Present the essay topic in your own words.
writing a professional essay
Practice, write & improve, b2 first (fce) essay: how to write an essay (guide).
It is always an essay written for your teacher, and the start of the question wording is always the same:
In your English class you have been talking about [topic]. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
We will use the example question below in our writing essay advice:
In your English class, you have been talking about society. Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
University should be free for everyone. Do you agree or disagree?
Write about: 1. Taxes 2. Opportunity 3. …………………… (your own idea)
Before you start writing your essay at B2 First exam you need to ask three questions:
If you look at our example task you will notice that we are going to write about society .
In your English class, you have been talking about society . Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Knowing this, you can quickly prepare in your head all the words that you associate with this topic or even write them down.
As you can see there are three points included in the task there are two that are already given in our example
Write about: 1. Taxes 2. Opportunity 3. …………………… ( your own idea) <= you have to come up with this one yourself
The first point is taxes , the second is opportunity , and the third one is something you must come up with yourself!
We decided that the third point we would comment on would be economics
In the FCE essay, it’s always your English teacher. It means that you need to write with respect because she is a person with authority, therefore essay has to be written in a formal style.
Formal language is professional and serious rather than relaxed and friendly and is used especially in official situations. It is usually reserved for essays and academic settings, while informal writing is used for more casual settings, like friendly text messages and creative writing.
Below are listed the biggest differences between formal and informal writing styles:
It is advised to avoid contractions (shortened versions of words) in formal language, but they’re acceptable in informal language.
Unfortunately, the team could not replicate the results. (Formal)
Unfortunately, the team couldn’t replicate the results. (Informal)
Formal language is also marked by an absence of colloquial phrases and slang (words or phrases that are common only in everyday speech), but are typically used in informal language.
Everyone was disappointed . (Formal)
Everyone was bummed . (Informal)
Generally, first-person pronouns (like I and we ) are avoided when writing with formal language . However, it’s accepted (and expected) in informal language.
The students were asked to fill out the questionnaire. (Formal) We asked the students to fill out the questionnaire. (Informal)
When using formal language in your B2 writing, it is also recommended to replace phrasal verbs (proper verbs that are followed by one or more prepositions and act as a single verb).
It was something the protestors could endure . (Formal) It was something the protestors could put up with . (Informal)
Formal language tends to use longer, more complex vocabulary. Sometimes it is not recommended to use this type of vocabulary with informal language (depending on what you’re writing) because it can confuse or distract your audience.
They needed assistance while recovering from the outcomes of the hurricane. (Formal) They needed help while recovering from the effects of the hurricane. (Informal)
The purpose of the introduction is simply to tell the reader what the essay is about.
You can start your essay by referring to the question that was asked “ University should be free for everyone. Do you agree or disagree? ” and writing it in your own words . It is also worth mentioning the three points you are going to describe.
Introduction : There are many factors to consider when deciding if the university should be free or not. Among these are taxes, equality of opportunity, and the economy.
You can use phrases such as:
This essay will discuss … This essay will focus on … In order to discuss …, I will analyse …
Main body paragraphs are the most important part of your essay so they should be the longest and one paragraph should comment on one point. See below:
Write about: 1. Taxes – the first paragraph should comment on “ taxes” 2. Opportunity – the second paragraph should comment on “ opportunity “ 3. …………………… (your own idea) – the third paragraph should comment on “economy”
In addition, every paragraph should start with a topic sentence, which is like an introduction to the paragraph and it tells the reader what exactly the paragraph is going to discuss.
Also, a good idea is to include different linking words/expressions to make sure that your ideas are well connected and in a logical order.
A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph (which is also the most important )
A topic sentence essentially tells readers about the rest of the paragraph . If the topic sentence says “ Cats are very good pets for several reasons” , then every sentence after that needs to describe that subject.
For example:
Cats are very good pets for several reasons . (<=topic sentence / every sentence after it describes that subject =>) They are naturally good caregivers because they take care of their kittens, so they want to take care of their owners as well. Cats are quite clean, and if you train them to use a litter box, they require almost no cleanup in their areas.
These are words and expressions that help the text flow logically . These words act as signposts, helping the reader easily move from one idea to the next and see connections between sentences or paragraphs.
Linking words is especially useful when you want to indicate that you are going to explain something, provide an example use a time sequence, or present a contrasting point of view.
Between paragraphs:
To begin with, I would like to put forward […] The first possible action is, to improve physical education …[…] A second option would be. … competitive attitudes that […]
Within a paragraph:
[…] which activity is better than the others. Another reason for not financing sports […]
You can see a model answer below:
First paragraph comment on “Taxes” Paragraph 1: Firstly , a majority of people believe that a significant part of taxes should go to education. Opponents might say if someone can afford university, then he/she should pay for it. However , people with higher education have better wages and therefore pay higher income tax after graduation .
Second paragraph comment on “Opportunity ” Paragraph 2: Secondly, making university free for all, creates more opportunities for those from low-income backgrounds . Although they may still have difficulty meeting other costs such as accommodation , it makes the playing field more level.
Third paragraph comment on “….…… (your own idea)” : economy Paragraph 3: In addition , having an educated workforce is proven to help the economy grow. Namely , the more highly educated people there are, the higher the standard of living for everyone. Consequently , more people will be able to pay taxes to fund the education of future generations.
– topic sentence
– linking words/expressions
– interesting/topical vocabulary
Remember, you don’t have to tell the truth! The examiners won’t know, so if you don’t have experience or an opinion you can make something up!
The conclusion comes at the end of your essay, it summarizes the main idea of the essay. You need to write a clear, justified conclusion. You can’t just say, ‘I agree’, or ‘I disagree.’ Think of it like this: you need to convince the examiner that your conclusion is correct.
In conclusion, a university should be free for everyone. It makes economic sense and ultimately benefits all members of society.
– linking words/expressions
Make sure your paragraphs are connected to your conclusion!
There are many factors to consider when deciding if the university should be free or not. Among these are taxes, equality of opportunity, and the economy.
Firstly, a majority of people believe that a significant part of taxes should go to education. Opponents might say if someone can afford university, then he/she should pay for it. However, people with higher education have better wages and therefore pay higher income tax after graduation.
Secondly, making university free for all, creates more opportunities for those from low-income backgrounds. Although they may still have difficulty meeting other costs such as accommodation, it makes the playing field more level.
In addition, having an educated workforce is proven to help the economy grow. Namely, the more highly educated people there are, the higher the standard of living for everyone. Consequently, more people will be able to pay taxes to fund the education of future generations.
B2 first (fce) essay: example essays, fce essay sample 1.
In your English class you have been talking about the environment. Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.
Every country in the world has problems with pollution and damage to the environment. Do you think these problems can be solved?
Write about: 1. transport 2. rivers and seas 3. ………………………… (your own idea)
DEVELOPMENT VS ENVIRONMENT
If we surf the web looking for pollution and environmental catastrophes, we will find out that every country in the world suffers them. This is a natural consequence of the struggle between development and environment.
If a country decided to live isolated from the rest of the world, living on what it can naturally grow and produce, it surely wouldn’t be highly polluted. But we all want exotic food and technological items from all over the world, so we have to pay the price.
Investing on electrical transport would benefit the environment a lot. Even more if this electricity came from a natural source of energy like wind, rivers and solar boards. It’s difficult to achieve this because petrol companies will fight against these actions.
We also have to take care of our rivers and seas. We all have heard about factories throwing highly toxic substances to rivers, without minimizing their poisoning effects. A really strict law should be applied to fine these factories and make them change their policy.
But what about ourselves? We also can do a lot! If, when possible, we bought larger packs of food, we would be producing less rubbish. And this is only an example!
In your English class you have been talking about the fashion industry. Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Some people say the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives. Do you agree?
Write about: 1. whether people’s appearance is important 2. the price of clothes 3. …………………… (your own idea)
The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant development, fast speed processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink of an eye and a complex web of social networking. In this context, the fashion industry is becoming increasingly important and having a more and more paramount role in our lives.
On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires millions of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year. Furthermore, such profitable business is also believed to be able to spread and make known the culture of a people, encouraging and enhancing a better understanding of each other.
Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and figures, the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who not fit their laws and commands. It is stated that people place too much importance on appearance and the material, world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on such situation. Moreover, not only are the costs of fashion item unrealistically high, it is thought to be a money better spent on more pressing issues, such as poverty and hunger.
I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it values a minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide reach that, it put into a good use, it can save lives.
Fce example topic 1.
Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:
Is it true that we help the environment when we plant a tree?
Write about:
Nowadays children are suffering from obesity, that was once considered to be meant for adults only. What are its causes and what solutions can be offered?
Is it better to be the oldest or the youngest in a family?
B2 first (fce) essay: tips.
How long should a b2 essay be.
You need to answer the question with between 140-190 words.
If an answer is too long, you may get a lower score. If you write 200 words, it’s not a problem. However, if you write 300 words, it’s a problem.
Yes! You must make a plan to organise your essay writing . On the day of the exam, you will be stressed and feel pressure. A plan is your way of organising you text and your thoughts.
Nothing… Well, almost nothing. In the past for every 5 words extra, they took away a point, however, now they do not. It is not good to go over 190 words because of time, but you can. I wouldn´t write more than 200 words because they will probably lower the mark they give you for content. They will determine some of it to be unnecessary.
You MUST use complex language at B2 level . You must use attention-grabbing vocabulary and a variety of grammar structures. The passive voice, relative clauses, modal verbs, conditionals, reported speech and inversions all count as COMPLEX grammar forms and you must use them. Otherwise, you can address academic experts and pay someone to write your paper if you need help to write an essay for you.
Introduction.
The trend nowadays is towards …. Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of …. Recent research indicates that …. Hardly a week goes by without another report of ……….. appearing in the media. This raises the issue of whether …… Although most people would generally agree that ………… few would deny that ….
As I see it, It seems to me that ………… I would also say that …. I am convinced that …………… I am inclined to believe that ……………… There is no doubt in my mind that ……………… One of the drawbacks of ……. is ………. However, one of the benefits is that ………… Changing topic As regards the causes for this, ………….. Concerning the causes for this, ……… As for the causes, ………..
One justification is often given for ……….. is that…………….. Advocates/Proponents would claim that ……………… Those who object to …………….. often argue that ………………. Another objection is that …… However, it should not be forgotten that ………….. ……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that …………….. From the point of view of …………….. According to ………………..
One factor which has led to ………… is ………….. One of the factors which has brought this about is ……… The problem often stems from ……………….. The situation has been exacerbated by ……………. ………….. has only made the situation worse. One consequence of ……………. is …………….
As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to ……… The first step to be taken would be to …….. To alleviate the situation people should ……….. In addition they ought to …………… To begin to tackle this situation society/individuals/the government need/s to This can only be dealt with if ………… To overcome this problem, ………….. Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless improve. Individuals can do a great deal to ………… The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of …….. It is vitally important that ……… Legislation should be introduced to control …………….. It would be a grave error if we ……………..
All in all it seems to me that ……….. The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that ………………….. All things considered, …………. On balance, I tend to believe that ………… The world would surely be a better place to live in if ………….. If people stopped ….ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a …………… The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ……………….
One of the first things you should do is read the marking criteria to see what the examiners expect. This is really important, as you need to know what they are looking for in the band 7+ boxes.
The structure that I advise my students to use, will be sure to get you a band score of 7+. You need to practice using this structure, with as many questions as you can, before sitting your IELTS test. This writing task 2 structure has been proven to be successful for my students and when perfected, can easily help you to achieve a high band score.
TIP >> Remember to write in a formal tone, this is an academic essay, therefore your writing should be formal.
This is the introduction to the essay and where you should start off by paraphrasing the question.
This means that you rewrite the question in your own words using synonyms. You can’t just copy the question again or use the same words in the question. Paraphrase and show off your vocabulary knowledge by using synonyms. When practising your essay writing, use an online thesaurus to help you. This is a great tool and can help you to learn many new words.
There are two sentences you need in the introduction >>
Paraphrase the question
Start the paragraph by introducing the main advantage. This is where you need to have a topic sentence. The next sentence(s) should explain, going into detail. The third sentence should give an example that supports the advantage.
(Word Count = 302 / Band Score 9)
Related posts, you borrowed some books from your school or college library- ielts general writing task 1 [semi-formal letter], ielts direct question essay model answer: family and children, 1 thought on “how to write an advantages or disadvantages essay”, leave a comment cancel reply.
General information.
This writing task is worth two-thirds of the total marks for the writing test . There are four areas that you will be marked on in writing task 2, and each area is worth 25% of the overall mark for this task.
The essay for task 2 must be 4-5 paragraphs long to show enough skill and evidence to score well for coherence and cohesion. The structure we suggest includes:
A quarter of your overall score depends on your ability to show cohesion across the essay. Linking words will help you to do this. The words in the table below provide a range of linking words with different functions for you to use in the task 2 essay.
To Order | To Show Contrast | To Provide Examples | To Show A Result | To Add More |
Firstly, | However, | For example, | As a result, | In addition, |
Lastly, | Alternatively, | For instance, | Consequently, | Additionally, |
Finally, | Nevertheless, | such as | Hence, | Furthermore, |
Although, | in particular | Thus, | Moreover, | |
In contrast, | specifically | Therefore, | Also, | |
On the other hand, | especially | so | As well as, | |
In comparison, | obviously | For this reason, | and | |
but | clearly | |||
despite | namely |
To Show Your Opinion | To conclude |
In my opinion, | In conclusion, |
I think that | To summarise, |
I believe that | Overall, |
I admit that | |
In my view, | |
I agree that | |
I disagree that | |
because | |
owing to | |
due to | |
since | |
as |
If you use the first 5 minutes for planning, you will have 35 minutes to complete the writing task. I recommend using approximately 30 minutes of this time to write your essay and the remaining 5 minutes to check your work.
During this time, look specifically for spelling mistakes, misused words, grammatical errors, and punctuation mistakes.
You must take the time to plan for writing task 2. You will already have completed two full tests and writing task 1. Your brain is likely to be fatigued at this point, so you need to take a few minutes to ensure you respond correctly to the task, generate some ideas, and sequence the essay logically.
The plan does not need to be complicated. I recommend spending up to 5 minutes on this. You can use space on the question paper to write the plan.
The plan used for an advantages and disadvantages essay requires four paragraphs only; the introduction, main body paragraph (advantages), main body paragraph (disadvantages), and conclusion. We suggest the following format:
State the issue of focus in the essay Introduce that there are both advantages and disadvantages of this |
Point: Introduce an advantage Example/Elaboration: Provide an example/elaborate on its impact Point: Introduce another advantage Example/Elaboration: Provide an example/elaborate on its impact |
Point: Introduce a disadvantage Example/Elaboration: Provide an example/elaborate on its impact Point: Introduce a disadvantage Example/Elaboration: Provide an example/elaborate on its impact |
State whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa |
As China grows in size and economic stature, many people think that Mandarin will one day take over as the only language spoken in the world.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having one world language?
Mandarin could become the sole world language Would help people communicate better across countries but also some drawbacks |
Point: Every person in the world can communicate Example/Elaboration: Open doors for people to travel more confidently globally Point: Improved communication could help discussions between countries in conflict Example/Elaboration: By discussing issues face to face, could see more resolutions |
Point: Countries will lose part of their unique culture Example/Elaboration: Language is an integral part of the culture – losing it could take away the individuality of countries Point: Losing part of our history Example/Elaboration: Many languages have existed for millions of years |
The disadvantages outweigh the advantages – allow countries to have their own identity |
Many people think that as China becomes an increasingly powerful nation, and Mandarin becomes the predominant language for business activities in the world, other world languages may, one day, cease to exist. Having just one language spoken globally would certainly simplify communication across the globe, but there are some definite disadvantages of this happening.
On the one hand, a world with a single language would certainly simplify communication between people of different nations. It is evident that this would increase global connections and open doors for people to travel more confidently and comfortably globally. In addition, the ability of countries to communicate directly with one another would also be advantageous. Many conflicts exist between countries, and can often be caused by misunderstandings or poor relationships. With all countries speaking the same language, issues can be discussed and resolved face-to-face by world leaders.
On the other hand, there are some clear disadvantages to the use of just one global language. Firstly, there is the risk of countries losing their unique culture and identity. Language is a key component of cultural identity and, by taking it away, countries could lose their individuality. In this case, if all countries became too similar, there would be less desire for people to travel and the tourism industry could collapse. Furthermore, the range of languages spoken across the world has developed over hundreds of thousands of years. Specifying that just one language should be spoken globally eliminates an essential part of world history – the development of language in cultures around the world.
Overall, it is clear that, while there are substantial advantages to having a single world language, the risk of losing cultural identity outweighs this. Ensuring the continued individuality of nations is paramount to maintaining a rich world heritage for years to come.
Many people are becoming vegans and are eating fewer or no animal products.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Veganism is becoming increasingly popular as people better understand its health benefits Are benefits and drawbacks |
Point: Eating a plant-based diet is proven to be good for human health Example/Elaboration: Doctors talk of its benefit and many stories of cancer patients overcoming disease Point: Eating less meat also helps the environment Example/Elaboration: Eating plant-based products means eating more local produce – fewer air miles |
Point: Difficult to get enough protein into the diet – animal products high in this Example/Elaboration: Important to get enough protein for weight management and building muscle Point: Less demand for meat = difficult for farmers Example/Elaboration: Could put many farmers out of work |
The advantages outweigh the disadvantages – farmers could focus on growing plant-based products to increase revenue |
As plant-based diets become increasingly popular, people are consuming fewer animal products than ever before. While this has been proven to have numerous health benefits, there are also some clear disadvantages to this.
On the one hand, plant-based diets are scientifically proven to be beneficial to human health. Many scientists and doctors talk of its positive impact on the wellbeing of the human body, and there are stories of patients with life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, overcoming these through eliminating animal products from their diet. In addition, consuming less meat also helps the environment. Meat from countries such as the UK, Australia and the USA has often flown thousands of miles around the globe to reach consumers. However, plant-based products can be more locally sourced, reducing the carbon footprint of the food we consume.
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to the elimination of meat and other animal products from our diet. Firstly, it is challenging to obtain high levels of protein with little or no meat consumption. The human body requires a higher intake of protein for weight management and to build muscle and meat is naturally very high in protein, while vegetable products are low. Furthermore, a reduction in the demand for meat products will put a significant strain on farmers whose livelihoods rely on the purchase of such products. A continued decline in this demand could put many farmers out of work.
Overall, it is clear that, while there are disadvantages to less consumption of animal products, the advantages outweigh these. The benefits to the health of humans and the environment are key factors for moving towards a vegan diet. Rather than being forced out of work, farmers should focus on the growth and harvesting of the plant-based products that are becoming increasingly high in demand.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
English for life.
for B1 Preliminary Cambridge Test/ IELTS
An essay is a written piece where you can present an idea, propose an argument, express your emotions or initiate a debate.
In an advantages and disadvantages essay your task is to describe the positive and the negative sides of a specific topic. You must include examples and reasons to support your ideas. Sometimes you will also be asked to give your opinion. You can include your personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion of the essay.
The typical structure for an advantages and disadvantages essay is the following:
(This paragraph is similar to paragraph 2, but here you will talk about the disadvantages)
Advantages and disadvantages of traveling by plane
Nowadays, a lot of people prefer to travel by plane when they go to another country. However, air travel has both pros and drawbacks. Let’s examine some of these here.
One of the main advantages of traveling by plane is that it is much faster than any other form of transport. For example, you can fly from Toronto to New York in 2 hours, whereas by car, it would take more than 7 hours. Another advantage is that flying is more comfortable and less tiring because you can sleep on a long flight. You can also watch movies or read. Finally, it is safer. More people die in car accidents than in the air.
On the other hand, traveling by plane also has some disadvantages. To start with, it can be quite expensive, especially if you want to travel in the comfort of First Class or Business Class. What is more, flights are often delayed, and this means you may have to spend a long time waiting in the airport or miss connecting flights. In addition, you may arrive in New York while your suitcase has gone to Paris.
To sum up, the airplane is a great invention, but it does have some drawbacks. If it was cheaper, it would be better. Still, in my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons. If we didn’t have planes, it would be very difficult to travel to distant places.
To list advantages/ disadvantages.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
Is globalization a beneficial process? What are the pros and cons of a religious upbringing? Do the drawbacks of immigration outweigh the benefits? These questions can become a foundation for your advantages and disadvantages essay. And we have even more ideas to offer!
There is nothing complicated about writing this kind of essay. Arguably the hardest part is choosing a topic. This article by our custom-writing team will help you with that. Here, you will find:
🔝 top 10 advantages and disadvantages topics.
Here’s a list of topics that touch on subjects such as education, work, traveling, living conditions, family, politics, technology, and more.
The rapid development of social media platforms allowed people worldwide to connect. Despite the benefits these websites have brought, in recent years, they’ve led to more disadvantages people have never experienced before. These topics can serve as a basis for your upcoming argumentative papers on social media and its effect on people.
The latest technological advancements make living in the modern world more satisfying and less resource-demanding by the day. While new pieces of advanced tech like foldable displays and automatic translation devices provide new ways for people to be entertained and productive, they open up new concerns about overreliance on technology. Check out these topics on technology issues. We’re sure you’ll find something that resonates with you.
A four and against essay is also known as persuasive or argumentative. Its goal is to persuade readers to side with a particular argument. These papers require data and evidence to support a position a student argues for and show the merit of their position. To better understand what such papers can be about, explore this list of effective for and against essay topics.
Need more essay ideas? Feel free to use our topic generator !
Pros and cons of living in a big city essay.
For your essay, you can consider the following benefits of living in a big city:
The main downsides of living in a big city include the following:
Here are some examples of the procedure’s benefits:
You can also write about the following disadvantages of abortions:
Consider these arguments in favor of social media for your essay:
And these are the cons you might want to write about:
Here are some advantages of federalism for you to write about:
Now, have a look at the cons of federalism:
Immigration has benefits as well as pitfalls. Take a look at the positive aspects first:
And here are the cons that you may consider writing about:
Here are some of the arguments in favor of working in a cafeteria:
However, there are also plenty of downsides, including the following:
The Internet has plenty of advantages you can cover, including the following:
It also has many drawbacks, such as:
Even if you do not have the necessary writing experience, your chances of getting an A+ for this task are relatively high. All you need to do is:
The advantages and disadvantages essay should have the following structure:
Studying abroad might be a great experience filled with unforgettable memories, but it also has some financial and psychological pitfalls.
Being an international student, you get to meet people from all over the world and experience a new culture first-hand.
However, you might feel homesick and experience culture shock while studying in another country.
Although being an international student has both positive and negative sides, it can bring you many unforgettable memories.
We hope you found the best topic for your pros and cons essay. Let us know what topic you’ve chosen, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends!
Further reading:
This time you have to write a World War II essay, paper, or thesis. It means that you have a perfect chance to refresh those memories about the war that some of us might forget. So many words can be said about the war in that it seems you will...
Not everyone knows it, but globalization is not a brand-new process that started with the advent of the Internet. In fact, it’s been around throughout all of human history. This makes the choice of topics related to globalization practically endless. If you need help choosing a writing idea, this Custom-Writing.org...
In today’s world, fashion has become one of the most significant aspects of our lives. It influences everything from clothing and furniture to language and etiquette. It propels the economy, shapes people’s personal tastes, defines individuals and communities, and satisfies all possible desires and needs. In this article, Custom-Writing.org experts...
Early motherhood is a very complicated social problem. Even though the number of teenage mothers globally has decreased since 1991, about 12 million teen girls in developing countries give birth every year. If you need to write a paper on the issue of adolescent pregnancy and can’t find a good...
Human rights are moral norms and behavior standards towards all people that are protected by national and international law. They represent fundamental principles on which our society is founded. Human rights are a crucial safeguard for every person in the world. That’s why teachers often assign students to research and...
Global warming has been a major issue for almost half a century. Today, it remains a topical problem on which the future of humanity depends. Despite a halt between 1998 and 2013, world temperatures continue to rise, and the situation is expected to get worse in the future. When it...
Have you ever witnessed someone face unwanted aggressive behavior from classmates? According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 1 in 5 students says they have experienced bullying at least once in their lifetime. These shocking statistics prove that bullying is a burning topic that deserves detailed research. In this...
Recycling involves collecting, processing, and reusing materials to manufacture new products. With its help, we can preserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save energy. And did you know that recycling also creates jobs and supports the economy? If you want to delve into this exciting topic in your...
Expository writing, as the name suggests, involves presenting factual information. It aims to educate readers rather than entertain or persuade them. Examples of expository writing include scholarly articles, textbook pages, news reports, and instructional guides. Therefore, it may seem challenging to students who are used to writing persuasive and argumentative...
Expository or informative essays are academic papers presenting objective explanations of a specific subject with facts and evidence. These essays prioritize balanced views over personal opinions, aiming to inform readers without imposing the writer’s perspective. Informative essays are widely assigned to students across various academic levels and can cover various...
Your computer stores your memories, contacts, and study-related materials. It’s probably one of your most valuable items. But how often do you think about its safety? Cyber security is something that can help you with this. Simply put, it prevents digital attacks so that no one can access your data....
A problem solution essay is a type of persuasive essay. It’s a piece of writing that presents a particular problem and provides different options for solving it. It is commonly used for subject exams or IELTS writing tasks. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to write this...
Usually,this type of essay made me to feel uncomfortable but samples helped me to realize my mistakes
I had a hard time writing my advantages and disadvantages essay. Thanks to your article on advantages and disadvantages essay writing, I have a clue on how to finish it.
Interesting topics for essays on advantages and disadvantages! Timely help for the students searching for ideas for advantages and disadvantages essay. Thanks!
IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024
Below is a list of IELTS sample essay questions for advantage / disadvantage essays in writing task 2. These essay types are often taught together with discussion essays but I think it is worth studying them separately to be better prepared.
Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Tips
It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Some people think that it would be better for large companies and industry to move to regional areas outside large urban centers. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
With the rise of e-books comes the decline in paper books. Some people see this as a good step forward while others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
The rise of convenience foods has helped people keep up with the speed of the modern life style. What are the advantages of this trend? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
There seems to be an increasing trend towards assessing students through exams rather than continual assessment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of exams as a form of assessment?
Space exploration costs tax payers an exorbitant amount of money each year. What are the advantages and disadvantage of spending money on space exploration?
Many elderly people are no long looked after by their families but are put in care homes or nursing homes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
It is often considered that change is more beneficial to people than trying to avoid it and have everything remain the same. Do you think the advantages of change outweigh the disadvantages?
Other IELTS Essay Questions
50% discount: advanced ielts lessons & e-books, ideas in ielts essays & in ielts speaking, test yourself with linking words, ielts speaking part 2 cue card topics – 2024, new reading exercise for you (july 2024).
Copyright © Elizabeth Ferguson, 2014 – 2024
All rights reserved.
Return to top of page
Copyright © 2024 · Prose on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in
Different questions are asked in the IELTS paper because the IELTS paper has different sections that test your English capabilities. The advantage-disadvantage type essay is a very common type in the IELTS writing task 2.
It involves a situation that you are asked to comment on, emphasizing the advantages and the disadvantages. You should practice these types of questions through different platforms and understand the pattern of answer delivery. These questions can come from different fields also. In this article, you will find all the relevant information about the advantages and disadvantages of IELTS essay topics.
This section can bring high scores to you if you provide good answers. We are here with some common topics on this category of essay questions. Have a look below to start your journey with the prominent questions that are asked in this portion.
Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 1 Topic Asking Friend to Look After Home: Checkout this Sample Topic and Model Answers
The sample topics in this area are widely varied. As it is a kind of analytical essay, it can be understood that social issues are the most common topics. Here is a rough list:
#. Advertisement: Advantages and disadvantages of celebrity endorsements, graphic advertisements, foreign products, etc.
#. Transportation: Advantages and disadvantages of public transports, various aspects of commuting, etc.
#. Tourism: Advantages and disadvantages of development of the tourism industry, travel agencies, etc.
#. Education: Advantages and disadvantages of public schools, any particular curriculum, vocational courses, etc.
#. Economy: Advantages and disadvantages of different taxes, government expenditure, etc.
#. Business: Advantages and disadvantages of e-commerce, recruitment from within a company, etc.
#. Food/Health: Advantages and disadvantages of growing fast food joints, veganism, etc.
#. Social Media: Advantages and disadvantages of social media, online news, etc.
#. Family/ Parenting: Advantages and disadvantages of joint family, nuclear family, religious upbringing, etc.
Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Topic Internet Replace Books: Sample Answer of Essay Question
#. Small businesses are disappearing and being replaced by large multinational companies. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
#. Many products that we buy are made in other countries. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this and give your own opinion.
#. Increasing numbers of students are going to university instead of working after high school. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who do this.
#. School children are using computers in school more than ever. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this and give your own opinion.
#. The rise of convenience foods has helped people keep up with the speed of the modern lifestyle. What are the advantages of this trend? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
#. There seems to be an increasing trend towards assessing students through exams rather than continual assessment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the exams as a form of assessment?
#. As countries become more developed, many fast food outlets move into the country giving local people greater access to fast food. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
#. Many businesses choose to recruit from within their own company rather than sourcing staff from overseas. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
#. With the advent of social media, more people are getting their news online instead of from print media. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for people who read news online.
#. It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university. What are the advantages and disadvantages of it?
#. Some people think that it would be better for large companies and industries to move to regional areas outside large urban centres. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
#. With the rise of e-books comes the decline in paper books. Some people see this as a good step forward while others do not. What are the benefits and drawbacks of this trend?
Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic House or Apartment: Tactics to Score above Band 5
#. Some parents buy their children a large number of toys to play with. What are the advantages and disadvantages for the child of having a large number of toys?
#. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad/working abroad for a period of time.
#. In some countries, more and more adults are living with their parents after graduating from college, University, or even after finding a job. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
#. Every year large numbers of people migrate from one country to another for different reasons. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of migration for the individual and for society as a whole.
#. Nowadays online shopping becomes more popular than in-store shopping. Is it a positive or negative development? Give your reasons and examples.
Sample question.
Nowadays, more people would rather purchase food than cook at home. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? Give ideas about which is a better way according to you and why?
Due to the busy lifestyle, people are consuming more processed food in spite of cooking food for themselves. There could be several merits and demerits of this uprising trend. In my opinion, homemade food is far more beneficial as compared to readymade food.
To commence with the benefits, packaged products such as pasta, noodles, etcetera are easily available in the market. They are instant food products and just need boiling or reheating which in turn saves our time. Also, people get so tired after their hectic routine that they lack the energy to prepare meals.
Therefore, they find it useful to buy readymade food products. In addition, this type of processed food is easy to carry everywhere, even while travelling. In fact, due to additives and taste enhancers, individuals, especially children, love their taste and their salivary buds are stimulated by these sorts of meals.
Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2: Know the Sample Questions with Answers to Boost Your Essay Preparation
Despite these benefits, there are ample drawbacks. Firstly, these products are processed and lack their natural nutrition. What is more, many preservatives are added to increase their shelf life which has several health hazards to consumers.
For example, sodium benzoate is one of the popular compounds used for the preservation of packed foods which occasionally can be life-threatening. Secondly, although they are vacuum packed, they can get contaminated by various microbes and cause an abdominal disturbance, sometimes causing other lethal diseases like food poisoning, botulinum, and many more. Additionally, these products can also be expensive for consumers to afford.
To recapitulate, I believe that the use of readymade foods has a plethora of detrimental effects and home-cooked food can provide plenty of nutrients to stay healthy and develop immunity.
In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.
Before embarking on college many young people are advised that a year working or travelling may be a good option. This essay will suggest that saving money is the biggest advantage of this and a reduced motivation to study is the primary disadvantage.
Third level education is very expensive and lots of students decide to work for 12 months and save up money before they begin their studies. This allows them to pay for their living costs, tuition fees, and accommodation and focus on their studies, rather than struggle financially or have to get a part-time job on top of their academic work.
The Times recently reported that the average student at a UK university requires over $12,000 per annum just to survive and many drop out because they cannot afford to stay.
Also Read: Recent Exam Question in IELTS Writing Task 2: Check Out the Best Techniques to Write Perfectly for Band 8
Despite these advantages, many students often get used to working or travelling and don’t want to return to a life of study after a year off. This short-term view can cause some to bypass university altogether and go straight into a job that is beneath their capabilities or may not offer the same prospects their future career might have.
For instance, a recent survey by the British Government found that 26% of students who take a gap year never enter tertiary education.
In conclusion, taking a break from studies can be advantageous if it allows people to gather up savings, however, they should also be careful that it does not lead to disillusionment with education altogether.
It is extremely important to understand the pattern and structure of the sections and the questions asked under the sections. The challenge to solve these questions is to meet their structure because each topic of advantages and disadvantages essay questions is vast and each topic requires a particular structure to be followed to answer the question.
You can end up losing marks on these questions if you have not prepared the topics before as per the structure. You should add valid points in the advantages and disadvantages body portion along with some supportive points.
Once you completely understand the structure and what the content should be to lift up your essay, you can earn maximum marks from the examiners. Remember, you can’t go wrong with the vocabulary and grammar. Your words define your ideas, so be particular while using different words and phrases. Practice carefully and you can hit the mark.
The tips for answering these questions include the thinking and analysis of the drawbacks and benefits first. You should spend time calculating the facts or content that you want to include in your answer.
You must have supporting points for each perception whether it is a benefit or a drawback. If your ideas are supported by factual points, they will make an impact. You should not split the advantages and disadvantages, rather you must put the benefits in a single body frame and disadvantages in a different body frame altogether.
You must not go deep into criticizing something or favouring any element or factor. The wisdom is that you must include the safe and secure points in the body of advantages and disadvantages. These are a few tips to be carried out in the section of this paper.
Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 1 Recommend Family Member: Points You Need to include to Obtain the Desired Band
Topics of the problem solution essay IELTS questions are usually social issues that have both positive and negative sides. You will be clearly asked to point out both sides of a particular issue. This type of question is very straightforward and requires organized preparation to achieve a high score.
Hopefully, by following the IELTS essay writing tips you will be able to achieve your desired band but remember to practice these on a daily basis. We believe that this article has helped you in gaining all the extremely potential information for your examination. If you still have any doubts or questions, visit the IELTS Ninja website. All your answers are available on the site with expert advice. You can go ahead to read all the amazing articles present on the website and perform at your best.
Also, updates are given on the site regarding the dates and documents required in the paper. The university details of each English-speaking country are available there that can blow your mind with a volcanic erosion of information. We want you to gain the highest bands to fulfil your dreams.
Best of luck!
Writing these advantages and disadvantages answer is often difficult, but these tips make it look so easy.
I like this article very much. I rarely get such a detailed article with accurate information. Tips given here, are really helpful.
This article clearly shows the difference between the advantages and disadvantages and this article gave a clear and structured vision, what do you guys think?
This blog was very informative and this blog has the information that is very rarely found on the internet, what do ou guys think?
Share Article:
Shilpa is a professional web content writer and is in deep love with travelling. She completed her mass communication degree and is now dedicatedly playing with words to guide her readers to get the best for themselves. Developing educational content for UPSC, IELTS aspirants from breakthrough research work is her forte. Strongly driven by her zodiac sign Sagittarius, Shilpa loves to live her life on her own notes and completely agrees with the idea of ‘live and let live. Apart from writing and travelling, most of the time she can be seen in the avatar of 'hooman' mom to her pets and street dogs or else you can also catch her wearing the toque blanche and creating magic in the kitchen on weekends.
Other stories, ielts writing task 2 with model answer to score band 8: check this to boost your writing score, best vocabulary for ielts writing task 2 to achieve band 8.
26 July 2021 | |
03 August 2022 | |
29 March 2023 | |
28 June 2023 | |
05 July 2023 | |
06 July 2023 | |
07 July 2023 | |
13 July 2023 | |
13 July 2023 | |
14 July 2023 | |
16 July 2023 | |
18 July 2023 | |
24 July 2023 | |
24 July 2023 | |
24 July 2023 | |
26 July 2023 | |
29 July 2023 | |
01 August 2023 | |
01 August 2023 | |
03 August 2023 |
Page 1 of 2
The list of Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages topics that were added by IELTS student in 2024 . These Advantages and Disadvantages questions could be repeated from previous months. Keep in mind that the provided Advantages and Disadvantages questions are not predictions. The collection of Advantages and Disadvantages questions is updated every hour. Choose one of the topics and start practicing answering this type of question to prepare for the IELTS exam and to get a good grade.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
A for and against essay - a balanced essay List three advantages and three disadvantages. The first thing you have to do before writing a for and against essay is make a list of three advantages and three disadvantages. For example, we are going to write an balanced essay about the pros and cons of streaming video platforms like Netflix or HBO.
B2 First for Schools Writing Part 1 (An opinion essay) ...
Essay - examples & model answers | B2 First (FCE)
Ultimate Guide to IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essays
A for and against essay - Writing
Writing Strategy. When you write an essay, you need to ensure that it has a clear structure. Paragraph 1: introduction (stating the issue) Paragraph 2: arguments for the statement. Paragraph 3: arguments against the statement. Paragraph 4: summary, your own opinion. 1. Read the Writing Strategy and the task below.
These three paragraphs are called the body of the essay. However, an essay wouldn't be an essay without an introduction at the beginning and a conclusion at the end. All together that's five paragraphs and we could structure it like this: With an introduction, body and conclusion every essay has three main parts.
In this video we will learn how to face one of the most frequent writing tasks on your B2 First English exam: PROS and CONS essay or in other words, FOR and ...
How to write an essay? | B2 First (FCE)
Another possible way to structure your advantage/disadvantage essay is this; You may want to add paragraphs to explain further advantages or disadvantages, but there should be only one main idea in each main body paragraph. Don't list all of your advantages/disadvantages in one paragraph. Introduction. Paragraph 1 - Describe an advantage.
INGLÉS B2 Session 4 1 WRITING - TASK 2 - A BALANCED ESSAY (ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES) In a balanced essay you need to consider both sides of an issue: the arguments in favour and the arguments against. Top tips Construct an argument on both sides.
Planning for the Advantages and Disadvantages Essay. You must take the time to plan for writing task 2. You will already have completed two full tests and writing task 1. Your brain is likely to be fatigued at this point, so you need to take a few minutes to ensure you respond correctly to the task, generate some ideas, and sequence the essay ...
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
Many tests, such as IELTS and TOEFL, ask you to write essays about advantages and disadvantages of a topic. This video shows three different types and how yo...
256 Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Topics & Pros ...
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions
Advantage Disadvantage IELTS Essay Topics: Sample ...
ents ch. se to teach their children at home. Both advantages and disadvantages. Par. 2. Students do not have to wake up so early / Spend more time with their parents/ Attention given to the subjects they like more or have more difficulty in Par.3 Parents may not know enough. o teach / when you go to school you m.
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
IELTS Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages Topics 2024 ...