WRITING
Planning 2 - Question Types: Does the question ask for your opinion?
One important difference you will notice between IELTS Writing Task 2 questions is that some will ask for your personal opinion, while some will not. This is a very important difference. If you don't give a your opinion when it is asked for, it will be very difficult to reach band 7 or higher.
Sometimes it is very obvious that the question asks for your opinion. For example:
In your opinion, is it better to…?
What is your opinion?
Do you agree or disagree?
Do you agree?
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.
Discuss the benefits and problems and give your opinion.
Which do you prefer?
Which do you think is better?
Sometimes it is not so obvious that the question asks for your opinion, but it does. For example:
To what extent do you agree?
Is this a positive or negative development?
To what extent do the benefits outweigh the problems?
What do you think is the most important factor?
Do you think….?
Do you believe….?
What factors are most important in…?
In all these cases, the question requires that you give your opinion. You need to say which view or side of the argument you support.
On the other hand, some IELTS questions simply ask you to present advantages or disadvantages, causes, or reasons for something without asking for your personal opinion. For example:
What are the causes and solutions?
What factors cause…?
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
What are the benefits and problems?
In these cases you should present ideas, but you do not have to say which side of an argument you support (but you still can*).
*Even if the question does not directly ask for your opinion, you can still show your opinion, and in fact, high scoring IELTS answers often do.
Exercise:
Decide if the following questions require your opinion in the essay.
1. Some people think that outdoor activities are more beneficial for children’s development than playing computer games. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. Some people prefer to eat at restaurants, whereas others prefer to eat home-made food. Which do you prefer?
3. It is generally agreed that family relationships are not as close as they were in the past. Explain why you think this has happened and suggest how family relationships could be made closer.
4. Many people think it’s important to save money for future use. What are the advantages and disadvantages of saving money for the future?
5. Some people believe that governments should invest more in trains, while others argue that it is more important to improve the roads. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
6. Some people argue that we are born with a fixed personality while others argue that we develop our personality because of our experiences. What do you think is the most important factor?
7. Some people enjoy holidays which include many exciting activities, while others prefer a relaxing holiday by the beach. Discuss both views.
8. Some people work very hard to make their dreams come true, while others are happy with what they already have. Do you think people should chase their dreams?
9. Some countries are making serious efforts to reduce global warming. Do you believe that all countries should do the same?
10. In some countries university education is provided free of charge to students while in others students are required to pay large fees. In your opinion, is it better to charge students for higher education?
11. Unemployment is often a serious problem in societies. What are the causes of unemployment? What solutions are there to this problem?
12. In the past people had to follow strict rules about the clothes they could wear at work. These days, in many places these rules have become more relaxed. Is this a positive or negative development?
13. What factors are most important in achieving happiness?
14. What are the most important qualities of a good leader? Can these qualities be taught or are they innate?
15. These days, in most countries it is possible to buy products made in other countries. To what extent do the benefits of this development outweigh the problems?
16. People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is music important for many people?
17. With the widespread availability of digital cameras and smartphones, photography has become more accessible than ever before. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
Exercise Answer Key:
1. Yes, 2. Yes, 3. Yes, 4. No, 5. Yes, 6. Yes, 7. No, 8. Yes, 9. Yes, 10. Yes, 11. No, 12. Yes, 13. Yes, 14. Yes, 15. Yes, 16. No. 17. No.