The IELTS opinion essay comes up frequently in writing task 2. Opinion essays mainly focus on agreeing or disagreeing with a particular fact or information. It presents two opposite views and you have to develop your argument supporting one view. You get 40 minutes to complete this task. You have to write at least 250 words on the topic given.
There are a few IELTS opinion essay sample topics that are listed down below, which you can practice.
a) In the future, it seems more difficult to live on Earth. Some people think more money should be spent on researching another planet to live on, such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
b) Many people say that the only way to guarantee a good job is to complete a course in university education. Others claim that it is better to start work after school and gain experience in the world of work. How far do you agree or disagree with the above views?
c) Although more and more people read the news on the internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news for the majority of people. Do you agree or disagree?
d) Students in schools and universities learn more from their teachers than through other means such as the Internet, libraries, and TV. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
e) Many people believe that schools should teach children to become good citizens and workers rather than independent individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.
When to give your opinion
A set of words called ‘instructions words’ will help you identify when you have been given an opinion essay. The list of ‘instruction words’ is given below:
i) To what extent do you agree or disagree?
ii) Do you think..?
iii) In your opinion, what is…?
iv) Do you agree or disagree?
v) What is your opinion?
Sample Question
In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
- Essay Type
- Opinion Essay
Introduction
- Paraphrase the topic of the essay using synonyms for the words used in the topic statement.
- Clearly state the view on the topic.
Body Paragraph 1
- Technological improvements have increased the level of ease and convenience to a point where people can access news and information at the click of a button. This has led to print media becoming outdated.
Body Paragraph 2
- The advent of news websites and sites that freely distribute information and print media in a digital form has led to a trend of availing such services and content without paying.
Conclusion
- Summarize the essay and re-state the opinion on the topic.
Here are the most proven tips to help you get high marks in the IELTS opinion essay task.
1. Answer the question directly:
Answer the question in a straightforward manner. Ensure that your examples and ideas are valid according to the question asked. If you simplify too much and are not particular enough, it will alter how the examiner perceives your ideas.
2. Answer all the questions:
You must carefully read the question. Sometimes, there could be 1, 2, or 3 components in the question. To obtain a high IELTS score, you must answer all portions of the question.
3. Write the essay in paragraphs:
Use paragraphs to separate your writing into various pieces. The examiner should be able to read your essay easier as a result of this.
4. Make use of a variety of advanced sentence structures:
Use advanced sentence structures to explain your ideas and beliefs. Prove to the examiner that you can employ a variety of structures.
- You have to double-check the following:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuations
- Number of Words
- Sentence Structures
The following are the top words and phrases to know to produce excellent IELTS opinion essays:
a) I’d argue that…
b) In my opinion…
c) Personally, I believe…
d) It appears to me that…
e) I have to admit that…
f) As far as I can tell…
g) As for me, I believe…
h) That is something I cannot deny…
i) I’d like to emphasize that…
j) In my personal experience…
Final words…
IELTS writing task is not so hard if you have a thorough understanding of the test format and are able to organize your thoughts into grammatically-correct, well-structured sentences. Follow the aforementioned tips in you get an opinion essay in the writing task.
When you’re ready to take the IELTS writing test, book your test date in advance.
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