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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.

Advantages & Disadvantages Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2

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.

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IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essays - Topics, Structure, Tips & Samples

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Updated On Sep 13, 2024

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The article discusses the structure and strategies for writing on IELTS Writing Task 2 advantages and disadvantages topics, including planning, vocabulary use, and provides advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay sample answers to improve scores.

Understanding the question and structure of the ielts advantages disadvantages essay, how to plan your task 2 advantages and disadvantages essay, how to write an advantages disadvantages essay for ielts writing task 2, tips for mastering advantages and disadvantages essay, advantages and disadvantages ielts essay questions and sample answers, practice advantages disadvantages essays ielts with ieltsmaterial, more related ielts writing task 2 advantages and disadvantages topics.

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We have all made a list of pros and cons when faced with a difficult decision. An advantages disadvantages essay in IELTS Writing is kind of like an organized pros and cons list.

In this article, we will go over the structure of Task 2 advantages and disadvantages, how to write an advantages and disadvantages essay, IELTS writing task 2 advantages and disadvantages topics, and go over a few advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay samples.

The IELTS advantages disadvantages essay is a question type you will come across in IELTS Writing Task 2 .

You will be asked to write about the benefits and drawbacks of the topic given. It can be worded in different ways. Let’s see some examples.

At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones in our daily lives.
Some companies and organizations require their employees to wear uniforms. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a uniform?
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 managed correctly. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world. Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?
What are the pros and cons for children watching television? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example from your knowledge or experience.
Globalization has both advantages and disadvantages. Discuss both and give your opinion.

Discussing the Question of Advantages and Disadvantages Essay IELTS

In some IELTS Writing Task 2 advantages disadvantages questions, you will be asked to share your opinion. However, in most cases, discussing the pros and cons/benefits and drawbacks/advantages and disadvantages is enough.

Question Types of IELTS Advantages & Disadvantages Essay

The first part of the question for advantage and disadvantage essays in IELTS Writing Task 2 will always be a statement. In the second part, you will get to know whether you have to discuss only the benefits and drawbacks or add your opinion along with it. So, no need to worry!

As you can see in the image above, the first question asks you to share your opinion, whereas in the second, you will have to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Structure of the IELTS Advantages Disadvantages Essay

The IELTS Essay writing task is quite challenging as it requires you to write an essay on an unseen topic from any walk of life – it can range from social issues to environmental discourse. To make it easy, you can practice advantage and disadvantage IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essays based on the following structure breakdown.

Paraphrase the question statement.
State what the following paragraphs will discuss.
Mention your viewpoint (if asked in the question)
Discuss the advantages.
Explain the benefits with examples in 2-3 sentences.
Discuss the disadvantages.
Explain the drawbacks with examples in 2-3 sentences.
Summarize the benefits and drawbacks discussed in the essay.

Remember that there is no right or wrong structure for advantages and disadvantages writing task 2 . However, if you use this, it will enable you to plan your essay in no time during the exam.

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The planning for writing any essay type in IELTS Writing Task 2 requires around 5 minutes. The process covers essential aspects such as analysis of the question, organization of the points to be included, identifying relevant vocabulary, and understanding the IELTS Writing Task 2 marking criteria to obtain a good band score .

The following points will provide a concise guide on how to plan your answer for the advantages and disadvantages of essays in IELTS academic writing task 2, save some time to revise your response and achieve a good IELTS band score .

To answer the advantages disadvantages essay questions in IELTS Writing Task 2, first you have to identify the keywords and instructions in the question to discuss the positives and negatives of the statement.
Plan your structure, including your main arguments, advantages, and disadvantages, to present your answer in a well-structured manner.
Take at least 10 minutes to analyze and understand the given statement and evaluate its pros and cons.
Organize your thoughts and provide a clear and concise response.
Using appropriate writing task 2 vocabulary and phrases (lexical resource) is important. But avoid stuffing too many words into irrelevant places.
Ensure that your response remains relevant to the given topic.
Understand the IELTS writing band descriptors like Task Response, Coherence and cohesion, Lexical resource, Grammatical range and accuracy to obtain a high band score.

Once you have planned your advantage and disadvantage essay for Writing Task 2, it is time to write down your answer. For this of kind of practice, use authentic and updated IELTS Writing practice tests .

Writing The Essay Introduction

The first thing that you have to do is to write an introduction for an advantages disadvantages essay.

Your introduction should paraphrase the topic of the essay and try to use different vocabulary/synonyms for the words in the topic, wherever possible.
Then, give a brief idea about what could be expected in the essay, i.e. the advantages and the disadvantages of the concerned topic.
Finally, state which side you think weighs the most (when asked for an opinion.)

Body Paragraphs for Advantages And Disadvantages Essay IELTS

Although there is no strict rule about the number of paragraphs for IELTS essays, it is better to limit the number to two. It will not only help you to follow the word count but also keep your essay concise.

Body Paragraph 1

It should state the advantage/s of the topic.
This should be backed by practical points, and the examples would be even better.
Day-to-day incidents and instances can be brought to notice.

Body Paragraph 2

It should state the disadvantage/s of the topic.
This as well should be supported by valid points, and the daily incidents and examples can be highlighted to back your points.

How To Write An Essay Conclusion?

You should conclude the topic by providing a summary of the points put forth in the entire essay and how the advantages or disadvantages of the topic outweigh the other (if applicable).

Make sure to end the essay with a well rounded conclusion.
Link your ideas discussed in the essay to ensure cohesion and coherence.
The question/s along with the essay statement should be answered.

To help you to understand this type of essay better, given below are some essential essay vocabulary you must know as well as a sample essay with a detailed outline. We’ve provided you with ample IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay topics to help you hone your essay writing skills.

IELTS Essay Vocabulary

A strong command of vocabulary is crucial for writing an effective advantages disadvantages essay in IELTS Writing Task 2. Your proficiency in English language vocabulary will be evident in how expertly you can select the most suitable expressions to convey precise meanings. Diversifying your vocabulary will enable you to incorporate a greater variety of words in your essays. However, it is important to note that overusing uncommon words and phrases can reduce the relevance of your answer. So, create an advanced vocabulary word list for IELTS to avoid loss of word during the actual exam and utilize time in organizing your thoughts.

Tips for Mastering Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

Writing an essay on IELTS advantage disadvantage essay topics needs careful preparation and planning. Here are some b est IELTS Writing Task 2 tips for achieving Band 9 with a high-quality essay:

Understand the Question: Make sure you understand the question and what is expected of you before you begin writing. Decide which advantages and disadvantages you need to talk about and if you need to share your opinion.
Generate Ideas: Spend a few minutes identifying the benefits and drawbacks of the selected subject. List the main ideas and instances you’ll utilize to support your claims.
Structure Your Essay: Write your essay with a logical and obvious structure. Begin with an introduction that briefly summarizes your key points and states the subject. After that, give each benefit and drawback a paragraph of its own, and then wrap up by summarizing your points in the conclusion.
Use Linking Words: To connect your thoughts and create a smooth writing flow, use a range of linking words and phrases, like “furthermore,” “however,” “on the other hand,” and “in conclusion.”
Support Your Points: Give particular instances, figures, or anecdotes to back up each benefit and drawback you discuss. This will improve the persuasiveness of your arguments and raise your score.
Plan your Time Effectively: During the exam, manage your time well. Plan your essay for a few minutes, then concentrate on creating paragraphs that are precise and to the point. At the conclusion, give yourself some time to review and make any required changes.
Practice is the Key to Success: It is the ultimate truth. The more you practice, the more you will become efficient in planning, organizing and structuring your IELTS Writing Task 2 advantages and disadvantages sample answer. So, take up more writing practice tests and make the best use of them.

Ensure you’re using the right structure for IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essays!

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Given below are some advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay samples and Band 9 methodologies of answering them.

Sample Question 1

Sample answer.

Foreign education has become one of the most sought-after ventures in this day and age. A majority of students plan on pursuing higher education in a foreign nation, especially when it comes to a master’s degree. One of the reasons why studying abroad has become such a popular phenomenon is the relaxation of travel laws and procedures across the world. However, there are pros and cons to studying abroad and the following paragraphs will explore the topic and elaborate on why the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

One of the primary reasons for studying abroad is the presence of a more refined and sophisticated education system in several first-world countries. It is common for students from underdeveloped or developing countries like Brazil, China, India, Argentina and other countries to look for better opportunities than the ones available in their native country in terms of academics. Also, residing in a foreign country helps individuals to gain international exposure and also helps them develop social and interpersonal skills, which are extremely important for being eligible for lucrative job opportunities.

Nevertheless, there are numerous drawbacks to travelling abroad for education. First of all, from the beginning of applying to a foreign university to staying in the host country for the entire duration of your degree, it is an exorbitant affair. Such a costly endeavour is often unaffordable for the household of many people. That being said, becoming accustomed to the norms and conventions of an unfamiliar country can be a tough ordeal for many due to differences in culture and social traditions.

Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that foreign education can be a blessing if it is financially feasible for aspiring students. That being said, the benefits of studying abroad surpass the drawbacks for the same.

Check Out – How to Plan an IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay (Best Strategy)

Sample Question 2

Globalization has been one of the most significant phenomena in the last few decades, and it has changed several aspects of human society both economically and socially. There has been remarkable progress in terms of economic and financial development for developing countries due to the expansion of global organizations. However, there are several drawbacks to this rapid progress that need to be addressed. Evidently, globalization has more advantages than disadvantages and the following paragraphs will elaborate on the topic and justify these views.

First of all, the most advantageous aspect of globalization is the advent of numerous international companies and franchises in developing countries. Ever since global brands and corporations have expanded their operations in countries such as India, China, Sri Lanka and many more, there has been a notable increase in employment in these countries. Additionally, due to the remarkable rise in the number of imports and exports, people from third world countries now have access to a vast catalogue of products and services that were previously unattainable.

That being said, there are drawbacks to globalization that create concerning issues for a sizable portion of the global population. One of the most disturbing consequences faced is the exploitation of labour. Many corporations are known to outsource their operations to developing countries due to cheap labour costs. This enables them to accomplish their manufacturing operations without having to provide proper remuneration. Also, due to the use of inexpensive labour, the quality of products is diminished, and customers receive inferior products.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the effects of globalization are not entirely positive or negative. Nonetheless, the benefits brought by this occupation outweigh the drawbacks.

There is no doubt that you are preparing for the IELTS Writing Task 2. So, we would recommend you to take up IELTS Writing Task 2 advantages and disadvantages topics regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at solving the IELTS Writing test and answers within the dedicated timeframe.

Check out our well-reviewed IELTS Writing study guide , which includes self-explanatory lessons and advantages and disadvantages IELTS essay sample answers. If you need more guidance, don’t hesitate to contact our IELTS specialists . Make the necessary preparations to improve your score on the IELTS Speaking test and get a Band 8+.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an advantage/disadvantage essay? How do you identify that the essay falls under this category?

Is it mandatory to put advantages and disadvantages separately in two paragraphs or can I club them?

In case of questions where advantages outweigh disadvantages, I might have to write disadvantages first. Will it affect my score?

Do I have to write more than one point for advantages and disadvantages essays for IELTS Writing?

When can I note down the voc

What will happen if I write the exact question statement of the advantages disadvantages essay topic?

What is the importance of the topic sentence of an advantages disadvantages essay?

Is it mandatory to follow the word limit given with the IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay?

What can I do if my IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay is less than 250 words?

Is there any upper limit for word count for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay?

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Kasturika Samanta

Kasturika is a professional Content Writer with over three years of experience as an English language teacher. Her understanding of English language requirements, as set by foreign universities, is enriched by her interactions with students and educators. Her work is a fusion of extensive knowledge of SEO practices and up-to-date guidelines. This enables her to produce content that not only informs but also engages IELTS aspirants. Her passion for exploring new horizons has driven her to achieve new heights in her learning journey.