“advantages outweigh the disadvantages?” is a common IELTS essay question in writing task 2 which many people struggle with. Below is an sample essay question to practice this type of essay and also some tips to help you.
What is an IELTS Advantages Outweigh Disadvantages Essay?
Take a look at the two essays below:
Essay 1
In recent years, more and more people are choosing to read e-books rather than paper books.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
The essay question asks a direct question to you which is a question of choice. Whenever you are asked for choose something, you know it requires an opinion. This type of advantage disadvantage essay is very different to the normal advantage essay:
Essay 2
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.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?
As you see, Essay 2 only asks you to present the advantages and the disadvantages rather than choose between them. This is the most typical type of essay question and you can find tips about it on this page: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ESSAY.
So, Essay 1 is the advantages outweigh disadvantages essay type and it is different. Read below to learn tips for tackling it.
Tips for IELTS Outweigh Essay Questions
To answer this type of IELTS essay question you must:
- Brainstorm ideas supporting both sides first.
- This question is asking for your opinion so you will need to decide your opinion.
- do you think the advantages or the disadvantages are most important? Which one?
- Write your answer to the question in the thesis statement in your introduction stating your opinion clearly.
- you can use the word “outweigh” in your introduction if you want
- or you can simply explain if there are more advantages and less disadvantages or vice versa
- avoid formulaic statements for your thesis statement – this means don’t use a memorised phrase.
- don’t write “this essay will…” this isn’t how you write your own opinion. You must use words such as “In my opinion” or “I think”.
- Body paragraphs should cover both advantages and disadvantages whilst at the same time making it very clear which one is more important. This isn’t an advantages AND disadvantages essay – it is about presenting and arguing your opinion.
- Make sure your support points in the body paragraphs are 100% relevant and don’t stray off topic.
- Re-state your opinion in the conclusion using different language
Be Careful
- The “outweigh” essay question is not exactly the same as the Advantages and Disadvantages essay question. Don’t turn it into a discuss without any clear opinion or you will get a low score for Task Response.
MODEL ESSAY FOR IELTS ADVS OUTWEIGH DISADVS
In recent years, more and more people are choosing to read e-books rather than paper books.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
An increasing number of people are using e-books as a reading tool, such as a kindle, instead of traditional paper books. I believe there are significant benefits to using e-books over paper books with only a few minor drawbacks.
E-books have enormous advantages over the paper book mainly because of the vast number of books that an e-book device, namely a kindle, can contain. Kindles are able to contain thousands of books which you can categorise and organise on a device that is lighter than a tablet. For people who are travelling or those who want easy access to multiple books, these devices are perfect. Furthermore, e-books can be purchased with the click of a button giving instant access to the book without having to wait for delivery.
On the other hand, there is a downside to choosing an e-book over a paper book. The main issue is that it can be hard to find books on specialist subjects in electronic form. Many specialist and old books are only available as a paper book and can only be found in libraries. Another point to consider is that e-books are yet another device which people are glued to and that does have an impact on eye sight and health in general. It has long been known that people spend too much time on their devices and therefore reading a paper book might actually be preferable from time to time.
In conclusion, I think e-books have brought numerous gains to people’s lives through accessibility and convenience that truly benefit people’s lives, but there are disadvantages that should not be ignored.
Recommended for Writing Task 2
…………………………………………..
Advanced Lessons & E-books for IELTS Writing Task 2
Advanced Writing Lessons for Target band 7, 8 & 9
.
