IELTS Writing Task 2: Agreement Or Disagreement
As you know, the IELTS Writing test is always the most challenging part for candidates when taking the IELTS exam. This exam requires you to have the skills to classify the types of articles and develop the pieces so that they are as close and reasonable as possible. If there is no preparation and practice, it is a big problem for you.
Below About IELTS will share how to write IELTS Writing Task 2: Agreement or Disagreement format.
I. Overview About Agree or Disagree Format
The Agree or Disagree format is a question that asks you to state your opinion after providing you with some opposing view or idea, which can also be arguments, reasons, or explanatory information. This form is usually divided into two types:
First, ask if you agree or not and how much you agree/disagree.
Ask directly for your agreement/disagreement with a firm tone, like asking a Yes/No question.
1. Recognizing Signs
With the type of essay (opinion essay) Agree/Disagree. The question usually has two parts, and part 1 is the argument, opinion on a particular issue, and part 2 is a question part, usually has the following form:
What is your opinion?
Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent or disagree?
Example:
- Some people say that reading newspaper online is more beneficial than harmful. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
- Some people say that getting a university degree is not the only way to get success in life. Do you agree or disagree?
2. Agree-Disagree Article Structure
A standard essay of the agree-disagree format in IELTS Writing Task 2 includes the following sections:
Introduction
- The purpose of the introduction and the goal you need to aim for is to introduce the reader to your answer (agree/disagree/partially agree) to the given issue threads.
Note: Do not answer the question indirectly or roundabout; you will lose points if you do not answer the question directly. The length of the introduction only needs to be 2-3 sentences.
Body
The body is where you present your points along with arguments and examples. Usually, 2 points corresponding to 2 paragraphs is enough.
- If your answer is agree/disagree, your arguments should be clear and reasonable enough for the reader to understand why your choice is so;
- If your answer is partially agreed, you must indicate where you agree and disagree. Each argument must have a clear explanation as well as specific examples.
Conclusion
- Unlike IELTS Writing Task 1, Task 2 requires you to have a conclusion. The purpose of the conclusion is to summarize your answer and explanation. A standard, concluding paragraph is usually in the range of 1-3 sentences.
Note: Do not add any main idea not mentioned in the body of the essay in conclusion. In addition, you are not allowed to rewrite the same opening for your closing.
See more types of essays in IELTS Writing Task 2:
II. How to Write IELTS Writing Task 2 Agreement Or Disagreement
1. Analyze The Question And Determine The Answer
For the agree-disagree question type, you will have two ways to answer:
- One-sided answer: Do you completely agree or disagree with the issue raised
- Balance answer: I only agree with part of the problem
Immediately after reading the topic carefully, you must have the answer in mind to quickly determine writing direction.
One note and a secret to help you determine the direction of writing are that IELTS is an English language proficiency test, not a social knowledge test. You don’t have to answer exactly what you think.
Instead, choose the answer that is easiest for you to write. Then, select an answer that gives you the point, argument, and example right away.
2. Make an Outline
Many of you think that outlining is unnecessary and takes time and instead should focus on writing. This way of thinking is not wrong, and the article is the only scored part. However, without an outline, a clear overview will bring a lot of consequences.
Think about it, and ideas are easily duplicated because they are not organized systematically. Writing in a direction that is not in any order is very easy to make you write erroneously, which can lead to digression and point deduction.
Making an outline, with regular practice, will only take you 5 minutes. Your ideas will be organized systematically. From there, you need to write according to the outline of the article, and the article will be completed faster and more effectively:
Introduction (2 sentences):
- The subject of the question
- Your answer
Body
- Three main ideas -> arguments, evidence for each idea
Conclusion
- Summarize the answer
Example:
Some people think that a huge amount of time and money is spent on the protection of wild animals and that this money could be better spent on the human population. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Introduction
- Topic: Investing time and money on wildlife animal ⇒ Agree: spend money on wildlife protection BUT ⇒ Disagree: Spend money on human population
Body
- Body 1: spend money on wildlife protection People save themselves by saving animals → Example: wild animals help achieve certain medical breakthroughs, modern medicines are found in plants. Humans, animals, and other forms of life form an ecosystem → a certain animal becomes less common → reduce the population of their predators → disrupt ecological balance → threaten the survival of human society.
- Body 2: spend money on human population No money for people who have problems → spend less on animals Spend more on education → make the world a better place for both humans and wild animals
Conclusion
- Agree partially
3. Instructions On How To Write Essay
Introduction
- Paraphrase the title again
- Give your opinion Agree or Disagree.
Example: Some people say that reading newspaper online is more beneficial than harmful. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
–> It is commonly believed that reading newspaper on the internet is more positive than negative. Personally, I hold the opinion that this view is convincing.
Body
- Main Body Paragraph 1
- Presenting the Main Idea
- Explain
- Take an example to clarify the argument
Templet: To begin with, this viewpoint is (un)convincing merely because…
- Main Body Paragraph 2
- Come up with 2 Main Ideas
- Explain and give arguments to support Main Ideas
- Let take examples
Templet: In addition, two other reasons are worth considering. First, … (roughly three sentences). Second, … (roughly three sentences).
Conclusion
- Rewrite the introduction but in a different way, and summarize the 3 Main Ideas you mentioned in the Body.
Templet: All things considered, when it comes to the view that…, I totally agree/disagree with it. This is simply because (of) …, …, and…
Example: All things considered, when it comes to the view that reading online is more advantages, I totally agree with it. This is simply because (of) ( 3 reasons that mentioned in Body)
Note: You should get into the habit of taking a few minutes to check your work after you’re done to spot grammatical and spelling mistakes. This will help you avoid deducting points in the IELTS Writing test criteria: Grammatical Range And Accuracy and Lexical Resource.