TASK 2 STRUCTURES - some more examples for you to practise

Is there a standard structure that I can follow?

To a certain extent, yes. The main types of questions are:

● problem - solution
● advantages - disadvantages
● agree - disagree
● for - against
● cause - effect

So it is easy to plan and structure your essay into ​4 clear paragraphs ​like this:

Introduction

General statement related to the topic (paraphrase the question or give the context). Give your opinion.

Paragraph 1

Problems/advantages/causes/reasons to agree/ arguments for

Paragraph 2

Solutions/disadvantages/effects/reasons to disagree/ arguments against

Conclusion

A summary of main ideas and opinion. Finish with a final thought such as a recommendation or a
consequence.

Example 1

Look at the Task 2 Writing question below: ​[Problem-Solution]

In some countries the ​average weight of people is increasing ​and their levels of ​health and fitness are
decreasing.

What do you think are the​ ​causes​ ​of these problems and what​ ​measures​ could be taken to solve them?

YOUR TASK:​ for each of these essays, write your own plan before you see the answers.

Ⓒ Fiona Wattam​ ​IELTS Exam Training Courses​ ​Follow my podcast on ​anchor.fm/ieltsetc​,

facebook/ieltsetc​, ​instagram@ieltsetc​ , ​YouTube​ and ​Flipboard
 TASK 2 STRUCTURES - some more examples for you to practise

Here is a model outline:

Paragraph 1:​ ​General Statement - give the background to the question e.g. Is this a recent
development? Tell the reader what you will argue.

Paragraph 2:​ Problem: ​What are the causes?

Paragraph 3:​ Solution: ​What measures could be taken to solve them?

Paragraph 4:​ ​Summarise your main idea - What/Who is to blame? What can we do about it? And leave
the reader with a thought e.g. Is the government doing enough?

Here is a model answer:

Despite ​a number of campaigns encouraging people to eat more healthily and to do more exercise,
little progress has been made in dealing with the problem of obesity and declining levels of fitness.
This essay will describe how this situation has come about and ​argue that ​the government needs to take
action and implement more drastic measures to address this issue.

There are many reasons why obesity has increased dramatically in recent decades. ​Developments in
technology have led to an increase in sedentary jobs, and higher levels of income mean that people can
afford to drive everywhere rather than walk and to buy processed ready-meals rather than cook. In
addition, children these days spend far too much time on their screens instead of running around outside.
The result is a disaster waiting to happen.

In my opinion, the responsibility lies with the government, ​who are not doing enough to help people
lose weight and who have allowed food companies to take advantage of the situation. The time has
come for politicians to take a stand against the fast-food industry by banning fatty foods and introducing
a ‘sugar tax’ to discourage people from buying sugary drinks. Governments could then invest this money
into subsidising gyms, building more cycle paths and providing free after-school activities so that people
would be encouraged to move more.

To conclude, ​in my opinion, ​modern lifestyles are the major cause of the obesity problem. Although it is
up to the individual to want change, people have become too comfortable and reluctant to try healthier
alternatives, which is why the government must take the more severe and drastic measures that are
needed.

(274 words)

Ⓒ Fiona Wattam​ ​IELTS Exam Training Courses​ ​Follow my podcast on ​anchor.fm/ieltsetc​,

facebook/ieltsetc​, ​instagram@ieltsetc​ , ​YouTube​ and ​Flipboard
 TASK 2 STRUCTURES - some more examples for you to practise

Example 2 ​[agree-disagree]

Using animals to test the safety of cosmetics or drugs used for medical reasons is never acceptable.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Paragraph 1:
The topic​ - we test cosmetics and drugs on animals.
The question ​- people think this is the only option.
Your opinion​ - there are other ways to test cosmetics and drugs.

Before any new product is put on the market, whether it is a cosmetic product or a potentially
life-saving medicine, the manufacturers have to ensure that it is safe for humans to use.​ Advocates of
vivisection would argue that testing products on animals is the only reliable method of doing this. They
believe that it is better for an animal to suffer than a human​. ​Although​ ​I can see convincing arguments
behind testing drugs on animals for medical purposes, ​I am strongly opposed to​ ​the practice of using
animals to test the safety of cosmetics, and I will outline my reasons below.

Paragraph 2​:

Reasons to agree ​- it has helped save lives.

It cannot be denied that animal testing has helped scientists to make great discoveries in the field of
medicine, providing effective drugs against cancer, heart disease and other potentially fatal illnesses.
Indeed, many lives have been saved and prolonged due to research carried out on lab rats.​ But
increasingly there are new ways of testing products, using cell cultures, which need not involve animals
at all. Therefore​ I would prefer​ such testing to be kept to a minimum wherever possible.

Paragraph 3:

Reasons to disagree​ - it is unnecessary for cosmetics

On the other hand, when it comes to the cosmetic industry I cannot possibly see why it is necessary to
test these types of products on animals. ​We already have far more makeup and toiletries on the market
than we will ever need. In fact, several well-known brands such as The Body Shop and Lush have always
used human ‘guinea pigs’ to test their products without any detrimental effects. So ​in my view​,​ we no
longer need to exploit animals for the sake of human vanity, and this kind of testing is completely
unacceptable​.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

Summary, opinion and recommendation. ​In conclusion​, ​though​ ​I agree​ ​to a certain extent that testing
on animals is a necessary evil, it ​must be reserved​ for essential scientific work and to help end human
suffering, and never for enhancing our appearance. ​305 words

Ⓒ Fiona Wattam​ ​IELTS Exam Training Courses​ ​Follow my podcast on ​anchor.fm/ieltsetc​,

facebook/ieltsetc​, ​instagram@ieltsetc​ , ​YouTube​ and ​Flipboard
 TASK 2 STRUCTURES - some more examples for you to practise

Writing Example 3 ​[pros and cons]

Advances in technology have meant that they increasingly use machines to do jobs that were
previously done by humans. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?

Paragraph 1:
The topic - ​technology can replace humans in certain jobs
The question -​ is this a good thing?
Your opinion - ​yes, it is.

We are living in an age of fast-paced development. Thanks to technological advancements, new

inventions are constantly being produced that are supposed to help us. ​However​, m ​ achines are now
often chosen over humans as they are more cost-effective. ​Despite this​ ​undesirable development, ​I
completely agree that​ there are more advantages than drawbacks and I will outline my reasons below.

Paragraph 2:

The bad points -​ loss of jobs, community and health.

The main argument against using machines is that they take away jobs from humans​. ​Examples
include cash machines which have meant redundancies in the banking sector, and factories, where
fewer people are required as the production line becomes more mechanised. Businesses have taken
these measures because ultimately machines save companies money. Increased technology and
mechanization have also affected our personal lives. For instance, in the past we would visit our
neighbours and friends, ​whereas​ nowadays people either jump in their car or simply pick up the phone.
As a result, we have become less active and problems linked to this, such as obesity, are on the increase.

Paragraph 3:

The good points - ​more free time, different types of jobs.

However, it has not all been negative​. ​First of all, we have been liberated from certain household
chores thanks to labour-saving devices like washing machines, vacuum cleaners and dishwashers. This
means we have more time available for leisure activities and seeing friends and family. Furthermore,
technology has actually created many jobs, from design to production and sales. In order to do these
jobs, people need training which has led to more jobs in education and people having more highly
specialised careers.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

Summary, opinion and recommendation. ​To conclude​, ​although​ ​technology has had both desirable and
negative effect​s, it has given us the potential to reach new heights that would not have previously

Ⓒ Fiona Wattam​ ​IELTS Exam Training Courses​ ​Follow my podcast on ​anchor.fm/ieltsetc​,

facebook/ieltsetc​, ​instagram@ieltsetc​ , ​YouTube​ and ​Flipboard
 TASK 2 STRUCTURES - some more examples for you to practise

been possible. ​We should now focus our efforts on​ ​ensuring that we receive a higher level of
specialization in the workplace whilst not letting ourselves become less healthy and active.

Example 4​ [agree-disagree]

A lot of IELTS tutors give students a basic 'structure' to follow for IELTS Task 2.

This is great. I totally believe in structures.

But when examiners mark 100 essays a day, seeing the same old formulaic, mechanical structure can
get a bit boring.

I found this essay in a very old Cambridge First coursebook and it breaks the IELTS Task 2 rules in many
ways.

It's still marvellous and a Band 9. What do you think is so good about it?

'Prisons are an expensive way of making bad people worse'

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There are several generally accepted beliefs about prison. Firstly, that prison is a social defence
against anti-social people. In short, it keeps us safe. Secondly that prison punishes wrongdoers
through their loss of freedom. Thirdly that it teaches convicts the error of their ways, so that when
they are released, they can enter back into daily life as law-abiding citizens.

However, there is growing evidence that prison is not always the best solution to the problems of
crime that we face. Several scientific studies have shown that prison is not nearly as beneficial to
society as we might imagine. There are several explanations for this.

The terrible conditions in most prisons mean that criminals rarely receive a positive education. Rather,
they spend their time inside with other prisoners who teach them the tricks of their trade. Also, when
they are released, it is very difficult for them to find a job, so they often feel that they have no choice
but to reoffend. It’s the only thing they know. So the truth is that they are more likely to commit
crimes again when they are released than if they hadn’t been sent to prison in the first place.

As a society, we have to pay attention to the results of these findings. In practice, we may be a lot
safer if we give criminals the ability to gain the practical skills they need to get a job and live
successful, productive lives, rather than just locking them away. There is little proof that prison works.
Perhaps now is the time for us to take important decisions regarding our system of punishment. At the
very least we need to give it more thought. It could be a matter of life and death.

Ⓒ Fiona Wattam​ ​IELTS Exam Training Courses​ ​Follow my podcast on ​anchor.fm/ieltsetc​,

facebook/ieltsetc​, ​instagram@ieltsetc​ , ​YouTube​ and ​Flipboard
 TASK 2 STRUCTURES - some more examples for you to practise

This essay is Band 9 because...

1. It outlines the background to the question very clearly in the first paragraph ​'There are several
generally accepted beliefs about prison' ​(though it does NOT show the writer's opinion).
2. It discusses two simple facts - in prison, prisoners learn how to commit more crime and they
have no option but to reoffend because they can't find a job.
3. It structures the essay by dividing it into clear 'opinion vs evidence' paragraphs ​(People believe
THIS, but evidence shows they are WRONG).
4. Each point has an implication - the 'so what?' ​(they can't get a job SO they reoffend)
5. It answers the question directly and keeps answering the question ​(...there is little proof that
prison works.)
6. It uses a variety of linking words ​(Firstly, secondly, thirdly, However...)
7. It has a powerful 'call to action' (recommendation or suggestion) at the end:​ 'As a society we
have to', 'Perhaps now is the time to', 'We need to give it more thought'.
8. It uses powerful and persuasive arguments, based on fact: ​'There is growing evidence that...',
'Several studies have shown that...', '..the results of these findings...', 'There is little proof that...'
9. It uses lots of synonyms ​(wrongdoers, convicts, criminals)​ ​and vocabulary related to crime
(punishes, loss of freedom, law-abiding citizens, spend time inside, to reoffend)
10. It uses NOUNS to sound academic and authoritative​ ​(​a social defence, loss of freedom, the ability
to gain skills) ​and​ ​adds adjectives to be more precise ​(growing evidence, terrible conditions, a
positive education, successful, productive lives, important decisions).

To conclude...

● always write a plan

● always use 4 or 5 clear paragraphs
● always have a ​topic sentence​ for each paragraph
● always make the opening sentence a general statement about the issue - no opinion, just
facts.
● always put your ​opinion clearly ​in the first paragraph and then throughout the rest of the
answer
● always use a variety of ​linking words
● always explain your points - give an example or say why it is important
● always with end with a final thought, recommendation or consequence

Ⓒ Fiona Wattam​ ​IELTS Exam Training Courses​ ​Follow my podcast on ​anchor.fm/ieltsetc​,

facebook/ieltsetc​, ​instagram@ieltsetc​ , ​YouTube​ and ​Flipboard