How to write Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2

In the IELTS Writing Task 2, candidates are required to write a social argumentative essay to answer the question given in the prompt. Depending on the requirements of each prompt, the questions in Writing Task 2 can be divided into different types, such as Opinion, Two-part question, or Discussion, etc. Therefore, in this article, PREP will provide Preppies with the most comprehensive and detailed instructions on how to write the Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2.

I. What is the Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2?

The Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2 is quite similar to the Problem-Solution format. The prompt will address a specific issue and then ask the writer to answer two questions related to that issue. These questions may fall into one of the four previous essay types or they may be very specific, only related to the mentioned issue.

Example of Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2:

• “Parents often give children everything they ask for and do what they like. Is it good for children? What are the consequences when they grow up?”
• “Consumers are faced with increasing numbers of advertisements from competing companies. To what extent do you think are consumers influenced by advertisements? What measures can be taken to protect them?”

Similar to the Problem-Solution essay, we can answer each question separately in each body paragraph or alternate between them. However, it is important to note that we should fully address both questions and avoid providing a detailed answer to one question while neglecting the other.

II. How to identify the Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2

Signs of recognition: The Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2 does not have any specific questions. Usually, the prompt will include a sentence to introduce the issue, followed by two related questions:

III. Structure of Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2

You can refer to and apply the following structure to write the Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2 during your self-study for the exam at home!

IV. Sample essays for Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2 prompt on April 14, 2018

1.1. Prompt

“In today’s world of advanced science and technology, we still greatly value our artists such as musicians, painters, and writers. What can arts tell us about life that science and technology cannot?”

1.2. Ideas

What science and technology cannot tell people

• Even the latest appliances of science and technology such as robots and even AI cannot imitate human emotions.
• Machines function based on logic and a set of programmed principles and never sympathise or empathise in the way that humans do.

What arts can tell people

• Pieces of art (paintings, songs, novels) can reflect how people feel and the emotions of the painters, song writers and writers.
• Art can inspire people to live a better life / can instil in people a sense of humanity.

2. Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2 prompt on May 25, 2017

2.1. Prompt

“Parents often give children everything they ask for and do what they like. Is it good for children? What are the consequences when they grow up?”

2.2. Sample

Indulging children has become a common parenting problem in many modern families. From a short-term perspective, this practice may slow down the process of children developing essential life skills. From a long-term standpoint, this may cause a sense of overdependence among children.

In the short term, it is possible that over-indulgence causes some delay to the process in which children learn important life skills. This can be seen in a variety of age groups, ranging from toddlers to teenagers. In Vietnam, for example, many over-caring parents spoon-feed their children until they are five or six, the developmental stage in which they should have already been able to eat independently. There is a common practice that parents assist their preadolescent children in taking a bath or a shower. These children, as a result, may fail to acquire basic personal hygiene skills at the right time.

In the long run, the consequences are even more dire as over-indulged children grow up. If parents satisfy all the needs of their children unconditionally, they may inadvertently make the children become over-reliant on them. When these children enter adulthood, the inability to live independently can cause some difficulties for them to maintain their overall well-being, such as not knowing what to do when they catch a fever. It is also a problem that over-indulgent parents are often lenient and do not require children to face the consequences of their misbehaviour. This deprives children of the opportunities to learn from mistakes, which may cause their problem-solving skills to be severely lacking in the future.

From the issues outlined above, one can conclude that overindulgence may produce a number of unfavourable effects on children, including the delay in gaining crucial life skills such as self-feeding and the long-term consequence of lacking the ability to cope with problems as adults in the future. It is recommended that no parents should overindulge their offspring.

V. Achieve Your Dream IELTS Band Score 

This article has provided detailed guidance on writing an essay in the Two-part questions IELTS Writing Task 2 for Preppies. PREP hopes that the article is helpful to our readers and if you’re aiming for IELTS excellence, explore these top-notch resources designed for high achievers below:

• IELTS preparation online: Break Barriers, Achieve Band 7