IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essay (Agree or Disagree)
The opinion essay is one of the most common question types in IELTS Writing Task 2. You are given a statement and asked how far you agree or disagree. This lesson shows you exactly what examiners look for, how to plan in five minutes, and gives you a complete model essay with an explanation of why it scores well. You have 40 minutes for Task 2 and must write at least 250 words. Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 in your Writing score, so it deserves most of your practice time.
What the Question Looks Like
Opinion questions use several wordings, but they all ask for your view:
- To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Do you agree or disagree?
- Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? (a close relative of this type)
Some people believe that university students should be required to do unpaid community work as part of their degree. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The statement is a claim. Your job is to decide whether it is true, partly true or false, and then defend your decision with reasons and examples.
What the Examiner Is Marking
Your essay receives four separate scores. Each is worth 25 percent of the total.
| Criterion | What it means in an opinion essay |
|---|---|
| Task Response | A clear position in the introduction and conclusion, and ideas that are fully developed with reasons and examples |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Logical paragraphs, one main idea in each, and natural linking |
| Lexical Resource | Accurate topic vocabulary and collocations, with little repetition |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | A mix of simple and complex sentences, mostly error-free |
The most common reason candidates are stuck at band 6 is Task Response. They write general ideas without developing them, or they change their position halfway through.
Step 1: Choose Your Position
You have three safe options:
- Fully agree. The easiest to organise, because every paragraph supports one side.
- Fully disagree. Equally clear, as long as you give strong reasons.
- Partly agree. For example, you agree with the idea but think it needs limits. This shows critical thinking, but only choose it if you can explain it clearly in the introduction.
Choose the side for which you have the best examples, not the side you personally believe. Examiners are not testing your opinion. They are testing how well you argue it. Once you choose, keep the same position in every paragraph.
Step 2: Plan in Five Minutes
Spend the first five minutes planning. A simple plan prevents most problems with organisation.
| Paragraph | Plan for the community work question |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the topic. Position: mostly agree, if flexible. |
| Body 1 | Reason 1: builds practical skills. Example: helping at a literacy centre. |
| Body 2 | Reason 2: links universities with communities. Example: law students giving free advice. |
| Body 3 (short) | Opposing view: forced volunteering and lack of time. Response: limited hours and choice. |
| Conclusion | Restate position and summarise. |
Band 8 Model Essay
Topic: Some people believe that university students should be required to do unpaid community work as part of their degree. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is often argued that universities should make unpaid community service a compulsory part of every degree. I largely agree with this view, because such programmes build practical skills and strengthen the relationship between students and the society that supports them, although the requirement should be flexible.
The main reason for supporting compulsory community work is that it teaches abilities that lectures rarely provide. A student who spends a semester helping at a local literacy centre, for example, must communicate patiently, manage time and cooperate with people from different backgrounds. These skills are highly valued by employers, so the experience improves graduates' job prospects as well as their character.
A second benefit is social. Universities are often isolated from the neighbourhoods around them, and students may graduate without ever understanding the problems local people face. Regular volunteering would change this. If engineering students repaired equipment for a charity, or law students offered free advice sessions, communities would gain real help while students learned how their knowledge applies outside the classroom.
Critics might say that forcing students to volunteer defeats the purpose, since volunteering should be voluntary, and that those who work part-time to pay fees cannot spare the hours. These concerns are valid, but they can be addressed by limiting the requirement to a modest number of hours and allowing students to choose projects that fit their schedules.
In conclusion, compulsory community work brings clear educational and social advantages. With sensible flexibility, I believe universities should include it in every degree programme.
Word count: about 290 words.
Why This Essay Scores Highly
- Task Response: The position is stated in the first paragraph ("largely agree") and repeated in the conclusion. Each body paragraph has one main idea and a specific example. The fourth paragraph addresses the opposing view and answers it, which shows balanced reasoning.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Each paragraph begins with a clear topic sentence ("The main reason...", "A second benefit..."). Linking is natural and not mechanical. There is no overuse of words like Firstly or Moreover.
- Lexical Resource: Collocations such as job prospects, compulsory part of every degree and apply outside the classroom show control of natural language. Few words are repeated.
- Grammar: The essay mixes simple sentences with conditionals ("If engineering students repaired equipment...") and relative clauses ("the society that supports them").
Useful Language for Opinion Essays
| Function | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Giving your opinion | I strongly believe that...; I largely agree with this view; From my perspective... |
| Introducing a reason | The main reason for this is...; A key factor is...; This is primarily because... |
| Giving an example | For instance...; A case in point is...; Consider the example of... |
| Acknowledging the other side | Critics may argue that...; It is true that..., but...; Although some people claim... |
| Concluding | In conclusion...; To sum up...; Overall, I maintain that... |
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- No clear position. Weak: "There are advantages and disadvantages." Better: "I largely agree, because..."
- Memorised introductions. Examiners recognise them. Always paraphrase the actual question.
- General ideas without examples. Weak: "Volunteering is good for students." Better: "Helping at a literacy centre teaches patience and communication."
- Changing your opinion. If you agree in the introduction, do not disagree in the conclusion.
- Under 250 words. This lowers your Task Response score. Aim for 270-300 words.
- Copying the question word for word. Copied words are not counted toward the word limit and show a limited vocabulary.
- Writing a long introduction. Two or three sentences are enough.
Your Practice Task
Choose one of these questions. Plan for five minutes using the table above, then write for 35 minutes without stopping.
- Some people think that governments should spend money on public transport instead of building new roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Many people believe that children should learn a second language from primary school. Do you agree or disagree?
- Some argue that online learning is more effective than classroom learning. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Self-check after writing:
- Did I state my position in the introduction and conclusion?
- Does each body paragraph have one idea and one example?
- Did I stay at 250 words or above?
- Did I use at least three accurate collocations?
- Did I check spelling and punctuation in the last three minutes?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use personal examples? Yes. Personal and general examples are both acceptable, but they should be relevant and specific.
Should I include a counter-argument? It is not required, but a short and well-answered counter-argument often improves your Task Response, especially at band 7 and above.
How many paragraphs should I write? Four or five. Both the model essay structure above and the classic introduction, two bodies and conclusion are fine.
Is it better to agree or disagree? Neither. Choose the position you can support best.
Summary
For a high band score in an opinion essay: state a clear position, develop two main ideas with specific examples, respond to the opposing view briefly, and keep your language accurate and natural. Practise under timed conditions and compare your essay with the criteria above.
Next, read IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion Essay and How to Write a Strong Introduction for IELTS Task 2.