Ex-examiner shares how to score higher on Advantage-Disadvantage Essays

In this tutorial, ex-examiner Robert shares how to score higher on advantage-disadvantage essays in IELTS.

We look at:

• 6 tips to score high in advantage-disadvantage IELTS essays
• Sample advantage-disadvantage IELTS question
• A step-by-step guide to answering a sample advantage-disadvantage IELTS question

IELTS task 2 essays come in different forms. There are the “to what extent to do agree?” and “discuss both points of view and give your own opinion” question types.

Today, we are looking at the “advantages versus disadvantages” essay where you are given a statement and then asked to put forward the good and bad points.

This can be worded in two ways. Here’s an example:

Nowadays a lot of offices employ open-space designs instead of separate rooms for workers. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

A more common way to present the task is by asking the question like this:

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

How to score high in advantage-disadvantage IELTS essays

Have a clear idea of what you are being asked to do

What are the differences between these two questions?

One asks you to describe, list and describe the pros and cons. The other with “outweigh” is slightly different as it is asking you to make a judgement, and take a position.

Are there more advantages than disadvantages? 

Learn different words  to express advantages and disadvantages

Let’s just say that repeating the words “advantage” and “disadvantage” a few times, even adding some idea of importance ….the main advantage … or order ….a second advantage or another advantage is not good enough.

It’s a start but you need to know and use when appropriate, positive and negative phrases such as:

• Positive: benefits …one benefit     
•  one of the main benefits is    
• one of the main benefits of ……is ….

We could also use the word “positives” in place of “benefits”

• Negative: drawback / drawbacks
• “negatives”
• Upside: on the upside 
• Downside: on the downside
• Pros and cons

Organize your thoughts before you start writing

It is very important that you organise your thoughts before starting writing, Brainstorm your ideas. Make lists of pros and cons.

Then in the planning stage, put them in some significant order, starting with the most important, and then adding other points. 

Remember that a high band score will contain ideas that are fully extended and well supported, in other words, you need to justify and back up your ideas with relevant examples. 

Give examples to support your points

Yes, examples are important. Make sure they are connected logically to your main points. 

Connect your ideas

Use cohesive devices effectively to connect your ideas. You need to use words that express contrast (on the other hand, although, however) and others which link cause and consequence (because, therefore).

Keep to the classic 4 paragraph format

Don’t overcomplicate your answer. Use the classic 4 paragraph structure 

A step-by-step guide to answering advantage-disadvantage IELTS questions

Read the question below:

Nowadays a lot of offices employ open-space designs instead of separate rooms for workers. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Brainstorm

So, I looked at the topic question and tried a little brainstorming.

Pros and cons of open plan office space with, at the back of my mind, the same as regards, closed offices to provide some interesting contrast. 

Here’s what I came up with.  I thought it would be interesting to limit myself to around 3 minutes for this, just as it might be in the test with, say 3 minutes to brainstorm and another 2 or 3 to organise the essay. 

Advantages: 

1. Creates better working atmosphere: more interaction, teamwork, creativity
2. Non-hierarchical: no apparent seniority 
3. Cheaper for the company, cost-effective
4. Flexible space can be custom built
5. Health: employees are happier: Not sitting all the time
6. The company saves on the sickness rate 
7. More light in the office, natural light

Disadvantages:

1. Noisy, distracting. Phone calls might be difficult
2. Lack of privacy (phone?), hard to concentrate….but “breakout” rooms 
3. This can lead to anxiety/stress
4. Avoid noise with headphones but that isolates people
5. Health risk: viruses spread quickly
6. Leadership? Who is in charge?

Connect your ideas

There is, for example, the positive aspect of better communication which we can contrast with the downside of distractions and loss of privacy and high levels of stress and the headphone solution adopted by many office staff as seen in Disadvantages point 2.

That would be a good example to show how a possible negative aspect could be tackled and made into a positive one. 

Make your position as clear as possible

Remember that it is better in your IELTS Task 2 essay to make your position as clear as possible, better still if you can do it early on, in the first paragraph, then justify that through examples. 

Plan your essay

Remember here, I’m thinking on my feet. I won’t have time to include everything in 40 minutes, so it’s better to make a few strong points with good examples rather than try and cover every single thing. 

So, that’s my decision. Four paragraphs:

1. Introduction …a good paraphrase of the essay task. I take my position. Yes, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, 
2. Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of open-plan offices in terms of getting work done and cooperating in teams. 
3. Add more pros and cons with regard to company savings on health and other costs. 
4. Concluding remarks

So, why don’t you try it yourself? Plan and write your essay and then send it in to be checked by our online essay checker. The results could be interesting.

Join many other students who have achieved IELTS success with our online IELTS course.

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