Learn how to structure and respond to IELTS writing questions that ask you to respond to 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦. This will increase your score for task response and cohesion and coherence. The following are included in this post:

1. video explaining how to write this type of essay
2. identifying a two-question type of essay
3. the best way to structure the essay
4. the best way to respond to the topic
5. a model answer
6. a homework activity

Identifying this Type of Question
Typical question words include:

What problems does this cause?
What are some potential solutions?

What are the reasons for this?
What are some potential solutions?

What are the advantages?
What are the disadvantages?

Sample task instructions
Due to advances in technology, working from home has become more popular.
What are the advantages?
What are the disadvantages?

Responding to the Question
I suggest you have two main ideas in response to each question. Below is a plan for the sample task above. Note how I have two advantages into disadvantages.
+ More flexible
+ Saves time
– less Motivation
– Communication is more difficult

Structure
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Question 1
Paragraph 3: Question 2
Paragraph 4: Conclusion

Model Answer

Home-based work has become prevalent due to developments in technology. This essay discusses the merits and drawbacks of this phenomenon.

There are two main benefits of working from home. The first of these is that this work mode is more flexible. If someone works from home, they can make their own schedule unlike being tied to office hours in a traditional job. For instance, I work online building websites and often work at night because I find this is the best time I can concentrate. Furthermore, it saves a lot of time. The reason for this is that less time is wasted in traffic to go to an office. Therefore, there is more time for non-work activities.

However, there are also drawbacks to this. The most significant is that it can be difficult to be motivated. This is because no boss is looking over the workers’ shoulders. For example, I often find I waste a lot of time surfing around the Internet because nobody can see I am doing this. Another limitation is communication between colleagues is more challenging. This is due to not meeting face-to-face and having to communicate online. This can lead to less effective communication and even misunderstanding of co-workers’ real intentions.

In conclusion, the advantages of working from home are that there are fewer distractions and it saves time. The disadvantages are that it often leads to lower levels of motivation and difficulties in communication.

Homework Activity
Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than work for a company or organisation.
Why might this be the case?
What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed?

Get your homework corrected to find out the band score and how to increase it.