Task 2 question types - Opinion (agree/disagree)

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to identify and answer IELTS Task 2 Opinion (agree/disagree) essay prompts with confidence. You will know how to present a clear opinion, organize arguments logically, avoid common mistakes, and meet examiner expectations for structure, clarity, and use of evidence.

IELTS Academic, General & UKVI Syllabus

For IELTS, you are required to understand the requirements and assessment criteria for Opinion (agree/disagree) Task 2 writing questions. When revising, focus on these syllabus points:

• Recognize essay questions that ask for your own opinion, using wording such as "To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
• Present and maintain a clear position throughout the essay.
• Support your opinion with relevant, well-developed reasons and examples.
• Structure your essay logically with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Avoid irrelevant generalizations or presenting both sides equally when a personal view is required.
• Use appropriate academic language and linking phrases for expressing opinions.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. What does an IELTS Task 2 Opinion (agree/disagree) essay require from you that is different from a "discuss both views" essay?
2. If the prompt is "To what extent do you agree or disagree?", do you have to choose one side, or can you have a balanced answer?
3. What is a key feature examiners look for in the introduction of an opinion essay?
4. Is it acceptable to avoid giving your own view until the conclusion in this essay type?

Introduction

Task 2 Opinion (agree/disagree) essays are a core question type in the IELTS Writing exam. These tasks require you to state your personal view in response to a statement and argue your position throughout the essay. You must support your stance clearly and consistently, rather than simply describing both sides of a debate.

Key Term: Opinion (agree/disagree) Essay
A Task 2 IELTS essay type that asks for your personal view—agreeing, disagreeing, or partially agreeing/disagreeing with a statement—and expects you to defend your opinion with reasons and examples.

Key Term: Clear Position
An unmistakable, directly expressed viewpoint on the topic, maintained throughout your introduction, body, and conclusion.

Key Term: Relevant Example
A fact, situation, or personal experience that directly supports your reason for agreeing or disagreeing, presented to illustrate your point.

Understanding Opinion Questions

Opinion (agree/disagree) questions have typical prompts such as:

• "To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?"
• "Do you agree or disagree?"

You must directly answer, give your own view, and defend it. The examiner expects you to:

• State your opinion clearly in the introduction and conclusion.
• Support your opinion with well-explained reasons.
• Refer only to information that is relevant to your stance.

It is acceptable to agree completely, disagree completely, or have a partial (balanced) view—but your main stance must be crystal clear from start to finish.

Exam Warning Do NOT write as if you are "discussing both sides" or sit on the fence without stating your view. This will lower your Task Response band.

Structuring Your Opinion Essay

A typical structure for this essay:

Introduction

• Paraphrase the statement in your own words.
• State your opinion directly—e.g., "In my view, I strongly agree that..." or "I do not accept that...".

Body Paragraph 1

• Give your main supporting reason.
• Explain why you agree or disagree, using linking words.
• Give a relevant, specific example.

Body Paragraph 2

• Give your second main supporting reason.
• Develop the argument with another example or further explanation.

Conclusion

• Restate your opinion in different words.
• Summarize the main reasons for your view.

Use linking phrases like "In my view," "I believe," "This is because," "For example," and "As a result," to make your essay coherent.

Revision Tip Always include your opinion in BOTH the introduction and the conclusion. Refer to your view throughout each body paragraph using clear topic sentences.

Expressing and Supporting Opinions

In this question type, you must:

• Use clear opinion phrases: "I agree that...", "I do not believe...", "I completely disagree."
• Justify your view: "This is mainly because...", "The main reason for my opinion is...", before giving evidence.

A high-scoring answer will always provide at least two strong reasons for your view and follow with precise, relevant examples—not vague generalizations.

Key Term: Supporting Reason
A fact or idea that backs up your position and makes your viewpoint logical and credible.

Partial Agreement or Disagreement

When the task asks "To what extent...", you may:

• Completely agree
• Completely disagree
• Agree/disagree partially (for example, "I agree to some extent because...")

However, your essay must show a main direction and your opinion must not be confusing or hidden. Avoid giving exactly equal weight to both sides—choose the side you support more strongly.

Worked Example 1.1

In many countries, parents are choosing to send their children to private schools instead of public ones.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this trend?

Model Body Paragraph:

One reason I agree with parents making this decision is that private schools often have smaller class sizes and more resources, which allows students to receive more individual support. For example, in a survey of secondary schools in Sydney, private school students reported more frequent feedback on their progress than those in public schools. As a result, many believe this leads to better academic outcomes.

Answer:
This paragraph introduces a reason ("smaller class sizes and more resources"), explains why it supports the writer's opinion (facilitates individual support), and provides a relevant example (Sydney survey) to justify the viewpoint.

Worked Example 1.2

Many people believe that money spent on space research is wasted and should instead be used to solve problems on Earth.
Do you agree or disagree?

Introduction Sample:

It is often argued that governments should fund projects that address human needs rather than support space programmes. In my opinion, while space research can be expensive, I disagree with the notion that such investment is wasted because it leads to technological benefits that improve life on Earth.

Answer:
The introduction paraphrases the task and clearly states the writer's disagreement with the idea, providing a general reason which will be developed in the body.

Exam Warning

Avoid restating your opinion only at the end. Examiners expect your stance to be clear in each paragraph, especially the introduction and conclusion.

Revision Tip

Before writing, decide your stance. Make a short plan listing two reasons for your view with matching examples.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Not stating opinion in the introduction: Always show your stance immediately.
• Presenting a discussion of both views: The examiner wants your viewpoint, not a debate.
• Giving examples that do not match your reasons: Each reason needs a specific, logical example.
• Unclear or inconsistent stance: If you agree in some paragraphs and disagree in others, your essay loses clarity and coherence.

Summary

Opinion (agree/disagree) questions in IELTS Task 2 require a clear, developed personal response. You must express your view unambiguously, support it with two or more relevant reasons, and provide specific examples. Your opinion should be restated in the conclusion, using different words from your introduction.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Explain what an "Opinion (agree/disagree)" essay requires in IELTS Task 2.
• Recognize how to state and support a clear position throughout the essay.
• Provide two or more main supporting reasons with specific examples.
• Understand the structure for introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Avoid discussing both views equally or being vague about your stance.
• Use suitable academic language and linking phrases for expressing opinions.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Opinion (agree/disagree) Essay
• Clear Position
• Relevant Example
• Supporting Reason