Types of Prompts

 

Problem Solution

• This prompt features a problem and you are to provide 2 reasons for the problem in the first paragraph. In the second paragraph you are to provide 2 possible solutions
• Rarely, if ever, you are asked for an opinion with this prompt
• The first topic sentences should mention the issue and the second topic sentence mention possible solutions
• The conclusion should be completed in 2 sentences. The first should restate the thesis statement and the second should either summarize the problem and solution or propose a warning if the solutions are not used.

 

Prompt: Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses from poorer countries often migrate to richer countries to work.
What problems arise from this situation? What measures can be taken to deal with it?

Topic sentence paragraph 1: There are several reasons medical professions abandon their poor home country. (give 2 reasons)

Topic sentence Paragraph 2: However, there are several possible solutions to stop the migration of doctors and nurses to wealthier countries. (give 2 solutions)

Possible Conclusion: In conclusion, this essay has discussed some of the problems and solutions to the migration of medical professionals from poorer to wealthier nations. Although there are good reasons for these doctors and nurses to leave, with help from their governments these issues can be resolved.

Advantages/Disadvantages

• This prompt features 1 topic and you are to write one paragraph on the advantages and then another on the disadvantages
• You have to add your opinion to the thesis!
• The 2 topic sentences should be simple and tell of the benefits in the first sentence and then the second the detriments of the topic (or vice-versa if you prefer)
• The conclusion should be 2 sentences. The first sentence is a rewrite of the thesis statement and the second sentence your opinion

 

Prompt: High-stakes English language tests, such as the IELTS, are increasingly being delivered on the computer.
Do the advantages of computer-based testing outweigh the disadvantages?

Topic sentence paragraph 1: There are several reasons why computer-based tests are popular. (advantages)

Topic sentence Paragraph 2: On the other hand, there are many arguments for not using computer-based language testing. (disadvantages).

Possible Conclusion: This essay has discussed the benefits and detriments of computer-based language testing. In my opinion, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

What is your Opinion?

 Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?

All 3 prompt types refer to the same type of essay prompt – an Opinion essay. When asked ‘to what extent’, the trick here is never, ever state that you ‘partially agree’ with the prompt’; rather, always ‘strongly’ agree or ‘disagree’. “If you shoot for the middle, you will get a Band score in the middle”. The purpose of the essay from IELTS’s perspective is ‘can the candidate take a position to defend it in a written argument’. By going halfway, you are not taking a strong position, so this type of response usually gets marked lower.

 

• This prompt wants you to use BOTH paragraphs to either Agree with the statement in the prompt OR use Both paragraphs to Disagree with the statement in the prompt
• DO NOT write one paragraph that disagrees and one the agrees!!
• Rarely, if ever, are you asked for an opinion because this ‘an opinion essay’
• The topic sentences for both paragraphs will suggest a reason to support of the prompt
• You only need one reason to support in each paragraph – thus only 2 reasons!
• – the second paragraph usually begins with the cohesive device: ‘Likewise,’
• The conclusion is a standard 2 sentence response. The first sentence is a rewrite of the thesis statement and the second sentence is your opinion.

 

Prompt: Childhood obesity is an increasing problem in Australia. As many as two-thirds of children are now obese.
Schools have a responsibility to monitor what their students eat and the amount of exercise they do.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Topic sentence paragraph 1: There are several reasons why parents should have the responsibility for their own children rather than a local school.

Topic sentence Paragraph 2: Likewise, another reason why parents should have the right over their own children is that…

Possible Conclusion: In conclusion, this essay has discussed why parents should have the responsibility for their own children and not the local school. In my opinion, I strongly disagree with the statement above because understanding starts at home first and not at school.

Double Question

This is considered the most difficult prompt along with Discuss Both Views and give your Opinion because you have to solve ‘the second question’ before you start your thesis and THIS TAKES TIME.

• This prompt asks 2 questions (not to be confused with the Problem/Solution prompt which is sometimes presented as 2 questions)
• The first question usually leads to the topic of the first paragraph
• The second paragraph is ‘open’ or for you to decide and/ find a solution to what is asked. This has to be answered before you start writing your introduction
• The topic sentences: the first one should mention the first question (usually do agree or disagree with it and why); the second topic sentences should be directly related to the prompt’s second question
• The conclusion is three sentences (you give your final answer to the questions here). The first statement is a general statement about the topic. The second is a rewrite of the topic sentence. The third is your final opinion as to what form (in this case) of success is best.

Prompt: Success is often measured in terms of how much money somebody has earned.
Do you think wealth is a good measure of success? How else could we measure whether somebody is successful or not?

Topic sentence paragraph 1:  There are several reasons why a person’s success should (not) be measured by their accumulated wealth.

Topic sentence Paragraph 2: However, another way to measure a person’s success in life is by how much they contribute to their community (social recognition).

Possible Conclusion: A person’s success can be defined in their own terms. This essay has discussed two different approaches to success. Although many people will continue to base success on a person’s wealth, social recognition will always help to make strong communities and better individuals.

Discuss Both Views *(Be Careful – note the topic sentences!!)

This prompt can be seen as the opposite of Advantages and Disadvantage essay because it asks for one advantage and disadvantage in each paragraph. The key is to recognize that there are potentially two subjects in the prompt…and the prompt asks: Discuss Both Views!

• This prompt usually has 2 topics, so you have to write a paragraph on each topic.

However, because the prompt asks you to ‘Discuss Both Views’, you have to pay attention to topic sentences

• Each topic sentence must show the potential that you will discuss a positive and negative attribute. (see example below)
• The conclusion will have the standard two sentences. The first sentence is a rewrite of the topic sentence and the second sentence is a final opinion.

 

Prompt: Cities around the world are continuing to expand as people leave the countryside. Some people prefer to live in the city while others prefer to live in the countryside.

Discuss Both Views

Topic sentence paragraph 1: Cities have many advantages for people, but there are a few drawbacks as well. (mention a positive aspect and then a negative aspect of city living)

Topic sentence Paragraph 2: Likewise, the countryside has its detriments to living, but it also has some benefits. (mention a negative than a positive aspect to country living)

Possible Conclusion: In conclusion, this essay has discussed some of the positive and negative aspects of both city and country living. In my opinion, the city is the better place to live because there are more things to do. (mention only an aspect you discussed with the essay – no outside information!).

Discuss both views and give your opinion

This prompt is also considered to be one of the more difficult prompts because it is a mix between a Problem/Solution and a Double Question prompt. This prompt usually gives some information to be discussed in the first paragraph, but then the prompt leaves an ‘open’ analysis for the candidate to input into the second paragraph. Thus, it reminds us of Double Question because you have to decide what to write about, and Problem/Solution because your response is usually in the form of solutions.

• This prompt is similar to Double Question and Problem/Solution because you will have to decide what to write about in the second paragraph – usually solutions.
• Usually, you are a specific topic/subject, and that there are ‘other ways’ to dealing with this topic/subject
• Here you are to talk down the topic/subject that is given in the first paragraph. In the second paragraph, you are to bring in your own ideas – so as to show contrast with the first paragraph.
• The first topic sentence should reflect what was given in the prompt. The second topic sentence should be controlled by your own ideas (usually a solution)
• The conclusion is a standard two-sentence response. The first sentence is a rewrite of the thesis statement and the second gives your final opinion.

 

Prompt: Some people believe that longer prison sentences are the best way to decrease crime while others believe that there are alternative ways to decrease crime.

Topic sentence paragraph 1: Longer prison sentences are not the way to reduce crime for several reasons.

Topic sentence Paragraph 2: On the other hand, there are many other possible solutions to reduce crime.

Possible Conclusion: In conclusion, this essay has discussed why longer prison sentences should be replaced by more relevant ways to reduce crime. In my opinion (reason 1) and (reason 2) are far superior ways to reduce crime than longer prison sentences.