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IELTS Discussion Essays [Discuss Both Views/Sides]

Posted by David S. Wills | Jun 14, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 3

In this lesson, I’m going to explain what an IELTS discussion essay is and how you can write a good one. I will talk about structure and content, as well as looking briefly at discussion essay thesis statements, which many people find tricky. I’ve also written a sample essay, which you can find at the bottom of this page.

What is a Discussion Essay?

As the name suggests, a discussion essay is an essay that discusses things! More specifically, it is a type of IELTS writing task 2 essay that requires you to look at two different points of view . You can easily recognise these essays by the following phrase:

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sometimes it is phrased a little differently. It might say:

Discuss both sides and give your opinion

Discuss both points view and give your opinion

The important thing is that these all mean the same. When you see any of these, you know that you need to write a discussion essay. Importantly, this instruction tells you that you need to do two things:

• Discuss both views (there will have been 2 views mentioned in the previous sentence(s))
• Give your opinion (i.e. state which view you agree with)

If you failed to do either of these things, you would not have satisfied the basic criteria for Task Achievement .

Example Discussion Essay Questions

Here is a list of 5 discussion essay questions either from the IELTS exam, reportedly from the IELTS exam, or from reputable publications that have copied the IELTS question style. (Not that you absolutely should avoid fake IELTS questions when practising.)

Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time. Others say that is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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 views and give your opinion.

Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods. Others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that higher education should be funded by the government. Others, however, argue that it is the responsibility of individuals to fund their higher education. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that it is important for children to attend extra classes outside school, while others believe that they should be allowed to play after school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

You can see in these questions that there is a similar pattern. In each case, the question phrase (“Discuss both views and give your own opinion”) is the same and in the previous sentence or sentences, there are two opposing views. This, then, makes “discuss both views” questions a sort of opinion essay .

How to Answer IELTS Discussion Questions

First of all, it is important when answering any IELTS task 2 question that you read the question carefully so that you understand it, then provide an answer that directly responds to the question, following its instructions carefully.

As discussed above, you are required to do two things: 1) Discuss both views, and 2) Give your own opinion. You absolutely must do both of those. It doesn’t really matter what your opinion is or whether you give equal weighting to both sides of the argument. Instead, you must cover both sides and also give some sort of opinion. (It is important, though, according to the marking rubric , that you are consistent in your opinion.)

Your answer of course should be structured carefully so as to present your ideas in a thoroughly logical way that is easy for your reader to interpret. I almost always use a four-paragraph structure in my essays, but some people prefer to use five paragraphs in this sort of essay. The difference would look like this:

You might be wondering why I have given my opinion in the body of the five-paragraph essay but not in the four-paragraph essay. Well, actually I would give my opinion in the body of both. However, my opinion would be more subtly woven into the text of the four-paragraph essay. I personally find this to be a better method, but it is equally possible that you could write an amazing five-paragraph essay. That issue is discussed further in this video:

Discussion Essay Thesis Statement

In academic writing, a thesis statement (sometimes called an essay outline ) is the part of the essay where you insert your opinion. It typically comes at the end of the introduction and guides the reader by explaining your opinion on the issues that have been introduced.

But do you really need to provide one in such a short essay? Well, a 2018 study into successful IELTS essays concluded that thesis statements were “obligatory” – i.e. you absolutely do need one. In fact, that study found that thesis statements appeared in 100% of successful IELTS discussion essays! Therefore, we can conclude they are very important.

Because a discussion essay will tell you to “Discuss both views and give your opinion,” you must introduce the two views and then give your opinion in the introduction. Here is an example:

Introductory paragraph:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair.

My first sentence clearly introduces two different ideas:

• Children should do extra classes
• Children should not do extra classes

Note how I have successfully used synonyms to avoid repeating anything from the question. I have also framed the issue in a new way so that I am not just paraphrasing. (You can learn why paraphrasing is not always helpful here .)

My second sentence is the thesis statement. In this sentence, I outline what the essay will do (“look at both perspectives”) and then give my opinion (“it is unfair”). This is a simple but effective thesis statement.

Thesis Statement Advice

Your IELTS discussion essay thesis statement should do two things:

• Tell the reader what the essay will do
• Present your opinion

Because this is a formal essay, it is best not to be too personal. Instead of saying “I will…” or “I think…” it is better to say “This essay will…” Here are some simple templates that you can follow most of the time:

• This essay will look at both sides and then argue that…
• This essay will discuss both views but ultimately side with…

Just make sure to avoid being overly vague. You are required to give your opinion consistently throughout the essay, so don’t say “This essay will look at both sides and then give my opinion .” It is not really the best approach because the examiner wants to see that you can be consistent in presenting an opinion. That is clearly stated in the marking rubric. For band 7, it says:

• presents a clear position throughout the response

It could be concluded, then, that your opinion is not clear from the start and so you have not done enough to warrant a band 7 for Task Achievement.

Body Paragraphs

As I mentioned above, there are really two main approaches you could take to the body paragraphs:

• Discuss one view per paragraph and incorporate your opinion into each.
• Discuss one view per paragraph and then have another for your opinion.

I suppose there is also a third option:

• Compare and contrast the two viewpoints in each paragraph.

This last one may be a little harder to do successfully without jeopardising your score for Task Achievement or Coherence and Cohesion , but advanced candidates may find it useful.

Remember that there is no single perfect formula for an IELTS essay. That’s not how languages work and that’s not how IELTS works. Different people could come up with different ways to present a successful essay. The most common essay structures are mere guidelines for particularly useful methods of approaching an essay.

Does a Discussion Essay Have to be Balanced?

Because the question says “Discuss both views,” it is quite logical to think that you must provide some degree of balance, but you certainly don’t need to give equal weighting to both sides. Remember that you are also going to give your opinion, so if you come down strongly on one side of the issue, it might be odd to give equal attention to both.

If you do feel very strongly about one side, you might want to present your discussion of the other side as quite negative. However, IELTS is a thinking exam as well as an English exam and an intelligent person can always look at both sides of an issue and explain – at the very least – why someone might believe a thing that is different to his own view. This seems quite important, but there is nothing explicitly mentioned in the marking rubric.

I would suggest that if you think a two-sided issue is basically one-sided (i.e. you strongly disagree with the other view), you should still write one or two sentences about why people believe that and then devote the rest of your essay to disputing their view.

Another approach is to write BP1 as a very short paragraph that explains why people might think one thing, but then have BP2 as a very long paragraph that debunks the opposing view and then explains why the other is correct.

(You can read more about IELTS essays and balance here .)

Sample Answer

Here is my full sample answer to the above question about whether or not children should be made to do extracurricular activities:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair. In countries like South Korea, most children are made to go to an array of cram schools outside of regular school hours. Their parents do this in order to give their child a better future because it helps the child to learn more and thus gives them the academic advantages needed to apply to the best universities or jobs in future. These schools often provide children with an advantage over their peers because they improve their foreign language or math skills more quickly, and thus the children who do not attend these schools might have comparatively poor grades. However, whilst this attitude may result in better academic performance, it is certainly not good for the mental health of these children. It is no coincidence that places like South Korea have the highest rates of suicide among their young populations. The fact is that children are not equipped to spend fourteen or sixteen hours per day in classrooms, memorising facts and figures. In a sense, it is a form of child abuse. Children should be allowed to go home and spend time with friends and family to build social skills. They should be allowed to occupy themselves in order to become more creative and learn how to understand their own mind instead of being trained to repeat what they are told. In conclusion, it is understandable that some parents want their children to go to extra classes, but this is damaging to children and they should be given the freedom to play and socialise outside of regular school hours.

In BP1, I have looked at the topic of cram schools (ie the side of the argument in favour of extra lessons). I explored why parents might want their kids to do this and show the supposed benefits. Note that I never embraced any of these benefits. I was careful to use language that distanced these ideas from my own opinion, which was the opposite, so I said “Their parents do this in order to…”

In BP2, I looked at the opposite side. I was careful to make sure that my first sentence linked to the previous paragraph, highlighting that the benefits are quite minor compared to the drawbacks. All of my sentences here justify my position, which is that it is cruel to force these extra lessons on children.

My conclusion ties all of this together. The first clause references BP1 and the second summarises the main argument in BP2.

You can find two more sample essays here:

• A discussion essay about sports facilities
• A discussion essay about sports abilities

About The Author

David S. Wills

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

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It is sometimes debatable whether asking children to get extra education after school or letting them play that is actually beneficial for them. Even though both viewpoints have benefits and drawbacks but I believe ,in the childhood age, children have to take rough and discipline education after school to be succeed in the future.

To begin with, many educational experts believe that playing is one of the essential aspects that have to be gotten by children to grow and happy. By using the playing approach, children can have a good mental and psychic health. Besides, letting children play after school can also support them to increase their emotional stimuli and get a positive social interaction. With this way, experts believe children can grow as a better adult in the future and have a freedom to get a better life in the upcoming times.

However, I completely contra with the first idea because I believe childhood is a better time to train children about academic or other skills that benefits them in the future. Based on scientific journal that I read, the ability of children in learning new things are more spectacular compared to adults. A lot of artists, scientist, and even football player who currently becoming a superstar in this era is a string of process that is began since their in the childhood. For instance, nowadays, I am working in the field of election supervision, it because since in my childhood my father love to force me learning about social and political issues by getting additional class. Thus, making children to get extra class after school is an appropriate preference if parents desire to see their son getting a good future.

To conclude, based on experts children have to get a freedom to play after schools but in my viewpoint it will be more advantages if they utilize the playing time with joining additional class after school.

VERY GOOD MR DIRWAN But actually you mixed both of the ideas , you need to take one side for this sort of essay writting, as it is mentioned in the above instruction. By the way WELL DONE . love from Pakistan to my sweet brother.

I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are really great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend. ??

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How to Write an IELTS Discussion Essay?

Updated On Aug 02, 2024

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The article guides on writing a Band 8+ IELTS Discussion Essay, emphasizing clear structure, balanced arguments, and evidence support. It outlines planning, writing, common mistakes, and provides sample questions with answers.

Table of Contents

How to plan an ielts discussion essay, structure of an ielts writing task 2 discuss both views and give your opinion essay, 3 common mistakes in ielts discuss both views and give your opinion essays, tips to write an ielts discussion essay, ielts discussion essay sample questions with sample answers, excel at ielts writing with ieltsmaterial.com, also check:.

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Just as the names suggest, discuss both views or discussion essays in IELTS Writing Task 2 expects you to discuss both sides of an argument, and then to give your own opinion on the matter.

You get 40 minutes to complete this discussion essay IELTS Writing task and you have to write at least 250 words on the topic given. So gear up, let us learn how to write a perfect band 8+ task 2, discuss both views and essays in no time in this blog!

There are a few key things to keep in mind when writing a discussion essay:

• Identify the two opposing views.

First, read the statement carefully and find the two opposing views. Then, think about how to support each one.

• Gather evidence to support both sides.

Once you know what the two opposing views are, you need to gather evidence to support each one.

This evidence can come from your own knowledge, experience, or research.

• Write a clear and organized essay.

Your essay should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

• Start with an Introduction

Begin your essay with a clear introduction that tells the reader what the topic is and what your main points will be. Keep it simple and to the point. You might find some tips to write an effective introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2 below.

• Use Paragraphs

Break your essay into two paragraphs, with each one focusing on a different point. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

• Give Examples

Use examples to support your points. This could be something you’ve read about, something you’ve seen, or something from your own experience.

Get your hands on 2024’s latest IELTS Writing Task 2 test papers!

Let us look at the three errors that are usually common in IELTS discussion essays.

• Imbalanced Discussion

Focusing too much on one viewpoint and neglecting the other, or failing to discuss both views equally.

• Weak Supporting Evidence

Using irrelevant examples, statistics, or facts to support your points in the body paragraphs.

• Overgeneralization

Making broad statements without providing specific examples or evidence to back them up.

Never repeat these errors in your next IELTS discussion essay!

Sign up for a FREE demo now!

Since we’ve had a look at the three most common errors that might occur while you write an IELTS discussion essay, now let’s learn a few expert tips you can use to practice while writing them!

• Use neutral language

When discussing two opposing views, use neutral language that expresses your opinion presenting both sides of the argument fairly and without bias.

• Plan your essay properly

Take a few minutes to think about what points you want to make and how you’ll organize them. Try to jot down some notes before you start writing.

• Use connectors and transition words

Transition words and phrases can help to make your essay flow smoothly and signal to the reader when you are moving from one point to another.

We’ve collected a list of connectors/linking words for writing to present in your IELTS discussion essays. Have a look at them in the following table:

• Use evidence to support your claims

When writing supporting points in your body paragraphs, be sure to provide evidence as an example to support it. This can come from your knowledge, experience, or research.

• Proofread your essay carefully

Before you finish, take a few minutes to read over your essay and make sure there are no mistakes in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.

Here are a few sample questions and their ans wers for IELTS Writing Task 2 di scussion essays with a proper breakdown of them that will help you get an idea of how to achieve your desired IELTS band score .

IELTS Discussion Essay Model Answer 1

Some people believe that it is essential to learn a foreign language in school, while others believe that it is not necessary. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for the essay by presenting the topic and highlighting the opposing viewpoints.

Body Paragraph 1: This paragraph discusses the advantages of learning a foreign language, including cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits.

Body Paragraph 2: The second paragraph presents the counterargument that learning a foreign language is unnecessary due to technology and the prominence of English.

Conclusion: The conclusion provides a clear personal opinion that acknowledges the counterarguments but asserts that the benefits of foreign language learning are more significant.

Final Compilation

Learning a foreign language has been a topic of debate in educational circles, with proponents arguing its importance and opponents asserting its insignificance. Those who advocate for learning a foreign language in school argue that it has numerous cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits. Firstly, mastering another language enhances cognitive abilities, as it requires learners to think critically and adapt to different linguistic structures. Moreover, it promotes cultural understanding by allowing individuals to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering tolerance and open-mindedness. From a practical standpoint, in today’s globalized world, proficiency in a foreign language can boost job prospects and facilitate international interactions.

On the other hand, there are those who contend that learning a foreign language is unnecessary in the modern age due to the prevalence of translation tools and the predominance of English as a global lingua franca. They argue that the time spent on language acquisition could be better utilized for other subjects that are more directly applicable to students’ future careers. Additionally, some assert that the difficulty of becoming truly proficient in a foreign language often discourages students and leads to frustration.

To conclude, while the concerns raised against learning a foreign language hold some validity, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. The cognitive and cultural benefits of language learning are substantial and contribute not only to personal growth but also to building a more interconnected and harmonious society. Moreover, even though technology can aid in translation, it cannot replace the nuanced understanding and genuine human connections that result from speaking someone’s native language. Therefore, incorporating foreign language learning into the curriculum remains a valuable investment in students’ holistic development.

IELTS Discussion Essay Model Answer 2

Some people believe that it is better to live in a city, while others believe that it is better to live in the countryside. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Introduction: Introduces the topic and mentions the opposing views regarding city and countryside living.

Body Paragraph 1: Discusses the advantages of living in a city, including access to amenities, job opportunities, and cultural activities.

Body Paragraph 2: Presents the benefits of living in the countryside, such as tranquillity, connection to nature, and strong communities.

Conclusion: Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges the strengths of both options and suggests that the choice should be based on individual preferences.

Living preferences between urban and rural areas have long been a subject of debate. Supporters of city living argue that it offers greater access to amenities, career opportunities, and cultural activities. Cities are often hubs of economic activity, providing a wide range of job options and higher earning potential. Additionally, urban dwellers can enjoy a plethora of entertainment choices, from theatres and museums to restaurants and shopping centres.

On the other hand, proponents of rural living emphasize the tranquillity and connection to nature that the countryside provides. They contend that life in the countryside is less stressful, offering cleaner air, less noise pollution, and a slower pace of life. Moreover, the close-knit communities in rural areas foster a sense of belonging and interpersonal relationships that can be harder to find in bustling cities.

To conclude, in my opinion, both living environments have their merits, and the choice depends on individual preferences and priorities. While cities offer convenience and a vibrant social scene, they can also be overwhelming and stressful. On the contrary, the countryside provides a peaceful and close-to-nature existence, but it might lack the opportunities and amenities that cities offer. Therefore, the ideal choice should be based on a person’s lifestyle, values, and career aspirations.

IELTS Discussion Essay Model Answer 3

Some people believe that social media has a negative impact on society, while others believe that it has a positive effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Introduction: Introduces the topic and states that social media’s impact on society is debated.

Body Paragraph 1: Discusses the negative effects of social media, including impacts on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships.

Body Paragraph 2: Presents the positive aspects of social media, focusing on connectivity, activism, information sharing, and education.

Conclusion: Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges both sides of the argument but emphasizes the potential positive impact of responsible social media use.

The influence of social media on society is a topic of ongoing debate. Detractors argue that social media has detrimental effects on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships. They claim that the constant comparison to curated online personas can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Furthermore, the erosion of privacy due to the widespread sharing of personal information and the rise of cyberbullying are serious concerns. Critics also point out that excessive screen time detracts from face-to-face interactions, potentially weakening real-life connections.

On the other hand, proponents of social media contend that it fosters global connectivity, information sharing, and activism. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram enable individuals to voice their opinions, raise awareness about important issues, and create positive change. Social media has played a pivotal role in various social movements and humanitarian efforts, mobilizing people on a scale previously unattainable. Additionally, it allows easy access to a wide range of educational content and facilitates networking opportunities.

In conclusion, while social media has its drawbacks, its potential positive impact is significant. The power of social media to amplify voices, disseminate information, and drive social change cannot be overlooked. However, its usage should be balanced and responsible, with individuals and society collectively addressing its negative aspects, such as online toxicity and privacy concerns.

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Here are the 10 examples for the IELTS Discussion Essay:

Take your time to understand this lesson well and keep practising IELTS discussion essays using past and latest exam questions as much as you need. Constant practice is the best way to get better at it. Way to go!

If you are preparing for the IELTS Writing exam, we would recommend you practice tasks like the above-given questions regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at cracking the writing tasks for IELTS within the dedicated timeframe.

You can also enroll in our IELTS preparation online classes to get your hands on the latest IELTS writing questions or participate in our FREE online webinars to learn how to write them directly from our band 9 IELTS experts!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the major mistakes test takers do in the IELTS Discussion essays?

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Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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IELTS discussion essay: model answer and analysis

Updated : February 2024

Below is an IELTS question for writing task 2 and my model answer. It is on the topic of Education. After analysing the question, I can see that it’s about whether homework is a good idea or not in helping kids in their educational development . It asks me to discuss both views and also asks for my opinion .

In this case, you must state your opinion in the introduction, the body and conclusion.

In this essay I will need to do 3 things:

• Write about why some people think school children should not be given homework by their teachers.
• Write about why other people think homework plays an important role in the education of children.
• Give my opinion on the issue and explain.

Task Question

Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Model Answer

Some people think it is not a good idea for teachers to assign home study tasks to school children, while others say it is an essential part of learning. I believe pupils need homework to achieve better exam results as it gives them a chance of entering higher education.

On the one hand, some believe that homework is of no benefit and becomes a burden to school children. This is because pupils spend their whole day studying, taking part in after school clubs and feel exhausted after returning home. For instance, in Japan, the majority of minors are under pressure to complete vast amounts of homework along with extracurricular activities. If they fail to finish their assignments they may not do well in exams, meaning they would be unable to get into a good high school. I think home assignments are beneficial but children should not be put under this kind of pressure.

On the other hand, it is widely believed that homework plays a vital role in the development of knowledge for students and I agree with this. In other words, home study tasks help pupils understand school subjects better which allows them to attain higher grades. For example, according to extensive research, children aged between 10 and 16 who are given a large amount of mathematics homework do far better in tests than those who are not given any home assignments. I believe that home study tasks improve a child’s chances of entering tertiary education which leads to a rewarding career.

To conclude, although views differ concerning children being assigned homework, I would argue that home assignments are necessary to help pupils get high grades, enabling them to secure a place at university and improve their career chances.

Click this blue button to see an analysis of the model answer.

Word count is 290 words. I advise keeping it under 300 words as you may not have the time to write a long essay in the exam and it is not necessary to write a very long essay.

The structure is:

• Introduction: Paraphrased task question with a thesis statement (opinion)
• Main body 1:  Discussed first view, explained and gave an example with my opinion.
• Main body 2:  Discussed second view, agreed,  explained and gave an example.
• Conclusion:  Referred to the differing views, opinion rephrased

Make sure to check the task question again before writing your essay. you could lose a band score if it goes off-topic.

Planning time is crucial here, allow 10 minutes to plan an essay and make sure you have some good supporting points to back up your topic sentences.

With a discussion essay, you have to state others views and give supporting sentences with detail and specific examples. Discussion essays often ask your opinion. Click here to see this lesson  about stating an opinion.

When we state others views, especially in IELTS Discussion essays, there is specific language that should be used. For more detail on this, click here to see this lesson.

There is a lot of confusion about whether to use personal pronouns in IELTS essays (I, me, my, our, etc..) but if the question asks to ‘what extent do you agree?’  or ‘give your own opinion’ then you need to write personal pronouns… click here to see a lesson on this .

Note on paraphrasing: I have paraphrased the word ‘ homework’ in this essay with the phrases ‘ home study tasks ‘ and ‘ home assignments’ . Sometimes there is no way to avoid repetition but if you have a good understanding of synonyms and referencing you can avoid too much repetition. There are often words that are hard to paraphrase such as ‘people’ or ‘children’.

Not every word from the task question needs paraphrasing and you can repeat words as long as you can demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary. Be very careful not to over paraphrase.

Any Comments? leave them below

3 thoughts on “IELTS discussion essay: model answer and analysis”

Thanks to analysing for this essay,as it helps me very well as I want

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Writing Task 2 Discuss Both Views Lesson

How to write a Task 2 discussion essay: 

• Introduction: paraphrase the question, state both points of view, make a thesis statement and outline your sentence. 
• Main body paragraph 1: state the first viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or disagree and give an example to support your view.
• Main body paragraph 2: state the second viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or disagree and give an example to support your view.
• Conclusion: summarise and state which viewpoint is better or more important.
• Remember that each Task 2 essay requires a different structure. It is important to learn each structure and practise your writing at home.

Introduction

This lesson will help you answer IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion (or discuss both views and give your opinion) questions.

These particular questions require a different approach to opinion essays because you have to discuss both sides rather than argue in favour of one side.

This post will look at:

• Identifying the question

Example Questions

• Sample Answer

Task Achievement

Coherence and Cohesion

Lexical Resource

Many students fail to do well in these questions because they do not do what the question asks them to do and do not use an appropriate structure . This post will help you overcome these problems and give you a sample answer.

We will also look at ‘lexical resource’ and ‘coherence and cohesion’; two of the IELTS examiners’ marking criteria when marking your essays. Understanding the marking scheme will help you get inside an IELTS examiner’s head and give them exactly what they want.

Identifying the Question

Look at the three questions below and choose the one you think is a discussion question.

• Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will soon be no role for the teacher in education.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• Computers are being used more and more in education.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

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

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

The first question is an opinion question, and we can tell this from the instructions ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree?’.

The second question is obviously an advantages and disadvantages question.

The third question is the discussion question. We can tell this from the typical instructions in the question, ‘Discuss both sides of the argument and then give your opinion’.

You may also be asked to ‘Discuss both views and give your opinion’ or ‘Discuss both sides of the argument and give your opinion’.

Each of these questions is asking us to do different things, and we, therefore, need a different structure for each question .

Here are a few other typical discussion questions:

• A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

• Bloodsports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. All blood sports should be banned.

Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.

• Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime.

As you can see, they typically state two opinions and then ask you to discuss both and give your opinion. Make sure you do these things in the essay. If you only discuss both views and fail to give your opinion you will lose marks.

For discussion questions, I suggest you use the following four-paragraph structure.

Introduction 

1- Paraphrase Question

2- State Both Points of View

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

Main Body Paragraph 2

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Conclusion  

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

Practice  

Here is a sample answer, but I have mixed up the sentences. Can you match the sentences below to the structure above?

This exercise will help you understand the structure.

• In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction.
• There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom.
• The internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before.
• Moreover, learners can research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education.
• However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction.
• Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy.
• Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason.
• This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers. This essay will discuss both points of view.
• For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.
• Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
• However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
• It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications.

Example Answer

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

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

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

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

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

This is one of the four areas you will be assessed on in the IELTS writing test.

Task achievement refers to your ability to address all parts of the question and present a fully developed answer. By following the structure above, we have fully discussed both sides of the argument and given our opinion. This is exactly what the question asked us to do, no more, no less.

Discourse markers (words like ‘however’, ‘despite this’ and ‘In conclusion’) are also referred to as ‘linking words’ and ‘linking phrases’, or ‘sentence connectors’. They are quite formal and are used more in academic writing than informal speech.

You gain marks for using these under the ‘coherence and cohesion’ section of the marking scheme. These words ‘stick’ the other words together and lend continuity to sentences and paragraphs.

If you do not include discourse markers in your IELTS writing, your answer will appear illogical and more difficult to understand.

However, this does not mean that you should try to insert as many of these words into your writing as possible. This is a common mistake in IELTS writing.  Using too many of them, or using them inappropriately, can make your writing sound too heavy and unnatural. They are important but must only be used at the appropriate time.

Try to identify any discourse markers in the essay above . Don’t look at the essay below yet. How many can you find?

Student Sample Answer with Discourse Markers

Here is the sample answer again with the discourse markers in bold .

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

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

However , many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy.  Despite this , human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance , Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

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

This is also one of the four criteria you will be marked on, and it refers to your ability to use a wide range of accurate vocabulary.

A common mistake is to repeat the same words over and over again. You will lose marks if you do this. A solution to this problem is to use synonyms. You can either think of synonyms as you are writing or leave time, in the end, to add them in.

Can you identify any synonyms in the essay above?

Here are some examples:

Computers- technology

Computers- the internet

Education- in the classroom

Education- students and teachers

Positive trend- positive development

Negative Consequences- adverse ramifications

By varying your vocabulary this way, you are demonstrating that you have a wide vocabulary, which will boost your band score. However, like discourse markers, be careful not to use inappropriate/inaccurate words. Only use words you are confident about. Mistakes will lead to fewer marks.

Do you need me to correct your essays and give you feedback on them? Check out our essay correction service .

I hope this post helps you with discussion questions, and if you have any questions, please comment below.

About Christopher Pell

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

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

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

Liz Ideas for IELTS Essay: Free PDF Download

Liz’s ideas for ielts essay topics pdf free download.

Preparing for your IELTS exam can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to essay writing. In the quest for valuable resources, the “IELTS Essay Topics” series by Liz stands out as a beacon of guidance. Liz, a renowned IELTS expert, has curated an impressive collection of essay topics in various volumes, ensuring that aspiring candidates have a plethora of ideas to choose from. Let’s delve into the world of IELTS topics and explore the wealth of knowledge Liz has to offer.

Free and Accessible Resources One of the standout features of Liz’s work is the accessibility of her materials. The “Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics” PDFs are readily available online, and some volumes can be downloaded for free. This availability ensures that IELTS aspirants, regardless of their location or background, can access high-quality essay topics without financial constraints.

Comprehensive Essay Ideas Within these volumes, Liz covers an extensive array of topics, ranging from social issues to environmental concerns, technology, education, and more. Each volume is meticulously organized, offering a diverse selection of ideas to cater to different interests and preferences. Whether you’re passionate about climate change, healthcare, or global economics, Liz’s essay topics encompass a wide spectrum of subjects.

Enhancing Writing Skills Apart from providing essay topics, Liz’s materials are designed to enhance your writing skills significantly. The carefully crafted topics challenge your analytical and critical thinking, encouraging you to delve deep into the subject matter. Through these exercises, you can refine your arguments, structure your essays effectively, and develop a persuasive writing style – crucial elements for excelling in the IELTS Writing Task 2.

A Word of Caution While many of Liz’s resources are available for free, it’s important to ensure you’re downloading them from reputable sources. Always double-check the authenticity of the website or platform from which you access the materials to avoid potential issues related to piracy or unreliable content.

In conclusion, Liz’s “Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics” series stands as an invaluable resource for IELTS aspirants worldwide. With a vast range of topics, accessible formats, and the potential to enhance your writing skills, these materials are a valuable addition to your preparation arsenal. So, dive into the world of ideas, hone your essay-writing skills, and step confidently towards your IELTS success!

Also Check: Mental Gymnastics IELTS Reading with Answers

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Discussion Essay Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2

Learn how to answer Discussion essay questions in IELTS writing Task 2 with an overview, recommended approach and practice question. by Tim Martyn

Example question

Recommended approach, practice question.

Discussion essay questions are a common question type in IELTS writing Task 2. You’ll be presented with two opposing views on a topic and be asked to discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Here are some key points about Discussion essay questions:

• You should spend no more than 40 minutes on the task.
• You should write at least 250 words – you’ll be penalised if your answer is too short.
• Task 2 is worth two thirds of your total writing mark; Task 1 is worth one third.
• You must write in full sentences, not bullet points or note form.

Here’s an example Discussion essay question.

Write about the following topic: Some people believe that mobile phones are distracting and should be banned in school classrooms. Others, however, think that they are valuable learning tools that should be allowed. 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.

Here’s my recommended approach for answering Discussion essay questions. We’ll use the example question to go through the steps you need to take.

IMPORTANT: The overall approach is the same for all  Task 2  question types (i.e. discussion, opinion, advantages–disadvantages and two-part essay questions). This is important because, on test day, you could get a question that doesn’t fall neatly into any of these categories. However, if you learn and practise applying the overall approach, you should be able to respond flexibly to any question you’re presented with. Also, while I generally recommend writing 4-paragraph essays, there are other structures you can use to write an effective essay.

Step 1  >  Analyse the question

The first step is to analyse the question. This is crucial – if you don’t take the time to analyse the question properly, you may misunderstand what it’s asking you or fail to respond to key parts of the question. Here’s our question prompt again.

You can see that we’ve been given two opposing views:

• mobile phones are distracting and should be banned in school classrooms;
• they are valuable learning tools that should be allowed.

Notice that each view is quite specific. The first view isn’t simply that mobile phones are bad and should be banned – it’s saying that they’re distracting and should be banned. Likewise, the second view isn’t simply that mobile phones are good and should be allowed in classrooms – it’s that they’re valuable learning tools and should be allowed. You need to make sure you pay attention to these details in the question. Otherwise, it’s likely that you won’t fully answer the question. The second part of the question prompt tells us exactly what we have to do. Here, it’s asking us to:

• discuss both views;
• give our own opinion.

If you don’t cover all of these elements – e.g. you forget to give your own opinion, or you only discuss one side of the issue – you’ll have failed to fully respond to the question and you won’t be able to score higher than Band 5 for Task Response.

Step 2  >  Think of ideas

Once you fully understand the question and what you’re required to do, the next step is to spend a few minutes thinking of ideas for your essay. Don’t try to brainstorm as many ideas as you can – all you need is a few good ideas. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, try asking yourself these questions:

• What are the most obvious ideas?
• If you asked 100 people for their ideas, what do you think most of them would say?

For Discussion essay questions, you’re given two opposing views in the question, so all you really need to think of is some reasons why people may hold those views and decide which view you agree with.

Step 3  >  Make a plan

Once you’ve thought of some ideas, it’s time to make a plan. I’d recommend that you spend about 5 minutes on your plan. It doesn’t need to be very detailed, but it’s important to think about what examples you’ll use and how you’ll explain your points. If you think of these things in advance, you’ll be able to connect your ideas more effectively when you’re writing your essay. Don’t try to write in full sentences – you can use symbols and abbreviations. The important thing is just to get your ideas down on paper. The plan for this essay might look something like this.

Step 4  >  Write the introduction

Now that you’ve thought of ideas for your essay and made a plan, it’s time to write the introduction. IELTS doesn’t specify what you need to include in your introduction, but for Discussion essay questions, I recommend that you include:

• a broad statement about the topic;
• a paraphrase of the opposing views presented in the question that includes your own opinion.

Let’s look at each of these parts one by one.

1. A broad statement about the topic

An easy and effective way to start your introduction is to write a broad statement about the topic. What’s the topic? In our example, the topic is mobile phones in schools and the idea that their use is contentious, but not that they’re distracting or valuable learning tools – we’ll introduce that idea in the second part of the introduction. For Discussion essay questions, the easiest way to write a broad statement is to introduce the idea that there’s debate / a difference of opinion. In our example, we could write something like this: There are differing opinions as to whether schools should allow mobile phones to be used in class.

2. A paraphrase of the opposing views presented in the question that includes your own opinion

In the second part of the introduction, you should paraphrase the two views expressed in the question and make sure your own opinion is clear. Keep in mind that you mustn’t copy the exact wording used in the question. Instead, you need to use synonyms and other forms of paraphrasing. You won’t be able find synonyms for everything. In fact, some words shouldn’t be replaced because doing so would change the meaning.

Here are the key words from the question prompt with some possible synonyms.

Notice that I haven’t attempted to find a synonym for mobile phones . You might be tempted to use the US term (i.e. cell phone s), but that’s not necessary. You’ll also notice that, instead of trying to find synonyms for distracting and learning tools , I’ve made other changes to show the examiner that I can express the opposing views in my own words. The easiest way to include your own opinion is to use a phrase such as I tend to agree with those who . This makes your position clear to the reader. Our paraphrase could be something like this: While some argue that mobile phones should be prohibited because they are a distraction, I tend to agree with those who see them as useful learning tools that should be embraced.

If we put the two parts of the introduction together, this is what we have.

There are differing opinions as to whether schools should allow mobile phones to be used in class. While some argue that mobile phones should be prohibited because they are a distraction, I tend to agree with those who see them as useful learning tools that should be embraced.

Step 5  >  Write the body paragraphs

The next step is to write the body paragraphs. Your first body paragraph should be about the view you don’t agree with. To make it clear that it’s the view of others, you can use phrases such as Some people , They say that and According to those who . Your second paragraph should be about the view you do agree with. A word such as While or However can help you introduce the contrasting view. Make sure it’s clear that you share this view. Don’t be afraid to use phrases such as I believe that and I am of the view that . Here are some possible body paragraphs for our example.

Some people hold the view that mobile phones have no place in school classrooms because they distract students from the lesson. They point to the many apps available on students’ phones, including games and social media apps. They argue that the temptation to use such apps during class time is difficult for the majority of students to resist. For example, if students are working on a group project, the less engaged members of the group may take out their phones to quickly check social media, watch a video on YouTube or do something else on their phones that is not related to what they are supposed to be doing. According to those who are opposed to the use of mobile phones in class, such distraction has a negative impact on learning outcomes. While I accept that there is a risk of distraction, like others, I believe that mobile phones should be permitted in class because of the many educational benefits they offer. Firstly, there is a wide variety of apps that teachers can use to make their lessons more engaging. One example of such an app is Kahoot, which allows teachers to create highly engaging, interactive quizzes that students can complete in teams. Such apps are beneficial because learning is more effective when students are engaged. Secondly, access to mobile phones in class can encourage students to become independent learners. Without their phones, students have to rely on information provided by the teacher, but if they are given access to their phones, they can do their own research and find answers for themselves.

Step 6  >  Write the conclusion

The next step is to write the conclusion. All you need to do here is summarise the two opposing views and, again, make it clear what your own opinion is. Don’t just copy the words you used in other parts of the essay – use synonyms and paraphrasing as much as you can. Start your conclusion with In conclusion or To conclude . Here’s a possible conclusion for our example.

In conclusion, while students do need guidelines on how to use their mobile phones responsibly in class, I am of the view that they should be permitted because of the positive impact they can have on students’ learning.

Step 7  >  Check your work

The final step is to check your work. At this stage, you won’t have time to make any major changes, but it’s still an important step. Things to check for:

• whether you’ve used an adequate range of grammar and vocabulary;
• your word count.

Now it’s your turn to practise. Try the Discussion essay question below using the approach outlined above.

Write about the following topic: Some people believe that homework is an important part of children’s education. Others say that children should not be given homework. 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.

↕  scrollable window

Click below for a sample answer.

Despite homework being a common component of children’s education, not everyone agrees on its value. While some people believe that children should not be required to do homework, I generally side with those who see it as a crucial aspect of learning.

Some people argue that homework is unnecessary and should not be given to children. Children already spend a significant portion of their day in school, they say, and adding more academic work after school hours can prevent them from engaging in extracurricular activities, pursuing hobbies and enjoying essential downtime. They also argue that the effectiveness of many common homework tasks is questionable as they can often involve rote memorisation and completion for the sake of completion. Finally, a common argument against homework is the fact that it can put an unnecessary burden on parents because they have to ensure that their children are actually completing it.

However, I agree with those who see homework as an important part of children’s education. First of all, homework plays a vital role in reinforcing classroom learning. It provides students with an opportunity to practise and apply what they have learnt in the classroom, solidifying their understanding of concepts. For example, if students have learnt about a scientific concept in class, their homework could be to conduct a simple scientific experiment based on that concept at home. Homework also allows parents to be more engaged in their child’s education as they can review assignments and support their child’s learning journey. Finally, homework teaches children discipline, which can prepare them for the demands of higher education and the workforce.

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IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Discussion Essay (Discuss both Sides/Views)

by Dave | Understanding Task 2 Writing | 0 Comment

Here I have collected actual IELTS discussion essays (discuss both sides/views) from the last several years – enjoy learning about this common task type!

Enjoy and consider signing up for my Patreon Ebooks here .

IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Discussion Essay (Discuss both Sides)

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.

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

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Read my essay here.

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.

Reported on IELTS Cambridge 19

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.

Some people believe that in a city, the best way to travel is by car, while other people argue that bicycles are a better way of travelling in a city.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Read my sample here.

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.

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.

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

Get the full EBook here on Patreon.

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.

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

Read my EBook on Patreon.

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.

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.

Many think that religion should be taught in schools while others think it should be avoided.

My full EBook is available on Patreon.

Some believe that students should begin learning a language very early in school while others think these subjects should be taught later.

Some feel that individuals should have the right to strike in all jobs while others feel there are exceptions.

Get the full EBook on Patreon.com/howtodoielts

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing.

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.

Read my EBook here on Patreon.

Some people feel that cities should allow for spaces for graffiti while others feel it should be banned.

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 .

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.

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. 

Some people believe more actions can be taken to prevent crime, while others think that little can be done.

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.

Some feel that punishment should focus more on rehabilitation instead of long prison terms. Others feel prison terms are important for social stability.

Read my essay on Patreon.

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.

Read my essay on Patreon as an EBook.

Some believe that traffic problems in cities can best be resolved by investing in urban infrastructure while others feel there are superior solutions.

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.

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.

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.

Some believe that money for education should mainly be spent on better computers while others believe it would be better spent on teachers.

In an era of globalization, some people think that studying abroad is the best way to attain a well-paid job while others believe other options are better.

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.

Some people feel that equality between the genders has already been achieved while others feel there is considerable progress to be made.

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.

Some feel that cities shold be designed to be beautiful while others feel their functionality is more important.

Read my essay here as an Ebook on Patreon.

In some places, old age is valued, while in other cultures youth is considered more important.

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.

Read my essay.

Some people think it is better to have many short holidays during the year. Others believe it would be beneficial to have fewer, longer vacations.

Get my Ebook on Patreon here.

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.

Some people say that individuals should change jobs during their working life often while others believe that doing the same job has advantages to individuals, companies, and society.

Some think that politicians should always be honest while others feel that there are times when they must lie. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Many people argue that in order to improve educational quality, high school students should encouraged to question and offer criticisms on their teachers. Others think this will lead to a loss of respect and discipline in the classroom.

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always good .

Computers are becoming increasingly pervasive in modern life. Some view this is as a positive while others feel it is negative overall.

Read my sample answer here.

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.

Some people are happy to stay in the same area for their whole life, while others prefer living in many different places.

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.

Some people think that schools should not test and grade students. Others think that grades are important.

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.

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.

There is little difference in the shops now operating in various nations. Some people think this is positive development,while other believe it is negative.

Some people focus on news in their own country, while others think it is more important to be aware of international news.

Some say that children should be taught at school to recycling and avoid waste. Others say they should learn this at home.

Discuss both views and give your opinion .

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.

Employers sometimes ask people applying for jobs for personal information, such as their hobbies and interests, and whether they are married or single. Some people say that this information may be relevant and useful. Others disagree.

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.

Some people think personal happiness is directly related to economic success, while others believe this depends on other factors.

Many people believe that it is easier to have a healthy lifestyle in the countryside. Other believe that there are health benefits to living in cities.

Some people think that students in high or secondary school can choose courses freely, others think that courses such as mathematics must be compulsory.

Some people think children should have the freedom to make mistakes, while other people believe that adults should prevent children from making mistakes.

Some people believe that children should do sports so that they will grow up as healthy adults, but others feel sports are just about enjoying yourself.

Discuss these both views and give your own opinion.

Some people think that individuals today are more dependent on each other. Others believe people have become more independent.

Some people think that children can learn about history by visiting museums, while others feel that there are better ways to learn about history.

Some feel that schools should be mixed with both girls and boys attending while others feel the genders ought to be separated.

Some believe that people should make efforts to fight climate change while others think it is better to learn to live with it.

In many countries, crimes rates amongst younger people has been rising.

Discuss the causes and solutions for this problem.

Some people think that sports play an important role in society. Others think they are nothing more than a leisure activity.

Read my answer here.

Some people think the newly built houses should be the same as the old housing styles in local areas. Others argue that local authorities should allow people to build houses in their own style.

Some feel governments should invest in preserving minority languages, while others feel this is not a good use of resources.

Museums and art galleries should show local history and culture instead of work from different countries.

Discuss both views and give opinion.

Some people think young people should follow the traditions of their society. Others think that they should be free to behave as individuals.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

Some people think parents are responsible for transporting their children to school. Others think it is the government’s responsibility.

Some feel that the effects of advertising are positive for individuals and businesses, while others think they are negative.

Some think that climate change reforms will negatively affect business. Others feel they are an opportunity for businesses.

Some people say young people should be completely free to choose their future job but others think young people must be more realistic in their choice.

Some people say that the bicycles are a good, modern means of transportation. Other say riding a bicycle has clear disadvantages.

Discuss both view points and give your own opinion.

Some think scientists should be allowed to send messages into space to communicate with other life forms while others believe this is too dangerous.

Some feel executives in large companies should receive high salaries while others think they are paid too much compared to ordinary workers.

Some believe that advances in technology are increasing the gap between rich and poor while others think the opposite is hapenning.

Some people think that cities are the best places to live. Others prefer to live in rural areas.

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.

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.

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 views and give your own opinion. 

Some people believe that children that commit crimes should be punished. Others think the parents should be punished instead.

Some believe that it is beneficial to show foreign films while others feel this can have a negative impact on local culture.

Some scientists believe that in the future computers will be more intelligent than human beings. While some see this as a positive development others worry about the negative consequences.

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.

Some people think that resources should be spent on protecting wild animals, while others think those would be better used for the human population.

Giving children and adolescents pocket money is common throughout the world.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this practice and give your own opinion.

Some think schools should rewards students who have the best academic results, while others think it’s more important to reward students who achieve other types of success (such as sports, music, and good behaviour).

Some educational systems make students study specialised subjects from the age of fifteen while others require students to study a wide range.

Some people argue children should stay in school until the age of 18 while others think that 14 years is long enough.

Many people think that zoos are cruel. Others think they are helpful in protecting rare animals.

Some people like to spend their leisure time after work with co-workers while others prefer to keep their private life separate from their work life.

Some people believe that one-on-one lessons are better for learning while others think that group lessons are superior.

Some think that quality art can be made by anyone while others think that it requires special talent and ability.

In many countries, teenagers are encouraged to find part-time jobs. Some think this is a good development while others disagree.

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.

Many people believe that music is just a form of entertainment, whilst others believe that music has a much larger impact on society today.

Some believe that the best way to stay fit is to join a gym or health club while others think doing everyday activities such as walking and climbing stairs is enough.

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.

Some think that governments should support retired people financially while others believe they should take care of themselves.

Some believe that people are naturally born as leaders while others feel that leadership skills can develop.

Many people feel that students should learn from online materials while others feel that it is better to use printed materials.

Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age. Some think they should begin at least 7 years old.

Discuss both views give opinions.

Many think that in today’s world it is very difficult for people to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Others, however, feel that it is easy for people to be healthy and fit if they want to be.

Some people think that paying taxes is their only responsibility towards society while others feel that everyone should do more.

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 feels schools are more responsible.

Some people believe that education is the key to tackling hunger worldwide while others feel that the answer is in food aid.

Some people say that it is acceptable to test medicine intended for people on animals. Others, however, believe that it is not right to use animals in this research.

Many feel that going to the gym is the best way to stay fit. Others think there are more effective methods.

Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices on everyday matters (such as food, clothes and entertainment) is likely to result in a society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Other people believe that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that affect them.

Many parents encourage young people to leave home when they become older, while others think they should stay at home with the family.

Many people believe that every individual is responsible for his/her own healthy lifestyle. Others believe that governments should take care of it.

In a number of countries, some people think it is necessary to spend large sums of money on constructing new railway lines for very fast trains between cities. Others believe the money should be spent on improving existing public transport.

Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems.

Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations., some people believe that it is good to share as much information as possible in scientific research, business, and the academic world. others believe that some information is too important or too valuable to be shared freely..

Some people think that governments should invest mainly in making public transportation faster while other think there are more important priorities (cost, the environment).

Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn news. However, others believe that they can learn news better through other media.

Some people say history is one the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like science and technology are more important than history.

Some people think that it is a waste of money for countries to host big sporting events like the world cup, and that the money would be better spent on other things. However, others think that hosting large sporting events has a clear, positive impact on a country.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion., some are of the opinion that people are naturally born as good leaders while others feel that leadership skills can be learned., recommended for you.

Latest IELTS Writing Task 1 2024 (Graphs, Charts, Maps, Processes)

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IELTS Writing Topics September & October 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.

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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.

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Liz’s Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics E-book

Writing is one of the toughest modules of the IELTS exam. Writing requires a wide range of vocabulary and ideas on different topics that are prevalent in the world. Writing includes task 1 and task 2.

In task 1 you will be given a graph or diagram and you have to write about 150 words in 20 minutes whereas in task 2 you will be provided with a topic and you have to write 250 words in 40 minutes.

Writing Task 1 is easy as compared to Writing task 2, so you have to do more practice for task 2 and this book will help you to learn new ideas.

Liz’s Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics E-book is written by Elizabeth Liz. She is an experienced IELTS teacher and the author of the website ieltsliz.com. she completed her IELTS examiner training in 2008

This IELTS book is about task 2 of IELTS Writing. this book includes ideas on different topics of writing task 2. these ideas are very useful for IELTS students.

This book also includes important Vocabulary with ideas for 150 topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 . this book is comprehensive and covers all important task 2 writing topics.

The third page of this book contains a message from the author and all students should read this message carefully before starting the book.

Apart from that, Liz’s Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics E-book includes ideas on different topics alphabetically. Topics that are included in this book are mentioned below:

• Advertising 
• Buildings & Housing
• Character and people
• Crime and Punishments 
• Economy and Money
• Environment 
• Health 
• Internet and computers
• Language 
• Media and TV
• Reading and Books
• Space Exploration
• Sports and exercise

If you really want to learn something from this book, then buy a hard copy of this book. Start reading this book from the first page and slowly read all pages and try to use these words in your daily essays and also use these in speaking.

To read this book, I recommend purchasing this book an e-commerce website like Amazon or Flipkart. But you can download a soft copy of this book on our website.

Due to copyright reasons, you can’t download IELTS books directly on our website, but in  this file . Please like and recommend our  9IELTS Fanpage  to motivate us to keep up the good work.

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Nhân viên IELTS thân thiên, hỗ trợ thí sinh nhiệt, vui vẻ. Văn phòng IDP rất đẹp, 10 điểm không có nhưng

Thanh Nguyen

Các dạng bài & cách viết ielts writing task 1, các dạng writing task 2 thường gặp và định hướng làm bài, ielts speaking part 1: các chủ đề thường gặp và bí quyết trả lời, tổng hợp bộ từ vựng ielts writing task 1, từ vựng ielts theo chủ đề phổ biến, bảng quy đổi điểm toeic sang ielts chi tiết nhất, cách viết ielts writing task 1 dạng line graph, cách viết writing task 1 dạng bar chart chỉ với 3 bước cực hiệu quả, cách viết writing task 1 dạng map đạt điểm cao, hướng dẫn viết dạng bài writing task 1 process/diagram chi tiết.

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Cách viết Discussion Essay và bài mẫu trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Hướng dẫn cách viết dạng bài discussion essay từng bước cụ thể ghi điểm cao. Cùng với bài mẫu tham khảo & các sai lầm phổ biến cần tránh & tips làm bài.

Chủ đề bài viết

Đối với IELTS Writing Task 2 , bạn sẽ được yêu cầu viết một bài luận về một chủ đề bất kỳ với nhiều dạng bài khác nhau, trong đó discussion essay là dạng bài rất phổ biến. Thí sinh đôi khi khó nhận biết dạng bài này bởi thường nhầm lẫn với dạng bài opinion essay hay advantage/disadvantage essay. Bài viết sau đây IDP IELTS chia sẻ đến bạn cũng như cách nhận biết, cách viết discussion essay và bài mẫu tham khảo.

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1. Discussion essay là gì?

Dạng discussion essay trong IELTS Writing sẽ đưa ra hai vấn đề/quan điểm trái ngược nhau và yêu cầu người viết bàn luận về cả hai vấn đề/quan điểm đó và đưa ra ý kiến cá nhân của mình. Điều quan trọng là bạn cần giữ được tính khách quan khi phân tích các khía cạnh của vấn đề, rồi từ đó mới đưa ra ý kiến cá nhân. Dưới đây là một số yêu cầu đề bài thường gặp:

Discuss both views and give your opinion. 

Discuss both these views and then give your own opinion. 

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

Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In many countries, traditional foods are being replaced by international fast food. Many people think that it is good to eat traditional food while others believe that fast food is a good choice.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Đăng Ký Thi IELTS Trên Máy Tính Ngay

2. Cách nhận biết discussion essay

Nếu đề bài yêu cầu như Discuss both these views…/Discuss both views…/Discuss both sides …thì chính là dạng bài discussion essay. Chìa khóa nhận biết là đề bài đưa ra một vấn đề với hai ý kiến trái chiều và bạn cần bàn luận cả hai, và đưa thêm quan điểm cá nhân của chính bạn. Thí sinh thường nhầm lẫn dạng bài opinion và advantages/disadvantages.

Dạng bài opinion essay yêu cầu bạn đưa ra một quan điểm và dùng những lý luận để phân tích quan điểm đó. 

Dạng bài advantages/disadvantages đưa ra một vấn đề, có thể là một sự phát triển về mặt nào đó, sau đó yêu cầu bạn đưa ra các ưu điểm và nhược điểm của xu hướng này. 

3. Những lỗi thường gặp trong discussion essay

Khi bạn xác định sai dạng bài, bài luận sẽ không đáp ứng yêu cầu đề bài. Sau đây là 3 sai lầm thường gặp khi làm bài discussion essay:

Không đưa ra ý kiến ​​​​cá nhân.

Không phân tích hai mặt quan điểm.

Không phân tích hai mặt quan điểm một cách đồng đều.

Sai lầm phổ biến nhất mà thí sinh mắc phải là không đưa ra ý kiến cá nhân ​​của mình. Đề bài yêu cầu bạn nêu ý kiến cá nhân, liệu sau khi phân tích thì cuối cùng bạn nghiêng về bên nào hơn. Nếu bạn không trình bày được, bạn sẽ không ghi điểm cho tiêu chí Task achievement (khả năng hoàn thành yêu cầu bài thi).

Bạn hãy nhớ rằng, không quan trọng bạn đồng ý khía cạnh nào của quan điểm hoặc thậm chí là bạn đồng ý với nó như thế nào. Tuy nhiên, bạn phải phân tích đồng đều cho cả hai vế. Lỗi mà thí sinh thường mắc phải là phân tích quan điểm họ đồng tình sâu sắc hơn, dẫn đến sự mất cân bằng trong lập luận của cả hai quan điểm.

Đăng Ký Thi IELTS Trên Giấy Ngay

4. Cấu trúc của một bài discussion essay

Cấu trúc bài là một phần quan trọng không thể thiếu khi viết bất kỳ dạng bài nào. Tương tự như các dạng essay khác, discussion essay bao gồm 3 phần chính mở bài, thân bài, kết bài.

Cấu trúc này sẽ giúp bài discussion essay cân đối. Sau đây là các bước chuẩn bị giúp bạn làm bài hiệu quả.

5. Các bước chuẩn bị viết discussion essay

Bước 1: phân tích đề bài.

Phân tích đề bài là một bước quan trọng trong quá trình chuẩn bị đảm bảo bạn hoàn thành bài luận theo yêu cầu đề bài. Bước này vô cùng dễ thực hiện. Bạn chỉ cần xác định 3 ý sau:

Xác định chủ đề cần bàn luận là gì.

Xác định quan điểm/vấn đề của chủ đề.

Xác định yêu cầu đề bài.

Chủ đề nói về zoos .

Sau khi bạn xác định được chủ đề thì hãy xác định quan điểm mà đề bài yêu cầu viết về. 

Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down . Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals .

Thông qua những từ khóa này, đề bài yêu cầu viết về hai quan điểm trái ngược nhau. Sở thú là nơi tàn nhẫn và không nên hoạt động, mặc khác cho rằng chúng hữu ích trong việc bảo vệ động vật hoang dã. Bạn cần phân tích hai quan điểm này.

Xem thêm: Làm sao để hiểu đề bài luận trong Writing Task 2

Bước 2: Chọn quan điểm mà bạn đồng ý

Giám khảo đánh giá bài luận của bạn thông qua khả năng viết tiếng Anh với một cấu trúc tốt hay không, không quan trọng là bạn đồng ý với quan điểm nào. Vì vậy, bạn có thể chọn quan điểm nào mà bạn đồng tình và đảm bảo nó rõ ràng, thống nhất trong bài luận. Đối với đề bài này, bạn có thể đồng ý với nhận định rằng sở thú là nơi tàn nhẫn và không nên hoạt động.

Bước 3: Lên ý tưởng & Lập dàn ý bài discussion essay

Bước tiếp theo là lên một số ý tưởng và lập dàn ý để viết.

Để không căng thẳng và bình tĩnh suy nghĩ trong lúc làm bài, bạn hãy tưởng tượng bạn đang trò chuyện với một người và họ hỏi bạn câu hỏi thường nhật. Bạn sẽ trả lời họ như thế nào? Từ đó, hãy lập dàn ý cho bài luận từ những ý tưởng trả lời của bạn.

Cách này sẽ giúp bạn đưa ra câu trả lời đơn giản với từ ngữ không quá phức tạp. Hãy thử mẹo này nhé.

Đây là một số ý tưởng bạn có thể tham khảo:

Cruel – closed down:

Cramped cages – animals distressed

Unnatural environments

Most animals not endangered

Animals become a public spectacle for entertainment

Useful – protect wild animals:

Research work to learn more about wild animals

Breeding programmes for endangered species

Some species saved from extinction

Seeing wild animals close up inspires people to want to help protect them

Trên đây có khá nhiều ý tưởng, bạn có thể chọn hai ý để làm luận cứ phân tích và bàn luận cho hai quan điểm.

Idea 1 – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.

Idea 2 – Breeding programmes for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.

Bước 4: Chuẩn bị từ vựng

Trong bài luận IELTS, điều quan trọng là có thể diễn đạt cùng một ý nghĩa theo những cách khác nhau, bằng cách paraphrase hoặc sử dụng từ đồng nghĩa. Trong bước lập dàn ý, hãy nhanh chóng ghi lại một vài từ đồng nghĩa mà bạn có thể sử dụng.

zoos – animals in captivity, collections of wild animals, menagerie, wildlife park

cruel – to cause suffering, inhumane

protect – safeguard, preserve

animals – creatures, species

Sau khi hoàn tất các bước chuẩn bị, chúng ta bắt tay vào việc viết bài.

6. Hướng dẫn cách viết discussion essay

Cách viết phần mở bài.

Phần mở bài của discussion essay gồm 3 phần đơn giản:

Paraphrase câu hỏi.

Tổng quan ý tưởng sẽ phân tích cho hai quan điểm mà bạn đề cập trong phần thân bài.

Đưa ra ý kiến cá nhân.

Phần mở bài nên từ 2 - 3 câu. 40 - 60 từ. Dành 5 phút để viết.

Paraphrase câu hỏi

Bắt đầu phần mở bài bằng cách paraphrase câu hỏi.

Bạn có thể sử dụng nhiều cụm từ để paraphrase câu hỏi. Sau đây là ví dụ các cụm từ khác nhau nhưng thể hiện cùng ý nghĩa.

Some people argue that… while others say that…

It is considered by some…. while there are others who think….

It is often argued that... whilst others disagree and think...

Chọn một trong các ví dụ trên và paraphrase câu hỏi. Bạn có thể đề cập quan điểm mà bạn không đồng ý trước.

Lưu ý việc sử dụng từ đồng nghĩa trong ví dụ mẫu. Bạn không cần phải thay thế các từ trong câu, bạn có thể thay bằng từ khác nếu nó phù hợp và tự nhiên.

Tổng quan ý tưởng và luận điểm cá nhân

Tiếp theo, bạn cần thêm một câu tổng quan về ý tưởng để làm luận cứ cho hai quan điểm mà bạn sẽ trình bày trong phần thân bài (idea 1 và 2 ví dụ trên) và một câu thể hiện quan điểm cá nhân của mình.

Sau đây là phần mở bài hội tụ đủ 3 phần:

Phần mở bài này đáp ứng được ba chức năng quan trọng:

Giúp giám khảo thấy rằng bạn hiểu đề bài.

Giúp giám khảo nắm bắt nội dung chính bài luận.

Giúp bạn tập trung và đi đúng hướng khi viết.

Xem thêm: Cách viết phần mở bài tốt trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Hai ý tưởng đề cập trong phần mở bài sẽ được phân tích ở hai phần thân bài.

Thân bài thứ nhất – Breeding programmes for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.

Thân bài thứ hai – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.

Cách viết phần thân bài

Các phần thân bài trong essay discussion IELTS nên thể hiện ba điều:

Câu chủ đề (topic sentence) – tóm tắt ý chính của đoạn văn.

Giải thích – giải thích tại sao quan điểm này được ủng hộ.

Đưa ra một ví dụ.

Việc đề cập trước quan điểm mà bạn không đồng ý, sau đó thể hiện lý do bạn đồng tính với quan điểm đối lập sẽ tạo cảm giác thoải mái khi bắt đầu hơn. Vì vậy, chúng ta sẽ bắt đầu với ý tưởng 1.

Thân bài thứ nhất

Câu chủ đề là câu tóm tắt ý chính của đoạn văn. Nó không cần phức tạp.

Câu chủ đề đóng một vai trò quan trọng giúp các ý tưởng liên kết theo một mạch từ ý này sang ý khác. Nó giúp người đọc dễ dàng nắm bắt đoạn văn sẽ nói về điều gì.

Nếu bạn duy trì sự phát triển ý rõ ràng trong suốt bài luận của mình, bạn sẽ được ghi điểm cho tiêu chí task achievement (khả năng hoàn thành yêu cầu bài thi) và cohesion and coherence (tính liên kết và mạch lạc).

Dưới đây là câu tiêu đề.

Sau khi viết câu tiêu đề, chúng ta cần viết một câu giải thích để bổ trợ cho ý chính. Nó giúp làm ý của bạn rõ hơn hoặc giải thích tại sao có quan điểm đó.

Sau cùng, bạn đưa ra một ví dụ để dẫn chứng. Nếu bạn không thể nghĩ ra một ví dụ thực tế nào, bạn có thể đưa ra một ví dụ bất kỳ, miễn là nó đáng tin cậy. Giám khảo sẽ không kiểm tra sự thật.

Dưới đây là phần thân bài thứ nhất hoàn chỉnh.

Bây giờ bạn làm theo quy trình tương tự cho đoạn thân bài thứ hai.

Thân bài thứ hai

Đầu tiên, chúng ta sẽ viết câu chủ đề để tóm tắt ý chính. Trong phần thân bài thứ nhất, bạn đã sử dụng cụm từ ‘On the one hand...’, nên phần thân bài thứ hai sẽ bắt đầu cụm từ ‘On the other hand… .

Khi sử dụng cụm từ này, chúng sẽ tạo ra sự tương phản giữa hai quan điểm đối lập, hơn nữa chúng giúp liên kết các ý với nhau một cách mạch lạc. Vì vậy, các dạng cụm từ tương phản được sử dụng trong hầu hết các IELTS discussion essay giúp bạn được ghi điểm trong tiêu chí cohesion và coherence (sự gắn kết và mạch lạc).

Tiếp theo là câu giải thích để bổ trợ cho ý chính.

Sau cùng, bạn đưa ra một ví dụ để dẫn chứng.

Dưới đây là phần thân bài thứ hai hoàn chỉnh.

Bây giờ chúng ta qua phần kết bài để hoàn thành bài IELTS discussion essay.

Cách viết phần kết bài

Phần kết bài cho các bài discussion essay thể hiện hai điều:

Tóm tắt những điểm chính.

Nêu ý kiến ​​của bạn.

Câu kết cho bài luận thường có thể viết trong một câu duy nhất. Nếu toàn bộ bài luận của bạn tối thiểu 250 từ, bạn có thể viết thêm câu dự đoán hoặc lời đề xuất.

Kết luận là câu dễ viết nhất trong bài luận nhưng lại là một trong những câu quan trọng nhất.

Một kết luận tốt sẽ:

Kết thúc bài luận cô đọng, súc tích.

Liên kết tất cả các ý với nhau.

Tổng kết các lập luận hoặc quan điểm ​​​​của bạn.

Trả lời câu hỏi.

Nếu bạn thể hiện các điều này, bạn sẽ được ghi điểm cho tiêu chí task achievement (khả năng hoàn thành yêu cầu bài thi) và cohesion & coherence (tính liên kết và mạch lạc), chiếm 50% tổng số điểm. Nếu không có phần kết bài, tiêu chí task achievement của bạn sẽ dưới 6 điểm.

Để bắt đầu cho phần kết bài, bạn có thể dùng các từ: In conclusion hoặc To conclude và tất cả những gì bạn cần làm là tóm tắt ngắn gọn những ý chính thành một câu.

Đây là một mẹo hàng đầu. Bạn đọc lại phần mở bài vì đây là phần tóm tắt của bài luận. Nó tóm lượt những gì bạn sẽ viết về.

Để viết phần kết bài tốt, bạn chỉ cần paraphrase phần mở bài. Sau đây là ví dụ.

Đây là phần kết bài với thông tin tương tự phần mở bài:

Xem thêm: Cách viết đoạn kết luận tốt trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Sau đây là bài luận hoàn chỉnh với phần mở bài, thân bài, và kết bài.

Bài discussion essay hoàn chỉnh.

Nếu bạn cần hiểu rõ và nắm được sâu sắc cách thức làm bài thì hãy đọc bài viết này nhiều lần và thực hành cho các đề mẫu khác. Thực hành là cách duy nhất để cải thiện kỹ năng của bạn. Chúc các bạn thành công.

Cách viết dạng Problem and Solution trong Writing Task 2

Cách viết Agree or Disagree đạt điểm cao IELTS Writing Task 2

Hướng dẫn cách viết  Argumentative Essay  trong IELTS Writing

Compare and Contrast Essay

Về bài viết

Published on April 10, 2023

Quỳnh Khanh

Tôi là Quỳnh Khanh - Content Writer có hơn 5 năm về lĩnh vực giáo dục

Chia sẻ bài viết

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IELTS Discussion Essay Video Lesson: Useful Language

Learn expressions to use in your discussion essay for IELTS writing task 2 with this video lesson. It is important to use a variety of language to express both sides in your essay. Being able to have flexible language for giving other people’s opinions is a good way to increase your vocabulary band score.

Hello in this lesson I’m going to look at some expressions that you can use for a discussion essay for IELTS writing task 2. Now when you have a discussion essay you have to support two different sides and this is not about your opinion this is about what other people think, other people’s opinion and you have to support what they think. so here are some very useful expressions to help you show other people’s thoughts and opinions.

Now there’s quite a lot of expressions you can use. I will run through each one but I will tell you now there are two expressions here that you shouldn’t use. can you see which ones? well I’ll tell you at the end of the lesson let’s have a look the first one. “Many people believe that ” this is a very common expression to use for IELTS It is not high band score but its clear and its academic so don’t worry, please use it. The next one “it is commonly believed that” this is a very nice expression because you can see here “is believed” that is the passive and it’s very good to give the examiner some passive tense in your essay. It will improve your band score and you can see this word here “commonly” that means many people so it has the same meaning as this sentence and this word we can change, we could say “it is frequently believed that” or we could say “it is often believed that”. So we could put a different adverb of frequency here. The next one “some people think that”  again it’s very simple but it is academic and its clear. “It is often thought that” here we’ve got another passive, so very nice to use. But “on the side of” or “the other side of the coin is” this is the other opinion, the other side. “It is considered by many that” this is a very nice expression is very academic. It’s very good to use for IELTS and again you have a passive here and you can change this word if you want and you could say “it is considered by some that”. The next one here “many argue that” is very nice very clear. You don’t need to say “many people”, you could say “many argue that “. Another one, “it is argued by some that”, again here we’ve got the passive and you can change this word, “it is argued by many that”. “On the one hand” and”On the other hand”, so that’s the one side of the argument, on the other hand that’s the other side of the argument. The last one “some people support the opinion that” again this is very nice, very academic.

Discussion Essay Model Answer

I am exceedingly grateful for your copious and advantageous free resources.

I will be back with my testimonial about how your resources assisted me with acing my IELTS test once.

Well done and God bless you.

Ebizi Eradiri Njoku

Wishing you the best of luck in your test!

Thank you , my best online teacher

hi Liz I have subscribed your channel for many years now .I do receive some emails .However I need support in writing the introduction for a discussion please could you guide me

Think about getting my advanced lessons. I’ll be offering a discount at the start of July: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . The reason I made advanced lessons is so that I could explain fully how to write essays step by step. Each lesson is around 1 hour in length.

I am a new student learning the IELTS and today I started following you with the lesson writing task – 2. It is observed that there are -04- types of essays. I started the discussion type but little confused and not able to analyse the discussion type. Please advise, how may I understand whether the topic is discussion or opinion-based or discussion with opinion.

Go to this page for all your answers: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Dear liz, I have read your E-Book and that helped me a lot because I didn’t know about how to develop Ideas, but after reading that book I have learned what we can write in our essay according to the topic. Thank you for making that E-book. But here I have different doubt about structuring an Introduction for discussion type essay. (Specially, one sided opinion essay) While writing discussion type essay, you taught to give balanced approach or one sided approach. My confusion here is after paraphrasing both view points in the introduction we can directly state our opinion even if it is one sided, do we have to mention that why we do not agree with the other view point? What I mean to say is, if I think cooperation is more important to learn then do i have to mention why i do not think competition is important? My another doubt is do we have to give the hint what body paragraphs will discuss about within the introduction? Like, after paraphrasing the two different view points do we have to write again that many people think competition because it develops a sense of self-esteem in a child, while others believe cooperation is important as it helps in developing social skills + giving my opinion stating, I believe cooperation is important + reason why I believe so + why don’t I believe competition is important?

I am confused what should I exclude to make a short yet clear Introduction with one sided clear opinion? because giving reason why we do not think other view point is more important is making introduction too lengthy. Similarly giving hint within the introduction why people have different view points making it too lengthy.

Your background statement will include the two views held by others. The details for those views will be explained in the body paragraphs. The thesis statement will contain your view and the body paragraph will explain it. It is your choice how you develop the body paragraph. You might want to explain why you agree with one side and why you disagree with the other – if they are two completely different choices to make. It really depends on how much you have to say. IELTS essay are as much about strategy as they are about ideas. Think about word count and length. IELTS essays are short – they were never designed to be long. You should be aiming between 270 and 290 words. So, plan each sentence before you start writing and you’ll soon see how much you can and can’t fit into each paragraph. Also remember that if you agree with one side fully, your opinion will be given along side (in the same paragraph) as the same view that others have. If you are unsure or confused, get my Advanced lessons because I’ve explained it really carefully in those lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . Glad you liked the Ideas E-book 🙂

Hello Ma’am, Sorry for over bugging You Hope You’re kicking fine. Meanwhile, Where can I get full length videos of Your Academic Test teachings on Tips for Task 1 writing- Graphs, Charts, pictures etc- My elder Brother is attempting it for the first time and needs help with it as His Academic test is slated for 12 September. I introduced Him to Your blog but all He could set His eyes on were snippets of Your teachings on YouTube.

Best Regards.

Sorry, I don’t have full length videos for writing task 1. I only have Advanced Writing Task 2 Lessons which can be purchased on this page: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hello Liz, i visited your website and discovered numerous information and tips that will be useful for my ielts academic test. please i would like to be notified for any new video and information. thanks

You can access over 300 pages of free lessons and tips through the RED MENU Bar at the top of the website. All new lessons can be found listed in the side bar column if you are using desktop or at the bottom of all posts if you are using a smart phone.

Hi Liz, I am a little confused when it’s about the introduction of the “discuss both views and give your opinion” essay. As I understood, introduction is made of 2 parts: 1. Paraphrasing the question (very clear) 2. Thesis to introduce the topics of the body paragraphs In this type of questions, if we start the thesis just right after paraphrasing with “in my opinion”, doesn’t show the examiner that my essay will be only about my opinion?

You’re website and advanced videos are very helpful Thank you

The examiner has the instructions. The examiner has the full essay question. It’s fine.

Hello liz i find your videos very helpful, i wanted to ask can you give the complete structure of an ielts essay

You can find model essays on the main writing task 2 page – click on the RED BAR at the top of the website.

Thank you very much for all your insights on various topics on IELTS. I genuinely appreciate it.

I have a doubt regarding the essay writing; are we allowed to use colon, semi-colon and double-dash in our GT essays and letters just as how I’ve used in this comment?

Your input here will be a good help. Thanks again.

There is no need to use them. Using just full stops and commas is enough. However, there are a no fixed rules.

Hi Liz, Thanks your youtube videos are outstanding and very helpful. Please i will need some clarifications on the following: 1. Can I treat an opinion essay as a discussion essay where i write about both views or do i just stick with my opinion throughout my essay. 2. Is this thesis statement correct- This essay will discuss both views before reaching a logical conclusion. Will appreciate your response

You can’t alter the instructions and write a discussion essay if you are given an opinion essay. However, it is possible to have a partial agreement but you need training for that. See my Advanced Writing Task 2 lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ 2. That is not a thesis statement for IELTS. If you are asked for your view, you must give it directly – I, my. The words “this essay” does not represent your own personal opinion. Also NEVER use learned phrases in an English language test. Each sentence must be created uniquely by you. The examiner will put a line through any learned sentences.

Ma’am thanks so much for all the content that you have provided! I had a question regarding a discussion cum opinion essay. Do I make 1 body paragraphs for each side and a third body para for the details of my opinion (totally 3 paras) or do i combine both sides in body paragraph 1 and explain my perspective in the 2nd body paragraph?

I’d very much appreciate your input.

Do not combine opposite sides in one paragraph. If your opinion agrees with one side, add it to that paragraph. Otherwise, create a third body paragraph.

Hello, Your website is a lifesaver, thank you so much for your work! I have a question regarding the use of singular ‘they’ in an essay: is it allowed or is it better to be avoided? I find myself using it quite often but I am not sure how the examiner would react. Thank you in advance

Yes, it’s allowed.

Hi Liz, Your videos are very informative.

In an opinion essay, could the term ‘I feel’ be used? Or is it better to use I think or I believe?

Thanks Anne

“I feel” is informal.

It’s very helpful thank you. You’re doing a great job.

This was very helpful. Thanks.

Can we say “On the flip side …”?

That is informal and an IELTS essay is formal.

Hi Liz, Thank you for your support 🙂 I wanted to ask you about Writting Task 2; in an opinion essay should I writte the two paragraphs to support my opinion or should I writte the first paragraph for supporting and admitting the suggested opinion in the topic and the second to introduce mine. So do I get more points for a balanced answer or should I present my 2 topics in both paragraphs?

You do not get more points for a balanced view or a one sided view. You choose your opinion, state it in the introduction and then explain it in the body.

What if we agree with both of the views. Can we still use those sentences you provided in the video? Thank you 🙂

A balanced approach does not mean agreeeing with both sides. It means presenting an opinion which is neither one side nor the other but your own specific opinion.

I was wondering if we are not suppose this language in Agree/disagee(Opinion) essay.

Basically whenever I start any opinion essay using one of the expressions mentioned above. And also some times for each paragraph I use “on the other hand” for the second paragraph opening sentences for opinion essay.

Kindly confirm the same. If I not supposed to use, can you provide us with some Agree/Disagree(opinion) essay language too.

Thanks, Shree

You use expressions such as “it is thought …” or “some people believe that …” when you express other people’s opinions. For your background statement in almost all essays, you might use these expressions. When you have an opinion essay, you use these expressions in the background and then present your own opinion directly in the thesis “In my opinion”.

When you use “On the other hand” it is to present an opposing view. It shows an opposite. This is unlikely to be used in an opinion essay but not impossible. It depends on the ideas and the paragraph content.

I hope that helps. See my model writing task 2 essays on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Hi Liz, Cam you please clarify between discussion type and agree disagree type questions. How does the structure vary.

All IELTS essays have either two or three body paragraphs. The structures are decided depending on your opinion and ideas.

Hello Liz, Is there a link for all the essay sample questions you shared?

Regards Sweety

You can find sample essay questions here: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/ . All links can be found on the main writing task 2 page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ . All main pages can be found on the red bar at the top of the website.

Hello Liz, Is there are a link for all essay answers?

See the main writing task 2 page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Is it necessary to write your opinion in introduction in a discussion essay (discuss both views and give your opinion)? And also please tell that is it the write structure for this type of question Introduction body para 1 (discussing one view) body para 2 (discussing other side of the argument and giving your opinion) conclusion

You should also introduce your opinion in the introduction.

Helpful commentary, I love the info – Does anyone know where I could acquire a sample form I could use?

can we say the other side of the MEDALLION is

Obviously not. You shouldn’t be using idioms.

Hi Liz, can i write 3 paragraphs if i agree with both sides of the arguments and third one is going to be about my opinion that it is better both

You shouldn’t agree with both sides. Giving an opinion, doesn’t mean sitting on the fence. Please see my advanced lessons.

Hi Liz, Thank you very much for this helpful Blog. Just trying to be helpful here, you said in the first line: wring task1. So, I know it’s not serious error, but just want to get your attention on it, so maybe better to correct it.

Best regards, Salah

Thanks. It really helps me when people tell me about typos because I don’t have much time for proof reading. Well spotted!! Liz 🙂

Hello mam..im ALi From PAKISTAN and i am prepairing my IELTS exam test for 23 Jan ….could you give me few tips and techniques for task 2 and speaking for General Question

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Hi Im Aysa Im 12 years old and Im studing Ielts I have 2 older sister.My schools name is Hafez and the place that I study Ielts in it is Melal English school and there are some knowledgeable teachers there. Actually Im a cheerful person and I love Art. and then I love so much eating and watching animations especially Sponge bob.

Please inform your parents that you have posted a comment on my blog. It is essential that all underage comments are done with parental permission. Thanks Liz

Hi liz, Thank you for your videos and everything. In writing task 2 if the topic says “discuss both these views and give your own opinion” when should we state our opinion? Can we mention it in inroduction part or in conclusion? While discussing both views are we allowed to be personal or we should discuss them objectively?

The given site is not found?

Mam, I was going through the subscription video of your Discussion essay.After viewing it i was trying to write a Background statement for the question ” Some say all offenders should be sent to prison,others argue that there are better alternatives such as community work for those who commit minor crimes.Discuss both views and give your opinion “.

I tried writing this line same as you were explaining on that video ” Although it is sometimes argued that all criminal ought to sent to jail,other people believe that the focus should be on other alternative methods “. Is this back ground statement correct.Please help me in this

This is the correct technique to use. All the best Liz

Hi mam My question is regarding writing task 2, Mam what counts more in IELTS,more number of ideas but not explained much or one-two ideas bit well explained. For example,to reduce environmental pollution ,we can write about a number of ideas like Using green energy resources to curb air pollution,lesser use of pesticides to control land pollution and so on..so should we write about all the ideas that i have in my mind or should i pick one or two of them and elaborate upon then well.? Thnx

See this page to learn how your writing is marked: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-band-scores-5-to-8/ . To learn more about writing an opinion essay and how to develop ideas, see my advanced lessons: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore All the best Liz

Hi Liz ..conclusion is compulsory in each essay?

All writing task 2 essays have a conclusion. Please see the lesson about paragraphs. Liz

After 7 days I have an IELTS exam. And I have still problem with speaking and reading, so can you please help me how can I get improvisation in both?

Please see the reading section and the lesson: how to improve your reading. The look at the speaking section and how to develop your speaking at home. All the best Liz

CAN YOU LIE WHEN WRITING YOUR ESSAY?

You can write anything you want. No one will check whether the information is true or not. However, as you have not presented me with an example of “a lie”, I can’t fully say yes. All the best Liz

plzz telk me which is best BC or IDP test

IELTS is owned by Cambridge ESOL, IDP and the British Council – they are all the same company. The test at IDP and BC is the same, the examiners are trained in the same way – there’s no difference. All the best Liz

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