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IELTS Writing Task 2: Two-Part Questions

Posted by David S. Wills | Jul 18, 2018 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 1

Today we’re going to look at an IELTS writing task 2 question that often makes students a little worried: the two-part question . This is also sometimes referred to as “the direct question” as it is more direct than other types of writing questions, such as advantages and disadvantages or causes and solutions .

In this lesson, I will show you what this question looks like and explain how to answer it.

Table of Contents

What is a two-part question, two-part question examples, analysing the question, structuring a two-part question essay, sample answer.

In IELTS writing task 2, there are different sorts of questions you may be asked. One of them is called the two-part question (or sometimes “the direct question”). It is most commonly called a two-part question because it contains two distinct questions.

Of course, some other questions also contain two parts. For example, a problem and solution essay is two parts. However, what we mean by a “two-part question” is one that contains two questions . The reason this is sometimes called a “direct question” task is that the questions themselves are more direct than other IELTS writing task 2 question types, which instruct candidates to explore an idea. This is rather vague , whereas the two-part question is very specific .

To understand this idea better, let’s look at an example two-part question:

In education and employment, some people work harder than others. Why do some people work harder? Is it always a good thing to work hard?

Ok, the first thing that you may notice is that there are three parts to this question! However, the first part is actually a lead-in statement. It is not particularly important. The parts that you need to address in your essay are the two questions. This is why some people say “two-part question” and others say “direct question”.

Here is another example:

Happiness is often considered difficult to define. Why is this? What factors determine happiness?

Here the first question contains a pronoun, “this”, which refers back to the idea in the first sentence. In other words, the first question is “Why is it often considered difficult to define happiness?”

Finally, here is one more example question:

Success is often measured by wealth and material possessions. Do you think wealth is the best measure of success? What makes a successful person?

As you can see by now, each question has three parts: an introductory statement and two individual (but related) questions. You will see this exact format used with numerous IELTS topics .

Sometimes the lead-in statement will be very long, and sometimes the questions are quite closely linked. Other times the statement may be short or the questions ask quite different things.

How to Answer Two-Part Questions

The first thing to remember is: DON’T PANIC! Two-part questions often make students a bit nervous, but really they are not so bad. They are no more difficult to answer than the other IELTS task 2 question types.

In fact, this type of question may even be the easiest one to answer!

Although the questions themselves are sometimes a bit challenging, they are direct questions . This means that it is less likely you will stray off-topic while writing. In other words, your task is actually more straightforward than it would be with an agree/disagree question, for example.

Let’s look at an example question so we can analyse it. This is the first thing you should do in any IELTS writing task 2 essay, and it’s important to spend a minute or two thinking carefully about it.

Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for, and allow their children to do whatever they want. Is this a good way to raise children? What consequences could this style of parenting have for children as they get older?

We can take three steps to analyse this question.

• Let’s look at the first sentence: What is it about? It is about permissive parents – ie parents who give their children too much (or who give in to their child’s demands) and let them do too many things.
• Next, the first question contains a pronoun (“this”) which refers to the ideas in the first sentence, and asks if it’s good or not.
• The second question talks about the consequences – not for the parents, but for the children.

I have deliberately chosen a slightly difficult question here in order to show you how to answer it. Usually, the questions are a little more direct and obvious, but here you need to consider the three sentences in order, making sure to understand each fully.

In a situation like this, if you make an incorrect assumption about the first or second parts of the sentence, it may cause a serious lack of coherence and cohesion , in addition to poor task achievement .

For example, if you thought it was just about children not being made to study enough, you might write the next paragraph all about a lack of studying and the following one may come back closer to the correct idea because of the more specific question. This would look bad, indicating a lack of unity in your writing.

Thankfully, it is not difficult to create a perfect two-part essay structure. In fact, it is very easy!

Here is a basic essay template:

In a previous article, I talked about whether to use a 4 or 5 paragraph essay . This is one case when you definitely want to use a four-paragraph essay.

Here’s the video, if you want to review it:

I have lots more posts on the topic of IELTS essay structures. Here are a few: 

• IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures
• Planning IELTS Writing Task 2 Structure
• How to Structure a Paragraph

In this section, I will give you my sample answer to the above question, using the basic four-paragraph structure that I mentioned. Obviously, my ideas will be different to yours, but the structure which I outlined can be used 100% of the time.

In today’s society, some parents are becoming increasingly permissive. They do not impose sufficient discipline on their children, and in some cases buy them too many things. This essay will explore why this is not a good way to raise children and why it will have negative impacts upon them in future. While it is understandable that parents want to give their children expensive toys and let them run freely in the streets, this is actually not really an appropriate method of parenting. Having too many toys encourages children to be materialistic and does not offer them the same change to develop social skills like sharing. Furthermore, when children have asked for the toys, it gives them a sense of entitlement and even power over their parents. As for giving children too much freedom, there are obviously a great many dangers in this world from which they need to be kept safe. Children also need rules and boundaries to encourage them to develop into mature and responsible adults. If parents insist on this permissive style of parenting, their children will grow up with very different values from those of stricter parents. Children who were never forced to study will end up with poorer grades in school, and those who were given everything they wanted as children will expect everything to come easily as adults. In short, they will lead difficult and disappointing lives, in contrast with what their parents hoped. In conclusion, although it is tempting to give children whatever they want, parents ought to set rules and boundaries, and to be careful with how they reward children. If parents fail to impose a basic level of discipline, children may grow up with a poor attitude that will cause them and others to suffer.

There are really no words or phrases that are unique to the two-part question essay. Just use regular academic English as with any other IELTS task 2 question, and of course stick to the topic.

For my essay, I used the word “permissive.” It means allowing too much and not setting enough rules. You could use similar words like “liberal,” “easygoing”, “live and let live”, and so on, although they vary slightly in precise meaning.

Here are some more useful terms that you can use to talk about parents:

As always, remember to avoid IELTS phrases and other cliches. Learn new vocabulary by topic and in collocations rather than isolation.

Tips for Two-Part Questions

Finally, a few tips to remember:

• Practice this question type often before the exam – it’s pretty common!
• Make sure you understand each part of the question before answering.
• Always use the four-paragraph essay structure.
• Work on idea generation at home in order to come up with good, on-topic answers.

I made this article into a short video. Please give it a ‘LIKE’ and subscribe to the channel if you find it useful.

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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could someone evaluate this and give the band score it deserves? here is my writing of the given topic….. In education and employment, some people work harder than others. 1. Why do some people work harder? 2. Is it always a good thing to work hard?

ans : It is often seen that some people put in more effort than others in the field of education and employment . The possible reasons could be due to the workload pressure or genuine passion .While passion for accomplishing task is a good thing, working hard due to constant pressure and other circumstances could be a problem . This essay explores the potential reasons as to why some work more than others and also discusses whether it is good to do so or not.

While students work hard due to their caliber and interest in studies working people work hard due to circumstances .Although there are a few students who study due to constant nagging by mentors or parents, most of them develop a genuine interest towards the subjects. Employers, on the other hand, work up to their innate potential to make both ends meet. For example, some workers work overtime that is for longer hours in order to earn higher salary or during the weekends to cope with the pending works . Sometimes they complete their tasks in advance in case they have any upcoming projects or plans outside the workplace to compensate for the missing working days.

Whether it is a good thing or a bad thing completely depends on the situation. Any work, no matter how important and urgent, if done against will and under high pressure will never give good outcomes . Instead it will lead to anxiety and stress if not accomplished on time. But if one is passionate and hungry for success and enjoys pursuing their interest, it will undoubtedly bear fruits and their hard work will eventually pay off.

All things considered, hard work is the key to success with respect to both education and employment. But it is important to make a note that one should have a great deal of passion and sincerity to achieve success and should not be forced to work due to helplessness or under pressure.

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Two-Part Essay Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2

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

Example question

Recommended approach, practice question.

Two-part essay questions are a common question type in IELTS writing Task 2. You’ll be presented with a statement about some kind of trend or phenomenon. There will be two direct questions, which could ask for reasons, effects, solutions, advantages and disadvantages, or your opinion.

Here are some key points about Two-part 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 Two-part essay question.

Write about the following topic: In many countries, it has become difficult for young people to afford to buy their own home. Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Here’s my recommended approach for answering Two-part 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 presented with a straightforward statement (i.e. that it has become difficult for young people in many countries to afford their own home), and then there are two direct questions. The direct questions are asking us to:

• give the cause(s) of the problem;
• suggest one or more solutions.

Notice that the question doesn’t actually use the words cause(s) or solution(s) . Because there are no plural or singular forms used, you’re free to include as many causes and solutions in your essay as you like (even just one of each). However, if the question uses plural forms (e.g. causes , effects , solutions ), you’ll need to include more than one of each.

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 Two-part essay questions, you need to think of ideas for the first direct question as well as for the second direct question. Again, pay attention to the wording of the question – if plural forms are used (e.g. solutions ), you’ll need to think of more than one.

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 Two-part essay questions, I recommend that you include:

• a paraphrase of the statement given in the question;
• a statement to show that your essay will cover both aspects of the question.

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

1. A paraphrase of the statement given in the question

An easy and effective way to start your introduction is to paraphrase the statement given in the question. At this stage, don’t mention the specific focus of the question (i.e. the two direct questions) – we’ll do that in the second part of the introduction. 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. Our paraphrase could be something like this: In many parts of the world, it has become very challenging for younger generations to be able to purchase a home of their own.

2. A statement to show that your essay will cover both aspects of the question

In the second part of the introduction, you should add a statement to show that your essay will cover both aspects of the question. For our question, we could write something like this: There is a variety of reasons for this, but steps can certainly be taken to tackle the issue.

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

In many parts of the world, it has become very challenging for younger generations to be able to purchase a home of their own. There is a variety of reasons for this, but steps can certainly be taken to tackle the issue.

Step 5  >  Write the body paragraphs

The next step is to write the body paragraphs. Your first body paragraph should answer the first direct question, and your second body paragraph should answer the second direct question. This particular Two-part essay question doesn’t explicitly ask for our opinion, so it’s best to avoid phrases such as I think and In my opinion . However, other Two-part essay questions may ask for your opinion, in which case it’s appropriate to use such phrases. Here are some possible body paragraphs for our example.

Several factors are to blame for the financial difficulty young people face when trying to buy a home. Firstly, population growth in many countries has led to greater competition among buyers, which drives up prices. In parallel, there is often too little construction taking place, which makes the situation worse as supply cannot keep up with demand. In many countries, interest rates are also much lower than their long-term averages, which encourages people to borrow more and more money to outbid other buyers. As prices have increased, it has become increasingly difficult for younger buyers to save for a deposit, which effectively locks them out of the housing market. There are ways that this issue could be addressed. One solution is for governments to offer young people grants to help them afford their first home. Governments could place conditions on any such grant. For example, they could require that the property be a newly constructed one or that the money only be used to purchase a property in a regional area. Another way to deal with this issue is for governments to release more land for residential construction and offer builders financial incentives. This would help with the supply side of the equation. If there were more properties available, prices would inevitably come down.

Step 6  >  Write the conclusion

The next step is to write the conclusion. Here you need to summarise your answers to the two direct questions. 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, young people find it difficult to afford their own home primarily due to supply and demand factors. Unless governments take action by offering grants to young buyers or by releasing more land for new homes, the problem is unlikely to go away.

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 Two-part essay question below using the approach outlined above.

Write about the following topic: In many countries, people from rural areas have been relocating to cities. Why is this the case? Do you think this is a positive or a negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

↕  scrollable window

Click below for a sample answer.

Cities around the world have been growing as rural residents move to them in ever-increasing numbers, and there are several explanations for this. Overall, I see the trend towards urbanisation as a negative development.

People choose to relocate to cities for a variety of reasons. Economic opportunity plays a significant role as cities usually offer a wider array of jobs and industries. The limited opportunity in rural areas often means that people have no choice but to move to a city if they wish to improve their career prospects and earning potential. In addition, the range of services and amenities in cities can be strong incentives. For example, cities generally have better healthcare facilities, so those with health issues may decide to relocate to a city in order to have access to such facilities. Most urban centres also have a vibrant cultural and social scene, with diverse entertainment options including restaurants and nightclubs, which tends to attract younger people from rural areas.

I mostly see the phenomenon of people relocating to cities as a negative development. Rapid growth can place significant strain on a city’s infrastructure. For example, as more and more people move to a city, the number of vehicles on the road tends to rise significantly. This can lead to traffic congestion, longer commute times and deteriorating road conditions. Environmental degradation is another major issue associated with urbanisation as it contributes to air and water pollution and encroaches on natural habitats, which can lead to the extinction of animal species.

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How to Plan & Write IELTS Double Question Essays

IELTS double question essays are also known as ‘direct question’ or ‘two questions’ essays. They are distinguished by two characteristics:

• They have one statement with two different questions after it.
• The questions may or may not be linked.

Here are 3 examples:

1) Fossil fuels are essential for producing electricity, powering industry and fueling transportation. However, one day we will reach a point when all the world’s fossil fuels have been depleted.

How can we conserve these resources?

What are some alternatives to fossil fuels?

2) Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for, and allow their children to do whatever they want.

Is this a good way to raise children?

What consequences could this style of parenting have for children as they get older?

3) The arts, including art, music and theatre are considered to be important in society.

Do you think the arts still have a place amongst our modern lifestyles?

Should the arts be included in the school curriculum?

In this lesson, I’m going to demonstrate step-by-step how to plan and write IELTS double question essays.

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

• 3 Common mistakes
• Essay structure
• How to plan
• How to write an introduction
• How to write main body paragraphs
• How to write a conclusion

Want to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

Click the links to see lessons on each of these Task 2 essay writing topics. 

Once you understand the process, practice on past questions. Take your time at first and gradually speed up until you can plan and write an essay of at least 250 words in the 40 minutes allowed in the exam.

3 Common Mistakes

These three errors are common in IELTS double question essays.

• Not answering both questions fully.
• Not outlining both answers in the introduction.
• Mistaking it for one of the other essay types.

Many students make the mistake of only answering one of the questions, or focusing more on one question than the other which leads to an unbalanced essay. Both these errors will seriously affect your score for task achievement.

You must outline everything you are going to write about in the introduction. This is your blueprint for the whole essay. I’ll show you how to do this and get your essay off to a great start.

It’s easy to mistake IELTS double question essays for one of the other four types of Task 2 essays, especially opinion or discussion essays. Each should be answered in a slightly different way.

Analysing the question properly is essential to avoiding this error. I’ll also show you how to do this and give you a simple 4 part structure for planning your essay.

Essay Structure

Let’s look at this essay structure straight away. You can use it to write any IELTS double question essay. It’s easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.

1)  Introduction  

•   Paraphrase the question 
•   Outline sentence – state your answer to both questions

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Answer question 1

• Topic sentence – state your answer
• Explanation – develop the idea
• Example – give an example

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Answer question 2

4)  Conclusion Summarise both questions and answers

This structure will give us a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.

We now need some ideas to add to the structure and we’ll have everything we need for our essay.

How To Plan IELTS Double Question Essays

Here’s the question we’re going to be answering in our model essay followed by the 3 steps of the planning process.

Fossil fuels are essential for producing electricity, powering industry and fueling transportation. However, one day we will reach a point when all the world’s fossil fuels have been depleted.

• Analyse the question
• Generate ideas
• Identify vocabulary

# 1  Analyse the question

This is an essential step in the planning process and will ensure that you answer the question fully. It’s quick and easy to do. You just need to identify 3 different types of words:

• Topic words
• Other keywords
• Instruction words

Topics words  are the ones that identify the general subject of the question and will be found in the statement part of the question.

Fossil fuels  are essential for producing electricity, powering industry and fueling transportation. However, one day we will reach a point when all the world’s  fossil fuels  have been depleted.

So, this question is about ‘ fossil fuels ’.

Many people will do this first step of the process and then write about the topic in general. This is a serious mistake and leads to low marks for task achievement.

Now that we know what the general topic is, we need to understand exactly what aspect of fossil fuels we're being asked to write about.

The  other keywords  in the question tell you the specific things you must write about. For IELTS double question essays, these will often be in the instructions, that is, the actual questions.

How can we  conserve  these resources?

What are some  alternatives  to fossil fuels?

By highlighting these words, it’s easy to identify the topics. Your essay must only include ideas relevant to these ideas.

The  instruction words  are the questions themselves. These tell you exactly what type of information is required and each will become the topic for one of the two main body paragraphs.

The first body paragraph will answer the first question (How?) and the second body paragraph will answer the second question (What?).

# 2  Generate ideas

The next task is to generate some ideas to write about.

There are several different ways to think up ideas. I cover them fully on the  IELTS Essay Planning  page.

We’re going to use the ‘friends technique’. This is the method I prefer as it allows you to take a step back from the stress of the exam situation and think more calmly.

Here’s how it works. Imagine that you are in a casual conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee and they ask you this question. What are the first thoughts to come into your head? Plan your essay around these ideas.

Doing this will help you to come up with simple answers in everyday language rather than straining your brain to think of amazing ideas using high-level language, which isn’t necessary.

You might want to try this yourself before reading on for my ideas.

Here are my ideas as I thought of them:

How can we conserve these resources? 

• Become more energy conscious & more energy efficient
• Use more renewable energy sources – solar panels
• All new homes should be built with solar panels on
• Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport, only travel when really necessary
• Energy-efficient light bulbs
• Solar power
• Wave energy
• Tidal energy
• Biomass energy
• Geothermal energy

Don’t spend long on this as you only need one or two ideas.

There is so much to write about this topic that we have to be very careful we don’t try to include too many different ideas and just end up with a list for each question rather than a well-developed essay.

Choose one main idea for each part of the question. My advice on making your selection is to choose ideas that you can quickly think of examples for.

Here are my choices:

• Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport
• Natural forces – solar & wind power, wave & tidal energy

We’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS double question essay but first, we have one other small task to do.

# 3  Vocabulary

During the planning stage, quickly jot down some vocabulary that comes to mind as you decide which ideas you are going to write about, especially synonyms of key words. This will save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing.

For the ideas I’ve chosen, useful words will include:

• sustainable  
• renewable energy
• energy-efficient

With that done, we can focus on the first paragraph of the essay – the introduction.

How To Write an Introduction

The best introductions to IELTS double question essays have a simple 2 part structure:

1)   Paraphrase the question

2)   Outline sentence – state your answer to both questions

• Have 2-3 sentences
• Be 40-60 words long
• Take 5 minutes to write

1)  Paraphrase the question

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the statement part of the question.

Question statement:

Paraphrased question:  

The world is currently reliant on oil, coal and natural gas for the majority of its energy requirements but there will come a time when these run out.

We are simply saying the same thing in a different way and using different vocabulary.

2)  Outline statement

Now we need to add an  outline statement  where we outline the two main points that we’ll cover in the rest of the essay, that is, the answers to the two questions.

We need to be very specific about what we are going to write about.

Here's a reminder of the ideas I’ve chosen to answer the two questions:

• Natural forces –solar & wind power, wave & tidal energy

Outl ine statement:  

This essay will discuss how we can help to prevent our non-renewable resources from becoming depleted by using our cars less frequently and it will name some natural forces that can be harnessed to generate power.

Note my use of synonyms to replace key words in the question. You don’t have to replace every key word but do so where possible whilst ensuring that your language sounds natural.

So, let’s bring the two elements of our introduction together.

     Introduction

This introduction achieves three important functions:

• It shows the examiner that you understand the question.
• It acts as a guide to the examiner as to what your essay is about.
• It also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write.

The two ideas in your introduction will become your two main body paragraphs.

Main body paragraph 1  –  Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport

Main body paragraph 2  –  Renewable energy / natural forces – solar & wind power, wave & tidal energy

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main body paragraphs in IELTS double question essays should contain 3 things:

• Explanation –  develop the idea

Main Body Paragraph 1  – Answer question 1

The  topic sentence  summarises the main idea of the paragraph. That’s all it needs to do so it doesn’t have to be complicated.

It plays an important role in ensuring that your ideas flow logically from one to another. It does this by acting as a signpost for what is to come next, that is, what the paragraph will be about.

If you maintain a clear development of ideas throughout your essay, you will get high marks for task achievement and cohesion and coherence.

We’ll now take the idea for our first main body paragraph and create our topic sentence.

Main body paragraph 1  –  Use car less – walk, cycle, public transport, only travel when really necessary

Topic sentence:  

Conserving energy is a responsibility of every individual and an important way in which we can all do our bit is to use more energy-efficient means of transport. 

Next, we must write an  explanation sentence  that develops the idea.

Explanation sentence: 

The easiest way to do this is to leave the car at home and walk or cycle to our destination if it isn’t too far away, or take public transport for longer journeys. Another way to reduce our fuel consumption is to car share.

Finally, we add an  example  to support our main point. If you can’t think of a real example, it’s fine to make one up, as long as it’s believable. The examiner isn’t going to check your facts. Alternative, you could add another piece of information to support your idea but an example is better.

Example sentence:

Whenever my friends and I get together for coffee, we agree to meet up at a café that we can each get to without having to drive our cars there. We usually go on foot or ride our bikes. If everyone made small decisions like this, it would make a real difference.

That’s the 3 parts of our first main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

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

Main Body Paragraph 2  – Answer question 2

Again, we’ll now take the idea I’ve chosen for this paragraph and create our topic sentence.

Main body paragraph 2  –  Renewable energy / natural forces –   solar & wind power, wave & tidal energy

Topic sentence:

The most sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels are the generation of power from natural forces such as the sun, wind and oceans.

Now for the  explanation  where we expand on this idea.

Explanation sentence:

S olar and wind power are already widely used across the world but it is wave power and tidal energy that have the greatest untapped potential to provide for our energy needs in the future.

Finally, an  example  to support our main point.

A report recently commissioned in the United Kingdom estimates that tidal energy could meet as much as  20% of the UK’s current electricity demands once the technology being developed is operational. Wave energy converters are expected to prove equally successful in the long-term.

That’s the 3 parts of our second main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

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

How To Write a Conclusion

The conclusion is a summary of the main points in your essay and can often be done in a single sentence. It should never introduce new ideas.

If you're below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add a prediction or recommendation statement.

Our essay is already over the minimum word limit so we don’t need this extra sentence but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS double question essays on the  Task 2 Conclusions  page.

The conclusion is the easiest sentence in the essay to write but one of the most important.

A good conclusion to an IELTS double question essay will:

• Neatly end the essay
• Link all your ideas together
• Sum up your argument or opinion
• Answer the question

If you achieve this, you’ll improve your score for both task achievement and cohesion and coherence which together make up 50% of the overall marks. Without a conclusion, you’ll score below band 6 for task achievement.

You can start almost any final paragraph of an IELTS double question essay with the words:

• In conclusion

        or

• To conclude

Now all you need to do is briefly summarise the main ideas into one or two sentences.

Here’s a top tip . Go back and read the introduction to the essay because this is also a summary of the essay. It outlines what you are going to write about.

To create a great conclusion, you simply have to paraphrase the introduction.

Introduction:

Here is the same information formed into a conclusion:

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

Finished IELTS double question essay.

     (351 words)

Go through this lesson as many times as you need to in order to fully understand it and put in lots of practice writing IELTS double question essays from past exam questions. Practice is the only way to improve your skills.

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More help with ielts double question essays & other task 2 essays.

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.

The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay   – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.

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 in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

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

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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• Essay Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2: Double Question Essays Types

• Essay Types
• Double Question
• Advantage Disadvantage
• Problem Solution
• Essay Length

A double-question also known as a two-part IELTS essay has low occurrence as compared to other IELTS Task 2 Essay types. However, you must learn to identify this question type and how to deal with it accurately in the real IELTS exam.

We have created this guide to help you produce a high-level response to an IELTS writing task 2 double essay question. Read on for tips, useful language, and a sample double-question essay.

Table of Contents

1.1 understanding the question.

• 1.2 Example double question essay questions
• Essay Structure for Double Question Essays
• 3.1 Identify key words and phrases

3.2 Organise your ideas

3.3 identify vocabulary, 4.1 introduction, 4.2 main body paragraphs, 4.3 conclusion.

• 5.1 Complete the sample double question essay

5.2 Double Question Sample Essay

1. double question essay overview.

Double question essays, often referred to as two-part essay questions , are exactly what they say: instead of dealing with one IELTS question, you have to answer two .

Remember, there are five main types of writing task 2 questions:

• Advantage/disadvantage
• Double question
• Problem/solution

When answering a double question , you still have the same minimum word count ( 250 words ) and the usual time limit for IELTS writing task 2 ( 40 minutes ). You will just have to organise your essay in a slightly different way to other essay types.

It is essential that you address both questions in your introduction and conclusion and you should separate your main body paragraphs logically: focus on the first question in the first body paragraph and the second question in the second body paragraph.

One of the most common mistakes test takers make is that they only answer one question because they have not understood the question type. Make sure you take your time to identify the question type before writing your answer.

1.2 Example Double Question Essay Questions

Take a look at these example IELTS double question essay writing task 2 questions for a range of topics:

The internet is a good source of information and has opened up opportunities for people all over the world.

Is all the information reliable online?

What could be done to control information online?

Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides

• IELTS Discussion Type Questions
• Opinion-based Task 2 IELTS Guide
• IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Type
• Problem Solution IELTS Writing Task Statement

Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films.

Why could this be?

Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

Nowadays, many people have easy access to computers and a large number of children play computer games.

What are the negative impacts of playing computer games?

What can be done to minimise these effects?

In spite of the advances in medicine, many people around the world still die from preventable diseases.

Why is this the case?

What can be done about this problem?

2. Essay Structure for Double Question Essays

Here is a clear and simple structure you can follow for any double-question IELTS writing task 2:

3. Planning your Double Question Essay

Read on for some useful essay planning tips and techniques.

3.1 Identify keywords and phrases

By this point, you should have identified that you have been given a double question by looking at the instruction words in the question (the clue here is there are two sets of questions ).

The next step is to identify the topic words in the statement that will tell you the general topic of the essay and any other keywords that give you additional information.

Here is an example for our sample question where we have underlined the topic words and put other keywords in bold:

So the general topic here is the internet being a good source of information . Other keywords let us know we need to focus on the reliability of that information and whether controls need to be put in place.

Part of a good essay plan is writing down your ideas. You could do this as we have have done below using the essay structure:

Introduction – Opinion = Some information on the internet can be unreliable/ need some process of control (e.g. fact checking)

Main body paragraph 1 – Majority of information is reliable/ can be verified/ media outlets carry out fact checking

Main body paragraph 2 – Not all information is trustworthy/ misinformation can influence people/ elections can be swayed

Conclusion – Balanced view/ information can be trusted but organisations should be accountable/ government should intervene too much

Notice how we have not used full sentences to save time. You might also write down ideas that you do not use in your actual essay. Make sure to cross through any notes you make before the end of a paper based exam (so they will not be marked by the examiner).

While you are creating your plan, take a note of any useful vocabulary that comes to mind. Here is some that we thought of for the model double question answer:

• Misinformation
• Media outlets
• Accountability
• Fact checking

4. Writing your Double Question Essay

You should start your introduction to a double-question essay in the same way as all other IELTS task 2 essay types : Paraphrase the given IELTS statement .

Let’s look at the example from our sample essay:

Notice that we have mentioned both sides of the argument .

For a double-essay question, you should always include your opinion in the introduction. Here’s our opinion:

In my view, the majority of the information that can be found on the internet is reliable. However, some of this information may be unreliable and therefore, it is important to have some processes in place to carry out fact checking.

And lastly, you can give a brief outline statement that explains what your essay will do, for example:

This essay will explain my opinion in more detail.

Let’s remind ourselves of the suggested structure for your main body paragraphs:

One way of addressing each question, as well as increasing the grammatical range shown in your essay, is to use noun phrases . Using a noun phrase instead of a more standard verb phrase also makes your writing more academic and interesting. Compare the following sentence:

Verb phrase – One advancement in the internet is that t he amount of information available has increased .

Noun phrase – One advancement in recent years is the amount of information available .

You could also noun phrases to describe developments over time . Here is an example:

• In the last few years there has been (a rise/a fall/ an increase/ a decrease) in _____

Your supporting sentences should provide reasons for the opinions given in your topic sentences. You can also use noun phrases to do this.

Here are some sentence starters:

• As a consequence of…
• As a result of…
• Because of…

And here’s an example:

As a result of the wide availability of the internet, there has been an increase in the number of fake news stories.

You must always include a conclusion for any IELTS writing task 2 essay. For a double-question essay conclusion, you should do the following:

• Start with a linking phrase such as In conclusion,…,In summary,…or To sum up,…
• Mention both question from the IELTS statement/question
• Rephrase the opinion given in your introduction

Take a look at our example and try to identify each point:

In conclusion, my view is that although a lot of internet sources can be trusted, there should also be measures put in place to ensure organisations take accountability for spreading misinformation. However, I do not believe that governments should have complete autonomy and control over what adults read on the internet.

5. Example Double Question Essay and Exercise

Time to practise ! Here is the discussion essay that we have been using in this guide. We have removed some keywords so you can test your knowledge on discussion essays by selecting the correct missing word.

5.1 Complete the Sample Double Question Essay

As a result of the development of the internet, people can now access any information they need at the click of a button from anywhere in the world. In my view, the majority of the information that can be found on the internet is reliable. However, some of this information may be unreliable and therefore, it is important to have some processes in place to carry out fact checking. This essay will explain my opinion in more detail.

One reason why the majority of information on the internet can be deemed reliable is that it can be verified by various sources and people also have the opportunity to freely contest information they believe is fake news or untrue. To take one example, large media outlets not only fact check sources they find on the internet, but they also show this to the public and will issue a retraction if anything is found to be untrue.

On the other hand, not all information found online is trustworthy and, as a result, measures need to be put in place to control this misinformation. The biggest downside of  this misinformation is that it can be easier for groups to unfairly influence people in situations such as political elections. Therefore, I believe that there should be certain measures put in place to control internet sites. One way to do this is to implement fines to companies consistently spreading untrue information.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures

The four most common IELTS writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problem and Solution Discussion

IELTS Task 2 Essay Structures

Knowing how to structure your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is an essential skill that can make the difference between getting and not getting the band score you deserve. With that in mind, we have outlined the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 structures below.

Nearly all of my Task 2 essays follow this basic structure: The sentences you put in each paragraph will depend on what type of question you get.

The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem and Solution
• Discussion (Discuss both views)
• Two-part Question

Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question. This will help you write a clear, coherent answer and hopefully boost your IELTS band score. I also include an example answer for each type of question so you can see the structure in a real essay.

Please note that these are general structures and may vary slightly depending on the question.

Please also note that no ‘one’ Task 2 essay structure will get you a high score. There are many types of structures that can get you a high score. These are just some I think are effective and easy to learn. 

Please visit the lessons below for more detailed guidance on each type of question. I have provided a link at the end of each section.

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree) 

Typical Question Words –

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Direct question.

Example Question –

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory in high school programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Essay Structure 

Introduction 

1- Paraphrase Question

2- Give your opinion and outline the main ideas.

Main Body Paragraph 1 

1- Topic Sentence

2- Explain Topic Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion 

1- Summary of main points and opinion

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that volunteering should be made part of the school curriculum. This essay agrees with that suggestion completely because it help pupils develop soft skills and helps them gain much-needed work experience.

Education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits, and those in education should also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and self-discipline, and one of the best ways to hone these aptitudes is through community service. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us many lessons, including how to work with people from other backgrounds and the value of hard work, thus enabling us to hone these skills before becoming an adult. For example, many young people from wealthier countries take a gap year and help those less fortunate than themselves to increase their gratitude for what they have and improve their work ethic.

Many colleges and companies are also increasingly looking for this type of experience. Most school leavers have the same grades, and charitable work can help set you apart from other students when making college applications. For example, Cambridge and Oxford receive thousands of applications from straight-A students yearly and can only accept a small percentage of applicants. What you have done outside the classroom often differentiates you from everyone else and gets you that coveted spot.

In conclusion, teenagers should be made to partake in unpaid work as part of their schooling because it will help them learn things they wouldn’t ordinarily learn from their teachers, and it will also boost their chances of getting into third-level education.

For more detail on how to answer agree or disagree questions, please visit our opinion essay lesson . 

Need help writing essays like this? Check out our ESSAY CORRECTION SERVICE .

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Typical Question Words 

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education.

Essay Structure

2- Outline Main Points

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State Two Advantages

2- Expand/Explain First Advantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage

1- State Two Disadvantages

2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage

1- Summary of Main Points

Student Sample Answer 

It is argued that technology plays an ever-increasing role in schools and universities. Increased access to information and student freedom are the main advantages, whereas dependency on technology and decreasing levels of face-to-face contact are the main disadvantages.

Access to more information and student autonomy are the principal advantages of increasing the use of electronic devices in education. With the internet, students can access all the information available about any topic, regardless of what books and other resources are available in the school. Furthermore, students can focus on whatever topic or subject they want and study it in depth. A prime example of this is the number of online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects that, up until recently, were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying third-level degrees than ever before at a pace and schedule that suits them.

The main disadvantages associated with the increasing use of technology in education are the dependency on this technology and the decrease in face-to-face interaction between students. With many students now using the internet as their primary source of information, they often struggle to use other academic resources to find what they’re looking for. As well as this, students spend more time looking at computer screens by themselves than interacting with each other, which is thought to lead to lower levels of emotional intelligence. For instance, the recent explosion in smartphone use has been at the expense of genuine human interaction. This results in soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected.

In conclusion, the benefits technology brings to education, such as unrestricted access to information and student autonomy, must be weighed against the drawbacks, such as dependency on this technology and the negative effects on human interaction.

For more detail on how to answer advantage and disadvantage questions, please visit our  advantage and disadvantage lesson . 

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)  

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question 

Technology is 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.

1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

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. This has allowed learners to 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. Without these soft skills, many people find it difficult to become successful in work and their personal lives. 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.

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.

For more detail on how to answer discussion questions please visit our  discussion essay lesson . 

Problem and Solution Questions

Problem and solution.

Cause and solution.

Students are becoming more and more reliant on technology.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

2- Outline Sentence

1- State Problems

2- Explain First Problem

3- Explain Second Problem

4- Example of Second Problem

1- State Solutions

2- Explain First Solution

3- Explain Second Solution

4- Example of Second Solution

Learners are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, such as the Internet and mobile devices. This essay believes the main problems associated with dependence on computers are the lack of original thought and copying original work from others and suggests critical thinking classes and writing analysis software as the most viable solutions.

The principal problems with over-reliance on technology are people being unable to think for themselves and plagiarism. With access to so much information, students often rely on other people’s opinions instead of forming their own. As well as this, they often use search engines to answer a question and copy the text from a website rather than thinking about the question. This practice is prohibited in schools and universities and stunts students’ intellectual development because they will never truly think for themselves, which is what university is supposed to be for. For example, many teachers complain that students copy web pages straight from Wikipedia word for word rather than giving a reasoned answer to their questions.

Solutions to these worrying problems are special classes to focus on critical thinking and teachers using anti-plagiarism software to detect copying. If teachers create situations where students have to infer meaning and express opinions based on a small amount of information, this will ensure that students have an opportunity to develop these skills. Also, if students know that their assignments are being checked for plagiarism, this will be enough to deter them from doing so. For instance, many universities already use this kind of software to scan coursework for plagiarism, and it could be extended to include all homework by learners in both secondary and tertiary education.

In conclusion, the main problems with the overuse of technology in education are the lack of original thought and plagiarism. These can be solved through special classes that teach students analytical skills and plagiarism detection software.

For more detail on how to answer problem and solution questions please visit our  problem and solution lesson . 

Two-Part Questions

There will normally be a statement, and they will then ask you to answer separate questions.

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.

What factor contributes to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

1- Answer first question directly

2- Explain why

3- Further explain

1- Answer second question directly

As most adults spend most of their time at work, being content with your career is a crucial part of a person’s health and happiness. This essay will first suggest fair pay as a key element leading to job satisfaction, and it will then state that it is not very likely that everyone can be happy with their job.

The most important thing that satisfies someone at work is being compensated fairly. If those more senior than you respect you as a person and the job you are doing, then you feel like you are valued. A fair salary and benefits are important marks of respect, and if you feel you are being underpaid, you will either resent your bosses or look for another job. These two factors came top of a recent job satisfaction survey conducted by Monster.com, which found that 72% of people were pleased with their current role if their superiors regularly told them they were appreciated.

With regard to the question of happiness for all workers, I think this is and always will be highly unlikely. The vast majority of people fail to reach their goals and end up working in a post they don’t really care about in return for a salary. This money is just enough to pay their living expenses which often means they are trapped in a cycle of disenchantment. For example, The Times recently reported that 89% of office workers would leave their jobs if they did not need the money.

In conclusion, being satisfied with your trade or profession is an important part of one’s well-being, and respect from one’s colleagues and fair pay can improve your level of happiness; however, job satisfaction for all workers is an unrealistic prospect.

Can I get a band 8 or 9 following these structures? 

Nobody can give you a Task 2 IELTS structure that guarantees high scores. Your score is dependent on how good your grammar and vocabulary are and how well you answer the question. A good structure will help you answer the question to some extent and boost your score for coherence and cohesion, but you must use relevant ideas and use these ideas well to answer the question.

You can see how my student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing here:

Next Steps 

We hope you found those IELTS Writing Task 2 structures useful. Looking for some more sample questions? Here are over 100 sample questions from past exam papers.

If you would personalised feedback and guidance until you get the score you need, you can join the Waiting List for my VIP Course here.

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.

Join us at My IELTS Classroom today for our video courses, marking service, 1-2-1 lessons and so much more…

How to approach an IELTS 2-Part Essay

Over the last 12 months, I have noticed a definite trend in the type of questions that IELTS students are being asked to address in writing task two. It seems that the classic “problem / solution” questions are appearing less and less and, instead, test-takers are being asked to write an IELTS 2-Part essay.

But, what is a 2-part essay? And how should you approach one to maximise your chance of a high score? That is what Nick and I are discussing in today’s podcast episode!

Below, you can find a summary of the episode , which includes all of the links to useful materials and the times of each part of the discussion (so you can go directly to the part you want to listen to)   🚀

Subscribe to My IELTS Classroom podcast on Apple podcasts   here  Subscribe to My IELTS Classroom on Google podcasts   here

What is an IELTS 2-Part Essay question?

IELTS have predictable question types that repeat in the exam again and again. These are based on the types of essay that you might typically be asked to write at university:

• Discuss Both Sides
• Agree / Disagree
• Problem / Solution (or Cause / Effect)
• Advantages / Disadvantages
• Positive / Negative Development

Recently, however, IELTS have been “mix and matching” different parts of these essays to create what I call “2-Part Essays”. You might, for example, be asked to explain the causes of a social trend (Cause / Effect) and then to say if you think if the trend is positive or negative trend (Positive / Negative Development).

Nowadays, people spend a lot more time watching movies and TV series than they did in the past. Why is this? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Or you may be asked to give your opinion of a statement (Agree / Disagree) and then given a direct question that is unique to the topic:

It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? What sort of punishment should parents and teachers be allowed to use to teach good behaviour to children?

  Basically, there is no one combination of questions that make up an IELTS 2-Part essay, which is what makes this type of question unique! However, even though the questions that will make up your unique 2-Part essay can be different, the approach that we use will remain the same.

Looking for an IELTS course that covers every type of IELTS essay? Watch the first three lessons in our course here :

How should I approach an IELTS 2-Part Essay Question?

The simplest way to approach 2-Part questions is simply to dedicate one paragraph to each question. If you do this, you can be 100% certain that you have addressed all parts of the task (which is a key element of your Task Response).

Nowadays, people spend a lot more time watching movies and TV series t han they did in the past. Why is this? = Body Paragraph 1 Do you think this is a positive or negative development? = Body Paragraph 2  

99% of the time, it will be easy to answer each question in just one paragraph by offering one or two clear arguments just as we would in a normal essay. There are some rare questions, however, which may seem difficult to address in one paragraph. Take this question for essay prompt:

People nowadays send text messages more frequently than they talk on the phone.   What are the reasons for this trend? Do the advantages of texting outweigh the disadvantages?

The second question asks: “Do the advantages of texting outweigh the disadvantages?”. Usually, we would approach this type of question in TWO paragraphs. For instance, if we believe that there are more advantages, then we would outline the disadvantages in BP1 and the advantages in BP2. However, we really don’t have the time and space in the exam to dedicate two paragraphs to the second question as we also have to spend time outlining the reasons for the trend in BP1.

Therefore, for this essay, I would suggest that you modify your usual approach and outline one disadvantage and two advantages in just one paragraph (assuming that you think that there are more advantages – if you think that there are more disadvantages, you can write one advantage and two disadvantages).

Is this ideal? Not really, but we don’t really have a choice.

The main thing is that the examiner can clearly see that you have made an attempt to address both questions and have a relevant discussion of both.

If you have time to write three paragraphs, you are welcome to do so. However, you will not be penalised for having just one paragraph that addresses the advantages / disadvantages question here. The examiner will expect a more limited discussion than in a traditional “outweighs” essay, and as long as you have addressed the question and given a clear opinion, you will be on target for a high score.

How else can I make sure that satisfy the band descriptors when writing an IELTS 2-Part essay?

Although paragraphing for a 2-Part essay is relatively simple, I do think that the other aspects of the essay can be difficult to write. Here is a list of the technical elements that you should consider when writing this type of essay:

• You should make it clear in the introduction what the 2-questions are that you are going to address in the body.  This is one of the main problems facing test-takers. I often read introductions to 2-Part essays that leave me feeling absolutely baffled as to what will be discussed in the essay. As Nick and I explain in the podcast, the main mistake that test-takers make is trying to paraphrase the “function” words in the questions i.e. words like “reasons” or “values”. You should not do this. An examiner who cannot see the task should be able to clearly understand what the 2 questions that you addressing are, and the “function” words are key elements in making the topics clear.
• You should start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that makes it clear which of the two questions you are addressing.  Again, just like every IELTS essay you need to clearly state what you will be discussing in the first sentence of each paragraph. I don’t know why but students seem to forget this when answering IELTS 2-Part questions.
• You should summarise both questions briefly in the conclusion. Just like the introduction you will need to work hard to summarise your response to both questions in the conclusion. Usually this will mean that you will dedicate one sentence to summarising each, which means that there is no time for a concluding comment.

There is nothing “groundbreaking” about the advice here, but it never ceases to amaze me how many basic essay writing skills students forget when they are presented with two questions to address!

Discover the secret to writing a Band 7.0+ essay

Th en download a copy of our FREE e-book, which explains the most common errors made by test-takers and how you can avoid them. Just click here for your copy.

What are your top tips for 2-Part Essay Questions?

As I have said above, if you make sure that you dedicate one paragraph to each question and clearly signpost in the introduction, topic sentences, and conclusion what the essay discussed, you should find that 2-Part essays are no more difficult to write than any other type of essay. In fact, I think that they can be easier as it can be faster to generate idea for two questions rather than one.

However, I do have advice regarding the most common type of 2-Part question: those that ask you to discuss the causes of a trend and then state if you think if it is a positive of negative development:

Nowadays, people spend a lot more time watching movies and TV series at home than they did in the past. Why is this? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

99% of the time, I would recommend that you say that the trend you are given is NEGATIVE. The reason for this is very simple: the causes of a recent trend are almost always “positive” (as new trends almost always develop as they help people in some way), so if you also state that the trend is “positive” then it will be hard to come up with two new ideas for BP2.

For example, let’s imagine that for the above question, you have the following ideas for the “cause” of the trend. ( If you haven’t listened to our recent episode about how to brainstorm ideas for recent trends, I recommend that you do that now ):

• People work longer hours and are tired, so they just want to switch off when they come home
• TV today is much better quality than it was in the past – there is no need to pay more to go to the cinema

If you then wanted to say that this was a “positive” trend, you would have to come up with two more “benefits” for people who watch more TV. This would be difficult as “a good way to switch off” and “cheaper than other forms of entertainment” are already “positive”.

However, if you choose to argue that this is a “negative development”, you will have a whole new bank of ideas to choose from that do not overlap:

• People already have a sedentary lifestyle – watching TV in the evening means that people have no incidental exercise at all
• TV is so entertaining that they have less incentive to join clubs, or meet friends and family, which are ultimately more fulfilling ways of spending free time

As we discuss in the podcast, there are a few questions where this approach may not work, but 99% of the time, it is the easiest way to generate ideas!

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Learn it town | learn english in an online virtual english city, 5  per class with a plan, ielts writing task 2: two-part questions.

Introduction

Today we’re going to look at one kind of IELTS writing task 2 question that often makes students a little worried: the two-part question. This is also sometimes referred to as “the direct question” as it is more direct than other types of writing question, such as advantage/disadvantage or problem/solution. I will show you what this question looks like and how to answer it.

What is a Two-Part Question?

In IELTS writing task 2, there are different sorts of questions you may be asked. One of them is called the two-part question (or sometimes “the direct question”). It is most commonly called a two-part question because it contains two distinct questions.

Of course, some other questions also contain two parts. For example, a problem and solution essay is two parts. However, what we mean by a “two-part question” is one that contains two questions. The reason this is sometimes called a “direct question” task is that the questions themselves are more direct than other IELTS writing task 2 question types, which instruct candidates to explore an idea. This is rather vague, whereas the two-part question is very specific.

Two-Part Question Examples

To understand this idea better, let’s look at an example two-part question:

In education and employment, some people work harder than others. Why do some people work harder? Is it always a good thing to work hard?

Ok, the first thing that you may notice is that there are three parts to this question! However, the first part is actually a lead-in statement. It is not particularly important. The parts that you need to address in your essay are the two questions. This is why some people say “two-part question” and others say “direct question”.

Here is another example:

Happiness if often considered difficult to define. Why is this? What factors determine happiness?

Here the first question contains a pronoun, “this”, which refers back to the idea in the first sentence. In other words, the first question is “Why is it often considered difficult to define happiness?”

Finally, here is one more example question:

Success is often measured by wealth and material possessions. Do you think wealth is the best measure of success? What makes a successful person?

As you can see by now, each question has three parts: an introductory statement and two individual (but related) questions. You will see this exact format used with numerous IELTS topics.

Sometimes the lead-in statement will be very long, and sometimes the questions quite closely linked. Other times the statement may be short or the questions asking quite different things.

How to Answer Two-Part Questions

The first thing to remember is: DON’T PANIC ! Two-part questions often make students a bit nervous, but really they are not so bad. They are no more difficult to answer than the other IELTS task 2 question types.

In fact, this type of question may even be the easiest one to answer!

Although the questions themselves are sometimes a bit challenging, they are direct questions. This means that it is less likely you will stray off-topic while writing. In other words, your task is actually more straightforward than it would be with an agree/disagree question, for example.

Analysing the Question

Let’s look at an example question so we can analyse it. This is the first thing you should do in any IELTS writing task 2 essay, and it’s important to spend a minute or two thinking carefully about it.

Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for, and allow their children to do whatever they want. Is this a good way to raise children? What consequences could this style of parenting have for children as they get older?

We can take three steps to analyse this question.

Let’s look at the first sentence: What is it about? It is about permissive parents – ie parents who give their children too much (or who give in to their child’s demands) and let them do too many things.

Next, the first question contains a pronoun (“this”) which refers to the ideas in the first sentence, and asks if it’s good or not.

The second question talks about the consequences – not for the parents, but for the children.

I have deliberately chosen a slightly difficult question here in order to show you how to answer it. Usually the questions are a little more direct and obvious, but here you need to consider the three sentences in order, understanding each fully.

In a situation like this, if you make an incorrect assumption about the first or second parts of the sentence, it may cause a serious lack of coherence and cohesion, in addition to poor task achievement.

For example, if you thought it was just about children not being made to study enough, you might write the next paragraph all about a lack of studying and the following one may come back closer to the correct idea because of the more specific question. This would look bad, indicating a lack of unity in your writing.

Structuring a Two-Part Question Essay

Thankfully, it is not difficult to create a perfect two-part essay structure. In fact, it is very easy!

Here is a basic essay template:

Answer 1st question

Answer 2nd question

Sample Answer

In this section, I will give you my sample answer to the above question, using the basic four paragraph structure that I mentioned. Obviously, my ideas will be different to yours, but the structure which I outlined can be used 100% of the time.

In today’s society, some parents are becoming increasingly permissive. They do not impose sufficient discipline on their children, and in some cases buy them too many things. This essay will explore why this is not a good way to raise children and why it will have negative impacts upon them in future.

While it is understandable that parents want to give their children expensive toys and let them run freely in the streets, this is actually not really an appropriate method of parenting. Having too many toys encourages children to be materialistic and does not offer them the same change to develop social skills like sharing. Furthermore, when children have asked for the toys, it gives them a sense of entitlement and even power over their parents. As for giving children too much freedom, there are obviously a great many dangers in this world from which they need to be kept safe. Children also need rules and boundaries to encourage them to develop into mature and responsible adults.

If parents insist on this permissive style of parenting, their children will grow up with very different values from those of stricter parents. Children who were never forced to study will end up with poorer grades in school, and those who were given everything they wanted as children will expect everything to come easily as adults. In short, they will lead difficult and disappointing lives, in contrast with what their parents hoped.

In conclusion, although it is tempting to give children whatever they want, parents ought to set rules and boundaries, and to be careful with how they reward children. If parents fail to impose a basic level of discipline, children may grow up with a poor attitude that will cause them and others to suffer.

There are really no words or phrases that are unique to the two-part question essay. Just use regular academic English as with any other IELTS task 2 question, and of course stick to the topic.

For my essay, I used the word “permissive.” It means allowing too much and not setting enough rules. You could use similar words like “liberal,” “easygoing”, “live and let live”, and so on, although they vary slightly in precise meaning.

As always, remember to avoid IELTS phrases and other cliches. Learn new vocabulary by topic and in collocations rather than isolation.

Tips for Two-Part Questions

Finally, a few tips to remember:

Practice this question type often before the exam – it’s pretty common!

Make sure you understand each part of the question before answering.

Always use the four-paragraph essay structure.

Work on idea-generation at home in order to come up with good, on-topic answers.

= This is from the TED IELTS Website

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IELTS Writing Task 2 – Topic: TWO – PART QUESTION

ielts writing topics 2019

1.  News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news, and would it be better if more good news was reported?  

Sample Answer

It is true that editors have to make difficult decisions about which news stories they broadcast or publish, and their choices are no doubt influenced by a variety of factors. In my opinion, we are exposed to too much bad news, and I would welcome a greater emphasis on good news.

Editors face a range of considerations when deciding what news stories to focus on. Firstly, I imagine that they have to consider whether viewers or readers will be interested enough to choose their television channel or their newspaper over competing providers. Secondly, news editors have a responsibility to inform the public about important events and issues, and they should therefore prioritise stories that are in the public interest. Finally, editors are probably under some pressure from the owners who employ them. For example, a newspaper owner might have particular political views that he or she wants to promote.

It seems to me that people do become accustomed to negative news. We are exposed on a daily basis to stories about war, crime, natural disasters and tragic human suffering around the world. I believe that such repeated exposure gradually desensitises people, and we become more cynical about the world and more sceptical that we can do anything to change it. I would prefer to see more positive news stories, such as reports of the work of medical staff after a natural disaster, or the kindness of volunteers who help in their communities. This kind of news might inspire us all to lead better lives.

In conclusion, it must be extremely difficult for editors to choose which news stories to present, but I would like to see a more positive approach to this vital public service.

 (285 words, band 9)

2.  Economic progress is often used to measure a country’s success. However, some people believe that other factors are more important. What other factors should also be considered when measuring a country’s success? Do you think one factor is more important than others?   

The relative success of different countries is usually defined in economic terms. There are several other factors, apart from the economy, that could be used to assess a country, and in my opinion education is the most important of all.

Standards of education, health and individual human rights should certainly be considered when measuring a country’s status. A good education system is vital for the development of any nation, with schools, colleges and universities bearing the responsibility for the quality of future generations of workers. Healthcare provision is also an indicator of the standard of living within a country, and this can be measured by looking at average life expectancy rates or availability of medical services. Finally, human rights and levels of equality could be taken into account. For example, a country in which women do not have the same opportunities as men might be considered less successful than a country with better gender equality.

In my view, a country’s education system should be seen as the most important indicator of its success and level of development. This is because education has a considerable effect on the other two factors mentioned above. It affects people’s health in the sense that doctors and nurses need to be trained, and scientists need to be educated to the highest levels before they can carry out medical research. It also affects the economy in the sense that a well-educated workforce will allow a variety of companies and industries to flourish, leading to trade with other countries, and increased wealth.

In conclusion, nations can be assessed and compared in a variety of ways, but I would argue that the standard of a country’s education system is the best measure of its success.

 (288 words, band 9)

3.  Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why could this be?Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

It is true that foreign films are more popular in many countries than domestically produced films. There could be several reasons why this is the case, and I believe that governments should promote local film-making by subsidising the industry.

There are various reasons why many people find foreign films more enjoyable than the films produced in their own countries. Firstly, the established film industries in certain countries have huge budgets for action, special effects and to shoot scenes in spectacular locations. Hollywood blockbusters like ‘Avatar’ or the James Bond films are examples of such productions, and their global appeal is undeniable. Another reason why these big-budget films are so successful is that they often star the most famous actors and actresses, and they are made by the most accomplished producers and directors. The poor quality, low-budget filmmaking in many countries suffers in comparison.

In my view, governments should support local film industries financially. In every country, there may be talented amateur film-makers who just need to be given the opportunity to prove themselves. To compete with big-budget productions from overseas, these people need money to pay for film crews, actors and a host of other costs related to producing high-quality films. If governments did help with these costs, they would see an increase in employment in the film industry, income from film sales, and perhaps even a rise in tourist numbers. New Zealand, for example, has seen an increase in tourism related to the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films, which were partly funded by government subsidies.

In conclusion, I believe that increased financial support could help to raise the quality of locally made films and allow them to compete with the foreign productions that currently dominate the market.

 (294 words, band 9)

4.  These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go out to work. What could be the reasons for this? Do you think it is a positive or a negative development?

It is true that men are increasingly likely to take on the role of househusband, while more women than ever are the breadwinners in their families. There could be several reasons for this, and I consider it to be a very positive trend.

In recent years, parents have had to adapt to various changes in our societies. Equal rights movements have made great progress, and it has become normal for women to gain qualifications and pursue a career. It has also become socially acceptable for men to stay at home and look after their children. At the same time, the rising cost of living has meant that both marriage partners usually need to work and save money before starting a family. Therefore, when couples have children, they may decide who works and who stays at home depending on the personal preference of each partner, or based on which partner earns the most money.

In my view, the changes described above should be seen as progress. We should be happy to live in a society in which men and women have equal opportunities, and in which women are not put under pressure to sacrifice their careers. Equally, it seems only fair that men should be free to leave their jobs in order to assume childcare responsibilities if this is what they wish to do. Couples should be left to make their own decisions about which parental role each partner takes, according to their particular circumstances and needs.

In conclusion, the changing roles of men and women in the family are a result of wider changes in society, and I believe that these developments are desirable.

 (274 words, band 9)

5.  Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness?

It is no doubt true that the majority of people would like to be happy in their lives. While the personal nature of happiness makes it difficult to describe, there do seem to be some common needs that we all share with regard to experiencing or achieving happiness.

Happiness is difficult to define because it means something different to each individual person. Nobody can fully understand or experience another person’s feelings, and we all have our own particular passions from which we take pleasure. Some people, for example, derive a sense of satisfaction from earning money or achieving success, whereas for others, health and family are much more important. At the same time, a range of other feelings, from excitement to peacefulness, may be associated with the idea of happiness, and the same person may therefore feel happy in a variety of different ways.

Although it seems almost impossible to give a precise definition of happiness, most people would agree that there are some basic preconditions to achieving it. Firstly, it is hard for a person to be happy if he or she does not have a safe place to live and enough food to eat. Our basic survival needs must surely be met before we can lead a pleasant life. Secondly, the greatest joy in life is usually found in shared experiences with family and friends, and it is rare to find a person who is content to live in complete isolation. Other key factors could be individual freedom and a sense of purpose in life.

In conclusion, happiness is difficult to define because it is particular to each individual, but I believe that our basic needs for shelter, food and company need to be fulfilled before we can experience it.

 (292 words, band 9)

6.  Many people decide on a career path early in their lives and keep to it. This, they argue, leads to a more satisfying working life. To what extent do you agree with this view? What other things can people do in order to have a satisfying working life?

It is true that some people know from an early age what career they want to pursue, and they are happy to spend the rest of their lives in the same profession. While I accept that this may suit many people, I believe that others enjoy changing careers or seeking job satisfaction in different ways.

On the one hand, having a defined career path can certainly lead to a satisfying working life. Many people decide as young children what they want to do as adults, and it gives them a great sense of satisfaction to work towards their goals and gradually achieve them. For example, many children dream of becoming doctors, but to realise this ambition they need to gain the relevant qualifications and undertake years of training. In my experience, very few people who have qualified as doctors choose to change career because they find their work so rewarding, and because they have invested so much time and effort to reach their goal.

On the other hand, people find happiness in their working lives in different ways. Firstly, not everyone dreams of doing a particular job, and it can be equally rewarding to try a variety of professions; starting out on a completely new career path can be a reinvigorating experience. Secondly, some people see their jobs as simply a means of earning money, and they are happy if their salary is high enough to allow them to enjoy life outside work. Finally, job satisfaction is often the result of working conditions, rather than the career itself. For example, a positive working atmosphere, enthusiastic colleagues, and an inspirational boss can make working life much more satisfying, regardless of the profession.

In conclusion, it can certainly be satisfying to pursue a particular career for the whole of one’s life, but this is by no means the only route to fulfilment.

 (310 words, band 9)

7.  There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

It is true that a rich variety of musical styles can be found around the world. Music is a vital part of all human cultures for a range of reasons, and I would argue that traditional music is more important than modern, international music.

Music is something that accompanies all of us throughout our lives. As children, we are taught songs by our parents and teachers as a means of learning language, or simply as a form of enjoyment. Children delight in singing with others, and it would appear that the act of singing in a group creates a connection between participants, regardless of their age. Later in life, people’s musical preferences develop, and we come to see our favourite songs as part of our life stories. Music both expresses and arouses emotions in a way that words alone cannot. In short, it is difficult to imagine life without it.

In my opinion, traditional music should be valued over the international music that has become so popular. International pop music is often catchy and fun, but it is essentially a commercial product that is marketed and sold by business people. Traditional music, by contrast, expresses the culture, customs and history of a country. Traditional styles, such as …(example)…, connect us to the past and form part of our cultural identity. It would be a real pity if pop music became so predominant that these national styles disappeared.

In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human existence, and I believe that traditional music should be given more importance than international music.

 (261 words, band 9)

8.  Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?  

It is true that new technologies have had an influence on communication between people. Technology has affected relationships in various ways, and in my opinion there are both positive and negative effects.

Technology has had an impact on relationships in business, education and social life. Firstly, telephones and the Internet allow business people in different countries to interact without ever meeting each other. Secondly, services like Skype create new possibilities for relationships between students and teachers. For example, a student can now take video lessons with a teacher in a different city or country. Finally, many people use social networks, like Facebook, to make new friends and find people who share common interests, and they interact through their computers rather than face to face.

On the one hand, these developments can be extremely positive. Cooperation between people in different countries was much more difficult when communication was limited to written letters or telegrams. Nowadays, interactions by email, phone or video are almost as good as face-to-face meetings, and many of us benefit from these interactions, either in work or social contexts. On the other hand, the availability of new communication technologies can also have the result of isolating people and discouraging real interaction. For example, many young people choose to make friends online rather than mixing with their peers in the real world, and these ‘virtual’ relationships are a poor substitute for real friendships.

In conclusion, technology has certainly revolutionised communication between people, but not all of the outcomes of this revolution have been positive.

 (257 words, band 9)

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IELTS Two-part Question Essay Sample (Corrected)

Millions of people every year move to english speaking countries such as australia, britain or america, in order to study at school, college or university..

Why do so many people want to study English?

Why is English such an important international language?

English speaking countries like Australia, the USA and Britain are becoming a more popular destination destinations for students to study English. In this essay, I will discuss why English is such a n important language and why so many people want to study this language it .

English is a door - opener to well - paid jobs and the most used language among travellers, that's which is why so many students desire to study English as a second language. Many international companies require English skills as a minimum requirement for a job. A lot of people are studying English just to have a better change chance to get a well - paid job. Travelling is another reason why many people study English ; to travel without English skills can be very challenging, especially with customs on in airports. English is quite handy in a globalised world where English is the standard.

But However , English is not just important for individuals . it It is also a very important language for since and worldwide operating companies . For example, scientific research is done in English, so that the research can be published easier more easily to a global audience. Without a global audience, only a fraction of scientists would be able to finance themself themselves .

To sum up, without English the world would be running less smoothly from applying for a n international job to travelling : everything would be much harder. Scientific progress and international companies would be almost not possible impossible . I think English is irreplaceable for our society irreplaceable .

(233 words)

Band Score Estimate (prior to corrections)

Brief comments:

• You must write at least 250 words.
• The task asks two questions and wants reasons. Not just one reason.

MORE ESSAY SAMPLES

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IELTS Two-part Question Essay Sample

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IELTS Model Essay -Two Questions Essay Type

The IELTS Writing Task 2 Two Questions Essay: Causes & Positive/Negative Trends .

There are a number of different types of IELTS essay questions. There are Opinion Essays, Discussion Essays, Advantage/Disadvantage Essays, Solution (including Cause/ Solution) Essays and there are Direct Question Essays (such as the Two Question Essay). However, please note that different teachers use different names for essay types.

The model essay below looks at the Direct Question Essay which contains Two Questions. 

IELTS Essay Question  – Computer Games

More and more adults are playing computer games. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative trend?

The main topic in the essay question is Technology and the specific topic is Computer Games. It is a current essay question because it is about a current trend in the world today. I’ve provided a list of tips to help you tackle this type of essay question.

Points to Consider

• There is only one issue to tackle : computer games. This is lucky. It is an easy essay question. Some essay questions are more complex and have two separate issues to tackle.
• There are two questions to answer . I call this type of question a “Direct Question Essay”. The first question is about causes of the trend. The second question is about evaluating whether it is good or bad. Whenever you are asked to choose, it means you must give your opinion.
• Pay attention to the wording of the essay topic . This is about adults, not children. It is about computer games which some people consider are for children. Always pay attention to all keywords in the essay question when you brainstorm or you will go off topic. Ask yourself questions to stimulate ideas. Why are adults playing games on a computer? We know that children like to do this, but why are adults doing this? And is this good? Is it good that adults are playing computer games? If it is bad, why? 
• Next think about the concept of “computer games”. Spend time analysing the issue given . We often consider computer games to be silly entertainment fore children. But is that correct? Are all computer games actually silly? If we think about this carefully, we will realise that actually some computer games are complex and strategic. Some games require skill and intelligence to play. This means that the issue of computer games is not a simple one. Computer games are varied. Does this essay question apply to childish computer games or complex games? The answer is – it applies to both. So, now we know we can tackle this issue at a level of more depth. Getting to the depth of the issue is essential for a high score.  So, while we can see there is only one issue (computer games) that single issue is complex and can be divided into different aspects.
• After you brainstorm, choose the ideas that are the most relevant and the easiest to explain well. You don’t get a high score because you have lots of ideas. You get a higher score for presenting specific ideas which are well developed and highly relevant.
• If you have two questions to cover. It is logical to have two body paragraphs . Being logical in your choice of paragraphing is important. 
• Provide a clear position in your introduction as to whether you think this is a positive or negative point. Being clear in the introduction helps the examiner follow your body paragraphs more easily and this will increase your score. If you think it is positive – make it clear. If you think it is negative – say so. If you think “it depends” – make sure you word it clearly and explain it clearly in the body paragraphs. The easiest approach is a positive or negative one (a one-sided approach). The “it depends” approach is harder and requires stronger language skills. 

Model Essay: Computer Games (2024)

It seems that the current trend is for an increasing number of adults to enjoy playing computer games in their free time. With the development of game technology, it is hardly surprising that adults are playing games, but whether it is positive or negative depends on the games played and the time spent on them.

In terms of why so many adults are choosing to spend time playing computer games, it is mainly because the technology behind the games is becoming more sophisticated. Initially, when games first came out, they were very simplistic and appealed mainly to children. However, things have moved on since then and games have become visually appealing, very absorbing, require great dexterity and some also have a strategic challenge to them which adults particularly like. Such games can attract professional adults looking to hone tactics and skills to other adults wishing just to relax and switch off.

However, whether this trend in adults towards computer games is beneficial or not can be challenged. Some adults use complex, challenging games as a form of escapism which keeps their mind sharp and helps them relax at the same time. As long as the time spent on such games is balanced with other healthier pursuits, it can be constructive. Unfortunately, adults who ignore their physical health and spend too much time on mindless, repetitive games develop a sedentary lifestyle which can be detrimental to their wellbeing. 

In conclusion, computer games have become more fascinating and tempting to adults. While games that help develop tactics and knowledge might be advantageous, no game, particularly senseless games, should be played to excess and certainly should not replace healthier leisure activities.

Word count = 276 

IELTS Writing Task 2  Model Essays & Tips

Click here to see all model essays, tips etc for writing task 2: IELTS Writing Task 2 Main Page

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This is awesome, there are so much new vocabulary that I can learn from. Thank you Liz! And I wanna ask if all model essays are in the “model essay” category? I’m a new comer and I’m looking for as many well-written writings as possible, like yours!

There are a lot of model essays online. I do not know their quality or how safe they are to use a models. Not all websites are written by professional, experienced teachers who have completed the IELTS examiner training. The models on my essay are safe to use as a guide.

I received my IELTS result today and I scored 7.5 overall band score. I can’t thank you enough for your valuable help and guidance.

More than IELTS, I’m more confident than ever and look forward to continuing this learning further.

Thanks again and take care.

Best Regards, Kamlesh

I’m so pleased for you, Kamlesh! Very well done to you!! I do hope you continue learning. One day I plan to start an English Liz Youtube channel so that people can keep learning beyond their IELTS test 🙂

That would be perfect <3

Thank you so much, Liz. I really appreciate your fantastic work.

You’re welcome 🙂

Good evening Liz. I’m grateful for your guidance and tutelage as I scored 7.5 in my writing, 7.5 in speaking, 7.0 in listening and 6.0 in reading after just a short time with you. I’m optimistic in my next attempt I should get the desired scores. You’re a great teacher ma’am.

I wish you lots of luck in your next test 🙂

Rituparna Saha says April 5, 2024 Thank you Liz for all your support and guidance on Writing Task 2. I greatly appreciate your efforts.

I took my IELTS test a few days ago. The results are out and I got a band 7 in writing with an overall band 7.5 in just a week. For writing I only watched your videos and took notes of all the points you taught. I did not even practice writing much, just referred to your videos and read all the materials on the website. Your content is pure gold and you are an amazing teacher. Ilysm

Very well done with your results!! Many people struggle to hit band 7 in writing. Congrats!

this is Soo nice Liz I have been following you and your materials are helpful kindly would like to know where I can download the Cambridge book or if you can share any regards Hellen

The IELTS Cambridge Test Books are copyrighted so I can’t share them. However, you can find new as well as second hand copies on Amazon or possibly in a local educational store.

I don’t feel the introduction is clear, and there is no clear opinion.

“it depends” indicates the opinion. It shows that the writer intends to be specific about when it is positive and when it is negative because their opinion covers both. This can often be the case with IELTS essays that require an opinion. You do not have to choose positive or negative and be 100% on one side. It is 100% acceptable in IELTS but it is a more difficult opinion to create if one’s English language isn’t strong.

Hello Liz, is it okay to write a contrast (one point) before the conclusion paragraph in agree or disagree essay? Thank you.

This is not an agree/disagree essay. The Opinion Essay is an agree disagree essay which requires you to agree, disagree or have a partial agreement with an opinion given by IELTS. That essay is not an Opinion Essay because you aren’t being asked to respond to an opinion given by IELTS. This essay is a Direct Questions Essay which may or may not require an opinion depending on the questions you are given. In an Opinion Essay, you introduce your opinion in the introduction and the whole essay explains your opinion. You can’t suddenly put a different opinion further down the essay. Your opinion must be consistent throughout the whole essay. I recommend you get my advanced lessons because they explain in detail how to tackle an Opinion Essay. You can find them in my online store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Thanks a lot liz.

Hi dear Liz. Hope you are fast recuperating. I have written the following intro. ” There is a growing propensity among the youth to play computer games. This is due to indulgence of parents and can have possible detrimental effects.” I know you don’t comment on write ups, but this is with a hope, in case…

I’ll just make one comment. I made a list of points to consider. Point 3 was important. This isn’t about youths. It’s about adults, which means people in their early 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s etc. And because it is about adults, it cannot be related to “indulgence from parents”. If you make this mistake, most of your essay will be off topic. That is the reason I wrote point 3. Take a look again because it’s an important lesson to learn.

This writing test sample answer makes a whole lots of sense to me. Well appreciated 👍👍👍.

I’m glad it made sense. IELTS isn’t difficult once you understand more about the test and the aims you should have.

Hi, Due to the financial crisis, I lacked many things like IELTS practice/preparation classes and missed many classes from a good teacher like you.

therefore, if you have any better offer like a full free studentship & give me the opportunity. Thank you in advance for your kind coope

This website has hundreds of page of free practice lessons, tips, topics, videos, advice, information, model answers etc. Use them well. Learn from each page and take your time. Then use the IELTS Cambridge test books for full test practice at home.

Thank you so much Liz for your valuable tips and techniques 🙏❤️

I’m glad it was helpful 🙂

Thank you for this it’s very helpful Liz. I greatly appreciate your efforts

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IELTS two part question essay on homes

Model answer for a two-part question essay on homes and housing..

This task was in the Cambridge IELTS 16 book about learning the background of ones home.

At first, you must look at the general topic, which in this case is about housing, then analyse the task to find out what you need to write about and the type of essay it is. In this case, it has two questions in the instruction words so this is a two-part question essay (direct questions essay). Take a look at how I have structured this and given specific examples to support the main ideas.

After paraphrasing the task question, answer both questions from the task in the thesis statement. Keep the introduction concise though at under 60 words.

Model Answer

In many countries, increasing numbers of people are becoming interested in learning about the history of the house or building where they live. What are the reasons behind this? How can individuals research this?

More and more people are becoming interested in researching the history of the building they live in. This is because they are curious about uncovering stories of previous residents, as well as the home’s architectural history. The best way to research this is by going through city hall property records as well as online resources.

It is becoming a common pastime for those who live in old houses to discover more about how their abode was constructed and the lives of the people that lived there. In the UK particularly, many Georgian and Victorian houses have fascinating architecture and are made from high-quality materials. Furthermore, there may be rumours about strange incidents that happened in the past. For instance, in ‘Skaill House’, Scotland, there were numerous sightings of ghosts in the 1800s. Moreover, there are stories in many parts of England of unexplained happenings and eccentric residents in 19th-century homes that tend to appeal to the morbid fascination of new residents.

The best way to investigate this is to search old deeds and census records at the city hall. This is because most city halls in the UK contain extensive housing information dating back to the 17th century. Many of these records hold intriguing details about the residents lives at the time. Additionally, there is a wide range of websites that deal with these matters where the user can pay a signup fee to uncover detailed information on their homes. For example, the website for the ‘national registry of historic places’ in the UK contains a list of buildings categorised according to architectural style and famous past owners.

To conclude, residents of old buildings desire to find out about previous owners and how their homes were constructed. Resources on the internet and land registry records at town halls are the most effective methods in researching this.

Task from the Cambridge IELTS 16 book.

This answer is specific to the UK as I have mentioned the architectural era, Georgian and Victorian houses, which are common in England / London.

The answer will vary depending on homes in your country, so you would need to take 10 minutes to plan this essay to think of relevant ideas and supporting points.

Vocabulary:   property records / city hall / town hall / deeds / residents / land registry / abode / morbid fascination / intriguing / fascinating / eccentric residents / unexplained happenings / architecture.

Above is some of the vocabulary I used in the essay that would indicate a good score in this section of the marking criteria.

Leave a comment if you have any questions.

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Reach your dream band score for IELTS Speaking and Writing

IELTS Two Part Question-Band 9 Essay

In some countries around the world men and women are having children later in life. What are the reasons for this development? What are the effects on society and family life?

Basic Idea Plan

Band 9 Model Answer

In many developed countries, couples are choosing to start a family at an older age than they used to. This essay will outline a couple of the main causes of this change and will examine the consequences for society and families.

It is undeniable that millennials are choosing to prioritise their university education and climbing the career ladder. As a result, this has possibly reduced the importance of having children in their twenties. To illustrate this point, many graduates have spent their twenties completing further education courses and trying to progress to a managerial position. Another factor behind the delay in having children is related to the high cost of living. This is more notable in developed countries where it can take several years to save for a house deposit . This explains why many couples prefer to delay having children until they feel ready to provide for them.

Children being born later has resulted in some substantial changes in society especially the falling birth rate. This may create a situation in which the number of senior citizens could outnumber workers. If this issue is not resolved, governments could be faced with a challenging situation to pay for pensioners retirement costs without the benefit of taxpayers contributions. Despite the aforementioned societal issue, there is a clear benefit for family life that parents have more life experience when raising children. Having babies at an older age may allow more stability for their offspring because their parents should be more adept at handling a variety of situations.

To sum up, there is no doubt that many millennials are placing more importance on becoming successful as an individual first and this is contributing to them having children in their thirties or later. This situation is posing problems for governments in many countries including dealing with a falling birth rate, on the other hand, there are some potential benefits for the future of family relations.

Highlight all words related to people. You will notice that the word people is not used in the essay. This makes the essay more formal and you should aim to learn how to refer to people in different ways.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Cách làm dạng bài Two-part Question

Bỏ túi cách viết dạng bài Two-part question một cách chi tiết nhất qua việc phân tích dạng đề, lập dàn ý, lưu ý những lỗi sai thường gặp khi làm bài thi.

Chủ đề bài viết

Trong phần thi IELTS Writing Task 2, các thí sinh sẽ được yêu cầu viết một bài nghị luận xã hội về một câu hỏi, vấn đề được đặt ra trong đề bài. Tùy thuộc vào yêu cầu của từng đề thi mà phần thi này được chia thành rất nhiều dạng, điển hình như Opinion , Two-part question, Problem and Solution , Discussion hay Advantages and Disadvantages .

Trong bài viết này, IDP IELTS sẽ hướng dẫn bạn cách viết dạng bài Two-part question một cách chi tiết nhất thông qua việc phân tích dạng đề, lập dàn ý, lưu ý những lỗi sai thường gặp khi làm bài, đồng thời cung cấp những bài làm mẫu giúp bạn làm quen với cấu trúc bài thi.

1. Tổng quan về dạng bài Two-part question trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Two-part question IELTS (hay Direct question/ Double question) là dạng bài đề cập đến một vấn đề nào đó và yêu cầu thí sinh cần trả lời 2 câu hỏi liên quan đến đề bài. Tương tự như các dạng bài khác, phần thi IELTS Writing Part 2 sẽ chiếm đến 60% tổng số điểm của bài thi Writing. Vì vậy, bạn cần chuẩn bị thật kỹ để ghi điểm cao trong phần thi này. 

Để hiểu rõ hơn về dạng bài Two-part questions, hãy cùng IDP phân tích ví dụ sau:

Trong đề bài này, bạn cần phải giải quyết hai vấn đề chính bao gồm: 

Câu 1: Nêu rõ những tác động và mức độ ảnh hưởng của công nghệ tới các mối quan hệ của con người?

Câu 2: Đưa ra ý kiến cụ thể của bạn về việc liệu sự tác động của công nghệ này là tích cực hay tiêu cực. Đừng quên trình bày quan điểm thật rõ ràng, mạch lạc nếu không muốn mất điểm Task Achievement trong đề 2-part question IELTS này.

Câu 1: Nêu mức độ ảnh hưởng khi người tiêu dùng phải đối diện với số lượng lớn quảng cáo mỗi ngày.

Câu 2: Đưa ra ý kiến về các biện pháp nào có thể được thực hiện để bảo vệ người tiêu dùng.

2. Hướng dẫn viết dạng bài Two-part question trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Hầu hết những dạng bài phổ biến trong phần thi IELTS Writing Task 2 đều tuân theo trình tự làm bài cơ bản như: Phân tích đề - Phát triển luận điểm - Trình bày từng đoạn, liệt kê ví dụ bổ trợ cho ý tưởng - Kiểm tra lại bài vào cuối giờ. 

Cùng nghiên cứu bài mẫu dưới đây để giúp bạn nắm được cấu trúc của dạng bài này cũng như thứ tự từng bước làm bài nhé.

Bước 1: Phân tích về bài và chọn quan điểm chính để trình bày

Vì phần thi IELTS Writing Task 2 có thể cho ra rất nhiều dạng đề khác nhau, bạn nên chú ý thật kỹ đề bài để đáp ứng được tiêu chí Task Achievement và tránh việc bị lạc đề. Hãy dành ít nhất là 3 phút để xác định chủ đề của đề bài cho ra và yêu cầu của đề bài. 

Trước tiên, hãy nhìn vào câu đầu tiên (Background statement) để nắm bắt yêu cầu của đề bài. Vấn đề được nêu ra ở đây xoay quanh việc các bậc phụ huynh nuông chiều con cái và đáp ứng mọi nhu cầu của chúng.

Câu hỏi đầu tiên: Liệu đây có phải là xu hướng nuôi dạy con tốt không? Nếu bạn đồng ý hoặc không đồng ý với câu hỏi này, hãy nêu lí do, giải thích rõ ràng và nêu dẫn chứng thiết thực. 

Câu hỏi thứ hai: Hậu quả mà phương pháp này ảnh hưởng đến con cái.

Đối với dạng bài nghị luận xã hội trong phần thi IELTS Writing Part 2, bạn cũng cần phải nêu rõ quan điểm của bản thân. Phần này nên được trong phần Introduction để gây ấn tượng với giám khảo và nhắc lại 1 lần nữa ở phần Conclusion.

Bước 2: Lập dàn bài và phát triển ý 

Sau khi đọc đề bài, thay vì bắt tay vào viết ngay thì hãy dành 10 phút để phân tích đề và lập dàn ý, điều này sẽ giúp bạn hệ thống được các luận điểm và liên kết ý tưởng một cách chặt chẽ, mạch lạc hơn.

Bước 3: Kiểm tra lại bài làm và chỉnh sửa lỗi chính tả

Một khi đã hoàn thành xong bài làm, hãy dành thời gian vào cuối giờ để kiểm tra lại lỗi ngữ pháp, kiểm tra xem mình đã hoàn thành yêu cầu đề bài cho ra chưa hoặc bài viết có đảm bảo giới hạn từ được quy định không.

3. Các ngữ pháp ghi điểm trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Bên cạnh chiến thuật làm bài chặt chẽ cùng một dàn ý hoàn chỉnh, sở hữu vốn từ vựng phong phú, đặc sắc sẽ giúp bạn chinh phục điểm số cao hơn trong bài làm. Ghi nhớ ngay những cụm từ giúp bạn ghi điểm không chỉ trong phần thi IELTS Writing Task 2 mà còn ở những phần thi khác nhé. 

Xem thêm: Tổng hợp bộ từ vựng IELTS Writing Task 2 theo chủ đề mới nhất

4. Bài tập mẫu câu hỏi IELTS Writing Task 2 dạng Two-part Question

Câu hỏi: In some countries, people spend long hours at work. Why does this happen? Is it positive or negative development?

Nowadays, working overtime is increasingly common for employees in many different parts of the world. There are many reasons behind this phenomenon and I believe this brings more harm than good to people.

There are two main reasons for the extension of working hours among people. Firstly, people want to earn more money, which will satisfy their demand of affording their lives. In this day and age, the living cost is much higher than before, not only in metropolises but also in rural areas. This puts a large financial burden on employees, especially ones who are the breadwinner in the family. As a result, people have to work extra hours to feed themselves and their family, and also to increase the living standard. Secondly, people have to cope with a heavy workload these days, which makes them spend longer hours at work. If people do not extend their working hours, they may not meet the deadlines and be unable to finish given tasks, which prevents them from climbing the career ladder.

Despite the benefits that this trend may bring to people, I believe it is negative due to two major reasons. One is that it causes a lot of detrimental health effects when people spend too much time working. Overworking gives people little time to rest, and if this situation continues for a long time, it may cause some physical diseases relating to the back, neck, eyes and even heart. Moreover, dealing with a high volume of work continuously also makes people suffer from mental problems such as stress, sleep disorders or even depression. Another negative impact of this trend is people can not get a work-life balance. Many people tend to spend more than half a day working, which makes it impossible for them to spend enough time for themselves and their loved ones, including family and friends. This leads to the fact that people may find no fun in life because they have no time for family and their relationships are also likely to be broken.

In conclusion, the tendency of working extra hours is caused by the increasing living expenses and overwhelming workload. Personally, I believe this brings more negative impacts to individuals.

Vocabulary ghi điểm:

Brings more harm than good: mang lại nhiều tác hại hơn lợi ích

A large financial burden: gánh nặng tài chính lớn 

Breadwinner: trụ cột gia đình (về mặt tài chính)

Climb the career ladder: thăng tiến trong công việc

Câu hỏi: In some parts of the world, people try to find out one’s own family history. Why do people do this? Do you think it is positive or negative?

Ancestral lineage research has been argued by many people to be important in recent times. In this essay, I will seek to show why individuals in certain regions make an endeavor in knowing more about their families and reach an accord that the phenomenon is positive.

The trend of discovering family history can be explained by the urge to get closer to one’s own family and the desire to learn about the health records of the family. Concerning the former reason, it is true that ancestral lineage research enables the reconnection of family members. This could potentially be of great comfort to orphans or those who do not know who their parents are. DNA tests, for example, have helped many people without family to track down their long-lost relatives and discover brothers and sisters they never knew they had. Turning to the second point, knowing the medical history of a family enhances the understanding of genetically inheritable medical conditions such as asthma, obesity, and diabetes. Therefore, people would take appropriate action to identify ways to mitigate the adverse effects of diseases. 

From my perspective, the overwhelming desire of finding family history can be deemed positive due to its role in preserving familial culture and customs and motivating individuals to overcome life’s troubles. Chief among these is that the discovery of ancestry plays a crucial role in maintaining the culture and traditions of one’s family. Once the descendants are fully aware of the significance of cultural values passed down from previous generations, they would show more willingness in preserving as well as promoting those intangible merits. Moreover, a means of self-motivation can be regarded as one of the worth-mentioning advantages of examining family roots. During the discovery, people would be more mindful of obstacles that their ancestors overcame, thereby driving them to be bold and brave in dealing with issues in life. 

In conclusion, research on ancestors is prompted by the desire to form a close bond with former generations and to know about familial health records. I would opine this development positively due to its benefits in maintaining culture and boosting individuals’ will in life.

Ancestral lineage research: nghiên cứu dòng dõi tổ tiên

To make an endeavor: nỗ lực 

To track down their long-lost relatives: truy tìm những người thân đã mất liên lạc từ lâu của họ

Genetically inheritable medical conditions: những bệnh di truyền

To mitigate the adverse effects of diseases: giảm thiểu tác động xấu của bệnh

To preserve familial culture and customs: bảo tồn văn hóa gia đình và phong tục

>>>Xem thêm: Hướng dẫn cách viết  Argumentative Essay  trong IELTS Writing

Tự tin ghi điểm dạng bài Two-part question trong IELTS Writing!

Với các bước giải quyết dạng bài Two-part question trong phần thi IELTS Writing Task 2 ở trên, hy vọng bạn đã nắm được phần nào cấu trúc bài thi và ghi điểm thật cao trong bài làm của mình. Bạn có thể đọc thêm chiến thuật giải quyết các dạng bài ở kho tài nguyên IELTS sẵn có của IDP. 

Các tài liệu cung cấp được bao gồm Hội thảo sự kiện IELTS , Khóa học luyện thi và bí quyết làm bài từ các chuyên gia IELTS quốc tế!

Và khi bạn đã sẵn sàng, hãy đăng ký thi IELTS với IDP ngay hôm nay !

Xem thêm: Các dạng bài & cách viết IELTS Writing Task 1

Về bài viết

Published on July 13, 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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Thì Hiện tại đơn (Simple Present): Công thức, cách dùng và bài tập có đáp án

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Cách viết Two-part question trong IELTS Writing Task 2

TÓM TẮT NỘI DUNG

Trong bài thi IELTS Writing Task 2 , thí sinh được yêu cầu viết một bài nghị luận xã hội để trả lời câu hỏi được đưa ra ở đề bài. Tuỳ thuộc vào yêu cầu đề ra mà các câu hỏi được chia làm nhiều dạng như: Two-part question, Opinion , Discussion ,… Trong bài viết này, tác giả sẽ hướng dẫn người đọc cách viết Two-part question trong IELTS Writing Task 2 bằng cách phân tích dạng đề, đưa ra cấu trúc bài viết, đồng thời đưa ra bài mẫu sau khi đã phân tích đề một cách chi tiết.

Giới thiệu về dạng câu hỏi Two-part question trong IELTS Writing Task 2 

Two-part question là dạng đề thi viết có 2 câu hỏi. Đối với dạng đề này, thí sinh cần trả lời cả 2 câu hỏi đề đưa ra. 

Đề thi: In some countries, only few young people go to classical music concerts or play classical music. Why? Should young people be encouraged to attend and learn more? (Đề thi thật ngày 19/12/2020) 

Ta thấy đề bài trên bao gồm 2 câu hỏi: 

Đề thi: Some education systems make students focus on certain subjects at the age of 15, while others require students to study a wide range of subjects until they leave school. What are the benefits of each system? Which do you think is a better educational system? (Đề thi thật ngày 30/05/2020) 

Question 1: What are the benefits of each system?

Question 2: Which do you think is a better educational system?

Đọc thêm: Tổng hợp đề thi IELTS Writing 2021 kèm bài mẫu

Hướng dẫn cách viết bài dạng Two-part question trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Để viết một bài essay hoàn chỉnh cho dạng đề Two-part question, thí sinh có thể tham khảo cấu trúc sau: 

Introduction

Câu 1: Paraphrase đề bài 

Thí sinh nên bắt đầu bằng các cụm từ “It is a fact that” hoặc “It is true that”, tránh các cụm từ như “Some people believe that” bởi vì đối với dạng đề này, đề bài thường là một sự thật/ sự việc đang xảy ra chứ không phải là quan điểm của một nhóm người trong xã hội. 

Câu 2: Giới thiệu nội dung của bài viết/ nêu ra quan điểm cá nhân nếu đề có hỏi quan điểm 

Body 1  (Trả lời câu hỏi thứ nhất) 

Topic sentence: Khái quát nội dung của đoạn 

Đưa ra idea 1

Lập luận, chứng minh, phát triển idea 1.

Đưa ra idea 2

Lập luận, chứng minh, phát triển idea 2 

Body 2 (Trả lời câu hỏi thứ hai)

Lập luận, chứng minh, phát triển idea 2

Conclusion: Tóm tắt lại nội dung bài viết, đề cập lại quan điểm (nếu có) 

Đọc thêm: Cách lên idea bài thi IELTS Writing bằng ứng dụng tư duy phân kỳ

Cụ thể hơn, tác giả sẽ phân tích một chủ đề Writing thuộc dạng Two-part question: 

Đề bài: 

Phân tích câu hỏi: 

Fact: In some countries people spend long hours at work 

(Tạm dịch: Ở một vài quốc gia, mọi người ngày càng dành nhiều thời gian hơn ở nơi làm việc)  

Question 1: Why does this happen? (Tại sao điều này lại xảy ra?), cần đưa ra lí do cho xu hướng này

Question 2: Is it positive or negative development? (Đây là sự phát triển tích cực hay tiêu cực?), cần đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân để trả lời câu hỏi này

Vậy, cấu trúc bài viết sẽ được phác hoạ như sau: 

Introduction: 

Câu 1: Paraphrase đề bài (Có thể sử dụng các từ đồng nghĩa như: spend extra hours/ working overtime/ working time is extended) 

Câu 2: Giới thiệu qua lí do của xu hướng này và đưa ra quan điểm đây là sự phát triển tích cực hay tiêu cực  

Body 1:  Đưa ra 2 lí do cho việc người đi làm ngày càng dành nhiều thời gian hơn cho công việc 

Body 2:  Trả lời lại đây là sự phát triển tích cực hay tiêu cực, sau đó đưa ra 2 lí do và lập luận, phân tích 2 lí do này 

Conclusion: Tóm tắt lại và nhắc lại quan điểm cá nhân một lần nữa 

Đọc thêm: Cách phân tích đề IELTS Writing Task 2 – Một số lỗi thường gặp và giải pháp

Bài mẫu dạng Two-part question trong IELTS Writing Task 2 

Đề bài: In some countries, people spend long hours at work. Why does this happen? Is it positive or negative development?

Nowadays, working overtime is increasingly common for employees in many different parts of the world. There are many reasons behind this phenomenon and I believe this brings more harm than good to people.

There are two main reasons for the extension of working hours among people. Firstly, people want to earn more money, which will satisfy their demand of affording their lives. In this day and age, the living cost is much higher than before, not only in metropolises but also in rural areas. This puts a large financial burden on employees, especially ones who are the breadwinner in the family. As a result, people have to work extra hours to feed themselves and their family, and also to increase the living standard. Secondly, people have to cope with a heavy workload these days, which makes them spend longer hours at work. If people do not extend their working hours, they may not meet the deadlines and be unable to finish given tasks, which prevents them from climbing the career ladder.

Despite the benefits that this trend may bring to people, I believe it is negative due to two major reasons. One is that it causes a lot of detrimental health effects when people spend too much time working. Overworking gives people little time to rest, and if this situation continues for a long time, it may cause some physical diseases relating to the back, neck, eyes and even heart. Moreover, dealing with a high volume of work continuously also makes people suffer from mental problems such as stress, sleep disoders or even depression. Another negative impact of this trend is people can not get a work-life balance. Many people tend to spend more than half a day working, which makes it impossible for them to spend enough time for themselves and their beloved ones including family and friends. This leads to the fact that people may find no fun in life because they have no time for family and their relationships are also likely to be broken.

In conclusion, the tendency of working extra hours is caused by the increasing living expenses and overwhelming workload. Personally, I believe this brings more negative impacts to individuals.

Brings more harm than good: mang lại nhiều tác hại hơn lợi ích 

A large financial burden: gánh nặng tài chính lớn 

Breadwinner: trụ cột gia đình (về mặt tài chính)

Climb the career ladder: thăng tiến trong công việc 

Tự luyện tập

Đề 1: In education and employment, some people work harder than others. Why do some people work harder? Is it always a good thing to work hard?

Đề 2: Happiness if often considered difficult to define. Why is this? What factors determine happiness?

Đề 3: Success is often measured by wealth and material possessions. Do you think wealth is the best measure of success? What makes a successful person?

Bài viết đã đưa ra hướng dẫn cho người đọc về cách viết bài essay dạng Two-part question trong IELTS Writing Task 2. Thông qua bài viết này, tác giả hy vọng người đọc có thể nắm được cách xác định dạng câu hỏi này, cũng như biết được bài essay cần đi theo cấu trúc như thế nào khi gặp câu hỏi ở dạng Two-part question. Chúc bạn luyện thi IELTS hiệu quả, đạt được mục tiêu đề ra

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