IELTS giving opinion question

Let’s look at an example of IELTS writing task 2 question that asks you to give your
opinion:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people believe that violence on television and in computer games has a damaging effect
on the society. Others deny that these factors have any significant influence on people's
behaviour. What is your opinion?

Write at least 250 words

Choose your opinion & generate arguments

First of all, you need to choose your opinion out of the two given ones. For the task
above, you need to choose from these opinions:

1. violence in media has a damaging effect on the society

2. violence in media doesn’t have a damaging effect on the society

Then, you have to generate your arguments for the chosen opinion. Let’s figure out
some supporting points for each of the given opinions:

 violence in media has a damaging effect on the society

o people often copy actions they see on TV
o violent video games teach people that aggressiveness is normal in everyday
life
o you have an example of the connection between violence in media and social
violence

 violence in media doesn’t have a damaging effect on the society

o people act from their motives, regardless what they see on the television
o video games and television can reduce social violence by providing a safe
outlet for aggressiveness
o you have never seen the connection between violence in media and social
violence

For our essay, we’ll choose the second opinion.

How to answer this task?

1. Introduction

Paraphrase the statement (sentence 1) and give your own opinion (sentence 2):

These days, the amount of violence in media is growing. While some people argue that
this trend will undoubtedly lead humans to dangerous future, others claim that it has
no damaging effect on the society. I believe that in most cases media violence doesn't
affect people's behavior.
 2. Body paragraphs

Describe each argument to support your opinion in a separate paragraph. Your

essay should have 2-3 body paragraphs. Use linking structures, vocabulary to write
essays and some words from academic wordlist:

Firstly, I think that people act from their motives, regardless what they see on the
television. That is to say, if someone intends to do harm to somebody, that is not
because of watching TV or playing computer games, but due to that person's character
and education. Although it is generally considered that violent media accustoms
viewers to cruelty, I doubt this opinion. In my view, reasonable and intelligent people
treat others humanely irrespective of what they see or hear in fictional stories.

Moreover, video games and television may even reduce social violence by providing a
safe outlet for aggressiveness. In other words, truculent people may fight in virtual
reality instead of evincing their combative spirit in real world. This may not only help
those people, but also reduce the level of social violence in long-term perspective.

Finally, despite many claims and assumptions about negative effects of television and
computer games I have never seen any proven connection between violent media and
illegal activities in social life.

3. Conclusion

In the conclusion paragraph briefly summarize what you have written and restate
your opinion:

Taking everything into consideration, I would say that violence in contemporary

media has no substantial influence on people's behavior. Television and computers are
not the main factors that shape personal character, and they can even be useful in
reducing the level of violence.

Model answer
These days, the amount of violence in media is growing. While some people argue that
this trend will undoubtedly lead humans to dangerous future, others claim that it has no
damaging effect on the society. I believe that in most cases media violence doesn't affect
people's behavior.

Firstly, I think that people act from their motives, regardless what they see on the
television. That is to say, if someone intends to do harm to somebody, that is not
because of watching TV or playing computer games, but due to that person's character
and education. Although it is generally considered that violent media accustoms viewers
to cruelty, I doubt this opinion. In my view, reasonable and intelligent people treat others
humanely irrespective of what they see or hear in fictional stories.

Moreover, video games and television may even reduce social violence by providing a
safe outlet for aggressiveness. In other words, truculent people may fight in virtual
reality instead of evincing their combative spirit in real world. This may not only help
those people, but also reduce the level of social violence in long-term perspective.
Finally, despite many claims and assumptions about negative effects of television and
computer games I have never seen any proven connection between violent media and
illegal activities in social life.

Taking everything into consideration, I would say that violence in contemporary media
has no substantial influence on people's behavior. Television and computers are not the
main factors that shape personal character, and they can even be useful in reducing the
level of violence.

(255 words)

IELTS Writing Task 2. Sample 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some students work while studying. This often results in lacking time for education and
constantly feeling under pressure.

What do you think are the causes of this?

What solutions can you suggest?

Write at least 250 words

How to answer this task?

1. Introduce the topic.

Just restate your topic and write that the given problem has causes and can be
solved.

2. Write main causes and explain them.

In the second paragraph, describe each cause of the given problem, shortly
explaining it. Use linking structures, vocabulary to write essays and some words
from academic wordlist.

3. Suggest solutions

Propose some solutions and say why they should work.

4. Write a short conclusion.

Briefly summarize what you have written.

Model answer
Nowadays, there are a lot of students who work while studying. Although this tendency
may lead to negative results, the number of young people who sacrifice education for
work is growing. I believe that this problem has certain causes and can be solved by
taking special measures.

It is apparent that most of the students who work have many financial expenses to meet.
One common cause is high cost of education. As many colleges and universities set high
tuition fees, some families cannot fully afford the higher education for their children.
Consequently, these students have to work to pay university and college fees. The other
cause is living expenses. Many students study away from hometown, and have to pay for
accommodation, food, entertainment etc. As it is often hard to cover these expenses,
students are forced to earn money to afford their living. I think that the problem of
students working during their studies results in lower quality of education and has no
benefits at all. Thus, it should be solved on the governmental level.

I can suggest two possible solutions to this problem. Firstly, the government could make
higher education free. For instance, this result can be achieved by financing educational
establishments from the country’s budget. Not only will it make universities and colleges
accessible for everyone, but it will also reduce the number of working students. The
second solution is promoting unpaid e-learning. Such form of distance education doesn’t
require a lot of resources to be maintained. What’s more, students don’t have to leave
their homes and can plan their schedules the way they prefer.

In conclusion, I believe that mainly lack of financial resources causes students to work,
but this problem can be solved by lowering the amount of financial expenses students
have to meet.

(298 words)

IELTS General Writing Task 1. Sample 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You are a current student of Loren Brusque University, studying Business Administration. You
want to apply for the post of Quality Assurance Manager you have recently seen on the
university's notice board.

Write a letter to Mr. Walker, and

 Give your reason for writing

 Tell about your education
 Describe your work experience and explain why you would be suitable for the job.

Write at least 150 words.

How to answer this task?

1. Introduce yourself and state your reason for writing.
 Start letter in a formal style (it's a job application letter!) and dedicate first
paragraph to the letter opening.

2. Write body paragraphs.

Tell about your education and work experience in separate paragraphs. Make some
details if you need and use linking structures.

3. Write a polite letter closing.

Thank your future employer for his consideration and mention that you are ready
for the interview.

Model answer
Dear Mr Walker,

I am writing to apply for the post of Quality Assurance Manager, which was advertised on
the Student Affairs Office notice board on 2 September 2016. I believe that my
qualifications, personal character and work experience make me a perfect candidate for
this job.

Currently I am studying on M.B.A. program at the Loren Brusque University, graduating

in 2017. I’m studying subjects that are relevant to the offered post. Moreover, I
constantly perfect my management skills by taking various additional courses.

During my studies I have held the post of Junior Executive at «Hansel's Corporation» and
improved my leadership skills, communication competences and ability to work in a team.
While leading and supervising subordinates, I gained a valuable experience for the post of
Quality Assurance Manager.

I am available for interview at any time. You can contact me most easily by the mobile
phone number given above.

Thank you for your consideration of my application. I look forward to meeting you in the
nearest future.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Carter (172 words)

IELTS General Writing Task 1. Sample 2

You should spend about 20 mintues on this task.

You are an alumnus (alumna) of a Bluegill University, registered in a volunteer program to

conduct informal interviews with prospective students. Recently, an entrant has been assigned
to you to have an interview.

Write a letter to the entrant. In your letter:

  state your reason for writing
 briefly describe the interview and inform the entrant of a possibilty to cancel it
 propose a convenient time for an interview

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Write at least 150 words.

How to answer this task?

Use vocabulary to write letters.

1. Start a letter in a semi-formal or an informal style.

It is written in the task that you're conducting infomal interviews, so the letter

should maintain the same style.

2. Introduce yourself and state the reason for writing.

3. Make up the details and write about each stated in the task issue.

It is an imaginary letter, so don't be afraid of inventing interview description,

convenient time and other details.

4. Write a polite letter closing.

Model answer
Hello Alice,

My name is Jessica Halley (Bluegill class of 2013), and I am a volunteer conducting

alumni interviews for the University of Bluegill Admissions Office. You've been registered
in the university system and I'm writing to set an interview with you.

The alumni interview is a relaxed, informal conversation where you can tell me something
about yourself, and I can answer any questions you have about our university. The
interview is optional and if you wish to cancel it, just let me know.

Ideally, we should talk sometime in the next two weeks. I am usually free during the
weekends. Would Saturday, January 10th, 8pm GMT +2 work for you? If not, we can also
chat the weekend after, January 17th or 18th. It will also have to be a remote interview.
Can we skype? I can also call your phone if that's more convenient for you.

Looking forward to hearing from you, and thank you for your interest in Bluegill
University!

Best wishes,

Jessica

(166 words)