opinion essay ielts sample

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IELTS Opinion Essay – Topics, Structure and Sample Answers

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Updated On Feb 22, 2024

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IELTS opinion essays mainly focus on agreeing or disagreeing with a particular fact or information. It presents two opposite views and you have to develop your argument supporting one view (strictly one!) You get 40 minutes to complete this task. You have to write at least 250 words on the topic given.

Given below are some examples of IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essays along with their structure. So, let’s understand how to frame the IELTS opinion essay from the sample answers given in the blog!

What is the IELTS Opinion Essay Format?

If you’re gearing up to tackle the Opinion Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2, know that it’s all about writing your opinion on a specific topic with supporting examples. To make sure your essay ticks off all the criteria of a band 8+ essay, organizing it in the right way is key!

Let’s now look at a proper format to learn the structuring of an IELTS opinion essay.

Introduction:

• Keep it short, usually around 2-3 sentences.
• Introduce the topic and clearly state your opinion.
• Provide a brief overview of the main points you will discuss in the body paragraphs.

Body Paragraphs (Usually 2 paragraphs):

• Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea that supports your opinion.
• Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea.
• Provide evidence, examples, and reasoning to support your main idea.
• Aim for coherence and cohesion within each paragraph by using appropriate transition words.
• Make sure to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar while explaining an idea in the body paragraphs.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Restate your opinion, emphasizing its importance or relevance.
• Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion.

IELTS Opinion Essay Sample Answers

Given below is an example of an IELTS Writing task 2 opinion essay. Let’s understand how to frame the essay from the ideas we have.

Sample Question 1

In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Given below is a brief outline of what to write in the essay after identifying the essay type.

Opinion Essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic of the essay using synonyms for the words used in the topic statement. Clearly state the view on the topic.

Body Paragraph 1

Technological improvements have increased the level of ease and convenience to a point where people can access news and information at the click of a button. This has led to print media becoming outdated.

Body Paragraph 2

The development of news websites and sites that freely distribute information and print media in a digital form has led to a trend of availing such services and content without paying.

Summarize the essay and re-state the opinion on the topic.

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Sample Answer 

Presently, newspapers, books, journals, magazines, etc. are still actively used by a section of the global population. However, with the arrival of news sites and the availability of books, magazines and other forms of media online, totally free of cost, many believe that such forms of media are on their way to becoming outdated. I agree with this statement, and will explain it further with relevant examples in the essay.

It is a well-known fact that in this day and age if an individual wants to read a book or just go over the news of the day, the first step that they take is to search the internet. Devices such as smartphones and tablets have improved the time efficiency of searching for information online to such an extent that a person can access their preferred form of media in the comfort of their homes in a matter of minutes. Consequently, people have started to abandon their preference for print media due to the presence of much more convenient alternatives.

Additionally, the various forms of print media enjoyed by people can often be availed free of charge on several websites. For instance, most news organizations publish their daily news on their official website, which can be accessed by anyone. Also, some numerous sites and databases provide popular books, journals and magazines in a digital form to the public for a nominal subscription fee or sometimes even for free, leading to a majority of readers of such forms of media shifting away from buying hard copies.

Nevertheless, there is still a sizable chunk of the population that enjoys the conventional forms of print media. That being said, with the cost-effective nature of making such information and content available online, organizations will soon completely shift to internet-based services.

In conclusion, I would like to say that people always prefer the more comfortable alternative that is available. Therefore, it can be safely said that in the coming years, there will be a complete shift from traditional print media to online media services and products.

Sample Question 2

Some people say that international sporting events contribute greatly to peace and stability in the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Paraphrase the topic sentence using synonyms.

Mention the view on the topic.

Body Paragraphs

International sports tournaments are events where teams and the general public of various countries come together and collectively participate in the event.

Sports events, especially cricket and football help distract the minds of the citizens from the ongoing difficulties in their country and enjoy these events.

Summarize the essay and state the final view.

Sample Answer

Sports has always been a magnificent platform for the finest talents of a country to showcase their skills and represent their nation. At the same time, sports is also one of the few occasions where every citizen of the country unites in support of their favourite teams. It is considered by many that sports are a great approach to maintain stability among countries. This essay will elaborate on the given topic and justify why sports can successfully bring and preserve global peace.

One of the greatest characteristics of any popular sporting event is that supporters of every team involved in the tournament almost always attend the matches that are organized in their cities. Some veteran fans even travel to different parts of the country to witness a match between their favourite teams. These events also unite the populace of a nation as every patriotic individual prays for the success of their national team. For instance, the entire nation wishes for the victory of their national team in the Olympic Games as winning an Olympic Medal is one of the most prestigious honours that can be bestowed upon a country.

It is a well-known fact that the people of a country collectively face several challenges on a day-to-day basis. These issues can be caused by numerous factors and are the typical difficulties that ordinary citizens have to overcome. Sports help people enjoy a few moments of excitement and take a break from the monotony of everyday life.

That being said, sometimes the passion of overenthusiastic sports fans ends up leading to harmful and conflicting situations among communities. Nevertheless, the overall impact of sports on our lives is undoubtedly positive.

Finally, sports are one of the aspects of human life that bind a whole community together. This is enough evidence to understand that sports help maintain peace and stability in a nation.

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Sample Question 3

Our personalities are predetermined as a result of our genes before we are born and there is nothing that can be done to change our character traits. To what extent do you agree?

Paraphrase the topic and mention the view.

Genetics are only a part of the entire list of factors that affect a person’s personality.

One of the most important influences on an individual’s personality is their childhood and upbringing.

Summarize the essay and mention the final view in brief.

Even between small periods of time, there are subtle variabilities in our disposition. Such alterations are quite natural and are a part of a human being’s existence. However, it is often assumed that our personality is entirely dependent on genetics. The following paragraphs will explore the different aspects of personality and justify why genetics are not the only factor influencing our personality.

An individual has countless experiences in their life from childhood to adulthood and finally until death. Every one of these experiences has an impact on a person’s mind, no matter how giant or small. The kind of people present in a person’s immediate surroundings also has a huge influence on their nature and characteristics. Thus, it can be safely surmised that a person’s genes are not the only contributing factor when it comes to personality.

One of the most significant influences on our personality is our childhood experiences and the teachings of our parents. Children are always known to follow in the footsteps of their parents. Thus, if the parents of a child are successful in teaching their children the right values and morals, they are bound to grow into responsible and decent individuals.

It is true that the personality traits of an individual are determined by the features of their parents. Nevertheless, these traits can be altered over the course of many years and different experiences.

In conclusion, genetics affect our personalities in a trivial manner as compared to all the other aspects of our temperament. That being said, our life experiences and learnings are the consequential factors in developing our character.

The Latest IELTS Opinion Essay Topics of 2024

A few IELTS opinion essay topics are listed down below, which you can practice. These opinion essay questions may appear in the actual examination.

• In the future, it seems more difficult to live on Earth. Some people think more money should be spent on researching another planet to live on, such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Many people say that the only way to guarantee a good job is to complete a course in university education. Others claim that it is better to start work after school and gain experience in the world of work. How far do you agree or disagree with the above views?

• Although more and more people read the news on the internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news for the majority of people. Do you agree or disagree?
• Students in schools and universities learn more from their teachers than through other means such as the Internet, libraries, and TV. To what extent you agree or disagree?
• Nowadays university education is very expensive. Some people say that universities should reduce their fees, especially for the less fortunate students or for those coming from rural areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• Some people think that governments must insist on preserving the traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?
• Some people believe that international trade and communication with other countries is a positive trend, while others think it is harmful to nations and they might lose their identities. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.
• Many people believe that schools should teach children to become good citizens and workers rather than independent individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion and relevant examples.

People should follow the customs and traditions when they start to live in a new country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• It is impossible to help all people in the world, so governments should only focus on people in their own countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Prevention is better than cure. Do you agree or disagree that out of the country’s health budget, a large proportion should be diverted from treatment to spending on health education and preventive measures?

Top 3 Common Mistakes of IELTS Opinion Essays

In IELTS opinion essays, it’s easy to make some common mistakes that can lower your band score. Getting aware of them is the key to not committing them knowingly or unknowingly while you prepare!

The top 3 common mistakes to avoid are:

• Not giving a clear opinion.
• Presenting arguments for both sides of the issue.
• Failing to support your opinion with well-defined reasons and examples.

Tips to Answer IELTS Opinion Essay Questions

In the IELTS opinion essays, you need to write your opinion about a topic and back it up with proof and examples. If you use a clear structure and good writing methods, you can improve your chances of doing well!

• Spend 5 minutes on a mind map before writing.
• Stick to one viewpoint throughout the essay.
• Use a single main idea to support the topic in each of the two body paragraphs.
• Express your opinion throughout the essay, not just in the conclusion.
• Keep the introduction short, a maximum of 50 words.
• Ensure each body paragraph explains a main idea within 100 words.
• The conclusion should be shorter than the introduction.
• Write a complete essay following the given structure.
• Aim for a word count of 280 words or less.

Here are the 10 Examples for the Opinion Essay Topics IELTS:

Also check:

• Tips to write introduction in IELTS Writing Task 2
• Tips to write great writing essay
• IELTS Sample essays
• How to get band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS 2024 Study Plan for 1 month (30 Days) / 15 Days / 7 Days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure for writing the introduction for an opinion essay?

Is it mandatory to state my opinion in the introduction? Can I skip it and introduce my opinion in the body paragraphs?

What are the words that I can use to state my opinion?

Can I underline the important sentences, to attract examiner’s attention?

Is it mandatory to write the essay in first person?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Nehasri Ravishenbagam, a Senior Content Marketing Specialist and a Certified IELTS Trainer of 3 years, crafts her writings in an engaging way with proper SEO practices. She specializes in creating a variety of content for IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL, and certain immigration-related topics. As a student of literature, she enjoys freelancing for websites and magazines to balance her profession in marketing and her passion for creativity!

Explore other Opinion Essays

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Post your Comments

Purnima Koli

Posted on Oct 5, 2021

In fast-paced global economy, it is imperative to have both knowledge and skill. Ability to learn on the job paves way for more hands-on training than discussing case studies at university. Doing a course can be time taking and can surely burn a hole in our parents’ pockets, the middle class knows it better. Getting straight to business of things, meaning starting to work soon after school is beneficial in many ways.

Working in office gives us professional perspective about how business processes are streamlines, turning creative ideas into tangible projects and most importantly getting paid for the amazing work I put out. I feel it’s great to have my ideas being incorporated as solutions to processual issues. Personal growth due to long years of work experience makes us future-ready for the big dream job. Alternatively, some also start their own business after getting gaining a good reputation for their work.

In my personal experience my university education looks good on my CV but has not been financially rewarding for I still have to even out my return on investment. I regret joining an elite institution where I felt out of place as I came from a humble upbringing. However, I learnt a lot about living away from home, managing finances, making new friends, living independently, honed my communication skills.

All in all, I feel it is better to join workforce early on than to do a full-fledged university course. This saves time, money and energy from studying on campus which can be channelized to working with a small business which has ample scope to learn on the job. Later, one can switch to bigger companies with the achieved industry experience after a few years of rigorous hands-on training and development.

In the future, it seems more difficult to live on Earth. Some people think more money should be spent on researching another planet to live, such as Mars. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

The available land for household, industrial and recreational usage is shrinking. We see large scale infrastructure development in India. But for all these activities we need more land on earth itself, not on some other worldly planet, Mars. I would have to disagree that Mars has answers to all our earthly problems. I think it’s more about gaps in planning, policy making and the way we conduct our lives on a day-to-day basis. If we base our routine on sustainable habits, we are already solving more problems than we create. The problems are created on earth so they need solutions on earth itself, I believe.

The problems like polluted resources such as air, water, land, soil have ample ways to be fixed as we read in scientific journals and other informational sources. The popular ‘3 Rs’ such as Recycle, Reuse and Reduce need to be inculcated for us to have clean air, water, soil, land. We need community development along with economic development so the civil society, environment and the development process can go hand-in-hand. Overcrowding in urban areas due to migration for work, education or marriage can be solved by having proper laws. On the other hand, achieving conservation targets for endangered flora and fauna is a vital step towards holistic saving the ecosystem.

Consequently, I strongly believe that having ideas about Mars being an inhabitable place in the future is surely fantastic idea. But It’s a childish way to think of a better world somewhere else than fixing problems at hand. Let’s face it, our survival instincts have made us exploit resources faster than the nature can replenish them. And we see the negative outcomes like sea-level rising, frequent coastal flooding, drastic weather changes, global warming. As a global community of conscious individuals, we need our planet more than it needs us.

Posted on Sep 11, 2021

In a new country one faces multiple challenges to overcome the culture shock. Different people may adopt the new ways of life at different pace. But I do agree that willing to accept and change with the circumstances can ease the burden.

As we know that change is inevitable, we need to get accustomed to the new culture. There’s no harm in getting the best of both worlds, from your country of origin to this new land of surprises. Festivals, celebrations, new people, new places, new things tend to broaden our perspective on life. We come out much stronger by dealing with the new possibilities. Initially, the surrounding might be tough to make sense of, but with time it should get better.

The decision of moving to a new country is yours so you’d be the person who needs to adapt to get the best possible advantage. Human psychology is common but mannerisms might be different. So, one can learn that through social observation, trial and error and asking questions.

To belong at a place, we must take the initiative to learn the traditions and customs of the new country. To feel welcomed, one must socialize with like minded individuals, take part in group activities at workplace or educational institute or even neighborhood social clubs. Try to get out there, find your niche, excel at what you do, travel and get to know people. It’s easy if you are willing.

Otherwise, you’ll end up losing new experiences which enliven our senses. To live more each day, we need to blend with the culture. Traditions tells us stories of the past which we could relate with stories back at our homeland as well. This way it’s going to be much easier to make bonds, live a cheerful life.

Posted on Sep 15, 2021

Okay. Thanks for your reply. The 4 paragraph structure goes for all other types of (Task 2) essays too?

Posted on Sep 13, 2021

Overall band: 6

Follow the 4 paragraph structure so that it is easy for the examiner to mark you for coherence. . For opinion essays, it is better to write one line after your opinionated paragraphs. Just one line that you are aware of the other side.

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IELTS Opinion Essay Sample Questions

Below are some IELTS opinion essay sample questions which can come in writing task 2. Another name for these essays is argumentative essays.

Opinion Essays Tips

• spend at least 5 minutes analysing the words and ideas in the statement
• make sure your answer is a complete answer which addresses all parts of the task
• give a clear opinion
• stay true to your opinion throughout your essay
• follow a safe opinion essay model

Opinion Essay Questions

“Prevention is better than cure”. Researching and treating diseases is too costly so it would be better to invest in preventative measures. To what extent do you agree.

With the increased global demand in oil and gas, undiscovered areas of the world should be opened up to access more resources. To what extent do you agree?

We live in a world of technology these days. While the internet brings with it clear advantages, the problems in terms of control and security of information outweighs the advantages. To what extent do you agree?

In many countries today, parents are able to choose to send their children to single-sex schools or co-educational schools. Some people think that children going to single-sex schools have disadvantages later in life. To what extent do you agree?

Scientists and technology experts seem to be more valued by modern society than musicians and artists. To what extent do you agree?

Some people think that success is the best measure for intelligence, while others think that intelligence can be measured in other ways. What is your opinion?

Some people believe that men and women are equal and so women should be able to do any job they want. Others feel that men and women are not equal and therefore there are certain jobs which are not suitable for women. What is your opinion?

Some people think that more money should be spent on protecting endangered species while others think it is a waste of valuable money. What is your opinion?

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How to write an IELTS opinion essay

Ielts opinion essay: structure, model answer, and analysis..

Updated: February 2023

There are 5 types of essays in IELTS writing task 2 and a common one is an opinion essay.

So how do you know if it is an opinion essay?. You will first need to study the instruction words. These words tell you what you should write about and this should be the first step to take before you even begin to plan. Analyse the task and especially the instruction words so you do not go off-topic or write a different essay altogether.

Here are 2 essay tasks below, which one do you think is the opinion essay?

1.  Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness? 2.  Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Looking at the instruction words we can see that the second one is an opinion essay as it asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree? ‘

The first task is called a ‘Two-part question essay’ or sometimes called a ‘Direct question essay’.

Instruction words

Opinion essays will have various instruction words such as:

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Do you agree or disagree?

What is your opinion?

Do you think…?

What do you think….?

In your opinion what is ….?

In some cases the instruction words ask your opinion it may be a discussion essay such as:

‘Discuss both views and give your own opinion’ 

The structure of a discussion essay is different from an opinion essay as you will need to explain peoples views before you go into your own opinion.

This task below is a 2 part question essay and the second question asks your opinion.

Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness?

The opinion essay that I am referring to asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree?’ means how much do you agree/disagree? , do you completely agree/disagree?  or somewhat agree/disagree?  or do you neither agree nor disagree?

You can write in your thesis statement something like:  ‘ I completely agree because…..’ or if you don’t agree, something like: ‘ I absolutely disagree because…..’

What is an effective opinion essay structure?

There is no magic Band 9 structure but my students have found that the structure below works well in an opinion essay.

Tips on structure:

• The main body paragraphs will cover the reasons for your opinion; however, do not list ideas just use one central idea and explain and support it.
• Don’t wait until the conclusion to give your opinion. It must be throughout the whole essay .
• Don’t give 2 different opinions. Do not agree then disagree as it will confuse the examiner. You can balance it with why someone would hold an opposing view but it is not a discussion essay.
• I advise keeping the introduction under 60 words , each body paragraph should be approximately 90 to 105 words , the conclusion needs to be shorter than the introduction and no new ideas should be added to the conclusion
• Aim for between 270 to 295 words , over 300 words is not realistic as you only have 40 minutes to write the essay .

Which body paragraph is better?

Take a look at these 2 main body one paragraphs to the task below, what do you think will score higher?

Task question:

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

A long time ago people used to go to market places and they bought basic daily necessities, now people can buy online and go to many high street shops. In addition, we can choose any hotel we like at cheap prices. Also, businesses compete with each other which means customers can buy items at low cost as well as a bigger selection of goods. Furthermore, the economy benefits because people can select from so many different products. For example, Amazon.com has millions of products that are much cheaper than buying at a shopping mall.

Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. This means that shoppers can benefit greatly from lower prices. For example, over the past two decades, Ryanair and EasyJet budget airlines have considerably reduced the cost of airfares for flights all over Europe. Before this, there was only one airline to choose from at exorbitant costs. Presently, many more budget airline options are serving destinations worldwide with incredible bargains for customers.  

Click below for the answer.

The 2nd example is better because I wrote one central idea (lower prices for consumers) and expanded on that. The example given is not entirely true but it looks very feasible. You can just make up examples but they have to be specific and realistic looking. The point of an example is to support your main idea.

At the start of the paragraph I mentioned that too much choice is overwhelming but then contrast that with my opinion (Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that…) .

To see how to balance the essay click here for a lesson on balancing your opinion .

In example 1 above this has too many ideas and too many points. It jumps around and is not focusing on one central idea. The points are relevant but there is too much going on.

You will also notice an opinion is not given directly in the first example (I think / I believe etc)  the whole paragraph affects coherence and cohesion as well as task response. The example given about amazon.com is also quite weak and not well explained.

Analysing the question.

As with all IELTS essays, it is crucial to spend a couple of minutes analysing the task and underling the keywords so that you are writing relevant points in the essay. If you go off-topic or write irrelevant points it will affect your score.

This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too many choices these days . This means that there is something negative about having many choices, as the word ‘too’ implies something negative. In my model answer, I disagree with this being a negative and in fact, many choices are beneficial.

Click here for the 5 steps you need to take before writing.

I advise 10 minutes of planning time, this includes time analysing the question and getting relevant ideas.

Click here for a lesson about examples in main body paragraphs.

Model Answer

Some people believe that n owadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is argued that in recent times people are overwhelmed by so many choices. Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.

Another reason why I believe that more choice is beneficial is that the quality of products has improved in recent years. This is because many businesses are vying for customers’ attention, so their main selling points are not only low prices but also much higher quality. For instance, smartphone costs have decreased in the past 5 years and these devices are more powerful and more durable than ever before. This is primarily because manufacturers have focused on quality control to compete with rival products. I would argue that this has been a benefit to consumers which would not have been possible with one or two companies monopolising the smartphone market.

To conclude, despite the argument that there is too much freedom of choice nowadays, I hold the view that this is a positive trend as so many options allows customers to buy inexpensive items without compromising on quality.

Click below to see more detail and an analysis

1. My thesis statement says: Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.

I am giving a balanced opinion here and focusing specifically on choice for consumers.

2. I have covered the points about how more choices have resulted in lower prices in main body one, while in main body two I cover the point about higher quality products because of the fact there are more choices. Notice how I have balanced my view: Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. .

3. The examples I gave are made up and not entirely true but they look realistic, the examiner does not check your examples for validity. Examples are there to support your main ideas. Do not put statistics in the examples either.

4. The points I have made in the essay connect with consumerism and shopping, but I have linked them to the points about how having many choices are of benefit to customers or consumers , because my opinion is that having many choices is a good aspect

5. In this type of essay, you could write about other areas where having many choices are relevant such as the choices of universities we can attend, the choices of work we might engage in, The choice of health care options available….and so on.

Here is a good news article from ‘ Business Insider’ that connects with this task question. Reading is a very good way to get ideas for IELTS essays.

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• Essay Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essays- Benchmark IELTS

• Essay Types
• Double Question
• Advantage Disadvantage
• Problem Solution
• Essay Length

Opinion essays are a very common writing task 2 essay type. As you would expect from the name, you need to write a well-structured IELTS writing essay topics that give your opinion. We’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know to write a great IELTS writing task 2 opinion essay. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1.1 understanding the question, 1.2 example opinion questions.

• Essay Structure for Opinion Essays
• 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 opinion essay

5.2 Opinion Sample Essay

1. opinion essay overview.

An opinion essay is also known as an agree or disagree essay . As with all writing task 2 essays, you will have 40 minutes to write at least 250 words .

Read on to find out how to produce a great opinion essay.

It is important that you first understand what writing task 2 essay question you have been given before you start writing. The type of essay question you get will slightly change the structure of your essay.

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

• Advantage/disadvantage
• Double question
• Problem/solution

You will be given an IELTS statement and a question . Here are some common questions/sentence starters that tell you that you have been given an opinion essay:

• What is your opinion
• Do you think…

To what extent do you agree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

• Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

The main aims of this type of essay are:

• Choose one side of the argument
• To state your opinion about a given topic
• Support your opinion with clear reasons and examples

A common mistake test takers make when writing an opinion essay is that they treat it like an advantage/disadvantage essay and try to write about both sides of the argument in detail (see our guide on advantage/disadvantage essays and compare the difference).

For an opinion essay, you need to pick a side : it does not matter which side of the argument you choose, just pick the one that you can develop the best argument for.

However, you should briefly acknowledge the other side of the argument, and will show you how to do this in your introduction , main body paragraphs, and conclusion .

You should not give reasons to support the opposing argument , only support one side with reasons and examples.

Make it clear to the examiner what your opinion is from the beginning to the end of your essay (this is called a thesis-led approach: leading with your opinion).

Here are some example opinion writing task 2 questions to help you recognize them in the IELTS exam:

Some people think that more money should be spent on protecting endangered species while others think it is a waste of valuable money.

What is your opinion?

Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides

• IELTS Discussion Type Questions
• Double Question IELTS Essay Topics
• IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Type
• Problem Solution IELTS Writing Task Statement

Systems of funding university education are different from country to country. While some countries charge students for studying at university, others offer university education for free.

Do you think students should pay for higher education?

Every school system in the world includes regular tests and exams, and many people think that it is important for students to take lots of exams.

Children should not start school until the age of six or seven because they need to have more time to play and develop before they go to school.

Scientists and technology experts seem to be more valued by modern society than musicians and artists.

2. Essay Structure for Opinion Essays

Although there is more than one way you could choose to structure your essay, we have provided you with a foolproof structure you can always use for opinion essays to score highly in Coherence and cohesion , as well as address all parts of the task to do well in Task achievement :

3. Planning your Opinion Essay

Don’t skip this step! Taking 5 minutes to plan your essay could be the difference between your desired score and a missed opportunity.

3.1 Identify keywords and phrases

By identifying the topic of your essay, you are making sure that you are going to write about the correct topic and not go off-course. Test takers that rush and panic can make the mistake of writing about a completely different topic to the one they have been asked to write about. Don’t be one of those test taskers and make a plan !

Let’s take a look at the question for our sample answer where we have underlined the topic words:

The topic words are underlined and show the general topic of this essay question is protecting endangered species .

Now that we have identified the topic sentence, we should also look for any other keywords or phrases that give more information about the topic. Look at the words in bold below:

Some people think that more money should be spent on protecting endangered species while others think it is a waste of valuable money .

So this question is not only asking you to give your opinion on protecting endangered species, but also the amount of money that is spent on this cause.

A test taker that had only addressed the first point would likely have scored poorly in Task achievement.

There are so many ways you could choose to organize your ideas. We have chosen to note down our ideas by paragraph:

We give more note taking and idea generation tips in  Master Guide for IELTS writing task 2 .

If any useful IELTS vocabulary for writing comes to mind during the planning process, it is useful to write it down so you don’t forget (remember to cross out any notes or planning before the end of the 40 minutes so the examiner does not mark this as your essay).

4. Writing your Opinion Essay

Paraphrasing means being able to write something in your own words without changing the meaning . This is an essential skill needed for the IELTS exam, especially writing task 2.

There is no one right way to paraphrase an IELTS statement. You could choose to use synonyms or parallel expressions (phrases with more than one word but have the same meaning). You could also change the sentence structure, but make sure it is still grammatically correct. Another paraphrase technique is to change a word class, for example, a noun to a verb form.

Take a look at our example, can you see the main changes we have made?

Although this is a formal essay, you are still allowed the use of the first person ‘I’ and ‘my’, you will need to use this when giving your opinion (just don’t over-do it).

Notice that in this example, the opinion has been clearly stated whilst presenting both sides of the argument :

Opinion: However, my view is that more government funding should be used for wildlife conservation.

Other side of the argument:  It is argued by some that the protection of endangered animals is wasteful.

Not all sample essays will show this, but you can choose to briefly state what your essay will do, for example:

This essay will explain my opinion in more detail.

Now let’s move on to the main body paragraphs.

A topic sentence is usually found at the beginning of your paragraph. This should give the reader the main idea of your paragraph in one sentence.

Here are two examples taken from the sample answer:

• One reason that I believe more money should be spent on the conservation of wildlife is that animals are an essential part of maintaining the health of an ecosystem.
• Another reason to support spending on wildlife protection is that it also benefits humanity.

The start of your sentence indicates to the reader that you are clearly stating a reason for your opinion and that you are going to develop this idea throughout the paragraph.

You could also choose to start your topic sentence with the following structures:

• One reason that I believe…
• One argument in favor of… is that…
• The main reason that I think…
• Another reason to second…. (note that second here means ‘ to agree with an idea ’ )

You could also use the grammatical structure ‘ Not only… but also…’ to avoid repetition and put emphasis on the second reason, for example:

Not only does spending money on conservation help the animal kingdom, but it also benefits society as a whole.

Not only will preventing the extinction of species help the animals themselves, but it will also have a positive effect on the quality of air, water, and agricultural land.

As this is an opinion essay, it is essential that you use a range of phrases to give your opinion. Far too often, candidates just repeat the phrase ‘In my opinion…’ Here are some other sentence starters you can use to impress the examiner

• My point is that…
• I am of the opinion that…
• My argument is that…
• As far as I am concerned,…
• In my view…

Your conclusion is a very important part of your essay. You need to restate your opinion (in different words than your introduction) as well as choose the most convincing argument from your essay.

Remember to also briefly mention the other side of the argument to show the examiner that you understand there are two sides and you have clearly chosen one.

Here is a useful structure to do this:

Although it is true that… on balance I believe that/ I am of the view that/ another opinion phrase)…

And here is the full example from our sample essay :

… although it is true that there are valuable uses for funding that could aid environmental protection, on balance I am of the opinion that governments should invest in the protection of endangered species.

5. Example Opinion Essay and Exercise

Now it’s time to test your knowledge about IELTS writing task 2 opinion essays. We’ve created a model answer, but removed some of the keywords and phrases.

You need to select the correct missing words and complete the model answer. Good luck!

5.1 Complete the Sample Opinion Essay

These days, the number of species facing extinction is growing, and as a result,  a larger number of people are becoming involved in environmental issues.  It is argued by some that the protection of endangered animals is wasteful. However, my view is that more government funding should be used for wildlife conservation. This essay will explain my opinion in more detail.

One reason that I believe more money should be spent on the conservation of wildlife is that animals are an essential part of maintaining the health of an ecosystem. If a species becomes endangered, it signals that an ecosystem is out of balance. As a result, the loss of one species may trigger the loss of others and may lead to irreversible consequences for the animal kingdom.

Another reason to support spending on wildlife protection is that it also benefits humanity. For example, if the ecosystem is out of balance then the health of the environment is also negatively affected, for example, the loss of wildlife can affect the quality of clean water and air for a population. In addition, the fertility of agricultural land may also be reduced with the loss of certain species. Having said that, there are those that argue that this is a costly and inefficient use of public funds. They think that money would be better spent on other schemes such as renewable energy projects.

In conclusion, having looked at the topic in detail, although it is true that there are valuable uses for funding that could aid environmental protection, on balance I am of the opinion that governments should invest in the protection of endangered species. The main reason is that the protection of wildlife will not only benefit the animal kingdom, but also the human race and the environment we inhabit.

2 thoughts on “IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essays- Benchmark IELTS”

Hey. Thanks for a great material. I have one concern though. In the ” common questions in opinion essay” part, you mentioned this question ” Discuss both view and give your opinion.” But isn’t it included to the “Discussion essays”??

Hi, I just wanted to ask this question cuz it made to think about it thoroughly.

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• Academic practice
• General practice
• Task 1 Academic
• Task 1 General
• Task 2 (essay)

IELTS Writing Task 2 - giving opinion

In this guide you'll learn how to answer IELTS writing task 2 questions that ask you to give your opinion . This type of questions is very similar to agree/disagree questions : it states two opposite views and asks you to give your opinion .

In this lesson you will see IELTS writing task 2 sample question + model answer and learn

• how to choose your opinion
• how to generate arguments
• how to give a band 9 answer for giving opinion question

IELTS giving opinion question

Let’s look at an example of IELTS writing task 2 question that asks you to give your opinion:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people believe that violence on television and in computer games has a damaging effect on the society. Others deny that these factors have any significant influence on people's behaviour. What is your opinion?

Write at least 250 words

Choose your opinion & generate arguments

First of all, you need to choose your opinion out of the two given ones . For the task above, you need to choose from these opinions:

• violence in media has a damaging effect on the society
• violence in media doesn’t have a damaging effect on the society

Then, you have to generate your arguments for the chosen opinion . Let’s figure out some supporting points for each of the given opinions:

• people often copy actions they see on TV
• violent video games teach people that aggressiveness is normal in everyday life
• you have an example of the connection between violence in media and social violence
• people act from their motives, regardless what they see on the television
• video games and television can reduce social violence by providing a safe outlet for aggressiveness
• you have never seen the connection between violence in media and social violence

For our essay, we’ll choose the second opinion.

How to answer this task?

Introduction

Paraphrase the statement (sentence 1) and give your own opinion (sentence 2):

These days, the amount of violence in media is growing. While some people argue that this trend will undoubtedly lead humans to dangerous future, others claim that it has no damaging effect on the society. I believe that in most cases media violence doesn't affect people's behavior.

Body paragraphs

Describe each argument to support your opinion in a separate paragraph. Your essay should have 2-3 body paragraphs. Use linking structures , vocabulary to write essays and some words from academic wordlist :

Firstly, I think that people act from their motives, regardless what they see on the television. That is to say, if someone intends to do harm to somebody, that is not because of watching TV or playing computer games, but due to that person's character and education. Although it is generally considered that violent media accustoms viewers to cruelty, I doubt this opinion. In my view, reasonable and intelligent people treat others humanely irrespective of what they see or hear in fictional stories. Moreover, video games and television may even reduce social violence by providing a safe outlet for aggressiveness. In other words, truculent people may fight in virtual reality instead of evincing their combative spirit in real world. This may not only help those people, but also reduce the level of social violence in long-term perspective. Finally, despite many claims and assumptions about negative effects of television and computer games I have never seen any proven connection between violent media and illegal activities in social life.

In the conclusion paragraph briefly summarize what you have written and restate your opinion:

Taking everything into consideration, I would say that violence in contemporary media has no substantial influence on people's behavior. Television and computers are not the main factors that shape personal character, and they can even be useful in reducing the level of violence.

Model answer

Firstly, I think that people act from their motives, regardless what they see on the television. That is to say, if someone intends to do harm to somebody, that is not because of watching TV or playing computer games, but due to that person's character and education. Although it is generally considered that violent media accustoms viewers to cruelty, I doubt this opinion. In my view, reasonable and intelligent people treat others humanely irrespective of what they see or hear in fictional stories.

Moreover, video games and television may even reduce social violence by providing a safe outlet for aggressiveness. In other words, truculent people may fight in virtual reality instead of evincing their combative spirit in real world. This may not only help those people, but also reduce the level of social violence in long-term perspective.

Finally, despite many claims and assumptions about negative effects of television and computer games I have never seen any proven connection between violent media and illegal activities in social life.

(255 words)

IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essay with Sample Answer

• Post author By IELTSAcademic
• Post date June 24, 2012
• 7 Comments on IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essay with Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Try this opinion essay question about the cost of space exploration. It’s best to state a clear opinion for or against in your introduction. 

Space exploration is much too expensive and the money should be spent on more important things. What is your opinion?

IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

There is an argument that exploring space is a waste of money and that there are more urgent needs to be addressed on earth, such as reducing poverty and preventing environmental destruction. However, I completely disagree with this opinion for two reasons.

First of all, many of the technologies we take for granted today were originated thanks to space research. Take satellite technology, for example, which we depend on for broadcasting and weather forecasting. Without satellites, we would not be able to follow global events as they happen, nor give populations any warning of approaching storms. Space research has also led to the development of new lightweight materials that offer us heat protection and enable food preservation. Therefore, the challenge of sending human beings into space has often driven the development of new technologies that benefit our everyday lives.

Second, we cannot foresee the distant future, so we ought to develop the capability to escape from the earth. Gradually, we are learning how humans can survive for long periods in space and even travel to other planets in the future. If space exploration is halted, this valuable knowledge will never be acquired. It is true that environmental destruction is also a serious issue, but it is also true that we remain dependent on our environment if we never accept the challenge of exploring other worlds.

In conclusion, while we undoubtedly face serious problems on our own planet, it is imperative that we continue to explore space. This will promote further technological advances as well as provide a possible means of escape should earth become uninhabitable in future. Ideally, all nations should cooperate in the advancement of space research.

(278 words, IELTS 8.5)

Why does this Task 2 answer get an IELTS Band 8 score?

Task response:  The introduction effectively paraphrases the question and presents a clear opinion. The writer’s opinion is supported in the body of the essay. Concrete examples are given. The conclusion restates the writer’s opinion and ends with a recommendation.

Coherence and cohesion:  The model answer is divided into clear paragraphs and each body paragraph contains one main idea. There are cohesive links between all paragraphs and between most sentences.

Lexical resource:  The key concept of space exploration is paraphrased several times. There are many words characteristic of academic writing such as originated , imperative , and foresee . Vocabulary is used with a strong awareness of collocation: take for granted , develop the capability , accept the challenge .

Grammatical range and accuracy:  The model answer is free from grammatical errors. A good balance of simple and complex sentences is used to develop an argument. Verb tenses vary, and other grammatical devices such as conditionals and modals are used with high accuracy.

Teacher’s Notes

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essay Guide

Having a clear knowledge of how you structure your IELTS Opinion Essay Task is an essential skill that will make you attain your desired band score and eventually move to the country you are aiming for. 

Since the IELTS Opinion Essay Task is one of the most challenging parts of the IELTS Writing Test , we have outlined for you everything there is to know about this part of the test, so read on. 

What is IELTS Writing Task 2?

What is the ielts writing opinion essay task  , what are some essential tips for writing the ielts opinion essay, how to structure your opinion essay answer, planning tips for the ielts opinion essay task , good or bad: writing a long introduction, how to use the last 5 minutes of the ielts writing task 2 test, what are some useful phrases in writing opinion essay, helpful ways to improve your ielts writing for a band 7, model essays for ielts opinion essay task, additional faqs – ielts writing task 2 – opinion essays.

The second and final task of the IELTS Writing Test is IELTS Writing Task 2 . It is similar for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training modules. 

You must write at least 250 words and should spend at least 40 minutes (out of the 60 minutes) on this task because it carries more weight.

You must write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem in IELTS Writing Task 2. It assesses your ability to:

• present a logical, relevant, and well-structured argument
• provide facts or examples to back up ideas
• use appropriate language 

There are five types of questions that are posed in the IELTS Writing Task 2 and you will only find out the type of test you should answer on the day of the test itself. That is why prior to taking the IELTS Test , you should make yourself familiar with them. 

The IELTS opinion essay task is also known as ‘agree or disagree’ or argumentative essay and is one of the most widely used types of IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. This type of query necessitates an answer.

A factual statement will nearly always precede the opinion to provide context. The next question will usually be something along the lines of ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree with…’ or anything along those lines.

One of the most common types of essays in the IELTS Writing Task 2 portion is the opinion essay. Usually, this question asks if you agree or disagree with the given topic.

As a result, rather than remaining neutral, you must choose a side. You are not correctly answering the question if you do not express whether you agree or disagree with the given topic.

Here are the most proven tips to help you get high marks in the IELTS opinion essay task. 

• Make the most of your time:

You have an hour (60 minutes) to finish the IELTS Writing Test. Because the IELTS Writing Task 2 is more important for your overall band score , we recommend devoting no more than 20 minutes to Task 1 and 40 minutes to task two. Allow time for planning and double-checking your work. When taking practice examinations, it’s a good idea to stick to a 60-minute time limit.

• Answer the question directly: 

Answer the question in a straightforward manner. Avoid writing an essay on a topic you have already prepared ahead of time. Ensure that your examples and ideas are valid. If you simplify too much and are not particular enough, it will alter how the examiner perceives your ideas.

• Answer all the questions: 

You must carefully evaluate the question to estimate the number of components it contains. To obtain a band 6 or higher, you must answer all portions of the question. Remember that it is critical to take a clear stance in response to the statement to demonstrate that you understand the subject and to maintain that position throughout the essay.

• Use linking phrases: 

You need to begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion. Your ideas must be clearly defined and structured. If you are expected to present both points of view and your viewpoint, begin with your perspective and then move on to the other points of view. The essay might then be finished by returning to your own point of view. This is the most logical order in which these thoughts should be presented.

• Have your essay in paragraphs: 

To separate your writing into various pieces, use paragraphs. The examiner should be able to read your essay easier as a result of this. Make sure each paragraph is well-organized and contains a well-developed topic of at least three sentences. It also shows that you can logically arrange and articulate your thoughts and ideas.

• Make use of unusual vocabulary:

Avoid using old-fashioned words that are not used in everyday language. If you use a synonym, be sure it has the same meaning as the original and does not alter the meaning of the issue. When studying a language, use both common and uncommon words. You may also use phrasal verbs when discussing certain topics or using idiomatic language.

• Avoid using memorized words, phrases, or examples:

Avoid using any memorized words, phrases, or examples in your writing. They do not show off your eloquence in writing. Examiners are well aware of this. Furthermore, because they are vague and do not sufficiently handle a task, they should not be utilized in writing. You should always utilize straightforward language and appropriate word choices to communicate your thoughts properly.

• Make use of a variety of advanced sentence structures:

Using several frameworks, you should accurately explain your ideas and beliefs. Prove to the examiner that you can employ a variety of structures and that your sentences are error-free. In your writing, use a combination of smart and basic sentences.

However, keep in mind that your complicated sentences should not be excessively long or intricate. With perfect capitalization, commas, and full stops, your punctuation should likewise be perfect.

In writing essays, paragraphs are vital because they divide your thoughts into manageable pieces that a reader can grasp. Imagine reading a 250-word IELTS opinion essay in just one long block of text?!

As a result, many basic writing standards such as introductions and conclusions and the premise that each paragraph should contain only one idea apply. This makes it easier for a writer to provide clear information that a reader can comprehend.

Generally, you need to have at least four paragraphs in the IELTS opinion essay task. However, you may opt to have a five-paragraph essay, which is completely fine. 

First Paragraph — Introduction

This paragraph gives the reader a sense of the essay as a whole and leaves an impression on the examiners. The first sentence is the question statement’s paraphrasing. The examiner should be able to recognize if you have fully understood the question by reading this sentence.

As a result, we recommend that you compose this paragraph so that examiners can acquire a clear picture of the essay.

Second Paragraph — 1st Body Paragraph

When composing your body paragraphs, you can choose one of these two options to construct each one: You can either submit two reasons for agreeing or disagreeing or write a single rationale with an example.

The side with which you disagree is discussed in the first body paragraph of the IELTS opinion essay task. Always remember to layout the first body paragraph’s structure before you start writing.

Third Paragraph — 2 nd Body Paragraph

You make an argument for the viewpoint with which you agree in the third paragraph. As a result, always consider either four or two reasons to support your position, each with an example.

Fourth Paragraph — Conclusion

This paragraph sums up your essay and wraps up your supporting points. To create an effective ending, include the thesis from the introduction, but in a paraphrased form to avoid using the same terms twice. Then, summarize the points from your second and third body paragraphs that support your argument.

Complete IELTS Opinion Essay Task:

How you plan and draft your IELTS opinion essay task will dictate the structure of your output. Remember that you only have 40 minutes for this task, and once you start writing, there is no going back. Hence, it is important that you follow the tips below to produce a quality essay. 

Read and Understand the Question: 

You will be asked if you agree or disagree with the question stated. That implies you will have to choose a side. Examiners will not evaluate what you are thinking or what you genuinely believe. They will simply look at the content of your essay.

As a result, after giving the question statement some thought, choose the side on which you have more strong points to discuss, even if you do not favor that side in real life.

Pick the Important Points :

You may have various points to discuss. However, you will not be able to write all of them. Examiners want you to clearly communicate your point of view, backed up with logic and examples. 

Draft the Structure of your Essay :

Your IELTS opinion essay is finished by composing 14 sentences in four paragraphs. It is as easy as that. This is how we write a 4/14 essay.

The structure is simple to remember and apply in the IELTS Writing Test:

• Introduction – 3 sentences

1 st Sentence: Paraphrase the given topic.

2 nd Sentence: Write a thesis statement.

3 rd Sentence: Write an outline sentence.

• 1st Body Paragraph – 4 sentences 

1 st Sent ence: Topic Sentence 1

2 nd Sentence: Explain Topic Sentence 1.

3 rd Sentence: Present logic for Topic Sentence 1, including drawbacks.

4 th Sentence: Give a supportive example for Topic Sentence 1.

• 2nd Body Paragraph – 4 sentences 

1 st Sentence: Topic Sentence 2

2 nd Sentence: Explain Topic Sentence 2.

3 rd S entence: Present logic for Topic Sentence 2, including drawbacks.

4 th Sentence: Give a supportive example for Topic Sentence 2.

• Conclusion – 3 sentences 

1 st Sentence: Summarize the body paragraph 1.

2 nd Sentence: Summarize the body paragraph 2.

3 rd Sentence: Give a final remark summarizing both body paragraphs.

As mentioned earlier, your introductory paragraph should be clear and concise. You are advised to have a maximum of 3 sentences. Do not elaborate too much so that you would not have anything to write in the succeeding paragraphs anymore. Moreover, it is also not recommended that you write your introduction in only one sentence. 

The IELTS opinion essay task requires you to give your opinion in the introduction and conclusion paragraphs. 

Opinion in the Introduction

Which side do you favor when you write your opinion in the initial paragraph of your essay?

Let us imagine you are an ordinary writer who does not show your point of view in the first paragraph. The examiner may interpret your points as they see fit in this situation. The reader also may be perplexed when they read in the last line which side you favor. This may cause you to lose points unnecessarily.

Opinion in the Conclusion

It is critical to write your viewpoint in the conclusion as well, as this is the final pronouncement. Finally, it persuades the examiner that your thinking is valid. However, remember that you should not repeat the terms you have already used in the introduction.

The last 5 minutes of the IELTS Writing Test could mean the difference between a 5 and a 6.5 band score. Utilize it well.

Ensure that by this time, you have finished writing your IELTS Writing Test and that you have enough time to double-check the following:

• Punctuations
• Number of Words 
• Sentence Structures

These may seem minor details, but you would not believe the number of candidates who have failed to recheck their essay and got a low band score. Do not commit the same mistake. 

The use of appropriate words is an important component of effective essay writing. To explain thoughts more effectively, one should continually grow and strengthen one’s vocabulary.

The following are the top words and phrases to know to produce excellent IELTS opinion essays:

Expressing Opinions

• I’d argue that… 
• In my opinion…
• Personally, I believe…
• It appears to me that… 
• I have to admit that…
• As far as I can tell…
• As for me, I believe…
• That is something I cannot deny…
• I’d like to emphasize that…
• In my personal experience…

Proving Arguments

• This is testified by…
• This is evidenced by…
• This establishes that…
• This is attested/proven by…

Expressing General Point of View

• It is commonly stated that…
• According to popular belief…
• It is commonly assumed that…
• It is generally assumed that…
• It is largely agreed upon that…
• It’s a widely held assumption that…

Outlining Facts

• It is evident that …
• The truth is that …
• It is obvious that …
• This shows that …
• There is no doubt that …

Giving Examples

• As an example…
• Take for instance…
• We can see this in…
• A good illustration of this is…
• Evidence for this is manifested in…
• To summarize… 
• In conclusion… 
• In general…
• Taking everything into account…

Preparing for the IELTS Writing Test is not as difficult as you would imagine. It just takes enough practice and preparation.

The good news is that this is not the first time you are writing, and for sure, you already have the knowledge and skills for it. You just need to review and apply them when you take the IELTS Writing Test. 

• Make sure you understand the concepts you are discussing :

“If you won’t be able to make a six-year-old understand it, you don’t comprehend it yourself,” Albert Einstein once stated.

Take time to mentally explain the notion to a six-year-old who lives inside your head before you begin writing. If you want to attain a specific outcome with your writing, consider what that result should be. Have a clear objective in mind before you start writing. Then stay with it.

• Learn how to brainstorm ideas and create an outline:

Unfortunately, having good English grammar and vocabulary is not enough. Because the IELTS examiner is evaluating your ability to generate cohesive and orderly responses, you should practice thinking of themes to write about. As a result, you should practice brainstorming and outlining ideas for your IELTS Writing Task 2 responses.

• Do not go overboard with your explanations:

You should keep things simple if you have taken the effort to organize your thoughts ahead of time.

The goal is to provide readers with just enough information to understand what you are saying without overwhelming them with unnecessary information. If you are getting bogged down with unnecessary details, consider whether each piece of information is necessary to help your reader understand your point. Otherwise, get rid of it.

• Avoid using too many prepositional phrases:

Prepositional phrases make your work overly wordy and difficult. It is a fact. Although prepositions are not difficult to grasp, they do necessitate some explanation. You should get clever about prepositions and strive to simplify them whenever possible. Your writing will gain a much-needed boost in clarity.

• Know your strategy:

Each IELTS Writing task necessitates a distinct strategy.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

You need to determine the major patterns and characteristics and rewrite the material from the task in the introduction using synonyms and grammar transformations. Describe only the facts that are relevant to the inquiry, not all of it. In conclusion, summarize the main themes from your body paragraphs.

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1  

You need to analyze the question and brainstorm ideas using bullet points. Design paragraphs by addressing your bullet points, and write the letter.

IELTS Writing Task 2

Rephrase the question in the introduction and construct a thesis statement based on your viewpoint. Write topic sentences outlining your essential points – one for each theme – and use one of them to begin each body paragraph. Use explanations and examples to support the main sentence in the rest of the paragraph; in conclusion, summarize your points.

• Improve your grammatical range and vocabulary:

Spend time reading different materials, such as commercials, articles, manuals, magazines, reports, and sample models from practice exams, in the weeks leading up to test day to learn new vocabulary in varied situations.

Practice making sentences with new words and difficult structures.

• Keep your sentences short and simple:

Long, complex sentences can be written with style by literary experts. It is easier to read shorter, less convoluted sentences. Keep things simple.

However, vary the length of your sentences to create a smooth flow in your writing.

• Practice, practice, practice: 

The best way to enhance your writing is to figure out what makes it weak in the first place and then work on addressing (and eventually preventing) the flaws. You will improve your writing, editing, and proofreading skills as you write, edit, and proofread more. Practice as often as you can. 

Before taking the IELTS Writing Test, you are advised to spend time reading the sample and model responses that receive high marks from the examiner. This will help you strategize and choose which technique to employ when you finally have to take the IELTS Writing Test. 

How Do I Write an Opinion Essay for IELTS?

To write an IELTS opinion essay task, you first need to read and understand the question. Then, you have to plan and draft what you need to include in the essay.

Next, you will write the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion of your essay. Make sure you meet the required number of words, at least 250 words. 

Can You Use Quotes, Idioms, or Proverbs in Your Essay?

In the IELTS Writing Test Task 2, you get a high score when you employ appropriate, natural language in the proper context.

As a result, avoid using quotes, idioms, or proverbs in your essays. Because these are not your own words, they are not appropriate for the IELTS Opinion Essay Task. Utilizing them in your essay will lead to low marks. 

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IELTS Charlie

Your Guide to IELTS Band 7

IELTS Opinion Essay: tips, common mistakes, questions & sample essays

In this lesson we are going to look at how to answer an IELTS Opinion essay , also known as an Agree Disagree Essay .

You will learn about this  IELTS Writing Task 2  essay, using  authentic IELTS essay questions , plus the most common mistakes. And I will finish with an  IELTS model essay  written by me in response to a  sample IELTS essay question . So let’s get started!

What Is Your Task?

In this IELTS question type, you are presented with someone’s opinion. Your task is to explain whether you agree or disagree with this statement.

In some tasks, you may be asked to explain  how much  you agree or disagree with the opinion. These “to what extent” questions are more common in the IELTS Academic Writing Test, but they can also appear in the IELTS General Training Writing Test. Here is an example of one of those “to what extent” essays:

In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? 

Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Test 2

The question in an opinion essay can be worded in lots of different ways, including:

• to what extent do you agree or disagree?
• do you agree or disagree?
• what is your opinion about this?

How To Plan An IELTS Opinion Essay

If you are aiming for a high band score (Band 7 and above) it is absolutely vital that you plan your essay . A good plan will help you to see if you have answered the question, developed your ideas and organised them BEFORE you start writing.

Let’s plan an essay using my  4 Step Planning Process .

Step 1: Understand The Task

First, you need to make sure you understand exactly what you need to write about. So you need to read the question carefully, not quickly!

Think about these three questions:

What is the topic about?

What is the topic not about, how should you respond to the topic.

Let’s go back to this essay question, and answer those 3 questions:

The topic is about the future of printed media , specifically newspapers and books. Will people read printed media in the future? Or will online media replace printed media completely?

An important phrase at the end of the topic statement is “without paying” . This means the topic statement is also referring to free information online, rather than information that you have to pay for.

So you could reword the topic statement like this: “will free online information replace printed media in the future?”

The topic is not just about the convenience of online media, but about the fact that it is free . So you need to address the issue of free information online, at least some of the time.

The question “to what extent do you agree or disagree?” tells you how to respond to the topic. In other words, you need to say how much you agree or how much you disagree with the topic statement.

I think it’s difficult to agree fully with the opinion statement because it says that in the future “NOBODY” will buy printed newspapers or books. Personally, I think that some people will want to read printed media, at least some of the time.

Step 2: Decide Your Position

Next, you need to decide your position. In other words, you need to decide what you think .

In an opinion essay, your position is simply your opinion . It’s your answer to the question “to what extent do you agree or disagree?”

So in our example essay question above, my position is the extent to which I agree or disagree.

Step 3: Extend Your Ideas

When you decided your position, you may have started thinking about the reasons for your position, the reasons for your answer. In other words, WHY are you taking this view?

Giving reasons for your view is essential in an IELTS essay. In fact, all IELTS questions tell you to “give reasons for your answer”. So in Step 3, you need to think about your reasons a little more.

However, just presenting your  reasons is not enough. You need to develop them.

The two best ways of developing your ideas is by:

• giving explanations of what you mean
• giving specific examples which illustrate what you mean

Together, these add more detail to your answer.

You MUST do this to get Band 7. If you fail to develop your ideas in detail, your band score for Task Response may be limited to Band 6.

Read more about how to develop your ideas in an IELTS essay.

Step 4: Structure Your Essay

The final step in the planning process is to structure your essay. This simply means deciding which main ideas to put in which paragraphs.

A 4 paragraph structure for an IELTS opinion essay could look like this:

• Paragraph 1: introduce essay and briefly state your views
• Paragraph 2: give a 1st reason for your view
• Paragraph 3: give a 2nd reason for your view
• Paragraph 4: summarise your views.

If you have a 3rd reason for your view, you could add an extra paragraph:

• Paragraph 4: give a 3rd reason for your view
• Paragraph 5: summarise your views.

How To Write Your IELTS Opinion Essay

Let’s go through how to write the different parts of the essay.

How To Write The Introduction To An IELTS Opinion Essay

In the introduction to an IELTS Opinion essay, you need to do two things:

• briefly introduce the topic of the essay
• briefly present your opinion

Introduce The Topic

You should begin with a background sentence which introduces your reader to the topic of the essay. The best way to do this is to paraphrase the opinion statement .

How To Paraphrase

Think about the meaning of this topic statement, and briefly rewrite it using your own words. Try not to use the same grammatical structures as in the essay question. In other words, be flexible . This is important if you are aiming for a Band 7 or higher.

In the example essay question above, the opinion statement said:

“In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying.”

Here is one way of paraphrasing this:

“It has been suggested that paid print media may disappear completely in the future due to competition from free sources of information online.”  

This sentence has the same overall meaning as the original sentence, but uses different vocabulary and different grammatical structures.

How NOT To Paraphrase

When you paraphrase, do NOT just change individual words with synonyms, or you will get some very strange sentences, e.g.

“In the days to come, no people are going to purchase paper news or literature since they can consume all they wish on the Internet with no need to buy.”

DON’T DO THIS!

Present Your Opinion

Next, you should briefly present your opinion. Just state clearly whether you agree or not . For example:

“In my view, this is unlikely to happen.”

If you are a confident writer, and if you have a very good plan, you could also, very briefly, include your reasons:

“In my view, this is unlikely to happen because people will always want to use print media and since much online material is going behind a paywall.”

But be brief!

There’s little point in adding a “scope” sentence: “This essay will discuss the reasons for my view.” 

Just move on to the body.

How To Write The Body Paragraphs

In an IELTS Opinion essay, you need to present  the reasons for your view . WHY do you hold your opinion?

Write each of the main reasons for your view in a separate paragraph. So if you have 2 reasons for your view, write 2 body paragraphs. If you have 3 reasons for your view, write 3 body paragraphs.

Each main body paragraph should contain:

• A reason for your opinion (your main idea )
• A more detailed explanation of this reason
• An example which illustrates your ideas

This structure is what is meant by developing your ideas , and it is essential for a Band 7.

You can read more about developing your ideas here .

How To Write The Conclusion to an IELTS Opinion Essay

In the conclusion to an IELTS Opinion essay, you need to do one thing:

• restate your opinion

Do NOT write any new ideas in your conclusion. If you think of new ideas while writing your conclusion, forget them! It’s too late.

Common Mistakes in IELTS Opinion Essays

These are the most common mistakes made by Test Takers when writing an IELTS Opinion essay:

• changing your opinion during the essay (e.g. your opinion in the introduction is different to your opinion in the conclusion)
• giving reasons that don’t support your opinion
• presenting too many reasons for your view: you MUST develop ALL of your ideas to get a high band score, so it’s best to present 2-3 reasons and explain them al.
• Writing an overly general statement about the topic in the introduction (e.g. “Education is a topic of hot debate.” )
• The reasons for your view are not explained and illustrated. You need to develop all of your ideas to get a band 7 and higher.
• Not fully understanding the topic of the question. This is often caused by reading the question quickly, not carefully.
• Using memorised phrases (e.g. “a hot topic”, “in a nutshell”, “my considered opinion”)
• Using “research studies” as examples: examples should illustrate your ideas, not prove them. Read about  how to use examples in IELTS essays .
• Trying to use rare or “novel” language: examiners are looking for groups of words used naturally, not rare words.

Sample IELTS Opinion Essay Questions

Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar. Do you agree or disagree?

(Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Test 3)

Some people say that now is the best time in history to be living. What is your opinion about this? What other time in history would be interesting to live in?

(Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Test 4)

In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

(Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Test 2)

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

(Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Test 2)

Some people say it is important to keep your home and your workplace tidy, with everything organised and in the correct place. What is your opinion about this?

(Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Test 4)

Model IELTS Opinion Essays

Here is an IELTS Opinion Essay that I wrote in response to this task:

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Cambridge IELTS Book 14 Test 3 (Academic)

Almost everyone seems to like music of some sort and perhaps listening to music satisfies a basic human need. Some people go further, arguing that music can actually bridge cultural and generational divides, and I broadly agree with this.

Music is rightly seen as a universal language, that regardless of the language of the lyrics, the underlying melody triggers the same emotional reaction in listeners, whatever their background. The distinctive sound of a love song, for example, or a lullaby will instantly be recognised regardless of the words being sung or the culture in which it came.

Moreover, some music enjoys almost universal appeal. Classical music is a good example of this. The work of composers as diverse as Mozart, Shostakovich and Gershwin is popular the world over, and to these instrumental compositions you could also add the music of famous popular music acts such as Abba and The Beatles.

Large music festivals are also able to bring people of different backgrounds and ages together. The famous summer festival at Glastonbury in the U.K. always has a wide variety of acts, encouraging a remarkably diverse audience in terms of age and ethnicity. Therefore it is clear that such events help bring people closer together.

However, there is one important caveat. Certain types of music seem almost designed to appeal to only the younger generation. Genres like hip-hop, punk and rock ‘n’ roll have each been embraced by teenagers at different times over the last seventy years, almost as a rebellion against their parent’s generation. So to some extent, it could be argued that some music can actually widen generational divides.

On the whole, however, music is certainly a force for unity. People the world over share music as a language and have tastes that transcend their differences, and thus I would agree that music can bring people closer together.

(309 words)

Read my full plan and comments for this essay.

More Model Essays

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Opinion Essays [IELTS Writing Task 2]

Posted by David S. Wills | Nov 14, 2022 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 1

In the past, I have explained how to answer each type of IELTS writing task 2 question and today we are going to look at a set of question types called “opinion essays.”

What do I mean by this? Well, generally we divide IELTS essays into 5 categories:

• Agree or Disagree
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem (or Cause) and Solution
• Discuss both views
• Two-part Question

Sometimes, people call the first one “opinion essays” but I don’t like that term because actually other question types also call for your opinion. Therefore, I think of “opinion essay” as a term that covers several question types.

Let’s look at this topic in more detail.

What is an Opinion Essay?

To put it as simply as possible, an opinion essay is an essay that gives an opinion. In the context of IELTS, that means giving your opinion about a stated topic.

I mentioned above that there are several question types that could require you to give an opinion. These are most common:

• Agree or disagree
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Two-part questions

This is why it’s important to read a question carefully rather than just scan for keywords and then begin writing.

Of these, the agree/disagree and discuss both views question types are always going to require an opinion, but for the others you need to read more carefully. A two-part question, for example, might ask your opinion as the second question, but it won’t always do this.

Note that most advantage and disadvantage questions do not require your opinion but some do. If they ask you whether or not the advantages of something outweigh the disadvantages, then clearly you are required to give an opinion.

How to Write an Opinion Essay

As with all IELTS writing task 2 essays, you need to do several things:

• Read the question carefully in order to analyse it
• Think of a reasonable answer
• Create a coherent structure
• Put your ideas forth clearly and consistently
• Use appropriate language

That’s about as simply as I can put it for you, but let’s explore further.

First of all, any time you are given an IELTS task, you need to read it carefully and analyse it so that you truly understand the question. Some are quite straightforward but others are very difficult. ( Here’s a video about what I think is the most difficult question.)

One of the problems with opinion essays is that you won’t necessarily be asked to “give your opinion.” You will have to use common sense in order to determine whether your opinion is required. Some words that could indicate an opinion are:

Do you agree or disagree?

• To what extent do you agree?
• Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• What do you think…?

Remember: If you are asked for an opinion, then give one. If you aren’t, then don’t. Failure to interpret the question properly would lead to a poor score.

You then need to think of a response and write about it using intelligent ideas. As you are giving an opinion, you need to justify your viewpoint. One big mistake here is failing to be consistent. For example, some people do not put their opinion into their introductions. This would mean that your score for Task Response would be quite low. Really, you ought to include your opinion in the outline sentence , then explain it in the body paragraphs, and finally reiterate it in the conclusion .

Although it’s possible to produce a good structure in different ways, an excellent IELTS essay will probably look like this:

For more general information about writing a great IELTS task 2 essay, see this article .

How to Start an Opinion Essay

A good essay should begin with a good introduction. There are various ways to achieve this, but in IELTS writing task 2 that means introducing the topic and stating your opinion clearly. I’ve written at length about how to write a good introduction here .

Think of your introduction as having two key components:

• Introduce the topic
• Give your opinion

You can do that in two or three sentences. It isn’t hugely important. However, you must achieve both of those things.

When you introduce the topic, you basically aim to convey the main idea to your reader. A lot of people just paraphrase the question but this isn’t always a good idea. In fact, paraphrasing more often than not leads to big problems in language and logic.

Still, you want to convey the idea in the question and that does mean taking an idea and putting it into your own words. For example:

All cars that burn fossil fuels should be banned and electric cars should replace them. Do you agree or disagree?

In my introduction to this opinion essay, I would write:

During the twentieth century, people around the world began using vehicles powered by fossil fuels, and in this new millennium that trend has continued, with a vast uptick in the number of privately owned cars. However, it has become apparent that this phenomenon is causing major environmental damage and needs to be stopped. This essay will argue that humans ought to switch to electric cars.

This is a little complex, but what you can see is that I have used two sentences to introduce and explain the main idea and then one sentence to put forth my opinion.

Beware: Your introduction should not be too long. This is an example of a band 9 essay. It uses complex language and structures to convey intelligent ideas. If your introduction is longer than your body paragraphs, it is not a good sign.

Opinion Essay Structure

When writing an opinion essay, you should keep the structure simple and use it to convey your ideas as logically as possible. There are different ways to do this effectively, but I generally recommend a four-paragraph essay structure. (You can read about 4 vs 5 paragraphs here .)

It is hard to generalise because your structure will ultimately be dictated by your opinion and that is something personal. However, you should use your essay to state your opinion in the most effective way. For example, if you strongly agree with something, you might create the following structure:

This is a basic structure but can be used very easily. Of course, if you totally disagree, you can replace “agree” with “disagree” and use the same structure.

It is also possible (but not required) to write a balanced essay that neither wholly agrees nor disagrees with an idea. In such cases, you would need to modify your structure a little. For example:

As long as you make this clear, there should be no problem and you would stand to get a good score for Coherence and Cohesion . One big mistake that occurs here is that people start by saying they have a balanced opinion, then they mostly explain one side of the issue, leaving the reader a bit confused. If you want to give balance, then make sure your body paragraphs are fairly even.

Using the above question (about electric cars), I would create the following essay structure:

You can read my answer in the next sentence:

Opinion Essay Example

Sample question.

All cars that burn fossil fuels should be banned and electric cars should replace them.

Sample Answer

The damage done by traditional style cars is obvious. One only needs to look at a big city like Beijing or Los Angeles to see the vast smog clouds lingering over highways to recognize that these vehicles are emitting unpleasant chemicals from their exhausts. Scientific studies over the past few decades have confirmed that these chemicals cause significant damage to our health and our environment, as they turn into acid rain or are inhaled into our lungs, where they cause certain types of cancer. This is in addition to the fact that fossil fuels are a finite resource, and that their extraction from the earth is often incredibly destructive.

On the other hand, electricity can be generated in any number of ways, many of which are relatively harmless. It is possible to generate electricity from the wind or sun, thereby gathering energy without damaging the earth or causing harm to human beings. As an infinite source of energy that can be gathered and used without harm, it is obvious that electricity is the power that should drive cars in the future.

In conclusion, traditionally powered vehicles are destroying our world and need to be phased out in favour of electric vehicles. Electricity can be generated harmlessly and endlessly and is therefore superior to fossil fuel.

When it comes to writing opinion essays, you need to make sure you understand the question, then formulate an appropriate response. You should devise an intelligent structure that allows you to convey your ideas clearly and consistently throughout the whole essay. Make sure that your ideas are realistic and try to avoid being overly complex as this could create further problems.

It is worth reading articles about common IELTS topics in order to prepare for this sort of essay. These can teach you both vocabulary and ideas. They can also help with coherence. For example, you could Google “electric cars” and find an article there. The recent one was published in the New York Times.

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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How to Write an IELTS Opinion Essay: A Comprehensive Guide

Ready to master the art of writing an IELTS opinion essay? We've got the perfect roadmap to guide you through each step. From understanding what exactly an IELTS opinion essay is to crafting one that will wow the examiner, we’ve got you covered.

In this easy-to-follow guide, we'll break down all the crucial elements you need to understand. Wondering how to structure your essay? We've got an "IELTS Opinion Essay Template" designed by experts to set you on the right path.

But that's not all. We'll also dissect each section of your essay, from writing an attention-grabbing intro to creating compelling body paragraphs, and wrapping it up with a knockout conclusion. To make it even easier, we offer a convenient "IELTS Opinion Essay Outline" to keep your thoughts organized and your essay on point.

If you're hunting for even more insights, our comprehensive eBook is chock-full of tips and strategies tailor-made for you. And if you want professional eyes on your work, check out our IELTS Essay Correction Service . You'll get detailed feedback from an examiner, complete with a band 9 sample response to inspire you further.

So, whether you're a newbie still getting the hang of things or an advanced student aiming for perfection, this guide is your go-to resource. Get ready to craft an IELTS opinion essay that will leave a lasting impression. Let’s dive in!

Understanding an IELTS Opinion Essay

Navigating the world of IELTS opinion essays can seem quite daunting at first. However, by acquiring a comprehensive understanding of what this type of essay entails, its importance, and the intricacies of writing it effectively, you can equip yourself to excel. Let's delve deeper into these essentials to gain a better understanding of the task.

​ An IELTS opinion essay, sometimes referred to as an argumentative essay, plays a vital role in the IELTS writing test. The key task here is to articulate your stance on a specific topic, which you then need to substantiate with solid arguments, evidence, or pertinent examples. Essentially, it's a platform for you to exhibit your ability to persuasively express and support your opinion.

Why You Need to Know How to Write an Opinion Essay

Why is an IELTS opinion essay so crucial? The answer lies in its objective. The IELTS test aims to assess your English language proficiency, and the opinion essay is a vital component of this assessment. By evaluating your ability to write a convincing and well-articulated essay, examiners can gauge your language skills, coherence, cohesion, and overall command of the language. Therefore, mastering the IELTS opinion essay becomes essential to achieve a high band score.

Key Elements of a High Band Opinion Essay

Ready to dive into the nitty-gritty of a top-notch IELTS opinion essay? Let's break down the key ingredients that make your essay stand out from the rest.

First up, Cohesion: Imagine your essay like a smooth ride where one point effortlessly leads to the next. You'll want to use linking words and phrases like 'however,' 'furthermore,' and 'on the other hand,' to connect your thoughts. Need examples? Our eBook has a whole section dedicated to mastering cohesion!

Next, Structure: Your essay needs a solid framework to hold it up. That means an engaging introduction, well-thought-out body paragraphs, and a snappy conclusion. Don’t know where to start? Our "IELTS Opinion Essay Structure" discussed in detail in the  eBook lays it all out for you.

On to Compelling Argumentation: Make sure you're not just stating your opinion, but backing it up with rock-solid reasoning and examples. This is where your essay shines. If you're struggling to find convincing arguments, our Essay Correction Service provides personalized guidance and tips from an actual examiner!

Clear Opinion: Your viewpoint should be obvious from the get-go and consistent throughout your essay. Don't beat around the bush—make your stance clear.

Last but not least, Language Proficiency: Your choice of vocabulary , grammar, and sentence structure can either make or break your essay. If you're looking to elevate your language game, our Essay Correction Service goes beyond just marking errors. You'll receive comprehensive feedback, including a band 9 sample essay to show you how it's done.

Writing an IELTS Opinion Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing an IELTS opinion essay involves more than just pouring your thoughts onto paper. It requires strategic planning and execution to ensure that the reader fully comprehends your viewpoint and the evidence backing it. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how to approach this task:

Understanding the Question

This is the critical first step that forms the foundation of your essay. A comprehensive understanding of the question is pivotal to crafting a coherent response. Here's how to do it:

Identify the Topic: Every essay has a central topic around which the argument revolves. Identify this and ensure your opinion relates directly to it.

Understand the Question Type: Is it asking for your opinion, a discussion, or a problem and solution? In the case of an opinion essay, the question will require you to provide your views on the topic.

Know What is Expected: Analyze the prompt to know precisely what is expected of your essay. Should it be entirely from your perspective, or do you need to consider others' viewpoints as well?

Planning Your Response

Once you have understood the question, plan your essay strategically. A well-structured essay is easier to follow, makes your arguments clearer, and can significantly boost your score.

Outline Your Main Ideas: Identify the main points that will back up your opinion. These should form the core of your body paragraphs.

Identify Supporting Points and Examples: For each main point, find supporting ideas or examples. These should convincingly substantiate your claims and make your argument robust.

Organise Your Ideas: Arrange your ideas logically. Each paragraph should flow seamlessly into the next, creating a coherent and cohesive narrative.

Writing the Introduction

Your introduction sets the tone for your essay and should clearly state your opinion on the topic. Here's how to craft an engaging introduction:

Paraphrase the Question: Start by restating the question in your own words. This shows understanding and sets the context for your essay.

State Your Opinion: Explicitly present your opinion on the topic. Make it clear and concise so that the reader knows your stance from the outset.

Developing the Body Paragraphs

The body of your essay is where you make your arguments. Each paragraph should be dedicated to one main idea and supported with substantial evidence.

State the Main Idea: Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea.

Provide Support: This can be in the form of facts, statistics, logical reasoning, or examples. It should convincingly back your main point.

Link to Your Opinion: Show how this point supports your overall opinion. This will tie your argument together and maintain a consistent perspective throughout the essay.

Crafting a Conclusion

Your conclusion provides closure and summarises the main points of your essay. Here's how to write an effective conclusion:

Restate Your Opinion: Reiterate your opinion to reinforce it in the reader's mind.

Summarise Main Points: Briefly revisit your main points to remind the reader of your arguments.

Do Not Introduce New Ideas: Your conclusion should only encapsulate the points made in your essay. Introducing new ideas can confuse the reader and dilute your argument.

Mastering each step of this process can ensure a well-crafted IELTS opinion essay that conveys your thoughts effectively and scores high.

IELTS Opinion Essay  Tips for a High Band

Acquiring an excellent IELTS score demands more than just understanding the basics. To truly excel and obtain a high score, you need to pay heed to these expert tips and tricks:

Maintain Formal Language

Formal and academic language is the bedrock of IELTS writing. This demonstrates your proficiency in English and your ability to use a wide range of vocabulary:

Avoid Slang: Slang and colloquial language should be avoided in your essay. They make your essay sound informal and can impact your score negatively.

Use Academic Vocabulary: Try to incorporate advanced and topic-specific vocabulary. This can show your language proficiency and earn you higher marks.

Follow Grammar Rules: Be sure to use proper grammar, including correct tense usage, subject-verb agreement, and accurate punctuation.

Consistency is Key

Your viewpoint in an IELTS opinion essay should be consistent throughout. This aids in creating a coherent and logical argument:

Maintain Your Stance: Your opinion should not fluctuate or contradict itself in the essay. A steady viewpoint makes your essay easier to follow and understand.

Link Ideas: Ensure that all your arguments and evidence clearly support your opinion. They should form a cohesive narrative that consistently upholds your stance.

Time Management

The IELTS writing section is time-bound, and effective time management can make the difference between a good and a great score:

Allocate Time Wisely: Break down your allotted time for Task 2 (usually 40 minutes) into segments for understanding the question, planning, writing, and revising.

Don't Overwrite: Stay within the recommended word limit (at least 250 words for Task 2). We usually recommends for going around 300 words. Remember, writing too many words, such as 350 or more, can eat into your time without necessarily earning you extra points.

Save Time for Proofreading: Always leave a few minutes towards the end to review your work. Look out for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or any ideas that could be expressed more clearly.

Keeping these tips and tricks in mind while writing your IELTS opinion essay can help you attain a high band score. Remember, practice implementing these strategies to become more comfortable and efficient when it's time for the actual test.

An IELTS Opinion Essay Band 9 Sample

To better illustrate all the strategies, tips, and structures discussed so far, let's look at a high-scoring IELTS opinion essay example. For more hundreds of band 9 sample essays, visit  here .

Some people think that developing countries need financial help from international organizations. Others, however, argue that countries should be left to resolve their economic issues independently.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

The global conundrum surrounding economic assistance extended to developing nations continues to ignite impassioned discussions among world policymakers. Diverse opinions float in this debate; one segment champions the cause of international aid, while another faction upholds the principle of self-reliance. As for my viewpoint, I posit that a judicious amalgamation of external support and indigenous initiatives presents the most advantageous solution for these nations' economic upliftment.

On one flank of the debate, endorsers of international assistance underscore the acute resource deficit confronting developing nations. They contend that socio-economic challenges such as widespread poverty, underdeveloped infrastructure, and limited educational access necessitate extensive capital investment, which often transcends these nations' fiscal capabilities. In this context, international organizations, with their resource abundance, can facilitate requisite financing for development-centric projects. Importantly, their assistance transcends monetary contributions, extending to invaluable expertise and technological exchange, significantly hastening these nations' developmental pace.

Conversely, detractors of international aid highlight its potential to engender dependency, thereby obstructing self-reliance. They assert that nations must navigate their economic difficulties independently, fostering a culture of sustainable growth. This perspective emphasizes that external aid can, at times, obscure pressing issues requiring immediate attention for long-term progress, such as corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, and inadequate policy frameworks. Consequently, cultivating self-reliance can nudge nations towards systemic reformation, stimulating endogenous development.

To encapsulate, while international aid can offer a swift respite and a resources boost for developmental pursuits, endorsing self-reliance is instrumental in tackling the fundamental impediments to economic advancement. Thus, my conviction remains that a balanced methodology, marrying external assistance with internally driven reforms, emerges as the most sustainable antidote to the economic hurdles plaguing developing countries.

This example illustrates the structure of an IELTS opinion essay and demonstrates how to maintain a consistent perspective, provide supporting arguments, and use formal, academic language throughout.

Summary of the IELTS Opinion Essay Template

We've reached the end of our deep dive into the world of IELTS opinion essays, and we hope you're feeling a whole lot more prepared! From introducing you to our go-to "IELTS Opinion Essay Template" to breaking down each section, we've aimed to make this a one-stop shop for all your essay needs.

In a nutshell, a killer introduction sets the stage, where you rephrase the question and let your opinion shine. Your body paragraphs are the meat of your essay, where you back up your viewpoint with solid arguments and examples. And don't forget that grand finale, the conclusion, where you tie it all together.

If you’re looking for even more insider tips, you can't go wrong with our eBook . It’s like having an IELTS mentor right in your pocket! Plus, if you want real-time feedback on your writing, consider our Essay Correction Service . We offer personalized advice, a band 9 sample response, and tips to level up your essay game.

Remember, the secret ingredient to acing this is practice. The more you use our template and outline across various topics, the better you'll get at crafting essays that not only sound great but also score big.

So there you have it! With this guide and a bit of practice, you're well on your way to becoming an IELTS opinion essay pro. Happy writing, and best of luck on your IELTS journey!