IELTS Essay Writing Samples For All Question Types

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), is a popular global examination to test language proficiency. Essay Writing in the writing section is essential to the IELTS exam. And IELTS essay samples are your key to acing the IELTS writing task. 

They offer invaluable insights into tackling different essay types with confidence and precision. By exploring a range of sample essays, you'll discover how to approach each question format effectively and enhance your writing skills.

This guide provides a collection of IELTS essay samples covering all question types—opinion, discussion, problem-solution, and advantages & disadvantages. Dive into these examples to master the art of structuring your responses, crafting compelling arguments, and clearly presenting your ideas.

Types of IELTS Essay Questions

In the Writing section of the IELTS exam, you may encounter any of the following types of essays.  

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree)

In an opinion essay, you are required to present your viewpoint on a given statement or question. You must decide whether you agree or disagree with the statement and provide clear reasons and examples to support your position.

• Discussion (Discuss Both Views)

A discussion essay asks you to examine two opposing viewpoints on a particular issue. You need to discuss both sides of the argument in a balanced manner and present your own opinion, supported by relevant examples and reasoning.

• Advantage/Disadvantage

In an advantage/disadvantage essay, you must analyze the benefits and drawbacks of a specific situation or concept. This type of essay requires thoroughly examining both sides, often concluding with your opinion on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

• Problem/Solution

A problem/solution essay requires you to identify a particular problem and propose one or more solutions. You need to describe the problem, explain why it is an issue, and then offer practical solutions supported by examples and details.

Knowing the types of IELTS questions would be beneficial if you plan to study abroad. 

General Essay Structure

The general structure of your essay should be in three parts.

• Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for your essay. It should include a brief overview of the topic, some background information, and a clear thesis statement that outlines your main argument or position.

• Body Paragraphs

The body of the essay consists of several paragraphs, each focusing on a specific point or argument. Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence, followed by supporting details and examples. Logical transitions between paragraphs are essential to maintain the flow of your essay.

• Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the main points discussed in the essay and reinforces your thesis statement. It should provide a final perspective on the topic without introducing new information.

What is Opinion Essay in IELTS

An opinion essay requires you to clearly state your viewpoint on a given topic and support it with reasons and examples. For instance, if the topic is "Do you agree or disagree that online education is more effective than traditional classroom education?" you need to decide your stance and provide arguments to justify your position. Here is a detailed example of one such essay. 

Internet Affecting Social Interaction

Some reports say, people now use the internet more and spend less time in the real world. Some say that more than doing good, the internet is affecting human social interaction.

Do you agree with this opinion?

How far do you agree with this opinion?

The Internet is a wonderful tool that can be used for various purposes these days. You can do almost everything from home, from booking your tickets to ordering your favorite pizza. All that you need is an internet connection. However, one of the major disadvantages of the internet is that it affects our social interaction. These days, the young generation and even the elderly have an account on almost every social media platform. It majorly helps people stay connected with others, even the ones who live in faraway places. Nevertheless, people are so much into virtual interaction that they hardly meet their friends.

These days, we can find people who live in the same city but prefer meeting their friends on video calls. We do not realize it, but it affects us emotionally. We try to look perfect in our social media accounts, but deep down, we feel lonely and separated. The friends that we used to meet in person and chat with for hours can now only be seen in video calls for only a limited amount of time. This has also started keeping us away from people who we would have to contact in times of need.

To conclude, the internet indeed is a powerful tool. We all need the internet regularly. However, we must also balance our lives and spare some time to socialize with people we love. This will not only help us connect better with others but also make our mood much better.

What is Discussion Essay in IELTS

A discussion essay involves presenting both sides of an argument before stating your own opinion. For example, if the topic is "Discuss both views on whether technology enhances or detracts from the quality of life," you would discuss both perspectives and then provide your conclusion. Here’s a detailed example of this type of essay. 

Childcare

The first opinion supports that preschool children should stay with grandparents and be taken care of. The second supports that children of this age should stay at childcare centers. In the third paragraph, you can mention your opinion.

Discuss both opinions and provide your view.

Since most parents go to work these days, it becomes quite confusing to take care of children who are too young to go to school. Some say children of this age should stay with their grandparents. One of the main reasons for this is that they are staying with family members and will be safer than staying with people who barely know them. Grandparents will get time to connect with the children and instill good habits. It is believed by some that children who stay with their grandparents are kinder towards others. One of the important points is also cost-saving. Most good childcare facilities charge a lot of money. This may put an extra financial burden on the parents.

Others believe that children of this age should be sent to childcare facilities. This will make them independent from a very young age. The center staff are properly trained and capable of caring for the children. Children can also socialize with other children at the facility. Children who stay at childcare facilities are more disciplined. They are taught several activities such as painting, storytelling, singing, dancing, and other activities that boost their creativity. 

I think young children should be sent to childcare facilities that provide safety.  They can spend time with their grandparents when they are at home. Disciplining children from a tender age is important, which becomes easier by sending them to childcare facilities. Childcare facilities can also prepare students for school and get them habituated to a certain routine early on

What is Advantage/Disadvantage Essay in IELTS

In an advantage/disadvantage essay, you assess the pros and cons of a particular issue. For instance, the topic might be "Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city." You would need to explore both aspects and then offer a balanced view.  Here’s a detailed example of this type of essay. 

Working from Home

Working from home these days is the new way of working. 

Does it come with more advantages or disadvantages?

‘Work from Home’ seems to be the new mantra of professional life. The ongoing pandemic has taught us many things and one of those is working from home. Although it is a new concept for many, it has been accepted well. Let us discuss the advantages as well as disadvantages of working from home. 

One of the biggest advantages of working from home is for mothers who have toddlers at home. Earlier, many career-oriented mothers had to take a break from their jobs to raise their children. This would sometimes lead to missing out on several job opportunities. However, working from home has been a boon to those mothers. The other advantages are that you can be around your family, have your meals on time, and won't have to drive in the busy hours to make it to your office. This has helped us save not only our time but money as well. You can work while relaxing at home. 

While there are so many advantages of working from home, one of the biggest disadvantages is that you are not connecting with your colleagues anymore. You do not know who they are. It has also made our lives sedentary as all we do is sit in our chairs and stare at our laptops.  

While there are both pros and cons of working from home, even if you are into it, you need to make sure you are exercising enough. If you are outgoing, you must think twice before choosing a work-from-home profile.

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What is Problem/Solution Essay in IELTS

A problem/solution essay involves identifying a problem and proposing solutions. For example, if the topic is "What are the causes of air pollution in cities, and how can it be reduced?" you must explain the causes and suggest effective solutions. Here is a detailed example of such type of essays. 

Overpopulation

Overpopulation is giving rise to many problems in urban areas.

Discuss some problems and suggest solutions on how the government and individuals can deal with the issues.

Overpopulation is a common yet concerning problem in many countries. The urban areas in many countries are mostly overpopulated. One of the main problems that come with a lot of people in one city is the shortage of job opportunities, fewer options for good accommodation, littering, and crime. It is true that regions with a high population have a stronger and deep-rooted presence of crime.  

As we talk about the solutions to all the problems arising from overpopulation, we should address these to the government. It is the government of the country that is responsible for such situations. They should provide the necessary accommodation and healthcare for citizens who migrate to cities for work. To control crime, there need to be more job opportunities. The government can set up evening classes for teenagers so that they can be involved in their studies rather than spending their time roaming around in the city. The government also should add manpower to the police force so that they can patrol more in the inner and outer urban areas.

Apart from the government, as citizens, it is our responsibility also to keep the city clean and crime in check. If we see or know about any crime happening in our neighborhood, we must inform the police about it. We can also pressure the government to take better action against criminals.

Overpopulation is a serious problem that should not be neglected. If the government and the citizens work together towards it, we will be able to find a proper solution to the problem.

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What is Two-Part Question Essay

A two-part question essay is also called a Direct Question essay. You will be asked two direct questions and you have to answer them in one essay. The questions can be:

So many people move to countries with their native language – English to pursue their education at school, college, or university. 

Why is the English language so important?

Why are people so inclined to study the English language?

Countries such as the USA, UK, and Australia are English-speaking countries and also some of the top educational destinations in the world. In this essay, I will discuss why so many people are interested in this language and even want to study it.

English is one of the most common languages spoken in the world. The majority of the developed nations have English as their native language. This language has also made it easier for people to get high-paying jobs in some of the best companies located in various corners of the world. Many multinational companies offer jobs to people who can speak English. 

Most people study in English so that they can get a well-paid job or improve their career graph. Another reason is traveling. People who need help understanding or speaking English can find it difficult to travel. they can especially find it difficult to communicate in the airports.

Apart from getting a decent job and traveling globally, English is also an international language. If we consider scientific research, most of them are conducted in English. This specific language is chosen for this purpose so that the research can be published for a global audience. With a global audience, it can be easier for scientists to finance themselves.

English is spoken in those countries as well where the native language is something else. If we are well-versed in this language, it becomes easier for us to communicate with others. These are some reasons why so many people are interested in learning this language. 

Therefore, we can conclude by mentioning that studying in English-speaking countries also makes it easier for people to learn the language and get better job opportunities.

Popular IELTS Essay Writing Topics

IELTS essay writing focuses on art, culture, education, health, infrastructure, environment, social causes, etc. The topics are very general so that everyone can attempt them easily. Below are some topics that will help you gauge the difficulty level of the IELTS Writing Task 2. You can take these topics as a reference for task 2 IELTS writing samples and start brushing up your writing skills. 

• Government is wasting money on arts. Do you agree with this statement?

-Discipline is becoming more problematic nowadays. Some people think it is the responsibility of schools to discipline students, while others think it is the role of parents. What do you think?

-In order to meet the demands of a growing population, GM foods are produced in large quantities. What are the pros and cons of this?

-Obesity is increasing in children of various age groups. What do you think are the causes that contribute to this situation? What can be done to control this situation?

-Everyone should opt for a vegetarian diet as consuming animal meat can lead to serious health issues. Do you agree?

-Many packaged foods contain chemicals and preservatives. What are the advantages and disadvantages?

-Media has promoted the image of young and slim women as the ideal. What problems has this generated? What, according to you, are the solutions for this?

-Prevention of a disease is better than its treatment. Government funding should reflect on this. Do you agree with this?

-Applications can easily translate the foreign language into the local language, and therefore, learning a foreign language is a waste of time and effort. Do you agree or disagree?

Key Writing Techniques for IELTS Essay Writing

When writing the IELTS writing task 2, adopting key writing techniques can help you frame your essay correctly.

• Plan Before Writing: Outline your essay structure before you start writing.
• Use Clear and Concise Language: Avoid overly complex sentences and jargon.
• Support Your Arguments: Use examples and evidence to back up your points.
• Maintain Coherence and Cohesion: Connect ideas smoothly using linking words and phrases.
• Stick to the Word Limit: Ensure your essay is within the required word count.

IELTS Essay Writing: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid

First-time IELTS test takers often make mistakes if they do not analyze IELTS essay samples. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an IELTS essay.

1. Misinterpreting the Question: Ensure you fully understand the essay prompt.
2. Lack of Structure: Follow a clear essay structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
3. Repetition: Avoid repeating the same ideas or vocabulary.
4. Ignoring Grammar and Spelling: Proofread your essay to correct any errors.
5. Insufficient Examples: Provide relevant examples to support your points.

Conclusion

Mastering IELTS essay writing is essential for students aiming to achieve high scores. Understanding the different types of essays, adhering to a structured format, and employing effective writing techniques can significantly enhance your performance. Avoiding common mistakes and practicing regularly will further improve your writing skills, helping you excel in the IELTS exam.

Study for IELTS with upGrad Abroad

To cater end-to-end requirements of learners planning to pursue higher education abroad, upGrad Abroad has launched a Booster Program. The IELTS Booster Program is designed to offer support to students preparing for IELTS, Academic Writing, Profile Building,  and University Application.