IELTS Task 2 Agree/Disagree Essay:
Band 7+ Template (2026)

How Do I Write an Agree/Disagree Essay?

For IELTS Task 2 agree/disagree essays, take a CLEAR position (strongly agree, strongly disagree, or partially agree) and maintain it throughout. Use 4-paragraph structure: intro with thesis, 2 body paragraphs supporting your view with reasons and examples, conclusion reinforcing the position. 280-300 words, 40 minutes.

The 3 Position Options

Option 1: Strongly Agree

Take one side clearly. Stronger Band 7+ position.

Option 2: Strongly Disagree

Opposite side, equally valid. Same structure.

Option 3: Partially Agree (Balanced)

Acknowledge both sides but favor one. Most natural for complex topics.

All three are acceptable. Pick one and stick with it.

The 4-Paragraph Template

``` ¶1 INTRODUCTION (50-60 words)

• Paraphrase question
• Clear thesis: "I strongly agree/disagree because..."
• Outline 2 reasons

¶2 BODY 1 (100-120 words)

• First reason supporting your view
• Explain logic
• Specific example
• Link back to thesis

¶3 BODY 2 (100-120 words)

• Second reason
• Explain logic
• Specific example
• Link back to thesis

¶4 CONCLUSION (40-50 words)

• Restate thesis in different words
• Summarize 2 reasons
• Final implication

```

Full Band 7.5 Sample

Prompt: "Some believe that all children should learn coding in school. To what extent do you agree?"

Sample (291 words)

There is a growing debate over whether coding should be a mandatory subject alongside mathematics and reading. While I recognize the importance of digital skills in the modern economy, I strongly agree that all children should be introduced to coding from primary school, for two compelling reasons.

Firstly, coding cultivates computational thinking, which transfers to virtually every other academic domain. When children learn to break problems into logical steps, they develop a problem-solving mindset that applies equally to mathematics, writing, and scientific reasoning. Research from Estonia — where coding has been part of the national curriculum since 2012 — shows that students outperform their peers in problem-solving assessments across the PISA rankings. This suggests that coding is less about producing programmers and more about training minds to think systematically.

Secondly, familiarity with code prepares students for an economy where software increasingly mediates every profession. A doctor who understands algorithms can interpret AI diagnostic recommendations more critically; a marketer who understands basic data structures can work more effectively with analytics teams. Even for students who never become software engineers, basic coding literacy narrows the skills gap they will face in the workforce of 2035. Refusing to teach coding is equivalent to refusing to teach handwriting in the 1800s — the skill will define basic functionality in the coming decades.

In conclusion, teaching coding to all children produces both immediate cognitive benefits and long-term economic preparation. While not every student will become a programmer, computational thinking and digital literacy are now baseline skills for informed citizenship. Governments that invest in early coding education will produce more adaptable, critically thinking citizens — a societal advantage too significant to ignore.

Why This Gets Band 7.5

1. TA: Clear strongly-agree position; two reasons; specific examples (Estonia, PISA); thesis restated
2. CC: Clear paragraph progression; topic sentences; cohesive devices ("Firstly," "Secondly," "In conclusion")
3. LR: C1/C2 collocations (computational thinking, mediates, skills gap, cognitive benefits, informed citizenship)
4. GRA: Complex sentences, relative clauses, conditional, passive

5 Agree/Disagree Mistakes

1. Unclear position — "maybe agree a bit" = Band 5
2. Changing position mid-essay — Band 5 for Task Response
3. No examples — Band 6
4. "I think/In my opinion" overused — say it once
5. Listing without explaining — Band 6

Partial Agreement Template

If the prompt is nuanced, partial agreement works:

``` ¶1 Introduce nuanced view ¶2 What I agree with (one side) ¶3 Where I differ (the other side) ¶4 Synthesis ```

Example thesis: "While I agree that... I disagree that... This essay will argue for a balanced position."

7 High-Level Position Markers

1. "I strongly agree that..."
2. "I fundamentally disagree that..."
3. "I largely agree, though with important caveats..."
4. "It is difficult to accept the view that..."
5. "My position is that..."
6. "I unequivocally support the argument that..."
7. "Upon reflection, I must disagree..."

Pick one variant — don''t use 7 in one essay.

40-Minute Time Budget

• 0-5: Plan (position + 2 reasons + 2 examples)
• 5-10: Intro
• 10-22: Body 1
• 22-34: Body 2
• 34-38: Conclusion
• 38-40: Proofread

FAQ

Q: Can I agree with a qualification (mostly, but not entirely)? A: Yes — "largely agree" or "mostly agree with important reservations" is valid.

Q: Is 280-300 words enough? A: Yes — under 250 is penalized; over 350 risks errors.

Q: Do I need to address the opposing view? A: Not required, but strong Band 8 essays often concede one point.

Q: Which position gets higher scores? A: No position is preferred. Score depends on how well you argue.

Q: Can I use first-person "I"? A: Yes — opinion essays expect it.

Q: How many examples per body paragraph? A: 1 specific, developed example per paragraph.

Grade Your Essay Free

Grade my essay →