Q:2 There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays? Q: 3 The role of prisons should be to punish criminals who have committed serious crimes. Training courses and education offered to prisoners are a waste of taxpayer's money. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Q: 4 In many countries nowadays, young single people no longer stay with their parents until they are married, but leave to study or work somewhere else. Do you think this trend has more advantages or disadvantages? Q:5 Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Q:6 The number of plants and animals is declining. Describe some reasons for this problem and suggest some solutions. Q:7 The main reason people go to work is to earn money. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Q:8 Many people prefer to rent a house rather than buying one. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of renting. Q:9 Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole. Do you agree or disagree? Q:10 Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer. What, in your opinion, should be the function of a university? Q:11 Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
NGUYN KHC THC
INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC WRITING
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
HOW TO APPROACH A TOPIC
(taken from Mr.Vinh an English teacher in Hanoi)
1. Do you agree or disagree?
y l cu hi v quan im ca bn v mt vn c th. Bn nn chn mt hng vit bi ch khng nn tr li kiu nc i: ti va ng va khng ng v nu lm nh vy th supporting ca bn s khng mnh v khng thuyt phc. 2. To what extent do you agree or disagree? i vi dng ny, bn c th lm nh vi dng 1 pha trn. 3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages. Vi dng ny, bn c yu cu tho lun c v u im v nhc im ca mt ci g . Bn khng c hi v kin c nhn nn tuyt i khng a quan im ca bn vo cu tr li. 4. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Cu hi ny yu cu bn tho lun c hai hng ca mt vn , sau phi nu r bn ng v hng no. 5. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Dng cu hi ny bn c th lm ging nh dng s 4 nu trn. 6. Is this a positive or negative development? Bn cn la chn mt trong hai hng liu y l positive hay l negative development, sau hy support quan im ca bn. Cch vit dng ny ging nh dng 1 v 2 nu trn. 7. What are the benefits and drawbacks? Dng cu hi ny cng ging nh dng cu hi s 3, bn phi nu ra c benefits v drawbacks nhng khng nu quan im c nhn ca bn. 8. What are the causes and suggest some sollutions to the problem. Vi dng cu hi ny bn cn tr li u l nguyn nhn ca vn v u l cc gii php cho n. Lu l cc gii php nu ra phi gii quyt c ht cc nguyn nhn bn nu ln. 9. Why is this the case? Is it a positive or negative development? Vi dng cu hi ny chng ta nn plan essay thnh 2 on body chnh (khng k introduction v conclusion). on th nht nu ra nguyn nhn ca vn , on th hai bn nu r kin ca bn l positive hay negative development. NGUYN KHC THC
INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC WRITING
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
TRANSITIONAL WORDS/ CONNECTIVE WORDS
Stating your Opinion
Outlining Facts
Agreement NGUYN KHC THC
It seems to me that ...
In my opinion, ... I am of the opinion that .../ I take the view that .. My personal view is that ... In my experience ... As far as I understand / can see, ... As I see it, ... / From my point of view ... As far as I know ... / From what I know ... I might be wrong but ... If I am not mistaken ... I believe one can (safely) say ... It is claimed that ... I must admit that ... I cannot deny that ... I can imagine that ... I think/believe/suppose ... Personally, I think ... That is why I think ... I am sure/certain/convinced that ... I am not sure/certain, but .... I am not convinced that .. I have no opinion in this matter The fact is that The (main) point is that ... This proves that ... It is obvious that ... It is certain that ... It is clear that ... There is no doubt that ... There are many reasons for ... There is no doubt about it that ....
INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC WRITING
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
I am of the same opinion.
I completely/absolutely agree with the author
Qualified Disagreement
Disagreement
.. Linking Arguments
Providing Examples
NGUYN KHC THC
It is only partly true that...
That seems obvious, but ... Under certain circumstances The problem is that ... What is even worse, ... I am of a different opinion because ... I cannot share this / that / the view. I cannot agree with this idea. First of all, I think ... There are various/several/many reasons for this. First, ... / Firstly, ... Second, ... / Secondly, ... Moreover, ... / Furthermore, ... / In addition, ... Another significant point is that ... Finally, ... On the one hand, ... On the other hand, ... In contrast to this is ... Because of ... That is why ... After all, ... The reason is that ... Another aspect/point is that ...
Take for example (the case of) ...
Look at ... For instance ... / For example ... Let me give you an example.
INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC WRITING
Additions and Conclusion
Conjunctions
NGUYN KHC THC
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
Most probably ...
It appears to be ... It is important to mention that... In other words, ... I am most concerned about ... but / still / however especially / mainly / particularly before as / because / since so that then / after that that's why / so after all of course though / although / even though as soon as as long as finally / eventually in spite of / even so / all the same perhaps ... above all first of all for example / for instance