The first step to scoring well in task 2 of writing is to correctly identify the type of essay being asked of write. In “advantages and disadvantages” type of essay , IELTS examiners want you to discuss both advantages and disadvantages separately and at the end, you need to write conclusive statements for IELTS Writing . Therefore, it is important that you find out relevant points of advantages and disadvantages respectively after reading the question.
Let’s look at an example:

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

With this type of essay, you have two points to be discussed:

1. Advantages of working and living anywhere.

2. Disadvantages of working and living anywhere.

You must discuss both of them by giving reasons and support them with examples.

If you do not discuss any of the above two points in the essay, you will lose marks.

So, in this type of essay, you must explain both the points.

How to structure IELTS Writing?

There are 3 types of advantages and disadvantages questions that require different approach to solve them.

Essay Type 1:

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology and transportation facilities, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

This type of question requires you to describe the advantages in one paragraph while disadvantages in the other paragraph. You should not mention your personal opinion in this question.

The best structure you can use for this type of essay is:

Introduction

Paraphrase the Question

Outline the sentence

-Body Paragraph 1 (Advantages)Topic of the sentence (Advantage 1)

Explain how it is an advantage

Write an example

(Disadvantages)

Topic of the sentence (Disadvantage1)

Explain how it is a disadvantage

Write an example

 Conclusion

Write summary of the main points

Four paragraphs are sufficient to explain your point of view. You may use any other structure you are comfortable with but this structure is approved by the IELTS examiners for IELTS Writing  to help the students write in an effective and cohesive manner.

Essay Type 2:

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Do the advantages of this advancement outweigh its disadvantages?

This type of question requires you to describe the advantages in one paragraph while disadvantages in the other paragraph, but you need to explain which of the two, advantages or disadvantages, is stronger than the other. You should not mention your personal opinion in this question for IELTS Writing .

a. Paragraph 1- Introduction

Paraphrase the Question

Write thesis statement (Which one outweighs the other)

Outline the sentence

b. Paragraph 2- Body Paragraph 1 (Strong side)

-Topic of the sentence

Explain how it is a strong side

Write an example

Topic of the sentence

Explain how it is a strong side

Write an example

c. Paragraph 2- Body Paragraph 1 (Weaker side)

Topic of the sentence

Explain how it is not a strong side

Write an example

d. Paragraph 4- Conclusion

Write summary of the main points and restate the position.

Essay Type 3:

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology and transportation facilities, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Give your own opinion.

This type of question requires you to describe the advantages in one paragraph while disadvantages in the other paragraph. Furthermore, you should mention your personal opinion also in this question.

 a. Paragraph 1- Introduction for IELTS Writing

Paraphrase the Question

Write thesis statement (Your opinion)

Outline the sentence

 (Advantages)

Topic of the sentence

Explain how it is an advantage

Write an example

 (Disadvantages)

Topic of the sentence (Disadvantage1)

Explain how it is a disadvantage

Write an example

 Body Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)

Explain your opinion

Explain or give example

Conclusion

Sentence 1- Write summary of the main points

Vocabulary and phrases for IELTS Writing:

Useful vocabulary for joining supportive ideas

• In addition
• Moreover
• What is more
• Furthermore
• Besides this

Useful vocabulary for joining opposite ideas

• However
• On the other hand
• In contrast
• Nevertheless

Sample Question for IELTS Writing :

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, people can work and live anywhere they want.

Do its advantages outweigh disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer for IELTS Writing:

Over the past few decades, it has become possible to commute and work in different parts of the world due to the convenient transportation modes provided by the modern technological methods. Advantages of this advancement are comparatively more as compared to the disadvantages.

To embark upon, there are various advantages of technological advancements. By travelling to other countries, people get the opportunity to visit new places and discover the other parts of the world. For example, people travelling from East to the Western part of the world can come to know various aspects of culture, tradition, values, language and many more. This can enhance their knowledge and experience when meeting new people.

In addition to this, it would also benefit the other countries in terms of meeting the shortage of skilled professionals. If there is a requirement of professionals with specific skills in a country, it can hire skilled and experienced professionals from other country. For example, health professionals such as doctors and nurses are often relocating to other countries for meeting the skill shortage in those countries.

On the other hand, one of the disadvantages of modern means of communication and technology is that it has widened the distance between family relationships. If a person has travelled far from his home, it is not possible for him to meet his family members face to face. Due to this reason, he can only talk to them using software such as Skype via video calling or through phone.

It can be argued that though there are disadvantages of working and living in other countries but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages since this benefits both the person who is moving and also the country which is hiring that person.

(287 words)

Exercise:

Write an essay 250 words on the following topics. Use the vocabulary and phrases mentioned above.
1. According to some people, it would be better if industries are established in regions outside the urban area. Discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

2. Elderly people are nowadays being sent to old aged homes rather than being looked after by family in homes. Do the advantages of old aged homes outweigh the disadvantages?

3. Some people think that e-books are better to be used for education in order to go paperless. Discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Give your own opinion.