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IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Write an Introduction Part 1 – The Basics and Opinion Questions

In this IELTS Writing Task 2 series, I look at how to write an IELTS Writing task 2 introduction. This first part focuses on the basics of writing an introduction and gives some model answers for opinion questions.

This is the first part. To view the next parts, click for part 2 (discussion questions) and part 3 (two-part and problem-solving questions).

What are the goals of an introduction?

To…

  1. introduce the topic of the task to the reader (Task Response)
  2. give your answer to the question (Task Response)
  3. explain the structure of your essay to the reader (Coherence & Cohesion)

How to write an IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction: The Two Parts

  1. The Topic Introduction
    • introduce the topic (Task Response) of the task to the reader
  2. The General Answer and Plan
    • give your answer (Task Response) to the question
    • explain the structure (Coherence & Cohesion) of your essay to the reader

The 2 Sentences You Need for an Introduction

  • Topic Introduction –Paraphrase the topic. Do this by “restating the question in your own words”.
  • General Answer & Plan – Give a general answer to the question (e.g. your opinion) and whenever possible, write your ideas in the same order as your body paragraphs will be (Body A & Body B).

Model Answers for Opinion Questions

As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

While the primary purpose of a business is most often to earn money, some people believe that businesses also have social obligations (1). I strongly agree with the idea that businesses have responsibilities to society, especially in terms of their environmental policies (Body A) and providing good working conditions (Body B) (2). 48 words


Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement

To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste?

Although recycling has become more common in recent years, there are people who feel that the percentage of home waste that is recycled is still not high enough and that the only way to encourage people to recycle more is through stricter laws (1). While I agree that new laws can help encourage recycling, I believe that other methods are also possible (2). 61 words

Opinion Questions for Extra Practice

Only reading about how to write IELTS writing task 2 introductions is not enough. You need to practice! Here are some opinion questions to practice with. Keep working hard!

1. Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

2. In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

3. Some people think that the only purpose of working hard is to earn money. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rizwan

    May 15, 2017 at 9:37 pm

    Great Work

    Reply
  2. Sabir

    May 17, 2017 at 8:41 am

    Thanks alot very intersted topic and i am realy get benfits from it.

    Reply
  3. Sainkhuu Tsedendamba

    May 21, 2017 at 6:45 am

    Very helpful lesson.
    Goal: introduce the topic, answer question and give structure

    Reply
  4. Tamara

    June 22, 2017 at 6:42 am

    Transportation facilities is one of the most important tasks of the government,some people believe that government must pay more attention for railways rather than roads.In my opinion both kinds of transportations are important for any country,but roads are of a greater importance than railways for many reasons .

    Reply
    • Hulya

      July 11, 2017 at 8:14 pm

      Although transport has become more common issues in recent years. Some people believe that authorities spend more money on the railways than roads. I agree that railway transportion are important But I believe that other types of transport are essential just as essential.

      Reply
  5. Shalini

    August 9, 2017 at 2:17 am

    1) Although administration has to take care of renovation of roads to ensure better facilities and connectivity, there are people who feel that government should pay more attention to betterment of railways.
    While I agree that improvement in railway services are required to provide enhanced amenities and technical advantages, I believe that improving roads condition is more important for general public.

    2) Although nuclear families are becoming more common in few nations, people used to prefer living in joint families in older days.
    While I agree that most of the population has to prefer living far away from there families due to their job or education requirements, I feel this as a negative aspect which is restricting us to get full advantage of living with parents and relatives who play an important role in our physical, mental and emotional growth.

    3) Although working efficiently is more common these days, there are people who feel that making money is the only goal of productive working style.
    While I agree that getting nicely paid for our hard efforts is motivational, I believe that there are few more key reasons behind our potential.

    Reply
    • sagar

      November 5, 2017 at 4:49 pm

      Shalini Good to hear from you …

      Reply
    • Mehak

      September 21, 2018 at 3:01 am

      Thanks alot shalini.. Nyc to listen u..

      Reply
  6. Moustafa

    September 7, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    alot of people think that one of the great factor to earn money is working. Although, that I agree with this ,but I believe that there are many possible ways to earn money.

    Reply
  7. Rashid Iqbal

    September 9, 2017 at 3:21 am

    Nowadays, governments are allocating more resources in annual budget for transport system development. While spending money on railway system development, I believe that authorities need to consider road network development.

    Reply
  8. Rashid Iqbal

    September 9, 2017 at 3:23 am

    I just join your you-tube channel and it is quite impressive and I again get a beacon of hope to achieve the Band 7 in writing.

    Reply
  9. Rashid Iqbal

    September 9, 2017 at 3:37 am

    In developing countries, mostly people prefer to live alone.This living choice has its on benefits and drawbacks. In this essay, while living alone is good in certain situation, I believe that combine living have its own advantages.

    Reply
  10. Rashid Iqbal

    September 9, 2017 at 3:44 am

    In this fast growing world, everyone have to work to live. Different people have different approaches at job place. While, some people are working by heart to get more money, others working to get experience. I strongly agree that most of the people are working hard to earn more money.
    ===============
    Admin can you please advise me on all my three introductions.

    Reply
  11. Muhammad

    September 15, 2017 at 5:30 am

    Although public transport system has become the burning issue in recent years, there are people who feel that government should consider to allocate more budget on railroad than highway. While I agree that railway Infrastructure is essential for faster way to transport people, I believe roads are convenient way of public transport.

    Reply
    • Sumitra

      January 20, 2018 at 12:34 am

      In all these three answers, I have balanced opinions. Is that okay to give opinions from both sides in opinion questions.

      Reply
  12. Paulino pitia

    November 15, 2017 at 6:40 pm

    It is really great thank a lot

    Reply
  13. Qiao

    January 13, 2018 at 3:04 am

    Although some people work is aim to earn income, I believe that other purpose of these as crucial.

    Reply
  14. Sumitra

    January 20, 2018 at 12:40 am

    In the present context, railways should be put under first priority by the government rather than roads. While I agree that railways are essential, I believe that roadways should be constructed.

    Reply
  15. Sumitra

    January 20, 2018 at 12:47 am

    3) There are people who feel that making money is the only objective of hard work. I strongly disagree with the idea because hard work is equally important to achieve other goals, especially in terms of personal satisfaction and career.

    Reply
  16. christine

    March 1, 2018 at 3:27 am

    It is often argued that if government should give its budgets on railway instead of roads. In my opinion it’s better to spend money on both sides.

    Reply
  17. christine

    March 1, 2018 at 3:40 am

    Currently, in some countries, more and more people prefer to live alone rather than living with family. I strongly believe that living alone would cause some bad effects on the terms of family relationships and mental health issues.

    Reply
  18. Mohamed Zetun .

    April 28, 2018 at 3:57 pm

    Thanks .. I really appreciate this free effort for helping us .

    Reply
  19. Yun Chanborey

    July 27, 2018 at 5:38 am

    There are many kinds of transportation to develop, while most people think that administrations should invest in railway rather than road. In my opinion, I disagree with the statement relying on developing road spends less money and more flexibility.

    Reply
  20. Sreehari

    September 7, 2018 at 1:21 am

    There is no country in this world which is untouched by the phenomenon of transportation facilities. Recent studies vouch that this trend is only likely to accentuate in the coming decades, considering the ground realities of the modern world. Increasingly laid out for all to see and fast becoming a fixture to many discussions is an issue that pertains to whether government should consider transportation advancement in railway or roads. This essay shall analyse this issue from every angle and argue that government should promote railway since it is the fastest and traffic snarls free mode of transportation in everywhere.

    Reply
  21. Aman

    October 23, 2018 at 5:37 am

    Although administration is investing a lot of cash for the upgradation of transport facilities. There are few people who still think that money is not being utilized in a right way such as railways section should be more emphesized. I agree that metro or rail track development is a need of society. However, other modes of transportaion could not be ignored.

    Reply
  22. Latif Mekki

    November 10, 2018 at 4:41 am

    Living alone may happen anywhere and the reasons to do it are numerous but if there are no valuable reasons,living within once family is very positive and has huge good effects on one’s life.Living in groups or families is so beneficial: One enjoys life better,interactions and shadings strengthen living and a person in close connections with others develop at all levels ,on the affective one he gains a lot of harmony,selfishness and ego diminish with him .

    Reply
  23. Suresh

    January 12, 2019 at 10:51 pm

    I think govt should provide more money on the development of roads because of the heavy traffic growth.

    Reply
  24. Suresh

    January 12, 2019 at 10:54 pm

    Living alone can not be a positive sign for any society in the long run as that will create a gap in the development o relationship.

    Reply
  25. Suresh

    January 12, 2019 at 10:56 pm

    Living alone can not be a positive sign for any society in the long run as that will create a gap in the development o relationship.Morever, it would lead to social problems .

    Reply
  26. Maria D

    August 14, 2019 at 2:54 am

    Hi Master Lee, thanks for the great videos
    I saw a discussion question as follows “some people think money is important for happiness. How important is money for happiness?”
    This is a single sided opinion question (not 2 contrasting views to discuss). How would you recommend to write the Introduction?

    Reply
    • Lee

      August 14, 2019 at 12:05 pm

      Good question. First you would re-formulate the question. Then, give a general answer e.g. “I believe that money is an integral part of happiness and will explain why below.”

      Reply
  27. Dipak

    August 17, 2019 at 10:39 pm

    1. Some people think that money allocation of budget on railways is essential for authority without spending on roadways. While I agree that it is important to utilize money on railways development, I also believe that it is also necessary for roadways network. 2. In many countries, before living with nuclear family, people were fond of staying with extended family but at present people tends to live single. In my opinion, it is not a positive growth for a country which effects on socialism and one’s mental growth. 3. It is considered by some people that the only target of industrious job is to make money. While I disagree with this view . I believe fitness and mental happiness are other reasons. N.B: Please comment on my writings.

    Reply
    • Olubussy

      October 3, 2019 at 10:51 pm

      Nowadays, some people believe that earning an income is the ultimate goal of working hard. In as much as money can be satisfying, however,there are other beneficial reasons associated with hardwork.

      Reply
  28. Josephine

    August 19, 2021 at 2:42 am

    Question 1.
    Nowadays the way many people interact with others has change because of technology .To what extent do u agree or disagree.
    Answer
    There is no doubt ,that Soo many things have changed in this few decades because of technology. Some of the changes are for it betterment
    while others are worse. While l strongly agree to the fact that technology has done a lot of good to us,l believe it has other form of negative impact on our lives.

    Reply

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