Navigating IELTS Essays: Discussing Advantages and Disadvantages

In IELTS essays that ask you to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of a given topic, here are some essential tips to help you structure your response effectively and achieve a high score.

Introduction

The introduction is where you provide a brief overview of the topic and inform your reader that you will explore both sides of the argument. For instance, if you are writing about the benefits and drawbacks of students taking a gap year, your introduction might start with something like:

The decision for young people to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies is a complex one. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such a choice, offering insights into the potential benefits and challenges.

Body Paragraphs

Advantages

Dedicate one or two paragraphs to discussing the benefits of the topic. Provide concrete examples and evidence to support your points. For example, in the case of a gap year, you might state:

The primary advantages of taking a gap year include gaining practical experience and saving money. Students who work or travel for a year can learn firsthand about the world outside the classroom. Additionally, they can earn money without the burden of student loans, which can be a significant financial stress point. According to The Times, the average student at a UK university requires over 12,000 pounds per annum to survive, and many drop out due to financial constraints.

Disadvantages

Follow with one or two paragraphs discussing the drawbacks, again supporting your points with examples. Continuing with the gap year example, you could write:

However, a gap year can also be disadvantageous, particularly in terms of career advancement. Students might lose a year of career development, and they may become less motivated to return to formal education. Job markets are competitive, and an extra year of relevant experience can significantly impact job applications. Moreover, some students might choose to skip university altogether and enter the workforce prematurely, which may not offer the same long-term career opportunities.

Conclusion

Your conclusion should summarize the main points discussed without taking a definitive stance. You can acknowledge that both sides have merit. For the gap year example, your conclusion might read:

In conclusion, taking a break from studies can be advantageous if it allows people to accumulate savings or learn more about the world. However, they should also be cautious that it does not excessively delay the start of their careers and lead to a lack of motivation for further education.

The Importance of Addressing the Question

Anything you write that does not answer the question presented or fulfill another aspect of the band descriptors will harm your score. In a driving test analogy, just as you would not honk your horn after completing a parking maneuver, any unnecessary or irrelevant content is not advisable. Your essay should focus solely on analyzing the topic from both sides.

While you don’t need to express an opinion in the conclusion, you can hint at your stance if you wish. For instance, you might conclude:

As shown, there are both benefits and drawbacks to taking a gap year between high school and university.

The Objective of the Question

The objective of the question is to demonstrate your knowledge of English. You can answer it in any way you choose, so long as you address the question of discussing advantages and disadvantages. Your opinion regarding the relative weight of various elements can be part of your argument, but it is the clarity and proficiency in English that the examiner will evaluate.

Critical Analysis

Instead of a single-word answer, your position should be as per the question. If the prompt requires you to compare, then express your position. Different essays will require different approaches to score high or meet your target band score of 6. IELTS essays that ask you to discuss advantages and disadvantages require a straightforward structure, while those asking if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages need a position and evidence to back it up.

Examples

Example 1: Discussing Advantages and Disadvantages

In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between high school and university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Sample Answer:

Before embarking on college, many young people are advised that a year working or traveling may be a good option. This essay will suggest that experience gained and money saved are the biggest advantages, but delaying careers and reducing motivation to study are the primary disadvantages.

The main advantages of a gap year are learning more about the world and earning money. For students who have just finished secondary school, working or traveling for a year allows them to learn what life is like outside of the education system. Also, third-level education is very expensive, and many students decide to work for 12 months and save up money before they begin their studies. The Times recently reported that the average student at a UK university requires over 12,000 pounds per annum just to survive, and many drop out because they cannot afford to stay.

Despite these advantages, students lose a year that could have been used to advance their future careers and often get used to working or traveling and don’t want to return to a life of study. As job markets are very competitive, an extra year of experience can make a massive difference when applying for jobs, and those who took a gap year are at a disadvantage. Moreover, some decide to bypass university altogether and go straight into a job that is beneath their capabilities or may not offer the same prospects their future career might have done. For example, a recent survey by the British Government found that 26 percent of students who take a gap year never enter tertiary education.

In conclusion, taking a break from studies can be advantageous if it allows people to accumulate savings or learn more about the world. However, they should also be careful that it does not delay the start of their careers and lead to disillusionment with education.

Example 2: Outweighing Advantages and Disadvantages

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary schools rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Sample Answer:

Some authorities think that it is more favorable for pupils to begin studying languages at primary school instead of secondary school. This essay will argue that the advantages of this outweigh the drawbacks. The essay will first demonstrate that the earlier someone learns an additional language, the more likely they are to master it and that it brings added cognitive benefits followed by an analysis of how the primary disadvantage, namely confusion with their native tongue, is not valid.

The main reason to start kids off with foreign languages early is that this increases the likelihood they will achieve fluency in adulthood. That is to say, they will have far more years to perfect their skills and it will seem perfectly normal to speak bilingually. For example, in countries such as Holland and Norway, where English is taught from a very young age, more than 95 percent of adults speak it at an advanced level. Learning a second language also helps to improve overall cognitive abilities. In other words, it benefits the overall development of a child’s brain. A recent survey by Cambridge University found that children who studied a new language before the age of 5 were significantly more likely to score higher in Mathematics and Science.

Those opposed to this say that it causes the child to become confused between their mother tongue and the other language. However, there is actually no evidence to support this view, and children from bilingual families do just as well in both languages. My own son was brought up speaking both Vietnamese and English and outperforms most of his classmates in both.

On balance, the fact that early foreign language learning leads to higher fluency and improved brain function clearly outweighs the flawed argument that it impairs uptake of native languages.

These examples illustrate the importance of addressing the question directly, focusing on balanced analysis, and concluding with a strong summary, all while showcasing your proficiency in English.