For an IELTS agree disagree essay you can either agree with the statement, disagree with the statement or give your opinion which contains a balanced approach to the issues in the statement. However, this does not mean you can discuss both sides impartially – you must give a clear opinion to get a good score in the criterion of Task Response which is 25% of your marks. Another name for an agree disagree essay is an opinion essay or argumentative essay.
IELTS Opinion Essay Question
The growing number of overweight people is putting a strain on the health care system in an effort to deal with the health issues involved. Some people think that the best way to deal with this problem is to introduce more physical education lessons in the school curriculum. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
IELTS Agree Disagree Model Essay
Below is a model answer for the above Opinion Essay: Agree/Disagree Essay.
Owing to the problems which a growing population of overweight people cause for the health care system, some people think that the key to solving these issues is to have more sport and exercise in schools. I completely agree that this is the best way to tackle the issue of deteriorating public health in relation to weight.
Firstly, dealing with the issues surrounding obesity and weight problems is best solved by taking a long term approach and introducing more sport and exercise in schools. This method will ensure that the next generation will be healthier and will not have such health problems. At the moment, the average child in the West does sport possibly twice a week, which is not enough to counteract their otherwise sedentary lifestyle. However, by incorporating more sports classes into the curriculum as well as encouraging extracurricular sports activities, they will undoubtedly become fitter and more active.
Another point to consider is that having more sports lessons for children in schools will probably result in children developing an interest in exercise which might filter through to other members of their family and have a longer lasting effect. In other words, parents with sporty children are more likely to get involved in sport as a way of encouraging their children. By both parents and children being involved, it will ensure that children grow up to incorporate sport into their daily lives. This is certainly a natural and lasting way to improve public health.
In conclusion, to deal with an increasing population of unfit, overweight people, changing the lifestyle of the coming generation by introducing sport in schools is the easiest and most effective method to use.
Download a PDF copy of the model essay below: IELTS Agree Disagree Model Essay
Tips
- Make sure your introduction is not too long. Just paraphrase the essay question and present your opinion.
- Make sure your opinion is consistent from introduction to conclusion.
- Each body paragraph presents a reason for your view.
- Your body paragraphs should explain your views with relevant detail.
- Never miss the conclusion. Keep it short, but make sure you write it!
- It is possible to have a partial agreement for this essay where you think sports lessons are a good solution, but there is another more effective solution.
Advanced IELTS Writing Task 2 Lessons
Are you struggling to hit band 7 or above? My Advanced Lessons are the answer to high band score techniques. You can also find a useful “Ideas for IELTS Essay Topics” e-book to help you with ideas and vocabulary.
- Click here: Liz’s Online Store
IELTS Model Essays
- IELTS Opinion Essay Model Answer
- IELTS Discussion Essay Model
- IELTS Solution Essay Model
- IELTS Positive Negative Development Essay Model
- How to write an introduction: Video Tutorial
- Opinion Essay Practice Questions
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Hi Liz,
Thank you so much for the wonderful tips and lessons, I have learned so much in my short time of preparing. I would be taking the test for the first time in Aug. I hope I make it.
I do have a question on paraphrasing. Is it OK to paraphrase only the 1st sentence of the question, as I saw this done on a model essay. The 2nd sentence was used as the thesis statement. Please find Sample question below. I would truly appreciate it if you could give a model answer.
“According to a recent study, the more time people use the Internet, the less time they spend with real human beings. Some people say that instead of seeing the Internet as a way of opening up new communication possibilities world wide, we should be concerned about the effect this is having on social interaction.
How far do you agree with this opinion? ”
Thank you for your help ☺️
Learn how to write an introduction and see model essays on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
Hey Liz,
It’s Mr. Jasjit singh here and I am working as an IELTS trainer in a company. Here, my concern is to point you out that you have used “sporty children” in the essay’s body para – 2, even though, the word SPORTY is an informal. According to the parameters of marking, the informal language must not be used basically in the essay writing, otherwise there is a penalty. Do you think it is worthy to be used by the candidates?
Kindly share your perspective asap!!
“sporty” is completely fine. However, to use the word “kids” is too informal.
Hi Liz,
I have a question, please answer me.
In my IELTS writing, while checking things at last minute, I did a foolish mistake and change all the words next to comma “, ” in a capital letter.
i.e “However, This was…..”
So, the question is how many marks did the checker will cut or how many bands of mine are at risk. I am worried sick.
Please reply.
Well, I still don’t understand how I did that mistake. Time was ticking and something pushes me to do it :@ maybe this was because of C.D test. I am.sure if I were writing on a paper it would not happen. But fate :@
Since childhood, we know that after full stop next letter is Capital and not after the comma :@ but…argh
This would just count as one systematic error. It means you make the same mistake over and over again. It will affect your score for Grammar, but it isn’t possible to predict your overall score. Your Grammar score will depend on how many other errors you made and the range of grammar features you used. Good luck with you results! Try not to worry too much.
Hello Liz and thank you for all the info that you give us!! I would like to ask you. In this type of essay can I add examples from my personal experience? or I just say my opinion at the introduction and nowhere else?
The style of all essays should be formal which means you should avoid writing about your family and friends. Instead share your experience of the people in your country or around the world.
Dear Liz,
Please, I am confused; agree/disagree is opinion essay? I mean: both are the same?
Regards
Yes, they are the same.
Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree?
What is your opinion?
All the above are Opinion Essays.
Should I write the word count at the end of the writing task 2?
No, definitely don’t waste your time with that. The examiner will count the words himself if necessary.
Hi Liz,
First of all thanks a lot for your great website and youtube channel. These are treasure troves of information. Millions of thanks to you.
I took the test couple of days ago. Writing part 2 was a bit confusing for me.” some people agree it is the best way to make detailed plan of activities in their free time”. While others disagree. Discuss both the views and give your opinion. I read this question more than 10 times, meanwhile, I was writing the essay. Whether it is asking about ‘ free time activities plan’ or ‘If we are free and utilize that time to make a plan about upcoming activities’. I hope you can solve my confusion.
However, the remaining questions are:
Writing part 1: write a letter to the manager about an accident you met with?
Speaking: part1: about me, my residential area, facilities, whether you like living in an apartment or not? did you write with a pen or pencil as a child? what do you think if you get a pen as a gift? How do you think when it is compulsory to write only using a pencil-like this test?
speaking part 2: An incident when you were not allowed to take a phone with you. (No more points to explain).
speaking part 3: why the phones are restricted in some areas of the hospital? Importance of politeness, Need of rule for using mobile phones.
You haven’t remembered the essay question correctly – there are English language mistakes in it. For this reason, I can only speculate. Most questions like this are about whether you should make plans for free time activities or not. Many people like to plan each and every activity they do in their free time, whereas others prefer to wake up and decide what to do based on how they feel that day or how the weather is etc – they don’t want to schedule or plan.
I am preparing my IELTS exam and I have written the below eassy all myself can I please have your feedback
Since the 18th Century technological advances have replaced people in the workplace. with today’s technology this process is happening at a greater rate. Technology is increasingly responsible for unemployment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Since Industrial age technological breakthroughs have taken the place of individuals in many companies. Now a day’s Digital process plays a great role in many organizations due to which a lot of people are jobless. I completely agree that machines have taken place of human beings.
Firstly, mobilized process has fasten the work and brings out better results than of humans. Organizations doesn’t have to double check the work as its scientifically proven that computers and machines are not liable to make errors or mistakes. Many firms are trying to replace the employees with robots where possible to reduce the number of workers in their company, save money which can be used to do investments, buy shares and make profit. For instance, I work in a water company, where distribution of water is 24hours. there are many departments were large number of employees are working. In the production department, earlier men’s where used to drive the forklift and load the trucks now they have been replaced with robots to do the same job.
Secondly, Using Scientific advancement can lead to organizational growth in very less time. As the employer doesn’t have to go through the hiring process which is time consuming and sometime leads to failure as the wrong person is hired for the job. A good illustration of this is, Accounts department is the most important section in any huge firm if the employees are not provided with computers the calculations may go wrong and in worst case the firm could face loss.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend especially large organization to save their time, efforts and utilize their money in digitalizing their work which will lead them to huge profit.
Number of overweight people and children are increasing from last 10 years. Some people think that to solve these issues, facilities of sports and exercises should be provided in school. I completely agree that this is the best solution to tackle the issue for improving public health in relation to weight.
Firstly, to deal with increase in number of obesity and weight of people, some steps should be taken by schools and colleges. Easy access and more facility in sports should be introduced for children and people. This will ensure fitness among students and people interested to take part can join with no age barrier. This will result in reducing sadentry lifestyle and will encourage all to take part in competition.
Secondly, the sports lesson for children in school would result in children developing interest in exercise which might encourage the old age or parents to get motivated. In other word parents with sporty children will try to involve themselves with sports to make their children happy. If both of them get interested, they will practice daily. This would be the best and natural way to improve health of people.
In conclusion, to deal with reducing laziness and overweight people, changing the lifestyle and access to more facility will change the body shape with less problems.
Hi Liz,
Is this an opinion essay and we need to cover both sides? Or just the side that I support. I am confused.
It is generally accepted exercise is good for children and teenagers. Therefore physical education and sports should be made compulsory for all students in all schools. What do you think ?
IT is asking for your opinion. It is an opinion essay. It is the same as “do you agree or disagree?” or “To what extent do you agree?”. You present your opinion of the issue or issues stated and use the body paragraphs to give reasons and explanation for your opinion.
Thank you so much Liz! I got a score that is very useful (lrsw=8,9,8.5,7.5). I was just 0.5 away from 8 in writing to get a perfect score! It was an opinion question. I agreed in part in other to have ideas to get my body paragraphs. Number of words 330 essay and 190 letter (computer-based IELTS is the best if you enjoy typing but hurrible hand written like me). I looked through all your model essays, and I discovered that my issues were mainly articles and punctuations).
Well done with your results 🙂 I’ve put loads of information about articles in my new Grammar E-book as well as a chapter on punctuation. I hope to have the e-book ready at the end of April or beginning of May 🙂
Hi Liz,
May I ask could I take both sides on the question like “Do you agree or disagree”?
Thank you!
Sorry, I think I just found the answer in the comments…
100% same.
Which is strange. I thought agree or disagree should give only one position; and for “to what extent do you agree or disagree” require two positions.
Thanks for the great community!
They are the same instructions, just paraphrased.
Hi Liz, is “the key to solving these issues is” correct? Shouldn’t it be “the key to solve” ? Thank you
“the key to solving” is 100% correct. The word “to” is used as a preposition in this phrase, not as part of the verb.
Hi, Liz! I’ll have an IELTS test next week, but am still confused about agree-disagree essay.
Here’s the question:
Some people think that employers should not care about the way their employees dress, because what matters is the quality of their work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Is that alright if I say on my introduction as follows:
In my opinion, dress codes are significant in a working environment, while employees’ competence should matter as well.
My first body paragraph explains the reason why dress codes are important, and my second body paragraph is about why competence should matter.
I do hope you answer my question. Thank you, Liz! Get well soon.
You’ve got the right approach for a partial agreement. However, you need to address your English.
“In my opinion, both dress codes and employee competence should be important to any employer.”
Try to aim for accuracy and clear meaning in your written English. Don’t try to write in any particular style – just be clear and direct.
Wish me all the best liz!!…
I ve covered all your lessons!!…
Good luck!
Thank you very much Liz. Your lessons were of immense help. I got the band score that I wanted.
That’s great to hear. Well done 🙂
Hello Liz!
Thanks for all time! We truly appreciate your efforts in making IELTS easier to tackle.
However I would like to ask about recent questions reported by student for writing task 2. My exam is on the 13th of this month.
Thanks! Don’t forget to get well soon 🙂
I will post Recent Questions for January 2020 soon.
Hi Liz,
Thank you soo much for your help.
Should we quote example only if they asked for it in the question or should we give it for all essay questions?
You give examples when you know of a good example to use that will help support and explain the main idea of the body paragraph.
Hi dr liz u r great soul i ever seen wish u a happy happy new year
Thanks 🙂 Happy New Year 🙂
Hi dear liz,wish u a very happy new year ,stay blessed always. U r the great soul i ever seen. I have a doubt regarding essay. If the question was asked about leadership innate or achieved opinion essay shall i write my balanced view lik this, i agree that this skill must be innate for political leadership i bliv this should be achieved for managerial leadership.is this stand ok for partly agree. Thanks in advance for reply
If you want a quantified response which you by you say it is X in this situation and Y in this, make sure your grammar and language are 100% clear. If you make any mistakes with that statement it could have serious consequences. So, make sure you write it clearly without any errors at all.
Really you are a very good trainer.
Hi,
How are you ? Will you please explain the difference between writing task 2 of academic and general? in your website nothing is mentioned like for academic and general for writing task 2. i am preparing for general. please let me know writing task 2 is same for academic and general or different ?
Go to the RED MENU BAR and select “Test Info”. You’ll see an option for GT IELTS information. Always use the MENU BAR to access what you need.
Hi Liz !thanku so much for your topic they are all very useful. I think I got a high band score for writing task 2 thankuuuuu sooo much dear.
That’s really good to hear !! Very well done 🙂
Hi liz, this is the first time I am commenting! Hope you are well. Please tell me where I can find the model answers of writting task 2 provided in your WT – 2 section !
You can find all model essays, tips etc in the main writing task 2 section of the website. Just click on the RED MENU BAR at the top of the page to open the section of the test you want to learn.
That’s is really great for my IELT practice and I’m just 13 and I’m gonna take it when I’m 13 and a half thanks for the information
Good luck 🙂
hi !!!
Can we use ‘A LOT OF’ and ‘SO’ in task 2 ? as someone told me that we cannot use it in writing , reason being these both are INFORMAL. Is it true ?
No, that isn’t true. It’s completely fine to use those words.
Hey there!!
Can we use “And” and “But” For the beginning of the sentence in between the body paragraphs to add and contrast information respectively ???
PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH AN EXPLAINED INFORMATION ASAP, I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
— Jasjit Singh
No, you can’t. See the linking words page for details: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
Hi Liz , I sat for my academic test on the 28 of September, 2019. I got an overall score of 7.5. LRWS = 7.5, 8.0,6.0,8.0.
For the Speaking questions.
Part 1: 1.Tell me your full name please? 2. Do you work or study? 3.How is the weather in your country?. 4.Would you like to live in a place with a different weather from your country? 5. Where do you like to read? 6. Do you like to read in an hot weather or cold weather?. Part 2: Talk about an historical building you visited in your country.
Part 3:1. Should the appearance of public buildings be designed ? 2. Do you think people should pay taxes to use public buildings? I can’t remember the other 3 questions she asked.
For the reading questions, most of them were Yes, No, and Not given questions. I think I did well because the passages were close to what I studied in school.
The listening was easy. I got lost in some places though.
Writing Task 1. I was given a table to describe the population of people in Jakarta, Sao Paolo, and Bangkok in 1999 and 2001. There was a column for the projected population in 2001.The numbers were too close. I got confused a bit.
Writing task 2: Some people believe that university admissions should only be offered to young people with the highest merits while some believe that admissions should be given to all people without considering their grade. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
I didn’t finish my writing to my satisfaction. I think that’s the reason for my low score. Time finished faster than I thought.
I just want to say Thank you Liz for everything. I learnt a lot from your lessons. Hopefully,i won’t write this exam again.
Well done with your results and thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Liz,
I love all your content. Thank you so much for helping us through IELTS.
I just wan to know is there a difference between “Do you agree or disagree” and “to what extend do you agree or disagree ” also are opinion essays same as agree disagree essays ?
They are 100% the same.
Hi Liz, thanks for all your help to prepare for my IELTS exam. I can’t thank you enough. I have a doubt regarding “To what extent do you agree or disagree” question. Can I just see it as Agree or Disagree question and just take one side or do I need to address both the side? This question type is really confusing. Kindly advise me. Thanks again for all your help and you are indeed my God for IELTS 🙂 🙂
Thanks,
Karthik
They are 100% the same essay – no difference at all.
I am also confused about “to what extend do u agree or disagree” and “Do u agree or disagree”
Is there any diference in their answer plz explain
No, there is no difference at all.
hello madam
I’m Nikhil
I have a doubt that crushing my mind since 10days, please madam could you solve it.
my Institute tutor said we must follow this pattern for agree or disagree question
Introduction
paraphrase question
thesis statement ( not mentioning agree or disagree)
para1 (agree|)
statement !
example
para2 (agree)
sate3ment2
example
para3
statement3
example
conclusion
now I must discuss my opinion
Above essay can also write in vise verse with disagree
madam, I already comment you, but you didn’t give reply madam
please help me out from this problem, I would be ecstatic.
There is no such thing as a fixed content for body paragraphs. Of course you should state your opinion in the introduction – give your answer and then explain it in the body paragraphs. Please see my Advanced Writing Task 2 lessons if you need training: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Hi Liz! Thank you for your lessons. They are all very useful.
I would like to ask your opinion regarding examples in body paragraphs.
To get a high band score for writing task 2, it is necessary to support and develop our main ideas. I found some websites recommend providing examples from surveys, polls, government report, etc to support main ideas. Is example really needed? Are there any other ways to support main ideas without using examples?
If we really want to give an example, does it have to be a real example? Can we fabricate false/unreal example?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you, Liz!
Examples with data from sources are definitely not required. You can explain and illustrate your ideas in any way you want. Giving the source of information is a waste of time in IELTS because a) it is written as a learned phrase which doesn’t help your language score b) the examiner doesn’t mark data in task 2 so it won’t help your score either. You decide how to explain your main ideas. You can see most of my essays don’t have examples with data.
Thanks, Liz! It’s so helpful.
Hi Liz, i want to clear my doubts regarding this essay type.
There is an essay question in your website which is about the rapid expansion of supermarkets because of which local shops are closing, and some people believe that this is causing death of local communities.
I disagreed with this argument and wrote that supermarkets provide efficacious results for native communities. In body paragraphs i wrote reasons of my opinion, and i hadn’t mentioned local shops in body paragraphs. I just wrote reasons to support my view that this and this are the advantages which benefit local communities.
I want to ask is it okay to not mention local shops because i am supporting my view for supermarkets?
You can’t ignore part of the essay question. The fact presented to you is that supermarkets are expanding and local shows are closing. This is the basis of your essay. The opinion you tackle is “do you think this is the death of local communities?”. So, if you think supermarkets are good for local communities – do you also think it is good that local shops are closing?? You need to address the issue or issues in the question.
But if i also acknowledge that local shops are good for local communities then i might be contradicting my own agreed view point that supermarkets are good for local communities, so it means that i have to say that local shops are not good for local communities?
It would mean you have a partial agreement. You don’t have to agree with one side. Think more carefully about why you think supermarkets are good for local communities and then think about what effect local shops closing will have. Once you’ve brainstormed, analyse your ideas and think of exactly what your view is and how to you will express it. After that, plan supporting points. Hopefully you can now see how important planning is 🙂
Hi Liz…
Your website is so helpful for me. Thank you much for that.
My confusion is…. In this model esssy, there is no discussion about health system.
Should we avoid discussion about it?
I used to elaborate about helath system in one paragraph .
Am I wrong?
Please guide.
An opinion essay is not a discussion essay. This essay does not ask you to discuss the health care system. It is asking your opinion about whether you think the problem that obesity is causing on the health care system can be solved by offering more physical education in schools – do you agree with this solution?? Your whole essay from beginning to end is about your opinion of solutions to the problem.
Hi Liz, thank you for all the tips and essay examples. They really help us to achieve better scores on IELTS. Anyway, I was practicing this essay before reading the example, and I wrote it differently. So I want to know your opinion on how I wrote it.
In the first body paragraph, I wrote that including physical activities such as sports in schools’ curriculums is the best way to introduce children to an active and healthier life, giving the example of how US do this.
However, in the second body paragraph I explained that there are other approaches that should be done to countries witness a really dramatic decrease of healthcare use: lowing the taxes of companies that produce natural and organic food, to make these types of food cheaper to people, and making awareness campaigns about having a healthier diet.
I conclude restating that physical activities in schools are essential to create the habit of being physically active, but it should be combined with an awareness of healthy diet.
So the question is: can I agree and also include other aspects to the subject?
Thank you!
Yes, of course. It’s called a partial agreement (or balanced approach). It means that you agree to some extent but not 100%. So, you would explain what you agree with and then add what else needs to be considered. I find this approach to be very useful sometimes because it’s easier to find unique ideas for each body paragraph which results in a more focused essay and also a better range of language. See my Advanced Writing Task 2 lessons if you want more training: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Oh nice! That’s a relief. I don’t agree completely sometimes with the affirmation on the question, so I’ll look the page that you recommended. Thank you very much for the answer!