Friday, March 03, 2006

Understand the question before you write the answer

Dealing with typical questions in IELTS Task 2 Writing examinations

Understand the question
The key to writing a good answer to an examination question is understanding the question before you start to write.

Here are 11 different questions that are fairly typical of the different way in which questions are asked in examination papers.

For each of these 11 questions, a guide to their meaning and what you are being asked to write is provided.

Examples of IELTS Task 2 questions and some help understanding them.

1. What are the pros and cons of co-educational schooling?
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
With this type of question – a straight question in one line - you are being asked to write about the advantages and disadvantages of a mixed (male and female) educational system.
Point 1.2
You should start by briefly explaining the term ‘co-educational schooling’.
Point 2.1
Next, devote one section to the pros (advantages) and one section to the cons
(disadvantages) of co-educational schooling.
Point 2.2
Try to give a balanced argument, even if you are actually in favour of one or the other.
Point 2.3
Finish with a conclusion that covers the main points you made for the pros, and the main points you made for the cons.  This gives further evidence to the examiner that you are giving a balanced argument.
Point 3.1 (optional if you have time)
Finally, come out on one side or the other by giving reasons for your choice that are based upon what you have just written in each section.

  1. Single sex education is better than co-educational schooling.  Discuss.
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
This type of question gives you a statement in the form of an opinion, and then asks you to discuss it.  
Point 1.2
Briefly explain what is meant by the two terms (single sex education) and (co-education schooling)
Point 2.1
Write two sections: one mentioning the pros and cons of single sex education, and one dealing with the pros and cons of co-educational schooling.
Point 2.2
Because you are doing two things in each section, make sure you divide your time up accordingly.  Leave yourself enough time to finish the two sections of the body, and enough time to write a conclusion.
Point 3.1
Balance both sections.  Do not make more points for than against either single sex education or co-educational schooling – present a balanced argument.
Point 3.2
Write a conclusion in which you come out on one side or the other, but do so based upon reasons you have already mentioned.
Point 3.3
Never provide new reasons in a conclusion.  Use the conclusion to sum up what you have already written.

  1. Compare the benefits of a vegetarian diet over a conventional Western diet.
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
Here you are being asked to make a comparison between two things.
Point 1.2
Devote the same amount of time and a roughly number of words to each item you are comparing.
Point 2.1
When comparing two things, decide whether you are going to take one paragraph to compare and then another paragraph to contrast, OR one paragraph to describe a vegetarian diet and then one paragraph to describe a Western diet.
Point 2.2
In either case, you need to show the examiner that you know what each diet roughly consists of, and that you are comparing the benefits of the two different diets using similar criteria.

Method 1
Point 1a ( Point 1b   (where Point a and b are dealing with the same criterion for
Point 2a ( Point 2b     comparison)
Point 3a ( Point 3b
Method 2
1st paragraph (veg diet)          2nd Paragraph (Western diet)
Point 1a               Point 1b
Point 2a               Point 2b
Point 3a               Point 3b
Point 4a               Point 4b

Point 3.1
Since you are being asked for the benefits of one thing over another, you should conclude with that position.  I.e. That a vegetarian diet is healthier than a Western one.
However, if you find otherwise, you should temper the benefits with the qualification that sometimes a Western diet has benefits over a vegetarian diet: for people living at high altitudes, for example. Buddhist monks get a special dispensation to eat small quantities of meat when they live at high altitudes where there health would suffer for a lack of proteins only found in meat.


  1. Forests are the lungs of the earth.  Their destruction will accelerate extinction of animals and ultimately mankind.  For this reason, logging in the world’s rain forests should be phased out over the next decade.  Discuss.
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1  
This question asks you to discuss two propositions (‘Forests are the lungs of the Earth’) & (‘Their destruction… etc.’), and then, having dealt with them in a cause and effect relationship, you should examine whether the problems you have identified merit the banning of logging in the rain forests over the next 10 years.
Point 1.2
Start with a short paragraph outlining the benefits to the Earth’s population of the rain forests.
Point 2.1
Once you have described how rain forests help all living creatures to exist, then you can easily show how destroying them will lead to the annihilation of all living things, including man.
Point 2.2
You might conclude that logging should be ‘phased out’, on the evidence you have provided, though you might suggest that such actions may well have repercussions in other areas of life for those living in these areas.  Above all, try to give a balanced argument, rather than ‘stacking up’ evidence to prove a point you wish to make whilst omitting other factors.  Examiners are easily aware that a candidate has done this.

  1. Aquariums and wild life sanctuaries are seen as sources of education and entertainment for families.  They are also essential for conducting life-saving research.  However, there is opposition to confining animals in this way.  Discuss some of the arguments for and against the maintenance of zoos.
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
In this question, you are being asked to give balanced arguments for and against keeping wild animals in captivity in zoos.
Point 1.2
Start by addressing the two propositions in the question, namely: (‘Aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries are seen as sources of entertainment for families’) & (‘They are also essential to conducting life saving research.’)
Point 2.1
Contrast these two positive aspects of keeping animals in zoos with whether or not people have the right to treat animals as though they were there for our convenience, to do with as we like.
Point 2.2
Conclude by deciding, using the points you have made, whether we have the right to keep wild animals in captivity.
Point 3.1
Always present an argument that relies on sound reasoning, based on factual evidence, rather than on emotional appeals based on little more than feelings.  


  1. Society is experiencing an increase in many problems such as crime and drug abuse due to urbanization.  Give some suggestions to control this trend.
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
In this question, you are being asked to make suggestions to control a trend in crimes relating to urbanization.
Point 1.2
You should define ‘urbanization’  - say what it is – and then examine the problems associated with it.
Point 2.1
Once you have established that urbanization increases crime, make recommendations that will, in your opinion, alleviate some of the problems you have already outlined.
Point 2.2
A good answer might point out, in conclusion, that urbanization is one factor among others that cause people to behave in this way, though this should only be briefly mentioned at the end of the essay.


  1. Discuss the possible causes for the worldwide increase in crime and violence.  What has been the effects of these trends in society?
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
In this essay, you are asked to say what effects incidences of crime and violence have on society, and why they happen in the first place.  You should therefore mention such incidences first of all, and say why you think they occur.
Point 1.2
Having said what these are, and how they occur, you should devote the remainder of the body of your essay to discussing what effects such criminal activity has on the people who live in areas where such crimes take place.
Point 2.1
Your conclusion should sum up the points you have made, to allow the reader to see the whole picture.

  1. Since World War 2 there has been an increase in co-operation between many Easter and Western countries.  This had led to a desire among students to undertake studies in foreign countries.  Write a brief account of the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.

Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
In this essay, you are given some background information about co-operation between Eastern and Western countries, prior to being told that some young people now wish to study abroad.  What you are actually asked to do, however, is to write about the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad for such students.
Point 1.2
Devote equal amounts of time and effort to writing about the benefits and drawbacks of studying abroad.
Point 2.1
Decide upon the best way to organize the body of your essay: Point by point in two paragraphs; one concerned with advantages, the other concerned with disadvantages,
OR one section dealing with both in alternate sentences or small sub-paragraphs.
Point 2.2
Write a conclusion that sums up the points you have made, and gives an overall recommendation in favour or against studying abroad, but based solely upon the points you have already made.  Keep it balanced and based upon reasons, not your own personal preferences.

  1. Pollution is a very serious problem today.  What level of pollution should we tolerate?  Discuss examples of the different types of pollution.
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
In this question, you are told that pollution is a serious problem, and then asked two questions that are related to what you have been told.
Point 1.2
Start by describing the different types of pollution that we face today.
Point 2.1
In the next section of your essay, write about the dangers of such pollution and at what level it adversely affects life on earth.  You should give some examples to make your points into a more effective argument.


  1. What are the effects of global warming?  Suggest some recommendations to minimize these effects.
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
In this essay question, you are asked two things: to describe the effects of global warming, and to make recommendations to reduce them.
Point 1.2
First of all, you could briefly outline what global warming is, before you go on to write about the effects it has on the planet and on people’s lives.
Point 2.1
Based upon the effects you have described, suggest what we could do to reduce the effects.
Point 2.2
You will have to introduce a cause – effect link between causes and effects to make your point.  For example, if global warming is responsible for the melting of polar ice caps, which in turn leads to sea level rises, thereby flooding our coastal cities, you might suggest the erecting of flood barriers to prevent further flooding if sea levels continue to rise.  There is a difference between limiting damage and stopping the cause of such damage.

  1. How can we address the problem of increasing illiteracy in many highly developed  countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom?
Understanding the question.
Point 1.1
In this essay question, you are being asked to write about how to solve a problem that has already been identified for you: increasing illiteracy in highly developed countries.
Point 1.2
Start by giving a brief description of the problem of illiteracy and why it occurs in countries that have compulsory education for all.
Point 2.1
Next, write about the effects in these countries in areas like employment and the difficulties faced by those not having the skills needed to live a normal life in a developed country.
Point 2.2
What can be done?  Write about what you think we can do to help such people, and thus to reduce the problem, and its effects upon these countries and their people.
Robert L. Fielding

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