IELTS Opinion Essay, Importance, Structure, Topics, Strategies

IELTS Opinion Essay: The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Opinion Essay, commonly known as the "agree or disagree" essay. The opinion essay is a vital component of the IELTS Writing Task 2 section. 

This task asks test-takers to clearly express their opinion on a specific statement or question, using well-developed arguments and relevant examples to support their view. Understanding how to effectively write this type of essay is essential for anyone aiming to achieve a high band score in the IELTS Writing test.

IELTS Writing task 1 vs. Writing task 2

IELTS Opinion Essay Topics

In the IELTS Writing Task 2, the Opinion Essay type often comes in the form of a question. Here are some important IELTS opinion essay topics with sample questions:

Education

• Should schools focus more on life skills than academic subjects?

• All students should be required to learn a foreign language.

• University education should be free for all students.

Technology

• Social media does more harm than good.

• Technology is making people less sociable.

• Online shopping will eventually replace physical stores.

Environment

• Only governments and large companies can make a real impact on environmental protection.

• Cars that run on fossil fuels should be banned.

• Individuals can do very little to reduce pollution.

Health

• Junk food should be taxed to reduce consumption.

• Public healthcare should be free for everyone.

• Physical activity should be a mandatory part of school education.

Work & Economy

• Job satisfaction is more important than salary.

• Working from home is more productive than working in an office.

• People should be encouraged to retire early to give jobs to younger people.

Government & Society

• The government should provide basic income to all citizens.

• Public transport should be free for everyone.

• Laws should be stricter to reduce crime in society.

Media & Culture

• Television and movies influence the way people behave.

• Famous people should not be role models for the youth.

• Cultural traditions are being lost because of globalization.

Science & Innovation

• Scientific research should be funded by the government.

• Space exploration is a waste of public money.

• Technological advances are making people’s lives easier.

Also Read:

• How to improve IELTS writing score
• IELTS Writing Mistakes

Step-by-Step IELTS Opinion Essay Structure

A strong structure helps the examiner follow your ideas and gives your essay clarity.

1. Introduction (40–50 words)

• Paraphrase the question

• State your opinion clearly

2. Body Paragraph 1 (80–100 words)

• Present your first main reason for your opinion

• Support it with an explanation and an example

3. Body Paragraph 2 (80–100 words)

• Present your second supporting point

• Add further examples or results

4. Optional Body Paragraph 3 (if needed)

• Mention the opposing view briefly

• Explain why you still hold your opinion

5. Conclusion (30–40 words)

• Summarize your points

• Restate your opinion clearly

Also Read:

• IELTS Pie Chart Task 1
• IELTS Map Vocabulary
• How to Write an IELTS Discussion Essay?
• IELTS Essay Topics

Tips to Score Higher in Opinion Essays

To excel in the IELTS Opinion Essay, it is crucial to follow these strategies:

• Stay on Topic. Stop adding unnecessary information.

• Use a range of vocabulary. Here are some examples. 

• Vary your sentence structures. Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences to show grammatical range.

• Use IELTS linking words.

• Stay within the word limit.

• Proofread your IELTS opinion essay.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

You should avoid the following common mistakes to improve your IELTS band score:

• Say exactly what you think in the introduction and conclusion.

• Discussing both sides equally.

• Use simple, real-life examples to support your points.

• Do not include too many ideas in one paragraph

• The word count should not be too low.

Guidance of PW IELTS

Physics Wallah offers multiple online IELTS courses for all students. Follow the IELTS pages to better prepare for the exam.