Ultimate Guide to IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essays

Comprehending the IELTS Writing Task 2

In this section, you will learn questions that will aid you in comprehending the advantages and disadvantages of the essay. 

• Speak about the advantages and disadvantages of smartphone in day-to-day living.

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of kids viewing TV? Include any relevant instances from your understanding or experience and the justifications for your answer.

• Certain companies and groups require uniform clothing for their staff. What are the benefits and drawbacks of wearing a uniform?

• Globalisation offers advantages as well as disadvantages. Talk about both and share your thoughts.

• Certain countries currently have an extremely high percentage of young people compared to the number of older people. Do the advantages of this plan outweigh the disadvantages?

• Tourism is the primary basis of revenue in numerous parts of the world; however, if tourism is not handled well, it can also lead to issues. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the contemporary world. Do you believe that travelling has more advantages than disadvantages?

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Question Type

You will be asked to express your opinions in some of the Task 2 Advantages and Disadvantages essay questions. However, most of the time, discussing the advantages and disadvantages, benefits and drawbacks or pros and cons is sufficient. There are two types of different questions given below:

Type 1 Questions that ask for your Opinion

For Instance, Some believe big businesses and industries would benefit from relocating to regional hubs outside major cities. Do you believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

From the above example, you can learn that you must give your opinion as it is asked.

Type 2 Questions that do not require you to state your Opinion

For instance, e-books are gaining more popularity than books. However, some consider this to be a positive development, and others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages?

From the above example, the second type of question does not ask you to give an opinion.

Also, read: Describe a female leader you like - IELTS cue card

IELTS Writing Task 2 Structure Advantages Disadvantages Essay

Writing an essay on an unknown topic from any field of study is a tricky part of the IELTS Writing Task 2. You can practice writing advantage and disadvantage IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essays by using the following structure:

• Introduction

  • Paraphrase the question statement.

  • State what the following paragraphs will discuss.

  • Mention your viewpoint (if asked in the question)

• Body Paragraph 1

  • Discuss the advantages.

  • Explain the benefits with examples in 2-3 sentences.

• Body Paragraph 2

  • Discuss the disadvantages.

  • Explain the drawbacks with examples in 2-3 sentences.

• Conclusion

  • Summarise the benefits and drawbacks discussed in the essay.

  • Mention your viewpoint (if asked in the question)

Now, let’s learn about each section of essay writing in detail.

After you have figured out the advantages and disadvantages Writing Task 2, it's time to write your answer. Always use genuine, everyday IELTS Writing practice topics for this kind of exam preparation.

The Essay Introduction

Writing an introduction for an advantage-disadvantage essay is the first task you must carry out.

• The essay's topic should be paraphrased in your introduction, and if possible, you must replace the words in the topic with synonyms or other words using your vocabulary.

• Next, provide a brief overview of the essay's content.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Body Paragraphs for Advantages And Disadvantages

It is advisable to stick to two paragraphs in IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays; however, there is no such rule that you have to write two paragraphs. However, this practice will help you stick to the word limit and help you write an essay clearly and concisely.

Body Paragraph 1

• It must describe the advantages of the topic in question.

• Suitable ideas should support this; it will be even more significant if the essay has examples.

• Every day, events and situations should be brought to attention.

Body Paragraph 2

• It must list the topic's disadvantages.

• Strong arguments should support this, which you can do by emphasising everyday events and examples.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Conclusion

The topic should be concluded with an overview of the main ideas discussed during the essay and an explanation of how the subject's advantages and disadvantages go beyond each other, if appropriate.

• Make sure the essay has a comprehensive conclusion at the end.

• Connect with the ideas you covered throughout the essay to ensure everything makes sense.

• The essay statement and the questions should be addressed.

Also Check: 60+ IELTS Essay Topics 2024: IELTS Writing Task 2

Samples of IELTS Writing Task 2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Globalisation?

Introduction

One of the most important developments of the past few decades has been globalisation, which has altered many parts of human life on both an economic and social level. The growth of international organisations has contributed to a significant advancement in the financial and economic development of developing nations. Regardless, there are a number of issues with this quick development that must be resolved. Globalisation clearly offers more advantages than disadvantages, which we will learn in this essay.

Body Paragraph 1

First and foremost, the rise of various foreign corporations and franchises in developing nations is the most favourable advantage of globalisation. There has been a prominent rise in employment in various nations ever since multinational brands and organisations extended their operations into nations like China, India, Sri Lanka, and many more. Furthermore, people from third-world nations now have access to a considerable amount of goods and services that were once not available to all because of the significant increase in imports and exports.

Body Paragraph 2

A significant part of the world's population is concerned about certain adverse effects of globalisation. The exploitation of labour is one of the most problematic consequences. Many firms negotiate their operations with developing nations due to the low cost of labour. This allows them to complete their industrial processes without paying workers fairly. In addition, lower-quality items are produced and supplied to clients as a result of using cheap labour.

Conclusion

In conclusion, globalisation has advantages and disadvantages. However, globalisation has helped countries increase their economic growth with the rest of the world and reduce the obstacles to trade between countries. However, as globalisation has taken place for betterment, it also has many challenges that need to be addressed.

Suggestion to Write an Effective Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay topics require extensive planning and preparation before you begin writing. The following are some IELTS Writing Task 2 strategies for producing an exceptional essay:

1. Use Linking Words: Use a variety of linking words and phrases, such as "furthermore," "however," "on the other hand," and "in conclusion" to connect your ideas and generate an effortless writing flow.

2. Practice is the Key to Success: The more you practice, the more proficient you will become at organising, preparing, and arranging your advantages and disadvantages essay for IELTS Writing Task 2.

3. Understand the Question: Before you start writing, understand the question and what is asked. Choose which advantages and disadvantages you want to discuss, and you should express your opinion.

4. Plan your Time Effectively: Spend a few minutes planning your essay, then focus on writing clear, concise paragraphs. Give yourself some time to review and spare some time for any necessary changes at the end. 

5. Generate Ideas: Take a few minutes to list the advantages and disadvantages of the given topic. Write the key points and examples that will help you with the claims you are making.

6. Support Your Points: Provide specific examples or personal experiences to support each advantage and disadvantage you write. As a result, your views will be stronger, and you will receive a higher score.

7. Structure Your Essay: Prepare your essay using a clear, logical framework. Start by stating the topic and briefly summarise your main points in the introduction. Then, spend a paragraph on each advantage and disadvantage before concluding with a summary of your main ideas.

Conclusion

In summary, while appearing for IELTS writing task 2, you must understand and learn how to write about advantages and disadvantages according to the topic. It is always advisable to write advantages and disadvantages in two separate paragraphs. Also, write some examples or personal experiences to support your advantages or disadvantages.

We hope the above information helped you understand the essay better. However, you can contact Prepare IELTS Exam (PI) expert counsellors for further guidance. Our team of education experts is dedicated to providing you with the best guidance in the IELTS exam. You can get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform. Contact us at info@prepareieltsexam.com or call us at +91 9773398388.