IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage Essays - Topics and Sample Questions

IELTS Advantage and disadvantage essay is a type of essay that comes as a question in Writing Task 2. Basically, you will be presented with a situation and you will have to write about the positive and negative sides of the topic. However, you do not have to give a conclusive opinion of your own.

As you might already know, the IELTS gives special importance to the Writing section and it is important to learn how to frame your IELTS Writing task answers and fetch a high band score.

To help you to understand IELTS advantage and disadvantage essays better, we have provided the format and tips to draft an essay that can help you score a band 9. You will also learn effective ways to produce ideas for your essay.

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What is the IELTS Writing Task 2?

Though IELTS writing task 1 is different for IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic, IELTS writing task 2 is similar for both. The assessment criteria are also the same for both tasks. The test-takers are given an essay-based question which has to be written in a formal tone. The word limit is 250. The time duration is 40 minutes.

The different types of IELTS essay questions are presented in different ways. Students often find it difficult to distinguish between them. Therefore, we have made the task easy by categorising the essays into five sub-groups. The various types of IELTS essays are explained below:

• Discussion-based Essay: The topic given in a discussion-based essay requires students to write a point of view from both sides. 

• Opinion-based Essay: An argument has to be presented both for and against the topic. In the end, provide an opinion of your own.

• Advantage and Disadvantage-based Essay: A proposition will be given and students have to write both the advantages and disadvantages of the same. 

• Direct Question-based Essay: In this type of essay, one or two questions will be given on the topic. You will have to then frame an answer accordingly.

• Solution-based Essay: Here, a problem will be given in the essay and students will have to find suitable solutions for the same and write them in essay format.

What are IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays?

Among the five types of essays, IELTS advantage and disadvantage-based essays are the most common type. Here you need to highlight both the positive and negative aspects of a proposition. It is important to give reasons as well as back them with examples that support your argument.

The three types of questions that are generally asked in the advantage and disadvantage essays are: 

The questions are generally difficult to distinguish. Therefore, you must understand the nuances and find out what type of essay it is. In the first type, you will have to give an opinion, in the second type you will have to simply jot down facts, and in the third type, you have to give facts as well as arguments. Now let us understand the format of advantages and disadvantages essays in depth. 

Structure of IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage Essays

The essay structure of the advantages and disadvantages essay of IELTS is simple. You can plan and write a good-quality essay by following this structure.

• First, you will have to analyse the question well and paraphrase it.

• The essay should be divided into an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion.

• Add specific examples in the body to support the answer.

• Make sure that your essay is balanced.

How to Write an Introduction?

The introduction of the IELTS advantage and disadvantage essay is very important. It strikes the keynote of the essay.

• You can start the essay by paraphrasing the question that has been stated.

• Also, add a sentence where you highlight the main points.

• Give your opinion only if asked in the question.

How to Write Main Body Paragraphs?

The two body paragraphs must contain the advantages and disadvantages essay of IELTS respectively. Here, you will have to write a detailed description of both the benefits and negatives of the given topic.

• Paragraph 1 - In the first paragraph of the body, you will have to:

  • Mention the advantages,

  • Write a sentence explaining the advantages, and

  • Give an example to describe the advantage.

• Paragraph 2 - The second paragraph should focus on:

  • The disadvantages,

  • A break-down of the disadvantages and

  • An example to support your claim.

How to Write a Conclusion?

The conclusion is equally important as the introduction and it should contain:

• Summary of the opinion, and

• Your own opinion( if asked for).

IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage Essays: Assessment Criteria

As stated above, you have to write the opportunities and obstacles related to the essay topic. When your advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay will be evaluated, the things which will be assessed are:

• Task Response: How appropriately you have responded to the essay?

• Coherence and Cohesion: This assessment criterion checks how well you have paraphrased the topic, used linking words and the number of paragraphs written in response to the advantages and disadvantages essay.

• Lexical Resource: You are marked on the formal tone of the essay along with the use of collation, idioms and sentence construction. You should avoid using the wrong words.

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Proper punctuation, tense, syntax, and sentence structure must be used to fulfil this evaluation criterion.

Vocabulary for Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

While writing an advantages and disadvantages essay IELTS, it is necessary to use the correct vocabulary or lexical resources. You must keep in mind to use transitional expressions in moderation and not overdo it.

Here is a comprehensive compilation of all the vocabulary that can be used for writing the advantages and disadvantages essay IELTS task 2:

To begin the essay

• It appears that

• The essay will argue

• The essay will show

• The essay will examine

• It is often said

To list down advantages and disadvantages

• The main advantage/disadvantage is

• Another advantage/disadvantage is

• First of all

• Second of all

To write an example

• For instance

• For example

To add more points

• However

• In addition

• Furthermore

• Besides

• Otherwise

• In addition

To conclude

• Thereby

• Hence

• However

• Thus

• In conclusion

• To sum up

• To paraphrase

• To illustrate

• Nevertheless

Tips to Write IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage Essays

Writing an advantages and disadvantages essay is not a grilling task. Some of the tips which you can use to write advantage and disadvantage essays IELTS are:

• Understand what the question is asking for before answering.

• You can jot down the key points connected to the essay.

• Write the introduction in simple language. Instead of wholly copying from the question, write it in your own words.

• List down the advantages and disadvantages in proper order.

• Do not exceed the word limit of the essay. Make the introduction and conclusion brief.

• You should follow the set essay structure recommended here.

• Use a variety of linking words and sentences to make the essay attractive.

• Do not write a hackneyed essay copied from some books or online resources. Always craft your own essay by using your intelligence.

• Practice a variety of advantages and disadvantagesessays to master the craft.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics

If you wish to practice the IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay topics, here are some of the topics from the previous year's IELTS essays:

• The rise of convenience foods has helped people keep up with the speed of the modern lifestyle. What are the advantages of these trends? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

• People nowadays tend to have children at an older age. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

• Some people believe that unemployed people should be made to work for their welfare/benefit payments. Others, however, see this as cheap labour. Discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages of making unemployed people take any job. Do you believe that making unemployed people work is a good idea?

• Some people say patriotism causes problems and is negative overall. Others feel that it is beneficial for society at large. Do the advantages of patriotism outweigh its disadvantages?

• The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?

• It is important for people to take risks, in both their professional lives and personal lives. Do the advantages of taking these risks outweigh the disadvantages?

• In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve anything If they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?

• An increasing number of people are buying what they need online. What are the advantages and disadvantages for both individuals and companies to shop online?

• Many people are now opting to provide technology companies with their personal data in exchange for access to the software. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

• In many cities, many people are living in apartments and condominiums. Do these types of accommodations offer more advantages or disadvantages?

You can nail the IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay with proper vocabulary, grammar and correct format. Writing a proper essay is the most important for scoring a good IELTS band. With proper and logical organisation, you can ace the advantage and disadvantage essay.

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