essay question advantages and disadvantages

• Advantages And Disadvantages Essay In Ielts Writing Task 2

Advantages and Disadvantages Essay in IELTS with Samples

The IELTS exam includes two writing tasks and both must be done by students. In task 1, you need to explain some data in your own words. However, in IELTS writing task 2, you will be given a point of view or argument that you need to discuss and write an essay on it. In addition, there are five types of essays in IELTS writing and each one needs a proper strategy to excel in the exam. Thus, in this blog, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages essay in IELTS, its structure, samples, and tips. So let’s get started with the blog.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Advantages & Disadvantages Essay in IELTS

Structure of the advantages & disadvantages essay in ielts, 1. introduction, 2. body- advantages paragraph, 3. body- disadvantages paragraph, 4. conclusion, advantages & disadvantages ielts essay questions & sample answers, advantages and disadvantages essay in ielts- sample 1, advantages and disadvantages essay in ielts- sample 2, advantages and disadvantages essay in ielts- sample 3, tips for mastering advantages and disadvantages essay in ielts, 1 is there any word limit for the ielts advantages and disadvantages essay, 2 is it mandatory to put advantages and disadvantages separately in two paragraphs or can i club them, 3 how many paragraphs are needed for both, 4 how to make a rational conclusion for such a type of essay.

In the  IELTS writing task 2 , you will have IELTS advantages & disadvantages essay task in which you will be asked to share your opinion. This task requires you to discuss a specific topic’s advantages and disadvantages. However, candidates must present their ideas in a clear and organized manner with supporting examples and evidence. The main purpose of advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay is to check the student’s ability to express their ideas by using vocabulary and grammar. Moreover, this task is also known as ‘benefits and drawbacks.’ Further, the next section will let you know about the structure or how to answer the advantages and disadvantages  essay in IELTS .

Also Read:  Agree Disagree Essay in IELTS

When preparing for the advantages and disadvantages essay in IELTS writing, you should ensure that your essay focuses on either advantages or disadvantages. However, you must avoid bias or one-sided arguments. Thus, to make it easy for you, you can follow the below-given structure for the advantages and disadvantages essay in IELTS. Let’s have a look at the table and then read it in detail.

The advantages and disadvantages essay structure are given below:

You should paraphrase the topic of your advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay by using various vocabulary or synonyms wherever possible. After that, give an idea about what could be expected from your essay, that is the advantages and disadvantages of the specific topic. In last, provide on which side you prefer the most (when asked for an opinion).

It should include the advantages of the topic with the practical points, and the examples can be more better. You should use  linking word for IELTS  and phrases to connect your ideas logically. Also, day-to-day incidents can brought to notice by the candidate. Finally, you must conclude the paragraph by summing up the advantage and its importance.

In the advantages and disadvantages essay task, you need to include the drawbacks too. The disadvantages that you are writing about should also be supported by valid points and relevant examples. Further, you should maintain consistency in your essay. In the last, conclude your paragraph by explaining in detail about your disadvantage and what it implies.

You must end your advantages and disadvantages essay in IELTS with a well-informed conclusion. Connect your ideas in such a way that your essay is logical and clear. However, the question with the essay statement should be answered. Also, in the last provide a final thought which includes both advantages and disadvantages.

Overall, this is the structure or format for writing the answers in the advantages and disadvantages essay in the IELTS exam. In the next section, for a better understanding, we will look at the three samples & answers for the required essay.

Below are three advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay samples with answers. Read each one of them and acquire a proper understanding of how to write the solutions. Let’s have a look:

The required sample answer is given below for working from home advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay.

Introduction

In recent times, it is very common for people to work from as there are so many advancements in technology now. On a note, I would say that working from home has more negative impacts than positive.

One advantage of working from home is the freedom that it provides to people. Those who work from home can manage their life easily. People according to their wish can start or stop working, and if they are the married couple, they will take care of their children too. Also, they can look after the household things. Overall speaking, the employees have more control over their lives when working from home.

Despite the positive sides, there are several disadvantages too. Those people who regularly work from home, are not able to engage with the colleagues. On the other side, when people are at the office, there are team members to interact with. This can lead to a sense of loneliness and interaction. Another drawback can be that one may have less contribution to the company. If an employee is not there, others may have to be involved. Through this, the contribution of the employees can decline, and get overlooked by the company.

In conclusion, there are both positive and negative sides to working from home, but there are more negative impacts. Thus, employees should consider whether working from home is beneficial or not.

Some heavy words were used in the sample answers which will help enhance your vocabulary for IELTS. Read them for a better understanding.

See the below sample answer for mobile phone advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay.

According to the research, mobile phones have become a very important part of our day-to-day life. I would say that advantages of mobile phones are more than the disadvantages.

One of the reasons I agree with the positive impact of mobile phones is their role in enhancing communication. This means that people can easily stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues. On the other hand, mobile phones have also enabled instant messaging, video calls, and social media interactions, which strengthens the relationship among people. This easy process of information is specifically beneficial in emergencies.

On the other side, due to the usage of mobile phones, people stick to their phones even during the meetings in office and also while at home. To illustrate, phubbing has become one of the leading bad behaviours in the recent times. Moreover, now the situation has become so bad that one sibling chats with another sibling sitting in the next room. Overall, the socialization is unconventionally taking place.

To conclude, mobile phones have many advantages as compared to disadvantages but it is advised to use the technology correctly and ensure the overall development of human society. By effectively managing these issues, we can reduce the disadvantages of cell phones.

The following is a list of words along with their meanings, used in the sample above:

Look at the below sample answer for advertising advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay.

Advertising is targeted to a large number of people and not the individual one. It refers to the communication about products or ideas. I strongly believe that there are more advantages to advertising.

The main purpose or one of the advantages of advertising is to promote the sale of their products. Materials are produced on a large scale and are distributed by the method of mass convincing through advertising. With the help of advertising, manufacturers expand the markets by attracting more people to their products and suggesting new uses for them.

On the other side, a major drawback of advertising is a misrepresentation of facts regarding the products and services. The advertisers misrepresent the benefits of a product and make false claims that lead people in excited and buy the product. For example, many smartphones are offering a long life usage of battery. However, it depends on how much there is usage daily. As a result, this leads to the misunderstanding of the products for a consumer.

In conclusion, I agree that it is very important to promote the products and make the consumer buy them. However, the buyer would have to pay more attention before purchasing the products because advertising can distract the customers.

The hard words that has been used in the sample, explained in the below table.

Overall, these are the advantages and disadvantages essay examples that can also be asked in your exam. Now our final section talks about the tips & tricks that will help you ace the essay with a good score.

Writing an essay on advantages and disadvantages essay topics needs careful preparation and planning. Thus in this section, you will get to know the useful tips for the advantages and disadvantages of essay task 2.

• Make sure you understand the  IELTS writing task 2 structure , and then the question. Decide what you are going to write in your essay.
• Spend some time and look for the benefits and drawbacks of the topic. List down the main ideas.
• Write your essay with a logical and obvious structure.
• Give specific examples, experiences, or evidences to support your points.
• Plan your time effectively on creating paragraphs that are to the point.
• Practice more and more for the different types of essay in IELTSwriting task 2.

Suggested Read:  IELTS Reading Tips

To conclude, we talked about advantages and disadvantages essay in IELTS writing task 2. The write-up has given you a brief overview of the essay, its structure, samples, and tips. In addition, we also mentioned some of the difficult words with their meaning for the students. However, if you are still confused about the writing section, then you have landed on the right page! Connect with us at Gradding.com and take our free  IELTS writing mock test  offline or online.

No there is no such word limit for advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay. However, keep it within 300 words as it might make the examiner feel that you have written well.

No, you cannot club them. You need to follow the structure as the examiner will look for the logical placement of the paragraphs.

Students should write both benefits and drawbacks in two separate paragraphs, while more than one paragraph can focus on the pros.

You must make the appropriate conclusion in the end. It should be written in a way that despite its benefits, you also write the cons.

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IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Questions

Prepare for IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage essay questions for Writing Task. Practice IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage essay sample topics to boost score.

When approaching the Advantages and Disadvantages essay in IELTS Writing task 2 , which asks you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a particular issue, it’s essential to answer it with a clear and structured plan. This type of essay requires you to critically analyse both the positive and negative aspects of a topic, presenting a balanced view while also making your stance clear.

To effectively address this task, you'll need to carefully organise your ideas, develop strong arguments, and ensure your writing is cohesive and well-supported with relevant examples. In this blog, we will help provide you with an overview, sample questions and tips on how to answer the advantages and disadvantages essay in IELTS Writing task 2.

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How to approach the IELTS advantage disadvantage essay question?

Let's explore an IELTS Task 2 question and analyse how you should approach it.

International tourism has brought enormous benefits to many places. At the same time, there is concern about its impact on local inhabitants and the environment. Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages?

This question asks you very specifically to decide if there are more advantages or more disadvantages. You are asked if one outweighs the other, so you must discuss both the advantages and disadvantages. It is not enough to say, "The advantages of international tourism outweigh the disadvantages" and then only describe the advantages in your response. The reader must see both sides of your discussion and the reasons why you think one outweighs the other.

Common errors to avoid with this question type:

Only listing the advantages

Only listing the disadvantages

Presenting both, but not deciding if one outweighs the other

Not presenting your opinion

Approach to addressing this question:

Determine your position—do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? (In this case, there are more advantages)

Present the advantages (three points)

Present the disadvantages (two points), reinforcing your decision that the advantages carry greater weight

Restate your position in the conclusion to ensure the reader understands that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks

Samples of IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage essay questions

You can easily achieve your desired score by practising the IELTS sample test. Here are some sample questions for IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages essay:

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in a multicultural society.

Analyse the benefits and drawbacks of using social media platforms for personal and professional purposes.

Examine the positive and negative effects of technology on education.

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of globalisation in terms of economic growth and cultural diversity.

Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of online shopping for consumers and businesses.

Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources compared to traditional fossil fuels.

Examine the positive and negative impacts of tourism on local communities and the environment.

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of remote work for both employees and employers.

Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of genetic engineering in agriculture and its impact on food production.

Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of owning a car versus using public transportation.

10 tips to answer IELTS Advantages Disadvantages essay questions

When it comes to answering advantage and disadvantage essay questions in the IELTS exam, there are several tips and strategies you can follow to maximise your score. Below are a few essential factors to remember:

1. Understand the question

Read the question carefully and make sure you understand the topic and the specific instructions. Identify the advantages and disadvantages that need to be discussed.

2. Plan your essay

Spend a few minutes brainstorming ideas and organising your thoughts before you start writing. Create a clear and logical essay structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

3. Introduction

Begin your essay with a concise introduction that provides background information on the topic and presents a clear thesis statement. Provide a clear statement indicating your opinion on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa.

4. Body paragraphs

Dedicate each body paragraph to a specific advantage or disadvantage. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea, followed by supporting details, examples, and explanations. Use cohesive devices such as linking words and phrases to connect your ideas and make your essay flow smoothly.

5. Balanced approach

Even if you believe that the advantages or disadvantages outweigh the other, it's important to present a balanced view. Acknowledge the opposing perspective and provide counterarguments or limitations to your main points. This demonstrates your ability to analyse the topic from multiple angles.

6. Use specific examples

Support your arguments with relevant and specific examples to make your essay more convincing. These examples could be from your personal experience, current events, or general knowledge. Make sure to explain how each example relates to the advantage or disadvantage you are discussing.

7. Vocabulary and grammar

Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures to demonstrate your language proficiency. Avoid repetition and aim for variety in your word choices. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation to ensure your essay is clear and error-free.

8. Conclusion

Summarise the main points of your essay in the conclusion and restate your opinion on whether the advantages or disadvantages are more significant. End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

9. Time management

Manage your time effectively during the exam. Ensure that you dedicate sufficient time to the planning, writing, and reviewing stages of your essay. It's crucial to leave a few minutes at the end to proofread your work and make any necessary corrections.

10. Practice as much as you can

Familiarise yourself with various IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay topics and practice writing essays within the time limits. This will help you develop your skills in analysing the topic, organising your thoughts, and expressing your ideas effectively.

Remember to follow these tips and strategies while adapting them to your writing style. Consistent practice and constructive feedback will improve your essay writing abilities and enhance your chances of achieving a high score in the IELTS exam .

Also, if you are planning to take an IELTS test and have questions related to the same, then you can get in touch with your nearest IDP IELTS test centre . Our team of IELTS experts will help you clear all your doubts.

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How to Plan & Write IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

Questions for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays  can be worded in several different ways. Here is some typical wording that might be used:

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
• Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

It is also common for synonyms of ‘advantages’ and ‘disadvantages’ to be used, such as ‘benefits’ and ‘drawbacks’, as can be seen in this sample question.

A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world? Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?

I’ll be using this question to guide you through the process of planning and writing an IELTS advantage and disadvantages essay later on in this lesson.

Here’s what the lesson covers:

• Understanding IELTS advantages & disadvantages essay questions 
• Essay structures
• How to plan
• How to write an introduction
• How to write main body paragraphs
• How to write a conclusion

Want  to watch and listen? Click on this video.

Click the links to see lessons on each of these Task 2 essay writing topics. 

Once you understand the process, practice on past questions. Take your time at first and gradually speed up until you can plan and write an essay of at least 250 words in the 40 minutes allowed in the exam.

The Question

IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay questions fall into two main categories:

• Questions that ask for your opinion.
• Questions that do not require you to state your opinion.

The first part of the question will always be a statement. You will then be asked to write about  both  the advantages  and disadvantages of the idea stated. You may also be required to state your opinion.

Here are two more sample questions for illustration. For the first one, you must give your opinion but in the second, you should not.

1. Small businesses are disappearing and being replaced by large multinational companies.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

2. Most career choices demand vocational skills or specialist knowledge. However, despite this, most schools still teach academic subjects such as history or social studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Essay Structures

Now let’s look at two simple structures you can use to write IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays. They're not the only possible structures but are ones I recommend because they are easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.

I’ll explain later why I’m giving you two slightly different structures.

These structures will give you a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.

One Advantage and Disadvantage or Two?

The question will state 'advantages' and 'disadvantages' in the plural, that is, more than one. However, it is acceptable to write about just one.

This should give you an essay of just over the minimum 250 words. To write about two advantages and disadvantages will require you to write nearer 400 words which are a lot to plan and write in the 40 minutes allowed.

It is better to fully develop one advantage and one disadvantage than ending up with your second idea missing an explanation or an example because you run out of time, but you can write about two if you feel able to or more comfortable doing so.

Having said that, using essay structure 2, where you start with the examples, will enable you to easily add more than one advantage and disadvantage without having to write many more words.

It will be more suitable for some questions than others so bear this in mind when you're writing practice essays and try out both structures.

I’m going to use essay structure 2 to show you step-by-step how to write an IELTS advantage and disadvantages essay. I’ll also give you a model answer using essay structure 1 so that you can compare the two.

How To Plan IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

The planning process only takes around 5 minutes but it is essential as it will save you time overall and will result in a far better essay and thus, higher marks. Th ere are the 3 things you need to do:

• Analyse the question
• Generate ideas
• Identify vocabulary

# 1  Analyse the question

Analysing the question will ensure that you answer it fully. It’s quick and easy to do. You just need to identify 3 different types of words:

• Topic words
• Other keywords
• Instruction words

Topics words are the ones that identify the general subject of the question and will be found in the statement part of the question.

Here is the question we’re going to be working on. I’ve highlighted the topic words in blue.

So, this question is about ‘ tourism’ .

Many people do this first step of the process and then write about the topic in general. This is a serious mistake and leads to low marks for task achievement.

What we need to do now that we know the general topic, is to understand exactly what aspect of tourism we're being asked to write about.

The  other keywords  in the question tell you the specific topic your essay must be about. 

A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income . Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed.

By highlighting these words, it’s easy to see that you are being asked to write about the conflicting issues of tourism being ‘a main source of income’ in many places, yet also being ‘a source of problems’.

Your essay must only include ideas relevant to this aspect of tourism.

The  instruction words  are the question itself. They tell you exactly what to include in your essay.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world? Do you think that the  benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks ?

Here, we are required to write about:

• The advantages of tourism in relation to income generation.
• The disadvantage of tourism in relation to problems it can cause.
• Our opinion as to whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Note the use of the synonyms ‘ benefits ’ and ‘ drawback ’ in the second sentence of the question.

# 2  Generate ideas

The next task is to generate some ideas to write about.

There are several different ways to think up ideas. I cover them fully on the  IELTS Essay Planning  page.

I’m going to demonstrate two of them for you here – the ‘friends technique’, which is suitable for most IELTS essays, and the ‘example method’, which perfectly fits essay structure 2.

The ‘ friends technique ’ is the method I generally prefer as it allows you to take a step back from the stress of the exam situation and think more calmly.

Here’s how it works. Imagine that you are chatting with a friend over a cup of coffee and they ask you this question. What are the first thoughts to come into your head? Plan your essay around these ideas.

Doing this will help you to come up with simple answers in everyday language rather than straining your brain to think of amazing ideas using high-level language, which isn’t necessary.

Here are my ideas using the friends technique:

There are far too many ideas here to include in an essay of just over 250 words. Think up a few then pick one advantage and one disadvantage that you think you can develop well.

With the ' example method ', on the other hand, you start by thinking of specific examples related to the question. They can come from your own experience or be something you’ve read or heard about. These examples will generate ideas that will become the main points of your essay.

It works particularly well for the model question I’ve selected for this lesson which is why I’ve included the second essay structure.

Here are my ideas using the examples technique:

Now that we have some ideas, we’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay, but first, we have one more task to do.

# 3  Vocabulary

During the planning stage, quickly jot down some vocabulary that comes to mind as you decide what you're going to write about, especially synonyms of key words. This will save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing.

Writing an IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

We’re ready to begin writing our essay. For the first model answer, I’m going to take you step-by-step through essay structure 2. I’ll then give you a model answer for essay structure 1.

Here’s a reminder of the question and the essay structure. 

We’ll now start work on the introduction.

How To Write an Introduction

The introduction to an IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay should have a simple 2 or 3 part structure:

• Paraphrase the question
• Outline the main ideas
• State your opinion (if required)

Our tourism question asks for our opinion so our introduction will have 3 parts.

1)  Paraphrase the question

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question statement.

     Question:   A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income.             

      Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not well-managed.

Paraphrased question:  

Although holidaymakers contribute hugely to the economies of many popular destinations, the influx of tourists can also cause serious issues.

Note my use of synonyms for some of the key words. It’s fine to repeat one or two words if you can't think of suitable synonyms. Above all, your language must sound natural.

2)  Outline statement

Now we need to add a statement where we outline the main points that we’ll be covering in the rest of the essay, that is, an advantage of tourism and a disadvantage of tourism.

Here are the two main ideas I’ve chosen to write about:

• Advantage – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts
• Disadvantage – Displacement of local people

Outline statement:  

This essay will demonstrate how tourism can transform the economy of poor areas but will also show that this can lead to such problems as the displacement of local people.

3)  Opinion statement

The question also asks for our opinion and it’s essential that we include it in the introduction.

Opinion statement:  

Whilst acknowledging that there are drawbacks, the essay will argue that the advantages of the tourist industry outweigh the disadvantages.

So, let’s bring the three elements of our introduction together.

     Introduction

This introduction achieves three important functions:

• It shows the examiner that you understand the question.
• It acts as a guide to the examiner as to what your essay is about.
• It also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write.

The two ideas in your introduction will become your two main body paragraphs.

Main body paragraph 1  – Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts

Main body paragraph 2  – Displacement of local people

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main body paragraphs in IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays written using structure 2, should contain 3 things:

• Topic sentence – give an example
• Explanation – explain the benefits/advantages
• Consequence – state the result

Main Body Paragraph 1

The  topic sentence  summarises the main idea of the paragraph. It plays an important role in ensuring that your ideas flow logically from one to another. It does this by acting as a signpost for what is to come next, that is, what the paragraph will be about.

If you maintain a clear development of ideas throughout your essay, you will get high marks for task achievement and cohesion and coherence.

In this instance, the topic sentence will introduce our first example, for which I’ve chosen Thailand.

• Main idea –  Poor areas are now prosperous tourist resorts
• Example – Thailand

Topic sentence:  

One country that has experienced a significant economic boost from tourism is Thailand.

Next, we must write an  explanation sentence  that states the main point of our example.

Explanation sentence: 

Over the past 50 years, many of its small fishing villages, where people often struggled to make a living, have been developed into thriving holiday destinations.

Finally, we explain the  consequence or result  of the situation. This is where we give an example of one specific advantage. It is better to pick one and develop it than to just add a long list.

Consequence:

With all the hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist facilities that have been developed, there are now enough jobs for everyone and the general standard of living has greatly increased.  Many local people have spotted new business opportunities and become entrepreneurs which has further diversified the economy.

That’s the 3 parts of our first main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

We’ll now follow the same process for our second main body paragraph.

Main Body Paragraph 2

Main idea –  Displacement of local people

Example – Venice

First, we write the  topic sentence  to summarise the main idea.

Topic sentence:

In Venice, on the other hand, the huge popularity of the beautiful canals and stunning architecture with visitors from around the world has had a negative impact on local residents.

Now for the  explanation sentence   that states the main point of our example.

Explanation sentence:

The growing need for tourist accommodation, places to eat and shops has forced many people from their homes to make way for this new development.

Finally, a specific example to explain the consequence .

Not only have these people suffered by having to move away from their family and friends but the situation has also resulted in a lost sense of community in the worst affected areas.

That’s the 3 parts of our second main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

Now we need a conclusion and our IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay is done.

How To Write a Conclusion

The conclusion is a summary of the main points in your essay and can generally be done in a single sentence. It should never introduce new ideas.

If you're below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add a prediction or recommendation statement.

Our essay is already near the minimum word limit so we don’t need this extra sentence but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays on  the Task 2 Conclusions page.

The conclusion is the easiest sentence in the essay to write but one of the most important.

A good conclusion will:

• Neatly end the essay
• Link all your ideas together
• Sum up your argument or opinion
• Answer the question

If you achieve this, you’ll improve your score for both task achievement and cohesion and coherence which together make up 50% of the overall marks. Without a conclusion, you’ll score below band 6 for task achievement.

You can start almost any final paragraph of an IELTS a dvantages and disadvantages essay  with the words:

• In conclusion

        or

• To conclude

Now all you need to do is briefly summarise the main ideas into one sentence.

Here’s a top tip . Go back and read the introduction to the essay because this is also a summary of the essay. It outlines what you are going to write about.

To create a great conclusion, you simply have to paraphrase the introduction. 

Introduction:

Here's the same information formed into a conclusion:

That’s it. We’ve completed our advantages and disadvantages essay. Here it is with the 4 paragraphs put together.

Finished IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay.

Go through this lesson as many times as you need to in order to fully understand it and put in lots of practice writing IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays from past exam questions. Practice is the only way to improve your skills.

Example IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay for Structure 1

Now, here’s a model answer for essay structure 1. First, a reminder of the structure and the ideas I generated using the friends technique.

Ideas generation - Friends technique

I’ve underline the ideas I’ve chosen to write about in this second essay:

Advantages of tourism – source of income:

• Provides jobs for local people
• Opportunities for local entrepreneurs
• Tourist spending boosts both national & local economy
• Brings improvement in local infrastructure & facilities which benefit whole community
• Helps maintain traditions & culture

Disadvantages of tourism – the problems:

• Money goes to wealthy business owners not local people
• Increased crime
• Illegal activities, e.g. drugs
• More pubs & clubs – changes the local culture
• Increase in property values
• Destruction of the natural environment to build hotels, airports & other facilities
• Displacement of indigenous people 

See if you can identify the different parts of the essay and how I have developed them.

That's it. Now it's time for you to get practicing.

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More help with ielts advantages and disadvantages essays & other task 2 essays.

IELTS Writing Task 2  – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay   – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.

Understanding Task 2 Questions  – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay  – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write a Task 2 Introduction  – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs  – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid. 

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions  – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria  – Find out how to meet the marking criteria in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

   Opinion Essays

   Discussion Essays

  Problem Solution Essays

  Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

  Double Question Essays

Other Related Pages

IELTS Writing Test  – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

• IELTS Writing
• Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
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