Writing Task 2 · Outweigh essays · Lesson 6 of 12

Outweigh essays

“Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?” Learn how to weigh both sides and make a clear judgement.

45–60 minutes
Level B1+
7 exercises

In this lesson you will

recognise an outweigh question
discuss both advantages and disadvantages
make a clear judgement about which side is greater
organise your paragraphs so that the stronger side gets more space

Step 1

Recognise the question type

Look for Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? You must weigh the two sides and decide which is greater.

Currently, many people are working from home instead of going to an office.

Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of working from home?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You must…	You must not…
discuss both advantages and disadvantages say clearly which side is greater, in the introduction and the conclusion give more space to the side you think is stronger explain why one side outweighs the other in the conclusion	only list advantages and disadvantages without a judgement sit on the fence (“they are equal”) give a different judgement in the conclusion

Exercise 1

Check your understanding

Do you need to give a judgement?
Yes: say whether the advantages or the disadvantages are greater. No, just list them.
The model answer thinks the advantages are greater. How many paragraphs does it give to advantages?
One Two None

Step 2

Plan the essay

Follow the four planning steps from Lesson 1.

Paraphrasecurrently → nowadays · many people → a significant number of people · going to an office → commute to an office · outweigh → surpass
Identify the typeOutweigh: weigh both sides and judge which is greater.
Brainstorm+ saves time · + higher productivity · − communication is more difficult
StructureIntroduction → Body 1: advantage 1 → Body 2: advantage 2 → Body 3: disadvantage → Conclusion

Exercise 2

Paraphrase: match the words

How did the model answer paraphrase the words from the question?

Currently
many people
going to an office
advantages
disadvantages
outweigh

Exercise 3

Put the paragraphs in order

Use the arrows to put the paragraph plan in the correct order.

Body 3: disadvantage (communication is harder)
Introduction: paraphrase + judgement (advantages are greater)
Conclusion: judgement + why the advantages are greater
Body 1: advantage 1 (saves time)
Body 2: advantage 2 (higher productivity)

Step 3

Model answer

Read the model answer. The colours show what each sentence does.

Currently, many people are working from home instead of going to an office. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of working from home?

IntroductionNowadays, a significant number of people choose to work remotely from home rather than commute to an office. I believe that the merits of this trend far surpass the drawbacks.

Body paragraph 1The main benefit of working from home is that it saves time. In particular, it eliminates the need for a daily commute. For example, since I began working from home during the COVID lockdowns, I have saved over two hours a day that I used to spend travelling to and from my office. This extra time can be used for other activities, such as spending time with family, exercising or taking up a new hobby.

Body paragraph 2Furthermore, working from one’s residence can lead to higher productivity. This is because it removes the distractions of an office environment, such as noise and interruptions from colleagues. For example, since I started working from home, I am no longer interrupted by co-workers chatting or stopping by my desk with unnecessary questions.

Body paragraph 3However, a drawback is that it is harder to communicate with colleagues. This is because employees do not meet face to face and have to communicate online, which can lead to less effective communication and even misunderstandings. To illustrate, it can be difficult to judge a colleague’s true feelings without seeing their body language.

ConclusionIn conclusion, I believe that the benefits of working from home clearly exceed the downsides. This is because avoiding the daily commute and being able to focus fully on work outweigh the difficulty of communicating with others. Furthermore, technology such as video-conferencing is making it increasingly easy to communicate effectively from home.

position
topic sentence
explanation
example
Band 8 extra (optional)

Band 8 tip: the last sentence (purple) shows how the disadvantage can be reduced. It is optional, for students aiming at Band 8.

Exercise 4

What does each sentence do?

Choose the function of each sentence from the model answer.

“Nowadays, a significant number of people choose to work remotely from home rather than commute to an office.”
“I believe that the merits of this trend far surpass the drawbacks.”
“However, a drawback is that it is harder to communicate with colleagues.”
“To illustrate, it can be difficult to judge a colleague’s true feelings without seeing their body language.”
“This is because avoiding the daily commute and being able to focus fully on work outweigh the difficulty of communicating with others.”

Step 4

Useful language

Use synonyms for outweigh, advantages and disadvantages, and show how strongly one side wins.

Purpose	Language
Judgement	the advantages outweigh / surpass / exceed / are greater than the disadvantages
Extent	the benefits far / clearly / considerably outweigh… · the drawbacks slightly outweigh… · although there are some drawbacks, the benefits are far greater
Advantages	merits · benefits · positive aspects · upsides
Disadvantages	drawbacks · downsides · limitations · negative aspects
Introduce the other side	However, a drawback is that… · On the other hand, …

Exercise 5

Complete the sentences from the model

Type the missing word or phrase. Then check against the model answer.

I believe that the merits of this trend far the drawbacks.
The main of working from home is that it saves time.
However, a is that it is harder to communicate with colleagues.
To , it can be difficult to judge a colleague’s true feelings…
I believe that the benefits of working from home clearly the downsides.

Exercise 6

Weighing the sides

You believe the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. How should you organise your body paragraphs?
Two paragraphs on advantages, one on disadvantages One paragraph on advantages, two on disadvantages Only disadvantages
Which sentence shows the extent of the judgement?
There are advantages and disadvantages. Working from home is popular. The benefits of free admission far outweigh the drawbacks.

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.

Some museums and art galleries charge admission fees, while others have free entry.

Do you think the advantages of free admission outweigh the disadvantages?

Exercise 7

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):

Model answers and lesson materials by Tips4IELTS.