IELTS WRITING

ADVANTAGES &
DISADVANTAGES

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Type 1

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year
between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.

 Simply asks us to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. It does not ask for our
opinion or say which side is better or worse, so we should not include this information in
our answer.

This requires a simple structure in which the student will look at the advantages in one
paragraph and the disadvantages in the other.

Structure for Essay 1

Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase question

Sentence 2- Outline sentence

Supporting Paragraph 1 (Advantages)

Sentence 3- Topic sentence (Advantage 1)

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Sentence 4- Explain how this is an advantage

Sentence 5- Example

Supporting Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)

Sentence 6- Topic sentence (Disadvantage 1)

Sentence 7- Explain how this is an disadvantage

Sentence 8- Example

Conclusion

Sentence 9- Summary of main points

Model essays:
1. In certain countries, it is preferred that students should take a year off from studies after
completing high school, prior to joining universities and during this period they are
encouraged to work or to travel. Even though this seems to be a noble concept, it has its
own merits and demerits and some of these will be illustrated in this essay.

Firstly, a year off, after completing years of continuous school education is a welcome
break for students and is well deserved too. This period also serves as well earned family
time for those pupils who grew up within the closed boundaries of boarding schools.
Secondly, this period provides ample opportunities to young people, to experience the
realities of the modern world. Those students who prefer a break, can experiment with
various forms of employment and thereby decide their career goals and directions
depending upon their experiences. The holidaymakers, on the other hand can familiarise
with the customs and cultures of various countries, which in turn will widen their outlook

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and will also promote cultural tolerance. Thus, in a wider perspective, such breaks help
the young minds in preparing for the much demanding university life.

In contrast, certain disadvantages are definitely associated with this concept and are
worth mentioning. Firstly, scholars are of the opinion that, such breaks from studies,
during the learning phase of life, affects further education. According to them, such
activities should not be encouraged as there are higher chances that the young minds
might loose interest in learning or may get demotivated due to various reasons and might
ultimately refrain from pursuing university education. Secondly, the employed youth, due
to a sudden increase in their purchasing power, might also get attracted to various social
evils like drugs, gambling and alcoholism.

Thus to sum up, it will be wise to comment that such policies even though are noble
practices, should not be made mandatory in a national scale, as these activities are also
associated with considerable negative outcome.

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2.

Outlines for Type 1

A. It is true that (sth) has had an influence on ….. Sth has affected ….in various
ways, and in my opinion there are both positive and negative effects.

It is undeniable that sth has had an impact on ….Firstly,….Secondly,……Finally

On the other hand, these … can be extremely positive.

In conclusion

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B. It is true that (sth) provides great benefits for …However, …may be

counterproductive, as now will be explained.
On the one hand, if (Cond Type 2), there would be certain advantages for all
sides related….
On the other hand, I believe that the disadvantages of this are more
important….

In conclusion,…

C. There is no denying the fact that …………... This trend has both positive and
negative aspects.
The disadvantage of this development is…..
Despite this, there are significant advantages it can bring to people’s lives.
Firstly,
To conclude, the tendency has several advantages and disadvantages…….

D. In this essay, I shall draw upon a number of …………..that reveal the positive
and negative aspects of this phenomenon.
To begin with, there are clearly reasons why…..
However, since ……… has become heavily reliant on ………, there are also
clearly advantages to ………..

In conclusion, there are advantages and disadvantages to …… ..

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Type 2

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary schools rather than secondary school.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

  is different because we have to say if the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages.
Notice I didn’t say ‘if there are more advantages than disadvantages’. The question is not
asking you to talk about numbers, but comment on the overall weight of the advantages
or disadvantages.  For example, there are a huge number of advantages to travelling by
private jet, but there is one huge disadvantage (the cost) that stops most people from
flying that way and therefore the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

In this example we will have to decide which side (advantages or disadvantages) is

stronger and this will affect our structure. If you choose advantages then you will have to
say why these are much stronger than the advantages and why the disadvantages don’t
hold much weight. You would also have to make this clear in your thesis statement.

Structure for Essay 2

Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase question

Sentence 2- Thesis statement (state which one outweighs the other)

Sentence 3- Outline sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1 (Stronger Side)

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Sentence 4- Topic Sentence

Sentence 5- Explain why it is strong

Sentence 6- Example

Sentence 7- Topic Sentence

Sentence 8- Explain why it is strong

Sentence 9- Example

Main Body Paragraph 2 (Weaker Side)

Sentence 10- Topic Sentence

Sentence 11- Explain why it is not strong

Sentence 12- Example

Conclusion

Sentence 13- Summary of main points and restate position.

MODEL ESSAYS

One of the highly controversial issue today relates to whether to begin learning a
foreign language at primary school or at secondary school. In this essay, I am going to examine
this question from both point of views and then give my own perspective on the matter.

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On one side of the argument there are people who argue that the benefits of
practicing foreign language at primary school considerably outweigh its disadvantages. The
main reason for believing this is that the children have the golden age period when they are at
elementary school. It is also possible to say that there is a significant increase of not only motor
ability but also verbal ability in the period. One good illustration of this is some developed
countries have been implementing the bilingual language in the primary school's curriculum for
decades, and most of children can speak the second language as well as their native language.

On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing case. It is often argued that
in fact it is better to begin learning second language at secondary school. People often have this
opinion because they think that the student at secondary school more prepared than at primary
school for acquiring new skills. A particularly good example here is from recent studies,
which show that teens can focus on their adaptation skill in culture and social life.

In my opinion, both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I tend to

believe that learning second language in earlier age period will have more positive impact. And
then, pupils at secondary school can expand wider horizon about the second language and its
culture.

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OUTLINES for Type 2

A. …While I accept that sth sometimes have a positive effect on users, I believe that
they are more likely to have harmful impacts.

On the one hand, sth can be ….

However, I would argue that these benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks.

In conclusion, it seems to me that the potential dangers of ….are more

significant than the possible benefits.

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B. ….While this trend is beneficial to some extent, I would argue that its
disadvantages are more significant.

On the one hand, doing sth can be valuable in terms of …

However, I would argue that these positive aspects are outweighed by the
drawbacks…

In conclusion, it seems to me that the potential dangers of doing sth are more
significant than the possible benefits for the mentioned reasons.

C. It is true these days that ….While (sth) can bring some immediate drawbacks, I
am convinced that it is more likely to have long-term benefits for…

On the one hand, somebody is very likely to encounter several difficulties when
doing sth. One of these problems is……Besides,….

On the other hand, I would argue that these disadvantages are outweighed by the
positive effects…..

In conclusion, despite some negative aspects, it seems to me that the benefits of …

are more significant for the reasons mentioned.

D. …This essay will clarify both sides of the coin, and demonstrate my view that the
benefits outweigh the negative consequences.

On the one hand, it is absurd to say that (sth) happens without any losses….

On the other hand, I believe that the advantages of this scenario are more
important….Firstly,……..Secondly…..

In conclusion,

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PRACTICE

People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the
development of communication technology and transportation.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Analyze the Task

Planning and Organisation

You then need to think of 3 supporting ideas. One for one side and two for the other
side.

So you will then have three body paragraphs, one with the drawback / benefit and two
with the advantages / disadvantages.

- One Drawback:

- Two benefits:

It is common academic practice to start with the opposing opinion to yours, so you
can start with the point that you have one idea for.

HOMEWORK: IELTS WRITING 2017

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