IELTS Writing: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay Type 3

There are three types of Advantage Disadvantage questions of IELTS Writing task 2 exam. And each type of them needs a different approach to answer. Therefore, you need to know what are those types and how to identify them. Let's take a close look at the questions below and identify their differences

Question Type 1

"Recent advancement in communication technology is connecting people around the world.

Discuss advantages and disadvantages for the connected people."

Question Type 1 simply gives a statement and it asks you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages based on that statement. Apart from the introduction and conclusion paragraphs, you can simply write one paragraph for discussing advantages and another paragraph for disadvantages. Your role is just to discuss the advantages and disadvantages. Nothing beyond this. That means don't try to add your opinion give emphasis on logic.

Question Type 2

"Some argue that globalization is harming people more, rather than making them better off.

Do the advantages of globalization outweigh disadvantages?"

Question type 2 states an argument. There are both sides of this argument. You are asked to describe why one side is stronger than the other way around. Though it says "do the advantages of globalization outweigh disadvantages?", it doesn't mean that you have to prove why advantage side is stronger than disadvantage, you can do the opposite. Remember, examiners didn't ask for number of advantages or disadvantages. Rather they asked for the intensity. For example, there might have 5 general advantages against a very strong disadvantage. In that case disadvantage might outweigh advantage.

Question Type 3

"Technological improvement has made our life more comfortable than ever before. Some people argue that this is a positive trend, while others say that it is leading to a negative consequence.

Discuss advantages and disadvantages, and then give your opinion."

Question type 3 is just Question Type 1, plus your opinion. Look at the Question Type 1 above, you were not asked to add your opinion, you just needed to explain the advantages and disadvantages. But here in Type 3, it wants you to write the advantages and disadvantages, and then also add your opinion. However, your opinion doesn't have to support any of the stated sides, it could be something in between, or could be a unique point of view. It's all your opinion.

Previously we discussed,

Type 1 Advantage/Disadvantage question

Type 2 Advantage/Disadvantage question

We suggest you check these articles, if you haven't already.

On this pages we are going to show you our magic structure for the Type 3 Advantage and Disadvantage question.

Advantage/Disadvantage: Type 3

Pick the Key Points

You might have several points to talk about. But you cannot write all of them. Examiners didn't ask for a list of features, rather they want you to explain only a couple of major points. Let's take the following features to discuss in the essay:

Body Paragraph 1(Advantages)

Unprecedented improvement in transfer and communication
Automation technology in daily life

Body Paragraph 2(Disadvantages)

Rampant cyber-crime/online-assault
Development of chronic health problems from sedentary lifestyle

Your Opinion

Despite having some drawbacks, technological improvement is a massive blessing for us.

We've chosen a few major advantages and disadvantages focusing on the question statement. We've also noted down our point of view to add afterwards. Therefore, now we're well set to start planning for the essay.

Previously we discussed in detail how important it is to have a plan before starting the essay. If you haven't gone through that article on planning strategy for a band 9 essay, we recommend you check it now. It will give a big boost to your essay quality.

Before starting the essay, let's take a quick look at our magic structure:

Essay Structure: Advantage Disadvantage Type 3

If you can write just 14 sentences spread over 4 paragraphs, your IELTS Task 2 essay is complete. It is that simple. This is our 4/14 essay technique. It's very easy to remember and execute in exam. The 4 paragraphs are,

Introduction
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Conclusion

On this page, we will show you how to write an IELTS Task 2 essay applying this four paragraph structure.

However, we've developed a simple paragraphing style that will make your life easiest ever. We call it 3443 Approach. Remember it, practice it, apply it. It will make your IELTS Task 2 writing such easy that you can't even imagine.

What we mean by 3443:

3 Sentences for Introduction Paragraph
4 Sentences for Body Paragraph 1
4 Sentences for Body Paragraph 2
3 Sentences for Conclusion Paragraph

These are the 3+4+4+3 = 14 sentences. Quite simple. Now let's distribute these sentences among the 4 paragraphs.

(However, there will be slight differences in structures for the 3 different types of Advantage/Disadvantage essays. The following structure applies to the Type 3 Advantage/Disadvantage essay.)

Introduction

Sentence 1: Paraphrase the question sentence.

Sentence 2: Write a thesis statement.

Sentence 3: Write an outline sentence.

Body Paragraph 1(Advantages)

Sentence 1: Topic Sentence 1(include the both advantages)

Sentence 2: Explain with example for the Topic Sentence 1.

Sentence 3: Discuss the second major advantage, based on the Topic Sentence 1.

Sentence 4: Give a supportive example for the second major advantage.

Body Paragraph 2(Disadvantages)

Sentence 1: Topic Sentence 2(include the both disadvantages)

Sentence 2: Explain with an example for the Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 3: Discuss the second major disadvantage, based on the Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 4: Add your opinion

Conclusion

Sentence 1: Summarize the body paragraph 1.

Sentence 2: Summarize the body paragraph 2.

Sentence 3: Give a final remark summarizing the both body paragraphs.

This is pretty simple to remember. Addressing the Type 3 question stated above, we are going to demonstrate you the beauty of this secret formula.

Before jumping to start the essay, we need to clarify one more thing. Looking at our structure above, you might be wondering what is the Topic Sentence. Let's clarify it:

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence is pretty simple. Just state the major points that you want to discuss about. These points are the topic sentences. In this essay, we're going to state the advantages in Topic Sentence 1, and disadvantages in Topic Sentence 2. Look at the sentences below:

1. The unprecedented advancement of communication and automation technology has made people's life smoother and faster than ever before.

2. However, this revolutionary development of technology cannot be free from blame when it is easing serious cyber attacks and promoting a disease prone sedentary lifestyle.

To put it simply, these two are our topic sentences. The sentence 1 will be the Topic Sentence for the body paragraph 1, and the sentence 2 will be the Topic Sentence for the body paragraph 2. Pretty simple.

Addressing the Question Type 3 stated above on this page, let's apply our magic structure step by step:

Introduction

This paragraph bears an overall picture of the essay, and conveys an impression to examiners. Therefore, we suggest you write this paragraph in such a way that examiners get a clear preview of the essay. Take a look how we construct this paragraph:

Sentence 1: Paraphrase the question sentence.

Sentence 2: Write a thesis statement.

Sentence 3: Write an outline sentence.

(However, we have a complete guide on how to write a great introduction. We also have a full article regarding how to write a thesis statement. We suggest you check them now, if you haven't already.)

The 1st sentence is the paraphrase of the question statement. By reading this sentence, the examiner will get a perception whether you have properly understood the question or not.

Thesis statement is the 2nd sentence. This is the most important sentence in the whole essay. This sentence will demonstrate your reaction regarding the question statement, and it will also provide a concise summary of the essay.

Outlining sentence is the 3rd sentence of your introduction paragraph. This sentence will give a hint how the discussion is going to proceed and how the following paragraphs are organized.

Addressing the Type 3 question stated above on this page, let's apply our strategy step by step to form the introduction paragraph:

Paraphrasing of the Question Sentence

"Argument goes that people are getting more and more dependent on technology."

Thesis Statement

"Though the technological revolution has both advantages like advanced communication and automation, and disadvantages like cyber crime and obesity, this essay considers this unprecedented innovation as a huge blessing for people."

Outline Sentence

"Followed by the opinion of the essay, an illustration on both advantages and disadvantages of technological improvement is given below."

The Complete Introduction

"Argument goes that people are getting more and more dependent on technology. Though the technological revolution has both advantages like advanced communication and automation, and disadvantages like cyber crime and obesity, this essay considers this unprecedented innovation as a huge blessing for people. Followed by the opinion of the essay, an illustration on both advantages and disadvantages of technological improvement is given below."

Body Paragraph 1

Remember, you are asked to write the essay with at least 250 words. Yes you can

write a few more like 270 - 300, but you should never exceed 300.

However, you might have a number of points to focus on. This is why you need to make a choice what to discuss, and what not to. Considering the word limit, we suggest you choose only one major advantage and one major disadvantage point.

We recommend using Body Paragraph 1 for discussing the advantage and Body Paragraph 2 for the disadvantage point followed by your opinion.

(We have a full article on our special strategy for IELTS Writing Task 2 body paragraphs. We suggest you check it now, if you haven't already.)

Addressing the Type 3 Advantage/Disadvantage Question, we're going to show you our special strategy to form the two body paragraphs .

Addressing the Type 3 question stated above, we're going to show you how we form the two body paragraphs:

Body Paragraph 1(Advantages)

Sentence 1: Topic Sentence 1(include the both advantages)

Sentence 2: Explain the Topic Sentence 1, with example.

Sentence 3: Discuss the second major advantage, based on the Topic Sentence 1.

Sentence 4: Give an example for the second major advantage.

Sentence 1 (Topic Sentence 1, include the both advantages)

"The unprecedented advancement of communication and automation technology has made people's life faster and more comfortable than ever before."

Sentence 2 (Explain the Topic Sentence 1)

"Regardless the distance in between, they can set up real-time audio-visual contact, can enjoy and participate online live events, get constant updates of different activities around the world etc."

Sentence 3 (Discuss the second major advantage, based on the Topic Sentence 1)

"Automation technology is another groundbreaking innovation which made people's daily life such enjoyable that was once even beyond of imagination."

Sentence 4 (Give an example for the second major advantage)

"For example, washing machine, electronic cookware, refrigerator, air conditioning system, home theatre, and entry-exit system for vehicles or buildings etc. all are functioning with just a push of one button, or with a finger touch, or simply with a voice code."

The Complete Body Paragraph 1

"The unprecedented advancement of communication and automation technology has made people's life faster and more comfortable than ever before. Regardless the distance in between, they can set up real-time audio-visual contact, can enjoy and participate online live events, get constant updates of different activities around the world etc. Automation technology is another groundbreaking innovation which made people's daily life such enjoyable that was once even beyond of imagination. For example, washing machine, electronic cookware, refrigerator, air conditioning system, home theatre, and entry-exit system for vehicles or buildings etc. all are functioning with just a push of one button, or with a finger touch, or simply with a voice code."

Body Paragraph 2

In a Types 3 Advantage/Disadvantage essay, we recommend using this paragraph for discussing the disadvantage point followed by your opinion. Let's apply our magic structure to form this paragraph:

Body Paragraph 2(Disadvantages)

Sentence 1: Topic Sentence 2(include the both disadvantages)

Sentence 2: Explain with an example for the Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 3: Discuss the 2nd major disadvantage, based on the Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 4: State your opinion

Sentence 1(Topic Sentence 2, include the both disadvantages)

"However, this revolutionary development of technology is also blamed for easing dreadful cyber crimes and promoting a disease prone sedentary lifestyle."

Sentence 2(Explain with an example for the Topic Sentence 2)

"Through digital platform like internet or mobile phone, cyber criminals are attacking people by sending hurtful text messages, using unauthorized photos or videos, and spreading rumors etc."

Sentence 3(Discuss the 2nd major disadvantage, based on the Topic Sentence 2)

"Meanwhile, a 15 year long trend line study finds that due to excessive dependency on automation, many people are becoming physically inactive, which is doubling the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, depression and so on."

Sentence 4(Add the essay's opinion)

"Admitting these few drawbacks, this essay believes that the benefits of technological improvement are abundant, and they are inevitably embedded to people's daily life."

The Complete Body Paragraph 2

"However, this revolutionary development of technology is also blamed for easing dreadful cyber crimes and promoting a disease prone sedentary lifestyle. Through digital platform like internet or mobile phone, cyber criminals are attacking people by sending hurtful text messages, using unauthorized photos or videos, and spreading rumors etc. Meanwhile, a 15 year long trend line study finds that due to excessive dependency on automation, many people are becoming physically inactive, which is doubling the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, depression and so on. Admitting these few drawbacks, this essay believes that the benefits of technological improvement are abundant, and they are inevitably embedded to people's daily life."

Conclusion

You must let the examiner know your final say. Though we don't recommend writing a conclusion paragraph for an IELTS Task 1 essay, we strongly suggest you add a conclusion paragraph for a Task 2 essay. Remember, even if you fear running out of time, still you need to write at least one sentence as a conclusion paragraph. A conclusion paragraph is that much important for an IELTS Task 2 essay.

Write the conclusion paragraph in such a way that it answers the question clearly. And remember, the answer has to be completely based on the discussion above. That means never bring any new idea in a conclusion paragraph. Moreover, you should also try to avoid the vocabulary that you have already used in the essay. These are the basic requirements for your conclusion paragraph.

Remember, you will lose marks if you fail to write a conclusion in an IELTS Task 2 essay. To put it simply, it resembles you worked all day together as a team, but at the end of the day, you just left workplace without saying 'bye' to anyone.

(We have a detailed guide on how to write a smart conclusion. We suggest you check this article now, if you haven't already.)

Let's focus on our simple secret of constructing a conclusion paragraph:

Sentence 1: Summarize the body paragraph 1.

Sentence 2: Summarize the body paragraph 2.

Sentence 3: Give a final remark summarizing the both body paragraphs.

Sentence 1 (Summarize the body paragraph 1)

"Recent technological transformation has gifted our daily life a rhythm of comfort and connectivity."

Sentence 2 (Summarize the body paragraph 2)

"However, this development is also blamed for causing rampant cyber crimes and a disease prone sedentary lifestyle."

Sentence 3 (Give a final remark summarizing the both body paragraphs)

"In brief, all things considered, this essay views technological revolution as a massive blessing for people in this modern world."

The Complete Conclusion

"Recent technological transformation has gifted our daily life a rhythm of comfort and connectivity. However this development is also blamed for causing rampant cyber crimes and a disease prone sedentary lifestyle. In brief, all things considered, this essay views technological revolution as a massive blessing for people in this modern world."

A Complete Response to the Type 3 Advantage Disadvantage Question

"Argument goes that people are getting more and more dependent on technology. Though the technological revolution has both advantages like advanced communication and automation, and disadvantages like cyber crime and obesity, this essay considers this unprecedented innovation as a huge blessing for people. Followed by opinion of the essay, an illustration on both advantages and disadvantages of technological improvement is given below.

The unprecedented advancement of communication and automation technology has made people's life faster and more comfortable than ever before. Regardless the distance in between, they can set up real-time audio-visual contact, can enjoy and participate online live events, get constant updates of different activities around the world etc. Automation technology is another groundbreaking innovation which made people's daily life such enjoyable that was once even beyond of imagination. For example, washing machine, electronic cookware, refrigerator, air conditioning system, home theatre, and entry-exit system for vehicles or buildings etc. all are functioning with just a push of one button, or with a finger touch, or simply with a voice code.

However, this revolutionary development of technology is also blamed for easing dreadful cyber crimes and promoting a disease prone sedentary lifestyle. Through digital platform like internet or mobile phone, cyber criminals are attacking people by sending hurtful text messages, using unauthorized photos or videos, and spreading rumors etc. Meanwhile, a 15 year long trend line study finds that due to excessive dependency on automation, many people are becoming physically inactive, which is doubling the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, depression and so on. Admitting these few drawbacks, this essay believes that the benefits of technological improvement are abundant, and they are inevitably embedded to people's daily life.

Recent technological transformation has gifted our daily life a rhythm of comfort and connectivity. However this development is also blamed for causing rampant cyber crimes and a disease prone sedentary lifestyle. In brief, all things considered, this essay views technological revolution as a massive blessing for people in this modern world."

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Up next,

Type 1 Advantage/Disadvantage Question

Type 2 Advantage/Disadvantage Question

Review the detailed discussion on all the types of IELTS Task 2 essays:

IELTS Task 2 Opinion Essays

IELTS Task 2 Discussion Essays

IELTS Task 2 Advantage Disadvantage Essays

IELTS Task 2 Problem Solution Essays

Don't forget to check the following resources as well:

A complete guide on IELTS Writing

A complete guide on IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic