IELTS Writing Task 2 Discuss Both Views Essays with Model Answers
Discussion essays present two opposing views. You must explain both fairly and, in most questions, give your own opinion as well.
How to practise
- Give each view its own body paragraph with a developed explanation.
- Do not forget your own opinion: state it in the introduction and conclusion.
- Use attribution language: some people argue, others maintain, it is often claimed.
- Keep the two sides roughly equal in length.
All questions (14 questions)
- Cambridge IELTS 21 Test 2 Writing Task 2: Theatres and CinemasCambridge IELTS 21 · Test 2 · Task 2 · Culture & lifestyle · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views: that theatres and cinemas are no longer important because people can watch all the entertainment they want online, and that they remain important both economically and culturally. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 19 Test 1 Writing Task 2: Competition or TeamworkCambridge IELTS 19 · Test 1 · Task 2 · Society · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views: that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing, and that people should cooperate more instead of competing with each other. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 18 Test 2 Writing Task 2: University SubjectsCambridge IELTS 18 · Test 2 · Task 2 · Education · Discuss both viewsThe question describes two views about university study: some students want to learn other subjects as well as their main subjects, while others think it is more important to concentrate fully on gaining a qualification. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 17 Test 3 Writing Task 2: Professionals AbroadCambridge IELTS 17 · Test 3 · Task 2 · Society · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views about professionals such as doctors and engineers: one that they should be required to work in the country where they trained, and one that they should be free to work abroad if they wish. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 15 Test 3 Writing Task 2: Advertising ViewsCambridge IELTS 15 · Test 3 · Task 2 · Culture & lifestyle · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views about advertising: that it is extremely successful at persuading people to buy things, and that it is now so common that people no longer pay attention to it. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 14 Test 1 Writing Task 2: Bad SituationsCambridge IELTS 14 · Test 1 · Task 2 · Society · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views on how people should respond to a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or a shortage of money: some believe it is best to accept it, while others argue it is better to try to improve it. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 14 Test 2 Writing Task 2: Loss of SpeciesCambridge IELTS 14 · Test 2 · Task 2 · Environment · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views: some people say the loss of particular species of plants and animals is the main environmental problem of our time, while others say there are more important environmental problems. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 13 Test 3 Writing Task 2: History vs ScienceCambridge IELTS 13 · Test 3 · Task 2 · Education · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views: that History is one of the most important school subjects, and that in today's world subjects like Science and Technology matter more. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 12 Test 1 Writing Task 2: Sharing InformationCambridge IELTS 12 · Test 1 · Task 2 · Technology · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views: that as much information as possible should be shared in scientific research, business and the academic world, and that some information is too important or valuable to be shared freely. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 12 Test 3 Writing Task 2: High-Speed RailCambridge IELTS 12 · Test 3 · Task 2 · Society · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views on transport spending: that large sums should be spent on new railway lines for very fast trains between cities, and that the money should instead be used to improve existing public transport. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 12 Test 4 Writing Task 2: Children's ChoicesCambridge IELTS 12 · Test 4 · Task 2 · Society · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views: that letting children make their own choices about everyday matters such as food, clothes and entertainment will create a society of self-centred individuals, and that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that affect them. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 11 Test 3 Writing Task 2: Learning LanguagesCambridge IELTS 11 · Test 3 · Task 2 · Education · Discuss both viewsSome people say the only reason to learn a foreign language is to travel to or work in another country, while others believe there are other reasons too. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 11 Test 4 Writing Task 2: Economic ProgressCambridge IELTS 11 · Test 4 · Task 2 · Government & law · Discuss both viewsMany governments believe economic progress is their most important goal, while some people think other types of progress are equally important for a country. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
- Cambridge IELTS 10 Test 2 Writing Task 2: University SubjectsCambridge IELTS 10 · Test 2 · Task 2 · Education · Discuss both viewsThe question presents two views about university education: that students should be free to study whatever they like, and that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as science and technology. Candidates must discuss both views and give their own opinion.
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