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Ielts writing task 2 simon pdf

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IELTS Writing Task 2

Simon

Contents

  • A. GENERAL TIPS AND ADVICE
      1. IELTS Academic Writing Task
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: how to use your 40 minutes
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: how to answer any question
      1. IELTS Writing: problem / solution (life expectancy)
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'opinion' essays
      1. IELTS Advice: argument or discussion?
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: discussion without opinion
      1. IELTS Grammar: cause and effect
      1. IELTS Writing: to what extent do you agree?
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: how to write an introduction
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: introductions
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: how to write introductions
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: short introductions
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: different introductions
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: rules for introductions
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: introductions and conclusions
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: one view or both views?
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: have a strong opinion
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced opinion
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: strong or balanced opinion
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: do the advantages outweigh...?
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: difficult questions
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: when to give your opinion
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: how to write a paragraph
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: use related words
      1. IELTS Writing Task 2: idea, explain, example
    1. Students' Questions: 'climate' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: governments
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: health topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: government spending
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'bottled water' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: money and consumerism
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: fixed punishments
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'online shopping' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: using the ebook
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'marriages' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'road safety' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'academic ability' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'robots' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'women and work' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'minority languages' essay
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'dependence' question
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'job satisfaction' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: sample discussion essay
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'museums' essay
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'sports salaries' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'helping poor countries' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'gender and university' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'gender and university' essay
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'technology' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: the '2 part' question
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: recent question
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: globalisation of culture
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: advertising
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: method
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: problem and solution
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: problem and solution (obesity)
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: higher education
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'equality' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: who should we help?
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'help' essay
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'global warming' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'nuclear power' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: using the word "I"
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: full essay
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: books, radio, TV
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'art and science' topic
    1. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'technology' essay

2. IELTS Writing Task 2: how to use your 40 minutes

You have 40 minutes for task 2, so try organising your time in the following way:

First 10 minutes Read the question and make sure you understand what it is asking you to do. Write a plan for a 4-paragraph essay (introduction, 2 main paragraphs, conclusion) and spend most of the 10 minutes thinking of ideas for the 2 main paragraphs.

5 minutes Write your introduction: 2 sentences are enough (examples)

20 minutes Spend 10 minutes on each of your main body paragraphs. These are they most important part of your essay, and the key to a high score.

Last 5 minutes Write a quick conclusion (examples) then check your work.

Please note: These are suggestions, not rules. Students are often surprised by my 10-minute planning time. In my experience, a good plan helps you to write your essay much faster than you think.

3. IELTS Writing Task 2: how to answer any question

Today I want to show you what happens in my brain when I see any IELTS Writing Task 2 question.

Here are my thinking steps:

  1. I read the question very carefully, maybe three times. I ask myself "What's the topic? What is the question asking me to write about?"
  2. I underline the key things that must be included in the essay. I always answer every part of the question.
  3. Now I think about my 4 paragraph structure. I can write any type of essay in 4 paragraphs; I just need to decide what to put in each paragraph.
  4. If I need to give my opinion, I think "What is the easiest opinion to explain? What good vocabulary could I use?"
  5. Then I write down some vocabulary ideas that are related to the topic.
  6. I try to write 2 sentences for the introduction: I introduce the topic, then give a simple answer (including my opinion if the question asks for it).
  7. I write short 'topic sentences' to start each paragraph, then develop my ideas by explaining and supporting with examples.
  8. I look at the question from time to time in order to check that I'm answering every part of it.
  9. I know that I write about 10 words per line; I can quickly check the approximate number of words that I've written.
  10. If I need more words (to reach 250), I expand one of my examples in the main body paragraphs. If necessary, I draw an arrow to show where I want to add the extra words.

5. IELTS Writing Task 2: 'opinion' essays

For 'opinion' essays, should you give both sides of the argument or just one side? The answer is that you can do either.

A) Essay structure for one side of the argument:

  1. Introduction: topic + your opinion (either agree or disagree)
  2. First idea to support your opinion
  3. Second idea to support your opinion
  4. Conclusion: repeat your opinion

B) Essay structure for giving both sides:

  1. Introduction: topic + mention the opposite opinion + your opinion
  2. Opposite opinion (you can accept some of the opposite arguments)
  3. Your opinion
  4. Conclusion: explain that you understand the opposite opinion, but overall you believe that...

It's very important to get the introduction right. This shows the examiner whether you are going to give one side of the argument or both sides.

Have a look at this lesson to see how I introduce both sides (essay structure B) using the word "while".

6. IELTS Advice: argument or discussion?

Many people ask me about the difference between an argument essay and a discussion essay. Here's an easy way to think about the difference:

  • When you argue, you are trying to persuade the other person to agree with your point of view. You might even get angry!
  • When you discuss, you consider different points of view, and nobody gets angry.

The question should make it very clear what it wants you to do. If it asks you to "discuss", you should write about advantages and disadvantages or two different views.

If the question asks whether you "agree or disagree", it's asking for your view. For this type of question, give your opinion in the introduction and support it in the rest of the essay. Try to persuade the reader to agree with you.

8. IELTS Grammar: cause and effect

Here are some useful phrases for describing causes and effects (for IELTS Writing Task 2 and maybe Speaking Part 3). I'll use the topic of 'global warming' to show how the phrases work.

  1. Cause - Effect

Pollution causes global warming. Pollution leads to global warming. Pollution results in global warming. Pollution is the main cause of global warming. Factories pollute the atmosphere. As a result, global warming is occurring.

  1. Effect - Cause

Global warming is caused by pollution. Global warming is the result of pollution. Global warming is due to pollution. Global warming occurs as a result of pollution.

Notice the different uses of 'result' (results in, is the result of, as a result). Students make a lot of mistakes with these phrases.

9. IELTS Writing: to what extent do you agree?

A good way to answer this question is:

To a certain extent I agree that... However, I also think that...

By saying that you agree to a certain extent (not completely), you can now talk about both sides of the argument.

Example question: People visiting other countries should adapt to the customs and behaviours expected there. They should not expect the host country to welcome different customs and behaviours. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

My introduction: To a certain extent I agree that visitors to other countries should respect the culture of the host country. However, I also think that host countries should accept visitors' cultural differences.

After this introduction, you can write one paragraph about each view.

7. IELTS Writing Task 2: discussion without opinion

Here are some example introductions for 3 different types of essay. My technique is to write 2 sentences:

  1. A sentence to introduce the topic
  2. A sentence giving a general response to the question or instruction

Problem & Solution Essay:

It is true that children's behaviour seems to be getting worse. There are various reasons for this, and both schools and parents need to work together to improve the situation.

Discussion (& Opinion) Essay:

People have different views about how children should be taught. While there are some good arguments in favour of teaching children to be competitive, I believe that it is better to encourage co-operation.

Opinion (Agree / Disagree) Essay:

In recent years it has become more common for women to return to work after having a child. However, I do not agree that this has been the cause of problems for young people.

My advice: Keep your introduction short. Main body paragraphs are more important.

10. IELTS Writing Task 2: how to write an introduction

Here is a review of my advice for task 2 introductions:

  • Make the introduction short and do it quickly. The main body paragraphs are more important.
  • Two sentences are enough: 1) introduce the topic. 2) give a basic answer to the question.

Example question:

All high school students should be encouraged to take part in community service programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

My introduction:

Some people believe that high school students would benefit from doing unpaid work in their local communities. I completely agree that community service programmes for teenagers are a good idea.

11. IELTS Writing Task 2: introductions

Some people think the main purpose of schools is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here are 3 different introductions. Notice that the opinion is clear in each one.

Agree: People have different views about what the main purpose of schools should be. Personally, I agree that a school's role is to prepare children to be productive members of society.

Disagree: Many people argue that the main role of schools is to prepare children for their future jobs. However, I believe that the purpose of education should be to help children to grow as individuals.

Balanced view: To a certain extent I agree that the role of schools is to prepare children to be productive members of society. However, I also believe that the education process has a positive impact on us as individuals.

12. IELTS Writing Task 2: how to write introductions

Many people decide on a career path early in their lives and keep to it. This, they argue, leads to a more satisfying working life. To what extent do you agree with this view? What other things can people do in order to have a satisfying working life?

In today's lesson I just want to look at how to write an introduction for this type of question.

15. IELTS Writing Task 2: rules for introductions

  1. Write 2 sentences: introduce the topic, then give a general answer.
  2. Mention everything that the question mentions.
  3. Don't save any surprises for the conclusion; give your opinion in the introduction if the question asks for it.

Here's an example introduction:

It is true that some people know from an early age what career they want to pursue, and they are happy to spend the rest of their lives in the same profession. While I accept that this may suit many people, I believe that others enjoy changing careers or seeking job satisfaction in different ways.

I'll look at the main paragraphs next week.

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Ielts writing task 2 simon pdf

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IELTS Writing Task 2
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