7 WritingAn IELTS opinion essay needs a position on the claim in the question. Decide whether you agree, disagree or agree within limits, then choose reasons that support that decision.
State how far you agree
For “To what extent do you agree or disagree?”, identify words such as all, only and every. You may support the main idea while rejecting an absolute condition, but explain precisely which part you accept.
Develop a reason before adding an example
Start a body paragraph with a reason, explain why it matters, then illustrate it. You do not need invented survey results or expert names. A hypothetical situation should read as an illustration rather than statistical evidence.
Keep the conclusion consistent
If your introduction supports improving buses, the conclusion should not suddenly demand the removal of every road project. Compare both ends of the essay and check that the scope of your position stays the same.
Practice question
Some people believe that city governments should spend more on buses than on new roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Illustrative paragraph
Improving bus services can make daily travel more predictable. When buses run frequently, commuters spend less time waiting and can plan their journeys around a reliable timetable. For example, a worker living outside the city centre could reach a workplace without arranging a separate car journey. This gives local authorities a practical reason to prioritise bus investment.
Check your paragraph
Cover the illustrative paragraph and explain the purpose of each sentence in your own words. Then change one detail and rewrite it. Check that the claim still follows from the evidence. Do not just replace synonyms; if the meaning changes, revise the reason as well.
Continue practising
Use the Task 2 structure checker to inspect paragraphs and word count.