ielts liz essay

IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

• Test Information FAQ
• Band Scores
• IELTS Candidate Success Tips
• Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
• How to Prepare
• Useful Links & Resources
• Recommended Books
• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2
• Speaking Part 1 Topics
• Speaking Part 2 Topics
• Speaking Part 3 Topics
• 100 Essay Questions
• On The Day Tips
• Top Results
• Advanced IELTS

How to write an IELTS Essay

Learn how to write a high band score IELTS essay step by step. You will find 15 key steps for a high score IELTS essay. These steps are for both GT and Academic Writing Task 2. After the steps listed below, you will find useful links that will help you learn more and develop the right skills necessary to be successful in IELTS.

Step by Step: How to tackle your IELTS essay

None of these steps below can be missed if you are aiming for a good score in your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay. Be strategic and focused in how you approach your IELTS essay. Failure to tackle the points below will result in a lower score. They are particularly important for candidates aiming for band 7 and above. For those candidates, you must fulfill the requirements of the higher band scores by following and mastering the steps below.

Step 1:  Make sure you identify the type of essay you have been given. This essay is what I call a “Direct Questions” essay. There are two specific questions that you must answer. The first question is about cause. You must state the cause of this trend. The second question requires you to evaluate. This means you must present your opinion as to whether you think this is a good thing or a bad thing. Click here to learn about the Types of IELTS Essays .

Step 2: Before you plan your essay, think about the structure . You have two questions and they are of equal weight. This means you will have two body paragraphs. Both body paragraphs will have equal length. Click here to learn about how many paragraphs in your essay .

Step 3 : Identify the issues in the essay question. The essay question above is very simple. It is about computer games. However, some IELTS essay questions are more complex so you must take time to identify the issue or issues. 

Step 4: Brainstorm main ideas . When you brainstorm main ideas. it does not mean you will use all your ideas in your essay. First, brainstorm ideas and after that select the best ideas. To prepare ideas, see this list of common essay topics .

Step 5: Develop supporting points . This is the step that most people miss. Most people plan their main ideas and then start writing. Your main ideas are certainly important, but the supporting points are equally as important. And this is the area where most people easily go off topic. So, using your planning time to prepare your supporting points. Don’t start writing until you are clear about the whole content of your body paragraphs.

Step 6 : Think about linking for body paragraphs and supporting points . Linking is another area that is often forgotten during the test. Linking and paragraphing is crucial. They are also both very very easy for you to score high points in. So, never overlook these two points. Plan your paragraphs and make sure you are using a good range of appropriate linking words. Here is a list of keywords .

Step 7 : Don’t waste time on your introduction . It is a functional paragraph which usually contains just two sentences. The bulk of the marks are in the body paragraphs.

Step 8: Read the essay question again before you start each body paragraph. This will help you make sure you are using the right language to present your ideas. People think having good ideas is enough. It is NOT enough. You must think about how you will present them. So, read the essay question again and get your bearings.

Step 9: Use a range of grammar features . This is not just about tense. There are a whole range of features that you can use to show your grammatical prowess. 

• noun phrases
• gerund noun phrases
• noun clauses
• language of probability
• relative clauses
• conditional statements
• Referencing
• quantifiers and intensifiers
• comparatives & superlatives
• passive voice

To learn more about grammar in Writing Task 2 and to avoid errors, consider my Grammar E-book whcih will help you boost your grammar score and improve your English. Click here to see a Preview of my Grammar E-book . My Grammar E-book is available in my online store: Liz’s Online Store

Step 10: Avoid errors in grammar : articles, pronouns, uncountable nouns, word order, tenses, complex sentences. The more errors you have, the lower your score. Knowing the strength of your grammar will help you avoid errors. Aim for accuracy – do not aim to impress. 

Step 11: Vocabulary only counts for 25% of your marks. Too many candidates focus too heavily on this area. Use vocabulary appropriate for the topic. Don’t over use idiomatic language. Idioms are mostly informal, not formal, so go with phrasal verbs instead which are also idiomatic. Don’t use less common vocabulary if you might use it incorrectly. Errors will lower your score. Aim for accuracy. Spelling counts. There are some useful vocabulary lists on this page: IELTS Vocabulary .

Step 12: Paraphrasing is a language skill that you need to demonstrate. This doesn’t mean changing all words all the time. It means being selective about which words you change and which words you will leave and repeat. It is fine to repeat some words. Over paraphrasing is one reason why many people get a low score in vocabulary.

Step 13 : Don’t aim for a long essay or a short essay . If it is too short, it means you haven’t developed your main ideas enough. If it is too long, it gives you room for more errors which will lower your score. Aim for between 270-290 words on the whole. Click here for a video lesson about essay length.

Step 14: Edit your essay. Leave 2 mins to edit your essay. Pay attention to not repeating linking words, checking spelling and spotting vocabulary errors. You might have other areas specific to your language skills that you want to check. Know your weaknesses.

Step 15 : Look at the clock. Timing is everything . You must be very strict with timing so that you have enough time to finish your essay. You can start with task 2 if you want, but if you do, make sure you leave 20 mins for task 1. Use no less than 5 mins preparing your essay. Use no less than 2 mins to check your essay at the end. This leaves around 33 mins for you to write your whole essay. Practise this at home under exam conditions until you are able to do this.

Step 16 : If you find my free lessons are not enough for you or if you want more in-depth training for essay writing, please get my Advanced Writing Task 2 lessons which are available in my online store. Click here: Liz’s Online Store

Other Useful Links

• IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Scores Explained
• IELTS Essay Questions for home practice
• When to give your opinion in an IELTS essay

Hope you find this page useful. From Liz 🙂 

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Hi Liz, I hope you are doing well!

I would like to thank you for the work you are doing. It is really appreciated! As it is strongly believed in my culture, being a teacher is a divine gift. And those who do it well like you with an open heart get a special blessing.

It would be useful to share my results to show how your videos and thorough explanations are effective

2019 Result: Overall 7.5, L&R 8.0, W 6.5, S 7.0

Dec 2021 Result: Overall 8.0, L&R 8.5, W 7.5 (the most important improvement), S 7.0

Special thanks for explaining the structure of the test, this is what I was looking for. In order to prepare it was enough just to go through EACH page of this amazing website.

Thank you and Regards, Dana from Kazakhstan

Wonderful to see your results and see how you’ve managed to increase your scores. Very well done 🙂 Thanks for sharing your results. It does other candidates a lot of good to be so inspired. Glad you’ve enjoyed my website 🙂

Liz, thanks!!! such a great person you are

stay healthy Liz!!! see you next year I will be in UK

Best wishes for 2022

Hi, Liz. Just want to say thank you so much for your unconditional sharing on the IELTS’ tips and strategies. I’m immensely grateful to be able to come across your teachings. I was really worried about the tests as I needed to prepare for the tests within 3 weeks but I managed to achieve the required band scores for all 4 components thanks to your materials. This website of yours and your Youtube videos are really really helpful and easy to understand. You have a beautiful smile and calming voice. You are one of the most gentle and lovely teachers I have ever met in my life. I can always feel your sincerity and love whenever I listen to you.

I came to know that you are currently under the weather, so pls pls pls take good care of yourself and stay positive always. Keep fighting! You can do it as I know you are a great Warrior! May the Universe bless you abundantly with great health and happiness ! Get well real soon!

For test takers, have believe and faith in yourselves. Lots of preparation and Confidence are the keys. All the best!

Thank you for your lovely message. Thank you for sharing goodness, positivity and hope. This world needs more people like you 🙂 Well done with your results 🙂

Hi Liz. I’m so happy to see your reply. This world needs more people like you too. Really appreciate your selfless sharing on IETLS. Thank you again and take care. Love always. ❤

Hi Liz. I sorry that you are unwell.l pray you get well soon. You are a great and talented teacher.

Dear Liz! At the moment I am experiencing my first students’ EILTS preparation and find the materials of your website more than useful. Thank you. It a pity to hear that you are sick. Please, get better as soon as possible. Wish you the best. Take as much care as you can. With deep respect. Irina. Kazakhstan

Thanks. Glad my materials are helping 🙂

Dear Liz, I wish you were strong and be healthy. Get well soon.

Best wishes, Sarunporn​

Liz I pray you get well soon

As a beginner of the ilets, I could find my level using your valuable lessons. Actually I haven’t any idea about ilets. But now I thirst for ilets because of you Liz. Thank you and god bless.

That’s wonderful. I love it when people start feeling enthusiastic for learning 🙂

Hi Liz, I pray the Almighty God will restore your health and strengthen you. It is a phase that will soon pass away. You are auch an amazing person and a great teacher. Love you

Hello mam, in writing task 2 general line is mandatory or not? Or we should start directly?

The first sentence of your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay should be paraphrasing the essay question which is the background statement of your introduction. Get straight into the essay. You are being marked on how focused your essay is.

I have literally learnt a lot from your lessons Liz and I can say even more than I could ever find by just random search on the internet and I’ve been improving. Thank you❤

You’re welcome 🙂

Hi, Liz. you are doing a great job. you are my inspiration. Please I would like to know if you also have tips on General IELTS test?

You can use all the same tips as the Academic test except for Writing Task 1. The listening and speaking test is 100% the same. The Reading questions are 100% the same but the passages are slightly easier. Writing Task 2 is the same, but with slightly easier questions. You can use all the tips on this website. For the GT writing Task 1, you can find tips for that at the bottom of the Writing Task 1 section of this website.

Hello Liz, wishing you divine Healing from God.Your recovery will be a Testimony to his Mighty Name.

Get well soon. Best wishes for your health🤲

Hi Liz! It’s so upsetting to know that you are in a difficulty! Despite your struggles, you are trying to be helpful to others, how amazing person you are! Couldn’t help myself respecting and admiring you! I hope this shall pass soon and wish you speedy recovery!

LOVE FROM UZBEKISTAN YOUR WEBSITE IS VERY HELPFUL AND USEFUL 😘

I love your way of teaching this. It’s been years I’m following you. In 2017 I did my academic IELTS with 8 bands because of you and now in 2021 I got 8 in General Training one. I’ve a request.

Please update about your health and about you. After a very long time I saw your article.

Please make a small YouTube thing. As your student I feel very worried about your health.

I’m so glad to hear how well you’ve done in IELTS. Good for you!! I’m glad my website is useful. Thanks for asking about my health. I’m still struggling. Each time I start getting better, I have had to move house and this causes me to get sick again. Without family supporting me, I am continuously struggling. Getting ahead it so hard without someone looking after me and helping me with practical tasks. I’m often physically weak and just getting meals is a strain on my system which often prevents my recovery. Anyway, I hope I won’t have to move house for a while and that might help. Hopefully I’ll start getting better again. I’ll see how I am by summer next year. However, a full recovery is still a long way away and not even guaranteed. It’s a very long hard road full of disappointments, strain and enormous isolation. I’m lucky that my determination to get better never fails, no matter how many years I struggle. Anyway, as soon as I’m feeling strong enough, I’ll make more lessons. I still dream of making English Liz website with free lessons for English language. My dreams keep me going. Thanks for your concern – it’s nice to know people are thinking of me.

So sorry to hear about your ill health, quick recovery ma’am. How I wish I’m in your country, I would have become your home care nurse until you recover but, I’m far away in my country Nigeria. If it’s achievable, I don’t mind coming just to make sure you are back on your feet to keep up with the good work you are doing for us all. Cheers to this idea!

That’s kind

Darling liz,

you will get well soon, I was struggling with IELTS, I was lost, did not know where to go. but you are the light of my IELTS journey. Millions of students prayers are with you. Thank you for sharing your unlimited knowledge with us.

loads of love

Thanks. I’m glad my lessons are useful to you 🙂

My previous score, before coming across your site, was: Overall: 7.5, L: 8.5, R: 7.5, S: 7, W: 6.5

After a month’s preparation using your site, I appeared for IELTS again and my score is as follows: Overall: 8, L: 9, R: 9, S: 7.5, W: 7

Thank you very much! It was extremely helpful.

That’s wonderful. Very well done to you – great scores 🙂

I found your resources highly helpful. I obtained an overall band 7 in my test. Thank you.

Band 7 is great – well done 🙂 I’m glad my site was useful

I was searching for this type of topic for a long time. Finally, this helps me a lot. Thanks Liz

Hello Ma’am, I’m actually not writing IELTS anytime soon, but I like learning from your blog and watching your videos. They are amazing.

I just feel to check up on you, and hope your health is getting better. I pray you divine healing as you get stronger and brighter each passing day.

Thanks for your wishes for my health. Glad you find my site useful 🙂

Hi Liz, your lessons extremely amazing and I learned lot from those. Can I know how to write if the essay like “Film stars or celebraties represent their view among audience about the profession they do not belog to. is it good or bad?” What type of essay is this?

The essay question contains a few language errors so make sure you are using authentic essay questions for your practice at home. This type of question often comes under the “Direct questions” category. But each teacher has different names for essay questions. This one requires you to present your opinion and evaluate if something is positive or negative. Always best to lean towards one side more than the other while presenting both.

Its really useful, I also get inputs from your posts to include in my teaching

That’s great 🙂

Hi Liz, Hows your health?? Have you started essay writing checking service??

Sorry, I haven’t started the marking service. My health still isn’t good.

Allah bless you with good health.

Ma’am, Are you alright now? I heard that you’re ill. May god bless you

Thanks for asking. I just put an update about my health in a response to someone else on this page – you can see it in one of the comments boxes. I appreciate your concern a lot

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IELTS Writing Task 2

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IELTS Writing Samples: 100 Practice Questions

Below you’ll find more than 100 IELTS Writing sample questions updated for 2019. Each of these essay questions has been taken from a real IELTS past paper and will give you an idea of what to expect on your exam day.

These sample questions can be separated into five main Task 2 question types:

• Opinion 
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem/Cause and Solution
• Two-part questions

They are also divided amongst 13 of the most common IELTS essay topics that have appeared regularly over the last few years. IELTS is always changing, but these common topics can help you prepare more effectively if you improve your ability to use the vocabulary related to them.

These sample IELTS questions are all for Writing Task 2. For Task 1 questions, follow this link.

Feel free to print out these IELTS Writing samples and use them when you prepare for IELTS at home!

Or better yet, why not answer one of them in the comments below and gain feedback from your peers?

If you need feedback on your essays from an IELTS teacher, you can read about my essay correction service here .

Criminal Justice

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 taken into account when deciding on the punishment.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some people believe that capital punishment should never be used. Others, however, argue that it should be allowed for the most serious crimes.

Some people believe the purpose of prison is to punish, while others would argue that rehabilitation is its primary role.

Some people feel unsafe when they are in public and at home.

What are the possible causes of this and what are some possible solutions?

Some people say that excessive noise should be a criminal offence, while others say they should be free to make noise without limitation.

Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would have little effect on public health and that other measures are required.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

In some countries levels of health and fitness are decreasing and average weights are increasing.

What do you think are the causes of these problems and what are some possible solutions?

Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any other experiences we may have in our life.

Which do you consider to be the major influence?

Schools should do more to teach students about their health and wellbeing.

Do you agree or disagree?

More and more schools allow fast-food restaurants to sell their products to their students.

Is it a positive or negative development?

University students must pay all tuition fees, because it benefits mostly them individually, rather than the society as a whole.

Do you agree or disagree?

Some say that music, art and drama are as important as other school subjects, especially at the primary level.

Some people believe that studying history is very important and we must study the past to understand the present. Others say that it is useless and should not be studied at all.

Some teachers tend to reward students who achieve high academic results. Others, however, support and reward students that show the most improvement.

Giving lectures in halls to large numbers of people is an outdated method of teaching. With the technology available today, there is no justification for it and everything should be done online.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In most universities students focus on specialised subjects, however, some people believe that universities should encourage students to study a wider variety of subjects.

It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance for sport or music, and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician.

Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.

What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university?

Some parents think that childcare centres provide the best services for children of pre-school age. Other working parents think that family members such as grandparents will be better carers for their kids.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Governments should spend more money on education than on recreation and sports.

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Some people think that it is better to educate girls and boys in separate schools. Others, however, believe that boys and girls benefit more from attending mixed schools.

Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject.

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

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.

Some people believe that children are given too much free time. They feel that this time should be used to do more academic work.

How do you think children should spend their free time?

In many countries schools have severe problems with student behaviour.

What do you think are the causes of this?

What solutions can you suggest?

University students should pay in full for their own education instead of the society funding their studies. The reason is that individuals tend to benefit after graduation more than society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion.

Some people believe that students should be allowed to evaluate and criticise their teachers to improve the quality of education. Others think this is disrespectful to teachers.

Discuss both views, give your opinion and include relevant examples.

Youth Crime

Nowadays many young people deliberately damage public places.

What are the causes and solutions?

Some people believe that a person’s criminal record should be removed when they reach the age of 18.

More and more young people are using drugs and alcohol and as a result, breaking the law.

What are the causes of this problem?

What are some possible solutions?

Children should never be put in prison with adults no matter how serious their crime.

Being a celebrity – such as a movie star or professional athlete – brings problems as well as benefits.

Do you think that being a celebrity has more benefits or drawbacks?

Some people feel that entertainers (e.g. film stars, pop musicians or sports stars) are paid too much money.

Which other types of job should be highly paid?

Successful sports professionals can earn much more money than people in other important jobs. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair.

Environment

There is a growing demand for fresh water nowadays and this is becoming a global problem.

Many people think that too much attention and resources are given to the protection of wild animals and birds.

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.

What other measures do you think might be effective?

Nowadays we are producing more and more waste.

What are the causes of this?

What can be done to help reduce the amount of waste we produce?

Many people believe that companies and individuals should pay to clean up the environment in proportion to the amount of pollution they have produced.

Global warming is the biggest threat we face today.

Children today are too dependent on computers and electronic entertainment. It would be better to encourage them to spend more time outside playing sports and games.

Some people say that public libraries are an important public resource and should be free. Others say that they are just a waste of public money.

Some people think that excessive use of smartphones badly affects teenagers’ literacy skills.

The internet contains a lot of information that can help people, however, sometimes the information is inaccurate or wrong.

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.

In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships people make?

Has this become a positive or negative development?

Computers have made the world a better place to live in.

Some people believe that the use of mobile phones in public is as annoying as smoking and should be banned.

Most high-level positions in companies are filled by men even though the workforce in many developed countries is more than 50 percent female. Companies should be required to allocate a certain percentage of these positions to women.

Nowadays more and more people have to compete with young people for the same jobs.

What problems does this cause?

Women and men are commonly seen as having different strengths and weaknesses.

Is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender?

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.

What factors contribute to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

Some people think that people in senior positions alone should make decisions in a business, while others think that employees should be involved in the decision-making process too.

Nowadays many people work part- or full-time from home. Some people say that working from home has many benefits while others disagree.

For some people a high salary is the most important criterion when choosing a new job while others are satisfied if the job contributes to society.

Globalisation

In many places, traditional food has been replaced by international fast food. This has adverse effects on individuals and society.

More and more people are visiting historic sites and sometimes tourists damage these ancient sites. The number of people visiting these places should be strictly limited.

Shopping has developed from a necessary activity to a kind of entertainment.

Many small businesses are being forced to close because they are unable to compete with multinational corporations.

What problems does this cause and how can those problems be solved?

Multinational companies are becoming increasingly common in developing countries.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Government Spending

People prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced ones.

Why do you think this happens? Should the government support local filmmakers financially?

Some people think that governments should invest more in public services instead of wasting money on arts such as music and paintings.

Some people believe that the government should pay for and offer to house people who lost their homes or cannot afford them.

Some people think that the government should fund music, dance and art lessons for children. Others think that they should be funded by private businesses or by children’s families.

Many people think that the government should spend money to explore outer space, while others think that it’s a waste of public money.

Some people think that mothers should spend most of their time raising their family, and therefore the government should support them financially.

Development

In some countries, the numbers of children aged 15 and younger are increasing dramatically.

What are the current and future effects of an ever-increasing population?

A recent study showed that people in developed countries are not as happy as they were before development.

What are the causes of this and what are some possible solutions?

Sometimes celebrities get invited to international aid events.

Do you think that such events deviate from their main purpose by inviting famous people?

Some people believe that richer countries should give poorer countries more financial assistance.

Some people believe that no aid should be given to developing countries that have poor human rights records.

Public Transport

Some people think that a car is the best way to travel in cities while others believe a bicycle is a better way to commute.

Many cities have serious problems with traffic congestion.

What are the causes of these problems and what are some possible solutions?

Growing numbers of cities are making their centres pedestrian-only zones.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Some people believe that the best way to reduce traffic congestion is to increase the price of petrol.

Every year several languages die out. Some people think that it is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

It is becoming increasingly popular for people to travel to tourist destinations during public holidays.

What solutions are there to these problems?

Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold.

Some people believe that visitors to other countries should follow local customs and behaviour. Others disagree and think that the host country should welcome cultural differences.

At present, the media affects people’s lives significantly.

What impact does this have on society? Is it a negative or positive development?

Young people say that travelling to different countries benefits them and society.

Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion.

These days, more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go out to work.

What are the main reasons for this? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

IELTS Writing Sample Essays

Now that you know what kind of essay questions to expect, feel free to browse my collection of IELTS Writing Sample Essays here: Band 7+ IELTS Writing Sample Essays

However, it’s important that you use them wisely. Simply reading through them won’t improve your skills or your score. When using IELTS Writing sample essays, I always recommend following my ___ step strategy:

• Start off by reading the question – NOT the answer.
• Attempt to answer the question under exam conditions.
• Compare your letter with the sample answer.
• Improve your original answer by using some of the elements you noticed in the sample letter. Eg. how did the writer use structure, vocabulary and grammar?

If you do try this strategy, make sure to leave a comment letting me know what you thought of it. Or better yet, leave your response in the comments below!

What I Learned Correcting 10,000 IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

Over the years, I have corrected more than 10,000 IELTS Task 2 essays.

To help you learn from the mistakes of my students, I made a video which revealed the 5 key things you must to do to score a Band 7+ in IELTS Writing:

For detailed help with improving your essay-writing skills, you should sign up to our IELTS Fundamentals Course. It’s completely free of charge and will give you exclusive access to:

• Never-seen-before IELTS videos;
• Practice questions for each section of the test;
• Answer sheets to help you identify your mistakes.

Learn more about it and sign up here: IELTS Fundamentals.

As always, please reach out in the comments below or via email if you need anything: [email protected]

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

How to Write ‘Compare and Contrast’ Type of Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2?

In ‘compare and contrast’ type of essay, IELTS examiners want you to discuss the points of comparing and contrasting the two things i.e. similarities and differences between the two. Therefore, it is important that you find out relevant points of similarities and differences of the two mentioned things after reading the question for IELTS Writing . Let’s look at an example:

Some people want to live in a house while others prefer living in an apartment.

Does living in a house bring more advantages than living in an apartment.

With this type of essay for IELTS Writing , you have two points to be discussed as follows:

• Benefits of living in a house/apartment
• Issues of living in an house/apartment

You must discuss both of them by giving reasons and support them with examples. And at the end, mention which of the two is better and why. If you do not discuss any of the above two points in the essay, you will lose marks.

So, in this type of essay, you must explain both the points.

How to structure IELTS Writing asnwer?

The essay can be structured mainly in 4 paragraphs as follows:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Benefits of living in a house/apartment

Paragraph 3: issues of living in a house/apartment, paragraph 4: conclusion.

Further structuring of the paragraphs can be done as follows:

a. Paragraph 1- Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase the Question

Sentence 2-Outline the sentence

b. Paragraph 2- Body Paragraph 1 (Apartment)

Sentence 1- State the benefit

Sentence 2- Explain how it brings this benefit

Sentence 4- Write an example

c. Paragraph 3 – Body Paragraph 2 (House)

Sentence 1- State the issue

Sentence 2-Explain how it leads to this issue

Sentence 3- Write an example

d. Paragraph 4- Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary of the main point to conclude which is better and why Four paragraphs are sufficient to explain your point of view. You may use any other structure you are comfortable with but this structure is approved by the IELTS examiners to help the students write in an effective and cohesive manner.

Vocabulary:

Useful vocabulary for comparison points.

• to be the same as
• neither… nor…
• not only… but also…
• to be alike
• just like (+ noun)
• to be similar (to)
• similar to (+ noun)
• to compare (to/with)

Useful vocabulary for Contrasting points

• in contrast
• by comparison
• in comparison
• on the other hand
• to differ from
• to be dissimilar to
• to be different (from)
• to be unlike

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer:

There are many people who believe that living in a house is the best. However, some people disagree with this opinion and instead prefer to live in an apartment. This essay makes comparison of the two and chooses the most preferred option.

To begin with, living in a flat definitely brings several advantages to a resident. One of the most important reasons behind this is the huge convenience it offers. An apartment is a part of large building giving a feel of living in a small societal association which takes responsibility of any fix or repair or maintenance required. For example, if one needs to repair the roof, the maintenance charges are borne by the landlord. Moreover, various facilities as well as amenities are available nearby including shopping mall, tuition centre, medical store, bus station and so on.

On the other hand, living in an owned house does not offer the facilities that one can avail while living in an apartment. One reason for this is that it is quite lonely to stay in a house which occupies a large land area bringing boredom and snatching the joy of living with so many people around. For example, it would be such a dull experience of sitting alone in the garden with no one around to share life experiences. In addition to this, maintenance and cleanliness of the house are borne by the owner and thus it is costly to live in a house.

Conclusively, living in an apartment is comparatively better than staying lonely in a house. Though a house provides a large spacious area to move around but living in an apartment enhances more social interaction and adds more excitement to life.

(283 words)

Write an essay with minimum 250 words. Use the above mentioned vocabulary. 1. Some people think that learning online is more efficient. However, according to some other people, studying from books is still the preferred method. Which is the better method of learning out of the two?

2. Distance education is gaining popularity day by day and more students are enrolling through distance mode than full-time course in colleges. Make comparison of distance education and full-time course to find which is better and why.

3. A growing number of people own personal vehicle as they find it a convenient mode of transport in comparison to public transport. Compare the public and private mode of transportation and state which is better out of the two.

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