IELTS · Guides · October 24, 2026 · 4 min read
IELTS opinion essay (agree or disagree): how to take a clear position, with a sample
The opinion essay is the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 question. It asks to what extent do you agree or disagree, or do you agree or disagree, with a statement. The examiner wants one thing above all: a clear position that you keep from the introduction to the conclusion. An essay that discusses both sides without ever deciding loses marks for Task Response, however good the English.
How the question is phrased
- To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Do you agree or disagree?
- Is this a positive or negative development? (sometimes treated as an opinion question)
- Some people think X. What is your opinion?
If the question also says Discuss both views, it is a discussion essay, which has a different plan.
Three positions you can take
| Position | When to choose it | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Completely agree / disagree | you can find two strong reasons on one side | two body paragraphs, two reasons for your view |
| Mostly agree, with one reservation | the statement is too absolute (all, never, only) | body 1: why you agree; body 2: the limit of your agreement |
| Partly agree | you genuinely agree with half of it | body 1: the part you accept; body 2: the part you reject |
All three can score band 9. What matters is that the position is stated in the introduction, supported in every body paragraph and repeated in the conclusion. To what extent invites you to say how far you agree, so a partial position is perfectly fine, as long as it is clear.
A four-paragraph plan
- Introduction (2 sentences): paraphrase the statement, then give your position.
- Body 1: main reason + explanation + example.
- Body 2: second reason (or your reservation) + explanation + example.
- Conclusion (1–2 sentences): your position again, in different words.
Aim for 260–290 words in 40 minutes, with five minutes for planning and five for checking.
A sample essay
Some people believe that public transport in cities should be free for everyone. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many cities are considering whether buses and trains should be paid for entirely through taxes rather than by passengers. While I accept that free travel would bring real benefits, I largely disagree that it should be offered to everyone.
There are strong arguments for removing fares. Free public transport would encourage people to leave their cars at home, reducing both traffic and air pollution in crowded city centres. It would also help those on low incomes, for whom the cost of commuting can take up a significant share of their wages. Some European cities, such as Tallinn, have offered free travel to residents for years, and the policy has proved popular.
However, making transport free for all is an expensive way to achieve these goals. Fares pay for a large part of the cost of running buses and trains, and if this money disappears, governments must either raise taxes or cut spending on maintenance and new routes. In many cities, the main reason people drive is not the price of a ticket but the poor quality of the service: buses that are slow, unreliable or do not go where people need them. Investing in more frequent and better-connected services would therefore do more to change people’s habits than abolishing fares. Free or reduced travel could still be targeted at the groups who need it most, such as students, pensioners and the unemployed.
In conclusion, although free public transport has clear environmental and social advantages, I believe that improving services and offering discounts to those on low incomes is a more effective and affordable approach than making travel free for everyone.
270 words. The position (largely disagree) appears in the introduction, shapes the second body paragraph and returns in the conclusion. Body 1 shows the other side, but the essay never loses its direction.
Useful language
- Position: I firmly believe that…, I largely disagree that…, I agree only up to a point.
- Conceding: While it is true that…, Admittedly,…, There are strong arguments for…
- Turning back to your view: However,…, Nevertheless,…, That said,…
- Concluding: In conclusion, although…, I believe that…
Common mistakes
- No position until the conclusion, or a conclusion that contradicts the introduction.
- Writing a discussion essay with one paragraph for each side and no clear verdict.
- Too many ideas. Two well-developed reasons are better than four listed ones.
- Examples that are too general: many people say. Use a specific case, even a hypothetical one.
Practise in the practice room
Opinion essays with band scores for all four criteria and comments on your text:
The structure shared by all five essay types is in Writing Task 2 structure, and 150 topics by type are in Task 2 topics and sample essays.
Common questions
Can I give a balanced opinion? Yes, if it is clear: I agree that…, but only if…. What you cannot do is stay neutral.
Should I use “I”? Yes. The question asks for your opinion, so I believe and in my view are expected.
Do I need statistics? No. The examiner does not check facts. Use examples you know well, and do not invent precise numbers.
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