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IELTS Opinion Essays: Structure, Topics and Sample Answers

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

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Updated On Aug 01, 2024

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The article provides guidance on writing IELTS opinion essays, emphasizing structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs supporting one view, and a conclusion. It includes examples, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for clear, concise essays.

balanced opinion essay examples

Table of Contents

What is the ielts opinion essay format, ielts opinion essay sample answers, latest ielts opinion essay topics of 2024, top 3 common mistakes of ielts opinion essays, tips to answer ielts opinion essay questions.

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IELTS opinion essays mainly focus on agreeing or disagreeing with a particular fact or information. It presents two opposite views and you have to develop your argument supporting one view (strictly one!) You get 40 minutes to complete this task. You have to write at least 250 words on the topic given.

Given below are some examples of IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essays along with their structure. So, let’s understand how to frame the IELTS opinion essay from the sample answers given in the blog!

If you’re gearing up to tackle the Opinion Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2, know that it’s all about writing your opinion on a specific topic with supporting examples. To make sure your essay ticks off all the criteria of a band 8+ essay, organizing it in the right way is key! You can also check tips to write an effective introduction in IELTS Writing Task 2 to present a great IELTS opinion essay!

Let’s now look at a proper format to learn the structuring of an IELTS opinion essay.

Introduction:

  • Keep it short, usually around 2-3 sentences.
  • Introduce the topic and clearly state your opinion.
  • Provide a brief overview of the main points you will discuss in the body paragraphs.

Body Paragraphs (Usually 2 paragraphs):

  • Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea that supports your opinion.
  • Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea.
  • Provide evidence, examples, and reasoning to support your main idea.
  • Aim for coherence and cohesion within each paragraph by using appropriate transition words.
  • Make sure to use appropriate IELTS Vocabulary and IELTS Grammar while explaining an idea in the body paragraphs.

Conclusion:

  • Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
  • Restate your opinion, emphasizing its importance or relevance.
  • Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion.

Given below is an example of an IELTS Writing task 2 o pinion essay. Let’s understand how to frame the essay from the ideas we have. Additionally, you can review the IELTS Writing Task 2 practice tests on a regular basis to achieve your desired band score.

Sample Question 1

In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Given below is a brief outline of what to write in the essay after identifying the essay type.

Opinion Essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic of the essay using synonyms for the words used in the topic statement. Clearly state the view on the topic.

Body Paragraph 1

Technological improvements have increased the level of ease and convenience to a point where people can access news and information at the click of a button. This has led to print media becoming outdated.

Body Paragraph 2

The development of news websites and sites that freely distribute information and print media in a digital form has led to a trend of availing such services and content without paying.

Summarize the essay and re-state the opinion on the topic.

Struggling to Crack the IELTS opinion essays? Our 8+ band trainers have got you! Sign up for a FREE demo now!

Sample Answer

Presently, newspapers, books, journals, magazines, etc. are still actively used by a section of the global population. However, with the arrival of news sites and the availability of books, magazines and other forms of media online, totally free of cost, many believe that such forms of media are on their way to becoming outdated. I agree with this statement, and will explain it further with relevant examples in the essay.

It is a well-known fact that in this day and age if an individual wants to read a book or just go over the news of the day, the first step that they take is to search the internet. Devices such as smartphones and tablets have improved the time efficiency of searching for information online to such an extent that a person can access their preferred form of media in the comfort of their homes in a matter of minutes. Consequently, people have started to abandon their preference for print media due to the presence of much more convenient alternatives.

Additionally, the various forms of print media enjoyed by people can often be availed free of charge on several websites. For instance, most news organizations publish their daily news on their official website, which can be accessed by anyone. Also, some numerous sites and databases provide popular books, journals and magazines in a digital form to the public for a nominal subscription fee or sometimes even for free, leading to a majority of readers of such forms of media shifting away from buying hard copies.

Nevertheless, there is still a sizable chunk of the population that enjoys the conventional forms of print media. That being said, with the cost-effective nature of making such information and content available online, organizations will soon completely shift to internet-based services.

In conclusion, I would like to say that people always prefer the more comfortable alternative that is available. Therefore, it can be safely said that in the coming years, there will be a complete shift from traditional print media to online media services and products.

Sample Question 2

Some people say that international sporting events contribute greatly to peace and stability in the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Paraphrase the topic sentence using synonyms.

Mention the view on the topic.

Body Paragraphs

International sports tournaments are events where teams and the general public of various countries come together and collectively participate in the event.

Sports events, especially cricket and football help distract the minds of the citizens from the ongoing difficulties in their country and enjoy these events.

Summarize the essay and state the final view.

Sports has always been a magnificent platform for the finest talents of a country to showcase their skills and represent their nation. At the same time, sports is also one of the few occasions where every citizen of the country unites in support of their favourite teams. It is considered by many that sports are a great approach to maintain stability among countries. This essay will elaborate on the given topic and justify why sports can successfully bring and preserve global peace.

One of the greatest characteristics of any popular sporting event is that supporters of every team involved in the tournament almost always attend the matches that are organized in their cities. Some veteran fans even travel to different parts of the country to witness a match between their favourite teams. These events also unite the populace of a nation as every patriotic individual prays for the success of their national team. For instance, the entire nation wishes for the victory of their national team in the Olympic Games as winning an Olympic Medal is one of the most prestigious honours that can be bestowed upon a country.

It is a well-known fact that the people of a country collectively face several challenges on a day-to-day basis. These issues can be caused by numerous factors and are the typical difficulties that ordinary citizens have to overcome. Sports help people enjoy a few moments of excitement and take a break from the monotony of everyday life.

That being said, sometimes the passion of overenthusiastic sports fans ends up leading to harmful and conflicting situations among communities. Nevertheless, the overall impact of sports on our lives is undoubtedly positive.

Finally, sports are one of the aspects of human life that bind a whole community together. This is enough evidence to understand that sports help maintain peace and stability in a nation.

Ready to grab the latest IELTS writing task 2 question papers of 2024?

Sample Question 3

Our personalities are predetermined as a result of our genes before we are born and there is nothing that can be done to change our character traits. To what extent do you agree?

Paraphrase the topic and mention the view.

Genetics are only a part of the entire list of factors that affect a person’s personality.

One of the most important influences on an individual’s personality is their childhood and upbringing.

Summarize the essay and mention the final view in brief.

Even between small periods of time, there are subtle variabilities in our disposition. Such alterations are quite natural and are a part of a human being’s existence. However, it is often assumed that our personality is entirely dependent on genetics. The following paragraphs will explore the different aspects of personality and justify why genetics are not the only factor influencing our personality.

An individual has countless experiences in their life from childhood to adulthood and finally until death. Every one of these experiences has an impact on a person’s mind, no matter how giant or small. The kind of people present in a person’s immediate surroundings also has a huge influence on their nature and characteristics. Thus, it can be safely surmised that a person’s genes are not the only contributing factor when it comes to personality.

One of the most significant influences on our personality is our childhood experiences and the teachings of our parents. Children are always known to follow in the footsteps of their parents. Thus, if the parents of a child are successful in teaching their children the right values and morals, they are bound to grow into responsible and decent individuals.

It is true that the personality traits of an individual are determined by the features of their parents. Nevertheless, these traits can be altered over the course of many years and different experiences.

In conclusion, genetics affect our personalities in a trivial manner as compared to all the other aspects of our temperament. That being said, our life experiences and learnings are the consequential factors in developing our character.

A few IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essay of opinion essay topics are listed down below, which you can practice. These opinion essay questions may appear in the actual examination.

  • In the future, it seems more difficult to live on Earth. Some people think more money should be spent on researching another planet to live on, such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
  • Many people say that the only way to guarantee a good job is to complete a course in university education. Others claim that it is better to start work after school and gain experience in the world of work. How far do you agree or disagree with the above views?
  • Although more and more people read the news on the internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news for the majority of people. Do you agree or disagree?
  • Students in schools and universities learn more from their teachers than through other means such as the Internet, libraries, and TV. To what extent you agree or disagree?
  • Nowadays university education is very expensive. Some people say that universities should reduce their fees, especially for the less fortunate students or for those coming from rural areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
  • Some people think that governments must insist on preserving the traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?
  • Some people believe that international trade and communication with other countries is a positive trend, while others think it is harmful to nations and they might lose their identities. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.
  • Many people believe that schools should teach children to become good citizens and workers rather than independent individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.
  • People should follow the customs and traditions when they start to live in a new country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  • It is impossible to help all people in the world, so governments should only focus on people in their own countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  • Prevention is better than cure. Do you agree or disagree that out of the country’s health budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventive measures?

In IELTS opinion essays, it’s easy to make some common mistakes that can lower your IELTS band score . Getting aware of them is the key to not committing them knowingly or unknowingly while you prepare! The top 3 common mistakes to avoid are:

  • Not giving a clear opinion.
  • Presenting arguments for both sides of the issue.
  • Failing to support your opinion with well-defined reasons and examples.

In the IELTS opinion essays, you need to write your opinion about a topic and back it up with proof and examples. If you use a clear structure and good writing methods, you can improve your chances of doing well!

  • Spend 5 minutes on a mind map before writing.
  • Stick to one viewpoint throughout the essay.
  • Use a single main idea to support the topic in each of the two body paragraphs.
  • Express your opinion throughout the essay, not just in the conclusion.
  • Keep the introduction short, a maximum of 50 words.
  • Ensure each body paragraph explains a main idea within 100 words.
  • The conclusion should be shorter than the introduction.
  • Write a complete essay following the given structure.
  • Aim for a word count of 280 words or less.

Here are the 10 Examples for the Opinion Essay Topics IELTS:

Also check:

  • Tips to write great writing essay
  • How to get band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing recent actual test
  • IELTS 2024 Study Plan for 1 month (30 Days) / 15 Days / 7 Days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure for writing the introduction for an opinion essay?

Is it mandatory to state my opinion in the introduction? Can I skip it and introduce my opinion in the body paragraphs?

What are the words that I can use to state my opinion?

Can I underline the important sentences, to attract examiner’s attention?

Is it mandatory to write the essay in first person?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Nehasri Ravishenbagam

Nehasri Ravishenbagam

Nehasri Ravishenbagam, a Senior Content Marketing Specialist and a Certified IELTS Trainer of 3 years, crafts her writings in an engaging way with proper SEO practices. She specializes in creating a variety of content for IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL, and certain immigration-related topics. As a student of literature, she enjoys freelancing for websites and magazines to balance her profession in marketing and her passion for creativity!

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IELTS Writing Balanced Opinion Essay

Published by awalls86 on november 3, 2021 november 3, 2021.

balanced opinion essay examples

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In a balanced opinion essay, you are given two opposing propositions. You should discuss each of them and give your opinion.

As with other IELTS writing tasks, you will likely do better with this kind of essay if you have a clear structure in mind for writing this essay. The following is one way to write this type of essay, but it is effective.

Step 1: Understand the Issue

With any IELTS writing question, it is important to understand what the question is asking before you begin writing.

A balanced opinion task will give you two propositions, so you first need to identify what these are. Then think about the following questions:

  • Why is this an important issue?
  • What’s your opinion about it?
  • What would someone who disagrees with you say?
  • Why are they wrong?

As an example, let’s take the following question:

Some people believe that the Olympic games should take place in the same city each time. Other people argue it should continue to move country every 4 years.

If you’re as sporty as me, you might wonder why anyone would care about where the Olympics take place. Well this is an important issue because the Olympics are a very expensive event that can also provide considerable financial benefits to the host city or region.

You might agree that the Olympics should stay in one place (maybe Greece) since this would surely cut the cost of the games considerably. The infrastructure would only need to be built once and then maintained or upgraded as necessary.

However, moving the games every 4 years allows more countries to benefit from the rewards of hosting. Given that rich countries already have a lot of the world’s wealth, this gives a chance to a less well-off country to benefit.

Step 2: Write the Introduction

With a balanced opinion essay, we can still use our three statements for the introduction:

  • global statement;
  • thesis statement;
  • outline statement.

Remember that in our global statement we say why this is an important issue. For example:

Every 4 years, the Olympic games cost their host nation billions of dollars to organise. Many people question whether that money is well invested, or whether it would be more cost-efficient to have the Olympics in one regular location.

In the thesis statement, you give your opinion:

In my opinion, choosing one location for the Olympics makes more financial sense…

Finally, your outline statement tells the examiner what they will read about in the next paragraph. You can simply continue the thesis statement with “because” or “as”.

…as this would dramatically cut the building and other costs involved.

Step 3: Write the Body

Once again, you will want two body paragraphs here. The first will deal with the side that you have agreed with.

The First Argument

Your first body paragraph should begin with a statement of your argument. This is your topic statement. For example:

Holding the Olympics in the same place would be far cheaper than constantly moving them.

Then use explanation and examples to support your answer:

The biggest costs involved are undoubtedly construction of the Olympic venues and infrastructure. Every Olympics, new stadia and facilities are built. By having the Olympics in one place, buildings only need to be built once and then maintained or upgraded. These savings are likely to result in more profit being made during the Olympics, some of which can be used to support development in poorer nations.

The Second Argument

The second body paragraph of your balanced opinion essay should consider the alternative side. We can start with a linking statement. This will typically include a linking word or phrase that shows contrast e.g. “on the other hand”, “however” or “despite.”

On the other hand, there are benefits to the Olympic games moving.

In the next sentence your should give your topic statement:

If the games move, the benefits of hosting them is shared among more of the world.

Once more you need to develop and support your argument:

Not only does the host gain prestige and a chance to show off their country to the world, but they also experience a boom in their economy from ticket sales and tourism.

In a balanced opinion essay, you can make the side you agree with stronger by overcoming this point. For example:

However, while this is true in theory, the countries that most desparately need these benefits are unlikely to be able to afford the initial outlay for the games. For this reason, wealthy countries tend to be chosen to host the games.

Step 4: Write the Conclusion

The final paragraph is your conclusion. Remember to:

  • rephrase your arguments
  • rephrase your opinion

Choosing one country to act as permanent host of the games would greatly reduce the expense involved with the Olympics. This is unlikely to be agreed upon by all countries, especially the wealthier nations who typically benefit from hosting. However, if the permanent host is obligated to share the profits with the least developed nations, this provides a much fairer model.

Practice Questions

Click here for all IELTS writing task 2 practice questions and sample answers.

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Preparation for the IELTS Exam

How to write an IELTS opinion essay

Ielts opinion essay: structure, model answer, and analysis..

Updated: February 2023

There are 5 types of essays in IELTS writing task 2 and a common one is an opinion essay.

So how do you know if it is an opinion essay?. You will first need to study the instruction words. These words tell you what you should write about and this should be the first step to take before you even begin to plan. Analyse the task and especially the instruction words so you do not go off-topic or write a different essay altogether.

Here are 2 essay tasks below, which one do you think is the opinion essay?

1.  Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness? 2.  Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Looking at the instruction words we can see that the second one is an opinion essay as it asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree? ‘

The first task is called a ‘Two-part question essay’ or sometimes called a ‘Direct question essay’.

Instruction words

Opinion essays will have various instruction words such as:

To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Do you agree or disagree?
What is your opinion?
Do you think…?
What do you think….?
In your opinion what is ….?

In some cases the instruction words ask your opinion it may be a discussion essay such as:

‘Discuss both views and give your own opinion’ 

The structure of a discussion essay is different from an opinion essay as you will need to explain peoples views before you go into your own opinion.

This task below is a 2 part question essay and the second question asks your opinion.

Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness?

The opinion essay that I am referring to asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree?’ means how much do you agree/disagree? , do you completely agree/disagree?  or somewhat agree/disagree?  or do you neither agree nor disagree?

You can write in your thesis statement something like:  ‘ I completely agree because…..’ or if you don’t agree, something like: ‘ I absolutely disagree because…..’

What is an effective opinion essay structure?

There is no magic Band 9 structure but my students have found that the structure below works well in an opinion essay.

balanced opinion essay examples

Tips on structure:

  • The main body paragraphs will cover the reasons for your opinion; however, do not list ideas just use one central idea and explain and support it.
  • Don’t wait until the conclusion to give your opinion. It must be throughout the whole essay .
  • Don’t give 2 different opinions. Do not agree then disagree as it will confuse the examiner. You can balance it with why someone would hold an opposing view but it is not a discussion essay.
  • I advise keeping the introduction under 60 words , each body paragraph should be approximately 90 to 105 words , the conclusion needs to be shorter than the introduction and no new ideas should be added to the conclusion
  • Aim for between 270 to 295 words , over 300 words is not realistic as you only have 40 minutes to write the essay .

Which body paragraph is better?

Take a look at these 2 main body one paragraphs to the task below, what do you think will score higher?

Task question:

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

A long time ago people used to go to market places and they bought basic daily necessities, now people can buy online and go to many high street shops. In addition, we can choose any hotel we like at cheap prices. Also, businesses compete with each other which means customers can buy items at low cost as well as a bigger selection of goods. Furthermore, the economy benefits because people can select from so many different products. For example, Amazon.com has millions of products that are much cheaper than buying at a shopping mall.

Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. This means that shoppers can benefit greatly from lower prices. For example, over the past two decades, Ryanair and EasyJet budget airlines have considerably reduced the cost of airfares for flights all over Europe. Before this, there was only one airline to choose from at exorbitant costs. Presently, many more budget airline options are serving destinations worldwide with incredible bargains for customers.  

Click below for the answer.

The 2nd example is better because I wrote one central idea (lower prices for consumers) and expanded on that. The example given is not entirely true but it looks very feasible. You can just make up examples but they have to be specific and realistic looking. The point of an example is to support your main idea.

At the start of the paragraph I mentioned that too much choice is overwhelming but then contrast that with my opinion (Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that…) .

To see how to balance the essay click here for a lesson on balancing your opinion .

In example 1 above this has too many ideas and too many points. It jumps around and is not focusing on one central idea. The points are relevant but there is too much going on.

You will also notice an opinion is not given directly in the first example (I think / I believe etc)  the whole paragraph affects coherence and cohesion as well as task response. The example given about amazon.com is also quite weak and not well explained.

Analysing the question.

As with all IELTS essays, it is crucial to spend a couple of minutes analysing the task and underling the keywords so that you are writing relevant points in the essay. If you go off-topic or write irrelevant points it will affect your score.

This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too many choices these days . This means that there is something negative about having many choices, as the word ‘too’ implies something negative. In my model answer, I disagree with this being a negative and in fact, many choices are beneficial.

Click here for the 5 steps you need to take before writing.

I advise 10 minutes of planning time, this includes time analysing the question and getting relevant ideas.

Click here for a lesson about examples in main body paragraphs.

Model Answer

Some people believe that n owadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is argued that in recent times people are overwhelmed by so many choices. Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.

Another reason why I believe that more choice is beneficial is that the quality of products has improved in recent years. This is because many businesses are vying for customers’ attention, so their main selling points are not only low prices but also much higher quality. For instance, smartphone costs have decreased in the past 5 years and these devices are more powerful and more durable than ever before. This is primarily because manufacturers have focused on quality control to compete with rival products. I would argue that this has been a benefit to consumers which would not have been possible with one or two companies monopolising the smartphone market.

To conclude, despite the argument that there is too much freedom of choice nowadays, I hold the view that this is a positive trend as so many options allows customers to buy inexpensive items without compromising on quality.

Click below to see more detail and an analysis

1. My thesis statement says: Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.

I am giving a balanced opinion here and focusing specifically on choice for consumers.

2. I have covered the points about how more choices have resulted in lower prices in main body one, while in main body two I cover the point about higher quality products because of the fact there are more choices. Notice how I have balanced my view: Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. .

3. The examples I gave are made up and not entirely true but they look realistic, the examiner does not check your examples for validity. Examples are there to support your main ideas. Do not put statistics in the examples either.

4. The points I have made in the essay connect with consumerism and shopping, but I have linked them to the points about how having many choices are of benefit to customers or consumers , because my opinion is that having many choices is a good aspect

5. In this type of essay, you could write about other areas where having many choices are relevant such as the choices of universities we can attend, the choices of work we might engage in, The choice of health care options available….and so on.

Here is a good news article from ‘ Business Insider’ that connects with this task question. Reading is a very good way to get ideas for IELTS essays.

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How to Write an IELTS Opinion Essay: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Write an IELTS Opinion Essay: A Comprehensive Guide

Ready to master the art of writing an IELTS opinion essay? We've got the perfect roadmap to guide you through each step. From understanding what exactly an IELTS opinion essay is to crafting one that will wow the examiner, we’ve got you covered.

In this easy-to-follow guide, we'll break down all the crucial elements you need to understand. Wondering how to structure your essay? We've got an "IELTS Opinion Essay Template" designed by experts to set you on the right path.

But that's not all. We'll also dissect each section of your essay, from writing an attention-grabbing intro to creating compelling body paragraphs, and wrapping it up with a knockout conclusion. To make it even easier, we offer a convenient "IELTS Opinion Essay Outline" to keep your thoughts organized and your essay on point.

If you're hunting for even more insights, our comprehensive eBook is chock-full of tips and strategies tailor-made for you. And if you want professional eyes on your work, check out our IELTS Essay Correction Service . You'll get detailed feedback from an examiner, complete with a band 9 sample response to inspire you further.

So, whether you're a newbie still getting the hang of things or an advanced student aiming for perfection, this guide is your go-to resource. Get ready to craft an IELTS opinion essay that will leave a lasting impression. Let’s dive in!

How to Achieve a High Band Score in IELTS Academic Task 1 Report - eBook by IELTS Luminary

Understanding an IELTS Opinion Essay

Navigating the world of IELTS opinion essays can seem quite daunting at first. However, by acquiring a comprehensive understanding of what this type of essay entails, its importance, and the intricacies of writing it effectively, you can equip yourself to excel. Let's delve deeper into these essentials to gain a better understanding of the task.

​ An IELTS opinion essay, sometimes referred to as an argumentative essay, plays a vital role in the IELTS writing test. The key task here is to articulate your stance on a specific topic, which you then need to substantiate with solid arguments, evidence, or pertinent examples. Essentially, it's a platform for you to exhibit your ability to persuasively express and support your opinion.

How to Write a High Band Scoring Task 2 Essay - eBook by IELTS Luminary (IELTS Essay eBook)

Why You Need to Know How to Write an Opinion Essay

Why is an IELTS opinion essay so crucial? The answer lies in its objective. The IELTS test aims to assess your English language proficiency, and the opinion essay is a vital component of this assessment. By evaluating your ability to write a convincing and well-articulated essay, examiners can gauge your language skills, coherence, cohesion, and overall command of the language. Therefore, mastering the IELTS opinion essay becomes essential to achieve a high band score.

Key Elements of a High Band Opinion Essay

Ready to dive into the nitty-gritty of a top-notch IELTS opinion essay? Let's break down the key ingredients that make your essay stand out from the rest.

First up, Cohesion: Imagine your essay like a smooth ride where one point effortlessly leads to the next. You'll want to use linking words and phrases like 'however,' 'furthermore,' and 'on the other hand,' to connect your thoughts. Need examples? Our eBook has a whole section dedicated to mastering cohesion!

Next, Structure: Your essay needs a solid framework to hold it up. That means an engaging introduction, well-thought-out body paragraphs, and a snappy conclusion. Don’t know where to start? Our "IELTS Opinion Essay Structure" discussed in detail in the  eBook lays it all out for you.

On to Compelling Argumentation: Make sure you're not just stating your opinion, but backing it up with rock-solid reasoning and examples. This is where your essay shines. If you're struggling to find convincing arguments, our Essay Correction Service provides personalized guidance and tips from an actual examiner!

Clear Opinion: Your viewpoint should be obvious from the get-go and consistent throughout your essay. Don't beat around the bush—make your stance clear.

Last but not least, Language Proficiency: Your choice of vocabulary , grammar, and sentence structure can either make or break your essay. If you're looking to elevate your language game, our Essay Correction Service goes beyond just marking errors. You'll receive comprehensive feedback, including a band 9 sample essay to show you how it's done.

IELTS Vocabulary List with Meanings and Examples

Writing an IELTS Opinion Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing an IELTS opinion essay involves more than just pouring your thoughts onto paper. It requires strategic planning and execution to ensure that the reader fully comprehends your viewpoint and the evidence backing it. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how to approach this task:

Understanding the Question

This is the critical first step that forms the foundation of your essay. A comprehensive understanding of the question is pivotal to crafting a coherent response. Here's how to do it:

Identify the Topic: Every essay has a central topic around which the argument revolves. Identify this and ensure your opinion relates directly to it.

Understand the Question Type: Is it asking for your opinion, a discussion, or a problem and solution? In the case of an opinion essay, the question will require you to provide your views on the topic.

Know What is Expected: Analyze the prompt to know precisely what is expected of your essay. Should it be entirely from your perspective, or do you need to consider others' viewpoints as well?

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Planning Your Response

Once you have understood the question, plan your essay strategically. A well-structured essay is easier to follow, makes your arguments clearer, and can significantly boost your score.

Outline Your Main Ideas: Identify the main points that will back up your opinion. These should form the core of your body paragraphs.

Identify Supporting Points and Examples: For each main point, find supporting ideas or examples. These should convincingly substantiate your claims and make your argument robust.

Organise Your Ideas: Arrange your ideas logically. Each paragraph should flow seamlessly into the next, creating a coherent and cohesive narrative.

Writing the Introduction

Your introduction sets the tone for your essay and should clearly state your opinion on the topic. Here's how to craft an engaging introduction:

Paraphrase the Question: Start by restating the question in your own words. This shows understanding and sets the context for your essay.

State Your Opinion: Explicitly present your opinion on the topic. Make it clear and concise so that the reader knows your stance from the outset.

Developing the Body Paragraphs

The body of your essay is where you make your arguments. Each paragraph should be dedicated to one main idea and supported with substantial evidence.

State the Main Idea: Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea.

Provide Support: This can be in the form of facts, statistics, logical reasoning, or examples. It should convincingly back your main point.

Link to Your Opinion: Show how this point supports your overall opinion. This will tie your argument together and maintain a consistent perspective throughout the essay.

Crafting a Conclusion

Your conclusion provides closure and summarises the main points of your essay. Here's how to write an effective conclusion:

Restate Your Opinion: Reiterate your opinion to reinforce it in the reader's mind.

Summarise Main Points: Briefly revisit your main points to remind the reader of your arguments.

Do Not Introduce New Ideas: Your conclusion should only encapsulate the points made in your essay. Introducing new ideas can confuse the reader and dilute your argument.

Mastering each step of this process can ensure a well-crafted IELTS opinion essay that conveys your thoughts effectively and scores high.

IELTS Opinion Essay  Tips for a High Band

Acquiring an excellent IELTS score demands more than just understanding the basics. To truly excel and obtain a high score, you need to pay heed to these expert tips and tricks:

Maintain Formal Language

Formal and academic language is the bedrock of IELTS writing. This demonstrates your proficiency in English and your ability to use a wide range of vocabulary:

Avoid Slang: Slang and colloquial language should be avoided in your essay. They make your essay sound informal and can impact your score negatively.

Use Academic Vocabulary: Try to incorporate advanced and topic-specific vocabulary. This can show your language proficiency and earn you higher marks.

Follow Grammar Rules: Be sure to use proper grammar, including correct tense usage, subject-verb agreement, and accurate punctuation.

Consistency is Key

Your viewpoint in an IELTS opinion essay should be consistent throughout. This aids in creating a coherent and logical argument:

Maintain Your Stance: Your opinion should not fluctuate or contradict itself in the essay. A steady viewpoint makes your essay easier to follow and understand.

Link Ideas: Ensure that all your arguments and evidence clearly support your opinion. They should form a cohesive narrative that consistently upholds your stance.

Time Management

The IELTS writing section is time-bound, and effective time management can make the difference between a good and a great score:

Allocate Time Wisely: Break down your allotted time for Task 2 (usually 40 minutes) into segments for understanding the question, planning, writing, and revising.

Don't Overwrite: Stay within the recommended word limit (at least 250 words for Task 2). We usually recommends for going around 300 words. Remember, writing too many words, such as 350 or more, can eat into your time without necessarily earning you extra points.

Save Time for Proofreading: Always leave a few minutes towards the end to review your work. Look out for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or any ideas that could be expressed more clearly.

Keeping these tips and tricks in mind while writing your IELTS opinion essay can help you attain a high band score. Remember, practice implementing these strategies to become more comfortable and efficient when it's time for the actual test.

An IELTS Opinion Essay Band 9 Sample

To better illustrate all the strategies, tips, and structures discussed so far, let's look at a high-scoring IELTS opinion essay example. For more hundreds of band 9 sample essays, visit  here .

Some people think that developing countries need financial help from international organizations. Others, however, argue that countries should be left to resolve their economic issues independently.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

The global conundrum surrounding economic assistance extended to developing nations continues to ignite impassioned discussions among world policymakers. Diverse opinions float in this debate; one segment champions the cause of international aid, while another faction upholds the principle of self-reliance. As for my viewpoint, I posit that a judicious amalgamation of external support and indigenous initiatives presents the most advantageous solution for these nations' economic upliftment.

On one flank of the debate, endorsers of international assistance underscore the acute resource deficit confronting developing nations. They contend that socio-economic challenges such as widespread poverty, underdeveloped infrastructure, and limited educational access necessitate extensive capital investment, which often transcends these nations' fiscal capabilities. In this context, international organizations, with their resource abundance, can facilitate requisite financing for development-centric projects. Importantly, their assistance transcends monetary contributions, extending to invaluable expertise and technological exchange, significantly hastening these nations' developmental pace.

Conversely, detractors of international aid highlight its potential to engender dependency, thereby obstructing self-reliance. They assert that nations must navigate their economic difficulties independently, fostering a culture of sustainable growth. This perspective emphasizes that external aid can, at times, obscure pressing issues requiring immediate attention for long-term progress, such as corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, and inadequate policy frameworks. Consequently, cultivating self-reliance can nudge nations towards systemic reformation, stimulating endogenous development.

To encapsulate, while international aid can offer a swift respite and a resources boost for developmental pursuits, endorsing self-reliance is instrumental in tackling the fundamental impediments to economic advancement. Thus, my conviction remains that a balanced methodology, marrying external assistance with internally driven reforms, emerges as the most sustainable antidote to the economic hurdles plaguing developing countries.

This example illustrates the structure of an IELTS opinion essay and demonstrates how to maintain a consistent perspective, provide supporting arguments, and use formal, academic language throughout.

Summary of the IELTS Opinion Essay Template

We've reached the end of our deep dive into the world of IELTS opinion essays, and we hope you're feeling a whole lot more prepared! From introducing you to our go-to "IELTS Opinion Essay Template" to breaking down each section, we've aimed to make this a one-stop shop for all your essay needs.

In a nutshell, a killer introduction sets the stage, where you rephrase the question and let your opinion shine. Your body paragraphs are the meat of your essay, where you back up your viewpoint with solid arguments and examples. And don't forget that grand finale, the conclusion, where you tie it all together.

If you’re looking for even more insider tips, you can't go wrong with our eBook . It’s like having an IELTS mentor right in your pocket! Plus, if you want real-time feedback on your writing, consider our Essay Correction Service . We offer personalized advice, a band 9 sample response, and tips to level up your essay game.

Remember, the secret ingredient to acing this is practice. The more you use our template and outline across various topics, the better you'll get at crafting essays that not only sound great but also score big.

So there you have it! With this guide and a bit of practice, you're well on your way to becoming an IELTS opinion essay pro. Happy writing, and best of luck on your IELTS journey!

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IELTS Essay – Balanced Approach

How to write a balanced IELTS essay:

  • Start by assessing the positives and then the negatives.
  • Summarise both in your conclusion.
  • Keep your writing clear, concise and simple.
  • Read this sample essay for an example.

However, it is normally better to ‘choose a side’, as this leads to a clear opinion.

Lots of you have been asking me to write an essay with a balanced approach, or in other words when you agree with both sides. I normally advise my students to pick one side or the other, as this leads to a very clear opinion, but here is a sample that takes a more balanced view.

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 views and give your own opinion.

It is often argued that children should be motivated to be more competitive, while others feel that cooperation is a more important value to instill in youngsters. This essay will discuss both these views, before coming to the conclusion that they are equally valid.

It is important that young people are pushed to be the best they can possibly be, in whatever pursuit they take part in. This drive to win boosts their work ethic and teaches them that hard work and discipline are the keys to success. For example, it was shown in a recent study by Queen’s University that students who won something in sports before they reached the age of 14, were 42% more likely to go on to third-level education than those who did not. Despite this, the development of a child requires not only a will to win, but also lessons on the value of teamwork.

Working as part of a team strengthens our empathy, selflessness and make us more responsible toward others. If one were to want to win at the expense of those around us, it is likely that we would alienate our peers and become detached from any team we operate in. For example, Michael Jordan was often criticised by his coaches for being too competitive in practice and overly critical of his team mates and he had to change for the sake of his team.

In conclusion, our young ones should be taught to try their best to achieve their goals, but this should also be balanced with the importance of working with others. Both are equally important and will result in a more balanced young adult.

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Opinion Essays [IELTS Writing Task 2]

Posted by David S. Wills | Nov 14, 2022 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 1

Opinion Essays [IELTS Writing Task 2]

In the past, I have explained how to answer each type of IELTS writing task 2 question and today we are going to look at a set of question types called “opinion essays.”

What do I mean by this? Well, generally we divide IELTS essays into 5 categories:

  • Agree or Disagree
  • Advantages and Disadvantages
  • Problem (or Cause) and Solution
  • Discuss both views
  • Two-part Question

Sometimes, people call the first one “opinion essays” but I don’t like that term because actually other question types also call for your opinion. Therefore, I think of “opinion essay” as a term that covers several question types.

Let’s look at this topic in more detail.

types of opinion essays for ielts task 2

What is an Opinion Essay?

To put it as simply as possible, an opinion essay is an essay that gives an opinion. In the context of IELTS, that means giving your opinion about a stated topic.

I mentioned above that there are several question types that could require you to give an opinion. These are most common:

  • Agree or disagree
  • Advantages and disadvantages
  • Two-part questions

This is why it’s important to read a question carefully rather than just scan for keywords and then begin writing.

Of these, the agree/disagree and discuss both views question types are always going to require an opinion, but for the others you need to read more carefully. A two-part question, for example, might ask your opinion as the second question, but it won’t always do this.

Note that most advantage and disadvantage questions do not require your opinion but some do. If they ask you whether or not the advantages of something outweigh the disadvantages, then clearly you are required to give an opinion.

How to Write an Opinion Essay

As with all IELTS writing task 2 essays, you need to do several things:

  • Read the question carefully in order to analyse it
  • Think of a reasonable answer
  • Create a coherent structure
  • Put your ideas forth clearly and consistently
  • Use appropriate language

That’s about as simply as I can put it for you, but let’s explore further.

First of all, any time you are given an IELTS task, you need to read it carefully and analyse it so that you truly understand the question. Some are quite straightforward but others are very difficult. ( Here’s a video about what I think is the most difficult question.)

One of the problems with opinion essays is that you won’t necessarily be asked to “give your opinion.” You will have to use common sense in order to determine whether your opinion is required. Some words that could indicate an opinion are:

Do you agree or disagree?

  • To what extent do you agree?
  • Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
  • What do you think…?

Remember: If you are asked for an opinion, then give one. If you aren’t, then don’t. Failure to interpret the question properly would lead to a poor score.

You then need to think of a response and write about it using intelligent ideas. As you are giving an opinion, you need to justify your viewpoint. One big mistake here is failing to be consistent. For example, some people do not put their opinion into their introductions. This would mean that your score for Task Response would be quite low. Really, you ought to include your opinion in the outline sentence , then explain it in the body paragraphs, and finally reiterate it in the conclusion .

Although it’s possible to produce a good structure in different ways, an excellent IELTS essay will probably look like this:

ielts essay structure

For more general information about writing a great IELTS task 2 essay, see this article .

How to Start an Opinion Essay

A good essay should begin with a good introduction. There are various ways to achieve this, but in IELTS writing task 2 that means introducing the topic and stating your opinion clearly. I’ve written at length about how to write a good introduction here .

Think of your introduction as having two key components:

  • Introduce the topic
  • Give your opinion

You can do that in two or three sentences. It isn’t hugely important. However, you must achieve both of those things.

When you introduce the topic, you basically aim to convey the main idea to your reader. A lot of people just paraphrase the question but this isn’t always a good idea. In fact, paraphrasing more often than not leads to big problems in language and logic.

Still, you want to convey the idea in the question and that does mean taking an idea and putting it into your own words. For example:

All cars that burn fossil fuels should be banned and electric cars should replace them. Do you agree or disagree?

In my introduction to this opinion essay, I would write:

During the twentieth century, people around the world began using vehicles powered by fossil fuels, and in this new millennium that trend has continued, with a vast uptick in the number of privately owned cars. However, it has become apparent that this phenomenon is causing major environmental damage and needs to be stopped. This essay will argue that humans ought to switch to electric cars.

This is a little complex, but what you can see is that I have used two sentences to introduce and explain the main idea and then one sentence to put forth my opinion.

balanced opinion essay examples

Beware: Your introduction should not be too long. This is an example of a band 9 essay. It uses complex language and structures to convey intelligent ideas. If your introduction is longer than your body paragraphs, it is not a good sign.

Opinion Essay Structure

When writing an opinion essay, you should keep the structure simple and use it to convey your ideas as logically as possible. There are different ways to do this effectively, but I generally recommend a four-paragraph essay structure. (You can read about 4 vs 5 paragraphs here .)

It is hard to generalise because your structure will ultimately be dictated by your opinion and that is something personal. However, you should use your essay to state your opinion in the most effective way. For example, if you strongly agree with something, you might create the following structure:

IntroductionExplain the main idea
State opinion (strongly agree)
Body paragraph 1First reason why you agree
Body paragraph 2Second reason why you agree
ConclusionSummarise why you agree

This is a basic structure but can be used very easily. Of course, if you totally disagree, you can replace “agree” with “disagree” and use the same structure.

It is also possible (but not required) to write a balanced essay that neither wholly agrees nor disagrees with an idea. In such cases, you would need to modify your structure a little. For example:

IntroductionExplain the main idea
State opinion (neither agree nor disagree)
Body paragraph 1A reason why you agree
Body paragraph 2A reason why you disagree
ConclusionSummarise your position

As long as you make this clear, there should be no problem and you would stand to get a good score for Coherence and Cohesion . One big mistake that occurs here is that people start by saying they have a balanced opinion, then they mostly explain one side of the issue, leaving the reader a bit confused. If you want to give balance, then make sure your body paragraphs are fairly even.

Using the above question (about electric cars), I would create the following essay structure:

IntroductionExplain situation re: fossil fuels and cars
Say I agree that electric cars are needed
Body paragraph 1Explain the damage done by fossil fuels
First example is smog
Second example is extraction from the ground
Body paragraph 2Show that electricity is comparatively harmless if generated in a sensible way
ConclusionSummarise my points thus far

You can read my answer in the next sentence:

Opinion Essay Example

Sample question.

All cars that burn fossil fuels should be banned and electric cars should replace them.

Sample Answer

The damage done by traditional style cars is obvious. One only needs to look at a big city like Beijing or Los Angeles to see the vast smog clouds lingering over highways to recognize that these vehicles are emitting unpleasant chemicals from their exhausts. Scientific studies over the past few decades have confirmed that these chemicals cause significant damage to our health and our environment, as they turn into acid rain or are inhaled into our lungs, where they cause certain types of cancer. This is in addition to the fact that fossil fuels are a finite resource, and that their extraction from the earth is often incredibly destructive.

On the other hand, electricity can be generated in any number of ways, many of which are relatively harmless. It is possible to generate electricity from the wind or sun, thereby gathering energy without damaging the earth or causing harm to human beings. As an infinite source of energy that can be gathered and used without harm, it is obvious that electricity is the power that should drive cars in the future.

In conclusion, traditionally powered vehicles are destroying our world and need to be phased out in favour of electric vehicles. Electricity can be generated harmlessly and endlessly and is therefore superior to fossil fuel.

When it comes to writing opinion essays, you need to make sure you understand the question, then formulate an appropriate response. You should devise an intelligent structure that allows you to convey your ideas clearly and consistently throughout the whole essay. Make sure that your ideas are realistic and try to avoid being overly complex as this could create further problems.

It is worth reading articles about common IELTS topics in order to prepare for this sort of essay. These can teach you both vocabulary and ideas. They can also help with coherence. For example, you could Google “electric cars” and find an article there. The recent one was published in the New York Times.

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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IELTS Opinion Writing Samples Band 9

Nowadays environmental problems are too big to be managed by individual persons or individual countries. in other words, it is an international problem. to what extent do you agree or disagree, some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. to what extent do you agree or disagree, both government investment in public transport systems and reductions in public transport ticket prices would help to reduce transport pollution greatly. do you agree or disagree with this statement, as well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. to what extent do you agree or disagree, aircraft have been increasingly used to transport fruit and vegetables to some countries where such plants hardly grow or are out of season. some people consider it a good idea, but some people oppose itdiscuss both views and give your opinion., first impressions are important. some people think that doing well in interviews is the key to securing a good job. to what extent do you agree, in many countries around the world, rural people are moving to cities, so the population in the countryside is decreasing. do you think this is a positive or a negative development give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience., the current trend in education is to move away from traditional exams and instead have continuous assessment over the school year what did you think of this trend , some people believe that technology has made man more social. to what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion, some people believe that modern technology is increasing the gap between rich and poor, while others disagree and say that it is helping reduce the gap. discuss both views and give your own opinion., the crime rate nowadays is decreasing compared to the past due to advanced technology which can prevent and solve the crime. do you agree or disagree, some people say that parents have the most important role in a child development. however, others argue that other things like television or friends have the most significant influence. discuss both views and give your opinion., it is widely believed that children of different levels of intelligence should be taught together, while others think that more intelligent children should be taught separately. discuss and present your opinion., the best way to solve the world’s environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel. do you agree or disagree with this view, it is common aspiration among many young people to run their own business, rather than work for an employer. do you think the advantages of working for yourself outweigh the drawbacks, a person should never make an important decision alone. do you agree or disagree with this following statement, some children spend hours every day on their smartphones. why is this the case do you think this is a positive or a negative development, some people think that planting trees in open space cities and towns is more important than building houses. to what extent do you agree or disagree, many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar. do you agree or disagree, in their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasize that their products are new in some ways. why is this do you think it is a positive or negative development.

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balanced opinion essay examples

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  3. 💋 Opinion essay. Opinion Essay: Writing Guide, Topics, Tips, & Examples

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  4. How to Write an Opinion Essay: Examples, Structure, & Tips

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  1. [n] Review meaning (opinion, summary) with 5 examples

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COMMENTS

  1. Giving a balanced opinion in IELTS opinion essays

    In an opinion essay you should give 2 reasons for your opinion in the thesis statement then back them up with with an explanation in the main body paragraphs. I usually advise my students to choose one side, either agree or disagree, and stick with that. You do not actually get a higher band score for a balanced approach, so it is safer to ...

  2. IELTS Opinion Essays: Structure, Topics and Sample Answers

    Download Study Plan. IELTS opinion essays mainly focus on agreeing or disagreeing with a particular fact or information. It presents two opposite views and you have to develop your argument supporting one view (strictly one!) You get 40 minutes to complete this task. You have to write at least 250 words on the topic given.

  3. IELTS Writing Balanced Opinion Essay

    Step 2: Write the Introduction. With a balanced opinion essay, we can still use our three statements for the introduction: outline statement. Remember that in our global statement we say why this is an important issue. For example: Every 4 years, the Olympic games cost their host nation billions of dollars to organise.

  4. IELTS Opinion Essays

    IELTS opinion essays, also known as 'agree or disagree' essays, come up frequently in the writing exam. In this lesson, I'm going to show you how to plan and write them step-by-step. Here's what we'll be covering: 3 Common mistakes. Essay structure. How to plan. How to write an introduction. How to write main body paragraphs.

  5. IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced opinion

    IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced opinion. In this lesson I suggested writing a balanced opinion (partly agree) essay for the question below. In the last century, the first man to walk on the moon said it was "a giant leap for mankind". However, some people think it has made little difference to our daily lives.

  6. IELTS opinion essay, model answer, structure, and analysis

    This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too many choices these days. This means that there is something negative about having many choices, as the word 'too' implies something negative. In my model answer, I disagree with this being a negative and in fact, many choices are beneficial.

  7. How to Write an IELTS Opinion Essay: A Comprehensive Guide

    Discover the secret to a Band 9 score in the IELTS Opinion Essay with our in-depth guide. Uncover the ideal IELTS Opinion Essay Structure to express your viewpoints effectively. Leverage our meticulously crafted IELTS Opinion Essay Outline and Template to build a winning essay from scratch. This comprehensive guide will give you the confidence and skills to ace the IELTS Opinion Essay, making ...

  8. IELTS Essay

    How to write a balanced IELTS essay: Start by assessing the positives and then the negatives. Summarise both in your conclusion. Keep your writing clear, concise and simple. Read this sample essay for an example. However, it is normally better to 'choose a side', as this leads to a clear opinion. Lots of you have […]

  9. Opinion Essays [IELTS Writing Task 2]

    This is an example of a band 9 essay. It uses complex language and structures to convey intelligent ideas. If your introduction is longer than your body paragraphs, it is not a good sign. Opinion Essay Structure. When writing an opinion essay, you should keep the structure simple and use it to convey your ideas as logically as possible.

  10. IELTS Opinion Writing Samples Band 9

    It is admitted that technology has made man more social. I firmly agree with this statement. 9. band. Some people believe that modern technology is increasing the gap between rich and poor, while others disagree and say that it is helping reduce the gap. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

  11. IELTS Opinion Essay Sample Questions

    Below are some IELTS opinion essay sample questions which can come in writing task 2. Another name for these essays is argumentative essays. Opinion Essays Tips. spend at least 5 minutes analysing the words and ideas in the statement. make sure your answer is a complete answer which addresses all parts of the task. give a clear opinion.

  12. IELTS Opinion Essay: Choosing one side or partially agreeing?

    In an IELTS opinion essay, you can either agree, disagree or take a balanced approach which means to partially agree. However, you need to learn more so that you fulfil the requirements of the higher band scores. See the answers to the 4 questions below. Also see useful links for writing task 2 below. All tips are for GT and Academic students. 1.

  13. IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Band 9

    The IELTS writing task 2 sample answer below has examiner comments and is band score 9. The topic of social media is common and this IELTS essay question was reported in the IELTS test. ... This is an opinion essay where you give your opinion and stick with it all through the essay. A balanced view is not sitting in the middle, it means not ...

  14. IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced opinion

    Hi Marguerite, If you look a t lots of questions, you will see that there are really only 3 types: 1. Problem and solution. 2. Discussion (both sides of an argument) 3. Argument/opinion (YOUR view about something) If you look through my lessons and essays, you will see examples and advice for all 3 types.

  15. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'agree or disagree' essay samples

    Here are links to four of my essays, each of which demonstrates one of the four "systems" that I recommended in last week's lesson. 1. Click here to see a strong answer with two supporting ideas. 2. Click here to see a strong answer in which I refute the opposite view. 3. Click here to see a balanced answer. 4. Click here to see an "almost balanced" answer, favouring one side. Remember: All ...

  16. Model essays

    What is the difference between a 'balanced opinion' essay and a 'discussion' essay? If you're not sure, this lesson should help. IELTS Writing Task 2: A 'strongly disagree' essay ... Here's another band 9 sample answer with my essay plan and a list of band 7-9 vocabulary. Writing task 2: 'owning or renting' essay. Mar 28 ...

  17. IELTS Writing Task 2 : Topic Technology (Opinion Essay)

    By IELTS Practice Online. Some people say that modern technology has made shopping today easier while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Sample Answer: Technological advancements are considered by some to have positively impacted shopping by making it easier, while there are others who disagree with this.

  18. PDF Opinion Essay: One Sided Approach

    In my opinion, offering everyone free university education would be problematic and, therefore, should only be offered to certain individuals. Having free university education for everyone would put a tremendous financial strain on a country. Universities would have no income from fees and, consequently, they would rely completely on the state ...

  19. IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced answer

    IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced answer. If you want to write a balanced answer for an "agree or disagree" question, it's important to get the introduction right. Let's use last week's question as an example: Nowadays celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their achievements, and this sets a bad example to young people.

  20. IELTS Writing Task 2: A 'balanced opinion' essay

    Reading. Listening. Speaking. Writing Task 1 (Ac) Writing Task 1 (Gen) Writing Task 2. Grammar. Vocabulary. Teacher Training.

  21. IELTS Writing Task 2: full essay

    Thanks you so much for your prompt response as I am now working on learning different essay formats. I understood the difference but it would be great if you could post a link or an example of ' balanced opinion' essay. After reading example of balanced opinion essay, I will get crystal clear understanding of my question today. Thanks a lot.