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Band7

IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion essays

An opinion question gives you a single claim and asks how far you accept it. Take one position and make every paragraph serve it.

  1. 1

    One claim, one position. Every paragraph serves the position you take in the introduction.

  2. 2

    Not a survey of views. The examiner is not asking what other people think, or asking you to be fair to both sides.

  3. 3

    Watch for drift. Intro agrees, body 2 argues the opposite, the conclusion says “it depends”. That costs marks in Task Response.

This guide covers

  • How to spot it
  • Paragraph plan
  • Common mistakes
  • 3 original practice questions
WRITING TASK 2To what extent do you agreeor disagree?one claim,one position

How to spot it

Read the instruction line

4 wordings signal this type. Check for the look-alike before you plan.

  • 1Most common

    “To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

    “To what extent” invites a degree: completely, mostly or only partly. A degree is still a position if you name it and keep it.

  • 2

    “Do you agree or disagree?”

    The same job with less room for nuance. A partial position is allowed, but state it in the introduction.

  • 3

    “What is your opinion?” / “Give your opinion.”

    Read it as “state and defend a view on this”.

  • 4

    “Do you think … should …?”

    Treat yes or no as your position, then argue it like an agree/disagree essay.

Paragraph plan

Recommended structure

Four paragraphs, one job each.

Structure only — you supply the arguments
  1. 1

    Introduction

    Paraphrase the statement and state your position in one sentence.

  2. 2

    Body paragraph 1

    First reason. Say why it matters, then add one concrete example.

  3. 3

    Body paragraph 2

    A second, different reason — or the limit of a partial agree — then return to the position.

  4. 4

    Conclusion

    Restate the position and name the two reasons. Do not add a new idea.

Introduction and conclusion: same position, different words.

Structure notes

  • Two well-developed reasons beat four thin ones.

  • If you partly agree, the limit belongs in body paragraph 2, and its last sentence returns to your opening position.

  • The introduction and the conclusion should say the same thing in different words. If they disagree, the examiner believes neither.

Planning and final check

Plan first, check last

Before you write

Planning in the first few minutes

  1. 1

    Choose the position you can support best

    Spend the first two or three minutes on it — not on the view you hold most strongly.

  2. 2

    Write the position as one sentence first

    If the question says “to what extent”, include a degree word such as “largely”, “entirely” or “only in part”.

  3. 3

    Write two distinct reason headings

    “It saves money” and “it is cheaper for families” are one reason.

  4. 4

    Decide on a concession (optional)

    If you include one, keep it short and answer it in the same paragraph.

Before you finish

Final check

Common mistakes

Do and don't

The 5 mistakes that keep opinion essays below their potential, each with the fix.

  1. 1

    Don’t

    Hiding the position until the end

    Building up to a view reads as having no view.

    Do

    State the position in the introduction in one plain sentence

    The examiner should know your answer before body paragraph 1 begins.

  2. 2

    Don’t

    Switching sides in the second body paragraph

    One paragraph for and one against turns it into a discussion essay.

    Do

    Keep one idea per body paragraph

    To acknowledge the other side, use two sentences and answer them.

  3. 3

    Don’t

    “It depends” as a position

    “It depends on the situation” gives the reader nothing to test.

    Do

    If you qualify, name the condition and argue it

    “I agree when the scheme is voluntary, but not when it is compulsory.”

  4. 4

    Don’t

    Answering a nearby question

    If the claim says a measure is the best way, whether it helps at all is a different question.

    Do

    Underline the strongest word in the claim

    Only, best, always, should — argue about that word.

  5. 5

    Don’t

    Reasons without development

    Three reasons in three sentences shows ideas, but not argument.

    Do

    Take one reason, explain why it matters, and tie it to an example

    Development moves a paragraph from adequate to convincing.

A teaching paragraph

One paragraph, marked up

A teaching illustration of one paragraph — not a model essay and not a Grade Report.

The question

Opinion

Some people believe that public libraries are no longer necessary because most information is available online. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

First body paragraph of an essay that largely disagrees

The main reason I reject this view (note 1) is that online access is not the same as access to the internet. A large share of library visitors use the building precisely because they lack a reliable connection or a quiet place to work at home. A secondary-school student who shares a small flat with three siblings (note 2), for instance, may have a phone with limited data but no desk and no silence. For that student, the library is not a store of books that the internet has replaced; it is the only place where online information becomes usable. Closing it would widen, rather than close, the gap (note 3) that digital resources were meant to narrow.

Practice

Practice questions

Original questions written for Band7. Start writing carries the question into the checker.

  • OpinionOriginal practice question

    Some people argue that every school leaver should spend a year working before going to university. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

    Start writing
  • OpinionOriginal practice question

    Many towns now ban cars from their central streets for part of the week. Some people think this should become permanent everywhere. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

    Start writing
  • OpinionOriginal practice question

    It is often said that the most important quality in a manager is the ability to listen. Do you agree or disagree?

    Start writing

FAQ

Questions about opinion essays

Yes. A partial position is still a position. Name the degree in the introduction, give the stronger side most of the space, and use the end of the second body paragraph to show where your agreement stops.

You can. The question asks for your view, so "I believe" or "In my view" is appropriate once or twice. What matters more is that the position is clear and consistent from the introduction to the conclusion.

No. A brief concession can strengthen an essay if you answer it, but it is optional. Two developed reasons for your position are a complete answer to an opinion question.

No. This page teaches the question type. The Task 2 checker gives a practice Estimated Band for an essay you write. It is not an official IELTS score.

Write a full opinion essay

Choose a practice question above or bring your own. The checker keeps it in this browser while you sign up. Aim for Band 7+; the Grade Report is a practice estimate.

Task 2 checker