How do I answer ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree’ questions? What should be included in the introduction paragraph? Is it necessary to discuss different views in the body? If you have trouble in answering this kind of question for IELTS writing task 2, take a minute to read today’s blog! Here are some useful tips for you to tackle it.
Past questions
First of all, let’s take a look at several past questions to get familiar with this question type.
- Maintaining public libraries is a waste of time since computer technology is now replacing their functions. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- The leaders or directors of organizations are often older people. But some people say that young people can also be leaders. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- People’s shopping habits depends more on the age group they belong to than any other factor. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
There are more questions in the post on past IELTS writing questions!
Choose a point of view
Before writing anything, you should have a clear point of view. You should include adverbs to answer to what extent. Here are some possible ways to answer the question.
- I totally/completely agree…
- I totally/completely disagree…
- I mostly/partly agree/disagree…
Structure your essay
Then you can structure your essay. Here are some templates for you!
- I totally/completely agree…
Introduction: State that you totally agree with the view in the question.
Body paragraph 1: State why you agree.
Body paragraph 2: State why you agree.
Body paragraph 3: State why you agree or explain why the opposite view is wrong.
Conclusion: Restate your view.
- I totally/completely disagree…
Introduction: State that you totally disagree with the view in the question.
Body paragraph 1: State why you disagree.
Body paragraph 2: State why you disagree.
Body paragraph 3: State why you disagree or explain why the opposite view is wrong.
Conclusion: Restate your view.
- I mostly/partly agree/disagree…
Introduction: State the points that you agree with and the points that you disagree with.
Body paragraph 1: State why you agree with some of the points.
Body paragraph 2: State why you disagree with some of the points.
Conclusion: Restate your view.
1 and 2 are slightly easier to write. They are similar to the answers to ‘Do you agree/disagree?’ questions. If you are unconfident about your writing, just use the first or the second structure and be sure to include the adverb totally/completely.
In conclusion, to answer ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree?’ questions, you need to state your degree of agreement/disagreement with different adverbs in the introduction paragraph. Then use the rest of the essay to support your view. To learn more about how to write a good IELTS essay, check out our post on how to organize ideas in IELTS writing task 2 and the Magoosh IELTS prep!
very helpful, i have no clue what IELTS’ are but i am doing A level English LIterature and planning a mini essay on ‘Tess of the D’urbervilles’ and this was usefull!
Is there any difference between
– do you agree or disagree and
-to what extent do you agree or disagree
I am confused.
Can u make me clear ..
Hi Bishwas,
Happy to help! The phrasing “do you agree or disagree” implies you are to make a simple assessment whereas “to what extent do you agree or disagree” is asking for a deeper analysis of how much you agree or disagree. Maybe you only shallowly agree under certain circumstances, and so the second prompt would ask you to discuss it in this way.
Thanks!!! I was looking for exactly such an article with direct and diverse answer templates (structures)