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IELTS Discussion Essays [Discuss Both Views/Sides]

Posted by David S. Wills | Jun 14, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 3

IELTS Discussion Essays [Discuss Both Views/Sides]

In this lesson, I’m going to explain what an IELTS discussion essay is and how you can write a good one. I will talk about structure and content, as well as looking briefly at discussion essay thesis statements, which many people find tricky. I’ve also written a sample essay, which you can find at the bottom of this page.

What is a Discussion Essay?

As the name suggests, a discussion essay is an essay that discusses things! More specifically, it is a type of IELTS writing task 2 essay that requires you to look at two different points of view . You can easily recognise these essays by the following phrase:

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sometimes it is phrased a little differently. It might say:

Discuss both sides and give your opinion
Discuss both points view and give your opinion

The important thing is that these all mean the same. When you see any of these, you know that you need to write a discussion essay. Importantly, this instruction tells you that you need to do two things:

  • Discuss both views (there will have been 2 views mentioned in the previous sentence(s))
  • Give your opinion (i.e. state which view you agree with)

If you failed to do either of these things, you would not have satisfied the basic criteria for Task Achievement .

Example Discussion Essay Questions

Here is a list of 5 discussion essay questions either from the IELTS exam, reportedly from the IELTS exam, or from reputable publications that have copied the IELTS question style. (Not that you absolutely should avoid fake IELTS questions when practising.)

Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time. Others say that is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods. Others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people believe that higher education should be funded by the government. Others, however, argue that it is the responsibility of individuals to fund their higher education. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people believe that it is important for children to attend extra classes outside school, while others believe that they should be allowed to play after school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

You can see in these questions that there is a similar pattern. In each case, the question phrase (“Discuss both views and give your own opinion”) is the same and in the previous sentence or sentences, there are two opposing views. This, then, makes “discuss both views” questions a sort of opinion essay .

How to Answer IELTS Discussion Questions

First of all, it is important when answering any IELTS task 2 question that you read the question carefully so that you understand it, then provide an answer that directly responds to the question, following its instructions carefully.

As discussed above, you are required to do two things: 1) Discuss both views, and 2) Give your own opinion. You absolutely must do both of those. It doesn’t really matter what your opinion is or whether you give equal weighting to both sides of the argument. Instead, you must cover both sides and also give some sort of opinion. (It is important, though, according to the marking rubric , that you are consistent in your opinion.)

Your answer of course should be structured carefully so as to present your ideas in a thoroughly logical way that is easy for your reader to interpret. I almost always use a four-paragraph structure in my essays, but some people prefer to use five paragraphs in this sort of essay. The difference would look like this:

You might be wondering why I have given my opinion in the body of the five-paragraph essay but not in the four-paragraph essay. Well, actually I would give my opinion in the body of both. However, my opinion would be more subtly woven into the text of the four-paragraph essay. I personally find this to be a better method, but it is equally possible that you could write an amazing five-paragraph essay. That issue is discussed further in this video:

Discussion Essay Thesis Statement

In academic writing, a thesis statement (sometimes called an essay outline ) is the part of the essay where you insert your opinion. It typically comes at the end of the introduction and guides the reader by explaining your opinion on the issues that have been introduced.

But do you really need to provide one in such a short essay? Well, a 2018 study into successful IELTS essays concluded that thesis statements were “obligatory” – i.e. you absolutely do need one. In fact, that study found that thesis statements appeared in 100% of successful IELTS discussion essays! Therefore, we can conclude they are very important.

Because a discussion essay will tell you to “Discuss both views and give your opinion,” you must introduce the two views and then give your opinion in the introduction. Here is an example:

Introductory paragraph:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair.

My first sentence clearly introduces two different ideas:

  • Children should do extra classes
  • Children should not do extra classes

Note how I have successfully used synonyms to avoid repeating anything from the question. I have also framed the issue in a new way so that I am not just paraphrasing. (You can learn why paraphrasing is not always helpful here .)

My second sentence is the thesis statement. In this sentence, I outline what the essay will do (“look at both perspectives”) and then give my opinion (“it is unfair”). This is a simple but effective thesis statement.

Thesis Statement Advice

Your IELTS discussion essay thesis statement should do two things:

  • Tell the reader what the essay will do
  • Present your opinion

Because this is a formal essay, it is best not to be too personal. Instead of saying “I will…” or “I think…” it is better to say “This essay will…” Here are some simple templates that you can follow most of the time:

  • This essay will look at both sides and then argue that…
  • This essay will discuss both views but ultimately side with…

Just make sure to avoid being overly vague. You are required to give your opinion consistently throughout the essay, so don’t say “This essay will look at both sides and then give my opinion .” It is not really the best approach because the examiner wants to see that you can be consistent in presenting an opinion. That is clearly stated in the marking rubric. For band 7, it says:

  • presents a clear position throughout the response

It could be concluded, then, that your opinion is not clear from the start and so you have not done enough to warrant a band 7 for Task Achievement.

Body Paragraphs

As I mentioned above, there are really two main approaches you could take to the body paragraphs:

  • Discuss one view per paragraph and incorporate your opinion into each.
  • Discuss one view per paragraph and then have another for your opinion.

I suppose there is also a third option:

  • Compare and contrast the two viewpoints in each paragraph.

This last one may be a little harder to do successfully without jeopardising your score for Task Achievement or Coherence and Cohesion , but advanced candidates may find it useful.

Remember that there is no single perfect formula for an IELTS essay. That’s not how languages work and that’s not how IELTS works. Different people could come up with different ways to present a successful essay. The most common essay structures are mere guidelines for particularly useful methods of approaching an essay.

discuss both views essay 2022

Does a Discussion Essay Have to be Balanced?

Because the question says “Discuss both views,” it is quite logical to think that you must provide some degree of balance, but you certainly don’t need to give equal weighting to both sides. Remember that you are also going to give your opinion, so if you come down strongly on one side of the issue, it might be odd to give equal attention to both.

If you do feel very strongly about one side, you might want to present your discussion of the other side as quite negative. However, IELTS is a thinking exam as well as an English exam and an intelligent person can always look at both sides of an issue and explain – at the very least – why someone might believe a thing that is different to his own view. This seems quite important, but there is nothing explicitly mentioned in the marking rubric.

I would suggest that if you think a two-sided issue is basically one-sided (i.e. you strongly disagree with the other view), you should still write one or two sentences about why people believe that and then devote the rest of your essay to disputing their view.

Another approach is to write BP1 as a very short paragraph that explains why people might think one thing, but then have BP2 as a very long paragraph that debunks the opposing view and then explains why the other is correct.

(You can read more about IELTS essays and balance here .)

Sample Answer

Here is my full sample answer to the above question about whether or not children should be made to do extracurricular activities:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair. In countries like South Korea, most children are made to go to an array of cram schools outside of regular school hours. Their parents do this in order to give their child a better future because it helps the child to learn more and thus gives them the academic advantages needed to apply to the best universities or jobs in future. These schools often provide children with an advantage over their peers because they improve their foreign language or math skills more quickly, and thus the children who do not attend these schools might have comparatively poor grades. However, whilst this attitude may result in better academic performance, it is certainly not good for the mental health of these children. It is no coincidence that places like South Korea have the highest rates of suicide among their young populations. The fact is that children are not equipped to spend fourteen or sixteen hours per day in classrooms, memorising facts and figures. In a sense, it is a form of child abuse. Children should be allowed to go home and spend time with friends and family to build social skills. They should be allowed to occupy themselves in order to become more creative and learn how to understand their own mind instead of being trained to repeat what they are told. In conclusion, it is understandable that some parents want their children to go to extra classes, but this is damaging to children and they should be given the freedom to play and socialise outside of regular school hours.

In BP1, I have looked at the topic of cram schools (ie the side of the argument in favour of extra lessons). I explored why parents might want their kids to do this and show the supposed benefits. Note that I never embraced any of these benefits. I was careful to use language that distanced these ideas from my own opinion, which was the opposite, so I said “Their parents do this in order to…”

In BP2, I looked at the opposite side. I was careful to make sure that my first sentence linked to the previous paragraph, highlighting that the benefits are quite minor compared to the drawbacks. All of my sentences here justify my position, which is that it is cruel to force these extra lessons on children.

My conclusion ties all of this together. The first clause references BP1 and the second summarises the main argument in BP2.

You can find two more sample essays here:

  • A discussion essay about sports facilities
  • A discussion essay about sports abilities

About The Author

David S. Wills

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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DIRWAN

It is sometimes debatable whether asking children to get extra education after school or letting them play that is actually beneficial for them. Even though both viewpoints have benefits and drawbacks but I believe ,in the childhood age, children have to take rough and discipline education after school to be succeed in the future.

To begin with, many educational experts believe that playing is one of the essential aspects that have to be gotten by children to grow and happy. By using the playing approach, children can have a good mental and psychic health. Besides, letting children play after school can also support them to increase their emotional stimuli and get a positive social interaction. With this way, experts believe children can grow as a better adult in the future and have a freedom to get a better life in the upcoming times.

However, I completely contra with the first idea because I believe childhood is a better time to train children about academic or other skills that benefits them in the future. Based on scientific journal that I read, the ability of children in learning new things are more spectacular compared to adults. A lot of artists, scientist, and even football player who currently becoming a superstar in this era is a string of process that is began since their in the childhood. For instance, nowadays, I am working in the field of election supervision, it because since in my childhood my father love to force me learning about social and political issues by getting additional class. Thus, making children to get extra class after school is an appropriate preference if parents desire to see their son getting a good future.

To conclude, based on experts children have to get a freedom to play after schools but in my viewpoint it will be more advantages if they utilize the playing time with joining additional class after school.

tufail khan

VERY GOOD MR DIRWAN But actually you mixed both of the ideas , you need to take one side for this sort of essay writting, as it is mentioned in the above instruction. By the way WELL DONE . love from Pakistan to my sweet brother.

Daisey Lachut

I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are really great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend. ??

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IELTS Writing Task 2: discuss both views + give your opinion

In this guide, you'll learn how to answer IELTS writing task 2 questions that ask you to discuss both points of view before giving your opinion . This type of question is often confused with an agree/disagree question or a give your opinion question. In the latter types of questions, you can choose an opinion and generate your arguments. However, for a discuss both views + give opinion question, you have to discuss both points of view impartially before giving your own view.

In this lesson you will see IELTS writing task 2 sample question + model answer and learn:

  • how to impartially discuss the points of view
  • how to present your own point of view
  • how to give a band 9 answer

IELTS question - discuss both views + give opinion

Let's look at an example of IELTS writing task 2 question that asks you to discuss both views and give your opinion:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

It is commonly believed that nowadays main factors that affect a child's development are media, pop culture and friends. A different point of view is that family plays the most significant role.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

Generate arguments for each point of view:

discuss both views essay 2022

First of all, you have to identify the two opinions . These are:

  • External factors have more considerable influence on a child's development.
  • The family has a greater influence on a child's development.

Next, let's brainstorm for arguments that support each side:

  • External factors have a more considerable influence on a child's development.
  • Children tend to copy the behaviour of their favourite fictional characters.
  • Children spend a lot of time with their peers.
  • Technology has an all-pervasive impact on children.
  • Parents are always present in the life of a child.
  • The younger the children are, the more malleable their character is.
  • Parents can set boundaries and have more control over their children.

Choose your point of view:

For our essay, we will agree that although external factors influence the development of a child, parents and family still have the upper hand.

Our reason: A child's choice of friends, books or music depends on the values instilled in them by their parents.

Band 9 answer structure for discuss both views + give opinion essay

Though there are many ways to structure your IELTS essay, we’ll use this time-tested band 9 essay structure:

  • Introduction
  • Body paragraph 1 – discuss the first opinion
  • Body paragraph 2 – discuss the second opinion
  • Body paragraph 3 – give your own opinion

It is often held that teachers, peers and the media have a significant influence on the life of children. While some people argue that these factors are predominant in shaping a child's future, others believe that parents impact their offspring in more critical ways. This essay will discuss both these points of view and argue in favour of the latter.

discuss both views essay 2022

On the one hand, the books children read and the music they listen to form their belief system. In other words, children tend to copy the behaviour of their favourite personality or fictional character. Moreover, when little ones work and play in groups, they are influenced by their peers. Finally, other factors, like the media, prompt children to want things regarded as fashionable. For instance, children demand toys that they see on television.

discuss both views essay 2022

On the other hand, a child's personality is malleable at a very young age, and parents are always present in their life at this stage. Also, very young children love to imitate. For example, children who come from a dysfunctional family often exhibit behavioural problems at school. An emotionally secure environment at home is critical for the child's confidence. Moreover, parents also teach children about setting boundaries.

In my opinion, children's choice of friends, books or music depends on the values instilled in them by their parents. Therefore, parents hold more substantial sway over their offspring than media, pop culture and friends circle.

In conclusion, the outside world influences the intellectual and social development of children. However, I believe that it is parents who set the stage for these developments by laying a strong foundation from a very young age.

Band 9 answer sample

(273 words)

discuss both views essay 2022

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IELTS Writing Task 2 – Topic: DISCUSS BOTH VIEWS

ielts writing topics 2019

1.  In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high salaries. Some people believe that this is good for the country, but others think that governments should not allow salaries above a certain level. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.   

Sample Answer

People have different views about whether governments should introduce a maximum wage. While in some ways it may seem reasonable to allow people to earn as much as companies are willing to pay, I personally believe that employee remuneration should be capped at a certain level.

There are various reasons why it might be considered beneficial to allow people to be paid extremely high salaries. If companies offer excellent pay packages, they can attract the most talented people in their fields to work for them. For example, technology companies like Google are able to employ the best programmers because of the huge sums that they are willing to pay. Furthermore, these well-paid employees are likely to be highly motivated to work hard and therefore drive their businesses successfully. In theory, this should result in a thriving economy and increased tax revenues, which means that paying high salaries benefits everyone.

However, I agree with those who argue that there should be a maximum wage. By introducing a limit on earnings, the pay-gap between bosses and employees can be reduced. Currently, the difference between normal and top salaries is huge, and this can demotivate workers who feel that the situation is unfair. With lower executive salaries, it might become feasible to introduce higher minimum wages, and everybody would be better off. One possible consequence of greater equality could be that poverty and crime rates fall because the general population will experience an improved standard of living.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be better, on balance, for governments to set a limit on the wages of the highest earners in society.

 (274 words, band 9)

2.  Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how governments should measure their countries’ progress. While economic progress is of course essential, I agree with those who believe that other measures of progress are just as important.

There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen as a fundamental goal for countries. Firstly, a healthy economy results in job creation, a high level of employment, and better salaries for all citizens. Secondly, economic progress ensures that more money is available for governments to spend on infrastructure and public services. For example, a government with higher revenues can invest in the country’s transport network, its education system and its hospitals. Finally, a strong economy can help a country’s standing on the global stage, in terms of its political influence and trading power.

However, I would argue that various other forms of progress are just as significant as the economic factors mentioned above. In particular, we should consider the area of social justice, human rights, equality and democracy itself. For example, the treatment of minority groups is often seen as a reflection of the moral standards and level of development of a society. Perhaps another key consideration when judging the progress of a modern country should be how well that country protects the natural environment, and whether it is moving towards environmental sustainability. Alternatively, the success of a nation could be measured by looking at the health, well-being and happiness of its residents.

In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker of a country’s success, but social, environmental and health criteria are equally significant.

 (262 words, band 9)

3.  Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how much choice students should have with regard to what they can study at university. While some argue that it would be better for students to be forced into certain key subject areas, I believe that everyone should be able to study the course of their choice.

There are various reasons why people believe that universities should only offer subjects that will be useful in the future. They may assert that university courses like medicine, engineering and information technology are more likely to be beneficial than certain art degrees. From a personal perspective, it can be argued that these courses provide more job opportunities, career progression, better salaries, and therefore an improved quality of life for students who take them. On the societal level, by forcing people to choose particular university subjects, governments can ensure that any knowledge and skill gaps in the economy are covered. Finally, a focus on technology in higher education could lead to new inventions, economic growth, and greater future prosperity.

In spite of these arguments, I believe that university students should be free to choose their preferred areas of study. In my opinion, society will benefit more if our students are passionate about what they are learning. Besides, nobody can really predict which areas of knowledge will be most useful to society in the future, and it may be that employers begin to value creative thinking skills above practical or technical skills. If this were the case, perhaps we would need more students of art, history and philosophy than of science or technology.

In conclusion, although it might seem sensible for universities to focus only on the most useful subjects, I personally prefer the current system in which people have the right to study whatever they like.

 (297 words, band 9)

4.  Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about whether children should be taught to be competitive or co-operative. While a spirit of competition can sometimes be useful in life, I believe that the ability to co-operate is more important.

On the one hand, competition can be a great source of motivation for children. When teachers use games or prizes to introduce an element of competitiveness into lessons, it can encourage children to work harder to outdo the other pupils in the class. This kind of healthy rivalry may help to build children’s self confidence, while pushing them to work independently and progress more quickly. When these children leave school, their confidence and determination will help them in competitive situations such as job interviews. It can therefore be argued that competition should be encouraged in order to prepare children for adult life.

On the other hand, it is perhaps even more important to prepare children for the many aspects of adult life that require co-operation. In the workplace, adults are expected to work in teams, follow instructions given by their superiors, or supervise and support the more junior members of staff. Team collaboration skills are much more useful than a competitive determination to win. This is the attitude that I believe schools should foster in young people. Instead of promoting the idea that people are either winners or losers, teachers could show children that they gain more from working together.

In conclusion, I can understand why people might want to encourage competitiveness in children, but it seems to me that a co-operative attitude is much more desirable in adult life.

 (270 words, band 9)

5.  Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people, while others believe that the purpose of museums is to educate. Discuss both views and give you own opinion.

People have different views about the role and function of museums. In my opinion, museums can and should be both entertaining and educational.

On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role of a museum is to entertain. Museums are tourist attractions, and their aim is to exhibit a collection of interesting objects that many people will want to see. The average visitor may become bored if he or she has to read or listen to too much educational content, so museums often put more of an emphasis on enjoyment rather than learning. This type of museum is designed to be visually spectacular, and may have interactive activities or even games as part of its exhibitions.

On the other hand, some people argue that museums should focus on education. The aim of any exhibition should be to teach visitors something that they did not previously know. Usually this means that the history behind the museum’s exhibits needs to be explained, and this can be done in various ways. Some museums employ professional guides to talk to their visitors, while other museums offer headsets so that visitors can listen to detailed commentary about the exhibition. In this way, museums can play an important role in teaching people about history, culture, science and many other aspects of life.

In conclusion, it seems to me that a good museum should be able to offer an interesting, enjoyable and educational experience so that people can have fun and learn something at the same time.

 (253 words, band 9)

6.  Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.  

When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.

The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.

On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college will not be able to compete.

For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school level.

 (271 words, band 9)

7.  Several languages are in danger of extinction because they are spoken by very small numbers of people. Some people say that governments should spend public money on saving these languages, while others believe that would be a waste of money. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

It is true that some minority languages may disappear in the near future. Although it can be argued that governments could save money by allowing this to happen, I believe that these languages should be protected and preserved.

There are several reasons why saving minority languages could be seen as a waste of money. Firstly, if a language is only spoken by a small number of people, expensive education programmes will be needed to make sure that more people learn it, and the state will have to pay for facilities, teachers and marketing. This money might be better spent on other public services. Secondly, it would be much cheaper and more efficient for countries to have just one language. Governments could cut all kinds of costs related to communicating with each minority group.

Despite the above arguments, I believe that governments should try to preserve languages that are less widely spoken. A language is much more than simply a means of communication; it has a vital connection with the cultural identity of the people who speak it. If a language disappears, a whole way of life will disappear with it, and we will lose the rich cultural diversity that makes societies more interesting. By spending money to protect minority languages, governments can also preserve traditions, customs and behaviours that are part of a country’s history.

In conclusion, it may save money in the short term if we allow minority languages to disappear, but in the long term this would have an extremely negative impact on our cultural heritage.

 (258 words, band 9)

8.  Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about the funding of creative artists. While some people disagree with the idea of government support for artists, I believe that money for art projects should come from both governments and other sources.

Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there are many works of art in public spaces, such as streets or squares in city centres. In Liverpool, for example, there are several new statues and sculptures in the docks area of the city, which has been redeveloped recently. These artworks represent culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people about the city, and act as landmarks or talking points for visitors and tourists. Governments and local councils should pay creative artists to produce this kind of art, because without their funding our cities would be much less interesting and attractive.

On the other hand, I can understand the arguments against government funding for art. The main reason for this view is that governments have more important concerns. For example, state budgets need to be spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, among other areas. These public services are vital for a country to function properly, whereas the work of creative artists, even in public places, is a luxury. Another reason for this opinion is that artists do a job like any other professional, and they should therefore earn their own money by selling their work.

In conclusion, there are good reasons why artists should rely on alternative sources of financial support, but in my opinion government help is sometimes necessary.

9.  Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new medicines and to test the safety of other products. Some people argue that these experiments should be banned because it is morally wrong to cause animals to suffer, while others are in favour of them because of their benefits to humanity. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

It is true that medicines and other products are routinely tested on animals before they are cleared for human use. While I tend towards the viewpoint that animal testing is morally wrong, I would have to support a limited amount of animal experimentation for the development of medicines.

On the one hand, there are clear ethical arguments against animal experimentation. To use a common example of this practice, laboratory mice may be given an illness so that the effectiveness of a new drug can be measured. Opponents of such research argue that humans have no right to subject animals to this kind of trauma, and that the lives of all creatures should be respected. They believe that the benefits to humans do not justify the suffering caused, and that scientists should use alternative methods of research.

On the other hand, reliable alternatives to animal experimentation may not always be available. Supporters of the use of animals in medical research believe that a certain amount of suffering on the part of mice or rats can be justified if human lives are saved. They argue that opponents of such research might feel differently if a member of their own families needed a medical treatment that had been developed through the use of animal experimentation. Personally, I agree with the banning of animal testing for non-medical products, but I feel that it may be a necessary evil where new drugs and medical procedures are concerned.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be wrong to ban testing on animals for vital medical research until equally effective alternatives have been developed.

10.  Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are the key to reducing traffic accidents. Others, however, believe that other measures would be more effective in improving road safety. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have differing views with regard to the question of how to make our roads safer. In my view, both punishments and a range of other measures can be used together to promote better driving habits.

On the one hand, strict punishments can certainly help to encourage people to drive more safely. Penalties for dangerous drivers can act as a deterrent, meaning that people avoid repeating the same offence. There are various types of driving penalty, such as small fines, licence suspension, driver awareness courses, and even prison sentences. The aim of these punishments is to show dangerous drivers that their actions have negative consequences. As a result, we would hope that drivers become more disciplined and alert, and that they follow the rules more carefully.

On the other hand, I believe that safe driving can be promoted in several different ways that do not punish drivers. Firstly, it is vitally important to educate people properly before they start to drive, and this could be done in schools or even as part of an extended or more difficult driving test. Secondly, more attention could be paid to safe road design. For example, signs can be used to warn people, speed bumps and road bends can be added to calm traffic, and speed cameras can help to deter people from driving too quickly. Finally, governments or local councils could reduce road accidents by investing in better public transport, which would mean that fewer people would need to travel by car.

In conclusion, while punishments can help to prevent bad driving, I believe that other road safety measures should also be introduced.

 (269 words, band 9)

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IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Structure + Sample Answers

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The next big thing after learning about IELTS discuss both views essays is –  How do you structure them?

IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Structure

Please be aware though, the perfect structure alone will not make you a band 7+ achiever. Your vocabulary and English proficiency still plays a key role in IELTS writing task – 2.

But the good news is… Here we’ve outlined an easily comprehensible  step-by-step format  to logically present a discussion essay and give your opinion effectively.

This post will clear your doubts over:

  • Essay Structure
  • Sample Question(s)
  • Task Explanation

Sample Answer

Discuss both views – essay structure.

There are hundreds of ways to structure a Discuss both views essay in the writing part . However, we’ll use this 4-paragraph foolproof band 7+ structure:

IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Structure

INTRODUCTION

  • Paraphrase the question statement or use a general statement relevant to the topic.
  • State both viewpoints
  • Write your opinion statement (only if specified in the statement).
  • Write an outline sentence

BODY PARAGRAPH 1

  • State first viewpoint
  • Explain the viewpoint
  • Provide a logical example

BODY PARAGRAPH 2

  • State second viewpoint
  • Write concluding remarks and your opinion
  • State which viewpoint is more significant

RELATED: IELTS Writing Task-1 Formal Letters With Sample Answers

Sample Questions

Now that you’ve understood the discussion essay structure, let’s look at some recently asked topics to give you an idea of how the ‘discuss both views and give your opinion’ essay looks like.

Some people believe that children should spend all of their leisure time with their families. Others believe that this is not required and a negative development. Discuss both viewpoints and give your opinion. Support your answer with the help of relevant examples.

Explanation of the Task

This is Opinion>Discussion type essay. Hence, You should introduce the topic, provide relevant ideas explaining arguments on both sides of the discussion, and then write your opinion in the conclusion. Always remember that these Opinion>Discussion tasks might be expressed differently; look for keyword ‘discuss’ and its synonyms like ‘debate’, ‘consider’ and ‘review’.

Topic Vocabulary

  • foster parents – people who officially take a child into their family for a period of time, without becoming the child’s legal parents. The child is referred to as their foster child.
  • guardians – people who are legally appointed to protect child’s interests in the absence of parents.
  • role models – people that children look up to as examples
  • ground rules – basic rules governing the peoples’ behaviour
  • conventions – traditions or social norms that most people follow
  • codes of conduct – voluntary rules acceptable to people
  • bullying – when children attack and intimidate other children
  • truancy – when a pupil leaves school without permission
  • delinquency – minor crime
  • dual-income – a situation when both mother and father working
  • child-minding – informal care for children (outside of schools)
  • peers – people in the same age group or level
  • behavioural patterns – ways of acting and doing things
  • well brought-up – to grow, educate and behave in a socially acceptable manner.

We hope that understanding this ‘Discuss both views essay structure’ will help you organize your writing task – 2 better and ultimately fetch you a high band score. And, don’t forget to download the IDP IELTS Writing answer sheets !

2 thoughts on “IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Structure + Sample Answers”

Very good guidance. Could include one more sample answer.

Thanks! Yeah…sure. More stuff lined up 🙂

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IELTS Charlie

Your Guide to IELTS Band 7

IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay: How To Answer

This lesson will show you how to answer IELTS discuss both views essay questions.

These essay questions can cause problems for many IELTS test takers because they require a different approach to IELTS opinion essays. In opinion essays, you just need to say what YOU think. In IELTS discuss both views essays, you also need to write about the views of other people .

This is a particular challenge if you are aiming for a Band 7 or higher in IELTS Writing , because to get a Band 7 for Task Response, you must make your position clear throughout the essay.

(A position is your viewpoint. To learn more, go to my lesson on Position .)

How do you make your views clear throughout an essay, when you are asked to discuss the views of other people?

This lesson will tell you how:

Example IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Question

Let’s look at this IELTS discuss both views essay task:

Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

(Cambridge IELTS Academic Book 15 Test 3)

So how do you make YOUR views on this topic clear throughout your essay, when you have been asked to discuss the views of SOME PEOPLE and OTHER PEOPLE?

You explain what YOU think are the reasons for each view.

IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay

Let’s look at the two views in this task. The 2 views are:

  • advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things
  • advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it

Both of these 2 views are reasonable . You might not fully agree with them, but they are still reasonable views, and so there will be good reasons to support them. Your task is to say what you think they are.

Note: it’s important to understand that the two views in authentic IELTS essay questions will always be reasonable ones. They will be sensible, not crazy!  You won’t get views like:

  • “advertising is completely useless and is always a waste of money”, or
  • “advertising should be completely banned because it forces us to buy things.”

The 2 views in the task above are sensible, even if you might not fully agree with them. So what reasons might there be to support them?

What Are The Reasons For These Views?

View 1: “advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things”

Possible reasons for this view:

  • adverts for special offers on social media, within apps and on billboards can be effective (e.g. Black Friday offers)
  • targeted advertising on social media can be quite effective, as it’s based on people’s browsing habits (e.g. Facebook sponsored posts for courses on a particular topic)

View 2: “advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it”

  • there are so many adverts on social media nowadays that we simply scroll past them unless they immediately grab our attention
  • advertising breaks on TV are often an excuse to check your phone or make a cup of tea

These reasons are what I think are the reasons for each view. And explaining these is how I make my position clear.

What NOT To Do #1

Remember, to get Band 7, you need to make YOUR position clear throughout your essay.

However, many students stuck at Band 6 don’t do this. They don’t discuss what THEY think , they discuss what SOME PEOPLE think .

They write like this:

  • BP1: “Some people think X…they think this because…”
  • BP2: “Some people think Y…they think this because…”
  • Conclusion: “I think Z…I think this because…”

In this structure, your position is only clear in the conclusion . This might be ok for a Band 6, but not a Band 7. To get a Band 7, your thoughts on the 2 views must be clear throughout your essay , including in the body paragraphs.

So DON’T write this:

“Some people think that advertising is a very effective method of getting us to buy things. Firstly, they think this because adverts for special offers on social media can be very successful.”

Write this:

“Advertising can be a very effective method of getting us to buy things. Firstly, adverts for special offers on social media can be very successful…”

In other words, avoid writing “some people” and “they think this because…” Write about what YOU think, not what “SOME PEOPLE” think.

What NOT To Do #2

Another common problem is arguing that BOTH views are wonderful!

  • BP1: View X is great!
  • BP2: View Y is great!
  • Conclusion: “I think X because…”

Compare these pieces of writing:

The Band 7 writing chooses language that allows personal views to come through: “can be”, “a lot of”, “may simply be”.

The Band 5 to 6 writing states things as facts: “is”

In other words, making your position clear throughout your essay is partly the result of the LANGUAGE you use in your essay.

Let’s look at this language in more depth…

Position Language in an IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay

Here is a list of the sort of vocabulary that let your views come through in your writing:

  • modal verbs : might, may, will, could, can
  • adverbs of certainty : certainly, definitely, probably, possibly, perhaps, maybe, obviously
  • adverbs of frequency: often, sometimes, rarely, occasionally, usually
  • focusing adverbs: especially, generally, only, particularly, simply, just
  • evaluative adverbs: surprisingly, personally, obviously, clearly, interestingly
  • verbs : seem, suggest, show, indicate, find
  • adjectives : some, significant, considerable, a lot of (and lots more!)
  • comparing and contrasting: even worse, even better, likewise, unlike, unless, despite, in contrast to, as…as

Other Phrases

  • this is true to some extent
  • this is probably true to an extent
  • there are clearly compelling reasons for this view
  • it is true that
  • there are certainly strong arguments for

So if you want to get a Band 7+ in IELTS Writing , do these things:

  • explain what YOU think are the reasons for the two views
  • use a variety of language to make your views clear.
  • DON’T talk about “some people” or what “some people think”. Say what YOU think

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Discover the 7 STEPS to BAND 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

The Magoosh logo is the word Magoosh spelled with each letter o replaced with a check mark in a circle.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion Sample Essay

2 people discussing IELTS task 2 essay

Today we’re going to look at a discussion essay IELTS sample that’s considered Band 9. This Band 9 scored essay matched the pattern for the “discussion” type of Writing Task 2 question. Discussion essays are sometimes also called “discuss both sides” essays. In this kind of essay, you will be presented with two statements of opinion that oppose each other. You will then be asked to “discuss both sides” of the debate, and to give your own opinion. For more information on this and other question types, including tips, tricks, and general advice for the discussion essay question type, see Magoosh’s full guide to IELTS Writing Task 2 question types .

Discussion Essay IELTS Sample: Band 9

The essay below is a band 9 model IELTS essay, patterned after Magoosh’s IELTS Writing Task 2 Template .

IELTS Writing Discussion Essay Practice Question

Some people seek a lot of advice from family and friends when choosing their career. Others feel it is better to choose a career more independently. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Get a higher IELTS score? Start your online IELTS prep today with Magoosh.

Write at least 250 words.

Discussion Essay IELTS Sample Band 9 Response

Choosing a career can be a challenging process. It can be difficult to say whether this decision should be made alone, or made with input from loved ones. In my opinion, it is best to find one’s career independently, with no more than a small amount of advice from family or friends. Below, I will explain why I feel that we must ultimately face career decisions on our own.

Getting career guidance input from loved ones can be confusing rather than useful. Family and friends likely have different careers, and thus give different, conflicting advice. Suppose, for instance, that your father is a teacher, your mother is an accountant, and your best friend is a nurse. They have all made very different career decisions, and only have knowledge on their respective careers. Different people will likely only steer you to their careers, without giving good advice on your own best path.

In contrast, focusing on one’s own preferences and skills provides a clearer path to the right career. After all, individuals have the best knowledge of their own abilities and interests. As an example, if someone has gone to university to study biology, they will know more about biology careers than a family member or friend who does not have that same kind of training. Ultimately, your career must be built on your own training and experience, not the training and experience of others.

For the reasons I’ve outlined above, I really do believe that career decisions are a matter of personal knowledge. Other people, even trusted family and friends, simply cannot understand your career the way you can. To select your field of work wisely, you must face this important decision alone.

Scorer Commentary (Discussion IELTS Essay Sample, Band 9)

The score report below is based on the official IELTS Writing Task 2 rubric . This report also looks very similar to the Magoosh IELTS essay scoring service .

Overall Band Score: 9

What was done well in the essay:

  • At 283 words, this essay exceeded the 250 word minimum. (This is very important for getting full points!)
  • Each part of the task was fully addressed. Both sides of the issue were discussed in the first and second body paragraphs. Moreover, reasons and relevant examples were included.
  • Each paragraph had its own clear topic sentence and supporting details, with explanations of the details, and summarization of the most important ideas.
  • Transitional language was used to clearly tie in all paragraphs to clear main ideas from the introduction and conclusion.
  • Vocabulary and grammar were used clearly and fluently. There were no serious errors in grammar or word use; word choice and sentence structure varied and avoided significant repetition.

More Model Essays for IELTS Writing Task 2

Would you like the see model essays for the other common IELTS Writing Task 2 question types as well? Magoosh has you covered! Just click the links below.

  • Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
  • Two-Part Question Essay
  • Causes/Solutions Essay
  • Agree/Disagree Essay

David Recine

David is a Test Prep Expert for Magoosh TOEFL and IELTS. Additionally, he’s helped students with TOEIC, PET, FCE, BULATS, Eiken, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. David has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. His work at Magoosh has been cited in many scholarly articles , his Master’s Thesis is featured on the Reading with Pictures website, and he’s presented at the WITESOL (link to PDF) and NAFSA conferences. David has taught K-12 ESL in South Korea as well as undergraduate English and MBA-level business English at American universities. He has also trained English teachers in America, Italy, and Peru. Come join David and the Magoosh team on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram , or connect with him via LinkedIn !

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5 responses to “IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion Sample Essay”

Jinil Bhavsar Avatar

Contractions must be avoided because they are a sign of informal writing style. Whereas essay’s should be written in formal way.

Magoosh Expert

You are correct that contractions shouldn’t be used in the formal Task 2 essay. However, note that they can be used at times, such as in IELTS Speaking or in Task 1 if you are asked to write an informal letter.

Happy studying!

Ore Avatar

Greetings, and thank you for this model essay. I wanted to ask a question relating to the discussion essay’s addressing of the task. Since the two views are 1) Some people think it is beneficial to ask for advice from friends/loved ones, and 2) others think that it is better to do so alone, why isn’t the 2nd paragraph addressing the benefits but instead talks about how it can be confusing? Isn’t a discussion essay’s structure supposed to be something like this:

2nd paragraph: Reasons people believe asking for help to decide for a career is good 3rd paragraph: Reasons people believe doing it on your own is good Conclusion: Giving your own opinion

Thank you for your time!

Good question! The short answer is that both approaches work! The directions are simply to “discuss both views,” but you don’t have to provide support for both sides. You can also discuss the problems or issues with one side, as this essay has done. Does that make sense? I’d suggest reviewing more sample essays to get a better sense of this.

Hope this helps, and best of luck to you!

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How should you present your opinion in an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay?

How should you present your opinion in an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay?

One of the most common questions asked about IELTS writing is how you should present your opinion in an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay. Do you need to write a separate paragraph with your opinion? Can you wait until the conclusion to “reveal” your opinion? And what does it mean to offer “positive” arguments for each view? That is what Nick and I will discuss in today’s 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)   🚀

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discuss both views essay 2022

Nick and I will definitely explain how we think you should present your opinion in an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay at the end of the episode, but to start, it might be better to show you what you should NOT do and explain why. Let’s begin by discussing where you should place your opinion.

1. Do not write a separate paragraph that contains your opinion

I understand why people do this. After all, the question clearly says discuss both views and give your own opinion. However, your opinion is almost always going to agree with one of the views. Therefore, if you present your own view in a separate paragraph your essay is going to be repetitious. It is much better just to agree with one of the views and then present the arguments in favour of that view and your opinion together (we will explain how to do this shortly).

Now, this begs the question, what should you do if you do not 100% agree with either view? The simple answer is lie!

The key to getting a high score in IELTS writing is always to have a clear opinion. Choosing a “balanced approach” almost always leads to essays that have a confused position because students try to “agree” with both views. However, 99% of the time this is impossible as the views contradict one another, so it is simply impossible to agree with both.

What you will have to do instead is outline a third completely unique view in a separate paragraph. Again, this is not just a paragraph giving me the positives of each of the two views, but a paragraph that outlines your own unique view (that does not match either of those given) Let me give you an example of how a balanced approach essay would work.

Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be into account  when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both the views and give your own opinion.

In this question we have two opposing views;

  • View One (BP1):  Fixed punishment for every crime
  • View Two (BP2):  Look at circumstances for all crimes

If I wanted to take a balanced approach here, I would need a third paragraph that argue why neither of these approaches works on their own, and outline a new approach that is better.

  • My view (BP3):  We should look at the circumstances for most crimes, but some are so serious that they should have a fixed sentence (i.e. murder / rape)

Do you see the difference? In this third paragraph, I am offering a third unique position that does not match either View 1 or View 2. This is the ONLY time that you will need to write a third paragraph, and I do NOT recommend that you try to write a balanced approach essay unless you have guidance.

However, again, there is nothing “better” about this type of essay and you have a far higher chance of getting a high score (even a 9.0) by simply agreeing with one side and then focussing on making your argumentation and language.

Want to learn how maximise your writing score with an ex-examiner? Then why not find out more about our Gold Writing Package . It contains everything you need to get a 7.0+ in Writing Task One and Task Two.

discuss both views essay 2022

2. Do not wait until the conclusion to reveal your opinion

Just as you shouldn’t have a separate paragraph that contains your opinion, you also don’t want to wait until the conclusion to reveal your opinion in an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay. The reasons for this is very simple.

The band descriptors clearly state that for a 7.0 or higher for Task Response, you must give your opinion throughout the essay.

Therefore if you only give your opinion in the conclusion, you are automatically limiting your task response go to a 6.0. This is a shame as it is very easy to show your opinion in the body of a Discuss Both Views essay. In the very simplest terms, you can do this in your topic sentences by making it clear which view you agree with and which you don’t:

  • On the one hand, it could be argued that + paraphrase of view you disagree with
  • On the other hand, I agree with those who believe + paraphrase of view you agree with

Obviously, there are more sophisticated ways of making your opinion known in. your body paragraphs, but simply using these sentence stems could be enough to open the door to a 7.0 for Task Response .

3. Make sure you actually discuss both views and not just both topics

This is perhaps the number one error made by IELTS test-takers. When you write a Discuss Both Views essay it is absolutely imperative that you offer positive arguments in favour of each view. I have written a separate blog post about this and I strongly recommend that you read it now (if you haven’t already) as it clearly explains the difference between discussing a TOPIC and discussing a VIEW.

An image of a football and boxing glove on the left, sit next to two groups of people on the right to signify IELTS discuss both sides essays

In today’s episode, we look at a similar error but one that is more difficult to spot. Why not have a go yourself? Look at the paragraph written in response to this IELTS prompt and see if you can spot the problem with one of the arguments.

Some people think it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or a shortage of money. Others argue think that it is better to try and improve such situations. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.   On the one hand, it could be argued that acceptance during hard times is the most effective approach. There are circumstances where people are not in control of their lives due to external factors. For example, a young man who dreams of becoming a musician may have to comply with his parent’s will to take the job of a lawyer, although it doesn’t satisfy him. Thus, accepting the situation will allow a person to find happiness in other areas of their lives and not live in constant regret of the ones that they cannot change. What is more, those who are in favour of living with tough situations feel they lack the willpower to do anything about them. After all, changes can be intimidating and it requires great courage to step out of the comfort zone

Can you spot the error? Listen to the episode to find out what it is!

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Essays List: Discuss both views

Some people are happy to spend their whole life living in the same area. Others prefer to live in many different places in their lifetime. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Nowadays people make new friends through social networks and internet chat groups. Some people think this is good. Others think that face-to-face interaction is essential. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some parents think it is good to give their children mobile phones, while others disagree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Some people think that competitive sports should be included as a subject in school, while others believe that it has a negative effect on children. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think that young people should spend their free time with their families instead of enjoying outside entertainment. However, others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think that technology has made man more social, while others think people have become less social. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that to be successful at a sport you need a natural ability and others think that hard work and practice can make you successful. Discuss both views and give your opinion?

Some people think that the government should spend money on faster public transportation, while others think that there are other more important priorities such as health care and the environment. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think that people can be encouraged to take up the sport through sporting events such as the Olympics. However, others think that there are better ways to encourage adults to do exercise. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that adults get motivated to exercise and play sports because of the major sports events on TV such as the Olympic Games and Football World Cup. Others say that there are many ways apart from TV to encourage them to exercise. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some people think that libraries are a waste of resources and money so computers should replace them. However, others do not agree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Some people think that money is the best gift for teenagers. Others disagree. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

Many families move to different countries. Some people think children can benefit from this, while others consider it is hard for children if families move to a foreign country. Discuss both views and your opinion.

Some people believe that team sports are very important for children to succeed in their career, others disagree? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think studying in groups is better, while some think self-study is better for school students. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Some people think that young people should follow older people’s examples while others think it is good for young people to challenge older people’s opinions and thoughts. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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discuss both views essay 2022

discuss both views essay 2022

IELTS Writing Task 2: Discuss Both Views And Give Your Opinion

IELTS Writing Task 2: Discuss Both Views And Give Your Opinion

Discuss both views and give your opinion is one of the most common types of essay in IELTS Writing Task 2. It asks us to discuss both sides of an issue at once and which point of view you will support. The following article About IELTS will share how to write this Discussion And Give Your Opinion article!

Table of Contents

I. Define Discussion Post Format Both Views And Giving Your Opinion

Take a look at the questions below and choose the one you think is a Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

a. Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will soon be no role for the teacher in education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

b. Computers are being used more and more in education. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

c. Computers are 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.

a. To what extend do you agree or disagree?

-> This is an Opinion because the question asks if we agree or disagree.

b. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

-> This is the type of Advantages and disadvantages because it requires them to discuss both positive and negative aspects (Discuss the advantages and disadvantages)

c. Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

-> This is a Discussion format because it requires them to discuss 2 points of view (Discuss both sides).

Some Examples: Discuss Both Views And Give Your Own Opinion

  • Blood sports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. All blood sports should be banned. Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.
  • Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route toa successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  • Some people think that job satisfaction is more important than job security while some people think that they cannot always expect job satisfaction, a permanent job is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  • Some people think using private transport is more advantageous. However, others say the use of public transport has more benefits. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

–> It can be seen that the problems of this type often require you to analyze two views of an issue (Discuss both views/the main arguments) and give your opinion.

  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Format Advantages And Disadvantages

IELTS Writing Task 2: Causes/ Effects/ Solutions

  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Agreement Or Disagreement

II. How to Write Discuss Both Views And Give Your Own Opinion

Introduction

  • Paraphrase the title again
  • You must put your opinion in sentence 2 of the Introduction paragraph; you must answer clearly that you Agree with which of the two ideas given.

Example: Some people think using private transport is more advantageous. However, others say the use of public transport has more benefits. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

–> It is controversial whether using means of private or public transport is more beneficial. Although both viewpoints are convincing, I prefer the second perspective.

  • Main Body Paragraph 1

In this first body paragraph, you will write about a position you do not support.

  • On the one hand, give one reason why people support the 1st position
  • Explain and provide arguments to support
  • Give the example
  • Main Body Paragraph 2

In this second body paragraph, you will write about the position you support.

  • On the other hand, give two reasons why people support the different position
  • Explain and give reasons to support each reason
  • Reaffirm which of the two views above do you support.

Templet: All things considered, although/ despite the fact that both views are convincing, I am in favor of the first/second perspective. This is simply because (of) … and…

Check Your IELTS Writing

Iii exercises and examples: discuss both views and give your opinions ielts writing task 2 complete.

Here are the parts of a Discussion essay, but they are in the wrong order. Please try to rearrange the order to complete the article.

d. Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

a. When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.

c. The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.

b. On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college will not be able to compete.

e. For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school level.

Below is Master Simon’s full example post after putting the ideas together.

Essay Topic: Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.

The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons . Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.

On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college will not be able to compete.

For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school level.

(271 words, band 9)

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay: Explanation & Breakdown With Sample Answers

Courtney Miller

Updated On Nov 23, 2023

discuss both views essay 2022

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay: Explanation & Breakdown With Sample Answers

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The IELTS Writing Task 2 is a 250-word essay that tests your ability to communicate your ideas in a clear, concise, and well-organized way. One of the most common question types for this task is the discussion essay.

In an IELTS discussion essay, you will be presented with a statement that contains two opposing views. Your task is to discuss both sides of the argument, and then to give your own opinion on the matter.

How to Write a Discussion Essay?

There are a few key things to keep in mind when writing a discussion essay:

  • Identify the two opposing views.  The first step is to carefully read the statement and identify the two opposing views. Once you have identified the two views, you can start to think about how you can support each one.
  • Gather evidence to support both sides.  Once you know what the two opposing views are, you need to gather evidence to support each one. This evidence can come from your own knowledge, experience, or research.
  • Write a clear and organized essay.  Your essay should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. In the introduction, you should paraphrase the statement and state your own opinion on the matter. In the body paragraphs, you should discuss each of the two opposing views, and provide evidence to support each one. In the conclusion, you should restate your opinion and summarize the main points of your essay.

Tips to Write a Discussion Essay

There are certain tips that you can follow to improve your understanding of Discussion essays and how you can approach them. Read the tips given below and implement the same in your essays:

  • Use neutral language –  When discussing two opposing views, it is essential to use neutral language. This means avoiding language that expresses your own opinion or that could be seen as favoring one side over the other.
  • Be objective –  It is also important to be objective when discussing two opposing views. This means presenting both sides of the argument fairly and without bias.
  • Use evidence to support your claims –  When making a claim in your essay, be sure to provide evidence to support it. This evidence can come from your own knowledge, experience, or research.
  • Use transition words and phrases –  Transition words and phrases can help to make your essay flow smoothly and signal to the reader when you are moving from one point to another.
  • Proofread your essay carefully –  Before submitting your essay, be sure to proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

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Discussion Essay Sample Questions with Sample Answer

Here are a few sample questions for discussion essays. Now before you start learning about discussion essays through the given example questions, watch this  video  for a better understanding. Check the samples below:

Sample Answer With Breakdown

Introduction:  The introduction sets the stage for the essay by presenting the topic and highlighting the opposing viewpoints.

Body Paragraph 1:  This paragraph discusses the advantages of learning a foreign language, including cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits.

Body Paragraph 2:  The second paragraph presents the counterargument that learning a foreign language is unnecessary due to technology and the prominence of English.

Conclusion:  The conclusion provides a clear personal opinion that acknowledges the counterarguments but asserts that the benefits of foreign language learning are more significant.

Final Compilation

Learning a foreign language has been a topic of debate in educational circles, with proponents arguing its importance and opponents asserting its insignificance. Those who advocate for learning a foreign language in school argue that it has numerous cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits. Firstly, mastering another language enhances cognitive abilities, as it requires learners to think critically and adapt to different linguistic structures. Moreover, it promotes cultural understanding by allowing individuals to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering tolerance and open-mindedness. From a practical standpoint, in today’s globalized world, proficiency in a foreign language can boost job prospects and facilitate international interactions.

On the other hand, there are those who contend that learning a foreign language is unnecessary in the modern age due to the prevalence of translation tools and the predominance of English as a global lingua franca. They argue that the time spent on language acquisition could be better utilized for other subjects that are more directly applicable to students’ future careers. Additionally, some assert that the difficulty of becoming truly proficient in a foreign language often discourages students and leads to frustration.

In my view, while the concerns raised against learning a foreign language hold some validity, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. The cognitive and cultural benefits of language learning are substantial and contribute not only to personal growth but also to building a more interconnected and harmonious society. Moreover, even though technology can aid in translation, it cannot replace the nuanced understanding and genuine human connections that result from speaking someone’s native language. Therefore, incorporating foreign language learning into the curriculum remains a valuable investment in students’ holistic development.

For IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips:  Click Here

Introduction:  Introduces the topic and mentions the opposing views regarding city and countryside living.

Body Paragraph 1:  Discusses the advantages of living in a city, including access to amenities, job opportunities, and cultural activities.

Body Paragraph 2:  Presents the benefits of living in the countryside, such as tranquility, connection to nature, and strong communities.

Conclusion:  Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges the strengths of both options and suggests that the choice should be based on individual preferences.

Living preferences between urban and rural areas have long been a subject of debate. Supporters of city living argue that it offers greater access to amenities, career opportunities, and cultural activities. Cities are often hubs of economic activity, providing a wide range of job options and higher earning potential. Additionally, urban dwellers can enjoy a plethora of entertainment choices, from theaters and museums to restaurants and shopping centers.

On the other hand, proponents of rural living emphasize the tranquility and connection to nature that the countryside provides. They contend that life in the countryside is less stressful, offering cleaner air, less noise pollution, and a slower pace of life. Moreover, the close-knit communities in rural areas foster a sense of belonging and interpersonal relationships that can be harder to find in bustling cities.

In my opinion, both living environments have their merits, and the choice depends on individual preferences and priorities. While cities offer convenience and a vibrant social scene, they can also be overwhelming and stressful. On the contrary, the countryside provides a peaceful and close-to-nature existence, but it might lack the opportunities and amenities that cities offer. Therefore, the ideal choice should be based on a person’s lifestyle, values, and career aspirations.

Introduction:  Introduces the topic and states that social media’s impact on society is debated.

Body Paragraph 1:  Discusses the negative effects of social media, including impacts on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships.

Body Paragraph 2:  Presents the positive aspects of social media, focusing on connectivity, activism, information sharing, and education.

Conclusion:  Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges both sides of the argument but emphasizes the potential positive impact of responsible social media use.

The influence of social media on society is a topic of ongoing debate. Detractors argue that social media has detrimental effects on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships. They claim that the constant comparison to curated online personas can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Furthermore, the erosion of privacy due to the widespread sharing of personal information and the rise of cyberbullying are serious concerns. Critics also point out that excessive screen time detracts from face-to-face interactions, potentially weakening real-life connections.

On the other hand, proponents of social media contend that it fosters global connectivity, information sharing, and activism. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram enable individuals to voice their opinions, raise awareness about important issues, and create positive change. Social media has played a pivotal role in various social movements and humanitarian efforts, mobilizing people on a scale previously unattainable. Additionally, it allows easy access to a wide range of educational content and facilitates networking opportunities.

In my view, while social media has its drawbacks, its potential positive impact is significant. The power of social media to amplify voices, disseminate information, and drive social change cannot be overlooked. However, its usage should be balanced and responsible, with individuals and society collectively addressing its negative aspects, such as online toxicity and privacy concerns.

Here are the 10 examples for the Discussion Essay:

Also, check:

  • IELTS Writing tips
  • IELTS Writing recent actual test
  • Band 9 essays
  • Advantage and Disadvantage Essays
  • IELTS Writing Answer sheet
  • IELTS map vocabulary
  • IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I give my opinion in an IELTS discussion essay?

Are Opinion essays and Discussion essays the same?

How do you discuss both views and give your opinion?

What are the major mistakes test takers do in the IELTS Discussion essays?

How to write the IELTS Discussion Essay?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Courtney Miller

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Courtney is one of our star content writers as she plays multiple roles. She is a phenomenal researcher and provides extensive articles to students. She is also an IELTS Trainer and an extremely good content writer. Courtney completed her English Masters at Kings College London, and has been a part of our team for more than 3 years. She has worked with the British Council and knows the tricks and tips of IELTS.

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discuss both views essay 2022

Blessing Nzekwe

Posted on May 20, 2022

Prison is the common way in most countries to solve the problem of crime. However, a more effective solution is to provide people with a better education. Do you agree of disagree.

Correctional centre is the most popular facility used by majority of the countries to tackle criminal activities. While I believe that the most probable action of ultmost benefit is to make accessible standard education for the masses, as this will make them to be well informed and be more responsible citizens, in this regard I agree with the latter statement.

To begin with, paving way for education of top notch quality will create an avenue to gain knowledge and understanding of information about rules and regulations governing a certain sect as well as how to uphold good moral values and living righteously. For instance, research shows that in Finland, there are negligible number of penitentiary institutions due to the high quality education system being operated in the country. Thus having a consequential high valued institution of learning plays a significant role in cubbing criminal activities.

Furthermore, an impeccable academic world will inculcate the act of being accountable citizens, this will make them to take responsibility of any action they perform and thereafter face whatever consequence that may arise from such weather it is pleasant or unpleasant. For example, in Nigeria, civic studies was incorporated into the school curriculum in a bid to boost the educational standard for the masses at large. Therefore, having a feasible academic environment will help create individuals of high moral standard who will stare clear of any form of unholy act.

To conclude, I want to reaffirm the fact that having quality educational facility that will teach high moral life values to gain the act of responsibility, out weighs the adoption of correctional centres to mitigate criminal activities. I recommend that the governing body should devote their strength to enhancing good learning facilities rather than prison services.

kasturika

Posted on May 21, 2022

Band Score – 5.5

Concentrate on the correct usage of articles, verb forms, prepositions, subject-verb agreement and punctuation.

Since it is an opinion essay, you are required to write about one line of contrast in a separate body after presenting two body paragraphs supporting your views.

Pay attention to spellings and word order in a sentence.

Use C2 level of words.

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IELTS Writing Tests | Task 2

IELTS Writing Tests | Task 2

  • To what extent do you feel that this is an accurate and important prediction?
  • What problems are caused by household waste, and what solutions may be possible in both the short and the long term?
  • What are the causes of truancy, and what may be the effects on the child and the wider community?
  • Consider the possible arguments for and against unpaid sabbatical leave, and reach a viewpoint of your own.
  • Consider the possible arguments on both sides of this debate, and reach your own conclusion.
  • Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  • To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  • Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  • To what extent do you agree?
  • Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
  • Why might this be the case? What problems can it cause?
  • Is this a positive or negative development?
  • What problems is this causing? What measures could be taken to counter this situation?
  • How true do you think this statement is? What measures can governments take to discourage people from owning cars?
  • Do you agree or disagree?
  • Where do you stand on this debate? Is local knowledge essential in modern policing?
  • How far do you agree with this prediction?
  • What are the possible causes of water pollution, and what effects does this have on animal life and human society?
  • Discuss the possible arguments on both sides, and say which side you personally support.
  • Consider the arguments from both aspects of this possible debate, and reach a conclusion.
  • How effective can traditional costumes be, in this sense? What other ways exist to help citizens connect with a country’s past?
  • What are the causes of this problem, and how could the situation be improved?
  • How far do you agree with this assessment? What other challenges face young people today?
  • To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
  • Discuss both these views and give your own opinion
  • Do you think this is a positive or a negative development
  • To what extent do the advantages of having an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages?

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IELTS Essay Questions for 2022

Below is a list of predicted IELTS Writing Task 2 essay topics for this year, 2022. As usual, these topics are based on common topics, current world issues and trending topics. Both GT and Academic candidates should prepare from the list below.

On this page, you will find:

  • List of types of essay questions
  • Essay Topics for 2022
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IELTS Essay Types in 2022

There are five types of essay questions in IELTS Writing Task 2. You will not know which type of essay you will be given. So, you must prepare for all types. When you read the 2022 Essay Topics list below, be ready for that topic to be phrased in different ways for different essay types. Be prepared to be flexible!!

  • Opinion Essay – agree/disagree/ partial agreement
  • Discussion Essay – discuss both sides
  • Advantage / Disadvantage – includes outweigh essay
  • Cause / Problem / Solution Essays
  • Direct Question Essays – Positive . Negative Development / one question / two question / three question essays

Click here to learn how to spot which type of essay you have: IELTS Essay Types

IELTS Essay Topics for 2022

I’ve organised the predicted IELTS essay questions below and highlighted the topics I feel are more likely to appear. All topics in IELTS essays are current world issues and known society concerns. Our world today is mainly focused on health, work, technology, internet and other aspects of life.

  • is art important
  • what can children learn from art, drama etc
  • is literature important to teach in schools
  • should the government fund artists
  • what people gain from live events
  • should art be censored
  • does art transcend the language barrier

Books & Reading

  • e-books – pros and cons
  • are libraries a thing of the past
  • children reading story books in their free time
  • adults reading children’s stories

Business & Money

  • family run businesses – pros and cons
  • should we save or spend
  • should companies be responsible for their employees’ health
  • why some people do not save
  • should money management be taught in schools
  • is dress code or uniforms important in a company
  • why do some people get into debt
  • spending money on unnecessary items / luxury goods
  • supporting small local businesses
  • buying local or foreign products
  • relocating companies to the countryside away from city centers – pros and cons
  • factors in business success
  • is the layout of an office important

Character & People

  • is leadership innate
  • factors behind success
  • are people more impatient than before
  • are older people as respected as they should be
  • people who follow fashion trends
  • keeping up with the Joneses
  • individuality or conformity in schools 
  • why do some people struggle with change
  • are people less respectful of the elderly nowadays
  • are people becoming less formal

Crime & Punishment

  • fixed punishment for a crime or should circumstances play a role in deciding punishment
  • prisons – pros and cons
  • stopping ex-convicts from re-offending
  • how to reduce crime in society
  • do some films encourage criminal behaviour
  • should teenage offenders get the same punishment as adult offenders
  • why people watch crime shows on TV
  • online crimes
  • is safety a personal or government responsibility
  • are museums and art galleries important
  • can children gain from visiting museums and galleries
  • should the government support artists
  • should schools prioritise science over the Arts
  • importance of traditional clothes and music
  • how tourism is changing local cultures
  • how can the government / schools preserve traditional culture
  • globalisation – will cultures be lost
  • how has the internet affect culture around the world
  • are public celebrations important for culture
  • people spending a lot of money on weddings and celebrations
  • do foreign films change local culture
  • discipline in schools
  • pros and cons of learning online
  • is science and technology important to teach
  • are university degrees more important than experience
  • how can people learn soft skills, such as communication, personal skills etc
  • homework for children – an aid to learning or too much pressure
  • who influences children most – teachers or parents
  • teaching good values – teachers or parents
  • are children from poor backgrounds disadvantaged in education
  • is history important to learn
  • studying abroad
  • children of different abilities should be taught separately
  • home schooling pros and cons
  • education in cities compared to rural areas
  • how to make learning interesting for children
  • all education should be free

Environment, Nature & Wildlife

  • protecting trees/ endangered species – causes / problems / solutions
  • how to educate people about environmental problems
  • noise pollution / air pollution / water pollution – causes / solutions
  • how to tackle littering
  • importance of tackling climate change – causes, problems, solutions
  • importance of spending time in nature
  • are wild animals important
  • testing consumer products on animals
  • children having pets
  • who should protect the environment: individuals or governments
  • what is the generation gap and how can it be tackled
  • can children benefit from a close relationship with their grandparents
  • should women with children go to work
  • are family roles changing within the family
  • who should support elderly family members: family or government
  • is it important for family members to spend time together
  • why do some couples choose not to have children
  • parents should give children the freedom to make their own mistakes
  • is our food culture changing
  • is it important to keep traditional meals
  • why do people eat junk food if it is unhealthy
  • should families eat together
  • is animal welfare important to know about when buying meat in supermarkets
  • what information would stop you buying a certain product
  • what is a balanced diet
  • why are some people vegetarian 
  • should all health care be free – pros and cons
  • is public health a personal responsibility or the responsibility of the government
  • sugar as a cause of health problems
  • problems with junk food
  • importance of mental health
  • tackling obesity in society / in children
  • health problems connected to using screens
  • how to encourage children to do more exercise
  • why people take up meditation, yoga or taichi
  • walking, cycling to work pros and cons
  • funding prevention or treatments

Language & Communication

  • are text messages / emails / video calls a good form of communication
  • pros and cons of one global language
  • how has the internet changed the way we communicate and socialise
  • should children learn a foreign language at an early age
  • is handwriting a thing of the past
  • will snail mail one day disappear
  • difficulties learning a foreign language
  • are holidays important
  • why is leisure time important
  • are hobbies important
  • spending time in nature
  • children spending time playing together
  • do people value leisure time more nowadays
  • why do people watch so much TV in their free time
  • Is watching TV a good leisure activity
  • what leisure activities are best for children
  • should children do homework or have fun in their leisure time

Media & The Internet

  • social media and our image of beauty
  • shopping online pros and cons
  • how the internet has changed the way we work
  • importance of accuracy in historical films
  • does the internet make people feel more connected
  • online streaming for films – pros and cons
  • problems sharing personal information online
  • reality TV stars
  • what makes a film successful – stars, special effects or story
  • meeting new people online
  • how advertising influences people – billboards, internet pop ups, brand placement in films, social media
  • celebrities as role models for children
  • are newspapers a thing of the past now that news can be found online
  • unreliable news or information online
  • technology makes people lazy
  • pros and cons of smart phones
  • technology in the work place results in job losses
  • technology and solving pollution / environmental problems
  • technology, science and health
  • government spending on space exploration or health care social services
  • how has technology changed our lives / the way we work
  • how has technology helped mankind
  • pros and cons of a traffic free zone in city centers
  • way to reduce pollution from cars
  • should driving tests be obligatory every 5 years
  • how to reduce traffic congestion in city centers
  • pros and cons of plane travel
  • how to ensure road safety
  • should we all use electric cars
  • people over 80 should not be allowed to drive
  • experiencing foreign countries on TV rather than travelling there
  • conforming to the culture of the country you are visiting
  • pros and cons of tourism on the domestic economy
  • adventure holidays
  • tourism and environmental factors (including wildlife)
  • pros and cons of taking holidays on your own country
  • tourism and its impact on the country
  • what children learn from team sports and individual sports
  • should sports teach competition or cooperation
  • should schools increase physical education lessons
  • benefits of exercise, walking, cycling
  • should sports stars be paid so much
  • companies sponsor sports events and teams for advertising – pros and cons
  • sports professionals earning high salaries compared to doctors or nurses
  • why people do adventure sports
  • importance of international sports competitions

World Issues & Social Issues

  • how can homelessness be tackled
  • should world issues be solved nationally or internationally
  • closing the gap between rich and poor countries
  • rich countries should support poor countries at any cost
  • overpopulation – problems / solutions
  • people are living longer – pros and cons
  • should charities help people locally or nationally
  • are charities important
  • more people are raising money for charities – why, is this a good thing
  • living in the countryside or city – pros and cons
  • food wastage / increase in world food demand
  • (affordable) housing shortage – solutions
  • migration of workers from rural to urban areas
  • taking care of the elderly – family or government responsibility
  • lack of good education in under-developed countries
  • pros and cons of working from home
  • work-life balance
  • pros and cons of being self-employed / working for a company
  • bosses contacting people on their days off
  • importance of holidays from work
  • both parents working – how it impacts children
  • is team working skills
  • job satisfaction or salary
  • working online pros and cons
  • pros and cons of technology / machines at work
  • Was this list useful to you?
  • Did you get one of these topics in your test?

USEFUL IELTS WRITING TASK 2 LINKS:

Click below to access some useful lessons and tips for your IELTS essay

How to write an introduction

List of keywords for essay writing

How to use the last 5 mins in your writing test

How long should your essay be

All Free Writing Task 2 Lessons and Tips

' src=

hello everyone. I am preparing for the IELTS exam. kindly read my essay and suggests me with better writing skills. TOPIC “Newspaper less important nowadays” agree or disagree? Comments

Answer: Few people considered newspapers less important nowadays but others do differ with the statement In present world the demand of newspapers are declined as the people are more tend towards news and updates from internet and they focus least on hands-on paper as they found them of no use as the same stuff is available through internet (in the form of online newspaper).On the other hand people do have collection of newspaper piled up and they found them of no use. People are now well thought out that newspaper printing is useless and waste of resources; above mention are the views of few people not everyone. Moreover other people agree with the fact that reading newspaper online is better than collecting and piling them at home but they also don’t let the fact go away that continuously reading newspaper online may affect the eyes and it may create eyesight disease. After mentioning few general public views about newspaper I will proceed further along with the advantages of newspapers ,Firstly newspapers consists of interesting articles and write-ups that provides vast knowledge ,Secondly we can improve reading skills ,grammar vocabulary and speaking power too. Old newspapers can be used in projects by students in the form of recycle material as an example of solid waste management. I will conclude by saying that newspaper is less important for few people but for other people it is still very useful nowadays.

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Please see this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

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Scientists agree that many people are eating too much junk food and it is damaging their health. Some people think that these problems can be solved by educating people to eat less junk food. Other people believe that education will not work. Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

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hello dear Liz. I’m going to take my exam on 10th of July. Is it possible if these topics would come in my exam too? thanks in advance

Yes, these topics as well as the common essay topics could easily appear with different wording.

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I’m confused. The predicted topics don’t have any essay type. How to know the essay type of predicted topics that u have highlighted?

There are topics, not questions. As long as you can prepare ideas for topics, you can adapt them to any type of essay.

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Hii , Liz I’m beginner in this field Nd don’t know how can I collect good ideas to do better in writing task 2 … And how to practice for it

See my Ideas E-book: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

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Hi Liz, I was wondering if your correction service is active now.

Regards, Aya

Sorry, not at present. Once my health has improved, I’ll set it up.

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Thank you Liz. I scored a band 8 overall!

That’s brilliant!! Very well done to you 🙂

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Greeting Liz. I hope you’re good. I prepared for IELTS academic in just three weeks using your materials. I needed a minimum of 7 in all aspects and an overall of 7.5. These are my scores: Listening 8.5, Reading 8.5, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.5. Overall 8.0. Thanks alot for your kindness. God bless you.

That’s a great score! Well done 🙂

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Hi Liz, I love your videos in YouTube and your blog has been extremely helpful for my preparation of IELTS exam. Thank you. Sending you lots of love and best wishes from Bhutan 💜❤

Thanks 🙂 Greetings to Bhutan!!

' src=

Hello Liz, I just gave a mock writing test and it deducted my band score by 1 for using a clichés which was ‘a waste of time’. Will the same happen in the real test? Can you give a list of other clichés which we cannot use in the test [ apart from the ones given on the site ].

I’m not sure precisely the expressions you use as you mention only one. The expression “a waste of time” is completely fine to use in any Writing Task 2 essay. It is idiomatic, suitable for formal writing and good to use.

Okay. Thank you.😇

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Thank you do much Liz.i started reading your tips recently and that Is when I started to understand what I need to do.your content is so easy to understand.

I’m so glad. I built this website to make learning IELTS easy 🙂

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I’ve purchased your grammar book and all I can say is I should’ve bought this book ages ago. It was really useful and there so many “oo..” moments when I was learning using the pdf. I also agree with you that it’s not just for students who are taking Ielts, but also for life! this has helped me to unlearn and learn the correct ways of speaking and writing English. Thanks once again.

Thank you so much for leaving your comment. I really love hearing feedback on my work, particularly on that Grammar E-book. I poured my health and soul into it and tried to find ways to make grammar easy. I often feel that grammar is written by academics for academic people, but not for normal everyday people. I always felt that if grammar was explained and illustrated more clearly, it wouldn’t be so difficult. This really gives me a great boost. I’m going in the right direction with my teaching. Thank you very very much 🙂

' src=

Hi liz, I just want to express my joy on your comeback. I tried to contact you concerning your health. With your recent activity on your website, i am convinced that your have recovered.

Unfortunately, I haven’t recovered yet. I feel a bit stronger which is why I’m trying to get new posts out on my site. Hopefully this year will see me get stronger as times passes.

' src=

Praying for you, Liz. Please know that I have been learning from all your posts. You are a very smart teacher and content-creator. All are useful!

God bless you with better and improved health this 2022

Thank you 🙂

' src=

Thanks mum wish you speedy recovery.

' src=

You are a real teacher who can effectively deliver the lesson. Looks very kind and cool teacher.May thanks. Stay blessed.

Thanks for your kind comment 🙂

' src=

I need contact someone of Ieltsliz. I bought this year in the store but I cant access to it. Can someone help me PLEASE!

I’ve just emailed you. Can you check your inbox and spam folder for my email. Thanks.

' src=

Thank you so much Mam Liz . We all miss you so much . I pray to Allah that you get well soon and get you back on youtube .

' src=

Thanks for the useful information but I miss you on you tube. Why don’t you make videos again?

I’ve been sick for a long time and I’m still sick which prevents me making videos. You can read my story here: https://ieltsliz.com/determination-my-story/

' src=

HI liz.. thank you so much for your sharing. How strong you are Liz. Even I have never met you before but I really admire you. Thank you..thank you so much for your dedication. As you said knowing that help a lot of people reach their goals is the best way to live . We extremely appreciate your time, your support Liz. Wish you all the best.

' src=

It’s truly helpful for preparing oneself with these resources particularly writing task 2 topics and ideas. I got a lot of websites for Ielts preparation but this one is well organised to follow. Thanks a lot liz for providing us such quality materials.❤️

You’re welcome 🙂

' src=

LIZ , I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH. SCORED A BAND 8 ON MY FIRST TRY!!! 8.5 in listening , 8.5 in reading , 7.5 in writing , 7 in speaking – overall 8.

A great result!! Very well done 🙂

' src=

Thank You So Much Liz! You are gem of a person. I also got an overall band 8.5 on my first attempt. Your methodological teaching videos on youtube and this website’s practice lessons were my prime source of preparation. Much love. Regards, Dr. Yash

Wonderful news! Band score 8.5 is fantastic! Very well done 🙂

' src=

Thank you Liz for providing these topics.. Are these predicted topics only for paper based ielts or for computer based as well???

They are for the IELTS test this year. It makes no difference if you take the test on the computer or on paper.

' src=

So helpful topics. Thanks for providing such valuable content🥰.

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Thankyou liz..its very very helpful

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A very big thank you for these essay topics.It is indeed valuable.

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Thank you very much, this information was very useful for us🙏🥰

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Thank you so much,Liz for providing such valuable information.

' src=

Many thanks for your constant support for the students, stay blessed 🙏🏻

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IELTS Writing Task 2 - New IELTS Essay Tasks/Topics 2022

IELTS Writing Task 2 - New IELTS Essay Tasks/Topics 2022

Here are the essay tasks reported by students who have already taken IELTS this year.

The phrasing of the tasks might be different in the real exam, but it’s useful to know the topics.

We do NOT know the exact tasks and these are the questions reported by students from memory. So, the topic might be the same, but the words in the task might be different. UBI = Universal Basic Income The government should give each citizen a basic income so that they have enough money to live on, even if they are unemployed. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Robots/Technology Today different types of robots are being developed which can serve as friends, help at work and at home. Is this a positive or negative development? OR Information technology is changing many aspects of our lives and now dominates our home, leisure, and work activities. Do the advantages of information technology outweigh the drawbacks? Overweight Children In many countries, children are becoming overweight and unhealthy. Some people think that the government should be responsible for solving this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Social Media Social media enable people to keep in touch with each other and learn about the news. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Education Some people believe that the best way to succeed in life is to get higher education/a university degree, while others disagree and say that it is no longer true today. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Many people argue that in order to improve educational quality, high school students should be encouraged to question and offer criticisms on their teachers. Others think this will lead to a loss of respect and discipline in the classroom. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Some people believe that schools should choose students according to their academic abilities. Others think that it is better to have students with different abilities studying together. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Crime Some people believe that the best way to reduce crime is to educate prisoners so that they can find a job after they are released. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Safety More and more people do not feel safe when they leave home. Why is this? What could be done to address this issue? Philosophical Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always good. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Some people think that enjoying the present is more important than planning for the future. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

About The Elderly Some believe that younger family members should be legally responsible for supporting older family members when they become physically, mentally and financially unable to look after themselves. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Many doctors recommend that older people should exercise regularly, but most patients do not follow an exercise routine. Why do you think this happens? How can people be encouraged to exercise regularly? Modern World In the 20th century, contact between different parts of the world has developed rapidly thanks to air travel and telecommunications. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Family (or serious? Are you really asking me about this?) Today family members eat fewer meals together. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative trend?

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IELTS Essay Exam Questions 2022

These are IELTS essay exam questions from 2022. If you have taken the IELTS test recently, then you can post your question for other students to look at.

To post an essay question from your test, simply fill out the form at the  bottom of the page  and the essay question will then be listed. 

You can also see questions from other years:

  • Current Year

IELTS Essay Exam Questions

December 2022.

More and more people today are drinking sugar based drinks.

Why is this happening?

What measures can be taken to reverse this trend?

Some people say that to prevent illness and disease, governments should focus more on reducing environmental pollution and housing problems. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society. 

Many people today would argue that cinemas are becoming irrelevant due to new streaming services.

Some people believe that it is important to spend a lot of money on family celebrations, while others think it is a waste of money.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some people believe that children of all ages should have extra responsibilities outside of their formal education, such as helping at home or at work. Others believe that, outside of school, children should be free to enjoy their lives. 

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

November 2022

Some people think that educational qualifications are important to success in life. Others believe that this is not the only way to become successful.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In recent decades wildlife populations and plant species have suffered a global decline.

What are the reasons for this?

What are some possible solutions?

Some people feel that punishment should focus more on rehabilitation instead of long prison terms. Others feel prison terms are important for social stability.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Nowadays many teenagers have a celebrity who they follow as a role model. Some people think this is not a good idea, because celebrities often set a bad example.

Do you agree or disagree?

Learning at university would be more effective if men and women were educated separately.

Many young people today like to copy the behaviour and clothes of famous people.

Why might this be the case? 

What problems can it cause?

October 2022

The best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel for cars and other vehicles.

Many people these days move to other countries to live. Some people feel these people should try to assimilate completely to the country where they have moved to, while others feel it is more important to preserve their native culture.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Many people use written language in a less formal and more relaxed way than in the past.

Why is this the case?

Does this development have more advantages or disadvantages?

Some people today argue that countries should interfere less in the affairs of other nations.

The noise level around us is constantly increasing and affecting the quality of our lives.

What causes the everyday noise that many people face?

What can be done about it?

The most important function of music is that it helps people reduce stress.

Advanced technology has brought many beneficial changes to the world. However, some old people today struggle with the use of technologies such as mobile phones and the Internet.

How can the elderly benefit from using advanced technologies?

How can the elderly be encouraged to use consumer electronics more often?

September 2022

Many first-year university students discover after they have started their course that their chosen subjects do not suit them.

Why does this happen?

What can be done to ensure that students can choose a suitable subject?

Some people think that robots are very important to human's future development, while others believe they are dangerous and negatively affect society.

Nowadays, distance-learning programs have gained in popularity, but some people argue that online courses can never be as good as those taken face-to-face at a college or university.

The managers of most organisations tend to be older people. However, some people argue that younger people make better managers.

Some people believe that one of the best ways to solve environmental problem is to increase the cost of fuel for cars and other vehicles.

Some people believe that children that commit crimes should be punished. Others think that the children's parents should be punished instead.

Scientific research should be carried out and controlled by governments rather than private companies.

Many parents these days work in other countries and they take their families with them to live their

Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh its disadvantages?

Some people believe that having car-free days in cities is an effective way to reduce air pollution. However, others argue that there are other ways that are more effective. 

August 2022

The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment.

Why does it cause damage?

What can be done to solve this problem?

Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Some people think that the increasing use of computers and mobile phones for communication has a negative effect on young people's reading and writing skills.

In many countries, people now wear western clothes such as suits and jeans rather than traditional clothing.

Is this a positive or negative development?

Some people think visual images, such as photographs and videos, can most accurately inform people about a news story. Others believe they are not reliable sources of information.

Young people committing crimes should be treated the same as adults by the authorities.

These days, older people who have retired often choose to spend money on themselves (for example on holidays) rather than save money for their children .

Shops should not be allowed to sell any food or drinks that have been scientifically proven to be bad for people’s health.

Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Some people think international events such as the Olympic Games are important and can bring nations together. Others, however, think that they are a waste of money as the money could be spent elsewhere on more important issues.

Some people believe that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish.

In today's world, people spend a lot of money on appearance because they want to look younger.

It is important for people to take risks, in both their professional lives and personal lives.

Do the advantages of taking these risks outweigh the disadvantages?

In most countries fast food is becoming cheaper and more available to everyone.

Do you think that advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

It is more important for school children to learn about their local history rather than world history. 

More and more young people from wealthy countries are spending time in communities in poorer countries doing unpaid work such as teaching or building houses. 

Why is this?

Who benefits more from this, the communities or these young people?

Nowadays many people prefer to buy famous brands of clothes, cars and other items.

Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

Some people feel that equality between the genders has already been achieved while others feel there is considerable progress to be made.

Prison is the common way most countries try to solve the problem of crime. However, a more effective solution is to provide the public with a better education. 

Some people believe using modern technology (digital photographs, blogs) is the best way to record and remember important personal events. Others think the traditional method (making photo albums, writing diaries) is better.

As major cities around the world are growing, so are their problems. 

What are these problems for young people living in cities? 

What are possible solutions for these problems?

Some people believe that the experiences children have before they go to school will have the greatest effect on their future life. Others argue that experiences gained when they are teenagers have a bigger influence.

Discuss both views and give your own opinions.

Some people think it is a better to leave their home country to improve their work and living opportunities, while others think staying in their own country is a better choice.

Boxing is a blood sport which often results in physical injury. It is inappropriate for this sport to exist in the modern age.

In some countries, there has been an increase in the number of advertisements which try to persuade children to buy snacks, toys, and other goods. Some people claim this is unfair as parents feel under pressure to buy these kinds of things for their children.

In marriages today, some argue that it is the responsibility of both spouses to earn a living for the family. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?  

Nowadays, more and more people from different cities are spending more time away from their families.

What are the possible reasons this this?

What could be the effects on the people themselves and their families?

February 2022

Farming is the backbone of every country but nowadays many youngsters hesitate to enter in this profession.

Why is this the case and what can be done to avoid it?

Some people claim that too much focus and resources have been spent to protect wild animals and birds.

Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced.

Some people believe that violence in the media, such as in television programs and films, directly results in violent behaviour.

Some people think the main purpose of school is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals.

January 2022

Many people argue that in order to improve educational quality, high school students should be encouraged to question and offer criticisms to their teachers. Others think this will lead to a loss of respect and discipline in the classroom. 

Many doctors recommend that older people exercise regularly, but most patients do not follow an exercise routine. 

Why do you think this happens? 

How can people be encouraged to exercise regularly?

Today family members eat fewer meals together.

Is this a positive or negative trend?

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always good.

2020 Questions >>>

The form below is for submitting the latest IELTS writing topics from your most recent test. It's not for requesting to get sent topics or asking questions!

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  1. Discuss both views trong IELTS Writing Task 2: Cách viết chi tiết

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  2. Both Points and Give Your Opinion

    discuss both views essay 2022

  3. Hướng dẫn A-Z cách viết dạng Discuss both views

    discuss both views essay 2022

  4. How to Write a "Discuss Both Views and Give Opinion" Essay

    discuss both views essay 2022

  5. How should you present your opinion in an IELTS Discuss Both Views

    discuss both views essay 2022

  6. Solved Opinion Essay/ Discuss Both Views Essay You should

    discuss both views essay 2022

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  1. Takeaways From Second GOP Primary Debate Pt. 2

  2. IELTS WRITING TASK 2 Discuss both views essay

  3. Discuss both views essay and give your opinion| Writing task 2 tips and tricks

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  5. IELTS Writing Task2

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  1. IELTS Discussion Essays [Discuss Both Views/Sides]

    Because a discussion essay will tell you to "Discuss both views and give your opinion," you must introduce the two views and then give your opinion in the introduction. Here is an example: Question: ... January 24, 2022. IELTS Listening Section 4 Advice and Practice. October 5, 2018.

  2. IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Discussion Essay (Discuss both Sides/Views

    Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here. Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Read my essay here.

  3. IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay: tips, common mistakes, questions & essays

    These are the most common mistakes made by Test Takers when writing an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay: presenting too many reasons for each view: you MUST develop ALL of your ideas to get a high band score, so it's best to present 1-2 reasons for each view and explain them all. not giving your own opinion. not writing your opinion in much detail.

  4. IELTS discuss both views essay

    This essay will discuss both these points of view and argue in favour of the latter. Body paragraph 1 For this essay, it is good to write three body paragraphs. In the first paragraph, you can dissect the first argument. On the one hand, the books children read and the music they listen to form their belief system. In other words, children tend ...

  5. IELTS Writing Task 2

    IELTS Writing Task 2 - Topic: DISCUSS BOTH VIEWS. 1. In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high salaries. Some people believe that this is good for the country, but others think that governments should not allow salaries above a certain level. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

  6. IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Structure + Sample Answers

    There are hundreds of ways to structure a Discuss both views essay in the writing part. However, we'll use this 4-paragraph foolproof band 7+ structure: INTRODUCTION. Paraphrase the question statement or use a general statement relevant to the topic. Write your opinion statement (only if specified in the statement).

  7. IELTS Discussion Essay Model Answer

    Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. ... October 20, 2022 at . ... This essay will briefly discuss both views and will draw my personal opinion. On the one hand, many think that completing graduate and post-graduate studies will help them to obtain the most needed jobs. In their opinion, getting bachelor degree and even master ...

  8. IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay: How To Answer

    In opinion essays, you just need to say what YOU think. In IELTS discuss both views essays, you also need to write about the views of other people. This is a particular challenge if you are aiming for a Band 7 or higher in IELTS Writing, because to get a Band 7 for Task Response, you must make your position clear throughout the essay.

  9. IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Sample Essay (Band 9)

    on. April 21, 2021. in. IELTS Writing Task 2: Academic & General Training. Today we're going to look at a discussion essay IELTS sample that's considered Band 9. This Band 9 scored essay matched the pattern for the "discussion" type of Writing Task 2 question. Discussion essays are sometimes also called "discuss both sides" essays.

  10. Writing Task 2 Discuss Both Views Essay Lesson

    Introduction. This lesson will help you answer IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion (or discuss both views and give your opinion) questions. These particular questions require a different approach to opinion essays because you have to discuss both sides rather than just argue in favour of one side. This post will look at:

  11. How should you present your opinion in an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay?

    Let's begin by discussing where you should place your opinion. 1. Do not write a separate paragraph that contains your opinion. I understand why people do this. After all, the question clearly says discuss both views and give your own opinion. However, your opinion is almost always going to agree with one of the views.

  12. Essays List: Discuss Both Views

    Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Some people think that young people should follow older people's examples while others think it is good for young people to challenge older people's opinions and thoughts. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Some people are happy to spend their whole life living in the same area.

  13. IELTS Writing Task 2: Discuss Both Views And Give Your Opinion

    How to Write Discuss Both Views And Give Your Own Opinion. Introduction. Paraphrase the title again. You must put your opinion in sentence 2 of the Introduction paragraph; you must answer clearly that you Agree with which of the two ideas given. Example: Some people think using private transport is more advantageous.

  14. IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay: Explanation & Breakdown With

    Download Study Plan. The IELTS Writing Task 2 is a 250-word essay that tests your ability to communicate your ideas in a clear, concise, and well-organized way. One of the most common question types for this task is the discussion essay. In an IELTS discussion essay, you will be presented with a statement that contains two opposing views.

  15. IELTS Discussion Essay Video Lesson: Useful Language

    June 14, 2022 at . Hi, ... Is this thesis statement correct- This essay will discuss both views before reaching a logical conclusion. Will appreciate your response. Reply. Liz says July 29, 2018 at . You can't alter the instructions and write a discussion essay if you are given an opinion essay. However, it is possible to have a partial ...

  16. IELTS Writing Tests

    2022 A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

  17. IELTS Essay Questions for 2022

    When you read the 2022 Essay Topics list below, be ready for that topic to be phrased in different ways for different essay types. Be prepared to be flexible!! Opinion Essay - agree/disagree/ partial agreement; Discussion Essay - discuss both sides; Advantage / Disadvantage - includes outweigh essay; Cause / Problem / Solution Essays ...

  18. IELTS Writing Task 2

    Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Many people argue that in order to improve educational quality, high school students should be encouraged to question and offer criticisms on their teachers. Others think this will lead to a loss of respect and discipline in the classroom. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

  19. IELTS Essay Exam Questions 2022

    IELTS Essay Exam Questions 2022. These are IELTS essay exam questions from 2022. If you have taken the IELTS test recently, then you can post your question for other students to look at. ... Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Many doctors recommend that older people exercise regularly, but most patients do not follow an exercise ...

  20. Recent IELTS Writing Topics and Questions 2024

    February 2024. Innovation is often driven by the pursuit of profit and economic growth. However, some argue that it should prioritize addressing social and environmental issues. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion. Read my essay here on Patreon. Reported on IELTS February 29th.

  21. IELTS Task 2 Writing: How to Write a Clear and Simple Introduction

    Discuss both sides and give your opinion. For this kind of Task 2 question you need to discuss both sides of the question. As with agree/disagree question above, you must clearly state which side your opinion agrees with. The best way to do this is to include your opinion in the introduction and conclusion.

  22. New IELTS General Training Writing Topics and Questions 2024

    October 2022. Some people today feel that physical money will no longer be used in the future. ... Discuss both views and give your opinion. Some people think that watching sport is a waste of free time. ... In this essay, I intend to discuss both standpoint private life and business life which one should be more important for individuals and ...