Scorify.uzThe question
English is increasingly used as a global language for business and communication. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
Write at least 250 words.
What the question asks
Weigh the benefits of a shared language against the risks, such as loss of local languages and unequal opportunities, then give a clear judgement.
Essay plan
- Introduction: State that, overall, the advantages are greater, but there are real risks.
- Body 1: advantages: Easier international trade, scientific cooperation, travel and access to information.
- Body 2: disadvantages: Decline of minority languages and unfair advantage for native speakers; suggest bilingual education.
- Conclusion: Benefits outweigh drawbacks if local languages are protected.
Band 7+ sample essay
English has become the most widely used language in international business, science and the internet. This trend has some drawbacks, but I believe the advantages outweigh them.
The main benefit is easier communication across borders. When companies from different countries share a common language, they can negotiate and trade without costly translation, which supports economic growth. Scientists also publish their findings in English, allowing researchers worldwide to build on each other's work and speeding up progress in medicine and technology. For ordinary people, English opens access to an enormous amount of online information, from university courses to news, and makes travelling much simpler.
However, the dominance of English creates certain problems. Smaller languages may lose speakers as young people choose English for education and careers, and when a language disappears, a unique way of seeing the world disappears with it. In addition, native speakers have a natural advantage in international business and academic competition, while others must spend years and money mastering the language. Some people also worry that a single dominant language will make cultures more alike, yet in practice young people often use English for work while still expressing humour, emotion and identity in their own language, which suggests the two can coexist.
These risks can be reduced. Governments can support bilingual education that teaches English alongside the mother tongue, and use media and festivals to keep local languages alive.
In conclusion, a global language makes cooperation easier and knowledge more accessible. Provided that local languages are actively protected, I believe the advantages of English as an international language are greater than its disadvantages.
266 words.
Why this essay scores well
- Task Response: every part of the question is answered and the position stays consistent from the introduction to the conclusion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: each paragraph has one clear idea, linked with natural connectors rather than a list of memorised phrases.
- Lexical Resource: topic vocabulary is precise and varied, without forcing rare words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with conditionals and relative clauses used accurately.
Useful vocabulary
- lingua franca — a common language between different peoples
- mother tongue — first language
- minority language — a language spoken by few people
- dominance — being the most powerful or common
- cross-border — between countries
- linguistic diversity — a variety of languages
- accessible — easy to reach or obtain
Common mistakes on this question
- Describing English history instead of answering the question.
- Writing only advantages.
- Using “native” and “mother tongue” incorrectly.
Study guides
Computer-Delivered IELTS: What Changes and What Stays the Same
Thinking about taking IELTS on a computer? Here is what stays the same, what feels different in Writing, Reading and Listening, and how to prepare for the screen.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Vocabulary for Graphs, Charts and Processes
Useful verbs, nouns, adverbs and sentence patterns for describing line graphs, bar charts, tables and processes in IELTS Task 1, with more than twelve example sentences.
Linking Words for IELTS and How to Use Them Correctly
A practical list of IELTS linking words grouped by function, with correct and incorrect examples, punctuation rules and a warning about overusing connectors.
Frequently asked questions
What type of essay is this IELTS Task 2 question?
It is a advantages and disadvantages question. Weigh the benefits of a shared language against the risks, such as loss of local languages and unequal opportunities, then give a clear judgement.
How many words should the essay be?
Write at least 250 words. Most strong answers are 260–290 words, planned in about five minutes and completed in 40 minutes.
How many paragraphs should I write?
Four paragraphs work well: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each body paragraph needs one main idea, an explanation and an example.