1. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Overview

 

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay raises a problem or an opinion and asks you to point out the benefits as well as drawbacks on that issue or point of view. 

 

Typically, an IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay question can be divided into three parts:

 

  • 1st part: a specific problem or opinion
    (e.g. The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally.)

 

  • 2nd part: requirement to give the advantages & disadvantages of the problem or opinion
    (e.g. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?)

 

  • 3rd part: requirement for the time limit and word count
    (e.g. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
    You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
    Write at least 250 words.)

 

ielts advantage disadvantage essay

 

There are normally 2 types of requirements to list the advantages & disadvantages of a problem or opinion: 

 

  • Indicate pros and cons only

 

  • Indicate pros and cons & Explicate whether pros outweigh cons

 

Here are some examples of how an IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage question can be worded: 

 

  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

 

  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?

 

  • Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?


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2. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Structure

 

The three-part structure is also used for IELTS Advantage Disadvantage essay. However, as the IELTS Advantage Disadvantage questions can be either indicating pros and cons only or indicating pros and cons & explicating whether pros outweigh cons, you can refer to two types of structure below:

 

2.1 Indicating Pros and Cons Only


2.1.1 Introduction

 

– Paraphrase the question:
(e.g. It is thought by some people that English, which is now the most widely spoken language in the world, may one day predominate over all other languages and result in their eventual disappearance.)

 

– Thesis statement / Outline sentence:
(e.g. Having one language would certainly aid understanding and economic growth but there will also be some drawbacks.)

 

2.2.2. Body

 

– Body paragraph 1: Advantages

 

  • Topic sentence: state the advantages 

 

  • State and explain the first advantage: give the first advantage of the problem/opinion and elaborate the first advantage
    (e.g. One evident benefit to having one global language is that it would enable greater understanding between countries.In other words, if everyone spoke one language, there would be complete understanding between not only countries but all people throughout the world which would promote learning, the flow of information and ideas.)

 

  • Example: support the first advantage with an example (optional)

 

  • State and explain the second advantage: give the second advantage of the problem/opinion and elaborate the second advantage
    (e.g. Another reason that one language would be advantageous is that it would help economic growth. With all people speaking the same language, there would be fewer barriers and therefore trade would flourish between countries, resulting in a healthier world economy.)

 

  • Example: support the second advantage with an example (optional)

 

– Body paragraph 2: Disadvantages

 

  • Topic sentence: state the disadvantages
    (e.g. On the other hand, there are obvious disadvantages to having only one global language.)

 

  • State and explain the first disadvantage: give the first disadvantage of the problem/opinion and elaborate the first disadvantage
    (e.g. Firstly, it would mean that all other languages would eventually disappear and, along with them, their cultures. The diversity of cultures is one of the joys this world has to offer. Each culture is unique with its own way of life and own perspectives of the world which would all be lost if there were only one language.)

 

  • Example: support the first disadvantage with an example (optional)

 

  • State and explain the second disadvantage: give the second disadvantage of the problem/opinionand elaborate the second disadvantage
    (e.g. Secondly, it would result in the collapse of tourism because there would be no reason to travel for pleasure and interest if all countries had the same language and similar cultures. This would devastate many countries economically that rely on tourism as a source of income.)

 

  • Example: support the second disadvantage with an example (optional)

 

2.2.3. Conclusion

 

– Summarize advantages and disadvantages:

(e.g. In conclusion, while there are plus points to having one global language, too much would be lost as a result. )

 

– Give recommendations (optional)
(e.g. Maintaining local languages and cultures should be prioritised to ensure a rich world heritage for future generations.)

 

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2.2. Indicating Pros and Cons & Explicating Whether Pros outweigh Cons

 

2.2.1. Introduction

 

– Paraphrase the question:
(e.g. Globalisation 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.)

 

– Thesis statement / Outline sentence:
(e.g. Evidently, globalization has more advantages than disadvantages and the following paragraphs, will elaborate on the topic and justify these views.)

 

2.2.2. Body

 

– Body paragraph 1: Stronger side

 

  • Topic sentence: state the stronger side

 

  • State and explain the first reason: give the first reason why it is the stronger side
    (e.g. First of all, the most advantageous aspect of globalization is the advent of numerous international companies and franchises in developing countries.)

 

  • Example: support the first reason with an example (optional)
    (e.g. 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.)

 

  • State and explain the second reason : give the second reason why it is the stronger side
    (e.g. 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.)

 

  • Example: support the second reason with an example (optional)

 

– Body paragraph 2: Weaker side

 

  • Topic sentence: state the weaker side
    (e.g. That being said, there are drawbacks to globalization that create concerning issues for a sizeable portion of the global population.)

 

  • State and explain the first reason: give the first reason why it is the weaker side
    (e.g. 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.)

 

  • Example: support the first reason with an example (optional)

 

  • State and explain the second reason: give the second reason why it is the weaker side
    (e.g. Also, due to the use of inexpensive labour, the quality of products is diminished, and customers receive inferior products.)

 

  • Example: support the second reason with an example (optional)

 

2.2.3. Conclusion

 

– Summarize advantages and disadvantages:

(e.g. In conclusion, there is no doubt that the effects of globalization are not entirely positive or negative.)

 

– Restate the position of each side:
(e.g. Nonetheless, the benefits brought by this occupation outweigh the drawbacks.)

 

*** Note: For the IELTS Advantage Disadvantage question asking you to state your opinion (e.g. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.), you should add another Body paragraph to give your point of view on the issue with clarification and example (if any)

OR

note what your point of view is towards the issue in the Conclusion part).

 

3. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Strategy

 

3.1.  Analyse IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Questions

 

The very first step you should do with IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay is not to write your essay immediately but analyze the questions in details so that you can deeply understand what the judges want you to perform. You had better highlight or underline keywords based on these criteria:

 

ielts advantage disadvantage essay strategy

 

  • Main topic
    (e.g. The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally.)

 

  • Requirements:
    (e.g. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?)

 

  • Instructions
    (e.g. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
    You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. 

 

Write at least 250 words.)

 

3.2. Make an outline

 

Your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay had better be both coherent and cohesive simultaneously, so an outline should be your next step to write your essay. Your outline can be created in the form of a mindmap, a table, or a list of bullet points.

 

3.3. Write a complete IELTS problem solution essay

 

Once you’ve had your own outline and know well how to organize your writing, it’s time to write your IELTS problem solution essay using your grammar and vocabulary range related to the topic given.

 

3.4. Double-check your IELTS problem solution essay

 

Don’t forget to check your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay in terms of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, etc. at least once before handing in the final paper. 

 

4. IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips

 

  • Your IELTS Advantage Disadvantage should be written within the time limit of about 40 minutes with 250-290 words.

 

  • Try not to go off the topic but give the relevant ideas to illustrate each point in your essay.

 

  • Utilize linking words in order to make connections among sentences as well as paragraphs.

 

  • Don’t forget to quickly draft an outline with the main points for each part.

 

  • Elaborate your advantages, disadvantages, and/or your opinion with explanation and examples.

 

  • Enhance your grammar and vocabulary range on diverse topics before taking an IELTS Writing test.

 

  • Do as many online IELTS practice tests of Advantage Disadvantage essay as possible and you can score high in the real test.