The agree-or-disagree essay is the Task 2 prompt candidates most often half answer. They write about the topic instead of the question, or they agree in the introduction and drift into balance by the conclusion. This page trains position, structure and development, with forty original questions.
Agree or disagree, to what extent, discuss both views: the wording tells you what structure your essay must have.
Fully agree, mostly agree, or disagree. Undecided candidates write essays that contradict themselves.
Two well-developed body paragraphs score better than four thin ones. Write the two reasons in note form before you start.
Paraphrase the statement, then state your position directly. Background sentences about how the world is changing earn nothing.
The topic sentence states the reason; the rest of the paragraph explains why it holds and what follows from it.
Two sentences of reasoning, then an example. An example on its own is a story, not an argument.
Acknowledging the other side raises the mark only if you then show why your position still stands.
Restate the position in different words. No new arguments, no rhetorical questions.
Look for subject-verb agreement, articles and plural nouns. Those three account for most avoidable Task 2 errors.
Not thisWriting about the general topic of the statement instead of the claim it makes.
ThisAnswering the claim itself.
Task response is judged on whether you addressed the question; an essay about 'technology' when the question is about children and screen time is off target.
Not thisAgreeing in the introduction and concluding that both sides have a point.
ThisHolding the same position throughout.
A position that shifts makes the whole essay harder to follow and directly lowers the task response mark.
Not thisNowadays, in this modern era, technology is a controversial issue which has many advantages and disadvantages.
ThisSome argue that children under twelve should not own smartphones. I largely agree, for two reasons.
Memorised opening formulas add words without content, and examiners recognise them instantly.
Not thisWriting four body paragraphs of three sentences each.
ThisWriting two body paragraphs of five or six sentences.
Coherence and cohesion rewards developed ideas; a list of undeveloped points cannot reach the higher bands.
Not thisFor example, my cousin studied abroad and it was excellent.
ThisFor example, students who study abroad are typically exposed to teaching methods their home institutions do not use.
Personal anecdotes are weak support; a generalisable example is stronger and needs no invented evidence.
Not thisStatistics show 78% of people agree.
ThisMany people would argue that...
Invented statistics are unnecessary and risky; IELTS does not reward evidence you cannot have.
Not thisEnding with a question such as 'So what will the future hold?'
ThisEnding with a clear restatement of your position.
A rhetorical question leaves the essay without an answer at the exact point where the examiner looks for one.
Not thisWriting 400 words to show range.
ThisWriting 260 to 290 words with time left to check.
Long essays contain more errors, take time from Task 1, and gain nothing beyond the minimum length.
40 original questions. The first 10 are open to everyone. Answers are checked in your browser and never sent to us, so you can share this page with a class as it is.
1Complete the sentence.
3Complete the sentence.
6Complete the sentence.
7A question asks whether governments should fund the arts. Write a one-sentence position for an essay that mostly agrees.
One good answer
Public funding for the arts is justified, though I would restrict it to organisations that make their work accessible to people who could not otherwise afford it.
9Complete the sentence.
11Complete the sentence.
13Complete the sentence.
15Complete the sentence.
17Complete the sentence.
19Complete the sentence.
21Complete the sentence.
23Complete the sentence.
24Why is 'discuss both views and give your opinion' a different task from 'to what extent do you agree'?
One good answer
The first requires you to present both sides fairly before stating your own view, while the second asks you to argue one position from the start, using the other side only as a concession you answer.
26Complete the sentence.
28Complete the sentence.
31Complete the sentence.
33Complete the sentence.
34Write a concession sentence and its answer for an essay arguing against banning private cars.
One good answer
It is true that private cars are a significant source of urban pollution. However, an outright ban would penalise people in areas that public transport does not reach, so the better response is to price car use rather than prohibit it.
36Complete the sentence.
38Complete the sentence.
40Outline the four paragraphs of an agree-or-disagree essay and what each contains.
One good answer
Introduction: paraphrase the statement and state the position. Body one: the first reason, explained and exemplified. Body two: the second reason, or a concession followed by the answer to it. Conclusion: the position restated in new words with no new arguments.
Note
Pick Two Activity is an independent tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, the British Council, IDP, ETS, Duolingo or any other exam board. Exam names are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to describe the exam you are preparing for. Every question on this page is original practice written by us: we do not provide, copy or reproduce official exam papers.
Yes, and on many questions it is the most honest answer. State exactly what you agree with and what you do not in the introduction, then keep to that split. What loses marks is not partial agreement but a position that is never stated.
One concession, answered, strengthens the essay. A whole body paragraph arguing against yourself without a reply weakens it, because the reader can no longer tell what you think.
Between 260 and 290. Under 250 is penalised, and beyond about 300 the error rate usually rises faster than the score.
No. IELTS assesses your English, not your general knowledge. Use generalisable examples — what tends to happen, what typically follows — rather than invented studies and percentages.
Yes. The question asks for your opinion, so 'I would argue that' is entirely appropriate and clearer than long impersonal constructions.
It matters when it stops the examiner reading a word, because an unreadable word cannot be credited. If your handwriting is fast and untidy, practise writing at exam speed and leave a clear space between paragraphs.