IELTS Opinion Essay

📘 What You’ll Learn on This Page

This page explains how to approach IELTS Opinion Essays using a fixed structure. You’ll learn how to take a clear stance, avoid giving a balanced view, and support your opinion with realistic, well-developed ideas. A Band 8 sample essay is included.

🧠 IELTS Opinion Essays

❓ What is an Opinion Essay?

This IELTS Task 2 question type asks directly for your opinion. You are not expected to explore both sides — just pick one view and support it clearly.

You’ll often see questions like:

Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Is this a positive or negative development?

Make sure you choose one side and stick to it. (Giving a mixed opinion usually confuses the examiner and weakens your coherence.)

🛠️ Use This Fixed Structure Every Time

This structure helps you stay focused and score well. Use it every time to avoid drifting off-topic or blending ideas.

🧱 Introduction
Paraphrase the question.
Clearly state your opinion.
Include a short reason to preview the direction of the essay.

✍️ Body Paragraph 1 – QPEE
So, why do I feel this way?
→ Question
→ Point
→ Explain
→ Example

✍️ Body Paragraph 2 – PEE
Another reason I believe this is because…
→ Point
→ Extend
→ Example

🧩 Conclusion
Summarise both points clearly.
Restate your opinion firmly.
Do not introduce new ideas.

🧾 Model Essay

**Task Question**
Thanks to budget airlines, many people are now able to travel abroad.
Is this a positive or negative development?

**Essay**
Large numbers of people are now able to fly overseas due to the rise of low-cost airlines. In my opinion, this is a negative development as it can damage local communities and increase health risks.

So, why do I hold this stance? Many communities that open their doors to tourism do so in the hope of gaining economic benefits, but this often does not happen. In many well-known tourist destinations, this shift has led to the collapse of stable, long-term neighbourhoods. Areas that were previously populated year-round have become reliant on seasonal visitors, and local people are frequently priced out of the housing market. Local shops and essential services also struggle as demand becomes inconsistent. For example, in some cities, properties have been converted into short-term holiday rentals, leaving few affordable options for residents. As a result, entire communities break apart, and the social and economic fabric of the area deteriorates over time.

Another reason I believe the spread of tourism through low-cost international flights is a harmful development is because of the ease with which diseases can now be transmitted. Travellers often carry viruses unknowingly, and the speed and frequency of international travel means illnesses can quickly cross borders. This presents particular risks to countries with fragile healthcare systems, where facilities are limited, and patients may not have access to proper treatment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, international flights rapidly accelerated the global spread of infection, placing enormous pressure on hospitals and endangering public health. Even communities with no direct connection to tourism suffered the consequences.

In conclusion, the expansion of budget air travel has had a profoundly damaging impact on both local communities and public health. Therefore, I believe this is a negative development.

🧠 Ready to Practise?

Try this real IELTS question:

💬 Prompt
More and more people are choosing to work from home instead of commuting.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Use the fixed structure above. Take a clear stance, and support it with strong, realistic points. Avoid giving a mixed or balanced view.