IELTS Essays
1) Time - 40 minutes
2) The quantity of words - 250
3) Criteria on marking
● Task Response (your position, relevancy and ability to develop ideas) -
25%
● Coherence & Cohesion (organisation, paragraphing, linking) - 25%
● Grammar (your range and accuracy) - 25%
● Lexical Resource (the range and accuracy of your vocabulary) - 25%
4) Formal style of writing
5) The definition of your essay type
Types of essay
1) Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
2) Advantages and Disadvantages
3) Problem and Solution
4) Discussion (Discuss both view)
5) Two Question Essay
Agree or Disagree Sample Essay
With this type of essay we have two choices:
1) We agree with the statement or
2) We disagree with the statement
Here is the example of such an essay:
In some countries, the number of shootings increase because many people
have guns at home.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The structure
Paragraph 1- Introduction Paragraph 3- Supporting Paragraph 2
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase Question Sentence 1 - Topic Sentence
Sentence 2 - Thesis Statement Sentence 2-3 - Explain Topic Sentence
Sentence 3 - Outline Statement Sentence 3-4 - Example
Paragraph 2 - Supporting Paragraph 1 Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
Sentence 1 - Topic Sentence Sentence 1- Summary and reiteration of your
opinion.
Sentence 2-3 - Explain Topic Sentence
Sentence 3-4 - Example
Body 1: paraphrase people’s opinion
This is predicated on the assumption that…
-lợi ích (họ dễ bị sa vào…)
According to this theory, … confers substantial benefits on both
personal and societal levels.
-tuy nhiên, chưa tính đến tác hại…
Body 2: ý kiến của tôi
ví dụ: … nên …
-tất nhiên, không nên downplay
-tuy nhiên, điều quan trọng thực sự
-lợi ích
Introduction
1- Paraphrase Question - In order to paraphrase the question we simply
restate it with a different meaning using synonyms. I will also reorder the
question.
2 - Thesis Statement - This is our opinion in one sentence
3 - Outline Statement - This sentence outlines what you will write about in
the main body paragraphs.
Introduction
In some countries, the number of shootings increase because many people
have guns at home.
Paraphrase: Across the globe, many individuals own guns for self-defense
and recreational purposes. In recent decades, many surveys have revealed
the increased number of fatal gun shootings.
Thesis: Indeed, this is now convincing evidence that these incidents occur
because of guns possession at home.
Outline Statement: In this essay, I shall appeal to crime statistics to argue
that a person is at a far greater risk being shot if there is a gun in a
household.
Supporting Paragraph 1
1 Topic Sentence - A topic sentence tells the examiner what the rest of the
paragraph is about. In other words, it is a summary of your first idea
⅔ Explain Topic Sentence - A good way of doing this is to assume that the
examiner has no knowledge of this subject and you have to explain clearly
what you mean.
¾ Example - Think about any recent news stories, studies or adverts. If you
can’t think of one, make one up. The examiner won’t check if it is real or not.
Supporting Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence: Firstly, it is intuitively obvious that having a gun in a
household endangers children and teenagers.
Explanation: This is because minors do not have the requisite knowledge or
maturity to handle guns safely.
Example: For example, the US Department of Justice recently revealed
statistics showing that 150 American children and teenagers die each year
because of accidents relating to household guns. Therefore, it is
incontrovertible that household guns lead to additional shootings.
Supporting Paragraph 2
We now repeat the same formula with our second supporting point
1. Topic sentence - Secondly, household guns became especially dangerous
when spouses have violent arguments.
2. Explaining - This is because male sexual rage, in particular, often results in
deadly aggression.
3. Example - For example, the International Crime Bureau recently produced
statistical evidence that if there is a household gun, a man is twice as likely (if
he discovers his wife having an affair) to kill her in a fit of jealous rage.
Therefore, once again, household guns correlate positively with additional
shootings.
Conclusion
As stated before a good conclusion for agree or disagree essays should
include:
Sentence 1- Summary of main points
Sentence 2- Your opinion
NB! Don’t write any new ideas in conclusion. A good conclusion should just
restate your thesis statement and your main supporting points.
In conclusion, there is undeniable evidence that having a gun in a house
leads to further shootings. Given the strength of this evidence, in the
future, more legislature needs to be put in place to limit private gun
ownership.
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
This essay simply asks us to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. It
does not ask for our opinion or say which side is better or worse, so we
should not include this information in our answer.
Here is the example of such an essay:
In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year
between finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided
to do this.
The structure
Introduction Supporting Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)
Sentence 1- Paraphrase question Sentence 6- Topic sentence (Disadvantage 1)
Sentence 2- Outline sentence Sentence 7- Explain this disadvantage
Supporting Paragraph 1 (Advantages) Sentence 8- Example
Sentence 3- Topic sentence (Advantage 1) Conclusion
Sentence 4- Explain this advantage
Sentence 5- Example
Discuss Both Views Essay
Typical task is to discuss both points of view and give your opinion.
1) Introduction consists of: 3) Main Body Paragraph 2
- Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both - Sentence 1- State second viewpoint
viewpoints. - Sentence 2- Discuss second viewpoint
- Sentence 2- Thesis Statement. - Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with
- Sentence 3- Outline Sentence. this viewpoint
- Sentence 4- Example to support your view
2) Main Body Paragraph 1 consists of: 4) Conclusion:
- Sentence 1- State first viewpoint - Sentence 1- Summary
- Sentence 2- Discuss first viewpoint - Sentence 2- State which one is better or more
- Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with important
this viewpoint
- Sentence 4- Example to support your view
The sample
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. This
essay will discuss both points of view.
It is clear that the Internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before.
Moreover, learners have the ability 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 simply type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human
interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite this, human
interaction is still possible through the internet and this essay disagrees technology should be dismissed for
this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook make it possible for 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 phenomena and not allow it to curb
face to face interaction. However, as long as we are careful to keep in mind the importance of human
interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
Problem and Solution Essay
2 types of question: Problem and solution. Cause and solution.
Structure:
1) Introduction - Sentence 2- Explain Solution
- Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question - Sentence 3- Example
- Sentence 2- Outline Sentence
4) Conclusion
2) Main Body Paragraph 1 - Sentence 1- Summary
- Sentence 1- State Problem - Sentence 2- Recommendation or Prediction
- Sentence 2- Explain problem
- Sentence 3- Result
- Sentence 4- Example
3) Main Body Paragraph 2
- Sentence 1- State Solution
The sample
Some people believe the aim of university education is to help graduates get better jobs. Others believe there are much wider
benefits of university education for both individuals and society.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
These days, more and more people are making the choice to go to university. While some people are of the opinion that the only
purpose of a university education is to improve job prospects, others think that society and the individual benefit in much broader
ways.
It is certainly true that one of the main aims of university is to secure a better job. The majority of people want to improve their
future career prospects and attending university is one of the best ways to do this as it increases a persons marketable skills and
attractiveness to potential employers. In addition, further education is very expensive for many people, so most would not
consider it if it would not provide them with a more secure future and a higher standard of living. Thus job prospects are very
important.
However, there are other benefits for individuals and society. Firstly, the independence of living away from home is a benefit
because it helps the students develop better social skills and improve as a person. A case in point is that many students will have to
leave their families, live in halls of residence and meet new
friends. As a result, their maturity and confidence will grow enabling them to live more fulfilling lives. Secondly, society will gain
from the contribution that the graduates can make to the economy. We are living in a very competitive world, so countries need
educated people in order to compete and prosper.
Therefore, I believe that although a main aim of university education is to get the best job, there are clearly further benefits. If we
continue to promote and encourage university attendance, it will lead to a better future for individuals and society.
Two Question Essay
Typical question:
There will normally be a statement and they will then ask you to answer to separate questions.
Structure:
Introduction
- Sentence 1- Answer second question directly
- Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question - Sentence 2- Explain why
- Sentence 2- Outline Sentence (mention both - Sentence 3- Further explain
questions) - Sentence 4- Example
Main Body Paragraph 1 Conclusion
- Sentence 1- Summary
- Sentence 1- Answer first question directly
- Sentence 2- Explain why
- Sentence 3- Further explain
- Sentence 4- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2
The sample
The use of illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, are becoming more and more common in many countries.
What are some of the problems associated with drug abuse? What are some of the possible solutions?
Drug abuse is becoming increasingly serious in many nations. Although drugs threaten many societies, their effects
can also be combated successfully. This essay looks at some of the problems caused by drug use on society, and
suggests some solutions to the problems.
Drug abuse causes multiple problems for countries and communities. The medical effects are very obvious. Addicts
abuse their bodies and neglect their health and, and so eventually require expensive treatment or hospitalization. In
some cases, such as Marilyn Monroe, a drug overdose even leads to death. The second effect is crime. People who take
drugs become crazy and irrational and often cause harm and danger to themselves and others.
However, the menace of drugs can be fought. Education is the main way to tackle this issue. People need to be
aware of the effects so that they can avoid this problem. Children need to be told at home and in school about the
dangers and need for avoiding drugs. The government could also use infomercials to educate their citizens. A second
approach is to increase police manpower and powers to stop dealers and to enforce the law.
In conclusion, drug abuse is a serious issue because it causes harmful effects on people’s health and people who
are high often commit crimes. The best approaches to deal with it are to educate the public about its effects and also to
give the police more power to fight drug related crimes. Although the problem is unlikely to be entirely eliminated in the
short term there are concrete steps to reduce the effects it is having on the current society.
