IELTS Writing Task 2

Discuss Both Views and Give your Opinion

Task:

You should spend 40 minutes on this task. Write at least 250 words

Some people think that we learn best through in-person interaction with a teacher in a class room. Others believe that online learning is more effective. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Include reasons for your answers and give examples from your knowledge or experience

Contents:

1. Keywords:

a. Learn best through

b. in-person interaction

c. online is more effective

d. Discuss both views

e. Your opinion

f. Synonyms

2. General Discussion

a. Merits of in-person interaction

b. Demerits of in-person interaction

c. Merits of online classes

d. Demerits of online classes

e. What is distant education and how is it different from online learning?

f. What is better, Online or in-person interaction

g. structure of the essay

h. Can we adapt/re-cycle this question?

i. Synonyms of (i) In-person interaction & (ii) Offline classes

3. Sample essay.

a) Merits of in-person learning

* You can interact freely with your teacher and co-students in real-time environment. Offline classes help building more social and collaborative learning because you can ask questions and get feedbacks from your peers and trainers.

* You can rely on stable and consistent access to to the learning resources and need not depend on the internet connection and other technical issues or interruptions.

* Traditional classes increase your student competition and motivation. It creates a sense of healthy competition among students as they can compare their performance with that of the others.

* On campus learning can have less distractions and the learners can focus on study materials. On the other hand, virtual learning can be challenging for those are easily distracted by other tabs, notifications and advertisements.

b) Demerits of in-person learning

* You have to incur traveling expenses and time to attend offline classes as the teacher and students are placed at different locations.

* You have to follow a fixed and rigid schedule for offline classes. If you you have any commitments or emergencies, it would clash with your regular attendance.

* Traditional classes tend to last longer than online classes as they include breaks, discussions and practice hours. This can be exhausting for some students and you may find less time for self-study.

* Books, notes and study materials used in offline classes may not be updated, and so you have to buy updated materials, which can be expensive.

c) Merits of online classes

* The main advantage of online classes is the flexibility and convenience it offers. It allows you to learn at your own place and convenient time. You can access the classes anytime and from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.

* You can interact with your teachers from different backgrounds and countries. You can learn any course that may not be available in your hometown.

* Online courses are cost effective and affordable. You can save money on traveling expenses and other expenses associated with traditional learning.

* Online courses usually offer scholarships and attractive discounts.

d) Demerits of offline classes.

* e-learning can cause social isolation and health issues. The students experience stress, anxiety and depression. Those who spend long hours in front of screen may develop health issues.

* Virtual learning depends on the internet connection and any issues with technology can affect learning. Moreover, those who are computer illiterates cannot avail the online classes.

* Remote learning can affect the feedbacks from the teachers and peers. Peer interaction and collaboration are not possible with online classes.

* Some online courses may have lower standard and and may not have proper assessment methods.

e) What is better, Online or Offline?

* On a final analysis, the choice between the two depends, largely on, personal preferences and circumstances. of both the teachers and the students.

* The needs and goals vary from individual to individual and choices are purely personal requirements and satisfaction.

* The choice depends on the availability of resources and technology

f. What is distant education and how it is different from Online Learning?

Distant Education and Online learning are different although sometimes they are used synonymously.

* Online learning takes place entirely on the internet using a range of digital technologies. It does not give face-to-face interaction.

* Distant Education encompasses a broader range of learning options including online and offline learning. Degrees are available at all levels, undergraduates, post-graduates and doctorates.

* Distant Education includes face-to-face workshops, contact classes and online sessions.

Both offer flexibility and convenience of the learner. You may choose either depends on your motivation and goal.

Structure of the Essay

[Depending on “your opinion”, there can be three structures.]

Structure 1

Paragraph 1. Introduction

* Paraphrase the general statement

* Thesis sentence (The choice depends on individual preferences and needs)

Paragraph 2. Body Para 1.

* Arguments – for the merits of online classes

* Reasons

* Example

* Conclude BP 1

Paragraph 3. Body para 2.

* Arguments – for the merits offline

* Reason

* Example

* Conclusion of BP 2

Paragraph 4. Conclusion

Re-phrase the Introduction

* [ The other structures are given in the ensuing volumes]

h. Can we adapt/re-cycle the question?

Yes, we can. Read the general statement, “Some people think that we can learn best through in-person interaction with a teacher in a classroom. Others believe that online learning is more effective”.

Using the general statement, we can frame at least 7 types of IELTS Writing Task 2 questions:

1. Some people think that we learn best through in-person interaction with a teacher in a classroom. How far do you agree or disagree?

2. Some people…….is more effective. What is your opinion?

3. Nowadays, distance- learning programs have gained popularity, but some people argue that online courses can be as good as those taken at a university in person. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (Given in Trivandrum Branch yesterday, thank you Arjun sir)

4. “Some people think……is more effective” Do you think the advantages of in-person learning outweighs the disadvantages of it?

5. Online learning is becoming more and more popular. Is it a positive or negative development?

6. Online learning is becoming more and more popular. What are the causes of it? What problems can it cause?

7. “Some people think … with a teacher in a classroom”.

How far do you agree or disagree? Can online learning can cause any problems?

i. Synonyms:

Offline:

* in-person classes

* on campus classes

* traditional classes

Online:

* e- learning

* virtual learning

* web-based learning

* Remote learning

SAMPLE ANSWERS

Some people think that we learn better through in-person interaction with a teacher in a classroom. Others believe that online learning is more effective. Discuss both the views and give your opinion.

Key words:

i) In-person learning in a class room

ii) Learn best

iii) Online learning

iv) More effective

v) Discuss both views

vi) your opinion

Sample Answer 1

Paragraph 1. Introduction

Thanks to the exponential growth of science and technology, online learning has become ubiquitous; however, it is often held that offline classes more productive.[Paraphrase of the general statement]. This essay will dwell on these two diverse views and validate my opinion that both have their own uniqueness, and ultimately the choice between the two depends on the preferences and circumstances of the teachers and the students.[Thesis sentence]

[Vocabulary:

1. Thank to: owing to, due to, because of, as a result of, on the basis of.

2. Exponential: growing, mounting, epidemic, rampant, augmenting.

3. Ubiquitous: everywhere, universal, pervasive, omnipresent, widespread.

4. Productive: advantageous, beneficial, effective, dynamic, prolific

5. Diverse: different, several, sundry, various, mixed, assorted.

6. Validate: confirm, prove, verify, argue, vindicate, support, corroborate

7. Uniqueness : peculiarities, individuality, identity, oneness, distinctiveness.

8. Ultimately: finally, at length, eventually, at last, in the end.

Paragraph 2. Body para 1. (arguments in favour of offline classes)

To embark on, offline classes foster social and collaborative learning because the students can ask questions and get feedback from the teachers and peers.[Argument]. Such real-time learning can increase the competitive spirit and co-operation among the learners.[Reason]For instance, the students who took traditional classes are found to have more societal and interactive skills than those who underwent e- learning.[Example]. Thus, while online classes cause social isolation, offline learning creates better individuals.[Conclusion, BP1]

[Vocabulary:

1. Embark: begin, start, commence, set out, take up, start a journey

2. Foster: encourage, promote, raise, rear, nurture, nurse, care for.

3. Collaborative: Collective, joint, combined, mutual, shared.

4: Peers: equals, partners, fellows, counterparts, friends.

5. Isolation: loneliness, seclusion, solitude, confinement.]

Paragraph 3. Body para 2. (Arguments in favour of online classes)

On the flip side, online classes have also multiple benefits, including they allow one to learn at one’s own place and convenience.[Argument]The classes can be accessed anytime and anywhere as long as one has an internet connection. The main advantage of online classes is this flexibility and convenience. Moreover, we can learn any courses that may not be available in our hometown. [Reason]For example, during the covid 19 pandemic, the entire system of education would have collapsed had online classes would not have been implemented. [Example] Therefore, web-based learning opens a wide vista of opportunities to the learners.[Conclusion BP2]

[Vocabulary:

1. Flip side: contrarily, inversely, however.

2. Multiple: several, numerous, various, manifold, multifarious.

3. Access: (v) get, obtain, attain, procure, gather.

4. Flexibility: elasticity, pliability, adjustability, relaxed.

5. Collapse: fall down, subside, cave in, crumple, break down.

6. Implement (v): apply, perform, execute, put into action, enact

7. Vista: view, scene, prospects, perspective, panorama.

8. Opportunity: chance, opening, window, occasion, scope].

Paragraph 4 Conclusion.

To conclude, both remote learning and traditional classes have equal number of merits and demerits. In my opinion, the needs and goals vary from individual to individual and the choice is purely personal requirements and satisfaction.[Introduction re-phrased]

[Vocabulary:

1. Opinion: belief, judgment, notion, conviction, perspective.

2. Requirement: need, necessity, urgency, demand, requisite, condition]