Writing Task 2 · Agree or disagree essays · Lesson 3 of 12
Agree or disagree essays
“To what extent do you agree or disagree?” Learn how to give a clear position, support it with two strong ideas, and keep your opinion consistent from start to finish.
In this lesson you will
- recognise an agree or disagree question
- give a clear position that shows how strongly you agree or disagree
- support your position with two well-developed ideas
- keep your position consistent from introduction to conclusion
Step 1
Recognise the question type
Look for To what extent do you agree or disagree? or Do you agree or disagree? The question gives a statement, and you decide how far you agree with it.
Many people believe working from home is better than going to an office.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
| You must… | You must not… |
|---|---|
|
|
Check your understanding
- Do you need to give your own opinion?
- How many main ideas do you need?
- According to the British Council, what should you do about the opposing view?
Step 2
Plan the essay
Follow the four planning steps from Lesson 1.
- Paraphraseworking from home → working from their house or apartment · believe → prefer · going to an office → in an office
- Identify the typeAgree or disagree: give your opinion and its extent.
- Brainstorm+ saves time (no commute) · + higher productivity · + flexible hours · − harder to communicate (use as a counter-argument)
- StructureIntroduction → Body 1: saves time → Body 2: higher productivity + counter-argument → Conclusion
Paraphrase: match the words
How did the model answer paraphrase the words from the question?
- working from home
- Many people believe
- going to an office
- better
Put the paragraphs in order
Use the arrows to put the paragraph plan in the correct order.
- Conclusion: restate your opinion (same extent) and the two reasons
- Body 2: higher productivity (reason, explanation, example) + counter-argument
- Introduction: paraphrase + your position with extent + two reasons
- Body 1: saves time (reason, explanation, example)
Step 3
Model answer
Read the model answer. The colours show what each sentence does.
IntroductionMany people prefer working from their house or apartment rather than in an office. I totally agree that it is better to work from home because it saves time and increases productivity.
Body paragraph 1The main reason I support working from home is that it saves a considerable amount of time. In particular, it eliminates the need for a daily commute, which saves most people many hours every week. For example, since I began working from home during the COVID lockdowns, I have saved at least ten hours each week that would otherwise have been spent travelling. I also save time getting ready in the morning, as I can dress more casually than when I have to wear a suit and tie to the office.
Body paragraph 2Furthermore, working from one’s residence can also lead to higher productivity. This is because it removes the distractions of an office environment, such as noise and interruptions from colleagues. For instance, since I started working from home, I am no longer distracted by co-workers chatting or stopping by my desk with unnecessary questions, which enables me not only to get more done but also to produce higher-quality work. Admittedly, some people find it harder to communicate with colleagues when working remotely. However, video-conferencing tools now make this far less of a problem.
ConclusionIn conclusion, I firmly believe that working from home is better. This is because it saves time travelling to and from an office and leads to higher levels of productivity. Therefore, employers should offer their staff this option whenever possible.
- position
- topic sentence
- explanation
- example
- counter-argument
- Band 8 extra (optional)
Band 8 tip: the last sentence (purple) adds a final recommendation. It is optional, for students aiming at Band 8.
British Council tip: show awareness of the other side. Even when you agree completely, include at least one opposing argument, even if only to refute it. The orange sentences in Body paragraph 2 do this: Admittedly… introduces the opposing view, and However… refutes it.
What does each sentence do?
Choose the function of each sentence from the model answer.
- “Many people prefer working from their house or apartment rather than in an office.”
- “I totally agree that it is better to work from home because it saves time and increases productivity.”
- “The main reason I support working from home is that it saves a considerable amount of time.”
- “In particular, it eliminates the need for a daily commute…”
- “For example, since I began working from home during the COVID lockdowns…”
- “Admittedly, some people find it harder to communicate with colleagues… However, video-conferencing tools now make this far less of a problem.”
- “Therefore, employers should offer their staff this option whenever possible.”
Step 4
Useful language
Show the extent of your opinion clearly (see Lesson 2), and use these phrases to introduce and develop your reasons.
| Purpose | Language |
|---|---|
| Position with extent | I totally / completely / strongly agree that… · I agree to a large / certain extent · I firmly believe that… |
| First reason | The main reason I support … is that… · Firstly, … |
| Second reason | Furthermore, … · In addition, … · Another reason is that… |
| Explain | In particular, … · This is because … · This leads to … |
| Example | For example, … · For instance, … · To illustrate, … |
| Refute the other side | Admittedly, … However, … · Although some argue that…, … |
| Conclude | In conclusion, I firmly believe that… · To sum up, … |
Complete the sentences from the model
Type the missing word or phrase. Then check against the model answer.
- I agree that it is better to work from home…
- The main reason I working from home is that it saves a considerable amount of time.
- In , it eliminates the need for a daily commute…
- , some people find it harder to communicate with colleagues when working remotely.
- In conclusion, I believe that working from home is better.
Consistent position
- The introduction says “I totally agree”. Which conclusion is consistent?
- Which thesis shows a clear extent?
- Why does the model include “Admittedly… However…”?
Step 5
Your turn: practice task
Use the same four steps to plan and write your own essay. Save your work and send it to your tutor for feedback.
Many people say that cooking and eating at home is better for the individual and the family than eating out in restaurants.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Plan and write
- 1. Paraphrase the first sentence of the question:
- 2. Identify the type. What must your essay do?
- 3. Brainstorm (+ / −) and choose your two best ideas:
- 4. Structure. What will each paragraph say?
- Write your essay (at least 250 words, about 40 minutes):
- Does your introduction paraphrase the question and state your position with an extent?
- Do you have two main ideas, each with an explanation and an example?
- Have you shown awareness of the other side (e.g. “Admittedly… However…”)?
- Is your position the same in the conclusion?
- At least 250 words?
Model answers and lesson materials by Tips4IELTS.