Master IELTS Essays IELTS Academic & General Training Writing Task Two

Giving an opinion

Use the following ideas to formulate sentences which represent your personal view on
a given subject. Please note that this is only a small portion of the possible structures,
as you may find a great deal more in vocabulary/grammar books written for the IELTS
as well as in sample essays and other authentic IELTS resources.

 Agreeing/disagreeing with a view

With/without a background statement:

 I [tend to/personally/strongly/firmly] agree/disagree with the view/opinion/point of

view/idea/viewpoint that…
 I [tend to/personally/strongly/firmly] agree/disagree that…
 I [tend to/personally/strongly/firmly] support/oppose the view/opinion/point of
view/idea/viewpoint that…

Preferably without a background statement:

Agreeing:
 I, like many others, think…
 My view, like many other people, is that…

Disagreeing:
 Whereas/While/Although/Even though some might believe that…, I personally think …
 Whereas/While/Although/Even though some might believe that…, I personally think
otherwise/disagree.
 Despite many people’s view that…, I tend to think..

 Giving an original view

 I [tend to/personally/strongly/firmly] think/believe/feel that…

 I am [personally/strongly/firmly/fully] convinced that…
 I am [personally/strongly/firmly] of the opinion that…
 I [personally/strongly/firmly] hold the opinion that…
 To me, …
 As far as I am concerned, …
 From my [personal] point of view, …

Ebrahim Tahasoni Page 24 www.tahasoni.com

Master IELTS Essays IELTS Academic & General Training Writing Task Two

Ideas for Argument-led Essay Body Topic Sentences

 Type 1
Body 1
Those who agree with a number of view.
have
Those who support this opinion (A&A) various to support viewpoint.
present reasons
The supporters of ---n./n.p.--- a variety of in favour of their point of view.
provide points
Those in favour of the view that---------- numerous to justify opinion.
offer
Those supporting some idea.

Body 2 (A&A)
those who disagree with the above idea
have
However, those who oppose the view mentioned above
present own reasons as well.
Nevertheless, the opponents of the abovementioned opinion their
provide respective points , too.
On the other hand, those against ------n./n.p.-------
offer
those opposed to the opinion that

Body 2 (A&O)
those who agree with
have
However, those who support
------n./n.p.------- present own reasons as well.
Nevertheless the supporters of their
the opinion that------------ provide respective points , too.
On the other hand, those in favour of
offer
those supporting

 Type 2
Body 1
a number of
think of
can various to support this opinion (A&A).
present reasons
One may a variety of in favour of ---n./n.p.---.
provide points
could numerous to justify the opinion that----------.
offer
some

Body 2 (A&A)
cannot ignore
However,
should not forget about reasons against ---n./n.p.---.
Nevertheless one the
consider points
On the other hand, should also
study

Body 2 (A&O)
ignore
cannot
However, forget about
should not reasons supporting ---n./n.p.---.
Nevertheless One overlook the
points justifying the opinion that----------.
On the other hand, consider
should also
study

Ebrahim Tahasoni Page 25 www.tahasoni.com

Master IELTS Essays IELTS Academic & General Training Writing Task Two
 Type 3
Body 1
a number of advantages.
provides
This opinion (A&A) various benefits.
involves
---n./n.p.--- a variety of positive effects.
offers
The opinion that---------- numerous favourable consequences.
has
some desirable impacts.

Body 2 (A&A)
disadvantages cannot overlooked.
be Ignored.
However, drawbacks should not
of ---n./n.p.---
Nevertheless the negative impacts considered.
On the other hand, unfavourable effects should also be taken into consideration.
undesirable consequences

Body 2 (A&O)
advantages cannot overlooked.
be Ignored.
However, benefits should not
of ---n./n.p.---
Nevertheless the negative consequences considered.
On the other hand, unfavourable impacts should also be taken into consideration.
undesirable effects

Ebrahim Tahasoni Page 26 www.tahasoni.com

Master IELTS Essays IELTS Academic & General Training Writing Task Two

Ideas for Advantages & Disadvantages Essay Focus Statements

 Type One:
advantages and disadvantages
benefits and drawbacks
merits and downsides
discuss pros and cons
The aim/goal/objective/purpose of this essay is to
investigate the
This essay will try/attempt/make an effort to
examine positive and negative
In this essay, an attempt will be made to consequences
explain welcome and unwelcome
favourable and unfavourable results
desirable and undesirable impacts
beneficial and detrimental effects

this (w/ background)

this idea (w/ background)
of
---n./n.p.---
the idea that----------

 Type Two:

advantages
benefits
merits
Discuss
The aim/goal/objective/purpose of this essay is to
investigate The
This essay will try/attempt/make an effort to
examine
In this essay, an attempt will be made to positive
explain consequences results
welcome
impacts
favourable
consequences
desirable
effects
beneficial

Negative
this (w/ background)
unwelcome
this idea (w/ background)
of as well as the unfavourable ones.
---n./n.p.---
undesirable
the idea that----------
detrimental

Ebrahim Tahasoni Page 27 www.tahasoni.com

Master IELTS Essays IELTS Academic & General Training Writing Task Two
 Type Three:
advantages and disadvantages
benefits and drawbacks
merits and downsides
pros and cons
this (w/ background)
The this idea (w/ background)
of will be
positive and negative consequences ---n./n.p.---
welcome and unwelcome results the idea that----------
favourable and unfavourable impacts
desirable and undesirable consequences
beneficial and detrimental effects

discussed
investigated
in this essay.
examined
explained

Ideas for Advantages vs. Disadvantages Essay Focus Statements

advantages
benefits
merits
I believe that this (w/ background)
the
Despite I am convinced that this idea (w/ background)
its positive ,
In spite of consequences results I think that ---n./n.p.---
welcome … the idea that----------
impacts
favourable
consequences
desirable
effects
beneficial

disadvantages.
downsides.
drawbacks.

has a greater number of

involves a larger number of negative
presents unwelcome
unfavourable ones.
undesirable
detrimental

Ebrahim Tahasoni Page 28 www.tahasoni.com

Master IELTS Essays IELTS Academic & General Training Writing Task Two

Ideas for Causes and Solutions Essay Focus Statements

the factors/issues responsible for
discuss
The aim/goal/objective/purpose of this essay is to the reasons behind/for
investigate
This essay will try/attempt/make an effort to the factors/issues which have contributed to
examine
In this essay, an attempt will be made to the causes of
explain
the issues which have resulted in/led to

a number of
propose
this some solutions.
suggest
this problem/issue and also different means/ways to solve it.
put forward
-----n./n.p.----- various means/ways to resolve/deal with/tackle/improve the situation.
recommend
a variety of

Ideas for Effects and Solutions Essay Focus Statements

the issues resulting from/which have resulted from

the problems which follow/have followed
discuss the consequences/effects/impacts of
The aim/goal/objective/purpose of this essay is to investigate
This essay will try/attempt/make an effort to the problems/issues which could/may/might/are likely
examine
In this essay, an attempt will be made to to result from/follow/ensue
explain

the possible/potential/probable/prospective
consequences/effects/impacts of

a number of
propose
this some solutions.
suggest
this problem/issue and also different means/ways to solve them.
put forward
-----n./n.p.----- various means/ways to resolve/deal with/tackle/improve the situation.
recommend
a variety of

Ebrahim Tahasoni Page 29 www.tahasoni.com

Master IELTS Essays IELTS Academic & General Training Writing Task Two

Ideas for Causes and Effects Essay Focus Statements

the factors/issues responsible for
discuss
The aim/goal/objective/purpose of this essay is to investigate the reasons behind/for
This essay will try/attempt/make an effort to the factors/issues which have contributed to
examine
In this essay, an attempt will be made to the causes of
explain
the issues which have resulted in/led to

the issues it has resulted in /which have resulted from it.

the problems which follow /have followed it.
its consequences/effects/impacts.
discuss
this
investigate the problems/issues it could/may/might/is likely to result in/lead to.
this problem/issue and also
examine
-----n./n.p.-----
explain the problems/issues which could/may/might/are likely to result
from/follow/ensue it.

its possible/potential/probable/prospective consequences/effects/impacts.

Ebrahim Tahasoni Page 30 www.tahasoni.com