Agree or Disagree Essay

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What is an Agree/Disagree Essay?

In this essay type, you'll be given a statement or opinion and asked whether you agree or disagree with it. You need to clearly state your position and support it with relevant examples and explanations. This is one of the most frequently appearing essay types in IELTS Writing Task 2.

Essay Structure

1. Introduction (2-3 sentences)

  • Paraphrase the question
  • State your clear position (agree/disagree/partially agree)

2. Body Paragraph 1 (4-5 sentences)

  • Topic sentence supporting your position
  • Explanation and development
  • Example to support your point

3. Body Paragraph 2 (4-5 sentences)

  • Another topic sentence supporting your position
  • Further explanation
  • Relevant example

4. Conclusion (2-3 sentences)

  • Restate your position
  • Summarize main points

Sample Question & Model Answer

Question:

"Government should spend money on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Model Answer (Band 7):

It is argued that governments should allocate more funds to railways instead of roads. However, I disagree with this idea, as I believe that roads are more essential due to their accessibility, lower costs, and contribution to economic growth.

One major reason that roads should receive more funding is their accessibility. Unlike railways, which are often limited to certain regions, roads can be built almost anywhere, serving both urban and rural areas. This means roads connect people to essential services, jobs, and schools, regardless of where they live. For example, in many rural parts of the world, roads are the only form of transportation, whereas railways might not reach these areas due to the high cost of building tracks. Therefore, investing in roads ensures that more people have access to the services they need, which railways alone cannot guarantee.

Another important factor is the lower cost of building and maintaining roads compared to railways. Roads are generally cheaper to construct and maintain than railways. While railways require expensive tracks, stations, and special equipment, roads can be constructed using more accessible and affordable materials. This makes roads a more practical investment, especially in developing regions. For instance, many countries have improved their road infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of building new railway lines, which can be prohibitively expensive. Additionally, roads facilitate the movement of goods and services, which directly contributes to economic growth. Thus, prioritizing road infrastructure helps boost the economy while keeping costs manageable for the government.

To conclude, I firmly believe that roads should be prioritized due to their wider accessibility and lower costs.

Word Count: 276 words

This essay demonstrates clear position, strong arguments, relevant examples, and cohesive structure - perfect for Band 7!

Key Tips

Be Clear: State your position explicitly
Stay Consistent: Don't contradict yourself
Use Examples: Support with real-world examples
Word Count: Aim for 270-300 words

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