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IELTS-style writing: Task 2 opinion essay

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Independent practice in the style of IELTS Writing Task 2, not an official test: study a model opinion essay, practise linking words and paragraph structure, then write an essay of at least 250 words.

Linking words

Choose the word or phrase that best links the ideas.

Working from home saves commuting time. ___, it can reduce travel costs.
- a) However
- b) Furthermore
- c) Although
- d) Therefore
___ online meetings are convenient, they cannot fully replace face-to-face contact.
- a) Despite
- b) However
- c) Although
- d) Moreover
Many young people have never learnt to cook. ___, they often buy expensive ready-made meals.
- a) As a result
- b) In contrast
- c) For instance
- d) Nevertheless
Some skills are hard to practise online, ___ giving a presentation to a live audience.
- a) in addition
- b) as a result
- c) whereas
- d) such as
___ the extra cost, many schools have introduced cooking lessons.
- a) Despite
- b) Although
- c) Even though
- d) However
Admittedly, office space is expensive. ___, a shared workplace has benefits that are hard to measure.
- a) Moreover
- b) For example
- c) However
- d) Therefore
Some employees prefer the office, ___ others are more productive at home.
- a) despite
- b) whereas
- c) moreover
- d) therefore
___, for all the reasons given above, I believe that a combination of both approaches is the best solution.
- a) For instance
- b) In addition
- c) On the other hand
- d) In conclusion

Paragraph structure

Choose the best answer about organising an opinion essay.

Which sentence is the best thesis statement for an opinion essay about working from home?
- a) Working from home has advantages and disadvantages.
- b) Many people work from home nowadays.
- c) I disagree that working from home is better for everyone, because both employees and employers lose important benefits of the office.
- d) This essay will talk about working from home.
What should the introduction of an opinion essay contain?
- a) a paraphrase of the question and your opinion
- b) all of your reasons and examples
- c) only the opposite point of view
- d) a question for the reader to answer
Which is the best topic sentence for a body paragraph?
- a) For example, my cousin works at home.
- b) Also, there are many other things to say.
- c) In conclusion, offices are important.
- d) The main advantage of home working is that employees save both time and money.
Choose the most logical order for these sentences in a body paragraph. (a) For example, a student who budgets carefully can avoid borrowing money at university. (b) Managing money is a skill that benefits people throughout their lives. (c) People who understand budgeting can plan for large expenses and avoid debt.
- a) a, b, c
- b) c, a, b
- c) b, c, a
- d) a, c, b
What should the conclusion of an opinion essay do?
- a) introduce a new argument
- b) restate your opinion and the main reasons
- c) give a long new example
- d) change your opinion to show balance
Why does the sample essay include a paragraph that begins with Admittedly?
- a) to change the writer's opinion
- b) to give the conclusion early
- c) to introduce an example
- d) to show that the writer has considered the opposite view and can answer it
Where should your opinion appear in an opinion essay?
- a) only in the conclusion
- b) in the introduction, and it should stay the same throughout
- c) in a different form in each paragraph
- d) nowhere: it is better to stay neutral

Writing task

Some people believe that working from home is better for both employees and employers than working in an office. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

250–320 words

Check your writing

I answered the question, and my opinion is clear in the introduction and the conclusion.
Each body paragraph has one main idea, introduced by a clear topic sentence.
I supported my ideas with reasons and at least one example.
I used linking words accurately, such as However, Moreover and For example, without overusing them.
I used a range of vocabulary and avoided repeating the words of the question.
I used a mix of simple and complex sentences and checked my grammar and spelling.
I wrote at least 250 words.

Answer key

Linking words

b) FurthermoreThe second sentence adds another advantage, so we need an adding word: Furthermore.
c) AlthoughAlthough is followed by a clause (subject + verb) and introduces a contrast within one sentence.
a) As a resultBuying ready-made meals is a result of not knowing how to cook.
d) such asSuch as introduces an example directly after a noun phrase without starting a new sentence.
a) DespiteDespite is followed by a noun phrase (the extra cost). Although and even though need a full clause.
c) HoweverAfter conceding a point with Admittedly, However introduces the writer's counter-argument.
b) whereasWhereas joins two contrasting clauses in one sentence.
d) In conclusionIn conclusion introduces the final summary of the writer's opinion.

Paragraph structure

c) I disagree that working from home is better for everyone, because both employees and employers lose important benefits of the office.A thesis statement gives a clear opinion and a short reason. The other options do not state the writer's position.
a) a paraphrase of the question and your opinionThe introduction rewrites the question in your own words and states your position. Details come in the body paragraphs.
d) The main advantage of home working is that employees save both time and money.A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph clearly. The others are an example, a vague statement and a conclusion.
c) b, c, aStart with the topic sentence (b), explain it (c), then support it with an example (a).
b) restate your opinion and the main reasonsThe conclusion sums up your position and main reasons. It should not add new ideas or change your view.
d) to show that the writer has considered the opposite view and can answer itA concession paragraph accepts a point from the other side and then answers it, which makes the argument stronger.
b) in the introduction, and it should stay the same throughoutState your position in the introduction and keep it consistent until the conclusion.

Model answer

Since reliable internet connections became common, many people have started to work from home for at least part of the week. While I accept that home working brings real benefits, I disagree that it is better for everyone. In my view, a combination of home and office work is usually the most effective arrangement.

It is true that working from home has clear advantages for employees. Without a daily journey, workers save time and money and often have more energy for their families and hobbies. Many people also find it easier to concentrate on demanding tasks in a quiet room than in a busy open-plan office. Employers can benefit too, since they may need smaller premises and can recruit talented staff who live far away.

However, these benefits come with significant costs. New employees in particular learn a great deal by watching experienced colleagues and asking quick questions, and this is much harder over video calls. Moreover, people who work alone for long periods can feel isolated, and the boundary between work and home life may disappear, so that some end up working longer hours rather than shorter ones. For employers, creative ideas often emerge from informal conversations, which happen less often when teams rarely meet.

For these reasons, I believe a flexible approach is best. For example, a team might spend two or three days a week in the office for meetings, training and planning, and the rest at home for focused individual work.

In conclusion, although working from home offers convenience and flexibility, I do not agree that it is better in every respect. Combining both settings allows employees and employers to enjoy the advantages of each while limiting the drawbacks.