IELTS ADVANCED

HANDOUTS
UNIT 5
Writing

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IELTS Instructor - [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

WRITING SESSION
Writing task 2
IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to respond to a prompt or question on a broad
topic, often related to current issues. Your task is to write an essay of at least 250 words
in around 40 minutes. The essay should present your opinions and arguments,
supported by examples and evidence. Your resulting score is determined by four criteria,
including Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical
Range and Accuracy. Task 2 contributes significantly to your overall writing scores,
accounting for two-thirds of the total.

What Skills Do You Need to Show?

🔍 1.1 Task Response & Coherence and Cohesion
⚠️Common Band 6 problems:
• Not answering all parts of the question equally
• Unclear or inconsistent position
• Repetitive or unclear conclusions
• Underdeveloped or unclear main ideas

🔗 Band 6 vs Band 7 – Coherence & Cohesion:

• Band 6: Ideas arranged but lack clear progression
• Misused or unclear cohesive devices (linkers)
• No clear central idea in each paragraph

🧠 Understanding the Task:

You must write a discursive essay that clearly presents your position. Support ideas
with examples & evidence, and organize them logically.

Planning & Critical Thinking:

Lack of planning = unclear argument. Always plan before writing. Organize your
thoughts, build strong arguments.
👉 Without critical thinking, you won’t reach Band 7.

📈 Development & Progression:

To reach Band 7+:
• Present a relevant and clearly developed position
• Maintain logical flow and progression
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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

• Each paragraph should build on the previous one

❌ Common error: Strong intro + 1 body → weak 2nd body + short
conclusion = Band 6

⚠️1.2 Band 6 Habits

🚫 Implied/unclear main ideas:

If your paragraph doesn’t clearly state its topic, you’re stuck at Band 6.

📚 Copying reading passages = mistake:

Reading texts test inference. Writing Task 2 demands clarity & argument. Avoid
mimicking reading passage style.

🔗 1.3 Under-use of Cohesive Devices

🧩 Weak example:
"People are working longer hours. In addition, they have more job pressures. People
willingly place themselves under these conditions. The workforce is a competitive
domain."
→ These ideas aren't clearly linked. No logical flow.

✅ Better:
"People are working longer hours. As a result, they face more job pressures..."

🧠 Key tip:
Use cohesive devices like: Firstly, However, In conclusion, As a result — they're not
clichés; they’re essential tools.

💬 Common Misconceptions

❓“Native speakers don’t use linkers!”

True, but they use context, reference, and style. IELTS requires explicit
links.
👉 If the examiner has to guess your logic, that’s Band 6.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – How to Write a Strong Introduction

📌 Purpose of the Introduction

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

It’s the first paragraph, but not the first thing you write—plan your ideas first.

The introduction should briefly set the context and clearly state what the essay will
discuss.

It should answer: • What is the topic and focus of this essay?

• What is the main issue or point that will be discussed?

❌ Problem 1: Misunderstanding the Question

Many candidates rush and misread the task, causing:

• Misinterpretation of the issue
• Writing about a broad topic instead of the specific issue asked

🧠 Solution:
Take time to read the question carefully.
Identify themes related to the topic.
Example question:
“Some people believe parents should teach children right from wrong. Others think
schools should do this.”
👉 Don’t just write about “education” generally—focus on teaching children how to
behave, with sub-themes like parenting, schools, discipline.

🎯 Common Themes to Focus On (Examples):

Broad Topic Common Themes

Education students, teachers, curriculum, pressure

Life / Living family, friends, accommodation, work-life

Health diet, fitness, medicine, responsibility

Entertainment arts, media, influence, lifestyle

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

💡 Key idea: Make a list of common themes to help generate ideas quickly.

❌ Problem 2: Starting Too Generally

Some start with vague phrases like: • “This is a debated topic.”

• “It is controversial whether…”
These are not specific and don’t help introduce the actual issue.

🧠 Solution:
Start with a sentence that introduces the general topic + context.

Bad example:
A. It is true that when ambitious people follow their dreams…
👉 ❌ Focus is wrong – this is about ambitious people, not fame

Good example:
D. Fame and its impact on the lifestyle of celebrities fascinates many people.
👉 ✅ Clear topic + links to themes discussed in the essay

❌ Problem 3: Copying or Translating the Question

Some try to rephrase every word in the question → awkward or unnatural.

🧠 Solution:
Instead of word-for-word translation, try paraphrasing the idea in your own words.

Example:
❓ Question: Some people think schools should teach children how to behave.
✅ Paraphrase: Some people believe that children should be taught to behave well by
their school teachers.

Use natural language like “some people believe” instead of awkward phrases like
“numerous individuals.”

❌ Problem 4: Including the Full Argument in the Introduction

Some candidates write a “mini essay” or “thesis statement” with their whole opinion in
one long paragraph. This leads to: • Repetition later
• Poor paragraph balance
• Weak coherence

🧠 Solution:
If you include your position: • Keep it brief
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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

• Only state main point or general opinion

• Leave details for the body

💡 Key idea: Make sure you have time to write all parts of your essay: intro, body, and
conclusion.

❌ Problem 5: Ending the Introduction with “I will…”

Phrases like: • “In this essay, I will discuss…”

• “I will now prove that…”
👉 ❌ Too personal, unnecessary, and adds no value

🧠 Solution:
Focus on the topic, not yourself.
✅ Better: “This essay will discuss…”
❌ Avoid: “In this essay, I will discuss…”

How to Paraphrase the Task in Your Introduction

📝 Topic #1:
Some people believe that the government should provide free healthcare for all citizens.
Others argue that individuals should pay for their own medical expenses.

✅ 1. Use synonyms (word-level paraphrasing)

Change keywords to similar ones with the same meaning.

Original: Some people believe that the government should provide free healthcare for all
citizens.
Paraphrased: Certain individuals think that medical services should be funded by the
government and made available at no cost to everyone.

🎯 "Some people" → "Certain individuals"

🎯 "provide" → "funded by"

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

🎯 "free healthcare" → "medical services at no cost"

🎯 "all citizens" → "everyone"

✅ 2. Change sentence structure (syntax)

Rearrange the sentence without changing the meaning.

Paraphrased:
Whether healthcare should be offered for free by the government or paid for by
individuals remains a topic of debate.

🎯 Starts with a noun clause instead of “some people believe...”

🎯 Keeps the original meaning while varying the structure

✅ 3. Change word forms (noun → verb / adjective)

Transform words from one form to another.

Original: ...should provide free healthcare...

Paraphrased: ...should be responsible for providing healthcare services that are free of
charge...

🎯 "provide" (verb) → "be responsible for funding"

🎯 "healthcare" (noun) → "healthcare services"
🎯 "free" (adj) → "free of charge" (phrase)

1. Some people believe that the government should provide free healthcare for all
citizens. Others argue that individuals should pay for their own medical expenses.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
-Question type:
-Topic:
-Keywords:

2. Modern lifestyles are increasingly unhealthy. What are the causes of this trend,
and what can be done to improve people’s health?

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

-Question type:
-Topic:
-Keywords:

3. Some people believe that children should be taught how to maintain a healthy
lifestyle in school. Others argue that parents should be responsible for this. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.
-Question type:
-Topic:
-Keywords:

DEVELOPING THE ARGUMENT BY PROVIDING REASONS AND EFFECTS

A. Giving Reasons – “WHY is this happening?”

1. Linking words (reason + clause):

because / since / as + clause

📌 Example: People are becoming overweight because they eat too much fast food and
don’t exercise.

2. Prepositional phrases (reason + noun):

due to / because of / as a result of / owing to + noun

📌 Example: Obesity is increasing due to the popularity of unhealthy diets.

B. Useful Phrases for Giving Reasons

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

1. This is because + clause

2. This can be attributed to the fact that + clause

3. The main reason is + noun

4. One factor contributing to this is + noun

5. The root cause lies in + noun

6. This can be explained by + noun

1. Many people today suffer from stress.

➡️

(keywords: work pressure, long hours)

2. Childhood obesity is becoming more common.

➡️

(keywords: junk food, fast food advertising)

3. Some people don’t exercise regularly.

➡️

(keywords: busy lifestyle, lack of motivation)

4. Heart disease has increased in recent years.

➡️

(keywords: unhealthy diet, sedentary habits)

5. People sleep less than they used to.

➡️

(keywords: screen time, mobile phone use at night)

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

6. Many people choose not to visit a doctor until they are very sick.
➡️

(keywords: medical costs, lack of awareness)

7. Mental health problems are more visible in modern society.

➡️

(keywords: isolation, social media, stress)

DEVELOPING THE ARGUMENT BY PROVIDING RESULTS

🔴 1. Negative Results

A. [Cause – N] is to blame for [Effect – N]

📌 Example: Lack of exercise is to blame for the rise in obesity among young people.

B. [Cause – N] takes a heavy toll on [Effect – N]

📌 Example: Unhealthy eating habits take a heavy toll on people’s physical health.

C. [Cause – N] leads to [Effect – N]

📌 Example: High sugar consumption leads to an increased risk of diabetes.

⚪️2. Neutral Results

A. As a result, [Effect – Clause]

📌 Example: Many people do not exercise regularly. As a result, their fitness levels are
very low.

B. [Cause – Clause], leading to [Effect – N]

📌 Example: Many office workers sit all day, leading to back pain and poor posture.

🟢 3. Positive Results

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

A. [Cause – N] lays the foundation for [Effect – N]

📌 Example: Regular physical activity lays the foundation for long-term health.

B. [Cause – N] helps with [Effect – N]

📌 Example: A balanced diet helps with weight control and better energy levels.

Practice: Develop the Idea with Reason + Result

Write 2 sentences for each idea:
11 Reason/Cause – Why does it happen?
1️⃣
2️⃣Result – What does it lead to?

1. People often eat too much fast food.

(keywords: taste, convenience / weight gain, obesity)
➡️

2. Many people avoid going to the doctor.

(keywords: cost, fear / late treatment, worsened health)
➡️

3. Students are not taught about healthy eating in school.

(keywords: lack of education / poor food choices, health issues)
➡️

4. More people are joining fitness classes.

(keywords: motivation, social influence / better health, energy)
➡️

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

Topic: Modern lifestyles are increasingly unhealthy. What are the causes of this trend,
and what can be done to improve people’s health?
Essay Type: ________________

🔹 Step 1: Understand the Question

1. What is the topic about?

→ ______________________________________________________

2. What does the question ask you to do?

✔ Write about the causes of unhealthy modern lifestyles
✔ Suggest solutions to improve people’s health

🔹 Step 2: Brainstorm Causes

List two causes of unhealthy lifestyles today. For each cause, think about:
– What causes it?
– What are the effects?

Cause 1: __________________________________________
→ Why? __________________________________________
→ What does it lead to? ____________________________

Cause 2: __________________________________________
→ Why? __________________________________________
→ What does it lead to? ____________________________

🔹 Step 3: Brainstorm Solutions

Now think of solutions to the problems above.

For each one, answer:

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

– What can be done?

– Who should do it (government, schools, individuals, etc.)?

Solution 1: _______________________________________
→ Who should do it? _______________________________
→ What result is expected? _________________________

Solution 2: _______________________________________
→ Who should do it? _______________________________
→ What result is expected? _________________________

🔹 Step 4: Organize Ideas into Paragraphs

Plan how you will divide your ideas into paragraphs.

🔹 Step 5: Useful Phrases You Can Use

– One major reason is that...

– This leads to...
– As a result,...
– One possible solution is...
– Governments/Schools/Individuals should...
– For example,...
– This would help to...

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

Sample: In recent years, many people have adopted lifestyles that are harmful to their
health. This is becoming a serious issue in both developed and developing countries. This
essay will discuss the main causes of this problem and suggest some possible solutions.

One major reason for unhealthy lifestyles is that people are too busy. Many workers and
students have tight schedules, so they often skip meals or choose fast food because it is
quick and convenient. This kind of food usually contains too much fat and sugar, which
can lead to obesity and other health issues. Another cause is the lack of physical activity.
Many people spend long hours sitting at work or using electronic devices at home. As a
result, they do not get enough exercise, which increases the risk of heart disease, poor
posture, and low energy levels.

To address this issue, governments should create more health education campaigns.
When people understand how their habits affect their bodies, they may be more
motivated to change. For example, anti-smoking or sugar-reduction campaigns have
already helped reduce unhealthy behavior in some countries. In addition, schools should
teach students about healthy living from an early age. If children learn the importance of
nutrition and regular exercise, they are more likely to develop good habits that last into
adulthood.

In conclusion, modern life often leads people to make unhealthy choices because they are
too busy and inactive. However, with better education from governments and schools,
people can become more aware of their health and take steps to improve it.

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IELTS Advanced IELTS Instructor: [Link] Phuong ([Link].)

Some people believe that the government should provide free healthcare for all
citizens. Others argue that individuals should pay for their own medical expenses.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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