IELTS opinion essay: 'to what extent do you agree or disagree?'
The opinion essay is the most common IELTS Task 2 type. The question asks how far you agree with a statement, and the examiner wants one thing above all: a clear position that you keep from the first paragraph to the last.
Updated 2026-10-23
How to recognise an opinion essay
The question gives you a statement and then asks one of these:
- To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Do you agree or disagree?
- What is your opinion?
You are not asked to discuss two views (that is a discussion essay). You can mention the other side, but only to answer it.
Three positions you can take
| Position | Introduction thesis | Body paragraphs |
|---|---|---|
| Completely agree | "I strongly agree that…" | Two reasons for your view |
| Completely disagree | "I firmly disagree that…" | Two reasons against the statement |
| Partly agree | "I agree with this to a large extent, provided that…" | One paragraph for what you agree with, one for your condition or limit |
A partial position is often the easiest to develop well, because the second paragraph has a natural job. It is only a weakness if it becomes vague: "there are good and bad points" is not a position.
Practice question
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people think that private cars should be banned from city centres.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Band 9 model essay
In many large cities, traffic in the centre is slow, noisy and polluting, and some argue that the answer is to ban private cars from these areas entirely. I largely agree with this view, provided that public transport is improved first and exceptions are made for people who genuinely need a car.
The strongest argument for a ban is its effect on the quality of urban life. City centres are where the greatest number of people work, shop and spend their free time, yet much of their space is given over to moving and parking vehicles that often carry only one person. When cars are removed, that space can be used for wider pavements, cycle lanes, trees and seating, and the air becomes cleaner almost at once. Oslo, for example, removed almost all street parking from its centre and found that the streets became livelier rather than emptier, which also benefited local shops and cafés.
That said, a ban would be unfair if it simply took away people's main means of transport without offering a realistic alternative. Before cars are excluded, buses, trams and trains need to be frequent, affordable and accessible, and there should be car parks at the edge of the centre where drivers can switch to public transport. Exceptions are also essential. Disabled drivers, emergency services and delivery vehicles must still be able to enter, or the policy would harm the very people who most depend on access to the centre.
In conclusion, I believe that banning private cars from city centres is the right long-term goal, because it makes these areas cleaner, safer and more pleasant for the majority. However, it should only be introduced once good public transport is in place and with sensible exceptions for those who have no alternative.
Word count: 296
Why this essay scores highly
Task Response. The position, "largely agree, with two conditions", is stated in the introduction, developed across both body paragraphs and repeated in the conclusion. Every paragraph serves that position, including the second one, which sets out the conditions rather than arguing the opposite.
Coherence and Cohesion. Each body paragraph has one central idea announced in its first sentence. That said signals the shift from support to conditions. Reference is clear (that space, the policy, the very people who).
Lexical Resource. Topic vocabulary is precise and natural: given over to, excluded, accessible, livelier, depend on access to. There are no memorised phrases that sound out of place.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Conditionals (would be unfair if…, provided that…), relative clauses, passive forms and a cleft-like emphasis (the very people who…) are all used accurately.
Useful language for opinion essays
| Purpose | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Stating a position | I strongly agree that…, I largely disagree with…, I agree, but only to a limited extent |
| Adding a condition | provided that…, as long as…, on condition that…, only if… |
| Answering an objection | Some argue that… However, this overlooks…, That said, …, Admittedly, … |
| Concluding | In conclusion, I believe…, Overall, I remain convinced that… |
Common mistakes
- Changing position. Agreeing in the introduction and sounding neutral in the conclusion confuses the examiner and lowers Task Response.
- Writing a discussion essay instead. Giving one paragraph to each side with no clear verdict does not answer "to what extent".
- Unsupported claims. "Cars are bad for cities" needs an explanation and an example.
- Too many ideas. Two well-developed reasons beat four undeveloped ones.
More opinion questions to practise
- Some people think that all university students should study a science subject, whatever their main degree. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Governments should spend more money on public libraries than on sports facilities. Do you agree or disagree?
- Children should not be allowed to own a smartphone until they are 16. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of the high school curriculum. Do you agree or disagree?
- The best way to reduce traffic congestion is to make public transport free. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Older people should be encouraged to keep working beyond the usual retirement age. Do you agree or disagree?
For topic ideas and vocabulary, see the questions on education and technology, or go back to the Task 2 overview.
Frequently asked questions
Can I partly agree in an IELTS opinion essay?
Yes. 'To what extent' invites a partial position, such as agreeing with conditions. It must still be clear: say exactly what you agree with and what you do not, in the introduction, and keep to it.
Should I discuss the other side in an opinion essay?
You can, as long as it supports your position. A paragraph that acknowledges an objection and then answers it strengthens your argument. A paragraph that simply argues the opposite view makes your position unclear.
Where should my opinion go?
In the introduction, in every body paragraph's topic sentence, and in the conclusion. An opinion that appears only in the conclusion is the classic band 5 or 6 mistake.