IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion Essays - Education

IELTS Master Class

IELTS Writing Task 2:Discussion Essays -

Education

Outline:- Understanding the question- Planning your answer

- Common mistakes- Q&A

1

Aims

● Understand a discussion question

● Plan your essay using a simple structure

● Paraphrase effectively

● Use linking expressions to develop your argument

● Avoid common mistakes

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

2

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Brainstorm ideas!

Understanding the

question

Studying abroad is thought by many students to be the best way to get a good education. On the other hand, On the other hand, some students believe that studying in another country has many drawbacks.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Studying abroad is the

best option, because 01

Studying abroad is not the


Opinion03

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Understanding the

question

Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Understanding the

question



Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Understanding the

question



Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Understanding the

question



Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Understanding the

question



Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Understanding the

question



Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Understanding the

question



Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Understanding the

question



Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question



Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question



University education is

more important, because 01

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question




more important, because 01

Experience & soft skills are

more important, because02

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question






more important, because 01Main point

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question






more important, because 01a university education is essential for some professionsMain point

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question






more important, because 01a university education is essential for some professions

Reason

Main point

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question







requires specialist knowledge and trainingReason

Main point

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question







requires specialist knowledge and trainingReason

Main point

Example

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question







requires specialist knowledge and training

doctors, engineers, etc.

Reason

Main point

Example

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question









Reason

Main point

Example

Main point

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question




more important, because02for some careers, practical experience is more important





Reason

Main point

Example

Main point

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question









Reason

Main point

Example

Reason

Main point

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question





some skills can only be learned through direct experience





Reason

Main point

Example

Reason

Main point

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question










Reason

Main point

Example

Reason

Main point

Example

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question






entrepreneur, chef, etc.





Reason

Main point

Example

Reason

Main point

Example

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question











Reason

Main point

Example

Reason

Main point

Example

Opinion03

Read the question

Identify each part

Underline key

words

Decide on your

overall response

Understanding the

question











Reason

Main point

Example

Reason

Main point

Example

Opinion03 It depends on the job a person wants to do.

A simple structure

29

Planning your

answer

A simple structure

30

Planning your

answer

Introduction

A simple structure

31

Planning your

answer

Introduction__________ question

A simple structure

32

Planning your

answer

IntroductionParaphrase question

A simple structure

33

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

A simple structure

34

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

A simple structure

35

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

_____ sentence

A simple structure

36

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

Topic sentence

A simple structure

37

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

Topic sentence

Explain

A simple structure

38

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

Topic sentence

Explain

Give ________

A simple structure

39

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

Topic sentence

Explain

Give example

A simple structure

40

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

Topic sentence

Explain

Give example

Conclusion

A simple structure

41

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

Topic sentence

Explain

Give example

Conclusion__________ both viewpoints

A simple structure

42

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

Topic sentence

Explain

Give example

ConclusionSummarise both viewpoints

A simple structure

43

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

Topic sentence

Explain

Give example


Give ________

A simple structure

44

Planning your

answer


Thesis statement

Body A + B

Topic sentence

Explain

Give example


Give opinion

Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

45

Introduction Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important.


Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

46

Introduction Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important.


Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

47

Introduction

It is often ______ that



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

48

Introduction

It is often argued that



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

49

Introduction

It is often argued that __________ from university



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

50

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

51

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

52

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding ______,



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

53

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career,



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

54

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career,



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

55

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others _______ that



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

56

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

57

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

58

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that _________ experience



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

59

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-worldexperience

Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that gettingexperience and developing soft skills is more important.


Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

60

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

61

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-worldexperience and the ____________ of practical skills



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

62

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skills



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

63

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skills



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

64

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skills are more ________.



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

65

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skills are more valuable.



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

66

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skills are more valuable.



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

67

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-worldexperience and the development of practical skills are more valuable. In my opinion, I believe that



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

68

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skills are more valuable. In my opinion, I believe that both of these _______ can help a person to find a great job,



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

69

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skills are more valuable. In my opinion, I believe that both of these options can help a person to find a great job,



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

70

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-worldexperience and the development of practical skills are more valuable. In my opinion, I believe that both of these options can help a person to find a great job, and that the _______ choice depends on



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

71

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skills are more valuable. In my opinion, I believe that both of these options can help a person to find a great job, and that the optimal choice depends on



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

72

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-worldexperience and the development of practical skills are more valuable. In my opinion, I believe that both of these options can help a person to find a great job, and that the optimal choice depends on the _______ career a person is interested in.



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

73

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skills are more valuable. In my opinion, I believe that both of these options can help a person to find a great job, and that the optimal choice depends on the specific career a person is interested in.



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

- Linking words

74

Introduction

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewarding career, while others suggest that real-worldexperience and the development of practical skills are more valuable. In my opinion, I believe that both of these options can help a person to find a great job, and that the optimal choice depends on the specific career a person is interested in.



Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

- Linking words

75

Introduction




Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

- Linking words

76

Introduction




Paraphrase lead-

in:

- Voice

- Synonym

- Word form

Thesis statement

- Linking words

77

Introduction




78

Body paragraph AUniversity education is




Reason

Main point

Example

Main point

79





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

First of all, it is ______ recognized that

80





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

First of all, it is widely recognized that

81





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

First of all, it is widely recognized that obtaining a relevant university

degree is ________

82





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point


degree is essential

83





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point


degree is essential in order to ______ a career in certain professions.

84





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point


degree is essential in order to pursue a career in certain professions.

85





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason


degree is essential in order to pursue a career in certain professions.

86





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason


degree is essential in order to pursue a career in certain professions. This

is because

87





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason



is because some _____ of employment require highly specialist

knowledge and training,

88





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason



is because some fields of employment require highly specialist

knowledge and training,

89





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason




knowledge and training, ______ can only be gained through years of

________ study.

90





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason




knowledge and training, which can only be gained through years of

________ study.

91





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason





intensive study.

92





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example First of all, it is widely recognized that obtaining a relevant university




intensive study.

93





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason





intensive study. For example,

94





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason





intensive study. For example, if a person would like to become a highly-

paid ______,

95





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






paid doctor,

96





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






paid doctor, ________, or _______,

97





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






paid doctor, engineer, or lawyer,

98





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






paid doctor, engineer, or lawyer, they have no __________ but to complete

a course

99





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






paid doctor, engineer, or lawyer, they have no alternative but to complete a

course

100





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason







course of ______ education.

101





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason







course of higher education.

102





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example

Notice linking expressions








103





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









104





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









105





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









106





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









107





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









108





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar








109





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammarv-ing after ‘that’ clause








110





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammarv-ing after ‘that’ clauserelative clause with ‘which’








111





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammarv-ing after ‘that’ clauserelative clause with ‘which’conditional sentence (if..)








112





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








113





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary

First of all, it is widely recognized that obtaining a relevant university degree

is essential in order to pursue a career in certain professions. This is

because some fields of employment require highly specialist





114





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








115





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








116





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








117





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








118





Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








119





Reason

Example

Main point

120

Body paragraph BExperience & soft skills are




Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

121



some skills can only be learned through direct

experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

On the other hand,

122




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

On the other hand, it is ____ that

123




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

On the other hand, it is clear that

124




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

On the other hand, it is clear that practical skills and experience are more

_________ for other, equally respectable, career _____.

125




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point


beneficial for other, equally respectable, career _____.

126




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point


beneficial for other, equally respectable, career paths.

127




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason


beneficial for other, equally respectable, career paths.

128




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason


beneficial for other, equally respectable, career paths. A key reason for

this is that

129




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason



this is that there are some skills that can only be ________ through real-

world experience

130




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason



this is that there are some skills that can only be acquired through real-

world experience

131




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason




world experience at ‘the university of

132




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason




world experience at ‘the university of ___’.

133




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason




world experience at ‘the university of life’.

134




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example On the other hand, it is clear that practical skills and experience are more



world experience at ‘the university of life’.

135




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason




world experience at ‘the university of life’. For instance,

136




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason




world experience at ‘the university of life’. For instance, there are many

_______ entrepreneurs

137




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason





wealthy entrepreneurs

138




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason





wealthy entrepreneurs and ______________ chefs

139




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason





wealthy entrepreneurs and award-winning chefs

140




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason





wealthy entrepreneurs and award-winning chefs ___ never attended

university,

141




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason





wealthy entrepreneurs and award-winning chefs who never attended

university,

142




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






university, ___ achieved great success

143




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






university, yet achieved great success

144




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






university, yet achieved great success in their chosen ____

145




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






university, yet achieved great success in their chosen field

146




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






university, yet achieved great success in their chosen field ______ the

practical experience they gained over many years of hard work.

147




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason






university, yet achieved great success in their chosen field due to the


148




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









149




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









150




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example



beneficial for other, equally respectable, career paths. A key reason for this

is that there are some skills that can only be acquired through real-world

experience at ‘the university of life’. For instance, there are many wealthy

entrepreneurs and award-winning chefs who never attended university,

yet achieved great success in their chosen field due to the practical

experience they gained over many years of hard work.

151




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









152




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









153




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example









154




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar








155




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammarS + V following ‘that’ clause








156




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammarS + V following ‘that’ clausePresent, past simple for factual situation








157




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammarS + V following ‘that’ clausePresent, past simple for factual situation








158




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammarS + V following ‘that’ clausePresent, past simple for factual situationRelative clause with ‘who’





entrepreneurs and award-winning chefs who never attended university, yet

achieved great success in their chosen field due to the practical


159




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammarS + V following ‘that’ clausePresent, past simple for factual situationRelative clause with ‘who’








160




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








161




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








162




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








163




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








164




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








165




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








166




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

Main point

Reason

Example


Notice grammar

Notice vocabulary








167




experience


Reason

Example

Main point

168

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

169

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

In conclusion,

170

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

In conclusion, I believe that

171

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

In conclusion, I believe that ____ higher education and practical experience

172

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

In conclusion, I believe that both higher education and practical experience

173

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points


can be important ____ to successful employment.

174

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points


can be important keys to successful employment.

175

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

Give opinion


can be important keys to successful employment.

176

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

Give opinion


can be important keys to successful employment. The choice of which one

to follow will _______ entirely on the individual

177

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

Give opinion



to follow will depend entirely on the individual

178

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

Give opinion



to follow will depend entirely on the individual and their career _____.

179

Conclusion

Summarize both

views + main

points

Give opinion



to follow will depend entirely on the individual and their career goals.

180

Conclusion

Don’t start writing right

away - make a plan!

Don’t count your words

Practice with official

IELTS answer paper

Spend 3 mins to check

your grammar & spelling

Practice with a range of

question types & topics

It is often argued that graduating from university offers the best chance of finding a rewardingcareer, while others suggest that real-world experience and the development of practical skillsare more valuable. In my opinion, I believe that both of these options can help a person to find agreat job, and that the optimal choice depends on the specific career a person is interested in.

First of all, it is widely recognized that obtaining a relevant university degree is essential in orderto pursue a career in certain professions. This is because some fields of employment requirehighly specialist knowledge and training, which can only be gained through years of intensivestudy. For example, if a person would like to become a highly-paid doctor, engineer, or lawyer,they have no alternative but to complete a course of higher education.

On the other hand, it is clear that practical skills and experience are more beneficial for other,equally respectable, career paths. A key reason for this is that there are some skills that can onlybe acquired through real-world experience at ‘the university of life’. For instance, there are manywealthy entrepreneurs and award-winning chefs who never attended university, yet achievedgreat success in their chosen field due to the practical experience they gained over many years ofhard work.

In conclusion, I believe that both higher education and practical experience can be important keysto successful employment. The choice of which one to follow will depend entirely on theindividual and their career goals.

(255 words, Band 9)181

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Homework Task Studying abroad is thought by many students to be the best way to get a good education. On the other hand, some students believe that studying in another country has many drawbacks.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Studying abroad is the


Studying abroad is not the

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion Essays - Education