Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.
Write at least 250 words.
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There are two ways to write an essay on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. When you think about the question, try to come up with several arguments for both positives and negatives of the situation. One side has to have more arguments than the other.
You need at least five separate ideas. You can either write about three advantages and two disadvantages, or three disadvantages and two advantages.
Paragraph | Format for more advantages | Format for more disadvantages |
---|---|---|
1 | ||
2 | Three advantages | Two advantages |
3 | Two disadvantages | Three disadvantages |
4 |
Since you have to demonstrate one side outweighing the other side, the essay should lean towards one side.
You can include more than five arguments as well, but remember to include at least one argument more for one side. However, writing about too many points may be counterproductive as you may run out of time during the test, or your essay becomes disorganized.
Some questions only ask you to state the advantages and the disadvantages without taking a side. To learn about such essays, click here »
Like the Introduction paragraph for other types of question, the first paragraph for “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?” question should contain three things.
|
Introduction: |
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Printed books have become redundant in the modern age thanks to the advent of electronic books. This has prompted many to advocate for the abolishment of textbooks in universities in favor of digital books. Though many individuals find reading on their devices comparatively difficult and some may even lack expertise in using digital resources, I believe there are many benefits of this situation. Besides being portable and economical, e-books offer various accessibility functions which are absent in traditional textbooks. |
So our Introduction begins by setting the background of the essay. For this, I have paraphrased the two sentences from the question. Then, the next sentence highlights the two demerits of the situation, but it has also been expressed that there are “many benefits”. These benefits have been outlined in the next sentence.
The five points mentioned in the Introduction paragraph should be developed into two body paragraphs .
Mention the advantages and disadvantages in separate paragraphs. Remember, one paragraph should include only two arguments, while the other has to include three arguments.
In this way, you can show that one side outweighs the other.
In the body paragraphs, you have to explain the points with the help of logical reasoning and examples.
Example: |
---|
Printed books have become redundant in the modern age thanks to the advent of electronic books. This has prompted many to advocate for the abolishment of textbooks in universities in favor of digital books. Though many individuals find reading on their devices comparatively difficult and some may even lack expertise in using digital resources, I believe there are many benefits of this situation. Besides being portable and economical, e-books offer various accessibility functions which are absent in traditional textbooks. The main advantage of using e-books is the ease of carrying and storing them. One mobile phone, tablet computer, or pc can hold millions of digital books, so students would not have the burden of carrying paperback or hardcover books. Universities, too, can save a lot by eliminating their libraries and digitizing their resources. Similarly, it is extremely inexpensive to publish and purchase e-books since one file can be replicated as many times as possible without having to use paper and ink. Lastly, unlike traditional books, e-books come with features like Search, Bookmark, and Highlight, which make them a lot easier to use. On the other hand, digital resources might be unfavorable for students who are unfamiliar with technology. Despite the advantages discussed earlier, there is a huge digital divide among the people in the world. While some have been raised with amenities like computer and internet, others might be technologically illiterate. It would be detrimental to such students if universities do away with printed books. On top of that, even among people who are capable of using computers, reading long texts on a screen is tiresome and inconvenient. Due to a force of habit, many people find holding a physical book and flicking through the pages easier than downloading books onto their devices and reading against the glow of the screen. |
The arguments mentioned in the Introduction paragraph and detailed in the body paragraphs should be reiterated in the Conclusion paragraph of the essay.
Example: |
---|
Printed books have become redundant in the modern age thanks to the advent of electronic books. This has prompted many to advocate for the abolishment of textbooks in universities in favor of digital books. Though many individuals find reading on their devices comparatively difficult and some may even lack expertise in using digital resources, I believe there are many benefits of this situation. Besides being portable and economical, e-books offer various accessibility functions which are absent in traditional textbooks. The main advantage of using e-books is the ease of carrying and storing them. One mobile phone, tablet computer, or pc can hold millions of digital books, so students would not have the burden of carrying paperbacks or hardcover books. Universities, too, can save a lot by eliminating their libraries and digitizing their resources. Similarly, it is extremely inexpensive to publish and purchase e-books since one file can be replicated as many times as possible without having to use paper and ink. Lastly, unlike traditional books, e-books come with features like Search, Bookmark, and Highlight, which make them a lot easier to use. On the other hand, digital resources might be unfavorable for students who are unfamiliar with technology. Despite the advantages discussed earlier, there is a huge digital divide among the people in the world. While some have been raised with amenities like computer and internet, others might be technologically illiterate. It would be detrimental to such students if universities do away with printed books. On top of that, even among people who are capable of using computers, reading long texts on a screen is tiresome and inconvenient. Due to a force of habit, many people find holding a physical book and flicking through the pages easier than downloading books onto their devices and reading against the glow of the screen. To sum up, I believe the usefulness of e-books trumps the downsides. They are convenient to store and transport, comparatively inexpensive, and come with several extra features. These merits should outweigh the difficulties faced by some students when using digital books. |
Example: |
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There is a rising trend among some companies to consider the opinion of their employees when taking major as well as minor steps for the organization. This inclusionary concept may boost the loyalty and dedication of the workers alongside helping the management become aware of various perspectives on an issue. Nonetheless, in my opinion, giving more power to the employees may be counterproductive as they might walk over the administration and derail the direction of the organization. Additionally, this absolves the managers from owning up to responsibility for failure. From my point of view, holding meetings to elicit the comments and criticisms from the employees makes them feel more valued in an organization. If workers are consulted before introducing new policies, launching new campaigns or products, and investing in new areas, they feel empowered and thus become more responsible. Apart from that, there is a bonus for the organization as it will be able to untangle complex problems with feedback from the staff who come from various walks of life. Even though upper management may be qualified, it never hurts to approach an issue from a number of angles. However, giving more power to the employees to voice their opinions might open a can of worms. Firstly, the decorum of the workplace with proper chain of command and predefined span of control might be lost if the management team is constantly in talks with the employees. Some disagreeable workers with grudges against other staff may disrupt conversations giving rise to unproductive meetings and bad work environment. Secondly, what the employees want maybe so radical or removed from the vision of the proprietor that hearing from the workers is just a waste of valuable time. Lastly, some managers may hide their incompetence behind their “democratic” style of leadership. If the general direction of the company is dictated by consensus among the the employees, it becomes difficult to pinpoint problems in decision-making and easy for senior staff to wash their hands off any unsuccessful action. To conclude, it is beneficial for some organizations to operate by incorporating the outlook of their workforce as not only might it uplift the morale of the workers, it can also generate creative and novel solutions not thought up by the top brass. Nevertheless, the drawbacks like damaging company culture, deviating from company goals, and losing accountability from the managers might overwhelm any potential advantages. |
Next lesson:
Problem Solution Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2
The government should control the amount of violence on television in order to decrease the violent crimes in society. to what extent do you agree or disagree, nowadays technology is increasingly being used to monitor what people are saying and doing (for example through cellphone tracing and security cameras). in many cases the people being monitored are unaware that this is happening. do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages, ielts essay format: solving writing task 2 easily, a 3-step process for powerful ielts essay introduction paragraph.
Economic student doing research wirk
The word count is really high in the last essay…I think it’s better to trim a bit of the essay
The essay is indeed almost 400 words long. In the IELTS test, we can write an essay longer than 250 words, and there is no upper limit. However, I admit the essay could be trimmed a bit. To be honest, I was on a roll when writing it, and I couldn’t stop myself. I appreciate your comment nonetheless.
hi there I would like to know that from my experience I know that outweigh question has got a structure which is organized like 1-introduction 2-body one negative view point for your part for ex: for me advantages are more that disadvantages so my first body should be focused disadvantages 3-body two advantages 4-conclusion is that right to write an essay on this structure. thanks in advance for your answer/
Your structure is also very fine Kevin. From my experience, I have learnt that there is no strict format you have to follow for an IELTS essay. Any format where ideas flow clearly and logically and covers all the aspects of the question can get a good score. Having said that, it makes it easier to prepare for the test with a fixed template in mind. And yours is great.
Three types of advantage disadvantage essays.
Updated: June 2022
Not only are there 5 types of essay questions in academic IELTS but there are 3 types of Advantage Disadvantage essays, here are some examples below and ideas on how to approach them.
Before we go further let me make something clear. IELTS tasks will ask in an advantage disadvantage essay something like:
Notice the plural form here, advantage s and disadvantage s. Many students (and IELTS teachers) think they have to write more than one advantage and disadvantage. Yes, you can certainly do this but you can also make it much simpler by writing about one advantage and one disadvantage. I have heard from examiners that this is ok as long as you are able to support and fully exaplin your ideas. With this approach you can still write over 250 words.
The problem is that you will run out of time if you write 2 of each. You will have only 40 minutes for the essay. Planning time is around 10 minutes so that means 30 minutes of writing. Another danger of writing about 2 of each is that the word count will go well over 300 words and you could include irrelevant information.
One of the consequences of improved medical care is that people are living longer and life expectancy is increasing. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Make sure you analyse the question well and then paraphrase it in the introduction. This kind of question asks about the advantages and disadvantages and an important word here is “ outweigh “. The question asks if the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages so you need to give your opinion here.
Some students just write about the advantages only but this is a wrong approach and you could lose marks. The essay needs to have balance. The first body paragraph could be about the advantages and the second body paragraph can be about the downsides with your opinion throughout the whole essay.
A lot of students fail to give their opinion in this type of essay, or maybe they just give their opinion briefly in the conclusion. Your position must be clear throughout the essay.
1. analyse the question well then paraphrase it. write your opinion in the thesis statement. 2. make sure you state your opinion in the introduction, main body and also the conclusion. 3. give specific examples throughout the essay but be careful of giving too much information. keep it simple and do not overly complicate it. 4. make sure the essay is balanced and you are not just writing about advantages only., here are 2 possible structures for this type of task:.
Note: Structures are just guidelines to help you plan out your essay, there is no special magic structure that can get you a Band 7, there are many ways to structure an essay.
Some people think that consumption tax on food items is a good way to raise revenue for the government. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this policy
This type of essay does not ask for your opinion, it is more like a discussion essay so you need to write about pros and cons, you can see that the question does not ask : Do you think…? or Do you agree or disagree…? / What is your opinion ? So this is not asking a direct opinion.
First analyse the question and then paraphrase it. The essay needs to be well balanced just like in example 1 with explanations about how it’s an advantage or disadvantage. Don’t just write about advantages, give both sides in the essay. The conclusion is just a summary of the points that you made in the body paragraphs.
Here is a good structure for this type of task:
These days with advances in technology more and more people are working from home. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this and give your own opinion
This essay type is quite similar to example 1, here you must give your opinion and discuss the pros and cons, the main difference compared to example 1 is that it does not mention the word outweigh. The main thing to look out for is the words Discuss and Give your own opinion. Just like in example 1 you need to paraphrase the question, give a balanced approach in the main body paragraphs and give your opinion in the introduction and again in the conclusion.
The examiner needs to see your opinion throughout the whole essay.
What structure should i use.
Structures are just guidelines to help you plan out your essay, there is no special magic structure that can get you a high score. I recommend 2 body paragraphs for this kind of essay but you can use 3 main body paragraphs if you wish, no more than that.
Key point to remember . Do not give too many examples or you may go off track. You can also go with one advantage and one disadvantage as long as it is well supported, relevant and explained. You haven’t got time to go into too much detail or into tangents. Don’t try to impress the examiner with too much information.
Plan your essay well, set aside 10 minutes planning time , think of at least one supporting point for your topic sentence in each main body paragraph.
Leave a comment cancel reply.
IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays generally make a statement and ask you to write on the benefits and drawbacks.
The issue is that there are two kinds of advantages and disadvantages to essays, and each needs a unique approach. If you react differently, you risk missing a lot of easy points.
In this article, we will learn about IELTS advantage outweigh disadvantage essay questions. To learn how to approach these essays and improve your IELTS exam preparation, start reading now.
In the sections below you will learn about the structure of this type of essay, some common queries and a set of sample questions.
Paragraph 1: Introduce the subject and clarify what you would talk about in your article, as is customary. Based on the type of issue, this may or may not require your view.
Paragraph 2: Discuss either the benefits or the drawbacks. If you are questioned for your viewpoint, it is a smart idea to clarify the hand on which you disagree here.
Paragraph 3: Explain the opposing viewpoint, which, if the question calls for your perspective, is the one with which you comply. It makes no difference if the section contains the benefits and which includes the drawbacks if you are not questioned for and do not include your view.
Paragraph 4: Summarize the concepts from paragraphs 2 and 3 and, if applicable, restate your view.
Also Read: How to Write Agree and Disagree Essays in IELTS? Tips to Write the Perfect Essay
Do the benefits of X outweigh the drawbacks?
For this question, the ‘outweigh,’ it seems that you could clearly pick one or the other, benefits or drawbacks, and concentrate on the side you have selected. Although it is likely based on how you write the article, the topic would seem to mean that there are both benefits and drawbacks, so it would be a smart idea to address both sides. Since this article is also calling for your view, you must make it clear whether you believe the situation mentioned in the question is more favourable than not, or conversely.
Is there a greater number of advantages of X than disadvantages ? Or, instead, does X have more benefits than drawbacks?
This question is, in essence, the same as the first, or maybe approached in the same manner. They are not simply requesting that you count the benefits and drawbacks and only announce the side with the highest number! The question here is whether you believe the condition outlined in the question, for instance, becoming a celebrity is more right than wrong or more negative than positive. Individuals will have differing perspectives on this, but you are clearly being asked to affirm and defend the arguments for your point of view.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of X? Alternatively, what are the benefits and drawbacks of X?
The issue above asks you to discuss all the benefits and drawbacks of the case, but it does not explicitly ask for your opinion, and you are not required to express it. That being said, there will be no punishment for including it, and you are free to do so if it appears more sensible to you. After all, you’re being asked what you think, because neither party has scientifically accurate responses. In all IELTS writing queries, your viewpoint is usually inferred, if not expressly specified.
Also Read: IELTS Essay in Writing Task 2: Here’s How to Organize it Well
# Small enterprises are being phased out and replaced by big multinational corporations. Do the benefits of this outweigh the drawbacks?
# Many of the goods we purchase are manufactured in other countries. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this and express your own view.
# After high school, a growing majority of students attend university rather than college. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this for young people.
# School kids are using computers in greater numbers than ever before. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this and express your own view.
# As countries expand, more fast-food restaurants open in the region, providing locals with greater access to fast food. Do the benefits of this outweigh the drawbacks?
# Many firms want to hire from within their own ranks rather than from outside sources. Do the benefits of this outweigh the drawbacks?
# With the rise of social media, more people are finding their news online rather than via traditional print media. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of those who read news online.
Advantages and disadvantages essay questions are typically on social problems in both positive and negative aspects. You would be simply asked to present both sides of an argument. This form of the question is rather simple, but it does necessitate careful planning in order to reach a high score.
You should be able to achieve the dream band by adopting the IELTS essay writing guidelines, but remember to practise them on a regular basis.
Level up your IELTS exam preparation with excellent courses on IELTS Ninja .
Also Read: Importance of Art in Society: IELTS Essay Sample for IELTS Writing Task 2 Explained for Band 8
Thank you for providing these sample questions, it was really helpful and valuable information, can you also provide a booklist for boosting vocabulary?
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Madhurjya Chowdhury, a web content writer in Ufaber EduTech has a very strong passion for writing and alluring the readers. You can find him writing articles for the betterment of exam aspirants and children. With immense interest in research-based content writing and copywriting, he likes to reach out to more and more people with his creative writing style. On the other side, he is an Electronics and Communication Engineer from LPU, Jalandhar. In his leisure time, he likes to play badminton or read about space discoveries. Apart from this, he is a pro gamer on PC, PS and Mobile gaming platforms.
Other stories, advantages and disadvantages of online learning: ielts writing task 2 topic, describe a time you saw something interesting on social media: cue card sample questions for the ielts examination.
Questions for this type of IELTS essay might look like this:
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? What are the advantages and drawbacks?
For instance:
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
HERE WE NEED SYNONYMS:
Advantages – Benefits – Positive Sides
Disadvantages – Drawbacks – Negative Sides
1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: more benefits (2 SENTENCES) 2§ The first advantage + Explanation + Example 3§ The second advantage + Explanation + Example OR result 4§ One drawback: On the other hand, … + Explanation + Example OR result 5§ Conclusion: sum up the benefits + My Opinion: more benefits (2 SENTENCES)
1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: more drawbacks (2 SENTENCES) 2§ The first disadvantage + Explanation + Example 3§ The second disadvantage + Explanation + Example OR result 4§ One benefit: On the other hand, … + Explanation + Example OR result 5§ Conclusion: sum up + My Opinion: more drawbacks (2 SENTENCES)
1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: benefits and drawbacks (2 SENTENCES) 2§ The first advantage + Explanation + Example. Moreover, + the second benefit + Explanation + Example. In addition, the third benefit + Explanation + Example. 3§ The first disadvantage + Explanation + Example. Moreover, + the second drawback + Explanation + Example OR result. In addition, the third negative side + Explanation + Example OR result
5§ Conclusion: sum up + My Opinion: benefits and drawbacks (2 SENTENCES)
1) and 2) structures are easier than 3) BUT this is all individual. Choose what suits your own ideas best. ALL 3 OPTIONS OF THE STRUCTURE WORK.
How to master IELTS Writing: Task 1 & Task 2
The International English Language Testing System(or IELTS) Exam is the worlds’ premier English language proficiency test. The exam is co-owned by the British Council, IDP Education Australia and Cambridge University and is offered around the world including in Singapore. The exam comprises of 4 sections for listening, reading, writing and speaking. The writing test is often thought to be the toughest component of the exam. Let’s take a look at one of the common essay questions that is asked in the writing component of the IELTS academic exam.
In the advantages and disadvantages essay question, you will be asked to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of a particular topic or issue. There are two types of Advantages/Disadvantages essays. In the first type, you need to simply discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
In the second type, you have to discuss the advantages and disadvantages AND give your opinion on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa. This type of advantages and disadvantages question is often considered more challenging and test-takers struggle to fully understand what is required of them. In this article, we will take a look at what constitutes a high scoring ‘do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages’ IELTS essay type and provide you with a band 9 sample/ model answer so that you can understand how to put these strategies and tips into good use.
It might not seem like a big difference, but the word ‘ outweigh ’ has a significant impact on the content and even the layout of your answer. Many students misunderstand the meaning of this word and incorrectly assume that if the advantages of a situation outweigh the disadvantages, it means that there are a greater number of advantages than disadvantages. This is highly incorrect. If the advantages of a situation outweigh the disadvantages, then this means that the advantages are of greater significance or importance than the disadvantages. Failing to understand this key difference in meaning often costs students valuable marks in the task achievement criteria.
Before you actually start writing, take a few minutes to analyse the question and come up with a few ideas. Try to think of valid points and examples to support each idea you come up with, as well as good topic-specific vocabulary that you could include in your essay.
Sample question:
“A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not managed correctly.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world. Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks ?”
To write a good introduction you need to rephrase the question statement using synonyms and then write a brief outline (called a thesis statement) of what to expect in the upcoming paragraphs. Make sure that you clearly state your opinion in the introduction paragraph of your essay, in order to straight away give the examiner a clear idea that you have understood the meaning of the question. You could do this by stating something like ‘I believe that this has more benefits than drawbacks.’
Sample Introduction:
Nowadays tourism generates a significant portion of the national income for many countries, but it has certain drawbacks too. This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of tourism and provide a logical conclusion.
For these types of questions, it is usually customary to have two main body paragraphs, on for the advantages and one for the disadvantages. You should begin with whichever option you have decided has a greater impact. So if you are of the opinion that the advantages of a particular situation are more significant, then your first main body paragraph will be about the advantages.
We need to develop our rough ideas into a cohesive paragraph using good vocabulary and cohesive devices. Use one of your main ideas to create a topic sentence. The rest of the paragraph will expand on these ideas. One of the simplest ways to do this is to add an explanation.
You can also add an example (true or not) to further justify your stance. You simply need to repeat the same process for the second paragraph.
A good conclusion will neatly end the essay by linking all your ideas together and sum up your arguments or opinions. You should not introduce any new ideas or make your conclusion too long. Every conclusion should include only two to three sentences. The first sentence is basically just a summary of your introduction. And the last sentence of your conclusion should either be a recommendation sentence or a prediction sentence.
Sample Conclusion:
To conclude, although tourism can have certain negative effects like the destruction of cultural heritage sites and the growth of the crime rate, it also has an extremely positive influence on country’s economy and provides a large number of new jobs for the local people. I believe that these benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks. Governments should invest more effort, in terms of time and money, into organizing and managing the tourism sector.
Sample Question:
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world. Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks? ”
Nowadays tourism generates a significant portion of the national income for many countries, but it has certain drawbacks too. This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of tourism and provide a logical conclusion.
The two main advantages of the developed tourism industry are a boost to the country’s economy and a large number of new job openings for the locals. To begin with, tourists spend money on a wide range of services , including hotels, amusements, transportation, food and medical services. In this way, tourism yields an additional income , which can greatly support the country’s economy. Secondly, tourism increases the level of employment within a country by creating new jobs in different sectors of the economy. For instance, the influx of tourists results in a larger demand for restaurant workers, tour guides, hotel staff and employees of retail services . Consequently, business owners are prompted to hire more people to fill these positions.
On the other hand, it should be noted that tourism also has some major disadvantages like the destruction of popular and pristine tourist destinations along with the development of illegal economic activities . Ancient buildings, temples and monuments are ill-equipped to cope with the vast amount of visitors. For example, many tourists have desecrated world heritage sites like the Great Pyramids of Giza, due to their ignorance and the resulting loss of such precious historical artefacts is immeasurable . Furthermore, the presence of a considerable number of wealthy tourists often carrying valuable s such as cameras and jewellery catches the attention of criminals and result in an increase in activities like robbery and drug dealing. However, proper hospitality management and correct usage of tourism revenue by the local government can eliminate these disadvantages.
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Sometimes, the rubric asks test takers to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages and then decide which one outweighs the other. This type of question asks for your opinion too, but it should only be about which side outweighs the other. You cannot disagree with both sides and express another. Your job is to compare both sides and say which one is stronger. That’s it!
Here’s the question we’re going to work on:
Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that video games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them.
In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?
Step 1 : Spend 2 minutes reading and understanding the question . Once you have fully understood what the question asks of you, you can move on to the next step. Remember that every word counts!
Step 2 : Spend 8 minutes to come up with a plan , from introduction to conclusion. If you don’t do this step properly, it will be nearly impossible to get to band 7 or above.
Note 1 : To learn how you can do steps 1 and 2 properly, take a look at this article .
Note 2 : It might be difficult for you to understand every part of my plan without reading my essay. My planning shows my thinking process with signs and shortened statements. I’ve put it here so that you see how I plan. Once you do your planning like this, it will make sense to you.
Here’s my plan:
Introduction: Paraphrase the question + Thesis statement
Playing vids…pastime activity…
while some…no harmful effects… and educationally beneficial… I…more harmful than…
Body paragraph 1: The advantages (not strong)
Main idea : sharper cognitive skills
Support 1 : strategic video games → player has to analyze the movement of the enemy, familiarize with the environment, come up with a strategy, and move fast enough not to be eliminated in the game→ use critical thinking, spatial memory, and faster mental reaction.
Support 2 : enjoyable = secretion of dopamine= hormone causes happiness and satisfaction
Body paragraph 2: The disadvantages (Stronger)
Main idea : two main drawbacks
Support 1 : Addictive: nonstop rewarding→player … in front of PC all the time→ Causes problem: do it instead of homework or replace social interactions
Support 2 : Sedentary lifestyle: most day… sit and play→health problems: obesity & high cholesterol level→ Diabetes & blocked arteries
Conclusion: Games might help the brain… but addictive = dire costs to education and health.
Step 3 : Write your full essay in 25 minutes.
Here’s my full essay:
Playing video games has become a popular pastime activity for many people. While it is claimed by some that such games do not have any harmful effects on players and are in fact educationally beneficial, I believe that playing them is more harmful than useful.
On the one hand, some video games might help players develop sharper cognitive skills. For instance, people who play strategic video games have to analyze the enemy movements, familiarize themselves with the virtual environment, think of a strategy, and react fast enough to fight the foes. All these require using critical thinking, spatial memory, and fast mental processing speed. Developing such skills will help students with subjects like mathematics and others with their careers. Moreover, playing video games has been reported to trigger the secretion of Dopamine, which is also called the pleasure-inducing hormone. Therefore, such a hobby can be a good exercise for the brain.
On the other hand, I would argue that there are two main drawbacks to such activities, which make the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. For one thing, playing such games can be highly addictive because they keep rewarding players for any little achievements in the game. As a result, gamers may choose to sit at their computers and spend a great deal of time playing. This becomes a problem when students opt to play games instead of doing their homework, or other people decide to replace social interactions in real life with virtual ones. For another, gamers spend a considerable portion of their day sitting and being physically inactive. This sedentary lifestyle leads to many health issues such as obesity and high cholesterol levels, resulting in more serious illnesses like diabetes and blocked arteries later in life. Hence I believe that playing video games is not as beneficial as some may believe.
In conclusion, playing video games seems to help players with their mental skills, but it comes with dire costs to their education and health.
(323 words)
Step 4 : Spend 5 minutes reviewing your essay and correcting your mistakes.
Here’s the summary of what you need to do:
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The Key to IELTS Books , The Key to IELTS Writing , Writing
Nov 16, 2018
I am often asked ‘ How should I answer questions about problems and solutions, or questions where we need to say whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages ?” The questions I’m asked often focus on numbers: ” How many paragraphs should write? Can I write about just one advantage and one disadvantage ?”
If you have read my free book, The Key to IELTS Success , then you will know that:
1) focusing on numbers is not a good idea, and
2) there is no special way to answer any question ‘type’ – all of the IELTS writing task 2 questions are marked according to the same criteria.
This means that you must always
We know this because the Task response criteria for bands 7 to 9 tell us this.
From the criteria for Coherence and cohesion, we also know that you must organise your ideas into logical paragraphs so that your argument progresses in a logical way.
So, if your question presents an issue and then asks you to discuss problems and solutions, then you will need to 1) discuss any problems you can identify and 2) suggest solutions to these.
The way that you organise your ideas will always depend on the issue you are presented with in the question and your own personal feelings and response to that issue.
You may decide to
Or, if you are a more confident writer, you may decide that it is better to
There is no single correct way to answer.
Similarly, if you are given an issue and then asked ‘ do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?’ , you could organise your essay like this:
Alternatively, you might decide to write about the disadvantages first. The only thing that matters is that you
This question simply asks you to consider and discuss both the positive and the negative sides of an issue, then decide which ‘side’ you believe is more important. In other words, to decide whether you are prepared to accept the disadvantages because the advantages are so great. A good example is cheap air travel – this can be uncomfortable, but many people are prepared to accept this for the greater advantage of traveling long distances quickly and relatively cheaply. So, for many people, the advantages of cheap air travel outweigh the disadvantages. However, others may disagree. They may feel very concerned about the environmental impact of air travel and so, for these people, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.
When you are explaining a position that you genuinely hold, and that is based on your own experience, it is much easier to present a logical argument. Problems can occur when people do not stop to think about their position and write simply to complete the task and focus only on ‘how many ideas/paragraphs’ they are writing. As a result, their argument is not logical and so their position and their conclusions are not clear.
For example, one essay sent to me by a follower of my page concluded that the advantages of sharing scientific research far outweighed the disadvantages. The main advantage he identified was that having access to information meant he could advise younger members of his family and help them to make career choices. He then explained the main disadvantage: that a nuclear disaster had almost occurred near his home because of information being shared carelessly. I am sure you can imagine that his paragraph about the nuclear disaster showed that the disadvantages were in fact terrible, and his paragraph about the advantages was not very clear or persuasive.
I suspect that this writer had not really thought about the issue and that he had simply written ‘I believe the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages’ in his introduction and conclusion because this was a template he had learned.
Learn about writing a ‘balanced’ essay discussing both sides in this type of essay: Writing a counter argument
My new book, The Key to IELTS Writing Task 2 will take you through the process of writing a balanced essay step by step .
The Official Guide to IELTS and my two Vocabulary books also show you how to organise and write about common topics in writing task 1 and 2. You can buy my books here:
Hi Pauline, I hope everything is going well with your new book. I have some questions about the IELTS writing and I’d appreciate it if you could help, because I don’t know any other reliable sources. My first question is about this topic from IELTS Cambridge 10;
Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
In order to achieve a 9, do I need to talk about both the positive and the negative aspects of this development even if I think it has only negative effects? I’m asking this because in your free book you said for higher scores we need to look at both sides of an argument; can I say I believe this is only a negative development and only mention the negative effects and still achieve a 9?
How about a question that asks whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Can I say that in my opinion there are no disadvantages and only mention some advantages? Would that still qualify for a 9?
Hi Lock, the answer is in the Task Response criteria for bands 6 and 7. This tells us that, for answers at band 6 ‘some parts may be more fully covered than others’ while a band 7 answer ‘addresses all parts of the task’ If you omit the negatives then you are ignoring part of the question. If you cannot see any negatives at all, then you would need to explain this so that you are not ignoring it altogether. It would be even better if you could discuss the negatives but explain why you think these are not so bad. Can you really not see any negative effects of being able to buy the same products everywhere in the world? As I explain in my book, to get ideas, think of how this affects your local area – what about local businesses? How does this affect you or others when you travel?
Hi Pauline, Thanks for the reply. A sample answer is written by an examiner at the back of the book (and I assume this is a 9). However, no positive aspect is mentioned, and the examiner says that this is LARGELY detrimental to culture and traditions. I actually expected to read some of the negative effects this development could have, because “largely” does not mean entirely, and so I expected some discussion of the positive effects, but there is no such thing, can you explain why?
If you read the post I have linked to below, you will see that model answers are not helpful in establishing what you must do – this is because a native speaker who is a professional writer can address the criteria in very subtle ways. I haven’t read that sample, but it is a mistake to look at samples like this and try to work out a way to answer. There is no single way, the answers are written simply to show the question can be answered and there is not always a commentary to help. My new book will help to address this. Here is the post: https://keytoielts.com/model-answers-and-the-invisible-ielts-band-10/
I totally understand that and I have read your post about using samples before. My question is, regardless of what the examiner has written, can I state it clearly that I can’t see anything positive in this, and then go on to talk about the negative aspects? And if yes, is that true for a “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages question?”? (I hope you don’t see it as me insisting on my point)
No, not at all, I do understand that you are simply trying to get a clear idea. Why not send me an answer to this question that follows the plan you are suggesting here, and then I can answer more easily. One other point to make is that you say ‘the examiner has written’. Don’t assume that an examiner wrote an answer unless you are told that. Another key point is that test writers may not be examiners and test writers are often asked to write sample answers. Examiners are not test writers and are often not professional writers – we don’t expect that food critics are great chefs.
I understand that, but the book says this sample is written by an examiner as an example of a very good answer. I will definitely send an answer based on the plan I told you. and by the way, if the question asks us to discuss the causeS of and solutionS for (plural) an issue, and we only discuss one solution or cause, will that mean a lower task response even if I say I believe there is only one solution to a problem? I read this on a website that claimed to have been written by an examiner that when asked to discuss the advantages/disadvantages or causes/solutions, and we only discuss only one advantage/disadvantage or only cause/solution, this reduces the task response to a 5 since this is addressing the question only partially. Is this true?
Ok, I just wanted to point out that many people assume answers are written by examiners and that examiners are also trained writers and test writers.
Thanks, how about what I read about task response on that website? Is that true?
Which website do you mean?
It was in an earlier comment I posted. I’ll repost it:
“If the question asks us to discuss the causeS of and solutionS for (plural) an issue, and we only discuss one solution or cause, will that mean a lower task response even if I say I believe there is only one solution to a problem? I read this on a website that claimed to have been written by an examiner that when asked to discuss the advantages/disadvantages or causes/solutions, and we only discuss one advantage/disadvantage or cause/solution, this reduces the task response to a 5 since this is addressing the question only partially. Is this true?
Firstly, I can’t speak for other websites because I don’t know those people and their experience or qualifications. Anyone can claim to be an examiner, in fact, examiners are not allowed to say that they are examiners on public forums such as a website. I would only listen to a senior examiner when it comes to making pronouncements like that. Personally, I do not believe that if someone argued very convincingly that, in fact, there was only one possible cause and only one possible solution that they would not achieve a high score in task achievement. I imagine that what this person meant by their comment was that you should not simply write about one problem/cause/solution or one /advantage/ disadvantage as it is highly unlikely that there is only one and doing that would result in an essay that is likely to be repetitive and possibly even too short. Secondly, again, examiners are not test writers. Test question writers are very careful to make sure that plurals are only used when necessary. Can you honestly think of an issue with only one advantage/disadvantage/problem/solution etc?
My point is that there are many many ways to approach an answer to a formal discursive essay. Looking at how a band 10 native speaker does it will not help you to understand what is possible for yourself. It just isn’t helpful in my view. What I am aiming to do in my next book is show you how to fix band 6-6.5 writing to create band 8 or 9 responses.
Yes, that’s true, thanks for your help.
No problem at all.
Hi Pauline, Is it possible to just have two body paragraphs, and discuss one MAIN problem/advantage in one body paragraph and one MAIN solution/ disadvantage in body paragraph two? Thanks,
Are you asking about whether you need to write about advantageS and disadvantageS and about problemS and solutionS (plural not singular)? If the question asks for more than one then this is what you must write about.
Hi Paulin, But you’ve already asserted that IELTS writing is not about numbers!
That’s correct. But if your task is to discuss ‘advantages’ and ‘disadvantages’ you only mention one, without explaining why, then you are not completing the task. My comment about numbers is that it is wrong to focus on how many examples; long words; complex sentences; etc. etc. you use. Just communicate clearly – but do answer the task you are given.
Hi Pauline, I have read all your IELTS advice about writing, I have also read all of your books including your free book, but somehow I am still confused. When the question asks us “to what extent we agree or disagree with something”, and I completely agree with it, can I simply present my reasons for agreement, or do I also HAVE TO present the reasons why some other people might disagree and refute their arguments? I know that presenting the opposite view and refuting it is one way to develop an argument, but my question is if this is obligatory for someone who wants to be a 9? I really appreciate your help, you’re the only reliable source that I can refer to.
Hi Lianaa, if you look through previous posts you will find a post about this and if you read chapter 7 again I do talk about this in that chapter. The main problem occurs when people are given 2 viewpoints and then choose to only talk about the one they agree with – you must not do this because then you are missing half of the question. If you are given only one viewpoint, then you can just explain your own agreement or disagreement if you are skilled enough to do that without repeating yourself. However, many candidates who are stuck at band 6 do not have the language skills to do this without repetition, which is why I recommend talking about both sides (why you agree and why you don’t believe the opposite). This allows you to talk about the whole issue in a balanced way and prevents repetition. The issue only occurs when there is one view given in the task.
Many thanks gor your detailed answer, actually I’ve read all your books and I’ve been following your blog for a long time, but I have never come across a question where there are two points of view and it asks us to what extent we agree or disagree, I thought when there are two views the question asks us to discuss both views and give our own opinion, do you have any examples for a question that has two views and asks us how much we agree or disagree?
Hi Lianna,you are correct to a certain extent. My worry is that people try to put their own limits on what is possible within a test question and this then becomes a problem if their test question does not fit within these limits. This problem is then compounded when people put their own limits on what or how you ‘must’ write (especially the incorrect advice that you ‘must only write about the opinion you agree with’. To illustrate their advice, they often write their own test questions. For example I have seen the following shared as ‘a recent actual question’ with the date and city also given: ‘In many countries, prison is considered the best way to decrease crime. However, education is often argued to be a more effective way. Which opinion do you most agree with?’ I can tell you that this is NOT an authentic question – it is a good example of people changing questions to make their own point. These questions then circulate around the internet as ‘proof’ and people use them as practice materials. If I change this question like this: ‘Some people believe that prison is not a good way to prevent crime and that education is more effective’ Can you see that it is possible to write more than one opinion within a statement and that both / all ideas must always be discussed no matter what the question following the statement looks like? I hope this makes my advice clearer.
I really appreciate it that you take the time to reply. Now I think I understand what you mean by two points of view. Do you think this question from Cambridge book 11 falls under the same category? “Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?” So here I should talk about both railways and roads even if I think governments should only spend money on roads? Am I right in thinking that? And the question I had at the beginning was if I think spending money on railways is a waste of money, do I HAVE TO reject this viewpoint after presenting its argument? I mean is this refuting the side that I disagree with necessary for someone who wants to achieve 8 or 9?
Yes, I have seen essay that only talk about or discuss railways in their answer and do not mention roads. If you agree that more money should be spent on railways then you would need to explain 1) why the railways deserve / need this money and 2) why roads do not You can’t simply refute the argument without discussing or mentioning the other side. You must discuss everything mentioned.
I’m sorry if I’m asking too many questions, but unfortunately there are only 5 pages in both your vocabulary books about writing and I couldn’t find the answer in the official guide either. when the prompt presents two viewpoints and the question asks us to discuss both views and give our own opinion, when I entirely agree with one viewpoint, do I also have to refute the other side of the argument in the paragraph where I present its argument, or should I simply present the argument FOR both views and say which one I agree with? I’m asking this because the band descriptors say that my position should be clear throughout, and honestly I don’t get it when the question wants me to discuss both views and give my own opinion, whether I need to present the argument for proponents of both viewpoints and then give my own without refuting the side I disagree with or should I reject one side if I agree with the other? (I’m sorry for a long question and many thanks for your help)
No problem at all Lianna. I explain this point in greater detail in my free book: The Key to IELTS Success. You’ll find it in chapter 7. You’ll also find information about how the language you use helps to convey your position (read chapters 3 and 4 for this). You won’t find the information in my earlier books because I was not aware that it was a problem until I began being told on social media problems about the different myths circulating regarding IELTS writing task 2. If you don’t have it already, you can find the link to the book here: https://keytoielts.com/product/ielts-teacher-the-key-to-ielts-success/
Hi again Pauline, I couldn’t reply your last comment so I’m writing a new post. Actually I have read your free book 3 times, and I am clear on the fact that I must discuss both views, but unclear about my discussion of the view I disagree with. I also know that I can show my disagreement through my use of language or by saying it directly, my question is whether I need to both present and refute the side I disagree with or should I simply present both sides (without refuting any) and then state where I stand on the question? For instance, in this question from Cambridge books: “Many people think that every individual is responsible for their own healthy lifestyle. Others believe that governments should take care of it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.” If I simply write an essay such as:
Introduction: ……………. It’s the responsibility of every individual to look after their health.
Body paragraph 1: On the one hand, some people think that this responsibility lies with the government. These people believe ……………..
Body paragraph 2: On the other hand, I think it is our responsibility as individuals to look after our health ……………..
Conclusion: individuals not the government
So in the first body paragraph I have merely represented the arguments for the side I disagree with, and in the second body paragraph I have presented the arguments for the side I agree with (and I have made it clear by saying “I think”) Now in order for this essay to score 8 or 9, do I need to change the tone of my first body paragraph so that it shows my disagreement or simply presenting my own opinion in the second body paragraph (without refuting the other side) is enough? (I’m so sorry for asking many questions again, but I couldn’t find any model answers for discussing both views from you in your books)
Hi Lianna, why not write out this essay and send it to me so that I can be clear in making the point? It is always easier to understand an idea when using real language examples. Essentially, yes, the language you use to discuss the side you disagree with should make your disagreement clear. This is not only language but also the way that you present the ideas. Again, if you send me your answer I can demonstrate this.
I definitely will. Thank you so much for your help.
hi Pauline I really appreciate your efforts to clear each and ever doubt students have in their minds. my question is about CONCLUSION.Do i need to re-state my main ideas in the conclusion if so then isn’t it repetition? some people say that students shouldn’t write anything new in the conclusion like any suggestion, is it true? Thanks
Hi Karam, a lot of the confusion comes from the fact that you will always find examples that are different to the ‘rules’ you are given. The truth is that there is no one fixed way to write an essay. However, there ARE conventions that you should follow until you are at a level where you can break those rules (which is what skilled professional writers can do). With your conclusion, the convention that I teach is that you should sum up your main argument (which is your overall main idea) and make your conclusion clear. Too many conclusions I see consist of only one sentence – I don’t believe this is enough – you should aim to write at least 2 sentences. Those who lack language skills will simply repeat the same ideas and the same words, if you are band 7 or above, you will be able to sum up your ideas without repeating them (I am teaching this in my Key to IELTS Writing Workbook)
Hello Pauline, Cambridge 10 WT2 on Page 129: [Some parents buy their children a large number of toys to play with. What are the advantages and disadvantages for the child of having a large number of toys?] How should this question be approached? In the task, it is not specifically asking to give your opinion on whether advantages outweigh the disadvantages. But to keep a clear position throughout the response, it is natural to be inclined towards advantages or disadvantages. Please suggest, Thanks.
As I explain the chapter 7 of The Key to IELTS Success, you must always answer the question based on 1) The task you are given and 2) The criteria used to assess your answer. The Task response criteria makes it clear that you must always give your position. With a question like this I would give my personal view in the conclusion.
Hello Pauline Going through your blog was really enlightening I have a question. This is regarding essays with question type Do the advantages outweigh disadvantages?? Firstly,Can we write 2 paras for the advantages and one for the disadvantages to clarify the position?? Secondly,if we see the disadvantages more than the advantages can we take the opposite stand. In other words can we write more disadvantages than the advantages??
This post might help: https://keytoielts.com/do-the-advantages-outweigh-the-disadvantages/
Hi Pauline, I saw about your wrist on your Facebook page, I’m sorry about that, I hope you get well soon.
I asked a question under a more recent post, but I didn’t get a reply. Should I post my question here or you can’t answer questions until 7 weeks later?
You can post it here – I will try to answer hen I can – typing is tiring so I cannot give long answers.
Hi Pauline, In a task such as “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages” or “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?”, would we loose mark if we talk about only ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage?
This post will answer that: https://keytoielts.com/do-the-advantages-outweigh-the-disadvantages/
Hi Mam, I can hope you are perfectly alright. Could you please review my essay and give you an expert opinion on it?
Some people prefer to live in a house, while others feel that there are more advantages to living in an apartment. Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a house compared with living in an apartment?
Presently, few people believe that living in a house is a better idea. However, some others argue that living in an apartment would be very beneficial for them. There are a number of reasons why living in a house is always a good decision. So, that’s right living in house has more advantages that I will discuss in forthcoming paragraphs.
There could be several reasons why people prefer to live in houses. Primarily, when you live in a house, you feel a sense of ownership because you do not need to worry about paying rent and other multiple fees to third body. For instance, if someone is living in a house, they just care about their own premises, as they are the sole owners of their houses. Infact, if something got damaged in their house, they really do not need to pay any external authorities that will charge them in terms of depreciation. Moreover, you are responsible for any major wear and tear in your house. Mostly, people prefer to fix all those things on their own. Thus, people tend to live in the houses.
Furthermore, people feel more comfort and peace in their life when they live in their own house. Because they are not concerned about answering to anyone about anything, they feel more confidence in their personal life. Also, you are not bound to obey any rules and regulations like people living in apartments have to face routinely. For example, a fixed parking space is allocated to each tenant in parking lots and they need to park their vehicles there, but house owners can park their cars in garages. Infact, they park their cars right in front of their house and no one would ask them about it. So, people find it useful about living in a house.
In conclusion, I would like to say that people who are living in houses are blessed with countless benefits as they are independent in their respective premises. Also, they are expected to respect the general rights of people living nearby. But they do not need to worry about extra expenses at all like tenants have to bear on a daily basis.
(353 Words)
Hi Mohsin, I don’t have time to give detailed feedback right now but your main problem seems to be that you have misunderstood the question. You seem to believe that living in a house is the same as owning a house, and that living in a flat means only renting. So, your discussion is about owning V renting. In fact, you can own or rent a house or a flat. The question is asking about which it is better to live in. Also, be careful not to change the meaning of the question – the first sentence of your introduction is different to what the question states (few = not many, which is not the same as ‘some’)
Thanks a lot, mam for your insightful review. Your points are very helpful for me, and I have not got any sort of good feedback so far. So, does my essay lack relevant ideas if I am not wrong? For such an essay, what could be more suitable and relevant ideas? Any suggestion please? Thanks.
Kind Regards, Mohsin.
Hi Mohsin, you have effectively changed the question to: ‘Some people think it is better to rent a flat, other people think is it better to own a house.’ These are both very different propositions. Because of that, your answer has more issues than a lack of relevant ideas. Always answer the very specific question you are given and spend time thinking before you begin writing.
Thanks a lot, Mam. I would be very careful for the next time. And I really appreciate the way you gave me in-depth feedback. Stay blessed mam and take very good care of yourself!
Hello Ms Pauline, In response to a question like that “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?”, when should I state my opinion unreservedly (e.g. I believe that)? in the conclusion only? or in both the introduction and conclusion?
Read chapter 7 of The key to IELTS Success – I discuss this in detail there.
Thanks for your reply. I have read it, but I would appreciate if you could give me a short (and direct) answer :).
I would really recommend you re-read the chapter. It isn’t enough to read the book once – you need to read, process, re-read, then apply the ideas in your practice. There isn’t always a short, simple answer to complex issues and I do discuss this in detail in chapter 7.
hye, Pauline mam mam, may i use weaker modals to show opposite side and strong modals to show my possition in paragraphs, if question asks my opinion
Can you give me an example? I’m not sure what you mean by weak and strong modals.
Hi, Pauline. I wonder if I need to say which outweighs which every time – since sometimes I feel both advantages and disadvantages are great, and I think both are of equal weight. Can I say that in the IELTS writing?
Hi Thomas, you need to answer the question – it doesn’t matter what your response is, only that you answer it. In other words, it can be ‘x outweighs y’ ‘Y outweighs X’ or ‘actually I think they’re as bad / good as each other.’ Just don’t ignore it.
That’s clear to me. Thank you.
What a valuable piece of advice… It answered my questions in details… Thanks
Hello Pauline, Could you please explain how I can make my position clear when answering questions related to advantages and disadvantages as well as questions where I need to explain both points of views? I looked at a sample writing you posted, but it was only explaining only one stance where you either agree or disagree, and I quite understand how this works here. However, in questions like “advantages and disadvantages” are where I struggle. My imagination is that if I agree that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, I kind of dedicate a paragraph for the advantages and how I agree with them and a paragraph explaining the disadvantages and how I believe they are less important in the same paragraph. Afterwards, I follow this up with a conclusion where I state my opinion clearly. Is this how it should be done? Or should I explain the advantages and disadvantages with a neutral stance before stating my opinion? Thank you so much
Hi Hazem, my new course shows you how to do this step by step and explains where you are going wrong. I take you step by step through the writing process from getting ideas, to planning, then writing and checking. I also show you how to make sure your position is clear throughout. I will be sharing a link to the course very soon.
Hey Pauline, can we use counter arguments in do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages essays? in the first paragraph, I can write about the advantages (2 ideas) in the second paragraph I can write about one disadvantage and then present a counter argument. how does that sound?
Yes, that’s a good plan – as long as you make it clear that this is a ‘counterargument’ and not something you agree with (the most common problem I see). My new book outlines the main problems and shows how to address them.
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Advantages and disadvantages are the most common questions that are asked in IELTS. And often instead of simply asking to state the benefits and drawbacks you are asked whether the Advantages / Disadvantages Outweigh the other. But then how must you answer such questions? Well, given below are some tips that could be helpful in writing essays of this kind.
Advantages / Disadvantages Outweigh
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So, Essay 1 is the advantages outweigh disadvantages essay type and it is different. Read below to learn tips for tackling it. Tips for IELTS Outweigh Essay Questions. To answer this type of IELTS essay question you must: Brainstorm ideas supporting both sides first. This question is asking for your opinion so you will need to decide your opinion.
The keyword in the task is 'outweigh'. So you must cover the advantage and the disadvantage in this essay and clearly state your opinion. Do not only write about the advantages. you will need to cover both sides for a higher score in task response. If you believe the advantage is stronger you must give your opinion on that in the thesis ...
Example IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essayfor Structure 1. Now, here's a model answer for essay structure 1. First, a reminder of the structure and the ideas I generated using the friends technique. Ideas generation - Friends technique. I've underline the ideas I've chosen to write about in this second essay:
The advantages (disadvantages) totally outweigh disadvantages (advantages). In other words, you chose 100% for one or the other. B. The advantages and disadvantages are equally important. In other words, you chose both are equally valid. 50 - 50. If you take the position of "partly" or "mostly" outweigh, it becomes more difficult to ...
This essay will argue that the advantages of this outweigh the drawbacks. The essay will first demonstrate that this shift comes with a more competitive workforce and that it brings added benefits to social welfare, followed by an analysis of how the primary disadvantage, particularly the shortage of craftsmen, is not valid. 9. band.
IELTS Advs Outweigh Disadvs Model Essay ... When we are asked if advantages outweigh disadvantages, do we discuss both advantages and disadvantages in BP1 and BP2 respectively or just give our opinion in introduction and discuss the one which we choose. For example if we say advantages outweigh disadvantages then we just discuss advantages in ...
In an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages essay, you need to present the advantages and disadvantages in the body paragraphs. Write the advantages and disadvantages in separate paragraphs. Each main body paragraph should contain: An advantage (or disadvantage) - your main idea. A more detailed explanation of this. An example which illustrates this.
We have all made a list of pros and cons when faced with a difficult decision. An advantages disadvantages essay in IELTS Writing is kind of like an organized pros and cons list.. In this article, we will go over the structure of Task 2 advantages and disadvantages, how to write an advantages and disadvantages essay and go over a few IELTS sample essays of this type.
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Lesson. This lesson is about IELTS essay questions when you are told to assess whether the benefits of something outweigh the drawbacks. The topic of the essay which is used as an example is about the trend to live and work abroad. Take a look at the essay question we are going to analyse:
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this. Question 2. Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary schools rather than secondary schools. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Question 1 simply asks us to discuss the advantages and ...
IELTS Writing Task 2 Body Paragraphs for Advantages And Disadvantages. It is advisable to stick to two paragraphs in IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays; however, there is no such rule that you have to write two paragraphs. However, this practice will help you stick to the word limit and help you write an essay clearly and concisely.
It is important for people to take risks, in both their professional lives and personal lives. Do the advantages of taking these risks outweigh the disadvantages? Read my sample here. Some people say patriotism causes problems and is negative overall. Others feel that it is beneficial for society at large.
The list of Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages topics that were added by IELTS student in 2024.These Advantages and Disadvantages questions could be repeated from previous months. Keep in mind that the provided Advantages and Disadvantages questions are not predictions. The collection of Advantages and Disadvantages questions is updated every hour. . Choose one of the topics and start ...
Below is a list of IELTS sample essay questions for advantage / disadvantage essays in writing task 2. These essay types are often taught together with discussion essays but I think it is worth studying them separately to be better prepared. Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Tips. spend time planning the benefits and drawbacks of the statement ...
Advantages outweigh Disadvantages IELTS essay: The body paragraphs. The five points mentioned in the Introduction paragraph should be developed into two body paragraphs. Mention the advantages and disadvantages in separate paragraphs. Remember, one paragraph should include only two arguments, while the other has to include three arguments.
Some IELTS writing task 2 questions ask: "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?" or "Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?" My advice for these questions is to write a paragraph about each side, and make it clear in the introduction and conclusion which side outweighs the other (i.e. your opinion about whether there are more advantages or disadvantages). This was a recent exam ...
Make sure you analyse the question well and then paraphrase it in the introduction. This kind of question asks about the advantages and disadvantages and an important word here is " outweigh". The question asks if the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages so you need to give your opinion here.. Some students just write about the advantages only but this is a wrong approach and you ...
IELTS Advantage Outweigh Disadvantage Essay Sample Questions Set 2. # School kids are using computers in greater numbers than ever before. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this and express your own view. # As countries expand, more fast-food restaurants open in the region, providing locals with greater access to fast food.
1) If you think that there are more ADVANTAGES: 1§ Introduction: Paraphrase the Task + My Opinion: more benefits (2 SENTENCES) 2§ The first advantage + Explanation + Example. 3§ The second advantage + Explanation + Example OR result. 4§ One drawback: On the other hand, … + Explanation + Example OR result.
In the advantages and disadvantages essay question, you will be asked to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of a particular topic or issue. ... In this article, we will take a look at what constitutes a high scoring 'do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages' IELTS essay type and provide you with a band 9 sample/ model answer so ...
Body paragraph 2: The disadvantages (Stronger) Main idea: two main drawbacks. Support 1: Addictive: nonstop rewarding→player … in front of PC all the time→ Causes problem: do it instead of homework or replace social interactions. Support 2: Sedentary lifestyle: most day… sit and play→health problems: obesity & high cholesterol level ...
If you have read my free book, The Key to IELTS Success, then you will know that: 1) focusing on numbers is not a good idea, and. 2) there is no special way to answer any question 'type' - all of the IELTS writing task 2 questions are marked according to the same criteria. This means that you must always. Address all parts of the task.
Use the word outweigh. Explain that there are more advantages than disadvantages. Avoid using some phrases for your thesis statement. In the first body paragraph, state the details of the side that you are against off. Explain using examples. In the second body paragraph, state the details of the side you support.
IELTS Writing Task 2 : Education Type : Advantages outweigh disadvantages It is suggested that primary school children should learn how to grow vegetables and keep animals. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Sample Answer : Some people believe that children should learn how to grow vegetables and raise animals in primary school. I believe […]