Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay
International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )
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IELTS Writing Task 2 is the most challenging section in the entire IELTS exam. IELTS writing is divided into two parts, viz. IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2. The following article will provide you with information about the IELTS writing format, IELTS writing task 2 format, and IELTS essay types, in brief. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay sample as well.
IELTS Writing Format
Before starting any test prep, it is imperative that you understand the pattern of the exam and go through the official study material and sample test papers. The following points will help you understand the IELTS writing format:
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- The IELTS exam is of two types; Academic and General Training Module, and both have a writing section.
- IELTS academic writing and IELTS general training module have two tasks, viz. task 1 and task 2.
- IELTS writing task 1 is different for academic and general training module.
- IELTS writing task 2 is similar for both and consists of a 250-word essay.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Format
Now that we have covered the IELTS writing format in brief, it is time to dig a little deeper and uncover the IELTS essay format. The following table will provide you with a broad overview of the same:
| Head |
Details of IELTS Writing Task 2 |
|---|---|
| Writing tone required |
Academic/Semi-formal/Neutral |
| Writing style required |
Discursive |
| Time limit |
None – however, try to complete the task within 40 minutes |
| Word limit |
At least 250 |
| Marks allotted |
2/3 of the final Writing band score |
| Other important points |
|
| Content tips |
|
IELTS Essay Types
In this section, we will discuss the types of essays that are asked in the test. Students must note that IELTS essay questions will be based on broad themes such as business, food, environment, etc.; then, a specific idea will be explored within that theme such as infrastructure, fast foods, air pollution, etc. The IELTS essay prompt will be directly related to that particular idea.
Once a theme and its specific idea have been chosen, different types of essays can be asked. The following table provides IELTS essay types and their corresponding questions:
| IELTS Essay Types |
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions |
|---|---|
| IELTS Opinion Essays |
|
| IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays |
|
| IELTS Discussion Essays |
|
| IELTS Problem/Causes – Solution Essays |
|
| IELTS Two Part Question Essays |
|
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays provide a statement and, based on that statement, you are expected to mention the advantages and disadvantages of the same. Moreover, IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays are of two types:
- Type 1: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
- Type 2: Do advantages outweigh disadvantages?
Type 1 question requires you to discuss only the advantages and disadvantages of a particular statement. Students are not expected to provide their opinion on the topics. Type 2 question requires you to provide your opinion on whether advantages outweigh disadvantages or not. Since the requirements of both question types are different, students need to follow a different IELTS essay structure for both. IELTS essay structures for both the types of advantages and disadvantages questions are provided below.
Type 1: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
| Type 1: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages |
|---|
| Introduction |
|
| Paragraph 1 (Advantages) |
|
| Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages) |
|
| Conclusion |
|
Type 2: Do advantages outweigh disadvantages?
| Type 2: Do advantages outweigh disadvantages? |
|---|
| Introduction |
|
| Paragraph 1 (Side with more weightage) |
|
| Paragraph 2 (Side with less weightage) |
|
| Conclusion |
|
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay
Here is the advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay sample:
| Question Prompt: Economists are of the opinion that the concept of Universal Basic Income should be introduced globally. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?
Sample Solution: The concept of Universal Basic Income has been pitched by economists around the globe. This essay will suggest that the reduction in income inequality and subsidies are the major advantages of this, but the high cost and reduction in motivation to work are the primary disadvantages.
The main advantage of Universal Basic Income is its ability to counter income inequality. As per the World Inequality Report, the wealthiest 10% of the global population account for 52% of the global income. The provision of a monthly basic income for every household will help in the fair distribution of financial resources. Brazil’s Bolsa Familia program, which is based on the concept of Universal Basic Income, has helped reduce inequality. Moreover, governments across the globe tend to provide various subsidies for welfare programmes. Governments can subsume their welfare programmes under one Universal Basic Income scheme and reduce their administrative costs.
Despite the above-mentioned advantages, the Universal Basic Income scheme comes with its own shortcomings. One of the disadvantages includes the extremely high cost of its implementation. Cancellation of the existing welfare programmes and introduction of Universal Basic Income would cost more than 50% of governments’ budgets across the globe. Moreover, guaranteed monthly income will reduce the incentive and motivation to work, thereby affecting work productivity. The same has been proven in the Mincome trials.
In conclusion, the concept of Universal Basic Income can prove to be advantageous if it promotes a reduction in wealth inequality and help in the reduction of government expenditure. However, the catch is to control an unreasonable increase in administrative costs and the tendency of people to leave work once they start receiving a guaranteed income. |
It is advised that students prepare well for their IELTS, whether they are opting for Canada PR or applying to foreign university. 2-4 months of time is sufficient to prepare for the IELTS exam.
Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay FAQs
Q. Is IELTS writing task 2 tough?
A. No, IELTS writing task 2 or an essay is not tough. If you understand the pattern of the task, the type of questions that are asked, and practice a few questions, you will understand how to put your thoughts in a coherent and concise manner. What matters most is how well you can present your ideas in a logical manner and with a flow. However, you can enhance your writing abilities and perform well on this work by practising and preparing. Additionally, there is a tonne of tools accessible to aid in IELTS preparation, including sample questions and model responses.
Q. What points should I keep in mind while writing an IELTS essay?
A. First and foremost, make sure that you are clear about the various scoring criteria. You will find that the official website mentions various terms such as “coherent”, “cohesive”, etc. Make sure that you understand those terms. Second, practice giving structure to your ideas. Arrange them in a logical, coherent, and concise manner such that there is a flow from one idea to another. Third, go through some IELTS essay samples. Fourth and last, practice and get your answers reviewed. Certain other important points include:
- Make sure you have a clear and concise thesis statement that you can use to guide your essay.
- Your essay should address all parts of the essay prompt
- Use relevant examples to support your arguments.
- Use a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary
Q. I am not good at writing. Can I still score well on IELTS essay?
A. Yes, even if you struggle with writing, you can still do well on the IELTS exam. Your language skills will be evaluated on the IELTS exam in the areas of reading, listening, speaking, and writing. As a result, even if you have trouble in one area, you can still perform well overall despite your difficulties in that area. To develop your writing abilities as much as possible and aim for the best result possible, you must study and practice for the exam. You can enhance your writing abilities by using a variety of materials, including writing exercises, online courses, sample questions and model answers, and sample questions.
Q. How much should I write in IELTS essay test?
A. In the main exam, you are expected to write at least 250 words in the essay. If you write less than 250 words, you will attract a penalty. Moreover, you must try to complete this task within 40 minutes. In order to be proficient with this, it is advised that students give IELTS mock tests. It is through mock tests that you get the hang of test pattern and how to write the exam.
Q. What is the difference between IELTS academic essay and IELTS general training essay?
A. IELTS writing task 2 is similar for both academic and general training modules. There might be a slight variation in the complexity of essays; however, both of them are more or less similar.
Q: What are the various subjects in IELTS exam?
IELTS subject means the 4 component of the test. The IELTS test is divided into four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Q: Does the IELTS examiner repeat questions in the IELTS speaking test?
No, IELTS examiners do not repeat questions in the IELTS Speaking test. Each IELTS Speaking test is designed to be a unique and individualized assessment of a candidate's English speaking abilities. The examiner will have a set of predetermined questions and prompts to ask during the test, but they will not repeat the exact same questions for different test takers. The purpose of the IELTS Speaking test is to evaluate a candidate's ability to communicate effectively in English on various topics. The questions asked by the examiner may differ based on the candidate's responses, allowing for a more dynamic and interactive conversation. It is important for test takers to be prepared to discuss a wide range of topics and to express their thoughts and opinions clearly during the Speaking test. Practice and familiarity with the test format can help candidates feel more confident and perform well in the speaking section.
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