IELTS Opinion Essay: Agree or Disagree

Fence-sitting is the expensive mistake

How to structure the answer

1. 1

   Introduction

   Paraphrase the statement, then give a thesis that states your position unambiguously.

2. 2

   Body 1 — your strongest reason

   One main idea, explained, then supported with a specific example. Depth beats a list of three shallow reasons.

3. 3

   Body 2 — your second reason

   A different idea, developed the same way. If you partly agree, this is where the qualification goes.

4. 4

   Conclusion

   Restate the position in different words. Introduce nothing new.

Language for opinion essays

Phrases that do the specific work this question type needs.

Stating a position

I firmly believe thatIn my viewThis essay will argue that

Partial agreement

I largely agree, althoughWhile I accept that X, I would argue thatThis is true only to a limited extent

Developing a reason

The principal reason for this isThis is largely becauseA clear illustration of this is

Concluding

In conclusionTo sum upOn balance, therefore

Mistakes that cost marks

Presenting both sides evenly and never committing.

That is a discussion essay. Here, pick a position in the introduction and support it throughout.

Answering only half of a two-clause statement.

If the statement makes two claims, your position has to address both.

Changing position partway through.

Decide before you write. A conclusion that disagrees with your body paragraphs reads as incoherent.

Listing four reasons with a sentence each.

Two developed reasons score higher than four undeveloped ones under Task Response.

Reading 'to what extent' as permission to avoid a view.

It invites a degree of agreement, not the absence of one. 'I largely agree' is a position; 'there are arguments on both sides' is not.