How to Write Advantages & Disadvantages Essay Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2?

The first step to scoring well in IELTS writing task 2 general is to correctly identify the type of essay being asked to write. In advantages and disadvantages essay type, IELTS examiners want you to discuss both advantages and disadvantages separately and at the end, you need to write conclusive statements for the latest IELTS writing task 2. 

Therefore, you must find out relevant points of advantages and disadvantages respectively after reading the question.

Example Question:

Below is an example question which you can refer to and learn more about this section easily.

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages – 

With this type of essay, you have two points to be discussed:

1. The positive impact of working and living anywhere.
2. Negative effects of working and living anywhere.

  You must discuss both of them by giving reasons and support them with examples.

If you do not discuss any of the above two points in the essay, you will lose marks in the IELTS writing task 2 general. So, in this type of essay, you must explain both the points.

How to Structure IELTS Writing?

There are 3 types of advantages and disadvantages essay questions that require a different approach to solve them.

Essay Type 1:

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology and transportation facilities, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Discuss its Positive Impacts and Negative Effects:

This type of question requires you to describe the positive impacts in one paragraph while the negative effects in the other paragraph. In the latest IELTS writing task 2, you should not mention your personal opinion on this question.

The Best Structure you can use for this type of Essays:

Introduction

• Paraphrase the question
• Outline the sentence

Advantages

• The topic of the sentence (advantage 1)
• Explain how it is an advantage
• Write an example

Disadvantages

• The topic of the sentence (disadvantage1)
• Explain how it is a disadvantage
• Write an example

Conclusion

Write a summary of the main points

Four paragraphs are sufficient to explain your point of view.

You may use any other structure you are comfortable with but this structure is approved by the IELTS examiners for the latest IELTS writing task 2 to help the students write effectively and cohesively.

Also Read: Model Answer for Previous IELTS Writing Task 2 Test: Copying Famous People

Essay Type 2:

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Do the Positive Impacts of this Advancement Outweigh its Negative Effects?

This type of question requires you to describe the advantages in one paragraph while disadvantages in the other paragraph, but you need to explain which of the two, advantages or disadvantages, is stronger than the other. You should not mention your personal opinion on this question for IELTS writing task 2 general.

The Best Structure you can use for this Type of Essays:

Introduction

• Paraphrase the Question
• Write a thesis statement (which one outweighs the other)
• Outline the sentence

Body Paragraph 1 (The Strong Side)

• The topic of the sentence
• Explain how it is a strong side
• Write an example

Body Paragraph 2 (The Weak Side)

• The topic of the sentence
• Explain how it is not a strong side
• Write an example

Conclusion

Write a summary of the main points and restate the position.

Essay Type 3:

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology and transportation facilities, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Discuss the Advantages and Disadvantages of this Essay

Give your own opinion.

This type of question requires you to describe the advantages in one paragraph while disadvantages in the other paragraph. Furthermore, you should mention your personal opinion also in this question.

The Best Structure you can use for this Type of Essays:

Introduction

• Paraphrase the question
• Write a thesis statement (your opinion)
• Outline the sentence

Advantages

• The topic of the sentence
• Explain how it is an advantage
• Write an example

Disadvantages

• The topic of the sentence
• Explain how it is a disadvantage
• Write an example

Body Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)

• Explain your opinion
• Explain or give an example

Conclusion

Sentence 1- Write a summary of the main points.

Vocabulary and Phrases for IELTS Writing Task 2 General:

Useful Vocabulary for Joining Supportive Ideas

• In addition
• Moreover
• What is more
• Furthermore
• Besides this

Useful Vocabulary for Joining Opposite Ideas

• However
• On the other hand
• In contrast
• Nevertheless

H2- Sample Question for the Latest IELTS Writing Task 2:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write About the Following Topic:

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Do the Positive Impacts of this Advancement Outweigh its Negative Effects?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer for IELTS Writing Task 2 General:

Over the past few decades, it has become possible to commute and work in different parts of the world due to the convenient transportation modes provided by modern technological methods. Advantages of this advancement are comparatively more as compared to the disadvantages.

To embark upon, there are various advantages of technological advancements. By travelling to other countries, people get the opportunity to visit new places and discover other parts of the world.

Insert Your Example

For example, people travelling from East to the Western part of the world can come to know various aspects of culture, tradition, values, language and many more. This can enhance their knowledge and experience when meeting new people.

Continue

In addition to this, it would also benefit other countries in terms of meeting the shortage of skilled professionals. If there is a requirement of professionals with specific skills in a country, it can hire skilled and experienced professionals from another country.

Provide Example

For example, health professionals such as doctors and nurses are often relocating to other countries for meeting the skill shortage in those countries.

Again Continue

On the other hand, one of the disadvantages of modern means of communication and technology is that it has widened the distance between family relationships. If a person has travelled far from his home, it is not possible for him to meet his family members face to face. Due to this reason, he can only talk to them using software such as Skype via video calling or through the phone.

Conclusion

It can be argued that though there are disadvantages of working and living in other countries, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages since this benefits both the person who is moving and also the country which is hiring that person. 

(287 words)

Also Read: 7 Tips to Solve True, False, Not Given Questions: A Guide for IELTS Reading Test

Exercise for the Latest IELTS Writing Task 2

Write an essay 250 words on the following topics. Use the vocabulary and phrases mentioned above.

1. According to some people, it would be better if industries are established in regions outside the urban area. Discuss its advantages and disadvantages.
2. Elderly people are nowadays being sent to old aged homes rather than being looked after by family in homes. Do the advantages of old aged homes outweigh the disadvantages?
3. Some people think that e-books are better to be used for education in order to go paperless. Discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Give your own opinion.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you have got all your answers regarding the answer writing pattern for the advantages and disadvantages of essay. Now work on the exercise and make yourself prepared for the latest IELTS writing task 2. All the best!