Scoring reference: official IELTS Writing descriptors and assessment criteria. The examples here illustrate writing choices; they are not independently assessed complete scripts.
Opinion questions ask for your extent of agreement. Develop reasons that support your answer. An opposing argument can help clarify a qualified position; explain the connection so the reader understands your reasoning.
Make your position clear
Make your position clear and develop reasons that answer the prompt. Your paragraphs should help the reader understand your answer, including any qualification. An opinion question can also be answered with a qualified view. Explain how the competing arguments lead to your position, rather than leaving the reader to infer it.
An opinion essay asks for your extent of agreement. Explain and support your answer. You may consider both sides if that helps develop your position clearly.
One possible structure: two developed reasons
For full agreement or disagreement, you can use the four-paragraph plan from our Task 2 structure guide, with each body paragraph developing a supporting reason. Adapt the plan when your answer includes a qualification.
- Introduction: paraphrase the question, then state your position clearly. 'I strongly agree that...' or 'I completely disagree that...' or 'I largely agree, although...' if you have a minor qualification. The examiner should know your stance by the end of the second sentence.
- Body paragraph 1: your strongest reason for your position. One idea, developed in full: claim, explanation, example, and link back to the question.
- Body paragraph 2: your second-strongest reason. Same engine, different argument. Both paragraphs pull in the same direction.
- Conclusion: restate your position in fresh words and reference your two reasons briefly.
PromptSome people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
PlanPosition: Agree. Body 1: builds practical skills and work habits that academic subjects do not teach. Body 2: strengthens community ties and reduces youth isolation. Conclusion: compulsory community service benefits both the student and society, so it should be part of every curriculum.
This example develops full agreement through two supporting reasons. Other plans can explain a qualified or balanced answer.
When a partial agreement is the right call
You may fully agree, fully disagree or present a balanced or qualified position. A position like 'I largely agree, but with one important exception' is valid if you can argue it cleanly. The risk is that it sounds like fence-sitting. If you go this route, state your qualification in the introduction ('I largely agree, although the policy needs careful implementation'), devote one body paragraph to your main agreement and one to the specific condition or exception, and keep the qualification narrow. Explain the qualification clearly and support it with relevant reasons.
The fence-sitting trap
Check whether your introduction, reasons and conclusion support a clear answer. You can consider competing arguments, but explain how they lead to your stated extent of agreement. Unclear development is the concern, not the presence of an opposing view.
The question wording is your guide. 'To what extent do you agree or disagree?' wants your view. 'Discuss both views and give your opinion' wants both sides plus your view. These are different question types with different requirements. Our discussion essay questions and opinion essay questions pages let you practise them separately.
Quick checklist before you submit
- Can the examiner underline your position in the introduction?
- Do both body paragraphs support that same position?
- Does your conclusion restate your extent of agreement clearly?
- If you included a counter-argument, have you explained how it relates to your position?
If you want to see whether your position is holding up under the Task Response descriptor, grade an opinion essay and check the TR band. Review the suggestions against your argument; AI feedback is a practice estimate and can miss or misinterpret an issue.