How to write double question essay in IELTS writing task 2

Before starting this topic let’s have an overview of what Writing Task 2 means?

Quick Review

IELTS Writing task 2 is the second task of the writing test. In this task, you will be presented with some point of view, an argument, or with any type of problem, justifying an opinion, discussing the topic, summarizing details, identifying possible solutions, and supporting what you write with reasons. The format of writing the essay should be formal and it should at least have a word count of 250 words in length and you have to cover your task in 40 minutes. This part has more weight in scoring than writing task 1. The IELTS writing task 2 is based on using the right technique.

Let’s Begin;

Topics to be covered:

• Double question  Essay Introduction
• Essay Structure
• Marking Criteria
• Planning of the Essay
• Essay writing
• Common Mistakes to Avoid

Before starting first have a look at the example, that will make the topic more clear.

Examples :

1: Nowadays the government is investing more in public transport such as buses and trains rather than building new roads.
What is the reason for this? Is this a positive or negative development?

2: Living in large cities today poses many problems for people.
What are these problems? Should the government encourage more people to live in small towns?

3: Nowadays the way people interact with each other has changed because of technology?
In what ways has technology affected the relationship that people make? Has this become a positive or negative development?

Now have a look at the examples above. 

Taking the first example in the reference you will notice that in the first part,  the question wants to ask for the reason that why is the government doing this, and in the second part, the question is asking about the opinion that what you think is it positive or negative development?

Brainstorm your Ideas

Before you start writing spend a little bit of time of about 3 to 4 minutes thinking and planning your ideas. Keep looking back at the questions to make sure you aren’t drifting off-topic. 

As per example 1, you can have both positive and negative responses but keep in mind that if the examiner thinks that you not presented your topic clearly then you will lose your marks.

So, if you are a super strong writer and can convey your opinion clearly and within the time limit, I suggest taking a strong position and sticking with it in the IELTS Double Question Essay. 

Your real opinion doesn’t matter; this is about getting a good IELTS score.

Marking Criteria of IELTS Writing Test

• Task Achievement
• Cohesion and Coherence
• Lexical Resource
• Grammar Range & Accuracy

Each criterion has an equal weightage of 25%.

Task Achievement: This refers to how clear and structured is your essay. 
You can increase your marking for the achievement of your task by connecting your sentences to each other and by linking the desired word & sign points. You need to extend your answers up to the mark with all the relevant details. Apart from this, you need to answer both the questions fully and outline your both answers in the introduction. 

Cohesion and Coherence: Concisely crafted pieces, written in not more than four paragraphs with a logically central idea is what your examiner is looking for. Your score in this criterion depends on your ability to present your ideas in a structured manner, with the right linking words supporting the body of the written piece and having a central topic flowing in a particular paragraph. 

 Lexical Resources:

You can score well in this particular section by keeping in mind just three things: 

1. Your ability to use appropriate words 
2. Your ability to use the words in their right collocative manner 
3. And, your ability to spell those words right. 

These three tips will go a long way as far as this particular section is concerned. 

Grammatical Range of Accuracy: This section refers to how good your grammar skills are. To increase your marking for GRA always try to avoid grammatical mistakes and try to use advanced grammatical structures as much as you can, examples can include- passive voice, direct speech, different tenses and unconditional sentences, etc. 

Do remember that each of the criteria has an equal weightage of 25%. So give your equal efforts on every topic and don't skip any of them. 

Let’s be clear with the sample framework-

Introduction
 Background statement
Paraphrasing the question
Thesis statement(In my opinion/ This essay states….)

Body Paragraph 1
Start with the 1st topic sentence/the main point.
Explain the main point
Give an example
Give Closing Statement 

Body Paragraph 2
Start with the 2nd topic sentence/the main point.
Explain the main point 
Give an example
 Closing statement.

Conclusion
To conclude or to sum up. (paraphrase the essay)
In my opinion/ As the essay discussed. (if your opinion is asked)

Three-step Planning of Double Question Essay

• Analyze the question
• Highlight the keyword
• Brainstorm all the ideas, explanations, and vocabulary.

#1- Analysing the Question
This is the first and important step in answering the question and make sure you answer the question fully. It is easy to do. These tell you exactly what type of information is required and each will become the topic for one of the two main body paragraphs.

 #2 Highlight the Keyword
 The next task is to highlight the keywords. First, you have to identify the topic words of the essay, then generalize the other keywords that will tell you the specific things asked in the question to write. Then discuss the instruction words.

#3 Brainstorm all the ideas, explanation, and vocabulary
In this section, you have to try generating new ideas. There are many different ways through which you can create new ideas and think up ideas. Think up with simple answers that you strain in your daily life rather than thinking of something extraordinary and using high-level language. There is so much to write about this topic that we have to be very careful we don’t try to include too many different ideas and just end up with a list for each question rather than a well-developed essay.

Let’s Clear it with a suitable example

It is predicted that robots are going to become increasingly important in our life.
How could robots be used in the future? Will it be a positive or negative development?

Step 1- Analysis of the Question.
What type of question is this?
How could robots be used in the future? Will it be a positive or negative development?
This is a double question type of question.

Step 2- Highlight keywords in the question
It is predicted robots are becoming increasingly important in our life.
How could robots be used in the future? Will it be a positive or negative development?
Address all the parts given in the question. (Task achievement )

It is predicted that robots are going to become increasingly important in our life.
How could robots be used in the future? Will it be a positive or negative development?

Step 3- Brainstorm all the types of ideas, explanations, and vocabulary. 

Introduction
Background statement(Role of artificial intelligence)+ Rephrase the question+ Thesis Statement. 

Body Paragraph 1
Part 1-  Accuracy, conformity, consistency, extend role at various places like hospitals. Example.

Body Paragraph 2
Part 2- Positive impacts, outsourcing hazardous task, meet demand in a different area. Example.

Conclusion
Restate the question and your opinion. 

Sample answer

The role of artificial intelligence is assumed to be evolving in everybody’s life in the time to come. This essay will highlight some feasible applications of robots in the future and explain why this development will be an advantageous one for humanity. 

Undoubtedly, robots are going to play a major role in many fields that require utmost accuracy, consistency, uniformity and are even risky. For example, today humans are sent to war or to fight fires or explore space, in the future, these tasks could be performed by robots. In addition to such roles, robots could also become more commonplace in hospitals and aged to the facilities where they may also be able to interact with and support patients when nurses or carers are in limited supply. Indeed such developments are already underway.

Clearly, these advancements in robotics and Artificial Intelligence will have a positive impact on society. By, outsourcing hazardous tasks, human workers will be less prone to injury or death. If robots are able to extinguish fires or disarm bombs efficiently, society too will be safer. For example, in the health sector, even though some may worry that robots lack the empathy and understanding of the human worker, the fact is that demand for health care workers exceeds supply in many places, which means there is a dire need for extra help. This demand could well be met by robots with artificial intelligence in the decades to come. 

In the conclusion, the potential of robotics is still unexplored in our lives. In my opinion, with some precautionary steps contribution of the robots can be turned beneficial for the future generation. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not supporting your ideas with an explanation
If you don’t support your ideas with the proper explanation and are not able to support your explanation with a good example then there might be a chance of getting a low band score. 

Answering only one side
 If you don’t give an answer to both parts of the questions. You tend to answer only the first or the second part and don’t support your answer. Answering to the single part of the question and leaving the other blank will reduce your band score.

Repetition of the Words
Work with your idea structure and try avoiding repeating your words. Repeating your words continuously can decrease your word count and avoid this try using synonyms, phrases, etc. 

Exceeding word limit and illogical structure
Try avoiding using extra words that could let you exceed your word count limit. And try to be as logical as you could be. Writing the perfect statement with the proper structure will help you get a good band score.

Always remember no one comes extra-ordinary but your practice can make you.
Happy Learning.