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Ultimate Guide to IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essays

11 min read

Updated On Apr 12, 2024

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Ultimate Guide to IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essays

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We have all made a list of pros and cons when faced with a difficult decision. An advantages disadvantages essay in IELTS Writing is kind of like an organized pros and cons list.

In this article, we will go over the structure of Task 2 advantages and disadvantages, how to write an advantages and disadvantages essay and go over a few IELTS sample essays of this type.

Understanding the Question and Structure of the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

The IELTS advantages disadvantages essay is a question type you will come across in IELTS Writing Task 2 .

You will be asked to write about the benefits and drawbacks of the topic given. It can be worded in different ways. Let’s see some examples.

At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones in our daily lives.
Some companies and organizations require their employees to wear uniforms. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a uniform?
A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not managed correctly. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world. Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?
What are the pros and cons for children watching television? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example from your knowledge or experience.
Globalization has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your opinion.

Discussing the Question of Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS

In some questions of Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages essay, you will be asked to share your opinion. However, in most cases, discussing the pros and cons/benefits and drawbacks/advantages and disadvantages is enough.

Question of Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS

The first part of the question for advantage and disadvantage essays in IELTS Writing Task 2 will always be a statement. In the second part, you will get to know whether you have to discuss only the benefits and drawbacks or add your opinion along with it. So, no need to worry!

As you can see in the image above, the first question asks you to share your opinion, whereas in the second, you will have to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Structure of the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

The IELTS Essay writing task is quite challenging as it requires you to write an essay on an unseen topic from any walk of life – it can range from social issues to environmental discourse. To make it easy, you can practice advantage and disadvantage essay topics based on the following structure breakdown.

Paraphrase the question statement.
State what the following paragraphs will discuss.
Mention your viewpoint (if asked in the question)
Discuss the advantages.
Explain the benefits with examples in 2-3 sentences.
Discuss the disadvantages.
Explain the drawbacks with examples in 2-3 sentences.
Summarize the benefits and drawbacks discussed in the essay.

Remember that there is no right or wrong structure for advantages and disadvantages writing task 2 . However, if you use this, it will enable you to plan your essay in no time during the exam.

Join us in our IELTS webinars to learn tricks to handle IELTS Writing Task 2 essays! Explore Now!

How to Plan Your Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages Essay?

The planning for writing any essay type in IELTS Writing Task 2 requires around 5 minutes.

The process covers essential aspects such as analysis of the question, organization of the points to be included, identifying relevant vocabulary, and understanding the marking criteria to obtain a good band score .

The following points will provide a concise guide on how to plan your answer for the advantages and disadvantages of essays in IELTS academic writing task 2 and save some time to revise your response.

To answer the advantages disadvantages essay questions in IELTS Writing Task 2, first you have to identify the keywords and instructions in the question to discuss the positives and negatives of the statement.
Plan your structure, including your main arguments, advantages, and disadvantages, to present your answer in a well-structured manner.
Take at least 10 minutes to analyze and understand the given statement and evaluate its pros and cons.
Organize your thoughts and provide a clear and concise response.
Using appropriate writing task 2 vocabulary and phrases (lexical resource) is important. But avoid stuffing too many words into irrelevant places.
Ensure that your response remains relevant to the given topic.
Understand the IELTS writing band descriptors like Task Response, Coherence and cohesion, Lexical resource, Grammatical range and accuracy to obtain a high band score .

How to Write an Advantages Disadvantages Essay for IELTS Writing Task 2?

Once you have planned your advantage and disadvantage essay for Writing Task 2, it is time to write down your answer.

Writing The Essay Introduction

The first thing that you have to do is to write an introduction for an advantages disadvantages essay.

Your introduction should paraphrase the topic of the essay and try to use different vocabulary/synonyms for the words in the topic, wherever possible.
Then, give a brief idea about what could be expected in the essay, i.e. the advantages and the disadvantages of the concerned topic.
Finally, state which side you think weighs the most (when asked for an opinion.)

Body Paragraphs for Advantages And Disadvantages Essay IELTS

Although there is no strict rule about the number of paragraphs forIELTS essays, it is better to limit the number to two. It will not only help you to follow the word count but also keep your essay concise.

Body Paragraph 1

It should state the advantage/s of the topic.
This should be backed by practical points, and the examples would be even better.
Day-to-day incidents and instances can be brought to notice.

Body Paragraph 2

It should state the disadvantage/s of the topic.
This as well should be supported by valid points, and the daily incidents and examples can be highlighted to back your points.

How To Write An Essay Conclusion?

You should conclude the topic by providing a summary of the points put forth in the entire essay and how the advantages or disadvantages of the topic outweigh the other (if applicable).

Make sure to end the essay with a well rounded conclusion.
Link your ideas discussed in the essay to ensure cohesion and coherence.
The question/s along with the essay statement should be answered.

To help you to understand this type of essay better, given below are some essential essay vocabulary you must know as well as a sample essay with a detailed outline. We’ve provided you with ample IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay topics to help you hone your essay writing skills.

IELTS Essay Vocabulary

A strong command of vocabulary is crucial for writing an effective advantages disadvantages essay in IELTS Writing Task 2.

Your proficiency in English language vocabulary will be evident in how expertly you can select the most suitable expressions to convey precise meanings. Diversifying your vocabulary will enable you to incorporate a greater variety of words in your essays. However, it is important to note that overusing uncommon words and phrases can reduce the relevance of your answer.

Wondering the Trick to Score a Band 8 in Writing Task 2? Know the Secret!

Tips for Mastering Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Writing an essay on IELTS advantage disadvantage essay topics needs careful preparation and planning. Here are some tips that you can use to write a high quality essay:

Understand the Question: Make sure you understand the question and what is expected of you before you begin writing. Decide which advantages and disadvantages you need to talk about and if you need to share your opinion.
Generate Ideas: Spend a few minutes identifying the benefits and drawbacks of the selected subject. List the main ideas and instances you’ll utilize to support your claims.
Structure Your Essay: Write your essay with a logical and obvious structure. Begin with an introduction that briefly summarizes your key points and states the subject. After that, give each benefit and drawback a paragraph of its own, and then wrap up by summarizing your points in the conclusion.
Use Linking Words: To connect your thoughts and create a smooth writing flow, use a range of linking words and phrases, like “furthermore,” “however,” “on the other hand,” and “in conclusion.”
Support Your Points: Give particular instances, figures, or anecdotes to back up each benefit and drawback you discuss. This will improve the persuasiveness of your arguments and raise your score.
Plan your Time Effectively: During the exam, manage your time well. Plan your essay for a few minutes, then concentrate on creating paragraphs that are precise and to the point. At the conclusion, give yourself some time to review and make any required changes.
Practice is the Key to Success: It is the ultimate truth. The more you practice, the more you will become efficient in planning, organizing and structuring your advantages disadvantages essay for IELTS Writing Task 2. So, take up more writing practice tests and make the best use of them.

Ensure you’re using the right structure for IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays!

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Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay Questions and Sample Answers

Given below are some sample questions for the advantages and disadvantages type of essay and band 9 methodologies of answering them.

Sample Question 1

Sample answer.

Foreign education has become one of the most sought-after ventures in this day and age. A majority of students plan on pursuing higher education in a foreign nation, especially when it comes to a master’s degree. One of the reasons why studying abroad has become such a popular phenomenon is the relaxation of travel laws and procedures across the world. However, there are pros and cons to studying abroad and the following paragraphs will explore the topic and elaborate on why the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

One of the primary reasons for studying abroad is the presence of a more refined and sophisticated education system in several first-world countries. It is common for students from underdeveloped or developing countries like Brazil, China, India, Argentina and other countries to look for better opportunities than the ones available in their native country in terms of academics. Also, residing in a foreign country helps individuals to gain international exposure and also helps them develop social and interpersonal skills, which are extremely important for being eligible for lucrative job opportunities.

Nevertheless, there are numerous drawbacks to travelling abroad for education. First of all, from the beginning of applying to a foreign university to staying in the host country for the entire duration of your degree, it is an exorbitant affair. Such a costly endeavour is often unaffordable for the household of many people. That being said, becoming accustomed to the norms and conventions of an unfamiliar country can be a tough ordeal for many due to differences in culture and social traditions.

Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that foreign education can be a blessing if it is financially feasible for aspiring students. That being said, the benefits of studying abroad surpass the drawbacks for the same.

Check Out – How to Plan an IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay (Best Strategy)

Sample Question 2

Globalization has been one of the most significant phenomena in the last few decades, and it has changed several aspects of human society both economically and socially. There has been remarkable progress in terms of economic and financial development for developing countries due to the expansion of global organizations. However, there are several drawbacks to this rapid progress that need to be addressed. Evidently, globalization has more advantages than disadvantages and the following paragraphs will elaborate on the topic and justify these views.

First of all, the most advantageous aspect of globalization is the advent of numerous international companies and franchises in developing countries. Ever since global brands and corporations have expanded their operations in countries such as India, China, Sri Lanka and many more, there has been a notable increase in employment in these countries. Additionally, due to the remarkable rise in the number of imports and exports, people from third world countries now have access to a vast catalogue of products and services that were previously unattainable.

That being said, there are drawbacks to globalization that create concerning issues for a sizable portion of the global population. One of the most disturbing consequences faced is the exploitation of labour. Many corporations are known to outsource their operations to developing countries due to cheap labour costs. This enables them to accomplish their manufacturing operations without having to provide proper remuneration. Also, due to the use of inexpensive labour, the quality of products is diminished, and customers receive inferior products.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the effects of globalization are not entirely positive or negative. Nonetheless, the benefits brought by this occupation outweigh the drawbacks.

Practice Advantages Disadvantages Essays IELTS with IELTSMaterial

There is no doubt that you are preparing for the IELTS Writing Task 2. So, we would recommend you to take up advantage and disadvantage essay topics regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at solving the IELTS Writing test and answers within the dedicated timeframe.

Check out our well-reviewed IELTS Writing study guide , which includes self-explanatory lessons and sample answers. If you need more guidance, don’t hesitate to contact our IELTS specialists . Make the necessary preparations to improve your score on the IELTS Speaking test and get a Band 8+.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an advantage/disadvantage essay? How do you identify that the essay falls under this category?

Is it mandatory to put advantages and disadvantages separately in two paragraphs or can I club them?

In case of questions where advantages outweigh disadvantages, I might have to write disadvantages first. Will it affect my score?

Do I have to write more than one point for advantages and disadvantages essays for IELTS Writing?

When can I note down the voc

What will happen if I write the exact question statement of the advantages disadvantages essay topic?

What is the importance of the topic sentence of an advantages disadvantages essay?

Is it mandatory to follow the word limit given with the IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay?

What can I do if my IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay is less than 250 words?

Is there any upper limit for word count for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Kasturika Samanta

Kasturika is a professional Content Writer with over three years of experience as an English language teacher. Her understanding of English language requirements, as set by foreign universities, is enriched by her interactions with students and educators. Her work is a fusion of extensive knowledge of SEO practices and up-to-date guidelines. This enables her to produce content that not only informs but also engages IELTS aspirants. Her passion for exploring new horizons has driven her to achieve new heights in her learning journey.

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Post your Comments

10 comments.

Ashlin Devi

Posted on Oct 5, 2023

Nowdays, technologies are in high demand. People are possessed with their own computers and cell phones, so it is quite easy for them to do their job at home. Even though it is acknowledged with several points that working from home is quite easier, the essay will argue that the drawbacks of working from home will outweigh its strength. The main disadvantages are ineffective communication and the relationship amongst people becoming distant. First of all, people need internet to communicate. The internet connectivity is very poor at times, especially in the remote areas. Furthermore, during virtual meetings, discussion gets difficult due to connection issues where meeting is not worthwhile since no voice or no video. Moreover, working from home gives distance amongst people where you will not be able to have interact with colleague. Face-to-face discussion is very important where you get to work more effectively and efficiently. On the other hand, working from home is indeed benefit. People do not have to travel to reach work. The time which are spend on travelling, can be utilized on other activities such as house cores, leisure activities or even can work extra hours to meet the given deadline. Furthermore, people get flexibility in working hours, since there are no superior workers supervising employee. To conclude, there are some strengths on working from home but drawbacks overweigh strengths since working from home is not as easy task as people think since ineffective communication and people interaction is very important.

ria mahajan

Posted on Oct 6, 2023

Overall Band 5.5 Main ideas are relevant, but some are insufficiently developed and lack clarity, while some supporting arguments and evidences are missing for the question.Simple vocabulary is used accurately but the range does not permit much variation in expression.A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used but flexibility is limited. For detailed analysis,you can avail a Free trial class Find the link below: https://ieltsmaterial.com/signup-1/ or you may reach out to us: +91 8929053019

Posted on May 15, 2023

More students prefer foreign colleges and universities. Although studying abroad is costly, a concerning drawback, the global exposure a student gets is the primary benefit that outweighs any disadvantage. On the one hand, pursuing education abroad is quite expensive, which is the primary concern. The tuition fee in the universities of developed countries is relatively high, and it is challenging for a student from an average financial background to afford it. Furthermore, people need to find part-time jobs to handle their daily expenditures. For example, a study by the University of Dubai revealed a drop of 25% in the enrolment of international students in the year 2023 compared to 2022 among the Gulf nations due to an increase in college fees. However, many universities provide scholarships to merit students, and youth can get global exposure which is of considerable significance. The primary benefit of choosing foreign universities is that the pupils get excellent global exposure. In many developed nations, the education system is quite advanced and leans towards practical knowledge than textbook learning. Moreover, people can build a strong network with locals which helps them in their professional careers. For instance, one of my friends, Ravi, who runs a garment business, is able to expand his work abroad due to the exposure he got while pursuing his master’s in abroad and the network he built during his education period. This is why youth prefer foreign universities. In conclusion, although studying abroad is quite expensive, the undisputed benefit of getting global exposure surpasses any hindrance.

Posted on Dec 3, 2022

“Nowadays online shopping becomes more popular than in-store shopping. Is it a positive or a negative development? Give your reasons and examples.” Isn’t this an opinion question though you have categorized it under advantages and disadvantages? I believe we have to describe only one aspect in our body paragraphs rather than describing both positive and negative aspects?

Posted on May 29, 2022

Nowadays, studying abroad is a new trend among students. Undoubtedly, there are positive and negative aspects of studying in a foreign country. However, the benefits of attending colleges and universities in a foreign country outweigh the drawbacks. The next couple of paragraphs will explain the topic and justify these viewpoints.

To begin with, studying abroad has several advantages for students. For instance, a student who is studying in a foreign country will probably improve language skills better than others. Learning a foreign language is extremely significant in a global environment. Moreover, living outside of a home country will enhance students’ worldview thanks to the culture of the host country. Therefore, it can be said that studying abroad paws the way for great career options.

However, there are undesired sides to education in a foreign state. One of them is education expenditure. Studying abroad might be expensive. Thus, it might lead to a huge economic burden for both student and his family. When a student moves to another country for education, he must face several challenges caused by living alone. For instance, some students might have some psychological problems during the first couple of weeks following their move. It can be claimed that being homesick is a common problem among young students.

In conclusion, having a graduate degree from a foreign country has both negative and positive sides. Although there are significant advantages, the benefits of studying abroad surpass the drawbacks for the same.

Posted on May 30, 2022

Band Score – 6

Concentrate on the correct usage of quantifiers and subject-verb agreement.

In some places words are used incorrectly, pay attention to them.

Use C2 level of words.

Purnima Koli

Posted on Oct 25, 2021

Parents tend to give the children better resources as compared to their own childhood. This way they also feel compensated in the process while bringing up their own child. While having a huge collection of toys to play with is not all that bad, at the same time can lead to some issues.

Firstly, having a diversity in the range of toys have multiple benefits. The child can learn how to manage or organize better. Varied exposure to different themes of toys makes one more aware.

Secondly, sharing can also develop social skills among the child’s friend circle. To get hands-on-experience with toys such as Rubix’s cube, puzzles hone mental capacity of the kid. Similarly, educational and infotainment toys help shape likes and dislikes, opinions, communication skills. Thus, caters to holistic development which is often a cause of worry for parents.

On the other hand, if the child is given more and more, this may result in losing the value of individual toy. Not only is this expenditure wasteful but also teaching consumerist tendencies to the child. Perhaps unconsciously the child stops valuing his toys and takes them for granted in desire for more.

To have enough needs to be inculcated rather than frivolous costs being incurred. The parents need to be also mindful of teaching holistic habits like outdoor games, reading, painting apart from playing with toys for all round development.

Having many toys is also burdensome when it comes to maintenance. If that could be sorted then it’s much easier to assemble and play as per the child’s convenience. Gifting once in a while is a good option to keep the spirits of the child happy.

Posted on Nov 13, 2021

If you would have presented this same as a 4 paragraph structure and added the conclusion you would have score 7 easily.

Overall band: 5

Coherence: It is better to follow a 4 paragraph structure so that it is easy for the examiner to mark you for coherence. Conclusion is missing in your essay. Conclusion is where you sum up and restate points.

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How to Plan & Write IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

Questions for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays can be worded in several different ways. Here is some typical wording that might be used:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

It is also common for synonyms of ‘advantages’ and ‘disadvantages’ to be used, such as ‘benefits’ and ‘drawbacks’, as can be seen in this sample question.

A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world? Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?

I’ll be using this question to guide you through the process of planning and writing an IELTS advantage and disadvantages essay later on in this lesson.

Here’s what the lesson covers:

Understanding IELTS advantages & disadvantages essay questions
Essay structures
How to plan
How to write an introduction
How to write main body paragraphs
How to write a conclusion

Want to watch and listen? Click on this video.

Click the links to see lessons on each of these Task 2 essay writing topics.

Once you understand the process, practice on past questions. Take your time at first and gradually speed up until you can plan and write an essay of at least 250 words in the 40 minutes allowed in the exam.

The Question

IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay questions fall into two main categories:

Questions that ask for your opinion.
Questions that do not require you to state your opinion.

The first part of the question will always be a statement. You will then be asked to write about both the advantages and disadvantages of the idea stated. You may also be required to state your opinion.

Here are two more sample questions for illustration. For the first one, you must give your opinion but in the second, you should not.

1. Small businesses are disappearing and being replaced by large multinational companies.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

2. Most career choices demand vocational skills or specialist knowledge. However, despite this, most schools still teach academic subjects such as history or social studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Essay Structures

Now let’s look at two simple structures you can use to write IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays. They're not the only possible structures but are ones I recommend because they are easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.

I’ll explain later why I’m giving you two slightly different structures.

These structures will give you a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.

One Advantage and Disadvantage or Two?

The question will state 'advantages' and 'disadvantages' in the plural, that is, more than one. However, it is acceptable to write about just one.

This should give you an essay of just over the minimum 250 words. To write about two advantages and disadvantages will require you to write nearer 400 words which are a lot to plan and write in the 40 minutes allowed.

It is better to fully develop one advantage and one disadvantage than ending up with your second idea missing an explanation or an example because you run out of time, but you can write about two if you feel able to or more comfortable doing so.

Having said that, using essay structure 2, where you start with the examples, will enable you to easily add more than one advantage and disadvantage without having to write many more words.

It will be more suitable for some questions than others so bear this in mind when you're writing practice essays and try out both structures.

I’m going to use essay structure 2 to show you step-by-step how to write an IELTS advantage and disadvantages essay. I’ll also give you a model answer using essay structure 1 so that you can compare the two.

How To Plan IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

The planning process only takes around 5 minutes but it is essential as it will save you time overall and will result in a far better essay and thus, higher marks. Th ere are the 3 things you need to do:

Analyse the question
Generate ideas
Identify vocabulary

# 1 Analyse the question

Analysing the question will ensure that you answer it fully. It’s quick and easy to do. You just need to identify 3 different types of words:

Topic words
Other keywords
Instruction words

Topics words are the ones that identify the general subject of the question and will be found in the statement part of the question.

Here is the question we’re going to be working on. I’ve highlighted the topic words in blue.

So, this question is about ‘ tourism’ .

Many people do this first step of the process and then write about the topic in general. This is a serious mistake and leads to low marks for task achievement.

What we need to do now that we know the general topic, is to understand exactly what aspect of tourism we're being asked to write about.

The other keywords in the question tell you the specific topic your essay must be about.

A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income . Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed.

By highlighting these words, it’s easy to see that you are being asked to write about the conflicting issues of tourism being ‘a main source of income’ in many places, yet also being ‘a source of problems’.

Your essay must only include ideas relevant to this aspect of tourism.

The instruction words are the question itself. They tell you exactly what to include in your essay.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world? Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks ?

Here, we are required to write about:

The advantages of tourism in relation to income generation.
The disadvantage of tourism in relation to problems it can cause.
Our opinion as to whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Note the use of the synonyms ‘ benefits ’ and ‘ drawback ’ in the second sentence of the question.

# 2 Generate ideas

The next task is to generate some ideas to write about.

There are several different ways to think up ideas. I cover them fully on the IELTS Essay Planning page.

I’m going to demonstrate two of them for you here – the ‘friends technique’, which is suitable for most IELTS essays, and the ‘example method’, which perfectly fits essay structure 2.

The ‘ friends technique ’ is the method I generally prefer as it allows you to take a step back from the stress of the exam situation and think more calmly.

Here’s how it works. Imagine that you are chatting with a friend over a cup of coffee and they ask you this question. What are the first thoughts to come into your head? Plan your essay around these ideas.

Doing this will help you to come up with simple answers in everyday language rather than straining your brain to think of amazing ideas using high-level language, which isn’t necessary.

Here are my ideas using the friends technique:

There are far too many ideas here to include in an essay of just over 250 words. Think up a few then pick one advantage and one disadvantage that you think you can develop well.

With the ' example method ', on the other hand, you start by thinking of specific examples related to the question. They can come from your own experience or be something you’ve read or heard about. These examples will generate ideas that will become the main points of your essay.

It works particularly well for the model question I’ve selected for this lesson which is why I’ve included the second essay structure.

Here are my ideas using the examples technique:

Now that we have some ideas, we’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay, but first, we have one more task to do.

# 3 Vocabulary

During the planning stage, quickly jot down some vocabulary that comes to mind as you decide what you're going to write about, especially synonyms of key words. This will save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing.

Writing an IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

We’re ready to begin writing our essay. For the first model answer, I’m going to take you step-by-step through essay structure 2. I’ll then give you a model answer for essay structure 1.

Here’s a reminder of the question and the essay structure.

We’ll now start work on the introduction.

How To Write an Introduction

The introduction to an IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay should have a simple 2 or 3 part structure:

Paraphrase the question
Outline the main ideas
State your opinion (if required)

Our tourism question asks for our opinion so our introduction will have 3 parts.

1) Paraphrase the question

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question statement.

Question: A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income.

Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed.

Paraphrased question:

Although holidaymakers contribute hugely to the economies of many popular destinations, the influx of tourists can also cause serious issues.

Note my use of synonyms for some of the key words. It’s fine to repeat one or two words if you can't think of suitable synonyms. Above all, your language must sound natural.

2) Outline statement

Now we need to add a statement where we outline the main points that we’ll be covering in the rest of the essay, that is, an advantage of tourism and a disadvantage of tourism.

Here are the two main ideas I’ve chosen to write about:

Advantage – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts
Disadvantage – Displacement of local people

Outline statement:

This essay will demonstrate how tourism can transform the economy of poor areas but will also show that this can lead to such problems as the displacement of local people.

3) Opinion statement

The question also asks for our opinion and it’s essential that we include it in the introduction.

Opinion statement:

Whilst acknowledging that there are drawbacks, the essay will argue that the advantages of the tourist industry outweigh the disadvantages.

So, let’s bring the three elements of our introduction together.

Introduction

This introduction achieves three important functions:

It shows the examiner that you understand the question.
It acts as a guide to the examiner as to what your essay is about.
It also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write.

The two ideas in your introduction will become your two main body paragraphs.

Main body paragraph 1 – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts

Main body paragraph 2 – Displacement of local people

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main body paragraphs in IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays written using structure 2, should contain 3 things:

Topic sentence – give an example
Explanation – explain the benefits/advantages
Consequence – state the result

Main Body Paragraph 1

The topic sentence summarises the main idea of the paragraph. It plays an important role in ensuring that your ideas flow logically from one to another. It does this by acting as a signpost for what is to come next, that is, what the paragraph will be about.

If you maintain a clear development of ideas throughout your essay, you will get high marks for task achievement and cohesion and coherence.

In this instance, the topic sentence will introduce our first example, for which I’ve chosen Thailand.

Main idea – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts
Example – Thailand

Topic sentence:

One country that has experienced a significant economic boost from tourism is Thailand.

Next, we must write an explanation sentence that states the main point of our example.

Explanation sentence:

Over the past 50 years, many of its small fishing villages, where people often struggled to make a living, have been developed into thriving holiday destinations.

Finally, we explain the consequence or result of the situation. This is where we give an example of one specific advantage. It is better to pick one and develop it than to just add a long list.

Consequence:

With all the hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities that have been developed, there are now enough jobs for everyone and the general standard of living has greatly increased. Many local people have spotted new business opportunities and become entrepreneurs which has further diversified the economy.

That’s the 3 parts of our first main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

We’ll now follow the same process for our second main body paragraph.

Main Body Paragraph 2

Main idea – Displacement of local people

Example – Venice

First, we write the topic sentence to summarise the main idea.

Topic sentence:

In Venice, on the other hand, the huge popularity of the beautiful canals and stunning architecture with visitors from around the world has had a negative impact on local residents.

Now for the explanation sentence that states the main point of our example.

Explanation sentence:

The growing need for tourist accommodation, places to eat and shops has forced many people from their homes to make way for this new development.

Finally, a specific example to explain the consequence .

Not only have these people suffered by having to move away from their family and friends but the situation has also resulted in a lost sense of community in the worst affected areas.

That’s the 3 parts of our second main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

Now we need a conclusion and our IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay is done.

How To Write a Conclusion

The conclusion is a summary of the main points in your essay and can generally be done in a single sentence. It should never introduce new ideas.

If you're below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add a prediction or recommendation statement.

Our essay is already near the minimum word limit so we don’t need this extra sentence but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays on the Task 2 Conclusions page.

The conclusion is the easiest sentence in the essay to write but one of the most important.

A good conclusion will:

Neatly end the essay
Link all your ideas together
Sum up your argument or opinion
Answer the question

If you achieve this, you’ll improve your score for both task achievement and cohesion and coherence which together make up 50% of the overall marks. Without a conclusion, you’ll score below band 6 for task achievement.

You can start almost any final paragraph of an IELTS a dvantages and disadvantages essay with the words:

In conclusion

To conclude

Now all you need to do is briefly summarise the main ideas into one sentence.

Here’s a top tip . Go back and read the introduction to the essay because this is also a summary of the essay. It outlines what you are going to write about.

To create a great conclusion, you simply have to paraphrase the introduction.

Introduction:

Here's the same information formed into a conclusion:

That’s it. We’ve completed our advantages and disadvantages essay. Here it is with the 4 paragraphs put together.

Finished IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay.

Go through this lesson as many times as you need to in order to fully understand it and put in lots of practice writing IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays from past exam questions. Practice is the only way to improve your skills.

Example IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay for Structure 1

Now, here’s a model answer for essay structure 1. First, a reminder of the structure and the ideas I generated using the friends technique.

Ideas generation - Friends technique

I’ve underline the ideas I’ve chosen to write about in this second essay:

Advantages of tourism – source of income:

Provides jobs for local people
Opportunities for local entrepreneurs
Tourist spending boosts both national & local economy
Brings improvement in local infrastructure & facilities which benefit whole community
Helps maintain traditions & culture

Disadvantages of tourism – the problems:

Money goes to wealthy business owners not local people
Increased crime
Illegal activities, e.g. drugs
More pubs & clubs – changes the local culture
Increase in property values
Destruction of the natural environment to build hotels, airports & other facilities
Displacement of indigenous people

See if you can identify the different parts of the essay and how I have developed them.

That's it. Now it's time for you to get practicing.

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More help with ielts advantages and disadvantages essays & other task 2 essays.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.

Understanding Task 2 Questions – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write a Task 2 Introduction – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria – Find out how to meet the marking criteria in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

Opinion Essays

Discussion Essays

Problem Solution Essays

Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

Double Question Essays

Other Related Pages

IELTS Writing Test – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

IELTS Writing
Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
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Essay Task 2

Guide to Advantage Disadvantage IELTS Essay Type

Essay Types
Double Question
Advantage Disadvantage
Problem Solution
Essay Length

IELTS advantage/disadvantage essays ask you to write about the benefits and drawbacks of a topic as well as (sometimes) asking for your opinion. This guide covers everything you need to know to complete an Academic IELTS advantage/ disadvantage essay. Let’s start preparing with Benchmark IELTS!

1.1 understanding the question, 1.2 example advantage/disadvantage questions, 2.1 essay structure 1, 2.2 essay structure 2.

3.1 Identify key words and phrases

3.2 Organise your ideas

3.3 identify vocabulary, 4.1 introduction, 4.2 main body paragraphs, 4.3 conclusion, 5.1 complete the sample advantage/disadvantage essay, 5.2 advantage/disadvantage sample essay, 1. advantage/ disadvantage essay overview.

This section of the guide will show you how to identify an IELTS advantage/disadvantage question.

Remember, there are five main types of writing task 2 questions:

Advantage/disadvantage
Double question
Problem/solution

It is very important to understand what type of question you are given in the exam so you can respond in an appropriate way: different question types will require different responses.

Advantage/disadvantage essay questions can be presented in several different ways.

Here are some examples of the way an advantage/disadvantage question may be worded:

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of _____ and give your opinion.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of _____?

You may also see questions using synonyms for advantage and disadvantage, for example:

What are the benefits and drawbacks of…?

Be careful, the question itself might not always use words or phrases relating to advantage/disadvantage and they could be hidden in the statement, as seen here:

Some people believe that using a bicycle as your main form of transport has a lot of advantages , whereas others believe that it has many disadvantages . Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Here is another example of a question where you are asked to give your opinion:

Do the advantages of … outweigh the disadvantages

After you have identified the essay type , you need to understand what you are being asked to do. To do well in the Task achievement marking component, you need to ‘ address all parts of the task’ .

This type of essay question will always be split into two parts:

The IELTS statement
The question

You must always write about both the advantages and disadvantages of the given topic. As we can see in example questions 1-6, sometimes you are asked to give your opinion on the question, and sometimes you are not. Let’s compare the following questions:

You are not being asked to give your opinion

Here are some example advantage/disadvantage essay questions:

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have more of an opportunity to study abroad.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Today children spend a lot of their free time watching TV.

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of this practice?

Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides

IELTS Discussion Type Questions
Double Question IELTS Essay Topics
Opinion-based Task 2 IELTS Guide
Problem Solution IELTS Writing Task Statement

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy.

The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have the opportunity to study abroad.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?

More and more people prefer to read news online rather than on paper.

Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.

2. Essay Structures for Advantage/Disadvantage Essays

There is more than one way to structure your advantage/disadvantage essay. You could take a thesis-led (opinion in the introduction) or an evidence-led (opinion in your conclusion).

You could also choose to focus on one or more than one advantage/disadvantage in each of your main body paragraphs.

The next two sections will give you two possible ways that you could structure your essay using four clearly organized paragraphs.

Thesis-led approach

Evidence-led approach

3. Planning your Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

Before you start writing your essay, you should give yourself 5 minutes to analyze the question and organize your ideas . Follow the tips below to create a well-planned essay!

3.1 Identify keywords and phrases

It sounds simple, but it is very important that you read the question carefully and understand what you are being asked to write about. To analyze the question, first, identify any keywords and phrases .

You should first identify the topic of the essay. If you do not write about the correct topic, you will score poorly in Task achievement . The general topic can always be found in the IELTS statement.

Let’s take a look at one of the previous examples:

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace . Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy .

The topic words are underlined and show the general topic of this essay question in nuclear weapons/power/technology .

After you have identified the general topic, you need to locate other keywords that give you more detail about the topic. In this question, the words world peace and cheap and clean energy in bold give you more information about the general topic. Therefore, your essay should only relate to these aspects of nuclear weapons/power/technology .

Now take a look at the question for our model answer at the end of this guide. Can you identify the general topic?

This is an important step that is often skipped by test-takers. By quickly writing down your key ideas, you will avoid repeating or missing any points and improve your score in both Task achievement and Coherence and cohesion .

You could use bullet points , columns , or another preferred method of writing down ideas . Here is an example for our sample essay:

Take a look at our Master Guide for a more in-depth look at idea generation and organizing your ideas.

Taking a moment to write down more uncommon vocabulary related to the essay topic will not only make you feel more relaxed in the exam but will also help you to improve your score in Lexical resources .

This doesn’t have to be a long list, just a few ideas that come into your mind. Here are some examples of the topic of studying abroad:

Culture shock
Language barrier
Broaden one’s horizons

4. Writing your Advantages/Disadvantages Essay

Your introduction should be the shortest paragraph in your essay (about 40-60 words is perfect).

You need to rephrase the IELTS statement in your own words. This is known as paraphrasing (a key skill to develop for the IELTS exam).

Take a look at our example:

You can also briefly state what your essay will be about in one clear sentence. For instance:

This essay will discuss both points of view and then I will give my opinion.

If you are taking a thesis-led approach, you can use one of the following sentence starters to briefly give your opinion:

I believe that…
It is my belief that…
In my opinion,…

A note on the use of the first person ‘I’: Unlike writing task 1, it is appropriate to use the first person in your writing task 2 essay. In fact, it is unavoidable when giving your opinion. But , you should not overuse ‘I’ in your essay and we recommend you limit your use to your introduction and conclusion.

Topic sentences Usually, the first sentence of your main body paragraph will be a topic sentence . The purpose of your topic sentence is to introduce the main idea of your paragraph .

You should include one topic sentence for each advantage/disadvantage . This means that, if your main body paragraphs focus on two advantages/disadvantages , then you should have two topic sentences per paragraph.

Here’s an example: One advantage of studying abroad is that students can improve their language skills.

Here are some other sentence starters you can use for your essays (you can replace the underlined words with vocabulary linked to your topic):

One advantage of studying abroad is that ….
Another benefit of studying abroad is that…
One downside of studying abroad is that…
Another downside of studying abroad is that…

Supporting sentences You should then expand on your topic sentence with a supporting sentence/sentences . Your sentence(s) could either describe a result of the advantage/disadvantage, go into more detail , or explain the reason(s) why these benefits/drawbacks occur.

Our example supporting sentence describes a result of the advantage given in the topic sentence.

Topic sentence – One advantage of studying abroad is that students can improve their language skills.

Supporting sentence – This means that when the students return to their home countries, they will have more employment opportunities.

Here are some sentences starters you can use to begin your supporting sentences:

This is because…
The result/consequence/reason is that…
This means that…
As a result/consequence,…
In other words,…

Giving examples For all writing task 2 essay types , you must support your response with examples. Do not personalize your examples and link them to your life instead, Keep your examples more general . Also, do not refer to made-up statistics .

Here are some instances of suitable and non-suitable examples:

Suitable For example, many young people who study in an English-speaking country for a few years develop strong communication skills and have the confidence to work in an international company when they return home.

Not suitable My cousin spent three years in an English-speaking country and they got an excellent job with an international country when they came back to Spain. ( this example is too personal as it refers to the writer’s family ) ❌

According to statistics, international students are 30% more likely to get a job in an international company when they study overseas. ( this example contains a made-up statistic )

You must include a conclusion to achieve a good score in Task achievement . Your conclusion does not have to be very long, but it needs to be clear and do two main things:

Paraphrase yourself : summarise the key points in your body paragraphs
Give your opinion : It depends if you have taken an evidence-led or thesis-led approach, you will either be re-stating the opinion given in your introduction or giving your opinion for the first time.

Make your conclusion easy to identify for the examiner by starting with linking phrases such as:

To sum up,…
To summarise,…
In conclusion,…

When you are paraphrasing the main points of your essay, you need to state that you have examined both sides of the argument (as that is what the question has asked you to do). To do this, consider using a phrase like:

In conclusion, having looked at this topic in detail, it is clear that there are both advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad .

You would need to replace the underlined section with your essay topic.

To give your opinion, you need to use a range of cohesive devices to introduce each example such as:

From my perspective,…
In my view,…

You then need to clearly state which side of the argument you agree with (advantage or disadvantage). Remember, your actual opinion does not matter, it is how you present your opinion using English that is important.

Here are some example sentences to do this effectively:

In my opinion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
From my perspective, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits .

5. Example Advantage/Disadvantage Essay and Exercise

Now you’ve taken a look at how to write an advantage/disadvantage essay, let’s look at a model answer.

We have removed some of the words so you can put your knowledge to the test.

Select the correct missing words and complete the model answer.

In recent years, it has become much more common for students to complete their degree overseas instead of their house country. Many persons believe that there are significant benefits of doing this, while others argue that there are also drawbacks connected to studying abroad. This essay will discuss both points of mind and then I will give my opinion.

One advantage of study abroad is that students can improve their employee skills. This means that when the students return to their home countries, they will have more employment opportunities. An example, many young people who study in an English-speaking country for a few years develop strong communication skills and have the confidence to work in an international company when they return home. On the other hand benefit of studying abroad is that you can develop a better understanding of other cultures, Example , learning about a country’s customs, traditions and cuisines. The consequence of this is that people become more open-minded.

In the other hand, there are some disadvantages of studying abroad. One backdraw is that students may miss their friends and family and feel homesad. They may also find it difficult to connect with other students and make friends due to a language barrier . Another disadvantage is that students can experience a real culture shock when moving to another country. This is because the culture and language may be different which could lead to frustration for the student and dissatisfaction with their study experience.

To overall , it is clear that there are both advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad. In my thought, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Although it is true that the experience may be challenging at first, on balance , if you study abroad you will have an enriching experience that will broaden your horizons and increase your future prospects.

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IELTS Writing: advantages & disadvantages essay

In this lesson you will learn how to produce a band 9 answer for advantages & disadvantages essay in IELTS Writing. As an example, we will use a topic of tourism in modern world . Basically, in all advantages and disadvantages essays your task is to describe positive and negative sides of a given topic + give your opinion.

In this lesson you will:

see a question sample
learn effective ways to quickly produce ideas for your answer
learn band 9 answer structure

for advantages and disadvantages essay in IELTS.

IELTS advantages & disadvantages question sample

For example, you can get this question for IELTS writing task 2:

A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not managed correctly.

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world. Do you think that benefits of tourism outweight its drawbacks?

This essay topic is related to tourism. Of course, topics for questions will vary, but ideal answer structure is the same for all advantages & disadvantages essays in IELTS.

Producing ideas for your answer

Before you start writing your essay, you should always spend 1-2 minutes on producing ideas for your answer . This way, you’ll know what to write about and your answer will be more coherent and well-structured. In case of advantages & disadvantages essay , you need to think of 2-3 advantages and 2-3 disadvantages of the given issue.

Let’s think about advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world.

Advantages of tourism :

boost in country’s economy due to increased spending
new job opening for local people
opportunities to discover new places for individual travelers

Disadvantages of tourism :

destruction of popular tourist destinations by large numbers of tourists
development of illegal economic activities
local people can experience loss of privacy

Now, after we’ve collected some ideas, it’s time to use them in our essay.

Band 9 answer structure for causes & solutions essay

Though there are many ways to structure your IELTS essay, we’ll use this time-tested band 9 essay structure:

Introduction
Body paragraph 1 – advantages
Body paragraph 2 – disadvantages

Tip : before starting to write your essay, decide what you think: does tourism have more advantages or disadvantages? You’ll need to make accent on your opinion in one of the body paragraphs.

We’ll use the opinion that tourism has more advantages .

Introduction Write the introduction in 2 sentences:

Sentence 1 - paraphrase the question (restate the problem):

Nowadays tourism generates a significant portion of national income for many countries, but it has certain drawbacks too.

Sentence 2 - tell the examiner what you’re going to describe in your essay:

This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of tourism and provide a logical conclusion.

Body paragraph 1 - advantages

Sentence 1 - state 2 main advantages:

The two main advantages of developed tourism industry are boost in country’s economy and a large number of new job openings for the local people.

Sentences 2-4 - explain the first advantage + give an example (if possible):

Firstly, tourists spend money on a wide range of services, including hotels, amusements, transportation, food and medical services. This way, tourism yields an additional income, greatly supporting the countries’ economies.

Sentences 5-7 - explain the second advantage + give an example (if possible):

Secondly, tourism increases the level of employment by bringing new jobs. For instance, the influx of tourists results in a larger demand in restaurant workers, tour guides, hotel staff and employees of retail services, exhorting business owners to hire more people for these positions.

Sentence 1 - state 2 main disadvantages:

However, tourism also has some major disadvantages like destruction of popular tourist destinations and development of illegal economic activities.

Sentences 2-4 - explain the first disadvantage + give an example (if possible):

Ancient buildings, temples and monuments struggle to cope with a vast amount of visitor’s traffic and get damaged. Also, the large number of tourists can cause environmental problems. For instance, when places of interest are overcrowded, natural resources often become overexploited.

Sentences 5-7 - explain the second disadvantage + give an example (if possible):

What’s more, tourism can create more serious situations where criminal issues are involved. The presence of a considerable number of tourists with a lot of money to spend, and often carrying valuables such as cameras and jewelry, increases the attraction for criminals and brings with it activities like robbery and drug dealing.

Sentences 8 - make an accent on your opinion (we’ll use the opinion that tourism has more advantages ):

However, proper hospitality management and correct usage of tourism revenue by the local government can eliminate these disadvantages.

Sentences 1-2 - briefly restate the advantages and disadvantages

To conclude, although tourism has certain disadvantages like destructive effects and growth of crime rate, it has an extremely positive impact on country’s economy and provides a large number of new jobs for the local people.

Sentence 2 - give your final opinion

I believe that these benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks.

Band 9 answer sample

Nowadays tourism generates a significant portion of national income for many countries, but it has certain drawbacks too. This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of tourism and provide a logical conclusion.

The two main advantages of developed tourism industry are boost in country’s economy and a large number of new job openings for the local people. Firstly, tourists spend money on a wide range of services, including hotels, amusements, transportation, food and medical services. This way, tourism yields an additional income, greatly supporting the country’s economy. Secondly, tourism increases the level of employment by bringing new jobs. For instance, the influx of tourists results in a larger demand in restaurant workers, tour guides, hotel staff and employees of retail services, exhorting business owners to hire more people for these positions.

But tourism also has some major disadvantages like destruction of popular tourist destinations and development of illegal economic activities. іAncient buildings, temples and monuments struggle to cope with a vast amount of visitor’s traffic and get damaged. Also, the large number of tourists can cause environmental problems. For instance, when places of interest are overcrowded, natural resources often become overexploited. What’s more, the presence of a considerable number of tourists with a lot of money to spend, and often carrying valuables such as cameras and jewelry, increases the attraction for criminals and brings with it activities like robbery and drug dealing. However, proper hospitality management and correct usage of tourism revenue by the local government can eliminate these disadvantages.

To conclude, although tourism can have certain negative effects like destructive impact and growth of crime rate, it has an extremely positive influence on country’s economy and provides a large number of new jobs for the local people. I believe that these benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks.

(299 words)

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Advantages and Disadvantages Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated on Apr 02, 2024, 12:10

Did you know that the Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS is one of the most common questions asked in the test? Preparing for it is essential to secure a good score.

The Advantages and Disadvantages Essay the IELTS writing task requires you to discuss a particular topic's pros and cons or advantages and disadvantages. You need to present your ideas in a clear and organised manner and support them with relevant examples and evidence.

This task assesses your ability to express your opinion, analyse information, and use various vocabulary and grammatical structures. Understanding the question, brainstorming ideas, planning your essay, and proofreading your work before submitting it is important. With the right preparation and practice, you can master this task and achieve a high score on the IELTS exam.

On This Page

1. Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS: How to Answer?

Advantages and Disadvantages essay topics are some of the most commonly asked question types in IELTS.

2. Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS: Sample Answer

Below is a sample essay to help you understand the IELTS Writing Task 2, advantages and disadvantages essay type.

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Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS: How to Answer?

While you’re answering the advantages and disadvantages essay in IELTS writing, you should ensure your essay provides attention to either advantages or disadvantages, avoiding bias or one-sided arguments. Maintain a formal tone, adhere to grammatical rules throughout your essay and use a mix of vocabulary.

The task typically presents a topic or statement requiring you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
The word limit for the task is 250 words.
Your aim should be to examine the topic's positive and negative aspects.
Use cohesive devices and appropriate linking words to connect ideas within paragraphs and between sections.

When tackling an advantages and disadvantages essay in the IELTS exam, it's essential to structure your response effectively and present a balanced argument. Here's how to answer:

Introduction:

Start with a clear topic statement.
Provide a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages you'll discuss in your essay.
Finish with a thesis statement that outlines your overall opinion or stance on the topic.

For Example, “ The exponential growth of the e-commerce industry has revolutionised the way we shop, work, and interact with businesses. While it brings numerous benefits, it also presents certain drawbacks that impact our society in various ways.”

Advantages Paragraphs:

Begin with a topic sentence introducing one advantage.
Provide specific examples or explanations to support your point.
Use linking words and phrases to connect your ideas logically.
Conclude the paragraph by summarising the advantage and its significance.

For Example, “ One of the primary advantages of e-commerce is its unparalleled convenience. Online shopping allows consumers to browse and purchase products from the comfort of their homes or on-the-go, eliminating the need to visit physical stores. This convenience particularly benefits individuals with busy lifestyles or limited mobility, enhancing access to a wide range of goods and services.

E-commerce also fosters competition and innovation in the marketplace. With numerous online retailers vying for customers' attention, businesses are incentivised to offer competitive prices, diverse product selections, and superior customer service. This competition drives continuous improvement and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers with better-quality products and services.

Disadvantages Paragraphs:

Follow the same structure as the advantages paragraphs.
Start with a topic sentence introducing one disadvantage.
Support your argument with relevant examples or explanations.
Use cohesive devices to maintain coherence in your essay.
Conclude the paragraph by summarising the disadvantage and its implications.

For Example , “ Despite its advantages, e-commerce presents several challenges, including privacy and security concerns. Online transactions involve exchanging sensitive personal and financial information, making consumers vulnerable to identity theft, fraud, and cyberattacks. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures and protecting consumer data are critical for maintaining trust and confidence in e-commerce platforms.

Another drawback is the impact of e-commerce on traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. The rise of online shopping has led to the decline of physical stores, particularly small businesses that struggle to compete with large e-commerce giants. This shift in consumer behaviour can result in job losses, economic disparities, and the decline of local communities.”

Conclusion:

Summarise the main points discussed in the essay.
Restate your thesis statement, highlighting your opinion on the topic.
Provide a balanced final thought that considers both the advantages and disadvantages.

For Example , “ In conclusion, while e-commerce offers unparalleled convenience, promotes competition and globalisation, and drives economic growth, it also raises concerns related to privacy and security, disrupts traditional retail models, and poses environmental challenges. Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach that harnesses the benefits of e-commerce while mitigating its negative impacts on society and the environment.”

Tips for Success:

Maintain a balanced approach throughout your essay, acknowledging both sides.
Use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures to demonstrate language proficiency.
Ensure coherence and cohesion by using appropriate transition words and phrases.
Proofread your essay carefully to correct any grammatical or spelling errors.

Following these guidelines, you can effectively structure and answer an advantages and disadvantages essay in the IELTS exam. Practice writing essays on various topics to improve your skills and confidence.

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS: Sample Answer

Question: The growth in technology has made things accessible for everyone. What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of technology in our lives?

Sample Answer: Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Our Lives

Technology's rapid growth has revolutionised how we live, work, and interact with the world around us. While technology brings many benefits, it also introduces certain challenges and drawbacks that impact individuals and society.

One of the most significant advantages of technology is its ability to enhance communication and connectivity. With the advent of smartphones, social media, and instant messaging platforms, individuals can easily stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues regardless of geographical barriers. This increased connectivity fosters collaboration strengthens relationships, and facilitates the exchange of ideas on a global scale.

Moreover, technology has transformed education by making learning more accessible and interactive. Online resources, e-books, and educational apps provide students with opportunities for self-paced learning, personalised instruction, and access to a wealth of information beyond traditional classroom settings.

Despite its numerous advantages, technology also presents several challenges and drawbacks. One of the most pressing concerns is the impact of technology on mental health and well-being. Excessive use of digital devices, social media addiction, and constant connectivity have been linked to increased stress, anxiety, and depression among individuals, particularly young adults and adolescents.

Moreover, technology-driven automation and artificial intelligence (AI) pose job displacement and economic inequality challenges. Automating routine tasks and adopting AI-driven technologies in various industries threaten to eliminate traditional jobs, exacerbate unemployment, and widen the gap between skilled and unskilled workers. Addressing these challenges requires proactive measures to reskill workers, promote job creation in emerging sectors, and ensure equitable access to opportunities in the digital economy.

In conclusion, while technology offers numerous advantages, such as enhanced communication, improved education, and better healthcare outcomes, it also introduces mental health, privacy, data security, and socioeconomic inequality challenges.

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Every Year Several Language Die Out: IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample

Honesty is the best policy: IELTS Writing Task 2

Environment Essay Topics with Samples: Writing Task 2

Q. What is essay writing for the IELTS?

A. Essay is a part of the Writing section of the IELTS exam. Here, you will be given academic topics on which you must write an impactful essay. You need to structure your essay correctly, which makes the user walk through the core concept and then give some valuable outcomes as a conclusion.

Q. How do you write an essay in IELTS?

A. There are some of the things you should mind to write an essay in IELTS:

You should gather your ideas and thoughts around the topic. Do not deviate from the essential subject of your essay.
Follow a standard format that can be meaningful for the audience.
Enrich your essay with examples that can make valid points.
Always give your own opinions and end the essay with a valid conclusion.

Q. How do I get more 7.5 in IELTS Writing?

A. Practice is more important in getting good marks in IELTS writing. You should start practising different question types to develop ideas quickly and complete your task within the timeframe. Remember there is a limited time to complete tasks like the advantage and disadvantage writing task 2, which is 40 minutes only!

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of essays in IELTS?

A. It is one of the question forms asked in the Writing Task 2 of the IELTS exam. Here, various questions are covered around academic topics like education, economy, health, technology, etc. In all these topics, you need to focus on the benefits and the drawbacks of the particular situation and then give your concluding opinion.

Q. Are IELTS essay questions repeated?

A. The IELTS essay questions are not repeated. But yes, the topics are usually repeated in many tests. For example, there have been many questions in the past about education, technology, etc. These topics are so vast that so many questions can come around them. But each has a different question, which has to be written with a different perspective.

Q. What should I do if I run out of time during the exam?

A. Practising time management to tackle the questions better is highly advisable. However, if you feel you are running out of time, write the conclusion part of writing task 2 because the point of essay writing will be meaningless without a valid conclusion. For Task 1, try to cover the central key theme of the visuals if unable to cover the full.

Q. Why is IELTS writing difficult?

A. The IELTS Writing task is not difficult, if you prepare for it. It consists of simple writing tasks such as writing a report or an essay. The writing section of IELTS may seem complex as a wide range of topics might be asked in the question and because of the time constraints while dealing with the questions. But there’s nothing to panic about. With continuous practice, it's possible to overcome the difficulties and become efficient in dealing with them.

Q. What are the writing tasks for IELTS?

A. The writing section includes the 2 tasks:

Task 1 is based on visual representation, which you must describe in 150 words and within 20 minutes.

Task 2 will ask you to write an essay on a particular topic, requiring you to give your opinions, discussion, arguments, and problems/solutions approach. You can also get advantages and disadvantages essay topics that will require you to focus on the positive and negative aspects of the particular topic.

Q. Can I write Task 2 first in IELTS writing?

A. Yes, you can choose to write the Task 2 first. It’s totally up to you how you want to write the whole test. But always consider that there is always a limited time to cover the questions. So, only do that if you can complete them before the timeline. And remember that writing Task 2 is double the marks of Task 1.

Q. How can I succeed in IELTS writing?

A. Practice and direction are integral to the success of IELTS writing tasks. You need to do continuous practice in dealing with questions like the advantages and disadvantages writing task 2, opinions-based essays, etc. The right mentorship will provide guidance and feedback to improve your writing skills and achieve better results.

Q. Are all the modules of the IELTS test held on the same day?

A. No, the IELTS test is conducted in two parts. The first part includes the Listening, Reading, and Writing section, which is done on the same day. The second part includes the Speaking section. It can occur the same day or 7 days before/after the examination. As it is an uncertain aspect, you should prepare the speaking modules together with the other three.

Q. Should I prioritise one task over the other in IELTS Writing?

A. Yes, you can. And always give priority to Task 2 as it has double the weightage of Task 1. You need to cover Task 2 in 250 words, which should not take more than 40 minutes. So always take care of these limitations. And don’t forget to allocate some time to proofreading and handling the spelling and grammar issues. Because these aspects carry more marks, it becomes essential to take care of them.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Advantage/Disadvantage Sample Essay

Thumbs pointing up and down to show advantages disadvantages essay

In this post, we’re going to look at an IELTS Writing Task 2 advantages and disadvantages sample essay. In this type of Task 2 question, you will read a description of a common situation or practice. From there, you’ll describe the advantages and disadvantages of the idea you were presented with. For more background info and advice on this particular question type, you can go to my post on the Task 2 question types in IELTS Writing.

In this article, I’ll show you a sample advantage/disadvantage prompt and a model essay that responds to the prompt. The model essay is an example of band 9 level writing—this is the highest score you can get on the Writing section. I’ve patterned the essay after this IELTS Writing Task 2 template , which was created by Magoosh IELTS expert Rachel Kapelke-Dale.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages Sample Essay

Before we get started, you should of course first read the sample prompt.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages Sample Essay Question

With modern transportation, workers and students are increasingly mobile, and have more and more opportunities to study and work abroad. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this development. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

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Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages Model Essay (Band 9)

Nowadays, both work and study can easily take a person out of their home country. This can be good because people can explore new cultures now more than ever. At the same time, world travelers may become disconnected from their own home countries. In this essay, I will take a closer look at the aforementioned key advantage and key disadvantage.

To be sure, ordinary people now have unprecedented access to life abroad. It is easier than ever to work or study in a foreign land for months and even years. Many large international corporations offer overseas work to their employees, just as nearly all universities provide study abroad options at partner campuses overseas. Ultimately, nearly any adult anywhere in the world can potentially immerse themselves in another language or culture, with support from their bosses or teachers.

The problem is that international workers and students sometimes become unconcerned with the affairs in the nations they are from. This kind of apathy can prevent people from doing their civic duty. As one example, people from countries with compulsory military service may spend years abroad and even renounce their citizenship to avoid protecting their homeland. Even more commonly, people who go abroad may choose not to vote in elections back home, failing to make their voice heard on important matters. So modern mobility can undermine one’s ability or desire to make a difference back home.

Learning about other cultures by actually living abroad is a powerful tool for better intercultural understanding. However, as valuable as this is, sometimes going abroad can cause people to ignore the importance of their own culture and country. Not all students and workers should go abroad, and the ones that do should not forget their role in their country of origin.

Word count: 294

Scoring Rationale

This IELTS Writing Task 2 advantages and disadvantages sample essay is held to the same standards as any other Writing Task 2 essay. These standards are listed in the official rubric for IELTS Writing Task 2 . If you read the level 9 description carefully and compare it to this essay, you should see the reasons it has a top score. But I’ve also included scorer commentary immediately below.

Scorer Commentary (Advantage/Disadvantage IELTS Essay Sample, Band 9)

The score report below is based on the official IELTS Writing Task 2 rubric . This report also looks very similar to the Magoosh IELTS essay scoring service .

Overall Band Score: 9

What was done well in the essay:

This essay has over 250 words. This is a small but important way to avoid needlessly losing points due to the IELTS Writing word count penalty .
The essay does a good job of covering both the advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of easy access to foreign experiences is explored in the first body paragraph. The disadvantages of becoming too distant from one’s home community is similarly explored in the second paragraph.
Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, followed by supporting details, examples, and a concluding sentence that wraps things up nicely.
Transitional phrases such as “to be sure” and “even more commonly” are used to clearly link ideas between paragraphs and within paragraphs.
Vocabulary and grammar are used very fluently; this essay is free of any serious errors in this aspect of English.

More IELTS Writing Task 2 Example Responses

If you found this example essay helpful, you’ll love the rest of them. Click the links below to access model responses for the other common Task 2 question types.

Two-Part Question Essay
Causes/Solutions Essay
Discussion Essay
Agree/Disagree Essay

David is a Test Prep Expert for Magoosh TOEFL and IELTS. Additionally, he’s helped students with TOEIC, PET, FCE, BULATS, Eiken, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. David has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. His work at Magoosh has been cited in many scholarly articles , his Master’s Thesis is featured on the Reading with Pictures website, and he’s presented at the WITESOL (link to PDF) and NAFSA conferences. David has taught K-12 ESL in South Korea as well as undergraduate English and MBA-level business English at American universities. He has also trained English teachers in America, Italy, and Peru. Come join David and the Magoosh team on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram , or connect with him via LinkedIn !

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2 responses to “IELTS Writing Task 2: Advantage/Disadvantage Sample Essay”

will it be correct to include brain drain and the problem of excessive number of immigrants in the disadvantage part?

Hi Paromita,

If you can support these ideas in the essay and explain why they are disadvantages, then that could work if your reasoning is sound.

Hope that helps! 😀

How to Write An IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

How to Write and IELTS Advantages - Disadvantages Essay - IELTS Luminary

Are you aiming to achieve a high band score in the IELTS exam? Do you find yourself puzzled by the task of writing an 'IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay'? Then you've landed in the perfect place!

In this comprehensive guide, we'll unlock the secrets to acing this challenging yet rewarding part of the IELTS writing exam. We'll take you step-by-step through understanding the structure of an 'IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay', crafting an effective outline, and using a practical template to write a well-balanced essay.

Whether you're a seasoned IELTS test-taker or new to the game, our guide is packed with actionable tips and examples to help you shine in the exam. Our aim is to make your IELTS preparation journey as smooth as possible.

So, sit back, grab your notepad, and let's dive into the world of IELTS writing. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to write an outstanding IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay. Let's start the journey towards IELTS success together!

IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Structure

Introdu ction

An effective introduction is vital for setting the tone of your essay. It should introduce the topic in a clear and concise manner, provide some context, and outline the structure of the essay. The intr oduction should be designed to pique the reader's interest, prompting them to read on. Here's a sample introduction for an essay on "The Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning":

"With the rapid advancement of technology, online learning has become a prevalent mode of education. This essa y will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this modern educational approach."

Advantages and Disadvantages

The body of your essay will consist of two main sections: the advantages and the disadvantages. Each of these sections should contain one or two paragraphs explaining the relevant points.

For each advantage or disadvantage, start with a topic sentence that clearly states the point. This should be followed by supporting details and examples. A balanced view is crucial here; try to give equal attention and depth to both sides of the argument.

Here's an example for the aforementioned topic:

Advantages:

"One significant advantage of online learning is its flexibility. Unlike traditional classroom settings, online courses allow students to learn at their own pace, making education more accessible for people with busy sc hedules. For instance, working professionals can take up online courses to upskill themselves without compromising their job commitments."

"Another benefit is the vast amount of resources available online. Students have access to a plethora of learning materials like videos, eBooks, and online forums, thereby diversifying their learning experience."

Disadvantag es:

"Despite its numerous benefits, online learning also has its drawbacks. One major disadvantage is the lack of face-to-face interaction. This can lead to feelings of isolation and can also hinder the development of essential social skills."

"Additionally, not everyone has reliable internet access or the necessary technological devices, which can exclude some individuals from accessing online education, thus widening the digital divide."

The conclusion is the final section of your essay. It should not introduce any new information but rather summarise the main points discussed in the essay. It should also reiterate the significance of the topic and provide a clear and compelling concluding statement.

Here's a sample conclusion for our example:

"In conclusion, online learning presents numerous advantages, including flexibility and vast learning resources. However, it also has its pitfalls such as lack of personal interaction and potential exclusion of those without adequate technology or internet access. Thus, while online education is a powerful tool in the modern world, these considerations should be addressed to make it more effective and inclusive."

Remember that the structure outlined here serves as a general guide. The specific requirements might vary depending on the given essay prompt, so it's essential to read the instructions carefully. Keep practicing, and soon you'll master the art of writing an excellent IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay.

Exploring the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Outline

An effective outline is your roadmap to a successful essay. It helps organise your thoughts, ensuring a logical flow of ideas from start to finish.

Introduction

Introduce the topic: Your introduction should set the stage for your essay. Begin with a general statement about the topic, then narrow it down to the specific issue you'll be discussing. For example, if you're writing about online learning, you might start by discussing the role of technology in education.

Give a brief overview of what will be discussed in the essay: Following the topic introduction, your next sentence should preview the points you'll discuss - the advantages and disadvantages of the issue. Using our online learning example: "This essay will explore the advantages, such as flexibility and access to vast resources, along with disadvantages like potential isolation and technology disparities, of online learning."

Topic sentence outlining the first advantage: The first sentence of this paragraph should clearly state the advantage you're discussing. For instance: "A key advantage of online learning is its unprecedented flexibility."

Explanation and examples supporting the advantage: Next, explain this advantage in more detail, providing relevant examples or evidence. You could say, "Online courses allow learners to engage with materials at their convenience. For example, a working professional might study after work hours, something not possible with traditional, scheduled classes."

Disadvantages

Topic sentence outlining the first disadvantag e: Like the advantages section, begin with a clear topic sentence stating the disadvantage. Example: "Despite its benefits, online learning also presents challenges, notably a lack of personal interaction."

Explanation and examples supporting the disadvantage: Explain this disadvantage further, again providing examples or evide nce. You could explain, "In online classes, students miss out on face-to-face engagement with peers and teachers, which can lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of essential communication skills."

Summarize the main points: The first part of your conclusion should briefly recap the main points of your essay. Avoid introducing new information here. Using our example, "Online learning, while offering flexibility and a wealth of resources, also presents challenges in terms of personal interaction and technological disparities."

Restate the significance of the topic: Reiterate why your topic is important. You might say, "As technology continues to evolve, understanding the pros and cons of online learning is crucial for educators and students alike."

Provide a clear and compelling concluding statement: Finally, end with a powerful statement that ties your essay together. For instance: "Thus, while online education is a powerful tool in the modern era, its challenges must be addressed to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive learning experience."

Remember, an outline is a flexible tool. It should guide your writing, but don't be afraid to deviate from it if your essay's flow requires it. Use it as a roadmap, not a strict rulebook.

Utilizing the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template

The IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template is a powerful tool for shaping your thoughts and ideas into a coherent and persuasive piece of writing. Let's delve into the specifics using an example topic: "The rise of electric vehicles".

Your introduction should succinctly introduce your topic and provide an overview of what the essay will cover. For our example, this might look like:

"The increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) is a significant trend in today's automotive industry. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this growing shift towards electric transportation."

Now it's time to discuss the benefits. Each advantage should be addressed in its own paragraph, beginning with a topic sentence, followed by an explanation, and then an example.

Advantage 1:

Topic sentence: "One notable advantage of EVs is their contribution to environmental sustainability."

Explanation: "Unlike traditional vehicles, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing the amount of harmful pollutants released into the environment."

Example: "For instance, replacing a conventional car with an electric one can save approximately 1.5 million grams of CO2 per year."

Advantage 2:

Topic sentence: "Another b enefit of EVs is their potential for cost savings in the long run."

Explanation: "Although the upfront cost of EVs can be higher, their lower operating costs over time can offset this initial investment."

Example: "Research shows that EVs can be 2-3 times cheaper to run per mile compared to petrol or diesel vehicles, depending on electricity prices and driving habits."

Next, outline the drawback s of th e topic, again devoting one paragraph to each point.

Disadvantage 1:

Topic sentence: "Despite their benefits, EVs also have drawbacks, including the current limitation s of battery technology."

Explanation: "EV batteries often have a limited range and can take a considerable amount of time to charge, which can be inconvenient for users."

Example: "For instance, a typical EV may need to be recharged after 150-200 miles, and full charging can take up to 12 hours, depending on the charger type and battery size."

Disadvantage 2:

Topic sentence: "Another disadvantage is the insufficient charging infrastructure, particularly in remote or rural areas."

Explanation: "The lack of widespread, accessible charging stations can make long-distance travel with EVs more challenging."

Example: "In certain rural regions, charging points can be over 100 miles apart, making EV usage less feasible."

Conc lusion

The conclusion shou ld recap the main points, restate the topic's significance, and provide a clear concluding statement.

"In conclusion, the rise of electric vehicles brings substantial benefits, including environmental sustainability and potential long-term cost savings. However, challenges such as battery limitations and insufficient charging infrastructure remain. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, addressing these challenges will be crucial to fully realize the potential of electric transportation."

Remember, the template provided here is a guide, and should be adapted based on the specifics of your essay prompt and the ideas you want to convey. With understanding, practice, and perseverance, you'll be well-equipped to master the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay.

10 key tips How to write a High Band Advantages Disadvantages Essay

Understand the Structure: Familiarize yourself with the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Structure. Your essay should have an introduction, two body paragraphs (one for advantages, one for disadvantages), and a conclusion.

Create an Outline: Before you start writing, make an outline. This will help you organize your thoughts, ensure a logical flow of ideas, and make sure you don't miss any crucial points.

Use the Right Template: Use the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template as a guide to structure your essay appropriately. This template ensures you don't miss any crucial elements in your essay.

Balance Your Arguments: Make sure to present a balanced view. You should provide an equal amount of information for both the advantages and disadvantages. This shows the examiner that you can objectively discuss a topic.

Use Examples: Include relevant examples to support your points. Examples make your points more concrete and persuasive.

Mind Your Language: Use clear, precise, and formal language. Avoid slang and contractions, and make sure your grammar and punctuation are correct.

Stay on Topic: Stick to the topic throughout the essay. It's easy to go off on tangents, but staying focused on the topic ensures you address the question effectively.

Use Transition Words: Transition words like "However", "Moreover", "Additionally", and "On the other hand" can help your essay flow better. They guide the reader through your thoughts, making your essay easier to follow.

Practice and Review: Regular practice is key to improving your essay writing skills. After each practice, review your essay to identify areas where you can improve.

Manage Your Time: You will have a limited amount of time to write your essay during the IELTS exam. Practice writing essays within a set time frame to ensure you can effectively manage your time during the actual test.

Remember, writing a compelling essay takes practice and patience. Keep refining your writing skills, and you'll be well on your way to achieving a high score on the IELTS exam. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

An IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay is a type of essay that appears in the writing section of the IELTS exam. It requires candidates to discuss both the pros and cons of a given topic, displaying a balanced and objective understanding.

2. How do I use the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template?

The IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Template is a guide to help structure your essay. It typically includes an introduction, separate paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence, followed by explanation and examples.

3. What is the best way to structure an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

The best way to structure an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay is by following the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Structure, which includes four main sections: introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion. Ensure to maintain balance in your arguments, providing equal attention to both pros and cons.

4. How can I create an effective IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Outline?

To create an effective IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay Outline, start by listing the main points you plan to discuss in your essay. Break down each section into smaller parts, including topic sentences, explanations, and examples for each advantage and disadvantage.

5. How important is it to use examples in an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

Using examples in an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay is very important. Examples provide solid evidence to support your points, making your arguments more persuasive and relatable.

6. What are some tips for writing an excellent IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

Key tips for writing an excellent IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay include understanding the structure, creating an outline, using the right template, balancing your arguments, using examples, sticking to the topic, using transition words, practicing regularly, and managing your time effectively.

7. What are the common mistakes to avoid while writing an IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?

Common mistakes to avoid include straying off-topic, presenting unbalanced arguments, skipping the conclusion, failing to use examples, and not using transition words to link ideas. Additionally, using informal language, not managing time effectively, and not reviewing your work for errors can negatively impact your score.

Please note, if you want to boost your IELTS Writing score, check these comprehensive eBooks and personalised Essay Feedback by an experienced IELTS examiner.

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Advantages and Disadvantages [IELTS Writing]

Posted by David S. Wills | Feb 25, 2020 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

In task 2 of the IELTS writing test, you may be given a question that asks you about the advantages and disadvantages of something. It is a pretty common question type, and so you should be very familiar with how to answer it.

In today’s article, I will try to show you everything you need to know about writing this sort of essay. First, though, keep in mind a golden rule of IELTS: there is no one perfect way to give an answer! IELTS is just a test of your English skills and there are lots of ways to succeed.

Anyway, I’m going to show you the following:

A Sample Question for Advantages and Disadvantages
Two Possible Essay Structures
A Model Essay

An Overview of Advantage/Disadvantage Questions

First of all, let’s look at the basics. Some of you may never have done IELTS before or may be relatively new to it. If you are an experienced candidate or teacher, you may want to skip this section.

In the IELTS writing test, there are two parts (usually called “tasks”). The first will ask you to describe some sort of visual data like a line graph or bar chart , while the second will be a more traditional essay-type question. It will be about a common IELTS topic such as environment , society, technology , and so on.

You can generally break these question types into five categories:

Agree or Disagree
Advantages and Disadvantages
Causes and Solutions
Discuss Both Views
Two-Part Questions

These all require slightly different approaches, but generally you can write at least 250 words, divided into 4 or 5 paragraphs , and end up with a pretty good answer.

Today, though, we’re focusing on the second item in that list: advantages and disadvantages .

Sample Questions

In order to show you what an “advantages and disadvantages” question is, we shall look at a sample question. Here is one from the Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS :

In the past, when students did a university degree, they tended to study in their own country. Nowadays, they have the opportunity to study abroad. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development? You should use your own ideas, knowledge, and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

In an IELTS writing task 2 question, you often find a sentence or two that introduces an idea, and then another sentence that gives you the task either as an instruction or a question. In this case, it is a question: “What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?”

Here, “the development” refers to the change in the previous lines (people now having the opportunity to study abroad). Your task, then, is to think of both advantages and disadvantages to this situation and then explain them. I will show you how to do this in the next section.

If you really want to get better at IELTS writing, take a look at my books .

How to Structure an Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

When you are given this sort of question, you need to brainstorm your answer carefully. That means thinking about the question and generating ideas for what you will say in your answer.

Of course, one thing to remember is that you shouldn’t say too much . Remember that for IELTS you only have 40 minutes to write 250 words and if you just cram as many ideas into the essay as possible, you will either run out of time before you are finished or your essay will seriously lack in terms of Coherence and Cohesion . (This is one of the four components in which you will be marked by the examiner. It is worth 25% of your grade. You can see the marking rubric here .)

I’m going to suggest two structures here for your essay. These are the most common ones, but there are others that are possible.

Example Structure #1

This is by far the most common type of structure used for this sort of question and it is definitely very effective. It is easy to use and you could write a really fantastic essay with these 4 paragraphs.

Example Structure #2

You can see that this is basically the same as the previous one but with an extra paragraph. Some people might find this slightly harder to do, but others might find it easier to separate and explain their ideas. It depends on you. You will not be given a higher score for writing more paragraphs, and in fact having more paragraphs often leads to less cohesion. Still, this is fine and can produce an excellent answer.

You can learn more about how to structure an IELTS essay here . I also have information specifically about introductions and conclusions . Finally, you might be interested in how to write a good essay outline .

Advantage and Disadvantage Model Essay

ielts question advantages and disadvantages

Now that I have shown you a sample question and discussed how to structure the answer, I want to show you an answer that I wrote for this. Here it is:

In the twentieth century, it became more common for people to move about the world for various reasons, including education. Now it is reasonably common for students to go abroad to study for a few weeks or even a whole semester on programmes like the Erasmus in Europe. This essay will explore the advantages and disadvantages of this sort of arrangement. The advantages of international study are numerous and obvious. To begin with, studying abroad can give students more opportunities for academic advancement, language acquisition, and even networking to help them find jobs when they graduate. This sort of experience helps break down cultural barriers between people of different backgrounds, and also allows for the exchange of knowledge and skill between different institutions. In short, there are many different reasons why it is advantageous for this sort of exchange programme to be established. The disadvantages, on the other hand, are few and comparatively minor. Of course, students who go to live abroad may experience homesickness and culture shock. They may also find that, if their language skills are subpar, they may learn little from their lectures and perform poorly in examinations compared to if they had studied in their home country. From a very different perspective, it is also quite possible that international student exchange could be used in programmes of espionage, as countries may send spies abroad in the guise of students to investigate the research programmes at major universities. In conclusion, there are many advantages to studying abroad from the perspective of students, and also from the standpoint of society and the institutions themselves. The disadvantages are fewer, more minor, and in some cases a bit far-fetched.

Features of the Sample Essay

Here, I have used the 4 paragraph essay because I think it is the best structure in most situations. I will make some notes about each paragraph in this table:

A Slight Variation

In addition to the questions above, which all require us to simply describe advantages and disadvantages, there is also one last question type. In this case, we are asked very subtly for our opinion:

In some countries, criminal trials are shown on television so that the public can watch them. Do you think the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

As such, when answering this type of question you cannot just state the advantages and disadvantages. You must also include your opinion about whether there are more of one than the other.

Doing this may require a different structure although you can certainly include your opinion in the introduction and conclusion of the 4 paragraph structure mentioned above. However, some people like to do this:

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

This essay provides a plan and model response for an advantages and disadvantages essay in your writing paper.

Essay question:

Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a company or organisation.

Why might this be the case?

What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed?

My initial ideas:

Advantages-

You can create your own schedule
You can dictate your own pay
You can travel with work
You can experience a wider variety of work
You’re in control
You can expand and personalise your skill set and knowledge base

Disadvantages-

It may not be consistently financially successful
There may be periods of unemployment
You are responsible for your income
You are competing with many others
It may feel lonely

Essay structure

Introduction

Paraphrase the question

Outline main ideas

State opinion (if required)

Main body paragraph 1- Advantage

Topic sentence- example

Explanation- explain the benefits/advantages

Consequence- state the result

Main body paragraph 2- Disadvantage

Explanation- explain the problems/disadvantages

Summarise key points

Loop back to beginning

Many people nowadays are opting to work for themselves, rather than for a company. There is a more palpable shift towards self-employment and a greater detachment from more traditional working structures. This essay will demonstrate how self-employment can lead to financial freedom and more flexibility of one’s output, but it will also show how financial freedom can be risky and the idea of creative flexibility can be illusionary. Whilst acknowledging the drawbacks, this essay will argue how the advantages of self-employment outweigh the disadvantages.

One clear benefit of working for one’s self, is the possibility of financial freedom and creative autonomy. By being self-employed, one has the room to create your own salary. Rather than being hemmed in by a fixed monthly amount, a person working for themselves can exceed this and create a salary that is reflective of their work and one that does not impede them by wider company policy. Although some people can see pay rises, this is seldom seen in many industries and despite the extra hours people work, their pay quickly hits a ceiling. Whereas, self-employment means you are not determined by someone else’s view of what you should be paid. As well as this, someone who is self-employed has more creative control. This is highly important as being passionate about what you do should be a key characteristic with any job. By having more creative control, we can determine what we produce and the effect we want it to have. Therefore, we are in control and can enjoy the work we ultimately decide to produce.

On the other hand, there are obvious disadvantages to being self-employed. Firstly, it can involve some financial risk where each month does not necessarily look financially the same. There may be dips and troughs where the individual is learning less than the previous month. This could seep into other aspects of their life and make certain things difficult, such as paying bills. Secondly, having to be constantly creative can be more difficult than perceived and its reality not as utopian as it may seem. For example, if someone is starting their own business or creating a course, the sole creative output rests on their shoulders and this can be difficult to routinely produce, rather than having a brief to fill which is passed down from a senior or fellow colleague.

In conclusion, whilst there are disadvantages to being self-employed, I believe the potential possibilities and benefits of being self-employed outweigh working for a company. Whilst working for a company is preferred by some, the working world is shifting to a model that is more innovative, creative and less reliant on the traditional ways of work.

word count- 446

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IELTS Writing Task 2
Advantage Disadvantage Essay

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Lesson

This lesson is about IELTS advantage disadvantage essay questions when you are told to assess whether the benefits of something outweigh the drawbacks.

The topic of the essay which is used as an example is about the trend to live and work abroad.

Take a look at the essay question we are going to analyse:

People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the development of communication technology and transportation.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Understanding the Task

When you have this type of advantage disadvantage essay it is important to distinguish between this and one that asks you to discuss advantages and disadvantages but does not ask your opinion.

If you are asked “ What are the advantages and disadvantages of….. ” you are not being asked your opinion. You simply have to discuss the benefits and drawbacks.

You could do this in two body paragraphs:

Body One: The positive points
Body Two: The negative points

However, if you have the word “ outweigh ” or “ Will this trend have more positive or negative effects? ” then you are being asked for your opinion and you must say which there are the most of – positive or negative impacts.

If you do not do this then you may get your score reduced on ‘ Task Response ’ for not fully addressing the question.

If you look at the IELTS public band descriptors (available to download if you do an internet search or available from your local IELTS centre), you will see that this could reduce your band to a 5 for this criteria (it would not necessarily affect the other three criteria).

(Check this lesson on IELTS Band 7 for an overview of the criteria for getting a band 7 if you are unsure of what the criteria are).

Take a look at these examples:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

This advantage disadvantage essay is not asking for your opinion. You could simply write one paragraph on the advantages and another on the disadvantages.

However, this one does:

Will this have more positive or negative impacts?

What does 'Outweigh' mean?

Another point to be careful of is using the word ‘ outweigh ’. It is common for IELTS students to get mixed up when they write the thesis statement, and actually say the opposite to what they write in the essay!

For example, they will say the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, but then give more benefits in the essay. This makes no sense.

So if you are not sure you can use the word correctly, I would recommend not using it in this type of IELTS advantage disadvantage essay. You can just say what your opinion is, as in the thesis in the model answer:

I believe that this has more benefits than drawbacks.

This will avoid any mistakes.

Writing your Thesis

You then need to think of 3 supporting ideas . One for one side and two for the other side.

So you will then have three body paragraphs, one with the drawback / benefit and two with the advantages / disadvantages.

It is common academic practice to start with the opposing opinion to yours, so you can start with the point that you have one idea for.

As explained above, it is very important, especially if you are looking for a band 7 or higher, that your opinion reflects what is in your essay. So if you have said there are more benefits, then you would have two benefits and one drawback.

Now take a look at the advantage disadvantage essay model answer.

Model Advantage Disadvantage Essay

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

Advantage Disadvantage Essay Model Answer

These days many people choose to live or work in other countries, which has been made possible because of the convenience of air travel and modern communications. I believe that this has more benefits than drawbacks.

The disadvantage of this development is the distance that is put between family members. If a person moves away it is true that air travel and devices such as skype mean that communication and contact can be maintained. However, it is likely that a person will only be able to return one or two times a year during holidays, and speaking on skype or via email is not the same as face-to-face contact.

Despite this, there are significant advantages it can bring to people’s lives. Firstly, it means that people have the opportunity to see other parts of the world and the way people live. For example, people from the West often go to work in Asia or the Middle East and visa-versa. This enriches many people’s lives as they get to learn about other languages, traditions, cultures and different ways of working from their own country.

In addition to this, on a wider level it may also benefit other countries. If someone moves abroad for work, it is usually because their skill is required there. To illustrate, nurses and Doctors often move to work in hospitals in other countries when there is a shortage, so this is very valuable to the place they move to.

I would therefore argue that although there are disadvantages of the current trend to live and work abroad, they are outweighed by the advantages. It can enrich people’s lives and lives of the people in the countries that they move to.

( 283 Words )

As you can see in the essay, the writer believes there are more benefits so the essay is biased towards this opinion, giving more advantages than disadvantages.

The opinion is very clear, and repeated in the conclusion, and the body of the essay reflects this opinion so there will be no confusion when someone reads it.

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

Thesis Statement Tips for IELTS Essays

Your thesis statement in an IELTS essay should be written quickly and concisely. Use these tips to do that.

Writing an IELTS Essay Conclusion

The IELTS essay conclusion is the final part of your IELTS essay. This lesson guides you on how to write a conclusion quickly but effectively.

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2 can be difficult but complex ideas are not expected.

The 3 Types of IELTS Opinion Essays in IELTS

IELTS opinion essays in IELTS can be placed into three types. This lesson explains the different types and how to analyse these essay questions.

How to Identify the Task in an IELTS Essay

Learn how to identify the task in an IELTS task 2 essay question. This is one of the most important steps in responding to an essay question.

Tips on How to Score IELTS Band 8 in Writing and Speaking

To score IELTS Band 8 you need to understand exactly what is in the IELTS Band Descriptors for an 8 for writing and speaking first.

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

You can use substitution in your IELTS essays in order to improve coherency and coherence.

How to Write an IELTS Essay: The key steps

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Can you use Personal Pronouns in Essays for IELTS?

Learn how to use personal pronouns in essays for IELTS correctly. Can you use "I", "we" and "you"?

Improving Writing Coherence for IELTS essays

25% of the writing grade is on how you organise your essay so this lesson shows you how to improve your writing coherence.

Transitional Phrases for Essays

Learn transitional phrases for essays to get a band 7 or higher in your IELTS writing for coherence and cohesion.

IELTS Music Essay: Understanding a Complex Question

An IELTS essay about music is used to show you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a clear 'task' given to you.

IELTS Task Response - 25% of your essay grade

The IELTS Task Response criteria in the scoring makes up 25% of your band score for your essay.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Strategies and Tips

In IELTS problem solution essays you have to discuss a particular issue and present ideas to solve that problem.

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

Find out how to use pronouns to improve your coherency for IELTS task 2 essays.

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

This paragraph writing lesson provides tips on constructing the best paragraphs for your IELTS essay.

Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

Tips on how to write an introduction for an IELTS essay introduction in a quick and easy way.

How to use brainstorming and planning to generate essay ideas.

Brainstorming and planning is a key step in developing your IELTS essay. This lesson has tips on how to coming up with ideas and organising them.

Requirements for IELTS Band 7 in Writing

Getting to an IELTS Band 7 is a struggle for many candidates. This lesson explains exactly what you have to do to reach this band score.

How to Identify the Topic of an IELTS Essay Question

In IELTS you must identify the topic of your essay as this is a key to making sure your essay is on topic.

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IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay: Overview, Structure And Tips

1. ielts advantage disadvantage essay overview.

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay raises a problem or an opinion and asks you to point out the benefits as well as drawbacks on that issue or point of view.

Typically, an IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay question can be divided into three parts:

1st part: a specific problem or opinion (e.g. The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally.)
2nd part: requirement to give the advantages & disadvantages of the problem or opinion (e.g. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?)
3rd part: requirement for the time limit and word count (e.g. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write at least 250 words.)

There are normally 2 types of requirements to list the advantages & disadvantages of a problem or opinion:

Indicate pros and cons only
Indicate pros and cons & Explicate whether pros outweigh cons

Here are some examples of how an IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage question can be worded:

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

If you are planning to take the IELTS, let’s start practicing with our free IELTS online test to get ready for your exam.

2. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Structure

The three-part structure is also used for IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay. However, as the IELTS Advantage Disadvantage questions can be either indicating pros and cons only or indicating pros and cons & explicating whether pros outweigh cons, you can refer to two types of structure below:

2.1 Indicating Pros and Cons Only

2.1.1 Introduction

– Paraphrase the question: (e.g. It is thought by some people that English, which is now the most widely spoken language in the world, may one day predominate over all other languages and result in their eventual disappearance.)

– Thesis statement / Outline sentence: (e.g. Having one language would certainly aid understanding and economic growth but there will also be some drawbacks.)

2.2.2. Body

– Body paragraph 1: Advantages

Topic sentence: state the advantages
State and explain the first advantage: give the first advantage of the problem/opinion and elaborate the first advantage (e.g. One evident benefit to having one global language is that it would enable greater understanding between countries.In other words, if everyone spoke one language, there would be complete understanding between not only countries but all people throughout the world which would promote learning, the flow of information and ideas.)
Example: support the first advantage with an example (optional)
State and explain the second advantage: give the second advantage of the problem/opinion and elaborate the second advantage (e.g. Another reason that one language would be advantageous is that it would help economic growth. With all people speaking the same language, there would be fewer barriers and therefore trade would flourish between countries, resulting in a healthier world economy.)
Example: support the second advantage with an example (optional)

– Body paragraph 2: Disadvantages

Topic sentence: state the disadvantages (e.g. On the other hand, there are obvious disadvantages to having only one global language.)
State and explain the first disadvantage: give the first disadvantage of the problem/opinion and elaborate the first disadvantage (e.g. Firstly, it would mean that all other languages would eventually disappear and, along with them, their cultures. The diversity of cultures is one of the joys this world has to offer. Each culture is unique with its own way of life and own perspectives of the world which would all be lost if there were only one language.)
Example: support the first disadvantage with an example (optional)
State and explain the second disadvantage: give the second disadvantage of the problem/opinionand elaborate the second disadvantage (e.g. Secondly, it would result in the collapse of tourism because there would be no reason to travel for pleasure and interest if all countries had the same language and similar cultures. This would devastate many countries economically that rely on tourism as a source of income.)
Example: support the second disadvantage with an example (optional)

2.2.3. Conclusion

– Summarize advantages and disadvantages:

(e.g. In conclusion, while there are plus points to having one global language, too much would be lost as a result. )

– Give recommendations (optional) (e.g. Maintaining local languages and cultures should be prioritised to ensure a rich world heritage for future generations.)

>>> Practice now: IELTS Writing Practice Test

2.2. Indicating Pros and Cons & Explicating Whether Pros outweigh Cons

2.2.1. Introduction

– Paraphrase the question: (e.g. Globalisation has been one of the most significant phenomena in the last few decades, and it has changed several aspects of human society both economically and socially. There has been remarkable progress in terms of economic and financial development for developing countries due to the expansion of global organizations. However, there are several drawbacks to this rapid progress that need to be addressed.)

– Thesis statement / Outline sentence: (e.g. Evidently, globalization has more advantages than disadvantages and the following paragraphs, will elaborate on the topic and justify these views.)

– Body paragraph 1: Stronger side

Topic sentence: state the stronger side
State and explain the first reason: give the first reason why it is the stronger side (e.g. First of all, the most advantageous aspect of globalization is the advent of numerous international companies and franchises in developing countries.)
Example: support the first reason with an example (optional) (e.g. Ever since global brands and corporations have expanded their operations in countries such as India, China, Sri Lanka and many more, there has been a notable increase in employment in these countries.)
State and explain the second reason : give the second reason why it is the stronger side (e.g. Additionally, due to the remarkable rise in the number of imports and exports, people from third world countries now have access to a vast catalogue of products and services that were previously unattainable.)
Example: support the second reason with an example (optional)

– Body paragraph 2: Weaker side

Topic sentence: state the weaker side (e.g. That being said, there are drawbacks to globalization that create concerning issues for a sizeable portion of the global population.)
State and explain the first reason: give the first reason why it is the weaker side (e.g. One of the most disturbing consequences faced is the exploitation of labour. Many corporations are known to outsource their operations to developing countries due to cheap labour costs. This enables them to accomplish their manufacturing operations without having to provide proper remuneration.)
Example: support the first reason with an example (optional)
State and explain the second reason: give the second reason why it is the weaker side (e.g. Also, due to the use of inexpensive labour, the quality of products is diminished, and customers receive inferior products.)

(e.g. In conclusion, there is no doubt that the effects of globalization are not entirely positive or negative.)

– Restate the position of each side: (e.g. Nonetheless, the benefits brought by this occupation outweigh the drawbacks.)

*** Note: For the IELTS Advantage Disadvantage question asking you to state your opinion (e.g. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.), you should add another Body paragraph to give your point of view on the issue with clarification and example (if any)

note what your point of view is towards the issue in the Conclusion part).

3. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Strategy

3.1. analyse ielts advantage disadvantage essay questions.

The very first step you should do with IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay is not to write your essay immediately but analyze the questions in details so that you can deeply understand what the judges want you to perform. You had better highlight or underline keywords based on these criteria:

ielts advantage disadvantage essay strategy

Main topic (e.g. The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally.)
Requirements: (e.g. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?)
Instructions (e.g. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write at least 250 words.)

3.2. Make an outline

Your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay had better be both coherent and cohesive simultaneously, so an outline should be your next step to write your essay. Your outline can be created in the form of a mindmap, a table, or a list of bullet points.

3.3. Write a complete IELTS problem solution essay

Once you’ve had your own outline and know well how to organize your writing, it’s time to write your IELTS problem solution essay using your grammar and vocabulary range related to the topic given.

3.4. Double-check your IELTS problem solution essay

Don’t forget to check your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay in terms of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, etc. at least once before handing in the final paper.

4. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips

Your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage should be written within the time limit of about 40 minutes with 250-290 words.
Try not to go off the topic but give the relevant ideas to illustrate each point in your essay.
Utilize linking words in order to make connections among sentences as well as paragraphs.
Don’t forget to quickly draft an outline with the main points for each part.
Elaborate your advantages, disadvantages, and/or your opinion with explanation and examples.
Enhance your grammar and vocabulary range on diverse topics before taking an IELTS Writing test .
Do as many online IELTS practice tests of Advantage Disadvantage essay as possible and you can score high in the real test.

Here are suggested study plans for you to make the most of the course

Tips for writing advantages and disadvantages essays

Yuliia Chorna

Tips for writing advantages and disadvantages essays

Most questions in the IELTS Academic Writing section fit into a few categories such as opinion essays, discussion essays, problem solution essays, double question essays, advantages & disadvantages essays. What do you have to do if you get the last one? How should you approach advantages & disadvantages essays in the IELTS Writing test? What is the essay structure and the main tips to write it?

What are advantages and disadvantages essays about?

You will notice that questions for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays can be worded in several different ways. However, all of them test your ability to analyse the benefits and drawbacks of a particular matter or problem. For example, you can come across such wordings:

Generally, we can divide advantages & disadvantages essays in two types:

Type 1 asks you to simply discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Type 2 asks you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages AND give your opinion on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa.

Task 1 does not ask for our opinion, so you should not include this information in your answer. In Task 2, you have to say if the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages. For example, there are a huge number of advantages to learning the news online, but there is one huge disadvantage (reliability and accuracy of information) that stops most people from reading them that way and therefore the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Each of the types of essays requires a different approach.

READ ABOUT: How to link ideas in IELTS essays

Ways to write an essay

There are at least two different ways to write an advantages and disadvantages essay. However, we suggest the best and the easiest ones to complete the task if you get in your IELTS exam.

Step 1. Analyse the task.

Do not start writing immediately. First, read the statement and underline key information. This will help you to better understand what you have to write about and what you don’t have to do, i.e. focus on the specific issue.

Next, paraphrase the statement for yourself to understand it better — at this point you can use simple language.

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Step 2. Plan your essay.

In both cases you will have to brainstorm the ideas for your essay. Think about the benefits and drawbacks of the issue that you have to write about. Write them down using bullet points. Spend a few minutes on this.

Now, you can choose between thinking about details/examples to illustrate your ideas or starting to write your essay. If you do not have to write about your opinion, you can continue to the next step – writing. However, if you are to give your opinion, think about details/examples to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages, and decide on your opinion as to whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa, or they are equally important. It is important to decide what you think before you start writing.

Step 3. Write your essay.

While writing the first type of advantages and disadvantages essay, where you only have to discuss them, you can keep looking back at the task and your plan to give relevant ideas. Choose the best ones only, i.e. those that you can support with details and provide good examples.

First, write the introduction where you have to paraphrase the statement and write what the essay will discuss. For the second type of essay, give your opinion in the introduction as well.

Next, write the main body:

in body paragraph 1, give advantages (a topic sentence, two advantages and details/examples)
in body paragraph 2, give disadvantages (a topic sentence, two advantages and details/examples)

Finally, write the conclusion where you have to summarise advantages and disadvantages. For the second type of essay, restate your opinion as well.

Step 4. Check your essay.

You should look for spelling mistakes, mistakes that you typically make, repetition of vocabulary and linkers etc. Recently, we have written about how to check your IELTS writing and shared a checklist for efficiently editing your writing. It is the fastest way to improve your band score within a few minutes.

READ ABOUT: 6 typical mistakes in IELTS essays

Essay structure

What will your essay look like if you follow our advice? Here are the two possible essay structures for your advantages and disadvantages essay:

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How to Write an Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Why Write An Advantages and Disadvantages Essay?

Tips for writing an advantage and disadvantage essay:, how to write an advantages and disadvantages essay:, why this essay is important:, the ielts exam:, other ways to say "advantages and disadvantages", what you will be evaluated on.

There are many different types of essays that students will be expected to write throughout their academic career. The same goes for students that are learning English as a second language or foreign language.

Teachers assign certain essays to students because they feel it gives the student a chance to practice their writing skills to the fullest, while it gives teachers a great medium through which they can evaluate their students' learning.

Out of all the different essays that are possible for a teacher to assign, one that serves both native English speakers and English learners well is an advantages and disadvantages essay .

With this essay writing process there can be advantages to essay writing and disadvantages of essay writing for different levels of writers with different experience and knowledge on the whole process.

Advantages of Essay Writing:

While essay writing can have its difficulties, it also shows certain advantages to the writer. Here are some possible advantages of essay writing:

It allows for critical thinking
It pushed writers to make different arguments
Writers learn to observe different perspectives and topic points

Disadvantages of Essay Writing:

Essay writing can also be a daunting task. Here are some possible disadvantages of essay writing:

Writers need to have a clear organizational plan
Structure and placement are essential to the flow of the essay's points and topics
Writers will need to have a clear conclusion and thesis statement outlining the entire essay's topics and thoughts

1. Understand an Advantage and Disadvantage

Before you can write an advantages and disadvantages essay, you must first understand what these two words mean.

Native English speakers are likely already familiar with these definitions, however, students in primary school may need some explanation.
Your teacher should explain what an advantage is and what a disadvantage is by giving an example that's age-appropriate and level-appropriate.

For example:

Younger students may understand an example like, "An advantage of doing my homework when I get home from school is that I have the entire evening to play. A disadvantage is that I cannot watch my favorite show as soon as I get home from school."

After this, the teacher can give less explicit examples and see if students can come up with some ideas on their own.

College students should already have experience with this kind of essay and they will, therefore, get a much more complicated question that requires research, planning and thought.

In addition to this, English learners who are university students should also be given an example by their teacher that's appropriate for their age and level.

For instance:

International students might respond well to something like "What's an advantage and disadvantage of studying abroad during college?"

It's also a good idea to look up synonyms of "advantages and disadvantages" to have the best understanding of the term possible.

"Pros and cons" is quite similar and might be easier for some students to digest since it's a term they've most likely heard before.

2. Think About Advantages and Disadvantages in Your Own Life

A great exercise to help you prepare yourself for writing an advantages and disadvantages essay is to think about your own experiences with the topic.

Think of a time you wanted to make a decision about something, but you had voices in your head telling you to do the opposite.
Or you had a discussion with your parents and they were trying to convince you to do things differently.
Whatever it was, there's a chance that you had to write your own version of an advantages and disadvantages essay in your mind, without even realizing it.
This will not only help you to get in the right mindset for writing this essay, but it will maybe even inspire you to choose a topic that you've already had personal experience with.
Of course, anything you've had personal experience with is a good place to start.

3. Choose a Topic

If you weren't able to think of any intriguing topics to write about in your walk down memory lane, you'll have to look elsewhere to find something else to base your essay on.

There are tons of places you can go online
You can take the time to visit the library to find ideas about advantages and disadvantages topics
You can also talk to your family and friends to see if they have any ideas that are worth writing about
It will also, of course, be easier to write your essay overall.

That being said, there will also be instances in which you won't be able to choose your topic.

Advantages and disadvantages writing prompts are very common on English exams.
This has both its own advantages and disadvantages to it.
An advantage is that you don't have to think of a topic yourself.
But a disadvantage is that if you're not familiar with the topic given or you're unsure about what it's asking, it can be difficult to write a strong advantages and disadvantages essay that will get you the points you need on the test.

3.1 List of Example Topics

Unless you're given the topic directly on your test, you will otherwise have to think of your own topic, especially if it's just for a regular assignment. Luckily, there are many topic examples out there you can use to help you get started, or that will at least help you find inspiration for a similar topic:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using technology in the classroom?
Many people are able to work online and can, therefore, live anywhere. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a home instead of renting one?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a car?
E-readers have become extremely popular in recent years. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Many products you use are imported from other countries. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Today, recent graduates are choosing to live at home. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

4. Brainstorm Advantages vs. Disadvantages

Once you've decided on a topic that intrigues you, or you know what topic you're being assigned on your exam, it's time to get down the meat of the essay, which is the actual advantages and disadvantages you'll need to write about.

The best and easiest way to do this is by simply folding a paper in half vertically, or creating a box with two side-by-side sections.
Label one as "advantages" and the other as "disadvantages" and write all the ideas that come to mind beneath each section.
You should then add some details and examples under each idea, and ideally, you should decide on which advantages and disadvantages are the most crucial to your argument.

5. Choose a Side

Although an advantages and disadvantages essay should be rather unbiased, it's okay to be leaning toward one side more so than the other.

This will help you to gain more perspective when writing your essay, and also leave the reader with your own thoughts in your conclusion.
However, sometimes your teacher will request that you completely leave your own opinions out of the essay.
Therefore, just be sure of what's required on the assignment because every teacher and every class is different.

The next thing you will need to do is outline your essay and eventually write it.

What will need to be included in your essay will be different depending on your level.
For instance, young students may only be required to have two body paragraphs, whereas college students will be required to have more than that unless it's a short answer response.
Nevertheless, there is ultimately a widely accepted standard when it comes to writing an advantages and disadvantages essay:
Introduction: Paraphrase the question/topic and briefly mention some of the advantages and disadvantages you will discuss in the paper.
Body Paragraph One: Introduce the main advantage. Give supporting details and examples.
Body Paragraph Two: Introduce the main disadvantage. Give supporting details and examples.
Conclusion: Re-iterate the topic question. Summarize the main points and if applicable, say whether you think there are more advantages or disadvantages.

For your outline, you can create headlines and write what you plan on saying beneath each one.

If you have to write more body paragraphs, do the same.
When it comes time to write the essay, drag your points from your outline to your paper, and make sure you use transitions in order to connect each point together.

Knowing how to write an advantages and disadvantages essay is part of perfecting your skills in English proficiency.

People need to understand how to think about the advantages and disadvantages of the choices they make in life every day.
Learning how to write an essay like this will help you feel calmer when making important decisions.
This type of work is one of the best ways to really practice writing a solid essay
This will help you out in your future when your assignments are more difficult

For students studying English as an international language, at some point, it's very likely that you'll have to take the IELTS exam.

The IELTS exam, or the International English Language Testing System exam, is required for people of non-English speaking countries that want to study or work in a country where English is the main language for communication.

For Instance:

A student who's from a country where English is not the native language will have to pass this test in order to get accepted into a U.K. university or universities in other English-speaking countries that require the same test.

Although you'll be writing an advantages and disadvantages essay, you'll want to try and find other vocabulary words to describe this.

There are plenty of other ways to say "advantages and disadvantages," and it's a good idea if you can use these other terms as much as possible in your essay in order to add some variety:

Pros and cons
Benefits and drawbacks
Nice parts and not-so-nice parts
Good and bad aspects
Pluses and Minuses
This outweighs this

Hopefully, you had no problem with writing your advantages and disadvantages essay, and you won't be too worried as you wait for your grade.

This in itself is a major advantage of essay writing because you can get feedback on how you're progressing as a student.
Teachers will have different criteria for grading different students, and this all depends on a lot of different factors.
For instance, English language learners will be graded on their use of vocabulary, their grammatical accuracy and the coherence and cohesion between the paragraphs.
Therefore, it's a good idea to brush up on these things and ask your teacher if you need any clarification on any aspect of the essay.

If you aren't an English language learner, then there are many different reasons you'd be required to write an advantages and disadvantages essay.

Because of this, your evaluation will be unique in many ways, too.
In the case of younger students who are just learning how to exercise their writing muscles, teachers may grade a bit more generously, but will really be checking for how well the students have followed directions, made their points and worked their way through the writing process.
It's also important to keep in mind that while most advantages and disadvantages essays can be written based on experience and common knowledge, college students may really have to do some research to support the content in their essay.

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IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages
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Advantages and Disadvantages Sample Essay

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages essay:

Plan your answer.
State what your essay will discuss in your introduction.
List the advantages and disadvantages in the next two paragraphs.
Briefly mention both in your conclusion.
Do not offer an opinion – you are not asked to do so.
Read this sample essay for an example.

Multinational companies are becoming increasingly common in developing countries. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

More and more transnational corporations are setting up branches and factories in less developed nations. This essay will first suggest that reduced labour costs is the primary benefit for these companies, while bad publicity because of Human Rights abuses is the main drawback.

The main reason multinationals set up shop in poorer countries is because it is much cheaper for them to get their goods manufactured there, due to comparatively lower salaries. In an ever more competitive marketplace, it is simply unsustainable for most companies to pay Western wages when they can pay someone a fraction of the cost to do the same job. For example, the only reason an iPad or iPhone can be sold for less than $499 is that a worker in China can assemble the unit for approximately one-tenth what an American would expect to be paid.

Despite this economic benefit, Apple has recently come under scrutiny because of appalling conditions in many of its Asian factories. Workers in their Foxconn plant in China had to work under such grim circumstances, including 15-hour shifts, pressure to meet unrealistic quotas and low wages, that several of them committed suicide by leaping off the factory roof. The New York Times reported that this resulted in a 12% drop in the sale of Apple products, especially after it was reported that Apple had installed nets to stop any employees killing themselves in the future.

In conclusion, huge global companies may reap the rewards of low operating costs in developing countries, but they should also keep in mind that they have a responsibility towards their workers and any infringements of their rights could negatively affect their image and stock price.

Need help writing essays like this? Check out our ESSAY CORRECTION SERVICE .

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IELTS advantage disadvantage essay

Model answer for an ielts advantage disadvantage (outweigh) essay..

Updated: February 2024

One of the most difficult essay types for many band 6 students is the ‘outweigh’ essay, which is an advantage disadvantage essay that is asking your opinion about which side you think is stronger.

The keyword in the task is ‘outweigh’. So you must cover the advantage and the disadvantage in this essay and clearly state your opinion. Do not only write about the advantages. you will need to cover both sides for a higher score in task response.

If you believe the advantage is stronger you must give your opinion on that in the thesis statement, but also make sure you show what a possible downside is. Have a look at the structures below for this type of essay.

Note that these are just guidelines. There is nothing mentioned in the marking criteria about the correct structure to use.

IELTS advantage disadvantage essay structure

Check this blog post on the 3 types of advantage disadvantage essays.

Model answer.

People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the development of communication technology and transportation. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

In recent times people have the choice of any location worldwide to live and work because of advances in communication technology and transport. Although there are downsides, this essay argues that the advantages are stronger as this has positively changed work life because people can work remotely via the internet from anywhere in the world.

One considerable advantage of technological innovation in transportation and communication is that it has revolutionised the way people work, bringing new opportunities and employment that did not exist before. In my view, this has had a positive impact on peoples lives due to the flexibility of combining work with travel. For instance, reliable Wi-fi networks and cloud computing, cheaper flights and high-speed trains allow people to live anywhere in the world while working online. Additionally, employees can participate in video conference calls and international forums, while entrepreneurs can run their businesses online from any location worldwide.

Admittedly, there are drawbacks in that some individuals have issues while living and working in different countries. In particular, culture shock and motivational problems while living outside their home country. This tends to lead to frustration for many remote workers who are relocated to offices in other countries. For example, multinational companies often neglect to train employees to deal with culture shock, as they assume that a positive experience on vacation in a new country will lead to easy cultural integration abroad. I believe communication technology has a positive role to play here, such as online coaching, which could help employees with motivation and cultural adjustment.

To conclude, despite the downsides, I believe that the benefits of communication technology and transport are greater because of new opportunities to travel and work online globally.

As you can see, I’m going with one advantage and one disadvantage here. This is ok for a Band 7+ but the essay must be well developed. If you have 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages, you may run out of time and end up with a very long essay at well over 300 words. Keep the essay concise.

You will notice in the thesis statement that I state:

‘Although there are downsides, this essay argues that the advantages are stronger as this has positively changed work life because people can work remotely via the internet from anywhere in the world.’

This shows balance as I have referred to the fact that there is a downside. In main body one, I cover the advantage and give my opinion on this. ‘ In my view, this has had a positive impact on people’s lives… .’

In main body two, I stated: ‘Admittedly, there are drawbacks….’ this shows the examiner that I’m covering the downsides now.

In the conclusion I refer to the disadvantages again briefly then restate my opinion… ‘ To conclude, despite the downsides, I believe that….’

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions

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

spend time planning the benefits and drawbacks of the statement given
make sure you have relevant supporting points
put your advantages together in one body paragraph and the same with the disadvantages
follow a safe advantage disadvantage essay model

Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Questions

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?

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IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Writing Samples Band 9

2.it is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going university. what are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend, many people work long hour, leaving very little time for leisure activities. does this situation have more advantages or more disadvantages, at the present time the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages, it is important for people to take risks, in both their professional lives and personal lives. do the advantages of taking these risks outweigh the disadvantages, in the past lectures were the traditional method of teaching large numbers of students. nowadays new technology is increasingly being used to teach students. what are the advantages and disadvantages of this new approach in teaching, international tourism has brought enormous benefit to many places. at the same time, there is concern about its impact on local inhabitants and the environment. do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages, nowadays, as a part of the educational process, students work at a company for a short period of time without pay. do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages, as global trade increase, many goods including those we use in daily basis are produced in another country and have to be transport long distance. do benefit of this trend outweigh disadvantages, at the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the numbers of older people. do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages, nowadays, a lot of offices employ open-space designs instead of separate rooms for work. do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages, some people believe that life in a big city is difficult while others say that it is more convenient. what are the advantages and disadvantages of living in big cities, 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 of your people who decide to do this, many retired people today are choosing to live in other countries. what are the advantages or disadvantages of this, some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages, in many countries, teenagers are encouraged to do part-time jobs. what's the situation like in your country what do yout think are the advantages and disvanatges of doing part-time jobs, 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., nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to work for a company or organization. why might this be the case what could be the disadvantages of being self-employed, in some countries, children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. what are advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message, today people are using the things and throwing or replacing it with latest models or latest fashion. do the advantages of throwing away society outweigh the disadvantages, space exploration costs tax payers’ an exorbitant amount of money each year. what are the advantages and disadvantages of spending money on space exploration.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Sample Answer

Watch the video lesson on... Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Requirements

The task requires you to give your opinion (level of agreement) about a statement.

The key word here is “outweigh” . This means you are expected to take a position (give your opinion). There are 2 advisable positions to take which you should state clearly in your introduction and expand in your body paragraphs.

A. The advantages (disadvantages) totally outweigh disadvantages (advantages). In other words, you chose 100% for one or the other.

B. The advantages and disadvantages are equally important. In other words, you chose both are equally valid. 50 - 50.

If you take the position of “partly” or “mostly” outweigh, it becomes more difficult to write since you will need to give more reasons for one side than the other and your answer will be unbalanced.

It's advisable to choose position A or B

IELTS Advantages Outweigh Disadvantages Structure

Sample Answer

IELTS Writing advantages outweigh disadvantages essay

In contemporary society youngsters spend a sizeable amount of their leisure time watching television. This essay will detail the reasons why the benefits and drawbacks are of equal importance.

For children, there are several advantages to watching television. To begin with, the educational content of certain programs can broaden their knowledge. TV channels such as National Geographic provide a variety of educationally rich content that enables youngsters to learn about other cultures and the natural world. Moreover, from the perspective of entertainment, television can help children relax, especially during periods of pressure at school such as the exam season. These relaxation periods are essential for pupils to reinvigorate themselves which, in turn, can energize them to approach their schoolwork with renewed motivation.

On the other hand, the downsides of excessive TV watching cannot be ignored. For instance, watching TV is a passive activity that can lead to a sedentary lifestyle that can have a negative impact on children’s physical health. It has been proved that one of the factors contributing to the increasing number of obese children is a lack of physical exercise. Additionally, some TV shows may contain content that is inappropriate for minors, such as excessive violence or certain vices. Therefore, parental guidance through the monitoring of what children watch is important. In conclusion, there are several positives such as the educational value and the relaxation time that watching TV can provide. However, the negatives should not be forgotten and include unsuitable programs for youngsters and an inactive lifestyle.

Sample: Advantages Outweigh Disadvantages. PDF

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Cons and Disadvantages of Subculture

This essay about subcultures explores how they foster community and self-identity through shared interests and ideologies. It examines the Goth, Furry, and Prepper subcultures, highlighting their positive aspects and the challenges they face, such as societal misunderstanding and discrimination. The piece underscores the importance of addressing these drawbacks to cultivate a more inclusive society that values diverse cultural expressions.

How it works

Subcultures, those unique factions within broader societies, are critical for fostering a sense of community and self-identity among their members, based on common interests and ideologies. These groups contribute to the rich diversity and personal expression found within human societies. However, it’s equally important to critically address the drawbacks that accompany subcultures.

Take, for instance, the Goth subculture, which emerged in the late 1970s as an alternative to the prevailing cultural norms. Defined by its distinct style, dark aesthetic, and affinity for genres like gothic rock, this group offers a haven for those whose tastes diverge from the mainstream.

Yet, Goths often face significant challenges due to societal misunderstandings. Common stereotypes paint Goths as morose or antisocial, potentially leading to discrimination that hinders their social and professional opportunities.

Similarly, the Furry community, centered around enthusiasts of anthropomorphic animal characters, illustrates another vibrant subculture. Through art, cosplay, and conventions, Furries celebrate creativity and personal exploration. Despite these positive aspects, Furries frequently encounter ridicule and prejudice. Misconceptions about their interests can result in harassment and exclusion, posing barriers to freely enjoying and sharing their passion.

The Prepper subculture also offers an interesting case. Comprising individuals who prepare for various emergencies by amassing supplies and skills, Preppers are driven by a desire for autonomy and preparedness. This proactive approach provides security and peace of mind to its adherents. Nonetheless, the Prepper lifestyle can have its downsides, such as fostering isolation or paranoia, especially when individuals become excessively consumed by catastrophic scenarios, which can strain both resources and relationships.

In sum, while subcultures enrich society by supporting diverse expressions of identity and belonging, they also come with inherent challenges. Issues such as societal stigma, discrimination, and the risk of isolation need to be thoughtfully considered. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for building a more inclusive and understanding society that cherishes and respects diverse expressions of culture and identity.

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Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays
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COMMENTS

Ultimate Guide to IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essays
Understanding the Question and Structure of the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay The IELTS advantages disadvantages essay is a question type you will come across in IELTS Writing Task 2. You will be asked to write about the benefits and drawbacks of the topic given. It can be worded in different ways. Let's see some examples.
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays
Example IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essayfor Structure 1. Now, here's a model answer for essay structure 1. First, a reminder of the structure and the ideas I generated using the friends technique. Ideas generation - Friends technique. I've underline the ideas I've chosen to write about in this second essay:
IELTS Essay Structure
4. Writing your Advantages/Disadvantages Essay 4.1 Introduction. Your introduction should be the shortest paragraph in your essay (about 40-60 words is perfect). You need to rephrase the IELTS statement in your own words. This is known as paraphrasing (a key skill to develop for the IELTS exam). Take a look at our example:
Advantages & disadvantages essay in IELTS writing
IELTS advantages & disadvantages question sample. For example, you can get this question for IELTS writing task 2: A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not managed correctly. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world.
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2
The task typically presents a topic or statement requiring you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. The word limit for the task is 250 words. Your aim should be to examine the topic's positive and negative aspects. Use cohesive devices and appropriate linking words to connect ideas within paragraphs and between sections.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Advantage/Disadvantage Sample Essay
IELTS Writing Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages Sample Essay Question. With modern transportation, workers and students are increasingly mobile, and have more and more opportunities to study and work abroad. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this development. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your ...
IELTS Task 2 Writing
Sample topic sentences. (paragraph 1) There are numerous advantages to internet-based learning. (paragraph 2) Readily available knowledge is not without its disadvantages, however. Tip: It is a good idea to memorise some topic sentences such as these, as you can apply them to most advantage/disadvantage essays. e.g.
How to Write An IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay?
Key tips for writing an excellent IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay include understanding the structure, creating an outline, using the right template, balancing your arguments, using examples, sticking to the topic, using transition words, practicing regularly, and managing your time effectively. 7.
Advantages and Disadvantages [IELTS Writing]
A Sample Question for Advantages and Disadvantages ; Two Possible Essay Structures; A Model Essay; An Overview of Advantage/Disadvantage Questions. First of all, let's look at the basics. Some of you may never have done IELTS before or may be relatively new to it. If you are an experienced candidate or teacher, you may want to skip this section.
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
Advantages-. You can create your own schedule. You can dictate your own pay. You can travel with work. You can experience a wider variety of work. You're in control. You can expand and personalise your skill set and knowledge base. Disadvantages-. It may not be consistently financially successful.
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips and Strategies
Advantage Disadvantage Essay Model Answer. These days many people choose to live or work in other countries, which has been made possible because of the convenience of air travel and modern communications. I believe that this has more benefits than drawbacks. The disadvantage of this development is the distance that is put between family members.
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Lesson
For example, there are many advantages to travelling by private jet, but there is one huge disadvantage (the cost) that stops most people from flying that way, and therefore the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. In this example, we will have to decide which side (advantages or disadvantages) is stronger, affecting our structure.
Advantages / Disadvantages Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 2 advantage/disadvantage essay example that is a band score 8. The question is: Social media has replaced the traditional methods of communicating and people use more and more of social media in communicate and to follow news and events. Some people think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay: Overview, Structure And Tips
Write at least 250 words.) 3.2. Make an outline. Your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay had better be both coherent and cohesive simultaneously, so an outline should be your next step to write your essay. Your outline can be created in the form of a mindmap, a table, or a list of bullet points. 3.3.
Tips for writing advantages and disadvantages essays
There are at least two different ways to write an advantages and disadvantages essay. However, we suggest the best and the easiest ones to complete the task if you get in your IELTS exam. Step 1. Analyse the task. Do not start writing immediately. First, read the statement and underline key information.
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Model Essay
Below is an IELTS advantage / disadvantage model essay about having one language in the world. The essay is estimated at band score 9. The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally.
How to Write an Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
Label one as "advantages" and the other as "disadvantages" and write all the ideas that come to mind beneath each section. You should then add some details and examples under each idea, and ideally, you should decide on which advantages and disadvantages are the most crucial to your argument. 5. Choose a Side.
Advantages and Disadvantages Sample Essay
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages essay: Plan your answer. State what your essay will discuss in your introduction. List the advantages and disadvantages in the next two paragraphs. Briefly mention both in your conclusion. Do not offer an opinion - you are not asked to do so. Read this sample essay for an example. […]
IELTS advantage disadvantage (outweigh) essay model answer
The keyword in the task is 'outweigh'. So you must cover the advantage and the disadvantage in this essay and clearly state your opinion. Do not only write about the advantages. you will need to cover both sides for a higher score in task response. If you believe the advantage is stronger you must give your opinion on that in the thesis ...
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Sample Essay Questions
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. spend time planning the benefits and drawbacks of the statement given.
IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Writing Samples Band 9
The adolescent phase is the transition phase from a child to a young adult.In some parts of the world,teenagers are given permission to do part-time employment ,whereas some countries do not motivate them.This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages including why I believe that young adults should have a head start from the adolescent phase,using examples from recent studies to ...
Total-IELTS: Advantages outweigh Disadvantages sample essay
A. The advantages (disadvantages) totally outweigh disadvantages (advantages). In other words, you chose 100% for one or the other. B. The advantages and disadvantages are equally important. In other words, you chose both are equally valid. 50 - 50. If you take the position of "partly" or "mostly" outweigh, it becomes more difficult to ...
A for and against essay
First of all, I think that TV shows it is cool because they make people fun and people can spend their free time. Also TV shows can be informative, for example: shows about natural world, science and many others things. On the other hand, TV shows can be bad and not interesting. For example, there are a lot of same shows, and it is not interesting.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Crime Control Model
Essay Example: The criminological paradigm of crime control justice propounds a theory accentuating the expedient apprehension, prosecution, and conviction of malefactors. Arising in response to the escalating crime panorama in the mid-20th century and propagated by jurist Herbert Packer, this
Cons And Disadvantages Of Subculture
Cons and Disadvantages of Subculture. Subcultures, those unique factions within broader societies, are critical for fostering a sense of community and self-identity among their members, based on common interests and ideologies. These groups contribute to the rich diversity and personal expression found within human societies.

Ultimate Guide to IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essays

Understanding the Question and Structure of the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

Discussing the Question of Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS

Structure of the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

How to Plan Your Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages Essay?

How to Write an Advantages Disadvantages Essay for IELTS Writing Task 2?

Writing The Essay Introduction

Body Paragraphs for Advantages And Disadvantages Essay IELTS

Body Paragraph 1

Body Paragraph 2

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IELTS Essay Vocabulary

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Advantages and Disadvantages IELTS Essay Questions and Sample Answers

Sample Question 1

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Step 1 of 3

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How to Plan & Write IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

The Question

Essay Structures

One Advantage and Disadvantage or Two?

How To Plan IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

# 1 Analyse the question

# 2 Generate ideas

# 3 Vocabulary

Writing an IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

How To Write an Introduction

1) Paraphrase the question

2) Outline statement

3) Opinion statement

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main Body Paragraph 1

Main Body Paragraph 2

How To Write a Conclusion

Example IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay for Structure 1

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Table of Contents

3.2 Organise your ideas

2. Essay Structures for Advantage/Disadvantage Essays

3. Planning your Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

3.1 Identify keywords and phrases

4. Writing your Advantages/Disadvantages Essay

5. Example Advantage/Disadvantage Essay and Exercise

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