Writing Task 2: The Essay
| Type | Typical question | What you must do |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion | To what extent do you agree or disagree? | Give a clear position and keep it throughout the essay. |
| Discussion | Discuss both views and give your own opinion. | Explain both sides, then state which you support. |
| Problem–solution | What are the causes? What can be done? | Answer both questions with specific causes and solutions. |
| Advantages–disadvantages | Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? | Compare both and decide which is stronger. |
| Two-part question | Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development? | Answer each question in its own paragraph. |
- Introduction (2 sentences): paraphrase the topic, then give your thesis — a clear answer to the question.
- Two body paragraphs: each starts with a topic sentence, then explains it and gives a specific example (Point – Explain – Example – Link).
- Conclusion (1–2 sentences): restate your position. Do not add new ideas.
Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. Others think that students should pay for their own studies. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Whether higher education should be funded by the state or by students themselves is a question that divides opinion in many countries. While there are reasonable arguments for asking students to contribute, I believe that university should be free, or nearly free, for those who qualify.
Those who support tuition fees argue that graduates benefit personally from their degrees, as they usually earn higher salaries than non-graduates. From this perspective, it seems unfair for taxpayers who never attended university to pay for the education of future doctors and lawyers. Fees may also encourage students to take their studies more seriously and choose courses with good career prospects.
However, I find the case for free education more convincing. The main reason is equality of opportunity: when degrees are expensive, talented students from low-income families are often discouraged from applying, regardless of their ability. Moreover, society as a whole benefits from a well-educated population, through innovation, better public services and higher tax revenue. Countries such as Germany and Finland, where public universities charge no tuition fees, show that this model can work in practice.
In conclusion, although graduates do gain personal advantages from their education, I believe that free university education is a fairer and more beneficial system for society.
- No clear position, or changing your position halfway through the essay.
- Answering only part of the question (for example, giving causes but no solutions).
- Memorised introductions that could fit any topic — examiners recognise them.
- Informal language: contractions, slang, exclamation marks.
- Writing fewer than 250 words — this is penalised.