IELTS Writing: IELTS Writing Task 2 – Discussion Essays Practice Questions
Test yourself on IELTS Writing Task 2 – Discussion Essays with 13 original IELTS practice questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback and a full explanation.
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1. A discussion essay prompt reads: 'Some people think university education should be free for all students, while others believe students should pay tuition fees. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.' Which approach best satisfies the task requirements?
Explanation. A 'discuss both views and give your opinion' prompt requires you to address both perspectives AND state a clear personal opinion. Arguing only one side (option A) fails to discuss both views; options C and D do not respond to the question asked, so they would be penalised under Task Response.
2. In a discussion essay that asks you to 'give your own opinion,' where should your opinion ideally appear to maximise the Task Response score?
Explanation. For a strong Task Response, your position should be clear from the introduction and consistently developed and restated in the conclusion. Hiding it (option B) or revealing it only at the end (option A) leaves your stance unclear for much of the essay, reducing the clarity examiners reward.
3. Which sentence is the most effective thesis statement for a discussion essay asking whether children should start school at a younger or older age?
Explanation. A good thesis previews that both views will be discussed AND states a clear opinion. Option C does both. Options A and B are vague 'announcements' that state no position, and option D is irrelevant general filler.
4. What is the recommended minimum word count for IELTS Writing Task 2, and what happens if you write fewer words?
Explanation. Task 2 requires a minimum of 250 words. Writing fewer typically means underdeveloped ideas, which is penalised under Task Response. (Task 1 is the one with a 150-word minimum, which is why option A is a common confusion.)
5. A candidate writes: 'Some people say homework helps learning. On the other hand, some people say homework is bad. In conclusion homework is okay.' Which band-descriptor weakness is most evident?
Explanation. The response merely states views without explaining, exemplifying, or developing them. Under-developed ideas with no support is a hallmark of a lower Task Response score. The vocabulary and grammar are also simple, so options A, C, and D are inaccurate.
6. Which of the following is the best linking phrase to introduce the second body paragraph presenting the opposing view in a discussion essay?
Explanation. 'On the other hand' clearly signals a contrasting/second viewpoint, which suits the opposing-view paragraph. 'Firstly' suits the first point, 'In conclusion' belongs in the conclusion, and 'For example' introduces an example, not a new contrasting view.
7. Which essay structure is most appropriate for a 'Discuss both views and give your opinion' question?
Explanation. The strongest structure makes your opinion clear in the introduction, devotes a balanced body paragraph to each view, and restates your opinion in the conclusion. Option B delays the opinion, weakening clarity; option A lacks paragraphing; option D ignores the discussion requirement.
8. A student repeatedly writes 'people think' and 'people say' throughout the essay. What is the best way to improve lexical resource here?
Explanation. Varying the way you attribute opinions ('advocates argue', 'critics contend', 'proponents maintain') demonstrates lexical range, which is rewarded. Repetition (A) limits the score; deleting opinion references (C) removes content; using only 'I think' (D) is both repetitive and inappropriate for presenting others' views.
9. Which assessment criterion is MOST directly affected if a candidate misreads the prompt and only discusses one side of a 'discuss both views' question?
Explanation. Failing to address both views directly violates the task instructions, lowering the Task Response/Achievement score. The other written criteria (Lexical Resource and Grammar) measure language quality regardless of content. Pronunciation (D) is a Speaking criterion, not Writing.
10. What is the recommended time allocation for Task 2 within the 60-minute IELTS Writing module?
Explanation. Task 2 carries more weight than Task 1 and should receive roughly 40 minutes, leaving about 20 minutes for Task 1. Spending too little time (options A or D) usually leads to underdevelopment; option C leaves no time for Task 1.
11. Which conclusion best fits a discussion essay where the writer favours remote work over office work?
Explanation. A strong conclusion briefly acknowledges both sides while clearly restating the writer's opinion. Option C does this concisely. Options A and B are vague and state no opinion; option D adds no content and signals a weak Task Response.
12. A candidate's essay is well-argued but uses almost no paragraph breaks, presenting everything as one block. Which criterion suffers most?
Explanation. Logical paragraphing (clear introduction, body, conclusion) is part of Coherence and Cohesion. A single undivided block harms the organisation score even if ideas are good. Task Response, Lexical Resource and spelling are assessed separately, so they are less directly affected.
13. Which statement about expressing opinions in a discussion essay is most accurate for achieving Band 7+?
Explanation. For 'give your opinion' tasks, a clear and consistent personal position is essential, and first-person phrases like 'I believe' or 'In my opinion' are perfectly acceptable in Task 2. Changing your opinion mid-essay (C) creates an unclear position, while options A and D misunderstand the task requirement.
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FAQ
How is a discussion essay different from an opinion (agree/disagree) essay?
A discussion essay asks you to present BOTH points of view (often with the phrase 'discuss both views') and usually also state your own opinion. An opinion essay (agree/disagree, to what extent) asks mainly for your personal stance with supporting reasons. The key is to read the prompt carefully: if it says 'discuss both views and give your own opinion,' you must cover both sides AND make your position clear.
Do I have to give my own opinion in every discussion essay?
Only if the prompt explicitly asks for it. The common wording 'Discuss both views and give your own opinion' clearly requires an opinion, so you must state one and maintain it throughout. If a rare prompt only says 'Discuss both views' with no opinion request, you can present both sides neutrally—but most IELTS discussion prompts do ask for your opinion, so include it to be safe.
How do I structure a discussion essay to score well on Coherence and Cohesion?
Use a four-paragraph structure: an introduction that paraphrases the prompt and states your opinion; one body paragraph for the first view with explanation and an example; one body paragraph for the opposing view, also developed; and a conclusion that restates your opinion. Use a variety of linking words (However, On the other hand, Furthermore, In conclusion) appropriately rather than overusing the same ones, and keep one main idea per paragraph.