IELTS Essay paragraph construction (1)

Which is of the following is a good topic sentence for the main body paragraph of an opinion essay?

• One of the advantages of eating out is that it saves time.

• Firstly, many people eat out because it helps them to save time.

• Eating out is good because it helps to save time.

• One of the major impacts of eating out is that it helps to save time.

A good main body paragraph should have TWO of the following. Select the two features:

• A clear topic sentence

• A clear paraphrase sentence

• A clear thesis sentence

• A clear explanatory

Which sentence below can be used to start a paragraph that discusses the second reason for supporting an opinion?

• To start with, learning a second language is good because it improves the cognitive skills of youngsters.

• Although expensive to do, learning a second language can improve the cognitive skills of youngsters.

• Another reason why youngsters should be encouraged to learn a second language is that it will enhance their cognitive skills.

• Although learning a second language improves the cognitive skills of youngsters, it is expensive and beyond the financial abilities of many parents.

Which sentence below can be used to start a paragraph that discusses the second reason for opposing an opinion?

• To start with, learning a second language is good because it improves the cognitive skills of youngsters.

• Although expensive to do, learning a second language can improve the cognitive skills of youngsters.

• Another reason why youngsters should be encouraged to learn a second language is that it will enhance their cognitive skills.

• Although learning a second language improves the cognitive skills of youngsters, it is expensive and beyond the financial abilities of many parents.

A good main body paragraph should have

• A topic sentence

  A thesis sentence

  and

  an explanatory sentence

• A thesis sentence

  An explanatory sentence

  and

  and illustrative sentence

• A topic sentence

  An explanatory sentence

  and

  an illustrative sentence

• A topic sentence

  A clause

  and

  an illustrative sentence

Which of the following is not true about the main body paragraphs of a good IELTS essay?

• It should begin with a clear topic sentence

• It should have different types of sentence structures: simple sentence, compound sentence, complex sentences and compound-complex sentences.

• The sentences should contain lots of complex vocabulary, words, and grammatical constructions.

• The sentences should logically connect to one another.

Which two options are correct when writing an essay that ends with this kind of question: do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

• You should discuss the advantages in detail and you should discuss the disadvantages in detail

• You should discuss one of the two in detail; either discuss the advantage in detail OR discuss the disadvantage in detail

• You should discuss both the advantages and disadvantages in body paragraph 1 and in body paragraph 2

• You should clearly state the one that outweighs; state two reasons why one outweighs the other, and explain each reason in each of your main body paragraphs

In writing a discussion essay, which of the following should not be done?

• If you do not support one of the views, you still need to explain the reasons why some people hold that view.

• If you do not support one of the views, you must not write anything about that view.

• If your view is different from the two views in the essay prompt, you should create another paragraph for it.

• If you support one of the views in the essay prompt, discuss it in paragraph 3

In writing an opinion essay

• You should write a general statement at the beginning of each body paragraph.

• You should clearly state your opinion in the first paragraph of your essay.

• You should clearly indicate if you support the two viewpoints

• You should mention one advantage and one disadvantage in the introdcution

Which TWO of the following represent the thesis statement of a good opinion essay?

• This essay will discuss both views and present my opinion.

• This essay will outline and fully elaborate on my opinion concerning this issue.

• This essay will explain why it is better for the government to invest in the construction of new public facilities.

• I full agree to this idea, and this essay will explain my reasons in detail.