IELTS Writing · Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 2: advantages and disadvantages essay
A development or a choice followed by a question about its advantages and disadvantages.
- 4 practice questions
- 40 minutes · 250 words
What the examiner looks for
- When the question asks whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, the essay has to say which is greater.
- When it asks only for the advantages and disadvantages, both are covered and no verdict is needed.
- The essay is at least 250 words, and Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1 towards the Writing band.
Advantages and disadvantages essay questions to practise
1. TourismAcademic test: Electricity sources
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In many cities, tourism has become the main source of income for local people.
Do the advantages of depending on tourism outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
2. FoodAcademic test: Water at home
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Much of the food people eat is now grown thousands of kilometres from where it is sold.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
3. EducationGeneral Training test: The borrowed camera
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In many countries it has become common for young people to take a year off between leaving school and beginning university.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
4. SocietyGeneral Training test: Left at the hotel
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Every year a growing number of people leave their own country in order to live and work somewhere else.
Do the advantages of living abroad outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.