.

What problems can this cause?

How can these problems be resolved?

Get the full EBook here on Patreon.

Reported on IELTS February 10th

January 2024

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

Reported on IELTS January 24th

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.

Reported on IELTS January 18th

December 2023

Nowadays, there is more and more competition for getting into university.

Is this a positive or negative development?

Reported on IELTS December 30th

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.

Reported on IELTS December 25th

Read my EBook essay here.

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

Reported on IELTS December 4th

Some people think the manufacturers and shopping malls should sell fewer packaged products while others argue that people have the responsibility to buy products with less packaging.

Reported on IELTS December 2nd

November 2023

In recent years, there has been a rise in the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

What are the consequences of doping for athletes?

What measures should be taken to combat this issue?

Sample answer available as an exclusive EBook on Patreon (along with all my other Ebooks and PDFs!)

Environmental damage is a problem in most countries.

What is the cause of this damage?

What should be done about this problem?

Reported on IELTS November 17th

Read my sample here.

The rise of social media platforms has made it easier for people to vent their frustrations and complaints publicly.

What is the consequence of this trend?

Is there any benefit to expressing complaints on social media?

Get access to the full EBook (for this and other topics) on Patreon.

October 2023

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

In many countries, the number of animals and plants is declining.

Why do you think this is happening?

How can this issue be solved?

In many societies, there is a growing emphasis on individualism, with people prioritizing their personal goals and desires over collective interests.

Is this is a positive or negative development?

Get the full EBook for this (and dozens of other topics!) here on Patreon.

Reported on IELTS October 15th

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

Reported on IELTS October 12th

Some people believe that professional athletes serve as positive role models for young people, while others argue that their behavior both on and off the field can have a negative influence.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Reported on IELTS October 5th

September 2023

In many societies, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable living and reducing environmental impact.

What are the challenges of adopting a sustainable lifestyle?

What practical actions can individuals take to contribute to sustainability?

The full EBook (for this topic and others) is exclusively available on my Patreon.

Reported on IELTS September 29th

Reported on IELTS September 27th

Young people are often influenced in their behaviors by others in the same age group. Some argue that peer pressure is important while others feel it has distinct disadvantages.

Do the disadvantages of peer pressure outweigh the advantages?

Reported on IELTS September 15th

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

Read the EBook on Patreon.

Reported on IELTS September 12th

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

Reported on IELTS September 3rd

Nowadays, most countries can improve the standard of living through economic development, but some social values are lost as a result.

Do you think the advantages of this phenomenon outweigh the disadvantages?

Reported on IELTS September 1st

August 2023

Some people think eating meat is bad for health.

Reported on IELTS August 27th

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

Reported on IELTS August 25th

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 people believe that reading is always a good habit. Others feel it depends on which books a person is reading.

Reported on IELTS August 10th

Many people argue that restaurants should be required to disclose the nutritional information of the dishes they serve.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Reported on IELTS August 7th

The increasing availability of low-cost airlines now lets people travel around the world. Some feel this is a positive development while others think it is negative overall.

Reported on IELTS August 3rd

In some countries, companies allow people to work from home. In others, people are still expected to work in an office.

Reported on IELTS July 22nd

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of oil drilling operations in remote locations around the world. This has brought economic benefits to some countries, though it has also raised concerns about the environmental impact of these operations.

Reported on IELTS July 19th

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

Reported on IELTS July 8th

Around the world, people are now living longer than ever before in the past. Some say an ageing population creates problems for governments. Others believe there are benefits to society having more elderly people.

To what extent do the advantages of possessing an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages?

Around the world, rural people are moving to cities and urban areas, so populations in the countryside are decreasing.

Fewer young people play sports these days.

Why is this?

What can be done to encourage more young people to do sports?

Get the full EBook on Patreon.

Reported on IELTS June 19th

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

Many university students want to learn about different subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others feel it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for their qualification.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Fossil fuels are the main source of energy around the world today. In some countries, the use of alternative sources of energy is replacing fossil fuels.

Reported on IELTS June 1st

Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship between people. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read the EBook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS May 16th

Many think that religion should be taught in schools while others think it should be avoided. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. My full EBook is available on Patreon. Reported on IELTS May 3rd

Many today feel that attention spans are becoming shorter due to the prevalence of social media. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS April 24th

Some believe that students should begin learning a language very early in school while others think these subjects should be taught later. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my sample here. Reported on IELTS April 14th

To what extent do you agree or disagree? Some feel that students should not have to take standardized tests in school. The full EBook is on Patreon. Reported on IELTS April 12th

Some feel that individuals should have the right to strike in all jobs while others feel there are exceptions. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read the full EBook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS March 29th

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS March 25th

Many believe that the goal of one’s career should be to pursue a passion while others feel it is merely a way to earn a livelihood.

New technologies have changed the way children spend their free time. Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS March 10th

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

Get access to my full EBook collection on Patreon.

February 2023

Today, many people do not know their neighbors. Why is this? What can be done about this? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 26th

Nowadays, not enough students choose science subjects at university in many countries. Why is this? What effects does this have on society? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 18th

Some people feel that cities should allow for spaces for graffiti while others feel it should be banned. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Get the full EBook here on Patreon. Reported on IELTS February 12th

In many countries, people increasingly talk about money such as how much they earn or how much they pay for things in their daily conversations. Why? Is this a positive or negative trend? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 10th

January 2023

Some think newspapers are the best method for reading the news while others think other media is better. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 23rd

Some believe that new science related to criminal forensics should be used to look at old cases. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay as an EBook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS January 21st

Car ownership has increased so rapidly over the past thirty years that in many cities around the world there are constant traffic jams. How true do you think this statement is? What measures can governments take to discourage people from owning cars? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 10th

Some countries have legal ages at which people can drink. Other countries believe not have strict laws is a better policy. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my EBook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS January 9th

December 2022

Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS December 27th

Online currencies have become more common in recent years. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development? Get the full EBook and more on Patreon. Reported on IELTS December 25th

As the number of cars increases, more money has to be spent on road systems. Some people think the government should pay for this. Others, however, think that drivers should cover the costs. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS December 21st

Many people today would argue that cinemas are becoming irrelevant due to new streaming services. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Get the full EBook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS December 12th

Some people say that to prevent illness and disease, governments should focus more on reducing environmental pollution and housing problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS December 11th

Some people believe that children of all ages should have extra responsibilities (for example, helping at home or at work). Others believe that, outside of school, children should be free to enjoy their lives. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS December 7th

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the relationship between equality and personal achievement. Some people believe that individuals can achieve more in egalitarian societies. Others believe that high levels of personal achievement are possible only if individuals are free to succeed or fail according to their individual merits. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS December 2nd

November 2022

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? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS November 30th

Learning at university would be more ffective if men and women were educated separetely. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Get the full EBook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS November 25th

Some people believe more actions can be taken to prevent crime, while others think that little can be done. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS November 16th

Some argue that patriotism is the primary cause of wars globally. Others feel that it serves to prevent less ethical politicians from running a country and starting wars. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS November 11th

Some feel that punishment should focus more on rehabilitation instead of long prison terms. Others feel prison terms are important for social stability. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Read my essay here on Patreon. Reported on IELTS November 7th

Some young people like to copy the behaviour and clothes of famous people today. Why might this be the case? What problems can it cause? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS November 2nd

October 2022

Today, many people use the internet and smartphones to transfer money to friends, family, and businesses. Is this a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS October 18th

Some feel that individuals should try to assimilate completely to the country where they live while others feel it is more important to preserve their native culture. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Get access to my full EBook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS October 14th

In some parts of the world traditional festivals and celebrations have disappeared or are disappearing. What problems is this causing? What measures could be taken to counter this situation? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS October 10th

Some people today have argued that countries should interfere less in the affairs of other nations. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full EBook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS October 6th

Advanced technology has brought many beneficial changes to the world. However, some old people today struggle with the use of technologies such as mobile phones and the Internet. How can the elderly benefit from using advanced technologies? How can the elderly be encouraged to use consumer electronics more often? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS October 4th

September 2022

The leaders of most organizations tend to be older people. However, some argue that younger people make better bosses. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay on Patreon. Reported on IELTS September 21st

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS September 18th

Some people believe that car-free days are effective ways to reduce air pollution. However, others argue that there are other ways that are more effective. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS September 11th

Research shows that some activities are good for health and others are bad. Despite knowing that, millions of people engage in unhealthy activities. What is the cause of this? What can be done? Get my full EBook for this topic and more on Patreon. Reported on IELTS September 5th

It has been suggested that primary children should learn how to grow vegetables and keep animals. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS September 3rd

August 2022

There is more and more outrage and anger common in society today. Why is this? Is this a positive or a negative development? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS August 31st

Older people often choose to spend money on themselves (e.g. on holidays) rather than save money for their children after retirement. Is this a positive or negative development? Sign up for Patreon.com/HowtodoIELTS for the full EBook Reported on IELTS August 24th

Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS August 19th

Some people believe that increasing tax on various industries will reduce pollution whereas others believe that there are better alternative ways. Discuss both the view and give your opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS August 11th

Young people who commit crimes should be treated the same as adults by the authorities. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay on Patreon. Reported on IELTS August 7th

In many countries, people now wear western clothes such as suits and jeans rather than traditional clothing. Why is this the case? Is this a positive or negative development? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS August 4th

Some believe that money for education should mainly be spent on better computers while others believe it would be better spent on teachers. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS July 22nd

People living in the 21st century have a better life quality than people who lived in previous times. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my EBook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS July 17th

Young people committing crimes should be treated the same as adults by the authorities. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS July 14th

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. Do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS July 4th

Shops should not be allowed to sell any food or drinks that have been scientifically proven to be bad for people’s health. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS July 1st

Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS Cambridge 17

Some people believe that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish. Discuss views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here Reported on IELTS Cambridge 17

It is important for people to take risks, in both their professional lives and personal lives. Do the advantages of taking these risks outweigh the disadvantages? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS Cambridge 17

Some children spend hours every day on smartphones. Why is this the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Read my essay here. Reported on Cambridge IELTS 17

The best way to make the road transport of goods safer is to ask drivers to take a driving test each year. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS June 20th

More and more young people from wealthy countries are spending time in communities in poorer countries doing unpaid work such as teaching or building houses. Why is this? Who benefits more from this, the communities or these young people? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS June 14th

Some people feel that equality between the genders has already been achieved while others feel there is considerable progress to be made. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my Ebook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS June 12th

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample here. Reported on IETLS June 8th

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. Reported on IELTS May 28th

Some people think that the best way to be successful in life is to get a university education. Others disagree and say this is no longer true. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my Ebook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS May 25th

As major cities around the world are growing, so are their problems. What are these problems for young people living in cities? What are possible solutions for these problems? Essay coming soon! Reported on IELTS May 19th

Many cities are now turning parks and farmland into new housing developments.

Many would argue that scientific research requires a degree of oversight from the relevant governmental authorities. In my opinion, properly handled, this is a sensible and necessary policy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Read the Ebook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS May 8th

Some people believe that the experiences children have before they go to school will have the greatest effect on their future life. Others argue that experiences gained when they are teenagers have a bigger influence. Discuss both views and give your own opinions. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS May 5th

The shortage of housing in big cities can cause severe consequences. Only government action can solve this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample here. Reported on IELTS April 28th

Many people feel that media coverage has becoming increasingly biased today. Why is this? What can be done to fix this problem? Read my Ebook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS April 23rd

Some feel that cities shold be designed to be beautiful while others feel their functionality is more important. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my Ebook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS April 10th

More and more people today are moving away from where their friends and family live. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample here. Reported on IELTS April 7th

Some people say patriotism causes problems and is negative overall. Others feel that it is beneficial for society at large. Do the advantages of patriotism outweigh its disadvantages? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS March 26th

Educating young people is naturally important. However, some think governments ught to invest more education for adults in need. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my Ebook on Patreon. Reported on IELTS March 16th

The best curriculum is not one based on a static body of knowledge, but one which teaches students to cope with change. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS March 14th

Weddings are getting bigger and more expensive. What is the reason for this? Is it a positive or negative development? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS March 8th

Some people claim that too much focus and resources have been spent to protect wild animals and birds. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS March 5th

In some places, old age is valued, while in other cultures youth is considered more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS March 3rd

February 2022

A rise in the standard of living in a country often only seems to benefit cities rather than rural areas. What problems can this cause? How might these problems be reduced? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 28th

Some believe that nuclear weapons benefit the world at large. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay on Patreon only. Reported on IELTS February 25th

Some people think that the government should strictly control the supply of fresh water, as it is a limited resource, while others it should not be regulated. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Read my essay. Reported on IELTS February 23rd

Some people believe that engaging in an active pastime does more to develop childrens’ life skills than time spent reading. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 21st

In some countries, there has been an increase in the number of advertisements which try to persuade children to buy snacks, toys, and other goods. Parents often claim that these ads are unfair. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 16th

Some experts say for road safety cyclists should pass a test before being allowed on public roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 13th

Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 10th

Some people believe that violent media directly results in violent behavior. To what extent do you agree or disagree? My Ebook for this topic is available only on Patreon. Reported on IELTS February 8th

Today, many young people spend too much of their free time at shopping malls. This can be considered negative for young people and society generally. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 7th

Today, TV channels broadcast men’s sports shows more than women’s sport shows. Why is this the case? Should TV channels give equal showtime for each? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 4th

Some people think the main purpose of school is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS February 2nd

January 2022

In many countries, children are becoming overweight and unhealthy. Some people think that the government has the responsibility to solve this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 29th

Some believe that younger family members should be legally responsible for supporting older family members when they become physically, mentally and financially unable to look after themselves. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 26t

In the 20th century, contact between many different parts of the world has developed apidly through air travel and telecommunications. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my Ebook here on Patreon.com/howtodoielts Reported on IELTS January 24th

Many people argue that in order to improve educational quality, high school students should be encouraged to question and offer criticisms on their teachers. Others think this will lead to a loss of respect and discipline in the classroom. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 23rd

The governments should give each citizen a basic income so that they have enough money to live on, even if they are unemployed. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 17th

Many doctors recommend that older people exercise regularly, but most patients do not follow an exercise routine. Why do you think this happens? How can people be encouraged to exercise regularly? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 15th

Some people think that enjoying the present is more important than planning for the future for both countries and individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 12th

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always good. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 10th

Today family members eat fewer meals together. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative trend? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS January 4th

December 2021

Some people believe that everyone has a right to have access to university education and that governments should make it free for all students no matter what financial background they have. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS December 31st

Many people today do not feel safe either at home or when they are out. What are the causes? What are the solutions? Read my essay for this topic by signing up on Patreon. Reported on IELTS December 22nd

Information technology is changing many aspects of our lives and now dominates our home, leisure and work activities. To what extent do the benefits of information technology outweigh the disadvantages? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS December 19th

Some think increasing business and cultural contact between nations is positive. Others think it leads to the disappearance of the national identity. Discuss both views and state your own opinion. Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS December 15th

Some people think that schools should select students according to their academic abilities, while others believe that it is better to have students with different abilities studying together. Discuss both views and state your own opinion. Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS December 8th

Many jobs require ongoing training and research to stay competitive in a world with rapidly evolving information and technology. Some believe that it is the responsibility of businesses to pay for this training for their staff while others feel it is up to the individual. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample here. Reported on IELTS December 7th

There is too much noise in many public places in cities. What are the causes of this problem? What can be done to solve the problem? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS December 2nd

November 2021

Nowadays, a lot of offices employ open-space designs instead of separate rooms for work. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS November 30th

Scientific research should be carried out and controlled by the governments rather than private companies. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS November 29th

Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age. Others think they should begin after 7 years of age. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS November 17th

Many believe that it is important to protect all wild animals, while others think that it is important to protect some, not all of them. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my sample here. Reported on IELTS November 9th

Recent research suggests that the majority of criminals who are sent to prison commit crimes after they are released. Why is this the case? What can be done to solve this problem? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS November 3rd

The tendency of human beings to copy one another is shown in the popularity of areas such as fashion and consumer goods. To what extent do you agree? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS November 1st

October 2021

Many claim that the fast food industry had a negative effect on the environment, eating habits, and families. To what extend do you agree or disagree? Read my sample essay here. Reported on IELTS October 28th

Film stars and celebrities often share their views on public matters that have little to do with their profession. Is this a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS October 15th

Some people say that it is possible to tell a lot about a person’s culture and character from their choice of clothes. Do you agree or disagree? Read my sample for this topic here. Reported on IELTS October 21st

Many young people today know more about international pop or movie stars than about famous people in the history of their own country. Why is this? What can be done to increase young people’s interest in famous people in the history of their country? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS October 18th

There are different methods businesses use to increase their sales. What are the different ways companies use to increase sales? Which one is the most effective? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS October 16th

Because many children are not able to learn foreign languages, schools should not force them to learn foreign languages. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 11th

Governments should make people responsible for looking after their own local environment. Do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS October 8th

Some claim that men are naturally more competitive than women. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my essay here. Reported on IELTS October 4th

Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn about current events. However, others believe that they can learn news better through other media. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my sample for this new question here. Reported on IELTS October 3rd

September 2021

Shopping habits depend more on your age group than anything else. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 30th

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS September 29th

The world should have only one government rather than a national government for each country. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS September 26th

Some people think personal happiness is directly related to economic success, while others believe this depends on other factors. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my sample for this topic here. Reported on IELTS September 24th

Movies and computer games containing violence are popular. Some people say they have a negative effect on society and should be censored. Others say they are just harmless relaxation. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS September 23rd

Some people say that individuals who make a lot of money are the most successful. Others think that those who contribute to society like scientists and teachers are more successful. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this new question here. Reported on IELTS September 19th

In today’s world of advanced science and technology, many still greatly value artists such as musicians, painters and writers. What can the arts tell us about life that science cannot? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS September 16th

In many countries, people now wear western-style dress such as suits and jeans rather than traditional clothing. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS September 11th

Many adults nowadays prefer spending their free time playing computer games. Why do they do this? Is this a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 6th

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? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS September 4th

Crime rates will fall as advances in technology make it easier to detect and prevent crimes. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this new question here. Reported on IELTS September 2nd

August 202 1

In many situations, people who break the law should be warned instead of punished. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS August 30th

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? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS August 27th

Some people focus on news in their own country, while others think it is more important to be aware of international news. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 25

Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this here. Reported on IELTS August 22nd

Some people think that because children find subjects such as mathematics and philosophy difficult, they ought to be optional instead of compulsory. To what extent do you agree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on August 17th

Some people think children should have the freedom to make mistakes, while other people believe that adults should prevent children from making mistakes. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 13th

Globalization is positive for economies but its negative sides should not be ignored. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 10th

Although more and more people read news on the Internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news for the majority of people. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 7th

Some believe children should be taught to give speeches and presentations in school. Why is this? Should this be taught in schools? Read my sample answer for this IELTS question here. Reported on IELTS August 2nd

Many students find it difficult to focus or pay attention at school nowadays. What are the reasons for this? What can be done to solve this problem? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 1st

In many countries, the number of animals and plants is declining. Why do you think this is happening? How can this issue be solved? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS July 29th

Some people think that individuals today are more dependent on each other. Others believe people have become more independent. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS July 26th

Some people think that there should be a complete ban on all forms of advertising. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS July 24th

Some feel governments, rather than private companies, should be in charge of medical services. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS July 22nd

Large companies use sports events to promote their products. Some people think this has a negative impact on sports. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS July 18th

People these days watch TV, films and other programmes alone rather than with other people. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS July 13th

Some feel that schools should be mixed with both girls and boys attending while others feel the genders ought to be separated. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS July 11th

Some believe that people should make efforts to fight climate change while others think it is better to learn to live with it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS July 9th

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. Do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS July 5th

In many countries, crimes rates amongst younger people has been rising. Discuss the causes and solutions for this problem. Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS July 2nd

Convenience foods will become increasingly prevalent and eventually replace traditional foods and methods of preparation. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS June 30th

Some people think that sports play an important role in society. Others think they are nothing more than a leisure activity. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS June 27th

In their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasise that their products are new in some way. Why is this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this topic here. New IELTS Cambridge 16 Past Tests Book

People nowadays tend to have children at older ages. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS on June 13th

Some people think that children under 18 years old should receive full-time education. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 10th

Some people today prefer to get advice for medical problems and do not want to visit a doctor. Why is this? Is this a positive or a negative development? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 6th

Traditional ideas from older people about the way to live and behave are not helpful to young people and their futures. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 3rd

Large companies should pay higher salaries to CEOs and executives compared to other workers. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 1st

In recent times, economic growth has helped many become richer, both in developed and developing countries. However, those in developed countries are not as happy as they were in the past. Why is this? What can be learned from this? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 30th

Some feel governments should invest in preserving minority languages, while others feel this is not a good use of resources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for the new IELTS topic above here. Reported on IELTS May 28th

Many believe that living in a city offers greater benefits compared to life in the countryside. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Access the full Ebook for this topic by signing up to my Patreon here. Reported on IELTS May 25th

Some claim that studying abroad has great benefits for a student’s home country. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 23rd

Some countries have introduced laws to limit working hours for employees. Why are these laws introduced? Do you think they are a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 21st

If a product is good and meets customer needs, then people will buy it and advertising is unnecessary. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 18th

Competition for university study is becoming increasingly strong. Why are universities becoming more competitive? Is this a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS May 14th

Nowadays the differences between countries are becoming less evident because people follow the same media. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Gain access to my exclusive Ebook for this question on my Patreon. Reported on IELTS May 13th

It is impossible to help all people around the world in need so governments should focus on people from their own country. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 11th

Some people think that the best way to increase road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving cars and riding motorbikes. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 9th

Childhood obesity has become a serious problem in recent years. What are the primary causes of this? What measures should be taken to reduce childhood obesity? Receive the exclusive Ebook for this topic here on my Patreon. Reported on IELTS May 6th

Museums and art galleries should show local history and culture instead of work from different countries. Discuss both views and give opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 5th

Nowadays more and more older people who need employment have to compete with younger people for the same jobs. What problems does this cause? What are the solutions? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 3rd

April 202 1

Today different types of robots are being developed which can serve as companions and workers to help at work and at home. Is this a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 28th

Despite the benefits for health, fewer people today than ever before exercise by walking. Why is this? What can be done to encourage more walking? Access the exclusive Ebook on my Patreon. Reported on IELTS April 27th

The growth of multinational companies and the resulting rise of globalization creates positive effects for all. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 26th

Many students find it difficult to pay attention at school. What are the reasons for this? What could be done to solve this problem? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 24th

It is now possible for scientists and tourists to travel to remote natural environments, such as the South Pole. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer for this essay here. Reported on IELTS April 19th

Some people think young people should follow the traditions of their society. Others think that they should be free to behave as individuals. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 18th

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? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 14th

Some people think that famous people can help international aid organizations to draw attention to important problems. Others believe that the celebrities can make the problems seem less important. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Sign up for my Patreon for the exclusive Ebook. Reported on IELTS April 9th

More and more people no longer read newspapers or watch TV programmes to get their news and instead read online. Is this a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 7th

Some believe it is important for cities and towns to invest heavily in building large outdoor public spaces. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 1st

March 202 1

Many people put their personal information online (address, telephone number, and so on) for purposes such as signing up for social networks or online banking. Is this a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 22nd

Some people think that governments should spend more money on sports facilities for top athletes. others argue that this money should be spent for sports facilities for ordinary people. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Get my sample answer Ebook on Patreon here. Reported on IELTS March 16th

Some countries import a large amount of food from other parts of the world. To what extent is this a positive or negative trend? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 14th

Some believe that more action should be taken to prevent crime, while others feel that crime is being tackled effectively now. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 2nd

February 202 1

Nowadays many people travel to foreign countries for pleasure. Some believe this travel has a negative impact on the countries travelled to. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer by signing up for Patreon here. Reported on IELTS February 17th

Some believe that the Olympic games help bring people from different nations together, while others claim that holding the Olympics wastes money which could be used for important issues. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS February 15th

Some people believe the purpose of education should be helping the individual to become useful for society, while others believe it should help individuals to achieve their ambitions. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Get access to the full sample Ebook (and more!) here on my Patreon. Reported on IELTS February 8th

Some people think students should study the science of food and how to prepare it. Others think students should spend time on important subjects. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS February 6th

January 202 1

Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS January 29th

To succeed in a business, one needs to know maths. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS January 15th

Some feel that the effects of advertising are positive for individuals and businesses, while others think they are negative. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS January 6th

December 2020

Around the world more and more people today are living in urban areas. Why is this? What problems does this cause? Learn more about my Patreon here for full access to this Ebook and all my other exclusive resources. Reported on IELTS December 25th

In some countries, there are fewer young people who listen to or play classical music these days. Why is this? Should young people be encouraged to play or perform classical music? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS December 24th

Computer games are very popular for all ages and nationalities. Parents think this has little educational value and it will be harmful for children. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS December 15th

Some think that climate change reforms will negatively affect business. Others feel they are an opportunity for businesses. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS December 11th

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS December 4th

November 2020

Many people living in cities these days do not get enough physical exercise. What are the causes of this? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS November 30th

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS November 24th

Society is based on rules and laws. It could not function if individuals were free to do whatever they wanted to do. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS November 23rd

Some people think that the most important function of music is to help people relax. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS November 18th

Computers today can quickly and accurately translate languages, therefore, it is a waste of time to learn a foreign language. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Get access to my exclusive Ebook for this question for as little as $1 here!

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? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS November 12th

Whether or not a person achieves their aims in life is mostly related to luck. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS November 10th

Some people think that it is a waste of time for high school students to study literature, such as novels and poems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS November 3rd

October 2020

Nowadays people live longer after they retire. How does this affect individuals and society? What can be done about this? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 30th

Parents should take courses in parenting in order to improve the lives of their children. To what extent do you agree? Sign up for my Patreon for access to my exclusive PDF for this question.

Many educational institutions give greater importance to subjects related to science and ignore subjects such as drama and literature. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 24th

The personal information of many individuals is held by large internet companies and organisations. Do you think the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 22nd

Some think scientists should be allowed to send messages into space to communicate with other life forms while others believe this is too dangerous. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 20th

The amount of drinkable water for people is decreasing. Why is this? What can be done? Get access to my full PDF on this topic by signing up for Patreon here.

It is sometimes suggested that primary schoolchildren should learn how to grow vegetables and keep animals. Do you think that the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 16th

Some feel executives in large companies should receive high salaries while others think they are paid too much compared to ordinary workers. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 13th

Some people believe that the experiences children have before they go to school will have the greatest effect on their future life. Others argue that experiences gained when they are teenagers have a bigger influence. Discuss both views and give your own opinions. Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 11th

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 7th

Some believe that advances in technology are increasing the gap between rich and poor while others think the opposite is happening. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Get access to my full PDF for this question on my Patreon here.

In the past, knowledge was contained in books. Nowadays, knowledge is uploaded to the internet. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS October 4th

September 2020

The internet means people do not need to travel to foreign countries to understand how others live. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 30th

In the past, most people worked for small businesses, while more people now work for large businesses. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working for large businesses? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 29th

Getting promotions are one of the biggest motivators for hard work in the modern workplace. Why are people so driven to receive promotions? What other factors motivate people to work hard? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 14th

Some countries invest in specialized sports facilities for top athletes but not for the average people. Is this a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 24th

In many countries, plastic containers have become more common than ever and are used by many food and drink companies. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 21st

Some think the current generation should take steps to protect the environment for the next generation. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 16th

In many workplaces, online communication is now more common than face-to-face meetings. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer here. Reported on IELTS September 14th

In many countries, traditional foods are being replaced by fast food. This has a negative impact on families, individuals and society. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 10th

Some educators believe that every child should be taught how to play a musical instrument. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 9th

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS September 5th

When a person spends most of his or her time working a job with little job satisfaction, their life loses meaning. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Get my exclusive PDF sample answer for this question on Patreon. Reported on IELTS September 3rd

Historical objects should be brought back to their country of origin. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on September 1st

August 2020

These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go out to work. What could be the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 29th

Some people say that supermarkets and manufacturers have a responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging on products they sell. Others believe that it is the consumer’s responsibility to avoid buying products which have a lot of packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinions. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 25th

Many companies sponsor sports as a way of advertising themselves. Some people think this is good for the world of sport, while others think it is a negative. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 23rd

Some people believe that there should be a fixed punishment for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Get my sample answer for this essay by signing up for my Patreon here.

In some places, young people find it difficult to communicate with older people. Why is this? What are the solutions? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 19th

Many people think technological devices such as smart phones, tablets and mobile phones bring more disadvantages than advantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 18th

Many researchers believe that we can now study the behaviour of children to see if they will grow up to be criminals, while others disagree. To what extent do you think crime is determined by genetics? Is it possible to stop children from growing up to be criminals? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 16th

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 14th

The government should lower the budget on the arts in order to allocate more money to education. To what extent do you agree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 13th

Some people think governments should care more about elderly while others think they should focus on investing in education for younger people. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 11th

Governments in many countries have recently introduced special taxes on foods and beverages with high levels of sugar. Some think these taxes are a good idea while others disagree. Discuss both views and give you own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 10th

The manufacturing and use of cars damages the environment but their popularity is increasing. Why is this? How could this be controlled? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 8th

In many countries, people throw away a lot of food from restaurants and shops. Why do you think people waste food in this way? What can be done to reduce the amount of food thrown away? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 6th

The global demand for oil and gas is increasing. Some believe that we should therefore encourage the exploitation of remote areas. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 5th

Many today feel that most urgent problems can only be solved by international cooperation. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 4th

In many countries, fast food is becoming cheaper and more widely available. Do the disadvantages of this outweigh the advantages? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS August 3rd

Nations should spend more money on skills and vocational training for practical work, rather than on university education. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS July 24th

Some people believe that children that commit crimes should be punished. Others think the parents should be punished instead. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS July 22nd

Although families have influence on a children’s development, factors outside the home play a bigger part in their lives nowadays. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS July 20th

Some believe that it is beneficial to show foreign films while others feel this can have a negative impact on local culture. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS July 18th

Some scientists believe that in the future computers will be more intelligence than human beings. While some see this as a positive development others worry about the negative consequences. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS July 17th

It is better to learn the way people lived in the past through films and video records than written documents. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS July 15th

Many people think that mobile phones should be banned in public places such as libraries, shops and public transport. Do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS July 10th

Some think that students must travel to another country in order to learn its language and customs. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS July 10th

In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message? Read my sample answer for this question here. IELTS Cambridge 15 (July)

Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. IELTS Cambridge 15 (July)

In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Read my sample answer for this question here. IELTS Cambridge 15 (July)

In some countries, owning a home rather than renting one is very important for people. Why might this be the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative situation? Read my sample answer for this question here. IELTS Cambridge 15 (July)

Full-time university students spend a lot of time studying. Some say they should do other activities too. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 30th

Some people think that resources should be spent on protecting wild animals, while others think those would be better used for the human population. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 25th

Some cities create housing for growing populations by building taller buildings while other cities have opted to build on wider areas of land. Which solution is better? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 23rd

Some feel that countries should produce most of the food that is eaten in their country and import as little as possible. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 19th

When cars and cyclists use the same roads, there are often problems. Why is this the case? What are the solutions? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 16th

Some old people today struggle with the use of modern technologies such as smartphones and computers. What is the cause of this? What are some possible solutions? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 11th

In the future, people may have to live on other planets. Some think that is therefore important to spend money researching other planets such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 8th

Research into medical treatments are essential to improve health and fight disease. Who do you think should fund this research: individuals, private companies or governments? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 6th

Even though doctors advise old people to get more exercise, many old people do not get enough. What are the reasons for this? What are some possible solutions for this? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 5th

Some educational systems make students study specialised subjects from the age of fifteen while others require students to study a wide range. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS June 2nd

Governments should spend more money on medical research and less on researching the environment. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 30th

Many people think that zoos are cruel. Others think they are helpful in protecting rare animals. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this essay here. Reported on IELTS May 29th

Many parents today do not spend much time with their children. Why is this? Does this affect parents or children more? Read my sample answer for this essay here. Reported on IELTS May 27th

The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment. What are the causes of this? What can be done to solve this problem? Read my sample answer for this essay here. Reported on EILTS May 22nd

After graduation many students take a year to travel. Some think that it would be more useful to work for a year. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 18th

Some believe that we should invent a new language for international communication. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 14th

Many people today are choosing to travel to other countries. Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 11th

Some feel that it is a waste of time to plan for the future and it is more important to focus on the present. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 6th

Some think that quality art can be made by anyone while others think that it requires special talent and ability. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS May 5th

Some today argue that schools are no longer necessary because children can learn so much from the internet and be educated at home. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 29th

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 27th

Some believe that people will purchase a product based on their needs and advertising is not needed. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 21st

Many people believe that film is a less important art than other forms such as literature and painting. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 7th

There are severe social consequences to housing shortages in cities and only the government can solve these problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS April 3rd

Watching a live performance such as a play, concert, or sporting event is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 31st

Some people believe that smartphones are destroying social interaction today. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 29th

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? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 19th

Some believe that history has little to teach us about today while others think that the study of the past helps us to understand the present. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 17th

More and more students at university today are not choosing to study science. Why is this happening? What are the effects of this? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 15th

Many people believe that music is just a form of entertainment, whilst others believe that music has a much larger impact on society today. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 12th

Some people argue that job satisfaction is more important than job security, while others believe that they cannot always expect job satisfaction and a permanent job is more important. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 7th

Watching TV shows and movies about crime is becoming more and more popular. Why is this? What effect does that have on society? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS March 4th

Some believe technology has made our lives too complex and the solution is to lead a simpler life without technology. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer this question here. Reported on IELTS March 3rd

February 2020

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS February 28th

Some think that ambition is a good quality. Is it important to be ambitious? Is it a positive or negative characteristic? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS February 26th

Online shopping is becoming more common these days. What effect could this have on the environment and the types of jobs required? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS February 24th

Some think that governments should support retired people financially while others believe they should take care of themselves. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS February 23rd

Some believe that people are naturally born as leaders while others feel that leadership skills can develop. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS February 21st

Some think that governments should tax unhealthy foods to encourage people to eat healthier. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported on IELTS February 20th

Nowadays more tasks at home and work are being performed by robots. Is this a negative or positive development? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS February 18th

As well as making money, businesses also have a responsibility towards society. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS February 16th

The use of social media is replacing face-to-face interaction among many people in society. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS February 10th

Some believe that tourism does more to create tension between countries rather than helping individuals better understand other cultures. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS February 9th

Too much money is wasted on repairing old buildings that should be used to knock them down and build new ones. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported on IELTS February 7th

Plagiarism in academics has become a pressing problem in many countries today. What are the causes of this problem? What are some possible solutions? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported IELTS Exam on February 5th

Nowadays, entertainers get paid more than politicians. What are the reasons for this? Is this a negative or positive development? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported IELTS Exam on February 3rd

More and more people today are drinking sugar-based drinks. What are the reasons for this? What are the solutions? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported IELTS Exam on February 3rd

Many believe that the best way to ensure a happier society is to reduce the difference in income earnings between the rich and poor. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this topic here. Reported IELTS Exam on February 1st

January 2020

In some countries, criminal trials are shown on television for the public. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Reported IELTS Exam on January 30th

Many believe that individuals can do little to improve the environment. Only governments and large companies can make a real difference. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Sign up here to get my exclusive PDF for this difficult question . Reported IELTS Exam on January 28th

Today single-use products are still very common. What are the problems associated with this? What are some possible solutions? Reported IELTS Exam on January 27th

People today generally have better lives than people in the past did. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Reported IELTS Exam on January 25th

Interviews have always been the most common way to choose among job candidates. Some people now think that there are better ways of finding the right person for a job. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Reported IELTS Exam on January 24th

Many people feel that students should learn from online materials while others feel that it is better to use printed materials. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported IELTS Exam on January 23rd

In order to be successful at a sport, some think you must be physically strong while others believe mental strength is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Reported IELTS Exam on January 22nd

People today increasingly use credit cards to make monthly purchases. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Reported IELTS Exam on January 21st

Scientific research should be primarily funded by governments instead of commercial companies. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for a very similar question here. Reported IELTS Exam on January 20th

Nowadays it is not only large studios that are able to make films. Digital filmmaking now enables anyone to make films. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported IELTS Exam on January 18th

Many people have suggested that young adults should undertake a period of unpaid work helping people in their local community. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Reported IELTS Exam on January 17th

People today spend less and less time interacting with other people in their neighborhood and this has a negative impact on communities. What are the possible causes and solutions to this problem? Reported IELTS Exam on January 15th

Because most information about culture and history can be found on the internet today, museums are not necessary. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Reported IELTS Exam on January 14th

Many feel that happiness is mainly an individual responsibility while others feel that there are important external factors. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Reported IELTS Exam on January 10th

Some believe that spoken communication is always more powerful than written communication. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Reported IELTS Exam on January 10th

Some people think that paying taxes is their only responsibility towards society while others feel that everyone should do more. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my IELTS sample answer on this question here. Reported IELTS Exam on January 7th

Some people believe that education is the key to tackling hunger worldwide while others feel that the answer is in food aid. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my IELTS sample answer on hunger here. Reported IELTS Exam on January 3rd

December 2019

Some people think that countries should limit the amount of food that they import and mainly eat products from their own country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that having access to the internet is necessary to live a full life today. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Most agree that we should be training children to recycle waste to preserve the Earth’s natural resources. However, some believe that it is parents who should teach their children to recycle waste while others feel schools are more responsible. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here.

Students should be primarily taught academic subjects so that they can pass exams, and practical skills such as cooking should not be taught. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this question here.

Despite clear warnings from climate scientists, few people are changing their habits. Why is this the case? What can be done to encourage people to protect the environment?

Many people think that interviews are not the best way to assess the suitability of a candidate for a position. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some believe that children should start school after the age of 7 while others think that school should begin from a very young age. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Read my sample answer for this question here.

Many feel that technology today is increasing the divide between the wealthy and the poor. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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? Here is the sample answer for this question on news media.

Many psychologists recommend that the best way to relieve stress is to do nothing at all for a period of time during the day. Do you agree or disagree? My sample answer on stress is here.

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. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer about the internet and travel here.

The most common solution for criminal behaviour is prison but many believe education is a better method. To what extent do you agree or disagree? I wrote a sample answer for this question on crime here.

November 2019

Many museums charge for admission while others are free. Do you think the advantages of charging people for admission to museums outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample answer for this question here. Reported November 30th

People have historically attempted to achieve a perfect society. However, it is difficult to decide what an ideal society would be like. What would be the most important element of a perfect society? What can normal people do to make society more perfect? Read my full sample answer for this question here.

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 other countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my full sample answer for this question here.

At many companies today, applicants are often rejected due to old age. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

Many psychologists recommend that the best way to relieve stress is to do nothing at all for a period of time during the day. Do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer for this one here.

Many believe that success in life mainly depends on hard work and determination while others believe that factors like money and personal appearance are important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

October 2019

Many people believe that lecture halls have been replaced by online learning. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many people think that museums will be replaced by technology as most information can be found free online. Others believe that museums are still important. Will museums no longer be needed in the future? Is this a positive development? Read my museums sample answer here.

September 2019

Some people believe that universities should only accept students with the highest marks while others believe that some students with low marks should have an opportunity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think women should play an equal role in the police and military while others think women are less suitable for these roles. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Rapid population growth in cities has brought with it many problems. What are these problems? How can the quality of life of city residents be maintained? Read my sample answer about cities and overpopulation here.

Many scientists believe that seeking out life by sending messages into space is a good idea while others feel that it is dangerous. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

August 2019

Some people think that it is better to include more public parks and sports facilities in new towns rather than shopping malls. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Studies have shown that most criminals have low levels of education. Because of this many believe that the best way to reduce crime is to educate prisoners so they can get a job after being released. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Read my sample answer on crime and education here.

Governments should spend less money on restoring old buildings and more money for new housing and roads development. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In certain countries, unemployment is so high that some have suggested children should stop their education after primary school to learn skills necessary to join the workforce. Do you agree or disagree?

In many parts of the world, people look up their family history. Some people think that researching previous generations is a good idea but others think that it is better to be focused on the present and future generations. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Experts claim that if older people do more exercise they will be healthier and happier. However, many elderly people suffer from a lack of fitness. What are the causes of this and what are some possible solutions?

These days many people throw away damaged items rather than repairing them. Why has this change occurred? What are the effects of this change in attitude?

Some people think that living in a country is essential to learn that country’s language and culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Much of the food people eat gets transported from farms thousands of miles away. Some believe it would be better for the environment and economy if people only ate food from local farmers. Would the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

The qualities and skills that people require to be successful in today’s world cannot be learned at university or at other academic institutions. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

These days, more and more business meetings and business training are taking place online. Do the advantages of this change outweigh the disadvantages?

Some believe that because everyone needs a place to live, governments should provide houses for those who are too poor to afford their own. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that sports are needed for society while others think they are just a simple form of recreation. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Many believe that young people should spend more of their free time with their family instead of other entertainment. Do you agree or disagree?

The media tends to focus on problems rather than positive developments. Some people think that this is harmful to individuals and society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many employers are looking for people with good social skills as well as good qualifications. Are social skills as important as qualifications? How could this be a problem?

Many developing countries are expanding their tourist industries. Why is this? Is this a positive development?

These days many parents pressure their children to be successful. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?

Some educators think international exchange programs would benefit teenagers in High School. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Earlier developments in technology brought more benefits to change the lives of ordinary people than recent ones do now. Do you agree or disagree?

More and more people today are buying and driving cars which has a positive impact for the economy but can hurt the environment. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Machines and robots are increasingly replacing workers in a number of industries. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

People from poor rural areas often have difficulty getting into good universities. Therefore, universities should make it easier for these people to be accepted. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many famous sports players advertise sports products. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Many are of the opinion that schools should stop using books in favour of videos, films, and computers. To what extent do you agree?

In many countries, visitors to art galleries has been declining steadily. What are the reasons for this? What could be done to improve this development?

Universities should develop methods to support students who come from rural and disadvantageous backgrounds. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that libraries are a waste of money and resources and computers can largely replace them. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

For people in many countries consumer goods have become an essential part of their lives. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

In many countries men and women both work full-time jobs and it is logical that they should share household tasks equally. Do you agree or disagree?

As international travel is becoming cheaper, more and more countries are allowing in more tourists. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

In many countries, people believe secondary schools should aim to provide a general education of a range of subjects. In other countries, students focus on subjects that will be useful for future careers. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Many believe that there should be few restrictions on the office buildings and homes that people can build in cities while others think the designs should be limited. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think that it is important to let ch ildren act independently and make their own decisions from an early age. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this?

The amount of advertising that is around us all the time now has a negative impact on people’s quality of life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

People are now living in a “throwaway society” where things are used for a short period of time and then thrown away. What are the causes of this and what problems does it cause?

Shopping is now one of the most popular forms of leisure activities in many countries for young adults. Why is this? Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

These days many kids spend a lot of their time playing computer games instead of doing sports. What is the cause of this? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Many people think that television is the best place to get your news while others believe there are better platforms. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some think that one of the best ways to solve environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel for cars and other vehicles. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that the best way of combatting environmental problems is increasing the cost of fuel for cars and similar vehicles. Do you agree or disagree?

Many think that studying in a group is better than self-study. Others think that it is better to study by yourself. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Many shops today stay open later than in the past and this has an effect on shoppers and the community. Is this a positive or negative development?

Some people think that individuals should be responsible for planning for their retirement while others feel that it is the responsibility of governments to help them. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Many museums and historical sites are not visited by local people. What are the causes of this and what can be done about it?

Many say manufactures and supermarkets are responsible for reducing the amount of packaging of products they sell and others say it is the consumer’s responsibility to stop buying products with too much packaging. Discuss both views.

In many countries, people can buy a wider range of household goods, such as microwaves, ovens and rice cookers than ever before. Is this a positive or negative change?

Many people claim that parents should place restrictions on the hours children spend watching TV and playing videogames and encourage them to spend more time reading books . To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many people feel that all teenagers should have to do unpaid work during their free time to help the local community and for the benefit of society as a whole. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many countries are struggling with increases in crime rates and some think that having more police on the streets is the best way to reduce these increasing levels of crime. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people think parents should supervise their children’s activities , while others believe children should be free to do what they want in their free time. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Today, many people do not realise the importance of the natural world. Why is this? How can people be encouraged to learn more about how important the natural world is?

Some people believe that in order to reduce the amount of time people spend commuting , parks and gardens close to city centres should be replaced by apartment buildings. Others disagree with this idea. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that it is the responsibility of individuals to take care of the environment while others think this is the responsibility of the government. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Government funding should be used to support sports and the arts in school rather than professional sports and arts for the general public. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

More and more people are becoming seriously overweight. Some people have suggested that governments should increase the cost of unhealthy foods. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In the future there will be more older people than younger people in most countries. Is this a positive or negative development?

Some people believe that family has the greatest influence on children’s development while others think that other areas such as television and friends have greater influence. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Scientists have been warning for many years about environmental protection and how important it is to limit our personal energy consumption. What are the causes of overconsumption of electricity? How can people be encouraged to use less energy?

Many countries spend a lot of money on improved transport for urban areas while neglecting rural transport. What are the problems associated with this? What are some possible solutions?

Some people believe that teenagers should focus on all school subjects while others think that they should concentrate on the subjects where they do the best or find the most interesting. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

The workplace is changing rapidly and many people can no longer rely on having one job their entire life. Describe the possible causes of this and suggest how this problem can be dealt with.

Some believe that older people make better leaders than young people in companies and organisations. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that the increasing number of vehicles is one of the biggest problem facing cities, while others believe that cities have bigger challenges. Discuss both views and state your opinion.

Some people think that men are naturally more competitive than women. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

These days, mobile phones and the internet are very important to the ways in which people relate to one another socially. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Scientists believe that in order to protect the environment, people must use less energy in their daily lives. However, most people have not changed the way they live. Why do you think many people have not taken individual action? What could be done to encourage them to take action?

Films and computer games which contain violence are very popular. Some people believe they have a negative effect on society and so should be banned. Other people, however, say they are just harmless and help people to relax. Discuss both these points of view and give your own opinion.

Some people think that higher institutions should concentration more on academic subjects such as history and the physical sciences, while others think that they should concentrate more on practical subjects such as car mechanics and cookery, and so on. Discuss both views and give your own opinion

February 2019

Around the world, the rich are becoming richer and poor are becoming poorer. What is the cause of this? What solutions are there to tackle it?

Economic growth is the best way of ending global poverty but it can also have a negative effect on the environment. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Many people want to look younger than their real age. What are the causes of this? Is this a positive or negative development?

Some think that testing new medicines on animals is necessary while others believe it is not right. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some people prefer to buy international products rather than local ones. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Films and games can be viewed and played at any time on mobile devices. Do the advantages of such a development outweigh the disadvantages?

Some people think that the quality of a product drives its sales and advertising is an unnecessary form of entertainment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many young people are leaving the countryside to live in cities leaving behind an elderly population. What are the problems associated with this? What can be done about it?

Some people think that the government is wasting money by funding the arts and this money could be better spent elsewhere. To what extent do you agree with this view?

Advances in computer technology allow young adults to work from home and children to study at home. Do you think this is a positive or negative change?

People today get less sleep than in the past. What is the cause of this? What are the possible effects of this development?

Some people think that a good diet and exercise are not necessary to live a long and healthy life. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that high-end technology can prevent and cut down the crime rate. Do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that family is the most powerful influence on a child’s development while others feel that other factors such as television and friends play a greater role today. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

The main reason that people work hard is to make money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Over consumption of sugar is unhealthy. Some people think that governments should take the responsibility to control sugar intake while other thing it is the responsibility of individuals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

January 2019

An increasing number of people are buying what they need online. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

People live longer today than in the past so they should stay in the workforce longer. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Money ought to be spent on new public buildings such as museums or town halls rather than renovating existing ones. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

All people in a company should be treated equally and provided with the same amount of vacation in a year. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many people say that a person’s success is a result of the way they have been brought up by their parents. Do you agree or disagree?

Some parents claim that advertisements are misleading for children while others allege that they provide useful information. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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

Some people say that young people should be encouraged to leave home when they become adults while others claim it would be better to remain with their family. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think that a high salary is the most important factor when choosing a company to work for, while others think that a good working atmosphere is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Parents should take courses in parenting in order to improve the lives of their children. To what extent do you agree?

More and more people prefer to buy readymade food from restaurants or convenience stores instead of cooking for themselves. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Some people think that the best way to get the news is through newspapers while others think it is through online media. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Employers should focus on personal qualities instead of qualifications and experience when choosing someone for a job. To what extent do you agree?

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Knowledge Base

The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay | Steps & Examples

An academic essay is a focused piece of writing that develops an idea or argument using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.

There are many types of essays you might write as a student. The content and length of an essay depends on your level, subject of study, and course requirements. However, most essays at university level are argumentative — they aim to persuade the reader of a particular position or perspective on a topic.

The essay writing process consists of three main stages:

Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline.
Writing : Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion.
Revision: Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar, spelling, and formatting of your essay.

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Essay writing process, preparation for writing an essay, writing the introduction, writing the main body, writing the conclusion, essay checklist, lecture slides, frequently asked questions about writing an essay.

The writing process of preparation, writing, and revisions applies to every essay or paper, but the time and effort spent on each stage depends on the type of essay .

For example, if you’ve been assigned a five-paragraph expository essay for a high school class, you’ll probably spend the most time on the writing stage; for a college-level argumentative essay , on the other hand, you’ll need to spend more time researching your topic and developing an original argument before you start writing.

1. Preparation	2. Writing	3. Revision
	, organized into Write the	or use a for language errors

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Before you start writing, you should make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to say and how you’re going to say it. There are a few key steps you can follow to make sure you’re prepared:

Understand your assignment: What is the goal of this essay? What is the length and deadline of the assignment? Is there anything you need to clarify with your teacher or professor?
Define a topic: If you’re allowed to choose your own topic , try to pick something that you already know a bit about and that will hold your interest.
Do your research: Read primary and secondary sources and take notes to help you work out your position and angle on the topic. You’ll use these as evidence for your points.
Come up with a thesis: The thesis is the central point or argument that you want to make. A clear thesis is essential for a focused essay—you should keep referring back to it as you write.
Create an outline: Map out the rough structure of your essay in an outline . This makes it easier to start writing and keeps you on track as you go.

Once you’ve got a clear idea of what you want to discuss, in what order, and what evidence you’ll use, you’re ready to start writing.

The introduction sets the tone for your essay. It should grab the reader’s interest and inform them of what to expect. The introduction generally comprises 10–20% of the text.

1. Hook your reader

The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader’s interest and curiosity. This sentence is sometimes called the hook. It might be an intriguing question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement emphasizing the relevance of the topic.

Let’s say we’re writing an essay about the development of Braille (the raised-dot reading and writing system used by visually impaired people). Our hook can make a strong statement about the topic:

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

2. Provide background on your topic

Next, it’s important to give context that will help your reader understand your argument. This might involve providing background information, giving an overview of important academic work or debates on the topic, and explaining difficult terms. Don’t provide too much detail in the introduction—you can elaborate in the body of your essay.

3. Present the thesis statement

Next, you should formulate your thesis statement— the central argument you’re going to make. The thesis statement provides focus and signals your position on the topic. It is usually one or two sentences long. The thesis statement for our essay on Braille could look like this:

As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness.

4. Map the structure

In longer essays, you can end the introduction by briefly describing what will be covered in each part of the essay. This guides the reader through your structure and gives a preview of how your argument will develop.

The invention of Braille marked a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by blind and visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Write your essay introduction

The body of your essay is where you make arguments supporting your thesis, provide evidence, and develop your ideas. Its purpose is to present, interpret, and analyze the information and sources you have gathered to support your argument.

Length of the body text

The length of the body depends on the type of essay. On average, the body comprises 60–80% of your essay. For a high school essay, this could be just three paragraphs, but for a graduate school essay of 6,000 words, the body could take up 8–10 pages.

Paragraph structure

To give your essay a clear structure , it is important to organize it into paragraphs . Each paragraph should be centered around one main point or idea.

That idea is introduced in a topic sentence . The topic sentence should generally lead on from the previous paragraph and introduce the point to be made in this paragraph. Transition words can be used to create clear connections between sentences.

After the topic sentence, present evidence such as data, examples, or quotes from relevant sources. Be sure to interpret and explain the evidence, and show how it helps develop your overall argument.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

See the full essay example

The conclusion is the final paragraph of an essay. It should generally take up no more than 10–15% of the text . A strong essay conclusion :

Returns to your thesis
Ties together your main points
Shows why your argument matters

A great conclusion should finish with a memorable or impactful sentence that leaves the reader with a strong final impression.

What not to include in a conclusion

To make your essay’s conclusion as strong as possible, there are a few things you should avoid. The most common mistakes are:

Including new arguments or evidence
Undermining your arguments (e.g. “This is just one approach of many”)
Using concluding phrases like “To sum up…” or “In conclusion…”

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

Write your essay conclusion

Checklist: Essay

My essay follows the requirements of the assignment (topic and length ).

My introduction sparks the reader’s interest and provides any necessary background information on the topic.

My introduction contains a thesis statement that states the focus and position of the essay.

I use paragraphs to structure the essay.

I use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.

Each paragraph has a single focus and a clear connection to the thesis statement.

I make clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

My conclusion doesn’t just repeat my points, but draws connections between arguments.

I don’t introduce new arguments or evidence in the conclusion.

I have given an in-text citation for every quote or piece of information I got from another source.

I have included a reference page at the end of my essay, listing full details of all my sources.

My citations and references are correctly formatted according to the required citation style .

My essay has an interesting and informative title.

I have followed all formatting guidelines (e.g. font, page numbers, line spacing).

Your essay meets all the most important requirements. Our editors can give it a final check to help you submit with confidence.

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

It gives your writing direction and focus.
It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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Structuring the Essay ( AQA GCSE English Literature )

Revision note.

Answering just one essay question can seem daunting. However, examiners just want to see your ideas and opinions on the modern text you have studied. The guide below will enable you to best express these ideas and opinions in a way that will gain the highest marks. It includes guides on:

Answering the question

Planning your essay, writing your essay.

As Paper 2 requires you to answer three questions in 2hr 15min, you have 45 minutes to plan, write and check your modern text essay. A good rule of thumb is to spend:

3 minutes analysing the question
7-10 minutes planning
26-32 minutes writing

It is always a good idea to use the rest of your time to review what you’ve written and to make any adjustments.

Students usually think that spending more time on the writing will gain more marks, but this isn't true: more essay doesn’t mean more marks! Examiners prefer shorter, well planned responses that have a clear argument throughout. Indeed, long essays that are unstructured and sprawling can in fact lose marks for being unfocused. Therefore, it is vital to always set aside time to write a plan.

Regardless of which modern text you study, the type of question you’ll need to write an essay for will be the same. You will be asked a question that asks you to analyse and write in detail about an aspect of the text. Your answer will need to address the text as a whole.

Completing the steps below will ensure you answer the question in the way that examiners are looking for.

6 key steps to answer the modern text exam question effectively:

1. The very first thing you should do once you open your exam paper is to look at the question:

This sounds obvious, but it’s really crucial to read through the question a few times
Why is this important? Regardless of what subject you’re being examined in, the single-biggest mistake most students make in their exams is not reading the question through carefully enough that they answer the question they think they’re being asked, rather than the question they’ve actually been asked
It’s especially important to get this right in your GCSE English Literature exams because you only have five essay questions to answer across two papers, so if you misread a question, you’re potentially costing yourself a large number of marks

2 . Identify the keywords of the question:

The key words are the focus of the question: the specific themes, ideas or characters the examiners want you to focus on
For the above question, the key words of the question are “how Russell presents the importance of friendship”
This is the theme the examiners want you to explore in your essay
Do not be tempted to write a question on a related theme, even if you have revised more for it: this will affect your overall mark badly, as you won’t be directly answering the question!
In the example above, the theme is about friendship, so make sure you plan and write an essay about friendship , rather than, for example, the role of family in the text:
Although this could be viewed as a related theme, your answer won’t be focused on the question and will lose you marks

3. Critically evaluate the idea or theme of the question in terms of the text as a whole

Think: what is this question asking, and what is it not asking?
It is asking you to explore ideas about friendship – a special relationship or bond that exists between people
The question is not asking you to explore any other themes
Again, writing about related ideas will actually lose you marks as you aren’t answering the exact question you have been set. The examiner isn’t going to reward you extra marks for information that is factually correct or demonstrates a great understanding of the text if the information is not relevant to the question being asked

Planning your essay is absolutely vital to achieve the highest marks. Examiners always stress that the best responses are those that have a logical, well-structured argument that comes with spending time planning an answer. This, in turn, will enable you to achieve the highest marks for each assessment objective. The main assessment objectives are:

It is important to remember how marks are distributed for each assessment objective: there are 12 marks for AO1, 12 marks for AO2 and 6 marks for AO3. The mark scheme places assessment objectives AO1 and AO2 as the key skills, therefore while AO3 must be addressed in your response, your essay should focus predominantly on AO1 and AO2.

Your plan should include all aspects of your response, covering all of the assessment objectives, but mainly focusing on AO1 and AO2:
Your overall argument, or thesis (AO1)
Your topic sentences for all your paragraphs (AO1)
The quotations you will be using and analysing from elsewhere in the text (AO1 & AO2)
A sense of why the writer has made the choices they have (AO2)
A sense of what contextual factors give further insight into the ideas and theme presented in the question (AO3)
Therefore, a plan may look like the following:

Russell presents the importance of friendship through several characters in Blood Brothers, especially Mickey and Edward whose friendship is central to the play. Russell chooses to contrast the power and beauty of their childhood friendship with its final collapse in adulthood, which results in their tragic ending. Their friendship highlights one of Russell’s key messages concerning social class, inequality and poverty which can have devastating consequences on people’s lives.

Russell initially depicts Mickey and Edward's friendship as strong despite their disparate social backgrounds, which underscores his message that natural human bonds and relationships are more important than societal norms and expectations.	“If you loved me you'd let me go out with Mickey”	Russell illustrates how Edward and Mickey are inextricably linked and their refusal to be separated is evident, for example, through Edward as he disobeys his mother’s instructions about associating with working-class friends like Mickey
Russell uses dramatic irony in his presentation of Mickey and Edward’s friendship as ‘blood brothers’, which enables the audience to be fully aware of their fate, which further adds to the tragic element of the play as the two boys do not fully understand the significance of their new brotherhood.	“Ey, we were born on the same day…that means we can be blood brothers”	Russell uses the omniscient Narrator at the beginning of the play to remind the audience of the impending fate of Mickey and Edward, which enables the audience to feel greater sympathy for them as they watch them spiral toward their tragic end
Russell demonstrates how friendships grow and evolve over time, however, the growing tensions between Mickey and Edward cause them to disastrously part ways, which reveals how external influences, such as class and poverty, can negatively affect the natural bonds of friendship.	“Well, how come you got everything…an’ I got nothin’?”	Russell depicts Mickey’s tragic decline into violence and depression and contrasts this with Edward’s prosperity and success, ending the play with the final collapse of their once close friendship
The play’s structure conveys the change in friendships; the irony of ‘blood brothers’; the contrast between other friendships in the play
influence of social class on friendships; ideas about appropriate behaviour amongst classes and sexes; social background to the characters’ lives; the influence of parents on friendships

Some other tips:

You do not need to include a counter-argument (disagreeing with the question/including paragraphs which begin “On the other hand”)
The questions have been designed to enable as many students as possible to write essays
Examiners say that the inclusion of a counter-argument is often unnecessary and unhelpful
It can affect your AO1 mark negatively

Given the time pressure of the exam, there is always a temptation for students to do without a plan, especially if they feel they understand the focus of the question well. However, this is a mistake.

The exam board states: “Where students have written a plan, there is often a sense of a coherent and organised response, for which references and quotations have been selected to support the student’s argument.”

What this means is that writing a plan not only enables you to achieve the highest AO1 marks (for organisation of argument) but also helps you select the most precise quotations and references, which will lead to more relevant analysis of writer’s methods (AO2).

Once you have read and evaluated the question and created a clear plan, you are ready to begin writing. Below is a guide detailing what to include.

Your essay should include:

An introduction with a thesis statement
A number of paragraphs (three is ideal!), each covering a separate point. It’s a great idea to start each paragraph with a topic sentence
A conclusion

Introduction

Your introduction should aim to clearly, and briefly, answer the question
The best way to do this is to include a thesis statement
A thesis statement is a short statement (one or two sentences) that summarises the main point or claim your argument is making
You should include the exact words from the question in your thesis statement
Examiners want to see your own opinion : your interpretation of what the writer is trying to show
Your thesis statement should also attempt to explain why you think the writer has presented their characters in the way that they have: what are they trying to say overall? What is their message?
A good way to think about this is to ask: what is the writer’s one big idea in terms of the characters or themes addressed in the question?
Include contextual ideas and perspectives to help explain the writer’s intentions
Including the writer’s message or one big idea helps create a “conceptualised response”, which examiners reward with the highest marks
An example of a thesis statement:

Thesis statement:

“Russell presents the importance of friendship through several characters in Blood Brothers, especially Mickey and Edward whose friendship is central to the play. Russell chooses to contrast the power and beauty of their childhood friendship with its final collapse in adulthood, which results in their tragic ending. Their friendship highlights one of Russell’s key messages concerning social class, inequality and poverty which can have devastating consequences on people’s lives.”

Introductions should not be too long, or include all the details of what each paragraph will include
You will not be rewarded for including the same information twice, so don’t waste time repeating yourself
Write your thesis in the third person, not the first person (don’t use “I”)
“I believe that Russell presents ideas about the importance of friendship …. ❌
“ Russell presents the importance of friendship through several characters … in order to illustrate …” ✅
Try to include three separate paragraphs that cover three separate points
This will ensure your response is to what examiners call the “full task”
Start each paragraph with a topic sentence
A topic sentence is an opening sentence which details the focus of its paragraph
It should include the words of the question
All topic sentences must relate to your thesis
They should be seen as sub-points that provide a more specific and narrower focus than your thesis statement
Everything that follows a topic sentence in a paragraph must support the point it makes

Example of a topic sentence:

“Russell initially depicts Mickey and Edward's friendship as strong despite their disparate social backgrounds, which underscores his message that natural human bonds and relationships are more important than societal norms and expectations.”

Beware of writing an overly structured paragraph which follows a set pattern
You may have learned PEE, PEAL, PEED, or other structures for your paragraphs
However, examiners often say that although these are excellent for learning what to include in essays, they can be limiting in an exam
Instead, be led by the ideas in the text, and prove your own argument (both the overall thesis and your topic sentences)
It is always a good idea to include a conclusion to your essay so that your essay reads as coherent and focused on answering the question throughout
This can result in improved marks for AO1
However, there is no need to spend a long time writing your conclusion
A conclusion for a modern text should only summarise the proof you have provided for your thesis
It only needs to be two or three sentences long
It should include the words of the question and your thesis
Remember, you do not get rewarded for including the same information twice

An example of a conclusion:

“To conclude, Russell presents friendship as a fundamental aspect of people’s lives and he demonstrates how these special relationships can be impacted by social inequality and injustice. Through Mickey and Edward, Russell argues that even the closest friendships - and by extension, all bonds between different groups in society - are tested, and potentially broken, by these inequalities.”

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Author: Nick

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

Sexual Health

How I've Learned to Cope With Pelvic Exams as a Survivor of Sexual Violence

Close-up of examination table with stirrups in gynecologist's office

When paired with the HPV test and a Pap smear — screening tests for cervical cancer — pelvic exams can save lives . But they aren't fun for anyone, and they can be especially unpleasant for survivors of sexual violence.

I speak from experience on this. I've cried my way through pelvic exams. I've walked out of those appointments shaking uncontrollably. Historically, pelvic exams have been so traumatic for me that I almost canceled my most recent one even though it had been several years since I'd been checked out down there.

I kept the appointment, and while it was definitely rough, it was less traumatic than any of my previous ones, thanks to proper preparation. What works well for me might not work as well for someone else, but I hope I can help make pelvic exams easier for fellow survivors.

With that in mind, here are my tips for handling pelvic exams easier as a survivor of sexual violence.

Schedule a Pre-Exam Appointment

If possible, schedule a pre-exam appointment with your provider to discuss your history of sexual trauma and your concerns about your upcoming pelvic exam. This will allow you and your doctor to devise the best possible care plan for your specific needs as a survivor of sexual violence .

If a pre-exam appointment isn't possible, ask the person who schedules your appointment to make notes in your chart regarding your history of sexual trauma, your concerns, and your special requests. When your provider's office calls to confirm your pelvic exam appointment, remind the person you speak with about those notes to ensure they're in your chart.

Tell Your Doctor You're A Survivor of Sexual Violence

It was a difficult thing to disclose, especially as someone who's experienced medical gaslighting , but I'm so glad I told my provider I'm a survivor of sexual violence. The topic came up when she was ultimately unable to complete my pelvic exam and cervical cancer screening tests because my muscles were too tight. That's when I told her about being a survivor. Her response was kind and validating, and the details of my experiences weren't requested. We scheduled a future appointment, and that appointment was successful.

I would highly recommend other survivors share their history of sexual trauma with their providers as well, ideally at a pre-exam appointment.

Ask Your Doctor to Use The Smallest Speculum Available

After I told my provider I'm a survivor of sexual violence, I asked her to use the smallest speculum available. She did. She used a speculum designed for children, and it was significantly less painful and less traumatic than a larger speculum would have been. Ask your doctor to use the smallest speculum possible.

Also: on exam day, your provider should apply a lubricant to the speculum without being asked to, but don't be afraid to ask them to.

Ask Your Doctor to Prescribe a One Time Dose of a Strong Anti-Anxiety Medication

My provider prescribed me a one time dose of Xanax to take ahead of my pelvic exam, and it made a big difference. It didn't keep my vaginal muscles from tightening and it didn't keep me from crying, but it absolutely eased my anxiety . Consider asking your doctor to prescribe you a one time dose of Xanax, or a similarly strong anti-anxiety medication , to take ahead of your appointment.

Ask for a Morning Appointment

I prefer morning appointments for pelvic exams, because a morning appointment means not dreading your exam all day. It also means having time to emotionally process and recover afterwards. Ask for a morning appointment if you think it will benefit your mental health .

Ask a Loved One to Drive You to and from Your Pelvic Exam

Having a trusted friend or loved one chauffeur you to and from your pelvic exam is crucial if you take a strong anti-anxiety medication ahead of your appointment, but it's also comforting to have someone you trust along for the ride. My sister drove me to and from my last pelvic exam. She stood next to me and held my hand during my exam as well — and I'm sure I'll ask her to repeat the favor in the future.

Clear Your Schedule on Exam Day

If it's an option, clear your schedule on exam day. No one should feel guilty for prioritizing their health, and pelvic exams can be enormously anxiety-inducing when you're a survivor of sexual violence. At least a clear schedule means your exam is the only thing you have to worry about that day.

Treat Yourself Post-Exam

Post-exam, treat yourself! Whether you take food home from your favorite restaurant, draw yourself a luxurious bath, binge watch your favorite TV show, take a long nap, read a book, listen to a beloved podcast, do all of these things — or none of them — you deserve to treat yourself. Relax and take care of yourself after your pelvic exam, whatever that looks like for you.

Elizabeth "Liz" Enochs is a queer writer from southeast Missouri. She's the author of the nonfiction prose chapbook "Leaving the House Unlocked.

Personal Essay

Sarkari Naukri

UGC NET Exam Analysis 2024, August 22: Shift 1,2 Paper Review, Difficulty Level & Good Attempts

UGC NET Exam Analysis 2024 for Shift 1 & 2 has been updated here. According to feedback from candidates, the exam was easy and the questions were doable. The number of good attempts range from 40 to 43. Get an insight into difficulty level, good attempts, topics asked and the weightage of each subject asked in UGC NET Paper 1 and 2.

UGC NET 2024 Exam Analysis: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has successfully conducted the shift 1 of UGC NET June 2024 exam today, August 21. This national-level exam assesses candidates' eligibility for Assistant Professorships, Junior Research Fellowships, or both, for Indian universities and colleges. It is being held in two shifts: the morning shift from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and the evening shift from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Based on the feedback received from the test-takers, candidates find the exam easy but time-consuming and good attempt ranges from 40 to 43. We have provided the detailed UGC NET Exam Shift 1 Exam Analysis 2024 for Paper 1 and 2 below.

The UGC NET exam duration is 3 hours, as both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are conducted in a single session. Previously, Paper 1 and Paper 2 were conducted in separate sessions of one hour each.

UGC NET Exam Analysis 2024

UGC NET June 2024 analysis for Paper 1 and 2 is available here. Aspirants intending to appear for the upcoming shifts or the December 2024 cycle should review the exam analysis to gain insights into the paper's difficulty level, question types, exam pattern, and the number of good attempts.

In this article, we have provided subject-wise paper review of the UGC NET 2024 to give you an understanding of the types of questions asked, thereby enhancing your chances of success.

UGC NET Previous Year Paper
UGC NET Syllabus

UGC NET Exam Analysis 22 August 2024



Teaching Aptitude	5	3
Research Aptitude	5	3
Communication	5	3-4
Reading Comprehension	5	3-4
Reasoning (including Maths)	6-7	3-4	Moderate
Logical Reasoning	5	3-4
Data Interpretation	5	2-3	Moderate
Information & Communication Technology (ICT)	5	3
People & Environment	5	2-3	Moderate
Higher Education System: Governance, Polity & Administration	5	3-4	Moderate
Total	50	42-46

UGC NET Exam Analysis 21 August 2024


English	100	Easy to Moderate	75 to 78
Japanese	100	Moderate	70 to 72
Performing Art – Dance/Drama/Theatre	100	Easy to Moderate	75 to 80
Electronic Science	100	Moderate	70 to 72

Candidates who are yet to appear for the exam can check the detailed analysis for all subjects via the direct link provided below.

UGC NET June 2024 Analysis: Difficulty Level

UGC NET June 2024 Good Attempts


Teaching Aptitude	5	2-3
Research Aptitude	5	2-3
Reading Comprehension	5	3-4
Communication	5	3-4
Reasoning (including Maths)	5	2-3
Logical Reasoning	5	2-3
Data Interpretation	5	2-3
Information & Communication Technology (ICT)	5	2
People & Environment	5	2-3
Higher Education System: Governance, Polity & Administration	5	3-4

UGC NET Paper 1 Exam Analysis 2024


	2-3
	2-3
	3-4
	3-4
	2-3
	2-3
	2-3
	2
	2-3
	3-4
	2-3

UGC NET Analysis 2024 Paper 2

In the first shift, UGC NET Paper 2 will cover a total of 42 subjects, with 100 questions in total. Paper 2 focuses on subjects in which candidates have specialized, such as Philosophy, History, Commerce, Social Work, and others.

Test-takers found Philosophy, History, Commerce, and Social Work to be easy, with good attempts ranging from 70 to 80. Similarly, subjects such as Music, Hindi, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Marathi also had an easy difficulty level, with 75 to 85 good attempts.



Philosophy	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
History	70 to 75	Easy to Moderate
Commerce	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Social Work	80 to 85	Easy
Public Administration	75 to 80	Moderate
Music	80 to 85	Easy
Hindi	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Kannada	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Oriya	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Punjabi	77 to 80	Easy
Sanskrit	77 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Tamil	70 to 75	Moderate
Arabic	77 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Linguistics	70 to 75	Moderate
Nepali	77 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Marathi	77 to 80	Easy to Moderate
French	70 to 75	Moderate
Spanish	70 to 75	Moderate
Russian	80 to 85	Easy to Moderate
Rajasthani	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
German	70 to 75	Moderate
Japanese	70 to 75	Moderate
Physical Education	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Arab Culture and Islamic Studies	70 to 75	Moderate
Buddhist – Jaina – Gandhian and Peace Studies	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Comparative Study of Religions	70 to 75	Moderate
Dance / Drama / Performing Art	77 to 83	Easy
Comparative Literature	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Indian Culture	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Law	75 to 80	Easy to Moderate
Criminology	70 to 75	Moderate
Geography	70 to 75	Moderate
Computer science and applications	70 to 75	Moderate

UGC NET Exam Timings

UGC NET Exam Time Table
Shift 1 (Morning)	9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Shift 2 (Evening)	3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

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Education, training and skills
School curriculum
Secondary curriculum, key stage 3 and key stage 4 (GCSEs)
Key stage 3 and 4 exam marking, qualifications and results

Guide to GCSE results for England, summer 2024

Grading has continued as normal in summer 2024, following the return to pre-pandemic standards last year. Overall GCSE results are similar to summer 2023.

Today, students in England are receiving more than 5.6 million GCSE results. Students’ grades have been determined by their performance in their exams and assessments. These qualifications provide students with trustworthy evidence of their achievements so they can move forward in their education or training. 

Grading has continued as normal this summer, following the return to pre-pandemic standards last year. It is important that grades reflect what students know, understand and can do, to support students in making the right choices about their next steps.

The Chief Regulator at Ofqual, Sir Ian Bauckham CBE, said: “Consistent, rigorous standards of grading are producing consistent results.  

“It is evidence that we have settled back into a pattern of dependable and trustworthy results.”

Key points

Grading has continued as normal this summer and standards have been maintained from summer 2023.  

GCSE entries have increased by more than 250,000 compared with summer 2023. There has been an increase in the 16-year-old population since 2023, and there are more entries from post-16 students this summer for GCSE English language and maths. The changes to the post-16 cohort are reflected in the GCSE English language and maths results published today.

Overall GCSE results are similar to 2023. Outcomes at grade 7 and above are 21.7% compared with 21.6% in 2023, and outcomes at grade 4 and above are 67.4% compared with 67.8% in 2023.

The results for GCSE French, German and computer science reflect the small adjustments we required exam boards to make this summer.

Today (22 August 2024) we are publishing:

a summary of results (below)

infographics about this year’s GCSE results

interactive visualisations of outcomes by centre type, variability in school and college GCSE results, GCSE outcomes in England, an interactive map of England showing GCSE results in different subjects by grade and county and GCSE grade combinations

results of the 2024 National Reference Test

As normal, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has  published results in England for GCSE , overall and by subject. These results are also shown in our  interactive visualisation .

Centre type results

Ofqual has updated its interactive visualisation to show GCSE results for different types of school and college compared with previous years, overall and by subject. The centre type categories are based on the  national centre number (NCN) register  and are self-reported by schools and colleges. Our interactive visualisations only include those schools or colleges that have entries for a particular subject in every year from 2018 to 2024.

Overall results for all types of school and college are broadly similar to 2023 at grade 7 and above and grade 4 and above. When students take exams, the same assessment arrangements apply to everyone. Differences in outcomes are therefore likely to reflect longstanding trends in the pattern of results for different centre types. Changes compared with 2023 will reflect changes in attainment or changes in the cohort of students taking qualifications across different types of centre. For example, more post-16 students took GCSEs this summer compared with 2023, and these students typically make up the majority of GCSE entries in further education establishments and colleges.

Cumulative percentage outcomes by centre type – grade 7 and above

Centre type	2019	2023	2024
Academies	20.6	21.0	21.2
Free schools	20.1	20.1	21.6
FE establishment	0.9	1.0	0.8
Independent	48.1	47.5	48.4
Other	6.4	7.6	7.2
Secondary comprehensive	18.8	19.3	19.4
Secondary modern	12.4	12.8	12.6
Secondary selective	58.6	59.4	60.3
Sixth form college	1.0	1.4	1.2

Cumulative percentage outcomes by centre type – grade 4 and above

Centre type	2019	2023	2024
Academies	69.1	69.2	69.4
Free schools	68.7	67.5	69.0
FE establishment	24.0	19.2	17.3
Independent	91.0	91.0	90.9
Other	36.6	37.6	35.3
Secondary comprehensive	67.8	68.3	68.5
Secondary modern	60.9	61.3	60.7
Secondary selective	97.0	96.8	97.0
Sixth form college	30.6	24.1	24.9

Centre variability

Ofqual’s interactive visualisation shows the level of variation in schools’ and colleges’ GCSE results compared with 2023. We know that, in any year, individual schools and colleges may see variation in the proportion of students achieving particular grades compared with previous years. This can be due to many different factors, including differences in the mix of students entered for particular qualifications, different teaching approaches, changes in teaching staff or teaching time, and changes to qualifications.  

Our interactive visualisation allows users to explore variation in centres’ results for different age groups and sizes of centres.

GCSE French, German and computer science

This summer we required exam boards to award GCSE French, German and computer science more generously .

The positive adjustments in French and German follow our detailed review of an extensive evidence base as part of our work on inter-subject comparability, and subsequent announcement in 2019, that we would seek  to align grade standards in GCSE French and German with Spanish . Exam boards were required to make small positive adjustments in French at grades 7 and 4, and in German at grades 9, 7 and 4. This follows adjustments in both subjects at grades 9, 7 and 4 in summer 2023. The adjustments were taken into account during awarding and are reflected in results. We did not require exam boards to make a further adjustment at grade 9 in French this summer, as the evidence suggests that there was broad alignment with Spanish in summer 2023.

For GCSE computer science we conducted an extensive programme of research considering grading standards over time , given the changes that have been made to the qualification in the short time that it has been available (the first awards were in 2012). Our research suggests that standards may have become slightly more stringent through the period from 2014 to 2019, likely due to the changes to the qualification and the context during this period. We therefore required exam boards to award more generously this summer at grades 9, 7 and 4, to reflect the findings of the research. These small adjustments were taken into account during awarding and are reflected in results.

Equalities analyses

As well as the results breakdowns published today, Ofqual will be repeating the equalities analyses that we have published since 2020 . Ofqual makes this information available so that the whole sector can understand qualification results and use this to inform policy making and practice. These detailed analyses consider whether the gaps between results for different groups of students have changed compared with previous years, while controlling for a range of student characteristics. It is important that these analyses control for as many student characteristics as possible, so that meaningful conclusions can be drawn from the results. This does mean, however, that it is not possible for us to complete these analyses ahead of results being issued, because final data from exams is only available very close to results days. We will publish our equalities analyses as soon as we can, in the autumn.

When students take exams, the same assessment arrangements apply to everyone – students’ grades are solely determined by the number of marks they achieve in the assessments, and the same rules apply to everyone taking the same qualification. The gaps between results for different groups of students are therefore likely to reflect long-standing trends in attainment, and any changes this year will reflect changes in attainment. Differential patterns of achievement in qualifications reveal, rather than create, educational disparities. They are an important part of the evidence needed for addressing those disparities.

Grade boundaries

Exam boards have set grade boundaries this summer based on a combination of data and qualitative evidence. As in any year, there has been an important role for examiner judgement. Expert examiners have reviewed the quality of students’ work compared with previous years. 

Grade boundaries typically change each exam series and are often different between exam boards. This reflects any differences in the difficulty of the assessments. If an exam paper is harder the grade boundaries will be lower, and if an exam paper is easier the grade boundaries will be higher. This is important to ensure that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged based on the exam paper that they sit. This means that some grade boundaries are lower than 2023, while others are higher.

Grading has taken place as normal this summer and standards have been maintained from summer 2023. Students can therefore be confident in the grades they receive, irrespective of the grade boundaries or how they compare with last year.

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