Do I need to give an opinion?

Only for 'outweigh' questions, where you must say which side is stronger. For plain advantages and disadvantages questions, balance is enough.

How many advantages should I include?

Two well-developed points per side are better than four undeveloped ones.

IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages Essay: Structure, Sample and Tips

Write a clear IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay: how to read the question, two proven structures, a sample answer and useful linking language.

By IELTSora teaching team · Updated 7 November 2026 · 2 min read

Two different question forms

Advantages and disadvantages questions come in two forms. The first simply asks 'What are the advantages and disadvantages?'. The second asks 'Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?', which requires a clear judgement. Reading this difference correctly is the single biggest factor in your Task Response score.

For the 'outweigh' form, your introduction must say which side is stronger, and the essay must explain why. Simply listing points on both sides is not enough.

Structure A: list both sides

Use this when no judgement is requested.

Introduction: paraphrase the topic and say the essay will consider both benefits and drawbacks.
Body 1: two advantages, each explained with a result or example.
Body 2: two disadvantages, each explained in the same way.
Conclusion: summarise the main benefit and main drawback.

Structure B: outweigh questions

Use this when the question asks which side is greater.

Introduction: state that the advantages (or disadvantages) clearly outweigh the other side.
Body 1: the weaker side, fairly explained, often with one main point.
Body 2: the stronger side, with your best and most developed arguments.
Conclusion: restate your judgement and the key reason.

Sample body paragraph

Question: More people now work from home. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Model paragraph (stronger side)

The benefits of remote work, however, are more significant. Most obviously, employees save the time and money they would spend commuting; in large cities such as London or Toronto, this can amount to more than ten hours a week. This time can be used for rest, family or further study, which tends to improve both wellbeing and productivity. Moreover, companies can recruit talented staff from other regions or countries, rather than being limited to people who live nearby.

Common mistakes

Avoid these frequent problems seen in candidates' scripts worldwide:

Writing one-word points ('cheap', 'convenient') without explaining the effect.
Changing judgement between the introduction and the conclusion.
Using memorised phrases such as 'Every coin has two sides', which examiners recognise.
Spending too long on the introduction and leaving the second body paragraph thin.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to give an opinion?: Only for 'outweigh' questions, where you must say which side is stronger. For plain advantages and disadvantages questions, balance is enough.
How many advantages should I include?: Two well-developed points per side are better than four undeveloped ones.

Put this tip into practice

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