Essay plan: discussion (discuss both views)

A real IELTS Writing Task 2 question with the paragraph plan that fits it. Aim for 250 to 290 words in 40 minutes.

The question

Some people think that technology has made our lives more complicated, while others believe it has made life easier. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Your 4-paragraph plan

  1. Introduction (40-50 words). Paraphrase both views, then state which one you lean towards.
  2. Body paragraph 1 (80-100 words). Explain the first view fairly, with an example, even if you disagree with it.
  3. Body paragraph 2 (80-100 words). Explain the second view, then make clear why you find it stronger.
  4. Conclusion (40-50 words). Summarise both sides in one sentence each and confirm your position.

The trap in this question type

You must cover BOTH views to score well on Task Response. One-sided answers cap your band even when the writing is excellent.

Model answer for this question

Written for this exact question in the official format. Read it once for ideas, then write your own before comparing.

Some argue that modern technology has tangled our lives in notifications and passwords, while others insist it has removed burdens our grandparents accepted without question. My view is that technology has made life dramatically easier, and that most of the complexity we feel is a matter of poor habits rather than the tools themselves. The complaint is understandable. The average adult now manages dozens of accounts, updates, and devices that interrupt them hundreds of times a day. A task as simple as watching a film can involve three subscriptions and a forgotten password. For older people especially, banking or booking travel can feel like an exam in software rather than a simple errand. Yet these frustrations sit on top of enormous, easily forgotten gains. Sending money home once meant queues and paperwork; it now takes seconds on a phone. A farmer can check market prices without travelling, a patient can consult a doctor by video, and a student in a small town can attend lectures recorded at the world's best universities. Where communication once meant expensive calls booked in advance, families now see each other's faces daily across continents for nothing. The complexity is optional and manageable: we can silence notifications, but our grandparents could not silence distance. In conclusion, while digital life brings genuine irritations, they are the small print on an overwhelmingly good deal. Technology has made life easier, and it is up to users to keep it that way.

Why this answer scores

  1. The opinion is nuanced but decisive: both views are discussed, one is clearly endorsed.
  2. 'The small print on an overwhelmingly good deal' shows the flexible, precise language band 8+ rewards.
  3. Examples span money, health and education, proving range without drifting off topic.

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