Task 2 Writing - Answering the question

Questions with two points of view

My English language is good but I always get poor marks in writing. How can I improve my task 2 IELTS writing essay?
It is very common for students to get poor marks for their task 2 writing because they don’t directly answer the question.

Sometimes students answer part of the question but not all of it, while sometimes they will completely misunderstand it and talk about something else! This post is about the former problem.

Have a look at this question.

Sample Question: As more people are concerned about global warming, some argue that companies should pay the full cost of repairing the environmental damage they inflict. Others believe that the jobs the companies create are more important. Which view do you agree with?

In this question there are two points of view you must discuss. If you only talk about one of them, you will get a low mark.

Point of view one
Some argue that companies should pay the full cost of repairing the environmental damage they inflict

Point of view two
Others believe that the jobs the companies create are more important

How can I make sure that I talk about both parts of the question?
The easiest thing to do is talk about each point of view in a separate body paragraph. You can discuss why people have each point of view and what is right or wrong about it.

So what should I talk about in each body paragraph?
In this question type, you need to discuss the point of view. It is a good idea to follow this paragraph structure.

Topic sentence – restate the point of view

1st Supporting point – explain why they argue this

Development – cause / effect, If, an example, etc.

2nd supporting point – another reason why

Development – cause / effect, If, an example, etc.

Remember – Do not talk about the advantages / disadvantages etc. In this type of question you are discussing the different ideas!

Do I only have to discuss the two points of view?
No. You must also answer the question! This question asks you “Which view do you agree with?” So you must choose one view, or explain why both are wrong.

Where do I answer the question?
The clearest way (but not the most stylish) is to put it in the introduction and then again at the end.

What about ideas?
You can’t answer the question unless you present and discuss ideas. Your ideas must be related to the topic sentence of the paragraph and all together they must be related to the essay topic! If your ideas are not related to the overall question, you will lose marks.

Lets look at the points of view from the question again. Which ideas do you think are the most relevant for each paragraph and the overall topic?

Body paragraph one

Some argue that companies should pay the full cost of repairing the environmental damage they inflict.

1. If companies pay the costs of pollution, then they will try to find cheaper and less damaging ways to produce their products. 2. If companies repair the damage they have done, the environment will improve. 3. They must pay the full cost because the people are too poor. 4. The resources of the planet are finite (limited). 5. It isn’t fair for the people to subsidize the companies’ abuse of the environment.

Body paragraph two

Others believe that the jobs the companies create are more important

1. If people don’t have any jobs, they won’t care about the environment. 2. Governments should not tell companies what to do. 3. Jobs bring wealth, and if people are wealthy they can spend more on fixing the environment. 4. People are more important than trees. 5. One example of important companies is oil companies.

Take a look at the sample answer. Notice:

• which ideas were included
• how the topic was introduced
• how the question was answered

Climate change and other environmental crises have led many to argue that corporations should pay the full cost of the damage they do to the environment. However, those who oppose this plan argue that jobs are more important. As far as I’m concerned, I agree with the former position. It is increasingly argued that companies should be financially responsible for the environmental damage they cause. In other words, they must pay to clean up the pollution and replace the natural resources caused by their business activities.  First, if companies are required to do this, they will try to avoid abusing the environment in the future. This will lead to a cleaner world for everyone. A second argument is fairness. It is not fair for the people to pay to clean up the environment when it is the companies that have benefited. On the other hand, it also said that forcing companies to clean up after themselves will impose higher costs. Business groups in particular suggest that this will force them to cut jobs. They essentially argue that providing jobs now is more important. The main reason is that employment brings wealth and that a wealthy society can spend more on cleaning and protecting the environment. In conclusion, while it is true that requiring companies to pay for the costs of repairing the environment will lead to job losses, I believe it is a small price to pay to start saving the planet. Besides, it is fair to make people pay for the evil they have done.  256 Words