IELTS Writing Task Two: Common Question Types (2)

How important is it..?

This is another common IELTS Task two Question Type. This one asks you to consider a situation and judge its importance AND answer a second question.

The most important thing is to READ the question CAREFULLY and make sure you UNDERSTAND the TASK before you start to PLAN and WRITE.

Continue reading for an explanation and examples...

Task Requirements

If you do not fulfill the requirements of the task, you will lose marks so it is important to understand what you need to do. In each question, the requirements will be slightly different, so read carefully to make sure you understand.

Take this question for example:

Children nowadays have many electronic devices and can easily access information via the internet. How important is it for parents to control what their children watch? Should schools allow children to use electronic devices when they study?

The question can be divided into three parts. 

As an example I am going to write one sentence about each part of the question. Each of these sentences will make up my introduction and this will also give me the structure of the essay.

Sentence One
Children nowadays have many electronic devices and can easily access information via the internet. 

 (Notice this is a SENTENCE not a QUESTION)

This is a FACT (at least according to the IELTS test). You do NOT need to agree or disagree or talk about advantages or disadvantages. Just accept that this is TRUE.

Use the FIRST SENTENCE of your INTRODUCTION to describe this situation in your own words and using your own grammar.

Here is my paraphrased sentence:

Young people nowadays are often lucky enough to possess a range of digital gadgets which can be used to obtain information online.

Question One
How important is it for parents to control what their children watch?

As with the To what extent...? question type, this is asking you to choose whether it is :

Very Important                                          or                                           Not Very Important 
<---------------------------------------------------------------------------->

DON'T try to argue both sides here as you have less space because you have to answer TWO questions.

Usually it is easier to argue that it is VERY IMPORTANT (even if you actually think the opposite!).

Add a sentence to your introduction giving your position/opinion. Here's mine:

In my opinion it is very important for children to be supervised when using digital media. 

Question Two
Should schools allow children to use electronic devices when they study?

This is asking if you AGREE or DISAGREE with the suggestion. 

Again, don't try to argue both sides - you don't have enough time.

Add a sentence (or clause) to your introduction giving your opinion. This is what I wrote:

I agree that students should be allowed to use the internet in classes, but with some guidance and restrictions.

By breaking up the question into THREE PARTS, we have created our introduction:

Young people nowadays are often lucky enough to possess a range of digital gadgets which can be used to obtain information online. In my opinion it is very important for children to be supervised when using digital media. Furthermore, I agree that students should be allowed to use the internet in classes, but with some guidance and restrictions.

I have added a COHESIVE to help the ideas flow more smoothly.
   
We can use the same structure from the question and the introduction for the body of the essay:


BODY
Now you can write your TWO body paragraphs. 

Body One
Write one paragraph saying why you think it is important for parents to supervise children when they use electronic devices. (2-3 reasons with explanation and/or examples)

This clearly answers the First Question.

Body Two
Write another paragraph saying why students should be allowed to use computers, smartphones and the internet when they study. Also mention that parents and teachers should supervise them while they study.

This clearly answers the Second Question.

CONCLUSION
Finish your essay with a short paragraph summarising the two opinions you have given.

Don't include new ideas here- they should be in the body. 2-3 sentences is enough to restate your opinion.



TIPS
1) There are lots of UNCOUNTABLE words related to learning and the internet, for example;

information        informations
knowledge         knowledges
research             researches

Make sure you review COUNTABLE and UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS 

2) ELECTRICAL and ELECTRONIC are often confused. Make sure you know the difference!

3 Make sure you answer BOTH questions EQUALLY. Writing one paragraph on each question makes sure you do this.

4) Other common TWO QUESTION TASKS include:

How important is it....?
             +
Why do we need to....?

What should we do to...?

Do we need to....?

What is the best way to...?

Make sure you READ the Question CAREFULLY to make sure your answer matches the requirement.



TASK 2 Exercise

Try writing the introduction for the following question:

Governments around the world are investing in high-speed rail networks. How important is it to have a good transportation system in a country? Do we need to develop new forms of transportation?


You can post your introduction in the comments section and I will check it for you.