How to write an IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay

These questions ask you to weigh the good and bad sides of a trend. They come in three forms, and each needs a slightly different answer.

Three versions of the question

• What are the advantages and disadvantages? Explain both sides. An opinion is not required, though a short verdict in the conclusion does no harm.
• Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? You must decide which side is stronger, and say so clearly.
• Is this a positive or negative development? Again, you must decide. You can still mention the other side, but your answer is positive, negative, or “mainly” one of them.

If the question uses “outweigh” or “positive or negative”, an essay that only lists both sides has not answered it. Give a verdict in the introduction and repeat it in the conclusion.

A four-paragraph plan

1. Introduction: paraphrase the trend and, where asked, give your verdict.
2. Body 1: the main advantage (or advantages), explained with an example.
3. Body 2: the main disadvantage (or disadvantages), explained with an example.
4. Conclusion: your verdict and the reason it wins.

If you think the advantages win, put the disadvantages first and finish the body with the advantages. Ending on the stronger side makes your verdict feel earned.

Weighing, not listing

The difference between band 6 and band 7 here is usually depth. Two developed points beat five thin ones. Ask of each point: who does this affect, how much, and for how long? A disadvantage that is serious but temporary may lose to an advantage that is smaller but permanent, and saying so is exactly the kind of judgement the examiner wants to see.

Useful language

• The most significant benefit is…, A further advantage is that…
• The main drawback, however, is…, This comes at a cost:…
• On balance,…, These benefits clearly outweigh…, The drawbacks are real but manageable.

Practise

Read the model answers on remote work (with a band 6 version), a cashless society, international tourism and self-employment. Then pick an advantages and disadvantages question.