Writing Task 2: Opinion (Agree/Disagree) Essay: IELTS Academic 9990 (IELTS Academic)
Syllabus W.task2 · Strand 3 Writing
- Questions
- 10
- Total marks
- 40
- Tier mix
- 10 Core
0 of 10 questions completed
Syllabus coverage
- W.task2 10 questions completed
An opinion-essay prompt presents a statement (often introduced as “to what extent do you agree or disagree”) and asks for a personal position that is then defended for the full 250+ word essay in about 40 minutes. The introduction should paraphrase the prompt and state a clear position (full agreement, full disagreement, or a position that leans one way while acknowledging some merit in the other view) and every body paragraph should then build the case for that stated position with one main reason each, developed with explanation and a specific example.
The most common weakness in this task is a position that drifts or contradicts itself between the introduction and the conclusion, or an essay that spends a paragraph presenting the opposing view without making clear that it is being rejected. A tightly argued essay with a consistent position, even a moderate one, scores far better on Task Response than a wide-ranging but uncommitted discussion of the topic.
Question 1
Some universities require every student, whatever their degree subject, to study a foreign language as part of their course.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that all university students should be required to study a foreign language?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Question 2
Social media platforms have become the main way that many young people communicate and maintain friendships.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that social media does more to damage young people's mental health than to benefit their social lives?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Question 3
Transport is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in many countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that governments should ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars within the next ten years in order to combat climate change?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Question 4
Some employers now offer financial rewards, such as bonuses or reduced insurance premiums, to employees who maintain a healthy lifestyle, for example by not smoking or exercising regularly.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that employers should be allowed to offer such financial rewards?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Question 5
In many organisations, employees are still judged largely by the number of hours they spend in the office rather than by the quality or quantity of the work they actually produce.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that employees should be judged solely on the quality of their output rather than the hours they spend in the office?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Question 6
In many societies today, traditional festivals, ceremonies and customs are given far less importance than they once were. Some people argue that losing these traditions is not a real loss, since culture must inevitably change with the times.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Question 7
Prison sentences do little to reduce reoffending, and governments should redirect the majority of their criminal justice budgets away from building and running prisons towards rehabilitation and education programmes for offenders.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Question 8
National governments currently spend large sums administering means-tested welfare systems, in which benefit payments are calculated individually according to a claimant's income, family circumstances and employment history. Some people believe governments should instead introduce a universal basic income: a regular, unconditional cash payment made to every adult citizen regardless of their personal circumstances or need.
To what extent do you agree or disagree that governments should replace means-tested welfare benefits with a universal basic income?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Question 9
The growth of international trade and multinational companies benefits large, wealthy nations far more than it benefits developing countries, so poorer countries would be better off limiting their participation in the global economy.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Question 10
Parents today allow their children far too much personal freedom, and young people should be required to follow much stricter rules at home.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.